Latest news with #R32
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Urgent R32 million budget for water security in the Western Cape
Anton Bredell, Western Cape's local government and environmental affairs minister, backing a bold R32 million push to upgrade ageing water infrastructure and secure the province's future supply. Image: Independent Newspapers Archive In response to mounting climate pressures and growing demands on municipal services, the Western Cape Government has committed R32 million in the 2025/26 financial year to assist local municipalities with critical water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades. Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, announced the allocation during a panel discussion on food and water security at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on June 2. Bredell painted a stark picture of the challenges facing the province. 'We also have the added complexity of poverty, inequality and a fast-growing population,' he said. 'These socio-economic dynamics make it very challenging to plan, budget and construct the water and wastewater infrastructure we need to provide future water security in our region.' The R32 million allocation for the 2025/26 financial year will be used to support municipalities as they upgrade and expand critical infrastructure, a move seen as urgent given the province's limited potential for new bulk water storage facilities. Bredell said there are only limited opportunities for additional bulk water storage in the Western Cape, and as such, future water security will have to come from improved supply and demand management, alternative sources such as groundwater, the re-use of water, and desalination. While the Western Cape boasts the lowest per capita water use in the country, at 160 litres per person per day, compared to the national average of 216 litres, much of that water is lost or unaccounted for. According to Wouter Kriel, spokesperson for Minister Bredell, the Western Cape manages to generate revenue from 70.4% of water supplied to consumers, meaning that 30% of water is either lost in the system, or it was delivered to a consumer without generating any revenue. 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 ✕ "A portion of the non-revenue water is water supplied free of charge to poor and vulnerable residents. This is part of a dignity basket which also includes a set amount of free electricity and other basic municipal services," said Kriel. Bredell said the current national threshold of free water is no longer realistic. 'Our research on what constitutes water dignity found that the current 6 kilolitres a month per household, as prescribed in South African legislation, is not sufficient, and it should be much higher, at 15 kilolitres per household,' he said. 'These findings raise serious questions on our approach to water management in South Africa and especially in our local governments where rate payers are being pushed to pay more for services to also help subsidise the dignity basket to an increasing number of indigent households.' Kriel confirmed the provincial support, saying; 'The Western Cape Government is budgeting R32 million for the 2025/26 financial year to support municipalities with water and wastewater infrastructure projects.' IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
NPA secures R32m preservation order in ongoing asbestos case
Free State high court grants Multi-Million Rand asset preservation order in Magashule asbestos case. Image: NPA and Oupa Mokoena The Free State High Court has granted the NPA a R32 million preservation order against Ace Magashule and others linked to the asbestos corruption and money laundering scheme. Included in the court order is a luxury Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, allegedly purchased in cash for R2 million - a symbol of the lavish lifestyle funded by illicit gains. According to the NPA, the seized assets are believed to be the proceeds of a web of criminal activities, including theft, fraud, corruption, and money laundering, orchestrated at the expense of the Free State Department of Human Settlements (FSDHS). 'The involved individuals, companies, and trusts are alleged to have engaged in a complex web of financial flows, designed to strip the FSDHS of its much-needed resources," said NPA national spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga. 'They were allegedly able to move the proceeds of crime through attorneys, real estate agencies, and high-end motor dealers.' The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has shown through financial flows that these properties were purchased with monies siphoned from the FSDHS, the statement read. "This preservation order follows a Restraint Order of R300 million granted to the unit by the High Court in September 2020. This was in respect of the same asbestos corruption and money laundering scheme. "The order will effectively put a freeze on and thwart any efforts to dissipate the very assets sought to be preserved." The NPA said this will provide for the subsequent forfeiture of these proceeds of crime to the state. Meanwhile, the NPA confirmed that various persons and entities are also criminally charged with multiple charges of fraud, theft, money laundering, corruption, contraventions of the PFMA, and contraventions of various sections of the Asbestos Regulations. Last month, businessman Edwin Sodi pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, fraud, and corruption in connection with the controversial R255 million Free State asbestos removal tender. Sodi, alongside former Free State Premier Magashule, are accused of orchestrating a scheme that diverted public funds intended for the removal of hazardous asbestos from homes in the province's poorest communities. The case, which has drawn significant national attention, involves 18 accused individuals and five companies. The R255 million contract was awarded in 2014 to a joint venture between Sodi's Blackhead Consulting and Diamond Hill Trading, owned by the late businessman Igo Mpambani. The State alleges that the contract was irregularly awarded, with kickbacks provided to some of the accused. Instead of effectively removing asbestos from about 30 000 homes, only R21 million worth of work was reportedly completed, with the remainder of the funds allegedly misappropriated. Both Magashule and Sodi have previously attempted to have the charges against them dismissed. In May 2023, the Supreme Court of Appeals dismissed their applications, stating that they had "no reasonable prospects of success" and that there was no compelling reason to hear their appeals. Cape Times
The South African
14-05-2025
- The South African
Bloem court rules on R32 million asbestos corruption scheme
