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Three suspects are expected to appear before the Kuilsrivier Magistrate’s Court on charges of dealing in dagga and bribery.

The three were arrested on Saturday, after the South African Police Service (SAPS) received information about stolen vehicles and firearms at a farm outside Kraaifontein in the Western Cape.

“On Saturday 10 April, at about 15:00, members attached to National Public Order Police conducted a search on a farm on the R101 outside Kraaifontein after following up on information received. On the farm, members discovered 272 small dagga plants, 184 dagga trees as well as a large amount of processed dagga, with a street valued of over R10 000,” said the SAPS in a statement on Sunday.

A 37-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were arrested for dealing in dagga.

While the police were busy searching the farm, a friend of the accused arrived at the farm and offered officers a R5000 bribe to let the suspects and the seized dagga go. The 51-year-old man was arrested on a charge of bribery.

A total of  979 beneficiaries of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Package (PESP) programme, which is administered by the National Arts Council (NAC), have been paid R160 million.

In a media statement on Monday, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said the second tranche payments, will be made after the reporting stage, as stated in the beneficiaries’ contractual agreements.

The PESP programme is designed to act as an aggressive injection of income into the economy that enables ambitious proposals that create opportunities for employment and collaboration.

It is aimed at assisting practitioners and their projects as well as companies that incurred losses (actual and planned/existing, new and those that were at concept stage) during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

“Furthermore, there was a total of 30 contracts being submitted to finance for payment processing in the week starting today. There are other contracts that have been either not returned by beneficiaries or contracts with outstanding queries and/or beneficiaries who have opted to not continue with their projects,” the Minister said.

With regards to the 3rd Phase Relief Fund, out of the 2 315 applicants that were approved by adjudicators for payment, 939 have been verified by the finance unit and submitted to Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) for payment.

To date, 285 have been paid an amount of R2 850 000.

“It is crucial to note that this status continues to change daily as more and more individual applications are adjudicated, processed by finance and paid. Once the individual applications have all been processed, the focus will then shift to applications from organisations.

“However, the department opted to prioritise the applications from individuals as this is more critical during these trying times,” the Minister said.

Forensic investigation

Last month, the Minister announced that he had ordered a forensic investigation into the mismanagement of the R300 million for the PESP programme by the NAC.

“As announced on 29 March 2021, the department has since engaged and brought on board the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and finalised the Terms of Reference (ToRs).

“This means that the department is now ready to send out the call for quotations to secure an independent and legible service provider to undertake this important task of forensic investigation, as of today, 12 April 2021,” the Minister said.

He noted the order issued by the courts on 9 April 2021, ordering the artists occupying the NAC offices to vacate the premises of the NAC.

“We plead with the occupants to respect the court and judicial processes and leave the NAC offices, as matters pertaining to the PESP are being dealt with. On several occasions, we have met with them but they have not allowed the NAC to continue to do its critical work.

“While we deeply sympathise with the plight of the sector, we would like to remind the artists occupying the NAC offices that their continued sit-in at these premises is an impediment to the finalisation of the PESP administration and disbursement process. It is also an obstruction to other important responsibilities of the NAC,” Mthethwa said.

He said the department is applying maximum effort to ensure that it eases the plight of COVD-19 on the sector.

A total of 23 013 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, with 931 new cases, representing a 4% positivity rate, the Health Department said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a further 66 people died due to Coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 53 322 to date.

According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, 35 deaths were recorded in the North West, 15 in the Free State and six in Gauteng.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased,” said Mkhize.

The recovery rate is still holding steady at 95% after 1 483 296 beat COVID-19, while the country is home to 21 840 active cases.

The information is based on the 10 138 936 tests conducted since the outbreak.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 134 957 021 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2 918 752 deaths globally, to date.

A total of 669 248 795 vaccine doses have been administered as of 8 April 2021.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the prosecution of the former acting Head of the Office of the State Attorney in Mthatha and an Eastern Cape-based lawyer on fraud  charges amounting to R331 000.

The two, Sthembele Tshitshi — former acting Head of the Office of the State Attorney in Umthatha — and Xolani Polo, of Polo Attorneys, appeared before the Mthatha Magistrate Court last Thursday on charges of fraud, alternatively theft, amounting to R331 000 and a charge of contravention of Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act.

