Category: Crime & Corruption News

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday expressed concern at the alleged theft of food parcels meant to assist distressed families and individuals during the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown.

“A number of provinces have received reports that callous individuals, some of them allegedly government officials, are hoarding or selling food parcels earmarked for the needy and destitute, or diverting them to their friends and families,” said the President in his weekly newsletter.

In the letter, the President vowed to deal with individuals harshly, should the allegations prove to be true.

Like many other countries around the world, South Africa has imposed the lockdown with a hope to save lives from the life-threatening COVID-19 that has killed 54 people in the country.

“We have done the same in our country, but our lockdown has revealed a very sad fault line in our society that reveals how grinding poverty, inequality and unemployment is tearing the fabric of our communities apart,” he said.

The President has been moved by images of people desperate for food parcels at distribution centres and of community protests against food shortages.

“There can be no greater anguish than that of a parent whose children cry out to them for food, but they have none to give. There can be no greater injustice than a society where some live in comfort and plenty, while others struggle at the margins to survive with little or nothing at all.”

While he has attributed this to the “residual effects of a fractured and unequal past”, he also said they are also a symptom of a fundamental failure in post-apartheid society.

“The nationwide lockdown in response to the coronavirus has gravely exacerbated a long-standing problem.”

The President said that while National State of Disaster and the imposition of a nation-wide lockdown has been put in place, the support of vulnerable citizens has been slow.

“We had to act quickly to save lives. And we must acknowledge that in the days and weeks that have followed, the provision of support to our country’s most vulnerable citizens has been slower than required and that lapses have occurred,” he said.

Grants

On the payment of social grants, President Ramaphosa said he was pleased to see that this proceeded relatively smoothly, and after a number of technical challenges, the food distribution system is being streamlined.
“And as the presentation by the Ministry of Health, last week indicated, enforcing a lockdown at the time we did has slowed down the rate of infection and, more importantly, bought us time to prepare for a probable surge in infections in the coming weeks and months,” he said.

Impact on the economy

President Ramaphosa said they had to consider the impact on an already floundering economy in both the long and short term, and the impact of this substantial disruption on the livelihoods of millions of people.

“We had to consider what weeks of confinement to the home would mean for the employed not paid regular salaries, for the unemployed and those seeking work, for those in casual or seasonal employment, for those in the informal sector, for the indigent and for the vulnerable.”

He said the cabinet will finalise a set of measures to respond to the impact of the lockdown on livelihoods, preceded by a range of engagements with a number of stakeholders including business, labour, religious organisations, civil society and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

“The social partners have put forward a number of proposals on interventions that could address the immediate vulnerability of the poorest of the poor, most of whom rely on social assistance to survive.”

He said government will also scale up welfare provision during this period to help households living below the poverty line.

He said even when the nation-wide lockdown is lifted, its effects will continue to be felt for some time to come.

“Those fortunate to have a steady income will be able to return to their jobs; but for millions of others this will be a lost month where they would otherwise have found temporary work, done business in the informal sector or saved money earned to meet their family responsibilities.”

While he concedes that food support is a short-term emergency measure, it needs to be matched by sustainable solutions that help vulnerable citizens weather the difficult times that are still to come.

President Ramaphosa also thanked non-government organisations, religious groups and ordinary citizens who are donating money and volunteering to help feed the hungry and destitute.

“Alleviating hunger is not an act of charity. It is imperative for any society that is founded on respect for human rights,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has commended law enforcement officers for the arrest of a suspect involved in the manufacturing and selling of counterfeit liquor during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The 50-year-old suspect was caught red-handed at Illovu township, South of Durban, refilling Smirnoff 1818 bottles during an intensive operation.

Among the products recovered were 196 x 750ml empty bottles of Smirnoff 1818, 100 litres of Ethanol; a black bag full of Smirnoff 1818 closures as well as 4. 5 x 750ml refilled bottles of Smirnoff 1818.

