Category: Crime & Corruption News

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Patricia de Lille, says government has signed off 12 properties in Gauteng and the Western Cape to be used as shelters for victims of gender-based violence.

The Minister said this when she participated in a debate on gender-based violence in the National Assembly’s hybrid sitting on Tuesday afternoon.

“As Minister of Public Works, I have signed an allocation of 12 properties in Gauteng and in the Western Cape for use as shelters for victims of gender-based violence, with more properties in other provinces to follow.

“The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has also recruited 319 workers so far across the 44 districts for municipalities to engage our communities on gender-based violence.

“[On 1 July], I will be meeting with all the MECs of Social Development in all nine provinces to impress on them the urgency of the need for collaboration to make this work and have these properties used for shelters for abused women and children,” De Lille said.

Incidents of gender-based violence and femicide sent shockwaves through the nation during lockdown. These include the murder of the pregnant 28-year-old Tshegofatso Pule, whose lifeless body was found hanging on a tree in Durban Deep in Roodepoort last month. Muzikayise Malephane, 31, the man accused of her murder, has been arrested and has already appeared in court.

During the debate, De Lille said gender-based violence is a disease that infects the whole of society. She said the scourge requires a societal response.

“We need to get back to the beginning to establish a new value proposition, new societal norms and the project begins in our homes, in our communities.

“We are blunting a boy’s emotions and raising them to believe that gender-based violence is how strong men express their power. We are training them to be soldiers, to wage war against our women and in doing so, we are perpetuating an ancient patriarchal framework that must change.”

De Lille said parents and guardians must lay the foundation for children to know, before they go to school, that discrimination – whether it is based on race, gender, culture or any other factor, is unacceptable.

“In South Africa, when another victim of femicide is on our TV screens… there is a competition of who can make the most dramatic speeches… We must learn to make sure that we include gender equality in our school syllabus and every single one of us has a responsibility to contribute to end this disease.”

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola says 4 138 low risk offenders have been released on parole to ease prison population figures to minimise the risk of Coronavirus spreading in correctional centres.

Lamola said this when Ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster fielded questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday.

“Yes, minimum progress has been made due to the processes to be followed when releasing sentenced offenders on parole. On 11 May 2020, the department began with the process to release selected low risk offenders and initial releases started from 20 May 2020. As at 24 June 2020, the total number offenders released was 4 138,” he said.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa approved the parole of about 19 000 low risk offenders in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in overcrowded prisons.

As at 30 June 2020, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Department of Correctional Services stood at 2 424, comprising 1 193 officials and 1 231 inmates. There are 705 active cases.

Responding to oral questions on Tueday, Lamola said prior to the releases, the total prison population stood at 154 943, with 101 928 being sentenced offenders, and 53 015 accounting for remand detainees and other unsentenced inmates.

“This translated to a total population of 30.68% overpopulation, which made social distancing difficult.

“After the releases as at 24 June 2020, inmate population was 147 922 consisting of 95 159 sentenced offenders, and 52 763 remand detainees and other unsentenced inmates, which brought the overcrowding level to 24.75%,” said the Minister.

Lamola said out of the total, 329 were released in the Eastern Cape, 730 in Gauteng, 882 in KwaZulu-Natal, 565 in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West, 634 in the Free State and Northern Cape, while the remaining 998 came from the Western Cape.

He said plans have been made to integrate such inmates back into society to avoid re-offending.

The department will implement a phased-in approach, stretching over a period of 10 weeks to allow for proper consideration of the qualifying offenders.

“The special parole dispensations do not qualify for automatic placement. A normal parole consideration process will be undertaken and the Parole Board will, among others, take into account factors that minimise risks during the consideratin process.

“The qualifying offenders will be placed into the system of Community Corrections to continue serving their sentences and comply with set conditions of placement. The department has the capacity to consider offenders and place those who will qualify,” Lamola said.

Only low risk offenders, who meet all the requirements and conditions, will be placed on parole.

“The requirement [is] that only offenders, who have undergone relevant rehabilitation programmes aimed at addressing their offending behaviour, would qualify for placement, as this would minimise the risk of re-offending.

“There are two additional requirements for placements on parole, including taking of fingerprints and DNA samples for comparison with the South African Police Services (SAPS) database as a prerequisite for placement.

“Every qualifying sentenced offender’s profile will be assessed and considered individually by the Parole Board before they make their recommendations for placement on parole.

