Category Archives: South African News

Capital flow management framework update: Clarification of reclassification of inward listed instruments

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Publish Date: 2020-11-24
Category: Media Releases

National Treasury, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) intend to review Exchange Control Circular 15/2020 issued by the SARB, following the announcement by the Minister of Finance in the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) Speech on 28 October 2020.

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Attachments:

News24.com | Omotoso rape trial prosecutor dies four days after testing positive for Covid-19

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Timothy Omotoso in the Eastern Cape High Court in Port Elizabeth.

Timothy Omotoso in the Eastern Cape High Court in Port Elizabeth.

PHOTO: Lulama Zenzile/Netwerk24

  • Advocate Zukile Mdolomba died after testing positive for Covid-19, according to the NPA.
  • Mdolomba was one of three prosecutors working on the Timothy Omotoso case.
  • Omotoso is currently in prison and on trial in the Eastern Cape High Court in Port Elizabeth on rape and human trafficking charges.

A senior prosecutor in the Timothy Omotoso rape and human trafficking trial has died four days after testing positive for Covid-19.

Advocate Zukile Mdolomba died on Saturday morning after testing positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced in a statement.

NPA spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani said Mdolomba tested positive on Tuesday after getting sick on Monday.

Ngcakani said because the NPA was not in possession of the doctor’s report on the cause of death, it could not confirm that the cause of death was Covid-19 related.

Ngcakani said Mdolomba was one of three prosecutors working on the Omotoso trial.

“While advocate Mdolomba played a pivotal role in this case, especially the successful opposition of Omotoso’s recent application for bail, the two remaining prosecutors are equally capable of successfully prosecuting the case,” Ngcakani said.

Omotoso is currently in prison and on trial in the Eastern Cape High Court in Port Elizabeth on rape and human trafficking charges.

His co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, are out on bail.

The three face 97 charges, including rape, human trafficking and racketeering, for allegedly targeting and recruiting young girls for sexual exploitation.

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News24.com | BREAKING | Zondo lays criminal charges against Jacob Zuma for absconding from commission

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Former president Jacob Zuma appears at the Zondo commission.

Former president Jacob Zuma appears at the Zondo commission.

PHOTO: Sharon Seretlo, Gallo Images

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has requested that a criminal complaint be laid against former president Jacob Zuma.

This comes after Zuma left the commission last week without being granted permission by Zondo, who is the chair.

Zuma left the commission shortly after Zondo had dismissed the request for Zondo to recuse himself from chairing the proceedings. He had accused Zondo of being “biased” and said the two shared a “close relationship”, which Zondo denied multiple times.

Zondo also announced that the commission would order a fresh summons against Zuma to appear before the commission and would approach the Constitutional Court for an order, directing the former president to appear and answer questions.

An unhappy Zondo described Zuma’s actions as a “serious matter” that would have a significant impact on the work of the commission.

This is a breaking story. More to follow.

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News24.com | Another 2 646 Covid-19 cases confirmed, amid calls for continued vigilance

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Dr. Zweli Mkhize (Daily Sun)

Dr. Zweli Mkhize (Daily Sun)

  • Another 2 646 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed amid continued calls for vigilance regarding the spread of the virus. 
  • Eighty-six more deaths were reported, 22 of which occurred in the past 48 hours. 
  • The Eastern Cape has more than 10 000 active cases. 

Another 2 646 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed amid continued calls for vigilance regarding the spread of the virus until a vaccine is introduced. 

Eighty-six more deaths were reported, with 22 occurring in the past 48 hours. 

The Department of Health’s daily bulletin on the pandemic stated the recovery rate was 92.5%.

However, concerns have been mounting for the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Free State, where the number of active cases has increased. 

The Eastern Cape has 10 412 active cases, the Free State 7 712 and Western Cape 6 826. 

KwaZulu-Natal has 6 021, the Northern Cape 3 353, North West 1 168 and Gauteng 427. Mpumalanga has 473 and Limpopo 389. 

The cumulative number of cases is 765 409.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

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News24.com | Ramaphosa denies secret trophy hunting claim

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President Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa

  • The Presidency denied that President Cyril Ramaphosa had a stake in a trophy hunting company. 
  • This follows a statement and video by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) showing an elephant being shot at close range, purportedly by a company linked to his game culling programme to manage wildlife numbers. 
  • PETA claimed Ramaphosa had a 50% stake in the safari company which organised elephant hunts through another company. 

The Presidency denied President Cyril Ramaphosa has a stake in a trophy hunting company following a claim published by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). 

