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DPCI determined to deal with national priority offences
Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, says members of the DPCI are determined to deal with national priority offences.
“Their persistence led to securing the attendance in court of at least 724 suspects, which is made of 705 natural persons and 19 juristic persons,” Lebeya said.
Briefing media in Pretoria on Monday to outline progress made in the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, Lebeya said 229 accused persons, which is made of 220 natural persons and nine juristic persons, were convicted and sentenced.
“The top five national priority offences that contributed a high number of arrests are 156 for fraud, including 15 companies; 64 for precious metals and diamonds; 67 for narcotics; 51 for non-ferrous metals and 51 for corruption,” Lebeya said.
Lebeya said during the arrests, the DPCI seized various exhibits, including precious metals and diamonds, endangered species, vehicles, cash, firearms, ammunition, counterfeit goods, explosives and electronic devices worth R102 614 521.89.
“Out of the 229 convictions, fraud contributed the highest number of convictions, with a total number of 63. Precious metals and diamonds are the second highest, with a total number of 45 accused persons.
“Over and above arrests and convictions, the Directorate, in collaboration with the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), secured 92 orders with a monetary value of R39 642 652.71,” Lebeya said.
Lebeya used the opportunity to warn criminals attacking police officers that the law will not have mercy on them.
“An attack on police official is an attack on the State, and the death of one police official, who is the protector of all the people in South Africa, is unacceptable,” he said.
Lebeya said 22 police officials were murdered in the third quarter, 12 off duty and 10 on duty, and that 12 arrests were effected.
As part of successes in apprehending those that are attacking police officers, three accused persons were convicted and sentenced to share four life imprisonment and 38 years imprisonment terms.
“This sentence serves as a deterrent to other would-be criminals that under the doctrine of common purpose, not only will the accused be held liable and charged for the murder of police officers, but also for the murder of their accomplices who died during a crossfire with the police.
“The crimes that your co-perpetrator commits are imputed on you. If the crimes committed results in the death of a co-perpetrator, the surviving co-perpetrator will be charged with the death of his or her co-perpetrator, regardless of the fact that the death may have been inflicted by the victim,” he said.
Crimes against the State
With regards to crimes against the State, Lebeya cited an incident which took place in July 2021, where a video clip inciting people to burn and loot the Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg was circulated on social media platform. The perpetrator was arrested on 28 August 2021.
The Hawks initiated investigations and identified the author of the video clip as Mdumiseni Khetha Zuma (36). He was arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, where his bail was also denied.
Zuma was sentenced to10 years imprisonment for the first count, of which two years was suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension.
He was further sentenced to six years imprisonment on a second count, of which two years is to run concurrently with the sentence on the first count.
“We may recall that 65 alleged July unrest instigators were secured to appear in court on charges of conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson.
“A charge of terrorism has been added. All the accused are on bail and the case is postponed to 8 April 2024 at the Durban Local Division of the High Court,” Lebeya said.
With regards to illegal miners, Lebeya said there have been some successes. On 24 November 2023, three suspects -- Progress Bayeni Mlambo (42), Leornard Moyo (46) and Kocanai Sithole (26) -- were arrested by a team comprising Welkom-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks’ Head Office Precious Metals & Diamonds (PMD) team, Public Order Police and Protea Coin Security.
“Information about the accused exchanging gold for cash between the Free State and Gauteng led the investigators to seek a search and seizure warrant. They had their eyes set squarely on a certain house in Parys, where these illegal activities were said to be taking place.
“The suspects appeared before the magistrate in Parys on 27 November 2023 for contravention of the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005, and again on 29 January 2024,” Lebeya said.
Lebeya described human trafficking as modern-day slavery and a crime against humanity.
“South Africa has not been spared this twin-pandemic of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants,” he said.
During this reporting period, 19 potential victims of trafficking in persons were rescued. Three foreign nationals were convicted, while four suspects were arrested.
Lebeya said 16 awareness campaigns were pro-actively conducted and 17 disruptive operations were reactively conducted. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 02/19/2024 - 12:31
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services today called for public comments on applications and nominations received for the position of Deputy Public Protector (DPP).
Committee Chairperson Mr Bulelani Magwanishe said the position became vacant late last year when the then DPP was appointed as Public Protector (PP). Mr Magwanishe said the committee received a total of 46 applications and nominations of which two has since withdrawn.
