Category Archives: South African News

News24.com | Corruption accused Beauty Phahlane still at her police post

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Despite standing trial on corruption charges and a recommendation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) that she be suspended, Brigadier Beauty Phahlane is still in her post at the South African Police Service (SAPS).

She is the wife of corruption co-accused and former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, who has since been suspended.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) met with the police, the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and IPID on Wednesday to discuss SITA’s contract with police supplier Forensic Data Analysts (FDA).

READ: Phahlane, wife, car dealer appear in court for corruption

On April 5, FDA shut down three police systems. The company, run by former police officer Keith Keating, claimed SITA had not paid it for five months for its services.

The systems have since been turned back on, and the dispute is headed to court, with police commissioner Lieutenant General Khehla Sitole telling Scopa on Wednesday that he feels optimistic about the police’s case.

SITA did not pay the FDA following a Scopa meeting which was held on November 29 where several problems with some of FDA’s contracts for the police were found. The committee then asked SITA to cancel its contracts with FDA and stop paying the company.

SITA turned two of the police’s systems back on on April 9.

In Wednesday’s meeting, it emerged that Brigadier Phahlane had written a letter to Sitole asking for details about the switching on of the systems.

She works in the police’s unit for information technology services, and her husband headed the unit for forensic services before he was appointed acting national commissioner. Both these units make use of FDA’s products.

READ: Boeremag link to state IT company and dodgy police supplier

The case for which the Phahlanes stand trial is based on the allegation that Keating paid for their personal vehicles.

IFP MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa asked if Brigadier Phahlane was at work.

IPID executive director Robert McBride confirmed that she was indeed, despite IPID’s recommendation that she be suspended.

“Why is Brigadier Phahlane still at work?” Hlengwa asked. “With all due respect to her, she is tainted.

“We are operating an Animal Farm-type of SAPS,” he said.

Links to other high-ranking officers

In response Sitole said that by the time he was appointed as national commissioner, the police had already taken the route of conducting an investigation into her before a decision on a suspension was made.

“It is one of the matters given high priority,” he said.

The brigadier is not the only high-ranking police officer tied to FDA.

DA MP Tim Brauteseth asked Sitole if he knew about Project Khulisa, which relates to the building of a house for technology management service head Lieutenant General Adeline Shezi, and that multiple payments for this house were made by a contractor for the police named Unisys.

The contractor involved is Intsika Distributors, which is linked to Unisys, a company owned by Jerenique Bayard.

Unisys has done contract work for FDA. It is also Unisys that paid for a trip for Bayard and Keating to visit football club Manchester United’s stadium Old Trafford in October 2011 accompanied by two police officers from the police’s supply chain department.

Sitole ‘extremely concerned’

Brauteseth opened a can of worms when he whipped out enlarged pictures of Bayard, Keating and the police officers, whose surnames are Arendt and Masuku, in their personalised Manchester United jerseys at Old Trafford in the dramatic meeting in November last year.

On Wednesday, he again showed one of these enlarged photos to the committee.

Sitole said he was aware of IPID’s investigation.

Brauteseth asked Sitole if he was concerned about the links between FDA, Unisys, SITA and the police.

Sitole said he was “extremely concerned”. He said Brauteseth was speaking about the content of an investigation and the police “can’t relate as much” until the investigation is completed.

Brauteseth also asked him if he would agree that these revelations confirmed the committee’s concerns about FDA and SITA.

Empty threat

Sitole answered in the affirmative, saying they took a “dot-to-dot-connection approach”.

“The committee was correct,” he said.

Brauteseth said Keating had sent a letter to his party leader Mmusi Maimane to complain about his conduct.

“I think I’ll frame it, it means I’m doing my job,” he said.

He said the switching off of the systems seemed like a false threat and asked if it meant that “this wolf did not have many teeth”.

Sitole, laughing, answered: “I did not count the teeth.”

“No one can threaten SAPS while I’m commissioner.”

News24.com | Water dept is in ‘shambles’, admits Nkwinti after taking over from Mokonyane

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Water and Sanitation Minister Gugile Nkwinti conceded to MPs that the department he had inherited earlier this year from Nomvula Mokonyane is “a mess”.

At a briefing on the department’s budget and strategic plan, presented to the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation on Wednesday, MPs grilled officials and the minister on how they were going to put things right in a “collapsed department”.

Nkwinti assured MPs that he had a plan to deal with the problems.

