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The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
SA politicians with clouds hanging over their heads
A look at politicians dogged by controversy, including Ramaphosa, Mashatile, Simelane, Mantashe and others. Pictures: The Citizen and Gallo Here are some prominent politicians who are under a cloud: President Cyril Ramaphosa He has faced scrutiny over his business dealings, most notably the Phala Phala farm scandal, where $580 000 (about R10 million) in cash was stolen from his Limpopo game farm in 2020. The incident was concealed until June 2022. He was later accused of money laundering, tax evasion and violating foreign currency regulations. However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to prosecute. ALSO READ: Phadi to serve MK party, despite removal as provincial convener [VIDEO] Paul Mashatile – deputy president He has long been haunted by corruption allegations, including the R1.3 billion Alexandra renewal project. More recently, questions have emerged about his lavish lifestyle, allegedly funded by government contractors. The DA has laid criminal charges, leaving the NPA to decide on prosecution. John Steenhuisen – minister of agriculture and DA leader Steenhuisen was implicated in allegations of misusing DA funds during his 2020 campaign for party leadership. ALSO READ: WATCH: Floyd Shivambu 'a total failure as a politician' – analyst The accusations were made by expelled member Tsepo Mhlongo, who also implicated Manny de Freitas. While De Freitas was found guilty and expelled, no action was taken against Steenhuisen. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa – minister of electricity and energy As former mayor of Tshwane (2010-2016), Ramokgopa was linked to a controversial contract awarded to PEU Capital Partners. The irregular contract was set aside by the courts. Thembi Simelane – minister of human settlements ALSO READ: Police close to breakthrough in IFP deputy chief whip's 'assassination' Simelane has been accused of taking questionable loans from companies connected to the looted VBS Bank while serving as Polokwane mayor. Additionally, she faces DA-laid charges for allegedly defrauding Eskom of R700 000 during her time at consulting firm Vitrovian. Nobuhle Nkabane – minister of higher education and training Nkabane stands accused of ignoring corruption allegations in the Construction Education and Training Authority, despite whistle-blower evidence. She was also accused of misleading parliament regarding Sector Education and Training Authority appointments. Aaron Motsoaledi – minister of health ALSO READ: ANC denies it approached Zuma and MK party to join GNU [VOICE NOTE] Motsoaledi was implicated in a 2019 bribery scandal involving the murder of businessman Louis Siemens, with claims he received R150 000 to fast-track a hospital licence. He has denied the allegations. Gwede Mantashe – minister of mineral and petroleum resources Mantashe is linked to the Bosasa corruption scandal, accused of accepting home security upgrades. The Zondo commission recommended further investigation. Blade Nzimande – minister of science, technology and innovation ALSO READ: Late ANC stalwart Solomon Mahlangu's niece joins Zuma's MK party Nzimande was accused of accepting kickbacks from National Student Financial Aid Scheme service providers when he was higher education minister. He denied the claims, calling them a politically motivated smear campaign.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Waterkloof resident beats city to the fix
A fed-up Pretoria east resident this week took matters into his own hands by repairing a pothole right in front of his home on Sidney Street on June 21. Waterkloof resident Bennie Berger said he first reported the pothole on the municipal portal on April 25. He said a response promised repair within 24–48 hours; however, two full months passed. 'Cars drive through it nonstop; you can hear the thud from inside the house,' he said. Frustrated, he took matters into his own hands. Over a single weekend, he purchased 12 bags of asphalt mix (R150 each), a compactor (R400), tools, and even a warning cone, completing the repairs in just a couple of hours. Beger added that the total cost was about R2 200, though he emphasises he shouldn't have to pay at all. 'It looks very decent and problem solved,' Berger said. However, he believes this small gesture underscores how far municipal systems have fallen. He said residents pay rates and taxes, but they are deprived of essential services like road maintenance. 'When basic services are not delivered, it creates frustration,' he said. 'If you report these things, feedback is given; we patiently wait and understand. But nothing gets fixed.' Berger added that he isn't suggesting residents should do municipal services but rather augment capacity in the face of backlogs. He said the Tshwane metro should have open discussions with residents and keep them updated. 'Play open cards with us and give us comfort that the money we are paying is being looked after.' Despite growing community action, Berger warned that goodwill shouldn't degenerate into self-reliance. 'If there's a backlog, let's assist, but we can't be the permanent solution.' For him, this is more than saving cars from tyre damage, but about preserving faith in the social contract that taxes fund essential services. Ward 82 Councillor Siobhan Muller supports Berger's move. She said she reported five potholes on Murray Street between Rupert Street and Brooklyn Road, of which only one was addressed. Meanwhile, some of the residents were complaining about freshly repaired potholes reappearing within weeks in the area. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Parents open up about teen driving fears and first-car plans
THE Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is a key annual event on the KwaZulu-Natal school sports calendar. This year's event also offered an opportunity for important conversations off the field. As a proud sponsor, Halfway Ford used the event to connect with families about a topic that weighs heavily on many parents' minds: teen driving. Also read: Mkhize's luxury cars to go under the hammer Over the course of the festival, Halfway Ford spoke with parents and asked them to complete a questionnaire to gain insight into their concerns and expectations as their teens prepare to get behind the wheel. They also explored the key factors that influence parents' decision-making when it comes to choosing a vehicle for their children. 'Selling cars is only part of what we do,' said Chilton Penery, chief operating officer at Halfway Ford. 'We're part of our communities – and we wanted to better understand how we can support families during this major milestone in their children's lives.' Top Parental Concerns: Safety First The questionnaire results revealed that road safety and accidents (66%) was the biggest concern among parents. Other pressing worries included peer pressure and reckless driving (16%), the cost of vehicle insurance and maintenance (12%), and the availability of safe, affordable cars (6%). Timing, Safety, and Budget Drive Parents' First-Car Decisions When asked whether parents had plans of buying a car for their teen: 82% of parents said yes, but opinions differed on when – half indicated they planned to buy a car immediately when their child received their driver's licence, while the other half said they would only do so after a period of supervised driving 13% said their teen would need to share a family vehicle 5% said their child was expected to buy their own In terms of vehicle features that mattered most: Safety features topped the list at 31.5% Affordability followed closely at 29.5% Fuel efficiency was cited by 20% Brand reputation by 15% Resale value trailed at 3% When it came to budget: Nearly half (44%) of parents reported a price range of between R50 000 and R150 000 26% were willing to spend between R150 000 and R250 000 21% indicated a budget of between R250 000 and R350 000 3% of parents planned to spend between R350 000 and R500 000 6% of parents sat on either side of the budgeting spectrum – half (3%) indicated their price range would be under R500 000 while the other half said they would be spending more than R500 000 Mixed Feelings About Driver Education One of the standout findings was widespread concern about the quality of driver education in South Africa: Only 28% of parents believed driving schools adequately prepare teens 40% felt driver training was insufficient 32% were unsure Despite these concerns, 66% said they would consider enrolling their child in an advanced driving course for added safety, while 27% said they would consider it if the cost was affordable. What Parents Want: Better Training, Safety Tech, and Support When asked what would make them feel more comfortable with their teen taking to the roads, the majority pointed to improved driver education and training. Others cited the need for stricter laws for young drivers, vehicle safety technology such as speed monitoring, and reduced insurance premiums for responsible teen drivers. More importantly, the survey also highlighted a strong appetite for continued support. More than 80% of parents said they would be interested in receiving information and guidance on teen driving safety, car choices, and financing options. 'These insights have highlighted just how much support and guidance parents are looking for as their teenagers take their first steps toward independence behind the wheel. We are committed to using what we've learnt to develop practical resources that speak directly to these needs,' concluded Penery. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Grant recipients face frustrating challenges with SASSA's in-person verification process
Portfolio Committee chairperson Bridget Masango said social grant recipients, especially in rural areas, are facing significant challenges due to SASSA's new in-person verification process. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The in-person verification process that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has implemented is frustrating social grant recipients, particularly those in rural areas. This is according to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango who said the stringent new conditions imposed by National Treasury on SASSA's 2025/26 budget were having severe consequences for millions of vulnerable South Africans. 'Today, we address an issue that affects nearly half of our population,' said Masango, referring to conditions that include biometric authentication for flagged beneficiaries, cross-verification with SARS and other state databases, and quarterly reporting of suspended or cancelled grants. 