Making headlines: Here are our Top 10 news stories of the week

Police Minister Bheki Cele has lifted the lid on the modus operandi involved in kidnappings. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)

Police Minister Bheki Cele has lifted the lid on the modus operandi involved in kidnappings. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)

Published Aug 27, 2022

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#ICYMI: Take a look at the #Top10 most read news stories of the week

Advocate Dali Mpofu and suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane at the impeachment inquiry in Parliament. Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA)

10: Public Protector does not recall making call casting aspersions on Vrede Dairy farm investigator – Mpofu

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane did not recall making a phone call to a former colleague wherein she allegedly indicated that she would be personally happy if the Vrede Dairy investigation did not make adverse findings.

9. Child porn addiction on the increase in SA, report warns

The Film and Publication Board (FPB) has ramped up efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of exposing children to pornography and child sexual-abuse material.

A 2021 report by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) revealed that a child is being sexually abused every two minutes online.

8. Debate over removing Cyril Ramaphosa lacks intellectual breadth

The bickering by opposition parties over sponsoring a vote of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa makes a lively spectacle.

Seven opposition parties decided to bring a motion of no confidence in President Ramaphosa to trigger his removal from office to allow investigations into the theft of foreign currency from his Phala Phala game farm to proceed unhindered, says the writer.

7. Mfuleni child rape victim’s family living in fear after threats

According to a family member, the suspect is alleged to have raped the girl multiple times and given her chocolates and sweets in exchange for her silence.

An Mfuleni family say they are living in fear after an uncle accused of raping his 9-year-old niece. Picture: ANA Archives

6. Cele won’t apologise for rape comment

Police Minister Bheki Cele on Tuesday refused to apologise for a controversial statement he made after eight women were raped by illegal miners in Krugersdorp.

Police Minister Bheki Cele refused to apologise for a controversial statement he made after eight women were raped by illegal miners in Krugersdorp. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)

5. De Lille outraged after AG identifies non-compliance in KZN flood disaster projects

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille has expressed outrage at the risks identified by Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke and her department’s Internal Audit Unit into the awarding of contracts in KwaZulu-Natal flood intervention projects.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia De Lille. Picture: ANA Archives

4. Ex-manager was not intimidated when Mkhwebane summoned him back to the office

Former executive manager in the Public Protector’s office for provincial investigations and integration, Reginald Ndou, said on Tuesday he was not intimidated when incumbent Busisiwe Mkhwebane summoned him back to the office during the finalisation of the Vrede Dairy investigation.

Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Picture: ANA Archives

3. PFMA not followed in leasing St George Hotel to SANDF

The SANDF did not follow the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) process for the leasing of the St George Hotel in Tshwane, says Defence Minister Thandi Modise.

St George Hotel announced that it was closing down, citing challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, load shedding and general service delivery failures that put the business under severe pressure. Picture: ANA Archives

2. Kidnappers demand R500k ransom for boy’s release

The suspects behind the kidnapping of six-year-old Shanawaaz Asghar have apparently demanded a R500 000 ransom from the child’s father, a reliable source confirmed to the Cape Times

The Kensington SAPS are investigating all leads and will update the CPF who in turn will update the community. Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA)

1. Bheki Cele lifts lid on ‘staged’ kidnappings

Police Minister Bheki Cele has lifted the lid on the modus operandi involved in kidnappings, saying there were instances where the crime was staged by the so-called victims or relatives in an attempt to commit insurance fraud.

Minister Bheki Cele has said families refused to co-operate with police investigations, while in other cases, families chose to flee the country after realising that officers were about to crack the case. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)

Cape Times