South Africa: Government takes action against corrupt construction mafias – South African news – August 29, 2024

Government takes action against corrupt construction mafias

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will launch investigations into thousands of rental contracts and a decade-long R300 million IT security breach, reports News24. Minister Dean Macpherson said the investigation aims to establish whether the leases were executed in accordance with the law and whether the state is paying market rates. He said there are ongoing efforts to combat the influence of the construction mafia through policy changes and legal actions, including a case against Kroucamp Plumbers for obtaining unfair tenders.

Devastating fires ravage Eastern Cape game reserve

More than half of the pastureland in the Lawrence de Lange Game Reserve in Komani (formerly Queenstown) has been destroyed by severe bushfires, reports News24The fire was eventually brought under control and authorities confirmed that no animals were harmed in the blaze, which raged for several hours. The Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality manages the reserve. Bulelwa Ganyaza, spokesperson for the Chris Hani District Municipality, said the municipalities of Enoch Mgijima, Emalahleni and Intsika Yethu were badly affected by the fires, which were exacerbated by dry weather and strong winds.

Two arrests in Durban drug bust

Two people have been arrested in Durban after being caught with drugs worth more than R3 million. They are facing charges of drug possession and trafficking, the report said. News24. KwaZulu-Natal police said the arrests came during two separate incidents conducted by members of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said they received information about a man involved in drug trafficking. The suspect was located in Umbilo, where police discovered 900 heroin capsules during a search of his vehicle. Netshiunda said follow-up inquiries led police to the suspect’s residence on Sphiwe Zuma Avenue, where additional heroin capsules and powder were found. The seized drugs are estimated to be worth R2 million. The 34-year-old man was arrested and charged with drug possession and trafficking, as well as being in the country illegally. In a separate incident, a 38-year-old man was arrested in Berea after he was found in possession of heroin powder.

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