Mr Magwanishe said a list of all the nominations/applications received is now available on the Parliament website in order to allow members of the public to comment on the suitability of candidates. Please find list of candidates below:
He said the DPP is appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Assembly for such a period as the President may determine at the time of such appointment, but not exceeding seven years. The DPP may at the end of his or her term be reappointed for one additional term. The annual salary for the position is R1 924 542.
The person recommended for appointment as DPP must be a South African citizen, who is a fit and proper person to hold such office, and who:
Nominations/applications must contain a curriculum vitae (CV) providing the nominee/applicant's:
Mr Magwanishe said a list of all the nominations/applications received will be published in order to allow members of the public to comment on the suitability of candidates. He said the shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a screening process.
Comments must reach Mr Vhonani Ramaano at Dppvacancy@parliament.gov.za by no later than 23 February 2024 at 16H00.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Report forecasts stronger growth for Africa in 2024, outpacing projected global average; Continent is second-fastest-growing region after Asia.
Africa will account for eleven of the world's 20 fastest-growing economies in 2024, the African Development Bank Group said in its latest Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (MEO) of the continent released on Friday.
Overall, real gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the continent is expected to average 3.8% and 4.2% in 2024 and 2025, respectively. This is higher than projected global averages of 2.9% and 3.2%, the report said.
The continent is set to remain the second-fastest-growing region after Asia.
The top 11 African countries projected to experience strong economic performance forecast are Niger (11.2%), Senegal (8.2%), Libya (7.9%), Rwanda (7.2%), Cote d'Ivoire (6.8%), Ethiopia (6.7%), Benin (6.4%), Djibouti (6.2%), Tanzania (6.1%), Togo (6%), and Uganda at 6%.
“Despite the challenging global and regional economic environment, 15 African countries have posted output expansions of more than 5%,” Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina said, calling for larger pools of financing and several policy interventions to further boost Africa's growth.
Africa's Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook, a biannual publication released in the first and third quarters of each year, complements the existing African Economic Outlook (AEO), which focuses on key emerging policy issues relevant to the continent's development.
The MEO report provides an up-to-date evidence-based assessment of the continent's recent macroeconomic performance and short-to-medium-term outlook amid dynamic global economic developments.
The latest report is calling for cautious optimism given the challenges posed by global and regional risks. These risks include rising geopolitical tensions, increased regional conflicts, and political instability—all of which could disrupt trade and investment flows, and perpetuate inflationary pressures.
President Adesina emphasised that fiscal deficits have improved, as faster-than-expected recovery from the pandemic helped shore up revenue.
He explained further: “This has led to a stabilisation of the average fiscal deficit at 4.9% in 2023, like 2022, but significantly less than the 6.9% average fiscal deficit of 2020. The stabilisation is also due to the fiscal consolidation measures, especially in countries with elevated risks of debt distress.”
He cautioned that with the global economy mired in uncertainty, the fiscal positions of the African continent will continue to be vulnerable to global shocks.
The report shows that the medium-term growth outlook for the continent's five regions is slowly improving, a pointer to the continued resilience of Africa's economies.
Presenting the key findings of the report, the African Development Bank's Chief Economist and Vice President, Prof. Kevin Urama said: “Growth in Africa's top-performing economies has benefitted from a range of factors, including declining commodity dependence through economic diversification, increasing strategic investment in key growth sectors, and rising both public and private consumption, as well as positive developments in key export markets.”
He added: “Africa's economic growth is projected to regain moderate strength as long as the global economy remains resilient, disinflation continues, investment in infrastructure projects remains buoyant, and progress is sustained on debt restructuring and fiscal consolidation.”
“The future of Africa rests on economic integration. Our small economies are not competitive in the global market. A healthy internal African trade market can ensure value-added and intra-African production of manufactured goods,” said Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, African Union Commission, Ambassador Albert Muchanga.
He assured that the MEO forecast, and recommendations will be made available to African heads of state and that the report will be useful when the African Union makes its proposals to the G20- an informal gathering of many of the world's largest economies to which the African Union was admitted last year.
The improved growth figure for 2024 reflects concerted efforts by the continent's policymakers to drive economic diversification strategies focused on increased investment in key growth sectors, as well as the implementation of domestic policies aimed at consolidating fiscal positions and reversing the increase in the cost of living and boosting private consumption.
Speaking remotely, Zimbabwe's Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Prof Mthuli Ncube described the report as being “on point” and consistent with the reality in his country, describing it as useful for economic planning across Africa. He urged the African Development Bank to continue its thought leadership to help policymakers continue to build resilience to withstand shocks and drive growth.
