Latest news with #R1.2m
TimesLIVE
24-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Witness in insurance murder case misled court: alleged hitman's lawyer
Allegations are that Mahatta was acting on the instructions of Mokati's cousin, Mathabo Motsieloa, who collected R1.2m in life insurance. 'Accused number two [Mahatta] will deny knowing accused number one [Motsieloa]. Accused two will deny that he was at [traditional healer] Banda's house on the day you were shown him [by Motsieloa] and I put it to you that you were convinced that Mahatta could kill the deceased based on his structure [height and body],' Mshololo said. According to the state witness, known only as Miss Ntai, Motsieloa showed her Mahatta four times before Mokati was murdered in March 2022. Ntai is a section 204 witness. A section 204 witness is someone who was involved in a crime but makes a deal with the state to testify against their accomplices in exchange for immunity from prosecution or for a lesser sentence. Ntai, who has pleaded guilty to her involvement in the matter and was handed a 10-year sentence in June last year, maintained she had met the alleged hitman. The state alleges that Motsieloa, a mineworker in Brits, North West, poisoned Gift Mokati twice in March 2021, but he survived. She then hired a hitman who stabbed him to death later that month. According to the indictment, Motsieloa then cremated Mokati's body and put bricks in his coffin on the day of his burial. However, the family discovered the plot before Mokati could be buried. It is alleged that once Old Mutual paid Motsieloa R1.2m in insurance, she gave R30,000 to Motsumi Tabane — a police officer who was investigating Mokati's murder — so he would not implicate her. The two then allegedly conspired to kill Tabane's colleague, Lekone Mohajane, after he allegedly refused to close Mokati's murder case. Mohajane was killed in an apparent hijack in June 2023. The trial continues.
TimesLIVE
21-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Wanted Mozambican kidnapper killed by cops in Fourways
In yet another success story for the national anti-kidnapping task team, a wanted Mozambican kidnapper was shot dead this week during a tracing operation in Johannesburg. National police spokesperson Brig Athlende Mathe said the anti-kidnapping task team traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to a block of apartments in Fourways. 'The team was tracing a kidnapped Pakistani businessman from Pretoria West. He is still in captivity and the team is still searching for [him]. A ransom demand has been made to the businessman's family,' Mathe said. The tracing operation began at a residential complex in Midrand where they seized a Mercedes-Benz, a silver Pajero and arrested two kidnappers. 'They proceeded to Fourways where the task team announced their arrival and a shoot-out ensued. One suspect was fatally wounded and upon further investigation, it was discovered that 40-year-old Mauro Mucambe Junior is a wanted kidnapping kingpin in Mozambique where he has been linked to several kidnappings. His warrant of arrest was issued by Maputo police in August 2024.' One unlicensed firearm used by the fugitive was seized, including 10 rounds of ammunition. Four cellphones and four bank cards were also seized. 'The SAPS has full faith and confidence in the work of the anti-kidnapping task team to rescue the kidnapped businessman. Since January 2024, the team has arrested more than 170 criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom. More than R1.2m has been recovered. More than 100 victims were rescued mainly in Gauteng and more than 40 vehicles used in kidnapping crimes were seized by the team. 'The anti-kidnapping task team recently registered a breakthrough in the Olorato Mongale murder case where they led the tracing operation of Philangenkosi Makhanya. The search is still on for Bongani Mthimkhulu,' Mathe said.
TimesLIVE
17-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
BSA boss Ntlanganiso moves to quell complaints about Eastern Cape meeting
Boxing South Africa (BSA) COO Mandla Ntlanganiso has clarified that the recent strategic engagement session held by the Eastern Cape sport department (DSRAC) and the national association with the Eastern Cape Boxing Promoters Association (ECBPA) in East London was initiated by the department. Ntlanganiso was addressing concerns about the absence of the Eastern Cape Managers and Trainers Boxing Association (ECMBA) from the invitation list. ECMBA secretary Thulani Mhlubulwana alleged the DSRAC and BSA are fostering division among licensees in the province. The meeting reviewed the previous financial year's achievements and outlined future plans for boxing development in the province, including events for the Rise of Women in Boxing Series. The department announced its annual grant of R1.2m for the sector, with an additional R300,000 for the Women in Boxing Series. 'We appreciate the government's efforts in developing boxing in the province but we are dissatisfied with how BSA operates,' Mhlubulwana said.
