Category: News

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng Safety and Security MEC, Faith Mazibuko, are expected to visit the family four-year-old Bokgabo Poo from Wattville, Ekurhuleni, who was found murdered in Tamboville last week.

The child was reported missing on Monday last week and according to the provincial government, a “massive search” by both the police and the community was launched.

“On Tuesday… the leg of a child was discovered in a shallow grave in the yard of a house in Tamboville, followed by a mutilated body being discovered a few metres away from the house.

“A multi-disciplinary team comprising the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, forensic experts, Occult Related Crimes Unit and local detectives led to the arrest of a 30-year-old male suspect in Boksburg North on Friday,” the provincial government said.

The man is expected to appear at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court today on charges of kidnapping and murder.

Eastern Cape SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene, has welcomed the arrest of five suspects connected to the murder of nine people and the injury of another in three separate shooting incidents in KwaNobuhle, Kariega, on Thursday.

In a statement, Mene applauded the multi-disciplinary team for the swift tracing of the suspects.

Eastern Cape South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Col Priscilla Naidu, said: “In the first incident, it is alleged that at about 11:45 [on Thursday], the bodies of four males were found inside a Mazda 323, while another body was found lying behind the vehicle in Mabi Street [in KwaNobuhle].

“The sixth injured male was taken to hospital. All the deceased and the injured victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

In the second incident, at about 12:10 [on Thursday], the bodies of three males were found in Zola Nqini Street. Naidu said two victims were found inside a silver VW Polo, while the third deceased was found lying outside the vehicle.  All had multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies. The vehicle was reported stolen in Humansdorp in May 2022.

“As soon as the murders were reported, Lt Gen Mene instructed the implementation of the 72 hour activation plan. Within this time frame, at about 08:00 on Friday, 14 October 2022, four males who were persons of interest were detained for questioning. The males, aged between 26 and 30 years old were found at a possible hideout in Summerstrand.

“It was further established that on the same day of the murders, another body of a male aged between 18 and 25 years old was found lying on the side of the road in Rooihoogte near KwaNobuhle,” Naidu said.

During the investigation, the team established that a white Toyota Quantum bakkie was suspected to have been involved in the murders.

“Police worked tirelessly around the clock to trace this vehicle. On 14 October 2022, at about 18:10, the vehicle was spotted driving from Langa location in Kariega towards town. The vehicle was stopped in Van Riebeeck Hoogte and a 34-year-old male was apprehended. The Quantum was confiscated.

“The three murder scenes are linked. All five suspects are charged with nine cases of murder and one of attempted murder. They will appear in the KwaNobuhle Magistrate Court on Monday, 17 October 2022,” Naidu said.

Mene commended the team for their outstanding and brilliant investigation.

“The effect of the 72-hour activation plan was felt, as the joint multidisciplinary SAPS team worked around the clock to ensure the speedy apprehension of the suspects. It is extremely disturbing that lives could be lost in such a cruel and violent manner.

“We will be collaborating closely with the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] to make sure that bail is denied, as well as to ensure a successful prosecution,” said Mene.

The North West provincial government says efforts to contain veld fires across the four districts of the province are currently in full swing.

“Government has assembled a team of firefighters, environmentalists and government officials to develop and implement a plan to respond to the disaster,” a statement read on Thursday.

This comes as devastating veld fires destroyed over 50 000 hectares of grazing land in Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality over the past two weeks.

The fire also damaged fence lines, poles, kraals, and six water sources such as pipes and water tanks.

In addition, cattle were also killed in the fast-moving wildfire, the provincial government said.

According to the SABC News, wildfires have been blazing for over a week in large parts of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and have been reported in parts of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality as well.

The provincial government is currently creating firebreaks in high-risk areas, while firefighters are on the ground in various parts of the province.

“Additional resources in the form of trucks and manpower have been sought from district municipalities to assist in extinguishing the fire.”

Meanwhile, a joint-operation centre has been created to coordinate the deployment of resources to various areas that are affected by veld fires. The operation includes the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Working on Fire, North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.

North West Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape said government is working around the clock to normalise the situation.

“We are working hard to bring the situation under control. We have deployed officials of government in various parts of the province to deal with this situation and they are working for hand in glove with other stakeholders to respond swiftly to this disaster,” said Maape.

He has also appealed to residents to desist from starting open fires.

“Residents must note the danger of starting open fires. The destruction might come at the cost of human life. The current veld fires have destroyed properties. It might take time before some farmers recover from this calamity,” the Premier stressed.

In the meantime, the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism will also deploy environmental specialists to assess sensitive biodiversity areas.

Meanwhile, the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is looking after injured animals.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has appealed to sector departments to assist the embattled Lekwa Local Municipality in Mpumalanga to deliver basic services.

The appeal was made on Thursday when the committee engaged with various Lekwa Local Municipality public stakeholders on a variety of issues, including service delivery and infrastructure.