“Let’s not be too locked in the past. We have a very difficult situation, let’s correct it. I have got only 12 months here. I am going to deal with it. We have to try to do the best we can to sweep the floor of the debris,” Nkwinti said.

READ: How Mokonyane paved the way for a consulting firm to earn billions

Nkwinti took over the ailing department this year from Mokonyane, who City Press reports has been accused of irregular actions while she was minister.

One of the many problems the bankrupt department faced was a massive R1.2bn debt because municipalities, water boards, companies and parastatals had not paid for the water they used.

Departmental officials told MPs that they had met National Treasury last week to ask for help in bailing them out of the massive debt.

‘Budget had been mismanaged’

Paul Nel, acting chief financial officer of the department’s water trading section, told MPs: “We need help from Treasury. This amount is not in our budget. It is physically impossible to pay for this without assistance. I think they understand that.”

Of the R11.2bn owed to the department, R2.5bn was owed by entities likes Sasol, Eskom and mining companies; R4.2bn was owed directly by municipalities; and R3.6bn was owed by water boards.

There were 160 municipalities that had not paid a cent of their water bills.

Another problem was the lack of staff. The department had 6 819 posts, but 1 016 were vacant. The previous minister had placed a moratorium on filling posts – which Nkwinti has since lifted.

Nkwinti said South Africa was a water-scarce country, but 35% of all the water the department supplied to municipalities was lost to leaks.

READ: Students to save SA R7bn in water leaks – Mokonyane

Although the department had started a programme to fix this, it believed the Department of Cooperative Governance ought to help with the programme, as the bulk of the leaks were the result of poor municipal infrastructure, not departmental infrastructure.

MPs told the minister that they were particularly concerned that the same officials who had mismanaged last year’s budget, would be managing the 2018/19 budget.

IFP MP Patrick Chauke said: “We cannot allow a situation again, where the department reaches 28% of its targets and the entire budget is finished. The committee has to resort to launching an inquiry, because of the manner in which the budget had been mismanaged.”

‘We are dealing with a department that has collapsed’

Chauke said a number of deputy directors general in the department had been suspended earlier for “serious mismanagement”, but had returned to work, without any charges being laid against them.

“One overspent by more than R400m; that person is back in office… We feel very strongly that some people are not to be trusted to work with public money. My plea is, appoint the right people to the right positions. We are dealing with a department that has collapsed. The capacity in that department is zero,” Chauke said.

Nkwinti said South African labour law did not allow officials simply to be fired, but that a process had to be followed.

Committee chairperson Lulu Johnson said MPs wanted to support the department in sorting out the problems. However, they were worried about maladministration and corruption. He said it appeared that consultants working on departmental projects applied only for the big jobs of R500m or more.

“Who knows if the department is pushing that so they can get kickbacks?” Johnson said.

The Water and Sanitation Committee and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) have finalised the terms of reference for the joint inquiry into the maladministration of the department, but still needed to set a date for the inquiry to begin. 

eNCA | Karabo Mokoena’s mother ‘happy’ with guilty verdict

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JOHANNESBURG – The family of the late Karabo Mokoena has welcomed the court’s verdict handed down to her killer Sandile Mantsoe.

On Wednesday the South Gauteng High Cour found Mantsoe guilty of killing his ex-girlfriend Mokoena..

“I was at the beginning a little bit sceptical, I am relieved even though I am a bit shaky, even though you can’t see it but I am relieved and happy about the outcome,” said Lolo, Mokoena’s mother.

“I am also very happy, really indeed, God has done it… I’m here with mama as a spiritual mother for Karabo, I’m very pleased, thank you Lord,” she said.

READ: Sandile Mantsoe found guilty of murder

Mokoena’s charred remains were found in Lyndhurst.

Throughout the trial, Mantsoe has denied killing Mokoena.

Mantsoe will be sentenced on Thursday.

eNCA

eNCA | ‘EFF the only party fighting for black people’: Malema

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COLIGNY, North West – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is the only party fighting for black people in South Africa, party leader Julius Malema said on Wednesday.

“We are fighting for black people. Why is only the black community which is  left in poverty, are we a cursed nation, are we a defeated nation, a we a hopeless nation. Why are we rejected, why are we killed when we speak the truth,” he said to a chorus of applause.

He was speaking in Tlhabologang near Coligny, at the by-election victory celebration.

The EFF won ward 15 in the Ditsobotla municipality during the April 25 by-election.

