Latest news with #Scorpions
The Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Protection of whistle-blowers must be a priority in SA
After the media briefing by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on July 6 there were people who raised issues of protocol, but the reality is that whistle-blowing becomes a worthwhile possibility when established protocols for reporting wrongdoing within the institution collapse or when the institution itself is conflicted in the delinquency. It assists as a critical instrument for promoting accountability and transparency when internal reporting mechanisms are laughable or unproductive. As correctly captured already in 1998, then-president Thabo Mbeki described the extent of corruption in South Africa as moral mayhem perpetrated by deviants. Mbeki further characterised these individuals as the proponents of antinomian culture and implored the public to rebel against them (Mkhabela 2020). He suggested that the rebellion must be public because the conspiracy of individuals in wrongdoing is a deviant behaviour contrary to the common good and is usually cloaked in silence. The battle will be taken to the corrupt (Mkhabela 2020). It's essential say that some of what was said by Mkhwanazi in the media conference made me reflect on how Mbeki was concerned about risks to state security that could surface from the potential clash between the Scorpions, the NPA and the SAPS, and the subsequent establishment of the Ginwala Commission. Mkhwanazi said in the briefing that on June 25 2025, the project co-ordinator of the political killings task team was arrested by the IDAC (Investigating Directorate Against Corruption). This is the IDAC that has brought a glimmer of hope and I would have thought that it would emulate the high level of investigations comparable to the Scorpions with an extraordinary conviction rate. Therefore, the mentioning of the IDAC in the media conference made you ponder whether there is some sympathetic pushback that is meant to benefit the recently arrested crime intelligence officers. But I took solace in the fact that Mkhwanazi has been in the forefront of fighting crime in KwaZulu-Natal. The contemplation also brought to mind the drama that characterised the case against former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi, where minister (Siyabonga) Cwele brought an application to stop ex-national intelligence co-ordinating committee head Barry Gilder testifying against Selebi. In turning down the appeal, judge (Meyer) Joffe said state security could not be compromised more than it had already been. In this second coming of what the country once experienced, the population must not allow itself to be influenced by pretenders and constitutional delinquents such as former president Jacob Zuma and his lieutenants in the MK party. We cannot now develop amnesia and forget that it was Zuma who led the charge on rewriting the report of the public protector on the SABC and the report titled 'When Government and Ethics Fail' in defence of the less-qualified Hlaudi Motsoeneng. In the second report of the public protector, titled 'Secured in Comfort', instead of acting in accordance with corrective action, the executive under Zuma found, among other idiosyncrasies, that the swimming pool constructed at Nkandla was in fact a 'fire pool', therefore qualifying as a security feature, with Nhlanhla Nene and Thulas Nxesi conspiring. The Nkandla scandal directly uncovered Zuma's betrayal of the people of SA and the constitution. The National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council is correct to sound alarm bells in the country still emerging from the grip of state capture, and the urgency to protect whistle-blowers has never been greater. SA is at a perilous juncture in strengthening its anti-corruption architecture, with a specific focus on protecting whistle-blowers. State capture symbolises that the state itself can be branded as mainly serving the interests of focus groups with criminal elements fitted in. Whistle-blowers have been essential in exposing corruption scandals in SA, saving the country millions. Yet many continue to suffer dire consequences, including harassment, job loss and serious financial ramifications. In keeping with the sentiments in the Mkhwanazi briefing where he says there can never be peace between a criminal and a cop, we must not tolerate disgraced former police colonels such as Vincent Mdunge, who traded their blue overalls for orange ones. The government functionaries must never find themselves going all out in dishonouring the whistle-blower and honouring the corrupt and the powerful. I agree with the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council that we need clear legislative reforms and an effective framework for whistle-blower protection. The new whistle-blower protection bill must include the criminalisation of retaliation against whistle-blowers. When the protocol fails, we cannot avoid the public whistle-blowing method. As Mbeki said, the rebellion must be public