Ncube said: “Zimbabwe expects slower growth due to climate shocks in the region. Southern African countries depend on agriculture for economic growth, so climate-proofing agriculture is key. We are in talks with creditors to restructure its debt, which is slowing economic growth. Internally, the country will focus on economic and governance reforms and reforms around property rights to increase agricultural production.”
Up to 41 countries across the continent will in 2024, achieve an economic growth rate of 3.8%, and in 13 of them, growth will be more than 1 percentage point higher than in 2023.
Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University Prof Jeffrey Sachs noted that long-term affordable financing must be part of Africa's strategy to achieve growth of 7% or more per year and warned that Africa is paying a very high-risk premium for debt financing. He called for this point to be made to the G20.
“Long-term development cannot be based on short-term loans. Loans to Africa should be at least 25 years or longer. Short-term borrowing is dangerous for long-term development. Africa must act as one, in scale,” he explained.
Sachs, who is also the UN Secretary-General António Guterres' Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals also called for a much larger African Development Bank, better resourced to meet Africa's financing needs.
Overview of economic outlook across regions
The confluence of shocks notwithstanding, the resilience of the continent's economies remains strong, with positive growth projected for the continent's five regions.
Driving faster and more sustainable economic growth
The 2024 MEO says in the short term, tackling persistent inflation will need a mix of restraining monetary policy coupled with fiscal consolidation and stable exchange rates.
The report identifies structural reforms and strategic industrial policies as key to accelerating economic diversification and strengthening the export sector.
It recommends that countries invest more in human capital and pursue a resource-based industrialisation and diversification strategy that allows the continent to exploit its comparative advantage and build resilience to shocks.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media Contact:
Emeka Anuforo
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Three-year investigation has revealed collusion between Lottery officials, former board members, lawyers and non-profit organisations
Budget has been brought back under control, says Dr Keith Cloete
Even those who slept at the offices are not sure to be served
Hospitality has traditionally been associated with the service industry, such as hotels and restaurants, where companies make customers feel welcome and comfortable. But, especially with new styles of work, hospitality has extended beyond the hotel and restaurant industry into the workplace. Today’s workforce wants a workplace that’s alive with creativity, connectivity and productivity, with physical …
Troubled adverse audit described. And over 36,000 student beds still to be accredited
Earlier this week residents picketed, demanding that a new office be built and for staff to be trained
Introduction In the ever-evolving landscape of furniture, plastic chairs have emerged as a versatile and practical choice for various settings. From outdoor gatherings to indoor events, and even office spaces, the right plastic chair can make all the difference. Let’s explore the diverse range of plastic chairs and homeware products that cater to every need, combining comfort, …
Global Access is thrilled to announce their official entry into the vibrant market of Ghana. Recently, the company was awarded a contract for the implementation of their IPTV solution for a large Financial Institution based in Ghana. This solution is for the distribution and management of Television channels, internal communication channels, digital signage and streaming …
The union members downed tools for a full day on Tuesday after negotiations with management failed
In today’s fast-paced world, where the lines between personal and professional life often blur, the significance of physical and mental well-being cannot be overstated. It’s become clear that a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just improve individual health outcomes but also enhances productivity and morale within the workplace. This understanding isn’t just a passing trend but has …
Introduction In the domain of corporate gifting and promotional strategies, the influence of a name holds immense weight. Brand name corporate gifts and promotional products transcend mere objects; they embody qualities of quality, dependability, and prestige. Acting as a bridge, these gifts establish connections between businesses and their clients, employees, and partners in a manner …
The Beast Foundation (www.TheBeastFoundation.org), in collaboration with Elyseum Family Office (Elyseum), is pleased to announce the launch of the Lead Like a Girl programme aimed at empowering young women from underprivileged contexts in South Africa and Zimbabwe, providing them with opportunities to realise their full potential.
Arising from a partnership established in July 2023 between The Beast Foundation and Elyseum, this visionary programme is geared towards creating a brighter future by fostering leaderships skills and generating opportunities for success among younger women in marginalised communities.
Recognising the disparities in educational resources, Lead Like a Girl offers a well-rounded environment with expert mentorship and leadership development for young women. Structured around five core pillars, Lead Like a Girl encompasses crucial aspects such as schooling support (including tuition, boarding fees, textbooks, and learning materials), annual leadership camps, inter-African country visits, ongoing mentorship, and a dedicated alumni community.
