E-HAILING DRIVER ROBBER SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS BEHIND BARS

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

E-HAILING DRIVER ROBBER SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS BEHIND BARS

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​PRETORIA, GAUTENG – The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court has sentenced 39-year-old Kamar Davids of Eersterust to 30 years of direct imprisonment. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the heavy sentence following Davids' conviction on two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.  

​A Pattern of Violent Attacks

​The court heard details of two separate, violent attacks targeting e-hailing drivers over a span of just two days in November 2023:  

​14 November 2023: Davids and an accomplice requested a ride in Eersterust. Once the vehicle arrived and was stationary, the pair entered, pointed a firearm at the driver, assaulted him, and fled with his personal belongings.  

​16 November 2023: The duo used the same method to lure another driver to Eersterust. 

They entered the vehicle, violently struck the driver with a firearm, and held a knife to his throat to rob him.  

​The second robbery was cut short when police officers patrolling the area spotted the struggle and approached the vehicle. While the accomplice escaped, officers successfully chased down and arrested Davids. He remained in custody throughout his trial after the NPA successfully opposed his bail application.  

​No Remorse and Escalating E-Hailing Crimes

​Throughout the trial, Davids maintained a plea of not guilty and denied any involvement. 

However, State Prosecutor Marsche Louw presented a airtight case, which included damning, direct testimony from both victims.  

​In mitigation of sentence, Davids’ legal representative asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences, citing his age and the fact that he supports five dependent children. Prosecutor Louw strongly countered this, arguing that Davids:  

​Showed a complete lack of remorse for his actions.  

​Violated the victims' constitutional rights to safety and security.  

​Targeted vulnerable workers in a sector increasingly plagued by violent crime, preventing drivers from earning an honest living safely.  

​"The victims were fortunate to have escaped with minor injuries, and society looks to the courts to send a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated," Louw argued.

  

​The Magistrate's Ruling

​In handing down the 30-year sentence, the Magistrate fully agreed with the State's arguments. The court emphasized that the victims were merely trying to earn an honest livelihood when they were subjected to physical violence.  

​The court ruled that Davids and his accomplice went beyond simple threats by physically assaulting their victims, and concluded that no "substantial and compelling circumstances" existed to justify a more lenient sentence.  

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10 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR MERCEDES-BENZ IMPERSONATION FRAUD SCHEME

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

10 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR MERCEDES-BENZ IMPERSONATION FRAUD SCHEME

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​PALM RIDGE, SOUTH AFRICA – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentencing of Jamaine Prim (46) to 10 years of direct imprisonment. The sentence was handed down by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge following Prim's conviction on fraud charges stemming from a highly sophisticated scheme to fraudulently acquire a Mercedes-Benz C63 valued at approximately R800,000.  

​Prim has remained in custody since his arrest.

 While incarcerated, his continued criminal activities and high-profile antics—including making serious allegations against a public figure and participating in an unauthorized, irregular media interview from inside his prison cell—have drawn significant public and media attention.  

​A Highly Technical Scam Run from a Prison Cell

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The court heard that in January 2018, while detained at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre (popularly known as "Sun City"), Prim orchestrated the fraudulent plot by posing as a corporate representative of Mercedes-Benz South Africa.  

​After monitoring social media to identify a disgruntled customer complaining about recurring mechanical issues with his vehicle, Prim contacted the victim telephonically.

Operating under the pseudonym “Shane”, Prim manipulated caller identification technology to clone and display a legitimate head-office telephone number for Mercedes-Benz South Africa, completely hiding the fact that the call originated from inside a prison.  

​The Sting Operation

​Following the initial call, Mercedes-Benz South Africa verified that it had no record of an employee named "Shane" and initiated internal security protocols.  

​Unaware that the authorities had been alerted, 

Prim coordinated with his outside accomplice, Clayton Bouwers (who was subsequently sentenced to six years' imprisonment). Prim instructed Bouwers to pick up the vehicle under the guise of transporting it to a dealership in Bryanston for repairs.  

​On January 16, 2018, Bouwers arrived at the complainant's property wearing a gold t-shirt and golf cap branded with Mercedes-Benz logos to establish credibility. However, acting on intelligence supplied by the vehicle manufacturer, the South African Police Service (SAPS) launched a sting operation and arrested Bouwers on-site before he could make off with the vehicle.  

​Forensic Digital Evidence Seals the Case

​A subsequent raid on Prim’s prison cell—which he occupied alone—led to the recovery of the mobile phone used to execute the scam. In a desperate bid to destroy evidence during the search, Prim tried to flush the cellphone down the toilet.  