'Treasury argues these steps are essential to combat fraud and ensure value for money, and failure to comply by SASSA may result in grant funding being withheld, a deeply concerning possibility for millions who rely on this support,' she said. Masango said while the committee supports fraud prevention, the current approach is causing 'delays, confusion, and deep distress among beneficiaries.' 'The requirement for in-person verification is disproportionately disadvantaging rural communities and elderly caregivers who simply cannot afford to travel. Transport costs can reach up to R150 or more per trip, an unaffordable amount for some beneficiaries,' she added. 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. 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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 ✕ Masango said the committee has been 'flooded with WhatsApp messages, SMSs, calls and emails from desperate individuals and organisations that represent communities, who are unable to verify themselves. People are being excluded from the system and all of this, as far as we can see, is in the name of saving money.' Although SASSA defended the verification process as necessary to prevent fraud and ensure accurate targeting, Masango cautioned that 'it cannot happen without balancing accessibility with fairness.' To improve oversight, she said: 'SASSA will now submit quarterly reports directly to the committee, in addition to National Treasury.' She welcomed the R1.6 billion increase in grant funding for above-inflation increases and noted efforts to combat fraud, including biometric rollouts, self-service kiosks, and digital upgrades. However, she stressed: 'No cost-saving measure should come at the expense of basic dignity or leave the poor out in the cold.' Masango also raised concerns about the growing substance abuse crisis, particularly the underfunding of the Central Drug Authority (CDA). 'How can the CDA fight a national war with no weapons? No money, no independence, no enforcement authority and still be expected to lead the charge?' Calling the CDA 'unfit for purpose,' Masango urged the Department of Social Development to amend the Substance Abuse Act. 'Substance abuse must now be treated with the same urgency as gender-based violence, as both are destroying lives, families, and the nation's social fabric,' she said. THE MERCURY
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya condemns alleged bribery attempt in Mamelodi
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has denounced an alleged bribery attempt by an individual claiming to represent the Somali Association in South Africa as its chairperson. Image: Oupa Mopkoena /Independent Newspapers Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has strongly condemned an alleged bribery attempt by an individual claiming to be the chairperson of the Somali Association in South Africa. The individual sought a private meeting with Moya, apparently to facilitate the reopening of a foreign-run shop in Mamelodi that was closed for violating municipal by-laws. A video on X captured Moya's conversation with the individual, who suggested a private meeting with her, allegedly to bribe her into reopening the cash 'n carry business. Moya has shared the video on her X account, showing her rejecting the proposal for a private meeting. 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 She added that her administration will not be influenced by threats or bribes. When Moya questioned why he needed to discuss the business closure with her, the individual replied: "Because you are the head of Tshwane." The person insisted the business was compliant despite Moya pointing out issues with its structure, specifically that it was built on a servitude and had a fuel tanker inside the building. 'How do you comply without the necessary documentation? How do you comply if you have built on four properties without approvals of the City,' she asked. In addition, she confronted him about allegations that he had attempted to bribe one of the city's councillors with R150,000 in exchange to have the shop reopened. 'I heard that you have been reporting me to everyone who cared to listen. Is this how you work in your country?' she asked. The person denied the bribery allegation, prompting Moya to ask why he would disregard South African laws. 'Are we a banana republic to you? Do you come here and do as you please? You don't pay taxes here and you keep cash up to a million rand in your property. You keep illegal immigrants on your property and you want to come and disrespect me? You want to meet with me. What do I say to people who don't respect our laws?' The person, however, continued to claim compliance, but Moya said: 'You are not compliant. We are not crazy. We can't just tell you that the people who have employed are illegal immigrants if they are not; we are not crazy people. I don't know what you normally do with politicians but I am not that type. You do not bribe me to break the City of my people. You must learn our laws and once you have done that, we can talk.' During last month's operation in Mamelodi, Moya and metro police raided the shop in question, which had reopened despite a previous shutdown for operating an illegal structure on a servitude. The owners were found to have forged a City of Tshwane operational certificate. As a result, all goods were seized and authorities also found cash machines and receipts in the living quarters above the shop, showing nearly R1 million in transactions for a single day. At the time Moya said the individuals were exploiting the country's economy, evading taxes, and breaking the law.
