Latest news with #R262.6
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Aldrin Sampear on indefinite leave
Here's your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes Newzroom Afrika anchor Aldrin Sampear taking an indefinite leave of absence with immediate effect following a recent road rage incident in Johannesburg last week. Meanwhile, The Special Investigations Unit says it saved government coffers a combined R262.6 million while recovering R58 million from State Information and Technology Agency and the South African Broadcast Corporation. Furthermore, A fresh fire threat has been confirmed at the already devasted Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital. Weather tomorrow: 24 April 2025 The weather service warns of severe thunderstorms resulting in heavy downpours and possible flooding in parts of the Free State, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Meanwhile very cold weather and possible snow are forecast over the south-western high grounds of KwaZulu-Natal. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. TV news anchor Aldrin Sampear placed on 'indefinite leave' after road rage incident [VIDEO] Newzroom Afrika has confirmed that news anchor Aldrin Sampear will be taking an indefinite leave of absence with immediate effect following a recent road rage incident in Johannesburg. The news broadcaster announced the decision on Tuesday as it conducted an internal review of the incident. Newzroom Afrika news anchor Aldrin Sampear. Picture: @aldrinsampear/Instagram 'Newzroom Afrika is aware of an incident involving anchor Aldrin Sampear last week. Sampear will take a break from his broadcast duties with immediate effect, pending an internal review of the matter,' the broadcaster said. This follows allegations that he physically assaulted a woman driver during a reported road rage incident in Johannesburg last week. CONTINUE READING: TV news anchor Aldrin Sampear placed on 'indefinite leave' after road rage incident [VIDEO] SIU recovers R58 million from SABC and Sita irregular contracts The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has detailed a range of successes relating to state-owned communications. The Standing Committee of Public Accounts (Scopa) were on Wednesday briefed by SIU officials on matters at the State Information and Technology Agency (Sita) and the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC). Picture: Special Investigating Unit The SIU's presentation listed successes stemming from contracts signed as far back as 2012. From both entities, the SIU stated that they had saved government coffers a combined R262.6 million while recovering R58 million. CONTINUE READING: SIU recovers R58 million from SABC and Sita irregular contracts Another fire hits Tembisa hospital, emergency responders on scene A fresh fire threat has been confirmed at the already devasted Tembisa Hospital. The fire comes four days after several sections of the Tembisa Hospital were gutted by fire, severely affecting medical services at the facility. The Tembisa Hospital emergency unit on 20 April. Picture: Gauteng Department of Health. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) confirmed on Wednesday morning that emergency responders were on scene dealing with a new blaze. CONTINUE READING: Another fire hits Tembisa hospital, emergency responders on scene 'Domestic abuse is not entertainment' — Law enforcement agency slams 'Isencane Lengane' South Africa's Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS), along with advocacy groups and concerned viewers, has criticised Moja Love's reality show Isencane Lengane for allegedly showcasing domestic abuse. The backlash follows a recent episode, on 20 April, of Isencane Lengane that sparked public outrage, leading to growing calls for the show's cancellation. 'Isencane Lengane' stars Siyacela Dlamuka and Thando Msomi. Pictures: Screenshot/Showmax In the episode of the show that follows a young couple that got married when they were teens, Thando Msomi and Siyacela Dlamuka, Siyacela threatened to beat Thando with a sjambok during a heated argument. JCPS condemned the channel, saying airing content that portrays domestic abuse under the guise of entertainment is dangerous. CONTINUE READING: 'Domestic abuse is not entertainment' — Law enforcement agency slams 'Isencane Lengane' Principal removed from Madisong High School following corporal punishment allegations The principal of Madisong High School in Hammanskraal has been temporarily reassigned pending an investigation into allegations of physical assault against students. This was confirmed by the Gauteng education department on Wednesday. A teacher has been suspended for using corporal punishment. (Photo by Gallo Images / Daily Dispatch / Mark Andrews) According to the MEC's spokesperson, Xolani Mkhwemte, several students came forward with accounts of physical discipline administered by the principal. One student reported being physically assaulted in February, while another complained of hand pain allegedly resulting from punishment after missing a scheduled holiday catch-up programme. CONTINUE READING: Principal removed from Madisong High School following corporal punishment allegations Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Lawyers stealing from trust funds | EFF proposes 'apartheid tax' | Netball SA raked over coals
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
SIU recovers R58 million from SABC and Sita irregular contracts
The Special Investigating Unit stated that R262 million had been saved through the cancellation of SABC and Sita contracts. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has detailed a range of successes relating to state-owned communications. The Standing Committee of Public Accounts (Scopa) were on Wednesday briefed by SIU officials on matters at the State Information and Technology Agency (Sita) and the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC). Both entities fall under the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, with the department due to brief Scopa in the coming weeks. SIU successes The SIU's presentation listed successes stemming from contracts signed as far back as 2012. From both entities, the SIU stated that they had saved government coffers a combined R262.6 million while recovering R58 million. Investigations into SABC and Sita contracts have resulted in 11 criminal referrals, 46 disciplinary cases, 11 civil litigations and three administrative actions. The SIU does not prosecute matters, but where evidence warrants, matters are escalated to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Corruption and mismanagement at state-owned entities, maladministration of state assets and public money and matters of public interest are the SIU's primary focus. Over R100 million saved at Sita Under Sita, the SIU's biggest recent victory came in connection with an R888 million contract signed in 2013. The SIU report stated that IBM was appointed as a single-source service provider without the required permission to deviate from procurement procedures. 'The contract was intended to enable an integrated government services technology platform between government departments and to ensure more efficient service delivery,' the SIU stated. The Sita board approved the deal, and the SIU ruled that decision and subsequent expenditure to be irregular, although R774 million had already been spent. During investigations, the SIU was told by Sita that the deal with IBM was an extension of an existing deal. '[SITA] indicated that the service that is being rendered by IBM has been rendered for many years, and most of the government platforms are on the IBM infrastructure. As a result, they just kept on renewing and renewing,' stated SIU officials. The SIU's intervention resulted in R111 million being saved by terminating the contract, R24.6 million being paid back and four cases being referred to the NPA. Additional outcomes included 22 disciplinary referrals against Sita for non-disclosure of business interests. SABC matters unresolved The SIU investigation into SABC contracts stemmed from a 2017 board inquiry and subsequent remedial actions. The investigation into SABC contracts resulted in 24 disciplinary referrals, leading to the dismissal or resignation of at least 13 officials and executives. One of those executives was former COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng who has repaid R11 million from his pension benefits, while a further R6.5 million is currently in execution. ALSO READ: 'SABC never paid full R11.5m to me' – Hlaudi Motsoeneng heads to ConCourt Other matters still pending include a R6.3 million claim relating to the construction of the studio currently being used on the broadcaster's 24-hour news channel. Civil litigations still underway include R2.4 million paid to 53 artists as part of a Legends project; however, a further R5.8 million was saved through the cancellation of the payments. R33.5 million was recovered from contracts set aside, and R151 million was saved due to the cancellation of the contracts. The SIU recommended that internal discussions be held at the broadcaster to reinstate a culture of ethics and accountability, stressing the areas that were exploited. 'Existing policies and procedures at the SABC were bypassed by the board and senior managers, which led to the financial woes of the corporation,' stated the SIU. 'Controls were repeatedly bypassed through management override, collusion or abuse of power between those in power, or inaction and passiveness from other officials,' it concluded. NOW READ: 'Challenges around salaries': Auditor-General says Sita can't afford ICT staff
