Latest news with #R5bn
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Mchunu placed on leave of absence
Here's your daily news update for Saturday, 13 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In news today, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday night announced that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been placed on leave of absence. Also, Eskom has spent over R5.2 billion on diesel between April 2023 and March 2024 to operate its open-cycle gas turbines. Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has rejected the Islamic State of Africa's (ISA) application for registration due to its stated intent to introduce Sharia law. Weather tomorrow: 13 July 2025 Partly cloudy conditions are expected over the eastern and southern parts of the country, with isolated showers along the south coast and the eastern half of the Eastern Cape tomorrow. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu placed on leave of absence Following a public speech by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against senior political and South African Police Service leadership, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence. The president said Professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed as acting minister of police. He will beign this role on 1 August. President Cyril Ramaphosa. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X 'These allegations call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation. To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I'm establishing a judicial commission of inquiry that will be chaired by acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga,' said Ramaphosa. CONTINUE READING: JUST IN: Police Minister Senzo Mchunu placed on leave of absence Eskom spends over R5bn on diesel to keep the lights on Eskom has spent over R5.2 billion on diesel between April 2023 and March 2024 to operate its open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) in an effort to mitigate load shedding. This is despite previous claims that the utility would reduce its diesel usage due to financial constraints. Eskom said the power system remains stable. Picture: Adobe Stock Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said the year-to-date load factor for OGCT has marginally increased to 10.78%, reflecting a 0.08% increase compared to the previous week. CONTINUE READING: Eskom spends over R5bn on diesel to keep the lights on IEC rejects application of Islamic party that wants to bring Sharia law to SA The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has rejected the Islamic State of Africa's (ISA) application for registration due to its stated intent to introduce Sharia law. The IEC rejected ISA's application on three grounds. Image for illustrative purposes. Picture: The Citizen One of the reasons is that ISA published the notice of its application in a newspaper that is only circulated in small parts of the eThekwini municipality. CONTINUE READING: IEC rejects application of Islamic party that wants to bring Sharia law to SA 'A scammer trying to scam me as me' – Fake Connie Ferguson calls the real one Actress and producer Connie Ferguson exposed a scammer who attempted to impersonate her in a video call to defraud unsuspecting people. Ferguson posted a screen recording of the interaction, showing the fake caller trying to convince her to invest in a bogus deal. Actress Connie Ferguson. Picture: Instagram She warned her followers to stay vigilant, noting that scammers are using AI-generated or deepfake content to impersonate celebrities. 'Thieves are using AI to convince you that they are whoever they say they are. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Don't be manipulated into losing your common sense because times are hard.' CONTINUE READING: WATCH: 'A scammer trying to scam me as me' – Fake Connie Ferguson calls the real one Boks to fully support Wiese following red card, says coach Rassie The Springboks confirmed that the team will support Jasper Wiese following his red card during Saturday's Test in Gqeberha. While Wiese will miss upcoming matches, he is expected to be punished by World Rugby for the incident, which will possibly rule him out of action for a few matches. Jasper Wiese, with the ball, is set to miss the Boks' match against Georgia following a red card incident in the Test against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday. Picture: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images 'He is just so committed and passionate about the team, and it would have been wonderful for him to play in this game with his brother,' said Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus. CONTINUE READING: Boks to fully support Wiese following red card, says coach Rassie Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Mabuza as a unifier | Politicians not always honest | Sergeant arrested in Limpopo
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- The Citizen
Free State police close in on UIF fraud suspects