The committee said after engaging with the stakeholders, it noted that there is still a lot that needs to be done regarding the stabilisation of the leadership and administration of the municipality.

“The committee heard various complaints from the residents, including non-delivery of basic services such as water and sanitation, refuse collection and non-provision of electricity.

“The committee also heard about the lack of implementation of by-laws, corrupt allocation of housing and poor service from municipal officials. The committee expresses its concern on the crumbling road infrastructure, which is riddled with potholes within the municipality.”

The committee will follow up on the specific issues that have been raised by stakeholders, particularly those that affect the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

“The committee also calls on critical sector departments to assist the municipality, particularly with services such as cleaning, roads, water and sanitation, as the municipality is very dirty.

“It was highlighted during the engagement that the municipality needs stable and visionary political and administrative leadership to uncover the municipality’s economic growth and development potential.

“After today’s engagement, the committee will table a report to the National Assembly with recommendations of what should be done.

“The committee will also continue to perform its oversight duties by demanding monthly reports on the status of the municipality from the relevant department and from the Ministers of Finance and COGTA, who are deployed by Cabinet to the Lekwa Local Municipality.

“Furthermore, the committee will continue to monitor whether action is taken on the issues that have been raised by the community,” the committee said.

On Wednesday, the committee heard that several sector departments had shown willingness to assist the municipality. It calls for that assistance to be provided in a coordinated manner with the Department of COGTA at the centre.

“To this end, the committee will also meet with the sector departments to ascertain their plans to assist the municipality.

“Committee members also urged the stakeholders to file formal complaints against municipal officials who are not doing their work. It is one of the ways residents can ensure that they have accountable and responsive municipal administration,” the committee said.

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has called for greater cooperation with communities to end police killings.

This comes after two on-duty police officers were on Thursday evening shot dead in Boksburg North, Gauteng.

Masemola urged communities to contribute towards building a safer and secure country by working closely with the police in ending the senseless attacks and killings of police officers.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Athlenda Mathe, said the pair, a 29-year-old constable with three years’ service and a 45-year-old sergeant with 18 years’ service, who were both attached to the Boksburg North Police Station, were responding to a complaint of an unnatural death in the area when they were accosted by three males.

“At the time of the attack, the pair were waiting for a mortuary van when they were disarmed and fatally wounded.

“The suspects, who fled the scene on foot, took off with the deceased’s service pistols and bullet proof vests. All role players have been activated and a manhunt is underway to apprehend those who are behind the attack, as well as the recovery of the two State firearms and two bullet proof vests,” said Mathe.

Masemola said the killing of police officers in the line of duty and for their service pistols undermines the authority of the State and the proper functioning of the criminal justice system.

“While we review our police safety strategy and plan, we are calling for greater cooperation with our citizens to put an end to such incidents collectively. We believe that such incidents can be prevented.

“We will not rest until we find those behind the attack and killing of police officers. My deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the two members,” he said.

Police have urged anyone with information on the incident to call the Crime Stop Hotline number on 0860010111 or download the MySAPS App on any android or smart phone. Information will be treated with confidentiality.

National Hawks Head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has lauded the seizure of a firearms cache and arrest of 20 suspects linked to illegal mining during an operation at a mine shaft in Stilfontein in the North West.

Lebeya on Monday hailed the operation, warning that these measures were “only just the beginning”.

In a continuous fight against illegal mining, the North West Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted by members of the Hawks’ Tactical Management Section, Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, District Illegal Mining Task Team, Tactical Response Team, Bidvest Protea Coin, and Harmony Gold mine embarked on an early morning raid at a mine shaft in Stilfontein on Monday.

Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said: “The operation follows weeks of surveillance into the alleged illegal mining activities of the suspects resulting in the arrest of 20 suspects and the seizure of 15 AK47s, six hunting rifles, two shotguns and one R5, boxes full of ammunition, explosives and an undisclosed amount of money.”

She said the operation was ongoing and did not rule out the possibility of more arrests and more seizures.

The suspects are expected to make their first appearance before the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday where they will be facing preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of ammunition and contravention of the immigration act.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has issued a warning about health products linked to the 33 babies who died in The Gambia.

This comes after 33 children in The Gambia died of kidney-related illnesses after consuming cough syrup manufactured by an Indian company, Maiden Pharma.

However, according to international reports, 66 children have lost their lives.

“SAHPRA, like other regulators globally, has been alerted to dubious health products being traded by an Indian company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals,” the statement read on Monday.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has since issued a global alert over the four cough syrups identified in The Gambia and reported to the organisation in September 2022.

According to the WHO, substandard medical products are products that fail to meet either their quality standards or specifications and are, therefore “out of specification”.

“These products have been identified in The Gambia, but there is a possibility that these products may be distributed to other countries.”

The four products are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals.

According to SAHPRA these products are not registered for use in South Africa.

