GAUTENG HOSPITALS PLEDGE OVER 1,000 PROCEDURES FOR MANDELA MONTH SURGICAL MARATHON

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

GAUTENG HOSPITALS PLEDGE OVER 1,000 PROCEDURES FOR MANDELA MONTH SURGICAL MARATHON

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​JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng Department of Health is set to launch the fourth edition of its Mandela Month Surgical Marathon, with healthcare facilities across the province pledging to perform at least 1,078 surgeries and clinical procedures between 11 and 31 July 2026.

​The annual initiative, held in honor of Nelson Mandela International Day, aims to drastically reduce backlogs on surgical waiting lists, optimize theatre utilization, and restore the dignity of patients who have often spent months or years awaiting treatment. This year’s target marks an ambitious increase from the 806 successful procedures recorded during the 2025 marathon.

​A Massive Coordinated Healthcare Mobilization

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The 2026 campaign represents one of the province's largest coordinated surgical access interventions to date. It brings together 19 public hospitals spanning academic, tertiary, regional, and district health facilities.

​Medical teams across more than 20 surgical and clinical disciplines will dedicate extensive theatre time throughout July. The operations will cover a wide spectrum of care, including:

​Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics

​General, Paediatric, and Cardiothoracic Surgery

​Urology, Neurosurgery, and Oncology services

​Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

​Planned procedures range from essential cataract surgeries, hernia repairs, and hip or knee replacements to highly specialized interventions such as cochlear implants, penile prosthetic implants, and complex cardiac operations.

​Aligning Healthcare with Mandela's Legacy

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The initiative directly supports the Department’s broader Treatment Time Guarantees (TTG) Programme, which focuses on improving overall patient flow and optimizing state healthcare resources.

​To strengthen the rollout, the Department has partnered with prominent civil society organizations, including the Gift of the Givers, the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa, Operation Healing Hands, and Envision Africa. These organizations are bolstering the marathon by providing specialist medical teams, essential consumables, and advanced equipment.

​Officials noted that the initiative aligns perfectly with the 2026 Nelson Mandela International Day theme: "It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity."

​Restoring Hope and Dignity

​For hundreds of patients across Gauteng, these scheduled surgeries represent a life-changing turning point that goes far beyond basic medical intervention. For many, it means the restoration of sight, renewed physical mobility, long-awaited relief from chronic pain, and the vital opportunity to return to work, school, and normal family life.

​The Gauteng Department of Health has extended its highest praise to the surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, theatre teams, support staff, and hospital management groups who are volunteering to go well beyond the call of duty throughout July to serve their communities and honor the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela through direct, meaningful action.

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GABONESE NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR R67 MILLION SARS VAT FRAUD ​

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

GABONESE NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR R67 MILLION SARS VAT FRAUD

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JOHANNESBURG - The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced 54-year-old Gabonese national Andre Claude De Diguela to an effective 10 years in direct imprisonment for defrauding the South African Revenue Service (SARS) of approximately R67 million through a sophisticated Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund scheme.

​De Diguela, the sole member of Assistance Medicale Internationale CC, was convicted on 128 counts of fraud and 66 counts of money laundering relating to the illicit movement of roughly R10 million. The criminal offenses were committed over a ten-year period.

​A Decade of Forged Medical Invoices

​The conviction follows an intensive investigation launched in 2024, led by SARS investigator Dillo Nyaphudi. The probe revealed that De Diguela systematically fabricated medical invoices to claim massive VAT refunds. He falsely represented to tax authorities that his close corporation had facilitated medical treatment for foreign nationals at various healthcare facilities across South Africa.

​In terms of a plea and sentence agreement concluded with the State, the court sentenced De Diguela to 15 years’ imprisonment on the fraud counts, of which five years were conditionally suspended. He was further sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering counts. Because the court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, De Diguela will serve an effective sentence of 10 years’ direct imprisonment.

​Severe Impact on the Public Fiscus

​During the court proceedings, Senior State Advocate Marius Oosthuizen submitted that the fraudulent claims allowed the accused to unlawfully siphon millions of rands from SARS, causing significant prejudice to the national fiscus and severely undermining the integrity of the country’s tax administration system.

​The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the successful finalisation of the matter, noting that it highlights the dedication of prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to protecting public resources.

​The NPA emphasized that tax-related offenses do more than just prejudice the State financially; they actively divert crucial funding intended for the delivery of essential public services and broader socio-economic development.

