Latest news with #Maile
IOL News
13 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Gauteng government lost R300 million to ghost workers, says MEC Maile
Gauteng Finance MEC, Lebogang Maile, said Gauteng government was owed about R300 million paid to ghost workers. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Gauteng provincial government is owed about R300 million 'mistakenly paid' to ghost workers who either retired, resigned, or deceased, according to Finance MEC, Lebogang Maile, who said 'it's not a huge problem' but rather 'isolated incidents'. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday, Maile attributed the financial loss to the government's payroll system not being linked to the Department of Home Affairs. This gap, he said, has allowed payments to continue long after employees have left the public service. 'The system for instance is not linked to home affairs. If someone passes on, the system will not know until we are made aware, once we are made aware, we will act immediately. But it's not a huge problem. So it's isolated cases. 'I think we're out about 300 million for such... Yes [It is a lot of money], but over a period of time. There's no little money in public government,' he said. However, Maile said they have resolved to have a panel of experts to help collect or recover the money. According to him, this would be much needed to finance education, the road infrastructure and service delivery-related services. 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 ✕ The provincial government has been battling with paying ghost workers. Earlier this year, IOL reported that the Gauteng Department of Health had to freeze the salaries of 66 employees who failed to verify their employment status. This was through the department's Ziveze (Reveal Yourself) campaign, launched in October 2024, designed to eradicate ghost workers from its payroll system amid growing concerns over wasteful expenditure. "We have limited resources at our disposal and cannot afford to waste money on ghost employees while hundreds of healthcare workers are looking for employment and thousands of people require access to healthcare services," said Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. IOL Politics
Techday NZ
6 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
telDev launches MVNO platform with One New Zealand for market growth
telDev has delivered a new MVNO platform for One New Zealand, enabling the telecommunications operator to expand its mobile virtual network operator services across the country. The Auckland-based software firm confirmed it has developed and deployed the Reseller Platform - its most significant project to date - for One New Zealand, the country's largest telecommunications operator. According to telDev, the Reseller Platform is designed to allow third-party retail brands and niche providers to enter the mobile market without needing to build their own network infrastructure. This empowers a diverse range of companies to offer mobile services under their own brand using One New Zealand's network and resources. Chief Strategy Officer Aksana Rusakova explained the impact of the technology and its flexibility for non-telecommunications businesses: "Think, say JW Pei or Maile or Sandy Liang decide to start offering mobile services to all their retail customers, in addition to all the fashionable items that they sell. This platform can also enhance MVNO onboarding and management, giving a telecommunications operator and its partners the agility to introduce new products and services in real-time, as well as handle billing management and market demand adaptation through third-party integrations." "Last but not least, telDev Platform's open architecture allows MVNOs to integrate their own systems using API-based access to a telco's core network." The platform was developed in partnership with Matrixx Software, a specialist in billing software solutions. It handles high transaction volumes with low latency, which, according to telDev, provides smaller brands the market opportunity to compete on a more even footing. The Reseller Platform also includes automated provisioning, self-service dashboards, and real-time customer insights, developed to streamline management processes for MVNO partners. Rusakova emphasised the broader significance of the new platform in terms of market opportunity: "The platform is a total game-changer for smaller brands, letting them compete without needing their own huge infrastructure This is truly revolutionary for the Telco industry." Among the stated benefits of the Reseller Platform are faster market entry for businesses, the ability for brands to bypass lengthy and complicated setup procedures, and a reduction in operational costs due to the provision of essential tools and infrastructure from the outset. The system is designed to be scalable, supporting customer growth without new investments in underlying infrastructure. Customer experience is another area the platform aims to address. The company stated that telDev's Reseller provides an enhanced, customer-centric website and mobile apps, as well as sophisticated support ticketing and customised mobile service plans tailored to the needs of the target audience. Other features are said to include flexibility in service offerings and a comprehensive support system to address subscriber inquiries efficiently. The scalability of the platform enables businesses to focus on development while the underlying technical infrastructure grows in tandem with their subscriber base. telDev's team has indicated their aim to introduce the platform to international markets following its New Zealand launch. Rusakova said the team is now engaged in tender processes and commercial discussions with telecommunications operators across Japan, Australia, Singapore and Europe. Follow us on: Share on:
