Join the manhunt: R100,000 reward offered for information on Catholic priest's disturbing murder
Image: X/The Southern Cross
Limpopo police are seeking leads in their investigation into the murder of Tzaneen Roman Catholic priest, Father William Banda.
Banda, a 38-year-old Malawian national, was gunned down around 8am on March 13, 2024, while preparing a sermon at his church.
Police reports suggest that the murder suspect arrived at the church on the morning of the murder pretending to be a congregant. It is alleged that he suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Banda several times.
Emergency personnel rushed to the church following the shooting, but sadly the priest was declared dead at the scene.
A case of murder was opened for further investigations, which remain ongoing.
The latest police identikit of the man who brutally murdered Father William Banda.
Image: SAPS
Despite the South African Police Service (SAPS) launching an extensive manhunt following the "appalling and deeply disturbing' murder in 2024, the case went cold.
The SAPS is now offering a reward of R100,000 for any valuable information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect involved in this heinous incident.
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Minister Macpherson opens criminal case in explosive IDT bribery scandal involving suspended CEO
Hope Ntanzi | Published 7 hours ago Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has opened a criminal case at the Cape Town Police Station following shocking allegations of corruption and bribery involving senior officials at the Independent Development Trust (IDT). This follows a video that emerged showing Tebogo Malaka, the suspended IDT CEO, and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane allegedly trying to bribe investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh with R60,000 to suppress a corruption exposé. Addressing the media outside the police station on Wednesday, Macpherson expressed his deep disgust and disbelief at the blatant corruption, stating, 'Watching the video of Ms Malaka allegedly offering Mr Myburgh a bribe of R60,000 made me sick to my stomach and left me in disbelief. ''It's one thing to hear about corruption. It's another thing to see it take place so blatantly and with a feeling of impunity. This stands in complete opposition to everything that I believe in and stand for as a minister.' Macpherson emphasised the gravity of the situation, describing the alleged bribery attempt as 'not just a criminal act but an assault on the institutional framework of government to provide services to the people of South Africa, especially in the social infrastructure space that the IDT is responsible for.' He condemned the attempt to bribe a journalist as 'an attack not only on the free press but on our democracy,' warning that it was designed to 'silence accountability, to undermine public confidence, and to shield corruption from exposure.' Macpherson recounted the longstanding governance failures and corruption scandals at the IDT, an entity plagued for years by tender irregularities, incomplete projects, and audit disclaimers. 'It was an entity in crisis, a state institution meant to serve the public, but instead consumed by dysfunction,' Macpherson said. Since assuming office, he said, efforts to restore integrity have been met with 'fierce resistance' from entrenched interests, aided by political parties like ActionSA and the EFF, and even some members of the media. Responding to misinformation and disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting himself, his colleague Zimbini Hill, and the IDT's cleanup efforts, Macpherson stated, 'For months, the narrative being pushed by those resisting reform was that I, as the minister, was paying journalists to attack the IDT. Not only was this false, but it turned out to be a projection of what they were doing. ''They said I was paying journalists, and it turned out that they were then paying journalists.' He highlighted the irony that those implicated in corruption were attempting to bribe journalists themselves. Macpherson has formally opened cases against Malaka and Makgolane for the attempted bribery of investigative journalist Myburgh, and has called on other journalists who may have been approached to come forward. He said he is also pursuing investigations into coordinated social media campaigns aimed at discrediting the department and officials, as well as the involvement of politically connected individuals in spreading false information to protect corruption. 'Corruption cannot survive without enablers,' Macpherson said. 'It survives when individuals in power believe they can manipulate the media, intimidate whistleblowers, and weaponise public opinion to protect their own interests.' Linking the bribery allegations to wider corruption uncovered in a recent PwC forensic investigation into the R800 million PSA oxygen plant tender, Macpherson detailed serious irregularities including contracts awarded without valid licenses, inflated project costs, missing documentation, and disregard for treasury policies. The report recommended disciplinary action against Malaka and other senior officials. Macpherson condemned the environment of impunity under her leadership, stating that 'the IDC operated without the most basic governance and risk controls,' and now 'we see how that environment of impunity spilled beyond tenders into attempts to manipulate the media and obstruct public accountability.' Macpherson also called on the new IDT board to urgently investigate all contracts issued under Malaka's tenure, trace fund flows, and take swift action against anyone found complicit. He expressed confidence in the board and acting CEO's ability to dismantle corruption networks and restore the IDT as a credible delivery partner for social infrastructure projects. 