Top 10 stories of the day: Lawyers stealing from trust funds
News today includes more than 500 cases in which lawyers are accused of stealing more than R1.4 billion of their clients' money from trust funds not being prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the EFF has proposed an 'apartheid tax' for people who inherited wealth during that era, instead of a VAT increase.
Furthermore, Netball South Africa appeared in front of the portfolio committee for the first time, just days after World Netball suspended Molokwane.
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Lawyers who steal: R1.4bn trust fund theft ignored
More than 500 cases in which lawyers are accused of stealing more than R1.4 billion of their clients' money from trust funds have not been prosecuted.
This was revealed by statistics recently released by the Legal Practice Fidelity Fund.
Picture: iStock
The figures show that 561 trust fund theft cases, in which lawyers allegedly stole R1.4 billion from clients, remain unprosecuted. They also revealed that only 59 convictions were made in seven years and just 25 resulted in jail time.
CONTINUE READING: Lawyers who steal: R1.4bn trust fund theft ignored
EFF calls for 'apartheid tax' counter instead of VAT hike [VIDEO]
As the battle over the value-added tax (VAT) hike plays out in the Western Cape High Court, the EFF has proposed an 'apartheid tax' for people who inherited wealth during that era.
Speaking to the media outside the court, EFF treasurer general Omphile Maotwe said other avenues could be taxed.
EFF Treasurer General, Commissar Omphile Maotwe, alongside Western Cape Convener Commissar Rebecca Mathibe and provincial leadership at the High Court. Pic: X/@EFFWesternCape_
'There's apartheid inheritance. Introduce an apartheid tax on everybody who inherited wealth in this country during apartheid, when you know what happened to our people.
'That will give you much more money than the R28 billion that you are looking for. But what is the easy target? The poor,' Maotwe said.
CONTINUE READING: EFF calls for 'apartheid tax' counter instead of VAT hike [VIDEO]
An 'embarrassment' and a 'mess': Netball SA taken to task by parliament
Netball South Africa (NSA) was raked through the coals on Tuesday by the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, with members of parliament criticising the federation for not taking action against its president, Cecilia Molokwane, and for lengthy delays in releasing audited financial reports.
The national netball body appeared in front of the portfolio committee for the first time, just days after World Netball suspended Molokwane.
Cecilia Molokwane, the Netball SA president, was suspended last week by World Netball. Picture: Lubabalo Lesolle/Gallo Images
'While we acknowledge the growth and achievements of netball in our country, we also emphasise the importance of good governance, principles and values,' said the portfolio committee chairperson, Joseph McGluwa.
CONTINUE READING: An 'embarrassment' and a 'mess': Netball SA taken to task by parliament
Second suspect identified as gunman in Wynberg court shooting
A second suspect has been identified in connection with the fatal shooting at Wynberg Magistrate's Court earlier this month.
The police are still conducting a manhunt for a third suspect, who is also believed to be a gunman, still at large.
A general view outside Wynberg Magistrate's Court on 16 January 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger/Theo Jeptha
Abubaker Adams, 24, was identified as the second suspect in the case. He appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Adams faces murder charges for his alleged role in the 5 April shooting that claimed the life of Dingalomoya Chintso.
CONTINUE READING: Second suspect identified as gunman in Wynberg court shooting
'ANC has chosen to push this VAT increase down the throats of South Africans'
The DA says it is confident in its court challenge of the 2025 budget, claiming that the framework passed by parliament earlier this month shows its coalition partner, the ANC, does not care about the poor.
The party and the EFF have both filed applications at the Western Cape High Court to interdict the budget.
Minister Ecnoch Godongwana delivering Budget 2025. Picture: GCIS
Speaking to The Citizen on Tuesday, DA spokesperson on finance Dr Mark Burke said its government of national unity (GNU) partner, the ANC, was forcing the budget on the country.
'The ANC has chosen to push this VAT increase down the throats of South Africans, and it has sought support outside of the partnership for this increase.'
