Latest news with #Germiston
The Herald
16 hours ago
- The Herald
Kidnap victim rescued and two arrests made
The police national anti-kidnapping task team rescued a 30-year-old kidnap victim on Friday and arrested two suspects during an operation in Germiston on the East Rand. According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Amanda van Wyk, the victim's vehicle was reportedly found abandoned in Dawnpark. 'Further investigation revealed that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped and was being held against his will,' Van Wyk said. Within 24 hours, intelligence directed the task team to an identified address in Germiston. With support from a tactical unit, the team entered the premises and rescued the victim. 'Two suspects were arrested at the scene, while others managed to flee during a shoot-out with police. The rescued victim confirmed he had been kidnapped on Thursday' Last week police traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to an apartment block in Fourways, Johannesburg. The suspect, linked to several kidnappings, was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police. 'The SAPS remains resolute in its commitment to dismantling kidnapping syndicates and bringing perpetrators to justice,' Van Wyk said. TimesLIVE
News24
19 hours ago
- News24
Police task team rescues kidnapped man in Germiston, two arrested
A 30-year-old kidnapping victim was rescued in Germiston during a police operation on Friday Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()
News24
3 days ago
- News24
Man accused of threatening Ramaphosa, Cape Town mayor referred for psychiatric evaluation
Phillip Sebole Masango, who is accused of threatening President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, has been referred to Valkenberg Hospital for psychiatric evaluation. The 28-year-old appeared calm during his court appearance on Thursday. Masango, who also faces assault charges, was arrested in Germiston following a Hawks investigation. The man accused of threatening President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis will spend the next 30 days at Valkenberg Hospital for observation. This after a brief report on 28-year-old Phillip Sebole Masango's mental health was submitted to the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Thursday. Masango appeared calmer in court on Thursday compared to his demeanour at his last appearance, where he had angrily rejected family members' claims that he may have a mental disorder. At Thursday's appearance, State advocate Mujaahid Sadan told the court Masango should undergo a 30-day mental health evaluation. Masango attempted to address the court, pulling out two pages and what looked like a business card from his pocket. But he was denied the opportunity to speak. His attorney later took the documents from him. The contents were not read in court. Neither were the full details of the report. The defence did not oppose the request for a psychiatric referral. Masango remains in custody and is expected back in court on 25 July, coinciding with the completion of his psychiatric assessment. He is accused of sending threatening voice notes in May 2025, in which he allegedly incited violence and threatened to kill Ramaphosa and Hill-Lewis. He also faces assault charges related to incidents involving three people, including former radio personality Kieno Kammies. Masango was arrested in Germiston and transported to Cape Town. The Hawks' Crimes Against the State unit took over the case, following a complaint by an unnamed Cape Town-based CEO who he had also allegedly threatened. A court order prohibiting the publication of Masango's face remains in place.
Mail & Guardian
12-05-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
Tiger Brands offers first settlement in deadly listeriosis outbreak case
The outbreak of listeriosis seven years ago was one of the largest in the world. (File photo) South Africa's largest food producer, The 2017-18 outbreak caused 218 deaths out of more than 1 000 infections as a result of people consuming contaminated processed food products — mainly polony cold meat and vienna sausages — which were produced at the Tiger Brands facility in Polokwane and distributed from its Germiston facility. On Monday, Tiger Brands confirmed that attorneys representing its lead reinsurer 'The lead reinsurer, having primary conduct of the defence of the class action against Tiger Brands, has with Tiger Brands' support and agreement authorised the insurers' attorneys to make settlement offers to specific named persons,' the company said in a It said these were members of classes of claimants who suffered damage as a result of listeriosis caused by genotype L1-SL6-ST6-CT4148 of listeria monocytogenes (ST6) — the outbreak strain. These are claimants who contracted (or whose mothers contracted) listeriosis caused by ST6; claimants whose legal breadwinners, on whom they were legally dependent, died of listeriosis caused by ST6 and claimants whose legal dependents, who were in their care, contracted listeriosis caused by ST6. The settlement offer, made on 25 April, includes an undertaking to pay the claimants' proven or agreed compensatory damages in terms of section 61 of the Consumer Protection Act. 