Day: July 21, 2022

Government has rejected what it termed as malicious allegations made by Independent Media Group’s head, Iqbal Surve, about President Cyril Ramaphosa and Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan.

In a video, Surve alleged that President Ramaphosa and the Minister had applied political pressure and were using the banks to silence the media.

“The Independent Group’s allegations are devoid of truth and seek to bring the President and the Minister into disrepute. Furthermore, the country has a formal banking system, which is highly regulated and accountable to regulators and industry bodies,” said Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Director-General, Phumla Williams.

Williams said the Constitution entrenches the right to freedom of expression, including media freedom, which is an integral part of democracy.

“Since 1994, government has been resolute in the belief that an independent and free media are vital partners in strengthening any democracy.

“Government on an annual basis joins the media industry in commemorating Media Freedom Day, which resulted in legislative guarantees of press freedom and editorial independence,” she said.

Minister in The Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, said: “This is not the first time that the Independent Group has cast aspersions on Cabinet Ministers. The media has been free of State control since the advent of democracy.

“Government enjoys a cordial relationship with media in the country through structures such as SANEF and the Press Club. The media is an important partner and stakeholder of government, and we confirm our commitment to upholding media freedom in South Africa”.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Statement by Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill Lewis

Yesterday’s announcement that annual consumer price inflation jumped to 7,4% in June — a 13-year high — signals a growing cost of living crisis. Even those South Africans fortunate enough to be employed amid record levels of national unemployment are experiencing their costs of living fast outstripping their salaries.

It has been ten days since the President promised a “comprehensive set of actions” to solve the power crisis that will be announced “in the coming days”. Given that the latest round of severe load-shedding began over a month ago, it is unclear why the President has still not put forward any solutions. I call on President Ramaphosa to urgently present rational, reformist solutions to our energy crisis which will promote growth and lessen the cost of living.

I reiterate my call to the President to announce a series of ten decisive steps that will assist municipalities to bring the energy crisis to an end as soon as possible. Not only will this dramatically bolster economic growth and employment, but it will allow municipalities to lower the costs of the electricity they supply to residents — a key aspect of high living costs.

This move would be particularly timely considering reports this week that Eskom is envisioning a 32,7% increase in the price of electricity in seven months’ time. Ordinary South Africans should not be forced to pay for the years of corruption and mismanagement at Eskom that have led to the utility’s failure, especially not while we are experiencing the worst year of load-shedding on record.

I also call on the President to commit his government to deregulating the price of fuel and ending unnecessary, regressive fuel taxes. This could reduce the fuel price by up to R9 per litre. Again, South Africans should not be forced to foot the bill for mismanaged organs of state like the Road Accident Fund.

Clear, brave, and future-focussed leadership is urgently needed to stop South Africans’ steady slide into poverty. The President will have my full support in any good-faith attempt he makes to change course and work towards positive change.

Source: City Of Cape Town

DURBAN – Ntuzuma police are searching for the family or relatives of a child believed to be five years old. The child was found hanging on a tree at a school in G Section, Ntuzuma on 03 July 2022. An inquest docket was opened at the Ntuzuma police station for investigation. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.

We appeal to anyone who may have information regarding the family or relatives of the child, to contact Sergeant Mbhele on 072 678 6924 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Communities can also report information anonymously on the MySAPSApp.

Source: South African Police Service

Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomes the arrests father and daughter over PPE tender fraud

The SIU welcomes the arrests of Makhonzandile Lukhope and his daughter Naledi Lukhope by the Hawks. The Lukhopes were arrested on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering to the value of R4 365 868.88 related to personal protective equipment (PPE) tender awarded by the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) under the company names Amabongwe Building and Civil Contractors CC (“Amabongwe”) and Tsunami Civils.

The pair was arrested on Wednesday 20 July 2022 and appeared before the Zwelitsha Magistrates Court. They were both subsequently released on bail of R4000 and R2000 each. The matter has been postponed to 19 August 2022, Regional Court 5 in East London.

The arrests follow an SIU investigation authorized by the Proclamation R23 of 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, malpractice and payments made by State institutions relating to PPE procurement together with the conducts of State employees.

The SIU investigation revealed that Mr Lukhope, through his company Amabongwe, allegedly committed fraud through a misrepresentation and with an intention to defraud the ECDoE. He unlawfully submitted a Contract of Lease, which had the effect of misrepresenting to the ECDoE that Amabongwe was operational in the Eastern Cape Province and had a business in the Province. This led to the ECDoE into awarding a contract to Amabongwe in the amount of R1 904 316.00.

Mr Lukhope also failed to disclose interest in Tsunami Civils, which belongs to his daughter, Miss Lukhope.

Furthermore, the SIU investigation revealed that Miss Lukhope, through her company Tsunami Civils, allegedly misrepresented and defrauded the ECDoE by unlawfully submitting a Contract of Lease, which had the effect of misrepresenting to the ECDoE that Tsunami Civils was operational in the Eastern Cape Province and had a business in the Province. Through the deceit, Miss Lukhope’s company received a total payment in the amount of R2 461 552.88, causing actual prejudice to the ECDoE.

All tenders awarded to the Lukhopes were restricted for businesses operating in the Eastern Cape.

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU referred evidence pointing to criminal conduct that was uncovered during the investigation to the attention of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

Source: Government of South Africa

KESTELL – The Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Baile Motswenyane and members of Thabo Mofutsanyana District, Crime Intelligence, K9 Unit and Public Order Police were commended by the Premier of the Free State, Honorable Sisi Ntombela and Police, Roads and Transport MEC, Mr William Bulwane. The members were applauded for their excellent work in arresting the two accused, Motankisi and Tseko, for a horrific murder case, within 24 hours after the incident.

The memorial service of the seven victims was held at Tlhlolong Multipurpose Centre near Kestell. That’s where a packed community hall observed the emotional moment unfold when the Premier of Free State, Honorable Sisi Ntombela read the names of the police members who were recognized for their sterling work. Lt Gen Motswenyane and her team were called to stand up and be appreciated.

The Free State entourage also visited the homes of victims before the mass funeral that is expected to take place on Saturday, 23 July 2022 at Tlholong community hall.

The two accused will be back again in Kestell court on 14 September 2022 after abandoning bail application.

Source: South African Police Service

Co-ordinated Blitz inspections in Potchefstroom see several undocumented workers behind bars

The joint weeklong mega blitz inspections between the Department of Employment and Labour, Home Affairs, Transport and South African Police Services in Potchefstroom, North West, switched its attention to the road freight industry where four undocumented foreign nationals were arrested at a roadblock along the busy N12 route on Thursday.

The arrests followed those of seven others who were arrested on Wednesday at a company in the area. All are expected to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court.

Speaking at the roadblock, Thulas Nxesi, Employment and Labour Minister, said the inspections wanted to see the level of compliance with labour laws ranging from the Basic Conditions of Employment Act to Occupational Health and Safety Act as well as observance of the National Minimum Wage.

“We have already found that several truck drivers are undocumented – are not paid in terms of the collective agreements and are not registered for the unemployment insurance fund. We are warning employers to ensure that they abide by the labour laws or face the music,’’ he said.

The Minister, who was accompanied by his deputy, Boitumelo Moloi and the Inspector-General, Aggy Moiloa, said the operation was a sequel to the commitment by a number of ministers last month to intensify the programme of action to deal with the employment of undocumented foreign nationals.

Colonel Thabo Mahlangu said his team had been able to arrest the undocumented foreign nationals during an intensive two-hour operation.

The Deputy Minister said employers must take responsibility for employing undocumented foreign nationals.

Phumi Maphaha, Acting Chief Inspector of the Department of Employment and Labour, expressed disappointment following the inspection at Chubby Chick on Wednesday, where the company could not produce the certificate of compliance in terms of the ammonia stored at the plant. He however, said the company had promised to ensure its availability within 24 hours. He said his team was happy with the functioning condition of boilers.

Maphaha expressed concern that firefighting equipment had been stolen, which could pose a major risk should a fire break out at the plant. He said the medical surveillance unit had issued a number of notices which will be followed up.

The inspections will end with the spotlight turning to manufacturing sector.

Source: Government of South Africa

NELSPRUIT – An Intelligence driven operation carried out by members from Kwaggafontein has navigated them to two alleged robbers and recovered various jewellery items. The seized items are believed to be the products of two separate robberies.

According to the information, crime intelligence structure in the province assisted members to have a breakthrough on two robberies incidents which were carried out at Kwaggafontein recently. One was carried out on 08 July 2022 whilst the other was carried out on 12 July 2022 at Sterns Jewelery Shop in Phola Mall, Kwaggafontein.

It is said that during the robberies, a group of about three to four armed suspects stormed into the shop and held their victims at gunpoint then robbed them of some jewellery items before fleeing the scene. The estimated value of the items robbed amounted to a total of about R300 000-00. Both incidents were separately reported to the police at Kwaggafontein. A team of experts in the investigation fraternity was assembled to probe.

In the early hours of 19 July 2022, the members operationalized the provided information then recovered the suspected stolen items at various areas including Machiding and Tweefontein.

During the investigation the members were led to one of the former police officer who previously worked at Kwaggafontein police station before he was dismissed on allegations of corruption in the year 2014. The man and his wife were arrested and charged accordingly after being found with some of the items believed to have been stolen during the two robbery incidents. The police also uncovered that the woman is an employee at the jewellery shop which was robbed.

Among the items which were recovered during the operation included 2 tempo watches, 2 Hisense E31 cell phones, Samsung A03 cell phone, Camon Tecno cell phone, 6 other cell phones, 57 finger rings, 21 earrings, 15 necklaces, 14 wrist watches, a bracelet, as well as 4 perfumes. Some of the items were reportedly still having tags from Sterns Jewelery Shop.

Lindiwe Thandiwe Mgidi (34) has already appeared at Mkobola Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 19 July 2022 where she was granted bail of R5000-00. Benengi Simon Mgidi (45) also appeared at the same court on Wednesday, 20 July 2022 where he too was granted bail of R6000-00. Both are expected to appear again on 11 August 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has praised members of the police for the breakthrough in terms of the arrest as well as recovery of the suspected stolen properties and the General pleaded with members of the public not to buy stolen properties. “If one buys a stolen property then it should be taken into consideration that such a person is actively participating in the whole value chain of criminal activities and syndicates,” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service