Latest news with #R335
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
ActionSA lays fraud charges against NW municipal manager
ActionSA has intensified its anticorruption campaign, targeting the Rustenburg local municipality over R335 million in alleged illegal contracts. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has taken his anticorruption battle to Rustenburg as he vows to root out the scourge at all municipalities in North West, which is beset by widespread financial mismanagement. Mashaba led a delegation of the party's councillors and members in Rustenburg yesterday in a show of solidarity against the endemic corruption in the Rustenburg local municipality, which has been in the news for several years over alleged corruption revolving around awarding of contracts to illegally appointed service providers. Mashaba was flanked by the party's Rustenburg councillor and North West provincial secretary Ofentse Kombe and councillor Thamziwe Nkaelang, who both laid fraud and corruption charges against municipal manager Ashmar Khuduge at Rustenburg police station. AG report highlights serious financial violations Acting on the auditorgeneral's report that flagged a number of unauthorised expenditures by the municipality, the party further accused Khuduge of serious financial misconduct in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act. The law holds an accounting officer accountable for failing to act on financial mismanagement in the municipality or department they lead. R10.4m legal fees and R335m tenders under scrutiny Khuduge allegedly failed to prevent unauthorised expenditure or to take reasonable steps to prevent an unauthorised expending of R10.4 million for the 2024-25 financial year on unsolicited legal fees in violation of the law. A further R335 million was allegedly illegally spent on issuing contracts to a service provider without following supply chain protocols for the 2023-24 financial year. ALSO READ: Probe into rot at North West's Madibeng local municipality Failure to act fosters culture of impunity It is suspected that corruption occurred in the issuing of the contracts which Khuduge allegedly failed to prevent as the municipality's accounting officer. The AG's report indicated the unauthorised deviation from supply chain management regulations was a violation of law. 'We are not ending there' Mashaba said: 'As ActionSA we asked small parties to join our Green Umbrella campaign under ActionSA for a strong battle against corruption. 'These are serious charges that warrant an investigation and action by the law enforcement agencies. 'We are not ending there. We will ask our MP to take up the matter and we will bring it to the attention of the public protector and minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs.' He said the party laid charges against Khuduge and submitted evidence of his violation of the law in the form of the auditor-general's report, which reveals massive unauthorised expenditure and violation of supply chain protocol in issuing of contract tenders in Rustenburg. Kombe said the municipality's failure to probe the allegations fostered a culture of impunity. NOW READ: Outa urges probe into R56 million Polokwane tender scandal
The Citizen
3 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Benoni SPCA reports surge in abandoned animals amid emigration, financial hardship
The Benoni SPCA has reported a significant increase in the number of animals taken in over the past financial year, attributing the surge to growing financial hardship and increased emigration among residents. During the 2024/25 financial year, the society admitted 4 176 unwanted, neglected, and abandoned animals. This was revealed during the organisation's AGM on July 15 at the Northfield Methodist Church in Airfield. Martine Hampson, manager of the Benoni SPCA, said the number of animals taken in continues to grow each year. However, the organisation remains committed to alleviating suffering by providing medical care, food, shelter, and compassion. Despite the challenges, the SPCA rescued, rehabilitated, sterilised, and rehomed 338 animals during the year. 'The prevention of cruelty to animals is more than a moral responsibility; it is a cornerstone of a compassionate society. Research has shown links between animal abuse and violence against people,' Hampson said. She added that the organisation's education programmes continue to expand. Several schools visited the premises to learn about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. The SPCA also conducts outreach initiatives, averaging three visits per month to underprivileged communities. Chairperson's report Chairperson Monique Quenet, who has served in the role for three months after being vice-chair, shared updates on key developments. These included the addition of two vehicles to the society's small fleet, improving response times to calls for help. 