Stories from South Africa

Firefighters are working to contain a fire at a Denel state-owned weapons manufacturing plant in Makassar, near Somerset West in Cape Town. The cause of the blaze has not been specified.

The Office of the Auditor General has established a dispute resolution mechanism to reach consensus with various metropolitan municipalities regarding audit outcomes. Acting head of audit outcomes, Tamsa Ngozi Gordy, is briefing the standing committee on public accounts on this process. The mechanism aims to facilitate amicable resolutions with municipalities such as those in Gauteng and Mangaung.

A fire occurred this morning at the state-owned weapons manufacturer Denel in Makasa, near Somerset West. The extent of the damage is currently unclear and no injuries have been reported. Cape Town disaster risk management spokesperson Sonika Letigan stated the impact of the incident has been limited to the Denel site. Fire and rescue services are on site to assist.

The Madlanga Commission is currently hearing testimony regarding Umashi Dlamini, the suspended deputy police chief of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD). Dlamini faces accusations of tender irregularities involving security contracts. During proceedings, suspended police sergeant Fani Nkosi testified that Dlamini allegedly compiled a list of seven preferred service providers.

Over 52,000 unregistered SIM cards have been linked to the graylisting of South Africa. These cards reportedly facilitated the theft of millions of rand from the country's microeconomic sector. The report suggests this issue contributed to the nation's graylisted status. This activity was cited in a report as a factor leading to South Africa's graylisting.

A regional court set bail at 30,000 rand for each defendant in a corruption case. Defendants must surrender their passports to the state before being released. They are prohibited from applying for travel documents until the matter is disposed of. The court scheduled the next appearance for May. The state may apply to bring defendants to court for inquiry if bail conditions are contravened, which could result in the forfeiture of bail and continued custody.

Police Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and City Manager Kakeshwala Rutla are facing charges of corruption, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice. Magistrate Emmanuel MacCampa set bail at 30,000 rand each for the two individuals. The regional court case has been postponed until May.

The Brakpan Magistrates Court granted bail to former Gold Reef City Manager Gakhiswale Rutla and suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhunazi. Each individual was set bail at 30,000 rand. The court noted that the applicants had originally proposed bail amounts of 10,000 and 20,000 rand in their affidavits. The case involves five charges including corruption. Magistrate Emmanuel Mahampas granted bail after determining the amount based on the applicant's financial means. The court noted that the applicant could afford the set amount despite mentioning rent costs of 10,000 and 20,000 in founding affidavits. A court in Polokwane has adjourned the third bail application for musician Lefano Le Shebe Marbena Chauke until Thursday. The state is opposing bail, while Chauke seeks release to receive medical attention for a leg fracture sustained in a car crash two years ago.

Proceedings of the Medellanga Commission resumed in Pretoria on Tuesday. Suspended Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Umashid Lamini returned to questioning during the 98th day of the commission. Lamini was questioned regarding his role as a conduit between Sergeant Thaneen, Kosi, and Nekomatubela. The inquiry involves the sharing of documents related to the Bumalanga Tender.

The Gauteng Metro Police Deputy Chief, Julia Simkhwanazi, and Gauteng City Manager, Kahiso Leruta, have each been granted 30,000 rand bail. The court proceedings took place in Lerudla.