Latest news with #R1m
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Pay up or face cut-offs: Mogale cracks down on high-value defaulters
Mogale City's Credit Control Division has embarked on an extensive drive to recover outstanding debt from defaulting customers under its 'Ra Tima' campaign, which kicked off last week, Tuesday, July 8. Targeting both households and businesses, the campaign forms part of the broader Operation Qoqimali initiative, which calls on residents to take pride in their city and pay for the services they use. The municipality has emphasised that restoring a payment culture is crucial to sustaining service delivery and ensuring the city runs efficiently. According to Refilwe Mahlangu, communications officer at MCLM, as of August 2024, residents, businesses, and government entities collectively owed Mogale City R3.5b in unpaid municipal accounts. She said this figure has since surged to R3.9b. Of that total, households are responsible for R2.793b, an amount that could be used to overhaul ageing water infrastructure. Government departments owe R117m, and businesses R780m. 'These are funds that could significantly enhance electricity networks and youth development facilities.' To enforce compliance, Mahlangu said Credit Control, backed by Public Safety officials, clamped down on high-value defaulters. 'A block of flats at the corner of Luipaard and Market Street was disconnected for owing over R1m, while an estate in Ruimsig was cut off due to a debt of around R1.7m. Businesses such as a hotel and spa [ owing nearly R3m] and an investment company [owing over R1.4m] were also cut off.' Refilwe said the MMC for Finance, Victor Molefe, stated that while the aim is not to be punitive, Mogale City must instil a culture of accountability to safeguard future service delivery. 'Mogale City is now urging all customers who are struggling to settle their accounts to engage proactively with the city to avoid enforcement action. Flexible payment plans are available, and customers who settle their debt in full within 12 months will qualify for a 100% interest write-off, an incentive aimed at encouraging financial responsibility while easing the burden on residents and businesses,' Molefe said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Heroin and tik worth about R54m seized at Cape Town home
A police raid that uncovered 6kg of heroin in a bedroom cupboard turned into a major drug bust when officers found more than 150kg of narcotics stashed in the roof of a house in Goodwood, Cape Town. Police received information and descended on the property in Molteno Street on Sunday. 'During the search members discovered and seized 6kg of heroin found in a cupboard in one room. The occupant of the room, a 32 year-old Tanzanian national, was arrested and charged for dealing in heroin with an estimated street value of almost R1m,' said police spokesperson Lt Col Malcolm Pojie. Another 100g of heroin, worth about R16,000, was found in a second bedroom, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old Burundi national. 'While processing the suspects, the members received information about more drugs hidden at the residence. The members expanded the search, leading to the discovery of 145kg of tik and 16kg of heroin in the roof . The estimated street value is R53.3m, bringing the total value of the discovery to R54.3m,' said Pojie. The suspects are due to appear in the Goodwood magistrate's court on Tuesday.
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- The Citizen
R900k corruption: Hawks and SAPS officers arrested in major theft case
Six suspects, including four police officials attached to the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit and the Gauteng Provincial SAPS, were arrested this week on charges of theft, fraud, extortion, and corruption. This is after a large sum of money allegedly vanished during a police operation in Johannesburg. The arrests, confirmed by the South African Government News Agency, followed a complaint lodged by a local businessman who claimed that R900 000 was taken from his shop during a police visit. ALSO READ: Police arrest 452 in Dobsonville and Eldorado Park crime sweeps According to the complainant, one of his employees had phoned him to report that police officers were at the premises. However, by the time the shop owner arrived, the store was closed and the employee – along with others – had been arrested. He then went to Johannesburg Central Police Station, where he was told his staff had been detained for contravening Section 9 of the Currency and Exchanges Act. The employee he had spoken to earlier was also charged with interfering with police duties. Suspecting wrongdoing, the businessman reported the matter to the SCI. ALSO READ: Over 500 arrested in Johannesburg crime crackdown The subsequent investigation uncovered serious discrepancies. While US$60 000 (over R1m) and R130 000 had been booked into the SAPS register, it was alleged that R900 000 had been taken from the shop. The suspect allegedly involved in the currency exchange also attempted to bribe police officers with R60 000 – an amount which was booked into the register. The SCI team followed up on leads that eventually took them to Newtown, where the four implicated officers and two civilians were located. Upon searching their vehicles, a significant amount of unaccounted cash was found. All six were arrested on the scene. The suspects appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, six other individuals arrested during the initial operation are also facing charges for contravening currency laws and are expected to appear in court on the same day. Lieutenant General Siphosihle Nkosi, acting national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, welcomed the arrests. 'The Hawks remain resolute in their commitment to uproot corruption, even within the ranks of law enforcement. No one is above the law. 'These arrests send a strong message that we will act decisively and without fear or favour to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system.' The investigation is ongoing. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Hawks arrest Gauteng police officers and two civilians in R900k fraud case
