Latest news with #StuartWilson
IOL News
27-05-2025
- IOL News
Inmates at Leeuwkop Prison finally heard in Gauteng High Court
Twenty inmates of Leeuwkop Prison wants answers as to why they are not being considered for parole, but up to now no one wanted to hear their court application. Image: File It was third time lucky for a group of 20 inmates who had over the past six weeks turned to court three times in a bid to be heard, but on the first two occasions nobody would lend them an ear, before a sympathetic judge agreed to take on their case. Stephen Langa and 19 of his co-accused at Leeuwkop Prison turned to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg in an urgent bid to get answers as to why they have not been considered for parole. All 20 are serving life imprisonment terms and said they have already served the time expected of them in law, before becoming eligible to be considered for parole. Yet they are not being considered by the Parole Board. On the first two occasions judges simply removed their matter from the urgent court roll, as the applications were deemed not up to scratch by the judges. Even the office of the State Attorney, who had to act on behalf of the minister of correctional services and other related departments to defend the action, did not bother to do so. But Judge Stuart Wilson has now decided to lend them an ear and to place the matter before himself for future case management. While the inmates had brought the applications as lay people, without the help of a lawyer, and it was difficult from their court papers to ascertain exactly what their complaint was, Judge Wilson took the time to establish it. 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 ✕ He commenced that whether or not the complaints turn out to have any merit, claims of this nature generally require the most serious and anxious consideration, because the person advancing them, being incarcerated, is inherently vulnerable. 'Save in exceptional circumstances, it is not appropriate to remove a lay litigant's application from the urgent roll. Every effort must be made to ascertain the nature of the complaint. If the complaint is urgent, it must be dealt with fairly on its merits.' He added that a simple removal of these matters from the roll generally achieves nothing. 'It is no more than an encouragement to a lay litigant to re-enroll the matter in the next urgent court, making their case part of the next urgent judge's burden.' While the application papers were not easy to decipher, it turned out following questions by the judge to Langa, that these prisoners complained that they had completed the non-parole period of their sentences, but were being denied the opportunity to apply for parole. 'Once the nature of the complaint has been established, it is necessary to hear from the authorities responsible for the applicant's detention. In this case, that was impossible because there was no appearance from the Minister of Correctional Services. Without input from the Minister, it is impossible to determine whether Mr. Langa has correctly identified the complaint and whether that complaint has any merit,' the judge said.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- IOL News
City of Joburg's R10 million fine against Waterfall Estate declared unlawful
Significant financial penalties exceeding R10 million levied against Waterfall Estate have been declared unlawful. In a pivotal judgement delivered recently by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, significant financial penalties exceeding R10 million levied against Waterfall Estate have been declared unlawful. The case arose from what the court deemed questionable practices employed by the City's Johannesburg Water, which had aggressively enforced hefty fines for alleged improper water meter installations and illegal connections. The court ruled in favour of Waterfall Country Estate, Waterfall Schools, and Waterfall Fields, who filed legal action challenging the legitimacy of the fine impositions. The extensive penalties consisted of more than R1 million for Waterfall Country Estate, over R2 million for Waterfall Schools, and fines amounting to R3 million and R4 million against Waterfall Fields respectively. These imposing figures sparked outrage and concern, as they were labelled by the plaintiffs as a misuse of authority lacking proper procedural backing. Judge Stuart Wilson, who presided over the case, categorically stated that the fines did not comply with the municipality's stipulated water services by-laws. In his comprehensive judgement, Judge Wilson emphasised that municipal penalties cannot be enforced arbitrarily and must adhere to established legal protocols. The ruling marked a significant stand against the excessive use of municipal fines without due process, declaring the penalties as ultra vires—meaning they had exceeded the City's legal authority. Further scrutiny revealed that the municipal officials charged with issuing these fines did so without the requisite authorisation, further undermining the enforcement actions taken by Johannesburg Water. The judge also issued a stern admonition to Johannesburg Water regarding its inadequate preparation leading to the court hearing. He dismissed Johannesburg Water's last-minute application for postponement, criticising its failure to establish urgency concerning the case. A critical element of the ruling mandates Johannesburg Water to correct the municipal accounts for the implicated estates within a strict deadline of 30 days. The order also explicitly prohibits the City from disconnecting essential services to the Waterfall Estate properties, providing much-needed relief to the affected residents and businesses. Additionally, the court has placed an interdict on the metro, barring it from pursuing any debt recovery or remedial actions against Waterfall Country Estate, Waterfall Schools, and Waterfall Fields. Nestled alongside the bustling Mall of Africa in Midrand, these developments now find themselves vindicated against what has been described as predatory fine practices by Johannesburg Water. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Council wants powers to encourage faster roadworks
