FOUR SUSPECTS ARE DUE TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
NELSPRUIT – Four suspects are due to appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 21 October 2020, following their arrest by police yesterday at Vosman. The suspects were allegedly found in possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the report, the police received information about suspicious male occupants driving in a blue Renault Sandero and details were also given that these men were making some strange movements at a certain house in the Vosman area. The members responded to the information and spotted the vehicle with four men inside and it matched the description as reported. The police stopped the car and upon searching, they found two firearms with serial numbers filed off in the possession of these men. The firearms were loaded with ammunition and the suspects were then arrested.
The police investigation has revealed that one of the suspects is attending court for a murder case in KZN and they (police) cannot rule out possibilities of adding more charges with regard to the confiscated firearms.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has commended the members for their swift response to the information provided by the community which has led to the arrest of the suspects. He said that the efforts by both police as well as members of the public are believed to have come in time and it prevented possible violent crime that could have been committed by the suspects.
The investigation report into GMM in terms of Section 106 of the Systems Act tabled in council on Tuesday 20 October 2020
The final report on the investigation into GMM affairs in terms of Section 106(1)(b) of the Local Government Municipal Systems act 32 of 2000 was tabled in council today.
The investigation was done by Motlatsi Seleke Inc, who was appointed by the MEC on 21 November 2019.
The report paints a bleak picture of political involvement unauthorised appointments and circumvention of the Supply Chain Management as well as irregular expenditure and fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
The report exposes the tip of the iceberg of the rot that is so prevalent within Govan Mbeki Municipality.
The MEC for Cogta in Mpumalanga said in his executive summary that disciplinary action should be instituted against several officials as well as councillors.
Disclaimer:
All the information listed in the article below has been taken from the full report and is reported as such. In no way does The Bulletin claim that everything in the report is factual as there are also several allegations raised in the report. All names, claims and allegations are as it is contained within the report.
The report specifically lists, in the executive summary, Executive Mayor Councillor TY Ngxonono and MMC Cllr NE Nkosi as two of the councillors that interfered in the appointment of employees. The recommendation read that council invoked the Code of Conduct of Councillors against the two councillors.
Cllr Yvonne Thandi Ngxonono Executive Mayor is now on special leave
This could mean the possible removal of the mayor from office as MMC Nkosi resigned recently. She is now filling the position that her sister occupied at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in a clear case of nepotism. She was never on any ANC list, according to our sources, to be promoted to the position but nabbed the position before the candidate which was earmarked for the position.
The executive summary also made mention of the irregular appointment of the CFO. The CFO is currently suspended. The CFO failed to comply with the minimum requirements prescribed in the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000. The CFO only managed to receive a basic level of competency as well as no employment contract and/or performance agreement within the time frame stipulated in the Act and as per council resolution.
Opposition parties strongly opposed to the appointment of the CFO and pointed out the fact that the CFO does not meet the requirements as per law.
It is even more astonishing that the assessment report used, was a report that was done for a different municipality the previous year.
The ANC used their majority vote to approve the appointment.
Page 4 of the executive summary mentioned the Deputy Director of Energy Services and recommended disciplinary action against him for signing invoices from Service Providers without proof that the services were rendered and to rendered to the satisfaction of the municipality.
The report continued to paint a picture of interference by councillors and lack of co-operation of some of the officials.
In the investigating area of appointments, it became clear that policies and current legislation were discarded in the process of appointing personnel.
Appointments were made where applicants did not meet the minimum requirements. Some were given preferential treatment.
Motlatsi Seleke Inc reported on page 30 paragraph 7.7.25:
“It was also evident that the municipal manager came into an environment which was highly politicised and overcome by inherent issues of political influence. The history of the municipal managers who served s accounting officers and the history of investigations done at the municipality, give a clear indication of great difficulty imposed by the strong-arm of the politics within the municipality.”
The report showed several cases where people were appointed ahead of better qualified candidates. The appointed applicant did not meet the required minimum qualification but was still appointed.
One employee was appointed as an “Acting Plumber”, a position that he filled for 26 years. This whilst not even meeting the requirements for the position. Another was acting in a similar position for 24 years.
The findings continued to show the total disregard for council resolutions taken.
Page 112 paragraph 12.3.11 read as follows:
“The council resolved that consequence management should be implemented by the accounting officer against officials, particularly in the Finance Department, liable for irregular, unauthorized, wasteful and fruitless expenditure as stated in the Audit-General’s Audit Report. According to our (Motlatsi Seleke Inc) this has not been implemented despite the exorbitant irregular, unauthorized, wasteful and fruitless expenditure incurred over the two financial periods.”
Irregular extension or termination of contracts
Findings in this regard covers the following:
Page 132 paragraph 14.3.1
Having analysed the above Information and/or documentation it is clear that the contract management is a major issue within the municipality the issues of noncompliance range from:
14.3.1.1 Service providers providing services without contracts;
14.3.1.2 Contracts being extended on a month to month basis without justification causing a reliance on expired contracts during disputes.
14.3.1.3 Reliance on expired contract
14.3.1.4 Contracts being terminated haphazardly without compliance and/or consideration of contractual obligations
Page 132 paragraph 14.3.2
The above issues have a direct impact on supply chain management process is time is paid out of service providers and ultimately leads to irregular expenditure. This is exacerbated by the fact that the supply chain management of the municipality is already poorly managed
The report further states that one of the greatest limitation of this investigation was the incomplete and almost placed records.
The end result of the poor contract management in the Govan Mbeki Municipality has resulted in numerous litigation cases instituted by service providers as a result of non payment of invoices for services rendered which stemmed from the contract signed between these service providers and ability.
The current claims against the municipality currently stands at R 99 238 541.90. These are only claims in regard to the interpretation or enforcement of contracts.
Service Providers
In the report please mention under the heading of analysis of service providers that did the interviews regarding the various investigation areas company realised that there is a trend in issues raised regarding specific service providers.
In this section, regarding the service providers, it became clear that companies were linked to some of the officials who have companies that have two directors of different companies and they are family. According to the report one of the companies was involved in supplying bogus quotes whereas another was company provided with a slightly lower quote and two others slightly higher quotes. The report read as follows: “We will leave the names of the directors, the companies owned by Mr A and Mr B respectively.”
The connection between these companies cannot be assumed to be a coincidence and in fact, there appears to be a manipulation of the three quote procurement system which would require the assistance of a departmental official acting in collusion with the supplier we buy multiple quotations are submitted as they were independent quotes to insure that is specific company receives the work (paragraph 14.6.9)
In another case the report spoke about the director of “Company A” that is directly linked to one of the Senior Technical Managers in the municipality and who facilitated most of the work that was given to Mavutha Contractors. It also spoke of a deep rooted connection as both are active directors of “Company B” limited that was registered in 2007.
The payments made to service providers, also discussed on page 156 of the report, two more counsellors were directly implicated with receiving benefits from these relationships and they are connected, according to allegations within the report, to two service providers that are both owned by one person. These counsellors are also directly connected to another service provider.
Names have not been included as the allegations have not yet been proved in a court of law.
Irregular Expenditure
In regards to companies above, the report on page 172 paragraph 14.7.1 stated; the seriousness of the moves abilities inability to ensure proper contract management has greatly contributed to the dire state in which the municipality find itself in.
Over two financial years it is clear that there are three issues that largely contribute to the irregular expenditure of the municipality issues are as follows
Services received without signed contract.
Contracts extended on a month to month basis
Non-compliance with SCM regulations
in its conclusion regarding the service providers the report ends with the following paragraph
the municipal management must report the above counsellors and the directors of the above companies to the Directorate for priority crimes investigation (Hawks) in accordance with section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 for possible corruption, fraud and collusion in relation to the transactions related three companies mentioned in the report.
The report is over 250 pages long, excluding any annexures.
The ANC, today, decided to use their majority and overrule proposals by the Democratic Alliance that the implicated councillors and officials be suspended and that disciplinary procedures be instituted against them. They also chose to ignore the instructions of the MEC that some councillors, officials and service providers be referred to the HAWKS for further investigation.
One can only deduce that the municipality is in deep trouble and needs urgent intervention.
Die jaarlikse Goedehoop Manne Aand het soos gewoonlik goed afgeloop.
Goedehoop manne aande is bekend vir die sukses wat behaal word met die vondsinsamelings vir die skool.
Die reëlings wat Tjorrie Kruger en sy span maak werp altyd baie vrugte af.
Hierdie jaar was geen uitsondering nie. Die reelings is gemaak maar COVID-19 het sy eie stempel afgedruk. Uiteindelik is die vure by Tjorrie se stoor by Greenfields aangesteek.
Vrydag 16 Oktober was weer een van daai aande wat seker lank onthou sal word. Meestal vir die goeie dinge en die lekker aand maar daar sal ook seker een of twee wees wat sal wonder of hy rêrig daai aandenking moes koop.
Maar met Andries Vermeulen aan die stuur het jy seker nie vreeslik ‘n keuse nie. Dit gaan tog immers vir ‘n goeie doel.
“Die gemeenskap van Secunda is mos anders,” het Tjorrie aan die Bulletin gesê, “Ons ploeg graag terug in ons gemeenskap in.”
Andries Vermeulen en Jo Black Foto: Petrus Saayman
“Daar is 30 kinders in Goedehoop wat regtig hulp nodig het en ons gaan bietjie daar help,” het Tjorrie gesê, “Daar is ook ‘n oudleerling van goedehoop wat ons wil help, hy is tans op hoërskool en was onlangs in ‘n ernstige motor ongeluk.”
