Latest news with #GCIS
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya reflects on his legacy in the SAPS
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya on Saturday delivered his last media briefing before retiring from the SAPS. Image: Ntswe Mokoena/GCIS Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya spoke fondly of his trials and tribulations, including being the best student of the course in June 1985 during his last media briefing before retiring from the SAPS on 1 June 2025. The SAPS- Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI-Hawks) held a legacy report briefing for the outgoing National Head in Pretoria on Saturday. Lebeya reflected on his tenure at the helm of the DPCI from 2018 to 2025 and offered insights into the milestones, challenges, and achievements during his leadership. In his parting shot, Lebeya recommended that part of the improvement plan for the SAPS should include: Work on capacitation of the DPCI to achieve 100% human resource capacity. Lebeya requested authority's to provide financial resources to achieve this. Work on the implementation of the remaining provisions of the SAPS Act. Work on the acquisition of the office accommodation for the personnel. Continue to work on acquisition of modern tools of trade. Continue to build the DPCI to be a criminal Investigative elite unit of South Africa. Lebeya began working in the SAPS at the Sophiatown Police Station on 12 May 1984 and said he aspired to be a mechanical engineer, but his application to the SAPS Benoni Mechanical School was unsuccessful. Over the years he worked at Hillbrow SAPS in Crime Prevention and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the house-breaking and theft unit. He was later transferred to investigate more serious cases such as murders, robberies, bribery, forgery, uttering and fraud. Lebeya went on to establish the Johannesburg North Fraud Section which was based at Sandton police station. In January 2000, he was appointed the Provincial Head of Specialised Investigations in Gauteng Province and by November 2000, he was appointed the Provincial Head of Detective Service in Gauteng on the rank of Assistant Commissioner, the current Major General rank. 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 ✕ In his academic pursuit, Lebeya completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and by 2006 was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Lebeya also pursued a Doctorate degree which was conferred in the field of Law, Doctor of Laws (LLD) in 2012 on the topic of 'Understanding Organised Crime'. One of his crowning moments came in June 2018, when he was appointed as the National Head of the DPCI. 'Part of the style of investigation is to conduct major investigations. In Project-Driven Investigations, we initiated 113 complex projects and successfully concluded 67 which is 75% while others are still pending and others unsuccessful. A total number of 566 arrests were effected,' he said . Lebeya said he worked on enhancing technological systems and believed that the Digital Forensic Unit is growing with public private partnerships. 'We have established the Forensic Accounting Investigation which has also partnered with business to ensure transferal of skills. Our coordination of work has been enhanced with the operationalisation of the National Priority Crime Investigations and its sub-committees,' Lebeya said.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Cabinet unmoved by EFF's looming fuel levy increase court challenge; says Malema's party is entitled to pursue litigation
Minister of the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the government will study and report back on the implication of the fuel levy on fuel prices. Image: GCIS Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the EFF was within its rights to approach the courts over the increase in the fuel levy proposed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Addressing the media after Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, Ntshavheni said she had no idea what argument the EFF had made in their court papers. 'But we have always had a fuel levy in this country as government, and shortly we will come back on the implication of the fuel levy on the fuel prices in the country as we try to mitigate the high cost of living. 'They can go to court. They are entitled to go to court, but it does not stop us from proposing a budget. The fuel levy has been part of the budget of South Africa since time immemorial,' she said. 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 ✕ Ntshavheni made the comments after the EFF announced that it had filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court on Thursday to interdict Godongwana from increasing the fuel levy by 16 cents and diesel by 15 cents. Godongwana had announced the proposed fuel levy when he tabled the budget earlier this month after he scrapped the VAT increase amid a court case that was instituted by the EFF and the DA as well as negotiations between the ANC and smaller parties. In a statement, the EFF said it took the action after repeated efforts to caution and appeal to Godongwana to consider the impact of the increase in the fuel levy on the poor and working class when the cost of living was deepening. 'We also reminded him that that, just like the VAT increase, raising the fuel levy without introducing a proper Money Bill is unlawful and undermines parliamentary oversight." The red berets had also written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and finance standing committee chairperson Joe Maswanganyi, warning against adopting the 2025 fiscal framework and revenue proposals that included the fuel levy as doing so would place the entire budget process in jeopardy. 