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The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) has called on the public to come forward and report incidences of fraud and corruption.

In a recent interview with Capricon FM, SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, assured members of the public who come forward with information on fraud and corruption, that they will be protected.

“We are saying to South Africans, come and talk to us, we will protect you,” Kganyago told the Limpopo based radio station.

He also warned the public to be wary of imposters who purport to be representatives from the SIU.

“Do not allow anyone who come to you and say they are from the SIU, we can make this to go away.”

The SIU he said, continues to unravel many cases of fraud and corruption.

Among the many cases of success, Kganyago cited the investigation conducted in Limpopo on the water project and fraud and corruption cases at Eskom.

“By reporting fraud and corruption, we are protecting future generations. Corruption is starting to be a problem, people think they need to be compensated for doing their job, this is greed,” he said.

The Special Investigating Unit is an independent statutory body with its primary mandate being to investigate serious allegations of corruption, malpractice and maladministration in the administration of State institutions, State assets and public money as well as any conduct which may seriously harm the interests of the public, and to recover any financial losses suffered by State institutions through civil ligation.

It is empowered to take civil action to correct any wrongdoing it uncovers in its investigations.

The SIU investigations are dictated by the issuing of a Presidential Proclamation, and then to institute civil litigation proceedings either in a Special Tribunal or a High Court for the prevention or recovery of financial losses suffered by the State.

Once the investigation is completed, a final report is submitted to the President with an overview of the investigation and its findings, as well as the various recommendations made and their outcomes.

The SIU receives allegations either through its whistle-blower hotline, which is managed by an independent service provider; directly from state institutions themselves or alternatively through direct approaches from whistle-blowers, be it through walk-ins offices throughout the country, telephone calls or emails. – SAnews.gov.za

Eskom has ramped up load shedding to Stage 4 on Friday until 5am on Saturday morning.

The power utility had initially indicated that Stage 2 load shedding would be implemented during the day, today (Friday).

“Due to higher than anticipated demand, Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 10am [Friday] morning until 5am on Saturday. Eskom will publish another update should any significant changes occur,” Eskom said.

The power utility warned that consumers may “experience prolonged outages” during evening peak hours due to a combination of illegal connections and increased electricity consumption due to cold weather.

“Eskom customers in the areas of Blackheath, Bluedowns, Delft, Silversands and the Khayelitsha suburbs of Bongweni, Kwezi, Thembani and Site C are advised to switch off stoves, geysers, pool pumps and all electrical appliances during load shedding.

“Once the electricity has been restored, customers should wait at least 30 minutes before stoves, geysers and pool pumps to avoid the tripping of electricity,” the power utility said.

Eskom also issued alerts to those who have alternative electricity supply.

“Those customers with backup power supply, should ensure that their backup supply devices are disconnected to the main supply during load shedding restoration and can be connected after approximately 60 minutes.

“Eskom has several network strengthening projects underway in the affected networks. These projects will alleviate the network constraints to prevent cold load trips following load shedding and prolonged outages,” the power utility said. – SAnews.gov.za

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala together with Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister John Jeffery will conduct an inspection at the Port Shepstone Magistrate construction site in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The visit is part of Minister Zikalala’s Operation Siyahlola, where he inspects unfinished and stalled construction projects under the DPWI.

Minister Zikalala has prioritised unblocking of blocked projects and driving accountability as part of efforts to turn around the public works and infrastructure sector and respond to service delivery needs.

“The failure to complete the construction of the court on time has had a negative impact in bringing justice to the citizens and creating safer communities,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said in a statement.

Last month, Zikalala visited the Free State province and conducted inspections on unfinished and blocked projects.

The projects visited included the Parys correctional facility and Park Road police stations that ought to have been completed by but remain incomplete while monies have already been spent.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is a cog in the delivery of services in South Africa as it builds and delivers infrastructure from which all departments render services to the citizens. – SAnews.gov.za

 

The Johannesburg Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation have arrested a 36-year-old suspect for allegations of fraud and corruption and will appear in the Middleburg Special Commercial Crime court on Monday.

It is alleged that around October 2022, a complaint was reported about fraud and corruption which was committed by an Eskom project manager as well as two other Eskom officials together with Luthando Engineering.

It is said that an amount of R25 000 was given to the project manager as an gratification by Luthando Engineering in order to be granted a one year tender contract to install lights at Eskom and around November 2022, the project manager gave the complainant another R25 000 for gratification.

The improprieties were reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation. The Hawks' members worked on an operation which was conducted outside Kriel power station after information was received that the suspect will be transporting money yet again to the service provider. 

During the operation, the suspect was searched and no money was found in his possession but R16 600 was found at his place of residence.

Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa commended the team for a breakthrough in addressing the scourge of corruption that is hampering economic growth in the country. – SAnews.gov.za

South African Netball President, Cecilia Molokwane, has called on South Africans to support the South Africa national netball team at the 2023 Netball World Cup where they will be competing against 16 countries.

“It’s time for Africa and South Africa to shine. It is time for South African netball to shine. It is time for women to shine and the SPAR Proteas to shine. They can only shine if all of us are behind them,” Molokwane said on Friday.

Sixty years after the World Cup started in 1962 in England where South Africa was one of the teams that participated, the tournament will be hosted on African soil for the first time. It will take place in Cape Town from 28 July to the 6th of August 2023.

The City of Cape Town will establish a Fan Park outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre) where netball fans can watch matches on a big screen, enjoy live entertainment, play games and enjoy a family environment for the duration of the Netball World Cup.

“Sixteen counties in the world will be competing for this prestigious trophy to become world champions and we know that the SPAR Proteas, the netball team, will make sure that this trophy does not leave these shores and stays in South Africa

“We are the only continent in this competition that has four countries competing. We have South Africa, who are the winners already, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Uganda that will be playing in this tournament,” she said.

Explaining the significance of the dates for the tournament, Molokwane said they were specifically chosen to celebrate Mandela Month and Women’s Month.

“This trophy will be played for from 28 July. It landed on 25 May; we wanted it to land in Africa on Africa Day. When it landed, I learned that the African Union was celebrating 60 years and it was for the first time in 60 years that the trophy was on the continent.

“When the girls play on 28 July, it will be at 6pm and South Africans will be back from work. South Africans can watch the game and support the girls as they play. Support the SPAR Proteas.

“Do not forget to support Banyana Banyana on Sunday. They are playing their first game against Sweden,” Molokwane said.

She made these remarks during the 2023 Netball World Cup activation at the Forum of the South African Directors-General (FOSAD) at Mount Grace Hotel and Spa, in Magaliesburg.

This event took place exactly a week before the beginning of the 2023 Netball World Cup and offered an opportunity to build hype and excitement of the tournament.

The Netball World Cup activation at FOSAD also included the entrance of the Netball World Cup trophy, which was welcomed with jubilation by the director generals.

Director-General in the Presidency, Phindile Baleni, expressed confidence in the SPAR Proteas keeping the trophy in the country.

“Thanks to the new constitution of this country we can afford to participate in such events. Let us not miss the moment that sports give us, which is to create social cohesion and a South Africa of champions.

“Like the women of 1956, when they marched on the Union Buildings, they were doing it for us to get opportunities. Let’s continue to create opportunities for women,” Baleni said. –  SAnews.gov.za