On 13 March 2025, the Bloemfontein High Court made a ruling on properties linked to an asbestos corruption scheme. The court granted the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit, together with Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, a Preservation Order. The order stated that six immovable properties valued at R32 million and a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG worth R2 million, would be seized. 'The AFU believes the properties are proceeds of unlawful activities of theft, fraud, corruption and money laundering perpetuated against the Free State Department of Human Settlements', said NPA spokesperson, advocate Mthunzi Mhaga. All the alleged perpetrators have direct ties to the Free State Department of Human Settlements. They had access to monies during their time at the department. 'The involved individuals, companies and trusts are alleged to have engaged in a complex web of financial flows, designed to strip the FSDHS of its much-needed resources', Mhaga continued. According to Mhaga, the perpetrators were able to move the proceeds of crime through attorneys, real estate agencies and high-end motor dealers. He said the AFU has shown through financial flows that the assets were purchased directly with monies linked to the FSDHS. 'This preservation order follows a Restraint Order of R300-million granted to AFU by the Free State High Court – Bloemfontein in September 2020', said Mhaga. Mhaga emphasised, 'The preservation order will effectively put a freeze on and thwart any efforts to dissipate the very assets sought to be preserved. This will provide for the subsequent forfeiture of these proceeds of crime to the state'. Mhaga said various persons and entities have since been criminally charged with multiple charges of fraud, theft, money laundering and corruption. They were also charged with contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act. Additionally, they were charged with contraventions of various sections of the Asbestos Regulations. They are set to appear before the Bloemfontein High Court for trial on 15 April 2025. The NPA said pursuing legal action was an ongoing response to the State Capture Commission's recommendation. It was recommended that they recover monies siphoned through an unlawful contract linked to the Free State Asbestos Eradication Project. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Free State Asbestos Case: Court grants R32 million preservation order and seizure of Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
The Free State High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) a R32 million preservation order against Ace Magashule and others linked to the asbestos corruption and money laundering scheme. Included in the court order is a luxury Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, allegedly purchased in cash for R2 million - a symbol of the lavish lifestyle funded by illicit gains. According to the NPA, the seized assets are believed to be the proceeds of a web of criminal activities, including theft, fraud, corruption, and money laundering, orchestrated at the expense of the Free State Department of Human Settlements (FSDHS). 'The involved individuals, companies, and trusts are alleged to have engaged in a complex web of financial flows, designed to strip the FSDHS of its much-needed resources," said NPA national spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga. 'They were allegedly able to move the proceeds of crime through attorneys, real estate agencies, and high-end motor dealers.' The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has shown through financial flows that these properties were purchased with monies siphoned from the FSDHS, the statement read. "This preservation order follows a Restraint Order of R300 million granted to the unit by the High Court in September 2020. This was in respect of the same asbestos corruption and money laundering scheme. "The order will effectively put a freeze on and thwart any efforts to dissipate the very assets sought to be preserved." The NPA said this will provide for the subsequent forfeiture of these proceeds of crime to the state. Meanwhile, the NPA confirmed that various persons and entities are also criminally charged with multiple charges of fraud, theft, money laundering, corruption, contraventions of the PFMA, and contraventions of various sections of the Asbestos Regulations. IOL Politics
IOL News
13-05-2025
- IOL News
Construction company robbed of 300 litres of diesel in Bergville
Amid the R177 million road rehabilitation project in Bergville, a construction company was robbed of 300 litres of diesel by criminals. Image: Supplied A construction company hired by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements for the R177 million rehabilitation of a road in Bergville under the Okhahlamba Local Municipality, was robbed of 300 litres of diesel by gun-wielding members of the construction mafia. KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the incident was reported at the Bergville Police Station. He expressed confidence that KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and his team of law enforcement agencies would apprehend the criminals. He also saluted Inkosi Njabulo Miya of the Emazizini Traditional Council, the izinduna, and the whole community for their public display of anger and opposition against these criminals who are trying to derail the project. 'We are encouraging anyone with information about this robbery to contact the nearest police,' Duma said. 'There should be no place for construction mafia gangs in villages, townships, suburbs or anywhere in KZN.' 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 ✕ Ad Loading Duma said the department invested R177 million in rehabilitating the main road P304. The road is a link connecting Bergville to Maloti-Drakensberg Park/Royal Natal Park through R74. It also stimulates rural economies for communities living under the yoke of poverty. The road network was destroyed by floods, leaving hundreds of communities isolated and unable to access hospitals, schools and socio-economic centres. 'With this investment, as the department, we want to ensure that P304 remains in safe and usable condition and contributes towards the stimulation of all sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and tourism,' Duma said. Earlier, Duma revealed that the project will lead to 74 job opportunities, R32 million is set aside for local emerging contractors, R9 million is for women-owned contractors, R16 million is for youth-owned contractors, and R1.6 million is for people with disabilities. Two eThekwini Municipality employees were arrested for diesel theft. They were caught offloading diesel at a residence near Verulam. Image: Supplied Meanwhile, two eThekwini Municipality employees were arrested for diesel theft last week. The municipality said a municipal water truck was caught offloading diesel at a private house. Another water truck was parked next to the same house's gate in eKukhanyeni near Verulam. Both trucks were carrying water meant to be delivered to communities. The municipality said investigators were in the area after receiving reports that several truck drivers were seen in the area offloading diesel. This led to the arrest of two municipal employees, and a theft case was opened at Inanda Police Station. The suspects are expected to appear in court. City Integrity and Investigations Unit head Jimmy Ngcobo commended the investigators. 'Further investigations will be conducted in this area as it is alleged that diesel is frequently offloaded there,' Ngcobo said. He said the stolen diesel is resold. 'We will not allow employees to steal municipal resources,' Ngcobo said. 'We urge the community to report fraud and corruption cases to be investigated, like in this instance.' Ngcobo added that the suspects were caught with 12x25 litres of offloaded diesel, amounting to 300 litres of stolen municipal diesel.