'The board has acted with speed and determination since last Friday. They will attempt to delay, to distract, to deflect, and to threaten us, but they will not succeed. We have the upper hand, and we are winning the war against them.' Moreover, Macpherson appealed to the public, journalists, whistleblowers, and honest officials to speak out against wrongdoing. 'From the day I entered office, I took an oath to serve the public, to protect the constitution, and to safeguard our precious public resources. This oath does not allow me to tolerate corruption. It does not allow me to make excuses for wrongdoing.' He vowed, 'Those who abuse their positions will face consequences. Those who have tried to bar silence will fail. And those who fear that smear campaigns will protect corruption will learn that the truth will always prevail.' 'To journalists, whistleblowers, the public, and honest officials who continue to shine a light on wrongdoing, I have my respect and my gratitude. I will personally shield you from political parties, rogue journalists, and individuals who seek to threaten and intimidate you. Because the truth is worth fighting for,' he said. [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
Daily Maverick
4 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
‘Sick to my stomach' — Minister Macpherson lays criminal charges against suspended IDT CEO, spokesperson
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has laid criminal charges against suspended Independent Development Trust chief executive Tebogo Malaka and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane, vowing to 'win the war' after a brazen attempt to suppress a corruption investigation. Macpherson laid the charges on Thursday afternoon at Cape Town Central Police Station, a day after Daily Maverick published footage showing Malaka and Makgolane offering investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh R60,000 in cash to shut down a probe into corruption at the IDT. Earlier communications with Makgolane included offers of monthly R100,000 payments and even the opportunity to nominate contractors for lucrative tenders. 'It made me sick to my stomach and left me in disbelief,' Macpherson said about the footage. He emphasised his personal commitment to combating wrongdoing, saying he would 'personally open cases against those accused of criminality because I must lead from the front'. The charges include corruption, bribery, collusion and multiple breaches of fiduciary duties under the Public Finance Management Act. The affidavit cites sections 3, 4, 12, 13 and 20 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and calls for a broader investigation into other possible crimes stemming from the incident. Lerato Modisana, spokesperson for the IDT, said: 'As previously indicated, the IDT Board is actively considering the matters raised in the recent media coverage. We fully acknowledge the seriousness of these allegations and the heightened public interest they have generated. 'At this point in time, there are no additional developments we can share publicly. Once the Board has concluded its internal processes and is in a position to report on verified outcomes, a formal communication will be issued and we will ensure that all relevant stakeholders, including the media, are informed when the time is right.' Macpherson's affidavit calls for wide probe The minister describes the actions of Malaka and Makgolane as 'an assault on the institutional framework of government' and 'an attack on not only the free press but on our democracy'. In the affidavit, he states that the CEO and spokesperson acted 'in unison, both equally complicit in attempting to bribe Mr Myburgh, rig tender processes, commit corrupt activities and elicit payment for a favour'. He added that Makgolane, as the IDT spokesperson, had knowledge of the scheme but failed to disclose it, despite an obligation to do so. Hawks asked to step in The minister has formally requested that the case be transferred to the Hawks and treated with urgency. He also asked the police to investigate: Whether other journalists were similarly approached; The coordination of funding of a disinformation campaign to discredit himself, IDT board chairperson Zimbini Hill and his department; The use of fake news articles, fabricated voice notes and call logs, and bot-driven anonymous accounts to spread lies; The role of politically connected individuals and public commentators in amplifying this misinformation; and Any additional acts of corruption linked to attempts to silence the media and obstructive oversight. 'There is clearly a network of individuals in the IDT who guarantee outcomes in exchange for cash,' Macpherson said. Rot exposed The bribery attempt stems from Myburgh's investigation, published in October 2024, into a R836-million PSA oxygen plant tender. A PwC forensics report, released to the department and the Hawks last week (but not yet publicly available), confirmed that the IDT awarded contracts to unlicensed companies and recommended disciplinary action against Malaka for procurement irregularities, missing documentation and a deliberate disregard for the process. 'Under Ms Malaka's leadership, the IDT operated without the most basic governance and risk controls,' Macpherson said. 'The environment of impunity has now spilled beyond tenders into attempts to manipulate the media and obstruct public accountability.' The offer to Myburgh, giving him the option to nominate contractors for IDT tenders, spoke to how 'rotten' the supply chain process was in the IDT from start to finish. The minister noted that even before he assumed office he was aware of the 'serious and long-standing allegations surrounding the IDT'. He described it as 'an entity in crisis, a state institution meant to serve the public but instead consumed by dysfunction'. Fallout at the IDT The IDT board met last night to understand what processes will unfold with regards to the disciplinary case against Malaka. Macpherson detailed the conditions of her suspension, saying: 'There are conditions that were attached to her suspension. One of those was that she may not leave Gauteng without permission of the board and that she may not speak to anyone from the IDT. 