'This matter is urgent not just because of its legal implications, but because the fuel levy directly affects the price of transport, food and other essentials. Any increase will hit the poorest the hardest,' said the EFF. Meanwhile, the Cabinet has affirmed its support for the 2025 national budget that was tabled by Godongwana on May 21. 'The national budget has demonstrated our commitment to fiscal discipline. We have shown that we are steering the economy in the right direction that looks after the most vulnerable in our society, while investing in economic activities through investment of R1 trillion towards infrastructure over the coming three years.' Asked whether all the Government of National Unity parties will vote in favor of the budget, Ntshavheni said they expected that to happen, but the parties have to be asked individually. 'As I have indicated, in all the times that we have at the Minister of Finance has gone to present the budget, they have always been in agreement in Cabinet saying, this is the budget we are going to support, despite its weaknesses,' she added. Ntshavheni also said the Cabinet welcomed the reset of strategic relationships between South Africa and the US during President Cyril Ramaphosa's working visit to the US. She said teams will finalise the details of the trade deal between the two countries. 'The objectives that the South Africa team had set for the trip have been met.' Highlighting some of the elements featured in the trade deal, Ntshavheni said they still have to discuss the tariffs, including the non-tariff barriers.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Municipalities: It's time to hold mayors to account
There's been some improvement in the number of audit disclaimers, but overall it's pretty much a stuck record of ongoing poor performance for metros and municipalities. 'Widespread instability' is one characteristic of local government as described by Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke. Pciture: GCIS It's time to hold mayors, speakers and council members to account for municipal failures, said Auditor-General of SA Tsakani Maluleke during a Wednesday parliamentary briefing on local government audit outcomes. Despite calls on municipal and metro leaders to act with urgency to overhaul local government – which is characterised by 'insufficient accountability, failing service delivery, poor financial management and governance, weak institutional capability and widespread instability' – the action taken has been too slow and has had little impact on the lived realities of South Africans, said Maluleke. 'Legislation is clear on what the responsibilities of mayors, councils and executive authorities are – it is the diligent and effective implementation of these responsibilities that is lacking.' The AG's latest report on local government audit outcomes for the 2024 financial year shows that just 16% of 257 municipalities received clean audits, and most of these (17) were in the Western Cape. The number of clean audits (41) is unchanged from 2021. Those with clean audits have the discipline and necessary governance to spend predictably and efficiently, said the AG. Read more 'Same story year after year': MPs unhappy as Auditor-General reveals local government audit outcomes A clean audit is not always an indicator of good service delivery and does not always reflect the lived experience of all communities in a municipal area, but it reflects honest communication with communities as to whether and when their needs will be met through accurate records. ALSO READ: 'Same story year after year': MPs unhappy as Auditor-General reveals local government audit outcomes There was almost no change in the number of municipalities with 'unqualified with findings' audits – there were 99 in 2024, compared to 100 in 2021. Things get worse from there: 93 (35%) were given 'qualified with findings' audit outcomes compared to 83 in 2021. The number of 'adverse with findings' outcomes increased to six (from four in 2021). Thirteen municipalities did not submit their financial statements on time. Of these, seven – with a combined budget of R6.85 billion – habitually disregard the legislated requirement to submit on time. There was a notable improvement in 'disclaimed with findings' audits from 28 in 2021 to 11 in 2024. More concerning is the number of audits outstanding – 10 in 2024, up from just one in 2021. ALSO READ: Questions about municipal manager's qualifications after R927 000 spent on 22 laptops – report Outcomes 'leave much to be desired' 'It's great we are reversing disclaimers, but this still leaves much to be desired,' said Maluleke. 'Unqualified with findings means that institution does not have the culture to plan, execute and deploy public funds efficiently.' It signifies weak internal controls to improve the quality of spending, as well as lax governance. The Free State and North West appear once again as the provinces with the most problematic municipalities, with either disclaimers or non-submission of statements. Source: Auditor-General SA ALSO READ: 149 municipalities are R1.4 billion in arrears on their pension fund payments Clean audit for Cape Town Of the eight metros, only Cape Town received a clean audit. Three (Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and eThekwini) received unqualified with findings audits, and three (Buffalo City, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay) earned qualified with findings audits. 'Of those with unqualified with findings [outcomes], only Ekurhuleni gave us quality financial statements. 'City of Joburg did not give us quality financial statements,' said Maluleke. 