Latest news with #R578
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Charges dropped against Durban pastor implicated in fraud and corruption case
The charges against Shane Pillay have been withdrawn Image: Supplied A Durban pastor has been cleared of all charges following his arrest in July last year. Shane Pillay was arrested alongside Kasie Muruvan at the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng. At the time, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) stated that the pair had just landed when they were arrested on charges of fraud and corruption, following an investigation against Muruvan. "eThekwini Workshop and Mobile (Pty) Ltd, is a subcontractor to Wesbank for repairs to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Education scholar transport buses. It is alleged that two buses that were financed by Wesbank were taken to Muruvan's workshop for repairs. "The workshop charged an amount of R578 000 for the repairs that were scheduled for June 21, 2024. The claim was processed and paid one week later, although the repairs never took place. An investigation ensued after it came to light that the invoice was actually fraudulent," the Hawks stated. The agency said that when investigators were alerted, they worked with Westbank investigators and approached Muruvan, who allegedly promised to pay R150 000 for the investigation to be stopped. 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 "He promised to fly from Durban to ORTIA to give investigators money to this effect. Both men met with the investigators at ORTIA as arranged. He had R110 000 in cash that he handed to them, and he and Pillay were immediately arrested at one of the ORTIA restaurants and detained," the Hawks said. However, speaking IOL, Pillay explained that he had no dealings with Muruvan's investigation or the charges against him. Pillay explained that he met with Muruvan, in order to purchase a vehicle for his daughter. "I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am not a businessman nor do I own businesses. I simply met with him to buy a car for my daughter," Pillay said. After going through the whole ordeal of being arrested and appearing in court, the charges against Pillay were withdrawn. According to his attorney, Noven Naidoo, the charges were withdrawn last month. "The State finalised their investigations in the matter and after consideration of all the evidence the Senior Public Prosecutor came to the conclusion that that there was insufficient evidence against our client to secure a conviction," Naidoo said. He added that the State elected to proceed with the charges against Muruvan. Pillay said he was relieved that it was over. Did he eventually end up getting a car for his daughter? Pillay said yes he did. A Kia Picanto. IOL
News24
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Travel docuseries creators sue SABC for R10m
The creators of the SABC2's travel documentary series, Voetspore, are suing the public broadcaster for breaching a R10 million TV and commercial rights agreement for the episodes completed two years ago. In court papers filed last week, Kew Productions CC says it had a valid contract with the SABC for the production of seasons 12, 13, and 14 of the award-winning series, but claims the public broadcaster has failed to pay the R10 million owed under the agreement. There were 46 episodes in total. Johan Badenhorst and his team have undertaken many epic journeys throughout the African continent since the first Voetspore adventure in 2000. Head of communications Mmoni Ngubane, confirmed to City Press that the SABC was aware of the matter. "The SABC is aware of the matter. As it is currently before the courts, we are unable to comment further," Ngubane said. The production company says the cash-strapped SABC paid R663 344 in December last year. Key Productions lodged its claim at the Johannesburg High Court on 15 April after attempts to resolve the matter amicably failed after the SABC failed to respond to written demands. According to the claim, the SABC failed to pay R578 345 monthly since January. The court papers also show that it made four payments of R818 064 between December 2023 and last September. The papers read: The parties agreed that the SABC shall be granted exclusive rights to broadcast the series on any of its platforms as per the payments agreed upon. However, the production house says did not relinquish its rights to the master tapes of the documentary. The papers continue: If any dispute arises in connection with this agreement, whether directly or indirectly, the parties must refer the dispute for resolution by way of negotiation and in the event of that failing, by way of arbitration. The company also claims that the SABC ignored its invoices for outstanding payments and a letter of demand. "In March this year we gave written notice to the SABC of the breach and demanded that it remedy this within 14 days of receipt of the written notice," reads the papers. Last month, City Press reported that the public broadcaster had allegedly failed to pay the production companies responsible for some of its hit prime time TV shows including Muvhango, Generations The Legacy and Skeem Saam. According to an insider, Word of Mouth Pictures, Serite Productions and MMSV Production responsible for hit SABC1 and SABC2 drama series have not been paid since February, with the SABC citing financial struggles. "Over the last couple of months, SABC television has prioritised the smaller production houses when it comes to payments, leaving out the bigger partners and pleading with them that payments would come later than expected," said the source. Ngubane said the SABC would not discuss the financial affairs of production houses with the media.