'We have watched our nest egg shrink as donations dwindle, the need for our services skyrockets, and day-to-day costs spiral,' she said. Quenet thanked the public, noting that 'when the society's back was against the wall, Benoni rose to the challenge.' Future goals include launching a professional interactive website and establishing an on-site sterilisation clinic. She also praised staff and committee members for their dedication. Inspector's report Benoni SPCA inspector Thomas Mohlake reported that the inspectorate faced a difficult year due to being under-resourced and understaffed. However, he welcomed the addition of two team members: trainee inspector Monicah Masemola and trainee field officer Emmanuel Leutle. The department received 248 cruelty complaints, up from 188 the previous year. They issued 22 warrants and 90 warnings and notices. Seven animal cruelty cases were opened during 2023/24, including the notable 'Buddy's case,' which was successfully concluded in court. The inspectorate conducted 75 routine inspections and examined over 2 000 animals at abattoirs, security companies, stables, pet shops, farms, Bunny Park, and hawking sites. Financial report Treasurer Mark Stuart Downing reported a slight decrease in overall income, from R3 675 623 to R3 424 150, generated through adoptions, boarding fees, the charity shop, donations, and other sources. Adoption income saw a notable increase, rising from R157 966 to R335 360. The annual Golf Day raised R119 794, while legacy, bequest, and testamentary dispositions rose significantly from R215 007 to R800 000. Boarding fees declined from R238 825 to R145 726, and the charity shop, described as the organisation's lifeline, saw a slight dip from R1 162 450 to R1 015 432. How you can help Make the Benoni SPCA your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet beneficiary. Every swipe supports their outreach programme. Donate R50 regularly or sponsor a kennel for R300 per month. All donations qualify for a Section 18A Tax Certificate. For more information, call 011 894 2814/5 or email [email protected]. Also Read: Benoni SPCA needs pet food and blankets urgently Also Read: These Benoni SPCA animals are looking for homes
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
City Power refutes claims its headquarters raided by Hawks
Reports emerged the Hawks are probing City Power for alleged corruption and financial mismanagement totalling more than R500 million. City Power has refuted claims that its headquarters were raided by the Hawks. This comes after reports emerged on Friday that the crime-fighting unit raided City Power's Johannesburg headquarters as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and financial mismanagement involving irregular payments and inflated contracts totalling more than R500 million. Alleged corruption According to the reports, City Power's executive management is also being investigated for allegedly allowing more than R335 million to be looted from its maintenance budget in six months – from May 2023 to October of that year – on frivolous purchases that included air fresheners, pens, trolley mops and copper cables that officers claim were not delivered. ALSO READ: City Power employees among seven arrested for copper theft Hawks raid City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed that the Directorate of Investigating Priority Crimes also known as the Hawks visited its premises to deliver a formal request for information about the business. 'There was no raid, no confiscation of documents, files, or IT equipment. And there was no interrogation. 'We can, however, confirm that members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) did visit City Power and delivered a formal request for information (RFI) to the business,' Mangena said. Mangena said City Power will cooperate fully with this 'lawful request' by the Hawks. Internal control processes Last year, the Auditor-General's report into City Power's affairs flagged its internal control processes. The report recommended an investigation, which was concluded in March 2025. City Power's investigation revealed collusion between employees and service providers, serious breaches in procurement and payment processes, fraudulent job numbers, and duplicate approvals. This led to City Power suffering significant financial losses. ALSO READ: City Power achieves unqualified audit, hits 75% of targets Dismissals The power utility has since dismissed guilty employees and laid criminal complaints. 'Out of all cases that have already been finalised and those that are still ongoing, we discovered that 12 electricians, eight security officers, five team leaders, and several senior managers had been implicated in serious criminal conduct such as cable theft, fraud and soliciting bribe,' City Power said. 'While we are aggressively fighting the scourge of theft and vandalism, we discovered that several employees, including team leaders, electricians and even our own contracted security officers, were involved in stealing and destroying essential infrastructure. 'We have also uncovered that the challenge we have been battling with surrounding the shortages of materials was not only related to heightened demand for replacement equipment, but that our own employees were simply handing these tools to contractors from the stores and supposedly benefiting from those transactions,' the utility said. ALSO READ: City Power and Joburg have not paid debt to Eskom, Ramokgopa says [VIDEO]
The Herald
11-06-2025
- The Herald
Project manager working on Sanral project kidnapped on Addo Road
