Day: May 26, 2022

Gauteng Hawks head, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, has praised the investigation team for a major breakthrough on the apprehension of two fraud accused in relation to approximately R35 million defrauded from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

In a statement Hawks spokesperson, Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, said the investigation came after reports in 2017 suggested that the retail company director, Eusuf Fehaaz (42) and his accountant, David Larkan (58) misrepresented themselves and submitted a fraudulent audit report when applying for funding from the IDC.

“As a result, the IDC allegedly transferred approximately R35 million into the accused retail company’s business bank account for development projects,” she said.

Through internal forensic analysis, IDC discovered that the Durban-based retail company, Glodine (Pty) LTD, did not possess the R10 million surplus in their business bank account as indicated from their audit report.

The matter was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Johannesburg for further probing. Authorities successfully restrained the company’s bank transaction movements and a potential R25 million belonging to the entity was effectively secured.

Mulamu said a warrant of arrest was subsequently issued for the duo’s apprehension.

“Both Fehaaz and Larkan handed themselves to authorities accompanied by their legal representatives, yesterday. They were subsequently charged with fraud and taken to the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for their first appearance on the same day,” she said.

The court granted the accused bail of R10 000 and R5 000, respectively.

The case is postponed to 27 June 2022 for docket disclosure.

“We are anticipating a successful and well deserving conviction on this matter. In this country there is a lot of small businesses in need of funding to expand and develop their communities but may not be successful due to such crimes.

"It is evident that the accused’ aim was mainly to destroy the administration of the entity by allegedly stealing from other aspiring entrepreneurs who need funding”. “The accused’ apprehension is a step towards a better South Africa with less criminals within our communities,” Major General Kadwa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will shut off the water supply main to the Haasendal Mall area from 20:00 on Tuesday, 31 May 2022 until 05:00 on Wednesday, 1 June 2022. This will enable the maintenance crew to safely switch over to the newly installed permanent network link and to remove the previously installed temporary alteration. The temporary bypass on the water supply main has now served its purpose in eliminating water supply disruptions while the construction work was in progress. This work would have been done earlier, but it was decided to delay it to prevent any further water supply disruptions resulting from the construction project. Read more below:

Careful consideration has been given to this work to ensure minimal disruption to the residents.

Residents are kindly advised to store water upfront in clean, sealed containers for domestic use during this period and also to ensure that their taps are closed to avoid water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.

The City regrets any inconvenience caused, but it is imperative that it upgrades and maintains its water supply infrastructure to benefit its consumers.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Cabinet has commended and expressed its gratitude to all people and organisations involved in recovery and rebuilding efforts following the recent devastating floods in some parts of the country, especially in KwaZulu-Natal.

Briefing the media on the outcomes of Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, Minister in The Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, said Cabinet thanked all non-governmental organisations, including faith-based organisations, communities, business people and relief organisations that have provided food, clothes, blankets, dignity packs and school uniforms to vulnerable families to meet their basic needs.

Gungubele said the National Disaster Management Centre continues to coordinate all spheres of government in its efforts to provide humanitarian relief to all affected households.

“Sheltering services are being provided to over 7 000 people in the four worst affected districts in KwaZulu-Natal. Work has started on building temporary residences for affected families on state-owned land parcels that have been identified in KwaZulu-Natal for possible resettlement,” Gungubele said.

Gungubele also affirmed government’s commitment to managing the flood relief funds prudently and transparently.

“The Auditor-General of South Africa is providing an additional monitoring service and the reprioritisation of funds is in line with the government’s budgeting system.”

Take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Turning to COVID-19, Gungubele urged all people in South Africa to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus, following the latest statistics, which showed a marked increase in the rate of infections and illnesses associated with the winter season in the country.

The National Department of Health confirmed 5 284 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 – 48 hours, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 941 045.

“Cabinet reminded everyone to continue safeguarding ourselves and other people by washing or sanitising our hands regularly, wearing a mask when indoors, maintaining a safe social distance, opening windows for ventilation and vaccinating.

“Vaccination remains the best defence against COVID-19 as it prevents severe illness, hospitalisation and even death. You do not need a home address to vaccinate. Any person, with or without an identity document, can get vaccinated for free at all public vaccination sites across the country,” the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Two Vrygrond Early Childhood Development Centres are the first facilities to benefit from the exemption criteria approved in 2020, paving the way for the ECD centres to be structurally compliant and render a much needed service to the community.

Any building or infrastructure development project in Cape Town is subject to a once-off bulk infrastructure contribution levy where new or additional land use and development rights are granted – as regulated by the Policy on Development Charges for Engineering Services.

The once-off fee is imposed at the time of a land development application or when an application is made to change the lawful land use or zoning of a property.

The City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department (SDECD) identified this requirement as a stumbling block to Early Childhood Development Centres several years ago, and then set about drafting the Development Charges Exemption Criteria for ECDs, which was approved by Council in October 2020.

What it means, practically, is that ECDs who meet the criteria, can be exempted from paying these development costs, with the SDECD covering the costs on their behalf.

