Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
NSFAS CEO PLACED ON SPECIAL LEAVE FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION
Following suspicions of corruption, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme has put its CEO, Andile Nongogo, on special leave.
The direct payment contract for the scheme is supposedly the subject of the corruption allegations.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) said this week that it had discovered four organisations used by Nsfas to directly deposit allowances into students’ bank accounts are not licenced financial service providers.
The scheme claims in a statement that the accusations are related to Nongogo’s involvement with the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA) and how this may be connected to improper behaviour during the allocation of bids at Nsfas.
Former SSETA CEO Nongogo is accused of taking part in alleged tender violations involving R37 million in tax payer money.
BAD NEWS FOR MOTORISTS, ANOTHER PETROL PRICE HIKE PREDICTED FOR SEPTEMBER
In September, motorists will have to pay more for petrol, as the price prices are expected to rise.
According to figures from the Central Energy Fund, the petrol price will rise by between R1.41 and R1.45 per litre (for ULP93 and ULP95, respectively).
Diesel could go up by as much as R2.60/l and illuminating paraffin by R2.55/l.
PUPIL AT ELDORADO PARK SCHOOL STABBED
Tuesday’s safety inspection at Eldorado Park Secondary School resulted in the stabbing of a student by an unauthorised visitor.
Authorities said that after stabbing the male student, the intruder fled the site.
All of this took place while the provincial portfolio committee on community safety for Gauteng was conducting an unauthorised visit as part of the committee’s Focus Intervention Study (FIS) on evaluating the efficacy of school safety initiatives in combating violence and crime in schools.
The student was stabilised by emergency services, who then hurried him to a local hospital.
ADVOCATE MALESELA TEFFO TO REMAIN BEHIND BARS UNTIL SEPTEMBER
The case against barred attorney Malesela Teffo has been delayed by the Pretoria Magistrates Court until September 6 for further investigation.
When Teffo’s case was called on Wednesday after lunch, he resisted leaving the holding cells, and it took authorities several tries to convince him to attend the dock.
The disbarred attorney was charged with fraud, violence, theft, and another count of contempt of court last week in the Pretoria Magistrates Court after he failed to comply with law enforcement and court personnel.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS THE FIRST CASE OF THE NEW COVID-19 VARIANT
The Department of Health says the new COVID-19 variant, EG.5, also known as Eris, was found within a sample taken from a patient in Gauteng.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) classified variant Eris as a variant of interest and said that it should be more closely monitored than others because of mutations that might make it more contagious or severe.
The Department’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale, says they urge the public not to panic but to remain vigilant at all times.
“Although this is transmissible, it is not severe like the previous variant,” added Mohale.
POLICE MINISTER SAYS THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT WAS PART OF THE CONVOY BUT WAS NOT AT THE SCENE WHERE MOTORISTS WERE ASSAULTED ON THE N1
During his appearance before parliament’s police portfolio committee, Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed that Deputy President Paul Mashatile was part of the convoy when members of his VIP protection allegedly assaulted motorists in Gauteng last month.
However, Cele says Mashatile was not at the crime scene and did not witness the incident.
This comes after a video went viral where VIP protection members were assaulting a motorist on the N1 highway in Gauteng.
“The convoy of the deputy president normally has seven cars, six from the SAPS and one from the SANDF, which is a medical kind of a car,” said Cele.
Cele said the Deputy President was in the convoy but not on the crime scene where two of his cars pulled off to deal with that matter.
13-YEAR-OLD STUDENT EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL FOR DREADLOCKS
A 13-year-old student has been banned from Crowthorne Christian Academy classes due to her dreadlocks violating the new hair policy. A video circulating online shows the school owner forcibly removing the grade 8 pupil from a classroom by pulling her hair. The Gauteng Education Department will intervene despite the school being private, arranging for the girl’s transfer to another school.
NEW R689 MILLION HOSPITAL IN EASTERN CAPE
Nomakhosazana Meth, Eastern Cape MEC for Health, has inaugurated the advanced Khotsong TB Hospital in Matateile, Alfred Nzo region, at a cost of R689 million.
