Latest news with #Mdakane
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Mkhwanazi picks up paint roller to revamp police pound for Mandela Day
In one of his first public appearances after his explosive briefing about alleged political interference in police investigations, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi showed off his painting skills in honour of former president Nelson Mandela's birthday on Friday. Mkhwanazi joined public works and infrastructure department director-general Sifiso Mdakane to commemorate International Nelson Mandela Day at the Isipingo police vehicle pound. The facility was severely damaged during the 2022 floods and Mdakane gave police officials an update on revamp developments before embarking on Mandela Day activities that included painting walls and cleaning the yard. Mdakane said the pound, which can house several thousand vehicles, will be back to full and improved operation by the end of December, with critical operations restored by the end of October.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- The Citizen
KwaDukuza municipal workers end strike, set to return to work
After three days of protest action, KwaDukuza municipal workers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) will return to work tomorrow. This was confirmed by SAMWU KwaDukuza secretary, Nkululeko Dladla, who said the decision followed engagement between the union and municipal leadership. While not all grievances have been resolved, Dladla said the union welcomed the willingness of Municipal Manager Nhlanhla Mdakane to address workers directly and commit to further meetings. 'The municipal manager came to speak to us, and even though some of the responses were not satisfactory, we now have a channel to discuss unresolved issues. There is no reason to continue with the strike under these circumstances,' said Dladla. Workers marched from the Ballito Taxi Rank to the Nokukhanya Building, opposite the Ballito clinic on Monday and Tuesday. The demonstration follows growing frustration over what workers said was the municipality's failure to respond to demands first raised during a strike in KwaDukuza's CBD in May. The protest caused severe traffic congestion, and Ballito Drive was left littered with debris as demonstrators hurled rubbish into the streets on both days. Earlier today, Mdakane issued an internal memorandum to all staff, condemning the continued strike and what he described as violations of the agreed picketing rules. According to the memo, the strike went beyond the legal parameters set by the Bargaining Council, and management has reserved the right to pursue disciplinary action where necessary. In the memo, Mdakane responded to several concerns raised by the union. He said that the Local Labour Forum did meet on June 25 with full management attendance and that issues on the agenda, including job evaluation and the implementation of a six-day work week, were discussed. He noted that job evaluation processes are progressing, with most job descriptions already submitted and some still being refined. On the contentious issue of municipal grading, Mdakane dismissed claims that a resolution exists to upgrade the municipality to grade 5. He said no such resolution has been adopted and emphasised that grading falls under the authority of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council. He added that attempts to negotiate grading at the municipal level were irregular and that the issue was already on the national bargaining agenda. Regarding the union's demand for accountability in the R35.7 million fraud scandal, Mdakane confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that most of the money has been recovered. Civil and criminal proceedings are still underway to trace the remainder and three separate investigations are being conducted by the municipality, the police's Special Commercial Crimes Unit, and the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Responding to calls for his suspension, Mdakane said due process must be followed. 'Samwu should respect the laws and regulations they expect to be applied to all workers. No individual can be suspended without following legal procedures,' said Mdakane. On the matter of the five and six-day work structure, Mdakane said that Samwu had not submitted a counterproposal despite the issue being on the agenda for the past two years. He noted that while Samwu had indicated that the matter should be handled at the bargaining council level, they still included it among the reasons for the strike. Mdakane reiterated the municipality's stance of 'no work, no pay' and said any employees who do not return to work risk disciplinary action. 'We are calling on Samwu leadership to guide their members honestly and responsibly. 'The municipality remains open to lawful and constructive engagement. We will continue to implement fair decisions following the law,' said Mdakane. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
23-05-2025
- IOL News
Man sentenced to 10 years for stealing R1. 6 million aviation safety equipment
A 44-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing a critical aviation safety component worth over R1.6 million from South African Airways, raising serious concerns about aviation security and the integrity of public resources A 44-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing a critical aviation safety component valued at more than R1.6 million from South African Airways (SAA) at OR Tambo International Airport. The Kempton Park Magistrates' Court on Thursday handed down the sentence to Emmanuel Mdakane after convicting him of theft on 16 May 2025. The court found that, between January and February 2018, Mdakane stole a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) processor — a vital part of aircraft safety systems designed to prevent mid-air collisions. The processor was never recovered. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Mdakane sold the stolen equipment to a complainant for R340,000 but refunded only R40,000 after collecting the money.