Tjorrie Kruger en Jo Black met die kitaar wat die beheerliggaam aan Jo geskenk het. Foto: Petrus Saayman
“Die res van die fondse sal vir die skool aangewend word om hulle gronde te vergroot.”
Saartjie, die welbekende sang groep, het die aand geopen terwyl die manne by die vure gestaan het. Kort voorlank het Andries Vermeulen die groep nader geroep en sommer dadelik hulle sakke en beursies getoets.
Met die eerste ronde was die bal aan die rol gesit en gou gou was daar reeds R25000 ingesamel. Die veiling het natuurlik baie vlot verloop en die manne was glad nie skaam om teen mekaar te bie nie.
Andries het natuurlik sy huiswerk goed gedoen en ‘n paar manne name gegee, of dit by hulle gepas het was nie eers ter sprake nie, en name soos die Konstruksie Baron of die Skelm Prokereur en ook die man wat die Karoo onderdak kan sit met sy gebou op die heuwel, het rondgevlieg.
Die Bulletin sal nie die name openbaar maak nie om hulle identiteite te beskerm.
Fotos van die Manne Aand. Fotos deur Petrus Saayman
Jo Black het die manne vermaak met sy musiek en almal kon die aand verder geniet. Saarkie het weer die aand met lekker ritmes afgelsuit.
Die aand is finaal tot ‘n einde gebring met ‘n vuurwerk vertoning wat die hele Greenfields verlig het.
CONCERN BY SAPS MANAGEMENT REGARDING RAPE ALLEGATIONS ALLEGEDLY TO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED BY WITBANK STATION COMMANDER
Brigadier Sifiso Cele previously filled the post of cluster commander for the GMM area and were stationed at the Secunda Police Station.
NELSPRUIT- The management of the SAPS in Mpumalanga is startled by a media report published by Mail and Guardian last week, purporting that there are six women who have received counseling for sexual crimes allegedly committed by Brigadier Sifiso Cele, the current Acting Station Commander of Witbank.
The media report further contains information that M&G did see a dossier carrying these sexual crime allegations and that two of the women declined to speak to M&G but confirmed the content of the dossier.
Further claims were made that Lieutenant Colonel Anya Chrissopoulos who is the Provincial Head Psychological Services in Mpumalanga, offered counseling to the six women.
The SAPS management wants to set the record straight in that there is no dossier which was brought to the attention of the management. Lieutenant Colonel Chrissopoulos is also shocked to learn that her name was drawn into this matter, which can only be labeled as a smear campaign to tarnish the image of the officer. She (Chrissopoulos) told management that she does not know anything about these allegations against Brigadier Cele.
The management would like to remind the community that sexual crimes are regarded and taken very seriously by police hence the fight against the scourge of Gender Based Violence. Therefore there is no way that an officer would have been not arrested for raping or sexually violating any women. The community is assured that if there was any allegations of this nature against Brigadier Cele, he would have been arrested immediately.
The SAPS in the province respects the M&G however, would like to make a call to the reporter to correctly verify his facts before publishing a story.
Ons het ook ‘n Smallville Kinderkerk les vir jou beskikbaar op Smallville se Facebook blad of op Kruik Gemeente se Youtube kanaal.
Maak ‘n finansiële bydrae op 2 verskillende maniere: 1. Gee Aanlyn – Kruik Gemeente, ABSA, Tjek, 632005, Rek nr: 1510140016 2. Gee deur Zapper App – vind ons QR code in die diens aankondigings.
Kontak ons gerus op Kruik Gemeente se Facebook Messenger en Whatsapp lyn (0721336130) of besoek ons webtuiste by: https://www.kruik.co.za/.
MPUMALANGA – A 29-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Secunda Magistrate Court on Monday for dealing in drugs.
The suspect who is alleged to be the main supplier of various drugs in the Secunda area was arrested on Friday by members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation.
HAWKS RECOVER STOLEN BAKKIES IN TRANSIT TO MOZAMBIQUE
MPUMALANGA: A 45-year-old appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate Court on 16 October 2020 after he was arrested on Thursday by members of the Hawks` Serious Organised Crime Investigation Nelspruit with the assistant of members from Flying squad White River for possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle.
Information was received about a double cab Isuzu bakkie blue in colour which was stolen from Soweto Gauteng Province heading to Mozambique via Nelspruit road. The vehicle was spotted on the N4 and searched. It came to light that the vehicle was stolen from Protea Glen in October 2020. The suspect was arrested. The suspect was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, driving without a drivers licence and the vehicle.
Later the evening while the team was still busy processing the first crime scene, information was received about a Toyota Hilux which was allegedly stolen from White River in October 2020. The team followed the information and the vehicle was spotted in the central business district. A high-speed chase ensued resulting in the suspect abandoning the vehicle and fled on foot.