“This will include affording victims the opportunity to make representations on why an offender should not be placed on parole,” said the Minister, adding that all relevant factors will be taken into consideration during this process, which will include any prior convictions for violent offences committed.

The Department of Health has condemned the dumping of medical waste next to the road between Mdantsane and East London in the Eastern Cape.

“The inappropriate dumping of medical waste is dangerous for public health. It can lead to infectious diseases,” the department said in a statement.

The department said the medical waste has been identified as the property of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS).

“What is worrisome is that this was not just medical waste but specimens. These specimens have identity numbers and contact details of individuals.

“In our view, this is an intentional criminal act which must be condemned strongly. It is a violation of people’s rights and dignity when the test kits containing their personal information are found next to the road,” the department said.

The department said it is working with the Eastern Cape Departments of Health and NHLS to establish how the medical waste ended up where it was found.

“The courier company that was contracted must be traced and provide answers as to what happened to get to the bottom of this situation. We are hopeful that an investigation will be done and those found responsible for this be held accountable,” the department said.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has called on all South Africans to join hands in the fight against the scourge of Gender-Based Violence.

“I implore all South Africans wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever your religious persuasion and whatever your political affiliation, let us join hands together to fight this evil scourge that is tearing our nation apart,” Minister Zulu said on Friday.

Speaking during a webinar session on the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Pretoria, Minister Zulu said across the country, violence against women and girls, including rape, is on the rise and that the names of the victims reads like casualties in a war zone.

“This is the time for all of us to pull together to ensure that all women and girls of this great nation are and feel safe. We must confront head on this culture of violence perpetrated against women and girls and deny them their inherent human rights and dignity because of their gender,” Zulu said.

Alcohol and drug abuse linked to GBV

She said there is a connection between alcohol abuse and gender-based violence.

“It is a global problem that requires global cooperation. The high levels of alcohol and drug abuse, and in more recent times, the emergence of cheap and easily accessible drugs like nyaope and whoonga has reached epidemic proportions.

“No part of our society has been spared this scourge of alcohol and substance abuse. Alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use remain a significant issue in our community, contributing to the burden of disease in South Africa,” the Minister said.

Zulu said a national concerted effort is needed to realise the vision of a South Africa free of alcohol and drug abuse.

“Along with the emergence of greater availability and trafficking of these cheap highly addictive drugs, we must also confront the emerging crisis of intravenous drug use which is driving the new HIV infections and hepatitis,” the Minister said.

National Drug Master Plan

She explained that the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP, 2019-2024), reflects a coordinated multi-sectoral approach and provides strategic direction necessary to prevent and reduce the scourge of alcohol and substance, provides treatment for substance users and reduce the availability of dangerous drugs in the country.

“The goal of the of the National Drug Master Plan is to contribute to safer and healthier communities through coordinated efforts to prevent use, treat substance use disorders, and reduce production and distribution of illicit drugs in South Africa,” the Minister said.

The NDMP focuses on seven priority areas, these are:

• Demand reduction and related measures, including prevention as well as other health related issues;
• Supply reduction and related measures, effective law enforcement; responses to drug related crime; countering money laundering and promoting judicial  cooperation;
• Ensuring the availability of, and access to controlled substances exclusively for medical and scientific purposes, while preventing their diversion;
• Identification and control of new psychotropic/psychoactive substances;
• Promote governance, leadership, and accountability for a coordinated multi-sectoral effective response;
• Strengthen data collection, monitoring, evaluation, and research evidence to achieve the goals; and
• Stimulate robust and sustainable economic growth aimed at reducing poverty, unemployment and inequalities.

Minister Zulu said the seven priority areas will ensure that the country focusses on things that matter most.

“Key amongst these is preventing drug use before it starts, with specific focus on young people. Prevention is better than cure,” the Minister said.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has issued a warning about a scam that is doing the rounds, where fraudsters use personal details of the department’s staff members to con the public and service providers.

“These fraudsters have been lying low for some time and have just started again to target unsuspecting service providers around Johannesburg and Pretoria,” DPWI said.

According to the department, the scammers use the DPWI letterhead and real names of officials working in the department to invite service providers to deliver goods at government offices or some other locations.

“These goods then disappear mysteriously in the hands of criminals, leaving victims in huge debt. They use DPWI information, along with that of the Provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in Gauteng to try to confuse their victims,” the department explained.

The department said they would never send a request to an individual service provider or group of service providers without following the proper supply chain management (SCM) processes.

