LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARREST 453 SUSPECTS IN GAUTENG @KASIBCNEWS

The Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) together with the Gauteng Traffic Wardens (GTWs) and South African Police Service (SAPS) have arrested more than four hundred and fifty three (453) suspects across Gauteng following the High-Density Operations and Operation Shanela which took place from Friday 04 April 2025 to Sunday, 06 April 2025. 

The operations were carried out in the Cities of Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Johannesburg, West Rand District Municipality and the Sedibeng District Municipality. The operations yielded arrests for cases which include possession of drugs, drinking and driving, drinking in public, undocumented persons, fraud, selling liquor without a license.  

Law enforcement agencies in the City of Ekurhuleni arrested sixty-nine (69) suspects. While twenty-five (25) suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, twelve (12) for drinking and driving and ten (10) undocumented persons. Four hundred and thirty-one (431) people and (195) one hundred and ninety-five vehicles were searched across the city. The operations in Ekurhuleni covered Actonville, Katlehong, Crystal Park, Devon, Springs, Germiston, Tokoza, Primrose, Kliprivier, Edenvale, Boksburg, Dunnotar and Zonkizizwe.  

A total of two hundred and sixty-nine (269) suspects were arrested in the City of Tshwane for cases which include possession of stolen property, assault GBH, common assault, fraud, selling liquor without a license, theft of motor vehicle and illegal gambling. It is notable that twenty-nine (29) persons were arrested for drinking and driving, fourteen (14) illegal immigrants, and forty-six (46) suspects were arrested for cable theft.

Furthermore, one thousand seven hundred and eighty (1780) people were searched, and one thousand and sixty five (1065) vehicles were searched across the city. The operation covered Temba, Pretoria central, Hammanskraal, Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa and Sunnyside.  The Sedibeng District Municipality yielded a total of seventy-seven (77) arrests, while three thousand one hundred and ten (3010) people and nine hundred and sixty-five (965) vehicles were searched within the district. Arrests made include cases of murder, selling liquor without a license, common assault, assault GBH, public indecency and possession of drugs. Officials also arrested twenty-nine (29) people for dinking and driving, while (15) people were arrested for possession of drugs and eleven (11) undocumented persons were arrested. 

The operations covered Sharpeville, Sebokeng, Orange Farm, Boipatong, Meyerton, Vereeneging, the Barrage and Ratanda. The City of Johannesburg saw twenty (20) arrests made for cases which include possession of drugs, illegal immigrants, possession of live ammunition, stolen motor vehicle, drinking and driving, house breaking, theft, child neglect, shoplifting and tampering with essential infrastructure. The operations were conducted in Doornkop, Eldorado Park, Ennerdale, Dobsonville, Braamfischerville and Lenasia. “Drinking driving, possession of drugs, undocumented persons and assault GBH continue to be one of the problematic cases that law enforcement officials deal with regularly. Additionally, officials made significant arrests for cable theft in Temba, Hammanskraal and Sunnyside in the City of Tshwane,” said the Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson, Mr Sello Maremane. “The Gauteng Traffic Police commends law enforcement officials for their concerted efforts in dealing decisively with crime and lawlessness in the province. Their efforts display the commitment of the provincial government in uprooting and preventing crime and building safer communities in Gauteng, added Mr Maremane. 

TAXI VIOLENCE IN GAUTENG @KASIBCNEWS 

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety is deeply concerned and outraged by the escalating taxi violence plaguing the Province, particularly in Katlehong, were reports indicate that 11 taxi operators were brutally gunned down in March alone.

This senseless bloodshed, allegedly stemming from violent disputes over routes between rival taxi associations has created an atmosphere of fear and instability, putting the lives of commuters, operators and innocent bystanders at risk.

The Committee has noted with grave concern the latest incident in Soweto, where three taxi marshals were shot dead yesterday in what appears to be another targeted attack.

Such brazen acts of violence undermine the rule of law and threaten the safety of communities relying on the taxi industry for daily commuting to and from work as well as various destinations.

The Committee strongly condemns these killings and calls for the Gauteng SAPS to intensify visible policing, intelligence led operations and swift arrests to dismantle the criminal elements fuelling this violence.

A formal request has been made by the Committee to the Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni to provide a detailed progress and status report regarding investigations into the recent spate of taxi related killings in the Province.

The Provincial Government should also prioritize interventions that address the root cause of conflict including engaging all stakeholders in the taxi industry to find lasting solutions.

The Committee further calls on the Department of Roads and Transport to mediate urgently between rival taxi associations ensuring that disputes over routs are resolved peacefully and within the framework of the law.

The continued loss of life in the taxi industry is unacceptable and Government should not allow criminality to dictate the operations of a sector that is the backbone of public transport in Gauteng.

The Committee believes that the people of Gauteng deserve safe and reliable transport, free from violence and intimidation and will continue to monitor the situation by requesting the Provincial Police Commissioner to provide regular updates on what SAPS is doing to restore peace within the taxi industry.

 

SABC REMOVES AFIKAANS @KASIBCNEWS

SABC REMOVES AFIKAANS @KASIBCNEWS 

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) appears to think it can suddenly stop airing the Afrikaans news bulletin without giving any notice or justification.

The sudden disappearance of the Afrikaans news bulletin this past weekend, without any communication from the SABC on the reasons behind this decision, is troubling.

The DA demands that the SABC provide immediate clarification on why this essential service has been halted. It is crucial that we understand whether this is a permanent change, a once-off incident, or something else entirely.

We will write to the SABC to request urgent answers regarding this matter, and we call on the SABC to restore the Afrikaans news bulletin as soon as possible, ensuring that all South Africans, regardless of language preference, continue to receive reliable and timely news.

For many South Africans, the SABC Nuus on SABC2, which has a devoted audience of over 300 000, has been an essential source of news and information. All of these viewers must pay for their TV licenses, and it is completely unacceptable that the SABC would show such indifference to such a large segment of the population. As the public broadcaster the SABC has a duty to serve all language communities.

The DA will hold the SABC accountable and will not tolerate such a lack of transparency in our pubic broadcaster.

DA eis antwoorde terwyl SABC Afrikaanse nuusbulletin skielik stop sonder kennisgewing of regverdiging

Die SABC dink blykbaar hy kan skielik ophou om die Afrikaanse nuusbulletin uit te saai sonder om enige kennisgewing of regverdiging te gee.

Die skielike verdwyning van die Afrikaanse nuusbulletin die afgelope naweek, sonder enige kommunikasie van die SABC oor die redes agter hierdie besluit, is kommerwekkend.

Die DA eis dat die SABC onmiddellike verduideliking gee oor hoekom dié noodsaaklike diens gestaak is. Dit is van kardinale belang dat ons verstaan ​​of dit 'n permanente verandering, 'n eenmalige voorval of iets heeltemal anders is.

Ons sal aan die SABC skryf om dringende antwoorde rakende hierdie aangeleentheid aan te vra, en ons doen 'n beroep op die SABC om die Afrikaanse nuusbulletin so gou moontlik te herstel, om te verseker dat alle Suid-Afrikaners, ongeag taalvoorkeur, steeds betroubare en tydige nuus ontvang.

Vir baie Suid-Afrikaners was die SABC Nuus op SABC2, wat 'n toegewyde gehoor van meer as 300 000 het, 'n noodsaaklike bron van nuus en inligting. Al hierdie kykers moet vir hul TV-lisensies betaal, en dit is heeltemal onaanvaarbaar dat die SABC sulke onverskilligheid teenoor so 'n groot segment van die bevolking sal toon. As die openbare uitsaaier het die SABC 'n plig om alle taalgemeenskappe te dien.

Die DA sal die SABC verantwoordbaar hou en sal nie so 'n gebrek aan deursigtigheid in ons openbare uitsaaier duld nie.

TSHIRT CONTRACT R2.5MILLION @KASIBCNEWS 

The Democratic Alliance will be asking hard questions about the Gauteng Health Department’s award of a R2.5 million contract to the company of an ANC branch member who is apparently a friend of Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

Ms Nhlake Pricilla Mothobuka owns Modjadji Creations, which was awarded the three-year contract in November last year for nearly 8 500 golf shirts at R280 each.

The suspicious thing is that the company was deregistered by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) in March 2023, but it returned to trading shortly before submitting a bid for this deal.

Social media posts indicate that Mothobuka is a close friend of the MEC, but she denies this even though there are photos of her socialising with Nkomo-Ralehoko at ANC events.

I will be asking official questions about the bid process for this contract, and how much has already been paid to company.

This department is notorious for corruption, including the R800 million fishy contracts at the Tembisa Hospital that murdered whistle-blower Babita Deokaran tried to stop,

The DA in Gauteng will continue to push for a thorough overhaul of the department, including the dismissal of the MEC and the Head of Department Lesiba Malotana, who the SIU is investigating for allegedly sharing in more than R10 million bribes to influence the award of two contracts.

How much longer will Premier Lesufi turn a blind eye to this appalling mismanagement which hurts patients in our hospitals.

 

Scammers Gauteng Panic Button App @KASIBCNEWS

It has come to the attention of the Gauteng Department of e-Government that there are individuals misleading the public by charging them a certain fee in downloading the free Government’s e-Panic Button.  

The scammers or thieves move around our townships and claim to be working for the department of e-Government and solicit money from people to help them download the Gauteng panic button app. So far, we have learnt of these scammers to be around the township of Mamelodi in Tshwane. 

