Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST CO-ACCUSED IN THABO BESTER’S CASE
On Wednesday, 11 October 2023, the 11 co-accused including Thabo Bester, appeared at the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court. State prosecutor Advocate Amanda Bester withdrew charges against three prison warders, Nastassja Jansen, Thabang Mier, and Moeketsi Ramolula, during the hearing.
Bester’s State new lawyer, Jan Loubser told the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Wednesday that he would receive assistance from advocate Zandile Mshololo, who is also representing one of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, EWN reported. Additionally, Bester stood up and told the court that he would also engage advocate Dali Mphofu’s services for his prison escape case.
The trial is set to begin on February 21, 2024, with Thabo Bester, Nandipha Magudumana, and Zanda Moyo still in custody.
DR. NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA ALLEGES ASSAULT BY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: ASSAULT CASE OPENED
Meanwhile, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana was expected to appear in court as well on Wednesday, 11 October 2023 to join the other defendants, but her lawyers reported that she fell ill, allegedly collapsing on her way to court.
SABC reports that Magudumana’s lawyer said she was forcefully transported from Bizzah Makhathe Correctional Service in Kroonstad to Bloemfontein despite having informed officials that she was ill.
It is alleged that Magudumana was taken by force from her prison cell wrapped up in a blanket after requesting to appear virtually.
In a recent update, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana filed an assault case after an incident at the Bizzah Makhathe Correctional Services Centre in Kroonstad, where she has been detained since her arrest in Tanzania, alleging that she was forcibly taken from the facility and transported just before her appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court.
INSTITUTIONS AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS DISMISS CLAIMS OF MATTHEW LANI AS A REGISTERED MEDICAL DOCTOR
If you have been paying attention to the news on social media this week, you’ve probably seen the story of the supposed doctor making headlines.
The alleged impostor, Dr. Matthew Lani, gained widespread attention on social media over the weekend amid suspicions that his medical credentials might not be genuine. Dr. Lani is recognized for dispensing health advice online and has made appearances on various radio shows to discuss health-related topics, in addition to promoting weight-loss products through his social media channels.
- He claimed to have studied medicine at Wits Medical School. The University of the Witwatersrand has officially disassociated itself from Lani, urging him to remove any mentions of the university, and asserting that they couldn’t locate any recent graduates by the names Matthew Bongani Zingelwa or Sanele Zingelwa using the provided information.
- He claimed he obtained a high school diploma through a scholarship at the University of Cambridge in England. However, Cambridge International College denied that he enrolled at their institution, and also said his name does not appear in their official registers for any period.
- He allegedly posed as an employee of Helen Joseph Hospital and moved freely within the hospital.
- Department of Education in Gauteng said Lani does not have a matric because he dropped out of Fourways Adult Centre in 2016.
- The records from the department reveal that Dr. Lani started his education at Bordeaux Primary School in Randburg in 2007, and then in 2010, he was transferred to Gresswold Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) School in Kew, both located in Johannesburg.
“Subsequently, his academic journey at Gresswold LSEN School came to an end in September 2012.
“Matthew re-emerged on our system in 2016 at Fourways Adult Centre, where he wrote 3 subjects as a part-time candidate. However, he only passed one of those subjects.
“Based on these records and further verified information at our disposal from UMALUSI, we can confirm that Matthew Bongani Lani indeed does not possess a matric certificate,” said Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the department.
The HPCSA verified that Matthew Zingelwa-Lani was not a registered health practitioner and emphasized that practicing without registration is a criminal offense.
Lani clarified that “Lani” was his social media handle, not his legal surname, which is “Zingelwa,” and advised against searching for “Lani” in the HPCSA database, alleging the HPCSA confirmed his credentials.
NTHABISENG RAMOKOLO, BOGUS PHARMACIST EXPOSED FOR FAKE QUALIFICATIONS
In a related story, bogus pharmacist, Nthabiseng Ramokolo, has been revealed for fabricating her qualifications and medical background, which she claims on social media, stating that she is a certified pharmacist currently working toward a master’s degree at the University of Limpopo’s School of Health Sciences.
Ramokolo has often been spotted wearing medical scrubs featuring the University of Limpopo logo and her name.
The University of Limpopo has since distanced itself from Ramokolo and her claims.
University of Limpopo’s Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Tebogo Mothiba, addressed these claims…
“The records of the university do not contain any information on Nthabiseng Ramokolo, and our faculty members, as well as current and former students, have confirmed that they never met her before.”
