Latest news with #R200
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Murder-accused husband back in Nelspruit court for bail hearing
The Nelspruit Magistrate's Court was jam-packed again today, July 23, with family and friends of Dr Nondumiso Nkosi-Sibanyoni, as murder-accused Sifiso Vusimuzi Sibanyoni appeared for his bail hearing. Sibanyoni stands accused of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder after his estranged wife was fatally shot in the parking lot of Virgin Active Gym Riverside at around 05:20 on November 20 last year. ALSO READ: Doctor fatally shot in Mbombela Protesters gathered outside the court, chanting 'No bail!' while the State and the defence cross-examined investigative officer Constable Sindisiwe Precious Nyaka of the SAPS Organised Crime Unit. The State asked Nyaka to confirm the two insurance payouts Sibanyoni received after his estranged wife's death. Nyaka confirmed that the first payment, R200 354, was received on February 4, 2024. A second amount of R1.5m was paid into his account on March 20, 2025. The court was also concerned about their children and where they are currently residing. Nyaka stated that the youngest is living with Nondumiso's parents, while the eldest remains with the accused. ALSO READ: Husband accused of Mbombela doctor's murder received R1.5m in insurance payout The State further questioned why Nyaka had not inquired about Sibanyoni's passport or whether he posed a flight risk. 'I did not inquire about his passport since he is a South African citizen,' she responded. The State also informed Nyaka that the accused had two protection orders against him – from his wife and his father-in-law. Nyaka admitted she was unaware of these and had only learnt of them in court. When the tables turned, Sibanyoni's lawyer challenged the charge of conspiracy to commit murder. 'There is no regional or high court that will accept this charge if the police cannot connect the accused with the killer,' Sibanyoni's lawyer disputed. He also questioned why no other arrests had been made, given that three State witnesses had allegedly taken part in the crime. Nyaka said she could not yet identify the witnesses or disclose the evidence. Sibanyoni's lawyer repeatedly pressed Nyaka to provide proof of the evidence, but she was unable to present or disclose anything to the court. The defence also asked when and why she had signed the insurance documents. Nyaka explained that she met with Sibanyoni and his lawyer on the day of the post-mortem and signed off on the papers, as she had no reason to suspect him at the time. ALSO READ: Mbombela hit-and-run: Court hears horrifying testimony from trauma doctor The defence returned to the State witness statements, which claim that the accused plans to interfere with the investigation if granted bail. Nyaka told the court she had a letter containing those statements and phone records of outgoing calls between the accused and the witnesses. However, when asked to produce audio evidence of the calls, she said she had none. Sibanyoni's bail hearing continues in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court tomorrow, July 24.
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Shake your caboose at Woza 2025
There's no excuse to celebrate the women in your life by having them sit at home! Tickets are already on sale for the August 9 Woza Afrikaans Fest, celebrating National Women's Day with a slew of the country's favourite singers and DJs. Headlining the fest is locally rooted Prime Circle, flanked by a sterling lineup of performers. The gates will open at 09:00 with O'Thandiwe taking to the stage at 10:10, followed by Snotkop at 11:00, RW & Band at 12:10 and DJ Tshegu ushering in the lunch hour at 13:10. Dirk van der Westhuizen showcases the afternoon lineup at 14:15, followed by Hotstix Mabuse at 15:25, Piesangskille at 16:35 and Lucasraps at 17:45. Prime Circle will hit the stage at 18:30 with Drommedaris Duo closing the show at 19:40. All the stage action will take place on a world-class stage with international standards measuring 27m x 8m, including sound, lighting and two LED screens on both sides. Gates will close following the stage performances at 22:00. There will be a free kiddies zone with action inflatables, crazy rides, the starship explorer, mechanical bull, zorb track, and shooting tunnel. The festival garden will offer a milieu for over-18s only, where thirsts can be quenched. The festival garden will be cashless, so remember to bring your debit and credit cards. A variety of stalls will be available serving food, beverages, toys, crafts, and other festival staples. Festival goers should bring sunscreen and hats, camping chairs, and blankets for the evening entertainment. Cooler boxes, alcohol and beverages will not be allowed, and hookah pipes (hubbly-bubblies), gazebos, and beach umbrellas, drugs, weapons, and animals will not be allowed. Biker patches will also not be allowed onto festival grounds. Entrance for minors aged 1–6 years is free, while children aged 7–13 pay R100 per person, and those aged 14 years and older pay R200 per person. There's also free, safe parking, with lots of security on the festival grounds. All proceeds will go towards children's charities. Book your tickets at: and search for Woza Afrikaans Fest, or contact the organisers on [email protected] or [email protected] for any enquiries At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Health budget: R1.7 billion for new staff and millions granted by Gates foundation
Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced a R64 billion health budget and a R200 million HIV/ Aids research grant from international funders. The department of health plans to spend billions on recruiting new professionals and infrastructure development over the coming financial year. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the coming years' objectives during his budget speech in parliament on Tuesday. The minister added that international organisations will plug the gap left in South Africa's HIV/ Aids programmes by the Pepfar decision. He conceded that the department did not have 'all the money' needed to achieve these objectives, but was in discussions with international and local funders. R64 billion budget Motsoaledi announced that the department had been allocated an overall budget of R64 billion for the 2025/26 financial year. The budget will be used by the department to achieve three main objectives; number one being a laying of the foundations for the National Health Insurance (NHI). 