“They were released on bail of R5 000 each. The matter has been remanded to 31 May 2021 for further investigations,” said the SIU in a statement.

The prosecution followed the SIU referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in 2020 after its corruption and maladministration investigation into the affairs of the Office of the State Attorneys, consequent upon the issuing of Proclamation R33 of 2019 by the President.

The SIU investigated the allegations relating to corruption and maladministration in the Office of the State Attorney and made findings relating to Tshitshi and Polo.

The SIU said the investigations focused on the legal services procured on behalf of the Gauteng and Eastern Cape Health Departments, in respect of claims based on medical negligence and the verification, approval or processing for payment of any invoice or account received in relation to legal services provided or procured.

The proclamation also authorised the SIU to investigate any unlawful or irregular conduct by employees or officials of the Office of the State Attorney or any other party or entity relating to allegations of corruption and maladministration.

Gauteng Traffic Police will continue to reinforce law enforcement operations in the province following a high number of reported fatal crashes that led to major loss of lives during the Easter weekend.

“The Gauteng Traffic Police has adopted 365 days to reinforce and conduct law enforcement operations aimed at enhancing road safety in the province,” Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane said.

The Gauteng Traffic Police have noted that no fatalities were reported during huge traffic volumes on Thursday, however fatalities were experienced on Friday between 18:00 and 22:00.

This was as a result of people driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to preliminary Easter Season Road Safety statistics, Gauteng recorded 30 crashes resulting in 36 fatalities.

“While the figures are relatively high, the law enforcement authorities have observed that significant amount of work has been done to reduce the number of crashes leading to fatalities.

“The Gauteng Traffic Police have also noted that pedestrian fatalities increased by 35% from a 30% recorded in 2019. What is of  concern is that most of these fatalities occurred between midnight and the early hours when people were expected to adhere to the curfew put in place by government to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

It was encouraged that passenger fatalities declined from 38% to 34%.

Deaths among motor vehicle drivers and cyclists remained unchanged at around 30% and 1% respectively.

“Many road crashes leading to fatalities that the province experienced during the Easter season are attributed to attitude, vehicle as well as or road factors. However, we are encouraged that the use of technology on Gauteng roads has assisted to ensure that vehicles that are not roadworthy are discontinued; drunken drivers and speedsters are apprehended and locked behind bars,” Maremane said.

Meanwhile, the Gauteng Traffic Police has extended their deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost their loved ones during the Easter Season period. It has also wished a speedy recovery to those receiving medical treatment as a result of injuries sustained from fatal crashes.

State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo has reiterated the State Security Agency’s determination to fight corruption from within its ranks.

Dlodlo made the commitment in a statement in which she also expressed encouragement at the prosecution of staff who allegedly defrauded the Agency.

This comes after two State Security Agency officials appeared in the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court on various charges of fraud and corruption.

“This follows a series of internal investigations into allegations of wrongdoing by officials in the agency,” said the Ministry of State Security in a statement on Friday.

The Minister vowed that all reported transgressions and wrongdoing, even by those not mentioned in the testimonies at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry, were being investigated and would be prosecuted without fail.

Earlier, the Minister had announced the appointment of a firm to conduct forensic investigations into these allegations but the firm has since withdrawn from the appointment.

She said despite the withdrawal, her office is determined in its mission to cleanse the Agency.

“I am pleased that we on our own have been able to successfully investigate and report some of these corrupt activities in the agency,” she said. A fresh process is underway to procure a service provider to conduct forensic investigations.

“The process to appoint a new service provider to conduct these forensic investigations will be expedited so that we do not lose the momentum in our collaboration with law enforcement agencies such as the hawks in these investigations,” said Dlodlo.

The Minister reassured the country that despite what is in the public domain, a great deal of work is underway to repurpose the organisation so that it meets its Constitutional mandate to safeguard the integrity of the Republic.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has announced that the second phase of the country’s vaccination rollout will begin on 17 May.

This, he announced in Gauteng on Thursday, was owing to the millions of vaccine doses that are expected to land in South Africa in the next coming weeks.