The Citizen
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Look north for affordable Cape Town property under R1m
While much is made of the high property prices in Cape Town, there are in fact still many areas where you can purchase below R1m. Properties below R1.21m are also exempt from transfer duty, thus providing a considerable saving, especially for first home buyers, according to the Seeff Property Group. The northern suburbs of Cape Town is a great area to look for affordability, says Susan McCarthy, manager for Seeff Brackenfell. These neighbourhoods offer good access to transport networks, schools, and general amenities. This combines with the affordability factor, making it easier for first time buyers to get onto the property ladder, securing their own home, and building wealth. If at a later stage they need to move on to a bigger property, it always leaves the option to retain the property as an investment, given the high demand for rentals, or they could sell it at a profit to use as a deposit for their next property purchase. She says neighbourhoods such as Kraaifontein and Kuils River are a good choice for good value as you can find sectional title property in the R700,000 to R1.2m price range. In Eerste River for example, the new Chardonnay Court offers two bedroomed units with modern finishes, a solar geyser, private outdoor braai area, and a parking bay for just R949,900. It is also a neighbourhood with good amenities and access to major routes with transport such as buses, taxis, and a train station on hand. There are schools, shopping centres, medical care, places of worship, a police station, sport grounds and more. The area is popular with first-time buyers. Lightstone data shows that 37% of recent buyers are under 35-years, and a further 44% between 36-49 years. Property values increased by around 70% over the last ten years, with a significant growth spurt during the high-demand Covid boom period, thus making these a good investment. She says they are also great for rental investments. Overall, first home buyers make up a considerable portion of total home sales across the country. According to mortgage originator, ooba, there has been a slight uptick in first-time buying in the first quarter, accounting for some 46.5% of home loan applications. The survey also shows that favourable mortgage lending conditions continue to support first-time buyers, and most banks still offer full bonds to qualifying buyers, depending on the property. Young buyers are not only purchasing for their own use, but there is a growing appetite to invest in property for the rental market. Ooba for example also reported a significant rise in investment property applications from younger buyers, rising from around 3% in 2019 to 9% last year. Issued by Gina Meintjes
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Limpopo Speaker denies R6m luxury car claims
POLOKWANE – Limpopo Legislature Speaker Dr Makoma Makurupetje has denied allegations of extravagant spending after media reports claimed that over R6m in public money was used to procure two luxury vehicles – one apparently for her personal use. In response to the claims, Makurupetje has called for a full investigation into the legislature's vehicle procurement practices. She rejected reports suggesting she bypassed National Treasury guidelines, which cap the cost of official vehicles at R1.2m. 'I was really shocked to hear that a vehicle was bought for me, and I deny the R6.5m expenditure,' she said. Makurupetje clarified that upon assuming office in June, the official vehicle used by her predecessor had already exceeded its mileage limit, and the deputy speaker's vehicle had been involved in an accident. As a result, a procurement process for new vehicles was already underway before she and her deputy took office. She disclosed that the vehicle assigned to her cost R1.4m, while a Mercedes-Benz purchased for the deputy speaker cost R1.5m. Although both figures exceed the Treasury cap, she explained that the purchases fall under the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act of 2009 and not the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which applies to other government entities. Makurupetje has ordered a detailed review to determine whether Treasury guidelines were breached. She also revealed that she recently learned of a third vehicle, which she has never seen. She is awaiting a full report from Legislature to clarify this issue. 'If it turns out that I was misled by the Secretary regarding the procurement of any vehicle, I will take decisive action,' she said. The Speaker also referred to ongoing forensic audits within the legislature, which were launched following the resignation of the chief financial officer and the suspension of another senior finance official. She suggested that the recent media reports may be linked to resistance to internal reforms underway in the legislature. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
