Latest news with #R7-million
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor accused of ‘financial misconduct' over funding rollover for flood disaster projects
The ANC-led coalition government in Nelson Mandela Bay on Thursday rammed through the approval of a 'top up' from city coffers to fund flood disaster projects that were intended to be financed by a R53-million conditional grant. While the Nelson Mandela Bay metro remains at high risk of losing R53-million in flood disaster funding for Kariega, Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe on Wednesday urged council to approve that a top-up amount be paid from city coffers to fund the shortfall in the projects. According to council documents, the metro has spent R1.6-million of the proposed R52.3-million so far — and the mayor wants R7-million from the Roads and Stormwater budget to be reprioritised for flood projects as a 'top up'. Democratic Alliance councillor Rano Kayser pointed out to the mayor that the rollover for the funding had not yet been approved by the National Treasury. He cited a Treasury circular stating that rollovers would not be granted in cases where key positions such as city manager and chief financial officer (CFO) have been vacant for more than six months — or where CFOs have been serving in acting roles beyond that period. Kayser said the city failed to spend the money in time. 'The Acting City Manager gave us the assurance that the money will be spent,' Kayser said. 'He even boldly said he visited Kariega, but after all these visits he still failed to spend the R53-million.' In June 2024, Kariega was hit by devastating flash-flooding after a cloud burst dumped 230mm of rain in the area in less than two hours. In October, heavy rains in the metro again damaged parts of Kariega and Gqeberha. But as it was a conditional grant, there was a limited time during which the money could be spent. The metro did not spend the money in time and now has to apply for a rollover of funds. In a letter addressed to Lobishe, Kayser pointed out that the metro must apply for a rollover of the funds by 31 August and a decision in this regard will only be made by 22 October. He said despite no application for a rollover being made by the metro, Lobishe has now asked the metro to approve a 'top-up' budget to be paid from the metro's budget. This, Kayser pointed out in his letter, was 'financial misconduct. This item illustrates the failure and incompetence of the administration. The item is misleading to the council.' He stressed in council that no rollover of the funding had been approved. On its social media pages, the metro claimed the council approved the rollover of funding, but added that this must still be approved by National Treasury. 'I wrote to the executive mayor tabling the allegations of misconduct,' Kayser added. 'She has 7 days to bring the item to council. It has all the elements of misconduct.' He said the metro, through its failure to spend the money, had lost R53-million. 'It may be in the bank account, but it cannot be used. For every project relating to the floods the money has been lost.' The ACDP's Lance Grootboom agreed. 'This is conditional funding. You must apply to the National Treasury for a rollover first,' he said. He pointed out that Treasury was clear in a circular that no rollover requests will be considered where a municipality has a vacant CFO post or had a CFO in an acting position for more than six months. Added to the risk, Grootboom pointed out, is that the metro's city manager has been on suspension (since 2023). 'It is basically an illegal request,' he said. 'You want the metro to top up the money, but you will only get an answer [later].' He later said the issue would have to be addressed by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. The metro has a pattern of underspending grant funding from National Treasury and has in the past three years lost millions. The MMC for Budget and Treasury Khanya Ngqisha said the opposition was telling the metro not to spend the money. 'We have an accounting officer. He doesn't take decisions without advice. The problem is that some of the political parties listen to wrong advice from junior officials.' He admitted that no money was spent yet. 'If there is anything wrong, the Auditor-General will deal with it.' Acting City Manager Ted Pillay said Lobishe's request should be amended to indicate a budget adjustment instead of a rollover. This was then approved by the council. However, Lobishe then later, after voting, said she didn't want the changes proposed by Pillay. 'He had no right to correct my item. I didn't fix it myself.' A second decision, this time based on the original, unamended item, was then passed — despite objections from opposition councillors, who argued this violated council procedures. They said the proper route was for the Speaker to take the item on review. DM
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- The Citizen
Alleged buyer of stolen transformer denied bail, case postponed
A case involving four suspects accused of stealing a transformer from Laudium valued at R7-million, has been postponed to August 5. This after the fourth suspect, Katlego Molepo (32), from Middelburg appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrates' Court for his bail application on July 11. Molepo is alleged to be the buyer of the transformer stolen from the Claudius Substation in Laudium. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said, 'The matter was postponed to August 5, 2025, for a regional court transfer.' 'The court ruled that it would not be in the interest of justice to grant Molepo bail,' she said, adding that his co-accused, three city officials, were granted bail. Molepo had handed himself over to police at the Atteridgeville Police Station on July 6. 'The city officials, Kleinbooy Mahlangu (45) from Soshanguve, Thomas Baloi (41) from Pretoria North, and Daniel Kubayi (50) from Hammanskraal were granted bail [on July 8],' said Mahanjana. The three were arrested on July 1 after a nearly year-long thorough investigation into the transformer theft. 'The four accused are facing charges related to the theft of essential infrastructure,' she said. She said SAPS and TMPD allegedly responded to a tip-off about a theft in progress at the Claudius Substation on November 7, 2024. 'Upon arrival, they found cranes, trucks, and a City of Tshwane-branded vehicle on site. As no proof of work authorisation could be provided, 11 people were arrested at the scene.' Mahanjana said 10 individuals were later released from custody. 'Another City of Tshwane official, Madimetja Jacob Malebane (38), who was also arrested at the scene, appeared in court on 28 November 2024 and was released on bail,' she said. She said during the police investigation, it was discovered that Mahlangu, Baloi, and Kubayi had fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. 'Warrants of arrest were issued, and the three were arrested at their respective workplaces,' she said. Mahanjana added that during his bail application, Molepo, through his legal representative, argued that the State had a weak case against him. 'He further claimed he should be released because he is a father of four, has a wife to support, and suffers from a chronic illness,' she said. She said, however, Prosecutor Grace Komane opposed the application. She said Komane cited the seriousness of the offence and Molepo's previous conviction for defrauding the Unemployment Insurance Fund. 'That conviction resulted in a sentence of five years' direct imprisonment or a fine of R40 000,' she said. Komane added that Molepo allegedly committed the current offence just ten months after that conviction, showing that he could commit more crimes. Mahanjana also said the magistrate agreed with the State, adding, 'The accused is facing a serious charge. His medical condition can be managed while in custody.' She said Molepo failed to provide evidence that his children would suffer undue hardship if he were not granted bail. 'There are no substantial or compelling circumstances warranting his release,' she said. WATCH PREVIOUS VIDEO OF THE SYNDICATES BEING NABBED: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: R7-million goalkeeper to make way for new signing
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeping department is set to undergo changes. Kaizer Chiefs are making wholesale changes across their squad. Meaning, no position is immune to being cut by Amakhosi management. The latest player heading out is this R7-million goalkeeper. Chiefs will be loaning out of selling Fiacre Ntwari. 'Its believed that they are still planning on loaning out Ntwari and bringing in another goalkeeper, but that will affect Ntwari and Chiefs are still working on his move before the start of the season,' the insider told SNL. Meaning, Amakhosi plans to release Ntwari. Meanwhile, Chiefs are still in the market for a new goalkeeper. So, Nasreddine Nabi and Amakhosi management are set to release Ntwari to make space for a new keeper. This will also free up a foreign-based spot in the Amakhosi squad. Stanley Nwabili is one of the big-name potential replacements lined up by Chiefs. Yanga SC have expressed interested in signing Ntwari. 'Yanga SC have enquired about Ntwari and it remains to be seen whether they are the rightful suitors or there are teams locally who could get him on loan. But from Chiefs perspective, they are still looking at opening space in the goalkeeping department,' he added on the same publication. So, a move out of Naturena is in the best interest of both parties involved. For Ntwari, he needs to move if he is going to play more regularly. He was dropped by Nabi halfway through the 2024/25 PSL season. He was replaced by Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma who rotated the starting berth in goal throughout the second half of the campaign. Meanwhile, as mentioned, Chiefs want to create space for a new goalkeeper and they want to free up space for future international signings. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- The Citizen
