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Justice Minister Ronald Lamola says the National Prosecuting Authority is prioritising the Steinhoff matter and that it is dealing with it without fear, prejudice or favour.

The Minister said this when the Peace and Security Cluster replied to oral questions during a hybrid sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

“The NPA is dealing with this matter without any fear, prejudice or any favour to anyone. It is also dealing with it without looking at the colour of the person who is involved as per the mandate of the NPA and they are prioritising the matter as I have said that it is being handled in a manner that all matters go through,” he said.

The Minister’s remarks comes amid reports that German prosecutors are on the verge of making an announcement in relation to their multi-year probe into accounting fraud at Steinhoff this week.

Back at home, the NPA and the Hawks are jointly conducting a separate probe to get to the bottom of an audit investigation that found that ahead of CEO Markus Jooste’s abrupt resignation in 2017, Steinhoff had been allegedly inflating its profits between 2009 and 2017.

During the National Assembly sitting, the EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi had asked Lamola to furnish reasons why the NPA has refused or delayed charging Jooste with insider trading, fraud and corporate corruption.

Lamola said these kinds of complex investigations do take time.

“We must [not] come here and lie that these kind of investigations can be done within a day. Even any type of investigation, even the one she referred to, has taken many years to be completed, including the case of J Arthur Brown (Fidentia) that took about six years for the investigation to be completed, but in the end, justice was done. Even the Trifactor case took about seven years, but in the end justice was served.

“Also in this matter, justice is going to prevail.”

He said the NPA and the Hawks are working together to ensure that the investigation is done in a thorough manner and that by the time they take a decision, it is informed by the facts and that it is also informed by the law.

“It is not informed by the colour, orientation or the political views of any individual.”

Lamola said the investigation on the matter in question has been ongoing since early 2018.

“It is a highly complex investigation involving a forensic investigation into thousands of foreign and local transactions, requiring various applications for Mutual Legal Assistance requests relating to different bank accounts in various countries and jurisdictions to be made.

“Furthermore, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s (FSCA) investigation into allegations of insider trading was recently finalised. The case docket for the criminal investigation into possible insider trading against the suspects was registered by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI).

“A team of prosecutors is guiding such aninvestigation, and the team of investigators has been enhanced, in line with the decision to prioritise the matter.

“Once investigations are finalised, the suspects will be charged with all the charges the State intends to bring against them in one trial.”

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, says the names of the Home Affairs officials, who helped the Bushiris with their travel documents, are known by the department.

Responding to oral questions during a hybrid sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday, Motsoaledi said the identities of the officials will, however, not be disclosed, until investigations being conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies have been concluded.

The Minister had been asked by a Member of Parliament why government was taking so long to get to the bottom of the circumstances, which led to self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri skipping the country after being released on bail.

Bushiri, his wife Mary, and other accused at the time faced charges of fraud, theft and money laundering.

“… The Bushiri matter is being investigated not only by Home Affairs, but by a slew of [Parliamentary committees]. The Hawks are involved, Military Intelligence is involved, as well as Home Affairs.

“I have reported many times that it was agreed that Home Affairs must not disclose any of the officials who were involved, until all these committees report and the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has decided to call all the other Portfolio Committees, so that this becomes a joint venture (sic). That’s where we are,” Motsoaledi said.

The Minister said assertions that the department does not know the identities of the officials who allegedly helped the Bushiris with fraudulent passports were not true.

He once again assured that the matter was being investigated at the highest level.

Police have this week pounced on hundreds of fake COVID-19 vaccines following a global alert issued by INTERPOL warning vaccines would be a prime target for criminal networks.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, INTERPOL said the South African authorities during an operation seized 400 ampoules – equivalent to around 2 400 doses – containing the fake vaccine at a warehouse in Germiston.

During the operation, police officers also recovered a large quantity of fake 3M masks and arrested three Chinese nationals and a Zambian national.

“In China, police successfully identified a network selling counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines, raided the manufacturing premises, resulting in the arrest of some 80 suspects, and seized more than 3 000 fake vaccines on the scene,” reads the statement.

The investigation was supported and facilitated by INTERPOL’s Illicit Goods and Global Health (IGGH) Programme.

