Latest news with #CityPress
The Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Macpherson halts EPWP funds to Free State municipality amid 'political gains'
Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has suspended expanded public works programme (EPWP) funds to the Matjhabeng municipality in the Free State pending investigations into alleged politically connected individuals receiving inflated salaries through the programme. City Press reported the municipality's EPWP pays inflated salaries to former councillors and sitting political office bearers, with others earning more than R31,000 a month — 10 times more than the average EPWP stipend. The EPWP provides unemployed individuals, especially youth, with temporary employment opportunities while equipping them with skills to be employable. Participants receive a stipend. Macpherson said the programme was not a 'vehicle for patronage'. 'The EPWP is an essential lifeline for many in communities around the country, including in Matjhabeng, and it would be unacceptable if any politician or official is found to have used the programme for personal benefit,' he said.
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Macpherson halts EPWP funds to Free State municipality amid 'political gains'
Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has suspended expanded public works programme (EPWP) funds to the Matjhabeng municipality in the Free State pending investigations into alleged politically connected individuals receiving inflated salaries through the programme. City Press reported the municipality's EPWP pays inflated salaries to former councillors and sitting political office bearers, with others earning more than R31,000 a month — 10 times more than the average EPWP stipend. The EPWP provides unemployed individuals, especially youth, with temporary employment opportunities while equipping them with skills to be employable. Participants receive a stipend. Macpherson said the programme was not a 'vehicle for patronage'. 'The EPWP is an essential lifeline for many in communities around the country, including in Matjhabeng, and it would be unacceptable if any politician or official is found to have used the programme for personal benefit,' he said.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Public Works Minister takes action against alleged political abuse in Matjhabeng's EPWP
EPWP payments frozen in Matjhabeng amid claims of councillors receiving over R31,000 monthly; Minister vows to root out corruption and restore the programme's core purpose. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has halted all Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) fund transfers to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. This comes after a City Press investigation revealed that the municipality's EPWP payroll is allegedly being used to pay inflated salaries, over R31,000 per month , to former councillors and current political office bearers, more than ten times the average EPWP stipend. Macpherson said the EPWP was never meant to serve as a vehicle for political patronage, but rather to provide short-term, skills-based work opportunities to unemployed South Africans. He has now instructed the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to suspend all transfers to the municipality until a formal investigation is completed.
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Disbanded police task team ‘tried to arrest Mchunu and Sibiya'
A month before Mchunu instructed the unit should be closed, it had reportedly begun working on arresting Sibiya. The task team at the centre of a fight between 'on leave' Senzo Mchunu and KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi had reportedly tried to arrest the police minister and deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. Mchunu instructed national police commissioner Fannie Masemola to disband the political killing task team in December 2024, suggesting that it did not add value to policing. However, a month before the closure instructions were given, it had reportedly begun working on arresting Sibiya. City Press sources within the security cluster said task team members had approached prosecutors in Gauteng and later Mpumalanga to secure a warrant of arrest. 'Last month, the police members who were travelling in a Mercedes-Benz V-class Kombi tried to obtain an arrest warrant from the director of public prosecutions for both Sibiya and Mchunu but were turned away. They were told that there was insufficient evidence that warranted arrest,' a source told the paper. Masemola confirmed earlier this month that he had not acted on the order to disband the unit, while it is unclear if his deputy, Sibiya, had done so on his behalf. In explosive allegations two weeks ago, Mkhwanazi claimed the task team had been shut down due to political interference and alleged that top police officials, including Mchunu, were linked to dodgy businessmen and alleged criminal syndicates. Mchunu denied these allegations and a judicial commission of inquiry has been established to investigate the claims. The minister and Sibiya have been placed on special leave amid the allegations. Mchunu was defiant on Friday, telling ANC supporters that black generals in the police had been placed there by the ANC, and suggesting they should be grateful to the party for their positions. 'The ANC appointed black generals so that we also have generals in the army and in the police. They should not trample on this opportunity they were given by the ANC,' Mchunu said. 'They got this opportunity through blood and sweat. There are those who deserved to wear those mantles and camouflage uniforms, but they are dead and they never got that opportunity. They died in the struggle. ALSO READ: MK party takes Ramaphosa to ConCourt over Mchunu special leave decision 'That will be the end of all of us' Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Mchunu also warned against a person acting as both accuser and judge. 'The day South Africa allows one person, whoever it is, to suspect someone and then investigate them, and then become a prosecutor, and then a judge, and issue a verdict all in one place. That would be the direct reversal of what the struggle for justice is about. 'That will be the end of all of us in the country,' he said. Mchunu said the justice system allowed allegations to be made, but had a system in place to test the claims and for the accused to defend themselves. 'It is fair to wait for the commission to deliberate. I support what the president decided. It is fair and square.' Mchunu 'not immune' from prosecution Ramaphosa's decision to place Mchunu on special leave has sparked fierce debate, with the MK party taking the matter to court and calling for the minister to be fired. ALSO READ: MK party takes Ramaphosa to ConCourt over Mchunu special leave decision There are also concerns that while he is on leave, Mchunu's influence in the police may impede the investigation. Parliament's legal advisor, advocate Andile Tetyana, said on Wednesday that Mchunu's leave did not grant him immunity. 'Minister Mchunu is not clothed with legal immunity by virtue of him being on special leave. We know for a fact now that he will be a material witness in the work of the commission and should criminal misconduct be found on his part, he will be charged and prosecuted,' he told parliament on Wednesday. Ramaphosa has defended his decision, saying punitive action against Mchunu would set a dangerous precedent. 'These allegations are serious. They are also untested. 'It is therefore necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible and thorough process so that we can ensure accountability and safeguard public confidence in the police service,' he said in Parliament this week. NOW READ: 'Get your popcorn factory ready' — McKenzie willing to testify at the commission into Mkhwanazi allegations
News24
06-07-2025
- News24
PSL boss spends weekend behind bars due to domestic violence allegations
A PSL official has been arrested and charged with domestic violence after allegedly slapping a 27-year-old woman during an argument at their Kempton Park apartment on 28 June. However, the alleged victim has denied the incident and claims she doesn't know the manager, despite police confirming the assault case. A top PSL official is embroiled in a domestic violence scandal following an assault case opened against him by a 27-year-old woman believed to be his girlfriend. The official allegedly slapped the woman, whose name is known to City Press, after an argument at their apartment in Kempton Park on 28 June. City Press understands that the official was arrested on Friday, days after the matter was reported to the Sebenza Police Station. A police officer close to the case, who asked to remain anonymous because he is not allowed to speak to the media, said the official was being held at the Modderbee Correctional Centre until his first court appearance on Monday. They live together in an apartment and when the argument took place, the woman alleges that he physically assaulted her by slapping her. She declared in her police statement that this was the first time he ever hit her since their relationship began. Police source Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the case and that he would be appearing in court on Monday. 'That is a common assault case related to domestic violence. The suspect is expected to appear in court on 7 July.' City Press could not reach the official for comment, but the woman denied that the incident took place or that she had opened a criminal case. She even disputed knowing the official: 'This is the first [time] I've heard of it.' However, according to the police source, the woman has been trying to have the charges dropped.
