Latest news with #R740
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa denies R740 million National Dialogue budget, saying costs will be cut
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he did not allow the R740 million budget to be coughed from taxpayers' money to fund the National Dialogue. President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied that taxpayers will foot a R740 million bill to fund the National Dialogue, saying the event will be conducted at minimal cost and will be hosted at free venues such as community halls, schools and churches. Speaking at the launch of the inaugural National Convention of the National Dialogue at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria on Thursday, Ramaphosa dismissed reports of extravagant spending. 'That amounts to R740 million to be utilised. We can have this dialogue much cheaper. Much lower costs must be the order of the day,' he said, addressing delegates at UNISA's ZK Matthews Hall. Ramaphosa expressed his gratitude to UNISA Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula for offering the venue free of charge. 'We were very fortunate. The University of South Africa, the Vice-Chancellor - the good professor - immediately said, 'You know what? We'll cut off all those costs. We'll give you this beautiful venue for free.' Now, that is exactly what we are going to seek to do. We will be going around the country,' he said.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa expresses hope for National Dialogue amid public discord
President Cyril Ramaphosa opening the National Dialogue's first national convention at the University of South Africa's main campus in Pretoria. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newpapers Despite disagreements displayed publicly at the start of the National Dialogue's first national convention, President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared hopeful that the gathering would achieve its objectives. Ramaphosa officially opened the convention at the University of South Africa's (Unisa's) main campus in Pretoria on Friday. At the start of proceedings, organisers, some of whom are members of the preparatory committee, remonstrated on the main stage shortly after Unisa vice-chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula delivered her welcoming address. Instead of Ramaphosa delivering the keynote speech, a panel discussion on challenges facing South Africans, such as joblessness and the importance of solid leadership, among others, was held. 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 ✕ When he finally spoke, Ramaphosa said he undertook to lower the costs of the National Dialogue from R740 million. "We can have this dialogue much cheaper; much lower costs must be the order of the day," he said. Ramaphosa said as part of his intervention, South Africans would meet in homes, schools, lecture and community halls, churches, synagogues, mosques and temples, as well as boardrooms and on the shop-floor in villages, townships and cities, as well as under trees. He also thanked Unisa for hosting the national convention and providing its facilities and services free of charge. "We will be going around the country, we will desist from hiring halls, expensive halls in hotels. That is how we are going to bring the costs down," Ramaphosa promised. He said South Africans did not want too much money for the conversations of the National Dialogue. According to Ramaphosa, in previous similar events, there have been moments where others have chosen not to participate. Several legacy foundations representing former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe pulled out of the two-day gathering, along with political parties in the Government of National Unity, such as the DA and the Freedom Front Plus, also snubbed the event over fears that it would be a government-led process. ActionSA and the SA Federation of Trade Unions also announced they would not be part of the national convention. Ramaphosa said those standing outside would one day have no choice but to join the National Dialogue. "Let us be reminded that our disagreements are small compared to the magnitude of what we can achieve together," he said. The president added that nations are not solely defined by their difficulties but by how they respond to them. His assessment was that South Africans all agree that the country is not where it ought to be and that it is broken. Ramaphosa said when prominent figures and organisations were pulling out of the national convention and calls were growing for it to be postponed, he sought the Eminent Persons Group's (EPG's) counsel.