He said the country has secured a combined 51 million jabs in the agreements that have been signed with various drug makers, aimed at 42 million people.

According to Mkhize, 31 million are from Johnson & Johnson (J&J), while 20 million will come from Pfizer.

Also, the country is expecting about 1.2 million vaccines from COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, COVAX.

“This means we can now move ahead with confidence as we finalise our plans for our mass rollout campaign.”

The Minister told journalists that 17 May marks the end of the phase one vaccination programme, aimed at healthcare professionals, and the beginning of the second round.

“We said the second phase should take us six months and therefore, we’re still sticking to that,” he said, adding that it will be wrapped up in October.

Mkhize said government is still working hard to procure more jabs to ensure that those who may be unaccounted for or undocumented, are also immunised to reach herd immunity.

Healthcare workers

Meanwhile, he said, the final tranche of 200 000 J&J doses for the Sisonke Protocol is expected this weekend.

Sisonke has enabled government to make the COVID-19 vaccine immediately available to healthcare workers using a research programme.

Mkhize reiterated that the protection of health workers against COVID-19 is paramount and vowed that government will continue to prioritise their lives.

“I want to say to our healthcare workers, we value you for the work you have done and thank you for your patience as we wait for all the vaccines to be available.”

He assured all frontline workers that they will be vaccinated before the mass rollout and believes government will meet its target as more jabs are scheduled to arrive in the country.

Johnson & Johnson

The Minister also announced that J&J has confirmed that South Africa will receive over 1.9 million doses, produced locally, this month.

“The advantage is that it has shortened the dispatch from the plant and the delivery to the vaccination centre,” he said.

He added that 900 000 doses will be delivered in May, while another batch of 900 000 will follow in June.

AstraZeneca

He said South Africa has distributed the AstraZeneca vaccine to various African countries.

In February, the country suspended the rollout of the procured 1.5 million AstraZeneca doses after studies showed that it is less effective against the mutated 501Y.V2, first discovered in the country.

Meanwhile, he said Treasury has confirmed that the Serum Institute of India has fully refunded South Africa for the remaining 500 000 doses of vaccines that have not yet been delivered.

“The money is already in our bank account… this closes the matter of the AstraZeneca vaccine and we close it without incurring fruitless expenditure,” he said.

A Police Ministry intervention to curb extortion rackets in Cape Town has recorded significant progress in clamping down on the crime.

The intervention by Police Minister Bheki Cele came after communities in the metropole in September last year raised the alarm around the growing phenomenon of extortion.

“At the time, the extortion rackets seemed to be targeting formal businesses such as eateries, restaurants and bars,” said Cele during a briefing on Thursday.

Upon closer investigation, Cele said it became apparent that criminals were also not sparing informal businesses, the transport industry and construction sites.

Crimes committed by the ring included kidnapping and extorting residents and workers coming from work.

“What has also becoming even more worrying is the targeting of the poor and ordinary people in the townships by these ruthless criminals. Flat owners and backyard landlords who are trying to make ends meet are not sparred,” he said.

The criminals were demanding a percentage of the rental income they receive.

Cele, in response to the outcry, engaged the provincial government, the City of Cape Town, the National Commissioner and the Provincial SAPS management.

An Extortion Priority Committee of the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure was established to deal with the crime trend. It includes role players from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI); the provincial office of the Premier; provincial departments and other law enforcement agencies.

Cele said while there had been teething problems in the last seven months, “commendable progress” has been made.

While 105 extortion cases have been opened since January last year, 67 cases are still under investigation. During this period, 106 people linked to extortion cases have been arrested and charged.

“While seven individuals are currently out on bail, 94 of those arrested remain in custody. Twenty of the cases were opened in Khayelitsha, while the Nyanga policing cluster recorded 13 of the cases,” said Cele.

One of the most prominent arrests was that of Shantel Reynecke, who has received stiff sentences of over 20 years for extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking and assault.

“Investigations are ongoing and we are expecting more arrests to take place. The intergraded approach and sharing of resources is [responsible for] these arrests,” Cele said.

