Johannesburg – Agang SA on Sunday welcomed the resignation of SA Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Oupa Magashula following an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

“It’s sad to see such a promising career go up in smoke,” Agang SA said in a statement.

“However, Magashule’s show of remorse, coupled with an apology and resignation, rather than further dragging Sars’s name in the mud, are like a breath of fresh air in public office, where corrupt, unethical officials abuse and violate the public trust with impunity.”

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan previously ordered an investigation into allegations that Magashula offered a chartered accountant (CA) a job at Sars.

According to reports in March, Magashula allegedly offered a job to a CA, in a recorded telephone conversation facilitated by one Timothy Marimuthu who allegedly had influence over Magashula.

Gordhan said the reports raised questions about the integrity of staff recruitment processes at Sars, and he had appointed justice Zak Yacoob and advocate Muzi Sikhakhane to investigate.

Gordhan said on Friday he would instruct the Sars audit committee to investigate Magashula’s behaviour.

He would also appoint a committee to review Sars’s governance and ethical standards, pertaining to the office of the commissioner.

Deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay was appointed acting commissioner until the appointment of a new head at Sars.

Agang SA welcomed Gordhan’s decisiveness in bringing an end to the saga and in so avoiding the erosion of trust in Sars.

Gordhan’s move is a good example of the zero tolerance to corruption needed in our country, the party said.

SAPA

Pretoria – Former president Nelson Mandela taught South Africans how to become better people through acts of kindness, a citizen said in his get-well message to the ill statesman on Sunday.

“You have given us hope to transform ourselves into extraordinary individuals,” said Elmon Mokoatedi in a letter, which was posted on a growing wall of messages outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria.

“You have taught the world the greatest gift… that it doesn’t matter what colour I am.”

Mokoatedi said the 94-year-old’s teachings were a blessing to all South Africans and the world. He promised to honour Mandela by being a good person and helping others.

“Tata, you are our hero and we will honour your legacy by living a proud [life] of our own,” his letter said.

“We honour the sacrifice you have made for us. Every day we will do our best to make our lives worthy of your sacrifice.”

Mokoatedi’s note and other messages were surrounded by colourful balloons, flower baskets, and South African flags.

Sunday marked Mandela’s 37th day in hospital. He was admitted on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.

The Presidency said last week that he remained in a critical but stable condition.

People continued to visit the Celliers Street wall on Sunday, and posed for pictures in front of it.

Organisations also added their words of support.

One get well poster was from the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, another from the University of the Free State, and one from the Pretoria News team.

White media marquees lined the street, and journalists took shelter underneath it while keeping a close watch.

Police continued to monitor the hospital entrance.

SAPA

Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma will hand over houses to the community of Danville in Pretoria on Mandela Day, the presidency said on Sunday.

The Danville project is a “Flagship Project” for the eradication of the Bethlehem informal settlement in Pretoria West, which is occupied by poor white families, spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

Zuma visited the area twice, in 2008 and 2010.

Residents raised a number of concerns, among them availability of social grants, the need for land to build houses for homeless and access to basic health, public transport and provision of electricity.

The South African Social Security Agent (Sassa) visited the Hermanstad area regularly for various services,” Maharaj said.

A mobile clinic was provided by the Tshwane Municipality and streets lights were installed.

Council properties in the vicinity were rectified completely.

SAPA

Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma is not letting Tlokwe go to the DA.

On Friday, as the tide turned against the ANC in Potchefstroom, with hundreds of residents marching to demand the reinstatement of 14 expelled councillors and dismissal of mayor Maphetle Maphetle, Zuma sent Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to receive their memorandum.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Johannesburg — Former president Thabo Mbeki says he expects Nelson Mandela to soon be discharged from the hospital to recuperate at home.

Eyewitness News reported on Sunday that Thabo Mbeki was speaking at a memorial service on Saturday when he predicted that Mandela would be going home.

Mandela has been hospitalised for more than five weeks for a recurring lung infection, sparking an outpouring of support in South Africa and internationally. Friends who have visited him say he is on life support in the form of mechanical ventilation. The most recent official update on his health said Mandela was in critical but stable condition.

The anti-apartheid hero spent 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s first black president in 1994. He turns 95 on Thursday.

AP

Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma coaxed government departments into committing nearly R900m to a programme run by an NGO he chairs and which is run by his cousin, City Press reported on Sunday.

The Masibambisane Rural Development Initiative is a private NGO chaired by Zuma and run by Deebo Mzobe.

A multimillion-rand state food security programme, set to be approved by Cabinet later this month, has in effect been subcontracted to Masibambisane, which will co-ordinate the campaign on behalf of government.

Asked why government needed a middleman like Masibambisane to run the food-security initiative, Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, a staunch proponent of Masibambisane, said the NGO’s purpose was to “network” and bring partners into the initiative.

She added that no government money would flow to Masibambisane.

  City Press

Johannesburg – Political analysts reckon the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, stands a fighting chance at the polls next year.

They also say his corruption charges won’t harm his popularity as long as he stays out of jail.

But his adversaries in the ANC Youth League national task team have rubbished Malema’s chances of succeeding after he left the league’s administration in a shambles.

For more http://www.news24.com

Johannesburg – The police have been ordered to repay nearly R40m to a British company after money kept at a police station was stolen, the Sunday Times reported.

“[The] SA Police Service intends to comply with the court order. However it should be noted that the SAPS has applied for leave to appeal certain parts of the judgment,” police spokesperson Lieutenant-General Solomon Makgale was quoted by the newspaper on Sunday.

He said the police were still awaiting a court date for the appeal.

The order for repayment was made in the High Court in Johannesburg earlier this year and stems from a heist at OR Tambo airport in 2006.

Six men were convicted in 2012 of stealing a consignment of banknotes worth R100m from an aircraft that arrived from London.

The robbers were subsequently caught and the money recovered. The money was then taken to the Benoni police station to be kept in a safe until an audit was conducted. However, R14m of it was subsequently stolen.

Theft investigation must be reviewed

Judge Nigel Willis ruled that the theft of the money had to be a “simulated break in”.

“It is quite clear that this money could only have been taken by police officers. Access to the safe to remove sums of money could only have been achieved through the inside knowledge of police officers.”

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa was subsequently ordered to pay an amount of just under R40m – which took into account seven years’ interest and legal fees.

The court also ruled that national police commissioner Riah Phiyega must relook the theft investigation whereby three officers were originally suspended and charged with the theft, but later had the charges withdrawn.

“Due to a lack of evidence… both the criminal and internal [disciplinary] charges were withdrawn against the suspects.

“General Riah Phiyega is dissatisfied with the manner in which the matter was handled and has instructed that it be revisited immediately,” Makgale said.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley-The Police at Kagisho in the Northern Cape are investigating two cases of murder. 

“A 31-year-old male was allegedly murdered on Saturday night and his body was found in Mogoda Street in Kagisho” lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said. The victim had a stab wound. 

No arrests have been made yet. 

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

North West Premier Thandi Modise and Limpopo’s Cassel Mathale are likely to get the chop as the ANC tries to clean up its image ahead of next year’s elections.

There has also been a strong push for the Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet to be axed. Four ANC national executive committee members this week told The Sunday Independent the ANC would sack the three premiers by next month.

For more http://www.iol.co.za