PETA alleged Ramaphosa had a 50% stake in Tsala Hunting Safaris which organised elephant hunts through Wayne Wagner Safaris.

It was claimed Ramaphosa was “quietly developing and expanding a trophy hunting property called Diepdrift – stocking it with animals from his own wildlife breeding operation, Phala Phala – and he owned a 50% stake in Tsala Hunting Safaris”.

“In other words, far from ‘conserving’ wildlife, wild animals are bred specifically to be killed for trophies. PETA recorded conversations in which Ramaphosa’s managers admitted that he shares equally in the profits from all hunts conducted through Tsala and spoke of the importance of concealing his involvement,” it claimed.

“President Ramaphosa’s Tsala Hunting Safaris routinely organises elephant hunts through Wayne Wagner Safaris on properties of the Greater Kruger Conservancy.”

A Presidency statement said: “The allegations are patently false and are refuted in full.” 

Comment was not immediately available from Tsala Hunting Safaris, and Wayne Wagner declined an opportunity to comment on PETA linking the company to Tsala Hunting Safaris.

In the video PETA posted, an elephant is seen buckling to its knees after a shot rings out in the bush. The claim is the elephant may have wandered away from the Kruger National Park. 

The hunting guides instruct the shooter to adjust the level of the rifle and more shots are fired after the elephant sinks to its knees. 

A claim by an anonymous source was made that Ramaphosa keeps his stake in the company secret to avoid bad publicity.

The Presidency said Ramaphosa did own Phala Phala Wildlife, which specialises in breeding rare game, but neither Ramaphosa nor Phala Phala has a stake in the industry or Tsala Hunting Safaris.

It added Phala Phala undertook annual culls of game such as impala, buffalo, kudu and wildebeest to avoid carrying excess numbers – part of an established wildlife management tool. 

Phala Phala had entered into an agreement with Tsala Hunting Safaris to hunt the game “that would in any event have been culled”.

However, in light of the allegations that Tsala hunts threatened or protected species on other properties, Phala Phala has given notice to Tsala Safaris to terminate the hunting arrangement with it.

“This decision is in line with Phala Phala’s commitment to sound conservation principles, and its demonstrable compliance with ethical and lawful wildlife management standards.”

The Presidency said PETA had previously made false allegations regarding Ramaphosa’s interest in pigeon racing since the age of 16. 

News24.com | Moody’s and Fitch both cut SA further into junk on Covid-19 economic shock, rising debt

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Global rating agencies Fitch and Moody’s both downgraded South Africa’s sovereign credit rating further into junk on Friday evening, citing a combination of SA’s weakening fiscal position, rising government debt and the economic shock triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

One slight piece of good news was that the third major global ratings agency, S&P, chose to keep SA’s sovereign credit rating assessment unchanged. 

In an announcement on Friday evening, Fitch said it had lowered the rating of SA’s long-term foreign-currency debt to ‘BB-‘ from ‘BB’, with a negative outlook. 

‘BB-‘ is the third rung of sub-investment grade or ‘junk’ according to Fitch’s rating hierarchy. 

“The pandemic has severely hit South Africa’s economic growth performance, and GDP is expected to remain below 2019 levels even in 2022,” said Fitch in a statement.

“A particularly tight lockdown in the second quarter, combined with the broader global and domestic fall-out of the pandemic, led to a sharp fall in output, but GDP had already been contracting in quarter-on-quarter terms since 3Q19.”

Moody’s, meanwhile, said that the economic shock of the pandemic has worsened SA’s debt burden while also intensifying the country’s economic challenges and social obstacles to economic reforms. 

The group changed its assessment of SA’s long-term foreign-currency and local-currency issuer ratings to Ba2 from Ba1, with a negative outlook. Ba2 is the second rung of junk, according to the group’s credit rating scale. 

No change for S&P

Also on Friday evening S&P chose to keep SA’s sovereign credit rating assessment unchanged. 

The group affirmed its long-term foreign currency rating for SA at ‘BB-‘ and its long-term local currency rating at ‘BB’, both with a stable outlook.

S&P said that while the lockdowns associated with combating the Covid-19 pandemic had plunged South Africa into its “sharpest quarterly economic contraction” in the second-quarter of the year, it expects a return to positive annual growth alongside slow fiscal consolidation in 2021-2023.

