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IOL News
16 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
How the SIU is battling funding challenges and whistle-blower protection
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) officials discuss challenges facing the SIU in fighting corruption and some of the unit's successes as highlighted in the recent research by the ISS. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is grappling with serious challenges that threaten its effectiveness in combating corruption. These challenges include ensuring the safety of its personnel and whistle-blowers, a financial squeeze due to an increasing caseload, an inadequate funding model, and an ineffectual debt collection process. The issues are highlighted in a new research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), conducted in partnership with the SIU, examining the unit's successes and its challenges in combating crime. At a seminar hosted by the ISS in Pretoria on Wednesday, SIU head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, talked about the unit's funding woes, citing an unsustainable model due to state institutions owing over R1 billion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The SIU's funding consists of a 47% grant from Parliament and 53% from fees for services rendered. However, Mothibi noted that some state institutions are reluctant to settle the resulting invoices, often because senior officials are implicated in investigations. 'As we sit today, the debt from state institutions is well over R1 billion. It is really not acceptable.' He said that occasionally, the institution would arrange for ministers to intervene, resulting in some payments being made, but this approach 'is not sustainable'. He insisted, however, that the unit is currently financially sound. Mothibi emphasised the importance of whistle-blower protection, citing an incident during the Life Esidimeni investigation, where a witness received death threats and was subsequently protected under the National Prosecuting Authority's witness protection programme. He said from a whistle-blower protection standpoint, there is an opportunity for improvement, and the Department of Justice and Development is leading a project to enhance the legislation. He mentioned that the current legislation primarily focuses on employment-related protections, but they aim to broaden it to provide comprehensive whistle-blower protection, including witness protection. David Bruce, a researcher on policing and corruption, suggested a system is needed to prevent government officials implicated in wrongdoing from resigning and landing jobs in other institutions. 'To me, the important thing is that people who are implicated in corruption should not be permitted to continue working for the government,' he said. Colette Ashton, an anti-corruption lawyer, noted that corruption cases are often challenging to prosecute due to witnesses' reluctance to testify and alleged perpetrators using legal and financial secrecy, aided by professional enablers, to conceal evidence. David Lewis from the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Commission stated that the burden of proof in corruption cases can be a significant hurdle, rendering prosecution challenging. 'People weigh up the risk and the potential benefits of engaging in corruption, and eight times out of 10, they conclude that the risk is worth taking because the incidence of successful prosecution is low in every jurisdiction of the world, and that is just a fact we have to face up to,' he said. The ISS investigation into the SIU's work highlighted other key findings, including inadequate systems to enforce recommendations and unnecessary delays in the administrative processing of Presidential proclamations.
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Report: Petrol engine Volkswagen Amarok here before year-end
Long delayed EcoBoost powered Amarok will join the Toyota Hilux 2.7 as the only other mainstream petrol bakkie in South Africa. As in Australia, the petrol Amarok bound for South Africa will likely only be offered in depicted Aventura spec. Image: Volkswagen Volkswagen's on-again, off-again petrol-engine Amarok has finally been given approval for South Africa from the fourth quarter of this year. Prolonged delayed Supposed to have made landfall in the second quarter of last year, the petrol, which uses the same 2.3 EcoBoost engine as the North American-spec Ford Ranger, went on permanent hiatus for reasons not divulged. ALSO READ: Report: Volkswagen puts a market hold on petrol-powered Amarok At the time, a Volkswagen Group Africa spokesperson told CAR Magazine, 'we have decided to put this engine on hold. We believe the current variants of our existing engines are suitable for our market'. According to the latest report by the publication, the colloquially known 222 kW Amarok, which as recently as Wolfsburg's local annual product Indaba in February still received the thumbs down, will now debut in the mentioned quarter as an alternative to the 3.0-litre Lion V6 turbodiesel. What to expect? Besides specialist bakkie such as the Ford Ranger Raptor, Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Land Cruiser 79, it will in effect become the only other mainstream petrol bakkie in South Africa along with the Toyota Hilux 2.7. A smash-hit success in Australia, despite only one variant being available in flagship Aventura guise, the officially tilted Amarok TSI 452 – made alongside the Ranger at the Silverton Plant outside Pretoria and nowhere else – produces 222 kW, an uptake of 22 kW on the Stateside Ranger, and, as per its nomenclature, 452 Nm of torque. As with the V6, power is routed to all four wheels through the Ford and General