Police anticipate arresting as many as 20 suspects in connection with fraudulent UIF payouts. Free State police on Thursday arrested a Bloemfontein Labour House office manager who is believed to be a key role player in facilitating an operation involving fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payments. The 42-year-old's arrest follows an intense investigation by Crime Intelligence into allegations of fraud and corruption within the Department of Labour. It forms part of a takedown operation executed in Bloemfontein, Bethlehem and in Gauteng. Intense multi-unit operation Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said members of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit acted on intelligence-driven information, supported by Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team, Public Order Police, and the Mounted Unit. 'The starting point was at the Labour House in the Bloemfontein CBD where the arrest of one of the first persons of interest took place,' Makhele said in a statement. 'A sophisticated scam' 'This comes after months of meticulous investigation into a sophisticated scam involving the fraudulent claims of [UIF] payments,' he added. Makhele said the masterminds behind criminal activity allegedly recruited unsuspecting individuals and used their personal information to register fictitious companies. These companies then allegedly submitted false claims to the Department of Labour. The fraudulently obtained funds were shared among the recruiters – or runners – and, in some cases, with the person whose identity was used in the company registration. ALSO READ: UIF commissioner Teboho Maruping challenges suspension amid disciplinary processes over R5bn Thuja deal 'As estimated, the department might have suffered a loss on more than R1.5 million,' Makhele shared. Ongoing operation in the Free State and Gauteng He said the takedown operation, which began early on Thursday morning, marks only the beginning as arrests continue in various towns across the Free State and at identified locations in Gauteng. Police expect to arrest 20 suspects through the operation. Once arrested, the suspects are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on 8 July 2025. Crime doesn't pay Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane said the case serves as a warning that crime does not pay. She said police will continue to dismantle criminal networks wherever they exist. 'It is high time that those who exploit government systems for personal enrichment are held accountable for their actions,' Motswenyane said. 'I applaud our investigators for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to justice.' NOW READ: UIF boosts Ters budget to R2.4 billion to save jobs and businesses
TimesLIVE
03-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
EFF's urgent application against fuel levy hike
The Western Cape High Court is on Tuesday hearing an urgent application by the EEF for the increase of the fuel levy to be scrapped. The General Tax Levy increase is expected to take effect on Thursday after finance minister Enoch Godongwana increased the fuel levy by 16 c/l and 15 c/l on petrol and diesel respectively. The increase was seen by many as a replacement for the proposed VAT hike that was rejected. However, experts have argued the fuel levy increase was meant to cover the more than R5bn intended for the Road Accident Fund, which they say has not been receiving funding in the past three years.
TimesLIVE
29-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
EFF takes fuel levy increase to court after budget 3.0
The EFF has launched a court challenge to the fuel levy increase introduced by the budget 3.0. In his third attempt at tabling the budget, finance minister Enoch Godongwana increased the fuel levy by 16 c/l and 15 c/l on petrol and diesel respectively. The levy is expected to kick in on June 4. The increase was seen by many as a replacement for the VAT hike that was rejected. However, experts have argued the fuel levy increase was meant to cover the more than R5bn intended for the Road Accident Fund which they say has not been receiving funding in the past three years. The EFF on Thursday said it was interdicting the fuel levy increase after attempts to get Godongwana to reconsider this were ineffective. 'We took this action after repeated efforts to caution the minister and appeals to his conscience failed. We wrote to the minister, urging him to consider the effect of this increase on the poor and working-class people, especially as the cost-of-living crisis is deepening,' the EFF said. 'We also reminded him that, like the VAT increase, raising the fuel levy without introducing a proper money bill is unlawful and undermines parliamentary oversight.'
Eyewitness News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
CoJ's R200 prepaid electricity surcharge extended for another financial year
JOHANNESBURG - There is no good news for prepaid electricity customers in Johannesburg, as the R200 surcharge has been extended for another financial year. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds confirmed during her budget speech on Wednesday that the surcharge was here to stay. It was first implemented in July 2024, causing public outrage about soaring electricity prices. ALSO READ: - CoJ allocates more than R5bn to address water challenges over next three years - City of Joburg's Finance MMC tables R89bn budget - ActionSA says won't support CoJ budget unless R200 electricity surcharge scrapped The City of Johannesburg expects to generate R25 billion in electricity revenue in the next financial year, which is a 12.5% increase from the current fiscal period. A significant driver of this increase is the controversial R200 surcharge imposed on prepaid electricity users. Although the surcharge adds to the financial burden on residents, Arnolds said that maintaining it at R200 was in the best interest of taxpayers. "We refuse to allow economic pressure to push our people further into the margins. That is why we are holding the prepaid electricity surcharge unchanged at R200, excluding VAT - a deliberate act to protect the poor against rising energy costs. "This budget makes it clear: we will not govern in a way that reproduces inequality. Our pro-poor programme is a political choice rooted in the values of equity, dignity, and redress. It is a signal that in the City of Johannesburg, no one will be left behind. Not on our watch." She said that other metros in the country also imposed a similar electricity surcharge, and claimed that Johannesburg remained more affordable in comparison.
