Latest news with #SAPSEducationTrust
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
SAPS Education Trust: A lifeline for children of police officers who died in service
Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi advocates for the SAPS Education Trust, ensuring support for the children of fallen police officers. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has shone the spotlight on the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET), after he asked for the money donated to buy him cows to be put in the fund. Mkhwanazi also appealed to those who can donate to the fund to please do so. SAPSET was established in 2010 after the need was identified to provide financial assistance to the children of SAPS employees who lost their lives in service to the nation, by financing the costs of their educational needs. The trust has benefited over 1,700 children since its establishment. Resource support and financial assistance entail a discretionary payment by the trust on behalf of a child or children to an institution recognised, approved, and accredited by the Department of Basic Education or the Department of Higher Education and Training. 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. 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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 ✕ Speaking via video, Mkhwanazi thanked X user, Chris Excel, for the initiative to raise funds for him to buy cows. He appreciated the gesture and the thoughts of goodwill behind the idea of contributing money. The BackaBuddy campaign to buy Mkhwanazi two cows successfully surpassed its initial goal of R35,000, ultimately raising R44,074. 'I'm a civil servant, and the public already thanks me enough through the salary that I receive every month. It is their taxes that compensate us as public servants, and I'm privileged to have been one of those chosen few to serve and protect the people of South Africa through my role as a police officer,' Mkhwanazi said. 'I therefore would like to ask Chris Excel and those who donated the money to please deposit the money into the South African Police Service Education Trust.' The trust pays for the educational needs of the children of SAPS members who died in the line of duty. 'Every year, we gather at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where we commemorate the members who died in the line of duty,' Mkhwanazi said. 'A majority of these members died at a very young age and in the very junior ranks. And therefore, they have not contributed that much in terms of their pension, leaving behind the children who need support from us.' He said an independent board of trustees runs the fund, headed by Chairman Vuyani Jarana. Mkhwanazi said that if Chris and all donors agree with the proposal, the money should then be deposited into the following account: SAPS Education Trust banking details. Image: SAPS 'I'm making a call to everyone who may be able to donate any amount of money to the SAPS Education Trust fund to do so for the noble cause of maintaining dignity and securing the future of children of police officers who get brutally killed while saving and protecting innocent South Africans,' Mkhwanazi said. In some of the testimonies, Pheladi Grace Mphahlele, daughter of the late Warrant Officer Mr KG Mphahlele, wrote a letter expressing appreciation for being assisted with funds to help with her tuition fees. 'I also ask for your financial assistance again this year towards my tuition fees as I am currently studying at the Management College of South Africa (Mancosa), studying for a Bachelor of Business Administration. I would really appreciate it,' Mphahlele said. Amukelani Rivombo said the support helped fulfil a lifelong dream of becoming a civil engineer. 'Without donors like you, many students would be unable to pursue the career of their dreams. I have since managed to complete the theory part of my studies with the help of the trust fund. My plan at this stage is to do in-service training in order to complete my studies. Thanks to generous organisations such as yours, my dream is now within my reach,' Rivombo said.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
‘Hate doesn't shake us': Chris Excel after reaction to Mkhwanazi's praise of controversial X account
Mkhwanazi's mention of the controversial X account Chris Excel hasn't been met with positivity. Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has expressed gratitude towards those who helped set up a crowdfunding initiative in appreciation of his work. However, his specific mention of the controversial X (Twitter) account, Chris Excel, hasn't been met with positivity. The X account, which has more than 3.3 million followers, is known for trolling and making inflammatory remarks, often directed at public figures. 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the X user by the name of Chris Excel who came up with the initiative to raise funds in support of the work that police are doing to keep criminals at bay,' said Mkhwanazi on Wednesday. But speaking to The Citizen, the person behind the Chris Excel account said he was pleased to be mentioned by the venerated Mkhwanazi. 'It was very exciting to hear that Lord Mkhwanazi appreciates the support shown not just by me but the entire South Africa,' Chris Excel said. What began as a public gesture of thanks to Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, launched by @ChrisExcel, has become a gift of opportunity. At the General's request, over R44 000 raised on @backabuddy will be donated to the SAPS Education Trust, funding the education of… — BackaBuddy NPC (@backabuddy) August 14, 2025 'Helping people has been part of this page… we help different people in different situations.' The BackaBuddy campaign was launched on social media last month to raise money for Mkhwanazi to buy two cows as a gesture of gratitude following a widely publicised media briefing held last month by Mkhwanazi. Somehow you had to insert negativity in something positive. I don't know you but you have a dark soul. — Prosper 𝕏 (@qhamadlula_) August 13, 2025 The campaign exceeded its R35 000 target, raising R44 000 in total. In his briefing, Mkhwanazi urged the funds to be donated to the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET). ALSO READ: Campaign raises R44k for Mkhwanazi … but it won't go to the commissioner Chris Excel controversy Chris Excel said the vitriol directed at the account is because 'some women hate this account because it has made it difficult to just wake up and cancel men'. Chris Excel described the account as a shield that has defended many men who were 'falsely accused'. 