Latest news with #Vhembe
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Ramaphosa defends BEE Woman awarded R580k after arrest
Here's your daily news update for 7 June 2025. An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In today's news update, President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), while NDPP Shamila Batohi faces growing pressure to clarify her claims of political interference in the NPA. Additionally, a woman wrongfully detained for 10 days has been awarded nearly R600 000 in damages by the SCA. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. News today: 7 June 2025 'Is it greed or jealousy?': Ramaphosa fires back at critics of BEE, Transformation Fund President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on 16 September 2022. Picture: AFP / Saul Loeb President Cyril Ramaphosa has come out swinging against critics of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), questioning whether their opposition is rooted in 'greed' or 'jealousy'. Ramaphosa was speaking during his keynote address at the gala dinner of the Black Business Council's annual summit held at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni. Continue reading here Batohi could appear in parliament to explain allegations of corruption inside the NPA National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi. Picture: Gallo Images / Phill Magakoe The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) wants the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi to appear before parliament next week to give more details about allegations of rogue elements inside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Continue reading here Wrongfully arrested woman wins nearly R600k after ordeal that led her to consider suicide Picture: iStock A woman who endured a harrowing 10-day detention after a wrongful arrest has been awarded nearly R600 000 in damages by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Cynthia Nobuhle Khedama initially sued the Minister of Police for R1 million over her arrest and detention, Continue reading here Rebuild VBS, urges ANC treasurer-general VBS Mutual Bank customers at long queues outside the bank in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Picture: Gallo Images / Antonio Muchave ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa has pleaded with the Reserve Bank and National Treasury to assist the Vhembe community in Limpopo to rebuild the collapsed Venda Business Society (VBS) Mutual Bank. More than 53 people have been charged for theft, corruption, fraud, money laundering, contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and racketeering for stealing and looting more than R2 billion of VBS money since 2018. Continue reading here R42m water storage facility installed, but taps run dry in Xanthia village A resident of Majakaneng Village fills up containers with water on 3 February 2015. Picture: Gallo Images / Sowetan / Veli Nhlapo A R42 million water reservoir tank built in Xanthia Village, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 10 years ago has never been used since its completion. This is according to the residents, who confirmed that the construction of the reservoir did not assist in bringing a sustainable water supply to the area. Continue reading here Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: K-word teacher loses labour case | Amerikaners' future uncertain | NPA sabotage claims
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
'VBS was our lifeline': Ramokgopa pressures treasury to restore Limpopo's lost bank
ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa pleads with government to help rebuild VBS. Image: File photo ANC treasurer-general Dr Gwen Ramokgopa issued a stirring plea to the South African Reserve Bank and National Treasury: step in and help to rebuild the looted and collapsed Venda Business Society (VBS) Mutual Bank. Ramokgopa was speaking on Thursday at a packed memorial service for ANC veteran and revered liberation figure, Reverend Dr Tshenuwani Simon Farisani, held at the George Phagadi Town Hall in Thohoyandou. The late struggle stalwart and former Lutheran bishop passed away on May 29. His funeral will take place on Saturday at the University of Venda Stadium. In her tribute, Ramokgopa honoured Farisani's lifelong commitment to justice, recalling his outspoken defence of VBS victims who lost life savings and community investments when the bank collapsed under a staggering R2 billion looting scandal. 'Government, under President Cyril Ramaphosa, has been for the people. We always said those who stole from VBS must be punished and languish in jail,' Ramokgopa said, adding that the Finance Department and the Reserve Bank should assist the suffering community to revive their only hope, VBS. In her address, Ramokgopa reminded the nation of the Vhembe community's enduring pain — a pain worsened by betrayal and scandal. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Since the shocking collapse of VBS in 2018, over 53 individuals have been charged with theft, fraud, corruption, money laundering, and violations of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act — accused of siphoning more than R2 billion from the mutual bank that once symbolised financial hope for Limpopo's people. Ramakgopa emphasised that the government has successfully rebuilt several institutions and therefore VBS should not be an issue. 'We have also successfully rebuilt the Limpopo provincial government after it collapsed through fraudulent activities,' she said. IOL Politics