He said the recent addition of 200 police officers, seconded from the national SAPS to Cape Town, will go along a way in assisting in the fight against crime. The brigade is expected to act as a force multiplier in violence-laden hotspots across the city.

Taxi violence

Turning his attention to taxi violence, Cele said government is concerned by the recent erosion of the industry in the province, particularly in Cape Town.

Cele’s concerns coincide with the news of the gunning down of Victor Wiwi, the prominent leader of the CATA Taxi Association on Wednesday. Two other people were injured during the attack.

Said Cele: “In light of this and other incidents in the transport sector, we will be calling a meeting with the Transport Ministry and other relevant role players to discuss means of curbing this.”

He urged communities to work with the police and bring forward information that can assist in any way.

“It is also encouraging that the SAPS is continuing with awareness campaigns that seek to educate communities not to pay extortionists,” said the Minister.

Government’s renewed vigour to eliminate illegal tobacco imports and exports will be demonstrated on Friday when a multi-department operation will see 12 million cigarettes being destroyed.

The consignment, which has a R18 million market value will be destroyed at the State Warehouse, at no.9 FW de Klerk Boulevard, Cape Town Foreshore at 8am.

In a statement, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) said the cigarettes would be shredded on-site, with due regard to health and safety protocols.

“The waste will then be transferred via a conveyor belt to special trucks and removed under supervision to a secured landfill site,” said the revenue collector on Thursday.

The illegal cigarettes were seized in various operations, including the seizure of a 40-foot container smuggled into the country and falsely declared as another commodity.

“The clampdown on illicit imports and exports is a major focus of government under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Illicit Trade, which consists of several government departments and agencies,” it said.

The IAWG focuses on illegal clothing, textiles, footwear, leather, infrastructure sold as scrap metal, as well as second hand motor vehicles.

SARS said the destruction of the illegal goods must send a strong message that government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal trade and to sensitise the public about the harm that these goods do to the economy and the health of people.

“Such illegal activities destroy the country’s manufacturing capacity, which in turn leads to unemployment, inequality and poverty. Illegal imports and exports are also a source of funding for criminal syndicates.

“The fight against the scourge of illegal imports and exports is also of major importance because it reduces the amount of revenue that SARS collects.”

The revenue generated said SARS, plays an important role in enabling government to build a capable state that provides basic services to poor and vulnerable individuals and households, as well as relief to employers and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has confirmed that over 800 temporary housing units have been allocated to the fire victims of Masiphumelele, Cape Town.

According to the ministry, the remaining 18 fire victims are expected to be placed by end of the week.

This comes after a blaze that wrecked 1 000 structures in Masiphumelele in December 2020, affecting more than 6 000 residents.

The Minister made an undertaking that her department will provide all the necessary support to the Western Cape provincial government to ensure that the homeless are provided with shelter and the necessary resources to rebuild their structures.

Accordingly, resources have been transferred to the provincial department for this project, the department said.

Sisulu said while these are temporary, these housing structures bring about dignity and a sense of normalcy to the lives of the affected.

“The Housing Development Agency (HDA) and the City of Cape Town have worked tirelessly in implementing what we agreed on in January this year.”

Sisulu appealed to the young people who are affected by the use of their sports field for the temporary housing to understand that this is only a temporary measure.

“We want to make it clear to the youth of Masiphumelele that we are not taking their sports field away forever. It’s only short-term so that we are able to help those in need now.

“We are making a promise that the sports field we have used to accommodate some of the Masiphumelele fire victims will be rehabilitated and upgraded.”

Meanwhile, the Minister also sent a strong message to those who are trying to defraud government.

“Double-dipping will not be tolerated and those who are taking chances will be dealt with accordingly. We are a caring government that is committed to working with all stakeholders for the benefit of our people.

“Our utmost goal is to reach out to everyone in need.”

Wall of Remembrance

Sisulu made an undertaking that a Wall of Remembrance will be built on the field on which four boys died in February when a sand dune caved in while they were playing.

Four boys, aged 11 to 13, fell into a hole near the N2 in Nyanga.

“This we must do in tribute to four young lives lost and to signify that this should not have happened. These families and their community deserve better and we must make them a priority in service delivery,” said the Minister.