Latest news with #R250m
TimesLIVE
20 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Six rhino horn syndicate suspects granted bail
Five men and a woman accused of being involved in the trafficking of 964 rhino horns valued at R250m were granted bail by the Pretoria magistrate's court on Tuesday. John Frederick Hume, 83, founder and owner of the Platinum Rhino Conservation Enterprise, was granted R100,000 bail. The director of a nonprofit organisation, Elizabeth Catharina Van Niekerk, 58, and transport maintenance manager Clive John Mervan Melville, 63, were granted R10,000 bail each while attorney Izak Hermanus du Toit, 50, insurance broker Mattheus Hendrikus Wessels Poggenpoel, 37, and game reserve manager Johannes Abraham Hennop, 52, were each granted R20,000 bail. 'They are collectively facing a total of 55 charges of multiple counts of racketeering, fraud, contravention of the National Environmental Management Act, contravention of the Riotous Assemblies Act, theft and money laundering,' the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks said in a joint statement. It is alleged that between 2017 and 2024, the accused operated an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate and defrauded the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment (DFFE). 'They allegedly obtained permits to trade rhino horn locally, while intending to channel the horns into illegal international markets in Southeast Asia.' The fraudulent scheme was estimated to involve 964 rhino horns valued at R250m. After intensive investigations by the Hawks, the six handed themselves over at the Pretoria Central police station on Tuesday, where they were formally arrested. 'During bail proceedings, they all asked to be released on bail because they were not flight risks and had co-operated with the police.' In his affidavit, Melville disclosed that he had a 2019 conviction for fraud and for being in possession of and transporting rhino horns. He was sentenced to pay a fine. Poggenpoel disclosed that he had a 2009 conviction for possession of a rhino horn and had paid an admission of guilt fine of R2,500. 'Poggenpoel also disclosed that he will be appearing on September 17 at Winburg magistrate's court because during the visit to his residence, the investigation team found ammunition that was not locked away in a safe and supposedly scheduled medicine without a permit.' The state did not oppose bail. The court granted bail and ordered the accused to surrender their passports and not apply for new travel documents while the case was pending. The court ordered the accused to report to their nearest police station once a week, and instructed that they may not interfere with investigations, tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. TimesLIVE
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- The Citizen
Six, including conservationist, granted bail in R250m rhino horn trafficking case
Six people, including a former rhino conservation owner, were granted bail in a R250 million rhino horn trafficking case. Six people, including the former owner of a rhino conservation organisation, appeared in court concerning a massive R250 million international rhino horn trafficking syndicate and have been granted bail. The Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Tuesday granted bail to the six suspects facing 55 charges, including multiple counts of racketeering, fraud, theft, money laundering, and contraventions of both the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) and the Riotous Assemblies Act. Six suspects in a R250m rhino horn trafficking syndicate The accused are former founder and owner of the Platinum Rhino Conservation Enterprise John Frederick Hume, 83; transport maintenance manager Clive John Mervan Melville, 63; practising attorney Izak Hermanus Du Toit, 50; director of a non-profit organisation Elizabeth Catharina Van Niekerk, 58; insurance broker and part-time farmer Mattheus Hendrikus Wessels Poggenpoel, 37; and game reserve manager Johannes Abraham Hennop 52. The court set Hume's bail at R100 000. Melville and Van Niekerk each received bail of R10 000, while Du Toit, Poggenpoel, and Hennop were each granted R2 000 bail. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) allege that between 2017 and 2024, the suspects operated an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate and defrauded the department of forestry, fisheries, and the environment (DEFE). 'They allegedly obtained permits to trade rhino horn locally while intending to channel the horns into illegal international markets in Southeast Asia,' the authorities said. ALSO READ: Three suspected rhino poachers arrested in Paulpietersburg, KZN 'The fraudulent scheme is estimated to involve 964 rhino horns valued at R250 million.' Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo explained that in South Africa, citizens may legally buy and sell rhino horns, provided both the buyer and seller apply for permits under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act of 2004. 'The DFFE is the only one who can authorise the issuing of these permits. These rhino horns, however, may not be exported or sold to non-South African citizens due to an international ban,' Singo said. Suspects handed themselves over to police The suspects handed themselves over to the Pretoria Central Police Station on Tuesday, following investigations by the Hawks' Wildlife Trafficking Section of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit. They were formally charged at the police station. During proceedings, the accused requested bail, arguing they posed no flight risk and had cooperated with police investigations. Melville disclosed to the court that he was previously convicted in 2019 for fraud and being in possession of and transporting rhino horns. The transport maintenance manager was sentenced to pay a fine. ALSO READ: Operation Shanela: Police arrest more than 11,000 suspects in a week Poggenpoel admitted he had a prior conviction in 2009 for possession of rhino horn, for which he paid an admission of guilt fine of R2 500. The broker and farmer also has a pending case that will be heard on 17 September 2025 at Winburg Magistrates' Court because during the visit to his residence, the Hawks investigation team found ammunition that was not locked away in a safe and supposedly scheduled medicine without a permit. The state did not oppose bail, noting that the accused were not flight risks, their addresses had been verified, and they had cooperated with investigators. The state, however, requested bail conditions. Bail granted under strict conditions The court granted bail on condition that the accused surrender their passports, report weekly to police, avoid interference with the case, and commit no further offences. The court postponed the matter to 9 December for further investigations.
