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Three Isimangaliso Wetland Park officials will spend Christmas in prison after they were arrested for R100 million tender fraud and corruption in the KwaZulu-Natal government entity.

National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, has welcomed the arrest of the three suspects in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal.

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, in a statement said investigations revealed that some of the suspects were allegedly demanding money from various service providers that were contracted to do work for the Wetland Park in Mtubatuba.

“It was further established that money was paid into accounts linked to at least three suspects,” he said.

As part of first phase of this investigation, the Cold Case Unit worked closely with the Directorate for Public Prosecution in KZN, and embarked on an undercover sting operation which resulted in the arrest of the three suspects on 17 December.

The suspects are Nokuthula Lafuleni-Zungu, who worked as the building capacity manager; Caiphus Khumalo, a director, and Nkosinathi Victor Ntshangase, who is a friend of Lafuleni-Zugu and a game ranger at the Park.

Naidoo said the trio on Monday appeared in the Empangeni Magistrates Court and were all remanded in custody for a formal bail application to be heard at the same court on 29 December 2021.

“Further arrests are imminent as investigations are continuing,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal is now the epicentre of COVID-19 after the majority (or 2 496) new infections were detected in the province on Monday.

On Sunday, the province also recorded the highest number of infections after 4 135 people tested positive for the disease.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), overall, 8 515 new COVID-19 infections were identified in South Africa, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 316 585.

Gauteng logged 1 890 new infections, followed by 1 625 in the Western Cape, 651 in the Eastern Cape and 601 in the North West, while the rest of the provinces registered less than 500 cases.

The latest data show the peak represents a positivity rate of 29.9%.

Citing the Department of Health, the NICD said 105 COVID-19 related fatalities have been reported, bringing the death toll to 90 453 since the outbreak.

In addition, 8 435 patients are currently in hospital for Coronavirus, with 328 being admitted in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the country administered 71 874 new COVID-19 vaccines, 15 213 of which were given to children.

This means there are now 27 599 038 doses that have been distributed since the start of the vaccination programme, while 15 389 994 (or 38.67%) adults are fully jabbed.

According to the department, there have been 848 172 jabs distributed to children between the ages of 12 and 17.

Globally, as of 320 December 2021, there have been 273 900 334 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5 351 812 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation.

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has confirmed that it is in the process of finalising all processes for the payment of gratuity to all the qualifying non-returning former councillors.

This comes after about 5 000 councillors were not re-elected to positions in the 1 November Local Government Elections.

In a statement on Tuesday, ministry spokesperson Lungi Mtshali said the department remained the only viable vehicle that could effect payments to all qualifying former councillors.

“The payment of the gratuity to qualifying beneficiaries is made after conducting a series of checks and balances, including obtaining a tax directive from the South African Revenue Service.

“The Department of Cooperative Governance is therefore in the process of validating the approximately 5 000 applications from all 257 municipalities across the country,” he said.

Due to the thorough due diligence process that is required, payments will be processed as the verification processes are completed.

“We have already started processing payments and it is envisaged that we will continue doing so into the New Year,” Mtshali said.

This information was also communicated in a circular that was issued to all municipalities by the department on 6 October 2021.

Mtshali said all beneficiaries of the gratuity were requested to  note the unfolding process and ensure to submit all required information for payments in this regard.

“The department is working around the clock with all role players to ensure that the gratuity is processed and paid to beneficiaries ahead of the targeted date.

“The department will continue to provide updates regarding any new developments,” he said.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has urged people to take the COVID-19 jab in their numbers during the festive season after announcing that vaccination sites will remain open over the holiday period.

“We also call upon South Africans to celebrate this festive season with a lot of caution, especially with regard to alcohol consumption,” Phaahla said on Friday.

“Our health facilities are already under a lot of pressure with the COVID-19 as we indicated a 70% rise in admissions and we’re least ready to handle large numbers of casualties, from motor vehicle accidents and also interpersonal violence.”

He told the media that healthcare workers are physically and emotionally exhausted after nearly two years into the pandemic.

