Daily Archives: May 15, 2025

Committee concerned over low arrest figures on extortion and arson case

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Picture: Buses allegedly torched/Sowetan

By OBAKENG MAJE

15 May 2025– The Committee on Police is concerned by the low arrest figures of the perpetrators of attacks and extortion on long-haul buses, despite clear evidence provided by bus companies.

The committee held a fruitful engagement with the Golden Arrow bus service and the Intercape bus company following numerous reports of violence against those bus companies and various litigations against the South African Police Service.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Ian Cameron said while they acknowledge the comprehensive work done by the police to implement mitigating initiatives to protect bus companies and their commuters, it remains concerning that of the 300 cases reported between Golden Arrow and Intercape, but no arrest has been made by the police.

Cameron said what is even more worrying is that among the 300 cases, there is a murder case that has not been solved as yet.

“The arrest and prosecution of perpetrators is the only logical deterrence against such cowardly acts, and the lack of movement in this regard is worrying.

“The committee highlighted the concern that, in the case of the attacks on Intercape, the taxi industry has been left to act with impunity and outside the confines of the law. This, according to the committee, is unacceptable and sets a bad precedent that will be difficult to overcome,” he said.

Cameron said the committee has thus resolved that SAPS provide periodical updates on progress of the investigations. He said the committee acknowledged intervention by the SAPS to provide escort and police visibility, these interventions are not sustainable in the long term.

“It is on this basis that the committee has called on the police to institute intelligence-led policing to ensure that perpetrators are arrested. Furthermore, there should be a data-driven approach to policing that focuses on ensuring adequate resourcing of hotspot areas.

“Extortions, in this case focusing on long-haul buses, have proved to be a major economic constraint to businesses that provide necessary transport services,” said Cameron.

He said it is unacceptable that people are robbed of the opportunity to make a choice about the mode of transport they want to use to reach their destination. Cameron said the committee appreciated the collaboration with communities that provide information that is critical to stopping acts of crime.

“The committee has always maintained that community collaborations are critical in combating crime as they are closer to information and are able to provide timeous information to stop crime.

“Meanwhile, the experience with Golden Arrow has proven the importance of collaborations with local governments to combat crime. The installation of security cameras and linkage to the city’s command centre can be a valuable force multiplier and an enabler for faster response times,” said Cameron.

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MKP raises concern over illegal occupation of GD Montshioa Airport

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Picture: GD Montshioa International Airport

By BAKANG MOKOTO

15 May 2025- The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in the North West said it has taken serious note of a video currently circulating in social media platforms wherein the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, MEC Wessels Morweng, is seen confronting individuals allegedly occupying the George Dick Montshioa International Airport without authorisation and instructing them to vacate the premises.

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s Provincial Convenor, Alfred Motsi has further taken note that the George Dick Montshioa International Airport is under 24-hour security surveillance by Eagle Eye Security. Motsi said, therefore, the North West Provincial Government ought to have known before about such illegal occupation of a strategic key point by foreign nationals.

“The North West Provincial Government has for many years been talking about repositioning GD Montshioa International Airport as an Airport City and designated Mahikeng Industrial Development Zone (MIDZ) into a special economic zone.

“In many successive States of the Province Address (SOPAs) by various Premiers and the budgets, were allocated to revitalize the airport. Therefore, the recent discovery of illegal occupation of the airport should demonstrate to the public that the previous Premiers and previous Community Safety MECs were in fact incompetent and were sleeping on duty,” he said.

Motsi said uMkhonto weSizwe Party views this incident as an embarrassment of high magnitude that Nigerian foreign nationals have been illegally occupying the GD Montshioa International Airport for about seven years without any lease agreement, without their documents being checked, without paying any rent and whilst enjoying electricity being paid for by South African residents under the watchful eye of the ANC-led government.

He said the airport is one of the key strategic points in the country and therefore the North West Department of Public Works and Roads as the custodian of government property, as well as the police intelligence should have been the first to have picked up the illegal existence of the long occupation of a national strategic key point by foreign nationals.

