Latest news with #R264
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
SIU investigating water contracts worth R6 billion
The Special Investigating Unit has had 14 water projects under scrutiny since 2012. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is leading the compliance fight to solve South Africa's water crisis. A newly launched Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (WSACF) held its first meeting to celebrate the SIU's work in the water sector. The forum is a part of a national anti-corruption strategy that focuses on protecting public projects vulnerable to corruption. New anti-corruption forum As South Africa's foremost anti-corruption arm, the body is obligated to lead the forum, which falls under a greater G20 anti-corruption umbrella. 'The WSACF is a strategic intervention aimed at developing tailored solutions to address corruption risks in the water sector,' stated SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago. This week, the SIU announced the collective outcomes of almost 13 years of investigations into the country's water projects. The SIU has investigated 13 water projects since 2012 and has one outstanding proclamation that still needs to be executed. 'With eight investigations completed and five still active, the need for a coordinated anti-corruption response in water management has never been clearer,' Kganyago added. SIU successes From the investigations, the SIU has recovered R569 million in undue gains, while R264 million in cash and asset recoveries are still pending Potential losses prevented are listed at R717 million, as the SIU boasts that contracts worth R1.1 billion have been set aside. The value of contracts under the microscope has been massive, with R6.2 billion worth of contracts signed since 2012 flagged for irregular or fraudulent actions. Consequences secured by the SIU include 270 matters being referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), as well as 140 referrals for disciplinary or administrative actions commissioned against business executives and government officials. Affected projects The Umngeni-Uthukela water project is responsible for 61 of those NPA referrals, with the matters currently with the Hawks. The 61 cases are tied to contracts worth R465 million for work ranging from the installation of pipelines to the replacement of filter slabs. A further 38 NPA referrals for fraud and forgery were tied to the Amatola Water Board, where R230 million was allocated for drought relief. Large private sector players linked to SIU investigations include four contracts with construction giants EOH, which has since repaid R160 million. 'EOH accepted liability without prejudice for R178 million. The repayment arrangement was a lump sum of R65 million, and a balance split into 36 monthly installments of R3.5 million,' the SIU stated. NOW READ: At least R900 billion needed to fix SA's water woes
The Citizen
10-05-2025
- The Citizen
44-year-old slapped with jail time for funeral parlor theft
A 44-year-old woman, Sibongile Mokoena, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by the Regional Court sitting in Belfast on Thursday, May 8, following her conviction for theft. The sentencing follows a theft case reported to Belfast Police in 2020. It was alleged that Mokoena, then 39 years old and employed as a cashier at a funeral parlour in Belfast, had stolen money paid by clients for funeral cover policies over several months, amounting to a total of R264,290.00. An investigation was launched, which led to Mokoena's arrest on 24 July 2020. She appeared before the Belfast Magistrate's Court and was released on R5,000.00 bail. On Thursday, the Belfast Regional Court sentenced Sibongile Mokoena to six years' imprisonment, with three years suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of theft or fraud during the suspension period. In terms of Section 103(1) of Act 60 of 2000, no order was made, meaning the accused is deemed unfit to possess a firearm. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the sentence and emphasized that employment must be respected, as it provides for families. He added that violating that trust must have consequences. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Mail & Guardian
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Why the new Suzuki Swift is the best budget car in South Africa
Value: It feels like a brand-new vehicle not an update, and you get a lot of car for your money with the new Suzuki Swift. Photo: Supplied We normally get to pricing at the end of a review but, since we are talking about budget, it is important to explain why the new Suzuki Swift is really the best economy option in South Africa at the moment. It comes in five variants: the base 1.2 GL manual, a 1.2 GL+ manual or CVT and a 1.2 GLX manual (the one we tested) or CVT. The base starts at R219 900 and the GL+ and GLX models are priced at R264 900 and R284 900. The change in shape of the new model has caused a stir among Swift lovers. It looks more compact, the Suzuki badge has been moved from the grille to the new clamshell bonnet, which sports shut lines. It looks like a bug but feels refreshed. It is as if Suzuki has given the consumer a brand-new vehicle from the first look, rather than just an update of the previous model. And that is just the beginning. The interior has also been changed for the better. The fourth-generation Swift maintains its cloth seats but effort has been put into the wrap-around dashboard design and the centre controls have been angled to face more towards the driver. In addition, the boot space has been increased to 265 litres — 580 litres when the back seats are folded down. The model we tested (which is the top-of-the-range manual) has a nine-inch infotainment screen that comes equipped with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A smaller screen is also available in the GL+ model, which also has these features. But what you will get standard, no matter which model you choose, is digital air-conditioning controls; front and rear electric windows; electrically adjustable and folding side mirrors; a height-adjustable driver's seat; an alarm with central locking and rear parking sensors. The GLX also comes with keyless entry. The interior of the new Suzuki Swift is neat with a whole new dashboard design. At just over R200 000, you won't get all of this in many vehicles. Suzuki has refreshed the Swift so deeply that it has even introduced a new Z12E 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine delivering 60kW of power and 112Nm of torque. Having driven the previous generation Swift, I find this one feels more at home on the road. It is less nervous, handles better and has no issues picking up speed. It is by no means underpowered. Even when I had four passengers in the vehicle, it was still fun to drive and easy to manoeuvre. I would, however, watch out for the CVT variants. CVTs do generally feel strained but the manual performed exceptionally. The fuel consumption was also very light as we achieved 5.3 litres/100km. Suzuki has also not cut any corners on safety. I was surprised to be driving a vehicle that cost just over R250 000 that had a rear-view camera, an automatic braking system, a brake assist function and six airbags, including curtain airbags. Apart from the love-me-or-hate-me look that this car has, it is difficult to fault it on any front. There are just too many features for the price. The car is also fun to drive — and has the safety to back up that fun. It's easy to see why the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists has listed the new Swift as a finalist for SA Car of the Year 2025 in the budget category. In my opinion, there is nothing in this price range that can match it — for now.
