Latest news with #Maloka
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Suspect denies charges in Kempton Park human trafficking case
A man accused in connection with a suspected human trafficking case in Birchleigh North appeared in the Kempton Park Regional Court this afternoon, July 18, for a formal bail application. The case relates to the rescue of a number of Ethiopian men who were allegedly held captive in a house on July 4. The victims were reportedly lured to South Africa under false pretences, assaulted, and held while their captors demanded large sums of money from their families for their release. The accused, Fekada Eshetu Dinago, faces charges of human trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion. The Kempton Express' request for court photography was denied by Dinago's legal representative and upheld by the court. Also read: Birchleigh North house raid uncovers 19 human trafficking victims During the court proceedings, Dinago, in an affidavit read by his lawyer, claimed he was contacted by the police on the day of his arrest after his cousin, identified as Ashenavhe Marcus, provided officers with his contact number. He said he met with the police and was surprised when they allegedly demanded R10 000 for the release of his relative. 'I told the police what they were doing was wrong and that I would report them. All hell broke loose as soon as I said that. I was placed in handcuffs, told I was forward, and that I would be taught a lesson,' Dinago stated. Dinago alleged he witnessed money being exchanged for the release of the victims and claimed he was arrested because he refused to pay a bribe. He added that on arriving at the police station, he was informed he was being charged with human trafficking. 'I am said to be charged with human trafficking, but I am informed that the children I allegedly trafficked are appearing in another court for illegal immigration,' Dinago stated, challenging the State to subject him to an identity parade. Also read: Man bust for attempted human trafficking at OR Tambo Airport He argued that there were gaps in the State's case, which he said should be considered as exceptional circumstances for bail. However, Regional Court Prosecutor Sibongile Nxumalo presented evidence from investigating officer Sergeant Suzan Ngwanatsamago Maloka of the Hawks. Maloka testified that on July 4, officers received information about a group of Ethiopian nationals being held at a property on Julia Street in Norkem Park without their consent. On arrival, nine Ethiopian men without valid documentation were found locked inside the house. Some were found naked and locked inside bedrooms with reinforced steel doors, while three had sustained injuries, with blood visible on the floors. The injured victims were taken to hospital. Maloka alleged that while police were detaining the suspects at Norkem Park SAPS, Dinago arrived and allegedly offered officers R200 000 for the release of the detained men. She further claimed Dinago attempted to force his way into the holding cells, blocking the cell gate. The detained men reportedly moved away from him and gestured to officers that they were afraid of him. Also read: Gauteng is human trafficking hot spot Maloka testified that when officers visited Dinago's stated address in Swazi-Inn, Thembisa, as part of the court's verification process, a woman at the property denied knowing Dinago. A second address linked to Dinago also proved unreliable, raising concerns about his ties to the community. 'For the fact that the accused provided a wrong address during his arrest and as the matter falls under Schedule 6, there is a likelihood that if released, he will evade his court appearances or trial,' Maloka said. She added that there were concerns about the accused endangering public safety or committing further offences if released on bail, and highlighted that a panga was found in his possession, while three victims sustained critical injuries. Maloka also informed the court that Dinago, an Ethiopian national, holds an asylum seeker permit, which has been sent to the Department of Home Affairs for verification. The rescue operation followed after Freedom Front Plus councillor for Kempton Park, Jean Kriek, received reports of people calling for help from inside the property. Kriek went to the house to investigate and contacted the police, EMPD, and a private security company, leading to the rescue of the men, who were then taken to hospital for treatment. The matter was adjourned to July 21 for the verification of Dinago's asylum seeker permit. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Ekurhuleni raises alarm as bitter cold front hits Gauteng
Temperatures in Gauteng are expected to drop below the freezing mark. As a bitter cold front sweeps across the country, the City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has raised the alarm on the dangers of heat sources, which in the past have resulted in fatalities. Temperatures in Gauteng are expected to drop below the freezing mark as the cold weather grips most parts of the country. Below zero Gauteng Weather has forecast the mercury in Johannesburg on Friday to drop to -2°C, reaching a high of 11°C. Pretoria is forecast to have a temperature of 0°C, with a high of 13°C. ALSO READ: Get your blankets out: Cold front to hit Gauteng this week The cold weather is a stark reminder that winter has arrived, signalling that South Africans should keep warm. Danger However, the cold weather also poses a danger to residents, especially those living in informal settlements. City DEMS spokesperson Eric Maloka has warned residents to take precautions when making fires and using heaters and braziers (izimbawula), urging them to exercise caution. 'Residents are urged to make necessary arrangements to warm themselves with safer heat sources during this period. 'We therefore would like to encourage our residents to plan when using all heating devices safely.' These include: Electrical heaters Braziers/izimbawula Paraffin Stoves Candles – these should not be left unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home during these extremely cold temperatures. 'All three regional fire stations around the city are on high alert to ensure that we effectively respond to all emergencies which might occur during this cold front,' Maloka said. Cold and snow Meanwhile, a strong cold front is expected to arrive in the southwestern Cape on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas. An intense cold front is also expected to affect the Western, Northern Cape and Free State provinces from Wednesday until Friday, Vox Weather forecast. The public and small stock farmers have been advised that very cold, wet, and windy conditions with heavy rainfall, strong interior winds, and gale-force coastal winds, as well as very rough to high seas and light snowfall on the high ground, can be expected. ALSO READ: Eskom winter outlook: Here's how many days of load shedding to expect in SA
IOL News
02-06-2025
- IOL News
