Juma Igiranieza’s encounter with police brutality in Cape Town highlights the urgent need for accountability and reform within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies. Despite the crimes under investigation including attempted murder, torture, and assault, law enforcement organizations have remained quiet about the identities and the fate of the officers involved. Juma’s experience is a chilling reminder of the pervasive fear and violence that can emerge even in the most idyllic of settings.
Given Mabusela died in police custody in South Africa, and the official police report stated that he resisted cooperation and police had to use necessary force. However, his family and girlfriend have raised questions about the report, calling for justice and reform within law enforcement. An investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate is ongoing, and Mabusela’s story highlights the need for reform and accountability within law enforcement.
The revelation of an almost 70% pay raise for Parliament’s secretary, Xolile George, has sparked outrage and demands for an investigation. Concerns about transparency and accountability have been raised, as well as the potential consequences of establishing a precedent for inflated public servant salaries. The controversy highlights the need for vigilance and scrutiny in our democracy. Parliament has justified the pay increase by referring to an impartial expert assessment, but the secrecy surrounding the decision has fueled skepticism and distrust. The Democratic Alliance’s call for an investigation serves as a reminder of the need for transparency and responsible governance in our democracy.
The Independent Police Investigating Directorate (Ipid) has opened an investigation into a disturbing incident of police brutality that took place over the weekend in Kensington, South Africa. A viral video captured the event, which saw a man handcuffed to the back of a police vehicle and dragged for two kilometers before being assaulted further.
The Cape Town City Council faced a tumultuous disruption as the Good Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) joined forces to demand accountability from MMC for Safety and Security, JP Smith, for his role in the recent taxi stayaway. This protest action resulted in several fatalities, extensive destruction of property, and numerous injuries, including a British doctor.
The ongoing taxi strike in the Western Cape has brought the public transport system to a standstill, with devastating consequences. This strike has lasted over a week now, and as minibus taxis are responsible for transporting around 75% of public transport users in the area, or about a million passengers per day, the impact has been significant. The Western Cape Department of Mobility has stated that these taxis serve areas not usually covered by other public transport services.
South African TV presenter and radio host Jub Jub is facing multiple accusations of sexual assault, including charges of rape, attempted murder, and assault. These accusations have sparked a media frenzy and led to other highprofile South African celebrities coming forward with their own stories of alleged abuse at the hands of Jub Jub.
The story of Daniël Jamneck, an eightyearold boy who was allegedly raped and murdered during a sleepover at his friend’s house, is a harrowing one. It shines a light on the flaws in the justice system and the devastating consequences of broken trust.
The fight against corruption in South Africa has reached a significant milestone as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) charges two retired and one serving General of the South African Police Service (SAPS) for alleged involvement in corrupt activities. The case stems from a 2016 hiring process where the accused Generals allegedly tampered with scoresheets during interviews, leading to the appointment of an unqualified candidate.
Minister Sihle Zikalala, in his role as the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure in South Africa, has taken a firm stance against corrupt practices in the construction industry. Zikalala is determined to promote accountability and efficiency in public infrastructure projects and put an end to contractors taking advantage of governmentfunded projects.
Orlando Pirates, a renowned Premier Soccer League (PSL) team, has recently received backlash on social media for their statement regarding Thembinkosi Lorch’s conviction for assaulting his exgirlfriend, Nokuphiwa Mathithibala. Lorch, a star player for the team, was found guilty by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court for the incident that occurred in September 2020. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 23.
The Constitutional Court recently denied the application for leave for a direct appeal by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) former Director General, Mr. Kgathatso Thlakudi. This decision was made in response to Mr. Thlakudi’s appeal of a Labour Court ruling that found his suspension lawful. The DPE considers this ruling as further validation of their claim that Mr. Thlakudi was evading responsibility for the misconduct that arose from a complaint involving unethical behavior in a recruitment process.
The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, led by Hon. Aaron Motswana, is taking proactive steps towards transparency and accountability. On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, a virtual oversight meeting will be held to discuss the Department of Finance’s 4th Quarter Performance Report and the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) Expenditure Report for the 2022/23 financial year.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZuluNatal (KZN) is calling for the former KZN Health MEC, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, to be held accountable for the alleged corruption involving the procurement of mobile clinics in 2013. This case emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in government departments and the need for adherence to procurement procedures.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Thembi Nkadimeng, has recently expressed her support and appreciation for the 2021/22 audit reports released by the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) on 31 May 2023. The audit reports provide valuable insights into the performance of individual municipalities across the country under the theme of “A culture of accountability will improve service delivery.”
The Office of the Health Ombud in South Africa is bidding farewell to its first Ombud, Professor Malegapuru William Makgoba. His nonrenewable sevenyear term comes to an end on May 31, 2023. Professor Makgoba played a vital role in shaping the office’s work during his tenure, and his unique perspective and dedication to his role contributed to the growth and development of the Office of the Health Ombud.