The arrests came just weeks after INTERPOL issued an Orange Notice warning law enforcement to prepare for organized crime networks targeting COVID-19 vaccines, both physically and online.

The alert also included details and images of genuine vaccines and authorized shipping methods provided by pharmaceutical companies to assist in the identification of fake vials.

INTERPOL said this further underlined its unique role in ensuring law enforcement across its 194 member countries.

“Whilst we welcome this result, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine related crime,” said INTERPOL Secretary General, Jürgen Stock

“Following our warning that criminals would target the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, both on and offline, INTERPOL continues to provide its full support to national authorities working to protect the health and safety of their citizens.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo said: “Since COVID-19 reached the shores of South Africa, the government has adopted an integrated multi-disciplinary law enforcement approach. This, together with our association with counterparts from all INTERPOL member countries, is proving to be very effective as we have seen in the arrests for foreign nationals attempting to peddle fake vaccines to unsuspecting people within South Africa.”

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Public Security said the country’s government attaches great importance to vaccine security.

“Chinese police are conducting a targeted campaign to prevent and crack down on crimes related to vaccines, proactively investigating and combating crimes related to vaccines in accordance with law. We will further strengthen the constructive cooperation with INTERPOL and law enforcement agencies of other countries to effectively prevent such crimes,” he said.

INTERPOL said while investigations continue, and in addition to the arrests in South Africa and China, the agency was also receiving additional reports of fake vaccine distribution and scam attempts targeting health bodies, such as nursing homes.

INTERPOL also warned the public that no approved vaccines are currently available for sale online.

“Any vaccine being advertised on websites or the dark web, will not be legitimate, will not have been tested and may be dangerous,” they said. “Anyone who buys these drugs is putting themselves at risk and giving their money to organized criminals.”

South Africa’s Information Regulator (IR) has written to WhatsApp regarding concerns it has over changes over the messaging service’s privacy policy.

In a statement on Wednesday, the regulator expressed concern at the statement released by WhatsApp detailing changes that a user will face if they ignore Facebook’s terms by the 15 May 2021 deadline.

The statement outlines that if users will not accept the terms, for a short time these users will be able to receive calls and notifications, but will not be able to read or send messages from the app.

“The IR has written to Facebook South Africa and provided an analysis of some of the concerns that it has about the privacy policy of Facebook as it relates to South Africa,” said the regulator.

WhatsApp is owned by Facebook.

“For example, it is the IR’s view that the processing of cell phone numbers as accessed on the user’s contact list for a purpose other than the one for which the number was specifically intended at collection, with the aim of linking the information jointly with the information processed by other responsible parties (such as Facebook companies) does not require consent from the data subject, but prior authorisation from the IR,” it said.

The regulator said WhatsApp cannot without obtaining prior authorisation from the IR in terms of section 57 of Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), process any contact information of its users for a purpose other than the one for which the number was specifically intended at collection, with the aim of linking that information jointly with information processed by other Facebook companies.

The IR has also raised as a central concern that citizens of the European Union will receive significantly higher privacy protection than people in South Africa and Africa.

“We are very concerned about these different standards that apply to us, our legislation is very similar to that of the EU. It was based on that model deliberately, as it provides a significantly better model for the protection of personal information than that in other jurisdictions.

“We do not understand why Facebook has adopted this differentiation between Europe and Africa,” said Chairperson of the IR, Advovcate Pansy Tlakula.

The IR has indicated to Facebook SA that it is willing and committed to have a round-table discussion regarding the issues raised to ensure that there is full compliance by the WhatsApp privacy policy with the provisions of POPIA and other pertinent international legal instruments.

COVID-19 cases continue to fall in South Africa, with 856 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative number to 1 513 959.

Meanwhile, deaths due to Coronavirus have peaked by a further 194, pushing the tally to 50 271 since the outbreak.

Of the recent deaths, 80 occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, 43 in Gauteng, 29 in Free State, 15 in Limpopo, 12 in the Western Cape, eight in the Eastern Cape and seven in the Northern Cape.

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

Meanwhile, active cases are showing signs of declining, with 31 224 people who are battling the virus.

