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IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Trade unions criticise lenient sentence for businessman involved in Transnet fraud
Unions criticise Transnet fraud sentence Image: Independent Newspapers Archives Trade unions have criticised the five-year effective sentence handed down to businessman Yakub Ahmed Suleman Bhikhu for defrauding Transnet of R66 million, saying the punishment does not reflect the severity of the crime or the damage caused to workers and the economy. The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) said it 'fully supports and endorses' the position of its affiliate, the United National Transport Union (UNTU), which earlier raised concerns over the sentence. 'Like UNTU, FEDUSA is deeply concerned that the effective five-year sentence, following a conviction in one of South Africa's most egregious State Capture-related scandals, does not reflect the gravity of the crime nor the long-term damage inflicted on workers, the economy, and the integrity of public institutions,' the federation said in a statement. Bhikhu and his company, Homix (Pty) Ltd, were convicted by the Pretoria Regional Court on 81 counts, including fraud, forgery, uttering, money laundering, and contravening the Tax Administration Act. The offences were committed between 2012 and 2015 and caused a loss of about R66 million to Transnet. Bhikhu pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with five years suspended, effectively serving five years behind bars. He was also ordered to repay R300,000 to Transnet, while Homix received a suspended fine of R500,000. However, FEDUSA said the sentence 'sends the wrong message' and risks emboldening other looters. 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 'It undermines confidence in our democratic institutions, particularly the National Prosecuting Authority and the judiciary, whose mandate is to protect the public interest and ensure accountability at all levels of society,' the federation said. Bhikhu was implicated in evidence led before the State Capture Commission. He evaded arrest for six years before being apprehended at the border while trying to enter Botswana. He has been in custody since. The NPA's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) said it welcomed the conviction and sentencing, adding that it was the result of collaboration among law enforcement partners. But FEDUSA insisted that 'until the full weight of the law is brought to bear on those who defraud the state, economic justice will remain elusive'. THE MERCURY
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Court denies plea to pardon state capture accused
They face 11 charges including fraud, money laundering, forgery, uttering and perjury. Ronica Ragavan, Pushpaveni Govender and Joel Raphela appearing before the Randburg Magistrate's Court after they were arrested on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied An application by the lawyers of high-profile individuals seeking pardons on state capture allegations has been dismissed. Former deputy director-general of the then department of mineral resources Joel Raphela, as well as Ronica Ragavan, Pushpaveni Govender and entities linked to the Gupta family – Optimum Coal Mine, Koornfontein Mines and Tegeta Exploration and Resources appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday. Charges They face 11 charges including fraud and contravention of Regulation 4 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, money laundering, forgery, uttering and perjury. Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) Henry Mamothame said all the individuals are linked to a corruption case involving mine rehabilitation. 'The court also ruled in favour of IDAC's granting leave to amend the indictment on certain charges against the accused. 'This development follows the closure of the state's case. The defence's application was brought thereafter. The matter has been postponed to 25 May, 2026 and is set down until 12 June, 2026, during which period the defence is expected to call its witnesses,' Mamothame said. ALSO READ: Gauteng businessman jailed for R66 million Transnet fraud Fraud Mamothame said all the accused have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Their court appearance stemmed from the alleged fraud associated with the rehabilitation of the Koornfontein mine. Ragavan was then the director and Govender was a trustee. In December 2015, Oakbay Investments entered into a sale of shares and claims agreement with Glencore for the acquisition of shares in Optimum and Koornfontein mines. Sale agreement The agreement was for Tegeta to take control of the Optimum Mine Rehabilitation Trust and the Koornfontein Rehabilitation Trust. On 8 April, 2016, the sale agreements were deemed to have been fulfilled, resulting in the department giving consent in terms of the regulations, for the disposal of 100% control of Optimum and Koornfontein to Tegeta. Mamothame said the Coal Supply Agreement was supposed to continue until December 2018. 'Millions were reportedly embezzled,' he said. Abandoned mines According to Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke's report, released in 2023, there were 6 100 abandoned mines and 1 170 mine openings nationwide. Maluleke urged government to speed up rehabilitation of the abandoned mines, as they posed health, safety and environmental hazards for nearby communities. ALSO READ: SCA overturns Nulane accused's acquittal and orders retrial
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- The Citizen
Hitman sentenced to life for murder of ANC councillor
The man has been in custody since 2022 after he was arrested . The South African Police Service (Saps) Political Task Team has registered another conviction, after a 28-year-old hitman was sentenced to life in jail for the murder of an ANC councillor in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Phathisakhe Thuthukani Ngiba appeared in the Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court on Friday, July 18, 2025, where the sentence was handed down. Murder Ngiba has been in custody since 2022 after he was arrested for the murder of ANC councillor Zakhele Shezi Khuzwayo, who was attached to the KwaMaphumulo Municipality. Khuzwayo was shot and killed on 15 September 2022 while sitting in his vehicle. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the Saps Political Task Team investigated the case, which led to the arrest of Ngiba. Ngiba was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 (1) of Act 60 of 2000. Ngiba is also an accused in a matter where ANC candidate Councillor Siyabonga Mkhize and ANC member Mzukisi Nyanga were shot in Cator Crest. The matter is currently on trial. ALSO READ: Gauteng businessman jailed for R66 million Transnet fraud ANC Youth League leader Earlier this month, the political task team secured the conviction of former ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa's killer to 25 years imprisonment. Sibusiso Ncengwa admitted that he was part of a group of men who were paid R120 000 to kill Magaqa in 2017. His lawyers had pleaded for leniency. They argued that he had apologised to the Magaqa family and had shown remorse for his deeds. Ncengwa is also serving time in prison for other crimes unrelated to Magaqa's murder. These include armed robberies. Jail Judge Nontuthuzelo Mlaba said it was in the best interests of society for Ncengwa to be imprisoned. 'Your conduct in agreeing to take the life of a person demonstrates a clear disregard for human life. The right to life is currently one that you enjoy, but one that you took away from the deceased and for selfish reasons,' Mlaba said 'The deceased had a family. He had young children who will forever be denied the privilege of having a present father. 'You did not seem to have considered all the above when you decided to arm yourself, attack and kill the victim in this matter,' Mlaba said. Political killings Mathe said since July 2018, more than 130 accused were sentenced for various crimes linked to murders and attacks of councillors, which were proven to be politically related. 'This number includes hitmen and hit orderers,' Mathe said. NOW READ: 'David vs Goliath': Meta agrees to hand over child porn channel creator information
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Gauteng businessman jailed for R66 million Transnet fraud
Yakub Ahmed Suleman Bhikhu evaded arrest for 6 years until he was apprehended. A Gauteng businessman has been jailed for an effective five years in connection with R66 million Transnet fraud. Yakub Ahmed Suleman Bhikhu and his company, Homix (Pty), appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court on Friday, where the sentence was handed down. Conviction Bhikhu and Homix were convicted on 81 counts, which include fraud, forgery, uttering, money laundering, and contravention of the Tax Administration Act. The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Hent Mamothame, said Bhikhu pleaded guilty to all charges levelled against him and his company. 'He was sentenced to 10 years' direct imprisonment, of which five years were suspended for five years, effectively compelling him to serve five years in prison. He was further ordered to reimburse an amount of R300 000 to Transnet, which he received as gratification'. ALSO READ: Transnet executives Molefe, Gama and two others granted bail [VIDEO] Homix Mamothema said Bhikhu's company was sentenced to a fine of R500 000, which was suspended on condition that it does not commit a similar offence. 'This conviction is as a result of the commissioning of the 81 offences by Bhiku and his company during the period 2012 and 2015, valued at approximately R66 million, which was a loss to Transnet'. State capture According to the IDAC, Bhikhu opened accounts at various banks and forex entities on behalf of Homix, where he was the sole director at the time. Payments stemming from Transnet were then deposited into these accounts and distributed to various individuals and entities by using fraudulent paperwork to facilitate illicit imports and exports. In the process, the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), and various private entities and banks were defrauded to allow the export of currency, which was proven to be illegal. Arrest Mamothame said Bhikhu was informed of the matter against him in about 2017. 'He then evaded arrest for 6 years until he was apprehended on the border whilst trying to enter Botswana. He has been in custody since his arrest and conviction.' 'The NPA's IDAC welcomes the conviction and the direct imprisonment, coming from evidence that was presented in the State Capture Commission and further investigated by IDAC and its stakeholders in the law enforcement fraternity,' Mamothame said. Mamothame added that this collaborative effort lays the basis for the efforts put in place to 'crack the complex state capture cases and other fraud and corruption cases that IDAC is responsible for.' ALSO READ: Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama arrested for R93m Transnet corruption
IOL News
19-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Gauteng businessman jailed for R66 million Transnet fraud after 6 years on the run
A Gauteng businessman has been jailed for an effective five years in connection with R66million Transnet fraud. A Gauteng businessman has been jailed for an effective five years in connection with R66million Transnet fraud. Yakub Ahmed Suleman Bhikhu and his company, Homix (Pty) Ltd, were convicted on 81 counts that include fraud, forgery, uttering, money laundering, and the Contravention of the Tax Administration Act in the Pretoria Regional Court. According to the IDAC, Bhikhu pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years' direct imprisonment, of which five years were suspended for a period of five years. He was further ordered to reimburse an amount of R300,000 to Transnet, which he received as gratification. His company was sentenced to a fine of R500,000, which was suspended on the condition that it does not commit a similar offence. Explaining the charges, the IDAC spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: "This conviction is as a result of the commissioning of the 81 offences by Bhiku and his company during the period 2012 and 2015, valued at approximately R66 million, which was a loss to Transnet. "The Accused opened accounts at various banks and forex entities, on behalf of Homix, where at the time he was the sole director. "Payments stemming from Transnet were then paid into these accounts and dispersed to various other persons and entities by making use of fraudulent paperwork to execute fraudulent imports and exports. "In the process, the SARS, SAR,B and various private entities and banks were defrauded to allow the export of currency, which was proved to be illegal." The Accused was informed of the matter against him in about 2017. "He then evaded arrest for 6 years until he was apprehended on the border whilst trying to enter Botswana." The IDAC said he has been in custody since 2017. The NPA's IDAC welcomes the conviction and the direct imprisonment, coming from evidence that was presented in the State Capture Commission and further investigated by IDAC and its stakeholders in the law enforcement fraternity. IOL News