The department has successfully facilitated exemptions for two Vrygrond ECDS – the first facilities to benefit from the Development Charges Exemption Criteria.

The value of the exemption amount waived for the Little Sunshine Educare and Nourish Educare, both in Vrygrond, is just over R175 000.

‘All ECDs are required to comply with health, fire and building regulations before they can be considered for registration with the Western Cape Government. The reality is that compliance is a challenge for many, and the City has introduced numerous measures over the years to smooth the way for these ECDs. The waiving of the development costs is one of the latest interventions, and it is worth taking a moment to appreciate how an idea, on paper, has now come to practical fruition. Hopefully we can assist many more ECDs in this manner, which in turn will increase the number of compliant, registered facilities to meet the ever-growing need for early learning centres that are so crucial to the development of our young children,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

Apart from the Development Cost Exemption Criteria, the SDECD also facilitates ECD registration drives and awareness campaigns on the City’s ECD Modernisation tool in collaboration with other City departments such as the Land Use Management Department, Building Development Management Department, Environmental Health and the Fire & Rescue Service.

‘The investment in the development of ECD Centres is an investment in children’s future and our leaders of tomorrow. We will keep on working closely with our communities to provide the best possible assistance in these challenging times. We would like to urge the community to support the centres and assist in looking after these facilities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has assured the community members of Giyani that the Giyani Water Supply Scheme is currently on course and there will be water in the area.

Mchunu made the commitment during his visit to Giyani to witness the progress of the construction of raw water bulk water pipeline from Nandoni Dam to augment Nsami and Middle Letaba.

The raw water bulk supply pipeline was promised to the people of Giyani a long time ago, however it has never taken off ground despite funds being made available for the project.

The project is led by the Department of Water and Sanitation, through Lepelle Northern Water.

Accompanied by his Deputy Ministers, David Mahlobo and Dikeledi Magadzi, Mchunu visited the sites where the laying of the pipelines from Nandoni Dam to Nsami is currently under way, with 77.4% of work being completed.

The project will benefit about 55 villages in Limpopo, with a population of more than 240 000 people in Giyani.

Mchunu said he was satisfied that the work of bringing water to Giyani is on course.

“This is indeed in contrast to what I saw last year because the project was hopeless and was not moving at all,” Mchunu said.

The Minister said a new model for the pipeline installations from Nandoni to Nsami had to be drafted in order to put the project into motion.

He said the department has also installed a pipeline that will take treated water from the Water Treatment Works to Malamulele and the surrounding areas.

However, despite the progress on the raw water pipeline construction, the Minister said the area of Giyani is faced with challenges, including ageing infrastructure, asbestos pipes, as well as inadequate reticulation systems to the villages.

Mopani District Municipality indicated that there are upgrading projects of water reticulation and borehole refurbishment, particularly in the villages of Mageva, Ngove, Xikukwane, Giyani and other new places of habitation.

There is also a rehabilitation and refurbishment of Giyani Water Treatment Works, which produces 36 million litres per day.

Mchunu emphasised that water should be reticulated to the households.

He also noted the importance of prioritising water reticulation to communities at their own households, and consideration for the communal system, mainly for the mushrooming informal settlements.

During his interaction with the community of Giyani, the residents voiced their frustrations regarding the promises made to deliver water to their area.

The Minister assured the community that the water supply scheme is currently on course and water would be available in their villages by September this year.

“I must say that the Giyani Water Project has been an embarrassment to both the Department of Water and Sanitation and to government as a whole, but we are determined to make sure this project brings water here in Giyani and the reticulation should also be in your households,” Mchunu assured the community.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Premier of the North West Province Kaobitsa Bushy Maape will on Friday, 27 May 2022, address a capacity building workshop on 40% public procurement for women-owned businesses.

Hosted by the provincial government in collaboration with UN Women SA Multicountry Office, Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and other key public and private sector stakeholders, the workshop is hosted in response to Pillar 5 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), which seeks to address women’s unequal economic and social position, through access to economic opportunities including government and private sector procurement, employment, housing, access to land, financial resources and other income generating initiatives.

Through this initiative, women’s readiness to participate economically through public procurement and gain access to technical and financial support available from various institutions will be improved.

During the workshop, various provincial departments will share presentations on the current programmes and opportunities to women-owned businesses.

Source: Government of South Africa

GAUTENG - The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) General Fannie Masemola has applauded a multidisciplinary team established to prevent and clamp down on illicit activities at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) for their vigilance.

At about 12:36 on Thursday afternoon, a security official at the Airport alerted police to suspicious looking items in a hand luggage that had been carried by a man who was destined for Singapore.

Upon further investigation and interrogation of the suspect, police found rhino horns weighing 26kg in the man's hand luggage. The horns were seized and the 41-year-old man was arrested by members of the South African Police Service.

Two cellphones found in the possession of the suspect were also confiscated.

The man will appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday to face a charge of contravention of the Biodiversity act 10 of 2004 which prohibits the illegal trade of the rhinoceros horn.

Source: South African Police Service