CONTINUE READING: 'ANC has chosen to push this VAT increase down the throats of South Africans'
Here are five more stories of the day:
Yesterday's News recap
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EFF Councillor Mzubani Dambuza choked by security personnel inside the City Council Chambers. Image: Screengrab CHOKEHOLDS had already been banned in many law enforcement agencies even before the death of George Floyd, an expert noted, citing their inherent dangers and potential to cause death. However, City Speaker Felicity Purchase defended herself from criticism for ordering the removal of EFF councillor Mzubani Dambuza from Wednesday's council meeting, an incident that ended with Dambuza being violently restrained by security personnel and held in a chokehold on the ground. Graphic footage of the incident shows Dambuza appearing to lose consciousness for a moment, as fellow councillors scream for the aggression to stop. According to opposition parties, Dambuza's alleged assault came after he 'dared to ask a question', GOOD councillor Roscoe Palm said. Dambuza has since approached police, who are investigating a case of assault. 'This office can confirm that an assault common case was registered at Cape Town Central SAPS for investigation following an altercation between security personnel and the victim, Wednesday, 30 July 2025. Investigations continue, no arrest has been made,' said police spokesperson, FC Van Wyk. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Purchase has defended her actions saying Dambuza was repeatedly instructed to desist from his disruptive behaviour, to resume his seat, and was given ample opportunity to comply voluntarily. 'As a result of Dambuza's continued non-compliance, I requested the Acting City Manager to facilitate Councillor Dambuza's removal from the chamber, in accordance with Rule 30.2. "Following this, Cllr. Dambuza, along with members of the EFF caucus, not only persisted in their disruptive conduct but also actively obstructed the efforts of designated peace officers to restore order. Their actions culminated in an attempt to prevent the enforcement of Council Rules through physical obstruction. "Due to the severity and persistence of this conduct, and physical harm inflicted upon some of the designated peace officers, I was compelled to adjourn the sitting and temporarily reconvene the Council meeting in the Banqueting Hall. This decision was taken to allow for the removal of all disruptive EFF councillors from both the chamber and the broader precinct, thereby ensuring that Council could proceed with its mandated business," said Purchase. The incident has raised concerns about the use of force, particularly the dangers of chokeholds, which carry a risk of death. George Floyd was killed in 2020 when a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes while he lay face down in handcuffs. The City did not respond directly to questions on what training security personnel received and if the chokehold was part of this. 'The City is aware of recent events during the Council meeting and notes the related footage circulating on social media. We are reviewing the matter carefully to gain a comprehensive understanding of the context. The City remains committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment that upholds the principles of democratic engagement,' the City said. Dr Lennit Max, former police commissioner of the Western Cape said as was proven in the Floyd case, the risk of killing someone is very high when using a neck choke. 'Law enforcement that includes police and security, the use of force is regulated by section 39 and section 49.2 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Were those security guys entitled to use force? Those regulations regulate that use of force. First they have to request them to (leave) voluntarily, if not the security must take the necessary steps and that includes the use of force. "There's three requirements, force use must be necessary, it must be reasonable and it must be proportional. If the person resists as in this case, they can use force to remove that person from the chamber but if you use a neck choke and you are not trained in applying that. You must be trained otherwise you can kill that person. They were obliged by instruction of the speaker to remove that person, apparently the person refused to leave the chamber, so they were prompted to use force. "The neck choke is very dangerous because it cuts off your oxygen to your brain. They have to explain if that was necessary, was that the only reasonable force they could apply? Although the law empowered law enforcement to use force in certain circumstances, the onus is on law enforcement to prove that the method they use was necessary, reasonable and proportionate to the threat they faced. Your force must not be more dangerous than what you need to apply in the circumstances,' Max said. Policing and social conflict specialist Eldred de Klerk said chokeholds have pretty much been outlawed in law enforcement, as there has been extensive research on the dangers. 'It is dangerous, there is no discussion or debate that chokeholds have been outlawed in law enforcement for a long time. South Africa is supposed to be following international best practice. All our jurisprudence is predicated on our constitution and our national law. But it should be cognizant and informed by international standards and best practice especially when it comes to law enforcement. 'The question should be asked: are we letting our officers down because we are not setting clear expectations from them as to what should happen. Are we intolerant of people (who cause) disruption and therefore we are demanding from our law enforcement security personnel this 'I can do' attitude, where they are supposed to act in any circumstances regardless of the consequences. We (are) letting them down if that is our expectation. Thirdly what is to say of the culture of our meetings, are they so toxic that we cannot tolerate disruption that we feel we need to subdue. 'If that person fainted or passed out for any length of time, the law enforcement officer could be criminally liable themselves. There are different arrest procedures, different procedures to suppress or deal with an overly aggressive suspect or somebody who confronts you. The difficulty I have in terms of the use of force, like the legislation says any use of force must be proportionate, it must be necessary because the danger that is confronted is imminent.' Cape Times