Fourth suspect in R7m transformer theft awaits bail hearing, case postponed
The case of the three Tshwane officials accused in the brazen theft of a transformer worth R7-million has been postponed to July 11. This comes after a fourth accused, Katlego Molepo (32), handed himself over to the Atteridgeville police station on July 6, according to the NPA. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the case was postponed for Molepo's bail hearing, which the state opposes. 'The case was postponed to July 11 for the Schedule 6 opposed bail application of the fourth accused,' she said. She said Molepo is the alleged buyer of the transformer and would be facing the same charge as the three officials accused of stealing a transformer valued at R7-million. 'All three are facing a charge of theft of essential infrastructure, relating to a transformer stolen from the Claudius Substation in Laudium.' Mahanjana said on July 8, the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court granted the three Tshwane officials bail. 'Kleinbooy Mahlangu (45) from Soshanguve was granted bail of R35 000, while Thomas Baloi (41) from Pretoria North and Daniel Kubayi (50) from Hammanskraal were each granted bail of R30 000.' The three were arrested on July 1 after the Gauteng Organised Crime unit conducted almost a year-long thorough investigation of the theft of the transformer. She said the TMPD and SAPS allegedly responded to a tip-off about a theft in progress at the Claudius Substation on November 7, 2024. 'Upon arrival, they found cranes, trucks, and a City of Tshwane-branded vehicle on-site. When no proof of work authorisation could be provided, 11 people were arrested,' she said. Mahanjana said 10 individuals were later released from custody. She said during investigations, it was found that Mahlangu, Baloi, and Kubayi had fled the scene before police arrived. 'Warrants of arrest were issued, and the three were arrested at their respective workplaces,' she said. Mahanjana added that the state did not oppose their release on bail. 'Prosecutor Grace Komane submitted an affidavit from Investigating Officer Sergeant Thabo Lukhele, stating that the accused had co-operated with the police, is permanently employed by the City of Tshwane, and therefore they do not pose a flight risk,' she said. She said the affidavit also noted that the investigation is nearly complete, with most witness statements already collected. LISTEN: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates star wants to leave! Several clubs lined up
This Orlando Pirates player is unhappy and is actively searching for a new club to join. Orlando Pirates have released FIVE players so far – Innocent Maela, Miguel Timm, Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo. However, they are not done with trimming their squad. In fact, FOUR more Bucs players are heading out of Mayfair. Now, one of them is searching for a new club with plans for his departure already underway. Karim Kimvuidi wants to leave Pirates. Moreover, the midfielder is pursuing a move to another club. 'Kimvuidi is pursuing a move from Pirates after two years of battling to establish himself as a regular at the club despite all the potential he showed while at Maritzburg United,' the insider stated on KickOff. He is unhappy with his lack of playing time. So, he is now in search of more regular playing time. Given Pirates recent transfer activity, his situation is unlikely to change. They have signed high quality midfielders such as Sihle Nduli, Sipho Mbule and promising defensive midfielder Masindi Nemtajela. Meaning, he is set to fall further down the Bucs midfield pecking order. Therefore, an exit is in the best interest of both parties. Pirates have recieved enquiries from Europe (Belgium and Spain) for Kimvuidi. 'Kimvuidi has also had enquiries from Belgium club Royal Chaleroi while his name was also rubbed on Spanish second tier league club Real Racing Club de Santander,' the insider added. Meanwhile top sides in Africa have also reached out to Pirates about Kimvuidi's availability. TP Mazembe and Algerian club JS Kabyile have expressed interest in signing the Bucs midfielder. However, the latter (JS Kabyile) interest has been deterred as they are not willing to pay more than R3.5 million for Kimvuidi with a R7-million price tag attached, according to the same publication. Pirates new head coach Ouaddou will be appointing a new captain to take charge of a new-look Bucs side as the Soweto giants usher in the new era. Pirates have signed a total of NINE new players from the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, PSL rivals, African giants as well as Bafana Bafana. Meanwhile, as mentioned, FIVE Bucs stars have left. Additionally, another FOUR Pirates players are heading out of Mayfair. Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Email us on info@ or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