because the collusion of individuals in wrongdoing is deviant behaviour. A mechanism must be created for the president to account in parliament about the number of protected disclosure submissions to his office and their current status, inclusive of departments, without mentioning names of the whistle-blowers. The public confidence must be restored and those who are reporting wrongdoing must be given attention. SA constructed a constitution that is distinct and far-reaching in its provisions. Among other things, it created a collection of constitutionally protected institutions to strengthen democracy and these institutions are obligated to account to parliament. The country cannot expect a constitutional delinquent such as Zuma to appreciate the importance of this constitution as the Constitutional Court pronounced on many occasions about his conduct. In his next trip to the Union Buildings, convicted criminal Mdunge must take wise counselling from Mkhwanazi that there will never be peace between the criminal and the cop. Dr Tony Duba (MPL), chair of Committees and ECPL, is writing in his personal capacity The Herald
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
'Disbanding crime-fighting Scorpions was a blunder'
Retired Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has stated that the Hawks, a crime-fighting unit, are not equipped for the task. He criticised the ANC's decision to disband the Scorpions. Image: Picture: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers This week, former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo reignited an old debate by stating that the Hawks, a crime-fighting unit, are not equipped for the task. He criticised the ANC's decision to disband the Scorpions. Speaking at the South African Council of Churches' national church leaders' anti-corruption conference in Johannesburg. ''In the early 2000s, we had the Scorpions, which were very effective in fighting corruption. The criminals had begun to fear them.'In 2007, at the ANC elective conference, a resolution was taken to disband them. ''And they were disbanded. The results are there for all of us to see what happened about the levels of corruption, because I don't believe the Hawks, which were said to have taken their place, are up to that job,' he was quoted by IOL. Next Stay Close ✕ He said the State Capture Commission, which he chaired, in its report, refers to several cases that were lodged in 2017 by the board of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), which was chaired by Popo Molefe. 'We all know that corruption at Prasa has been there for ages, and nothing effective is being done. This board had gone to the Hawks and reported these criminal activities, and there were statements given. ''At the time of preparing the report of the (Zondo) Commission, in early 2022, which was about five years later, there was nobody who was arrested, and the Hawks said they were still investigating,' he added. The Directorate of Special Operations (DSO), commonly known as the Scorpions, was a specialised unit of the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa formed by President Thabo Mbeki, tasked with investigating and prosecuting high-level and priority crimes, including organised crime and corruption. The Scorpions pursued a "prosecution-led" approach or "troika model", meaning that investigators, forensic analysts, and prosecutors worked together on each case – investigators collected evidence for study by analysts, and both were directed by the needs of prosecutors in building a legally strong case. However, this model was criticised for undermining "the separation of powers" between investigators and prosecutors. Between 2005 and 2007, they initiated 368 investigations, completed 264, and prosecuted 214, with a conviction rate of 85%; during that period, they also seized R1 billion in assets and contraband worth R1 billion. Political expert, Sandile Swana, agreed with Zondo that the dissolution of the Scorpions during the 2007 ANC conference was a blunder: '''The Polokwane Conference was the opening of the floodgates of corruption. Now, whoever Zondo had been, the Sergeant General or the Professor of UCT, the Principal of UCT or anywhere else, the person of prominence, commenting on how we have allowed ourselves to be corrupted and accommodated corruption. '''The Hawks were a defamed scorpion, a scorpion that had no teeth. And as we can see from the assertions by General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi now, the police as a whole is captured on the one hand by the mafia organised crime, on the other by politicians, and the policing in South Africa is ineffectual in any capacity whatsoever.'' Swana pointed the finger at the unions and churches, and the nation for not defending the Scorpions. ''So the public, those who were not part of the ANC factions, needed to rise. The South African Council of Churches, the civil society, all those, the unions, COSATU and others. Instead, they supported this dissolution." A few months ago, African National