Day: January 5, 2022

The State Capture Inquiry report has recommended that government introduce or amend existing legislation to strengthen the protection of any person disclosing information to reveal corruption, fraud or undue influence in public procurement activity.

According to the recommendation, this should be in line with article 32(2) of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

On Tuesday, Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo handed over Part 1 of the three-volume report to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, almost four years since the establishment of the Commission.

The first part of the State Capture Inquiry report deals with South African Airways, The New Age newspaper’s breakfasts and advertising, and the South African Revenue Service.

The report has implicated several political key players, government departments and organs in wrongdoing and State Capture.

According to the inquiry’s recommendations, government should authorise offering immunity from criminal or civil proceedings if there has been an honest disclosure of the information, which might otherwise render the informant liable to prosecution or litigation.

On Tuesday, the President made special mention of the whistleblowers who come forward to uncover some of these acts of wrongdoing, often risking their lives.

“We need to thank them for their courage and service to the country,” President Ramaphosa said.

The submission of the remaining parts of the report is expected to reach the President’s desk by 28 February 2022.

The First Citizen said he believes that the report will enable government to fight State Capture.

“If we work together, we will be able to rid our country of the gross actions of corruption we have seen in the past,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

GQEBERHA – Members of the South African Police Service in the Nelson Mandela Bay District are making significant gains in the fight against trio crimes. Excellent collaboration between various SAPS units and a security company, yielded positive results, when a truck with its load was recovered and two suspects successfully apprehended today, Wednesday, 5 January 2022.

According to police information, the driver and his passenger were travelling in a Nissan UD truck, stocked with groceries on the N2 (close to John Tallant Road, Gqeberha) and were travelling towards Oudtshoorn. It is alleged that at about 03:10, a white Nissan NP200 bakkie suddenly drove passed the truck and the passenger pointed the driver with a firearm and ordered the driver of the Nissan UD truck to pull off the road. The suspects then took control over the truck and the two victims were ordered to climb into the Nissan NP200 bakkie and were later dropped off in Motherwell.

After a few hours, the security company noticed that the truck driver was not travelling as scheduled and SAPS were roped in to assist. During a combined operation between various units, the Nissan UD truck was found abandoned at about 07:30 on the R75, outside Kariega, with some of the load missing. Further information was immediately followed up on and a large quantity of the grocery items were recovered at 09:00 on a farm close to the R75, Kariega. Two vehicles, a VW Caddy and a Nissan NP 300 vehicle were also found with some on the stolen property already loaded into the vehicles. The male driver (34) of the VW Caddy and a second male suspect (31) were arrested on the scene on charges ranging from hijacking to possession of suspected stolen property. The estimated value of the stolen goods recovered amounted to more than R2.2 million.

The suspects are due to appear in the Kariega Magistrate’s court on Friday, 7 January 2022 on the said charges. More arrests are expected soon, as the Provincial Organized Crime Unit in Gqeberha are following up on further leads.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – Police in New Brighton are searching for a missing 38-year-old male,, Luvuyo Futshane.

He was last seen on Saturday 04 December 2021 after he left his home in Diniso Street, New Brighton to go and assist in erecting an initiate bush dwelling in Kwamagxaki. He has not been seen again since then.

Any person that could assist police in finding him, can contact New Brighton Detectives, Detective Captain Msekeli Dangezele at 082 303 1029 or alternatively contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

MAHWELERENG – The Police in Mahwelereng are investigating a case of a missing person following the disappearance of a 30-year-old man, Sonti Joseph Mojela residing at Masodi next to Bethel Church.

He was last seen by his sister on the 25 December 2021 at about 22h10 at Ga-Sekgoboko Mosesetjane outside Mokopane.

The victim allegedly went to buy beers at a local tavern and never came back. He has since disappeared. He was wearing sky blue t-shirt, blue jeans with white and black sneakers. He is 1,5m tall, slender, brown skin and bold head.

Police conducted search operations at relatives, friends and surrounding areas without success.

Anyone with information that can assist to find the missing person may contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Pat Mogoane on 072 245 2659 or Crime Stop number 08600101111 or the nearest Police Station or MySAPSApp.

Police investigations are still continuing.

Source: South African Police Service