Construction company robbed of 300 litres of diesel in Bergville
Amid the R177 million road rehabilitation project in Bergville, a construction company was robbed of 300 litres of diesel by criminals.
Image: Supplied
A construction company hired by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements for the R177 million rehabilitation of a road in Bergville under the Okhahlamba Local Municipality, was robbed of 300 litres of diesel by gun-wielding members of the construction mafia.
KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the incident was reported at the Bergville Police Station.
He expressed confidence that KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and his team of law enforcement agencies would apprehend the criminals.
He also saluted Inkosi Njabulo Miya of the Emazizini Traditional Council, the izinduna, and the whole community for their public display of anger and opposition against these criminals who are trying to derail the project.
'We are encouraging anyone with information about this robbery to contact the nearest police,' Duma said.
'There should be no place for construction mafia gangs in villages, townships, suburbs or anywhere in KZN.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
Duma said the department invested R177 million in rehabilitating the main road P304. The road is a link connecting Bergville to Maloti-Drakensberg Park/Royal Natal Park through R74. It also stimulates rural economies for communities living under the yoke of poverty.
The road network was destroyed by floods, leaving hundreds of communities isolated and unable to access hospitals, schools and socio-economic centres.
'With this investment, as the department, we want to ensure that P304 remains in safe and usable condition and contributes towards the stimulation of all sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and tourism,' Duma said.
Earlier, Duma revealed that the project will lead to 74 job opportunities, R32 million is set aside for local emerging contractors, R9 million is for women-owned contractors, R16 million is for youth-owned contractors, and R1.6 million is for people with disabilities.
Two eThekwini Municipality employees were arrested for diesel theft. They were caught offloading diesel at a residence near Verulam.
Image: Supplied
Meanwhile, two eThekwini Municipality employees were arrested for diesel theft last week.
The municipality said a municipal water truck was caught offloading diesel at a private house. Another water truck was parked next to the same house's gate in eKukhanyeni near Verulam.
Both trucks were carrying water meant to be delivered to communities.
The municipality said investigators were in the area after receiving reports that several truck drivers were seen in the area offloading diesel. This led to the arrest of two municipal employees, and a theft case was opened at Inanda Police Station. The suspects are expected to appear in court.
City Integrity and Investigations Unit head Jimmy Ngcobo commended the investigators.
'Further investigations will be conducted in this area as it is alleged that diesel is frequently offloaded there,' Ngcobo said.
He said the stolen diesel is resold.
'We will not allow employees to steal municipal resources,' Ngcobo said.
'We urge the community to report fraud and corruption cases to be investigated, like in this instance.'
Ngcobo added that the suspects were caught with 12x25 litres of offloaded diesel, amounting to 300 litres of stolen municipal diesel.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Blind SA welcomes court ruling for independent inquiry into school mistreatment
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has ordered that an independent investigation should be instituted to probe allegations of mistreatment and sexual violence of pupils at Arthur Blaxall School for the Blind. Image: Supplied The Pietermaritzburg High Court has ordered that an independent investigation should be instituted to probe allegations of mistreatment, including the alleged sexual violence of learners at a KwaZulu-Natal-based school for the blind and visually impaired. This was after the court ruled that a curator ad litem should be appointed to investigate the allegations at Arthur Blaxall School for the Blind. The case was brought by Blind SA last year, following allegations that were made in 2018. Blind SA, in its application claimed the original investigation into the allegations against the school was inadequate. No one was criminally charged and prosecuted after the school and the provincial education department concluded their initial investigation. The Department of Education attempted to oppose the application on the basis that the issues raised had been addressed, saying a new investigation would disrupt the school's operation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ However, the court this week ordered that a curator should be appointed to conduct an independent investigation. The curator is expected to compile a detailed report and submit recommendations to the court by September 30. It will also investigate allegations of poor quality of food and living conditions, as well as the school programmes. KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson for education, Muzi Mahlambi and his colleague, Mlu Mtshali, did not respond to messages and calls. Elijah Mhlanga, the spokesperson for the Department of Education, requested a copy of the court papers but did not respond to queries. Blind SA, which was represented by the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC), said the situation at the school reflects a broader, systemic failure in the provision of safe and dignified hostel conditions for learners with disabilities across South Africa. 'We welcome the High Court's order as an important step toward accountability and systemic reform for learners with disabilities at school hostels. Through the appointment of an independent curator, we hope that meaningful, evidence-based recommendations will emerge to drive urgent improvements at Arthur Blaxall and beyond. Learners with disabilities deserve to access education in environments that respect and uphold their dignity and rights,' Blind SA said in a statement. Blind SA chief executive officer, Jace Nair, added this will enable the curator to engage with stakeholders, including learners, staff, education officials and the community to probe the concerns and "propose effective lasting recommendations that will address the systemic changes required to prevent abuse and negligence and promote a human rights-based approach for equitable and quality education for blind and partially sighted learners". The court added that the person who would be nominated should have at least 10 years of relevant experience.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Pietermaritzburg High Court greenlights abuse probe at school for the blind
