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TimesLIVE
10 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Two family members of 'rotten food farmer' arrested by Hawks
Two family members will join Mpumalanga farmer Pieter Grobler, who is accused of repackaging and selling expired and rotten food for human consumption, in court after they were arrested by the Hawks this week. 'Mark Lombard, 29, and Sonnet Lombard, 46, have joined Pieter Grobler, 41, who was released on R8,000 bail after he was arrested for repackaging and selling expired and rotten food for human consumption at a farm in Charl Cilliers [in Mpumalanga] in February,' Hawks spokesperson Magonseni Nkosi told TimesLIVE on Wednesday. 'The two suspects, believed to be Grobler's relatives, were arrested by the Hawks' Secunda serious organised crime investigation-led team, including tactical response team, Secunda K9, Charl Cillier SAPS and Secunda criminal records centre officers [and] brand owners on Tuesday.' The Lombards were released on warning after their brief court appearance in Secunda magistrate's court on Tuesday. 'The two suspects allegedly conspired with Grobler to commit fraudulent activities and money laundering. They were warned by the court to appear with Grobler on August 1.' According to the Hawks, during Grobler's arrest several assets were found on the scene and are subject to further investigation.
IOL News
20 hours ago
- IOL News
More suspects arrested for allegedly repackaging and selling rotten, expired food
Mpumalanga farmer, Pieter Johannes Grobler was released on R8,000 bail by the Secunda Magistrate's Court after he was arrested for repackaging and selling rotten, expired food. Image: Supplied/SAPS Family members, Mark Lombard, 29, and Sonnet Lombard, 46, have joined Mpumalanga farmer Pieter Grobler, 41, who was previously arrested for repackaging and selling expired and rotten food for human consumption. Grobler was arrested when law enforcement agencies raided a farm in Charl Cilliers, Mpumalanga, in February. He was subsequently released on R8,000 bail. In the latest developments, Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said Mark Lombard and Sonnet Lombard, believed to be Grobler's relatives, were on Tuesday arrested as additional suspects. 'The Lombards were released on warning after their brief court appearance in Secunda Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 01 July 2025,' said Nkosi. 'The two suspects allegedly conspired with Grobler to commit fraudulent activities and money laundering.' The Lombards were warned by the court to appear alongside Grobler on 1 August. During Grobler's arrest, a number of items, including a truck, two light delivery vehicles, and seven refrigerators were found on the scene. The farmer allegedly collected expired food from chain stores and other distributors under the auspices of feeding such food to his domestic animals. When the team comprising the Hawks and Govan Mbeki Local Municipality's health inspectors visited the farm in February, they were shocked when two warehouses were found packed with food which they described as 'not fit for human consumption'. Nkosi previously said four cold rooms on the farm were filled with expired canned products, rotten red meat, and chicken. 'About 1,000 crates were found fully loaded with expired dairy products, including cheese products. A truck, fitted with a cold room, two light delivery vehicles, one loaded with meat, and an empty LDV (light delivery vehicle) were also found,' said Nkosi. The Hawks said an intense investigation will be conducted on the vehicles. 'A total of seven freezers were found in the warehouses, with repackaged wheat, flour, and maize meal. Equipment used for vacuuming, scales, and plastic sealers was found on the scene,' said Nkosi. He added that the recovered items include stickers and pricing machines, which are believed to be used during the repackaging of the expired and rotten food. Mpumalanga farmer, Pieter Johannes Grobler was released on R8,000 bail by the Secunda Magistrate's Court after he was arrested for repackaging and selling rotten, expired food. Image: Supplied
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Bakeries in South African correctional facilities are saving the DCS millions