“It is a huge embarrassment that the North West Provincial Government did not know of the residence of foreign nationals in and the activities taking place in an airport, which is a national strategic key point.

“Therefore, we make an urgent call for investigation for the manifest official omissions and sleeping on duty for about seven years on the part of the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management and Public Works and Roads,” said Motsi.

He said uMkhonto weSizwe Party will reject any plea for ignorance, that no one from the provincial government does not know about this situation. Motsi said this incident should also serve as a manifest indicator of lack of ethical leadership and clean governance on the part of the ANC-led government.

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Committee concerned about SABC’s precarious financial state

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Picture: SABC offices in Auckland park in Johannesburg

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

15 May 2025 – The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) said it has noted with deep concern the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) precarious financial state, which threatens its sustainability in the medium term. The committee said this is despite notable improvements in governance and content delivery.

The Chairperson of SCOPA, Songezo Zibi said SABC appeared before SCOPA on Wednesday to account for its 2023/24 audit outcomes and financial performance. Zibi said SABC received an unqualified audit opinion with a material finding for the 2023/24 financial year – an improvement from the disclaimed audit opinion they received in the 2022/23 financial year.

“However, we remain concerned about the SABC’s long-term financial position because its revenue is insufficient to support its mandate, forcing it to use funds meant for operations for other critical purposes.

“Another concern is that it cannot produce or procure sufficiently fresh programmes and content to compete for advertising and related revenue. It also cannot purchase and install new technologies to meet its mandate in a changing, digitised media landscape,” he said.

Zibi further said similarly, it is struggling to attract or retain talent or stave off demoralisation of staff who have not received a salary increase for several years. He added that, although the corporation has committed to reviewing salaries, increases will likely be modest and uncompetitive.

“Furthermore, it is concerning that the SABC continues to rely on declining TV license fees and government grants to fund 55% of its mandate. TV license fees revenue has declined steadily over the past three years, from R815 million in 2022, R741 million in 2023 and R687 million in 2024, while its expenses have risen extensively.

“The SABC faces a widening funding gap of R7.03 billion over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period and requires a comprehensive funding plan to enable it to access borrowing facilities on the open market,” said Zibi.

He said there is currently no plan to provide the SABC either with a guarantee to access bank loan facilities or a capital injection to meet its mandate. Zibi said when the SABC is unable to provide accurate, credible information to the public the country becomes vulnerable to disinformation and misinformation.

“South Africa has two choices: either to provide support for a capital injection at the SABC or cut back on its mandate. Failure to do either will eventually collapse the institution despite notable improvements in how it is run and managed,” he said.

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ANC regaining strength as it marches to victory during by-elections

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Picture: The ANC supporters

By REGINALD KANYANE

15 May 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) said it extends its heartfelt gratitude for the strong showing in yesterday’s by-elections, which affirmed the continued relevance of the ANC as a people’s movement rooted in struggle, service and transformation.

The liberation movement said the outcomes of these by-elections reflect more than just electoral victories, they are a reaffirmation of their values and an endorsement of the ongoing work of renewal across our structures and communities.

The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party congratulates Siyakudumisa Makaula, who was elected in ward 24, City of Johannesburg (Freedom Park/Motsoaledi, Gauteng) and Simon Kleinbooi, elected in ward 5, Nama Khoi Municipality (Springbok, Bergsig, Northern Cape), where the ANC has now reclaimed four wards from the opposition since 2024.

Bhengu-Motsiri said they also congratulate Makhosazane Benrose Bhengu, elected in ward 4, Mpofana Municipality (Rietvlei, KwaZulu-Natal), with increased voter support. She further said these victories are a result of tireless groundwork by ANC volunteers, branch structures and community organisers, who kept the flame of the movement burning in every street, village and township.

“The high turnout and robust support from the streets of Soweto to the rural heartland of Mpofana and the reclaimed ground in Nama Khoi, reaffirm that the ANC is reconnecting with its people and reclaiming its historic role as the leader of society.

“We commit ourselves to honouring this renewed mandate by serving with humility, discipline, and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of our people,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.

