The Welkom Digital Hub, a partnership between the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA), Sibanye-Stillwater, and Rand Mutual Assurance, officially opened its doors on Friday.
The hub aims to equip community members with digital and Artificial Intelligence skills, empowering youth and women from mini...
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has denounced the scourge of illegal mining across South Africa, which he said is dominated by foreign nationals.
IOL reported on Tuesday that as 494 illegal miners who were arrested after resurfacing in Mpumalanga appeared before the Barberton Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga, an additional 24 also surfaced at the Sheba Mine.
The suspects, who appeared in groups of 50 in the dock, face charges of trespassing, possession of gold-bearing materials, and the contravention of the Immigration Act.
The arrests stem as a result of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) national Operation Vala Umgodi, which tackles the scourge of illegal mining within the borders of South Africa.
The suspects arrested in Mpumalanga are foreign nationals from eSwatini and Mozambique, and include minors.
On Wednesday, Mantashe clarified that his department has started the process of issuing licences to artisanal and small-scale miners. However, the minister pointed out that these are not illegal miners colloquially referred to as zama-zamas.
“We have started the programme of artisanal and small-scale miners. We have issued the first 21 licences and we are going to be systematic about it. This is not formalising illegal mining. It’s actually giving opportunity to entrepreneurs who want to enter into mining, and we are going to continue doing that.
The minister said it would be “a fatal mistake” to counterpose artisanal mining to illegal mining.
“If you look into illegal mining, it is not dominated by South African citizens. It is mainly dominated by citizens from neighbouring countries; therefore it means it’s an issue of external forces attacking South Africa’s economy. That should be dealt with separately from artisanal mining,” said Mantashe, who is also chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC).
“I am not going to give artisanal mining licences to Mozambicans, Lesotho citizens or Zimbabweans who dominate this space. I am going to give those licences to South Africans who want to be entrepreneurs in mining."
Earlier this year, Mantashe called for a stronger and more focused approach to combat illegal mining, emphasising its harmful impact on the economy and its criminal nature.
During a visit to the Stilfontein mine in North West this week, Mantashe joined a delegation of ministers, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, to monitor an operation to bring illegal miners to the surface.
Mantashe said the criminal aspect of illegal mining is the responsibility of the police.
“Because there is illegal mining, this is a crime scene. Once a decision is taken to start a rescue operation, I must liaise with the mine rescue service, I must talk to the Mineral Council and talk the owner of the operation.''
Mantashe, who has consistently voiced concerns about illegal mining, made it clear that the fight against this activity must be stepped up.
“The reality of the matter is that I have not changed my view that illegal mining is a criminal activity. What will never shift to me is the way we deal with illegal mining. It should be intensifying the fight against illegal mining,” Mantashe said at the time.
A fire broke out at Thuto-Lefa Secondary School in Munsieville, Krugersdorp, on Wednesday, linked to disgruntled learners.
A fire broke out at Thuto-Lefa Secondary School in Munsieville, Krugersdorp, on Wednesday, destroying two mobile classrooms.
The Gauteng Department of Education said the fire broke out on school premises on Wednesday afternoon.
“It is alleged that the incident may be linked to learner dissatisfaction with recent timetable changes introduced by the school,” said Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education.
“The objective of this adjustment is to ensure the completion of the academic syllabus and to provide adequate revision time ahead of upcoming preliminary examinations.”
He said police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. Subsequently, five learners, four learners in Grade 10 and one in Grade 9 were arrested.
“It is deeply concerning that opposition to academic planning may have been expressed through such a destructive act,” said Mabona.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, has strongly condemned the incident.
“Burning a classroom is not a form of protest, it is a criminal act that robs learners of their right to quality education. We will not tolerate such destructive behaviour, and those responsible must face the full consequences of the law,” said Chiloane.
The Gauteng Department of Education said it will work with the school and relevant stakeholders to ensure that learning continues with minimal disruption.
Officials will assess the damage and implement immediate interventions, including the possible deployment of temporary infrastructure.
“The department will not hesitate to act decisively in defence of the schooling environment. We urge learners, communities, parents, and learners to work together with school leadership and authorities to preserve the integrity of our schools,” said Chiloane.
A 36-year-old man was stabbed to death in Polokwane CBD during a heated argument over a shopping trolley.
Police in Polokwane have launched an intensive manhunt for a murder suspect, following the brutal killing of a 36-year-old man.
The murder happened in Polokwane CBD, along Church Street, on Wednesday.
“Police were summoned to the scene of the crime in front of a supermarket in Polokwane. Upon their arrival, they found a male victim in a pool of blood with a stab wound,” said Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
Emergency medical services personnel were called to the scene, and the victim was pronounced dead.