Partnering with development organisations like The Amathuba Foundation, The Imbeleko Foundation, Mondi South Africa, and Higherlife Foundation Zimbabwe, the first cohort of 15 learners from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in South Africa, as well as Harare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, was carefully selected based on academic, sporting, and cultural achievements, as well as financial need.
“Lead Like a Girl represents a collective effort to uplift young women and foster positive change in underserved communities across Africa. Through mentorship, scholarships, the influence of inspiring female patrons, and the establishment of a robust alumni network, our goal with Lead Like a Girl is clear: to provide unwavering support, comprehensive training, and quality education to young girls. We aim to nurture them into formidable future leaders, in turn, empowering them to guide the next generation of young girls as they forge their own unique paths,” says Chairman of The Beast Foundation, Tendai Mtawarira.
Lead Like a Girl aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 4, Quality Education, and 5, Gender Equality. Moreover, the UN Women Annual Report (https://apo-opa.co/48a3OF7) highlights the urgent need for accelerated progress, indicating that achieving gender equality could take up to 300 years without the allocation of increased resources. Lead Like a Girl aims to address these challenges by providing opportunities for girls to pursue education, thus contributing to breaking the cycle of poverty and reducing vulnerabilities to issues like child marriages and domestic violence.
“With Lead Like a Girl, we're not just envisioning a brighter future; we're actively shaping it. Together, with the support of our partners and the dedication of our team, we're laying the foundation for a generation of empowered and resilient young women who will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the world,” adds Mtawarira.
Individuals and organisations interested in supporting the Lead Like a Girl initiative can contact The Beast Foundation team at www.TheBeastFoundation.org or Info@thebeastfoundation.org.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Beast Foundation.
Download the images: https://apo-opa.co/49exbXW
About The Beast Foundation:
Founded and formally incorporated in March 2021, The Beast Foundation is dedicated to transforming communities through sports, education, and effective mentorship. The foundation's past initiatives include awarding education scholarships, organising rugby boot camp experiences, and providing relief to families affected by floods in KwaZulu-Natal.
Spokeperson Hangwani Mulaudzi and former Head of Risk at the National Lotteries Commission Marubini Ramatsekisa are both named in a dossier handed to prosecutors
Comments deadline for draft IRP 2023 extended
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has extended the deadline for comments on the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2023) to 23 March 2024.
“The IRP is an electricity generation plan that seeks to ensure security of electricity supply by balancing supply with demand, while taking into account the environment and total cost of supply.
“The purpose of this publication is to solicit public comments on the assumptions, input parameters, scenarios, and observations made. Comments submitted will be considered in drafting the final policy adjusted plan which will map out the future energy mix for the country,” the department said.
The DMRE explained that the draft IRP 2023 focuses on two time periods up to 2050.
“The draft IRP 2023 is based on a scientific process that considers several scenarios and latest developments in the country’s electricity industry. It considers two-time horizons, the first being the period up to 2030 focusing on addressing prevailing generation capacity constraints and system requirements to close the supply gap.
“Horizon two covers the period from 2031 to 2050 and focuses on long-term electricity generation planning with pathways to achieve a resilient Net Zero electricity sector by 2050,” the department said.
A copy of the draft IRP and relevant documents are accessible on https://www.energy.gov.za/files/irp_frame.html.
Comments can be submitted online at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bDWXlV5Askqncn7nJnEGjdSCoIqfOslGi6lIYefKLn5UMjg2TjQ1WElTVURZTDhCN0szU0lUSjg2Wi4u or email IRP.Queries@dmre.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 02/12/2024 - 11:21
In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses of all sizes are constantly seeking ways to enhance efficiency, reduce paper usage, and simplify workflow processes. Two key tools that have revolutionised the way businesses manage documents and approvals are Document Management Systems (DMS) and Electronic Signatures. In this blog, we will explore the significance of these technologies, …
South Africa is a country known for its rich cultural diversity and a melting pot of culinary traditions. Among the various dietary preferences and requirements, kosher food holds a special place in the hearts of many South Africans. Kosher certification in South Africa is not just about adhering to religious dietary laws; it’s also a …
Hearings at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal into alleged gross misconduct by the judge will resume on 22 February
Presidential Golf Challenge underway for charity
In a bid to raise funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, President Cyril Ramaphosa this morning teed off at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC).
The PGC was held at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, following the President’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday night.
