MOZAMBICAN KIDNAPPING KINGPIN SHOT AND KILLED IN FOURWAYS SOUTH AFRICA @KASIBC_NEWS

MOZAMBICAN KIDNAPPING KINGPIN SHOT AND KILLED IN FOURWAYS SOUTH AFRICA
@KASIBC_NEWS

The South African Police Service(SAPS) Anti-Kidnapping Task Team Traced a Mozambican Kidnapping Kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways, Johannesburg this week.

The team was tracing a kidnapped Pakistani Businessman from Pretoria West. He is still in captivity and the team are still searching for the Pakistani National. A ransom demand has been made to the businessman’s family.

The Teams Tracing Operation began at a residential complex in Carlswald, Midrand where they seized a Mercedes Benz, a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers.

They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted Kidnapping Kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings. His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo Police in August 2024.

One unlicensed firearm used by the fatally wounded fugitive of justice was seized including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones, four bank cards have also been seized.

The SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman.

Since January 2024 to date, the team has arrested more than 170 Criminals involved in Kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2Million has been recovered. More than 100 victims rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were also seized by the team.

The Anti-Kidnapping Task Team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu.

YOUTH HEALTH PLUG CAREER EXPOS

As part of Youth Month Commemorations, the Gauteng Department of Health will host an exciting series of Youth Health Plug Career Expos aimed at exposing young people to a wide range of fulfilling and essential career opportunities in the public healthcare sector.

These Career Expos will take place from 23 to 27 June 2025 at Gauteng College of Nursing (GCON) Campuses and hospitals across the province’s five districts. They form part of the Department’s Youth Health Plug 2025 Campaign, which is designed to empower young people through exposure, interaction, and inspiration, encouraging them to see healthcare not only as a career choice, but as a life-changing opportunity to serve and lead.

Career Expo Schedule and Venues: Time: 09:00 to 14:30

• Monday, 23 June 2025 at Bona Lesedi Nursing Campus at Leratong Hospital, 1 Adcock & Randfontein Streets, Chamdor (West Rand District)

• Tuesday, 24 June 2025 at Ga-Rankuwa Nursing Campus at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital, 9111 Setlogelo Street, Ga-Rankuwa Unit 2 (Tshwane District)

• Wednesday, 25 June 2025 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing Campus, 26 Chris Hani Road

CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST ILLEGIMATE DITSOBOTLA AGAINST TROIKA @KASIBC_NEWS

The DA North West opened criminal cases against the Ditsobotla Mayor-Pretender, Cllr Molefe Morutse (ANC), the Speaker-Pretender, Cllr Manana Bogatsu (EFF), and the Municipal Manager-pretender, Mr Oloatse Bojosinyane, under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004, for fraud, intimidation, coercion, and extortion.

These criminal cases relate to the establishment of an Illegal Parallel Ditsobotla Council at a meeting held in March 2025, where it is alleged that fraudulent resignation letters from the legitimate Mayor, Speaker and legally appointed Acting Municipal Manager were presented and where they were illegally removed from office.

After this illegal parallel Council meeting, Mr Bojosinyane managed to gain access to the Ditsobotla Municipal Offices, resulting in two gunfights which saw two persons injured and the death of another.

In addition, by some form of manipulation, it is alleged that Mr Bojosinyane gained access to the Ditsobotla Municipal Bank Account, completely subverting the authority of the legitimate Council and its officials. All transactions facilitated by Mr Bojosinyane since his hostile takeover are tantamount to fraud, if not theft.

In addition, this unlawful parallel troika and Council have not only resorted to violence but now employ mafia tactics like intimidation, coercion and extortion by withholding the salaries of Councillors and Municipal Workers who refuse to legitimise the unlawful behaviour of these pretenders, Cllr Morutse, Cllr Bogatso and Mr Bojosinyane, under the guise of an employee verification exercise.

There are no less than four High Court Judgements confirming that the legitimate Ditsobotla Troika consists of Cllr Mazwi Moruri as Mayor, Cllr Jarious Modisakeng as Speaker, and Mr Rasupang Mooketsi as the Acting Municipal Manager. The High Court handed down its judgements on 15 March, 10 April, 30 April, and 09 May 2025.