'There are people who believe that we have no plans nor inclination to do that. We want them to listen very attentively,' assured Motsoaledi. Ensuring adequate facilities and sufficient staff would be the backbone of NHI, the minister has earmarked R1.7 billion for the hiring 1 200 doctors and 450 nurses and support staff. A further R1.4 billion will be spent on absorbing 27 000 community health workers who had previously been employed by non-governmental organisations. To 'make public hospitals hospitable', R1.3 billion will be spent on beds, linen, towels, basin and other similar items. Infrastructure upgrade During the last financial year, Motsoaledi boasted that 47 existing clinics and 45 hospitals had been 'substantially' refurbished, while 403 public health facilities had been upgraded. Additionally, five new facilities were completed during the last financial year, and six are currently under construction, and 17 are in the design and development stage. 'These facilities and their placement are not a thumbs-up. We are using a digital system called the Health Infrastructure Portfolio System,' explained the minister. 'This digital system has a geographic information system, district information system and other data tools that help us understand and plan the health system,' he added. The department will also spend R3.75 billion paying accruals — expenses recorded but not paid in earlier financial years — for equipment and pharmaceuticals. The second of Motsoaledi's objectives is to implement 'serious reforms' in the private healthcare system — a goal he did not elaborate on. 'Please ignore those who want us to believe that there is nothing to fix in that sector,' he said. Pepfar replacement Third on Motsoaledi's list is the elimination of diseases such as HIV/ Aids, tuberculosis, malaria and some cancers. 'The time has now arrived to start dreaming about a future with a certain disease gone from our country,' Speaking on the impact of the Pepfar withdrawals, he stated the department would not allow South Africa's HIV programmes to collapse. He said negotiations with treasury had resulted in the allocation of R753 million for provincial and national HIV/ Aids-related support. This will be boosted by R100 million research contributions by both The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and London-based researchers the Wellcome Trust. The grants are conditional based on Treasury's commitment to double it, meaning the R200 million from the international funders will be backed by R400 million from Treasury, which is to be released more than three years for HIV/ Aids treatment. Part of this treatment will include the piloting of HIV/ Aids wonderdrug Lenacapavir, a twice-annually injection that claims to have a 100% success rate in preventing HIV/ Aids in women. NOW READ: Health minister weaponising racial bias report to push NHI, says IRR
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
City Power arrests 7 in major crackdown on copper theft and infrastructure sabotage
City Power (CP) confirmed the arrests of seven suspects over the past week, including three employees apprehended on Mandela Day. These arrests in Reuven and Lenasia were part of broader efforts to dismantle internal corruption, sabotage and theft threatening the city's electricity network. The most alarming development occurred in the early hours of July 18, when a trade assistant, cleaner and an Expanded Public Works Programme worker were intercepted while trying to exit CP's Reuven service delivery centre (SDC) with about 840 pieces of suspected stolen copper pipes. These goods, with a street value of over R200 000, were concealed in boxes inside a company vehicle. CP security officers detected the theft during a routine checkpoint inspection. The SAPS was immediately alerted and took the suspects into custody on site. All three now face criminal charges. 'It is disturbing and disappointing to find some of our staff allegedly involved in the theft of public infrastructure. These are people entrusted with safeguarding our network, yet they've betrayed that responsibility. We will pursue disciplinary action without fear or favour,' said CP CEO Tshifularo Mashava. These arrests came just days after a separate high-stakes operation in Denver, where CP security personnel, the SAPS, the JMPD and private partners came under fire during a shootout with suspected infrastructure vandals. On the night of July 13, at 23:20, security teams responded to suspicious activity on 485 Main Reef Road, Denver. Upon arrival, officers encountered criminals actively digging a 35m trench, believed to be part of a cable theft or sabotage operation. The criminals opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire under the cover of darkness. Fortunately, there were no injuries. A swift and co-ordinated response led to the arrest of three people, aged between 21 and 23, at the scene/ They face charges including housebreaking, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 'The shootout in Denver underscores the dangerous and organised nature of these crimes. We are dealing with syndicates that are armed and unafraid to confront law enforcement. We commend the bravery of our teams and partners, and we will not relent in the fight to protect Johannesburg's electricity infrastructure,' added Mashava. These arrests form part of an ongoing internal clean-up campaign launched by CP in March. To date, 15 staff are undergoing disciplinary action, many of them linked to fraud, collusion with contractors and theft. Forty-seven disciplinary cases have been processed since March 2024, including multiple suspensions and one criminal prosecution. Those implicated include electricians, security officers, team leaders and senior managers. CP continues to urge employees, contractors and the public to come forward with any information about crimes targeting electricity infrastructure. All tip-offs are confidential. Call the call centre on 011 490 7900, toll-free on 0800 116 166, or via WhatsApp on 083 579 4497. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
DA's Msimanga says he'll give his 'left kidney' if Lilian Ngoyi Street repairs completed by end of August
JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng said it doubted that repairs to Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Johannesburg CBD will be finished by the end of August. The street was severely damaged by an underground gas explosion exactly two years ago. Repair work is underway, with the city promising the road will be opened to the public on 31 August. The DA visited the site to assess the progress of the ongoing repairs. With just over a month remaining before the City of Johannesburg plans to reopen Lilian Ngoyi Street, doubts have emerged about the metro will meet its own deadline. When Eyewitness News visited the site earlier this year, the city was busy installing new underground pipes and laying concrete slabs to reinforce the road. Construction teams are currently working on the road's foundation, but there are no indications that asphalt will be applied anytime soon. DA Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga, said he did not expect the road to be open to the public by the end of August. "By August, if anything is completed here, I will give you my left kidney. We have now been told that over R200 million has been spent to fix this but nothing has been fixed." The city said it would provide an official update on their progress later on Tuesday.