Congress (ANC) stalwart and former premier of Limpopo, Stanley Mathabatha, made an admission about the Scorpions: 'The mistake was to destroy the good structures that we had established to exert the authority of the state, for example, the Scorpions. I still believe it was a fundamental mistake to do away with the Scorpions. I was there (at the Polokwane conference), hence I am owning up to the mistake,' Mathabatha was qouted by IOL. Asked for comment on Zondo's remarks, ANC National Spokesperson, Mahlangu Bhengu, said: ''The ANC does not often respond to the views of retired members of the Judiciary. We believe there are checks and balances in place to address prosecutorial independence by established institutions, one of which is IDAC. '' IDAC is the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption.''We must continue to strengthen all three parts of the value chain in our criminal justice system, i.e, investigations, prosecutions and judicial work,'' she added.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Zodiac signs who are likely to build Shiva Temples
Building a Shiva temple is not something casual, it is a direct blessing from Lord Shiva if a person is able to build that in life. This means that Lord Shiva is showering his blessings on you if would ever be able to create Shiva temple and it happens when you have certain planetary positions like this in your birth chart or if you are really a blessed child so are you too willing to know about it? so yes, let's move ahead and check out about those zodiac signs who might build a Shiva temple in their life. Here are thee following who might build a Shiva Temple: Taurus Venus rules this zodiac signs Taurus, yet it is strongly connected to the energy of Rohini Nakshatra, Lord Krishna's favorite and frequently connected to devotees, who physically serve Shiva and who worship him with with immense devotion and consistency. These natives bear the karma of using heavenly building to create beauty, which can be a home of Lord Shiva. Cancer Cancerians are known as innate nurturers and protectors of places of Lord Shiva worship. They are often born with a strong emotional bond to spiritual forces, particularly Shiva's linga roopa (formless form). Preserving, repairing, and sanctifying sacred places is fundamental to their karma. They are advised to get involved in such activities for tranquility and peace. Leo The fire of Agni, one of the five elements venerated in Shiva rituals, is carried by these people, who are born leaders with sun-like vigor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The New 2025 South Africa Debt Relief Plans Are Here Consumersave Click Here Undo They might have been sages, who founded opulent temples or royal benefactors in previous incarnations. They come back with the mission to construct or provide funding for Shiva temples. Scorpio Scorpions zodiac sign has a natural tapasya (penance) vibration and is ruled by Mars energy. These natives have a strong spiritual ties and are frequently led to construct temples as a means of fulfilling inner vows or karmic retribution. So, if you ever feel that you want to build a temple then do not hesitate or ignore your feelings and fulfill your inner desires. Capricorn Capricorns are considered as an emblem of tenacity and accountability. They maintain temples for generations in addition to building them. Rebuilding old shrines, secret linga sthalas, or lost jyotirlingas is sometimes associated with their karma so they might get involved in such activities in life when they think they have earned enough money. One must keep this in their mind that building a Shiva temple is totally based on your inner calling and soul connection. Some people born with a mission and that mission come from their past birth, which encourages them to do such things and experience a divine connection. Discover everything about astrology at Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces . Read your detailed Horoscope Today and Horoscope Tomorrow here.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Farah Khan praises Shalin Bhanot's journey; says 'You've come a long way, from living in a rented flat to owning a 5 BHK luxurious home'
Choreographer-turned-filmmaker, TV show host and now a successful vlogger, Farah Khan has been entertaining fans with her YouTube videos. The Main Hoon Na Director visited popular actor Shalin Bhanot's house for her latest cooking Vlog. In a warm and candid episode of her podcast, Farah Khan took a nostalgic look at actor Shalin Bhanot's journey. She spoke about his early days on Nach Baliye to becoming a familiar face across Indian television. Having known Shalin for years, Farah shared heartfelt memories from his early days in the spotlight. 'You were always entertaining, even back then,' she smiled, referring to his full-of-life presence on stage. But beyond the entertainment, she pointed out something deeper. 