HIGH COURT CLOSES REOPENED INQUEST INTO THE 1981 MURDER OF GRIFFITHS MXENGE

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

HIGH COURT CLOSES REOPENED INQUEST INTO THE 1981 MURDER OF GRIFFITHS MXENGE

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PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL – The KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg has officially closed the reopened inquest into the 1981 assassination of human rights lawyer and anti-apartheid activist, Mlungisi Griffiths Mxenge.

Presiding Judge Pieter Bezuidenhout ruled that because the matter had already been subjected to a formal criminal trial and extensive disclosures at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), no additional evidence could legally be led in a reopened inquest.

Historical Background and Legal Context

Griffiths Mxenge was assassinated in November 1981 by members of the Security Branch’s Vlakplaas death squad.

• 1982 Initial Inquest: Concluded that Mxenge had been killed by "unknown persons".

• 1989 Disclosures & Trial: Almond Nofomela’s confession while on death row exposed the Vlakplaas unit, leading to a criminal trial where former Vlakplaas commander Dirk Coetzee, Almond Nofomela, and David Tshikalange were convicted of the murder.

• TRC Amnesty: All three convicted perpetrators were subsequently granted amnesty by the TRC in 1997.

• 2024 Reopening: The Minister of Justice reopened the inquest following a DPCI (Hawks) investigation to establish whether senior apartheid officials who ordered the assassination could be identified.

Key Findings of the Ruling

Ruling on preliminary legal questions, Judge Bezuidenhout held that it was the first time in South African legal history that an inquest had been reopened after a criminal trial had already taken place and concluded.

The court determined that:

1. Bar on Further Inquest Evidence: Once formal criminal proceedings have been instituted and concluded, a reopened inquest cannot hear additional evidence.

2. TRC Disclosures: Full disclosure regarding the operational execution and command chain behind the murder was already ventilated before the criminal court and the TRC. The granting of amnesty does not nullify the original criminal trial.

3. Absence of New Evidence: The State failed to demonstrate that it possessed new, tangible evidence capable of implicating specific uncharged individuals.

Next Steps

The court concluded that allowing the reopened inquest to proceed would not serve the interests of justice. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) noted the judgment and indicated it will review the court's reasoning once the full written judgment is received to determine its future legal options.

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SAPS CRIME INTELLIGENCE COLONEL GRANTED R10,000 BAIL IN ASSAULT AND EXTORTION CASE

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

SAPS CRIME INTELLIGENCE COLONEL GRANTED R10,000 BAIL IN ASSAULT AND EXTORTION CASE

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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Johannesburg) has granted R10,000 bail to senior South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence officer Colonel Ishmael (Ismail) Dawood, following an urgent application by his defense team.

Dawood faces charges of assault and extortion stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, in December 2023.

Court Proceedings and Bail Application

The senior officer handed himself over to authorities after a warrant was issued for his arrest, initially appearing in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court.

• Address Verification: During his initial appearance, the matter was postponed to 24 July 2026 to allow the State time to verify Dawood's residential address and review his criminal profile.

• Urgent High Court Application: Once his address was successfully verified, Dawood's defense team approached the Gauteng High Court on an urgent basis seeking bail.

• Unopposed Release: The State did not oppose the application following address verification, leading to the High Court granting bail set at R10,000 with conditions including a prohibition on contacting state witnesses.

Summary of State Allegations

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the charges relate to an encounter in late 2023:

1. Assault: Dawood allegedly met the complainant in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, where he physically assaulted the individual.

2. Extortion: Following the assault, Dawood allegedly demanded money from the complainant, who complied with the initial payment.

3. Continued Demands: The State further alleges that the accused continued making subsequent monetary demands from the victim.

Next Steps

The main criminal matter remains before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court and has been postponed to 24 July 2026 for further investigation. The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to presenting all relevant evidence to ensure the matter is prosecuted fairly and thoroughly under the law.

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WESTERN CAPE OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

WESTERN CAPE OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME

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CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE – Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has officially opened applications for the provincial Export Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (ECEP).

The targeted funding and technical support initiative is designed to assist both existing and aspiring exporters to break into international markets, overcome technical trade barriers, and scale up local production capacity.

Key Areas of Business Support

The ECEP provides practical co-funding and technical interventions aimed at making Western Cape enterprises export-ready:

• Standards & Certification Compliance: Guidance and support to satisfy strict foreign market standards, international certifications, and regulatory mandates (e.g., ISO, FSSC, Halal, Kosher, and GlobalG.A.P.).

• Product & Packaging Adaptation: Support for product testing, reformulation, specialized labeling, multi-language packaging, and international nutritional analysis.

• Operational & Tech Upgrades: Financial assistance for acquiring specialized machinery, equipment, and technology that directly enhance production throughput and export readiness.

• Digital & Market Access: Support to register products with foreign regulatory bodies, list on global e-commerce platforms, and secure specialized export permits.