'They should have the skills and resources to compile financial statements.' The AG detailed some of the problems at Buffalo City: a vacancy for a district engineer for electricity that went unfilled for 80 months, and a vacancy for a sanitation engineer that had not been filled after 24 months. 'We must ask the question why things fall apart? Why can they not get the skills they need?' said Maluleke. '[There are] challenges of stability at council and administration levels, and institutions have become weaker over the years.' ALSO READ: SIU finds no corruption in City of Joburg but Auditor-General has concerns Infrastructure projects The result of these deficiencies is that the financial health of local government is weakening. This is aggravated by poor management of infrastructure projects, which are delayed, poorly planned, inadequately supervised, and often over budget. Deficiencies were identified at 87 of the 113 projects (77%) that were visited by the AG's office. Overall, metros have continued to regress from 2021, despite their greater capacity and large budgets. SA's eight metros are responsible for delivering services to 8.9 million people, or 46% of all households in the country. The financial health of metros remains concerning as they struggle to collect revenue, despite implementing recovery and turnaround plans. ALSO READ: Mashatile: How national government is aiming to reform local municipalities Unfunded budgets Some 113 municipalities adopted unfunded budgets in the 2024 financial year, contrary to the advice given by national and provincial treasuries. Unauthorised spending of R31.8 billion incurred by 174 municipalities was the result of unreliable information and a lack of diligence and impactful decision-making by mayors and councils. 'Municipal finances are severely troubled and even though funds are constrained, mayors, councils and municipalities are displaying little fiscal discipline. 'Money paid by residents and funded from the national purse is often wasted through poor financial and procurement decisions and project failures,' said the AG. 'The limited funds that municipalities had were also not spent carefully. The main reasons for the continuing financial losses and waste were widespread poor payment practices, uncompetitive and uneconomical procurement practices, limited value and benefit received for money spent, and weaknesses in project management.' Creditors are not paid within legislated timelines, and the debt owed to Eskom and the water boards remains high and continues to increase. If these debts are not paid, communities are left without access to basic services such as electricity and water. ALSO READ: Emfuleni's R636 million betrayal: Critical infrastructure funds returned while residents suffer Failure of the Eskom debt relief programme The Eskom debt relief programme was intended to provide some relief to municipalities that struggled to pay the electricity supplier, but 53 of the participating municipalities (84%) are not complying with the conditions of the programme, warns Maluleke. Another problem is the ongoing non-compliance with procurement legislation, leading to financial losses and contractors not delivering. Some 214 municipalities had findings on non-compliance with procurement and contract management legislation. The lack of consequences in local government continuously slows any progress towards improved service delivery and financial performance. This is most evident in poor and slow responses to investigating allegations of financial and supply chain management misconduct and fraud indicators. Also evident is a lack of enthusiasm for dealing with unauthorised, irregular, and fruitless and wasteful expenditure. ALSO READ: Distressed municipalities spent less than 4% of budget on maintenance — Cogta Material irregularities Some 281 material irregularities worth R8.7 billion were identified during the year, mostly for goods and services not received or of poor quality or not being in line with contracts. Late payment of suppliers leads to interest charges, with inefficient use of resources resulting in little or no benefit for the money spent. Revenue is lost due to incorrect or no billing, debt not recovered, and unrecorded receipts. Another problem among poorly performing municipalities is the use of consultants, at huge cost, to little apparent avail. ALSO READ: How residents in one North West town are tackling municipal collapse Call to action Maluleke issued a call to action for local government turnaround: Build capable institutions with intergovernmental support; Professionalise and build capacity in local government, making it an attractive place for professionals to work; and Instil a culture of ethics and accountability, characterised by consequence management and where material irregularities are treated with the urgency they deserve. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Cabinet satisfied with Ramaphosa's working visit to US