Bakeries are proving to be a success story in eleven of the Department of Correctional Services' (DCS) centres in the country, saving the government millions each year. The DCS also announced that a bakery for Durban was commissioned on 23 June 2025, for test baking purposes adding to the 11 other bakeries that DCS has nationally, which are managed by correctional officials. On Tuesday, the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services received an update from the DCS on the establishment of bakeries in correctional centres, including the cost breakdown on bread supply by external suppliers versus internal supply. The DCS stated that the construction of bakeries and the refurbishment of kitchens support self-sufficiency and sustainability. Also, the DCS believes that bakeries provide work opportunities to offenders, lead to offender skills development, and cost savings to the DCS. Anna Molepo, the Chief Deputy Commissioner (CDC) stated that each inmate must be provided with an adequate diet to promote good health, as prescribed in the regulations. She said the first departmental bakery was opened in 1992, at Kgoši Mampuru II. Since then, additional bakeries were established across six regions with the Standerton and Pietermaritzburg bakeries opened during the 2024 and 2025 financial year. Some of the bakeries that are in the planning and consultation phases, and the estimated target date of completion: Nigel (30 August 2026) Krugersdorp (30 March 2027) Helder Stroom (1 December 2026) Brandvlei (15 October 2026) Groenpunt (30 August 2026) Upington (15 September 2026) Overberg (15 September 2026) Baviaanspoort (1 December 2025) The average cost of the bread from departmental bakeries were R8,74 cents. Molepo said that offender gratuity ranges between R2 and R9 per day. Molepo said cost savings in the 2025 and 2026 (April and May) financial year totalled R13 million while in the 2024 and 2025 FY, the DCS estimated a R27 million saving after deducting the cost of producing its own bread with the average cost of bread purchased from external suppliers. Molepo said the bakeries do not come without challenges to the DCS. These include inadequate funding for capital construction of new bakeries and baking equipment. Also, insufficient funds for maintenance and repair of bakery structure and baking equipment, as well as for training and development along with the late delivery of ingredients. Petrus Groenewald, the Minister of Correctional Services, said following complaints about the procurement processes referring to the bread tender he held meetings with the National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale and officials. 'We have to look at other ways to look at the price. We cannot pay R23 for a loaf of bread. That process will change. We will look at the retail prices, compliance to quality and delivery, and what the best prices are. Further meetings will be held to determine the policy on the prices. We must save money,' he said.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Government unveils 59 bankable biodiversity projects aiming for R8 million in green finance
Heloise van Schalkwyk, Minister Dr Dion George and Dr Patience Gwaze from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment at the media briefing. Image: Theolin Tembo/Independent Newspapers Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has announced the identification of 59 bankable biodiversity projects aimed to generate a minimum of $450 000 (just more than R8 million) in green finance, harnessing investments to bolster the biodiversity economy. The initiatives, announced during the department's budget vote speech in Parliament on Friday, come through the newly launched biodiversity sector investment portal, designed to connect potential investors with viable projects that enhance environmental sustainability. This strategic approach aims to position the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) as a national leader in environmental financing amid ongoing budgetary constraints. 'In the face of budget cuts, the DFFE is doubling down on financial discipline and innovation to ensure every rand unlocks value for people and the environment,' George said. To achieve these aims, each branch of the DFFE is encouraged to seek new revenue streams, reduce unnecessary expenditure, and secure sustainable financing. The groundwork has begun on draft regulations aimed at unlocking the value of carbon credits, paving the way for monetising environmental assets within the department's portfolio. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading This strategy is anticipated to facilitate job creation, habitat conservation, and private-sector investment, alongside the financing of critical programmes. The initiatives include the Green Fund, managed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), which continues to channel public funding into pioneering climate, energy, and waste projects. The biodiversity investment portal has already spotlighted a total of 59 promising projects, with at least $450 000 in green finance firmly committed. Moreover, George showcased the positive impact of various department entities in delivering environmental conservation and socio-economic growth. The South African National Parks (SANParks), for instance, has emphasised inclusive development, having created over 21 000 full-time jobs through the Expanded Public Works Programme over the past five years. Progress is also evident in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority's commercialisation strategy, resulting in 62 contracts being signed and new revenue from tourism concessionaires set to flow directly to the entity from September 2025. Furthermore, the South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI) is poised to lead with a $40 million Green Climate Fund project launching this year. This initiative is expected to benefit more than 350 000 people directly and 1.5 million indirectly through investments in ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Tongaat Hulett's journey to recovery: new leadership and challenges ahead
