‘I just played until I lost it all': Teens bypass age limits for gambling fix
News24 probe lifts the lid on pupils addicted to online sports betting as the sector thrives in a legislative vacuum.
Graphic: Sharlene Rood. Images: JDawnInk | Getty Images; Vlad Rachuk | Vlad Ra 27 | Canva; Motortion | iStock | Getty Images Plus; Sincerely Media | Nicole Honeywill | Canva.
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News24
an hour ago
- News24
Former Transnet executives granted R50 000 bail each for fraud and corruption
Ex-Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, and Thamsanqa Jiyane were granted bail at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court amid fraud and corruption charges tied to an alleged fraudulent R93-million-rand locomotive tender. This comes after they handed themselves over at a police station south of Johannesburg this morning. The court heard that in 2012, Transnet advertised a tender for the acquisition of the 1064 locomotives deal. The executives were then linked with an irregular payment of R93.4m to Trillian Asset management for organising a R30 billion loan to help buy the locomotives. It is alleged that a double payment was issued because Transnet had already paid another transaction advisory firm - Regiments. Trillian allegedly did nothing to earn the fee but invoiced Transnet. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame tells Drum that the accused are facing 18 charges including fraud, corruption, contravention of the public finance management act and the contravention of the company's act. Read more | Former Transnet executives, Siyabonga Gama & Brian Molefe, arrested over R93 million locomotive tender fraud 'These charges relate to the acquisition of three contracts for locomotives in Transnet for the period of 2011 to 2014. When Transnet took a decision to expand and modernise it's services, there was a need for these contracts or tenders. Bidders had to be called but the state will prove in court that processes were flouted hence the accused appeared in court today.' Transnet has another ongoing case at the Gauteng High Court relating to the awarding of irregular amounts but Mamothame explains that they are dealing with complex matters emanating from the State capture. He says they could not link this matter to the ongoing case because in their holistic approach as IDAC they approach cases differently depending on the facts of the matters. 'Yes the ongoing case also involves locomotives but in this case we have three different contracts.' Mamothame says they initially wanted the accused persons to pay R200 000 bail each because of the seriousness of their charges. 'The amount of money involved in this matter is a lot and the charges are of a serious nature which could lead to a serious conviction at a later stage. The matter was postponed to the 6th of October for final investigations to be concluded.
News24
5 hours ago
- News24
Bushiri's former landlords demand R2.4 million over lease dispute
PPS Property Fund is pursuing fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri for R2.4 million in legal costs following a breach of lease agreement for his ECG church. Court action follows breach of lease agreement for his ECG church building. Bushiri fled to Malawi in 2020, violating bail conditions on criminal charges. Fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri faces fresh legal troubles as landlords of his controversial Enlightened Christian Gathering Church (ECG) building seek a writ of execution against his assets to recover R2.4 million in legal costs. PPS Property Fund has filed an application to compel Bushiri to pay the cost of the lawsuit following a breach of lease agreement dispute that has been unfolding before the Johannesburg High Court since May 2024. The dispute arose when the company initially approached the Master of the High Court in Johannesburg seeking a ruling to attach Bushiri's known property in Blue Hills after he could not pay more than R1 million when their lease agreement with him turned sour. This led to them obtaining a court order to wind up Bushiri's estate for breach of agreement, but the company is pursuing parallel actions for legal costs. Shepherd Bushiri shall be liable to pay the costs of the legal action without deduction or set-off and free of commission and bank costs as follows: consecutive monthly payments in the amount of no less than R2.4 million. Legal document In its initial application, the company stipulated that Bushiri failed to make payments and that this was a breach. 'Our endeavour to collect the undisputed indebtedness has a protracted history involving a variety of execution attempts, as well as diligent and persistent engagement with Shepherd Bushiri Ministries. As such, in an attempt to expedite resolution in the quest to avoid further proceedings or liquidation proceedings, all such attempts and engagement have proved to be of no avail,' reads the initial application. They further highlight that Bushiri was aware of the defaults that were communicated to him and of the process needed to remedy the situation. 'He is commercially insolvent insofar as he is unable to settle his debts to creditors as and when required to do so. The respondent is unable to make and conclude management decisions, as he is required to do. His conduct presents a total disregard for the interests of creditors and, particularly, the claim of the applicant as underlined in these proceedings. We have exhausted all reasonable attempts and efforts to engage him and provide him with a fair opportunity to settle his indebtedness towards us,' reads the document. The company also states that it seeks a winding-up of Bushiri's assets as a primary measure to recoup its losses. Bushiri and his wife, Mary, fled South Africa in 2020 while out on bail for numerous criminal charges. Despite being granted conditional release, they violated their bail terms and left the country under unclear circumstances. They were later located in Malawi, prompting South Africa to formally request their extradition.
News24
5 hours ago
- News24
Missing Cape Town baby found safe, 37-year-old woman arrested
A newborn baby boy has been found safe days after he was reported missing. He was kidnapped on Saturday in a mall in Bellville. Police have arrested a 37-year-old woman for kidnapping. A 12-day-old baby boy who was kidnapped at a mall in Bellville was found safe at a house in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, on Monday. Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said meticulous investigation and an analytical approach to information at the police's disposal led the team to an address in Honolulu Street, where they found the child 'and, in the process, detained a 37-year-old female for kidnapping'. She is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate's Court. It was previously reported that the mother of the then 9-day-old baby was at the shopping complex in Bellville when she became nauseous. 'She left the child in the care of a woman who was with her when she went to the bathroom. Upon her return the mother could not locate the woman and her baby,' said Van Wyk. The baby's grandmother, Nabilah Saghar, confirmed that the baby was found and said he was with his parents. 'There are no words to describe the happiness and relief we all feel right now. It's been a tough past few days for the family, but we are so grateful for the police's hard work in finding our little boy,' said Saghar. The baby's mother, Imaan Sharmar, was unavailable at the time of publication.
