Police rescue 90 kidnapped Ethiopians locked up in ‘inhumane conditions’ in Joburg
A raid by law enforcement in Johannesburg has led to the rescue of 90 Ethiopian nationals who were being held captive in “inhumane conditions.” The victims, who have since been taken to a place of safety, had been living in a cramped apartment with limited access to basic necessities. The suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping have been arrested. Investigations are underway into the motive behind the kidnappings and the extent of the criminal network involved.
MEC launches new racism probe at Pretoria High School for Girls after 12 pupils found not guilty
The Gauteng Education MEC has ordered a new investigation into allegations of racism at Pretoria High School for Girls. This follows the acquittal of 12 pupils who had been charged with assault and crimen injuria. The school’s governing body had found the pupils guilty but this decision was successfully challenged by their parents. The new probe will focus on the broader issue of race relations within the school.
Rwanda shuts down 185 churches – so far
Rwandan authorities have closed down 185 churches so far this year as part of a crackdown on religious groups that are deemed to be operating illegally. The closures are part of the government’s efforts to regulate the religious sector and ensure that all churches adhere to the country’s laws. The affected churches have been accused of violating building codes, operating without permits, and engaging in activities that are not in line with their stated missions.
CAPTURE CHRONICLES | Controversial KZN accountant bagged almost R8m from Mhlathuze Water bonanza
The controversial KwaZulu-Natal accountant, who was found to have orchestrated a multi-million rand tender fraud at the Mhlathuze Water Board, has been awarded almost R8 million from the water entity. The payments were made despite the accountant being found guilty of serious misconduct by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). The case has raised concerns about the lack of accountability in the public sector and the ease with which corrupt individuals can continue to benefit from their ill-gotten gains.
Death and dysfunction: Murdered corruption investigator kept death threat fears secret from bosses
The late corruption investigator, Babita Deokaran, kept her fears of being killed a secret from her bosses because she did not trust them. This emerged during the inquest into her murder, which revealed a dysfunctional environment within the Gauteng health department. The inquest heard that Deokaran had been receiving death threats for months leading up to her assassination, but she had not reported them to her superiors because she believed they were complicit in the corruption she was investigating.
