Latest news with #SOCI
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- The Citizen
Nowhere to hide for high-profile criminals
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has made significant inroads in apprehending individuals involved in high-profile cases, ensuring accountability and justice for victims. This is according to DPCI head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, who briefed media on Thursday on the successes and progress made with regard to high-profile cases in the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year. He said the DPCI remains committed to its mandate of investigating, preventing and combating national priority offences without fear, favour or prejudice. A total of 656 suspects appeared before the various courts in the country during the fourth quarter. Of these arrests, 450 (74%) are South African, whereas 157 (26%) are foreign nationals. 'Of the 656 suspects, the Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) secured 364, the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) secured 220, while the Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) secured 72 suspects before court,' Lebeya said. He said most of the arrests were effected in Gauteng with 139, North West with 99, KZN with 88, and the Eastern Cape and Free State with 73 suspects each. 'During these arrests, 395 firearms and 1 746 rounds of ammunition were seized. Seven clandestine drug laboratories were dismantled with drugs worth a total street value of R23 361 125. 'During this same period, the directorate secured convictions for 239 accused persons. A total of 266 (253 natural and 13 juristic) accused persons, including those convicted in the previous quarters, were sentenced during the quarter under review. 'Of the 253 sentenced natural persons, 139 (55%) are South Africans, while 114 (45%) are foreign nationals. Most of these convictions and sentences were secured in Gauteng,' Lebeya said. He says of these convictions, SOCI secured 157, SCCI secured 73 and SCI secured nine. 'To ensure that crime does not pay, the Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) has contributed towards the issuing of a combined 102 freezing and forfeiture orders amounting to R418 938 340.14. 'Of these orders, 56 were preservation orders with a monetary value of R370 952 439.49, with 45 forfeiture orders with a monetary value of R14 985 900.65 and one restraint order with a monetary value of R33 000 000,' he said. Lebeya said an amount of R19 104 419.50 has been deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account. The Digital Forensic Investigation Section of the PCSI component of the DPCI finalised the extraction and analysis of data evidence from 324 electronic devices within 90 days during the quarter. Attacks on police Touching on police murders by criminals, Lebeya said an attack on police officials was an assault on society and an attack on the state. 'We categorised the killing of police officials as that national priority offence that requires the attention of the DPCI,' Lebeya said. During this period, 22 police officials were murdered, of which 16 were off duty while six were on duty. He said 50% of these murders happened in Gauteng. With regards to cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies, Lebeya said during the fourth quarter, 50 incidents of CIT robberies were received by the directorate. 'A total number of 28 suspects, excluding 10 who died in exchange of gunfire with the police, were arrested. It is comforting that no one was released on bail. 'Over and above this, 36 suspects were arrested in CIT-related cases, making a combined number of 64 arrests for CIT and related crime,' Lebeya said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- The Citizen
Judgment to be handed down in murders of 2 Boksburg North cops
Judgment to be handed down in murders of 2 Boksburg North cops Judgment is expected to be handed down tomorrow in the Johannesburg High Court to two men accused of the October 2022 murders of Boksburg North police officers Sergeant Vusi Batsha (45) and Constable Kgotso Malahlela (24). Boksburg Advertiser reports that the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) secured a guilty verdict against Hlulani Mabuza (32) and Sihle Ntuli (29) in the Johannesburg High Court on April 9. They are facing two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of armed robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Batsha and Malahlela were ambushed while attending an inquest on the corner of Field and Main Reef Road, Lilianton, just before 22:00 on October 21, 2022. The suspects demanded their service firearms, leading to a fatal struggle. Batsha was shot dead at the scene. Malahlela, while seeking cover, was fatally shot moments later. Both service firearms were stolen. Breakthrough According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Ramovha, swift action and intelligence gathering led to a breakthrough on April 22, 2023. 'DPCI SOCI, in collaboration with Gauteng Special Law Enforcement officials, arrested Mabuza and two accomplices at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court. 'Though their initial court appearance for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition on the roll, the SOCI team's prompt re-arrest ensured their detention,' said Ramovha. He added that the police apprehended Ntuli on May 24, 2023, at Harrismith Correctional Services in the Free State following detailed investigations. His interrogation yielded critical information linking him to the crime scene. 'Through exhaustive efforts, investigators built an unassailable case that culminated in justice for the fallen officers,' the spokesperson added. Justice Acting provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Brigadier Phumeza Klaas, lauded the SOCI team's relentless commitment to justice. She also thanked the metro police department and Gauteng Traffic for their invaluable support during the arrests. 'This verdict brings solace to the families of Sergeant Batsha and Constable Malahlela and reaffirms our unwavering dedication to dismantling organised crime and safeguarding our communities,' Klaas said. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Soorty Is Building a More Resilient, Traceable Cotton Supply Chain
