5 KZN transport officials arrested for allegedly selling taxi operating licences granted bail

Five KwaZulu-Natal transport department officials appeared in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday for alleged fraud and corruption.

Sihle Qwabe, 43, Jonas Mhlambi, 61, Khanyi Mbatha, 44, Sabelo Mbatha, 33, and Nkululeko Ncanane, 34, were each granted R5 000 bail. The case was postponed to 9 November.

Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli condemned the officials who allegedly committed fraud and corruption to the tune of R7 million.

The five were charged with 252 counts of fraud.

Ntuli alleged the arrests came after an internal investigation was initiated by the department “which was prompted by various allegations that the five officials, aged between 33 and 61, were issuing operating permits to taxi operators without proper documentation”.

It is alleged they charged R25,000 per permit.

Ntuli said it was “totally unacceptable” that officials were allegedly abusing their power to serve personal interests.

“Particularly, as this involves the taxi industry which is marred by violence and instability.”

He added the department was investigating the entire provincial regulatory entity responsible for the regulation of the public transport industry in the province, including the issuing of operating licences.

“The arrest of the five officials demonstrates the effectiveness of our internal controls within the department. As part of our anti-corruption strategy the department has established an ethics committee that looks into all unethical behaviour in the department, including fraud and corruption.”

Ntuli said they would also give attention to driver licence testing centres, adding the department was following up leads of possible irregularities or acts of criminality.

“We are making serious interventions in curbing the fraudulent issuing of learners and drivers’ licences in driver licence testing centres. This is important in ensuring that we produce competent drivers who understand the rule of law and who value life.”

-The Citizen

In other news – Norma Mngoma who was arrested and divorced from Malusi Gigaba sends touching message

Norma Mngoma has been going through it this year. From being arrested for damage to property to getting a divorce from her politician ex-husband. However, she is not giving up though she is still holding her head high and is encouraging other women to do the same.

I want to remind you that it’s normal to feel emotional or weak when things don’t come together and when you know you are stretching yourself to make them work.” She adds. “I have learnt that the most resilient people are not only strong people but people who are capable of seeing everything as motivation. Learn More

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Mihlali Ndamase is Officially off The Market

Social media influencer, Mihlali Ndamase’s love life has been the topic of conversation for many months, as she openly discussed her feelings towards being single on social media. The beauty blogger has used her Twitter platform as her personal diary when it comes to her relationships and like many others, has fluctuated when it comes to what she really wants.

After causing fans to speculate for many months, it seems as though the mysterious man in her life has finally locked her down. In a Tweet on Monday, 28 September 2020, Mihlali tweeted, “You know it’s overs emotionally when you only want one person, everyone you spoke to before, those currently throwing, none of that matters chile. The heart wants what it wants. City girls are down FR… Scary stuff

Mihlali referenced that she had a new boo in her life for some time now, however it has been unclear if it was a lockdown romance or the real deal. Earlier this month, she embarked on a baecation with her new lover, to a safari holiday in Sabi Sands.

Her revelation confused fans, due to the fact that a week prior, she had she openly admitted that she was in dire need of a boyfriend during load shedding, as she felt that being alone in the dark was not for her. “I’m not gonna have electricity from 8 pm till midnight, personally I need a boyfriend ASAP. I’m gonna come home and sit in the dark alone I hate it here,” she said in a tweet.

You know it’s overs emotionally when you only want one person, everyone you spoke to before, those currently throwing, none of that matters chile. The heart wants what it wants.

City girls are down FR 💀

— Mihlali (@mihlalii_n) September 28, 2020

Mihlali has been open about her feelings towards the male population in recent weeks, with her outright stating that South African men are the lowest of low. In July 2020, the influencer went as far as to pledge a vow of celibacy, stating that she plans on not being intimate for the rest of the year, and is hoping to feel confident enough to extend her decision to the middle of 2021. She has also landed in hot whatever for her TMI moments on Twitter which saw her candidly talking about her s.e.x life, which many felt was inappropriate.

In other news – Scandal actress Stephanie Sandows on finding her dream wedding dress

Scandal! stars Stephanie Sandows and Hungani Ndlovu got married last year in a private wedding and only posted pictures this year. Learn more

Source: Celebsnow

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7 lions put down after killing ten sheep during escape from reserve

A pride of seven lions from the Karoo National Park outside Beaufort West in the Western Cape was put down on Tuesday after two escapes in a 24-hour period.