[MEDIA STATEMENT]
UL’s statement on Nthabiseng Ramokolo
After checking all records, the University would like to state that Nthabiseng Ramokolo is not a UL pharmacy graduate and that she was never a student of the University. pic.twitter.com/GHuCBF9z4f
— University of Limpopo (@ULvarsity) October 12, 2023
249 CASH-IN-TRANSIT ROBBERIES REPORTED SINCE JANUARY
South Africa has seen a concerning rise in cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies since the beginning of the year, with a total of 249 incidents reported. This marks a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. The surge in CIT robberies has raised serious concerns, particularly within the industry.
A recent incident on the N12 highway in Johannesburg added to the alarm when a CIT van was targeted and destroyed in a robbery. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has taken this as an opportunity to advocate for a cashless economy in the province, proposing measures to reduce the reliance on physical currency. The spate of CIT robberies has prompted increased security measures and vigilance among authorities and cash-in-transit companies to combat this growing criminal threat.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA OFFERS TO MEDIATE IN ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended an offer to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the nation’s experience in conflict resolution. Ramaphosa’s proposal comes in response to the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, leading to widespread concern over the impact on civilian populations in the region.
Ramaphosa called for the immediate and unconditional opening of “humanitarian corridors” in the Middle East to facilitate the delivery of much-needed aid to affected individuals. South Africa stands prepared to collaborate with the international community, drawing on its expertise in mediation and conflict resolution, which it has previously utilized in various contexts around the world.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensified following a series of events, including Hamas’s Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and Israel’s Operation Swords of Iron. This has led to significant military campaigns, further compounding the challenges faced by people living in the affected areas.
The situation has prompted concerns and calls for a cessation of violence and a return to restraint in the region. President Ramaphosa’s offer to mediate reflects South Africa’s commitment to facilitating peace and stability in global conflicts.
MORE PEOPLE ARE STAYING SINGLE WHILE MARRIAGES DECLINE
South Africa is experiencing a significant shift in relationship dynamics, with a notable increase in the number of people who have never been married. According to the 2022 Census data, the percentage of individuals who have never been married has risen from 54% in 2011 to 62.2% in 2022.
Conversely, the data indicates a decline in the number of individuals getting married, with the percentage of married people decreasing from 29.9% in 2011 to 24% in 2022. Cohabitation, commonly referred to as “vat en sit,” has also seen a decrease, dropping from 9.2% in 2011 to 7.8% in 2022.
The data further reveals shifts in the status of couples, such as a slight decrease in separated but legally married couples, a minor increase in the divorce rate, and a reduction in widowed couples. These trends suggest changing societal attitudes and preferences related to relationships and marital status in South Africa.
MORE THAN 18.5 MILLION ADULTS IN SA DO NOT HAVE MATRIC
The recently released Census 2022 data paints a concerning picture of educational disparities in South Africa. Among the adult population aged 20 and over, which numbers over 40.5 million individuals, a staggering 18.5 million adults have not completed their secondary school education, specifically lacking a matric certificate.
This data reveals a stark divide in educational attainment, with black/African and coloured communities being the most affected by this issue. Furthermore, the Census reported that South Africa’s total population has reached 62 million, including approximately 2.5 million foreign nationals. This striking figure indicates that nearly half of the adult population in the country has not achieved a matric certificate and remains without the completion of secondary school education. Bridging this educational gap will be a significant challenge in ensuring equal opportunities and empowerment for all South Africans.
RETIRED TEACHER SCAMMED OUT OF PENSION IN DATING SCAM
A case currently before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga has brought to light the allegations against Christopher Masereka, also known as Moses Mawaza, a Ugandan national. Masereka stands accused of swindling a 46-year-old former teacher out of her pension funds.
The prosecution contends that Masereka and the victim entered into a romantic relationship in March. During this period, the accused purported to be involved in logistics and, in an unexpected turn of events, advised the teacher to resign from her profession. This was with the promise that they would embark on a business venture together, utilizing her pension payout as capital.
Trusting in this arrangement, the former teacher resigned in May 2023. Upon the deposit of her pension savings into her account in August of the same year, the accused masterminded a series of transactions, culminating in the entire pension sum being handed over to him. Post-receipt of the funds, it is alleged that Masereka adopted evasive tactics, including changing his contact information, to avoid further communication with the victim.
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