“The DPWI management and staff would like to distance themselves from all these fraudulent activities and would like to encourage the public to be alert to this scam.”

In addition, the scammers trick unsuspecting and prospective service providers by inviting them to tender with the department, using their names with the sole aim of cheating them out of their hard-earned cash.

“Their target is usually officials who are based at SCM, using their details and job title to lure members of the public by inviting them to non-existent tenders.”

The department said the fraudsters are causing a lot of stress to departmental staff, who become exposed to strangers, who from time to time would come to the office reception to enquire about misleading information.

“The danger posed to the staff is that many people are convinced that the information is genuine until it is pointed out to them that it is not.”

Therefore, members of the public and those who are doing business with DPWI are cautioned to be extra vigilant around this time of the lockdown.

“There is no official of DPWI who will send out an invitation to individuals to come and tender for projects within the department,” the department said.

If anyone receives such an invitation purporting to be from any staff member, please verify with DPWI by calling Mr Matomo Mabotja on 012 406 1328 or via email Matomo.mabotja@dpw.gov.za or Mr Lesole Matsotso on 012 406 1439 or via email Lesole.motsotso@dpw.gov.za or contact the Anti-Corruption Unit on 012 406 1328.

With incidents of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) sending shockwaves throughout society, Deputy President David Mabuza says the time for talk is over. Now is the time for action.

Responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, Mabuza said government is implementing several measures, from legislative amendments to programmes aimed at tackling GBVF head-on.

“The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is in the process of consultations with civil society formations to engage and forge a roadmap for the establishment of the National Council.

“Notwithstanding the need for broad and intensive consultations, we are confident that these processes will be expedited within the framework of deadlines agreed by all parties.

“For us, the time for talk on issues of gender based violence is over. Time is of the essence. We need to act now, and act decisively, in tackling all challenges faced by the women of our country,” he said.

The Deputy President’s response comes at a time that the country is faced with an increase in incidents where women are under siege. While the country is under lockdown, several incidents of rape and murder, perpetrated by men, came to the fore, including the gruesome killing of eight-month pregnant Tshegofatso Pule, whose lifeless body was found hanging on a tree after she was last seen leaving her boyfriend’s house.

Mabuza told MPs on Thursday that in pursuit of government’s social compact commitments to end gender-based violence and femicide, government is progressing on the implementation of some of the key measures. These include:

–        Ensuring legislative amendments, such as minimum sentencing in cases of gender-based violence, bail conditions for suspects, and greater protection for women, who are victims of intimate partner violence;

–        The Draft Amended National Policy Framework on the Management of Sexual Offences Matters has been developed and aligned with the 2019 Presidential Summit Declaration against GBVF;

–        Cabinet approved the GBV Policy Framework in the Post-School Education and Training System in order to respond to the increased number of GBV-related cases at institutions of higher learning — an important step during Youth Month.

“There is no doubt that more work lies ahead. Collectively, we can make a difference to the lives of all South African women so that, they too, can enjoy freedoms and liberties, with no fear of being raped and murdered by men.

“Unless as a society we fight this scourge with the same vigour that we fought the oppressive system of apartheid, the freedoms we envisaged at the dawn of our democracy will remain elusive,” Mabuza said.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has confirmed the arrest of a former Merafong Local Municipality senior official for allegedly illegally depositing funds into the collapsed Venda Building Society (VBS) Mutual Bank.

Mattheys Gerhardus Wienekus, 64, a former senior official in Merafong, appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Thursday after being subpoenaed to face charges of contravention of the Municipality Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 in the ongoing investigation linked to the bank.

“The suspect, who was arrested this morning, was employed at Merafong Local Municipality as Manager: Budget and Treasury until his retirement,” said the Hawks in a statement.

Investigations have revealed that over R50 million was invested with VBS Mutual Bank at the time when he was acting as the municipality’s CFO.

Merafong Local Municipality is one of the 20 other municipalities that invested municipal funds with VBS, in contravention of the law.

Wienikus’s case has been postponed to 29 July 2020 for further investigation.

“I have indicated that the investigations into the municipalities are at an advanced stage. This is the beginning and all the other cases are receiving the necessary attention,” said the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Dr Godfrey Lebeya.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country has sufficient law enforcement agencies to deal with corruption.

The President said this when he fielded oral questions from members of the National Assembly during a hybrid question and answer session on Thursday.

