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Eyewitness News
10 hours ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Godongwana thinks political parties should be wholly funded from national fiscus
CAPE TOWN - Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is of the view that political parties should be wholly funded from the national fiscus and not have to accept private donations. Speaking to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)'s political funding conference in Durban on Thursday, Godongwana said it's unacceptable that some political parties don't submit annual audited financial statements. Godongwana's own political party, the African National Congress (ANC), was among those fined by the Electoral Court last year for falling foul of the law in this regard. The finance minister questioned whether the IEC was the appropriate body to keep political parties in check over their finances, saying it puts the institution at risk of accusations of bias and a lack of independence. "I'm from the ANC. When they do it to us, we say they've been captured. When they do it to another party, they say Ramaphosa has sent them." With a court challenge still pending over plans to double the annual private funding limit to R30 million, while also raising the threshold for declaring donations to R200,000, Godongwana said he hoped the matter was settled before next year's local government elections. He said that the conference should consider the implications of political parties purely being funded by the state. "That raises the question: What is the optimal level of funding and what is the criteria for that? We complain that departments are inefficient. Should we fund political parties for inefficiencies as well?" Godongwana also hinted that if the revenue allowed, more money could be set aside to fund next year's local government election, in addition to the R1.4 billion already allocated in this year's budget.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Shamila Batohi's track record as NPA boss
Manyane Manyane | Published 6 days ago Shamila Batohi's appointment as the National Director of Public Prosecutions raised hopes for a turnaround at the NPA. Despite disappointing results in prosecuting state capture cases, the NPA boasts a remarkable 90% conviction rate in complex commercial crimes in 2024. This achievement, which also included 333 convictions in complex tax case matters, highlights the NPA's strides in prosecuting financial crimes. The NPA's Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, in collaboration with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, achieved these convictions. The prosecuting body's annual report for 2023/24, also showed that over 900,000 criminal matters were finalised across the country. The report also stated that the NPA achieved a remarkable 93.4% conviction rate in prosecuting organised crime cases, although a lot needs to be done to ensure that kingpins are also held accountable. These cases include the arrest and sentencing of six people who were involved in the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran. This was after Deokaran reported irregularities in the spending of the Gauteng Department of Health. Two accused were sentenced to 22 years and three were imprisoned for 15 years. Vincent Mkhefa, the chief financial officer and acting municipal manager at Nketoana Municipality in the Free State, was sentenced to eight years after he appointed service providers to supply 4,000 single-phase pre-payment electrical meters and 1,000 ready boards for R2,124 million. At the time he supposedly took the delivery, the items had not even been manufactured and he created the false impression that they were delivered and received. The unit also had a freezing order of R1.4 billion against Eskom senior executive France Hlakudi who was facing charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering against him and 10 others. The NPA also celebrated the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss the deportation appeal of Dr Nandipha Magudumana from Tanzania on May 16. This decision ended a long legal battle over the lawfulness of her return to South Africa in April 2023 and clears the way for her trial, set for 21 July 2025, alongside her alleged partner, Thabo Bester. The NPA also made significant progress in recovering money in economic crime cases, with nearly R2 billion recovered in 129 cases. Of this, R750m has been paid into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA). [email protected]
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Average rent in Gauteng tops R9k: How do other provinces measure up?
Western Cape remains the most expensive province to rent in, while the Northern Cape has overtaken Gauteng in rental costs. Everyone needs a place to call home, but for many South Africans, owning one is out of reach. Renting becomes the next best option, unless you are staying with your parents. Still, even renting comes at a high price. For most, rent consumes a significant portion of their salary. According to the latest PayProp Rental Index, the average rent in Gauteng, South Africa's land of opportunities, now sits at R9 201. But Gauteng is not even the most expensive province to rent in. The province remains the country's most populated, with the highest population driven by the hope of better opportunities, whether it is landing a job, launching a business, or starting a new life. Cheapest province to rent a place The Index's findings are based on the first quarter of 2025, utilising transaction data from the R1.4 billion in rent that PayProp processes each month, along with credit scoring from Experian. North West, home to Sun City, retained its position as the cheapest province to rent a place in, at R7 153, which is an increase of R852 compared to the previous year. What is surprising is the share of tenants that are in arrears in the North West, as the percentage remains significantly high. Two quarters ago, North West was the second-highest province in the country, with 22.9% of its tenants being in arrears. In this quarter, the province has 18.6% of tenants in arrears. Most expensive province to rent a place As expected, the Western Cape remains the most expensive province in which to rent a place. The Index highlights that the province has had the highest rents in the country during the first quarter of 2024, but only average rental growth, just as it has for the past several years. 