In the first incident, in the early hours of Monday morning, three lions from the pride of seven escaped from the park’s northern boundary along the Nuweveld Mountain range onto private property, said Rey Thakhuli, SANParks’ acting head of communications.

They subsequently killed 10 sheep on the neighbouring farm.

“Rangers were immediately dispatched and succeeded in chasing the animals back to the park. They then slept on the mountain in case the lions returned to the carcasses, which they did during the night,” Thakhuli said.

He said SANParks’ predator management policy made provision for the control of damage-causing animals.

“In an attempt to deter human-predator conflict and conservation, a management decision was taken to react quickly and put down the entire pride.

Damage-causing animals

“Because of the very difficult mountainous terrain, rangers could not get close to the animals on foot. A helicopter was subsequently brought in to assist in putting down the two sub-adult males, three sub-adult females, and two adult females.”

Thakhuli said the pride was considered a “damage-causing group of animals” who was concentrated in the high mountainous areas next to the northern boundary of the park, causing a serious risk to human life and livestock.

Park management was in constant contact with the property owner, who was kept up to date with proceedings, he added.

-The Citizen

In other news – Norma Mngoma who was arrested and divorced from Malusi Gigaba sends touching message

Norma Mngoma has been going through it this year. From being arrested for damage to property to getting a divorce from her politician ex-husband. However, she is not giving up though she is still holding her head high and is encouraging other women to do the same.

I want to remind you that it’s normal to feel emotional or weak when things don’t come together and when you know you are stretching yourself to make them work.” She adds. “I have learnt that the most resilient people are not only strong people but people who are capable of seeing everything as motivation. Learn More

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Woman and baby hacked to death in Durban

It’s turning out to be a bloody week in Kwazulu Natal. Police say a woman and her two-year-old child have been hacked to death in Phoenix.

Police spokesperson Jay Naicker says the suspect was known to the woman. Nine people were killed in KwaNdengezi at the weekend and on Tuesday, the bodies of two women were discovered in KwaMashu.

A woman has died after she and her 2-year-old daughter were badly beaten in Mount Royal, Durban. KZN VIP paramedics say the child sustained serious injuries to her head and has been rushed to hospital. The suspect is reportedly on the run. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/MK3jjIf2RV

— Dasen Thathiah (@DasenThathiah) September 30, 2020

In other news – Chrissy Teigen and John Legend reveal heartbreaking news that they have lost their baby

Chrissy Teigen has revealed she and husband John Legend have lost their baby, days after she was admitted to the hospital with heavy bleeding. Learn more

Source: eNCA

The post Woman and baby hacked to death in Durban first appeared on News365.co.za.

Video: Traffic officer caught on camera allegedly taking a bribe

A Gauteng traffic officer is under investigation after he was filmed allegedly accepting a bribe from a motorist in Alberton on Monday.

A video doing the rounds on social media shows the officer talking to a motorist he pulled over. A few moments later, the driver allegedly throws money into the boot of his vehicle and walks away.

The officer is then seen approaching the boot, where he reaches in and seemingly picks something up.

The Gauteng Traffic Police said an investigation is under way as bribery is viewed as unprofessional and unethical.

TAXI OPERATING ILLEGALLY? NO FEAR! JUST PAY YOUR RESPECTS & U CAN CONTINUE ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF THE COMMUTERS. THIS WAS EARLIER ON THE R59 AFTER SOUTH RAND ROAD. SOUTHCREST. ALBERTON. COE. GP. @SAPoliceService @GTP_Traffstats @GautengProvince @FaithMazibukoSA @cci_network pic.twitter.com/xJ2ugKk12T

— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) September 28, 2020

“The Gauteng Traffic Police expects its officers to conduct themselves in an ethical manner and with the highest form of integrity.

“Such conduct does not only negatively impact on the public confidence in the Gauteng Traffic Police, but also undermines our efforts towards making Gauteng a safe and secure province for all citizens,” it said in a statement.

It added that corrective measures will be taken against the officer in question once the investigation has been concluded.

-The Citizen

In other news – Norma Mngoma who was arrested and divorced from Malusi Gigaba sends touching message

Norma Mngoma has been going through it this year. From being arrested for damage to property to getting a divorce from her politician ex-husband. However, she is not giving up though she is still holding her head high and is encouraging other women to do the same.

