Category: Crime & Corruption News

The seven Chinese nationals standing trial for human trafficking and child labour have been found guilty on 160 counts in the Gauteng South Division Court in Johannesburg.

Judge David Mhango said it was common course that the accused were in charge of Beautiful City and managing its operations; that the factory employed foreign nationals – mainly Malawians; that a number of employees sustained injuries during operations of Beautiful City and that the Malawians were illegal in South Africa.

He further said employees at the factory worked from Monday to Sunday and the company paid wages below the National Minimum Wage (NMW) which is a statutory requirement in the country.

Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian were facing schedule six offences.

The Chinese nationals were found guilty on not registering with the Compensation Fund and declaring their operations; failure to keep records of their earnings; failure to submit their return on earnings; failure to pay and declare assessments; failure to maintain a safe workplace; failure to report incidents; failure to register and declare with the Unemployment Insurance Fund Commissioner; failure to inform the Commissioner on Unemployment Insurance changes; guilty of human trafficking; aiding/facilitating human trafficking; bondage; benefiting from victims of human trafficking and assisting illegal persons to remain in South Africa.

The Chinese nationals were arrested on 12 November 2019 in a joint operation carried out at their premises Beautiful City Pty Ltd based at Village Deep in Johannesburg.

They were arrested during the joint inspection blitz carried out by the Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch together with the South African Police Service (SAPS)/ Hawks Unit and the Department of Home Affairs.

The factory produced cotton fibre sheets.

“The joint operation uncovered illegal immigrants some of whom were minors working under horror conditions and kept in the locked premises of Beautiful City,” said the Department of Employment of Labour.

the department’s Gauteng Provincial Chief Inspector, Advocate Michael Msiza said the judgment was a landmark ruling for labour laws.

He said the judgment sent a strong message to those that continue to employ illegal immigrants, that illegality will not be tolerated.

All the accused were remanded in custody except for number six, Dai Junying who is still out on bail and was kept outside on medical grounds.

Sentencing proceedings will resume on 7 March 2025.

The Special Tribunal has ordered 16 service providers to pay back some R21 million in profits linked to alleged irregularly awarded Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contracts.

The contracts were awarded by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development (KZN DSD) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The order emanates from a probe by the Special Investigating Unit following a provincial Treasury investigation into the KZN DSD.

“The Treasury investigation concluded that PPE was procured from 16 service providers in 18 contracts, with a total cumulative value of R21 242 955.95. The report further recommended disciplinary action against several officials and the registration of a criminal case.

“The SIU [Special Investigating Unit] processed the report through its processes and systems and identified significant shortcomings in the initial investigation. The report did not evaluate potential financial recoveries or quantify the state’s losses. Additionally, no efforts were made to recover funds lost due to overpricing or irregular procurement practices.

“The SIU [investigation] found that all service providers charged rates that exceeded the pricing guidelines set by the National Treasury. Consequently, the SIU has initiated proceedings in the Special Tribunal to recover the overpayments,” the SIU said in a statement on Tuesday.

The corruption busting unit said any criminal conduct will be referred for prosecution.

“In line with the Special Investigating Unit’s and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU refer[s] any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

“Under the SIU Act, the SIU is also authorised to initiate a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration,” the SIU concluded.

The East London Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation  unit, in collaboration with the Road Accident Fund (RAF), has helped to secure the conviction of Solomon Ndika-Ndika (59) for fraud.

Ndika-Ndika was sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment by the East London Regional Court on 14 February 2025.

Ndika-Ndika was initially arrested on 7 November 2023 and released on warning the following day. His case stemmed from a claim filed with the RAF on 29 January 2016. He stipulated that on 7 October 2014, he was involved in a motor vehicle accident, as he was traveling from Elliot towards Cala.

Ndika-Ndika further divulged that during the time, an oncoming vehicle approached him. When he tried to avoid the accident, his car overturned, and he sustained injuries.

During the claim processing, RAF picked up discrepancies between documents that were submitted by Ndika-Ndika and the police report. RAF repudiated the claim and referred the matter to the Hawks for a thorough probe.

A comprehensive investigation by the Hawks revealed that through misrepresentation made by Ndika-Ndika, RAF nearly suffered a loss of more than R1.6 million.

Ndika-Ndika made numerous court appearances until his sentencing by the East London Regional court on 14 February 2025.

He was sentenced to undergo five years direct imprisonment with no option of a fine. Furthermore, Ndika-Ndika was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has condemned the brutal murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks who was gunned down on Saturday while attending a wedding in Gqeberha.

Hendricks is a renowned Muslim scholar and an avid advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) rights having served a number of organisations championing the cause for equality along gender lines within the Muslim faith.

Hendricks became the first Imam in the world to come out as gay in 1996 and was since removed from his position for coming out.

He is the founder of the Inner Circle, a global Muslim community advocating for a society free from discrimination based on religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

He also established the LGBTQIA+ inclusive Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque where there is no gender segregation.

Recently, Hendricks led the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which provides psycho-spiritual and social support to Muslims marginalised due to sexual orientation, gender identity, and belief.

Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Deputy Minister, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, said the murder of Hendricks was a stark reminder that the LGBTQIA+ community in South Africa continues to experience discrimination and hate crimes, despite the nation’s progressive legislation, such as the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act (2023), enshrined in part to protect the rights of the queer community.

Letsike recalled brave words uttered by Hendricks as he advanced the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in the Muslim faith, as he said: “The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die.”

“This brutal murder is not just about Imam Hendricks, it is a direct assault on all movements, organisations and persons advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights in South Africa. We call on the South African Police Services and all law enforcement agencies, to strengthen their investigation, and track the persons responsible for justice to prevail.” Letsike said.

A 48-year-old is due to appear before the Greytown Magistrate’s Court soon after being found in possession of firearms and ammunition.

This a multidisciplinary operation comprising members attached to the Pietermaritzburg Flying Squad, Pietermaritzburg Public Order Policing (POP), and local security companies.

“On Thursday, 13 February 2025, police conducted an informer operation following information regarding unlicensed firearms at a homestead in Ngome.

“Upon arrival, officers searched the premises and found two .303 rifles, two pistols, and ammunition. Further investigation led to the recovery of a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) uniform,” said KwaZulu-Natal police.

The Department of Correctional Services has launched a manhunt for an inmate who escaped from the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in the Western Cape.

According to the department, the 35-year-old man, Yanga Wayithi, was assigned to work within a team maintaining the grounds of the facility.

Wayithi is serving a six-month sentence for theft and trespassing.

“The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been notified, and a case of escape from lawful custody has been opened. The Department of Correctional Services’ tracing team is actively working to ensure a swift rearrest.

“Additionally, an internal investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the escape, with the findings informing any further action to be taken,” the department said.

The public is warned to “remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities” as the department continues its search for the escaped inmate.

“Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” the department concluded.

Former State Security Minister Bongani Bongo has been granted R5 000 bail, following his arrest for alleged corruption.

Bongo (47) made a brief appearance at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, after his arrest in the morning of the same day.

Bongo is accused of offering a bribe to evidence leader in Parliament’s Eskom inquiry, Ntuthuzelo Vanara, in 2017, and also contravening the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 (“PRECCA”).

He is being re-tried after he was acquitted by former Western Cape Judge President, John Hlophe, who dismissed the charges against Bong in 2021.

However, the matter went back to the court after Supreme Court of Appeal Judge John Smith, appealed the decision, and ordered that the matter be heard afresh, granting the retrial.

“It is reported that during September to October 2017, the accused approached a member of the then Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises to allegedly arrange a meeting to prevent the next sitting, where Eskom board was to account.

“Eventually, the suspect secured the meeting wherein he indicated that the Portfolio Committee sitting with the Eskom board cannot proceed as planned and indicated that was possible if the member named his price,” National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya said on Tuesday.

Bongo is expected to reappear in court on 4 March 2025.

The accused, a former member of the National Assembly, was sworn in as a Member of the Executive and Cabinet, and the Minister of State Security, a position he occupied until 28 May 2024.

All MP’s are bound by the Code of Ethics, and all other ethical and other obligations and duties arising from the Constitution, the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, No. 4 of 2004, and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 (“PRECCA”).

Lebeya vowed that the Directorate will continue to execute its mandate without fear, favour or prejudice.

He also commended the investigating team and encouraged the prosecution team to ensure the South African citizenry receive the deserved justice due to them.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed four new proclamations authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption at Ithala Development Finance Corporation, the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality, Llepele-Nkumpi Local Municipality and Greater North Transport.

Ithala Development Finance Corporation

Proclamation 243 of 2025 authorises the SIU to investigate serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of the Ithala Development Finance Corporation situated in KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on tendering for the supply, implementation, and maintenance of an integrated banking solution.

The probe will determine if contract payments adhered to national treasury guidelines were irregular, wasteful, or led to financial losses for the department or state.

The SIU will also investigate any unlawful conduct by Ithala employees or officials that may have resulted in improper benefits.

“Furthermore, the investigation will assess whether fraudulent actions occurred, identify any resultant losses or damages, and examine any irregular or unlawful behaviour by Ithala employees or other entities.

“The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2017 and 31 January 2025, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2017 and after the date of the Proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts,” said the SIU.

Greater Kokstad Local Municipality

Proclamation 244 of 2025 directs the SIU to probe two tenders by the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. These tenders are:

• For the appointment of a service provider to supply and renew software licences for three years.
• For the appointment of a service provider to supply customer care and IT service desk solutions.

The SIU said the probe will examine whether the procurement and contracting were made in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, or cost-effective or in violation of applicable legislation, guidelines, or instructions from the National or Provincial Treasury.

This includes the municipality or the state’s unauthorised, irregular, or wasteful expenditure.

The probe will also look at any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees of the municipality, its suppliers or service providers, or any other person or entity implicated.

The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2022 and 31 January 2025, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2022 and after the date of the Proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts.

Llepele-Nkumpi Local Municipality

Proclamation 243 of 2025 mandates the SIU to investigate serious maladministration in the affairs of Llepele-Nkumpi Local Municipality in Limpopo Province regarding procuring and contracting for goods, works or services for six contracts. The contracts under investigation are:

• Tender relating to professional services for the closure and rehabilitation plan of the old dumping site in Zone A.
• The award of contracts in or about August 2015 for the electrification of Rakgoatha Village Extension, Mapatjakeng Village Extension and Motserereng Village Extension.
• The award of a contract in or about June 2016 for upgrading the access road from Units S to Q.
• The award of a contract in or about June 2016 for constructing the Madisha Ditoro small access bridge and upgrading internal streets and stormwater drains (phase 1) in Rakgoatha.
• The award of a contract in or about April 2016 for tarring 9 km of internal streets in Rockville and Unit S, Lebowakgomo.

The contract was awarded in or about December 2013 for refurbishing the Lebowakgomo Civic Centre.

• The contract was awarded in or about December 2013 for refurbishing the Lebowakgomo Civic Centre.

Greater North Transport

Proclamation 246 of 2025 authorises the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption in eight contracts and maladministration in six contracts at the Greater North Transport (GNT) in Limpopo Province.

The SIU will investigate the allegations of corruption of board members, officials or employees of the GNT or contractors, suppliers or service providers for the following tenders:

• Appointment of Raletjena Technologies and Trading (Pty) Ltd.
• extension of a contract between the GNT and Group 4 Security (Fidelity Cash Management) (Pty) Ltd.
• Appointment of Scania South Africa (Pty) Ltd to provide repair and maintenance services to the GNT.
• Procurement of 150 busses from Mercedes Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd
• Procurement of 87 80-seater busses from MAN Truck and Bus South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
• Appointment of BB Truck and Tractor Services (Pty) Ltd to provide repair and maintenance services to the GNT.
• Procurement of legal services.
• Procurement of a fleet management system.

Furthermore, the SIU will also probe allegations of maladministration in the affairs of the GNT and any losses or prejudice suffered by the GNT or the State as a result of such maladministration concerning:

• Fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the GNT as a result of interest payments made to Africa Oil (Pty) Ltd;
• A settlement agreement concluded with Umvuzo Energy (Pty) Ltd
• The mismanagement of diesel supplies.
• The failure to collect the debt that was due and owing to the GNT
• An agreement was entered into between the GNT and emerging bus operators.

The probe will also examine whether the payments for these contracts adhered to national treasury guidelines and ascertain whether the payments were irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditures or financial losses for the department or the state.

Furthermore, the SIU will seek to establish if there was unlawful or improper conduct by the department employees, officials, agents, and any other person or entity to corruptly or unduly benefit themselves or others.

The investigation will also at whether fraudulent conduct occurred, including the causes of such maladministration, any losses, damages, or prejudice actually or potentially suffered by the department or the state, and any irregular, improper, or unlawful conduct by employees or officials of the department or any other person or entity.

The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2002 and 31 January 2025, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2002 and after the date of the proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts.

Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption, and fraud, the SIU said it was committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses.

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

Under the SIU Act, the SIU is also authorised to initiate a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) seized more than 70 000 counterfeit items valued at over R90 million in January 2025.

The police also arrested 37 suspects of various nationalities during multiple takedown operations conducted in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal throughout the month of January 2025.

The seized counterfeit and illicit goods included cellphones and accessories, pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, toys, clothing and consumables.

These operations were led by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit, with the support of the provincial Counterfeit Goods Units, the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs division and brand protectors.

A Mission Action Joint Operation Centre (MAJOC) roving team — comprising SAPS members from various specialised units such as the Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Policing (POP) and SAPS drone pilots deployed in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal as part of Operation Vala Umgodi — also formed part of the operations.

While primarily focused on combating illicit mining, these teams also target other criminal activities within the provinces.

Notably, the National Counterfeit Goods Unit was crowned overall winner in the Visible Policing Team of the Year category at the SAPS National Excellence Awards held on Sunday, 26 January 2025.

The SAPS remains dedicated to dismantling the illegal trade of counterfeit and illicit goods, which pose risks to consumers, harm legitimate businesses and undermine South Africa’s economy.

The Ministry of Transport has called on law enforcement to arrest those responsible for the torching of 50 Public Utility Company (PUTCO) buses and ensure that they are prosecuted in court.

PUTCO’s bus fleet plays a key role in moving about 200 000 commuters a day, with its biggest operation being in the province of Mpumalanga.

In a statement on Tuesday, PUTCO said that the buses were set alight on Monday night after unknown men ambushed and tied-up security guards at the Moloto depot before burning buses on site.

It added that two employees were injured during the incident and had to be treated in hospital.

“Soon thereafter, attacks were reported at the Wolwekraal and Siyabuswa depots,” it said, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation.

“Authorities are investigating the incident, and we appeal to members of the public who may have information on these coordinated attacks to contact their local police,” said PUTCO.

This as the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have condemned the incident in the strongest of terms and described it as an act of aggression.

“The Minister and Deputy Minister have thus characterised the act as economic sabotage given the critical role that the bus industry plays in the mobility of the workforce in the country.

“The Minister has instructed the department to organise an urgent meeting with National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) to discuss this matter and develop necessary integrated response,” the Transport Ministry said on Tuesday.

The ministry said it fears that interfering with the company’s operations may regrettably have disastrous impact on the commuters in Mpumalanga, who rely on the bus operator to commute to as far as Gauteng on a daily basis.

“It is therefore of utmost importance that the law enforcement agencies take every possible course of action to investigate Monday’s incident and bring the perpetrators to book to face the full might of the law.

“The department will also continue to support any effort taken to prevent acts of sabotage on the country’s public transport system.

“The Minister and Deputy Minister wish a speedy recovery to the two employees who were injured in the course of the arson attack, and they have also expressed their full support to PUTCO in this period,” the Transport Ministry said.