Tracker has disputed Public Protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s finding that the agreements between Trackers SA and the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the provision of the vehicle-tracking system in vehicles belonging to SAPS, were improper.

“It is unfortunate, and in our view incorrect that the Public Protector suggests that the benefit which Tracker derives from its contract with the SAPS is ‘improper’.

“While Tracker is disappointed by the Public Protector’s findings, believes those findings to be flawed and contends that its submissions were not properly taken into account, we have no difficulty with the remedial action contained in the report,” the vehicle tracking company said in a statement dated January 24, 2020.

This comes after the Public Protector found that the process followed by the SAPS in concluding agreements with Tracker/Tracker Connect for the provision of the vehicle-tracking system in vehicles belonging to SAPS was improper.

“The process followed by the SAPS in concluding the agreements over the past 21 years failed to meet the standards imposed in terms of Section 217 of the Constitution and Section 2 of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and amounts to improper conduct and maladministration,” Mkhwebane said at a briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday.

This investigation emanates from a complaint lodged by Niemesh Singh on August 19, 2013 relating to the “irregular awarding of a contract to Tracker Network Pty (Ltd) by the SAPS”.

The complainant alleged that Tracker enjoyed a favourable relationship with the police since a deal was reached in 1995, as police resources were being used by Tracker to track and recover the stolen vehicles of Tracker clients.

This relationship between the two allegedly allowed Tracker to use state resources to fund their organisation, leading to significantly higher profit margins for Tracker as they did not pay for such resources themselves, Singh further alleged.

‘Better returns and profits for Tracker’

According to the complainant, the SAPS does not benefit from the relationship as expenses such as fuel and vehicle maintenance are not borne by Tracker.

This led the complainant to believe this was anti-competitive behaviour, prejudicing other tracking companies as Tracker was utilising police resources at no cost. This saw better returns and profits for Tracker, Singh argued.

He further alleged the original agreement was irregularly renewed, and as it approached expiry in June 2013 it was extended for a further three months by the national commissioner at the time to allow for the finalisation of tender processes.

The Public Protector found the claims to be substantiated and found that the conduct of police bosses “amounts to improper conduct as envisaged in Section 182(1) of the Constitution and maladministration as envisaged in section 6(4) of the Public Protector Act, 1994”.

The SAPS and Tracker have both noted the Public Protector’s final report.

“I can confirm that we have received the report and are currently studying it. If necessary, we will respond at a later stage,” police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo told News24 on Wednesday.

Tracker, meanwhile, said the Public Protector did not make any findings against the company.

“The Public Protector’s findings were made against the backdrop that Tracker has been awarded the contract for the provision of vehicle-tracking technology to the SAPS in a series of open-tender processes over the years,” the vehicle tracking company said in a statement released on January 24, 2020.

The company further said it was “considering whether or not to take any action in relation to the report”.

Tracker also said there is no finding of corruption or unlawfulness on Tracker’s part.

“Tracker is proud of its relationship with the SAPS and the significant impact that our involvement has had, at no cost to the SAPS, in combating vehicle and related crime over the years. 

“We will endeavour to continue to work together with the SAPS in this vital area and intend to participate in the next SAPS tender process,” the statement concludes.

The principal of the Graceland Education Centre, which murdered Grade 9 pupil Laticia Princes Jansen attended, has been moved to another post with immediate effect.

According to Gauteng basic education department spokesperson Steve Mabona, principal Patricia Peters was “precautionary removed from the school with immediate effect” and would report to the district office from Wednesday.

Her move to the new post is precautionary pending the finalisation of an investigation into Jansen‘s horrific death.

She was found stabbed, raped and burnt to death last Wednesday. Jansen and some of her peers had allegedly been left behind by the school’s scholar transport earlier that day and had walked home, News24 reported.

Her body was found in a nearby bush in Elsburg, Germiston, two days later.

“We were informed that Laticia and a group of learners from Dukathole in Germiston were on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, left behind by the departmental scholar transport and unfortunately had to turn back home,” Mabona said.

“It seems Laticia was left behind by her peers while walking back home, apparently after complaining about a heavy school bag, which she was trying to fix. Accordingly, that was the last time she was seen by her peers.”

Jansen’s anxious grandmother reported her missing on Thursday, News24 previously reported.

When her grandmother reported to the school, it was confirmed to her that Laticia had been absent on the day she went missing, News24 previously reported.

Gauteng Basic Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi also terminated the scholar transportation the school used, which was accused of leaving pupils behind on the day Jansen went missing.

“A new scholar transport service provider has been appointed to transport learners to and from school effectively,” Mabona said.

