Latest news with #Madonsela
Saba Yemen
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
South African official: "Israel" defies Intel courts as Gaza crisis deepens
The Hague – Saba: South Africa's ambassador to the Netherlands Vusi Madonsela on Tuesday condemned Israel's continued actions that reinforce occupation and amount to genocide in the Gaza Strip, despite advisory opinions and provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) compelling Tel Aviv to abide by international laws designed to protect human rights. In a press interview, Madonsela stated that the situation in Gaza has significantly worsened since South Africa filed its genocide case against 'Israel" at the ICJ. He noted that "Israel" has shown no willingness to comply with the Court's provisional measures, according to the official Palestinian news agency. 'We believe South Africa's decision to approach the International Court of Justice was the right one. The situation at the time was grave, but it has since deteriorated even further. This reinforces the justification for seeking immediate provisional measures in the first place,' he said. The ambassador emphasized that "Israel" has disregarded the ICJ's advisory opinion calling for its full withdrawal from the occupied territories within one year. 'We see no indication that Israel is preparing to comply,' he added. Madonsela also criticized "Israel" for turning humanitarian aid distribution into a 'deadly trap,' in clear defiance of the Court's measures. 'The mechanisms Israel has adopted for aid distribution are wholly inconsistent with the provisional measures declared by the Court last year,' he said. Commenting on Israel's proposal to turn Rafah, in southern Gaza, into a so-called 'humanitarian city' where displaced Palestinians are forced to remain, Madonsela said: 'What is being labeled as a humanitarian camp is, in our view, nothing more than a detention facility. It starkly contradicts the advisory opinion opposing the occupation.' Since October 7, 2023, with U.S. and European backing, Israeli forces have continued committing acts of genocide in Gaza. As of today, these attacks have killed 58,479 Palestinian civilians, the majority of them children and women, and left 139,355 others wounded, according to non-final figures. Thousands more remain trapped under the rubble or in areas unreachable by rescue teams. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
News24
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Connie Ferguson warns against scammers using her name – ‘Be vigilant!'
Media mogul Connie Ferguson has warned her followers about scammers impersonating her online. The fraudsters are using her identity to trick people into 'investing' money or sending them cash. Ferguson says she's the latest celebrity to fall victim to this type of identity theft and has urged her followers not to fall prey to these scams. In a series of photos and videos, Connie shared details of how scammers are targeting people using her identity. She revealed that she first received a call from someone claiming to be her. When she searched the caller's number on TrueCaller, it showed up under the name 'Madonsela.' The imposter then attempted to video call her to 'prove' their identity by using one of Connie's videos from social media. Read more | Mkhokha star Deli Malinga steps away from acting to pursue business ventures In response, she issued a stern warning to her followers. 'Scammers are doing the most! Be vigilant! I do not offer any investment opportunity in business! Thieves are [using] AI now to convince you that they are whoever they say they are!' she warned. 'Do not easily part with money you worked so hard for! If it's too good to be true, it usually is! Have you never asked yourself why they are the ones who always have to call you, and you can't call them back? Don't be manipulated into losing your common sense because times are hard. Again, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Connie Ferguson (@connie_ferguson)
IOL News
06-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The Legacy of State Capture: ANC's Struggle with Corruption and Trust
Former Chief Justice and State Capture Commission Chair Raymond Zondo hands over the Commission's final report report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on June 22, 2022. The Phala Phala matter made a mockery of the President's promise to end corruption, says the writer. Image: Oupa Mokoena/African News Agency(ANA) Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu Advocate Thuli Madonsela made history when she penned report No. 6 of 2016/17 titled 'The state of capture', which has since been referred to as 'State Capture'. This was an investigation into alleged improper and unethical conduct by then-President Jacob Zuma and other state functionaries relating to what was said to be improper involvement of the Gupta family in the removal and appointment of Ministers and Directors