Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
EX-KPMG EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF R16.5 MILLION FRAUD TO REMAIN BEHIND BARS
Fidelis Moema, a former KPMG bursary specialist, is set to remain behind bars as his case has been postponed pending a formal bail application. Moema stands accused of defrauding his former employer of R16.5 million. He appeared at the Palm Ridge Commercials Crime Court on Tuesday for his second appearance. The 32-year-old was apprehended by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crimes Investigation team in Johannesburg after surrendering himself. Moema’s bail application is expected to be heard next week.
POLICE ARREST SIX SUSPECTS IN KAIZER CHIEFS SOCCER PLAYER MURDER CASE
The Gauteng police task force has arrested six suspects in connection with the hijacking and murder of Kaizer Chiefs soccer player, 24-year-old Luke Fleurs. The arrests were made in Slovoville, Soweto, early on April 10, 2024, while the victim’s stripped car was recovered on April 8.
The police suspect the arrested individuals are part of a car hijacking syndicate operating in Gauteng. The team, led by Major General Mbuso Khumalo, includes various specialized units working tirelessly to ensure justice. The suspects are scheduled to appear in Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on April 12.
STRONG WINDS CAUSE DAMAGE AND DISRUPTION IN WESTERN CAPE
The Western Cape faced significant challenges over the weekend due to strong winds, causing uprooted trees and damage to houses and schools. The Education Department shut down schools in the Boland and Helderberg Basin following warnings from the South African Weather Service about severe weather. Additionally, disruptive winds and a major shack fire in Stellenbosch left many people destitute. Premier Alan Winde and other officials provided updates on preparations to manage the impact of the severe weather system, which fueled fires in the Cape Winelands. The weather system brought intense downpours and wind, prompting a level 9 warning from the South African Weather Service.
E-TOLLS PERMANENTLY SCRAPPED, BUT MOTORISTS STILL NEED TO SETTLE OUTSTANDING BILLS
The e-toll system in Gauteng will be permanently scrapped starting Friday. Although tolls will no longer be charged for the use of the e-toll network, motorists are still required to pay any outstanding bill. The future method of debt collection will be announced later. Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga also shared that e-toll gantries will be repurposed for monitoring highways and capturing stolen vehicles and cloned plate numbers.
Valid accounts can still be used for payments at toll plazas, parking, and other services until the system’s complete phase-out. E-toll invoices will be rolled up and issued until the last day of operation.
IEC ANNOUNCES FINAL CANDIDATE LISTS FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has published the final lists of political parties and independent candidates for the upcoming National and Provincial Elections. A significant change in the 2024 elections is the inclusion of independent candidates, who will compete for seats in both the National Assembly and provincial legislatures for the first time. President Cyril Ramaphosa enabled this change in April 2023.
The lists are available on the IEC website and at all IEC offices. South Africa will hold its seventh democratic election on May 29, 2024.
WEBUYCARS LISTED ON JSE
WeBuyCars made its debut on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on 11 April 2024 and experienced a strong opening. The company’s shares opened at R20 per share, surpassing the IPO price of R18.75, giving it an initial market capitalization of R8.34 billion ($444 million). The stock was trading at R20.30 by 11 am. WeBuyCars, founded in 2001, is involved in buying and selling pre-owned vehicles, with a nationwide presence of 15 supermarkets and 74 buying pods.
NEW DRIVING LICENCE CARDS TO BE PRINTED FROM END OF APRIL
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga announced that new driving licenCe cards will be introduced in South Africa, with printing expected to commence by the end of April. The Department of Transport plans to launch the first 100 cards per province this month.
The new printer, DLCA, is expected to produce a card within five working days, nine days faster than the current printer. This development aims to improve efficiency and speed up the process of issuing new driving license cards.
What is different:
• The new licenCe will be aligned closer to international practices,
• The new card will also allow for the incorporation of new technologies.
• The new card will have improved security features, including biometric data, holograms, and watermarks, to reduce fraudulent licences and improve road safety.
HOME AFFAIRS OFFICES TO OPEN SATURDAYS
The Department of Home Affairs is extending its services to Saturdays from April 6 to May 25, 2024, excluding the public holiday on April 27, to facilitate ID collection and other related services. Offices will be open from 8 am to 1 pm to assist with new ID applications, issuance of Temporary Identity Certificates, and resolving issues such as duplicates, amendments, rectifications, and dead-alive cases. Mobile offices will also visit remote areas to deliver IDs where applications were taken.
Clients can book appointments for Smart ID and Green barcoded ID collections or simply visit Home Affairs offices without a booking. Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza encourages individuals, especially young first-time applicants, to collect their documents at their convenience.
ELLIES HEADED FOR LIQUIDATION AMID FINANCIAL STRUGGLES
Ellies is entering liquidation after the business rescue practitioner concluded that the company has no reasonable prospect of being rescued. The decision follows the failure to secure funding from its bankers for a proposed transaction and the delay in publishing its interim results. The results showed a 30.6% drop in revenue and a
205% increase in loss per share. Ellies attributed its difficulties to manageable levels of load shedding, which dampened demand for inverter trolleys and solar products. The company will now apply to the court to discontinue business rescue proceedings and proceed with liquidation, with further updates expected.
JOBURG WARNS PROPERTY OWNERS OF BLACKLISTING FOR DEBTS
The City of Johannesburg is taking action against defaulting property owners and businesses by blacklisting them to recover debts owed, as the city faces up to R52 billion in rates debt. The city plans to invoke its Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy, reporting defaulters to Credit Bureaus.
Public Relations Specialist Nkosana Lekotjolo encourages residents to work with the municipality to resolve debts, highlighting the flexibility to accommodate those facing economic challenges. Residents are urged to visit city offices to make arrangements for repayment plans, with evidence of income changes, to avoid blacklisting.
AROUND 50 000 PEOPLE DIED OF HIV-RELATED CAUSES, AROUND 7.8 MILLION WERE LIVING WITH HIV IN 2023
New estimates from the Thembisa model reveal that around 50,000 people died of HIV-related causes, with approximately 7.8 million living with HIV in South Africa in 2023, as shared by News24. These figures, integrating data from Statistic South Africa’s Census 2022 and the Human Sciences Research Council’s HIV survey, are crucial for assessing the epidemic’s impact.
Of the 7.8 million living with HIV, nearly 5.9 million were on treatment, indicating a 75% treatment coverage. However, about one million individuals disengaged from treatment, with half of the two million untreated previously receiving treatment. Addressing treatment initiation and retention is essential.
In 2023, approximately 237,000 individuals initiated antiretroviral therapy. Concerningly, over 46,000 adults commenced treatment only after their CD4 counts fell below 200 cells per cubic millimeter, underscoring the importance of timely treatment access and retention efforts.
EKURHULENI ELECTS NEW MAYOR UNOPPOSED
After a successful motion of no confidence ousted former Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana last month, the City of Ekurhuleni has elected a new mayor. Nkosindiphile Xakaza of the ANC was chosen as the new mayor of Ekurhuleni on Thursday. Xakaza was elected unopposed, marking a smooth transition in leadership following three prior attempts to remove Ngodwana from office.
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