'Today, you have achieved a lot,' she said, acknowledging his steady evolution as a performer and person. Shalin's path hasn't followed the usual route. From reality shows to fiction, from making headlines in Bigg Boss to showing a different side on Khatron Ke Khiladi, his career has been about pushing boundaries, taking chances, and showing up even when the odds were stacked against him. Farah also touched upon how far he has come in his real-life. She said, Tu jab Nach Baliye mein tha toh kitne flats the.. nahi tha na.. tu rent par rehta tha. Waah kya baat Hai itna bada ghar 5 BHK ...Shalin so proud of you. (Dekho mehnat ki kamayi... (You've come a long way, from living in a rented flat to owning a 5 BHK luxurious home. That's no small feat. You should be proud of yourself),' she added, highlighting the quiet, personal victories that often go unnoticed. The tone of the episode remained light and affectionate. Farah, known for her wit, couldn't resist teasing him, 'You always thought of yourself as the hero — and now you've truly become one!' A playful remark, but one that summed up his arc: the belief he held in himself, even before others did. As Shalin continues to reinvent himself with each role, Farah's reflections felt like more than just compliments. They were a quiet celebration of resilience, of holding on when it was easier to let go, and of growing — not just in front of the camera, but beyond it. Today, as Shalin finds himself in the spotlight once again, Farah's words feel like a full-circle moment. A reminder that behind every applause is a story of grit, growth, and an unwavering passion for the craft. Ouch! Shalin Bhanot STUNG by 200 Scorpions on Khatron Ke Khiladi 14!
Time of India
16-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Zodiac signs who have a soul connection with Lord Shiva
There are some people who feel deeply connected with Lord Shiva and they naturally feel drawn to him, worship him devotedly and that also without any expectation. They are naturally feel aligned with the Mahadeva. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They always find that are guided by an unknown divine energy and that is their Ishta deva, Shiva. These people have a curiosity to know deeply about him, mantras, stories and his symbols, temples and everything. The connection become more strong when they face challenges and have a soul to soul conversation with their Ishta Deva. Are you also one of them? Do you also feel the energy of of Shiva or feel drawn to him often? Here in this article we are going to talk about those zodiac signs who are naturally drawn to him and feel that they have a soul connection with Bholenath so let's move ahead and check more about them: Zodiac Signs Who Share a Powerful Soul Connection with Lord Shiva : Aries Aries are ruled by Mars and Mars has the energy of fire. Lord Shiva is also has the ferocious energy that matches Aries so they usually drawn to the ferocious energy of Shiva such as Kaal Bhairav and they worship him with utmost devotion and often visit the temple to get the courage and strength from him. Cancer Cancerians are ruled by Moon and Moon is adorned on the head of Lord Shiva and same traits are inbuilt in Cancerians and they always feel drawn to him as they have frequent mood swings and go through emotional turmoil so they always have a conversation with Lord Shiva and express their emotional challenges that they are facing in their life. They like to visit the temples where they find tranquility and peace. Scorpio Scorpions are ruled by Mars again and they have a fiery energy in them. Scorpions often drawn to the meditational quality of Lord Shiva that gives their mind peace and calmness. They are always interested to know the things, which can't be seen but only be felt or the things about other world or the things about metamorphosis and rebirth. Scorpions are mysterious and they try to find the solace and peace by worshipping Lord Shiva. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aquarius Aquarians are ruled by Saturn and the planet is the slow moving that likes peace and calmness just like Lord Shiva. Similarly Aquarians are always like givers and they believe that Lord Shiva is always with them and bless them with the energy flow that never ends so they believe in giving peace to other people also. They worship him with closed eyes and sitting at one place, meditating about him and they don't need something else. They also never feel the need of visiting temple, they just take the name of Shiva in their mind, chant mantras and feel close to him. Pisces Pisceans are ruled by Jupiter, who is the Guru of all the deities and the qualities are inbuilt in Pisceans. They also have a Jupiter energy and also water energy just like Ganga is connected to Shiva similarly they also feel that deep connection with Mahadeva. They feel that the water energy is so pure that make them worshipping Bholenath with all their heart and soul. They usually feel their sixth sense is guiding them and that divine sense is Shiva so they always try to visit places that are completely silent like Kedarnath, Amarnath where they can find peace and develop a deep connection with Shiva.
