Picture: A fraud case against Keshene Chetty and co-accused/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The Pretoria High Court postponed the case against Keshene Chetty and 40 of his co-accused to 25 July 2024, for confirmation of legal aid appointment of three of the accused and for pretrial conferencing. The court requested a representative from Legal Aid South Africa to assist in expediting the applications of the three accused.
The Investigating Directorate spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said their court appearance emanates from a tender fraud wherein procurement documents were allegedly tampered with in a tender meant for the branding of police vehicles. Mamothame said falsefied quotations were allegedly provided to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“The accused are facing 456 charges that include racketeering, fraud, corruption, theft, forgery and money laundering. Amongst the accused are police officials who allegedly participated in the fraudulent processing of this tender, and 22 companies and their directors.
“The former head of SAPS supply chain management, Lieutenant General Ramahlapi Mokwena and three brigadiers are also part of the accused in this matter,” he said.
Picture: Over 150 snoek fish confiscated by police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Two men aged 18 and 28 respectively, were arrested for Contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act in Hondeklipbaai on 13 June 2024. The suspects were arrested by Operation Vala Umgodi multi-disciplinary team, together with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DEEF).
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said upon arrival, the police allegedly spotted the identified white Toyota Hilux and requested to do an inspection with officials of DEEF.
“The police found 150 snoek fish without the relevant authorised permits. Cash believed to be the proceeds of crime was also seized. The driver of the vehicle was driving without a driver’s license.
“The pair were arrested for Contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act. The vehicle utilised in the commission of crime was confiscated and the driver was also fined for driving without a driver’s license,” he said.
The president of Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 98 of the Constitution, appointed Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu as the acting Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
Ramaphosa spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said the appointment will take effect immediately.
“This follows the election by the National Assembly of Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza as Speaker of the National Assembly,” he said.
Picture: The illicit cigarettes confiscated by police/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
The police in the ZF Mgcawu District has confiscated illict cigarettes worth over R3 million. This comes after the members of Upington Border Police and K9 unit received a tip-off regarding the alleged sale of illicit cigarettes at one of the shops in Upington on 14 June 2024.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the police operationalised the information and visited the shop for inspection.
“During inspection, they allegedly found cigarettes that were hidden in a storeroom at the back of the premises. The owner could, however, not provide invoices for the cigarettes and 153 master-cases cigarettes to the value of R3 901 500 were seized.
“An inquiry has been registered for further investigation,” said Masegela.
Picture: Some of illegal mining equipment seized by the police/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
Five suspects aged between 33 and 67, were arrested for Contravention of the Illicit Mining Act on 15 June 2024. The suspects were arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi in Kimberley.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the police were patrolling around the old mining dumps in Lerato Park and spotted five suspects busy with mining activities without the necessary permits.
Sam further said numerous mining equipment, including spades, wheel barrow, buckets, sieves, pick axle, were confiscated.
“The suspects will appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on 18 June 2024. If you see something, say something. Report illegal mining to the SAPS Crime Stop 08600 10111,” he said.
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) held its first sitting on Saturday, where 54 permanent delegates representing nine provinces were sworn in. The Council also elected Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane as its Chairperson and Kenneth Mmoiemang as the Chief Whip for the 7th term of Parliament.
National Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said Mtshweni-Tsipane was elected unopposed after being nominated by a delegate from Northern Cape, Kenneth Mmoiemang.
Mothapo said the nomination was seconded by Patrick Sibande from Mpumalanga.
He further said Mtshweni-Tsipane received all nine votes from the nine provinces.
“In terms of the NCOP procedure, each delegation is entitled to one vote instead of individual member votes. Mtshweni-Tsipane was the Premier of Mpumalanga from 2018 until the end of the 6th term.
“She has been a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) since 2014, serving as the Chairperson of various committees, including the Co-operative Governance and Human Settlements Committee and the Select Committee on Women, Children, and People with Disabilities,” he said.
Mothapo added that she previously served as the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2018 and has held several political positions within the provincial structures of the African National Congress (ANC).
“Mmoiemang was also elected unopposed as the Chief Whip of the NCOP. Mmoiemang joined Parliament in 2019 and has served as the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure, and the Ad Hoc Committee on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill,” he said.
Mothapo said Mmoiemang was the Speaker of the Northern Cape Legislature from 2014 to 2019. He said the House will elect the Deputy Chairpersons and House Chairpersons of the NCOP at a later date.
“In terms of the Constitution, the NCOP must elect a Chairperson and two Deputy Chairpersons from among the delegates. The Chairperson and one of the Deputy Chairpersons are elected from among the permanent delegates to serve for five years unless their terms as delegates expire earlier.
“The other Deputy Chairperson is elected for a term of one year and must be succeeded by a delegate from another province, so that every province is represented in turn,” said Mothapo.
He said NCOP plays a unique role in promoting the principles of cooperative government and intergovernmental relations. Mothapo said it ensures that the three spheres of government work together in performing their unique functions in terms of the Constitution.
“The NCOP is one of the two Houses of Parliament. It is constitutionally mandated to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government.
“This is done through participation in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for the consideration of issues affecting provinces,” he said.
Mothapo said with successful conclusion of the first sitting of the Council and that of the National Assembly on Friday, the 7th term of the democratic Parliament is now established.
The Guardian 