She said the elected councillors are expected to be visible, responsive and accountable at all times. Bhengu-Motsiri thanked their members, volunteers, supporters and voters who came out in numbers in all these by-elections.

“The ANC is regaining strength, growing in support and marching towards victory. Our Renewal Programme is working, and we will continue to rebuild trust, deliver services and fight for a better life for all,” she said.

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Morweng implement new strategies to address scholar transport issue

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By OBAKENG MAJE

15 May 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said they have put measures in place to address the challenges experienced in the provision of the scholar transport service.

Morweng who addressed the media after the recent fiasco, where some scholar transport service providers downed tools due to non-payments said, there had been many challenges that scholar transport experienced and they had to implement some measures to deal with them. He further said these measures include establishing what they call the ‘War Room’ led by the Head of Department (HOD), Dr Hans Kekana, to resolve problems as they arise and they work together closely with their sister Department of Education.

“When the current contract began, we had 446 operators and in the service level agreement (SLA) we had with them, there are compliance clauses which guide steps to be taken when there are contraventions.

“The contravention as per the SLA includes amongst others, unroadworthy buses, failure to transport learners and endangering the safety of the learners,” said Morweng.

He added that they had already terminated 90 operators for one or more for contraventions mentioned above. Morweng said in the delay of payments, they had received 928 invoices and to date 552 have been processed.

“We experienced a system failure, which affected the processing of these payments. As a result, we have requested the Treasury to allow us to disburse two payments per week instead of one.

“We are now disbursing payments on Tuesdays and Fridays. We have already had two meetings with operators to explain challenges experienced. We are continuing with this engagement to keep operators abreast so that learners do not suffer,” he said.

Morweng said as part of intervention to ensure that operators are paid within the stipulated 30-day period, they are implementing a system used at the national government called ‘Re a patala’. He said it is an invoice tracking system that will assist them to quickly track and address areas where invoices get delayed.

“We are currently using a manual invoice tracking system which is problematic and prone to errors. One other problem with the manual system is that we are unable to see where there are delays in the value chain.

“Re a patala will be monitored daily and will assist in expediting payments once invoices are captured.

Challenges experienced are regretted but we do all we can to ensure that there are no further delays in processing payments,” said Morweng.

He said as has already indicated, engagement with operators is on-going. Morweng said they would also like to express their profound thanks to the operators for continuing to transport learners in spite of delays in payments.

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Police assist woman giving birth

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Picture: Police assisted woman while giving birth/Supplied 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

15 May 2025- The ZF Mgcawu District Commissioner, Major General Monica Sebili praised the police from Lime Acres for their act of empathy. This comes after these police officers assisted a woman, while giving birth on 13 May 2025.

Sebili said the police officers, Sergeant Sehano Khalaki and Sergeant Thabo Kgomojong, attended to a complaint after two women came to the SAPS Administration Building and informed them about a woman who was screaming hysterically at one of the residences.

“However, the women said they do not know what might be the situation. The two members responded to the complaint and upon arrival, they heard a woman screaming. They opened the door, and they found a woman on the couch giving birth.

“The baby was crying and they were both weak and cold. Khalaki assisted the woman, while Kgomojong went to seek help,” she said.

Sebili further said Petra Finsch Mine Ambulance responded and attended to the matter. She added that the child and mother were transported to the hospital for further assistance.

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Police are looking for missing Strausse

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Picture: Missing Manrico Strausse/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

15 May 2025- The police in Nababeep are requesting the assistance of the public in locating Manrico Strausse (25), who was last seen on 9 May 2025, at his residence in Kort Street, Nababeep. Strausse was reported missing to the police on 13 May 2025, by a family member.

The Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman said Strausse was last seen wearing a black Puma t-shirt, with grey sweatpants with a blue and Red Bat cap. Magerman said he allegedly also had Adidas sneakers with a black Playboy bag.

“Anyone with information that can assist in locating Manrico can contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Deory Smith at 082 416 9808 or the SAPS Crime Stop Number 08600 10111 or use the MYSAPS app.

“The public was reminded that there is no waiting period to report a missing person. All information received will be treated confidentially. The investigation continues,” he said.

