Wednesday, 5 August 2026

DA DEMANDS INDEPENDENT PROBE INTO ALLEGED R1BILLION PRASA TENDER SCANDAL AND ANC CONNECTIONS

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

DA DEMANDS INDEPENDENT PROBE INTO ALLEGED R1 BILLION PRASA TENDER SCANDAL AND ANC CONNECTIONS

PARLIAMENT, CAPE TOWN – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to intervene directly and ensure that an independent investigation into a reported R1 billion Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) security tender fully scrutinizes any political connections.

The demand follows allegations regarding PRASA's "piggybacking" contract with Reshebile Aviation and Protection Services, whose key leadership figures allegedly hold longstanding ties to the African National Congress (ANC).

Key Concerns Raised by the DA

Political Links & Conflicts: The party highlighted that Reshebile figure Paul Langa and other associated individuals have established ties to ANC leadership structures, raising concerns about potential political influence in the tender award.
Inadequacy of Internal Probes: The DA argued that an investigation initiated solely by the PRASA Board into its own entity's operational and procurement failures is insufficient to guarantee objectivity.
Scale of Public Funds: With R1 billion in public funds compromised, the party emphasized that the scope of the investigation must be comprehensive and uncompromised.

Demands Issued to Minister Creecy

The DA has requested that Minister Creecy publicly commit to the following measures:

Mandate Political Investigation: Explicitly instruct the independent investigative firm to probe political links connecting PRASA, the ANC, senior government officials, and implicated private entities.
Ensure Transparent Appointment: Oversee an open, independent selection process for the appointed investigating team.
Public Disclosure of Findings: Guarantee that the complete investigation report, along with recommended consequence management actions, will be made fully accessible to the public.

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ANC CONDEMNS DA AND ALLIES OVER HIGH COURT CHALLENGE TO EXPROPRIATION ACT

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

ANC CONDEMNS DA AND ALLIES OVER HIGH COURT CHALLENGE TO EXPROPRIATION ACT

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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The African National Congress (ANC) has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to land reform while condemning the legal challenge brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA), AfriForum, and the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR) against the Expropriation Act in the Western Cape High Court.

The ruling party labeled the lawsuit an attempt to derail constitutional redress, transformation, and land restitution for dispossessed South Africans.

Core Arguments Advanced by the ANC

Constitutional Alignment: The ANC maintained that the Expropriation Act is a constitutionally aligned tool mandated by Section 25 of the Constitution to balance property rights with land reform, equitable access to natural resources, and historical restitution.
Criticism of Opposition Strategy: The party accused the DA and its allies of "constitutional hypocrisy," highlighting their broader legal and political opposition to transformative legislation, including the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, and the Employment Equity Amendment Act.
Defense of the Freedom Charter: Reaffirming its foundational principles, the ANC reiterated that land reform is a historical and constitutional imperative required to undo apartheid's structural inequalities and ensure the land is shared among those who work it.

"Land reform, restitution, equity and redress are neither acts of retribution nor negotiable political preferences; they are constitutional and historical imperatives... The ANC will continue pursuing the creation of a united, non-racial, nonsexist, democratic and prosperous society." — African National Congress

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GAUTENG TREASURY PROCESSES OVER R76.7 MILLION IN PAYMENTS TO UNPAID SERVICE PROVIDERS FOLLOWING IMBIZO

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

GAUTENG TREASURY PROCESSES OVER R76.7 MILLION IN PAYMENTS TO UNPAID SERVICE PROVIDERS FOLLOWING IMBIZO

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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The MEC for Finance in Gauteng, Hon. Nkululeko Dunga, has released a progress update regarding the settlement of outstanding invoices owed to service providers by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG).

The update follows the Provincial Treasury’s recent Service Providers Imbizo, which aimed to address severe payment backlogs and accruals affecting local businesses that have supplied goods and services to provincial departments.

Financial Progress and Query Settlement

The Gauteng Provincial Treasury team has logged, acknowledged, and begun resolving all administrative queries raised by vendors during the Imbizo:

Logged Queries: A total of 91 official queries were logged during and immediately following the Imbizo.
Initial Payment Release: Invoices valued at R47.8 million were settled within the first week following the event.
Subsequent Releases: An additional R28.9 million was released for payment by the end of last week as departmental verification progressed.
Cumulative Total: Over R76.7 million in previously unpaid invoices has now been fully settled or cleared for immediate disbursement.

Administrative Verification & Support Channels

Three-Way Matching & Verification: Remaining invoices are currently undergoing statutory three-way matching (aligning purchase orders, delivery notes, and tax invoices). Departments are prioritizing cleared accounts for expedited payment.
Ongoing Inquiry Escalations: Service providers with unresolved accounts or outstanding queries can submit details directly to the dedicated Treasury support desk:
- Email Support: IMS.Registrations@gauteng.gov.za

"The MEC, under the political leadership of the Premier, commits to ensuring that Gauteng Provincial Government finds a long-term sustainable solution to deal with all accruals and to avoid a situation wherein service providers have delivered on their appointed services and don’t get paid on time." — Gauteng Provincial Treasury

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ESHOWE REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES SIZWE MBODLA BHENGU TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND KIDNAPPING

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

ESHOWE REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES SIZWE MBODLA BHENGU TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND KIDNAPPING

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ESHOWE, KWAZULU-NATAL – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the life sentence handed down by the Eshowe Regional Court to 30-year-old Sizwe Mbodla Bhengu following his conviction on charges of rape and kidnapping.

Incident and Investigation

The court heard that in January 2022, the complainant was walking home when she was accosted by Bhengu, a stranger to her:

Abduction & Assault: Bhengu threatened the victim with a knife and forced her to his homestead, where he raped her twice.

Escape & Report: The victim managed to escape the following morning and sought emergency help at a neighboring house, leading to immediate medical intervention and the opening of a police case.

Apprehension: Bhengu fled the area following the assault but was tracked down and arrested several months later. He was positively identified by the victim during an official identity parade.

Court Proceedings and Evidence

During trial proceedings led by Regional Court Prosecutor Nomthandazo Mkhize, the State established guilt beyond reasonable doubt through:

Direct testimony from the complainant, the neighbor who provided initial refuge, and the SAPS investigating officer.

Corroborative forensic evidence, including DNA test results, clinical findings from the examining medical doctor, and the official J88 medico-legal report.

A Victim Impact Statement (VIS) facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Amanda Pretty Nxumalo, detailing the ongoing trauma and severe psychological distress experienced by the survivor.

Sentencing Breakdown

The court sentenced Bhengu as follows:

Rape: Life imprisonment
Kidnapping: 5 years' imprisonment
Effective Sentence: Life imprisonment (concurrent)
Firearm Ineligibility: Formally declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing maximum statutory penalties for gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual offenses, highlighting that violent perpetrators have no place in society.

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GOVERNMENT CONGRATULATES BANYANA BANYANA ON WAFCON 2026 VICTORY OVER BURKINA FASO

GOVERNMENT CONGRATULATES BANYANA BANYANA ON WAFCON 2026 VICTORY OVER BURKINA FASO

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – The South African Government has formally congratulated the national women's football team, Banyana Banyana, following their 1–0 victory over Burkina Faso in their final Group B fixture at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The decisive win secured South Africa’s qualification for the WAFCON quarter-finals, keeping the reigning continental champions on track for a spot at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Match Highlights & Tournament Advancement

Match Winner: Star forward Thembi Kgatlana scored the sole goal of the match in the 21st minute after receiving a precision pass from Fikile Magama.

Group B Progress: Following a 2–1 loss to Tanzania and a 2–2 draw with Ivory Coast, the win elevates Banyana Banyana to second place in Group B, securing their spot in the knockout phase alongside group winners Ivory Coast.

Quarter-Final Clash: South Africa will face tournament hosts Morocco in Rabat in the quarter-finals. A victory in the quarter-final stage automatically guarantees qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Government Statement & Support for Women's Sport

Tribute to the Squad: Government extended its gratitude to head coach Dr. Desiree Ellis, the technical team, support staff, and fans for their discipline and resilience throughout the group stage.
Women's Month Significance: Occurring during August—celebrated as Women's Month in South Africa—the victory was lauded as an inspiration to young female athletes and a testament to the transformative power of women's sport.
Commitment to Investment: Government reaffirmed its pledge to work with sports federations and stakeholders to enhance sustained investment, grassroots development programs, and professional infrastructure for women in sports nationwide.

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Wednesday, 5 August 2026