News

Law enforcement is hot on the heels of 12 people possibly linked to the recent torching of trucks on national roads, says Police Minister Bheki Cele. 

“These are organised and sophisticated operations. They are organised in one centre in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal and dispersed in different groups to do these things,” the Minister announced on Wednesday, saying that the coordinator has also been identified. 

However, Cele could not divulge more information, as the investigations are still ongoing. 

The Minister and the South African Police Service (SAPS) senior management was briefing the nation on the police’s response to acts of violence targeting freight trucks. 

According to Cele, 21 trucks ferrying goods were burned down in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo since Sunday, 9 July 2023. 

He said in a televised briefing that nine trucks were burnt both in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal respectively, while three suffered the same fate in Limpopo.  

“We want to make it very clear that to date, there have been no targets on trucks in the Free State and Gauteng provinces.”

The Police Ministry, according to Cele, has recently concluded a high-level meeting with Provincial Commissioners of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, led by the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.

“We have found it necessary to apprise the nation of these criminal operations and outline the response of law enforcement to the isolated and cowardice acts.

“Whether it is economic sabotage, labour or service delivery related disputes - police are closing in on those who choose to use violence and intimidation for whatever motive.”

Intelligence, Cele said, suggests that the attacks may be business-related and not random acts of criminality. 

He believes that the acts of violence seek to undermine and sabotage the State. 

He assured citizens that a plan of action from the police is already underway.

“No matter the motive, the country’s law enforcement remains on high alert and is hard at work at preventing more attacks but also finding these individuals or gangs of thugs who are hell-bent on causing havoc on our roads,” he stressed. 

Cele said the police have since heightened their visibility and are leaving nothing to chance in all provinces.

“All major routes have been secured and regular patrols are being conducted along identified high risk routes.”

July unrest 

Cele used the briefing to reflect on the July 2021 unrest, which marks two years since the mass looting, acts of arson and destruction of property in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, leading to 354 deaths. 

“As things stand, there is no evidence before us to suggest that the recent target on trucks is in any way related or linked to the July insurrection. 

“I wish to take this opportunity to allay any fears that what transpired in July 2021 will repeat itself.”

To date, Cele said 67 people have been arrested on 11 cases related to the insurrection and are before the courts, while investigations continue.

The Minister said the police are probing 107 cases in KwaZulu-Natal related to the torching of trucks since 2018.

“We have a capable State that has learnt from the past. The security apparatus is working in unison and the security cluster is in a better state to respond to any eventuality.”

Cele emphasised that the police are working with speed and closely together to bring a stop to these organised crimes and secure arrests. – SAnews.gov.za

Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has challenged estate agents and property managers to improve the ease of doing business through digitisation.

“We can’t be doing things manually in this day and age. We need to move all our interactions  online -- from exams, payments, applications and renewal of Fidelity Fund Certificates (FFC),” Kubayi said.

Kubayi made the remarks during a stakeholder engagement with property practitioners and real estate companies in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The engagement aimed at providing a platform between sector stakeholders and government to discuss areas of partnerships and improvements to provide sustainable human settlements.

The engagement follows the launch of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) last year, which replaced the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB).

The launch of the PPRA marked the coming into operation of the Property Practitioners Act, which aims to strengthen the regulatory aspect of the human settlements sector. 

Kubayi commended the PPRA for its good working relationship since its launch.

“The feedback that I have been receiving is that the PPRA has been working together with the sector. Not to say there are no challenges and there isn’t room for improvement but the revival of this working relationship is something we should nurture and strengthen.

“I have been getting feedback that the entity is indeed turning a new leaf. I believe that we now have good leadership that has stabilised the entity and they need all our support to continue on this path,” Kubayi said.

The PPRA has three main functions, which include regulating the affairs of all property practitioners; driving transformation in the property sector, and providing consumer protection.

She warned that the PPRA cannot achieve these functions by itself, as it requires partnership and collaboration with the sector, especially the private sector, to be able to fulfil its mandate.

The 2021 Property Sector Charter Council (PSCC) report revealed that the financial, real estate and business services sectors accounted for 22% of the country's real value added, generated by producing goods and services.

The PSCC study also showed that South Africa’s property market contributed R5.8 trillion to the gross domestic product (GDP).

“In 2018, one of the South African Reserve Bank’s reports also estimated that SA’s total fixed capital stock is worth R7.6 trillion. This means that property accounts for 76% of SA capital stock outside of machinery and transport.

“As you can see with the numbers, this is a very important sector of our economy. The wealth that it generates needs to be shared equitably and I think working together, we can grow this pie and share it,” the Minister said.

While acknowledging that the property market is still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kubayi said there are great signs of recovery. In the first quarter of 2023, the finance, real estate and business services grew by 0.6%.

Kubayi said there are opportunities in areas including student accommodation, social housing, amongst others.

