Police rescue 90 kidnapped Ethiopians locked up in ‘inhumane conditions’ in Joburg

Police in Johannesburg have rescued 90 kidnapped Ethiopians who were being held in “inhumane conditions” in a house in the city. The victims, who range in age from 18 to 45, were found locked up in a house in the suburb of Rosettenville on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello said the victims were being held against their will and were forced to pay ransoms of up to R8,000 in order to be released.

“The victims were subjected to inhumane conditions and were not given food or water for days,” Sello said.

She said the victims were being held by a group of suspects who are believed to be part of a human trafficking syndicate.

“The suspects are believed to have been operating for some time and have been targeting Ethiopian nationals,” Sello said.

Police have arrested four suspects in connection with the kidnappings. The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

The victims are currently receiving medical attention and counselling.

MEC launches new racism probe at Pretoria High School for Girls after 12 pupils found not guilty

The Gauteng Education MEC has launched a new racism probe at Pretoria High School for Girls after 12 pupils were found not guilty of racism by the school’s governing body (SGB).

The MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, said he was “deeply concerned” by the SGB’s findings and has ordered a new investigation into the matter.

“I am deeply concerned by the SGB’s findings and have ordered a new investigation into the matter,” Lesufi said.

“I want to assure the public that we will not tolerate any form of racism in our schools and we will do everything in our power to ensure that all our learners are treated with respect and dignity.”

The SGB’s investigation found that the 12 pupils were not guilty of racism after they were accused of making racist comments to a black pupil.

The SGB’s findings have been met with widespread criticism, with many people calling for a new investigation into the matter.

Rwanda shuts down 185 churches – so far

The Rwandan government has shut down 185 churches so far this year, as part of a crackdown on religious groups that are deemed to be “illegal” or “extremist.”

The government has said that the churches were closed because they were not registered with the government or because they were found to be promoting violence or hatred.

The crackdown on churches has been condemned by human rights groups, who say that it is a violation of religious freedom.

The Rwandan government has defended the crackdown, saying that it is necessary to protect the country from religious extremism.

CAPTURE CHRONICLES | Controversial KZN accountant bagged almost R8m from Mhlathuze Water bonanza

A controversial KwaZulu-Natal accountant bagged almost R8 million from the Mhlathuze Water bonanza, which has been plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

The accountant, who cannot be named due to a court order, was paid R7.9 million by Mhlathuze Water over a period of five years for work that has been described as “substandard” and “unnecessary.”

The accountant was hired by Mhlathuze Water in 2015, shortly after the water utility was taken over by a new board of directors.

The new board was appointed by the provincial government after the previous board was accused of corruption and mismanagement.

The accountant’s appointment was controversial from the outset, as he had no experience in the water sector.

Despite his lack of experience, the accountant was paid a salary of R1.5 million per year, which was more than the salary of the water utility’s CEO.

The accountant was also given a luxury car and a housing allowance.

The accountant’s contract was renewed twice, despite concerns about his performance.

In 2019, the accountant was finally fired after a forensic investigation found that he had been paid for work that was not done.

The forensic investigation also found that the accountant had been involved in a number of irregular transactions.

The accountant is currently facing charges of corruption and fraud.

Death and dysfunction: Murdered corruption investigator kept death threat fears secret from bosses

A murdered corruption investigator kept his fears of being killed a secret from his bosses, an inquest into his death has heard.

The investigator, Babita Deokaran, was gunned down outside her home in Johannesburg in August 2021.

She had been investigating corruption at the Gauteng Department of Health.

An inquest into her death is currently underway in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

During the inquest, it was revealed that Deokaran had received a number of death threats in the months leading up to her murder.

However, she did not tell her bosses about the threats because she feared for her job.

“She didn’t tell us about the threats because she was afraid of losing her job,” said Deokaran’s former colleague, Carin van der Hoven.

“She was a single mother and she needed her job to support her family.”

Deokaran’s murder has sent shockwaves through the anti-corruption community in South Africa.

Her colleagues and friends have described her as a dedicated and fearless investigator who was determined to root out corruption.

“She was a true hero,” said van der Hoven.

“We will never forget her.”