Latest news with #Cradock
News24
3 days ago
- Business
- News24
Prasa overcharged by 2 000%; Cradock Four inquest: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. ANC Eastern Cape/Facebook Cradock Four inquest: Brutal murders were 'calculated and premeditated', court told A new inquest has begun into the 1985 murders of the Cradock Four, anti-apartheid activists killed by apartheid security forces. Previous inquests identified security forces as responsible, but no prosecutions occurred, prompting the families to continue seeking justice. The current inquest will include site visits and aims to uncover the full truth and provide closure for the families and community. Rosetta Msimango/News24 DERAILED | Price-gouging frenzy: Entities overcharge Prasa by 2 000%, deliver faulty work A forensic report accuses Prasa's contractors of overcharging by as much as 2 000% for repairing trains that are now discarded, with investigators recommending fraud charges. The report details instances of price-gouging, ghost billing, substandard work, and inflated invoices by several contractors, resulting in Prasa paying millions for unusable or poorly repaired locomotives and coaches. Despite spending R2.5 billion on the project, Prasa is not using the repaired trains, leading to recommendations that the expenditure be declared irregular, fruitless, and wasteful. Ashraf Hendricks/GroundUp Ex-Moti Group employee - now in witness protection - blocks arrest bid to force him out of hiding Former Moti Group legal advisor Clinton van Niekerk, who leaked documents to amaBhungane, successfully obtained an interdict to avoid being forced out of witness protection to face charges from the company. Van Niekerk's legal team argued that bringing him into the open would endanger his life, requesting he appear in court via video link and stressing his status as a potential witness in a criminal investigation against the Moti Group. The court granted the interdict, with Van Niekerk's attorney stating it sends a message to whistleblowers that courts can protect them and preserve their rights. Lisalee Solomons/News24 Meet the viral matric pupil selling R2 sweets at a taxi rank to pay for his matric ball Rudolph Lekay, a matric pupil from Mitchells Plain, sells sweets and chips at the taxi rank to fund his matric ball expenses, as his mother is a pensioner and cannot afford it. Inspired by elderly ladies selling vetkoek, he started his venture with R150 Christmas money and aims to reach R10 000 by September, earning up to R600 a day. His story went viral, and despite challenges like gang violence and needing to help his mother financially, he remains determined, with plans to study business at university next year. Maya on Money | Retiree expected R2m but was paid out just R240 000 Many people experience retirement shortfalls because they assume their existing policies will be adequate without regular reviews. Leon's Sanlam investment policy matured with a payout far below expectations due to lower-than-projected premium escalations and investment returns. Investors should stay informed about their investments and advisors have a responsibility to provide updates, but legal recourse may be limited due to prescription and pre-FAIS Act policies. Grant Pitcher/) Heinrich Klaasen calls time on international career: 'It's a sad day for me' Heinrich Klaasen has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket, stepping away from white-ball formats after retiring from Test cricket in 2024. Klaasen, who debuted for the Proteas in 2018, established himself as a destructive middle-order batsman in ODIs and T20Is, known for his power-hitting and dominance against spin. Cricket South Africa acknowledged Klaasen's impact and contribution to South African cricket, wishing him success in his future endeavors.
The Herald
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Families of Cradock Four due to testify at reopened inquest into their murders
A reopened inquest into the deaths of four United Democratic Front activists in Cradock is set down from Monday until June 12 in the Gqeberha High Court. Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli and Sparrow Mkonto were killed by apartheid-era security branch officers in June 1985. In 1987, a first inquest found the Cradock Four had been killed by "unknown persons". A second inquest in 1993 ruled their deaths had been caused by the police but no one has been prosecuted. Six police officers applied for amnesty from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in connection with the murders. This was refused by the TRC in 1999. All are deceased, the first in 1998 and the last in 2023 . "It is a bittersweet moment for the families, who have watched the men responsible for the deaths of their husbands and fathers live out their lives in comfort and die without ever being held accountable. The democratic state has had 30 years to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the killings and the masterminds behind the assassinations. It has failed on every front," the families and Foundation for Human Rights said in a statement. The families of the Cradock Four said during this phase of the inquest, only family witnesses will be called to give evidence. Testimony from former state officials will be heard at a later date, when funding for their legal costs has been finalised. Justice and constitutional development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi will attend the opening day of proceedings before judge Thami Beshe. "The initial sitting will focus on placing on record the parties and legal representatives involved in the matter, and the judge will also provide direction on the issue of conducting an inspection in loco at the original crime scenes," the minister's office said. " The inquest forms part of ongoing efforts by the department to address unresolved cases from the apartheid era and to advance justice and closure for affected families and communities." TimesLIVE