'The province experienced the highest growth in South Africa in the second and third quarters, and reached double digits in the fourth quarter,' reads the Index. It would cost you an average of R11 285 to rent a place in the Western Cape, which is R985 more than the previous year. Rent in the province is R1 704 more than the second most expensive province to rent in. '13.7% of Western Cape tenants were in arrears in Q1 2025, 0.5% more than the previous quarter. Tenants in arrears owe 60.2% of the average rent, once again the lowest in SA and down by 0.7% from the previous quarter.' ALSO READ: The ups and downs of Cape Why is the Western Cape loved? Johannesburg was once home to South Africa's wealthiest individuals. However, the tables have turned, with the country's most centi-millionaires now found in Cape Town. Henley & Partners' Centi-Millionaire Report for 2024 outlined that Cape Town has taken the crown due to high hopes of better governance, improved service delivery and greater safety. 'Other factors that come into play when these wealthy individuals make a decision to relocate include the economy, the tax environment, business and investment opportunities, and privacy and security,' read the report. The report listed Cape Town as the most loved holiday destination in the country, with more than 150 centi-millionaires owning second homes in the city. The Mother City is the only city that shows as the elites' favourite holiday destination in the country. Rent in Northern Cape Renting a property in the Northern Cape is more expensive than renting in Gauteng. The Index revealed that the average rent in the province is R9 581, while it is R9 201 to rent in Gauteng. Rent in the Northern Cape is now R307 more than a year earlier, and it remains the second highest in the country. 'The share of tenants in arrears fell to 18.9% in Q1 2025, 0.1% below the previous quarter and 1.9% lower than a year earlier. 'However, the amount they owe rose sharply, from 65.7% last quarter to 71.1% in the latest stats. Even so, this is still well below average.' ALSO READ: Are municipalities failing — or are residents just unable to pay? Why many are turning to off-grid living The fall of Gauteng Gauteng is the geographically smallest province in the country, and its average rent for the first quarter of 2025 increased by R258. The Index is of the view that unless rental growth in Gauteng turns around, it could easily lose its place on the podium this year. '15.6% of tenants owed rent, down from 16.3% in Q4 and the second-lowest share in SA. However, tenants in arrears owe an above-average 86.0% of rent. This is down compared to last quarter's 89.2%, but it is still the second-highest in SA.' The City of Gold has experienced deteriorating service delivery, rising crime rate, mismanagement of public funds, corruption, and collapsing infrastructure, among other issues. What about other provinces The fourth most expensive province to rent in is KwaZulu-Natal, with the average rent being R9 170, an increase of R400. 'The percentage of tenants in arrears in KZN is also unchanged since last quarter, at 19.4%. This is the third-highest percentage in SA, but still the lowest it has been in the province in over five years. 'On the other hand, tenants in arrears owe a below-average 73.5% of rent that has nevertheless risen from last quarter's 71.7%.' Sitting at number five is Limpopo. The average rent in Limpopo is R8 899, R872 more than a year previously. 17.1% of tenants owed rent in Q1, 0.1% more than the previous quarter and still the third lowest in the country. 'However, things have got worse for those already in financial difficulties. The average arrears percentage climbed from 71.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 80.4% in the first quarter of 2025, meaning its tenants now owe the third-highest percentage of rent of any province.' ALSO READ: Warning for South Africans buying homes Mpumalanga, Free State and Eastern Cape According to the Index, Mpumalanga sits in sixth position, with average rent being R8 460, just R91 more than a year earlier. '20.1% of tenants in the province now owe their landlords rent, the second-highest percentage in SA and up from 19.6% last quarter.' The Free State sits in the seventh position, with an average of R7 453, an increase of R526 year-on-year, just enough to overtake Eastern Cape's position. '20.8% of tenants were behind on their rent in Q1, falling from 24.2% last quarter. It is still the highest in the country, but by a lot less than before.' Eastern Cape's average rent is R7 330, up by R309 compared to a year earlier, making it the province with the second-lowest rents in the country. 'The share of tenants in arrears in the Eastern Cape rose to 19.3% from 18.7% the previous quarter for the second-highest quarter-to-quarter increase in SA.' Income and risk The Index also focused on which income brackets are the highest risk. Of applicants earning R80 000 or more, a full 60.6% fall into the minimum risk category, while just 12.2% are classed as high risk. 'Meanwhile, in the lowest income bracket, only 23.0% have the combination of a high credit score and a clean payment history needed to qualify as minimum risk, while 37.0% are considered high risk.' When it comes to age, 20- to 29-year-olds are classified as minimum risk because most of them do not yet have a long credit history that would demonstrate low risk; however, they also have more disposable income left over after debt repayments and rent than any other age group. Meanwhile, 61.3% of individuals aged 60 and above were classified as being at minimum risk. NOW READ: More South Africans buying houses for less than R700k. Here's why
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- The Citizen
Three arrested in one week for drug trafficking at OR Tambo Airport