The Citizen
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Outa urges probe into R56 million Polokwane tender scandal
Polokwane municipality has rejected corruption allegations as politically motivated, claiming the tender processes were lawful. The non-profit civil rights group, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), has called on relevant authorities to investigate allegations of more than R50 million worth of corruption involving the Polokwane mayor and municipal manager. Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage was reacting to allegations that mayor John Mpe and municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni awarded a R56.3 million tender to a company linked to a Zimbabwean national believed to be close to them. Whistle-blower report prompts Outa's call for action The allegation surfaced recently after the matter was reported by local media and shared on social media. 'These allegations should be investigated, more so if the anonymous whistle-blower provides sufficient evidence/facts about the allegations,' Duvenage said. 'The extent of corruption and patronage in municipalities is outrageous. All oversight entities and the criminal justice system must act with urgency to assess the facts, suspend the individuals concerned and ensure accountability and if necessary, criminal charges are applied soonest.' Opposition reveals scale of irregular contracts DA councillor Jacques Joubert said the allegations contained in the documents 'show that there were irregularities with about 28 foreign-owned companies awarded tenders amounting to more than R740 million. 'The spreadsheets outline bid numbers and contract values mostly awarded between 2022 and 2023,' said Joubert. ALSO READ: DA wants Joburg tenders linked to Kenny Kunene investigated 'According to the documents, the tenders were given to people with proximity to the high-level officials. Where there is smoke, there is often fire. Mayor urged to support independent investigation 'The outcome of the investigations that we want on the matter should be made public to ensure full transparency and accountability. If the mayor and city manager indeed feel they have nothing to hide, they should welcome any independent investigation into the matter. 'I understand the mayor has ambitions to become premier, so he would need to tackle this cloud over his name.' Polokwane municipality dismisses allegations Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala denied the allegations and said it was a smear campaign aimed at discrediting the two officials. Selala defended the mayor and municipal manager. 'We would like to address the recent defamatory claims circulating on digital platforms. It is both necessary and urgent to clarify the facts and expose the political motives behind a series of orchestrated attacks aimed at undermining the integrity of the municipality and its leadership. Officials blame political motives and selective outrage 'The people of Polokwane deserve the truth, not sensationalised fiction designed to destabilise the municipality that is focused on service delivery, clean governance and inclusive development,' Selala said. 'We have noted with concern, contempt and disappointment the continued circulation of unfounded, malicious and misleading allegations on anonymous online platforms. ALSO READ: Man sentenced for defrauding Amtola Water Board in tender scam 'These claims attempt to falsely implicate the mayor and manager and we reject these allegations as baseless, defamatory and politically motivated.' Selala said the matter was an orchestrated smear campaign and politically motivated. 'These attacks often resurface around politically significant periods and are part of a broader agenda by individuals and factions that have lost democratic influence.' He added that the municipality did business with more than 100 companies and service providers across diverse categories of work. It was concerning and suspicious that only a select few were being singled out. 'Why is Polokwane municipality being singled out?' 'It is also important to note that many of the companies listed in recent allegations have been awarded contracts through lawful, competitive bidding processes, before the appointments of both the mayor and municipal manager.' He said that some of the accused companies and others had ongoing relationships with the municipality as far back as 2017, 2018 and 2020 – well before the current leadership team. 'Why is Polokwane municipality being singled out? The answer lies not in procurement irregularities – of which there are none – but in an intensifying campaign of targeted misinformation.' NOW READ: Gauteng health maintains court 'misinterpreted law in waste tender matter
Daily Maverick
20-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
AI scams surge — Experts warn as people to adopt ‘zero trust mindset'
At Nelson Mandela University's SecureHER seminar, cybersecurity expert Prof Kerry-Lynn Thomson warned that AI-powered scams are evolving fast, putting South Africans at risk of losing more than just money. As fraud surges nationally, Thomson urged vigilance to stay one step ahead of scammers in an increasingly deceptive digital world. In a world where a single click or call can cost you everything — from your savings to your identity — the latest wave of AI-powered scams is leaving South Africans more vulnerable than ever. That warning came loud and clear this week at Nelson Mandela University, where cybersecurity experts gathered to arm women with the tools to fight back. Held in honour of South Africa's approaching Women's Day, the seminar tackled topics across the spectrum of cyber, financial, educational and personal safety. But it was Professor Kerry-Lynn Thomson's sobering warning on the rise of AI-enabled cybercrime that left the audience with a new sense of urgency. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Fraud is rising — and getting personal According to the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS), there was a 600% increase in incidents of fraud from 2018–2022. Digital payments in particular have come to represent the highest proportion of financial loss attributed to fraud – consumers lost over R740 million in 2022. In May at the SAFPS annual summit, CEO Manie van Schalkwyk said, 'Fraud has evolved and is becoming more sophisticated, more targeted and more personal.' Read more: Fraud prevention service saves clients more than R5bn as scams soar in 2024 The new face of cybercrime Thomson, a leading cybersecurity expert at the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa and a professor at Nelson Mandela University, agreed, painting a picture of a rapidly shifting digital landscape — one where malicious actors exploit the very technologies designed to improve our lives. 