Eligibility and Application Process

"Growing exports is one of the most effective ways to create jobs, attract investment and stimulate economic growth. Through the Export Competitiveness Enhancement Programme, we are investing directly in the competitiveness of Western Cape businesses and unlocking new opportunities for them to succeed in international markets." — Dr Ivan Meyer, Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism

Applications are being accepted strictly online through the Western Cape Government portal. Applicants must be legally registered entities based within the geographical boundaries of the Western Cape, hold a valid Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN, and provide supporting financial documentation.

The department noted that the programme excludes operational working capital, raw inventory purchases, and physical building infrastructure, with priority given to sectors showing high export growth potential.

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MAYOR NKOSINDIPHILE XHAKAZA TO HAND OVER 56 NEW SERVICE DELIVERY VEHICLES IN GERMISTON

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

MAYOR NKOSINDIPHILE XHAKAZA TO HAND OVER 56 NEW SERVICE DELIVERY VEHICLES IN GERMISTON

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​EKURHULENI, GAUTENG – City of Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor, Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, alongside Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport Management, Cllr Lindiwe Mnguni, will officially hand over 56 new service delivery vehicles on Thursday, 23 July 2026.

​The official handover ceremony will take place at the City's Fleet Workshop in Primrose, Germiston.

​Part of the "Fixing the Frontline" Initiative

​The vehicle procurement forms part of the City’s broader Fixing the Frontline program—an operational drive aimed at equipping municipal staff with the necessary physical tools to improve response times, address backlogs, and meet community service demands.

​The expanded fleet is designed to boost internal operational capacity and reduce reliance on third-party service providers.

​Affected Municipal Departments

​The 56 new vehicles will be distributed across key Metro Trading Services and operational divisions, including:

• ​Solid Waste Management Business Unit: Enhancing refuse collection and waste management capacity.
• ​Energy Business Unit: Supporting maintenance crews dealing with power outages and electrical grid infrastructure.
• ​Water and Sanitation Business Unit: Speeding up response teams attending to pipe bursts, leaks, and sewage blockages.
• ​Community Services Department: Providing transport for social development, maintenance, and community support teams.

​The municipality stated that the investment will lead to faster response times, greater operational efficiency, and more dependable service delivery for residents across Ekurhuleni.

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MINISTER DEAN MACPHERSON ORDERS 30-DAY PROBE AND DISPOSAL STRATEGY FOR 6,200+ STATE-OWNED HOUSES

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

MINISTER DEAN MACPHERSON ORDERS 30-DAY PROBE AND DISPOSAL STRATEGY FOR 6,200+ STATE-OWNED HOUSES

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​PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), Dean Macpherson, has instructed Department Director-General Sifiso Mdakane to launch a comprehensive 30-day investigation into 6,238 state-owned residential properties allocated to government officials across the country, setting the stage for a major disposal of redundant assets.

​The directive aims to identify unneeded state residences, eliminate double-subsidisation of public servants, and curb millions in unaccounted maintenance costs on the public fiscus.

​Portfolio Breakdown & Accounting Deficits

​Department records reveal a significant geographical concentration of state residences, alongside glaring gaps in financial reporting:

​KwaZulu-Natal Bottleneck: Over 58% (3,626) of the total 6,238 allocated residences are located in KZN, compared to 566 in the Western Cape and 407 in Gauteng.

​Maintenance Expenditure Gaps: An estimated R39.6 million was spent from the Department's Day-to-Day Maintenance budget in the 2025/26 financial year—yet available expenditure records account for only 108 of the 6,238 properties.

​Key Priorities of the 30-Day Audit Mandate

​Director-General Mdakane must deliver a full report covering six core areas:

​KZN Inventory Assessment: Map all 3,626 KZN properties by user department, intended purpose, occupant status, and determine whether each should be retained, repurposed, or sold.

​Internal DPWI Scrutiny: Audit DPWI-occupied residences to ensure no preferential treatment, exemptions, or governance deviations were granted to DPWI staff compared to other government departments.

​Regulatory & Statutory Compliance: Verify full compliance with the Government Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA), the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), and Treasury regulations.

​Market-Related Rentals: Assess whether charged rentals reflect fair market value and verify that formal approvals exist for any pricing deviations.

​Fringe Benefit Tax & Qualification: Confirm that occupants qualify for state housing under their employment terms and ensure fringe benefit tax is properly applied.

​Surplus Asset Rationalisation: Identify unneeded properties surrendered by departments to prepare them for redevelopment or transparent public sale.

​Policy Shift: Default to Disposal

​Minister Macpherson emphasized that the state should not be carrying the financial burden of over 6,000 houses, especially when many public servants already receive housing allowances or subsidies in their remuneration packages.

​"Unless there is a clear and compelling operational reason for the State to retain a residential property, it should be sold. The default position cannot be that the State indefinitely carries the maintenance, rates and other costs of thousands of residential properties while the public fiscus remains under immense pressure... Selling properties that the State does not need will reduce unnecessary expenditure, generate value for the public and ensure that government focuses its limited resources on infrastructure and assets that directly support service delivery." — Minister Dean Macpherson

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