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IOL News
22-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Gauteng department accused of bias as CFO faces prosecution while DDG stays at work
Gauteng MEC Jacob Mamabolo has downplayed accusations that there is bias in his office. Image: Bongani Shilubane / Independent Newspapers The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure and Development faces renewed scrutiny, accused of bias for spending over R5 million to prosecute a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who has been suspended with pay for more than a year. Meanwhile, a deputy director-general (DDG) facing more serious charges remains at work without suspension. The CFO, whose name is known to the publication, is undergoing a disciplinary process for insubordination, dereliction of duty, and absenteeism. Meanwhile, the DDG, whose name is known to the publication, remains at work despite facing more severe charges. These charges include gross misconduct, maladministration, and financial misconduct related to the controversial Mayibuye Primary School project in Tembisa. The project had been plagued by delays, cost overruns, and corruption allegations. According to a leaked charge sheet, the DDG is accused of causing the improper construction of the school without conducting a wetland study, leading to undue delays and cost overruns. The department allegedly incurred costs of R10,060,519.73 due to the contractor's standing time from December 2018 to March 2020. The DDG is also accused of irregularly appointing a contractor without going through a separate tender process for the construction of a smart school. The charge sheet states that the DDG's conduct was unwarranted, unacceptable, and prejudicial to the administration, discipline, and efficiency of the employer. However, his disciplinary hearing comes with additional controversy, with some DID employees saying he is attending the hearing while he is still at work. The publication has previously reported that the department's CFO had been charged in a different matter but was suspended from attending work, while the DDG is treated differently. A source in a senior position within the department, who spoke on condition of anonymity in case of reprisals, said officials within the department were questioning why this was the case. 'It's politics of favouritism that borders on near corruption at play here because how come a person (CFO) has to stay so long outside of work while another (DDG) is charged with even bigger charges but comes to the office as if nothing is happening?... It shows that it's selective... and it's a matter that is spoken about in the corridors every day,' the source said. Department spokesperson Theo Nkonki did not respond to questions sent to him; however, he referred them to department MEC Jacob Mamabolo, who played down the accusations. 'As far as I know, the department is handling the situation of the DDG, and investigations that will be reported to me afterwards are ongoing. The matter is being dealt with and there is no crisis… we should leave the matter to be investigated so we can move on from there,' Mamabolo said. Responding to the matter of the CFO and whether the DDG was going to be suspended, Mamabolo said that the case was also ongoing, and it was the prerogative of the employer to suspend the DDG if they felt that he would interfere with the investigation. Although it was not clear what the status of the CFO's case was, sources confirmed that it was ongoing and had already cost taxpayers R5 million. The charges against the DDG come after a report by the Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, found irregularities and maladministration in the construction of the school. The report found the school was built on a wetland, endangering the lives of learners and staff members. Build One South Africa (Bosa) at the time welcomed the report and is calling for the recovery of the R82 million spent on the project. Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane had lodged a complaint with the Public Protector in 2020, highlighting the irregularities and corruption surrounding the project. Bosa member of the Gauteng provincial legislature, Ayanda Allie, had written to the office of Premier Panyaza Lesufi, requesting that he delegate a task force team to recover the squandered funds. Allie said that Lesufi's task force will aid in recovering missing funds and holding officials accountable for scrupulous conduct. 'We are of the view that the remedial action is flimsy and deficient and illustrates how far this matter is away from being settled. All effort must be made to recover the funds spent otherwise, shady contractors and compromised government employees get away scot-free,' Allie said. [email protected]
IOL News
07-07-2025
- IOL News
Akasia police station's lack of holding cells raises serious crime concerns
The DA is concerned about the Akasia police station in Pretoria, which ranks among the top 40 stations with high serious crime rates, yet operates without a holding cell. Image: Bongani Shilubane/Independent Newspapers The Akasia police station in Pretoria, ranked among the top 40 stations with high serious crime rates, operates without a holding cell. This information came to light through Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi's written responses to parliamentary questions by Crezane Bosch, the DA's Gauteng shadow MEC for Community Safety. Bosch posed questions to inquire about the state of police stations in Gauteng, specifically asking about vacancies and plans to fill the posts. The 2024/2025 police crime statistics report shows that the Akasia police station is among the 40 stations with high rates of community-reported serious crimes, including sexual offences and attempted murder. 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 Bosch expressed concern that the high rate of serious crimes at the station should not be ignored, suggesting a potential link between the absence of holding cells and the station's effectiveness in reducing crime. She said: 'The DA has repeatedly urged the Premier Lesufi-led government to focus on the fundamentals of policing to effectively combat crime and ensure residents safety. Despite this, millions have been wasted on high-tech solutions including CCTV cameras and drones, while essential resources, such as police vehicles and holding cells are lacking.' She said a DA-led Gauteng provincial government would work within the legal framework to facilitate the upgrading and construction of holding cells through intergovernmental cooperation. 