of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Penning the Executive Summary, Madonsela stated that 'State of Capture' is my report in terms of section 182(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and section 3(1) of the Executive Members Ethics Act and section 8(1) of the Public Protector Act, 1994.' The sections cited by Madonsela were relevant. They demonstrated her understanding of the Constitutional imperative which guided her in executing her mandate. However, there was a concern that section 84(f) of the Constitution was flouted when Madonsela recommended that the Chairperson of the commission should be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, not the sitting President. Section 84 talks about the powers and functions of a sitting President. Section 84(f) states that the President is responsible for 'appointing commissions of inquiry.' It does not envisage a situation whereby the chairperson of the commission should be appointed by someone else. Anyway, that is a discussion for the legal fraternity, especially those who specialise in Constitutional Law. What is of interest in this article is to reflect on the report. Madonsela submitted it, yet not all her recommendations have been implemented. The question is, why? Almost ten years down the line, a few questions arise which might shed light on the question above. Firstly, was there the capture of the state by then President Zuma and other functionaries, or was this a political ploy to hide the reality by tarnishing his public image? Secondly, did the Gupta family come into the picture only in 2009 when Zuma ascended to the Presidency of the country? If they were already there, what role did they play in the ANC, in government and SOEs? Thirdly, with the Guptas having left the country, did corruption end in South Africa, in the ANC and government? Fourthly, if there was a 'state of capture', why has prosecution taken a snail's pace, and what role does the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) play? Fifthly and lastly, will the ANC succeed in ridding itself of the impact of corruption and trust deficit between itself and the electorate as discussed in Madonsela's report? 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Regarding the first question, it depends on who provides the answer. To some, the answer is in the affirmative. They usually cite incidents such as the Nkandla gate. However, they fail to acknowledge that Zuma was already renovating his home using Minenhle Makhanya as his architect. They also overlook the role played by the security cluster, which was responsible for installing security features at Zuma's home. Fikile Mbalula, the current Secretary-General of the ANC, is on record saying that the ANC deliberately lied to the nation when it instructed Nathi Nhleko to state that the swimming pool at Zuma's homestead was a fire pool. The question is: how many other lies were manufactured behind closed doors? Did the Guptas have anything to do with that? These questions lead to the view shared by some that there was never any capture of the state by a few. There was corruption then as there is corruption now! On the second question, there is no debate that Zuma found the Guptas already embedded in the ANC. His predecessors interacted with this family in different contexts. Perhaps what changed under Zuma is that the Gupta brothers were more influential in making certain decisions. Surely, some of the allegations made against them remain just that – allegations, because they never presented their side of the story. The answer to the third question is an emphatic no! South Africa is not free from corruption, long after Madonsela's report was submitted. Even President Cyril Ramaphosa promised 'The New Dawn' and to correct the wrongs of the so-called 'nine wasted years' under Zuma, whom he deputised both in the ANC and in government. The Phala Phala matter made a mockery of the President's promise to end corruption. Although state institutions cleared him of any wrongdoing, the stigma remains. Nationally, statistics paint a bleak picture about ending corruption. The fourth question is even more important. Some money has been recovered, which is good. The NPA has understandably claimed victories. But it would be foolhardy to praise the fish for swimming. The NPA staff did what is expected of them. There is still more work to be done. Sadly, in some instances, the accusations do not seem to stick. This raises questions on whether there were cases against certain individuals in the first place or if there was character assassination for political expediency. The last question talks to the ANC, which has been the governing party since 1994 until May 2024. Historically, it is in the culture of the ANC to embrace 'collective responsibility'. It was intriguing when, suddenly, some ANC members (including those in leadership positions) claimed innocence or told the Zondo Commission that they were scared to stop corruption. This was a lame excuse.
