Category: Crime & Corruption News

Parents and guardians have been urged not to leave their children unattended after an incident where a three-year-old girl died in a house fire.

“Reports indicate that the victim and her siblings aged seven and nine, were left alone by their mother in the shack where they stay. When she returned home, she found the shack engulfed in flames and immediately called for help. The other two children managed to escape the fire unharmed, except the three-year-old,” said the South African Police Services (SAPS) on Tuesday.

A case of culpable homicide was opened against the woman with an additional charge of child neglect.

The incident happened on Monday evening at Siyathuthuka township in Belfast.

Meanwhile, a similar incident occurred last week  where two young girls, aged seven and eight, burned to death in a house fire.

The two children who are said to be cousins, were asleep in the house at Jerusalem near White River whilst their parents were away.

“Their uncle was visiting neighbours at the time and it is said that he was notified by one of the neighbours that a spotlight at the house where the children were asleep, was off. He then went to investigate and on his arrival, he realised that the bedroom where the girls were was on fire.”

He reportedly called other neighbours to assist to extinguish the fire, however the flames were too intense and the girls perished in the fire.

An inquest case is currently being probed and a charge of child neglect will be added.

In another incident, a 23-year-old woman was recently arrested in Bushbuckridge for child neglect, after she reportedly left her three children, aged four, five as well as a nine-month old baby unattended between the evening of Friday, 09 April and the morning of Saturday, 10 April 2021.

Her family then thought that she was missing and the matter was brought before the attention of police.

The woman was later found at a tavern.

“A case was opened against her and she was arrested, appeared before court on Monday where her case was remanded until Thursday, 22 April 2021 for bail application.

Police management in the province urge parents as well as guardians to play their role in order to prevent such incidents from occurring,” said Colonel Donald Mdhluli.

The Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) unit of the Department of Employment and Labour has issued 14 businesses with 33 non-compliance notices during a blitz inspection conducted at Tower Mall, Jouberton, in the North West.

In a statement, the department said the focus of such inspections is on compliance with labour legislation, such as the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Act, Compensation Fund (CF) Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).

Provincial Chief Inspector, Boikie Mampuru, said the number of notices issued on Tuesday is a serious cause for concern, as it means that workers are not protected.

“Only one out of 14 outlets that we inspected was compliant with the four pieces of legislation [upon which] our blitz was based. The rest were either non-compliant in one or more, with most notices recorded under non-compliance with different regulations within the Compensation for Occupational and Diseases Act (COIDA) and Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act),” said Mampuru.

In dealing with non-complying employers, Mampuru said the standard operating procedures will be followed to ensure that all workers’ rights are not infringed.

He reiterated the commitment the IES unit made earlier this year during a workshop to equip and capacitate OHS inspectors. In that workshop, the department committed to a new level of protection for employees in the province.

The inspections are part of the service delivery campaign by the department.

The National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have dismissed as a scam, reports of trillions of Rands donor funds going missing – after being deposited at the central bank.

The allegations were made by businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale during an interview he had with eNCA on Sunday evening.

During the interview with host JJ Tabane, Sexwale alleged that billions that have been deposited at the SARB, have gone missing.

In a joint statement National Treasury and the SARB said the allegations point to a common scam.

“Over the years, National Treasury and the SARB have received many such requests for, or promises, of billions (and now trillions) of rands or dollars, and from experience regard these as simply scams. Any claim that such funds are meant for deserving causes such as COVID-19 relief, social grants or grants for free education are simply empty promises, to secure the interest of the potential victim,” said the parties.

The Treasury and the Reserve Bank had previously received correspondence from Sexwale and many others alleging that billions of rands have been stolen from a fund that has been referred to as the ‘White Spiritual Boy Trust’ and which was set up by a foreign donor.

“It is further alleged that there are trillions of dollars in the said fund and that, inter alia, a certain Mr Goodwin Erin Webb was its mandated representative in South Africa,” reads the statement.

Subsequent investigations by the SARB confirmed that it had no record of the existence of the said fund and it had advised Sexwale in writing that, given the SARB’s experience and knowledge of this and other similar matters, it could only conclude that the alleged fund was a scam.

“It should be noted that Mr Sexwale is not the first prominent person acting on behalf of a Mr Webb or an unknown donor, for such funds, and such requests can be traced to many years before 2016.

“The SARB can confirm that all cross-border transactions are reported to the SARB by commercial banks who are appointed as Authorised Dealers in foreign exchange transactions. The SARB has concluded that there is no evidence to support the existence of such funds.”

The Treasury and SARB said if Sexwale believes otherwise, the onus was on him and his unknown sponsor to provide independent written proof of the existence and/or transfer of such funds.

The two would also have to provide certified copies of actual identification and citizenship of such ‘donors’, in line with the normal FICA-type anti-money laundering requirements.

“Allegations of theft of non-existent funds have no validity,” the Treasury and SARB said.

The Mahlabathini Magistrates Court in KwaZulu-Natal has slapped a pupil with a community-based sentence of 12 months, after she was convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

According to the provincial National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the matter relates to the assault of a fellow learner from Mathole High School in Mahlabathini in September last year.

“The incident was captured on video and widely circulated on social media,” the NPA said in a statement on Monday.

According to the judgment, the 26-year-old learner will also be placed under the supervision of a probation officer for the 12-month period and referred for intensive therapy to manage issues that may have led to the offence.

In handing down the sentence, Magistrate Fatima Khawula set out some conditions, which include the accused not leaving the magisterial district without prior written consent from the probation officer and submit a written apology to the victim.

“In addition, the probation officer must facilitate a mediation between the accused and the victim.”

The NPA said District Court Prosecutor Khethiwe Buthelezi successfully prosecuted the matter.

The Director of Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal, Advocate Elaine Zungu welcomed the finalisation of this matter.

“We acknowledge the prevalence of bullying in the school environment. We will give these matters the necessary attention and ensure prosecutions accordingly,” she said.

Bullying is back in the spotlight after a Grade 10 learner from Limpopo, Lufuno Mavhungu, was laid to rest over the weekend after she took her own life after being bullied by a fellow pupil.

This comes after the viral video of her being attacked on 12 April 2021, in full view of her peers at Mbilwi Secondary School, made rounds on social media.

The suspect, who is a minor, has since been arrested and is facing a charge of assault.

The teenager made her first court appearance last week.

National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, has commended the Public Order Police (POP) unit attached to the Qonce policing precinct for the manner in which they handled a violent protest.

A police nyala was burnt by protesters and South African Police Service (SAPS) members were attacked. The incident happened near the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape.

Members of the POP unit were monitoring a protest when they came under fire from university students.

Four POP members sustained injuries when a group of violent protestors threw stones at members conducting foot and vehicle patrols. One member has since been hospitalised.

Two members monitoring the violent protest in a police nyala escaped unharmed when the Nyala was set alight. The pair managed to jump out moments before the armoured vehicle burst into flames.

The National Commissioner has called on the Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape to mobilise the 72-hour activation plan, a plan designed to mobilise critical resources and expertise to gather intelligence and evidence to help successfully identify the culprits responsible for undermining the authority of the State.

“Members from the POP unit must be commended for practising restraint and enforcing the law within the parameters as set out by the Constitution when they came under attack.

“We wish the injured members a speedy recovery and have also dispatched our Employee Health and Wellness unit to provide psychological support to all affected members,” Sitole said.

Criminal cases, including malicious damage to property and assault, have been registered for investigation. No suspects have been arrested as yet.

SAPS has called on anyone who saw what transpired or know of anyone who is responsible for these acts to contact their nearest police station or share the information through the MySAPS App. Members of the public are reminded that they may remain anonymous.

The formal trial of seven Chinese nationals arrested on alleged human trafficking and violation of South Africa’s labour laws is expected to start this week in the Johannesburg High Court.

This comes after its commencement was on Monday postponed due to the non-availability of Chichewe and Mandarin interpreters, the Department of Employment and Labour said in a statement.

The seven were arrested in November 2019 at a warehouse in Johannesburg during a joint operation conducted by the Department’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch in Gauteng, together with the police, Home Affairs and the Hawks.

The arrests followed a tip-off that the Chinese nationals were allegedly involved in the trafficking of illegal immigrants and subjecting them to forced labour.

The seven – Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian – will now appear in court on Wednesday.

“Six of the accused are out on bail. Accused number seven Zhang Zhulian is now held in custody because on 24 February 2021, she tried to abscond. She was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport,” the department said on Tuesday.

The accused are facing schedule six offences and will face 160 counts related to contravention of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, Unemployment Insurance Act and the Unemployment Contributions Act.

It also includes the contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, kidnapping, contravention of Immigration Act, knowingly employing illegal foreigners, human trafficking, kidnapping, pointing a firearm, debt bondage, benefitting from the services of a victim of trafficking, conduct that facilitates trafficking, illegally assisting person(s) to remain in South Africa and failure to comply with the duties of an employer.

“The Department of Employment and Labour is involved in the matter to press for the prosecution of the accused for violating South Africa’s labour laws,” it said.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU), has successfully instituted civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal to review and set aside a R4 899 000 contract irregularly awarded to Rosette Investments by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development.

The contract was for the supply of 12 000 blankets.

The SIU approached the Special Tribunal in October 2020 to review and set aside four contracts awarded by the Social Development Department to supply 48 000 blankets to the tune of more than R18 million as part of the COVID-19 pandemic relief and to recover financial losses suffered by the Department.

The Rosette Investments contract is the second of the four contracts that were successfully reviewed and set aside, said the SIU in a statement on Sunday.

The SIU investigation had found that Rosette Investments had indeed delivered the blankets as per the terms of the irregular contract.

As a result, the SIU calculated the profit earned from the procurement contract by the investment company and demanded that it be paid back.

Rosette Investments agreed to pay back R864 005 and the agreement was made an order of the Special Tribunal.

The Special Tribunal ordered Rosette Investments on Friday to pay back the money to the SIU within seven days.

The company was also ordered to pay legal costs of the SIU, including the costs of counsel, consultations with counsel, opinions and advises sought and drafting of the application documents.

Head of the SIU, Advocate Andy Mothibi welcomed the Special Tribunal order.

“This is a continuation of implementation of the SIU investigations outcomes and consequence management to recover financial losses suffered by government departments, municipalities and State Owned Entities due to the irregular award of personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts.

“There are other cases enrolled in the Special Tribunal awaiting adjudication and will result in further recoveries for the State institutions,” Mothibi said.

The SIU received allegations of the irregular award of blanket contracts through its whistle-blower hotline and investigated the allegations as part of the Proclamation R23 of 2020 authorising the corruption busting unit to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in PPE procurement by State institutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SIU is an independent statutory body with a primary mandate to investigate allegations of corruption, malpractice and maladministration in the affairs of government departments, municipalities and state owned entities and to recover financial losses suffered by State institutions.

Fraud and corruption allegations may be reported via the following platforms: siu@whistleblowing.co.za / Hotline: 0800 037 774.

Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, has urged swift SAPS intervention in the crime situation and an impasse between the police and the Jouberton community near Klerksdorp, in the North West.

Mathale made the call on Sunday during a community crime prevention imbizo at Matlosana Stadium in Jouberton.

The imbizo was prompted by the torching of 12 houses since February and damage to vehicles in the area. The attacks are alleged to be gang-related.

In a statement, the SAPS said the imbizo created a platform for robust deliberations between provincial and local government, the police and community.

“The community gave a first-hand account of how crimes such as gangsterism, gender-based violence and femicide, domestic violence, proliferation of liquor, taxi violence as well as other prevalent contact crimes are affecting their daily lives and well-being,” reads the statement.

The Deputy National Commissioner of Policing, Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola, as well as SAPS provincial management led by Lieutenant General Sello Kwena accompanied the Deputy Minister.

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili said during the engagement, community members aired their frustrations regarding the prevalence of criminality as well as lack of job opportunities in the area.

“Community Policing Forum local representatives on the other hand appealed to the dignitaries to support their vision of hosting a seminar to address gangsterism and crime in general in the near future which they envisage will provide sustainable solutions to crime.

“To this end, the management has pledged its support to ensure that the seminar becomes a reality,” she said.

Lieutenant General Kwena told the community he had recently established two task teams that specialize in gangsterism and the proliferation of drugs to stabilise the precinct. The intention was to establish a fully-fledged Anti-Gang Unit in the North West, supported by the office of the Deputy National Commissioner: Policing.

A community member – who is also a rape survivor – spoke openly about her and other vulnerable GBVF victims’ ordeals, and requested the Deputy Ministry of Police to promise them that action will be taken against this scourge.

Mathale in the meeting acknowledged a clarion call from the community about the safety of police officers in Jouberton, saying if the police members did not have to constantly worry about their own safety, they would be able to fully commit to ensuring community safety.

The Deputy Minister urged the community to work together with the police to fight crime in the community.

“The solutions for the problems you have, are within you. We have heard your concerns and we are here to work together with you to fight crime in Jouberton.”

To the police officers, he warned that those who wear the blue uniform and “think that they can do as they please”, will soon change into an orange uniform.

Mathale has directed Masemola to work with the Provincial Commissioner to resolve pending cases that were raised by the community as well as schedule a feedback meeting with the community.

The South African Council for Educators (SACE) has officially launched its Handbook on Teachers’ Safety and Security in South African Schools.

Unveiled on Friday, the handbook will serve as a toolkit for teachers on matters affecting them daily in the classroom/school environment, and focuses on their safety and security.

In a statement, SACE said the handbook is aimed at providing educators with access to their rights and responsibilities and deals with issues relating to violence in schools.

It also provides further guidance on how educators may protect themselves in violent situations they may confront in a school environment.

“It will assist teachers [in] what action to take to minimise or mitigate the risk of violence against every member of the school community. It further provides teachers with an opportunity to create a safe school environment,” SACE said.

The handbook was birthed from consultation with different stakeholders in education, both at provincial and national level, including teachers themselves being the key stakeholders, while SACE was at the fore in conceptualising and developing the handbook.

“Teachers are our national assets, whose professional work builds classroom communities and contributes immensely towards nation building. Thus, SACE, as a professional body, has a responsibility to campaign for the protection of our teachers, and ensure that the image and integrity of the teaching profession remain intact.

“Furthermore, SACE has the responsibility to respond to the erosion of fundamental values that unite school communities, and act as a moral compass to provide direction and guidance in schools and communities,” the council said.

Notwithstanding the importance of the entire school community, the council said the erosion of the values and violation of the human rights culture in schools has resulted in teachers being at the receiving end of various forms of violence in schools.

“Teachers’ rights are human rights, and our teachers are entitled to dignity, respect and protection within the schooling environment.”

The handbook is now available on all SACE social media platforms and website www.sace.org.za for download.

A 30-year-old man is to appear in the Simon’s Town Magistrate Court on Friday in connection with the murder of an off-duty police officer.

The man was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the death of Sergeant Malose Percival Libelo (38) who was stationed at Steenberg Police Station.

Libelo was found lying in the street, shot in the head in front of Basmillian shop in Disa Street, Capricorn.

“The Hawks National Priority Violent Crime team, together with National Intervention Unit, acted promptly on information relating to the murder of Sergeant Libelo.

“Upon their search, they then discovered the official firearm belonging to the deceased. Subsequently, the 30-year-old suspect linked through information received, arrested and charged with murder,” said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on Thursday.