Author Archives: Lebo Tshangela

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Judgement in bail application for six men accused of killing Babita Deokaran expected on Tuesday

30 November 2021, 10:15 AM

Judgement in the bail application of the six men accused of killing Gauteng Health whistle-blower, Babita Deokaran, is expected to be handed down on Tuesday at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court.

Deokaran was gunned down outside her Johannesburg home in August.

The senior official at the provincial Health Department was a key witness in an investigation into tender fraud surrounding personal protective equipment’s.

The six suspects accused of murdering Deokaran are expected to hear on Tuesday, whether or not they will remain behind bars.

During the bail application, all six retracted their confessions, alleging it was given under duress.

Prior to retracting their confessions, accused number one, Phakamani Hadebe, implicated former Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize. Hadebe claimed that he met the Minister and a man he identified as Mkhize’s brother at Brits Mall a week before Deokaran was killed.

He then made a U-turn, saying he had confessed to stop the assault by police.

Video: Bail application for the six men accused of killing Gauteng Health Department whistleblower Babita Deokaran (5 November 2021)

Last month, Corruption Watch called on law enforcement to ensure that the death of Gauteng Health Department senior official is not in vain.

Corruption Watch Executive Director, David Lewis said it is important that whistleblowers are protected,

Deokaran’s family spokesperson, Tony Haripersadh said they want to see justice being served.

“The family is not going to leave this. We are going to appear at the court appearances and we are going to see to it that justice is done. We are expecting bail to be refused and for the suspects to be held until the thorough investigation has been completed and the mastermind that ordered this hit, that person is identified and brought to book,” says Haripersadh.

Video: Family of slain Babita Deokaran wants justice (18 November 2021)

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Ronaldo hits back at ‘lies’ about Ballon d’Or rivalry with Messi

30 November 2021, 9:00 AM

Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday hit back at comments made by Ballon d’Or organiser Pascal Ferre, saying the editor-in-chief of France Football “lied” about his rivalry with Lionel Messi.

Ferre told the New York Times on Friday that Manchester United forward Ronaldo’s sole ambition was to retire with more of the awards for the world’s best player than Messi.

Argentine Messi, who joined Paris St Germain on a free transfer from Barcelona during the close season, beat Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to claim a record-extending seventh Ballon d’Or award.

“Pascal Ferre lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for,” Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, said in an Instagram post on Monday.

“It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d’Or.”

France Football did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on Ronaldo’s post.

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North West ANC councillors who colluded with the opposition face disciplinary action

30 November 2021, 8:43 AM

The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West says strong action will be taken against all party councillors who colluded with opposition parties in council meetings and voted against the mandate of the party.

Last week in the Mamusa local municipal council, some councillors are alleged to have voted for an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor, Olebeng Mogorosi, as the Speaker. In the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, the EFF’s Tebogo Babuile was elected mayor.

The ANC’s leadership formally announced the measures in Potchefstroom.

Coordinator for the ANC Interim Provincial Committee, Hlomane Chauke says some members have confessed.

“In Mamusa, the three comrades that we now know that they voted with the opposition, they confessed openly they confessed to the party. We are busy with that process. We are going to deal with internal ANC disciplinary processes,” says Chauke.

Chauke says there is a possibility of removing some councillors.

‘We are currently busy investigating the issue of RSM and the sooner we have finalised that, and it’s very clear that because they have used the secret ballot, to vote against the African National Congress. Possibilities we may have to withdraw all of those councillors there. If it comes to that push that we must remove all of them, we are going to that,” Chauke says.

VIDEO: No show by ANC delays election of mayor:

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SA’s fuel price hike could result in people struggling to get to work on a daily basis: Road Freight Association

30 November 2021, 7:11 AM

The Road Freight Association has outlined the impact of fuel price hikes on consumer pockets, saying transport cost increases could result in people struggling financially to get to work.

Motorists in South Africa are facing yet another big hike in the fuel price from Wednesday.

The Energy Department says petrol will go up by 81c/litre, diesel by between 72 and 74c/litre and illuminating paraffin will go up by over 40c/litre.

This means that petrol will cost more than R 20 a litre inland. The petrol price has been hiked by over R2 a litre in just two months.

The Road Freight Association’s CEO is Gavin Kelly says the price hike could result in commuters struggling to get to work.

“There are a lot of people who need to use public transport and their own transport to get to work. So every time you see a 50c rise in a litre of fuel you know that the average worker is looking like a 7% increase in transport costs and if that keeps happening every month, you can imagine 2-3 months down the line, we are paying so much more for transport costs and my salary and wages just aren’t increasing. So you are going to see people struggling to get to work on a daily basis,” says Kelly.

The price hikes are on the back of a weaker rand and firm oil prices.

VIDEO: Motorists face yet another big jump in fuel prices:

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Eastern Cape wind farm expected to boost skills, ensure community development

30 November 2021, 6:48 AM

A multi-million-rand community-based wind farm has finally been launched in the Kouga region of the Eastern Cape.

The Kouga Wind Farm community development trust will spend R300 million over a five-year period, focusing on areas like Umzamowethu, Sea Vista, KwaNomzamo and Kruisfontein.

Beneficiaries will be equipped with skills needed in the energy sector, and also have a 26% investment stake in the funding from the Industrial Development Corporation.

The Coega Community Trust’s Dr Tlale Nathane says community involvement is crucial and the renewable energy sector is playing a vital role in job creation.

“It’s important for the board of trustees to establish community development trust to actually bring development, ” says Nathane.

Nathane says it is important to ensure sustainable development.

“You talk about development that is sustainable, development that is based on the needs of the people,” adds Nathane.

SABC News Reporter Zolani Moya on multi-million-rand community-based wind farm launched in the Kouga region: