Latest news with #Zungu
Eyewitness News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Newly-awarded national lottery licence operator Sizekhaya Holdings' ties to ANC questioned
JOHANNESBURG - Sizekhaya Holdings' almost R200 billion lottery win is drawing attention, amid questions over its ties to the African National Congress (ANC). On Wednesday, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition announced the consortium as the 4th national lottery and sports pool licence holder. However, some political parties have raised questions around Sizekhaya's links to businessman and ANC member, Sandile Zungu. Half of Sizekhaya Holdings is owned by betting company, Goldrush Holdings. Zungu was a non-executive director at Goldrush for more than eight years before resigning in 2023. Zungu is a long-standing ANC member and has previously contested for the party's top leadership post in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). While Zungu resigned from Goldrush a year before Sizekhaya was registered, political parties Build One South Africa (BOSA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have questioned his involvement in the deal. BOSA is demanding that a full report be tabled before Parliament detailing the evaluation criteria, scoring system, and outcomes for all submitted bids.
TimesLIVE
20-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Sanef condemns threats to journalists who work professionally and ethically
The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) has condemned actions of a Durban businessman who recently threatened a Sunday Times journalist who had called him for comment. Siqu Zungu allegedly threatened Sunday Times senior journalist Isaac Mahlangu when he was called for a comment for an article about him leaving a R12m penthouse owned by a Johannesburg doctor, Blaine Bloy, in which he lived rent-free for about three years before he was recently evicted. Zungu said the journalist should ensure that he gets bodyguards after writing the article about him. The businessman was evicted from a luxury Umhlanga penthouse, which he left with extensive damage, including a broken bathtub, cracked tiles and outstanding rent of more than R1m. When contacted for comment last week, he accused the publication of targeting him and said the journalist should get bodyguards. 'I am asking you to have bodyguards. Do you hear me? I am not joking. It is not a threat ... Ask Bloy who I am, he will tell you. Put out that article, but tell your company to give you bodyguards. 'You've targeted me. I will handle this myself. Maybe Bloy has not told you who I am. Maybe they have not told [you] what kind of life I live ... It's not your job to target a person like this,' he said. Slindile Khanyile, chair of the Sanef media freedom subcommittee said the organisation did not threats to journalists lightly, especially in a country where the work that journalists do and media freedom is protected by the constitution. 'So, we condemn the actions of not only this particular newsmaker, but anyone who makes it difficult for journalists to conduct their work,' she said. She added that Zungu was contacted for comment, which is one of the most important principles of journalism — to give newsmakers the opportunity to tell their side of the story and a fair opportunity to respond to allegations before a story is published. 'When journalists do that, which is something that is required by media ethics as well as the press code, and they then encounter newsmakers who make it difficult for them to do their work, it is unfortunate,' she added. She said journalists should always do the right thing even when reporting on threatening and aggressive people. 'Regardless of how a newsmaker may behave, journalists must always do the right thing by giving people the right to reply and being fair and be balanced in their reporting,' she said. The Sunday Times has reported the matter at the Hillbrow police station.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- IOL News
Durban drug bust reveals new trend in illicit drug market
A drug bust on Queen Nandi Drive, Durban has not only removed thousands of heroin capsules from Durban's streets but also highlighted a shift in the province's drug trends, according to police. On Sunday the Durban Metro Police Drug Team, working in collaboration with the Counter Narcotics Unit under KKwaZulu-Natal Crime Intelligence, intercepted an alleged drug distributor at Petroport Northbound. The suspect, a former nightclub owner now allegedly supplying drugs across greater Durban, was caught while reportedly attempting to deliver heroin. Police seized approximately 5,013 heroin capsules (pending final forensic count), a CZ 75 pistol with its serial number filed off, 17 live 9mm rounds, a magazine, and other drugs valued at R160,390. Durban Metro Police spokesperson Boysie Zungu said while heroin remains dangerous and profitable for syndicates, demand for the drug has been decreasing in KwaZulu-Natal due to a shift toward cheaper, more potent alternatives. 'Heroin demand has decreased in KZN due to the increased popularity of crack cocaine (rock), which is now cheaper and more potent,' Zungu said. 'However, drug abuse continues to be a challenge within our communities.' Zungu explained that market dynamics have shifted sharply. 'Previously, a heroin capsule cost R10. With a drastic increase in price due to export problems from supplying countries, heroin prices have shot up to R35 a capsule,' he said. 'This has made heroin capsules more scarce making this bust all the more significant. 'Removing over 5,000 capsules from the street is not just a disruption to supply, but a statement to communities and traffickers that police are taking action,' he said. The suspect faces charges of dealing in and possession of heroin, illegal possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. Police said intelligence gathered during the arrest would assist in further operations. Zungu added: 'While it is difficult to stop drug dealing completely with limited resources, we remain committed to targeting dealers head-on. Community partnerships are key to disrupting the changing drug landscape.' THE MERCURY
