Latest news with #NPA
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Congress demands judicial probe into takeover of Yes Bank by a foreign bank
Maharashtra Congress on Friday demanded a judicial probe into the Yes Bank crisis and its takeover by Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), which recently bought a 20 per cent stake in the former by investing up to Rs 13,000 crore. 'SMBC has already invested approximately Rs 13,000 crore for a 20 per cent stake in Yes Bank and is now preparing to invest an additional Rs 30,000 crore to gain majority control (51 per cent). This effectively means a full foreign takeover of one of India's key private sector banks. The entire transaction should be investigated by a court and Yes Bank should not be allowed to go into the hands of a foreign bank,' Congress leader Vishwas Utagi said. Utagi said Yes Bank was once on the brink of collapse and was rescued under the doctrine of 'Too big to fail' by the RBI and the central government, using public money through the SBI and eight private sector banks. 'If the crisis warranted public investment, why is the ownership now being handed over to a foreign bank? In whose interest is this move being made,' he asked, raising questions on the role of the RBI as a banking regulator, the role of the Ministry of Finance and the central government and SEBI's role as market regulator. 'A whistleblower's forensic audit report of Yes Bank (2014–2025) is now in the public domain. This report, shockingly ignored by all authorities concerned, exposes major financial misgovernance, manipulation of the balance sheet, questionable NPA sales to ARCs, and showing non-accrued income as profit — a scam in the making,' he alleged. Along with the judicial probe, Utagi demanded 'full disclosure' of the whistleblower's forensic audit report. 'This raises fears that other Indian banks like IDBI Bank and PSU banks could be the next targets, especially when banking is the backbone of the Indian economy. If Yes Bank — a major private sector bank — is allowed to be hijacked, no Indian bank is safe,' the Congress leader said.
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Eyewitness News
NPA welcomes life sentence handed to elderly man convicted of raping girl (6)
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the life sentence handed down to a 79-year-old man convicted of raping a 6-year-old girl. Johannes Kotze assaulted the girl in 2019 at a commune where the child lived with her mother. Kotze pleaded not guilty, denying the rape and alleging that the child's parents fabricated the case. The Pretoria Magistrates Court has also further ordered that Kotze's name be added on the national register for sex offenders. The NPA said that the conviction underscored its commitment to protecting society's most vulnerable. Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana: "The NPA urges communities to remain vigilant and report GBV and child abuse promptly. Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) stand ready to provide medical, psychological, and legal support to survivors."
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
SIU blocks R3.3 million pension payout of former Gauteng HOD
The SIU secured a court order stopping Gasela's pension payout as criminal investigations continue into corruption and fraud allegations. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a court order stopping the pension payout of a former Gauteng head of department (HOD) as criminal investigations continue into corruption and fraud allegations. The unit obtained an interim order from the special tribunal to stop the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) from processing about R3.3 million in pension benefits for Matilda Matozi Gasela, the former HOD at the Gauteng department of agriculture, rural development and land reform. Additionally, until the legal proceedings are concluded, Gasela is prohibited from accessing or claiming these funds under the order which was given on May 15, 2025. Gasela allegedly played key role in mismanaging trash-collecting vehicles contract Gasela began her tenure as HOD in 2018 and allegedly played a key role in mismanaging a contract with Enviro Mobi (Pty) Ltd (later known as Groen Mintirho). SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said that Gasela authorised additional payments and approved a R6 499 712.64 settlement for 'storage costs' — an item not included in the original contract — even though the company failed to deliver the vehicles. ALSO READ: SIU to investigate Defence department's surgical mask tender from 2021 Senior counsel explicitly advised against this payment, which was later declared fruitless and wasteful expenditure. 'Her actions allegedly contravened the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and contributed to the depletion of public funds, as the SIU contends, in what it describes as a fraudulent scheme,' Kganyago said. After discovering evidence of criminal activity, the SIU referred the case to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The SIU sent this evidence to the NPA to consider pursuing criminal charges against Gasela, including fraud, corruption and maladministration. October 2024 arrest In October 2024, authorities arrested Gasela and her six co-accused. Her co-accused include: Loyiso Mkwana, chief director: sustainable use of environment, who also served as the bid evaluation committee chair. Thandeka Mbassa, former HOD. She left in August 2018. Abdullah Mohamed Ismail, former chief financial officer and chair of the bid adjudication committee. Matlhekelo Elsie Mabe, director of Mvest Trading (Pty) Ltd. Tinyiko Mahuntsi, director of Enviro Mobi. Puleng Peter Mabe, former director of Enviro Mobi and a former member of parliament Infographic: Supplied ALSO READ: NPA lacking in lottery probe The accused appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court inJohannesburg. They were linked to financial mismanagement and illegal procurement in connection with the R33 million contracts that the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality (EMM) and the department gave to Enviro Mobi. Kganyago confirmed that the SIU filed papers in the special tribunal to review and cancel the contract and recover R33 731 463.64 in financial losses suffered by the state. R33m financial losses 'Furthermore, as part of consequence management, the SIU has made disciplinary referrals to the department against implicated officials. An administrative referral was made against Enviro Mobi for blacklisting,' he said. According to Presidential Proclamation No. R.15 of 2021, the SIU was tasked with investigating claims of maladministration in the department and Ekurhuleni specifically concerning the contracting or purchase of 200 portable three-wheel motorised trash-collecting vehicles. ALSO READ: Thrrr…Phaaa: Musician Selaelo Selota's Mercedes frozen as SIU probes misuse of lottery funds During the 2023/24 financial year, the SIU finished its investigation into this issue and delivered the report to the president.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Pretoria pensioner sentenced to life for raping girl (6)