“So we plead to think of them as we celebrate this festive season,” he said.

“On behalf of the people of our country express our gratitude to all our health workers who continue to sacrifice their own lives and those of their families and their lives while caring for all of us.”

He said citizens should honour frontline workers by ensuring they celebrate the festive season responsibly and by getting the jab.

The Minister expressed dismay about the “drastic” decline in the uptake of vaccination, especially in the last seven to 10 days. “There was an uptick immediately after the announcement of the new variant, but the numbers have gone down quite drastically.”

On average, the department has been administering between 100 000 and 130 000 during midweek. According to Phaahla, this was a far cry from the target to reach at least over 250 000 people per day.

“We are well short of vaccine coverage for us to reach population immunity and protect the nation.”

He also warned that COVID-19 remains very active, as the number of new infections and hospitalisations continues to rise.

On Thursday, the country recorded over 24 000 new COVID-19 cases..

Once again, Phaahla said a reliable weapon against COVID-19 is the lifesaving jab.

“Many of us will be moving from places of work in the cities to our rural places and holiday destinations. We’ll be celebrating Christmas and New Year with relatives and friends who will be travelling for many hours in private cars, taxis, buses, trains and airplanes.”

He has called on holidaymakers to adhere to health and safety measures as they travel.

“Above all precautions, we should get our jab before we go on jolling and jab before you jive and ensure that we’re fully vaccinated.”

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, there is an increasing number of new daily infections and positivity rate in all provinces, except Gauteng.

NICD’s Head of Public Health Surveillance and Response, Dr Michelle Groome said Omicron was the dominant strain in November.

“There’s also an increase in hospitalisations in all provinces,” she said, adding that there has been a peak in deaths in all provinces but in the Northern Cape and Western Cape.

Regardless of the variant, Groome said vaccination, mask-wearing, social distancing and limiting large gatherings would curb the spread of the virus.

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says COVID-19 infections during the fourth wave have exceeded the previous peaks reached in the previous resurgences.

According to the Minister, the fourth wave, driven by the Omicron variant, has continued to spread rapidly across South Africa and has already been detected in at least 76 countries globally.

“In our country, all nine provinces are essentially in the fourth wave, although the Northern Cape is technically just about to enter fully.”

While Gauteng remains the hardest-hit province, Phaahla said infections have risen rapidly in the coastal provinces and the rest of the country.

This, according to the Minister, has resulted in Gauteng accounting for 25% of new infections on Thursday, compared to between 70% and 80% of cases about 10 days ago.

Infections rise

Phaahla said the number of cases in the fourth wave has exceeded the peaks of the three waves, with a weekly average of new infections of more than 37 per 100 000 of the population.

This is compared to the peak of the third wave, which was about 33 per 100 000; the second wave 32 per 100 000 and the first wave 21 per 100 000.

“The positivity rate has also risen steeply across the country, with yesterday’s average of 31% positive,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Phaahla said eight provinces recorded a positivity rate of 30% and above, with only Gauteng below 30%, at 25%.

The latest data shows that in the last seven days, new cases have risen by 36.6%.

The Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and the Northern Cape have shown more than 100% increase in daily new cases compared to seven days earlier, which confirms a rapid increase nationwide.

As of Thursday, the country had 210 635 active cases, translating to a 10% increase in 24 hours.

“The good news is the recovery rate is at 91%,” the Minister said.

Hospital admissions

On the other hand, the country is now seeing a significant rise in hospital admissions.

“Over the last seven days, there has been a 70% rise in admissions, even though total admissions as of yesterday were still low at 7 614,” said Phaahla.

In comparison to the fourth wave, weekly average hospital admissions were significantly lower than the average weekly admissions in the third wave during the first two weeks of each wave.

“Although there is a rapid rise in hospitalisation, the majority are mild [cases],” said Phaahla.

Gauteng

Meanwhile, the Minister said Gauteng is on a downward trend in terms of infections and percentage of testing positive.

“Early indications suggest that the peak has been reached, but there is a rapid increase in the other provinces.”