She said other areas to look at that are critical for growing and transforming the sector include:
•    Capacitation and enterprise support for historically disadvantaged property practitioners.
•    Support of existing SMMEs owned by historically disadvantaged property practitioners.
•    Promotion of the standard of training and development of historically disadvantaged property practitioners.
•    Supporting existing historically disadvantaged property practitioners to become principal property practitioners and owners of business property practitioners.
•    Facilitation of ownership of and participation in property investment enterprises.
•    Enabling the transformation of property ownership in South Africa by providing grant support (through the Transformation Fund) to historically disadvantaged property practitioners, who are in the business of developing residential properties in the affordable and secondary housing markets.
•    How to work together to accelerate the first home finance programme so that all market segments receive the quality of service that the higher segments of the market receive. – SAnews.gov.za

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga on Tuesday said she was gravely concerned about the torching of trucks on South African roads, describing the incidents as an “act of economic sabotage”. 

This comes after trucks ferrying goods were set alight recently in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.  

Meanwhile, four more trucks have been torched on Wednesday morning on the N2 between Piet Retief and Ermelo in Mpumalanga. 

According to reports, this brings 20 trucks in total that have been burned down. 

“This is criminality that will not be tolerated. These criminals are committing an act of economic sabotage, which must attract the harshest penalties permissible in law,” said Chikunga. 

“Our road network is the lifeblood of our economy and transports valuable cargo that keeps the wheels of our economy turning,” she stressed.  

According to the Minister, road traffic law enforcement authorities, working under the coordination of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) continue to work closely with other law enforcement authorities to maintain maximum vigilance and to bring perpetrators to book.

“The ability of trucks to transport freight is an enabler of economic activity and trade with other markets, which is critical for our economy, as the road freight transports more than 80% of all country’s cargo,” she explained.  

Government, Chikunga said, has also provided a platform of engagement for any party aggrieved by working conditions in the road freight industry and that progress is being made in addressing the issues on the table.  

The Ministry said it continues to work as part of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to address the challenges facing the sector. 

“Behaviour by any party that is outside of that agreed framework will neither be condoned nor tolerated. We call upon law enforcement authorities to unleash the full might of the law in dealing with those who think they can sabotage our economy with impunity.  

“We equally appeal to other road users and communities to work closely with law enforcement authorities and report suspicious conduct on our roads.  We will not allow our roads to be used as an arena to commit crime,” she stressed.  SAnews.gov.za 

Former Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Roads, and Public Works, John Block, has appeared before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court in relation to the R51 million fraud case against him and two other accused.

The co-accused are the department’s former HOD, Patience Mercia Mokhali, engineering company Babereki Consulting Engineers CC and the company’s director Tshegolekae Motaung.

The case relates to the construction of the new Kimberley Mental Hospital.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the three face charges of fraud, money laundering, corruption and contravention of the Engineering Professions Act.

“It is alleged that in 2003, Babereki Consulting Engineers CC was fraudulently awarded a tender as a structural and civil engineer, as well as a project manager within the mental health hospital construction project.

“The accused, as the political head, and the former HOD [Mokhali], appointed Babereki Consulting Engineers CC, whose director is Tshegolekae Motaung, even though the company did not meet the requirements. The actual amount involved is approximately R51 million,” Senokoatsane said.

Block appeared in the court virtually on Tuesday, as he is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence at the Upington Correctional Services facility for other charges, including corruption.

“During their appearance, Block, through his legal representative, informed the court that he will be applying for bail. The bail application was set for the date of 1 August 2023. The case was remanded to 10 August 2023 for further investigation,” Senokoatsane said. – SAnews.gov.za

Department of Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced a new board of directors for state freight rail, port and pipeline company, Transnet.

The new board will include nine new appointments as well as two re-appointments who are expected to serve for a three year term.

“As the Government’s shareholder representative, it gives me great pleasure to announce these new appointments as they will ensure strategic alignment in Transnet’s pursuit of its mandate as a key lever and driver of our economic engine, development and transformation.

“These appointments will put Transnet on a firm strategic path that provides critical expertise, experience and acumen for Transnet to optimally and strategically execute on its roadmap, business plan, improve governance and optimise performance,” Gordhan said.

The new appointments are:

• Andile Sangqu is the new chairperson of the board. Sanqu is the former Vice President of the Minerals Council South Africa and former Executive Head for Anglo American.
• Lebogang Letsoalo is a global supply chain coach and CEO of Sincpoint.
• Martin Debel is an Executive Director at Experion Global with in-depth knowledge of the maritime industry due to proven working experience in various sectors and educational background.
• Dipak Patel joined the South African Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) in June 2021 as Head: Climate Finance and Innovation.
• Busisa Jiya is the CEO of Association for Savings and Investment SA (Asisa), with experience in savings, Asset Management, Collective Investment Schemes, Retirement Funds, Banking, and Insurance.
• Mosadiwamaretlwe Pearl Zambane is a legal consultant with a strong Legal background backed by strong risk management experience.
• Boitumelo Sedupane is an Executive Committee member, with extensive experience in Human Resource leadership spanning six mining operations.
• Refilwe Buthelezi is the current President of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
• Elias Monage has extensive experience in the labour movement for over 20 years as the National Collective Bargaining Negotiator for the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA), the second biggest affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
• Returning to the board is former board chairperson Dr Popo Molefe.
• National Security Advisor to the President, Dr Sydney Mufamadi also returns to the board.

The Transnet Board will now have 13 directors comprising  11 Non-Executive Directors and two Executive Directors, being the GCE and GCFO. – SAnews.gov.za