Category: Crime & Corruption News

The South African Police Service in KwaZulu-Natal is investigating the circumstances leading up to the death of a disabled 12-year-old Nondumiso Zondi, who was buried without an autopsy and a death certificate.

Nondumiso, who had Cerebral Palsy, died on Saturday in Coffee Farm, KwaZulu-Natal, and was immediately buried at his home on Sunday.

His father, Mdu Zondi (31), allegedly buried him in a shallow grave and did not report the death of his son to the relevant authorities.

On Thursday, his body was exhumed by the KwaZulu-Natal Search and Rescue after a whistle-blower alerted Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, about the death of the child. The body was sent to the Pinetown State mortuary.

The child’s grandmother, who was collecting a grant on his behalf, had passed away in May this year, leaving his stepmother as his primary caregiver.

The whistle blower further spoke about how the child had died on Saturday afternoon and was buried on Sunday morning. The whistle blower further reported that the family did not notify authorities about Nondumiso’s death.

Bogopane-Zulu, who visited the family along with the SAPS on Thursday, said that the disabled child had been bed-ridden for 12 years in the backyard of his family home and was not attending school.

She said that the family allegedly would leave the child in a one-room shack by himself with the TV playing on maximum volume.

“After being told about Nondumiso, I could not sleep. I kept on praying and pleading with God that there would be no truth to this story,” Bogopane-Zulu said.

According to the Deputy Minister, Nontuthuko Zondi (28), who is the child’s stepmother, confirmed that her stepson had died on Saturday after a short illness.

Due to the lack of funds, Zondi said, Nondumiso’s father and three of his friends dug a grave for him and buried him on Sunday morning at 08:00, where family members and some neighbours had attended the funeral.

Referring to the latest quarterly crime statistics, Bogopane-Zulu said that there were 243 children murdered between April and June 2022.

“This happens during Disability Right Awareness Month. Disabled children deserve a right to a dignified life – just like any other child” she said.

Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) is an annual campaign that is held from 03 November to 03 December. This year’s campaign is held under the theme; “Empowering Persons with Disabilities through resourceful, sustainable and safe environment.”

Two truck drivers working for an Eskom contracted company have been arrested after they were caught with stolen coal at the Kendal Power Station on Wednesday evening.

According to the power utility, the men work for an ash transporting company.

“The trucks belonging to an ash transporting company contracted to Eskom were exiting the power station coal gate when they were stopped by security personnel conducting vehicle inspections.

“Both truck drivers resisted the searches and maintained that the trucks were empty. With the persistence of a diligent security team the trucks were searched, and the stolen coal was found in the trailers.

“These arrests are the result of persistent and excellent work by the Eskom Security Team, in partnership with the South African Police Service, who are working tirelessly to identify and disrupt the criminal networks,” the power utility said in a statement.

Eskom Security General Manger Advocate Karen Pillay called on the full might of the law to come down on those found guilty of theft from the power utility.

“Coal theft is a highly organised criminal activity and syndicates involved are being enriched through the proceeds derived from the trade in stolen coal. Eskom continues to lose billions of Rands due to the misappropriation of coal and similar commodities, which directly affects production.

“There are several illicit coal stockyards and dump sites in the province that are recipients of the stolen coal. Eskom will ensure that the perpetrators face the full might of the law,” Pillay said.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has expressed shock and outrage at the killing of a Grade 12 learner, who was allegedly stabbed to death by a Grade 10 learner at Mandlenkosi Secondary School in Ntuzuma, north of Durban.

Dube-Ncube visited the school on Thursday, as part of the her matric exams monitoring programme.

The Premier said it is concerning that schools, which are centres of knowledge and learning, have now been degenerated into “dens of crime”.

“We came to the school to give support and prayer to the teachers and learners who are writing their examinations, following a very unfortunate and sad incident where a learner lost his life at school. We are really saddened by the incident that happened at a time when learners are supposed to be focusing on their exams, especially the matric class of 2022.

“The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government sends its condolences to the parents of the deceased learner, teachers and fellow learners, who witnessed this tragic incident on the school premises,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier assured all stakeholders that government will continue to offer much-needed support to the school and beef up security.

Psychosocial support is being offered to learners and teachers at the school.

“We will be approaching the Department of Health for additional support, so that more affected learners and teachers can receive counselling. We will also be reaching out to the rest of the community so that we preach to our children to value life.

“Violence is not the solution because any disagreements can be resolved through dialogue. We are approaching the police to ensure that there is visibility during exams and additional police will be deployed to KwaZulu-Natal during the festive season and beyond,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Department of Employment and Labour has welcomed the arrest of one of its officials in Germiston for allegedly demanding “spot fines” from a construction company for alleged “failure to comply”.

