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The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Cogta warns municipalities against wasting R1.2 billion disaster relief
Batches of disaster relief funding will be paid to affected municipalities who will be tasked with coordinating relief efforts. A shack surrounded by water after heavy rains fell in Motherwell on 10 June 2025 in Gqeberha, South Africa. Picture: Gallo Images / Die Burger/ Lulama Zenzile A hefty sum has been allocated to several municipalities ravaged by flooding and severe weather in June. Minister of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Velenkosini Hlabisa announced a R1.2 billion disaster relief fund on Monday. At least 107 people were killed in the Eastern Cape and bordering provinces, while the areas suffered an estimated R6.3 billion in infrastructure damage. Eastern Cape flood relief The disaster relief funding will be released in three batches, starting with a R151.3 million provincial response grant on 11 July. A R395 million municipal response grant will be released on 18 July, with the final release of R708.9 million scheduled for 28 August. The Eastern Cape suffered the loss of at least 103 lives, with the OR Tambo municipality being the hardest hit with 79 casualties. The province will receive the largest portion of the funds, including R504 million from the final August payment. Hlabisa asked municipalities to begin preparing their disaster relief efforts and warned that future grants would be suspended should these funds be wasted. 'We want all municipalities to know ahead that this money is coming, and they must activate their project processes,' said Hlabisa. 'Recipients of the funds must follow established reporting protocols and use the required templates to ensure accountability in their financial disclosures,' he explained. Waste warning Hlabisa was aware of the tactics used by those who abused state resources, recognising the potential for price inflation and mismanagement. To guard against this, Cogta will deploy teams to the affected areas to verify infrastructure damage and associated rebuilding costs. He also warned against inadequate workmanship, poor infrastructure planning and the diversion of funds from intended projects. 'If there is no accountability, money will not be released. It will be as simple as that,' he cautioned. 'By ensuring transparent, accountable, and strategic fund allocation, government aims to not just repair infrastructure, but to restore hope and dignity to communities devastated by natural disasters.' NOW READ: WATCH: Another tragic twist in Eastern Cape flood tragedy
eNCA
2 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
Government releases disaster grants worth billions
JOHANNESBURG - Government is releasing billions in disaster relief grants to support provinces and municipalities hit hardest by the April 2025 floods. The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, confirmed the rollout of the Municipal Disaster Response and Recovery Grants. Damage to municipalities is estimated to be around R6.3 billion. Municipalities in the Eastern Cape is among the worst affected. Hlabisa says strict accountability measures are in place to ensure the funds are used as intended.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on May 20, 2025
In a significant development on the diplomatic front, Johann Rupert, South Africa's wealthiest man, is reportedly in Washington, DC, potentially accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa for a pivotal meeting with US President Donald Trump. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed and in the know. Calls mount for progressive budget as Godongwana prepares for budget speech As Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to deliver the national budget on Wednesday, there is growing pressure for a fiscal plan that prioritises economic growth, job creation, and strengthening of social support systems. To read on, click here. Cape Town mayor urges protection of municipal funding amid budget cuts backlash Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has urged Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to protect municipalities from further budget cuts during his upcoming National Budget speech. To read on, click here. Former Global Strike Security employees released on R30,000 bail following R6.3 million fraud allegations Three Global Strike Security Company employees arrested for allegedly defrauding Anglo American Platinum of R6.3 million have been granted bail of R30,000 each. To read on, click here. Severe weather warning: Localised flooding hits Cape Town Parts of Cape Town experienced localised flooding on Tuesday morning as heavy downpours swept across the Western Cape, prompting the City's Disaster Risk Management teams into action. To read on, click here. Johann Rupert pulls the strings in Ramaphosa-Trump White House meeting In a significant development on the diplomatic front, Johann Rupert, South Africa's wealthiest man, is reportedly in Washington, DC, potentially accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa for a pivotal meeting with US President Donald Trump. To read on, click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
UPDATE: Former Global Strike Security employees released on R30,000 bail following R6. 3million fraud allegations
Wanda van Zyl, 57, former director of Global Strike Security, appears in court alongside former payroll administrators Ruan van Zyl, 23, and Monidue Nel, 52, who were arrested after for allegedly defrauding Anglo American Platinum of R6.3 million through fraudulent invoices has been released on bail. Three Global Strike Security Company employees arrested for allegedly defrauding Anglo American Platinum of R6.3 million have been granted bail of R30,000 each. Former Director Wanda van Zyl, 57, and two payroll administrators, Monidue Nel, 52, and Ruan van Zyl, 23, were nabbed by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) The trio appeared briefly in the Mahwelereng Magistrate's Court on May 19, facing 26 counts of fraud. 'The accused were granted bail of R30 000 each,' Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa said. The case was postponed to June 13, 2025, for further police investigation. The trio is accused of submitting fraudulent invoices between December 20, 2018, and September 20, 2021. Explaining the case, Mmuroa said the trio allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices and claimed funds to Anglo-American Platinum for security services that were never rendered. Anglo American Platinum reportedly grew suspicious and launched an internal forensic investigation. The investigation uncovered more than 33 fraudulent claims that had already been paid. 'As a result, Anglo-American Platinum suffered a loss of over R6.3 million,' Mmuroa said. The matter was reported to the Mahwelereng police station and later transferred to the Hawks for further investigation. Mmuroa confirmed that four individuals from Global Strike Security were linked to the scheme, three of whom have now been arrested, while the fourth has since died. The case was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which authorised warrants of arrest. The suspects reportedly cooperated and handed themselves over to the Hawks. IOL News
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Limpopo trio arrested for R6.3m Anglo-American Platinum fraud
MOKOPANE – The Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit has arrested a former company director and two ex-payroll administrators for alleged fraud amounting to R6.3 million. The three accused, Monique Nel (52; payroll administrator), Ruan van Zyl (23; payroll administrator) and Wanda van Zyl (57; director), all former employees of the Global Strike Security Company, were arrested on Sunday (May 19) after they handed themselves over to the police. According to the provincial Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, the accused allegedly submitted over 33 fraudulent invoices to Anglo-American Platinum for security services that were never rendered between December 20, 2018 and September 20, 2021. Mmuroa said payments were processed before the company uncovered the scheme. 'Anglo-American Platinum got suspicious and conducted internal forensic investigations which revealed a loss of R6.3 million. The matter was reported to the Mahwelereng police station and subsequently handed over to the Hawks' Polokwane-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation,' he said. A thorough investigation successfully linked four individuals from the security firm to the committed crime, though one of the implicated individuals has since died. Following the completion of the investigation, the case was handed to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which authorised warrants of arrest. 'The accused briefly appeared in the Mahwelereng Magistrate's Court yesterday facing 26 counts of fraud. The case was postponed to today for a bail application,' he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