While the number has been dropping, KwaZulu-Natal continues to be an epicentre in terms of the active case with 9 456 patients who are currently infected, followed by the Free State with 6 251, and the Western Cape with 5 930.

In addition, 2 928 active cases are in Gauteng, 2 417 in the North West, 2 047 in the Northern Cape, 1 031 in Mpumalanga, 875 in Limpopo and 289 in the Eastern Cape.

“Our recoveries now stand at 1 433 320, representing a recovery rate of 94.6%.”

The information is based on 9 114 026 tests of which 23 753 were performed since the last reporting cycle.

According to the Health Department, the number of healthcare workers vaccinated is 76 037 as of Tuesday.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said there have been 114 140 104 confirmed global cases of COVID-19 to date, including 2 535 520 deaths.

Global view

According to the WHO, over 2.6 million new cases were reported last week, a 7% increase compared to the previous week. This follows six consecutive weeks of declining figures.

The organisation said the spike in the Eastern Mediterranean (14%), South-East Asia (9%), Europe (9%) and the Americas (6%) has driven the peak.

“Possible reasons for this increase include the continued spread of more transmissible variants of concern, relaxation of public health and social measures and fatigue around adhering to these measures,” the WHO explained.

The agency said basic public health measures remain the foundation of the response, which include testing, contact tracing, isolation, supported quarantine and quality care.

“For individuals, it means avoiding crowds, physical distancing, hand hygiene, masks and ventilation.”

The WHO said the immunity conferred by vaccination takes weeks at the individual level and may take longer to affect the population-level.

In addition, global new deaths continue to decrease, with over 63 000 new fatalities reported last week, a 6% decrease as compared to the previous week.

The new fatalities decreased in four regions, Europe, Africa, the Western Pacific and the Americas. It has increased by 47% in the South East Asia region, due to retrospective reporting of deaths from Nepal.

“The Americas reported over 1.1 million new cases and nearly 34 000 deaths, which accounted for 42% of global cases and 53% of global deaths.”

In the past week, the five countries that reported the highest number of new cases were the United States (472 904 new cases, a 2% decrease), Brazil (373 954 new cases, an 18% increase), France (149 959 new cases, a 14% increase), Italy (112 029 new cases, a 32% increase) and India (105 080 new cases, a 21% increase).

According to the WHO, the 501Y.V2 variant, first discovered in South Africa has now reached five additional countries – now totalling 56 countries across all six WHO regions.

COVAX

According to the WHO, Ghana is the first country outside of India to receive COVID-19 vaccines shipped via the COVAX facility.

Last week, 600 000 doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine arrived in Accra from the Serum Institute of India in Pune.

“This is the start of the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history, an unprecedented effort to deliver at least two billion doses of vaccine in 2021, including at least 1.3 billion donor-funded doses to 92 Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) countries through COVAX AMC,” said the WHO.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), lead COVAX.

The initiative has been assisting governments to develop national vaccination plans, providing support for cold chain infrastructure, and stockpiling syringes and safety boxes for their disposal, masks and gloves to ensure the start of vaccination of priority groups.

“We will not end the pandemic anywhere unless we end it everywhere,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

He believes the move is a major first step towards realising the shared vision of vaccine equity.

“But we still have a lot of work to do with governments and manufacturers to ensure that vaccination of health workers and older people has begun in all countries within the first 100 days of 2021,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, has officially opened a case of child abuse and neglect at the Mehlomnyama police station, against the parents of a seven-year-old boy.

This follows shocking pictures circulating on social media, showing the boy’s bruises, as he suffered assaults from his 17-year-old stepbrother.

Khoza, together with Ugu District Municipality Mayor, Sizwe Ngcobo and Umzumbe Local Municipality Mayor, Londolo Zungu, held a meeting with police management on Tuesday after reports that the police had allegedly arrested the stepbrother, but later released him without the parole officer’s consent.

It is alleged that when the matter was reported to the police, they urged the family to “settle it as a family.”

Speaking to media outside the police station, Khoza said although the police have done their job to arrest the perpetrator, the department is concerned about the decision to release him.