Eyewitness News
30-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Ekurhuleni residents to pay more after tariff hikes
JOHANNESBURG - Ekurhuleni residents may have to pay more for municipal services following the city's decision to raise tariffs. Finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi announced increases in service charges during his budget speech on Thursday to come into effect in the 2025/2026 year. ALSO READ: - Ekurhuleni budget: Residents to pay more for water, electricity, sanitation & refuse removal - City of Ekurhuleni decides to insource essential services to strengthen internal capacity - Ekurhuleni sets aside R250m to rehabilitate road infrastructure, particularly potholes However, unlike in Johannesburg, property rates and municipal bus services will not increase. If the Ekurhuleni City Council approves the proposed budget, residents will see a 15% increase in their monthly water bills. Electricity prices are also set to rise, but only in accordance with the guidelines set by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Additionally, refuse removal fees will go up by 6%, while sanitation services will cost 10% more. Dlabathi said when compared to other metros, these increases are relatively reasonable. "Our 2025/26 tariffs are lesser on sanitation and refuse removal compared to the City of Joburg, Cape Town and eThekwini, except for the City of Tshwane. Similarly, the average comparative analysis of 2024/25 tariffs shows that we came second with 10.43%, while the City of Cape Town approved the highest average tariff of 13.71%.' These tariffs will go towards funding the city's R65 billion budget.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Daybreak Foods workers call for management overhaul amid financial turmoil
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has obtained an urgent court order against Daybreak Foods, compelling the company to cease inhumane culling practices and provide adequate care for hundreds of thousands of breeder birds at risk of starvation and suffering. Image: NSPCA Banele Ginidza Workers at Daybreak Foods' farms have laid down a series of demands that centre on the immediate termination of Chief People Officer Tshepo Yvonne Mosadi's contract, alongside a comprehensive overhaul of the company's board and management structure. This demand comes as the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) on Friday injected a further R74 million into the embattled farming establishment in a bid to pay for outstanding salaries for April, buy chicken feed supplies, and for specific essential operational expenses. The R74m, which is part of the R250m financial support requested by Daybreak in February, was initially earmarked for capital expenditure. On Friday, the Daybreak Workers Union issued a letter detailing their demands and expressed deep concerns over past management practices. "To avoid suffering the same fate, we are eliminating that risk, and avoiding the new cash injection falling into the same hands that have already proven to be incapable and incompetent to run and manage the establishment," read the letter, which was seen by Business Report. Workers also voiced multiple grievances, including the accounting methods related to overtime, delays in payment of May salaries, and inadequate provisions for Personal Protective Clothing (PPE). Further, there were calls for revisions in production pauses to ensure better working conditions, alongside critical changes to the slaughter culture that could impact both worker safety and animal welfare. Mosadi, a nominee for the Chief Human Resources Officer Awards in 2023, has faced backlash, accused by workers of being disconnected from their plight. Sources indicate that the PIC, which recently authorised a R100 million emergency fund known as the "Sunday Account," aims to address the immediate liquidity needs that have left workers and the company in a precarious situation. This emergency fund, confirmed on Thursday and Friday, is a part of the overall financial package being arranged by the PIC. 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 ✕ Though the PIC on Friday announced the decision to provide immediate financial support to Daybreak Foods, it reiterated that the board and management of Daybreak Foods remained responsible and accountable for the company's operations and finances. "The PIC is strengthening the board and assisting it to strengthen management to help to bring stability to the company and to resume normal operations," said the PIC. "Daybreak's leadership is tasked to develop and implement a turnaround strategy and a credible turnaround plan to ensure long- term sustainability and growth, including how the company intends to avert job losses and safeguard the welfare of the livestock." Meanwhile, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) on Saturday obtained an urgent court order against Daybreak Foods, compelling the company to cease inhumane culling practices and provide adequate care for hundreds of thousands of breeder birds at risk of starvation and suffering. This followed a catastrophic welfare emergency currently unfolding at two of Daybreak's breeder farms in Bela-Bela and Mookgopong. An estimated 594 000 birds are at immediate risk of starvation, suffering from cannibalism, injuries, and prolonged neglect due to insufficient feeding and inhumane culling practices. According to a whistleblower report, the upheaval at the company stems from Daybreak's attempt to remove the PIC as mandate holder and appoint a private entity specialising in investors mandates. The report revealed that the PIC acts only as an investor mandate holder on behalf of these shareholders, not as a direct shareholder with the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and the Compensation Fund (CF), each holding 33.3% of the entity. The complications have disrupted normal governance, with no Annual General Meetings (AGMs) convened since 2021 and a shocking turnover of four CEOs in merely four years — a clear reflection of governance failures. A whistleblower report has drawn attention to inadequate board oversight, failure to exercise diligent oversight of executive decisions, absence of consequence management enabled unchecked misconduct, deficiencies in fiscal management created vulnerabilities for mismanagement.
