Day: August 1, 2022

ZWELITSHA - The dynamic and hardworking officers in the Eastern Cape Province been appointed as senior managers, when the Provincial Commissioner conferred new ranks to the newly promoted Brigadiers on Monday, 01 August 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene officially conferred new ranks to the two newly promoted officers, who have now been elevated to new roles in their careers.

The officers were promoted as follows:

Colonel N Ngalo was promoted to the rank of a Brigadier, and to assume his new position as the station commander of Motherwell (Nelson Mandela Bay District).

Brigadier RP Mejanie was appointed as Section Head: Legal Support Resources.

Lt Gen Mene welcomed the new officers, "You must brace yourself for new responsibilities and challenges."

Source: South African Police Service

The National Treasury has called on the public to comment in writing on the 2022 Draft Revenue Laws Amendment Bill and all other draft tax bills.

This as the National Treasury published for public comment the 2022 Draft Revenue Laws Amendment Bill, which contains key amendments on retirement reform to move towards a “two-pot” retirement system.

“The amendments enable South Africans to also save for non-retirement purposes (e.g. emergencies) via their retirement funds, whilst preserving more of their savings for retirement,” the National Treasury said on Sunday.

The National Treasury released the set of four draft Tax Bills for public comment, which give effect to the 2022 Budget tax proposals.

These include the 2022 Draft Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill (2022 Draft Rates Bill), the 2022 Draft Revenue Laws Amendment Bill, the 2022 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (2022 Draft TLAB) and the 2022 Draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill (2022 Draft TALAB).

They were published on 29 July 2022.

“These amendments aim to encourage members to preserve their retirement savings by making it more flexible to accommodate unforeseen pressures that members face during the span of their working life.

“It makes it possible for workers not to resign from their employment merely to access their retirement funds and would have assisted members during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, when many employees faced reduced salaries or were not paid at all during that time,” National Treasury said.

The legislative proposals follow an intensive process of consultations, where various risks, challenges and possible perverse outcomes were identified.

“These amendments are the culmination of several years of consultations and engagements that took place between National Treasury, Labour, and Business stakeholders, and reflects input received from the public after the release of the discussion paper Encouraging households to save more for retirement in December 2021.

“The amendments are technically complex, as they attempt to fit a pre-retirement withdrawal scheme into existing retirement savings vehicles primarily meant to cater for long term savings,” National Treasury said.

Process to enact Bills following public comments

The process for enacting any amendments following publication involves taking public comments.

“After receipt of written comments, National Treasury normally engages with stakeholders through public workshops to discuss the written comments on the draft bill.

“The Standing Committee on Finance (SCoF) and the Select Committee on Finance (SeCoF) in Parliament are expected to make a similar call for public comment and convene public hearings on the 2022 draft bills before their formal introduction in Parliament,” National Treasury said.

Thereafter, a response document on the comments received will be presented at the Parliamentary committee hearings, after which the bills will then be revised, taking into account public comments and recommendations made during committee hearings, before they are introduced formally in Parliament for its consideration.

The public has been encouraged to submit written comments to the National Treasury’s tax policy depository at 2022AnnexCProp@treasury.gov.za and SARS at acollins@sars.gov.za by close of business on 29 August 2022.

Source: South African Government News Agency

GQEBERHA - SAPS Kabega Park Detectives left no stone unturned by making sure that a 37-year-old alleged murder suspect was behind bars.

It is alleged that on Monday, 01 August 2022 at approximately 11:30, the deceased John Mehlo (47) was involved in an argument at the community centre in Kuyga. After he left the community hall, he was followed by the suspect and assaulted with a plank with nails. Mehlo died on the scene in Luyiso Crescent, Kuyga, Greenbushes. The detectives obtained information which was followed up immediately and arrested the suspect at his residence in Kuyga a few hours after the murder was reported.

The suspect was detained and will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 03 August 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

GAUTENG – Emmanuel Indu (43), Ussa Houston (43), Mark Anonja (42), Saint Shu (31) and Mike Ally (20) remain in custody after their appearance at the Booysens Magistrates' Court on Friday, 29 July 2022.

The accused were arrested on Wednesday during an operation by the team of Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Johannesburg K9 and Johannesburg City Power. Police received information about stolen copper cables in Regents Park and proceeded to the area. Cables with an estimated street value of R250 000-00 were recovered.