​According to authorities, this conviction and sentence send a clear, strong message that individuals who engage in large-scale fraud and money laundering schemes will be vigorously investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable. 

The case further underscores the vital importance of ongoing, effective collaboration between the NPA, SARS, and other law enforcement agencies in detecting and dismantling complex financial crimes.

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TWO ARRESTED IN PRETORIA FOR ILLEGAL FITMENT OF BLUE LIGHTS ON PRIVATE VEHICLE

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

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TWO ARRESTED IN PRETORIA FOR ILLEGAL FITMENT OF BLUE LIGHTS ON PRIVATE VEHICLE

PRETORIA – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dealt a significant blow to the illicit use of police equipment following the arrest of two suspects in connection with the illegal fitting and possession of blue lights on a private motor vehicle.

The Roadblock that Sparked the Investigation

The breakthrough stems from an operational roadblock conducted in June in the Wierdabrug area of Centurion. Alert police officers intercepted a private vehicle outfitted with blue police lights. Upon questioning the female driver, authorities discovered the vehicle belonged to her husband, sparking a deeper investigation into the origin of the unauthorized equipment.

Following meticulous investigative work, SAPS tracking teams executed two key arrests over the weekend:

• Friday, 03 July 2026: Police arrested the 40-year-old owner of the private vehicle.

• Saturday, 04 July 2026: A 49-year-old Mozambican national, believed to be the technician responsible for illegally sourcing and installing the emergency lights, was taken into custody.

Facing the Full Might of the Law

The suspects are facing serious charges under the National Road Traffic Act. Specifically, they are charged with the contravention of Regulations 176 and 185, which strictly prohibit the unauthorized fitment, possession, and use of blue lights or sirens on any non-emergency, private vehicle.

The duo is scheduled to make their first appearance before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today, Monday, 06 July 2026.

Cracking Down on the "Blue Light Gangs"

SAPS management has issued a stern warning to the public, reiterating that the manufacture, sale, installation, or use of blue lights without explicit lawful authority is a criminal offense.

"These regulations are strictly in place to safeguard the public and preserve the integrity of legitimate law enforcement operations," the SAPS statement read.

The crackdown comes amid a rising national concern over "blue light gangs"—criminal syndicates that use unauthorized police regalia and lighting to impersonate law enforcement officers. These syndicates utilize the disguise to pull over, hijack, rob, and terrorize unsuspecting motorists on major South African freeways.

SAPS has vowed to intensify targeted road operations and clamp down on the supply chains providing these lights to criminals.

Call to Action for Motorists

National police have urged motorists to remain vigilant. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to report any suspicious, unmarked, or private vehicles displaying blue lights.

Reports can be made anonymously via:

• Crime Stop Hotline: 08600 10111

• Digital Reporting: The MySAPS smartphone application

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

GAUTENG MUNICIPAL AUDITS REGRESS AS TREASURY SOUNDS ALARM FROM INFORMAL SETTLEMENT

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MAKAUSE INFORMAL SETTLEMENT — In a deliberate departure from traditional boardroom briefings, Gauteng Finance MEC Dunga has delivered a scathing review of the province's 2024/25 municipal audit outcomes directly from the Makause Informal Settlement. The MEC stated the location was chosen to illustrate the harsh reality that "material irregularities" and "qualified audit opinions" translate directly into failed service delivery for residents on the ground.

The latest report from the Auditor-General reveals an overall regression in financial governance across Gauteng’s 11 municipalities, sparking calls for urgent structural reforms and tougher accountability measures.

Metros Lead Financial Slippage

Gauteng's two largest metropolitan municipalities, the City of Johannesburg and the City of Ekurhuleni, both regressed from unqualified to qualified audit opinions during this cycle.

• City of Johannesburg: Accumulated R6.55 billion in irregular expenditure, R6.81 billion in unauthorized expenditure, and R400 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure over a four-year period. The audit flagged 11 material findings and noted severe going-concern pressures alongside a Moody's credit rating downgrade.

• City of Ekurhuleni: Reached R620 million in irregular expenditure over four years, alongside R400 million in unauthorized expenditure incurred in a single year. The Auditor-General flagged three separate material irregularities involving the pollution of public water sources and exposed price collusion within an ICT service provider panel costing the metro R6.99 million extra. Ekurhuleni has formally admitted to liquidity challenges, taking an average of 175 days to pay suppliers.