Gavin Dalgleish was appointed as CEO with effect from 1 June 2025, marking a significant step in the final phase of implementing the approved Business Rescue Plan and setting the stage for a seamless transition of Tongaat Hulett's business, assets, and people to Vision, the consortium acquiring the group. Image: Supplied Tawanda Karombo Tongaat Hulett, the beleaguered South African agro-processing firm, is poised to emerge from the shadow of its tumultuous past, thanks to new leadership and a significant restructuring initiative. Gavin Dalgleish, the company's new CEO, has expressed optimism about the path towards stability following a protracted period marked by scandals and heavy debt that once threatened its existence. Dalgleish was appointed as CEO with effect from 1 June 2025, marking a significant step in the final phase of implementing the approved Business Rescue Plan and setting the stage for a seamless transition of Tongaat Hulett's business, assets, and people to Vision, the consortium acquiring the group. In a recent interview, Dalgleish detailed the pivotal changes occurring at Tongaat Hulett, which has been under business rescue since an accounting scandal left it with debts exceeding R8 billion. Following the acquisition by the Vision Group Consortium, led by seasoned African investors Robert Gumede and Rutenhuro Moyo, the company is now focusing on debt recovery, having recently settled its obligations with creditors. 'We need to restore the faith of our employees, we need to restore the faith of our creditors and all our stakeholders that we're now functioning as a business again, and we're a good place and a reliable partner to do business with,' Dalgleish told Business Report in an interview on Thursday. Tongaat Hulett, however, will still be up against headwinds buffeting the South African and regional economic landscape. For example, upon exiting business rescue, the company will be up against rising imports of cheap sugar and currency volatility. For Dalgleish, the company's recovery will not be quick paced. In fact, he expects the rest of this year to be tougher for Tongaat Hulett. 'Like any other business, we're facing headwinds of a strengthening rand, reduced world market prices of sugar, and imports that flow from that. So for South Africa we're expecting this year to be a slightly tougher year,' he said. Tongaat and the Vision Group principals recently went on a roadshow to meet stakeholders in KwaZulu Natal, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. During those trips, the company explained to stakeholders the new approach to doing business. Dalgleish said together with the Vision principals, the company had sought to 'win back their (stakeholders) trust' and confidence as investors and as a business. Tongaat employs 2 400 people and 25 000 others across the extended value chain. Dalgleish said he felt overwhelmed by the responsibility he carries on behalf of the employees, value chain stakeholders and others linked to the company. He said sustaining jobs for those employed and impacted by the company was a top priority under his leadership. 'I'm excited by the challenge and the opportunity, as I said, I'm pleased with the the resilience of the people and the business that we found. And because of the social economic impact of the business, I have a great sense of responsibility.' After fully settling outstanding obligations to the company's lenders as of 9 May 2025, the finalisation of the asset transfer to Vision Group 'is expected imminently,' the company said at the beginning of this month, underscoring 'Tongaat Hulett's progress toward financial and operational' recovery. Last year, creditors in Tongaat voted in favour of a business rescue plan put forward by Gumede's investment consortium, Vision. This was after an accounting scandal rocked Tongaat Hulett, with the company tail-spinning into a debt of R8.2 billion, prompting shareholders to adopt an amended business rescue plan. Tongaat Hulett is envisioned to continue playing critical roles in the economic fabric of Southern Africa under its new ownership. In South Africa, the business 'remains a cornerstone of the sugar industry, sourcing cane from 15 000 small-scale growers – thereby sustaining local farming communities, and underpinning numerous rural economies,' especially in the KwaZulu-Natal province. In Zimbabwe, Tongaat Hulett owns two operating businesses, Triangle and separately listed Hippo Valley Estates. Triangle said recently that it was facing operational challenges that had forced it to retrench employees after cost cutting measures failed to yield a respite. BUSINESS REPORT
