Latest news with #Nyathi
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ex-post office manager loses R140k in pension after Sassa fraud sentence
Bushbuckridge ex-post office branch manager admits to Sassa grant theft, forfeits pension funds in court ruling. A former post office manager lost more than R140 000 from her pension payout after colluding with accomplices to steal Sassa funds from needy beneficiaries. Lucia Mashego, a former branch manager of the Shatale Post Office in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, has received an eight-year prison sentence for fraud. This sentence is suspended for five years, contingent upon her not being convicted of a similar offence during that period. Ex-post office branch boss pleaded guilty to Sassa fraud This comes after the wheelchair-bound woman pleaded guilty to all 60 charges on 27 May 2025. The Mpumalanga Specialised Commercial Crimes Court also ordered the Asset Forfeiture Unit to recover R146 897.05 from her pension fund. ALSO READ: Sassa responds to social grant deduction complaints Mashego colluded with a teller, Thandeka Dibakwane, and a private person, Precious Nyathi, to steal from Sassa beneficiaries without their knowledge. She made duplicate Sassa cards and gave them to Dibakwane, who then handed them to Nyathi to unlawfully withdraw money from various ATMs. According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Sassa beneficiaries lost R250 000 through these unlawful withdrawals. Beneficiaries lost R250k The Hawks' Nelspruit-based serious corruption investigation unit handled the case. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said another post office teller, Virginia Phoku, took advantage of the situation and created duplicate cards after seeing the illegal activity. Phoku was found guilty and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of a similar offence during January 2025. The other two accused, Dibakwane and Nyathi, are expected to appear before the Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday, 13 August 2025. ALSO READ: Sassa pilots grant improvements in Western Cape
The Citizen
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Lilian Ngoyi Street rehab on track to wrap phase 1 by end of August
The second phase of the rehabilitation is set to begin in September and continue until August 2026. The City of Johannesburg has confirmed that the rehabilitation of Lilian Ngoyi Street in the inner city is progressing well and remains on track to meet its end-of-August deadline for the completion of Phase 1. The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), which is overseeing the R192 million project, announced on Monday that 86% of the construction scope between Harrison and Kruis streets has already been completed. 'The contractor has performed exceptionally well in ensuring that the projected timelines are met, despite adverse weather conditions earlier in the year,' said JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi. Tunnels built, safety systems underway Key structural elements such as reinforced tunnel construction, backfilling, and compaction have been completed. The JRA is now focusing on finalising pavement layers and installing critical safety infrastructure, including gas, heat, and smoke detection systems. These systems, currently 60% complete, are designed to monitor gas build-up and ventilate tunnels, a safety measure aimed at preventing future gas-related incidents. To fast-track progress, construction hours have been extended, including work on weekends and evenings, to minimise disruption to pedestrian and business activity. 'A robust work plan was developed by extending the daily construction hours. 'Additionally, pavement construction work is undertaken in the evenings to ensure minimal foot-traffic disturbance,' Nyathi explained. ALSO READ: When will Johannesburg's M1 be painted? Jobs and SMME boost So far, R64 million has been spent on the first phase of the project. The city said the project has also created economic opportunities, with 27 Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) benefitting and 38 general workers currently employed on site. Lilian Ngoyi Street and the affected north-south roads, Joubert, Rissik and Eloff streets will reopen to traffic once Phase 1 is completed. ALSO READ: No budget, no bridge, no answers from JRA Phase 2 to reshape Phase 2 of the rehabilitation is set to begin in September and continue until August 2026. According to JRA, it will focus on the upgrade of an additional 1.8km stretch between Ntemi Piliso and End Streets. 'This phase of the project adopts the City of Johannesburg's Inner City Transport Master Plan, which involves the improvement of public transport services and pedestrian mobility,' said the agency. Plans include wider walkways, safer passenger loading zones, and the development of a transit mall. ALSO READ: Smart number plates and 25-year vision: Here is Gauteng's roads budget Rolling closures and detours ahead To reduce traffic disruption during Phase 2, the City will implement a block-by-block closure system to allow for periodic refurbishment and continuous flow along intersecting roads. Detour details include: East to West: Sectional closures from Loveday Street to Miriam Makeba Street in Newtown. Alternative routes: Rissik, Loveday, and Rahima Moosa streets. West to East: Closures between Wanderers and Claim streets, with traffic rerouted via Wanderers, Plein, and Claim streets. The JRA extended gratitude to residents, road users, and business owners in Wards 59 and 60 for their cooperation. 'JRA thanks road users, residents, business operators and other stakeholders in Wards 59 and 60 for their continued patience and cooperation throughout the duration of both phase 1 and 2 of the project,' the agency concluded. NOW READ: Mind the hole: Good news in Johannesburg's pothole crisis