The hospital, featuring 120 beds, encompasses vital units like Pharmacy, Laboratory, MDR resistant unit, and a clinic. It will operate as a referral facility.
Residents of Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani, and Joe Gqabi regions will now conveniently access high-quality healthcare for tuberculosis and more.
Meth highlights the hospital’s adaptability due to decreasing disease rates, indicating its potential to offer various services beyond TB treatment.
MOTORISTS WARNED OF ROAD CLOSURES AHEAD OF BRICS SUMMIT NEXT WEEK
Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre will be the venue for the 15th BRICS Summit, resulting in road closures from August 20 to August 26, 2023. Motorists are advised about closures affecting Maude Street, West Street, Alice Lane, and 5th Street. Those planning to travel around the Sandton Convention Centre should stay updated on traffic changes due to the summit. Enhanced security measures will be in place throughout the Sandton CBD during the event, according to the Gauteng Police Board Initiative’s announcement on Tuesday.
LIMPOPO TOURISM DEPARTMENT ADDRESSES RECENT ALCOHOL CURFEW IMPACT
The Liquor Act’s influence on tourist visits to Limpopo province has been discussed by local tourism officials. The launch of Tourism Month in Lephalale highlighted the topic, coinciding with a new alcohol sales curfew that has sparked a court battle. While the provincial Liquor Act is not set in stone, according to MEC Rodgers Monama, genuine reasons for review must be presented. Despite the ongoing debate, domestic tourism is on the rise due to captivating landscapes and historic sites, even though some in the sector emphasize the importance of alcohol sales in attracting visitors.
BOKSBURG’S FORMER ACCOUNTANT FACES JUSTICE AFTER STEALING R537 MILLION FROM EMPLOYER
The Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court is witnessing the incredible tale of Hildegard Steenkamp, a former accountant from Boksburg, who embezzled over R537 million from her employer, Medtronic.
Steenkamp, having already admitted guilt to 336 charges connected to the 13-year-long fraud, reportedly squandered millions in a single night at casinos. Her extravagant lifestyle funded by the stolen funds, including more than R67 million spent at a casino within five years, has captured attention. The court’s sentencing proceedings are currently underway.
OSCAR PISTORIUS APPEALS TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT FOR PAROLE
Former Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, serving a 15-year sentence for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, is taking his parole battle to the Constitutional Court. Pistorius shot Steenkamp through his Pretoria East home’s bathroom door on Valentine’s Day.
Despite several failed parole attempts, he maintains his eligibility. Pistorius argues that his prison sentence’s calculation for parole has been unfairly extended, a point he’s raised in the papers filed with the Constitutional Court.
The court had previously increased his original sentence, raising questions about his parole eligibility timeline.
OPPOSITION PARTIES UNITE UNDER MULTI-PARTY CHARTER FOR ELECTORAL CHANGE
Seven opposition political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), have come together to establish the Multi-Party Charter, akin to the Freedom Charter, during the DA’s national convention.
This charter aims to create a unified framework for collaboration among like-minded parties ahead of the 2024 elections. It enables the Patriotic Alliance (PA) to approach the collective for cooperation, despite the DA’s reluctance.
The charter outlines eight key priorities, ranging from economic growth and job creation to energy security, law and order, quality education, and improved public services. The parties aspire to offer South Africans an alternative government after years of ANC-led governance.
AYEPYEP IN CAPE TOWN TEMPORARILY CLOSES AMID EXTORTION THREATS AND GANGSTERISM
The Ayepyep Lifestyle Lounge in Cape Town has taken the decision to temporarily close due to escalating fears of violence, extortion, and gang-related activities. The establishment cites alleged threats from a reputed 28 gang leader, Ralph Stanfield, who is allegedly attempting to gain control and stakes in the business through illegal means.
Despite obtaining a restraining order and involving the authorities, the threats persist. The lounge appeals to the government and police to ensure the safety of staff and customers. This move highlights broader challenges faced by the entertainment industry in dealing with criminal elements and extortion.
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