“It is unacceptable that a child can suffer such injuries in the presence of an older person at home,” Khoza said.

Khoza raised concerns about the circumstances that could have led to the 17-year-old stepbrother becoming so violent.

“We have the best interests of the children [at heart]. Cases of child abuse and neglect are very serious.  We want the police do justice to the matter, as violence directed at women and children cannot be tolerated,” Khoza said.

The MEC said social workers have managed to trace the biological mother of the boy at Ntumeni, Eshowe.

Khoza has also met the child at a place of safety, where he is currently accommodated.

The child was united with his biological mother, who travelled from Eshowe after social workers made contact with her.

“We are happy that the child was removed from that toxic environment and is now united with his mother. We will be observing the child at the place of safety before any other option can be explored, including allowing him to go stay with his mother.

“We are happy to see the child playing after he has gone through such an ordeal. The child is now in safe hands,” Khoza said.

Citizens commended for interest in child’s wellbeing

Khoza has commended citizens, who have shown interest in the wellbeing of the child.

“We are more grateful to the whistle-blower who refused to sit back while a child suffered.  Our social workers have also been assigned to assess the alleged perpetrator,” the MEC said.

Mayor Ngcobo said they are extremely worried about this incident, hence they want to see police effecting arrests.

“It cannot be correct that a child gets assaulted like this and no one accounts for it,” Ngcobo said.

Mayor Zungu commended the department of Social Development for taking up the matter.

“As soon as we heard about the incident on Sunday, we took it upon ourselves to contact the police.  Social workers came on board to ensure the child was removed. He was taken to hospital for medical attention.

“However, the arrest and release of the stepbrother… is very concerning to us.  However, we have confidence that the police will do a thorough investigation into this matter,” Zungu said.

The Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo has reiterated Gauteng’s standpoint to reject e-tolls.

According to Mamabolo, the province reaffirms its long-standing position of the provincial government and its opposition to the implementation of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), known as the e-tolls system.

E-tolls were implemented in 2013 as a method of paying for the GFIP.

The province released a statement on Tuesday following what it calls the distortions in the public discourse.

“We have made a very comprehensive submission to the President, the Minister of Finance and that of Transport which we believe can resolve the e-tolls matter once and for all. We have made a compelling case clearly stating that it is not correct for residents of our province to be burdened with paying for e-tolls,” said Mamabolo.

The MEC said that the provincial government has been working with the national government to ensure that the implementation of e-tolls in Gauteng is halted.

Furthermore, the department said Mamabolo wrote to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula in November 2020 outlining the provincial government’s rejection of the implementation of proposed Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) regulations as another method of enforcing the tolling system.

The AARTO system includes the licence points demerit system.

“We reject the proposed AARTO regulations which are another attempt to bring back the e-tolls system in our province. We are of the strongest view that the freeway network that is being tolled services the national economy and the Southern African Development Community as well as the international economy,” he said.

“It is therefore not fair to expect the people of our province to carry the burden,” Mamabolo added.

North West Local Government and Human Settlements MEC, Mmoloki Cwaile has appointed members of the North West Housing Tribunal who will be responsible for resolving complex rental issues in the province.

The seven members, mostly with a legal background, will be led by Advocate Millicent Raborifi for a three-year term.

The tribunal will facilitate conflict resolution, as well as establish sound relations between tenants and landlords in the rental sector.

Cwaile said the department will utilise the tribunal expertise in resolving conflicting issues between landlords and tenants, including non-payment of rent, lock-outs, and cutting of basic services like electricity, water and short notice to vacate the rented property.

The tribunal will also resolve issues regarding eviction without a court order, refusal to refund key deposit, and unfair practices within the rental sector, amongst others.

Cwaile encouraged members to work as a team.

The MEC also assured that the department will give the chairperson and her team the necessary support when executing their duties.

“I have confidence in them in handling challenges that they will be confronted with during their three-year term. I believe in the empowerment of women and I have full confidence in the newly appointed Chairperson of the Tribunal Advocate Millicent Raborife.

“I believe in her capabilities that she will lead the team with diligence and mediate rental conflicts across the province together with her Deputy Chairperson, Matshidiso Mogale,” Cwaile said.