The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Rebuild VBS, urges ANC treasurer-general
Ramokgopa advised ANC leaders to speak with one voice to preserve the dignity of the party. VBS Mutual Bank customers queue outside the bank, demanding their money in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on 20 June 2018. Picture: Gallo Images/ANTONIO Muchave/Sowetan ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa has pleaded with the Reserve Bank and National Treasury to assist the Vhembe community in Limpopo to rebuild the collapsed Venda Business Society (VBS) Mutual Bank. More than 53 people have been charged for theft, corruption, fraud, money laundering, contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, and racketeering for stealing and looting more than R2 billion of VBS Mutual Bank money since 2018. Ramokgopa was speaking during a well-attended memorial service of the late ANC veteran, Reverend Dr Tshenuwani Simon Farisani, at the George Phagadi Town Hall in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, this week. Farisani passed away on Thursday, 29 May 2025, and his funeral will be held at the University of Venda Stadium, outside Thohoyandou, on Saturday. The former prominent Lutheran Church Bishop and known political struggle hero was honoured for his resilience in the fight for freedom and equality against the apartheid regime. The service was attended by South African Communist Party deputy national chairperson Thulas Nxesi, Limpopo first female premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Limpopo ANC secretary Vhamusanda Reuben Madazhe, Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature Dr Makoma Makhurupetsa, Mopani district municipality Mayor Pule Frelimo Shayi and leaders from various religious and political structures in the province and beyond. Speaking to the mourners at the service, Ramokgopa said Farisani had fought for VBS victims. 'Government, under the tutelage of President Cyril Ramaphosa, has been on the side of the victims. We always said those who stole from VBS must be punished and languish in jail. 'The Reserve Bank and the Department of Finance, under the tutelage of Minister Enoch Godongwana, must assist the grieving communities to rebuild the collapsed VBS Mutual Bank,' she said. 'We have many times successfully rebuilt our country, including the health system in Gauteng during the predicaments of Life Esidimeni. We have also successfully rebuilt the Limpopo provincial government after it collapsed through fraudulent activities after some in the era of mismanaged government funds. 'There is nothing that can stand in our way to rebuild the VBS Mutual Bank and begin on a clean sheet,' she said to thunderous applause. ALSO READ: Simelane VBS matter will not be swept under carpet Lazy mayors The treasurer also scolded lazy mayors, who sit idly while communities face poor service delivery. 'When I came here, I drove a sizeable number of potholes, and the feeling was unbearable. For the record, good roads are important to us because they have a positive impact on the economy of our communities, our regions, our province and our country. 'They attract investment that often blossoms our economy. I therefore implore you, Honourable Premier Ramathuba and your mayors, to fix all your roads and patch potholes so that investors can invest in your municipalities. 'Through this, we can win the fight against the triple challenges of inequality, unemployment and poverty,' she said. ALSO READ: Mayor claims she was exonerated of VBS graft allegations ANC conference slammed However, the memorial service did not go without controversy. Veteran journalist Mathatha Tsedu was invited to the stage to give testimony on the life well spent by Farisani and how his political acumen bolstered his journalism prowess. However, Tsedu used the platform to voice criticism of the irregularities surrounding the ANC Vhembe regional elective conference in May. 'This is the ANC of Farisani. He would be disappointed by how you skipped vital items in the programme, only to jump into nominations and elections of the top five officials. 'How do you jump the secretariat report and other vital items on the programme as if the main objective of the conference was to elect leaders,' he asked. The conference saw Tshitereke Matibe living up to his name — 'Tshitereke,' a Venda name meaning 'protest' — as he staged a bold demonstration at the venue, ultimately securing a fourth term. Tsedu's criticism was challenged by an ANC regional executive committee (REC) member. 'Tsedu does not understand the politics of the ANC. This is not journalism, he must just leave politics to politicians, and journalism to the newsroom. You can just read from his address that he is far from within,' said the senior member, speaking to The Citizen on condition of anonymity. The leader, who asked for his name to be withheld for fear of reprisal, said that despite the woo-ha, Matibe won the conference hands down. In response, Ramokgopa advised ANC leaders to speak with one voice in an effort to preserve the dignity of the party. NOW READ: Calls for VBS-linked Bojanala mayor to go
