Latest news with #R200
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Former Tshwane metro director arrested in connection with R11m fraud
A former accountant within the Tshwane metro was arrested and appeared in court recently in connection with illegal transfers of around R11-million into fraudulent municipal accounts. An internal investigation had identified Tienka Abbort, along with two colleagues, as allegedly being involved in swindling the municipality out of millions in eight months. The investigation uncovered more than 200 transfers amounting to more than R10-million from various municipal user [customer] accounts into a ghost municipal account. Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro can confirm a major breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the illegal transfer of about R11-million into fraudulent municipal accounts. Mashigo said the former director and accountant within the city, who had been evading arrest in connection with the case, was finally apprehended. 'She appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning, June 3.' According to Mashigo, the arrest follows an intensive tracing operation led by the city's Forensic Services Division, working in close collaboration with the police. 'Tienka Abbort's identity is disclosed as she has now appeared in court, and the city is compelled to alert customers who may still be targeted in further attempts to perpetuate this scam,' explained Mashigo. He said during her court appearance, the accused requested bail of R5 000. The National Prosecuting Authority refused and requested that bail be set at R200 000. However, the court ultimately granted her bail at R50 000, subject to the following strict conditions: – She must surrender all her travel documents, – Report twice a week to her nearest police station, and – Remain at her current residence unless she informs the investigating officer. Mashigo said that at the time of reporting on this matter, the accused had not yet paid the bail amount. 'The investigation remains active and will now focus on uncovering any potential collusion between Abbort and the account holders who unlawfully benefited from these transfers,' Mashigo continued. He said the city's Revenue Management Division is currently reviewing the affected accounts and will initiate reversal processes where necessary to ensure full compliance with credit management policies. 'We strongly urge residents to be vigilant against individuals or groups posing as agents who claim that they can 'clear' a municipal debt. These schemes are fraudulent. Although they may appear to offer temporary relief, balances will be reinstated, and participating residents may face criminal fraud charges and lose any money paid to syndicate members,' he explained. Mashigo encouraged residents in debt to visit any of the city's customer care walk-in centres to make legitimate, sustainable arrangements. City Manager Johann Mettler expressed gratitude to the Forensic Services Division team for the sterling work to root out corruption in the city. 'Their commitment has gone beyond traditional practices. They are not only identifying and reporting criminal conduct but also ensuring there is follow-through regarding accountability.' Mettler said that while the division does not possess the power to make an arrest, its determination has allowed law enforcement to act swiftly and effectively. 'We believe the city's fight against financial crime would be significantly strengthened by designating forensic investigators as peace officers under the Criminal Procedure Act. A move that could enhance our capacity to act decisively and in real time,' Mettler said. 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! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
South African woman loses R2,400 in elaborate coin scam
Private Investigator Mike Bolhuis warned against trade in money scams Image: Supplied A South African woman has come forward with a chilling account of how she lost R2,400 in a sophisticated scam involving supposed coin buyers — a case now under investigation by well-known private investigator Mike Bolhuis. According to Bolhuis, this is just one example of the growing number of scams targeting individuals who are misled into believing their ordinary coins are worth millions. In this particular case, the woman was promised a payout of R40.3 million in exchange for coins she believed to be valuable, including Mandela R5s. The scammers posed as representatives from companies claiming to buy rare and historic coins. The woman said she was asked to pay an initial registration fee of R200, which she did, thinking it was standard procedure. Soon after, she was given a choice: have the money deposited into her account or delivered in person. She opted for the deposit but was then told she needed to send her coins by post first — something she was uncomfortable doing. 'I didn't want to post the coins. What if they got lost? And they could just put a hold on the money until they said they received them,' she said. When the supposed deposit failed, she was told to pay a R350 'release fee' to activate the funds. She paid again. But still, no money came through. That's when the scammers changed their story. She was told the money would be delivered in person — but only if she paid R1,250 for the delivery. Unable to afford the full amount, the 'agent' offered to accept R650 up front and collect the remaining R600 upon delivery. She transferred the R650 and was told the agent was on the way from Cape Town to Johannesburg. The next day, he contacted her again, claiming to need another R600 for petrol to complete the trip to Nelspruit. In an effort to secure the delivery, her daughter stepped in to send the R600. But the requests didn't stop there. The agent soon messaged again, saying his vehicle had a flat tyre and needed money for repairs — first R5,000, then R1,000, and finally R450. 'At that point, I refused. It's not my responsibility to buy him a new tyre,' she said. She never received the money, the coins were never collected, and she now fears the photos of the 'agent' and the vehicle may not even be real. To date, she has paid a total of R2,400, with no payout, no collection of coins, and no proof that any of the people involved were legitimate. Private Investigator Mike Bolhuis confirmed he is investigating the case and issued a public warning. He said scammers are using increasingly elaborate stories to manipulate and deceive vulnerable individuals. Bolhuis explained how people get scammed: scammers tell people their ordinary coins, like the Mandela R5 or R2, are worth significant amounts of money. They may ask for a fee or for the seller to send the coins, promising large returns that never materialise. Fraudsters also use advance payment scams, asking people to send coins first with a promise to pay later. Once the coins are sent, the scammer disappears, and no money is received. Others pretend to be professional coin buyers or dealers, using fake names or credentials and offering high prices. Once they get the coins, they vanish without paying. Many victims are misled by misinformation — people often believe all old coins are rare or valuable. In reality, most old coins are only worth their face value or metal content, making people easy targets.