​Despite the attempt, investigators recovered the device. A forensic cellphone data analyst subsequently extracted data proving direct, coordinated communication between Prim’s device and the victim, conclusively tying the incarcerated mastermind to the attempted theft.

​

Senior State Advocate Tilas Shabalala successfully established that Prim was the architect of both the theft plan and the digital deception that nearly convinced the complainant to surrender his vehicle.

​NPA Statement: "This sentence sends a strong message that fraud schemes, including those orchestrated from within correctional facilities, will be met with serious consequences. This conviction underscores the critical importance of coordinated investigations, corporate cooperation, and digital forensic evidence in exposing organized criminal conduct."

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GBAJABIAMILA CHARGES NIGERIAN YOUTHS TO CHAMPION RENEWED HOPE AGENDA AS CITY BOY MOVEMENT TARGETS 10 MILLION VOTES FOR 2027

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

GBAJABIAMILA CHARGES NIGERIAN YOUTHS TO CHAMPION RENEWED HOPE AGENDA AS CITY BOY MOVEMENT TARGETS 10 MILLION VOTES FOR 2027 

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​ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Nigerian youth to embrace sacrifice, unity, and national service over personal ambition to drive the country’s development.

​Gbajabiamila delivered the charge on July 14, 2026, in a goodwill message to participants at the 2026 National Retreat of the City Boy Movement, held under the theme "Youth, Unity and Action."

​Bold Economic Reforms and Youth Dividends

​In his address, the Chief of Staff highlighted that the future of Nigeria is being actively shaped by the bold, structural reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. He noted that these difficult but necessary interventions are beginning to steer the economy toward long-term stability:

​Macroeconomic Adjustments: The removal of the fuel subsidy, unification of the foreign exchange market, and the first comprehensive modernization of the country's tax system in a generation are successfully easing inflationary pressures and restoring foreign investor confidence.

​Direct Youth Empowerment: Gbajabiamila pointed to deliberate investments in human capital, specifically referencing the expanded national student loan program and massive technical skills acquisition initiatives designed to empower the next generation.

​"These are the early dividends of reforms designed not for short-term applause, but for lasting national renewal," Gbajabiamila stated.

​The Road to 2027: Mobilizing 10 Million Grassroots Votes

​The retreat served as a key strategic launching pad for the City Boy Movement’s political roadmap ahead of the next general election cycle.

​Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, unveiled a robust operational strategy aimed at securing 10 million youth votes for President Tinubu's 2027 re-election campaign.

​Shoga emphasized that the organization is shifting its primary focus away from social media campaigns to prioritize deep physical grassroots mobilization. The strategy centers on:

​Structural Expansion: Establishing fully functional movement offices across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

​Ward-Level Advocates: Deploying community-based advocates directly to wards to actively combat political misinformation and educate local communities on the achievements of the 

Renewed Hope Agenda.

​Strengthening the Movement's Institutional Capacity

​The high-level event, which brought together regional coordinators and the National Working Committee, also featured key addresses from other senior officials:

​Grassroots Mobilization: Deputy Chief of Staff Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadeji called for sustained public engagement and institutional strengthening to consolidate the gains of the administration.

​A Disciplined Generation: Gbajabiamila praised the Patron and National Leader of the movement, Seyi Tinubu, for his commitment to cultivating a disciplined, purpose-driven class of young leaders.

​Operational Coordination: National Secretary Tosin Odufuwa closed by reminding delegates that the retreat was designed to sharpen the movement's coordination and internal professionalism. "Our clear mandate is to strengthen our institution, sharpen our strategies... and prepare the City Boy Movement for the next phase of nationwide mobilization."

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DA QUESTIONS LEGALITY OF RAMOTSHERE MOILOA’S LAND USE PLANNING FRAMEWORK ​

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

DA QUESTIONS LEGALITY OF RAMOTSHERE MOILOA’S LAND USE PLANNING FRAMEWORK

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ZEERUST , NORTH WEST – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally written to the Mayor and Municipal Manager of the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality (RMLM), raising critical concerns over the municipality’s compliance with national planning legislation and by-law procedures.

​The move follows a municipal invitation issued to local property owners and landlords to attend a stakeholder engagement on July 9, 2026. While the DA noted it supports efforts to engage local businesses, it warned that proceeding without a lawful planning framework exposes the municipality to severe legal risks and undermines investor confidence.