“The preliminary report indicates that the victim and the suspect engaged in a heated argument over a trolley. The fight turned deadly in the process, and the victim was stabbed with a sharp object on his upper body and fell on the tarred road,” said Ledwaba.
The deceased man has not yet been identified. Ledwaba said investigations are still underway.
“Police are requesting anyone with information that could lead to the suspect's arrest to contact Detective Sergeant Petrus Monama at 083 338 3892, Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or the MySAPSApp,” Ledwaba appealed.
Last week, IOL reported that two suspects, aged 43 and 32, were arrested by the police in Limpopo for the brutal murder of a mother aged 34 and her two-year-old daughter.
The woman and her daughter went missing on 19 May, sparking an extensive investigation by the police at Thohoyandou, Vhembe District, joined by the provincial team of investigators dealing with missing persons’ cases.
“On Wednesday, a task team comprising SAPS Thohoyandou intervention team, Thohoyandou detectives, and provincial missing persons team followed a credible lead which led to the discovery of the body of the mother and her daughter,” said Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, provincial police spokesperson.
“As a result of this gruesome discovery, two suspects were linked to the incident and were immediately arrested. During the process, it was also discovered that the bodies were without heads.”
Police also established that one of the suspects is alleged to be the boyfriend of the deceased.
Katlego Molepo was denied bail for a second time on Tuesday by the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court, where he faces charges of the theft of critical infrastructure.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has revealed that the buyer of the R7 million transformer stolen from the Laudium substation was previously involved in a fraud matter of more than R1 million.
Katlego Molepo was denied bail for a second time on Tuesday by the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court, where he faces charges of theft of critical infrastructure.
He is accused of buying the transformer from four Tshwane municipal workers, who are also arrested and face the same charge. However, he is the only one who was denied bail.
In court, Molepo fell to the ground, breaking out in a sweat and hyperventilating when the magistrate denied his second attempt to be released on bail.
The State argued that he knew he was buying a stolen transformer because he paid for it with a private account. They opposed his bail and added that this was his second offence.
In a written statement to EWN, the NPA confirmed that from 2020 to 2021, Molepo defrauded the Department of Labour by fraudulently claiming money through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
They added that on separate occasions, he claimed more than R250,000, R1 million, and more than R100,000.
He was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment or a fine of R40,000.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
This comes after a forensic investigation by the provincial forensic audit unit uncovered financial irregularities in the department.
The head of the Gauteng Community Safety Department, Nontsikelelo Sisulu and the chief financial officer COO), Mduduzi Malope have been suspended with immediate effect.
This comes after a forensic investigation by the provincial forensic audit unit uncovered financial irregularities in the department.
Over the weekend, the provincial government released a second batch of forensic investigation reports with some dealing with allegations of corruption between officials and service providers.
The 39 reports cover a number of departments within the provincial government, from the Gauteng Gambling Board to tourism and health.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the suspensions are a precautionary measure to ensure fair and unbiased investigations.
“The provincial government is committed to restoring public trust by upholding the highest standards of integrity. We maintain a zero-tolerance stance against corruption and misconduct. Through proactive and corrective measures, we will strengthen governance, ensure the ethical and responsible use of public funds, and safeguard the interests of Gauteng residents,” said Lesufi.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
The US department of homeland security has indicated that the group deported to Eswatini have been convicted of serious crimes, including child rape and murder.
Government says it’s concerned about the impact deported criminals from the United States to neighbouring Eswatini could have on the country’s security.
While the nature of Eswatini’s agreement with the US is unclear, its government has confirmed that at least five inmates are being held in its prisons, and the expectation is that more could follow.
The move has drawn widespread criticism that the US is using African countries as a dumping ground for foreign nationals it regards as undesirable.
As US President Donald Trump comes down hard on African nations through new trade tariffs, it’s believed that Eswatini has agreed to take the prisoners as a way to get into Trump’s good graces.
Trump has been on a mission to deport foreign nationals from US prisons since the start of the year, but in the case of those accepted by Eswatini, it’s believed their home countries of Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, Yemen and Vietnam did not want to accept them.
The US department of homeland security has indicated that the group deported to Eswatini have been convicted of serious crimes, including child rape and murder.
International relations spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said the decision could also impact South Africa.
"Whilst respecting the sovereign decision of the government of Eswatini, the government of the Republic of South Africa is deeply concerned about the profile of these individuals and the potential adverse impact on South Africa’s national security and immigration policy, given the geographical proximity of the two sisterly countries."
Eswatini government spokesperson, Thabile Mdluli, said the plan was to colloborate with the International Organisation for Migration to facilitate the inmates' return to their native countries.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