The department would therefore like to caution Gauteng residents not to pay any fee to anyone claiming to be assisting them to download the Gauteng e-panic button app. The Gauteng e-Panic Button app is a free service provided by the Gauteng Provincial Government to help ensure the safety and security of its residents. There is no fee charged to download the app, and any claims suggesting otherwise are fraudulent.

Gauteng MEC for e-Government Bonginkosi Dhlamini urged Gauteng residents to stay vigilant about this matter. “We urge all Gauteng residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the Gauteng Panic Button app. We would appreciate your cooperation, as we work tirelessly to ensure that the Gauteng e-Panic Button continues to serve the people of Gauteng without charge”, says MEC Dhlamini.

MEC also insists that appropriate action will be taken to people committing this fraud as it is a criminal offence to commit fraud, scam or steal. 

It is easy to download the Gauteng e-Panic Button App. Residents can download the app on their smart phones which can be found on Google Play or the App Store titled “Gauteng Panic Button”.

PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICA GROUP AT THE 150TH INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU) @KASIBCNEWS

PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICA GROUP AT THE 150TH INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU) @KASIBCNEWS 

The African National Congress (ANC) congratulates our Speaker of National Assembly, Cde Thoko Didiza on her election as the President of the Africa Group at the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

This prestigious election stands as a testament to her exemplary leadership, dedication to democracy and unwavering commitment to the ideals of peace, development and cooperation on the African continent.

As the President of the Africa Group, Cde Thoko will play a crucial role in amplifying the voices of African nations, addressing pressing issues such as economic development, climate change, gender equality and equitable economic growth amongst other issues.

We are hopeful that her leadership will inspire fellow parliamentarians across the continent  and reshape the narrative of representation of women in politics. Cde Thoko embodies the spirit of the ANC's ongoing commitment to gender equality, empowering women and fostering their participation in all facets of society.

The ANC is proud of Cde Thoko’s achievement and confident that she will continue to champion the interests of Africa on the global stage, ensuring that our continent’s aspirations are prioritized in international discussions.

We believe that her leadership will facilitate greater collaboration between African nations and promote innovative solutions to the myriad challenges we face as Africa.

We look forward to her effective leadership and the positive impact she will have in harmonizing the voices of the African Group within the IPU.

May she continue to lead with integrity, wisdom, and a firm commitment to the principles of democracy and unity.

#MAKEKASIGREAT

FRAUD AND CORRUPTION IN MATLOSANA @KASIBCNEWS

Fraud and corruption continue to thrive unabated under the current leadership, it has exacerbated since the arrival of the two Provincial Executive Representatives (PER). The PER is a team that is voluntarily appointed to assist and give advice on financial decision-making. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Matlosana has reported unauthorized payments made to MAXPROF to the Hawks for investigation.

During the Ordinary Meeting held on the 31st of March 2025, the DA was amazed by the presentation made by the PER, when they claimed achievements since assuming their responsibility in the municipality in January 2024, specifically claiming to have curbed 3 prohibited types of expenditure. This is a misrepresentation, as the latest Annual Report and various Financial Reports demonstrate a municipality in “autopilot” mode.

The DA queried a payment to the amount of R 3 496 835.92 to MAXPROF for completing a VAT 201 form that is system generated, dated 6 September 2024. The service provider’s 36-month legal contract had lapsed on the 20th of June 2023, with the unlawful emergency “12 months extension” also having run out on the 23rd of June 2024. MAXPROF did not have any valid legal contract with the municipality from the 24th of June 2024 to date. This has raised concerns among the DA due to the impunity of criminal and fraudulent conduct by the municipal officials in collusion with this service provider.

It was clear that the DA was ahead when the Executive Mayor, Fikile Mahlope, requested the Council Speaker, Stella Mondlane-Ngwenya, not to allow discussion for the item in question and reprimanded the DA for planning to report the specific item to the media.
Upon further investigation, the DA discovered that MAXPROF performed another VAT recovery in December 2024, still without a valid contract. MAXPROF has submitted another invoice for the amount of R4 150 574.62. This particular invoice from January 2025 remains unpaid because the municipal officials are aware that the Hawks are investigating this contract.

The officials have committed fraud in terms of Regulation 36, which was submitted and reported late to the council. This includes the report covering the period June to August 2024, which was received as part of the MFMA Section 52(d) and 72 Reports and tabled in January 2025.

The Maine report tabled in council a month ago revealed that duplicate payments to the amount of R 292 million were made between 1 July 2023 and 31 March 2024.

The DA continues to fight the abuse of using the Municipal Finance Management Act Regulation 36 as a vehicle to loot the municipality under the pretext of an emergency. The DA will hold top political leadership and management in the municipality accountable for benefiting substantially from this corruption, when the residents can barely afford to pay for services.