​

SPLUMA Violations and Legislative Failures

​At the center of the dispute is the municipality's alleged failure to comply with Section 20 of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA).

​Under SPLUMA, municipalities are legally mandated to review and update their Spatial Development Framework (SDF) at least once every five years. The DA cautions that Ramotshere Moiloa is operating on an outdated framework, which weakens planning certainty and threatens the validity of any new land-use decisions.

​This legislative oversight is compounded by historical administrative weaknesses: the Auditor-General’s 2023/24 audit report previously flagged significant shortcomings regarding the municipality's official planning documentation and record-keeping.

​Unpromulgated By-Laws Under Scrutiny

​The DA has also demanded immediate verification of the municipal by-laws referenced during the July 9 stakeholder engagement. Specifically, the party is questioning the legal status of:

​The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-law (2017)

​The Accommodation Establishments By-law (2015)

​The municipality has been asked to produce official proof that these regulations were properly promulgated in the Provincial Gazette. Without formal gazetting, municipal by-laws are not legally enforceable, meaning any attempts to penalize local businesses or enforce licensing under them could be unlawful.

​"Property owners and businesses must have confidence that municipal planning and land use processes are conducted in accordance with the law," the DA stated. "The government must lead by example by complying with the same legal requirements they expect residents and businesses to follow."

​Demands for Immediate Rectification

​To restore procedural fairness and transparency, the DA has requested that the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality immediately:

​Prove Gazetting: Provide definitive Provincial Gazette references for all active municipal by-laws.

​Ensure Public Access: Publish all approved by-laws on the official municipal website so they are easily accessible to property owners.

​Halt Pending Engagements: Postpone further licensing and rezoning stakeholder engagements until these foundational compliance issues are resolved.

​Enforce SPLUMA Alignment: Ensure all current rezoning, land use, and business licensing applications strictly align with SPLUMA and the Municipal Systems Act.

​The DA has committed to monitoring the municipality’s response, reiterating that a transparent, legally sound framework is non-negotiable for securing property rights and encouraging local economic growth.

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DA IN KOPANONG DEMANDS URGENT REPAIRS FOR DANGEROUS R701 BETWEEN BLOEMFONTEIN AND JAGERSFONTEIN

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KOPANONG, FREE STATE – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Kopanong has announced formal plans to escalate safety concerns regarding the deteriorating and hazardous condition of the R701 road between Bloemfontein and Jagersfontein. 

The party is demanding that provincial road authorities initiate immediate pothole repairs, execute a comprehensive safety inspection, and release a transparent, long-term maintenance strategy to safeguard motorists.

​A Crucial, Yet Neglected Economic Artery

​The R701 is a vital regional transit corridor connecting Bloemfontein, Jagersfontein, and several surrounding farming and rural communities. It is heavily relied upon by daily commuters, commercial transport logistics, local farmers, and emergency service providers.

​However, the current state of the road has degraded to an unacceptable level. Motorists are regularly forced to dodge deep, destructive potholes, creating high-risk situations that are particularly lethal at night, during heavy rains, or under low-visibility conditions.

​Selective Repairs Leave Motorists at Risk

​While localized roadworks have improved the entrance into Jagersfontein and patched portions of the route stretching from Trompsburg, the DA warns that "selective patching" is not a sustainable solution. Neglecting the extensive stretches of the R701 closer to Bloemfontein leaves commuters navigating a patchwork of safe zones interrupted by sudden, dangerous craters.

​This infrastructure failure has severe, measurable consequences for the local community:

• ​Financial Strain on Residents: Excessive wear-and-tear, punctured tires, and structural vehicle damage from unavoidable potholes.
• ​Economic Bottlenecks: Increased operational and transport costs for regional farmers and businesses moving fresh goods and materials to market.
• ​Weakened Investment: Sub-standard regional road networks actively deter commercial investment and choke local job creation.

​Demanding Transparency and Accountability

​The DA pointed out the hypocrisy of government officials frequently traveling these exact regional routes while allowing the critical infrastructure to decay under their watch.

​The opposition party is demanding immediate interventions, including:

1. ​Urgent Emergency Repairs: Targeted patching of the most severe, high-risk potholes on the R701.
2. ​Full Route Audit: A thorough safety and structural inspection of the entire Bloemfontein-to-Jagersfontein stretch.
3. ​A Transparent Maintenance Schedule: Clear, public timelines showing exactly when comprehensive road rehabilitations will begin and end.
4. ​Consequence Management: Direct accountability and oversight for the administrative negligence and poor planning that led to this systemic infrastructure failure.

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