Top 10 stories of the day: Lawyers stealing from trust funds
Here's your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
News today includes more than 500 cases in which lawyers are accused of stealing more than R1.4 billion of their clients' money from trust funds not being prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the EFF has proposed an 'apartheid tax' for people who inherited wealth during that era, instead of a VAT increase.
Furthermore, Netball South Africa appeared in front of the portfolio committee for the first time, just days after World Netball suspended Molokwane.
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Lawyers who steal: R1.4bn trust fund theft ignored
More than 500 cases in which lawyers are accused of stealing more than R1.4 billion of their clients' money from trust funds have not been prosecuted.
This was revealed by statistics recently released by the Legal Practice Fidelity Fund.
Picture: iStock
The figures show that 561 trust fund theft cases, in which lawyers allegedly stole R1.4 billion from clients, remain unprosecuted. They also revealed that only 59 convictions were made in seven years and just 25 resulted in jail time.
CONTINUE READING: Lawyers who steal: R1.4bn trust fund theft ignored
EFF calls for 'apartheid tax' counter instead of VAT hike [VIDEO]
As the battle over the value-added tax (VAT) hike plays out in the Western Cape High Court, the EFF has proposed an 'apartheid tax' for people who inherited wealth during that era.
Speaking to the media outside the court, EFF treasurer general Omphile Maotwe said other avenues could be taxed.
EFF Treasurer General, Commissar Omphile Maotwe, alongside Western Cape Convener Commissar Rebecca Mathibe and provincial leadership at the High Court. Pic: X/@EFFWesternCape_
'There's apartheid inheritance. Introduce an apartheid tax on everybody who inherited wealth in this country during apartheid, when you know what happened to our people.
'That will give you much more money than the R28 billion that you are looking for. But what is the easy target? The poor,' Maotwe said.
CONTINUE READING: EFF calls for 'apartheid tax' counter instead of VAT hike [VIDEO]
An 'embarrassment' and a 'mess': Netball SA taken to task by parliament
Netball South Africa (NSA) was raked through the coals on Tuesday by the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, with members of parliament criticising the federation for not taking action against its president, Cecilia Molokwane, and for lengthy delays in releasing audited financial reports.
The national netball body appeared in front of the portfolio committee for the first time, just days after World Netball suspended Molokwane.
Cecilia Molokwane, the Netball SA president, was suspended last week by World Netball. Picture: Lubabalo Lesolle/Gallo Images
'While we acknowledge the growth and achievements of netball in our country, we also emphasise the importance of good governance, principles and values,' said the portfolio committee chairperson, Joseph McGluwa.
CONTINUE READING: An 'embarrassment' and a 'mess': Netball SA taken to task by parliament
Second suspect identified as gunman in Wynberg court shooting
A second suspect has been identified in connection with the fatal shooting at Wynberg Magistrate's Court earlier this month.
The police are still conducting a manhunt for a third suspect, who is also believed to be a gunman, still at large.
A general view outside Wynberg Magistrate's Court on 16 January 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger/Theo Jeptha
Abubaker Adams, 24, was identified as the second suspect in the case. He appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Adams faces murder charges for his alleged role in the 5 April shooting that claimed the life of Dingalomoya Chintso.
CONTINUE READING: Second suspect identified as gunman in Wynberg court shooting
'ANC has chosen to push this VAT increase down the throats of South Africans'
The DA says it is confident in its court challenge of the 2025 budget, claiming that the framework passed by parliament earlier this month shows its coalition partner, the ANC, does not care about the poor.
The party and the EFF have both filed applications at the Western Cape High Court to interdict the budget.
Minister Ecnoch Godongwana delivering Budget 2025. Picture: GCIS
Speaking to The Citizen on Tuesday, DA spokesperson on finance Dr Mark Burke said its government of national unity (GNU) partner, the ANC, was forcing the budget on the country.
'The ANC has chosen to push this VAT increase down the throats of South Africans, and it has sought support outside of the partnership for this increase.'
CONTINUE READING: 'ANC has chosen to push this VAT increase down the throats of South Africans'
Here are five more stories of the day:
Yesterday's News recap
READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Pope Francis dies | Easter road fatalities declining | Second suspect arrested for Wynberg court shooting
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