The Star
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
GLB commission of inquiry into corruption is just for show, while solutions are readily available
Mike Moriarty | Published 56 minutes ago The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is not fooled by the Committee of Inquiry set up by the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, into the affairs of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB). Maile established this committee to obscure evident corruption that has escalated within the GLB for many years. The sins of the GLB are obvious, and the solution is readily available. GLB's incompetence can be addressed through retooling its business processes. Its corruption can be purged through forensic investigation and ruthless prosecution of those guilty. On Sunday, 15 June 2025, MEC Maile announced the appointment of a 15-member committee of inquiry to investigate the affairs of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB). This committee has been tasked with probing allegations of corruption, bribery, and the long processing times for liquor licenses within the board. He also announced the dismissal of five GLB personnel. However, it is understood that these dismissals took place long before the announcement was made. In truth, the GLB is a small portion of what the Gauteng Provincial Government does. Its budget of R80 million is tiny compared to the overall budget of R1.6 billion in Maile's Department of Economic Development. This represents 5% of the department and is a minuscule portion, 0.046%, of the total provincial budget. Maile's actions are like trying to fasten a button with a sledgehammer. These committees are expensive, and previous ones have taken an unreasonably long time to achieve anything. Just like Makhura's e-tolls committee, and the committee that was headed by Trevor Fowler to look into the state of municipalities. These inquiries have a tendency of essentially achieve nothing at all. This committee is likely to take 10 months to do its work at an estimated cost of R6 million. If the solution is so simple, why has Maile set up this committee? He is merely trying to have the appearance of acting decisively. The MEC's move is fatally flawed for four reasons: Firstly, during the length of time it takes to do its work, the stealing within GLB will continue. Secondly, the exercise will cost a lot of money. Thirdly, the committee will be buried in an avalanche of complaints, allegations, and documents, while the real nuggets are hidden. Perhaps this is what Maile wants. Not all the perpetrators are his enemies. Any friends that he exposes could turn on him and his allies. Finally, the eventual report will cover so much ground that the real priorities will be difficult to identify. No sooner had the committee been identified than allegations emerged that various committee members are tainted in one way or another. One may validly query whether it is wise to appoint previous employees of the GLB, such as Mpho Mosing and Jennifer Rankeng. Fhedzisani Pandelani was a previous board chairperson. Ms Nalini Maharaj is a board member at the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB), which is now also under scrutiny. If members of the committee were part of the problem, can they be part of the solution? But Maile already has information on the failings of the GLB. He has received adequate correspondence, a series of court actions, responded to various questions in the House, and hosted meetings where complainants and staff tabled grievances. Is he unable to comprehend the issues with the information he has? When the committee does get down to business, it will inevitably conclude the following: The application process is far from transparent. The much-vaunted online system is useless and costly. Once an application has been made on the system, the entire process thereafter is a manual one. The administration of the GLB is poorly managed. The process from beginning to end should take no longer than three months. However, most applications take longer than six months, while some have been outstanding for years. No one knows the actual size of the backlog. The board says one thing. The administration says another, and the applicants will tell you the full story. Objectors will advise that the Board does not make it easy to remain vigilant against undesirable liquor outlets. The GLB has a habit of bringing in arbitrary and unannounced changes. The GLB has been taken to court more often and has lost almost all the cases. The policy and legislation are overdue for review as they currently have major loopholes, permit unnecessary obstructions, and create a huge opportunity for bribery. as they currently have major loopholes, permit unnecessary obstructions, and create a huge opportunity for bribery. Restaurants get licenses, and the owners then sell to others who convert the restaurant into a place of entertainment. These become incredible nuisances. The GLB website is a joke. Other provinces have websites that are far more informative about applications in process, hearing dates, and approved licenses. When the committee finalises its report, it will recommend the following actions: Forensic investigations should be conducted in various areas of the GLB's operations and the transactions that arose from these in the past seven years. The recommendations of the investigators should be