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- The Citizen
Legal Practice Council administrator accused of corruption loses Labour Court bid
Judge says disciplinary hearing against Zandile Madonsela, accused of colluding with attorneys, can go ahead An employee of the Legal Practice Council (LPC), accused of being involved in an 'elaborate and corrupt scheme' with attorneys, has failed in her bid to stop disciplinary proceedings against her. Johannesburg Labour Court Judge Edwin Tlhotlhalemaje, in a recent ruling, said it was clear that Zandile Madonsela was doing everything possible to frustrate the disciplinary process. She is accused of working with attorneys to falsify their audits and provide them with Fidelity Fund certificates and Certificates of Good Standing. Judge Tlhotlhalemaje said courts could only intervene in incomplete disciplinary proceedings in the most exceptional cases and dismissed her urgent application, ordering Madonsela to pay the LPC's costs. ALSO READ: Lawyers who steal: R1.4bn trust fund theft ignored Madonsela had been employed by the LPC in its Gauteng offices as an administrator in the Risk and Assessment Department since 2019. After receiving an anonymous tip-off, the LPC began an internal investigation which resulted in disciplinary proceedings against Madonsela and others who were accused of colluding with attorneys and taking money in exchange for falsifying audits and issuing the certificates. Madonsela was charged with fraud and falsifying documents used in the 'corrupt scheme' with attorneys. Before pleading to the charges, Madonsela launched urgent court proceedings seeking to have the disciplinary proceedings declared unlawful and a breach of her employment contract. She also argued that the LPC was in breach of a settlement agreement in terms of which it had been agreed that the disciplinary process against her would be terminated in exchange for her providing information to assist with the ongoing investigation. ALSO READ: 'They should be embarrassed': Mpofu slams charges as disciplinary hearing postponed Referring to the history of the matter, Judge Tlhotlhalemaje said the disciplinary hearing had been stalled several times with Madonsela's legal representatives demanding to see further documents, and then a claim that she was sick. Her legal representatives then told the LPC that she had evidence that implicated other employees involved in the scheme. The LPC said if she provided credible information, not already within the LPC's possession or knowledge, the disciplinary hearing would still proceed against her but should she be found guilty, the LPC would ask for a lesser sanction than dismissal. Judge Tlhotlhalemaje said it was not disputed that even though Madonsela had been suspended, she had been granted access to her office and her computer and emails to print the information she had promised. However, according to the LPC, this information was of no value to its investigation and Madonsela was informed that the hearing would proceed in early April 2025. In response, Madonsela's legal representatives then cast aspersions on the impartiality of the chairperson and said the hearing should be permanently stayed. When the LPC refused this request, she launched the urgent application in the labour court. Judge Tlhotlhalemaje agreed with the LPC that the urgency was self-created and she had only approached the court 'when the penny dropped' that the disciplinary hearing was going to proceed. He said in light of this, he could strike the matter off the roll. However, he felt compelled to 'dispose of it finally', to prevent it being re-enrolled on the ordinary roll, unnecessarily. He said an 'extremely high threshold' had been set for a court's intervention in ongoing disciplinary hearings. Read the judgment here. 'The rationale behind this stringent approach is that the court should respect employers' prerogative to institute disciplinary proceedings and should be wary of unwarranted intrusion. 'It has been repeatedly stated that this court should not be regarded as the first port of call and the court must equally guard against the abuse of its own processes by employees whose primary objectives are not noble but merely intended to frustrate internal disciplinary processes in order to escape from having to answer to allegations of serious misconduct,' Judge Tlhotlhalemaje said. He said the grounds raised by Madonsela were not exceptional and were 'utter red herrings'. ALSO READ: More than 100 legal practitioners struck off the roll He said the suggestion that the LPC was in breach of a settlement agreement was 'ludicrous'. The LPC director had refused to sanction the agreement because the information Madonsela had provided was of no value. 'The idea that there was an intention to terminate the disciplinary hearing is a figment of (Madonsela's) imagination. The proceedings were merely suspended.' Judge Tlhotlhalemaje said Madonsela did not have a right not to be subjected to an internal disciplinary hearing, especially given the gravity of the allegations against her and the implications, to the extent that the charges are proven, for the integrity and reputation of the LPC and the legal profession. Regarding the issue of costs, the judge said while Madonsela claimed to be 'a simple administrator', she had been legally assisted from the start by a team including a senior counsel, which pointed to the fact that she could afford to pay costs. 'The fact remains that this application, which was brought on an extremely urgent basis, was ill-considered and misconceived, causing the LPC costs and inconvenience,' he said, dismissing the urgent application with costs. This article was republished from GroundUp under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here. NOW READ: Police can't say why they let an alleged rapist off the hook