He cautioned that the mildness of disease may not mean that the virus is less “virulent”, but due to the significant vaccine coverage of over 60s at 66% and over 50s at 61%, and the national adult coverage of 44%.

Severity of illness

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), there has been a decrease in patients who needed oxygen in the past few weeks.

“It’s been lower than it was in comparison with any of the previous waves,” said the NICD’s Dr Waasila Jassat.

In addition, she said fewer patients are relying on ventilation.

“In the last few weeks, a lower proportion of patients in both the public and private sectors have been admitted in critical care wards during their hospital stay.”

For the first time, Jassat also noted that there are more non-severe patients in hospital compared to the first three resurgences.

“The case fatality ratio increases in the peaks of each wave in both the public and the private sectors. In the last few weeks, it declined and has been lower than before.”

However, Jassat raised concerns about a very sharp rise in cases, which may lead to a rise in hospitalisations that may overwhelm the health system.

While children accounted for 35% of admissions in the early fourth wave, the doctor said that number has already started to decrease.

In addition, she said most admissions are among unvaccinated people.

All branches of the South African Post Office (Sapo) will remain open on weekdays and Saturday mornings throughout the festive season.

In a statement on Friday, Sapo said the majority of post office branches are closed on Sundays and public holidays, while some selected branches in shopping centres are open on Sundays and public holidays.

“Post offices throughout the country play a central role in the payment of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants to citizens, who are the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic downturn.

“The last three digits of the beneficiary’s ID number determine the date on which he or she can visit a post office branch to collect his or her grant,” Sapo said.

The rest of the month is dedicated to the payment of SRD grants. The first week of every month is reserved for the payment of SASSA grants to the elderly and disabled, as well as child grants.

“SRD SASSA beneficiaries must visit a post office branch only after they have received an SMS informing them that the grant is available.  If a beneficiary’s cellphone was used to apply for one grant only, they can also receive the grant from any Pick ‘n Pay or Boxer supermarket,” Sapo said.

Regular transactions, such as the payment of motor vehicle licences, account payments and sending and collection of parcels, remain available.

“Most branches of the SA Post Office have a separate queue for customers who are there to collect their R350 SASSA SRD grant.  The system of separate queues ensures that all customers wait for the minimum time,” Sapo said.

The Department of Basic Education says it is confident that the damage caused by storm at a marking centre in Thaba Nchu, Free State, will not impact adversely on the finalisation and release of results in the province.

A storm, followed by hail, hit part of the province and affected a marking centre. The roof was blown away, while marking was in progress on Wednesday.

The marking centre is situated at Albert Moroka High School, where Accounting Paper 2 and Business Studies Paper 2 were being marked.

Marking at the centre commenced on 8 December and was scheduled to conclude on 22 December 2021.

There are 112 markers at the marking centre.

Chief Director for Public Examinations and Assessments at the department, Dr Rufus Poliah, said markers ran for cover as the storm pounded the venue where the scripts were being processed.

“One marker was slightly injured, while the rest escaped unscathed,” Poliah said.

He said initial reports indicate that some of the scripts were damaged in the hail that followed.

“A high-powered delegation consisting of senior officials from the DBE and Umalusi will be visiting the marking centre. We appeal for calm at this stage, while we establish the extent of the damage.

“We are working as fast as possible to resolve the matter, but we can assure the candidates that nobody will be disadvantaged as a result of this natural disaster.”

Poliah said the department is working together with the Free State Education Department and Umalusi to ensure that marking at the centre is restored, and that the marking credibility and integrity is intact.

Poliah said the department will relocate marking to another location as soon as possible.

“We thank all our colleagues on the scene for working hard to ensure that everybody is safe. We will provide counselling to members of the marking team following the trauma and shock of the events that threatened their lives.”

National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Shamila Batohi says security measures must be tightened around judicial officials following the murder of KwaZulu-Natal regional prosecutor Lonwabo Booi.

Booi was shot multiple times and killed outside the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning where he was due to represent the state in a part heard matter.