implemented. Management and various members of the board should be replaced. Business process analysts should be brought in to recommend changes. There should be immediate changes to the tracking and reporting of GLB work, and these reports should be available publicly in a suitably summarised form. IT experts should be asked to make recommendations to overhaul the GLB website and the online system. Various policy amendments should be effected and implemented. Legislative processes should be initiated to amend the Gauteng Liquor Act and its regulations. The irony is that all of the above can be kick-started with immediate effect. If this were done, 10 months and R6 million could be saved. There is no logical reason to appoint this committee. Consequence management doesn't happen often enough. Apart from Maile's need to be seen to be taking action, the only explanation that makes sense is that various connected people, currently profiting from a corrupted system, will be shielded. Mike Moriarty MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development
IOL News
12-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
GLB commission of inquiry into corruption is just for show, while solutions are readily available
The sins of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) are obvious, and the solution is readily available, says the writer. Image: Supplied The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is not fooled by the Committee of Inquiry set up by the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, into the affairs of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB). Maile established this committee to obscure evident corruption that has escalated within the GLB for many years. The sins of the GLB are obvious, and the solution is readily available. GLB's incompetence can be addressed through retooling its business processes. Its corruption can be purged through forensic investigation and ruthless prosecution of those guilty. On Sunday, 15 June 2025, MEC Maile announced the appointment of a 15-member committee of inquiry to investigate the affairs of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB). This committee has been tasked with probing allegations of corruption, bribery, and the long processing times for liquor licenses within the board. He also announced the dismissal of five GLB personnel. However, it is understood that these dismissals took place long before the announcement was made. In truth, the GLB is a small portion of what the Gauteng Provincial Government does. Its budget of R80 million is tiny compared to the overall budget of R1.6 billion in Maile's Department of Economic Development. This represents 5% of the department and is a minuscule portion, 0.046%, of the total provincial budget. Maile's actions are like trying to fasten a button with a sledgehammer. These committees are expensive, and previous ones have taken an unreasonably long time to achieve anything. Just like Makhura's e-tolls committee, and the committee that was headed by Trevor Fowler to look into the state of municipalities. These inquiries have a tendency of essentially achieve nothing at all. This committee is likely to take 10 months to do its work at an estimated cost of R6 million. If the solution is so simple, why has Maile set up this committee? He is merely trying to have the appearance of acting decisively. The MEC's move is fatally flawed for four reasons: Firstly, during the length of time it takes to do its work, the stealing within GLB will continue. Secondly, the exercise will cost a lot of money. Thirdly, the committee will be buried in an avalanche of complaints, allegations, and documents, while the real nuggets are hidden. Perhaps this is what Maile wants. Not all the perpetrators are his enemies. Any friends that he exposes could turn on him and his allies. Finally, the eventual report will cover so much ground that the real priorities will be difficult to identify. No sooner had the committee been identified than allegations emerged that various committee members are tainted in one way or another. One may validly query whether it is wise to appoint previous employees of the GLB, such as Mpho Mosing and Jennifer Rankeng. Fhedzisani Pandelani was a previous board chairperson. 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 ✕ Ad loading Ms Nalini Maharaj is a board member at the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB), which is now also under scrutiny. If members of the committee were part of the problem, can they be part of the solution? But Maile already has information on the failings of the GLB. He has received adequate correspondence, a series of court actions, responded to various questions in the House, and hosted meetings where complainants and staff tabled grievances. Is he unable to comprehend the issues with the information he has? When the committee does get down to business, it will inevitably conclude the following: The application process is far from transparent. The much-vaunted online system is useless and costly. Once an application has been made on the system, the entire process thereafter is a manual one. The administration of the GLB is poorly managed. The process from beginning to end should take no longer than three months. However, most applications take longer than six months, while some have been outstanding for years. No one knows the actual size of the backlog. The board says one thing. The administration says another, and the applicants will tell you the full story. Objectors will advise that the Board does not make it easy to remain vigilant against undesirable liquor outlets. The GLB