According to the Presidency, the funds will be used by the foundation’s partner, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, to construct ablution facilities as part of the Department of Basic Education’s SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education.
“This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country.
“The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe of Mangaung in the Free State. Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union,” the Presidency said.
Load shedding
Answering questions from the media on load shedding on the side lines of the golf challenge, President Ramaphosa said government cannot give an exact date on when the rolling power outages will stop.
“It is a constant problem for South Africans. We know that and everybody feels it. And it’s not comfortable at all. In fact, it does sometimes evoke a lot of anger. But as I’ve said, we do have the resilience as South Africans to keep on ensuring that we do hope for a better time. And a better time is coming.
“The issue of the ending of load shedding is a moot one. Everybody wants to know…when is it ending. When you give them a date and there’s load shedding thereafter, they say you were lying and you make empty, false promises. So we are not going to do that because this is a process.
“Through the National Electricity Crisis Committee, everything is put in place. All the pillars are put in place to finally address load shedding. It would be wonderful and ideal to give a date but processes like these that are engineering based…you cannot really put a date to,” he said.
SARS
Responding to questions on the extension of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) boss, Commissioner Edward Kieswetter’s tenure, President Ramaphosa batted away any suggestions of a crisis at the revenue collector’s office.
He explained that with Kieswetter’s term coming to an end, measures need to be put in place to facilitate a “proper transition”.
“So there’s no crisis. Nobody should be in any form of angst because the process is being handled very, very properly. And I’m happy to have a Commissioner of Revenue like him who is very cooperative; who is committed to his work; who is diligent and who has revived SARS from the grips of state capture.
“So when I was talking about revamping our institutions last night [at the State of the Nation Address], I highlighted that SARS is one of those. It is back to its old, efficient self having been taken into the depths of state capture for a while.
“We have reclaimed it and I’m rather glad that it is one of those institutions that is serving the people of South Africa well,” President Ramaphosa said.
Earlier this week, the President agreed to extend the Commissioner’s tenure beyond the end of his term at the revenue collector.
The Commissioner’s contract of employment was set to end on 30 April, where after a new Commissioner would be appointed.
In March 2019, President Ramaphosa appointed Kieswetter, in terms of Section 6 of the South African Revenue Service Act, for a five-year term that started on 1 May 2019. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 13:07
Hearing by the Judicial Conduct Tribunal into possible gross misconduct by the judge continues
Steps taken by government to deal with state capture
President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined the gains that government has made in dealing with state capture and rooting out corruption.
“One of the overriding challenges this administration had to deal with when it took office was state capture and corruption. Our first priority was to put a decisive stop to state capture, to dismantle the criminal networks within the state and to ensure that perpetrators faced justice,” President Ramaphosa said on Thursday.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall, President Ramaphosa said government had appointed capable people with integrity to head law enforcement agencies, government departments, security services and state companies.
These appointments were often done through independent and transparent processes.
“The credibility and efficiency of a number of institutions like the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have been restored and their performance improved. We set up the Investigating Directorate as a specialised and multidisciplinary unit within the National Prosecuting Authority to investigate corruption and other serious crimes.
“Great progress has been made in bringing those responsible for state capture to justice. More than 200 accused persons are being prosecuted. More are under investigation. Stolen funds are being recovered.
“Freezing orders of R14 billion have been granted to the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit for state capture-related cases, and around R8.6 billion in corrupt proceeds have been returned to the state,” the President said.
SARS has collected R4.8 billion in unpaid taxes as a result of evidence presented at the State Capture Commission, while the Special Investigating Unit has instituted civil litigation to the value of R64 billion.
“We have taken steps, including through new legislation, to strengthen our ability to prevent money laundering and fraud and secure our removal from the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force.
“With the assistance of business, we have set up a digital forensic capability to support the NPA Investigating Directorate, which in due course will be expanded to support law enforcement more broadly.
“Legislation is currently before Parliament to establish the Investigating Directorate as a permanent entity with full investigating powers. But there is much more work to be done to eradicate corruption completely,” he said.
Based on the recommendations of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, government is determined to introduce further measures to strengthen anti-corruption agencies, protect whistle-blowers, regulate lobbying and prevent the undue influence of public representatives in procurement.
“We will not stop until every person responsible for corruption is held to account. We will not stop until all stolen money has been recovered. We will not stop until corruption is history.
“The real tragedy of state capture was that it diverted attention and resources away from what government should have been doing, which is to grow our economy and create jobs,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:44