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) chief whip Narend Singh had asked President Ramaphosa if the billions of rands allocated for government spending in response to COVID-19 presented an opportunity for corruption and criminal elements, and whether he saw it important to establish a new Chapter 9 institution to deal with grand scale corruption.

“There are sufficient law enforcement agencies to deal with incidents of corruption.

“These include institutions like the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in the SA Police Service (SAPS) and the Special Investigating Unit,” he said.

The President said the Office of the Auditor General and the Financial Intelligence Centre also play important roles in detecting instances of corruption.

The office of the Auditor General will be taking additional measures, including proactive auditing, to ensure the proper use of COVID-19 funding.

“We have also established the NPA’s Investigating Directorate to focus on corruption cases arising from the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture and other commissions.

“We also have a progressive legislative framework for addressing the escalating number of investigations, prosecution and trial of serious forms of corruption.”

This, the President said, includes the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

“I am advised that the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster is undertaking work to revamp the criminal justice system, which will include the strengthening of the governance arrangements, intelligence-driven and prosecution-led investigations and mechanisms for the recovery of ill-gotten proceeds.

“We therefore take the view that the establishment of a new independent Chapter 9 institution to focus on grand corruption may not be necessary at this stage.

“However, we should continue to consider all available options to ensure that we eradicate corruption across society,” said the President.

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has begun laying criminal charges against government employees illegally conducting business with the State.

Public Service and Administration Minister, Senzo Mchunu, expressed concern at the high number of public servants still conducting business with the State.

“We are following up on these cases with the relevant departments, so that identified individuals will be dealt with within the framework of the law, since doing business with the State is a criminal offence,” he said.

The Minister said the department will ensure that criminal charges are laid with the police in an effort to curb the culture of pillaging State resources with impunity.

“The number of government employees found to be doing business with the State and those who failed to disclose their financial interests is concerning. This situation must be dealt with as the Sixth Administration has committed itself to fighting corruption and maladministration.”

Mchunu said corruption in the public service is inconsistent with the values and principles governing the public administration, stipulated in Section 195(2) of the Constitution and must be tackled head on.

South Africa, he said, has to make a shift towards observing ethics and combatting corruption, both in the public and private sectors.

“Corruption remains a major contributor to economic decline and therefore, it is even more important for South Africa to act swiftly against this scourge,” Mchunu said.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Senior Management Service (SMS) members are required to disclose their financial interests annually by 30 April.

“As a department, we have written letters to the relevant departments to take action against identified employees and to report investigation and disciplinary outcomes,” said the Minister.

Heads of Department and Executive Authorities are required to submit the disclosed financial interests to the Public Service Commission (PSC) by 31 May 2020.

“The PSC can then determine if there is potential or actual conflict of interest regarding the disclosed financial interests,” he said.

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has welcomed a R3.6 million fine handed to a major steel producing company after it admitted to contravening sections of the Air Quality Act by exceeding the minimum hydrogen sulphide emissions standards.

The judgment, said the Department in a statement on Thursday, sends a strong signal that the air quality regulatory environment must be respected by industry and government alike. The judgment was handed down by the Vereenigning Regional Court last week.

The sentence included an order for ArcelorMittal South Africa to pay an amount of R3.63 million to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.

“In terms of the court order, this will be utilised for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of air quality monitoring instruments for the benefit of the Sedibeng Municipality,” the department said.

AMSA entered into a plea agreement with the State in which it admitted to violating sections of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act by exceeding minimum hydrogen sulphide emissions standards.

“AMSA Limited’s Vanderbijlpark works is located within the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area. The area was declared a priority in 2006 and is one of three priority areas identified nationally in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA) due to concerns about elevated pollution in these areas,” said the department.

It said the sentence took account of additional measures AMSA is committed to implementing, subsequent to being issued with administrative notices by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2018.

These commitments included, among others, the construction of a new gas plant at an approximate cost of R1.1 billion which will commence in June 2020.

Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Barbara Creecy, in the statement said: “This penalty should deter other violators of air quality legislation. It sends a clear message that violations of air quality regulations carry significant penalties, and that the courts are committed to protecting the right of communities to improved air quality.”

The summons was issued to AMSA on 30 May 2019.

The criminal investigation was initiated by the Green Scorpions following ongoing non-compliances detected at the Vanderbijlpark facility during an inspection undertaken by Environmental Management Inspectors from the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Over the years the authorities have been monitoring compliance within the Ferro Alloy Iron and Steel sector. Three prior inspections had been undertaken at this facility – in November 2008, October 2012 and August 2014.