'Artificial intelligence is only going to get better and better,' she cautioned. 'We are entering an era where it will become increasingly difficult — if not impossible — to distinguish what is real from what isn't.' advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads She warned of the growing prevalence of deepfakes, synthetic voices and AI-generated scams that prey on people's trust. 'Cybercriminals are playing a long game. They research you, mimic your family and friends, and then use that information against you,' she said. The result? People aren't just losing money. They're losing their identities, their privacy, and in many cases, their dignity. According to Prof Thomson, three of the most common AI-enabled attacks are: Investment and cryptocurrency scams, often accompanied by AI-generated adverts or fake videos featuring celebrities promising massive returns. 'Those 'too good to be true' opportunities usually are,' she said. Highly convincing phishing emails, now written without the spelling and grammatical errors that used to give them away. 'AI makes them perfect — polished, professional, and sometimes even personalised,' she noted. Business Email Compromise (BEC), where scammers use voice cloning and deepfakes to impersonate senior executives, requesting urgent payments or access to confidential data. 'Cybersecurity incidents are increasing year on year, both for individuals and organisations, and threat actors are constantly finding new ways to exploit us using AI and emerging technologies,' said Thompson. Her advice? Adopt a 'zero trust mindset'— an approach that's less about paranoia and more about pause. 'It's not about removing trust, it's about establishing it. Think before you react. Social engineers thrive on emotional triggers like fear and panic. So when something feels urgent or emotionally charged — a message, a phone call, a WhatsApp — take a breath, pause, and verify.' advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Real-world stories brought home the importance of everything Thomson said. Professor Margaret Cullen, the event organiser, shared her brush with cybercrime. 'I received a call from my bank, or so I thought, very late at night. They were asking for details that were just a bit too confidential. I knew something was not right,' she said. 'I ended the call immediately. But it was a close one.' Nomfezeko Gqadu also opened up about her experience. 'I just noticed that I couldn't make or receive any calls. My phone was completely dead. I couldn't access WhatsApp or anything,' she recalled. 'Then I quickly got hold of a lady I know who is tech-savvy. She dialled a few things and got it sorted. But I could see there had been several attempts to get into my banking apps.' Prof Thomson emphasised that while there was no 'silver bullet' for online security, there are steps South Africans can take to protect themselves. 'Two-factor authentication—or even better, multi-factor authentication—is one of the most effective tools available,' she said. 'Yet so many people still haven't enabled it.' Other critical steps include using a password manager to create unique, strong passwords for every account, keeping all devices updated, and installing reputable antivirus software. 'Reusing passwords across multiple platforms is still one of the most common mistakes,' she warned. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) also recently issued an urgent warning that criminals are using artificial intelligence to clone voices, impersonate bank officials and trick unsuspecting victims into handing over their life savings. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Read more: AI-powered scams drain South Africans' bank accounts — here's how to protect your money How to protect yourself from fraud Sabric recommends these steps to avoid becoming a victim: Be wary of investment offers promising guaranteed returns. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. of investment offers promising guaranteed returns. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Never download banking apps from links sent via WhatsApp, SMS, or email. Always use official app stores. from links sent via WhatsApp, SMS, or email. Always use official app stores. Verify before you trust. If someone claims to be from your bank, hang up and call the official number directly. before you trust. If someone claims to be from your bank, hang up and call the official number directly. Banks will never ask for your PIN, OTP, or banking passwords. for your PIN, OTP, or banking passwords. Report suspicious activity. Contact your bank and report fraud attempts. DM
IOL News
30-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Rand holds steady despite ANC and DA squabbles
Despite the ongoing tensions between the ANC and the DA, which threaten to disrupt the Government of National Unity (GNU), the local currency remains unfazed as the DA's ultimatum to President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss ministers passes without action. Ramaphosa's removal from the office of the then Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield, towards the end of last week resulted in a war of words between the two largest parties in the GNU. DA leader John Steenhuisen last Thursday issued an ultimatum to Ramaphosa to get rid of three MPs in an effective 'or else' message. 'Within the next 48 hours, we will find out if the DA stands alone as the only party that can be trusted to govern responsibly and take South Africa forward,' he said. That Saturday deadline came and went without Ramaphosa acceding to his wishes. The rand has hardly moved. By lunchtime on Monday, it was trading at R17.77, more or less flat on the day. On a more historical level, it is trading at around a six-month low. Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE, said: 'The DA's antics have had little effect on the rand'. In a note, he stated that the DA is so 'upset' that the party won't be taking part in Ramaphosa's new national discussion plan. This plan brings together prominent figures, including business leaders and the rugby captain, to discuss how to address the country's problems, but it will cost R740 million, explained Cilliers.