'I think it's safe to assume that those two [conditions] may have already been violated by her being here (Cape Town) the day after with an official from the IDT.' The bribery attempt, involving Malaka and Makgolane, took place at a wine farm near Stellenbosch. Makgolane's position is 'peculiar', according to Macpherson, since he is personally contracted to the CEO, which complicates disciplinary action. Meanwhile, the newly appointed IDT board, tasked with cleaning up the embattled entity, has been instructed to audit all contracts issued under Malaka, trace the money flows and pursue anyone complicit in wrongdoing. Lifestyle audits of the executive are also under way, Macpherson said, adding a joke about the potential impact: 'I'm just worried there might not be many executives left by the time they finish.' He also revealed that one or two resignations have already been submitted from the department, 'from people who didn't want to commit to [the process]', implying a direct link between the audits and these departures. E-procurement systems were also being fast-tracked to curb manual interference in IDT tenders. The 'best sanitiser' In the wake of these events, Nicki Gules, head of news at News24 and a member of the South African National Editors' Forum, praised Myburgh's decision to go public on SAfm this morning. 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South Africans should be demanding answers from them on how they benefited from this campaign,' Macpherson said. He specifically called out 'dubious reporting' by The Star newspaper and a discredited TimesLIVE opinion piece earlier this year, which was later retracted, as part of the disinformation offensive against reform efforts at the IDT. This afternoon (Thursday), ActionSA posted on X that it would host a discussion on TikTok LIVE at 7pm today, led by MP Mika Ngobeni, about the minister's 'offensive and racist remarks'. Despite facing what Macpherson describes as 'fierce resistance', he believes the tide is turning. 'We have the upper hand and we are winning the war against them.' He has urged the public not to look away from wrongdoing and to 'speak up and bring that information to us'. He committed to personally shielding journalists, whistle-blowers and honest officials who expose corruption.
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
High Court ruling affirms citizens' right to question police without fear of arrest
The Johannesburg High Court has ruled that South African citizens have the right to question and record police officers without being arrested or intimidated. This judgment followed a case brought by attorney Shaun Jacobs, who was unlawfully arrested during a police roadblock outside his home. Read more: Police boss plans to take back Johannesburg Jacobs approached officers at the scene to ask that the roadblock be moved due to the disturbance it was causing in the residential area. After his request was disregarded, he began recording the scene with his cell phone, a move that led to his arrest. Despite remaining calm and respectful throughout, Jacobs was detained overnight in harsh conditions. According to a document from the Southern African Legal Information Institute, Jacobs was handcuffed, taken away without any explanation, and later falsely accused of being aggressive and intoxicated, however, video evidence submitted to the court clearly showed Jacobs peacefully filming the police, and testimony from his wife confirmed his composed and sober demeanour. The judge who presided over the case dismissed the claims made by the arresting officer, and ruled that Jacobs' conduct in recording and questioning the police did not amount to any form of criminal offence or interference with police work. 'Citizens are entitled to ask questions and are entitled to explanations from the law enforcement officers in respect of their conduct. That cannot be regarded as interference with the execution of their lawful duties.' The court found the arrest, and subsequent 26-hour detention, unlawful. Jacobs was awarded R250 000 in damages, R100 000 from the minister of police for unlawful detention, and R150 000 from the metro police for the unlawful arrest. Legal experts have hailed the ruling as a crucial precedent that upholds the values of freedom, dignity, and accountability enshrined in South Africa's constitution. This ruling comes at a time of heightened public concern around police misconduct. Fourways Review reached out to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, who indicated she would consult their legal team, and to Captain Mavela Masondo on August 4. Despite multiple follow-ups to both, no response was provided to the questions below, sent for further insight. The Johannesburg High Court recently ruled that citizens have the right to question and record police without fear of arrest. Is SAPS aware of this judgment, and what is the department's reaction to the ruling? In light of this case, where an attorney was awarded R250 000 after being wrongfully arrested for filming a roadblock, how does SAPS plan to ensure officers understand and respect the public's constitutional rights in similar situations? How does SAPS feel about the court's message, that asking questions or demanding explanations is not considered interference with police work? Does the service view this ruling as a need to relook at internal training or conduct at roadblocks? Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