The suspect was charged for Contravening Disaster Management Act, manufacturing and selling counterfeit alcohol and selling counterfeit liquor during lockdown.

In welcoming the arrest, Dube-Ncube warned that South Africa is founded on the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

“Our laws should apply to all, not some. Businesses too must meet their legal obligation. Obtaining a business license and paying your taxes is part of business compliance,” Dube-Ncube said.

Dube-Ncube added that as the department, they remain committed to sustaining a collaborative approach to ensure the compliance of relevant laws.

“Failure by anyone to adhere to these will result in the prosecution without fear or favour,” the MEC said.

Liquor industry commended

Meanwhile, Dube-Ncube commended stakeholders in the liquor industry who have contacted her expressing their firm commitments to adhering to the lockdown regulations.

“I appreciate the fact that they understand that the regulations are aimed at containing the spread of the virus [COVID-19]. In particular, it is comforting to know that they have joined hands with government in intensifying efforts aimed ensuring the full recovery of our economy, post COVID–19.

“We acknowledge the fact that the liquor industry remains critical in ensuring socio-economic development. Many other sectors of our economy such as tourism, hospitality and entertainment rely heavily on the liquor industry. A thriving liquor industry is therefore in the interest of this province,” Dube-Ncube said.

The provincial government has undertaken to continue to work with stakeholders to strengthen the control and regulation of liquor through the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Act during the lockdown period and beyond.

She said that, through the KZN Liquor Board Authority, the department will embark on awareness campaigns in order to educate communities about the Act and lockdown regulations.

“During this period, we have joined forces with law enforcement agencies and industry role players to clamp down on those flouting the regulations and any law of the country,” Dube-Ncube said.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has condemned the 397 incidents of vandalism, burglary and destruction of schools across several provinces since the start of the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown.

The damage of school property includes torching of schools, the theft of learning as well as teaching equipment, including Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment.

The breakdown of the vandalism in schools is as follows: Mpumalanga 73; Gauteng 67; Western Cape 57; North West 55; Northern Cape 39; KwaZulu-Natal 34; Limpopo 30; Eastern Cape 26; and Free State 16.

“It is really unfortunate that criminals in our communities could destroy the infrastructure of their own children. We applaud the work done by the Police and we hope that more arrests will be made. We want to see the arrest and prosecution of every single criminal responsible for this kind of behaviour,” the Minister said in a statement on Friday.

Police in Gauteng have thus far arrested 44 suspects, including those found in possession of stolen property linked to school break-ins in the province.

Two arrests were made in the last 24 hours in KwaZulu-Natal in connection with the break-ins.

“These criminals must be reported to the police immediately. Let us work together to safeguard the future of our children by exposing these criminal elements,” she said.

The Minister said communities are meant to be caretakers of the infrastructure that government had put in place for the education of children.

“The damage caused due to the torching and theft in the schools will have a negative impact on the implementation of the recovery plan once the lockdown is lifted. Provincial Education Departments have reported an alarming number of schools that have been vandalized.

“In all the burglaries learning and teaching equipment has been stolen together with other expensive items. The most common target areas in the schools are the administration blocks for ICT equipment and the nutrition centres for the food items,” the Department of Basic Education said.

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) has urged consumers to be careful of fake credit provider scams, as South Africa continues the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The NCR is warning consumers to be careful of scammers who act as legitimate credit providers, preying on vulnerable consumers during this period of COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of this pandemic has unfortunately left many consumers desperate for money with  some having to resort to borrowing,” said the NCR Chief Executive Officer, Nomsa Motshegare.

She said criminals have spotted an opportunity to exploit vulnerable people by posing as legitimate registered credit providers and offering loans with a condition of an “upfront payment”.

“The NCR has, during this period, been receiving queries from consumers about unregistered companies posing as registered credit providers, offering them loans via SMS and email. These scammers use the registration details of lawfully registered credit providers, inform consumers that the loan is approved and before the loan is paid out, they demand an upfront payment from the consumers.