A project manager working on the multimillion-rand Sanral project to upgrade the R335 between Motherwell and Addo has been kidnapped. The man, employed by one of the companies contracted by Sanral, was abducted on Wednesday morning. Police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said the Swartkops police were notified of a kidnapping on Addo Road near Monument Crossing at about 10.30am. A case of kidnapping is being investigated. ' It is alleged that a 37-year-old male was busy on a construction site on Addo Road when a white Mercedes sedan stopped next to him. 'Two [men] got out and then forced him into the Mercedes and drove off with him. 'One of the [men] also took [the victim's] white Toyota Hilux bakkie, which was found abandoned again in Ikamvelihle a short while later. 'No ransom demands have been made yet,' Gantana said. Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has previously spoken out about attacks on the construction project. During his state of the province address in 2024, he revealed that 'construction mafias' had threatened to stop the upgrade, demanding R450,000 a month in protection fees. The road is a vital citrus export route from the Sundays River Valley municipality to Nelson Mandela Bay's two ports. The project is divided in two, with the first phase cutting across wards 53, 54, 55, 56 and 23 in Motherwell. The second phase is from Addo to Ngqweba (formerly Kirkwood). A source close to the project said the assailants had visited the area for the second time in the space of a week. 'Last week Friday, the site manager for phase two of the project [had a gun pointed at him] by unknown people who came on site and made some demands. 'Since that incident, the site manager left and has not returned to work,' he said. 'And now today the project manager employed by the same company has been abducted. 'This has been an ongoing problem here in Motherwell. 'At one point last year people came and demanded a monthly protection fee of R450,000 which meant the project had to temporarily be stopped for safety reasons.' A second source said they were concerned for the kidnapped manager's safety and the repercussions this would have for the project. 'From what I heard, the guys came last week and shot in the air and on the road to scare people. 'The fear by residents and councillors is that the project might have to be closed because threats are not happening for the first time and people's lives are at risk. 'Even Mabuyane has spoken publicly about these threats on construction companies, but they don't seem to have stopped,' the insider said. The Herald
News24
23-04-2025
- Politics
- News24
R335m for political parties; Meet Ace Magashule's judge: Today's Top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. R335 million for political parties this year, courtesy of the taxpayer - Taxpayers will fund represented political parties with over R335 million in the 2025/26 financial year. - Private donations to political parties have decreased significantly since the 2024 elections. - The IEC will host a symposium on political funding transparency and reforms in Durban from 18 to 19 June. Meet Ace's judge – an apartheid prosecutor who saved an MK activist from the gallows - Judge Phillip Loubser, appointed to the asbestos scam case against Ace Magashule and others, resigned as an apartheid-era prosecutor for prioritising honesty and saving an activist from the death penalty. - Loubser investigated claims of torture by an uMkhonto weSizwe leader and revealed evidence contradicting police testimony, leading to the dismissal of the case and his subsequent resignation after facing criticism from superiors. - Now a judge, Loubser is determined to proceed with the asbestos scam trial without delays, aiming to determine the guilt of Magashule, Edwin Sodi, and 16 others accused of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. 'Vir moord mevrou': Pollsmoor juvenile boasts of double murder charges as MPs visit prison - The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services visited Pollsmoor Prison, where juvenile detainees, some as young as 17, boasted about murders and other serious crimes. - The committee chair warned detainees not to complain about prison conditions given their crimes, sparking debate about human rights. - Overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and gang activity were highlighted as major issues within the prison, alongside a shortage of key staff. Presidential estate facelift is costing taxpayers R1.2m - Renovations costing over R1.1 million are under way at President Ramaphosa's official residence, Bryntirion Estate, with the Development Bank of South Africa overseeing the project. - ATM president Vuyo Zungula questioned the turnkey facilities management model used for the renovations, citing concerns about transparency and potential exclusion of local businesses. - Zungula also emphasised the need for detailed cost breakdowns and justification for prioritising these upgrades amid other pressing infrastructure needs in the country. PIC gives nod to Barloworld offer, but on condition of a hefty BEE deal - The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has agreed to a standby offer for Barloworld, conditional on a 13.5% BEE transaction. - The PIC's acceptance, holding a 22% stake, brings the consortium's total support to 46.93%, moving closer to a potential delisting. - This follows an initial offer rejection in February due to governance concerns, with the PIC now supporting the deal contingent on increased BEE participation. Lloyd Burnard | Why are we still watching Super Rugby when our Boks are in Japan? - Super Rugby has declined in quality and global appeal, making the Japanese league, with its many South African stars, more compelling for local viewers. - While the URC offers competitive and accessible rugby, the Japanese league features a high concentration of Springboks and other international talents, making it a more attractive viewing option. - The author argues for increased broadcasting of the Japanese league in South Africa, especially with the upcoming Rugby World Cup, as it offers more relevance and excitement than the current Super Rugby product.