The SAPS must investigate these charges swiftly to ensure arrest and successful prosecution.

In addition, the DA has also written to the National Minister of COGTA, Velenkosini Hlabisa, bringing these latest criminal developments to his attention and urging him to place the Ditsobotla Local Municipality under Section 139(7) National Government Administration, as we requested in January 2025.

Ditsobotla Residents continue to suffer unimaginable hardship as electricity blackouts and water shutdowns continue unabated while ANC factions fight over who is Mayor and who is not. This must be put to an end immediately.

While the situation in Ditsobotla is dire, hope remains.

The DA North West will continue to pursue every mechanism at our disposal to fight for the rights and services residents are entitled to. DA Ditsobotla Councillors remain resolute and will continue to serve residents, working with community members and business stakeholders to respond to service delivery needs.

MPUMALANGA BY-ELECTIONS @KASIBC_NEWS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Cooperative Governance, Velenkosini Hlabisa, to intervene and compel the Mpumalanga Provincial Government to declare vacancies in two wards where by-elections are urgently needed. Service Delivery in these areas has collapsed due to the prolonged absence or resignation of the ward councillors.

Two councillors - Jabu Zwane of Ward 14 in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality and BT Twala of Ward 26 in eMalahleni Local Municipality - have been absent from office for over a year and two months respectively.

Yet the ANC-led Mpumalanga Government and the MEC for Human Settlements, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Speedy Mashilo, have failed to declare vacancies to enable the holding of By-Elections.

Councillor Twala has not been seen or active in over a year. While no formal explanation has been provided, credible sources suggest that the circumstances surrounding his disappearance are politically embarrassing to the ANC. Despite the eMalahleni Council suspending his salary, no official vacancy has been declared.

Councillor Zwane, on the other hand, tendered his resignation to the Municipal Manager of Govan Mbeki on 28 May 2025. He has since publicly criticised the ANC and explained the reasons for his resignation, but his departure has not been formally acknowledged, seemingly because the ANC is unwilling to accept it.

The Municipal Structures Act is unambiguous: when a councillor resigns, is incapacitated, missing, expelled, or deceased, the Council must declare a vacancy in consultation with the relevant MEC so that a By-Election can be held within 90 days.

The DA challenges MEC Mashilo and the ANC-led councils of Govan Mbeki and eMalahleni to comply with this legislation and act in the interests of residents who are being denied access to essential services.

The DA will escalate this matter to Minister Hlabisa through our representatives in the National Assembly, and demand that he forces the Mpumalanga Provincial Government to declare these vacancies without further delay. The people of Wards 14 and 26 deserve proper representation and functional service delivery.

TRAGIC SHOOTING AT WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY @KASIBC_NEWS

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, has learned with deep sorrow and concern of the fatal shooting of Mr Sinethemba Mpambane, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Support and Development at Walter Sisulu University, on the evening of 19 June 2025.

Mr Mpambane was shot multiple times while seated in his vehicle at the entrance of the University’s Nkululekweni Facility in Mthatha. This devastating loss comes just weeks after the fatal shooting of Mr Sisonke Mbolekwa, a final-year student who was killed during a protest on the same campus in April 2025.

The Minister visited the university and the Mbolekwa family following that tragedy to offer support and to understand the circumstances surrounding the loss. The recurrence of such violence within an institution of higher learning is deeply troubling. The Minister is profoundly disturbed that yet another life has been lost under violent circumstances at a university.

The safety and well-being of students and staff must be prioritised at all times. The academic community cannot thrive in an environment characterised by fear and violence. Institutions of higher learning must remain sanctuaries for teaching, learning, and transformation.

The Minister will urgently engage with the Vice-Chancellor of Walter Sisulu University, Professor Rushiella Songca, and the Chairperson of the University Council to assess existing security protocols and to identify immediate measures to ensure safety on campus. The Minister extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr Mpambane and the broader Walter Sisulu University community. This brutal killing must not only be condemned but must serve as a call to action to restore peace, safety, and dignity to our institutions. Our universities must not become places of violence and loss. They must remain spaces of hope, growth, and opportunity.