A Nigerian, Brazilian and Ethiopian national were arrested for drug trafficking at the airport. Gauteng police have arrested three more suspects for drug trafficking at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in just one week. On June 5, 2025, a 42-year-old Nigerian national was arrested on arrival from São Paulo, en route to Nigeria. Drug traffickers Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the drug trafficker landed at 7am when he was intercepted by police officers at the airport. 'A medical x-ray confirmed that he had ingested more than 70 drug 'bullets' suspected to contain cocaine'. Van Wyk on June 10, 2025, police officers intercepted a second drug trafficker shortly after she landed at 06:15am from São Paulo. 'During an inspection of the 30-year-old Brazilian national's luggage she indicated she had ingested more than 100 cocaine-filled 'bullets' which was later confirmed by a medical x-ray'. Picture: Saps ALSO READ: Police arrest Nigerian drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport Ethiopian Later the same day, police intercepted a 57-year-old Ethiopian national at the airport's check-in counter before he could board a flight out of the country. Van Wyk said a search of the suspect's luggage uncovered more than 90 kilograms of Khat. 'All three suspects were arrested and expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates' Court on charges of drug trafficking'. Van Wyk added that through targeted intelligence-driven operations, Saps has intercepted more than 23 drug traffickers at OR Tambo International Airport in the past six months. Picture: Saps Brazilian Last month, a Brazilian national was arrested after being caught with cocaine worth an estimated street value of R1.4 million strapped to his legs. The 39-year-old man was handcuffed by officers at OR Tambo International Airport after arriving from São Paulo. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the drug mule was in transit to Benin when he was intercepted by officers at the airport. 'He was pulled aside and during a body search, cocaine was found wrapped around his legs. He has been arrested and is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on a charge of drug trafficking'. Picture: Saps 'SA key transit point for drugs' The recent spate of drug mule arrests at OR Tambo International Airport reignited debate about South Africa's role as a key transit point for international drug syndicates. In December 2024, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) crime expert Willem Els told The Citizen that drug trafficking is one of the most visible transnational organised crimes perpetrated by international organised criminal groups. 'The organised crime syndicates facilitating these activities are feeding off each other. If one syndicate moves in, others follow, creating a criminal environment.' Why OR Tambo International Airport? Els outlined how South Africa, and specifically OR Tambo International Airport, had become a key transit point for cocaine, particularly on its only direct flight from São Paulo to Johannesburg. 'This route explains why more individuals arrested come from South America and Brazil, specifically. It's lucrative and has been exploited for a long time by drug couriers. 'In recent months, there's been excellent cooperation between the Brazilian federal police and the South African police, which has contributed to many successes along that route,' Els said. ALSO READ: Gauteng man arrested for transporting crystal meth worth R50m
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Shamila Batohi's track record as NPA boss
NPA boss Shamila Batohi with President Cyril Ramaphosa. The NPA has celebrated victories in some high-profile cases under Batohi. Image: Jacques Naude/African News Agency/ANA Shamila Batohi's appointment as the National Director of Public Prosecutions raised hopes for a turnaround at the NPA. Despite disappointing results in prosecuting state capture cases, the NPA boasts a remarkable 90% conviction rate in complex commercial crimes in 2024. This achievement, which also included 333 convictions in complex tax case matters, highlights the NPA's strides in prosecuting financial crimes. The NPA's Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, in collaboration with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, achieved these convictions. The prosecuting body's annual report for 2023/24, also showed that over 900,000 criminal matters were finalised across the country. The report also stated that the NPA achieved a remarkable 93.4% conviction rate in prosecuting organised crime cases, although a lot needs to be done to ensure that kingpins are also held accountable. These cases include the arrest and sentencing of six people who were involved in the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran. This was after Deokaran reported irregularities in the spending of the Gauteng Department of Health. Two accused were sentenced to 22 years and three were imprisoned for 15 years. Vincent Mkhefa, the chief financial officer and acting municipal manager at Nketoana Municipality in the Free State, was sentenced to eight years after he appointed service providers to supply 4,000 single-phase pre-payment electrical meters and 1,000 ready boards for R2,124 million. At the time he supposedly took the delivery, the items had not even been manufactured and he created the false impression that they were delivered and received. The unit also had a freezing order of R1.4 billion against Eskom senior executive France Hlakudi who was facing charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering against him and 10 others. The NPA also celebrated the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss the deportation appeal of Dr Nandipha Magudumana from Tanzania on May 16. This decision ended a long legal battle over the lawfulness of her return to South Africa in April 2023 and clears the way for her trial, set for 21 July 2025, alongside her alleged partner, Thabo Bester. The NPA also made significant progress in recovering money in economic crime cases, with nearly R2 billion recovered in 129 cases. Of this, R750m has been paid into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA). [email protected]