News24.com | Former North West top cop’s ‘torture case’ moved to High Court

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  • A former top cop will head to the High Court to face charges of kidnapping, extortion, and assault.
  • He and others are accused of allegedly using different torture tactics on their victims.
  • A bid for a stay of prosecution was struck off the roll due to a lack of urgency.

The case of alleged kidnapping, assault with intention to cause grievous bodily harm, and extortion against former deputy provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the North West, Major-General Jan Ntebo Mabula and others has been transferred to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.

This comes after Mabula, Matome Kgorane, Samuel Sanamela Kutumela, Ismael Dawood, Adam Mahlako Moahloli, Mpikwa Meshack Makhubu, Mfana Patrick Makutu, and Israel Mdluli appeared on charges of kidnapping, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and extortion.

They were members of the province’s Organised Crime Unit.

“The matter relates to the alleged kidnapping, interrogation and assault of Paul Kgoedi, Serious Mthembi [and] Richard Tlakulane Sebuyi for several hours,” National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said in a statement on Friday. 

In addition, the group is also accused of allegedly using different torture tactics against their victims such as:

  • Putting a rubber tube over the face of victims to suffocate them;
  • Tying a motor vehicle safety belt around the neck of victims and strangling and dragging them around with the belt; and
  • Tying victims to a chair, with wrists and ankles restrained, placing a wet cloth over their faces, connecting devices to their bodies and applying an electrical shock, among other things.

Ngwema said that it is also alleged that they intimidated and extorted, “R73 000 and R90 00 from Paul Kgoedi’s sister Nomvula Patience Kgoedi, as well as R90 000 from Sebuyi’s mother”. 

News24 previously reported that an indictment prepared by the NPA and obtained by News24 painted “a glaring picture of an investigation team which allegedly operated outside the law to extract information from their detainees”.

READ | Kidnappings, beatings and torture: Prosecution of ex-Hawks general stalls

News24 reported in October that Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advocate Andrew Chauke’s office provisionally withdrew summonses to allow the accused to bring an application to review NPA boss Shamila Batohi’s decision to prosecute them.

“On Tuesday, the High Court of South Africa: Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg struck off the roll for lack of urgency an application brought by the accused for a stay of prosecution pending the outcome of their representation to the National Director of Public Prosecutions,” Ngwema concluded.

The matter will be heard on 22 January.

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News24.com | JUST IN | Malawi court orders the immediate release of the Bushiris, says lawyer

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Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary (in red).

Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary (in red).

PHOTO: Frennie Shivambu, Gallo Images

  • A Malawi court has ordered the immediate release of the Bushiris.
  • According to their lawyer, the magistrate found the arrest was unlawful.
  • The couple is wanted in South Africa in connection with a fraud and money laundering case, worth R102m.

A Malawi court has ordered the immediate release of wanted self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, lawyer Terrance Baloyi explained to News24 on Thursday.

Magistrate Viva Nyimba in his ruling said, among other things, the arrest by the Malawi Police Service was unlawful because it was not channelled through the Ministry of Homeland Security, according to Baloyi.

The pair, who are being represented by lawyer Wapona Kita, appeared before a Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe.

READ | Bushiris barred from using sermons to threaten witnesses as part of bail conditions in fraud case 

The Malawi State had requested a 30-day remand to allow room for the process of extradition.

The Bushiris handed themselves over to the Lilongwe police on Wednesday after a notice was issued by Interpol on Monday.

The couple recently allegedly fled South Africa, which would have broken bail conditions set in a fraud and money laundering case before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

Bail revoked

Bail has since been revoked.

They had previously been granted bail of R200 000 each on 4 November.

The Bushiris, Landiwe Ntlokwana, Zethu Mudolo and Willie Mudolo are facing charges of fraud, theft and money laundering

The couple allegedly arrived in Malawi last Wednesday, and then made an announcement via various social media platforms on Saturday.

Bushiri claimed he did not feel safe in South Africa and feared he would not be afforded a fair trial.

In addition, he also made several demands to the South African government, News24 reported.

The fraud and money laundering case continued in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

As a result of failing to appear, the Bushiris forfeited their property in Centurion and bail was revoked.

More to follow.

News24.com | Legalities in Zondo’s ‘capable hands’ after Zuma ‘excused’ himself from commission – Lamola

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  • Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is able to deal with any legalities arising from the state capture inquiry, said Justice Minister Ronald Lamola.
  • Former president Jacob Zuma “excused” himself from the commission’s proceedings, without Zondo’s permission.
  • Zondo says the commission will continue doing its work.

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is capable of handling any issue that arise from the state capture inquiry, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola said after former president Jacob Zuma defied a summons in leaving the commission on Thursday.