• City of Tshwane: Maintained a qualified status but remains the highest accumulator of irregular funds in the province, amassing R12.17 billion in irregular expenditure, R5.22 billion in unauthorized expenditure, and R3.61 billion in fruitless and wasteful expenditure over four years.

A combined total of R45.92 billion in irregular expenditure has been recorded across Gauteng municipalities over the course of the current administration.

Pockets of Excellence and Rebounds

Despite the widespread regressions, the Treasury commended the Midvaal Local Municipality and the West Rand District Municipality for sustaining clean audit opinions for 13 and two consecutive years, respectively.

Mogale City, which maintained an unqualified opinion with findings, was singled out for achieving a zero opening balance on unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure for the financial year. However, MEC Dunga clarified that past misspent funds must still be recovered. Meanwhile, Emfuleni Local Municipality received a critical lifeline with the write-off of its historical Eskom debt, though the Treasury warned this must be viewed as a second chance rather than an operational achievement.

The Human Cost and Treasury Intervention

The media statement drew a direct line between collapsing financial controls and the physical safety of public servants. The Treasury honored the memories of internal whistleblowers and compliance officers—including Ekurhuleni officials Mpho Mafole and Simnikiwe Mapini—who lost their lives fighting corruption, noting that compliance is becoming increasingly hazardous for honest state workers.

"Anger at governance failure must find its expression through accountability, through the ballot, through organized community voice, never through arson," MEC Dunga stated, firmly condemning the recent torching of the Lesedi Local Municipality Mayor's residence.

To address these systemic vulnerabilities, the Gauteng Provincial Treasury has launched an aggressive Programme of Action. Immediate measures include introducing a digital Auditor-General's Findings Tracker to monitor compliance in real time, intensifying the Annual Financial Statements (AFS) Accelerator Programme to catch accounting errors early, and conducting targeted oversight visits to stalled infrastructure developments, such as the vandalized R229.68 million Clayville Extension 45 social housing project.

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

MOODY’S REVISES CITY OF JOHANNESBURG OUTLOOK TO POSITIVE AFTER RATING CONFIRMATION

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JOHANNESBURG — Moody’s Ratings has stabilized the City of Johannesburg’s financial position by confirming its credit ratings and revising its outlook from "under review" to "positive." The decision officially closes out a review for a possible downgrade that the rating agency opened in April 2026.

Moody's confirmed the City’s long-term issuer rating at Ba3 and its national-scale rating at A1.za, while affirming its short-term issuer rating at Not Prime.

A Turnaround in Regulatory Compliance

The positive rating action follows a turbulent period for the metro. In May 2026, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) suspended trading of the City's debt instruments due to delays in submitting its financial data. The JSE lifted the suspension after the City finally published its outstanding audited financial statements for the 2024/25 financial year, securing an unqualified audit opinion.

Despite the administrative delays, Moody's noted that the City maintained absolute financial reliability, servicing R159.1 million in principal and R272.2 million in interest in full and on time throughout the suspension period.

Executive Mayor Dada Morero acknowledged the initial delay as a serious governance failure for which the administration took full responsibility. He stated that the corrective actions taken—restoring JSE compliance and finalizing the audits—directly prompted Moody's favorable review.

Economic Strengths Balanced Against Liquidity Risks

The rating agency highlighted the fundamental resilience of Johannesburg’s economy, which generates roughly 15% of South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The City’s financial metrics showed robust operational performance, bolstered by higher electricity revenues resulting from reduced national load-shedding. The metro's operating balance for the 2024/25 financial year stood at approximately 11% of operating revenue, while its overall debt burden remained moderate at around 28% of operating revenue.

However, the report also flagged persistent concerns regarding the City's internal governance controls and cash liquidity. Mayor Morero accepted these criticisms, committing the metro to strengthening financial reporting, refining budget monitoring, and aggressively building up its cash reserves in the coming months.

Infrastructure Impacts for Residents

Mayor Morero emphasized that the credit rating directly impacts the daily lives of residents by dictating the interest rates the City pays to borrow money.

A confirmed rating with a positive outlook ensures that Johannesburg can continue to finance major infrastructure programs—including the construction and maintenance of roads, water networks, and the electricity grid—on reasonable financial terms.

The positive adjustment also reflects broader improvements at the national level, following a similar shift to a positive outlook for South Africa’s sovereign rating. Moody's indicated that further upgrades for Johannesburg will depend on continued governance improvements and national economic stability, while any deterioration in liquidity or a national sovereign downgrade could trigger downward pressure.

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