READ: 65 suspected looters in court following North West riots

Malema said the liberation of people in the North West started in Coligny with the red beret winning a ward.

“Who is going to liberate the black nation. We are our own liberators, we have the power… we punished them during the by-election,” he said.

He called on party members not to participate in the wave of violent ripping through North West in a push to remove Premier Supra Mahumapelo from office.

“Do not block roads, do not loot shops. We do not want bloodshed. If the ANC want to remove Supra they should have supported EFF motion of no confidence in him. We gave them an option where blood will not be shed.”

He said the EFF would write to the North West Provincial Legislature requesting a motion of no confidence in Mahumapelo.

READ: Pressure mounts for North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo’s exit

“We are writing a letter. We want a motion of no confidence through secret ballot or open ballot we want to see those crooks ANC who support Supra.”

He said Mahumapelo stole money from various government departments.

“We do not have sympathy for him…”

Malema was well received at his first visit in Coligny, a sea clad in red waved hands in the air when Malema walked to the stage, he joined them waving hands and doing the toyi-toyi.

A high number of public order police and tactical response team officers were deployed at the sports ground where the victory celebration were held.

Malema was accompanied by the North West provincial leaders and general secretary Goldrich Gardee.

African News Agency

News24.com | Ramaphosa receives warm reception at Cosatu’s May Day rally

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The jubilant screams and cheers for ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa at Cosatu’s May Day rally were a stark contrast to last year’s heckling of then president Jacob Zuma, which eventually led to the cancelation of the event.

“This is the day when all of us, as South Africans, take off our hats and say ‘thank you’,” said Ramaphosa as he too removed his black baseball cap while addressing the trade union members.

“Thank you for all the work that you do… because in the end you are the people that make South Africa work,” he declared.

“We say to you: ‘We respect you; we love you; we support you; we want to continue walking this journey with you’.”

Ramaphosa’s gesture inspired a warm response in the crowd.

Last year, Cosatu was forced to abort its main May Day rally in Bloemfontein on Monday after Zuma was prevented from delivering the keynote address.

At the time, the unrelenting crowd sang anti-Zuma songs which escalated when Zuma arrived at the venue. There was also a scuffle between supporters and those against Zuma. 

In an unprecedented move, after several failed attempts by provincial leaders to calm the crowd, Cosatu then announced an end to the 2017 event with no speeches delivered.

At Tuesday’s event Ramaphosa used his speech to defend the national minimum wage.

He said that while the stipulation of R20 an hour was not a living wage, it was a move which would lift 6.6 million workers who were currently earning below this.

“Even as we were negotiating this, we know this is not a minimum wage – but we said that we need to form a foundation, so that we can keep going up.”

He said that if the minimum amount had been too high, too many people would have lost jobs and companies would have to close.

“The struggle for a living wage must continue but we must start somewhere,” he asserted.

Ramphosa also paid tribute to the ANC’s alliance partners, Cosatu and the SA Communist Party – as well as the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco).

“We are grateful, that indeed we do have an alliance in our country because this is the alliance that takes South Africa forward.”

‘Services should continue’

Ramaphosa also said that while the right to strike had to be protected, important services had to be allowed to continue, and property that belonged to all citizens was not damaged.

“Recently, where there has been strikes and protests, we have found some workers have been preventing other workers from doing important work such as helping women to give birth or helping newly-born babies.”

Moreover, torching vehicles and burning buildings was counterproductive, he said. 

“Let us also be careful not to damage the assets that belong to all of us.

“Let us have that humanity, that even when we are on strike, certain services are important.”

Ramaphosa ended his speech by making a call for a single federation to govern all unions.

“As the ANC, we long and look forward to the day when the workers in our country will be united under one federation – so that we can have one country and one federation.” 

He said that this would allow all workers to be “talking in one voice” rather than “talking against each other and marching against each other”. 

Saftu gains power

The SA Federation of Trade Unions, a breakaway from Cosatu, has recently gained significantly in power in the sector; holding countrywide strikes last week.

Earlier, the SA Communist Party General Secretary Blade Nzimande told those gathered at Tuesday’s event that while the party supported Cosatu, it would also reach out to other worker groupings.

“Cosatu is our ally but we are going to reach out to other progressive worker formations.