Meanwhile, another vehicle was found on Tuesday, 13 October 2020 another vehicle was recovered by the team at Kanyamazane following information from members of DPCI Gauteng. The suspected stolen vehicle, Ford Ranger bakkie Silver/Grey in colour which was being sought by Florida SAPS. The said vehicle was found fitted with false registration numbers and was seized.
HAWKS DISMANTLE ILLEGAL SMELTING PLACES OF GOLD BEARING MATERIAL IN MPUMALANGA
MPUMALANGA – Nhlanhla Zweli Magagule (43) and Jabulani Sfiso Nkosi (33) were denied bail by the Barberton Magistrate Court on Friday while Sydwel Sengwane (32) and Sunnyboy Manzini (27) were granted R1000 bail each for illegal mining and illegal possession of gold-bearing material. The case is postponed to 11 December 2020 for further investigation.
Nhlanhla Zweli Magagula (43) Swati National
Jabulani Sfiso Nkosi (33
Both were denied bail
The four suspects were nabbed during and intelligence driven disruptive operation by members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga together with National Intervention Unit in Barberton on Wednesday.
Hawks investigations revealed that a group of illegal Zama-Zama’s, both local and foreign nationals, allegedly trespassed at an old shaft. On Wednesday the team descended upon the illegal gold miners processing premises where the four suspects were arrested whilst others fled to the nearest mountain.
The joint team seized pendukas, gas cylinders, hammer, head torches, generators and backpacks bags, detonators cords and blasting gel total estimated at R500 000.
Equipment seized
Major General Zodwa Mokoena welcomed the arrest and sent a strong warning to whom would be Zama-Zama’s that illegal mining will not be tolerated in Mpumalanga.
HAWKS WELCOMES CONVICTION OF COPPER CABLE THIEF FOR R1.2 MILLION
MPUMALANGA – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of a 59-year-old Johannes Wellem Harmse yesterday for Theft and possession of stolen copper cables that took place in Klipspruit farm in Delmas during September 2015.
Johannes Wellem Harmse(59)
The intelligence-driven operation was conducted by members of the Hawks` Serious Organised Crime Investigation Middelburg and Crime Intelligence Middelburg targeting on the suspects who buy stolen copper cables. On the 30 September, 2015 entrapment was carried out and the accused was arrested in possession of nine drums rolled cables immediately after handing the money and receiving the cables valued to R1.2million.
Rolls of stolen cable
The Delmas Magistrate’s Court has found Harmse guilty of Theft and Possession of stolen copper cables. The accused was sentenced to six years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition the accused is not found guilty of Theft and receiving of stolen property during the period of suspension.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Zodwa Mokoena has congratulated both the investigating and the prosecution teams in a hope that the sentence will set an exam to those who are still buying stolen properties. Major General further said that theft of copper cables affect the growth of the economy of the country.
POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR A SUSPECT FOLLOWING DISCOVERY OF A BODY OF WOMAN STASHED IN A FREEZER
NELSPRUIT – The police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt following the discovery of an 80-year-old woman’s body stashed in a freezer at Pankop near Mmamethlake on Monday, 12 October 2020.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the victim was staying with her 10 year old grandson as well as a caregiver believed to be from Lesotho, hired by the family to look after the granny. On Monday, the young boy came back from school only to find that there was nobody at home. He realised that the door to the house was wide open but the burglar door was locked. He then began to ask neighbours of the whereabouts of his granny and the caregiver.
The neighbours tried to assist in the search meanwhile other family members were also informed about the matter. Whilst searching, the neighbours became suspicious when they noticed a coffee table, a gas stove and a TV set placed on top of the freezer. They then removed the items and discovered the lifeless body of the elderly woman inside the freezer. The police as well as medical personnel were summoned where the victim was certified dead at the scene. The police opened a case of murder hence the manhunt.
The police appeal to the woman (in the picture attached) named MmaThato to immediately go to the nearest police station as they (police) believe that she can assist immensely in the investigation.
Police are searching for MmaThato
Members of the public who know her whereabouts, are also urged to kindly contact Detective Captain Solomon Moshime at 082 065 1355 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, alternatively, a tip-off can be given on the MySAPSApp that can be downloaded to any smartphone. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
At Valbank, a few kilometres from Mmamethlake a similar incident occurred recently between March and September 2020, where a 91-year-old woman was severely assaulted by a caregiver hired to look after her. After the incident, the 45-year-old suspect fled the scene and the matter was brought to the attention of the police who opened a case of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH).
The suspect, believed to be from Lesotho was traced and arrested in Pretoria. She is expected to appear in the Mbibana Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 16 October 2020, where she is expected to apply for bail.
The police have strongly condemned the incident as well as the vicious attack on senior citizens because these incidents once again depict a serious moral decay in the society.