The accused were charged in terms of the Essential Infrastructure Act and they will return to court on 05 August 2022 for formal bail application.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT - Five suspects, a Police Constable attached to Witbank Detectives, Emmanuel Zwane (24), Given Nhlanhla (27), Ngadla Mkhwanazi (44), Thembelani Ndlebele (32) and Vusi Bophela (40) were all remanded in custody after they appeared at the Ogies Magistrate’s Court today for possession of suspected stolen properties. They were arrested yesterday, Sunday 31 July 2022 on the R555 Ogies/Delmas Road.

According to the report, Police at Ogies conducted routine patrolling duties when they spotted a Toyota Double Cab bakkie parked on the side of the road, with six men loading bags inside the bakkie. They then approached the men to investigate when suddenly officials and security guards from Transnet also arrived and informed the police that the men are loading Chrome which they allegedly stole at Transnet. Police reacted swiftly and arrested four of the suspects while two managed to flee.

Moments later, police spotted a white Golf 7 TSI and identified the driver as one of the two suspects who fled the scene earlier and he was arrested. A preliminary investigation conducted after the arrests revealed that the bakkie which was used to load the Chrome is a SAPS vehicle which was assigned for a member on Detective stand-by duties. They further discovered that the Golf 7 TSI belongs to one of the suspects who was arrested as well.

The stolen Chrome is estimated to be worth R60 000 and the suspects will have their second appearance at the same court on 08 August 2022.

Meanwhile crime perpetuated by any member of the SAPS has been widely condemned by the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela. "Whilst we applaud the success made, we can never be associated with criminality. We will continue to fight crime without fear or favour and we remain consistent to get rid of bad apples within our ranks" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE - Members attached to the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit (Banking and Electronic Group) arrested a 36-year-old suspect for theft, fraud, perjury and forger at a post office in Bishop Lavis today, 01 August 2022.

According to reports the suspect was employed as an employer at Lavis Town Post Office (Bishop Lavis), and as such managed the day to day administrative duties. During the month of May 2022, SASSA funds which had not been collected by the approved recipients, amounting to R200 000-00, was to be returned to the Post Office Bank account and to be collected by the relevant Private Security Company.

During the normal course of business, he would be required to complete the relevant deposit slip, a collection slip by the private security company and endorse this in the relevant register of the post office to indicate the banking of the uncollected funds. It is alleged that the suspect, then made forged entries into these registers, indicating that the funds were indeed collected by the security company and deposited into the post office bank account whereas this was not done.

This case was assigned to the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation for further investigation. Witness statements were obtained which resulted in a prima facie case being investigated in support of the allegation. The suspect will appear at the Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court on 02 August 2022 on the mentioned charges.

The Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation on further investigation identified a further case involving approximately R500 000-00, using the same modus operandi. Investigations continues.

Source: South African Police Service

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has expressed shock and anger following the gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp, West of Johannesburg.

The incident took place on Thursday, when a group of young women were shooting a music video and were approached by a group of men who raped and robbed them of their belongings, including clothes and other valuables.

Nkoana-Mashabane said the war declared by men against women in the country must be met with the harshest response and sentences.

“We cannot continue as normal when women in their diversity are statistics and live in constant fear in a free country. Unemployment is high and to hear that these young women were shooting a music video when they were approached by a group of men who raped and robbed them of their belongings is despicable,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.

She said the department is coordinating its response to support the women violated in this despicable manner.

"As more details come to light, I am angered by the depravity displayed by these vile perpetrators. We plead with SAPS to continue to search for the perpetrators and bring those responsible to book. The eight women must have justice served.

“The law must take its course, but in cases of this nature the justice system must show no mercy when sentencing these perpetrators. These perpetrators must receive harsh punishment for their crimes, as there is no place in society for them,” the Minister said.

Disregard of women’s rights will never be normalised

Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Director-General Phumla Williams said the news of the incident is devastating.

Williams warned that the disregard of women’s rights and safety will never be normalised in South Africa.

“Government and society are working hard to turn the tide of gender-based violence (GBV), and we will not accept such crimes against women. The rape of one woman is a degradation and limitation to all women.

“Rape is the most intimate of crimes, and it is disturbing that this incident occurs at a time when the country will be entering Women’s Month. Government is confident that the judicial system will ensure that justice is served for these women, with the perpetrators receiving the harshest sentences,” Williams said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the culprits are apprehended.

According to police, the deployment of drone technology to assist officers on the ground to track suspects in the mining area has resulted in the arrest of at least 84 people. Two suspects died during a shoot-out with police and while another wounded suspect is recovering in hospital.

All suspects are expected to appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 1 August. They face charges of contravention of the Immigration Act and possession of suspected stolen goods.

Source: South African Government News Agency