A 79-year-old Pretoria man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of raping a six-year-old girl, with the court also declaring him unfit to work with children or own a firearm. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the Pretoria North Magistrates' Court handed down the life imprisonment sentence to Johannes Jacobus Christiaan Kotze. 'Kotze also received five years each for two counts of sexual assault, to run concurrently with the life sentence. 'The court further ordered that his name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm.' She said Kotze rented a room at a commune where the six-year-old girl was staying with her mother. 'The victim referred to him as 'Oupa' even though they were not biologically related. Mahanjana said the mother found her child in Kotze's room on October 3, 2019 when she searched for her but could not find her where she was supposed to be playing. 'When she entered, he immediately pulled his hands away from the child, which brought made the mother suspicious.' The mother took the child out of the room and questioned her. 'The child then disclosed to her mother that Kotze had raped her by digitally penetrating her, touching her private parts, and forcing her to touch him,' said Mahanjana. 'The child further revealed that these acts were not isolated incidents. The mother immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to Kotze's arrest on October 24 2019.' Kotze pleaded not guilty, denying the rape and alleging the child fabricated the case due to a dispute over their tenancy at the commune. However, State Prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez presented compelling evidence, including the victim's testimony and corroborating reports, proving Kotze's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Mahanjana said during sentencing, Kotze sought leniency, citing his age and ill health. 'Du Preez countered that his lack of remorse, the gruesome nature of the crime, and its lasting trauma on the victim, who continues to suffer nightmares, warranted no deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. She argued that age alone could not excuse such a heinous act.' Regional Court Magistrate Piet Nel agreed with the state, stating that rape is a scourge in our society, and the absence of remorse aggravates this crime; therefore, he found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify leniency; he imposed life imprisonment, reinforcing the judiciary's stance against GBV. The NPA urges communities to remain vigilant and report GBV and child abuse promptly. Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) stand ready to provide medical, psychological, and legal support to survivors. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Pretoria pensioner sentenced to life for raping six-year-old girl
A 79-year-old Pretoria pensioner will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of raping a 6-year-old girl, with the court imposing a life sentence and declaring him unfit to work with children or own a firearm. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the Pretoria North Magistrates' Court handed down the life imprisonment sentence to Johannes Jacobus Christiaan Kotze, a 79-year-old. 'Kotze also received five years each for two counts of sexual assault, to run concurrently with the life sentence. 'The court further ordered that his name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm.' She said Kotze rented a room at a commune where the six-year-old girl was staying with her mother. 'The victim referred to him as Oupa even though they were not biologically related. 'On October 03, 2019, the mother of the child had a feeling that something was wrong with her child and needed to look for her. 'When she could not find the child where she was supposed to be playing, she went to look for her in Kotze's room. When she entered, he immediately pulled his hands away from the child, which brought suspicion to the mother.' The mother then grabbed the child and took her to their room, where she questioned her. 'The child then disclosed to her mother that Kotze had raped her by digitally penetrating her, touching her private parts, and forcing her to touch him. 'The child further revealed that these acts were not isolated incidents. The mother immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to Kot on October 24 2019.' Kotze pleaded not guilty, denying the rape and alleging the child fabricated the case due to a dispute over their tenancy at the commune. However, State Prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez presented compelling evidence, including the victim's testimony and corroborating reports, proving Kotze'silt beyond a reasonable doubt. Mahanjana said during sentencing, Kotze sought leniency, citing his age and ill health. 'Du Preez countered that his lack of remorse, the gruesome nature of the crime, and its lasting trauma on the victim, who continues to suffer nightmares, warranted no deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. She argued that age alone could not excuse such a heinous act.' Regional Court Magistrate Piet Nel agreed with the state, stating that rape is a scourge in our society, and the absence of remorse aggravates this crime; therefore, he found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify leniency; he imposed life imprisonment, reinforcing the judiciary's stance against GBV. The NPA urges communities to remain vigilant and report GBV and child abuse promptly. Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) stand ready to provide medical, psychological, and legal support to survivors. 'This case highlights the critical role of caregivers, like the victims, in exposing abuse and seeking justice.' Also read: Here are the most dangerous suburbs in Pretoria Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