The South African
23-07-2025
- The South African
SA-registered truck involved in deadly Zimbabwe crash that killed 17
At least 17 people died on Tuesday after a South African-registered haulage truck collided with a commuter omnibus in Zimbabwe. The incident occurred near Manyame River Bridge on the road linking Harare and Chitungwiza. ZimLive reports that the South Africa-registered truck was travelling to Harare while the commuter omnibus was headed for St Mary's in Chitungwiza. According to witnesses, the truck veered into oncoming traffic as it tried to avoid hitting a Honda Fit in its lane. Moments later, the South African-registered truck crashed into the commuter omnibus, crushing it under its weight. Zimbabwe national police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed that all 17 victims, including some pedestrians, died at the scene of the crash. 'The ZRP confirms a road traffic accident which occurred this morning (on Tuesday) along Chitungwiza Road involving a haulage truck and a kombi,' Nyathi said in a statement. 'The police urge the media and public to be patient as police officers are currently attending the scene. More details will be released in due course.' Among the dead were two children and two pedestrians who were hit first by the truck before it rammed into the kombi. 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.
The South African
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Did Nompumelelo Vilakazi save Chrispen Nyathi's acting career?
Actor Chrispen Nyathi has publicly thanked fellow DiepCity actress Nompumelelo Vilakazi for helping him land a major TV ad when he was facing financial struggles. Nyathi is best known for his role as Pastor Charleston in the popular DiepCity drama series. In a Facebook post, the Zimbabwean-born actor explained that after DiepCity ended, he was unemployed and couldn't afford to attend auditions. 'End of 2023, when I was down and out, no job, DiepCity had come and gone. I needed money to go for auditions for the KFC advert,' Nyathi wrote. 'Nompumelelo Silindile Vilakazi sent me that [money] and encouraged me to go and give it my all.' Vilakazi, who played Sne in DiepCity , stepped in to send him money to travel to the KFC commercial audition, and then again for the callback, wardrobe fitting, and shoot. Despite still owing her from the first time, she continued to help without hesitation. 'This is how Nompumelelo Silindile Vilakazi contributed to my resurrection in the film and television industry,' Nyathi wrote. 'After that advert, I never lacked.' Audiences now best know the actor for his role in the KFC ad where he famously said: 'Ngicela ushintshi baba.' 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.
TimesLIVE
08-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Biochar boom? South Africa bets on super charcoal for green jobs
Sithandekile Nyathi confidently hoists herself into the compact loader, lowers the metal caging around the vehicle and drives towards large mounds of wood timber chips. The chips go up a conveyor belt into a converter, where they are heated and turned into a type of 'biochar' called activated carbon, a charcoal that stores carbon and could help cut planet-heating carbon dioxide emissions. 'I used to be a maid. I never thought I would work in an industry that helps lives and the environment,' said Nyathi, a controller at the plant in Brakpan owned by Adsorb, a local manufacturer of activated carbon. South Africa is a coal-rich country but has been the poster child for international efforts to shift towards cleaner energy and industries. However, funding challenges, high unemployment rates and political divides have stalled the efforts, raising questions about how the transition should happen. Darryl Phipps, a chemical engineer and manager of the Adsorb plant where Nyathi works, said he thinks the plant east of Johannesburg is the first of its kind globally. It uses self-sustaining energy, the heat in the converter, to turn wood chips directly into activated charcoal or steam-activated biochar, which allows for greater binding of organic molecules to its surface and has clean flue gas as its only byproduct. Some proponents see the biochar sector as one answer to job creation and carbon capture, but the young industry is struggling with a lack of South African data and funding support, experts said. Globally, the industry was valued at $600m (R10.6bn) in 2023, up 97% from 2021, according to the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). Biochar and activated carbon have been praised by some researchers, farmers and industry experts for improving soil quality and water retention, absorbing toxins and capturing carbon. When used as a fertiliser, biochar improves water holding capacity which helps plants survive drought conditions, according to research publisher Frontiers. Initial studies into South Africa's agricultural sector have showed biochar improved maize yield and soil health, but researchers called for further long-term research, according to the University of Venda.
