Latest news with #R5-billion
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
Former Transnet executives granted R50,000 bail over Gupta-linked corruption charges
The four appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in Ekurhuleni on Monday about a R5-billion fraudulent locomotives deal. Four former Transnet executives, Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane, have been granted R50,000 bail each following alleged corruption linked to the Guptas. The matter will return to court in October to allow for final investigations. The four appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in Ekurhuleni on Monday in connection with a R5-billion fraudulent locomotives deal. This is after they handed themselves over to the police on Monday morning. They are facing criminal charges in connection with a controversial R93-million payment tied to the Gupta family's business interests. The payment, flagged during the State Capture Commission, relates to a 2015 contract initially awarded to a separate supplier for over 1,000 locomotives.
eNCA
11 hours ago
- eNCA
Four Transnet-corruption accused granted bail
JOHANNESBURG - The four accused in the R5-billion Transnet corruption case have been granted bail. READ: Former Transnet executives arrested Former Transnet executives, Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh and Thamsanqa Jiyane, have appeared in court on Monday. They face charges linked to a controversial locomotive deal worth more than R90-million. The case was also highlighted in state capture investigations. The four accused were granted R500,000 bail each.
eNCA
4 days ago
- Climate
- eNCA
Government declares Eastern Cape floods a national disaster
GQEBERHA - A National Disaster has been declared in the Eastern Cape, unlocking much need assistance for flood affected communities. READ: Search efforts continue as cold front hits Eastern Cape Provincial government says over R5-billion is needed to repair damaged infrastructure. At least 101 people have been killed and nearly 5,000 others are homeless. Meanwhile, the search for two missing children continues. Eastern Cape Cogta MEC Zolile Williams discussed this with eNCA.
eNCA
5 days ago
- Climate
- eNCA
Rescue teams race against time and freezing temperatures
MTHATHA - Search and rescue teams in Mthatha are searching for two missing children. But a cold front bringing freezing temperatures and strong winds will make rescue efforts tough. Operations will begin at the Cicira River all the way to the Mthatha River with the hopes of recovering the bodies of the missing children aged between 8 and 12. The children were swept away in Decoligny, one of the other affected areas in Mthatha Rescue teams, including the Gift of the Givers, say they will not give up. The death toll from the Eastern Cape floods stands at 101. To date, the province faces R5-billion in flooding damage. Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams will provide an update on relocations, infrastructure damage, and ongoing government support.
The Citizen
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Cape Town's appeal as a film destination drives upswing in city's hospitality industry
With foreign film investment in Cape Town set to surpass R5 billion by October, the city's hospitality sector—especially in the CBD—is thriving. Cape Town's global appeal as a film destination is driving a major economic upswing in the city's hospitality industry. Picture:Cape Town's global appeal as a film destination is driving a significant economic upswing in the city's hospitality industry. However, in May, US President Donald Trump proposed imposing a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced content. If enacted, this tariff could affect locally made films, including productions filmed in Cape Town, and series sold to the US market. 'It may have an impact on films looking to be produced solely in Cape Town, but as an example, many scenes in the new Mission Impossible movie were shot in parts of Cape Town and the Western Cape,' Grant Elliot, chief operating officer at Thibault Investments and deputy chairperson of the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), told The Citizen. 'The movie was still made and produced out of the United States, and this is the case with many productions from around the world that use our beautiful city and landscape in their productions,' he said. According to the City's Film Permits Office, from 1 November 2023 to 30 June 2024, film crews booked more than 59 000 beds in Cape Town, spending nearly R148 million. These productions are driving consistent demand for accommodation, food services, transport and office space, creating real economic value for local businesses. ALSO READ: Trump's film tantrum: Brandon Auret calls on Gayton McKenzie to invest in local films What makes Cape Town special? With foreign investment in Cape Town's film production industry estimated to break through the R5-billion barrier by October this year, the city's hospitality industry, especially in the CBD, is reaping huge rewards. South Africa's central business districts (CBDs) are often associated with unsafe, polluted, and derelict buildings. Elliot says what has made Cape Town's CBD standout is the partnership between the government and the CCID. 'The Cape Town CBD is a well-managed CBD with several partners working together to ensure it is safe, clean, and a welcoming environment to visit, do business, work and stay,' he says. The CCID is a not-for-profit private-public company established 25 years ago to create a workable inner city. It focuses on public safety, cleanliness, and social development, maintaining a continuous 24/7 presence in the central city and providing services that complement those of the city and South African Police Service (Saps). According to the City of Cape Town's Film Permits Office, a total of 550 production shoots took place in the Cape Town CBD from 1 January to 26 May 2025. These included commercials, documentaries, feature films, micro-shoots, music videos, student projects, TV films and productions, and TV series. Of these, 219 were 'large and very large' commercial shoots, 106 were micro shoots, 22 were TV series, and 14 were feature films. ALSO READ: Back to the Future: Search is on for the Gibson guitar that was last seen in 1985 Tourism There's a lucrative tourism factor when people shoot films across South Africa. The impact of cinema on tourism is enormous. The fantasy film series The Lord of the Rings significantly contributed to New Zealand's GDP through tourism. The series, which was filmed entirely in Australia, boosted tourism by approximately 50%, generating an estimated NZ$33 million (approximately R600 million) in annual revenue. By 2018, New Zealand welcomed approximately 3.6 million visitors annually, and tourism had become the nation's largest export industry. Speaking to The Citizen in May, actor Brandon Auret stated that South Africa has more to offer tourists than its three largest metropolitan areas: Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. 'My whole big thing is not just about making films, not just about investing in the communities that are in those cities, but opening up the tourism. Getting people to go, 'wow, that movie was shot where?',' says Auret. Elliot couldn't comment on whether there has been a similar demand from local productions to shoot in. Auret has called on Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie to use Trump's 100% tariffs on films made outside the US as an opportunity to invest in the local film industry. 'I'm a firm believer in that when the door is closed, jump through the window,' he said. NOW READ: A spy's story – David Africa's book 'Lives On The Line' thrills