Employment and Labour Director-General, Thobile Lamati, said the department will accelerate internal processes for consequence management and enforce good governance principles to ensure that corrupt individuals face consequences within the department.

“The department regards this as a critical and effective step towards eliminating fraud and corruption within the department.

“It is unfortunate that the case against the department official is related to corrupt practices. However, rest assured that the department is doing everything in its power and authority to bring whoever is responsible to justice,” Lamati said.

He urged citizens to report corrupt activities.

“We envision a society in which all members have a zero tolerance for corruption. This is a vision that can be realised if we band together in a social compact to combat this enemy on all fronts with practical measures and targeted efforts.

“The department has zero tolerance for corruption and extortion, particularly if the perpetrator is a department employee, and we are fully committed to our international obligations to mobilise the global community to fight corruption on all fronts,” Lamati said.

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) former legal department head Kenneth Diedricks, and two others, have appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court where their corruption and money laundering case was postponed.

The two other accused – Charles Pretorius and Refiloe Martins – former employees of rail maintenance company Polyzomba – did work for the state entity.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the case stems back to 2006 when TFR awarded a R64 million tender to Polyzomba “for the replacement of turnouts/track panels on the railway network” for a duration of five years.

“After the expiry of the TFR and Polyzomba contract, the latter lodged a contractual dispute with TFR for the payment of an ancillary contractual payment to the total value of R25 million.

“Before a settlement between TFR and Polyzomba could be concluded, the consultation approval and signatures of Diedricks, the General Manager of Rail Network as well as that of the Principal Engineer were required.

“On 19 December 2011, Diedricks and the said General Manager co-signed and approved the settlement of over R25 million as payment to Polyzomba without consultation, knowledge, approval and signature of the engineering department of TFR, nor the Principal Engineer,” she said.

Mjonondwane said the three are expected back in court next year.

“All accused were released on R10 000 bail after the court heard an unopposed formal bail application on condition that they should notify the investigating officer 14 days in advance of travelling out of South Africa, as well as provide the officer with a full itinerary of their travelling arrangements.

“All accused will return to court on 7 March 2023 for disclosure of the contents of the docket to the defence team,” she said.

The High Court in Pretoria has granted the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (NPA AFU) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) an order to freeze the assets belonging to Eskom’s former middle manager for Program Complex Projects Duduzile Moyo and her husband Mmoloki Moyo.

The assets include a luxury property on the Silver Lakes Golf Estate in Pretoria, a Mercedes Benz Viano and a Chevrolet Utility vehicle.

According to a joint statement by the two units, the order includes a trust and business named after her children – Onalerona Trust and Tshimologo Trading and Projects – as well as two trustees, Tandiwe Gloria Nzama and Anani Sanelisiwe Dlamini, who is also the sole member of Tshimologo.

“The order emanates from the SIU’s investigations into Moyo’s conduct in her role as Eskom’s Supply Manager/Contracts Manager/Employer’s Representative who contracted a business named Tamukelo.

“Tamukelo was appointed to transport raw and potable water from Kendal Power Station to Kusile Power Station. In her position as Eskom Contracts Manager, Moyo signed 23 interim payment certificates in respect of Tamukelo’s services for the period December 2011 to July 2014 totalling approximately R138 million,” the statement read.

The two units said the probe further revealed that entities linked or associated with Moyo allegedly received payments from Tamukelo and its representatives while she was negotiating and managing Eskom’s contract with the company.

Her alleged modus operandi was “to create structures of entities owned by members of her family and friends to receive these funds”.

“There was a clear conflict of interest in that she received these funds in circumstances where part of her duties and functions were as a Middle Manager. Moyo was also part of a team that presented the negotiation strategy of the Tamukelo tender worth over R300 million to the tender and procurement committee.

“She also deceived Eskom and repeatedly made fraudulent misrepresentations, declaring that there was no conflict of interest when dealing with Tamukelo and other role players for five years when signing Eskom’s annual declaration of Conflict of Interest Policy,” the two units said.

This is the second freezing order obtained against Moyo after her Eskom pension was frozen in September after her resignation from the power utility that same month.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks) in Limpopo has welcomed the 15-year prison sentence handed to explosives smuggler, Alois Kamwaza.

The Musina Magistrate’s Court handed Kamwaza the sentence on Friday.

Said Hawks spokesperson, Captain Matimba Maluleke: “On 23 July 2022, Kamwaza was en route from Zimbabwe to South Africa when he was stopped by the border police at the Beitbridge port of entry.  The police subjected the truck to a mandatory search and they made a shocking discovery of the explosives that were hidden inside a tool box at the back of his truck.

“The driver was interviewed and it was established that the explosives were destined for Gauteng province. The explosives, 779 units of blasting cartridges and three reels of detonating fuses, with the estimated value of R200 000, were seized and he was subsequently arrested.”