“The WHO conducted laboratory tests which linked the medication to those deaths. The four products contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol which are toxic substances and can prove to be fatal,” the regulator said.

“The fact that these medicines were administered to children makes the matter far more serious.”

Toxic effects following the consumption of the products, according to SAHPRA, include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.

“If you are in possession or come across any of these products, please ensure that you do not consume these products, nor should you administer them to children.”

SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, said the watchdog’s mandate is to ensure that the public has access to quality, safe and effective health products.

“The safety of the public is of paramount importance. Our Regulatory Compliance Unit will work with law enforcement agencies to eradicate any substandard and falsified health products,” she added.

SAHPRA urged citizens to contact their Regulatory Compliance Unit at Mokgadi.fafudi@sahpra.org.za if they have any information about these products.

Government says Ministers and Deputy Ministers pay for the usage of electricity and water at their private residences, while the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure pays for the usage of water and electricity of state-owned buildings, such as official residences.

This comes after government noted an article published in the City Press newspaper dated 09/10/2022 saying “ministers pay nothing for water and electricity”.

Government said that, as stipulated in the Ministerial Handbook which contains guidelines for members of the executive, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is responsible for the costs associated with the provision of water and electricity to any state-owned residence.

A statement released by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is bound by government prescripts to accommodate members of the Executive.

“The Department of Public Service and Administration sets out the provisions in the ministerial handbook. These provisions are part of the package that comes with being a member of the Executive as they are living in state-owned houses in service of the country.

“The only facilities exempt from load shedding are the seat of government, which is the Union Buildings, as well as the House of Parliament. The other facilities exempt from load shedding are mines that supply Eskom with coal,” the statement read.

Government further said that people in the proximity of these facilities, may also be exempt from load shedding.

“Hospitals are required by law to have their own backup power, however, due to the continued load shedding; government is working on a plan to exempt certain hospitals in the country,” GCIS said.

Government further urges consumers to continue to pay for the services they receive so that municipalities are able to collect revenue, meet their debt obligations, and provide quality services to communities.

Government, GCIS said, will continue to provide free basic services to all indigent households.

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) will hold community consultations towards the implementation of a just transition framework for South Africa in Mpumalanga this week.

The consultations are intended to mitigate the social and economic impacts of the climate transition and to improve the livelihoods of those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

The consultations will take place in the Emalahleni Local Municipality on Wednesday and in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality on Thursday.

This follows the approval of the framework by Cabinet. The framework puts South Africa on a path towards reaching climate and development aspirations, implementing policies and measures that support environmental justice and equity, and ensuring progress toward the national goal of reaching climate resiliency and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The PCC said the consultations will have undertakings from different social partners such as labour, youth, non-governmental organisations, business, faith-based communities and local government.

They will particularly focus on just transition programmes and initiatives in the Mpumalanga province such as the Mpumalanga Provincial Climate Compact and the Decommissioning of the Komati Power station, with responses from National Government, Local Government and Eskom.

The PCC will also give feedback on the issues raised in the last consultations in the province and work with the communities to come up with next steps for implementing the just transition framework.

The trial of seven Chinese nationals arrested for alleged human trafficking and child labour was postponed in the South Gauteng High Court on Monday to Friday next week as the court tries to secure a Mandarin interpreter.

“It emerged in court today that the previous interpreter spoke Cantonese and the accused were battling to follow proceedings as they did not understand the language. Cantonese is one of the dialects of the Chinese language,” the Department of Employment and Labour said on Monday.

The seven Chinese accused are Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian.

According to the department, the suspects are facing an array of charges, including trafficking in persons, contravention of the Immigration Act, kidnapping and pointing a firearm.

They face debt bondage, benefitting from the services of a victim of trafficking, conduct that facilitates trafficking, illegally assisting persons to remain in South Africa and failure to comply with the duties of an employer.

“In another development accused number two, Chen Hui also tried to flee South Africa using the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia border post,” the department said, adding that he was arrested in September and is now in custody.

Hui, who is accused number seven, now joins Zhilian who is also in custody after she violated her bail conditions by trying to flee the country and was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 24 February 2021.

The department said the rest of the accused are out on bail.

“In October 2021, the accused in a written statement read by their attorney Jannie Kruger made an admission of guilt for violation of several South Africa’s labour laws. However, the other charges still stand and they will continue to face trial on those.”

Kruger, according to the court, told the court the suspects did not understand English. In the interest of justice the State has a responsibility to get an interpreter who speaks Mandarin, he had said.

The accused were arrested in 2019 for allegedly running an illegal enterprise called Beautiful City Pty Ltd located at Village Deep in Johannesburg.

The operation was led by the Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) together with the South African Police Services (SAPS) Hawk Unit and the Department of Home Affairs.

“The Chinese factory was allegedly processing the inner cotton of blankets using recycled clothing.”

They have pleaded not guilty to the other charges and are expected back in court on 21 October 2022.