Sedibeng Mayor Lerato Maloka found unharmed after being abducted
Sedibeng District Municipality mayor Lerato Maloka was found unharmed following her abduction over the weekend. Image: Supplied The abduction of the mayor of Sedibeng District Municipality, Lerato Maloka, has been linked by sources to her media briefing where she announced that she requested the Gauteng provincial government to institute an investigation into corruption in the municipality. Maloka and her driver were hijacked and kidnapped from Alberton on Friday and both were found unharmed and reunited with their families on Saturday night, police confirmed. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said the investigations were ongoing and a manhunt for the suspects is underway. Sources claimed a link between the abduction to a media briefing held by Maloka last week, where she announced that has written to the Gauteng MEC for Local Government, Jacob Mamabolo, and requested a full investigation into corruption at the municipality. She wants the investigation to focus on senior municipal officials, who she claims have paid themselves approximately one million rand from the council coffers. She also made claims of irregular appointments even though the municipality does not have money and officials lying to the council about senior manager appointments. Maloka said she has also written to the Public Protector asking for help. She said her efforts to make the municipality follow the law and serve the people properly have been ignored. A criminal complaint was recently laid against Maloka, alleging that she stole the mayoral chain after a break-in at her office. Maloka denied the allegations, saying she was a victim of lies and harassment because she was trying to clean up the municipality. The Sedibeng mayoral chain, valued at R465,000, mysteriously disappeared after the State of the District Address on June 23, 2023, but the case of theft was not opened until November 2023. The allegations against Maloka also included improper use of municipal resources such as taking expensive trips using municipal money, including a costly flight to support an employee at a funeral. The allegations resulted in the mayor's removal from office by a Council Vote of No Confidence in January 2025, but she was re-elected three weeks later. 'It cannot be that the mayor is exposing corruption and announcing her intention to investigate and the next thing she is hijacked and kidnapped. This is very suspicious,' said a source, adding that this could be influenced by those who want to see her out of the office. Several efforts to get a comment from Maloka were unsuccessful. The municipality's spokesperson, Nomvula Khalo, confimed that Maloka had written a letter to Mamabolo, but said he was unaware of the content of the communication. Mamabolo's spokesperson Theo Nkonki said the matter should be addressed with the police, adding the department was not in a position to comment. Sedibeng ANC spokesperson, Velile Mkhontwana, did not respond to messages and calls. Meanwhile, the DA has announced that the council has resolved to write to Mamabolo and request the suspension of Maloka. In a statement released on Thursday, the party said Maloka had given a press interview behind closed doors during council proceedings, which included debate to determined her future in the mayoral chair.
TimesLIVE
31-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Sedibeng mayor facing suspension found unharmed after 'hijacking and kidnapping'
Sedibeng mayor Lerato Maloka and her driver were found unharmed after they were allegedly hijacked and kidnapped from Alberton on the East Rand on Friday. Gauteng police spokesperson Brig Brenda Muridili said the owner of a house Maloka and her driver were leaving from reported the hijacking. 'Preliminary reports suggest the owner of the house reported the matter to an individual who then informed the mayor's husband. The husband went to report the matter at Dawn Park police station.' A broadcast was issued for her vehicle. 'The vehicle was recovered at about midnight in Dawn Park by Katlehong police. A few hours later at about 2am, the mayor and the driver were found unharmed and reunited with their families.' Muridili said statements would be taken from the victims and police were looking for the suspects. The incident comes as Maloka faced a disciplinary investigation into alleged misconduct this week. DA Sedibeng caucus leader Cllr Sibusiso Dyonase said in a statement on Thursday the council had resolved to write to Gauteng MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs Jacob Mamabolo calling for Maloka's immediate suspension. 'Maloka has long been a problematic figure, today's resolution centres around her and other municipal officials' misdeeds in wasting more than R500,000 on a trip to Germany. Prominently, her role in the destruction of the mayoral vehicle featured as part of today's proceedings. Sugar was found in the engine of the car after the council forced her to use the R490,000 vehicle.' Dyonase said Maloka had called for a full investigation into maladministration in her administration while claiming she was the target of a smear campaign.
SowetanLIVE
31-05-2025
- SowetanLIVE
Sedibeng mayor facing suspension found unharmed after alleged hijacking and kidnapping
Sedibeng mayor Lerato Maloka and her driver were found unharmed after they were allegedly hijacked and kidnapped from Alberton on the East Rand on Friday. Gauteng police spokesperson Brig Brenda Muridili said the owner of a house Maloka and her driver were leaving from reported the hijacking. 'Preliminary reports suggest the owner of the house reported the matter to an individual who then informed the mayor's husband. The husband went to report the matter at Dawn Park police station.' A broadcast was issued for her vehicle. 'The vehicle was recovered at about midnight in Dawn Park by Katlehong police. A few hours later at about 2am, the mayor and the driver were found unharmed and reunited with their families.' Muridili said statements would be taken from the victims and police were looking for the suspects. The incident comes as Maloka faced a disciplinary investigation into alleged misconduct this week. DA Sedibeng caucus leader Cllr Sibusiso Dyonase said in a statement on Thursday the council had resolved to write to Gauteng MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs Jacob Mamabolo calling for Maloka's immediate suspension. 'Maloka has long been a problematic figure, today's resolution centres around her and other municipal officials' misdeeds in wasting more than R500,000 on a trip to Germany. Prominently, her role in the destruction of the mayoral vehicle featured as part of today's proceedings. Sugar was found in the engine of the car after the council forced her to use the R490,000 vehicle.' Dyonase said Maloka had called for a full investigation into maladministration in her administration while claiming she was the target of a smear campaign. TimesLIVE