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has ordered that an independent investigation should be instituted to probe allegations of mistreatment and sexual violence of pupils at Arthur Blaxall School for the Blind. Image: File The Pietermaritzburg High Court ordered that an independent investigation should be instituted to probe allegations of mistreatment, including the alleged sexual violence of pupils at a KwaZulu-Natal-based school for the blind and visually impaired. This was after the court ruled that a curator ad litem should be appointed to investigate the allegations at Arthur Blaxall School for the Blind. The case was brought by Blind SA last year, following allegations that were made in 2018. Blind SA, in its application claimed the original investigation into the allegations against the school was inadequate. No one was criminally charged and prosecuted after the school and the provincial education department concluded their initial investigation. The Department of Education attempted to oppose the application on the basis that the issues raised had been addressed, saying a new investigation would disrupt the school's operation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ However, the court this week ordered that a curator should be appointed to conduct an independent investigation. The curator is expected to compile a detailed report and submit recommendations to the court by September 30, 2025. It will also investigate allegations of poor quality of food and living conditions, as well as the school programmes. KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson for education, Muzi Mahlambi and his colleague, Mlu Mtshali, did not respond to messages and calls. Elijah Mhlanga, the spokesperson for the Department of Education, requested a copy of the court papers but did not respond. Blind SA, which was represented by the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC), said the situation at the school reflects a broader, systemic failure in the provision of safe and dignified hostel conditions for learners with disabilities across South Africa. 'We welcome the High Court's order as an important step toward accountability and systemic reform for learners with disabilities at school hostels. Through the appointment of an independent curator, we hope that meaningful, evidence-based recommendations will emerge to drive urgent improvements at Arthur Blaxall and beyond. Learners with disabilities deserve to access education in environments that respect and uphold their dignity and rights,' Blind SA said in a statement. Blind SA chief executive officer, Jace Nair, added that this will enable the curator to engage with stakeholders, including learners, staff, education officials and the community to probe the concerns and 'propose effective lasting recommendations that will address the systemic changes required to prevent abuse and negligence and promote a human rights-based approach for equitable and quality education for blind and partially sighted learners'. The court added that the person who would be nominated should have at least 10 years of relevant experience.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Justice prevails: high court dismisses Zuma and Thales' application, arms deal case to proceed
In dismissing Jacob Zuma and Thales' bid to have the arms deal charges dropped, the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg stressed that fair trial rights must balance the interests of the accused with those of society. As a result, the corruption case is set to go ahead. The KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg has dismissed former president Jacob Zuma and French arms company Thales' bid to have criminal charges against them dropped. The longstanding case related to the controversial arms deal will now proceed despite the deaths of key witnesses Pierre Moynot and Alain Thétard, both former employees of Thales. Both the company's and Zuma's legal team, led by advocate Dali Mpofu, had used the duo's death as a basis for their application for acquittal. On Tuesday, 3 May 2025, while giving a verdict on the matter, Judge Nkosinathi Chili however said he found sufficient reason to believe that Zuma would receive a fair trial and dismissed the application. 'I am not persuaded either that Mr Zuma's right to a fair trial will be prejudiced by the non-availability of Mr Thétard and Mr Moynot. There is no justification for the granting of the order sought by Mr Zuma in the alternative in accordance with section 172 1 (b) of the Constitution. I therefore make the following order: the application by both Mr Zuma and Thales is dismissed.' Zuma's legal team argued that it stood to reason that Thales' acquittal would lead to Zuma's acquittal. Mpofu had initially argued that without those witnesses, their team could not challenge the evidence, essentially rendering the trial unfair. Zuma and Thales stand accused of corruption, racketeering, money laundering and fraud related to the 1999 arms deal. Zuma is accused of receiving payments totalling R4.1-million between 1995 and 2004 from his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik and Shaik's companies to further Thales' interests. Making reference to several parts of the Constitution, Judge Chili said: 'I am therefore satisfied that it will be incompetent of this court to grant the relief sought in prayer one of the main application. The relief sought in prayer two is conditional upon the grant of the relief sought in prayer one. Put conversely, the court can only acquit an accused person who has pleaded to a charge, if the State, in the exercise of its discretion, has stopped the prosecution.' For years, Zuma has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the arms deal case and maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated. He has also slammed the delays in the matter. Zuma has repeatedly challenged elements of the case, particularly the involvement of prosecutor Billy Downer, which has led to significant delays. Judge Chili, however, did not apportion blame: 'It is common cause that there has been a considerable delay in the prosecution of both Mr Zuma and Thales. However, in light of the view I take of this meeting, I do not consider it appropriate to engage in the exercise of attributing blame to any party for the delay.' The judge further cited an observation made by the Constitutional Court, emphasising that fair trial rights must consider not only the interests of the accused persons, but also the broader interests of society. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga told Daily Maverick: 'The NPA welcomes the judgment by Judge Chili in respect of the Thales application. We feel vindicated in view of our long-held belief that this was a rehearsed application, which had been pronounced upon by the courts in 2018. We hope that there will be no more interlocutory application that will have an undesirable impact or effect of delaying the trial. We hope that it resumes without any further delays,' he said. The case is due to return to court on 4 December 2025, with the State likely to argue that it should proceed regardless of whether Zuma challenges Tuesday's decision or not. Zuma was due, on Tuesday afternoon, to brief journalists on various political developments, including this matter. DM
