Latest news with #R2.8m
IOL News
30-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How MPs are securing their futures: A look at financial interests in shares and properties
ANC MP Supra Mahumapelo is the only MP who listed under property and land ownership 17 residential properties, vacant plots, land, and a tourism lodge. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers The latest report on declaration of financial interests by Members of Parliament shows that a number of public representatives are investing for their future in shares in finance companies. This as some MPs made declarations on several properties and some even receive income from rentals and benefits from royalties. Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi declared shares and financial interests in seven finance companies. Zibi has at least 7,000 shares valued at R1.1 million with Absa, 3,050 shares worth R410,000 with Investec Bank, and 1,300 shares valued at R377,000 with Shoprite, among others. 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 ✕ ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip has a pension investment to the tune of R7 million. 'I invested my parliamentarian pension when I left Parliament with Glacier, and it is managed by FNB private wealth management,' said Trollip in his declaration. Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes, who owns five properties, declared that he has shares valued at R2.8m with Poliyane Property Trust. Botes is also receiving rental income from two of his properties. Cogta Deputy Minister Zolile Burns-Ncamashe made declarations in shares in three companies, with those at Isondlo Investments valued at R1.9m. He is a director of five companies, including one that is involved in construction of student accommodation, a hotel, and retainership in the King Sandile Development Foundation and Amatola Forestry Company. ANC MP Supra Mahumapelo is the only MP who listed under property and land ownership 17 residential properties, vacant plots and land, and a tourism lodge. Mahumapelo disclosed that he received income from rental. Deputy President Paul Mashatile has declared three properties. Mashatile named two residential family homes in Constantia and Midrand, as well as another house in Kelvin, Johannesburg. Minister of Electricity Kgosientso Ramokgopa listed seven properties - two flats, three houses, and open land - under his name. One of them was in the process of being sold, and another was a rented property when Ramokgopa made his declaration. Malusi Gigaba, co-chairperson of the Standing Committee on Defence, disclosed ownership of a house in Centurion and named a rented residential property in Waterkloof, Pretoria. DA MP Alexandra Abrahams receives income from the rental of a flat, just like her colleague Matt Butt, who has four apartments and rents one property. EFF MP Chumani Matiwane receives income from vehicle rental, and colleague Veronica Mente is also receiving income from residential rental. Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane declared that she is a director of four companies, including the Silvana Bistro Coffee, and that she does consultancy for Golden Threads. While EFF MP Khaya Ceza received benefits in royalties from the South African Music Rights organisation, his colleague Eugene Mthethwa listed performers, video, and copyright royalties.
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Bheki Mlangeni Park reopens as safe space in Jabulani
The Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo officially handed Bheki Mlangeni Park to the residents of Jabulani on July 10. The renovated park was unveiled as a state-of-the-art facility developed for use by nearby residents. The park is named after Bheki Mlangeni in honour of his courage and dedication to human rights and justice. His sacrifice underscored the risks those who stood against the apartheid regime faced. In recognition of his legacy, the Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital in Soweto is also named in his honour. ALSO READ: Eldorado Park orphanage gets new kitchen, support from private sector Speaking with residents, the MMC for Community Development in the CoJ, Tebogo Nkonkou, said the initiative is part of their broader programme to renew Johannesburg's urban landscape through sustainable, inclusive and people-centred public spaces. 'Today, we do more than just open a park; we ensure a legacy and make history. Bheki Mlangeni was not just a lawyer, he was a warrior for justice – a principled human rights defender who walked into the storm of apartheid brutality armed only with the Constitution, the law and his moral compass. 'He fearlessly represented the voiceless, especially during the Harms Commission into the assassination squads of the Vlakplaas unit. It is here, through this park, that his courage continues to bless,' said Nkonkou. He added that they had spent R2.8m on the development, and that the local labour initiative created jobs, injected R506 319 directly into the local economy, and empowered five local SMEs. Ward 34 Clr Lucas Lufutso expressed excitement about the park. ALSO READ: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo commemorates Mandela Day 'To the community of Jabulani, we must protect this park; it belongs to us. Dumping rubbish in and around this area must stop. I also urge everyone not to park cars inside the park, as children will play here. 'Their space must be kept safe and open. Our area faces challenges with crime, so I am pleading with all of us to take a stand against the growing threat of drugs and criminal activity. Together, we can protect our children and create a safer environment,' said Lufutso. The Urban News spoke to resident Josline Shabalala, who stated that the park would bring change to the community by providing children with a safe space to play. 'As residents of Jabulani, we are committed to protecting our community. 'We will confront crime that affects us and ensure that it does not occur in the park. This space will be treated with respect and dignity in honour of Bheki Mlangeni,' concluded Shabalala. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
10-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Jabulani opens new park in memory of anti-apartheid lawyer Bheki Mlangeni
Soweto residents gathered in Jabulani on Thursday to celebrate the opening of a park named after the human rights lawyer, Bheki Mlangeni, who was assassinated by apartheid agents more than 30 years ago. The park, opposite the hospital that also carries his name, has open green lawns, benches, a play area for children, an outdoor gym, a soccer pitch and a mural in Mlangeni's honour. MMC for community development, Tebogo Nkonkou said the park was more than just a public space: it's a symbol of justice, memory and community healing. 'This is not just about cutting a ribbon, We are opening a living tribute to a man who gave his life for justice. Let the children play. Let the community gather. Let the legacy of Bheki Mlangeni live,' said Nkonkou. The park, which cost R2.8m to build, created 10 jobs through a local labour initiative and pumped just under R600,000 into the local economy through the use of small businesses. Ward 34 councillor Lucas Lufutso said the community had waited many years for the revamp to happen. 'The request for this park was made in 2014. I wasn't a councillor then, but when I took office in 2023, I made sure we pushed for its completion,' Lufutso said. 'Whenever it's winter, we also have electricity problems here, we haven't had electricity for two days but I know the community has been waiting for the park to open. We must protect it. No more dumping, no cars inside the park, and please, no crime. Let the children be safe here.' An emotional moment arose when a representative from a law firm where Mlangeni was working for at the time of his death stood up to speak. Speaking on behalf of the law firm Cheadle Thompson and Haysom where Mlangeni worked, Karien Norval, co-director of Cheadle Thompson & Haysom Inc Attorneys, got everyone emotional with her tribute. 'Bheki was a young lawyer, a father, and a community activist. He was part of the team investigating Vlakplaas death squads,' she said. 'The parcel bomb that killed him was not meant for him, but they used his name so the package would be trusted. He died because he stood for the truth.' Norval said the firm started a scholarship in 2002 in Mlangeni's name which still supports young law students today. 'Every day when we walk into our office, we see his photo. It simply says 'Bheki Mlangeni, colleague and friend, assassinated February 15 1991'. We are proud to remember him.' The chief whip of the City of Johannesburg, Sithembiso Zungu, also raised concerns about crime and safety, saying parks often attract criminals if not looked after. 'We need to keep this park safe. The children are here playing, and that's how it must stay. We need to make sure security is taken seriously, taken that crime is a challenge in this area,' Zungu said. .