'So hate doesn't shake us,' said the account holder. For a long time, the account had used content creator Bianca Coster's photo as the profile picture, with several people assuming that it was Coster's personal opinions. Earlier this year, Coster said she has continued to suffer the consequences of having her face used as the account's display picture. 'Why couldn't he use another picture? Why should I constantly shift and change my life to accommodate this Chris Excel person?' Coster said on TikTok. 'He could have used a plant, but he decided to use my face, knowing full well the implications.' She added that this has not only affected her financially, but also impacted her relationships. 'When I say I've taken a hit financially, I mean it. In corporate spaces, in my work as an influencer — I constantly have to explain myself. Even in personal relationships, people will say, 'You look familiar,' or ask, 'Are you that girl from Twitter?' This thing is following me. I can't get away from it,' she added. ALSO READ: WATCH: Bianca Coster says she continues to suffer financially and personally due to Chris Excel Chris Excel has since altered the Coster picture, giving it a more masculine look and no longer resembling Coster. 'This page is not personifying anyone .. there over 50 who are using Bianca Coster photos and her real names. Some are selling nudes,' said Chris Excel. X's policy on impersonation The account holder said the polarising X page never claimed to be Coster and never claimed to be a woman in the picture. 'The reason it doesn't get suspended, the bio clearly says 'commentary account'. According to the Twitter rules, it means it's a fan account. Using Ronaldo's photo doesn't mean you're Ronaldo.' X's policy on impersonation and deceptive identity says that a public figure's image (like Ronaldo) in your profile picture can run afoul of Twitter's impersonation rules if the account misleads others into believing it's that person. The platform defines impersonation as using at least two elements of identity – such as the image and name or bio – to mislead. Chrissy trending for all the right reason(s) 🤭🤭 Mbambiseni ibele 🫠@ChrisExcel102 ❤️ — Queen Misah (@Misah_Mdiza) August 13, 2025 Fan, parody or commentary accounts like that of Chris Excel are allowed, but must clearly state their nature in the account name and bio, as Chris Excel has. Failure to do so can result in suspension. 'The Chris Excel account it's a brand and a commentary account, not a personal account,' said Chris Excel. However, according to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), using someone's image on social media without consent may violate their privacy rights, as POPIA recognises a person's image as personal information; hence, Chris Excel altered Coster's image. NOW READ: 'We are truly sorry': Open Chats Podcast issues apology to coloured community after backlash
News24
3 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Mkhwanazi urges public to donate funds to SAPS Education Trust, not to him directly
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has urged South Africans not to donate funds to him directly, but instead to contribute to the SAPS Education Trust. This comes after an X (formerly Twitter) user launched a crowdfunding campaign to show appreciation for Mkhwanazi. So far, R44 074 has been raised on BackaBuddy. The campaign gained traction after Mkhwanazi's explosive allegations last month at a press conference, where he made damning claims about the inner workings of the country's security cluster. These included allegations that now-suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu was involved in criminal syndicates, interfered in politically motivated murder investigations, and lied to Parliament under oath. Mchunu denied the allegations and said he had nothing to hide. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an inquiry, led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to investigate the allegations. Professor Firoz Cachalia has been serving as police minister since 1 August, pending the outcome of the inquiry. Mkhwanazi said: 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the user who came up with the initiative to raise funds in support of the work that police are doing to keep criminals at bay.' He continued: Although this original idea, supported by those who contributed the money, was to buy cows for myself, I appreciate the gesture and the thoughts of goodwill behind the idea of contributing money. I'm a civil servant, and the public already thanks me enough through the salary that I receive every month. He stressed that public servants were already fairly compensated through taxpayers' money. 'I'm privileged to have been one of those chosen few to serve and protect the people of South Africa through my role as a police officer. I therefore would like to thank the public for their support. I would like to ask those who donated the money to please deposit the money into the South African Police Educational Trust.' The SAPS Education Trust supports the educational needs of children of police officers who died in the line of duty. 'Every year, we gather in a Union building in Pretoria where we commemorate the members who died in the line of duty. A majority of these members died at a very young age and in the very junior ranks. And therefore, they have not contributed that much in terms of their pension, leaving behind the children who need support from us. 'The South African Police Service Education Trust Fund takes care of these children by contributing to their educational needs. And we have already seen some of these children who have graduated as a result of the support of this fund,' he said.