“Once consumers pay this upfront payment, the scammers will disappear with no trace and no loan will be paid out to the consumer,” Motshegare said.

According to the National Credit Act (NCA), an upfront payment for a loan is unlawful and not allowed.

The agency, which falls within the ambit of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), urged consumers not to fall for this scam and to never pay any upfront fee for a loan.

Those who have fallen victim to this scam and have paid upfront fees should open criminal cases at their nearest South African Police Service (SAPS).

All registered credit providers’ details are listed on the NCR website www.ncr.org.za.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating the authenticity of a picture circulating on social media of two female officers in uniform posing with alcohol.

“The SAPS has noted with concern a photograph of two females in SAPS uniform each holding what appears to be a bottle of beer and posing next to packs of liquor,” the SAPS said.

Police are investigating the authenticity and origin of the picture to determine the identity of the persons in the photograph, as well as when and where the picture was taken.

“Such behaviour by any South African Police Service members is unacceptable and it is condemned in the strongest terms by police management. As soon as the investigation is concluded and the picture authenticated, the members will be subjected to internal disciplinary procedures,” the SAPS said.

The SAPS has appealed to members of the public who have information about the picture to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111.

Tip-offs may also be made via the SAPS MySAPS App. All information received will be treated with confidentiality.

The South African government has welcomed the arrest of a 55-year-old male suspect for allegedly circulating a misleading video clip on COVID-19 test kits.

The suspect appeared before a Western Cape court on Tuesday.

In a statement, government said the suspect has been charged in terms of the Disaster Management Act Regulation 11(5)(c)m], which prohibits the publication of information through any medium, including social media, with the intention to deceive people on government measures to address COVID-19.

Government reiterated that all testing kits and other equipment used by the Department of Health and the relevant medical institutions are of high standard, which has been approved by the South African Bureau of Standards.

“Disinformation is unacceptable and dangerous to our society. Such acts should be condemned by all South Africans, who remain committed to fighting the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of us have a responsibility to desist from peddling fake news,” said government in a statement.

Government Communications (GCIS) — in collaboration with key leading social media platforms — continues to work towards curbing disinformation practices within its public information systems.

“We call on communities to work with government and report any person who misleads the public with the wrong information.

“Help combat COVID-19 and combat fake information and misinformation by reporting to Real411.org,” said government.

Reliable and trustworthy information on COVID-19 can be accessed and verified from government and other sources, including media platforms such as www.sanews.gov.za; www.gov.za/Coronavirus; www.health.gov.za; www.nicd.ac.za.

Any suspicious and fake news can be reported to https://real411.org.za.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has condemned the raping and murder of women during the national lockdown period.

This follows two reported cases of murder over the past weekend.

A Willowvale woman was found murdered in her home last Friday, with her 18-month-old baby lying next to her. It is reported that the 47-year-old woman was shot in her upper body.

In a separate incident a Grade 9 pupil that attends Aurora Girls’ High School from Dobsonville, Soweto, was raped and murdered while running an errand. Her body was found last Friday in a bush at eMndeni Extension in Soweto.

“We are shattered! This is saddening beyond comprehension especially during these trying times. I’m calling for immediate action against perpetrators of GBV. Men must stand up against GBV by saying violence against women and girls is unacceptable,” the Minister said.

She said women and girls are currently gripped by fear in their homes.

“South Africa boasts hosts of legislation and policies that affirm the rights of all, including women and gender non-conforming people. These rights do not necessarily translate into reality in the lives of people who still face systemic and endemic forms of violence.

“We must all work tirelessly to deliver for the lives of women and gender-non-conforming people in South Africa today. We cannot continue to live lives that are constantly under siege and where we are not all enjoying the fruits of our Constitutional democracy,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.

Government has announced plans to beef up the family violence, children protection and sexual offences units.