'The offer is subject to certain conditions and has been made without admission of liability and in full and final settlement of the claims of the claimants.' The listeriosis class-action attorneys said in a statement that they welcomed Tiger Brands' 'effective admission of liability for the world's deadliest listeriosis outbreak in 2017-18, which claimed the lives of over 200 people, primarily children, and impacted more than 1 000 South Africans'. Two law firms, The attorneys commended Tiger Brands, its shareholders and insurers for agreeing to compensate victims, saying: 'This reflects a positive move towards corporate accountability, responsible citizenship and justice for victims. 'The current proposal provides for full compensation to claimants for all proven damages, subject to a settlement mechanism that still needs to be finalised including how individual damages will be assessed and how claimants will be categorised under the settlement structure.' The development is a breakthrough because it is the first settlement offer made since the class-action was certified in December 2018, Mail & Guardian. 'Even though the settlement … refers to a group of individuals, we are really hoping to achieve an overall settlement that will encompass all class members,' she said. 'It is the initial settlement offer, so there will be a greater conversation between us and the defendants. We are in the process of arranging a meeting with our class representatives to also canvas the offer with them. 'But we do welcome it as a great first step. Essentially, what we need to do is decide between us on the settlement mechanism that will be created to finally be able to compensate the claimants.' 'It also demonstrates our commitment to continue to work closely with our insurers and their appointed attorneys to explore a resolution of the entire class action,' Kruger said. Tiger Brands said it and the insurers' attorneys were engaging with the plaintiffs' attorneys to ensure timely implementation of the offer and settlement of proven or agreed compensatory damages as soon as possible. 'The next step to give effect to the settlement offer is for the offer to be conveyed by the plaintiffs' attorneys to those claimants who qualify and then for the damages of those claimants who accept the offer to be quantified.' It is expected that the process to present the offer to these qualifying claimants will take several weeks and that arrangements to quantify their damages will follow over the ensuing weeks. The class action, which is being managed in two stages, is still at the first stage during which liability is to be determined by the court. 'Only if Tiger Brands is found to be liable will the issue of causation arise, in the second stage of the class action, as well as an assessment of compensation payable to qualifying claimants for damages suffered,' it said The listeriosis class attorneys said Tiger Brands' decision to settle claims was based on the ' 'Their scientific investigation, which conclusively traced the outbreak to Tiger Brands' Polokwane facility, has been internationally peer-reviewed and praised. These findings have since been confirmed by world-renowned epidemiologists, including Tiger Brands' own experts.' Padaychee concurred. 'The NICD's investigation has yielded the evidence that Tiger Brands' own experts have reviewed now and it's on the basis of that that we believe this offer was made.' Before any settlement can be finalised, it must be presented to the high court, which will determine its fairness as the ultimate guardian of class member interests. While this process will require time, the listeriosis class attorneys are confident that 'Tiger Brands' renewed and demonstrable commitment to the victims will ultimately lead to a comprehensive resolution of all claims'. While this is a significant breakthrough, serious challenges remain, they added. 'Many victims of the outbreak have not yet come forward and therefore have not yet been identified or located,' they said, noting that Motsoaledi had requested a full update and had 'shown his commitment' to assisting with providing department of health records to help confirm and trace victims. The health department welcomed the decision by Tiger Brands to finally settle the listeriosis class action 'to bring this lengthy legal matter to finality and closure to the affected families whose loved ones succumbed to this deadly, but preventable and treatable, disease'. It acknowledged the roles of all parties involved including the NICD, Tiger Brands, Richard Spoor Inc and LHL Attorneys 'who put the sufferings of the victims and their families at the centre stage during a protracted legal process'. The NICD is providing the medical records to enable decision-making in the process during the investigation of the outbreak. 'The department is also appealing to those with enough evidence suggesting a causal link between the outbreak of listeriosis and the loss of their loved ones, to come forward so that their clinical records can be accessed for assessment to establish if indeed they have valid claims eligible for settlement, and also to find lasting closure after grief.' Listeriosis is a serious, but treatable, disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes . 'The bacteria is widely distributed in nature and can be found in soil, water and vegetation. Animal products and fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables can be contaminated from these sources. 'The outbreak highlighted the importance of consistent and strict adherence with food safety practices in the processing and handling of ready-to-eat foods, especially for mass supply,' the department added.
