Latest news with #KwaZuluNatal
The Herald
20 hours ago
- The Herald
Bail denied for Jayden-Lee Meek's mother
The court dismissed suggestions that the police investigation was flawed, stating Meek failed to present compelling evidence to prove the state's case was weak or non-existent. The court noted several contradictions in Meek's version of events, including her omission that she returned to the flat early on May 14. Security guard occurrence book records contradicted her statement that she only returned to change clothes and leave for the police station, only to find that she left without changing her clothes. 'The applicant has shown she has the ability to defeat or obstruct the administration of justice by causing other persons to be suspected and attempting to stage the crime scene,' the magistrate read. Referring to the online petition and public outrage after Meek's arrest, the court found her release would 'undermine the public peace and security' and incentivise her to flee the province. Meek had rented the Fleurhof flat for only two months at the time of her son's murder. During her bail pleadings she said she wanted to relocate to KwaZulu-Natal to stay with her father pending trial. The father does not have a lease agreement at his address. 'In the absence of a fixed address and considering the seriousness of the charges, the applicant remains a flight risk,' the magistrate ruled. Meek will remain in custody until the trial is set to start in September. TimesLIVE
News24
21 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Madlanga inquiry's six-month investigation to cost R147.9m
Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to investigate allegations of criminal infiltration into the SA justice system. Madlanga says the inquiry has already started its work, but needs to procure building space and internet reporting capacity before it can hold public hearings. The justice department has confirmed it is responsible for that procurement process. Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga's inquiry into KwaZulu-Natal police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations of criminal infiltration into the South African justice system has an estimated budget R147.9 million over a six-month period. That budget was confirmed by Department of Justice and Constitutional Development spokesperson Terence Manase on Tuesday, after Madlanga referred all queries about the budget to the department. 'Regarding your specific enquiry, we can confirm that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is responsible for the procurement process for services for the Commission in consultation with the Commission Chairperson and Secretary,' Manase told News24. 'Due to the timeframes, the department has applied for a deviation from standard procurement processes with the National Treasury for the Madlanga Commission and awaiting feedback. 'The estimated budget for the commission over a six-month period is R147.9 million'. On Monday, Madlanga announced that his inquiry had already started its work, but that it still needed to procure a building and internet reporting capacity before it could hold public hearings. He also announced that some of South Africa's most highly regarded advocates would be part of the team that aims to get to the bottom of Mkhwanazi's claims. This is a developing story.
The Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Urgent calls for KZN Cogta MEC to restore order in troubled KwaDukuza municipality
Opposition parties in the KwaDukuza municipality have blamed its governance crisis on internal conflicts within the ANC and are calling on KwaZulu-Natal Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi to step in. The north coast-based municipality has been plagued by reports of instability and a potential collapse since the ANC removed Lindile Nhaca as mayor in a no-confidence vote in December 2024. Nhaca's removal came after her fallout with the party's then-provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo. She was replaced by Muzi Ngidi, who didn't last long either, before being forced out of the mayoral office by the party earlier this month, along with deputy mayor Njabulo Cele. Ngidi had only been in office for eight months when the ANC's provincial task team (PTT) co-ordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu announced he had also been recalled after a controversial tenure that had included allegations of corruption, misuse of municipal vehicles and excessive security expenses. The PTT announced that the two would also be liable to pay a portion of the money that the municipality spent on Ngidi's vehicle hire during their tenure. The two were retained in their respective positions until the party and its coalition partners elected their replacements to ensure 'continuity'. The DA and ActionSA in the council have since highlighted the impact that those actions and internal disputes in the ANC have had on the municipality. Privi Makhan, DA caucus leader, pointed to Ngidi's continued spell in office -despite his official recall — while his party looks for a replacement as the cause of the leadership uncertainty within the municipality, which has led to last-minute cancellations of portfolio committee and EXCO meetings. That has undermined the legislative functions of the council and is affecting service delivery, he said. 'Caretaker mayor Ngidi however appears exceedingly content to play the role of ceremonial figurehead, attending public events and persevering with his handshaking exercises, while refusing to take political responsibility for the legislative crisis unfolding under his watch. It has become increasingly clear that between him and his cabal, he remains hell-bent on collapsing the municipality, which is reminiscent of his eight-month tenure in office,' said Makhan. 'KwaDukuza is not a pawn in the ANC's internal political games. Communities are being denied basic services, as a result of Ngidi's disdain for a decision made by his own movement. 'This political circus, created and sustained by the ANC, must come to an end. KwaDukuza needs stable, accountable leadership, not more chaos driven by internal ANC dysfunction.' He called on Buthelezi to intervene to ensure stability in the municipality. ActionSA councillor Halalisani Ndlovu expressed similar sentiments. Ndlovu wrote a letter to the department requesting an urgent intervention in the 'ongoing collapse of governance and oversight' in KwaDukuza. She said her main cause for concern was the collapse of the financial and local public administration and human resources (FLPA) committee, which oversees critical functions like expenditure monitoring, procurement and budget implementation as per the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). 'The committee last met on June 4 . Since then, no meetings have been convened to consider matters for June or July. The July 25 meeting was abruptly postponed with no explanation or alternative date provided. The next scheduled sitting is only on August 20, meaning three consecutive months of oversight will be lost,' she said. 'This is a dereliction of duty that threatens the very integrity of the municipality's governance and financial accountability.' She added that executive directors had also missed committee meetings, often without formal apologies or explanations, which have added to the crisis within the committee. 'This reflects a blatant disregard for institutional responsibilities and the accountability obligations of senior officials. 'As a result, oversight over the municipality's finances has collapsed. Our fiduciary duty as councillors and members of the finance committee to monitor procurement and performance processes has ground to a halt, and the public interest is being severely undermined.' Ndlovu said Ngidi served as a chairperson for the FLPA committee, and the uncertainty around him and the mayoral position was at the centre of this crisis. TimesLIVE
The Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald
ActionSA demands apology after Macpherson allegedly calls black people 'hobos'
ActionSA has expressed concern about DA KwaZulu-Natal chair Dean Macpherson after he allegedly referred to a group of black people as 'hobos' during recent court proceedings in Pietermaritzburg. The DA and ActionSA took the city to the Durban High Court over a sewage problem on Thursday and things turned sour between the two parties. According to IOL, Macpherson allegedly told a reporter that ActionSA provincial chairperson Zwakele Mncwango had denied calling the police to disperse 'hobos', which he claimed ActionSA had recruited to come to the court to pose as its members while picketing. In a letter written to Macpherson, Mncwango said using the word 'hobos' to refer to black people is 'deeply offensive and dehumanising'. 'Whether or not this term was used with racial intent, the impact of your words cannot be separated from the painful racial history of South Africa,' Mncwango said. 'Referring to a group of predominantly Black South Africans using a term historically associated with poverty, disposability and social worthlessness is not only deeply offensive, it is dehumanising. 'In a country still grappling with the scars of apartheid, where the dignity of black people was systematically stripped for decades, language like this is more than an insult — it's a racial affront.' He said it sends a message that black people can be reduced to derogatory labels when politically opposed. 'Even if you did not mean harm, the effect of your words and actions have caused real pain and reinforced racial hierarchies that many of us are fighting to dismantle. 'Dismissing ActionSA members — who are citizens, voters, and human beings — as hobos based on their appearance or political alignment is undignified, unacceptable and racist.' The party condemned Macpherson's conduct during the court proceedings, where he allegedly instructed black DA leaders to vacate their front-row seats for white and Indian members. Mncwango called on Macpherson to issue a public apology. Failure to do so would confirm that he accepted the label of being called a racist, Mncwango said. 'It is clear that you are obsessed with ActionSA and its leadership. While I do not mind your political fixation on the party, I will never accept racism against black people in any form, whether subtle or overt.' TimesLIVE
The Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Commission of inquiry begins its work, sets consultation with Mkhwanazi
The commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system has commenced in earnest and a consultation with KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is imminent. Chair of the commission acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga said on Monday the first consultation will help inform the commission what further information the commission should follow up on. 'We are mindful of the fact that South Africa is eager to see the first witness in the witness stand. We are also keen to see that happen. That said, the fact that Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi made the allegations does not make us ready to start hearing evidence immediately,' Madlanga said. He said there needed to be consultations and assessment of information the commission gathers. 'This may entail further consultations.' Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa established the commission of inquiry to look into the explosive allegations by Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi accused police minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering with police investigations and of overstepping his role when he ordered the disbandment of the political killings task team . Madlanga said the commission expected the hearings would start during August. 'What we consider to be of importance to the public is the question of lodgement with the commission by members of the public of information that is considered to be relevant to what the commission is investigating.' Madlanga said the procurement process to secure a building in Gauteng was under way. 'The public will be advised of the premises and online facility where there can be lodgement of information as soon as the question of procurement has been finalised, which I trust will be soon. Hearings will be in Gauteng.' Madlanga, who will be assisted by co-commissioners Sesi Baloyi SC and Sandile Khumalo SC said the lack of infrastructure did not affect the progress on the work of the commission. He said professionals to assist the commission had been appointed. T he commission has appointed Dr Nolitha Vukuza as secretary and Terry Motau SC as chief evidence leader. It has also appointed several other evidence leaders. 'The entities and people that we must investigate are the SAPS, metro police of the three metros in Gauteng, the National Prosecuting Authority, the State Security Agency, the judiciary, correctional services and any institution in the criminal justice system. 'These entities and people are to be investigated in relation to infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates.' Madlanga said by the end of the three months, the commission wanted to be in a position to submit an interim report to the president and make recommendations regarding concrete action needed to be taken. He said the rules of the commission would be published in due course. The public will have access to the commission and proceedings will be live-streamed. He said there was litigation brought before the Constitutional Court challenging the establishment of the commission. 'We will abide by the decision made by the court.' Madlanga said it was early days to determine how many witnesses would be called. The first consultation would give the commission an idea of grounds that needed to be covered. 'But even after the first consultation, we will not be able to be in a position to say how many witnesses the commission is able to hear. TimesLIVE