Kamwaza was in custody until he was sentenced on Friday.

In another separate but similar incident, an undocumented person was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of explosives.

On 27 May 2022, members of the South African National Defence Force saw a suspicious man walking at Beitbridge port of entry. The members approached the man and upon searching his bag, members found 489 units of blasting cartridges, with a value of R146 700.

The accused, said Maluleke, Wilman Mwando (40), was arrested and he had been in police custody until he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment by the Musina Magistrate’s Court on 4 November 2022.

“Mwando was also found guilty of failing to use the port of entry to enter RSA, and for entering and remaining in RSA without legal documentation. He was further fined R5 000 or three months imprisonment on each offence,” he said.

The sentence of Ekurhuleni serial rapist Nkosinathi Phakathi will be handed down in the Pretoria High Court sitting in Palm Ridge over two days in December.

This after Phakathi was found guilty of some 90 counts of rape, four counts of compelled rape, three counts of compelling or causing a child to witness a sexual act, 43 counts of kidnapping, two counts of assault as well as four counts of theft.

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, his youngest victims were school going children with the youngest being nine years old and the oldest being 44.

She said Phakati committed the offences over a nine year period between 2012 and 2021 when he was arrested.

“He targeted his victims while they were going or coming back from school or work in the morning or evening. However, he targeted some in their own home.

“He would pretend to be an electrician coming to fix a geyser or other household appliances and rape them.  He raped some of his victims in the presence of children. In some instances when raping more than one person at a time, he made the other watch while raping the other, where after he would run or leave the house,” she said.

Mahanjana explained that the serial rapist initially faced some 203 charges with 55 minor charges withdrawn by the prosecution.

He pleaded guilty to 148 charges.

“Phakathi was arrested and linked to some of the offences through DNA evidence, and a modus operandi linkage report.  A total of 96 dockets was investigated by warrant officer Tlala John Mokoena, of the South African Police Service which formed part of this case.

“The matter was postponed to 8 and 9 December 2022 for the presentence report and continuation of sentencing proceedings,” she said.

A National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecutor has appeared in the Humansdorp Magistrates’ Court for failing to report a sexual offence against a child.

NPA regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said the prosecutor was released on a warning and will be back in the court later this month.

“A 54-year-old regional court control prosecutor, Vicky Rossouw, appeared in the Humansdorp Magistrates’ Court, charged with contravention of Section 54(1)(a) of the Sexual offences Act, 32 of 2007.

“[The Act] provides that a person who knows that a sexual offence has been committed against a child must report the alleged offence to the police. The State is alleging that she had knowledge that an offence of rape, incest and sexual assault was committed against a child, but she failed to immediately report it to the police,” Tyali said.

He said the NPA is also pursuing internal processes regarding the prosecutor’s alleged behaviour.

“The NPA views this case in a very serious light and has commenced internal labour relations processes against the prosecutor.  The enrolment of this case against one of our own is a clear indication that if there is enough evidence of a commission of a crime against anyone, the NPA will prosecute without fear, favour or prejudice,” Tyali said.

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old police official has been refused bail in the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old boy.

NPA regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said the man – Sergeant Elvis Hlungwani Mihloti – is attached to the SAPS’ Rapid Railway Response Unit.

“It is alleged that… while the minor was with his friends, Mihloti allegedly took the child and drove with him to different taverns and later went to Vicks Tavern in Soshanguve. While at the tavern drinking, it is alleged that Mihloti asked the boy to accompany him to check if his car was still parked.

“When they arrived at his car, the boy passed out and when he regained consciousness in the wee hours of the morning, he found himself in Mihloti’s bed, where Mihloti was busy raping him. He then instructed him to get dressed and promised to drop him off at home. On their way to the victim’s home, Mihloti stopped on the M17 and pulled the boy out of the car and drove off,” Mahanjana said.

She explained that the man was arrested after the incident was reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

“The uncle took the boy to hospital after he overheard the boy telling his male neighbour, who is said to be a close friend of the accused, what had happened to him and later reported the matter to the police,” she said.

Mihloti has been denied bail and is expected back in court on December 7.

Parliament has warned members of the public about a scam designed to mislead unsuspecting victims using an email address and WhatsApp number purporting to be that of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to defraud victims.

In a statement issued by Parliament on Sunday, the modus operandi is that the scammer sends an email from a Gmail account, appearing to be that of the Speaker, asking potential victims their WhatsApp contacts to initiate a conversation.

“Once the email chat migrates to WhatsApp, the scammer, whose targets thus far have been several staff members of Parliament, then requests potential victims to urgently purchase them an iTunes voucher.

“The WhatsApp number used bears the name of the Speaker but the profile picture is that of the National Council of Provinces Chairperson, Amos Masondo.  Anyone who receives such an email is urged to ignore it,” Parliament said.