Lindsay Dentlinger 29 May 2025 | 11:25 Cabinet Cyril Ramaphosa Donald Trump Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni briefed the media about Cabinet decisions at Parliament on 29 May 2025. Picture: GCIS CAPE TOWN - Cabinet said it was satisfied with the outcome of President Cyril Ramaphosa's working visit to the United States of America last week. However, trade deals that will have emanated from this visit are still to be finalised. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who was part of the delegation, said on Thursday that Cabinet on Wednesday agreed that the goals of the trip had been met. ALSO READ:• Ramaphosa says no one will be arrested for singing 'Kill the Boer' song • Ramaphosa: No intentions to make changes to SA's mining royalties structure • Ramaphosa pokes fun at Oval Office meeting with Trump It follows months of disinformation peddled against South Africa and President Donald Trump regularly claiming that "bad things" were happening in the country. It's been a week since the world watched the South African government attempt to reset strained relations with the United States. Minister Ntshavheni said that Cabinet believed the mission was accomplished. "The SA and US teams will finalise the details of the trade deal between the SA and the USA. Safe to emphasise that the objectives that SA had set for the trip have been met." Ntshavheni said that following last week's visit, Cabinet also expected the US to resume its participation in the G20. Recently, US officials withdrew from working group meetings and earlier this year, the US treasury secretary and secretary of state both boycotted respective ministerial meetings. "Cabinet looks forward to the possible attendance of President Trump at the G20 leaders' summit." Cabinet has announced the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg as the venue for the G20 leaders' summit in November.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
EFF entitled to go to court over fuel levy increase, says Minister Ntshavheni
Minister of the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the government will study and report back on the implication of the fuel levy on fuel prices. Image: GCIS Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday that the EFF was within its rights to approach the courts over the increase in the fuel levy proposed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Addressing the media after Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, Ntshavheni said she had no idea what argument the EFF had made in their court papers. 'But we have always had a fuel levy in this country as government, and shortly we will come back on the implication of the fuel levy on the fuel prices in the country as we try to mitigate the high cost of living in the country. 'They can go to court. They are entitled to go to court, but it does not stop us from proposing a budget. The fuel levy has been part of the budget or South Africa since time immemorial,' she said. 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 ✕ Ntshavheni made the comments as the EFF announced that it had filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court on Thursday to interdict Godongwana from increasing the fuel levy by 16 cents and diesel by 15 cents. Godongwana had announced the proposed fuel levy when he tabled the budget earlier this month after he scrapped the VAT increased amid a court case that was instituted by the EFF and the DA as well as negotiations between the ANC and smaller parties. In a statement, the EFF said it took the action after repeated efforts to caution and appeal to Godongwana, to consider the impact of the increase in the fuel levy on the poor and working class when the cost of living was deepening. 'We also reminded him that that, just like the VAT increase, raising the fuel levy without introducing a proper Money Bill is unlawful and undermines parliamentary oversight." The red berets had also written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and finance standing committee chairperson Joe Maswanganyi, warning against adopting the 2025 fiscal framework and revenue proposals that included the fuel levy as doing so would place the entire budget process in jeopardy. 'This matter is urgent not just because of its legal implications, but because the fuel levy directly affects the price of transport, food and other essentials. Any increase will hit the poorest the hardest,' said the EFF. Meanwhile, the Cabinet has affirmed its support for the 2025 national budget that was tabled by Godongwana on May 21. Ntshavheni said the budget detailed key spending priorities over the next three years within the country's fiscal envelope. 'The national budget has demonstrated our commitment to fiscal discipline. We have shown that we are steering the economy in the right direction that looks after the most vulnerable in our society, while investing in economic activities through investment of R1 trillion towards infrastructure over the coming three years.' She also said the pro-poor budget meant that every 61 cents of consolidated non-interest expenditure funds will be spent on free basic services like electricity, water, education, healthcare, affordable houses and social grants for the needy. Asked whether all the Government of National Unity parties will vote in favor of the budget, Ntshavheni said they expected that to happen, but the parties have to be asked individually. 'As I have indicated, in all the times that we have at the Minister of Finance has gone to present the budget, they have always been in agreement in Cabinet saying, this is the budget we are going to support, despite its weaknesses,' she added. Ntshavheni also said the Cabinet welcomed the reset of strategic relationships between South Africa and the United States during President Cyril Ramaphosa's working visit to the US at the invitation of President Donald Trump. She said the South African and US teams will finalise the details of the trade deal the two countries would clinch. 'The objectives that the South Africa team had set for the trip have been met.' Ntshavheni also said the Cabinet looked forward to the continued participation of the US administration in the G20 summit, including the possible attendance of Trump to the G20 Leaders Summit in South Africa later this year. Highlighting some of the things featured in the trade deal, Ntshavheni said they still have to discuss the tariffs, including the non-tariff barriers.
