GOVERNMENT CALLS ON SOUTH AFRICANS TO HONOUR MANDELA MONTH THROUGH SERVICE AND ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

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

GOVERNMENT CALLS ON SOUTH AFRICANS TO HONOUR MANDELA MONTH THROUGH SERVICE AND ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – The South African government has issued a nationwide call to action for citizens, businesses, and civil society to honour the legacy of former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela through active citizenship and volunteerism.

Observed globally on 18 July (and formally established by the United Nations in 2009), Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated under the theme: "It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity." The theme targets South Africa's most pressing socioeconomic challenges—including persistent unemployment, hunger, and unequal opportunities—by driving collective, sustainable community action.

Water Access Takes Centre Stage

As part of Mandela Month, the government is moving beyond temporary volunteerism toward long-term, impactful infrastructure investments. Headlining these initiatives is the launch of the National Water Access Acceleration Programme by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

The program focuses on expanding clean water access to unserved and underserved rural communities through fit-for-purpose solutions. Key milestones include:

Initiative / ProjectDetails & Target CommunitiesPurpose67 Borehole InterventionsRolled out nationwideSymbolises the 67 years Madiba dedicated to human rights and public service.Babanango Community Water SchemeKwaZulu-Natal (Rural rollout)Immediate expansion of safe, reliable local water infrastructure.Mncwasa Water Supply SchemeEastern Cape (Rural rollout)Targeting historically underserved rural households.Klipdrift Package Water Treatment PlantHammanskraal, GautengCommissioning a 50 megalitre-per-day plant to address clean drinking water shortages.

A Call for Year-Round Active Citizenship

In alignment with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s weekly message, the government stressed that overcoming deep-seated inequality cannot rest on the state's shoulders alone. Citizens are encouraged to dedicate at least 67 minutes of service on Mandela Day to support the vulnerable—whether through food security initiatives, community care, or local environmental clean-ups.

"Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings." — Nelson Mandela

By uniting behind the spirit of ubuntu, the government hopes these collaborative efforts between state programs and active citizens will lay the foundation for a more equitable South Africa.

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HOME AFFAIRS EXPANDS DIGITAL PARTNERSHIP AS ABSA GOES LIVE WITH SMART ID APPLICATIONS

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

HOME AFFAIRS EXPANDS DIGITAL PARTNERSHIP AS ABSA GOES LIVE WITH SMART ID APPLICATIONS

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has announced a major expansion of its Digital Partnership Model, with Absa officially going live with digital Smart ID applications. Absa becomes the fourth major financial institution to offer this service, joining Capitec, Standard Bank, and First National Bank (FNB).

With Absa integrated into the platform, South Africans can now access secure Smart ID services through a growing network of 296 participating bank branches nationwide.

Phased Rollout and Mobile Expansion

The partnership introduces immediate processing capabilities alongside aggressive targets for the remainder of the year:

• Immediate Branch Activation: 12 select Absa branches have been fully enabled to provide walk-in Home Affairs Smart ID services.

• Rapid Expansion: A further 60 Absa branches are scheduled to go live before the end of 2026.

• "Bank on the Move" Initiative: To reach underserved and remote areas, Absa will introduce an innovative mobile service component designed to bring secure Home Affairs services directly into local communities. Full operational details of this mobile rollout will be shared during an upcoming official event.

Phasing Out the Green Barcoded ID Book

The partnership model aims to accelerate national security efforts by completely replacing South Africa’s highly vulnerable, fraud-prone legacy green barcoded ID books with far more secure Smart ID Cards.

Public demand for these digitized banking channels is scaling rapidly:

• 385,000+ Smart ID applications have already been successfully processed through the banking digital network within its first four months of operation.

• 750 participating bank branches are targeted for system integration across all provinces by the close of 2026 under the broader Home Affairs @ home reform programme.

Ministerial Perspective: "The rapid expansion of our Digital Partnership with the banking sector demonstrates the success of our vision to fundamentally transform Home Affairs service delivery through digital innovation," said Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Leon Schreiber. "Processing more than 385,000 applications in just four months proves that South Africans are embracing a faster, more secure, and more dignified way of accessing state services closer to where they live and work."

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MK PARTY PROTESTS EXCLUSION FROM PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO RUSSIA

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

MK PARTY PROTESTS EXCLUSION FROM PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO RUSSIA

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​CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has voiced deep concern over its exclusion from an official parliamentary delegation currently visiting the Russian Federation, calling the move a direct threat to South Africa's constitutional democracy.

​The delegation, which is on a strategic working visit to Russia from July 13 to 17, 2026, is led by the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane. 

According to Parliament, the trip aims to deepen cooperation between the two nations' legislatures in critical developmental areas including agriculture, technology, and education.  

​A Breach of Democratic Principles

​In a strongly worded statement, the MK Party, which serves as the Official Opposition in Parliament, argued that bypassing them undermines the core principles of inclusivity and multiparty representation:

​Proportional Representation: The party highlighted that international parliamentary delegations have historically reflected the proportional weight of political parties in Parliament to ensure a balanced, representative national voice.

​Democratic Oversight: As the largest opposition bloc, the MK Party emphasized its constitutional mandate to provide democratic oversight and represent the millions of South Africans who voted for it.

​Institutional Diplomacy: The party asserted that foreign affairs and parliamentary diplomacy belong to Parliament as an institution—not to any single governing coalition or political arrangement.

​"Excluding the largest opposition party from a strategic international engagement is inconsistent with long-standing democratic principles and weakens the representative character of the delegation," the MK Party stated.

​The Current Delegation Profile

​The official delegation to Russia comprises a select group of lawmakers:  

​NCOP Members: Ms. Sindiswa Masumpa and Ms. Sanny Ndhlovu.  

​National Assembly Members: Mr. Mogodu Samuel Moela and Mr. Imraan Ismail Moosa.  

​

The MK Party argues that by excluding its representatives, Parliament risks projecting a partisan image on the global stage rather than advancing unified national interests.

​Formal Complaint Lodged with Parliament

​To address the issue, the Chief Whip of the MK Party in the NCOP, Hon. Lungile Mhlongo, has formally lodged an institutional complaint with NCOP Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane. 

The complaint has also been copied to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Thoko Didiza.

​Through this formal grievance, the MK Party is demanding:

​Full Disclosure: A transparent explanation detailing the selection criteria used to choose the members of the delegation.

​Institutional Commitment: An official assurance that all future international delegations will be structured fairly, reflecting South Africa’s diverse political landscape and proportional representation.

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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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