has a habit of bringing in arbitrary and unannounced changes. The GLB has been taken to court more often and has lost almost all the cases. The policy and legislation are overdue for review as they currently have major loopholes, permit unnecessary obstructions, and create a huge opportunity for bribery. as they currently have major loopholes, permit unnecessary obstructions, and create a huge opportunity for bribery. Restaurants get licenses, and the owners then sell to others who convert the restaurant into a place of entertainment. These become incredible nuisances. The GLB website is a joke. Other provinces have websites that are far more informative about applications in process, hearing dates, and approved licenses. When the committee finalises its report, it will recommend the following actions: Forensic investigations should be conducted in various areas of the GLB's operations and the transactions that arose from these in the past seven years. The recommendations of the investigators should be implemented. Management and various members of the board should be replaced. Business process analysts should be brought in to recommend changes. There should be immediate changes to the tracking and reporting of GLB work, and these reports should be available publicly in a suitably summarised form. IT experts should be asked to make recommendations to overhaul the GLB website and the online system. Various policy amendments should be effected and implemented. Legislative processes should be initiated to amend the Gauteng Liquor Act and its regulations. The irony is that all of the above can be kick-started with immediate effect. If this were done, 10 months and R6 million could be saved. There is no logical reason to appoint this committee. Consequence management doesn't happen often enough. Apart from Maile's need to be seen to be taking action, the only explanation that makes sense is that various connected people, currently profiting from a corrupted system, will be shielded. Mike Moriarty MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Gauteng government pays another R3. 3 billion for e-tolls debt
The province made the first payment of R3.8 billion in September last year following the scrapping of the e-toll system early in 2024. Image: Karen Sandison / Independent Newspapers GAUTENG Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has committed the province to paying off its 30% portion towards servicing the e-toll debt with the provincial treasury expected to make the payment of R3.3 billion towards the debt on Monday. This comes more than six months since the province made the first payment of R3.8 billion in September last year following the scrapping of the e-toll system early in 2024 with the National Treasury having agreed to cover 70% of the debt as the province took responsibility for the remaining 30%. According to reports, the debt is set to be repaid in five annual installments. Finance MEC Lebogang Maile, is set to make a landmark payment of R3.3 billion on Monday, fulfilling the provincial government's commitment to cover 30% of the provincial e-toll debt. Image: Itumeleng English/independent Newspapers 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 ✕ Ad loading During a press briefing on Sunday, Maile indicated that an amount of R5.76 billion would be paid Monday for the e-toll debt while another portion will be paid towards SANRAL freeway upgrades. "We are committed to increasing efficiency and systems, cost effectiveness and eliminate leakages, identifying potential new revenue collecting sources that have not been explored and the use of alternative funding and implementation models to achieve more value. We are confident that alongside other interventions such as implementation of advanced technology and digitisation of our supply chain management, we will be able to realise the objectives that we have set before ourselves with the revenue enhancement strategy," he said. Maile revealed that the provincial government has been making progress in paying off its e-toll debt. "The Gauteng Provincial Government will make a transfer total of R5.76 billion towards the e-toll debt and the contribution towards the Sanral Gauteng freeway improvement project. There is much more work that still needs to be done to unpack the financing model.... We wish to announce that... the 30th of June 2025, the Gauteng Provincial Government will honour the province's obligation by paying the second instalment towards the e-tolls debt as disclosed in the 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). "The second amount due on the 30th of June 2025, based on the memorandum of agreement, is R3.377 billion in terms historical debt. This is the amount that we will be paying to the National Treasury as a second instalment as part of our 30% contribution," he added. Maile added that the province will be embarking on various alternative ways to fund road upgrades, "for the policy perspective and financial impact as well as practical solutions. Of the studies undertaken by Sanral, there exists institutional knowledge in terms of the new routes and upgrades on new routes. The MEC indicated that the principal debt was over R20 billion, including interest of R3 billion as well as contributions towards maintenance. "The debt was about R12.9 billion with interest of over R3 billion and there was road maintenance of R4.1 billion. What we are going to be paying is the debt and interest as one amount and road maintenance of R2 billion. We have also indicated the roads that we expect Sanral to maintain alongside our team and to report on the progress," he added. Cape Times