“You can’t have a trade union federation that goes on a strike by attacking other worker federations. That is against worker unity,” he said.

eNCA | Throwback Tuesday, Gupta edition: 5 years after the wedding taxpayers paid for

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JOHANNESBURG – Five years ago the Guptas flew into South Africa for a lavish family wedding.

A private jet landed at the government’s Waterkloof Air Force Base on 30 April 2013 with more than 200 passengers on board.

The group then attended a four-day celebration at Sun City in North West.

Free State government funds set aside for poor farmers paid for the multimillion-rand party.

Gallery: Gupta wedding glamour and glitz

A few of the guests on board a private jet that landed at Waterkloof were Indian government ministers, but most of the guests were civilians, meaning the landing flouted protocol.

The South African public’s response was vehement, sparking scrutiny of the Guptas and their proximity to then President Jacob Zuma.

Half a decade later, we know a lot more.

The glitzy nuptials of Vega Gupta, a niece of the Gupta brothers, featured in lifestyle media, showing that Bollywood stars and VIP guests were present.

KPMGCEO Moses Kgosana raved about the ceremony in a letter to Atul Gupta.

Zuma was invited but did not attend.

WATCH: Lessons to learn from KPMG

The multimillion-rand wedding bill included:

  • R7,000 for berries; 
  • R13,000 for chocolate truffles; 
  • R21,000 for ice cream; 
  • A fireworks display costing R310,000; and 
  • R470,000 for drinks.

Tens of millions of Free State government funds paid for the lavish wedding.

That money was supposed to have benefited black farmers through the Estina Dairy Project.

Last year, details emerged of the money trail.

READ: Mkhwebane to investigate Magashule’s role in Estina Dairy project

According to Craig McKune of the amaBhungane Investigative Journalism Centre, “The Guptas laundered the money offshore through Dubai, and brought it back to South Africa, where it landed with a company called Linkway, which was audited by KPMG.

“We did an article on that after the GuptaLeaks broke, and we showed how money that was supposed to benefit poor farmers instead went to pay for the Gupta wedding. And we asked serious questions of KPMG.”

A 2017 KPMG international investigation found the Linkway auditing was poor.

Yet it found no evidence of dishonesty or unethical behaviour by KPMG South Africa staff.

In September, the firm pledged R40-million to education and anti-corruption work. The amount was based on the total fees KPMG earned from Gupta-related entities.

Eight senior executives quit.

READ: Two executives resign from embattled KPMG

How did the Guptas manage to land a private jet at an airforce base? And on whose instructions were officials breaking the rules? Days after the 2013 landing the government announced an investigation.

The fall guy that emerged was Vusi Bruce Koloane, then chief of state protocol.

Koloane argued the flight was a sensitive official visit.

An investigation found he had used Zuma’s name illegally to clear the landing.

Koloane was suspended over the Guptagate scandal, but soon won a plum job as South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands, in 2014.

READ: What now for Koloane?

The ring around the politically connected Guptas appears to be tightening.

In February, authorities raided the family’s Saxonwold, Johannesburg home in connection with the Estina dairy project.

Days later, eight suspects appeared in court and were released on bail.

The matter was postponed until 17 August.

eNCA

eNCA | Attempted land grab in Soweto’s Protea Glen

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JOHANNESBURG – Protea Glen in Soweto is calm again after land invaders came face to face with residents in the area on Tuesday morning.  

A group armed with with spades and wheelbarrows invaded a piece of land.

The police were called to the area.

Concerned home-owners are frustrated and say they want to keep the neighbourhood safe for their children to play in. 

According to one resident, the land invaders said they wanted to build taverns in the area. 

eNCA

News24.com | WATCH: Game reserve owner hospitalised after being mauled by a lion (WARNING: NOT FOR SENSITIVE VIEWERS)

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The owner of a private game reserve near Thabazimbi in Limpopo has been hospitalised after being mauled by one of his lions.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe told News24 that the incident happened on Monday.

“The owner was immediately taken to hospital with serious injuries. He is currently recuperating.”

Ngoepe said the man sustained injuries to his neck and jaw.

In a short video clip, the man is seen walking behind the lion in a den. The lion quickly spots him and chases him as he runs for a metal gate. The lion then drags him into nearby bushes where he then lies motionless.

An onlooker can be heard screaming: “Somebody help, please! Oh my God!”

A couple of gunshots can also be heard in the background.   

Attempts by News24 to contact the game reserve were unsuccessful.  

WARNING: VIDEO MAY UPSET SENSITIVE VIEWERS