Motors co-developed 10-speed automatic gearbox. Supposed price The most powerful but unsurprisingly least torquiest Amarok Down Under, the TSI 452 retails from $79 900, which, without the various taxes included, amounts to a directly converted R933 919. A $3 000 (R35 065) credit over the comparative V6 Aventura, the petrol could potentially adopt the same line-up structure by being positioned between it and the more off-road focused PanAmericana. At present, the former starts at R1 252 600 and the latter at R1 190 900, suggesting the petrol as possibly retailing from around R1.2-million. For the moment, this is purely speculative and while final specification will mostly likely be identical to the V6, expect a clearer picture to only emerge closer to its eventual market reveal. Additional information from NOW READ: Work-ready Volkswagen Polo Vivo returns alongside facelift Crafter
TimesLIVE
21 hours ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
FlySafair launches Hoedspruit and Cape Town flights
FlySafair will launch a new direct flight between Cape Town and Hoedspruit in Limpopo from October, opening more travel options for tourists and locals heading to the Kruger National Park region. Airlink and Cemair already offer flights to Hoedspruit. FlySafair chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon said flights will operate three times a week — Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays — from October 2. 'The flight will depart Cape Town at 12.15pm and land in Hoedspruit at 2.45pm and return at 3.20pm, arriving back in Cape Town at 6.05pm.' Gordon said. 'This is a return flight in both directions. Flights are already on sale.' Fares start at R1,570 one way. The FlySafair flights will be operated using Boeing 737‑800 New Generation aircraft with 189 seats.
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
Airports security breaches allegations prompt Acsa to suspend security chief
nside sources told Business Report that Petros was instrumental in the now backfiring decision made in March to termine contracts with all security providers, including Bidvest, Fidelity, Mafoko, Eagle Eye, Venus Securitas, and G4S in a bid to insource its security requirements by July, which failed due to lack of capacity and a proper due diligence. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Banele Ginindza The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has temporarily suspended its Group Executive for Enterprise Security and Compliance, Mzwandile Petros, amid growing concerns over potential misconduct linked to a R1 billion tender for Smart Security screening equipment. The suspension, announced over the weekend, follows alarming allegations suggesting manipulation of the X-ray screening contract, which allegedly left the OR Tambo International Airport vulnerable without a tactical response team. Inside sources told Business Report that Petros was instrumental in the now backfiring decision made in March to termine contracts with all security providers, including Bidvest, Fidelity, Mafoko, Eagle Eye, Venus Securitas, and G4S in a bid to insource its security requirements by July, which failed due to lack of capacity and a proper due diligence. "The South African Civil Aviation Authority had to intervene and stop the process as ACSA was not compliant and did not understand how the screener certification process works, they were issued a a R1.5 million fine for non-compliance. Regarding the failed insourcing at KSIA airport, Fidelity was called urgently back to rescue the situation." the sources said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Acsa insisted in response to enquiries on Tuesday that to preserve the integrity of this process, ensure a fair and orderly process, and not to compromise the investigation, it cannot provide any further information until the investigation is concluded. "Acsa will report back once the investigation is concluded. The day-to-day functions of Acsa will not be affected by this decision. In the interim, Mary-Ann Joubert, has been appointed to act as GE:ESC to ensure continuity and maintain operational stability," Acsa said. Internal strife at Acsa has escalated in recent months, with late 2024 reports revealing allegations of executive misconduct and nepotism. These issues have raised serious questions surrounding irregularities prevalent in procurement processes and tender awards, further fueling public demand for accountability and transparent governance. Particular scrutiny has been placed on the procurement of X-ray and screening equipment, with pictures surfacing of Petros and Group Head for Mechanical Maintenance, Peter Sibanda, visiting a bidder in Europe while possessing control over the tendering process. Such actions have spurred allegations that signal improper relationships between Acsa executives and external contractors. Accusations of Petros, a former Gauteng and Eastern Cape police commissioner, hiring former police colleagues in strategic positions in the Acsa security cluster, as well as the tactical response team, have also surfaced as insiders alleged an improper relationship between Acsa and private security contractor, Eagle Eye Security (ESS). EES national general manager for support services, Johan Badenhorst, told Business Report the company was aware that Acsa has initiated an internal investigation and therefore, considered it both appropriate and prudent to afford Acsa the requisite space and latitude to conclude its internal processes without undue external influence or interference. "It is imperative to place on record, in unequivocal terms, that at no point during the subsistence of our contractual engagement with Airports Company South Africa SOC Ltd (ACSA) did Eagle Eye Security Specialists (Pty) Ltd (EESS) vacate the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) site without the requisite tactical support team being deployed and operationally present," Badenhorst said. According to inside sources, manipulation of the X-ray screening positions and associated services has seen workers struggle for job security as compelled to sign month-to-month contracts to defray benefits, including unemployment insurance, medical aid, bonuses and leave. Sources claim that the manipulation of X-ray screening positions has forced employees into precarious working conditions, often requiring them to sign short-term month-to-month contracts in order for the company to allegedly circumvent paying employee benefits such as unemployment insurance, medical aid, bonuses, and leave. "Because of this improper relationship between Acsa and Eagle Eye, workers are engaged on short-term contracts, which sometimes lead to overlaps in securing workers for the shifts," a source said. "There was a time in late June when the whole OR Tambo International Airport had no tactical response team because Acsa and Eagle Eye could not agree. Eagle Eye pulled out its teams, leaving Acsa's team of retired policemen. This was noted by one minister who was very angry about it." According to workers, since the installation of the X-ray and screening equipment, there has been a systematic shift in the management of security workers as both Acsa and Eagle Eye have their own quotas, which they are allegedly replacing with untrained staff. BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Two South Africans, one laptop and a billion-rand travel company
What started as a casual party pitch by two young South Africans in London has grown into a global tour operator. Zakes Maritz and Carl Cronje started their travel business with just an idea. Picture: Supplied Two decades ago, two young South Africans were in London looking for something to do and figuring out how to make some bucks. Carl Cronje and Zakes Maritz did not exactly know the travel industry at the time, but they had an idea and decided to start a business anyway. A second-hand laptop and SA-style party So, with a second-hand laptop and a handful of flyers, Expat Travel was born. 'It's a fascinating story, one I like telling,' said cofounder Jakes Maritz. 'Carl and I were two young South Africans in the UK, like many of our peers back then, just looking for some adventure. 'He had a real talent for showing people around and said he wanted to do this for a living. I told him I knew everything about business. I didn't, but it didn't stop us.' The pair didn't know it at the time, because the business was kind of started on a lark, but the company grew and now the business is a global travel provider and, at least, they can afford several laptops now. But rewind first to the beginning. The flyers the twosome started with were not to advertise any kind of tour. It was an invitation to everyone they knew, and then some, to attend a party. Maritz called it a South African style party and between the Klippies and Castles they announced that they were starting a tour business. ALSO READ: A slice of bush heaven that delivers more than just wildlife It started small with visa services, leading trips themselves, working weekends and running operations during the week. Now, they offer over 150 guided tours across six continents and recently reported a turnover over R1 billion. No small feat for a pair of Mzansi boys. Not just for expats anymore Though the name Expat Explore stuck from the early days, it no longer mirrors the full picture. The tours Maritz and Cronje create are not just for expats. 'We see families, solo travellers, young people, retirees. The mix of age and culture works, even though some industry experts once told us it shouldn't. We do not just offer tours. We optimise time. We take the pressure off travellers so that they can enjoy what they came for,' said Maritz. 'If you've got two weeks to see Europe, we'll make sure you actually see it.' The tours Maritz and Cronje create are not just for expats. Picture: Supplied South Africa remains a cornerstone destination South Africa, says Maritz, is still high on international travel wish lists. Despite the headlines, inbound travel numbers are growing. 'We've always had strong ties to the UK and Germany, particularly around safari tourism. But there's a noticeable uptick from Australia and the US, too. 'Cape Town is a huge drawcard. It is a world-class city and the perfect gateway to explore the rest of the country and continent.' ALSO READ: St Petersburg's serene splendour belies a nation at war And the appetite for more is growing. 'After South Africa, travellers want to go further north. There's interest in Namibia and Northern Africa is picking up momentum, too,' said Maritz. 'Within South Africa, there's growing potential in overlooked places like KwaZulu-Natal. That coastline can rival Egypt or Turkey in the right conditions.' A mission to inspire and uplift through travel Maritz has also seen a marked rise in interest around socially conscious travel. 'Travellers want their holidays to have meaning. They want to know their visit is benefiting the local community, not just ticking a box,' he said. 'Cultural tourism is becoming a key part of the offering, often through food, local experiences, and yes, still the shows.' Then, there's another mission. He wants South Africans to rediscover their own country. 'Many have never been to Kruger National Park or driven the Garden Route. That's something we want to change.' It's about staying true to their founding idea that travel should be available to everyone, he said. Not just the wealthy or the retired. NOW READ: Travel alert: Two less visa-free entries for SA passport holders
