Latest news with #HumanSettlementsMMC
IOL News
13-07-2025
- IOL News
Tshwane investigates allegations of illicit sales of service stands in Zithobeni Heights
Tshwane's Human Settlements MMC, Aaron Maluleka, expressed concern over beneficiaries selling their allocated stands soon after receiving them. Image: Supplied/City of Tshwane The City of Tshwane's allocation of service stands to Zithobeni Heights residents has been rocked by allegations of illicit sales of sites intended for beneficiaries in need. Tshwane's Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka, expressed concern that some beneficiaries are selling their allocated stands shortly after receiving them. He made this revelation during a visit to the area on Friday, accompanied by Deputy Executive Mayor Eugene Modise. The visit was aimed to address allegations that threatened to deny deserving residents their rightful allocation of sites. Maluleka called for an investigation into the matter, with the City's Group Audit and Risk division tasked with determining the full extent of these unlawful activities. "We adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards corruption and malfeasance. Any City officials found to be involved in these unlawful acts will face severe consequences, including disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, and the termination of their careers,' he said. The investigation follows a meeting between Maluleka, Modise, and councillors for wards 102 and 105 to discuss the Zithobeni Heights Serviced Stands Project's progress. Maluleka said that the City recognises certain vulnerable groups, such as child-headed families, backyard dwellers, and emergency cases, are not being adequately addressed through the current initiative. To address this issue, a new housing project is set to commence shortly, providing an additional 3,000 housing opportunities specifically for these categories. The development includes strategically reserved open spaces for essential community facilities, which will be protected from unlawful occupation. Maluleka urged members of the public with information on the illegal sale of stands or other corrupt activities to report such malfeasance to the nearest SAPS station or the City of Tshwane Fraud Hotline. He said a ward 102 councillor has been directed to collaborate with City officials to finalise the relocation of remaining beneficiaries from his ward. 'The development includes strategically reserved open spaces designated for essential community facilities, including churches, sports facilities, schools, and parks. These spaces are critical for future community development and will be protected from unlawful occupation. The Metro Police Department has been instructed to remove any individuals who illegally occupy these reserved areas, as they are vital for the long-term social and recreational needs of the community,' he said. [email protected]
Eyewitness News
24-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Stanfield, Johnson supporters accuse State of unfairly prosecuting them
CAPE TOWN - Supporters of alleged gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife, Nicole Johnson, have accused the State of unfairly prosecuting the pair. The couple is embroiled in a complex gang case with a long list of charges, including four murders. ALSO READ: The pair also faced several commercial crimes charges relating to an alleged tender fraud case of R1 billion within the City of Cape Town's human settlements directorate. Those charges against them and former Human Settlements MMC Malusi Booi and others have been provisionally withdrawn. A small group of protestors held a peaceful picket outside the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Friday, calling for the release of Stanfield and Johnson from prison.
Eyewitness News
23-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
While fraud charges provisionally withdrawn, Ralph Stanfield, Nicole Johnson not off the hook
JOHANNESBURG - The State said while it had provisionally withdrawn fraud charges against alleged 28s gang boss, Ralph Stanfield, and his wife, Nicole Johnson, it doesn't mean they're off the hook. Stanfield, Johnson, former City of Cape Town Human Settlements MMC Malusi Booi, and nine others were implicated in a R1 billion tender fraud within the City of Cape Town. ALSO READ: Supporters of alleged 28s gang boss Stanfield call for his prison release The State provisionally withdrew the charges against them in this case at the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Friday. However, the notorious couple and 12 others still have a string of gang charges to answer to. The prosecution is accusing Stanfield, Johnson and 12 others of being involved in four murders and other string of crimes under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The murders include those of City of Cape Town official Wendy Kloppers, former Hard Livings gang boss, Rashied Staggie, 27s gang boss, William "Red" Stevens, a police officer based in Parliament, and one other murder. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: "The court has postponed the case against the remaining accused until 14 July 2025 to ensure that the State has provided all further particulars to the defence before the case is transferred to the high court for a pretrial conference." A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 7 November at the Western Cape High Court.
IOL News
01-05-2025
- IOL News
City of Joburg to remove illegal occupants from hijacked buildings
Garbage and sewage flood the basement of the Casa Mia building, where dozens of people live under dangerous conditions The City of Joburg has identified 11 hijacked buildings, all owned by the municipality, from which illegal occupants will soon be evacuated, according to Human Settlements MMC Mlungisi Mabaso. During a site visit on Wednesday to several of these buildings in the Hillbrow area, Mabaso highlighted the urgent need for action. Many of the buildings are in a state of severe disrepair, with broken windows, leaking sewage, and piles of garbage and are overcrowded, with many occupants believed to be undocumented migrants. At the Casa Mia building on Soper Street in Hillbrow, which is owned by the municipality, Mabaso confirmed that an evacuation order is in place. Inside the building, stacks of plastic bottles, cans, cardboard, and glass were discovered—materials that the occupants claimed to collect and sell as part of their recycling business. A strong stench permeated the air, and the building exhibited signs of severe dilapidation, including leaking sewage. Three men living in Casa Mia were shocked at the visit. One of the men, who refused to be named, claimed they had been living there for more than three years. 'We are trying to make a living by collecting waste around the city and selling it,' he said. He denied that they were occupying the building illegally, insisting they pay rent to an unnamed individual who, in turn, claims to pay the owner. However, Mabaso clarified that Casa Mia is owned by the City of Johannesburg, and no rental payments have been received from anyone occupying the property. Pressed on how much they earn monthly from recycling, the man responded, 'Yoh! We make a lot of money … It's more than R10,000.' He added that they had nowhere else to go if evicted. 'We are suffering and trying to make ends meet here.'