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Ransomware recovery costs South African businesses R24 million on average, report finds
A new cybersecurity report from Sophos has revealed a sharp rise in the number of South African organisations paying ransoms to cybercriminals. Image: Pixabay A new cybersecurity report from Sophos has revealed a sharp rise in the number of South African organisations paying ransoms to cybercriminals, with average recovery costs now at R24 million. The State of Ransomware in South Africa 2025 report is based on responses from 154 local businesses that were hit by ransomware in the last year. South African organisations fell victim to ransomware due to compromised credentials used in 34% of attacks. Another reason was exploited vulnerabilities, which were the start of 28% of attacks. Malicious emails were used in 22% of attacks. A lack of expertise was the most common operational root cause, cited by 58% of South African respondents. This was followed by a lack of protection cited by 55% of organisations. 53% said that a weakness in their defenses that they were not aware of played a factor in their organisation falling victim to ransomware. The report shows that 71% of organisations paid the ransom to recover their encrypted data - a dramatic increase from just 43% in 2024. Meanwhile, fewer businesses are using backups to recover, with that number dropping from 72% to just 35% in the past year. According to Pieter Nel, Country Manager for Sophos South Africa, this is a worrying shift. 'The fact that more South African organisations are choosing to pay ransoms - while relying less on backups - shows that many are not adequately prepared for cyberattacks. It's critical that we change this trajectory by investing in stronger defences and better recovery planning.' The report also found that the median ransom demand is now R18m – up from R2.8m last year. However, the median ransom paid rose to R8.3m, nearly three times more than in 2024. Meanwhile, South African organisations are getting faster at recovering from a ransomware attack, with 47% fully recovered in up to a week, an increase from the 41% reportedlast year. 19% took between one and six months to recover, a drop from last year's 26%. On top of the financial damage, the human impact was also significant. Among organisations where data was encrypted 76% of IT teams felt increased pressure from leadership; 47% reported higher levels of anxiety and stress and 42% experienced a sustained increase in workload. Sophos is encouraging all businesses, large or small, to strengthen their cyber resilience by using strong passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication; keeping systems up to date and patched; making regular backups and testing recovery plans and educating employees about common scams as well as considering professional cybersecurity support like Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services. 'Ransomware doesn't only target big corporations - it affects schools, small businesses, and even healthcare providers,' says Nel. 'It's more important than ever that all South Africans, whether consumers or business owners, take cybersecurity seriously.' BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
19-06-2025
- The Citizen
eMalahleni is the prime spot for hijacking
eMalahleni is the prime spot for hijacking Two victims found themselves at the mercy of alleged armed criminals in separate hijacking incidents, narrowly escaping their captors in daring getaways. The first incident unfolded on June 14, when a truck driver was hijacked shortly after leaving a mine in Delmas. When he stopped at a stop sign, three masked men allegedly armed, stormed his white Volvo truck, and as they approached the truck, they forced him into the back seat and tied him up with cable ties. They covered his face with a blanket and drove for about an hour before stopping at an industrial premises. They continued driving before pausing again, ignoring the victim's pleas to be untied. The armed men abandoned the victim and drove off with the truck. Patrol officers later assisted the victim. The hijacked truck, valued at R2.8m, was recovered at Balmoral along the Old Pretoria Road. The second case occurred on June 12, when a man was hijacked while driving his employer's vehicle, a white Nissan NP200, after stopping at a tuck shop in Extension 16. As he returned to his car, three men allegedly pointed firearms at him, forcing him into the back of the vehicle. With one suspect allegedly holding him at gunpoint, the others took control of the vehicle and drove toward yet another industrial premises. In a desperate bid for freedom, he managed to leap from the moving car and flee later finding assistance at a police station. 'We continue to call on motorists to exercise caution, avoid stopping in isolated areas, and remain alert to potential threats,' warned Captain Eddie Hall, spokesperson of SAPS Witbank. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: info@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