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION REFERED TO ETHICS COMMITTEE FOR LYING IN PARLIAMENT @KASIBC_NEWS

The DA will refer the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, to the Ethics Committee for misleading the parliamentary portfolio Committee on Higher Education when she stated that all members of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) Board Chairpersons Selection and Evaluation Panel were independent.

This afternoon, the Minister finally released the names of the panel, which reportedly assisted her in appointing ANC-aligned individuals to SETA board positions through a process that has raised concerns about its transparency.

The panel includes:

Adv Terry Motau: He was the Chairperson of the panel, yet never attended any of the meetings. Which then begs the question; who chaired the meetings?

Asisipho Solani: Former South African Students Congress (SASCO) leader, former a member of the Western Cape ANC Youth League's (ANCYL) interim leadership, and current advisor to the Higher Education Minister;

Nelisiwe Semane: Chief of Staff in the Office of the Higher Education Minister;

Mabuza Ngubane: a Chief Director for SETA Coordination; and

Rhulani Ngwenya: Current Deputy Director-General: Corporate Services: Department of Higher Education and Training, and former Deputy Director-General Corporate Management: Department of Tourism.

Furthermore, the Minister failed to reveal all the names as the name of one of the panel members concealed.

The Minister cited that the person was not comfortable with their name being disclosed.

The Minister also concealed two other names from the National Skills Authority (NSA) Selection and Evaluation Panel, as well as one from the Universities Council Ministerial Appointments and the Selection and Evaluation Panel for the Council for Higher Education (CHE).

The DA will request that all minutes of the panel be made available to the committee in full, as well as the reports sent to the National Skills Authority (NSA) for final consideration of the appointments.

STUDENTS LIVING CRISES EXPOSED @KASIBC_NEWS

The DA uncovered shocking, unsafe, and crumbling living conditions at a university residence in Gqeberha.

Students face ongoing crises — from unpaid NSFAS allowances to being exploited by rogue landlords.

The DA has launched a national reporting portal to expose failures and escalate urgent student housing issues.

An oversight inspection by the DA at a university residence in Gqeberha today, has revealed shocking and unacceptable residential living conditions.

Almost every aspect of the living conditions were broken, from the perimeter fencing and plumbing, to the refuse facilities, kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and flooring. This is an unacceptable disgrace.

Apart from the physical dereliction and dilapidation, numerous students have also pleaded for help with their accommodation payments as many of them still do not receive their allowances on time.

The conditions discovered during today's oversight is undoubtedly mirrored on Campuses across South Africa, which is why the DA launched our new portal for students to report accommodation failures.

We will use this online portal to give a voice to voiceless students and to establish a clear picture of the widespread accommodation problem.

The DA will work with the Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, to escalate these issues for resolution by the National Department or directly to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAs).

Students have struggled with various aspects of the accommodations for a number of years, and rather than problems being solved, each year the situation seems to deteriorate. From students having to start their academic years without safe and appropriate housing in place, late NSFAS accommodation allowance payments and mid-year defunding by NSFAS, to unscrupulous accommodation providers preying on vulnerable students who face either destitution or settling for housing in unsafe buildings or areas.

At oversights, allegations of students forced to trade sex for accommodation or landlords keeping students' possessions, including study materials, were revealed by student representatives.

Students often study far from home in towns and cities where they have little to no support systems.

And while NSFAS’ Student Accommodation online portal service providers and student accommodation accrediting agents were supposed to be in aid of providing students with suitable and safe accommodation, irregularities in awarding the tenders, as well as the service providers’ inability to offer effectively deliver the services needed, were exposed last year.

NSFAS is meant to help students, including those in vulnerable circumstances, attain their goals and dreams, not be hindrances.

Quality Education is the best way for South African youth to become economically independent, thriving individuals and as the DA we aim to help them on this journey.

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