Zuma’s application for Zondo’s recusal was dismissed on Thursday morning.

After the ruling, advocate Paul Pretorius, head of the commission’s legal team, said Zuma now has to answer questions.

But advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, who represents the corruption-accused former president, said they would “excuse” themselves from the proceedings.

ALSO READ | Zuma leaves state capture inquiry despite summons

Zuma, who was summoned after playing cat-and-mouse with the inquiry, then left without Zondo’s permission.

“It is a pity that he has elected to leave without asking for permission,” Zondo said before adjourning the commission.

“The commission will reflect on the matters it needs to reflect on, but it is going to continue with its work,” Zondo said.

Later on Thursday, Lamola briefed the media regarding Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, where he was asked for comment about Zuma’s departure.

He said the government expects the commission to do its job. It is in the interest of all South Africans that it finalises its report on state capture.

The government believes Zondo is capable of handling any issue arising from the commission, he said.

“We leave all legalities in the capable hands of Judge Raymond Zondo,” he said.

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News24.com | We have 5 passports – so what? Bushiri lashes out at Motsoaledi for revoking permits

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Shepherd Bushiri appears in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.

Shepherd Bushiri appears in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

Frennie Shivambu, Gallo Images

  • Shepherd Bushiri has berated Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi for revoking his permanent residency permits. 
  • Bushiri says this proves he won’t get a fair trial in South Africa. 
  • Bushiri and his wife Mary breached their bail conditions and fled to Malawi last week. 

Self-proclaimed prophet and now fugitive Shepherd Bushiri berated Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on Wednesday for revoking his and his wife’s South African residency permits, among other things. 

Earlier on Wednesday, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria issued warrants of arrest for the Bushiris, who fled South Africa and went to their home country of Malawi last week.

The couple handed themselves over to police in Lilongwe, Malawi on Wednesday, Malawian media houses reported.

The Bushiris breached their bail conditions when they left under mysterious circumstances.

The Enlightened Christian Gathering church leader, his wife and three others are accused of fraud involving around R102 million. The couple was out on R200 000 bail each when it emerged they had not appeared for their Friday check-in with police – a requirement in terms of their bail conditions.

IDs ‘problematic’

On Saturday, Bushiri said in a statement that they had fled because they believed their lives were in danger in South Africa and that they would not get a fair trial.

In a new statement on Wednesday, Bushiri reiterated this, lashing out at Motsoaledi for “one of the many injustices that I feared would befall me and my wife”.  

READ | Bushiris each had 5 passports and their permanent residence permit was irregular – Motsoaledi

This follows Motsoaledi’s revelation that Bushiri and his wife Mary each have five passports – all of them Malawian. Motsoaledi was addressing the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on Tuesday.

Furthermore, when the Hawks was investigating the Bushiris last year, they came across “identity documents that were problematic”, Motsoaledi said. He added that their permanent residency permits had been issued irregularly. 

“This internal process is already prejudged by the minister before I submit my representations on why our permits should not be revoked because we did nothing wrong,” Bushiri said.

No fair trial in SA

“The minister went on to state that my wife and I hold five different passports each. The impression is that these are passports with different names and details. Once again, this issue is before the High Court in South Africa. This statement by the minister further strengthen (sic) my fear that I will not get a fair trial in South Africa.”

Bushiri said he and his wife indeed had five passports each, including a diplomatic passport and a normal passport, and that they submitted all of the passports to the investigating officer in South Africa.

“Because we are frequent travellers due to the work of our ministry, the other passports are full; however, they have international visas and hence, we kept them. There is nothing sinister about that. Even the immigration department in Malawi has attested to that. In this regard, it would never be an understatement to conclude that of the fears of the injustices that I am fearing, the reason I came to Malawi, has just been confirmed by Honourable Motsoaledi, MP. The whole world was watching and saw for themselves,” Bushiri said.

“I am innocent until proven guilty. As of now, there is no court in the world that has proven me guilty. I may be subjected by media and public trial but I mantain (sic) my innocence until proven guilty.” 

Extradition process under way

South Africa is in the process of extraditing the Bushiris, News24 previously reported. This was confirmed by government spokesperson Phumla Williams on Sunday.

“To ensure that the two fugitives face justice, South Africa has initiated a process to secure their extradition from Malawi in terms of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Extradition and other legal instruments, to which Malawi is a signatory,” she said.

“While this process is under way, law enforcement agencies will continue investigations into this matter.”