I want to remind you that it’s normal to feel emotional or weak when things don’t come together and when you know you are stretching yourself to make them work.” She adds. “I have learnt that the most resilient people are not only strong people but people who are capable of seeing everything as motivation. Learn More

The post Video: Traffic officer caught on camera allegedly taking a bribe first appeared on News365.co.za.

North West premier Job Mokgoro to appear before Zondo Commission

The Zondo Commission will resume on Thursday morning. North West Premier Job Mokgoro and SAA head of procurement Nontsasa Memela are expected to appear before the commission.

Since last week, the commission has been focussing on allegations of corruption in the Free State housing and asbestos project worth millions of rand.

On Wednesday, the Hawks arrested four of seven suspects in connection with the 2014 asbestos project.

In other news – Chrissy Teigen and John Legend reveal heartbreaking news that they have lost their baby

Chrissy Teigen has revealed she and husband John Legend have lost their baby, days after she was admitted to the hospital with heavy bleeding. learn more

Source: eNCA

The post North West premier Job Mokgoro to appear before Zondo Commission first appeared on News365.co.za.

Minister Mbalula called to consider changing driver’s license renewal process from 5 to 10 years

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has called on Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to consider changing the driver’s license (DL) renewal process from 5 to 10 years.

Outa’s public governance division, portfolio manager Dominique Msibi explained in a statement on Wednesday that changing the renewal process would save consumers and government time and money.

“We believe that both the state and its citizens would benefit from a formal extension of the DL period of applicability from the current five year period to one of ten years.

“This should save the SA consumer and government time and money as well as improve the administration and manageability of the renewal process by the state,” Msibi said.

In a letter written to Mbalula, Outa proposed to the Minister that an extension for driver’s license renewal be applied from 5 to 10 years and the extension from 5 to 10 years applies between the ages of 18 to 65 years.

Outa also said that online application processes for DL renewals preceded the actual renewal, “to allow for more effective service delivery and flow between appointment, eye test and licence delivery”.

The organisation suggested that multiple methods for DL renewal be made available through test centres and reputable third party service providers, such as the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA).

It added that current restrictions applicable to professional driver’s permits either remain the same, or were possibly extended as well, however, that “this decision be based on more extensive research and the inclusion of input from bussing and tourism role-players.”

“The state is facing a growing crisis of legitimacy in its inability to address the backlog of DL renewals, which appears to be getting worse, not better.

“This in turn is spilling out into a crisis of administrative challenges that has the potential for citizens to be deemed as not acting ‘outside the law’, when driving without a license, due to the state’s inefficiencies.

“The extension of the grace period for ‘expired’ DL is becoming the norm. We believe there will be no adverse impact on the lives of South Africans in the case of extending DL renewal to 10-years,” Msibi added.

The organisation further said that while the current backlog highlights the need for improved efficiencies in the administration of DL renewals, “we sincerely believe it is time for South Africa to introduce formal extensions to the period of applicability to 10 years (as opposed to the current period of 5-years), as is done in many countries around the world”.

“This in turn will alleviate the current pressures on the state to keep pace with the growing administrative demand, as well as enable the DL renewal administrative processes to be improved.”

This call comes close on the heels of government’s recent announcement that motorists who missed the deadline, which was last Tuesday, 22 September, to renew their vehicle licence discs will now have to pay a penalty charge of 10% per month on the annual license fee.

They also run the risk of having to pay a fine of up to R1,000 should they be caught operating an unlicensed vehicle, while many motorists complain of a lack of access to licencing centres due to the continued effects of the pandemic.

-The Citizen

In other news – Norma Mngoma who was arrested and divorced from Malusi Gigaba sends touching message

Norma Mngoma has been going through it this year. From being arrested for damage to property to getting a divorce from her politician ex-husband. However, she is not giving up though she is still holding her head high and is encouraging other women to do the same.

I want to remind you that it’s normal to feel emotional or weak when things don’t come together and when you know you are stretching yourself to make them work.” She adds. “I have learnt that the most resilient people are not only strong people but people who are capable of seeing everything as motivation. Learn More

The post Minister Mbalula called to consider changing driver’s license renewal process from 5 to 10 years first appeared on News365.co.za.