Victims can contact 0800 150 150 and 0800 428 428 to report incidents of gender-based violence.

All citizens have been encouraged to ensure that children are cared for and not left unattended during this period. They should also remain vigilant to any suspicious behaviour of neighbours and surroundings.

Any suspected form of abuse or criminal activity can be reported to the South African Police Service Crime Stop number on 0860 10111.

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has called for harsh action against the men who raped and murdered a woman after allegedly posing as soldiers deployed for the 21-day lockdown.

“I am deeply concerned about criminals who take advantage of the national lockdown to rob and murder innocent citizens. We want women and children to be safe during this moment,” said Nkoana-Mashabane in a statement on Monday evening.

This comes after a KwaZulu-Natal granny was raped and murdered, allegedly by men posing as soldiers who said they were going around sanitising homes.

Government announced a 21-day lockdown and deployed soldiers to various communities as a measure to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

It is reported that 75-year-old Genzeni Ernstine MaMthalane Zuma was raped and murdered by criminals who duped her into believing they were members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

It is alleged that Zuma allowed the criminals into her home in Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, after they claimed to be SANDF members assigned to sanitise homes in the area. Zuma’s grandson discovered her body on Sunday morning.

A week ago, two other cases were reported – one of a six-year-old girl, Sinakhokonke Madiya, who died after she was raped and strangled at Izingolweni, on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.

Another case reported was of an 11-year-old, Tiyiselani Rikhotso, from Ndengeza village in Limpopo. Her body was found in the Klein Letaba Dam with several open and deep wounds.

As part of extra measures, government announced that there are plans to beef up the family violence, children protection and sexual offences units.

For urgent responses, the public can report incidents of gender-based violence on the number 0800 150 150.

The Minister has appealed to the security cluster not to let their guard down and act decisively on matters of violence against women and children during these trying times.

“Let’s ensure children are cared for and not left unattended during this period, remain vigilant to any suspicious behaviour of neighbours and surroundings and report any suspected form of abuse or criminal activity,” said the Minister.

The public can report incidents of violence against women and children to:

SAPS Crime Stop: 0860 10111 / SMS Crime Line: 32211

GBVF-related service complaints (SAPS): 0800 333 177/ complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has condemned any form of abuse committed by soldiers during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.

The Minister’s remarks follow various allegations of abuse by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed in support of government efforts to contain the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The Minister wishes to strongly reiterate the message delivered by the Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF [President Cyril Ramaphosa] to desist from using excessive force against citizens of the country regardless of the level of provocation they may face whilst deployed.

“The Minister has since instructed the Chief of the SANDF to monitor the situation on the ground and deal with those members proven to have used excessive or unnecessary force against the citizens. Such heavy handedness is not in the interest of safeguarding our citizens,” the Department of Defence said in a statement on Monday.

The Minister called on citizens to adhere to the lockdown regulations as stated in the Government Gazette for the duration of the lockdown and to desist from provoking any of the law enforcement officials deployed to assist curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It would be in the best interest of the SANDF to empower the public about the dangers of the virus. Therefore citizens are urged to remain in their homes at all possible times. This will help curb the spread of the virus in our communities.

“We appeal to all people to play a positive role in ensuring the spread of the virus is curbed,” the department said.

A 31-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Lehurutshe Magistrates’ Court today on charges of smuggling counterfeit cigarettes.

The suspect was arrested on Friday, 20 March, by police at the Kopfontein border in the North West.

Police were conducting inspection at the port of entry when they stopped an Isuzu bakkie of a courier company for a search.

Police discovered 75 master boxes of cigarettes, with an estimated value of R1.25 million.

The driver was arrested and charged for contravening Section (180) and Section 15(1) (a) of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the North West, Major General Ryno Naidoo, welcomed the arrest and commended the police for their vigilance.

He said the arrest and seizure will send a clear message that transnational crimes will not be tolerated and perpetrators will not be spared.