Latest news with #R3.3m
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Former administrators flagged for 'siphoning' Lotto's R4.4m from NGO
Three former administrators of a Limpopo NGO and a person only known as 'Dineo' have been implicated in allegedly siphoning R4.4m from the organisation through unauthorised withdrawals. This was disclosed in a forensic report compiled by Black Hawk Private and Forensic Investigation and Risk Solutions into the alleged abuse of funds at Hlahlolanang Health in Sekhukhune. According to the report, two of the former administrators allegedly acted as sole signatories of the NGO's bank accounts and used their positions to allegedly facilitate payments between themselves and the then chairperson. There is clear evidence of deliberate financial misconduct, manipulation of signatory powers, systematic concealment of income and expenditure Papi Jonathan Lebese, forensic team investigator The funds were donated by the National Lottery Commission (NLC), Marula Platinum Mine and department of social development and were allegedly diverted into the four people's personal accounts between April 2021 and March 2023 through irregular withdrawals, misrepresentation of signatories and staged benefit-sharing schemes. According to the report, seven amounts totalling R4.4m were siphoned between April 2021 and March 2023, with the last amount withdrawn amounting to R3.3m. It said a R101,345 donation landed in the NGO's account on April 20 2021, and shortly thereafter R62,000 was split among the four individuals: R15,000 each to two of them and R16,000 each to the other two. A similar pattern followed after R316,740 was deposited in September 2021, with each receiving between R50,000 and R70,000 in transfers with no legitimate justification recorded. The investigation further found that in March 2022, after the NGO received R633,444, R450,000 was again allocated to three of them. The records indicate there was no authorisation from the board, and no expenditure reports or procurement documentation was filed. The forensic team, led by investigator Papi Jonathan Lebese, found that signatory access to the NGO's bank accounts was altered without the board's knowledge. These unauthorised changes allegedly enabled two of the former administrators to approve transactions without oversight. 'There is clear evidence of deliberate financial misconduct, manipulation of signatory powers, systematic concealment of income and expenditure. These actions reflect gross violations of the law and the NGO's constitution, warranting immediate criminal, civil, and disciplinary action,' said Lebese. The report recommends that the matter be referred to the Hawks, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the National Prosecuting Authority for criminal investigation. We're no longer receiving funding or support, and beneficiaries have been left in the dark. Emily Shilakoe, part of the NGO 'We have identified significant financial irregularities involving the misappropriation of donor funds and unauthorised changes to bank signatories. Given the complexity and scale of the suspected fraud, we recommend the involvement of the SIU to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit and assist with recovery processed,' Lebese said in the report. Investigators also flagged the need to trace the funds using banking subpoenas and to recover the misappropriated money through civil litigation. Meanwhile, the charges brought forward for the disciplinary hearing and internal resolution are: gross dishonesty for misappropriating NGO funds; fraud through false documentation and personal enrichment; breach of trust by bypassing board processes; insubordination; negligence in handling donor money; unauthorised access to organisational resources such as bank accounts; and failure to disclose conflicts of interest while occupying managerial roles. Emily Shilakoe, who's part of the NGO, said programmes have collapsed allegedly because of the mismanagement. 'The worst part is the impact on the ground,' she said. 'Hlahlolanang runs crucial HIV/Aids programmes, including voluntary counselling and testing, with trained counsellors who used to receive stipends from Lotto and the department of health. But once the funds started being misused, those payments stopped, and the department and the commission refused to send more money because there were no progress reports coming in. So the programmes collapsed. 'We're no longer receiving funding or support, and beneficiaries have been left in the dark.'
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- The Citizen
Randburg raid targets hijacked buildings and illegal electricity usage
Operation Kunakisa, led by Acting Executive Mayor Kenny Kunene, took place in Randburg on July 5. The operation, which included the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and a private security company, targeted buildings hijacked by undocumented foreigners and properties using the city's power supply illegally. Read more: Tackling hijacked buildings and illegal foreigners During the raid, seven buildings were visited, and shocking conditions were discovered, including a room used as both a kitchen and bedroom, with dozens of eggs being washed in a tub, and some rotten in the fridge. City Power officials revealed that one of the buildings owed R3.3m, due to unauthorised connections. Tenants claimed they had paid the property owner but were unaware of the illegal electricity usage. @caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: Acting Executive Mayor Kenny Kunene leads a high impact service delivery operation in Randburg, focusing on by-law enforcement and clean-up ♬ Hard News – DM Production Kunene highlighted the serious issues associated with hijacked buildings, stating: 'Our people, South Africans, are being trafficked. Young girls are being trafficked in these buildings that are hijacked… Drugs are being hidden and distributed from these hijacked buildings. Also, these hijacked buildings have got electricity, yet they are not paying.' An incident occurred during the raid when a JMPD officer was hit by an undocumented foreigner, leading to an arrest. @caxtonjoburgnorth Ext 9 resident Sarah Maluleka speaks out after her home was left in disarray when members of the anti-illegal immigration group stormed her property in Alexandra on July 4, 2025. Immigration Ext9 ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North – Caxton Joburg North MMC Kabelo Gwamanda Nkoko emphasised the need for by-law enforcement, saying: 'You can see here, these people, they've been breaching, stealing electricity. By doing that, they're taking the services away from our people… This area in Windsor has been problematic for many, many, many years. So, we promised our residents that we're going to change and enforce the by-laws, and make sure that each and every one, our residents, they live in peace and harmony.' The operation was deemed a success, with Kunene expressing gratitude for community co-operation. The operation is set to continue on July 8, his last day as acting executive mayor. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
30-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Special Tribunal stops pension to former Gauteng agriculture head Matilda Gasela
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained an interim order preventing the processing of a R3.3m pension payout to Matilda Matozi Gasela, former Gauteng agriculture, rural development and land reform department head. The order, granted by the Special Tribunal on May 15, also restrained Gasela from accessing or claiming these funds pending finalisation of legal proceedings against her. Gasela assumed office as head of department in December 2018 and is alleged to have played a pivotal role in the mismanagement of a contract involving Enviro Mobi (later known as Groen Mintirho). 'Despite the company's failure to deliver the required vehicles, she authorised further payments and approved a settlement of R6.5m for purported 'storage costs' — an expense not stipulated in the original contract. 'Senior counsel had explicitly advised against this payment, which was later declared to be fruitless and wasteful expenditure,' the SIU said on Friday. Her actions allegedly contravened the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and contributed to the depletion of public funds in what the SIU described as a fraudulent scheme.
