Latest news with #Ngubeni


The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Scandal! star Nolwazi Ngubeni granted bail in fraud case
Ngubeni is expected to appear in court again on 26 September after her case was postponed for further investigations. Actress and casting director Nolwazi Ngubeni has been granted R5 000 bail after appearing in the Brixton Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg today. Ngubeni is accused of financial misconduct in her engagements with Durban-based film production company Rhythm World Productions, Joburg-based Masakhane Casting Agency and Make Your Art (Pty) Ltd in March 2024. Ngubeni faces multiple charges She faces charges of cyber forgery, fraud, theft and uttering – which consists of illegally and intentionally passing off a forged document to actually or potentially prejudice another party. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the state alleged that the accused was hired by Rhythm World as a casting director and recruited people to perform in various productions. 'She kept money for herself' 'However, when Rhythm World paid her for the services, she allegedly kept the money for herself,' Mjondwana said. 'The NPA is committed to ensuring justice is served and will provide updates as the case progresses,' she added. The Scandal! actress' case was postponed to 26 September for further investigations. ALSO READ: 'After judging us, please pray for us': Uzalo actor Vusi Mdiniso denies rumours he's homeless Her appearance earlier today follows her first appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on 26 March. Theft allegations According to reports, the actress is accused of pocketing R700 000 from the production of the TV series Queen Modjadji as its casting director. Supporting actors cast in the Mzansi Magic show, which was produced by Rhythm World, allegedly complained about not being paid while Ngubeni allegedly paid herself extra. It's alleged that the production company took legal action after her legal team's attempt to negotiate a repayment deal stalled. The South African Film & Television Award-winning actress allegedly maintains innocence. NOW READ: 'It was a labour of love': Helen Lebepe on embracing her heritage in 'Queen Modjadji'

IOL News
30-04-2025
- General
- IOL News
SASSA urges SRD grant beneficiaries to complete identity verification to avoid payment delays
SASSA has called on Social Relief of Distress grant beneficiaries to urgently complete their identity verification Image: Tracy Adams The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has called on Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beneficiaries to urgently complete their identity verification to prevent delays or disruptions in payment. This comes after the agency also introduced a mandatory biometric enrolment and identity verification process designed to enhance security, particularly for beneficiaries using alternative forms of identification instead of the standard 13-digit South African ID number. The SRD grant was first launched by the government in 2020 as an emergency measure to alleviate the financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement issued to the media last week, SASSA Mpumalanga spokesperson Senzeni Ngubeni said all beneficiaries must go through the verification process to avoid delays in receiving their grant. 'There is no shortcut. All beneficiaries who are required to go through this process must do so to avoid delays and the disappointment of not receiving the grant,' Ngubeni said. Ngubeni explained that beneficiaries who receive an 'identity verification' status message may do so due to suspected fraudulent activity or discrepancies in their information, and called on them to verify their details either at their local SASSA office or by logging into the website.


The South African
28-04-2025
- General
- The South African
Important update for SASSA SRD beneficiaries
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has issued a critical reminder to all Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beneficiaries to complete their identity verification process without delay. This step is crucial to ensure that payments continue without interruptions. SASSA spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Senzeni Ngubeni, emphasised the importance of completing the verification process to prevent disruptions. 'There is no shortcut. All beneficiaries who are required to go through this process must do so to avoid delays and disappointment of not receiving the grant,' Ngubeni stated. Furthermore, identity verification becomes necessary when SASSA suspects possible fraudulent activity or identifies errors in contact and banking details. Beneficiaries who receive an 'identity verification' status message should act swiftly by visiting their nearest SASSA office or logging onto the agency's website. Additionally, Ngubeni advised that once a verification process is initiated, beneficiaries will receive an SMS with a link that must be attended to within 72 hours. 'Beneficiaries who have this status must not panic but verify at their SASSA local offices or log in to the website,' he explained. To protect themselves from fraudulent activities, Ngubeni warned beneficiaries not to share their personal details with strangers and to rely only on official SASSA platforms and offices for assistance. To qualify for an SRD grant, applicants must meet specific requirements: they must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees registered with Home Affairs; be over 18 years old; unemployed; not receiving any other form of social grant; and not be living in a government-funded institution. SASSA continues to encourage the use of its online platforms for grant applications and related queries. Beneficiaries needing further assistance can contact SASSA via the toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 during working hours or send a message to WhatsApp number 082 046 8553. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.