The Soorty Organic Cotton Initiative (SOCI) announced this week that its first private-sector textile manufacturer project in Pakistan will be recognized by the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) as a partner in the OCA Seed Commercialization Initiative. Through a seed multiplication initiative, SOCI ensures farmers receive high-quality, high-yield, non-genetically-modified seeds at sustainable costs, creating a path for a stronger, more resilient organic cotton supply chain. The OCA Seed Commercialization Initiative supports farmers in transitioning to organic practices, boosting crop yields, and reducing reliance on chemical inputs. More from Sourcing Journal Traceability Platform Fairly Made Closes 15 Million Euro Funding Round Fiber Traceability: A Competitive Advantage in an Evolving Textile Market Supporting Supplier Relationships to Achieve Traceability Soorty launched SOCI in 2021 as a program that brings organic farming practices and a better way of life to farmers in the Balochistan region of Pakistan. The program debuted with 800 farmers, and enrollment ballooned to 13,000 by 2023. In 2020, SOCI achieved an In-Conversion Year-1 (IC1) certification, which is provided by the Control Union (CU), a third-party certification firm. The achievement confirms the transition to organic farming. SOCI is one of several programs the Pakistani vertical denim manufacturer has in progress to uplift local farmers and promote traceability. Launched last year, the Soorty Regenagri Initiative (SRI) project in collaboration with the Rural Education and Economic Development Society (REEDS) aims to revitalize agricultural ecosystems through regenerative farming. With SRI, Soorty seeks to produce cotton in a more environmentally friendly manner that fosters transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. By implementing regenerative agricultural practices, SRI focuses on enhancing soil health, conserving biodiversity, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting water conservation. Additionally, Soorty is working toward regenerative organic certification by the end of the year. The mill is building traceability into its cotton as well with a project that will help brands (and eventually consumers) gain visibility into the origins of their cotton. The first QR-coded cotton bales are expected to be produced by the end of this year. A state-of-the-art laboratory recently opened at Soorty's facilities in Karachi to monitor and enhance cotton quality, specifically off-season testing under climate-controlled growth room, testing fiber purity, GMO-free seed, and sustainability metrics to ensure high industry standards. Soorty is also partnering with SAWiE, a digital agricultural platform that leverages data analytics and AI to provide farmers with real-time insights, resource optimization, GIS-based remote sensing, farmer advisory, and climate-smart farming solutions. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Soorty, OCA partner to boost sustainable cotton in Pakistan
Through Soorty's partnership in the OCA Seed Commercialization Initiative it is tackling the long-standing challenge of providing access to safe, non-genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton seeds and boosting the traceability of sustainable cotton in Pakistan. By participating in this project, SOCI can supply farmers with dependable access to superior, non-GMO seeds, marking a significant advancement in the cultivation of organic cotton. Soorty agriculture ventures and traceability head Dr Yousaf said: "As we embrace project digitalisation, we are revolutionising farmer advisory with modern tools, ensuring traceability through the digital bale passport, and strengthening our initiatives with a dedicated seed laboratory. By launching the new ROC project, we are not just advancing sustainability — we are empowering farmers, enhancing transparency, and shaping the future of responsible agriculture." Soorty's approach to sustainability encompasses a broad spectrum of activities including regenerative and organic farming, recycling advancements, traceability efforts, and ethical manufacturing practices. The company integrates responsible sourcing, an innovative culture, social impact, and digital transparency to demonstrate that denim production can be conducted in a manner that benefits both the environment and individuals within the supply chain. Soorty's additional sustainability endeavours include promoting social uplift and transforming Pakistan's cotton sector via sustainable practices. SOCI and the Soorty Regenagri Initiative (SRI) are central to these efforts, providing non-GMO, ethically produced cotton that also rejuvenates the soil. These initiatives offer farmers financial stability, education, and ongoing support while integrating traceability solutions and ensuring fair market access for growers. Second Life, a trademark brand of recycled cotton products under the Soorty umbrella, enhances Soorty's commitment to circularity by converting post-consumer and post-industrial waste into new, traceable denim products. Soorty is also working towards achieving Regenerative Organic certification by year-end. This certification will complement Soorty's existing organic programmes aimed at enhancing soil health and biodiversity. Furthermore, the company has initiated a project that will provide brand partners and eventually consumers with visibility into the origins of their cotton. The introduction of QR-coded cotton bales is anticipated by the end of this year, enabling users to verify the source of their cotton and promote accountability within the supply chain. The newly established Soorty Seed Integrity Lab represents another investment in quality assurance. The lab is equipped to conduct off-season testing in climate-controlled environments, assess fibres purity, verify GMO-free seeds, and measure sustainability metrics to uphold industry standards. Soorty has also partnered with digital agriculture platform SAWIE to empower farmers by providing them with access to data analytics and artificial intelligence through a digital agricultural platform. A formal agreement was signed on 22 January as part of Soorty's dedication to enhancing cotton-growing communities in Pakistan. SAWIE CEO Dr Khalid Mahmood said: 'Through SAWIE Trace, we are enabling full transparency from farm to fashion, ensuring that every step of the journey is rooted in sustainability. By integrating regenerative and organic farming systems, we aim to reduce the ecological footprint of cotton, enhance water conservation, improve soil health, lower carbon emissions, and improve farmer incomes. This partnership marks a significant step towards a more responsible and climate-smart textile industry.' Soorty is implementing initiatives that strengthen women's roles in farming communities and digitising financial transactions to increase transparency and efficiency for all stakeholders involved. In August last year, Soorty Enterprises claimed to be the first organisation in Pakistan seeking to hit net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validating its near-term reduction targets. "Soorty, OCA partner to boost sustainable cotton in Pakistan" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