“The increase in attacks on those fighting for justice in our country should concern all of us. We need to significantly improve the protection of criminal justice officials, whistleblowers and witnesses in South Africa. The rule of law depends on it. The future of our country depends on it…and we owe [it] to these brave men and women. This will require a multi-stakeholder effort driven by government and time is not on our side,” Batohi said.

The NPA further assured prosecutors that “their safety remains utmost priority for the NPA”.

“Additional security measures will be implemented on a case by case basis as the need arises. The NDPP trusts that the case will be prioritised and that those responsible for this horrendous crime will be brought to justice,” the authority said in a statement.

KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Elaine Zungu, described Booi’s murder as a tragic event and an attack of South Africa’s rule of law.

“We convey our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Booi and he will be dearly missed. May his soul rest in peace,” she said.

Former SABC Chief Operations Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng has been ordered to pay back at least R11.5 million “success fee” paid to him by the broadcaster’s Governance and Nominations Committee in 2016.

The decision to pay Motsoeneng the fee was reviewed and set aside by the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court sitting in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

In the judgement, the court found that Motsoeneng had accepted the fee knowing that no South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) policies allowed for such.

“Motsoeneng was not an innocent bystander in all of this, he set out to obtain a benefit that he was not entitled to, knowing full well that his employment contract did not allow for bonuses. The only reasonable inference to be drawn is that he received payment of the success fee in circumstances he knew, or ought to have known, that he was not entitled to, this was unlawful,” the judgement read.

Motsoeneng has also been ordered to pay back the money within the next seven days.

The order was granted to the SABC and the Special Investigating Unit following an investigation by the corruption-busting unit into allegations of corruption, maladministration, malpractice and payments made by the SABC together with the conducts of its employees.

SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi said the decision is a step in ensuring that monies unlawfully gained from public coffers is returned.

“This is a continuation of implementation of the SIU investigations outcomes and consequence management to recover monies lost by the SABC. There are other cases enrolled in the High Court and in the Special Tribunal awaiting adjudication and will result in further recoveries for the SABC,” Mothibi said.

The broadcaster’s Group Chief Executive Officer Madoda Mxakwe also welcomed the judgement.

“‘This judgment bears testimony to the SABC’s commitment to addressing corporate governance failures of the past, whilst ensuring monies due to the Corporation are recovered. We are confident that this judgment demonstrates progress in the SABC’s turnaround journey.”

Police Minister General Bheki Cele has urged police to utilise use all available resources at their disposal to root out violent crime, which is anticipated to increase during the festive season.

The Minister made the call during the Gauteng leg of the Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour in Kagiso, West Rand, on Thursday.

Police in the district — accompanied by Cele, Police Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale and National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole — were out in full force stamping the authority of the State in Gauteng. They monitored heightened crime prevention and combatting police operations activated for the festive period.

The ministry in a statement said the increase in illegal mining in the West Rand was setting back the country’s economy by billions of rands, and claiming lives through underground wars.

“The SAPS management in the province has assured the ministry that an operational plan to shift resources to counter this kind of criminality is in place and gaining momentum,” police said.

Cele called on police to act swiftly on illegal mining, and make arrests and seize the firearms used in eliminating competition in the fight over stolen minerals.

Cele has also called on police to have a zero tolerance approach to those who harm women and children and those who are terrorising communities.

“Cash-in-transit heists, car-jackings and home invasions remain some of the crimes most feared by South Africans, and we know there will be increased attempts of these types of crime during this holiday season.

“This is why Gauteng police are shifting resources to counter these violent acts. Each day officers must, through their actions, send a strong message to criminals that these callous acts don’t have space in our society,” Cele said.

The Minister urged police to go into the festive season “with caution and agility”.

“Police must use all available resources at their disposal to root out violent crime in communities and intercept would-be gangs or anyone with the intent to create lawlessness.

“Going into the peak of the festive season, officers must be mindful that they are mandated by the law to protect lives and property, at all costs.”

The Police Ministry assured that interventions in place by the SAPS in Gauteng will contribute towards a safe festive season for all those in the country’s economic hub.

The Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour continues on Friday in the Free State.