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ghost workers drain billions from public funds
Ghost employees are being paid with taxpayer money, costing South Africa billions. This corruption must be rooted out with national audits and criminal prosecutions. The biggest problem facing public administration in South Africa – and the biggest opportunity for looters – is the lack of financial controls and even basic information on the government workforce. That is why it appears to have been a lucrative scam to create 'ghost workers' and then divert their salaries into the thieves' wallets. With a government salary bill of nearly R800 billion in this financial year – and a further R85 billion which is earmarked for employees in state-owned enterprises – the civil service is one fat cow waiting to be milked by the unscrupulous. Estimates are that there are probably tens of thousands of these bogus workers being paid like clockwork with taxpayer money… and that money, which probably runs into the billions, is what should be used for good works, development or even just to keep people from starving. The scale of the actual and possible looting is eyewatering. ALSO READ: How many ghost workers are there in government? The elimination of ghost workers at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) alone saved it R200 million. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimates that ghost employees account for 8% of occupational fraud cases worldwide and experts believe this percentage could be even higher in South Africa, especially in government ranks, because of the lack of control and accountability. Other than Prasa, multiple cases of ghost workers have been revealed in sectors ranging from municipalities to government departments at provincial and national level. It is to be welcomed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the Special Investigating Unit to probe the ghost worker problem at Prasa… but it must go much further than that. Government directors-general must be told to audit their areas and if discrepancies are found, they must be dealt with. ALSO READ: More than R140 million in salaries paid to suspended government employees Anyone involved in these scams must be prosecuted and locked up because this is economic terrorism, plain and simple.
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Bushiris file application to set aside ruling ordering extradition to SA
The couple fled to Malawi in November 2020. Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court during their bail application on 4 November 2020. Picture: Jacques Nelles Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, have filed a review application to set aside the judgment ordering their extradition to South Africa. The Bushiris filed their application before the High Court of Malawi in Lilongwe on Wednesday. They claim they weren't given a chance to be heard, violating natural justice principles. Hearing In papers before the high court in Malawi, the controversial couple claim they weren't given a chance to be heard, violating natural justice principles They argued the chief magistrate erred in law by breaching the fundamental principles of natural justice. 'The applicants humbly but firmly pray for the quashing of the findings that the requesting State made out a case for extradition… setting aside of the order of committal.' In March, Malawi's Chief Resident Magistrate's Court ordered that the Bushiris be extradited following a request by South Africa. ALSO READ: Bushiri celebrates reduced charges, but can they be reinstated? Malawi's attorney general explains Charges They face at least six charges including rape, violating bail conditions, contraventions of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, Banking Act, Civil Aviation Act and Immigration Act. The couple fled to Malawi in November 2020, after being granted bail of R200 000 each under strict conditions in the Pretoria Central Magistrate's Court. ALSO READ: Cops detained Bushiri's lawyers for corruption, intimidation say Hawks 'Safety and security' At the time, Bushiri cited 'safety and security issues' for their actions. 'There have been clear and evident attempts to have myself, my wife and my family killed. Despite our several attempts to report to authorities, there has never been state protection,' he said. 'We have come to a painful conclusion that what my wife and I have faced in the Republic of South Africa since 2015 is purely persecution, not prosecution. 'What is shocking is that it was me who, in 2018, opened cases of extortion and intimidation against the officers who are, today, investigating, arresting and prosecuting me and my wife of these several allegations. Obviously, there can never be independence and impartiality. It's purely acts of open vengeance,' Bushiri said. The Malawian couple run a church known as Enlightened Christian Gathering with branches in various African countries. ALSO READ: Malawi court grants South Africa's request to extradite Shepherd Bushiri and wife
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
R500 million contract for North West matric papers sparks controversy
Bank notes of R200 denomination The North West department of education says the annual contract for the printing and transportation of examination papers will cost R100 million annually and the contract was awarded to joint venture Lebone Altron DSV Consortium. Image: File Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has amplified concerns about the R500 million contract for the printing and delivering of National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination papers in the North West province. Weekend newspaper reports stated that the five-year contract with joint venture Lebone Altron DSV Consortium will cost the North West province R128 million annually. On the other hand, the North West department of education has disputed the City Press reports, insisting that the five-year contract will cost the provincial authorities around R100 million annually. Speaking to IOL, Makaneta who is the director of the Foundation for Education and Social Justice Africa said the contract was 'too costly'. 'Spending R500 million on a contract for printing and delivering examination papers is very costly. While it is important to keep papers safe, this huge expenditure raises serious concerns about priorities and transparency. We still have shortages of textbooks and poor infrastructure,' said Makaneta. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'The North West department of education should disclose details of the contract with specific reference to a breakdown of costs, and public engagement on alternatives. Outsourcing must not come at the cost of accountability.' Outspoken education activist Hendrick Makaneta spoke to IOL Image: Supplied Makaneta said the South African population deserves to know how learners will benefit from this whole process. In an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, acting North West deputy director general for exams and curriculum, David Moroeng said the contract extends beyond the printing of examination papers. 'The contract that we have entered into is not only a contract for printing but it is a contract of what we call end-to-end, where we prepare question papers, we print and they are picked up and packaged. Once they are prepared (the question papers), they are going to be stored and then to the different storage points in the province under a secured environment,' he said. 'The previous service provider, that was two to three years ago, it was GPW (Government Printing Works) and we left GPW because we had a one-year SLA (service level agreement) that we had with them. We moved away and started looking for a new service provider.' Moroeng said for the past two years, the North West provincial department was being hosted by their colleagues - the Gauteng department of education. 'We moved now, starting with our own tender process and we advertised, after advertising we got Lebone Litho consortium and also Altron DSV taking the bid,' he said. Moroeng said the GPW contract was ranging around R27 million to 29 million but it was limited to printing. 'When we left GPW two years ago, we started paying around R80 million to R90 million in terms of printing. This year, when we started the new contract, we have added some new features that were not there, that is secured printing, secured transportation of the question papers within the province,' he said. As part of the added services, Moroeng said the new service provider is mandated to transport answer books to the different marking venues across the province.