The North West Rental Housing Tribunal has previously successfully resolved conflicts within the housing rental sector, with the majority of cases in Mafikeng in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District and Matlosana in Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

Free services offered

According to the Director responsible for the Housing Tribunal, Safira Moagi, residents should note that the Tribunal offers its services free of charge.

“Complaints lodged with the Tribunal must be in writing in the prescribed form available at the Tribunal offices.

“Complaints must be lodged by mail to the office of the Tribunal, at the relevant Rental Housing Information office within the jurisdiction of the local municipality in which the dwelling is situated, by delivery at the office of the Tribunal or by e-mail to the office of the Tribunal,” Moagi explained.

More information can be obtained from the North West Housing Tribunal offices at 018 388 5560/ 5529/ 5530 or email: legodim@nwpg.gov.za \ mseate@nwpg.gov.za

National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, has lauded the police in the Western Cape for seizing cocaine valued at over R500 million from a fishing vessel on the Saldanha coast on Monday.

In a statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the haul was made by detectives from the Organised Crime Narcotics Unit, working various tactical units, during an intelligence-driven operation to a fishing vessel.

In the vessel, police said, 973 blocks of compressed cocaine were discovered.

“The drugs, estimated to be worth R583 million, were found hidden in three compartments of the vessel,” Colonel Brenda Muridili said in the statement.

The team apprehended 10 suspects, four from Bulgaria and six from Myanmar.

The suspects were charged with dealing in drugs and are expected to appear in the Vredenburg Magistrates’ Court soon.

In the statement, Sitole praised the team involved in the bust and has encouraged them to build a strong case to ensure that the suspects receive harsh sentences.

“South Africa should not be used as a transit point or destination for the illicit drug trade. We have a responsibility of removing drugs from our streets. This is a welcome disruption and huge blow to drug organised crime,” said Sitole.

Police in the Western Cape have committed to continuing with investigations that will determine the origin and intended destination of the consignment.

“We are appealing to anyone with information on the illicit drug trade to report it to the SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or send tip-offs on MySAPS App. All information received will be treated with confidentiality,” police said.

The North West province has welcomed the news that it will receive 5 360 additional vaccines from the second batch of Johnson & Johnson jabs that arrived in South Africa on Saturday.

This is over and above the 3 900 that arrived from the first consignment distributed last month.

According to the statement, 2 600 jabs arrived in the province on Sunday, while the remaining vials will only be delivered next week.

North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha believes that the extra doses of the COVID-19 vaccines will go a long way as the inoculation programme begins to pick up momentum.

“We welcome the additional 5 360 doses of vaccines. Many of our health professionals have been vaccinated already and many more have registered and are ready to take the vaccine,” he said on Tuesday.

The MEC said 7 517 healthcare workers have been vaccinated as of 1 March.

Meanwhile, the registration process is progressing well with 34 152 people who have already signed up to get vaccinated of which 16 748 are health professionals.

According to the latest data, the Bojanala District already has 14 347 registrations, 10 678 in Dr Kenneth Kaunda, 4 863 in Ngaka Modiri Molema and 4 264 in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.

“The frontline health workers were first to receive the vaccine hence many of those registered are health professionals.”

The province said the 6 623 frontline workers who have gone through the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) process are based in Bojanala District, while 5 645 are in Dr Kenneth Kaunda, 2 492 in Ngaka Modiri Molema and 1 988 in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.

In addition, Sambatha announced the activation of additional vaccination sites.

“The first batch of vaccines was only administered at Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital in Rustenburg and Klerksdorp Hospital.”

However, the MEC said the province has now added Moses Kotane, Life Peglerae and Mahikeng Provincial Hospital pushing the sites to five.

Sambatha indicated that the North West will be operating 43 vaccination facilities both in the public and private sectors once the rollout goes full steam.

“Many of our vaccination sites are ready, we will activate them as and when vaccines are delivered,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Department is encouraging residents to continue to adhere to all prevention measures against COVID-19 that has claimed 1 203 live in the province.

“Vaccine is only one of the measures used to curb the spread of the virus. It does not replace social distancing, wearing masks and sanitising.”