A council is applying to the government for powers to charge companies up to £2,500 a day for works on key roads, so they get fixed more quickly. This would make Buckinghamshire Council one of the first authorities in the country to introduce a Lane Rental Scheme, which would apply to about 8% of roads in the county. Steven Broadbent, the council's member for transport, said it would lead to "more meaningful options in levying fines to encourage better behaviour from those working on our roads". Stuart Wilson, leader of the Independent opposition group, said "we welcome the scheme as residents are fed up with endless roadworks and unmanned traffic lights". If approved by the Transport Secretary, the scheme would complement an existing permit system operated by Buckinghamshire Highways, with charges applying to works promoted by utility companies and highway authorities. The council hopes this will encourage companies to move their works to less busy times, or complete them in a quicker timescale, to avoid accumulating charges and lengthy disruption to motorists. Similar schemes already exist in Kent, London, Surrey and West Sussex, and the Buckinghamshire model would apply to more 500 streets, with locations to be reviewed on a yearly basis. Broadbent, Conservative, said: "While we try to coordinate works to minimise pressures, over recent years we have seen a huge increase in permits for works - and despite the planning, the cumulative effects on road users is a source of frustration." He added: "Clearly, we cannot eradicate all delays and congestion, especially when it comes to emergency works, but this encourages those working on the roads to better plan their works to take place during less busy times." Wilson added that "utility companies need to pay the societal cost and do the work quickly and right, first time". Reform UK councillor, Paul Irwin, said: "For too long our residents have suffered at the hands of utility companies over-running and taking advantage of the rules. The new system will charge per day and make them work more efficiently, so I will be supporting this wholeheartedly." Susan Morgan, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "The lane rental scheme is a fantastic idea that emerged from the cross party income maximisation workshop, of which both myself and councillor Jonathan Waters were integral members." The authority hopes to submit its application to the Department for Transport by the end of the month. If successful, it could be implemented by the end of the year. Labour and the Green Party have also been approached for comment. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. £13.4m funding approved for link road 'Crater' pothole could be fixed with extra £5m Lane Rental Schemes Buckinghamshire Council cabinet meeting
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Buckinghamshire Council wants power to encourage faster roadworks
A council is applying to the government for powers to charge companies up to £2,500 a day for works on key roads, so they get fixed more would make Buckinghamshire Council one of the first authorities in the country to introduce a Lane Rental Scheme, which would apply to about 8% of roads in the Broadbent, the council's member for transport, said it would lead to "more meaningful options in levying fines to encourage better behaviour from those working on our roads".Stuart Wilson, leader of the Independent opposition group, said "we welcome the scheme as residents are fed up with endless roadworks and unmanned traffic lights". If approved by the Transport Secretary, the scheme would complement an existing permit system operated by Buckinghamshire Highways, with charges applying to works promoted by utility companies and highway authorities. The council hopes this will encourage companies to move their works to less busy times, or complete them in a quicker timescale, to avoid accumulating charges and lengthy disruption to schemes already exist in Kent, London, Surrey and West Sussex, and the Buckinghamshire model would apply to more 500 streets, with locations to be reviewed on a yearly basis. Broadbent, Conservative, said: "While we try to coordinate works to minimise pressures, over recent years we have seen a huge increase in permits for works - and despite the planning, the cumulative effects on road users is a source of frustration."He added: "Clearly, we cannot eradicate all delays and congestion, especially when it comes to emergency works, but this encourages those working on the roads to better plan their works to take place during less busy times." Wilson added that "utility companies need to pay the societal cost and do the work quickly and right, first time".Reform UK councillor, Paul Irwin, said: "For too long our residents have suffered at the hands of utility companies over-running and taking advantage of the rules. The new system will charge per day and make them work more efficiently, so I will be supporting this wholeheartedly."Susan Morgan, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "The lane rental scheme is a fantastic idea that emerged from the cross party income maximisation workshop, of which both myself and councillor Jonathan Waters were integral members."The authority hopes to submit its application to the Department for Transport by the end of the month. If successful, it could be implemented by the end of the and the Green Party have also been approached for comment. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Guardian
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Baftas 2025: Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison and Zoe Saldaña on the big night
Host David Tennant speaks on stage Photograph: Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Edward Berger, Tessa Ross, cast and crew accept the best film award for Conclave Photograph: Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Mikey Madison accepts the leading actress award for Anora Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Warwick Davis poses in the press room after winning the fellowship award Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Zoe Saldaña accepts the supporting actress award for Emilia Pérez Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Adrien Brody accepts the leading actor award for The Brutalist Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Nina Gantz, cast and crew accept the British short animation award for Wander to Wonder Photograph: Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Lizzie Gillett, Robert Ford, Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui pose in the press room after winning the best documentary award for Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Brady Corbet accepts the director award for The Brutalist Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Daniel Blumberg wins the original score award for The Brutalist Photograph: Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Paul Tazewell wins the costume design award for Wicked Photograph: Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Jesse Eisenberg accepted Kieran Culkin's best supporting actor award on his behalf for A Real Pain Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Lee Sandales and Nathan Crowley accept the production design award for Wicked Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Gerd Nefzer and Rhys Salcombe accept the special visual effects award for Dune: Part Two Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Oleksandr Rudynskyi, Franz Bohm, Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer, cast and crew accept the British short film award for Rock, Paper, Scissors Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Rich Peppiatt wins the outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer for Kneecap Photograph: Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Jeff Goldblum performs on stage Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Peter Straughan wins the adapted screenplay award for Conclave Photograph: Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Richard Beek, Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham accept the animated film award for Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA
