Category: Crime & Corruption News

An alleged kidnapped victim was rescued and three suspects were arrested in Krugersdorp on Tuesday.

According to police, two Sergeants were driving from Leratong Hospital when they noticed a suspicious looking vehicle.

“Upon trying to stop the vehicle, one of the occupants pointed a firearm at them and the members shot back, resulting in the suspects stopping their vehicle. When searched, the police found two suspects and one man with his hands tied to the back.

“It was later established that the victim was hijacked and kidnapped in the morning at Centurion,” said the police.

Preliminary investigations then led the police to a third suspect in Naledi who was found in possession of the victim’s hijacked bakkie.

The victim was rescued, and all three suspects were arrested and are expected to appear before court soon on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, hijacking and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Correctional Services Minister, Dr Pieter Groenewald, has noted the Public Protector’s report regarding the infamous escape of convict Thabo Bester in 2022.

The report found, among other things, that allegations that there was “undue delay by the functionaries of the Department of Correctional Services to act in compliance with the regulatory prescripts and procedural requirements on information received regarding the escape of Mr Bester from Mangaung Correctional Centre is substantiated”.

The DCS said the officials involved have been “reassigned to alternative positions and issued final written warnings for their failure to promptly report the escape”.

“While the Minister acknowledges that the officials were slow to report the escape, he firmly asserts that G4S bears significant responsibility for this incident. G4S was tasked with ensuring that such an escape did not occur.

“Minister Groenewald emphasises that such behaviour is unacceptable and assures the public that stricter consequence management will be implemented to prevent similar incidents during his tenure,” the department said.

Well-known television producer and businessman, Dumakude Mayivuke Ndlovu, has appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court, together with two others, on charges of tax fraud.

The three who appeared in court on Tuesday, are facing 18 charges of tax fraud relating to Ndlovu’s personal and company income tax valued at approximately R26 million.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) said that registered tax practitioner, Rodney Mutsharini, allegedly assisted Ndlovu with his Personal Income Tax (PIT) and Maxwell Mloyi, who is an unregistered tax practitioner also assisted Ndlovu with his Company Income Tax (CIT).

“The three were arrested on 30 September 2024 and formally charged for their alleged offences. Mutsharini and Mloyi made a brief appearance on the day of their arrest and their matter was postponed to Tuesday, 01 October 2024, for formal bail application.

“Ndlovu made his first court appearance on Tuesday and made a formal bail application. The court granted Ndlovu R100 000 bail while Mutsharini and Mloyi were granted R50 000 bail each.

“The matter was postponed to 11 November 2024 for further investigations. The court ordered Mloyi and Mutsharini to surrender their travel documents, report to their nearest police stations every Monday and should they wish to travel outside the borders of the country they should make an application with the court,” the SARS said.

Ndlovu was ordered to report to the Sandton police station in Gauteng every Monday or Wednesday, notify the clerk of the court of his KwaZulu-Natal change of address and should submit an application to the court should he desire to travel outside the borders of South Africa.

Their arrest and court appearance are as a result of strengthened collaboration between the revenue service and the Investigating Directorate Against Crime (IDAC) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which uncovered an alleged collusion between the three in misrepresenting the personal tax affairs of Ndlovu and that of his company.

Following the appointment of President Cyril Ramaphosa as the President of the Republic on 15 February 2018, he established the Commission of Inquiry into the Tax Administration and Governance by SARS and subsequently appointed Judge Robert Nugent as the Commissioner.

“On 25 May 2018, Judge Nugent made recommendations for investigations to be conducted into the allegation of suspected fraud, corruption, and procurement irregularities with reference to the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act within SARS.

“Subsequently, IDAC authorised an investigation into the awarding of contracts by SARS, and the Commissioner of SARS was notified of these investigations with a view of mutual co-operation and information sharing,” SARS said.

The collaborative investigations between the two entities discovered that a company which formed part of the investigations, Bain and Company, was contracted by SARS to render services.

“This company allegedly sub-contracted Ambrobite (Pty) Ltd, now known as Kanoboya Consulting (Pty) Ltd, owned by Ndlovu, to render strategic and project management services between the period November 2013 to September 2016.

“This was however misrepresented by Ndlovu and his tax practitioner, Maxwell Mloyi, when submitting tax returns to SARS. Mloyi together with Ndlovu declared to SARS that the company was dormant and that it never traded during the tax period 2013 to 2017, resulting in a financial loss to SARS.

“In relation to his personal income tax, it was discovered that he together with Rodney Mutsharini misrepresented his personal income tax return for the period 2016 to 2019,” SARS said.

Furthermore, they submitted his personal income tax return for the year 2020 and 2022 but neglected to make a submission for the year 2021, which resulted in another financial loss to SARS.

The total financial loss to SARS due to these alleged offences is estimated at approximately R26 million.

“IDAC and SARS will continue to collaborate. Such partnerships enable law enforcement to deal with matters wholistically,” the revenue service said.

The National Counterfeit Goods Unit has led multiple intelligence driven takedown operations that has led to the arrest of five people and the seizing of counterfeit goods worth more than R94 million.

In a statement on Thursday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said it along with its crime fighting partners, remain relentless in efforts to disrupt and dislodge illicit trade in counterfeit and contraband goods.

The teams comprised of various internal and external stakeholders that included, among others; SAPS members from various specialised units, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI – “Hawks”), Department of Home Affairs, South African Revenue Services (SARS), Traffic, Metro Police Departments and Brand Protectors as well as force multipliers such as private security companies.

On 16 August 2024, police found and seized counterfeit clothing and sneakers worth over R37 million in a self-storage facility in Gauteng’s Doornfontein.

On 25 August 2024, police also seized counterfeit goods that included sneakers, clothing, watches and backpacks worth more than R41 million at a shopping centre in Bellville, Western Cape.

“On 29 August 2024, counterfeit sanitary pads, deodorants and other consumables worth over R4.8 million were seized at a self-storage facility in Mayfair, Johannesburg.

“On the same day, counterfeit sanitary pads, hair extensions, toothbrushes and other consumables worth over R9.3 million were seized at a small holding in Bredell, Kempton Park, Gauteng.

“The team also seized branded packaging, labels, machinery and other equipment used to manufacture counterfeit goods. Five Malawian nationals were also arrested for the contravention of both the Counterfeit Goods Act and the Immigration Act,” the statement read.

Furthermore, on 2 September 2024, police seized counterfeit shoe polish, deodorant, toothbrushes and other consumables worth over R2 million at a self-storage facility in Bonaero Park, Benoni.

“Police will continue to combat the illicit trade in counterfeit goods, protecting legitimate businesses and consumers who are subjected to substandard products that pose health and safety risks,” the SAPS said.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has taken significant steps to deal with construction mafia through a coordinated and multi-disciplinary response to criminal activities.

“Investigative capacity has been established to address extortion and violence at construction sites across the country, with a particular focus on KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and other areas where similar problems have been reported,” said Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

The Deputy President was engaging Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly on matters related to his delegated responsibilities.

In March this year, the Deputy President addressed the Criminal Justice System Review Conference where, amongst other important matters, criminality in the construction sector was highlighted.

“When delivering the keynote address, I stated the following: ‘Murderous construction mafia have brought many companies to their knees, and we must fight back to safeguard this industry’.”

Mashatile believes that a concerted effort from all is necessary to unravel the complex web of construction site disruptions, which endanger lives and impede government’s objectives of transforming the nation into a massive construction site that generates employment and expands the economy.

He told MPs that the police have partnered with various stakeholders, including State-owned entities (SOEs), government departments, private security companies and civil society to enhance their efforts in combating these criminal networks.

Mashatile reiterated government’s, commitment to addressing this challenge through the introduction of policies that will curtail and eliminate mafia in the construction sector.

These include the National Infrastructure Plan, the Critical Infrastructure Programme, the Social Facilitation Programme, and the Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum.

The Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum (IBACF), the Deputy President said, was another intervention that is yielding positive results in stopping criminal activities by the so-called “construction mafia”.

He explained that the IBACF was formed in 2020 and is aimed at monitoring infrastructure projects and putting systems in place to detect and prevent corruption.

The forum comprises civil society, representatives from the built environment, and various arms of government, including the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

In addition, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, through the application of the Social Facilitation Concept which was approved by Cabinet in 2021 is conducting pilot projects like the Salvokop Precinct Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP), which serves as a test case for integrating social facilitation into construction practices.

He explained that lessons learned will help further calibrate the framework.

“Given all the interventions I have outlined above, the challenge remains that the actual number of crimes committed by these mafias may be underreported, as witnesses and victims are often reluctant to come forward.

“It is crucial for communities, organisations, and businesses to work together with the South African Police Service to bring these criminals to justice.”

Meanwhile, he said top-class detective and crime intelligence work must be intensified to produce airtight prosecutions and see these crime bosses evicted, locked up and their proceeds of crime seized.

“The impact of these construction mafia on our nation’s development cannot be underestimated. The existence and activities of construction mafia significantly undermine the concept of a developmental State, as envisioned in the National Development Plan 2030.”

The Deputy President told Parliamentarians that these criminal organisations pose serious threats to public safety and the integrity of construction projects, which are essential for driving economic growth and development.

“As government, at all levels, we are committed to addressing this issue through independent investigations and partnerships with organisations like Business Against Crime South Africa, but most importantly with civil society organisations who live around and know these criminals.

“Let us stand together in the fight against these criminal organisations and work towards a safer and more prosperous South Africa for all living in it.”

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, is expected to appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development this week following reports that she indirectly benefited from the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.

Last week, allegations surfaced in the media that Simelane, while she was Mayor of Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo, received at least R500 000 in a loan from an individual intimately linked to VBS bank.

Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development Chairperson, Xola Nqola, said the allegations have a bearing on the perception of South Africa’s fight against corruption.

“The committee has noted with grave concern the serious allegations in media reports regarding an alleged loan to the Minister. These types of allegations are damaging to the image that South Africa is trying to portray as a country ridding itself of any form of corruption.

“We therefore thought it prudent to call the Minister speedily to a committee meeting where she can take Parliament and South Africans into confidence regarding these allegations,” he said on Monday.

During a question and answer session in the National Assembly last week, Simelane committed to appearing before Parliament.

“Permit me to start by making a commitment to this house on my availability with regard to the response, if any is needed by the house, or the committee or the Public Protector on the issues that are doing the rounds,” she said at the time.

The Minister is expected to appear before the committee on Friday.

Following the allegations last week, the Presidency said President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested a “detailed report and briefing from the Minister on the matter”.

READ | President requests briefing and report from Justice Ministe

Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has strongly condemned the brutal killing of a 45-year-old mother of four, whose body was found by the police together with two other victims at Sebayeng village in Limpopo.

The Minister said the incident happened as the country commemorates Women’s Month under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development”.

“I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the violence and brutal killings of women, particularly, during the month of August where we expect women to be embraced, protected, and celebrated,” Minister Tolashe said.

She said August should be the month when all South Africans celebrate women as active agents of change and social transformation. This should be done by reflecting on the achievements of women over many years, as well as their transformation and development of the past 30 years.

“This month coincides with the country’s commemoration of 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy, making this year’s Women’s Month an important juncture for collective reflection on how we have empowered and advanced the rights of women on our democratic journey.”

The Department of Social Development in Limpopo, through its social workers, conducted a visit to the home of the deceased, Maria Matsobane Makgato, in the village of Kotishing, in Polokwane.

It was discovered that the deceased was unemployed and supported her family through the child support grant which she received for her children.

The three of her children are attending school and the youngest is registered at an early childhood development centre. The eldest is 22 years old and employed as a casual worker at a local farm with her contract ending in December this year.

“Social workers are greatly assisting the family and an assessment of the needs of the family was conducted to determine how best they could be supported. Counselling was provided as part of the basket of psychosocial support services the department provides to victims who have suffered trauma and loss,” the Minister said.

The social worker appointed to the case will continue with psychosocial support and aftercare services.

A report will be compiled to determine a suitable person to care for the children and the family will be provided with a Social Relief of Distress grant while awaiting the post-mortem results so they can finalise the burial service of the deceased.

As the country celebrates 70 years of the Women’s Charter this year, Minister Tolashe said the country was duty bound to work together as a society to defeat the primitive agenda of a patriarchal system that denies women fundamental human rights and seek to promote equality across all genders.