Six suspects, including four police officials attached to the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit and the Gauteng Provincial SAPS, were arrested this week on charges of theft, fraud, extortion, and corruption. This is after a large sum of money allegedly vanished during a police operation in Johannesburg. The arrests, confirmed by the South African Government News Agency, followed a complaint lodged by a local businessman who claimed that R900 000 was taken from his shop during a police visit. According to the complainant, one of his employees had phoned him to report that police officers were at the premises. However, by the time the shop owner arrived, the store was closed and the employee – along with others – had been arrested. He then went to Johannesburg Central Police Station, where he was told his staff had been detained for contravening Section 9 of the Currency and Exchanges Act. The employee he had spoken to earlier was also charged with interfering with police duties. Suspecting wrongdoing, the businessman reported the matter to the SCI. The subsequent investigation uncovered serious discrepancies. While US$60 000 (over R1m) and R130 000 had been booked into the SAPS register, it was alleged that R900 000 had been taken from the shop. The suspect allegedly involved in the currency exchange also attempted to bribe police officers with R60 000 – an amount which was booked into the register. The SCI team followed up on leads that eventually took them to Newtown, where the four implicated officers and two civilians were located. Upon searching their vehicles, a significant amount of unaccounted cash was found. All six were arrested on the scene. The suspects appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, six other individuals arrested during the initial operation are also facing charges for contravening currency laws and are expected to appear in court on the same day. Lieutenant General Siphosihle Nkosi, acting national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, welcomed the arrests. 'The Hawks remain resolute in their commitment to uproot corruption, even within the ranks of law enforcement. No one is above the law. These arrests send a strong message that we will act decisively and without fear or favour to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system.' The investigation is ongoing. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
27-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
NLC pledges R10m financial support for flood-affected EC communities
The National Lottery Commission (NLC) pledged funds to support flood-affected communities in the Eastern Cape. The NLC leadership, led by the board chairperson Prof Barney Pityana and accompanied by its commissioner Jodi Scholtz, are expected to visit flood-affected areas on Friday. They are expected to meet AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo at the Nkululekweni Royal Residence. The purpose of the visit is to officially inform the king, the royal house and key government stakeholders about the NLC's pledge to financially support flood-affected communities. The areas severely affected by destructive floods on June 10 include Mthatha,, Mnquma, Mbhashe, Great Kei and the Amahlathi municipality. Lives were lost, families displaced and basic services such as water, electricity and access to healthcare and education were disrupted. 'In response, the NLC is activating its research-based funding model as outlined in the Lotteries Act. 'The model enables the commission to fund worthy causes without a formal application process, particularly in response to emergencies, crises and disasters that adversely affect communities. 'Emergency interventions are conducted after a rapid needs assessment and are implemented in partnership with qualified not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) appointed to our national panel of strategic partners,' said Pityana. The Small Project Foundation (SPF) has been appointed to implement a high-impact relief intervention valued at R1m. Pityana said SPF is a registered NPO with more than 36 years' experience in the Eastern Cape, and has worked extensively in health, education and social development across the OR Tambo and Amathole districts. He said the SPF has long-standing relationships with government departments, local municipalities, clinics and schools, and a proven track record of delivering emergency and humanitarian support in collaboration with national and local stakeholders. Scholtz said the interventions include the distribution of food parcels, clean water, clothing, school uniforms and supplies, sanitary pads and essential healthcare support. She said: 'The relief will reach thousands of displaced and vulnerable households through a co-ordinated and accountable process supported by trained field teams in nine municipalities.'