The DA wants a probe into Health Minister Zweli Mkhize’s appointment of his niece as his chief of staff.

On Monday morning, the Citizen reported that Mkhize appointed Sibusisiwe Ngubane Zulu as his chief of staff. She is a qualified advocate. Mkhize has, through a spokesperson, defended the appointment.

Last year, allegations against her from her time as a board member of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) emerged from a whistleblower. It was alleged that businessman Lawrence Mulaudzi’s romantic relationship with Zulu had helped him clinch deals with the PIC.

Appearing before the PIC inquiry in March last year, Mulaudzi confirmed that he was in a romantic relationship with Zulu, but that his dealings with the PIC predated their relationship. He called the allegations “false and a fabrication”, Fin24 reported.

DA health spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube said in a statement on Monday that her party will request an urgent investigation by the Public Service Commission (PSC) into Zulu’s appointment.

READ | 5 things to watch out for in Parliament in 2020

“It is essential that the appointment of a family member that has been suspected of corruption is investigated thoroughly in order to ascertain whether due process relating to recruitment procedures were complied with,” Gwarube said.

She noted that Zulu was “fingered in the mismanagement and misappropriation of billions of rands” while we were working for the PIC.

“While these allegations have never amounted to criminal charges levelled against Zulu, her appointment in the Minister’s office is deeply problematic,” Gwarube said.

“This appointment further proves why the DA’s fight against a National Health Insurance Board that will be appointed by the Minister is fully justified. Any decent governance models would dictate that appointments of a board that is set to manage a multi-billion fund should be independent of politicians. Mkhize’s brazen appointment of his family member is clearly a sign of things to come.”

“Cadre deployment has seeped deep into the ANC’s culture [and] we can’t ever allow the political elite to simply make appointments unchecked.”

This follows a week after President Cyril Ramaphosa in his weekly newsletter said the practice of parachuting poorly qualified, but politically connected people into key positions will come to an end.

About a year ago, while still minister of cooperative government and traditional affairs, Mkhize also rejected allegations that Ngubane Zulu got her position on the PIC board due to his political influence as “disingenuous and mischievous”.

Cape Town – Veteran Proteas fast bowler Veron Philander, playing in his final Test for South Africa, was fined 15% of his match fee by the ICC for the use of foul language.

With the Proteas struggling in the fourth and final Test against England at the Wanderers and with the visitors leading the four-match series 2-1, Philander breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

The incident took place on Saturday when Philander used foul language when dismissing Jos Buttler, who himself had been fined by the ICC for a similar infringement at Newlands, incidentally while Philander was at the crease.

The news for the seamer didn’t get any better on Sunday after he was dismissed early in the morning session as England bowled out South Africa for 183, a lead of lead of 217.

He was then forced to leave the field with a hamstring niggle as England looked to build on their lead.

Tshwane mayor Stevens Mokgalapa might be booted from the DA this weekend when the party’s federal executive (FedEx) meets at its headquarters in Bruma, Johannesburg.

Mokgalapa was put on special leave in November last year, pending an investigation into the release of an audio recording of him purportedly engaging in an intimate act with then-transport MMC Sheila Senkubuge.

In the recording, which was widely circulated on social media, the two office bearers could also be heard discussing their colleagues in the council, News24 previously reported.

The DA’s federal legal commission was asked to conduct an internal investigation into the matter and earlier this month, Gauteng leader John Moodey told journalists that the investigation had been completed and the report would be tabled at this weekend’s FedEx.

Two FedEx members told News24 that while they had not seen the report, they predicted that Mokgalapa would be booted.

‘I can’t see him surviving’

“Mokgalapa’s audio couldn’t have come out at [a worse] time for the party. For the audio to come out at a time when the DA is crippled, even if he was considered one of our best mayors, which he is not, I don’t see a recommendation coming back for him to stay,” the FedEx member said.

The other party insider said: “He is not a bad guy. He made a mistake and I am willing to give him a chance, but I can’t see him surviving after this weekend.”

If Mokgalapa survives, he faces a motion of no confidence, brought by the EFF and ANC in council.

Two special council meetings to debate motions against Mokgalapa and his entire council leadership have already collapsed, with speaker Katlego Mathebe at the centre of the drama.

On Thursday, Gauteng Cogta MEC Lebogang Maile suspended Mathebe for six months without pay, saying that she had breached the code of conduct for councillors.

This, after Mathebe refused to bend to calls from the ANC and EFF to change the order in which motions would be heard, or to recuse herself, which ultimately led to the collapse of council when the two parties staged a walkout.

The DA said they would challenge Maile in court in an urgent application, citing political harassment.