'This includes lobbying for the devolution of key policing powers to capable provinces, allowing them to manage and improve critical safety infrastructure. We would also engage SAPS and National Treasury to obtain the necessary approvals and formal agreements for co-funding and supporting infrastructure projects in key priority areas,' Bosch said. She noted that 24 of the 145 police stations in Gauteng lack holding cells, hindering their ability to effectively combat serious and violent crimes. 'The shortage leads to delays in detaining and processing suspects, which hampers investigations and allows criminal activity to persist. The deficiency also hinders police effectiveness, leaving our people vulnerable to crime,' she said. Lesufi's responses indicated that the maintenance of police stations, including the provision of holding cells, falls under the responsibility of the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. He disclosed that other police stations, including Mohlakeng and Cleveland, which are also among the top 40 in Gauteng for serious crimes, lack functional holding cells. Bosch said: 'It is concerning that a police station would lack a holding cell, forcing officers to travel long distances to detain suspects at other stations already experiencing overcrowding.' She expressed further concern that police stations without holding cells are disproportionately represented in the recent crime statistics for serious community-reported crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, and assault. Lesufi's responses to questions about vacant positions revealed that there are openings for detective service commanders following promotions of previous incumbents. Regarding plans to fill positions, he said: 'The vacancies will be addressed through the appointment/or promotion processes once the post allocation is received from the National Head Office. Critical and command vacancies will be prioritised. It remains unclear how many posts will be advertised due to the budgetary constraints on the compensation budget imposed by National Treasury."
IOL News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Proof that caring governments can deliver
The City of Tshwane's Section 79 Utility Services committee is pleased with the progress of the Rooiwaal Wastewater Treatment Plant's refurbishment. Image: .Bongani Shilubane / Independent Newspapers The City of Tshwane's recent achievements during the last two Council meetings and today at Hammanskraal prove that caring governments can deliver spatial, social, economic and environmental justice for South Africa', says GOOD's Councillor Sarah Mabotsa, the Tshwane Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Development and Spatial Planning. Today at Hammanskraal, the handover of Module 2 of the Klipdrift Water Treatment Plant means safe water is coming to more homes in Hammanskraal. The neighbourhoods of Kudube - Units 1, 2, 3, 6, 10 and Unit D, Jubilee Tower, Jubilee Direct, Dominican Tower, and some areas of Majakaneng will benefit from Module 2's water supply. This expands the areas of Hammaskraal that have since January 2025 benefited from Module 1's water supply (namely Mandela Village, Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens/Steve Bikoville and Babelegi Industrial area). In 2023, dozens of Hammanskraal residents tragically died from a cholera outbreak. The provision of safe, reliable water in taps is something most South Africans take for granted, and, finally, for the residents of Hammanskraal, in 2025, this is becoming a reality. Access to clean water and a healthy environment is a Constitutional right of every South African. This week, the City of Tshwane's Council also approved the multi-party coalition government's initiation of a public participation process to commence for the Urban Forestry Tree Protection By-Law. The City of Tshwane is known as the Jacaranda City, but these and many other trees in our parks, road reserves and other public open spaces are being vandalised and sometimes illegally removed. Trees and urban forests are proven to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and these green spaces provide important environmental assets for communities. We must protect and preserve our natural assets and ensure that the environment of the city is managed and enhanced for future generations. GOOD has also supported the transfer of 1,007 City-owned residences to a non-profit housing entity, Housing Company Tshwane, to provide more affordable housing in well-located parts of the city. The total municipal value of the 1,007 residential properties approved for transfer to the non-profit Housing Company Tshwane is approximately R92 million. 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 ✕ The Housing Company Tshwane is a City-owned company that can offer homes for rent at less than the market rate. These below-market rentals provide housing to the so-called 'missing middle' segment of the market, to those households with a combined income of less than R22,000 per month. According to the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa, the City of Tshwane's residential market by value is the third largest in South Africa (after Cape Town and Johannesburg), and almost one quarter of Tshwane's households are tenants. The provision of affordable, well-located rental accommodation that is close to economic centres helps more workers to afford to live closer to their place of employment. The rental units transferred to Housing Company Tshwane are in the centrally-located suburbs of Capital Park, Silverton, Eloffsdal, Villiera, Wolmer, Daspoort, Danville, Claremont, Arcadia and Proclamation Hill. Bringing people closer to their jobs is an underlying principle of both spatial and economic justice and serves to reverse some of the cruel legacy of apartheid, which placed black, coloured and indian people very far from economic opportunities. The provision of more affordable rental apartments in centrally-located areas of the city means that more residents can afford to live close to their places of work. This will save hours of commuting time and reduce costly transport costs, meaning more money in their pockets and more time with their families. A reduction in transport distances is also good news for the whole city, as this tends to reduce air pollution from transport emissions (achieving some environmental justice) and shorter commutes help reduce traffic congestion. GOOD is proud to be part of the City of Tshwane's multi-party coalition government. The work for Spatial, Social. Economic and Environmental Justice for South Africans is central to the objectives of GOOD, as this is the pathway to a safer, more prosperous, equitable, inclusive and sustainable society. Sarah Mabotsa, GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor and MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning
IOL News
25-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Tshwane committee praises progress on Rooiwaal Wastewater Treatment Plant refurbishment
The City of Tshwane's Section 79 Utility Services committee is pleased with the progress of the Rooiwaal Wastewater Treatment Plant's refurbishment. Image: .Bongani Shilubane / Independent Newspapers The City of Tshwane's Section 79 Utility Services committee has expressed satisfaction with the Department of Utility Services' performance in refurbishing the Rooiwaal Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was identified as the source of dirty water supplied to Hammanskraal residents. The committee's position follows a meeting where they summoned senior managers from the department to account for the ongoing refurbishment work at the under-capacity wastewater treatment plant. Committee chairperson Flora Monama said the wastewater treatment works regulatory requirements report highlighted the importance of ongoing monitoring to ensure water quality meets SANS 241:2015 standards. She explained that the compliance percentage is calculated according to the blue drop certification system, and the reports indicate improvements in bulk water testing, which will provide residents with quality drinking water. 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 Monama said: 'The Water and Sanitation Department presented a progress report on the Rooiwaal Wastewater Treatment Works project that is under way. Phase 1A of the project has been completed by contractors Uyapo Engineering Projects and Magand Projects Pty (Ltd) within the stipulated timeframe of 12 months. The contractors are now addressing all defect issues as they arise during the defect liability period.' According to her, the project is currently in Phase 1B, which commenced in April 2025, focusing on civil works. 'The committee indicated that they are happy with the progress presented thus far and that an investigation will take place at the beginning of the next financial year to see the physical progress of the project,' she stated. Monama said the committee members took cognisance of the reports and acknowledged the efforts that the departments are putting into their performance. 'It is important for the departments to respond to service delivery issues of the residents in time,' she said. She stressed that service delivery to city residents is a priority for the committee, and members are committed to ensuring this through ongoing monitoring of departmental performance reports. The work at Rooiwal is part of a larger effort to address water pollution in Hammanskraal, where a cholera outbreak two years ago claimed over 20 lives. The national Department of Water and Sanitation and the city are collaborating to repair and upgrade the Rooiwal plant at an estimated cost of R4 billion.
IOL News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Exploring the 2023/24 funding of South African political parties
Political parties represented in Parliament and the nine provincial legislatures shared more than R3.24 billion in 2023/24, according to lobby group My Vote Counts. Image: Bongani Shilubane / Independent Newspapers Political parties represented in Parliament shared over R3.24 billion in 2023/24 through private funding, allocation from Parliament and provincial legislatures, and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). According to lobby group My Vote Counts (MVC), the ANC received the lion's share of nearly R1.72bn and the DA was allocated about R655 million, while the EFF got over R309m. The list does not include uMkhonto weSizwe Party as it only contested elections for the first time in May last year following its establishment in December 2023. In the 2023/24 financial year, the IEC received disclosure reports from Parliament and all nine provincial legislatures in respect of the funding of represented political parties. 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 ✕ An amount of about R1.56bn from Parliament and nine provincial legislatures was allocated to 15 represented political parties. The ANC's R1.72bn allocation includes R905m from Parliament and provincial legislatures, R527m through private funding, and R286m from the IEC-administered represented political parties and multi-party democracy funds, according to MVC. The DA received R311m from Parliament and provincial legislatures, R213m through private funding, and R121m from the IEC. The EFF's R309m includes R180m from Parliament and provincial legislatures, R79m from the commission, and R51m in private funding. A few months ago, the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs voted to double two crucial limits in the Political Funding Act. This means the disclosure threshold and donations cap could be raised from R100,000 to R200,000 and R15m to R30m, respectively. The MVC was among several organisations that objected during the public participation process, after which the committee unanimously voted to adopt a report and resolution recommending the increase. 'In passing the resolution, the committee chose to disregard both relevant empirical considerations and the public interest, in favour of political expediency,' the group accused the committee. It noted that funding through the represented political parties' fund (RPPF), as revealed in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Budget, barely increases over the next few financial years. 'This belies the passion with which parties spoke about the need for more funding during the parliamentary processes... If parties are indeed so desperate for additional funding, why did they accept a Budget that offers them a real-term reduction in public funding?' it asked. The amount allocated to represented parties through the RPPF in 2022/23 was R342m, and R322m is the adjusted appropriation for 2024/25. The R850m for 2023/24 was an anomaly as an additional amount was distributed to parties to allow them to prepare for the 2024 national and provincial elections.