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R75 000 offered for information on missing Waterboer

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Picture: Missing David Waterboer/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

15 May 2025- The Detectives from Springbok Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit together with SAPS from Springbok and Nababeep, are still tirelessly investigating the disappearance of David Waterboer (14), in Nababeep on 7 February 2025. The police said Waterboer was last seen at approximately 10:50am by his mother before she left for work.   

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said he reportedly intended to attend a sporting event in Concordia. Ehlers said Waterboer was last seen wearing black short pants, a black t-shirt and navy blue sandals.

“A reward of R75 000 is offered by SAPS to any individual who can assist with the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator or perpetrators and locating Waterboer.

“All information will be handled confidentially and can be relayed to Captain Whynoma Love at 082 874 4532 or 027 712 8104  or the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or alternatively via the MySAPS App,” she said.

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Establishment of new anti-corruption agency

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By OBAKENG MAJE

15 May 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development has received a briefing from the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC), noticing its “promising” recommendation promoting the establishment of a new anti-corruption agency. The committee heard that the new agency, to be called the Office of Public Integrity (OPI), is intended to be a statutory, Chapter 9 body that will include the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

The Chairperson of the Committee, Xola Nqola said while law enforcement is fundamentally important, it is an insufficient deterrent to corruption, the committee was informed. Nqola said these are promising plans on paper, but the committee will monitor the way forward on whether the proposal gets the support to move to implementation.

“According to the NACAC, the OPI will conduct public education, public mobilisation and behaviour change activities, produce policy research and advice, gather data, and provide analytical and corruption intelligence reports.

“It further proposes that the OPI should conduct investigations into systemic corruption with binding remedies, coordinate an all-of-government and all-of-society approach and conduct corruption risk assessments and prevention, and civil asset recovery,” he said.

Nqola said the committee heard that the SIU currently exists because of a proclamation from the President of the Republic. He added that the NACAC indicated that such a proclamation could be withdrawn and a more permanent structure could be realised that includes the SIU.

“According to the presentation, the NACAC is currently conducting consultations with various stakeholders, including the South African Police Service, Crime Intelligence, the Minister of Police and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.

“The NACAC is furthermore detailing conceptual frameworks for understanding systemic corruption, specifying the mandate and attendant powers within the prevailing institutional architecture, attending to the governance and roadmap towards attaining Chapter 9 status or as a statutory body, as well as the funding model for the medium to long term,” said Nqola.

He said committee members raised questions about the protection of whistle-blowers and enquired about the work done by NACAC in this regard. Nqola said they see whistle-blowers being assassinated in all corners of the country.

“We need to do better to protect them. NACAC said in response that it has argued for the introduction of a whistle-blower fund, psychosocial support and also worked with organisations providing legal support to whistle-blowers. Furthermore, it recommended to the SIU to consider security support for whistle-blowers,” he said.

Nqola said the committee heard that the Protected Disclosures Act provides scant protection to whistle-blowers and NACAC convinced the President of the necessity for a complete overhaul of the Act. He said the committee also heard that the NACAC worked with civil society, who is in the process of drafting a Private Member’s Bill on whistleblowing.

“We commended NACAC for its efforts in advancing the plight of whistle-blowers. The committee was also briefed by the Magistrates Commission on the progress made in investigations into several magistrates.

“The committee endorsed the commission’s report for the removal of Magistrate Ms R Govender from office. The committee also raised concerns regarding the payment of magistrates on suspension, as seven such magistrates have already cost the country over R31 million,” said Nqola.

He said some of the matters date back as far as 2016 and 2018. Nqola said it concerns them that time’s passage on these matters hinders progress in either reinstating them or appointing new judicial officers.

“It also drains our fiscal capacity. It concerns us that the budget that we pass in reimbursing magistrates for the work that they do in dispensing justice to our people is taken for a ride.

“For a number of years now, we have been paying people who are staying at home and the reason for that is that the commission is unable to conclude enquiries in time,” he said.

Nqola said much as they note and endorse the reports they provide. He said, however, they are extremely concerned about the longevity of these investigations because it drains their fiscus when they are already in a constrained fiscal environment.

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