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EC Police Are Investigating The Tragic Dead Body Of A Three-Year Old Boy Found In Dam

Philani Mzila — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:44:26 +0000

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape is investigating a tragic case following the discovery of the body of a three-year-old boy, who was reported missing on 03 March 2026.

According to the investigation thus far, the young boy was allegedly taken from his home in Ebhongweni Location, KuGompo, on Monday.

His mother filed a missing person report at the police station the following afternoon.

EC SAPS Spokesperson Brigadier Nobunti Gantana said an extensive search operation was immediately launched by SAPS members.

“During the course of the preliminary investigation, information was received pointing to a possible suspect. Following consultation with the Prosecutor, a case of Kidnapping and Defeating the Ends of Justice was formally opened.

“The matter was scheduled for its first court appearance on 09 March 2026; however, the docket was not enrolled on that date as investigations were still active and ongoing,” said Gantana.

Gantana said on Tuesday, the search efforts intensified.

“A multidisciplinary team comprising members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, the K9 Unit, and the Eastern Cape Human Rights and Missing Persons Unit (working on behalf of the National Prosecuting Authority) continued the search in the area. Tragically, the body of the young boy was recovered from a dam approximately one kilometre from his home.

“The scene was processed by forensic experts, and the body has since been transported to a state mortuary for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. The investigation is ongoing, with statements being gathered regarding circumstantial evidence obtained,” Gantana said.

She said that a charge of murder will be added to the charge sheet, or alternatively, an inquest docket will be opened, depending on the evidence presented and the direction from the prosecuting authority.

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The MK Party Is Seeking Answers From The IFP Over The Missing R100 Million In Zululand District

Philani Mzila — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 21:04:43 +0000

The fight between Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) after it accused it of misusing R100 million.

According to the statement which the party released on Friday, the MK Party want answrs on what happened to the R100 million loan which the municiplity took from Absa.

“The party is appalled, yet unsurprised, by the latest corruption revelations in Zululand Municipality. This is a district with a notorious documented history of corruption, financial mismanagement by the IFP spanning close to a decade now,” said MK Party Media Officer Shirley Willemse.

Willemse said in 2018-2020 allegations against IFP leadership included a R1.5 million bribe, inflated water tanker contracts which was R30million but they inflated it to R56million and a R32 million security tender for a R15 million contract.

She added that in 2022, a forensic report found evidence of corruption, but was set aside by a court, sparking clashes between the provincial government and the IFP.

Millemse further said in May 2024, allegations of over R500 million in corruption, including R240 million on security for the mayor and R300 million in irregular expenditure emerged.

“The IFP’s track record on corruption makes your hair stand on edge, with allegations of wrongdoing in municipalities they lead. Reports of financial mismanagement, irregular tenders, and abuse of power are a legacy of the FP across all municipality they run in KZN.

“The Zululand District Municipality has been reduced to a cash cow for the IFP, with corruption and looting running rampant. Meanwhile, the community suffers from a severe lack of basic services, with essentials like water, sanitation, and roads in short supply.You become at loss of words when you hear the horror stories of how the municipality lost R32-million in unlawful and illegal withdrawals from its bank account,” she said.

Willemse further said: “Now theres a question of R100 million loan from Absa that was supposed to for procuring backup generators for water plants but the bulk of the money went elsewhere and this is according to the recent findings of the Auditor General report.

“COGTA is complicit in this, they sit and dwiddle they thumbs and do nothing. In 2022 court ruling set aside a report on corruption at Zululand District Municipality, citing procedural unfairness and ultra vires actions by the MEC. The investigation, which cost R6 million, was deemed unlawful, and the MEC’s refusal to comply with the KZN Commissions Act was also found to be unlawful.”

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The Council of VUT finally responded to Minister of Higher Education Buti Manamela regarding the serious allegations

Philani Mzila — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:47:31 +0000

The Council of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) finally responded to Minister of Higher Education Buti Manamela regarding the serious allegations of a syndicate selling fraudulent degrees and registrations to foreign nationals.

MDN News reported a week ago that Manamela was not happy that council ignored the whistleblower who raised his concerns about for a year without taking any legal action.

Manamela confirmed that he has received a formal response from the Council of the VUT about the serious allegations of a syndicate selling fraudulent degrees and registrations to foreign nationals.

He said he welcomed the transparency of the Council Chairperson, Professor Mandla Radebe, who has confirmed that these serious allegations were never tabled before the University Council until media enquiries surfaced in November 2025.

This was despite the fact that the matter was reported by a whistleblower in August 2024.

“It is deeply concerning that the oversight body of the institution was kept in the dark regarding allegations that threaten the core academic integrity of the university,” said Manamela.

Manamela further said that he noted and endorsed the council’s resolution to reject the preliminary report submitted by University Management as “wholly inadequate and institute an immediate independent forensic investigation into the alleged syndicate and the timeline of management’s response.

He denied council’s request for a three-month period to conclude this forensic investigation.

Manamela he has written to the VUT Council requesting a supplementary brief on the immediate interim measures being implemented to safeguard the 2026 registration process.

“We have asked the council to confirm specifically how they will verify the credentials of foreign nationals and applicants claiming ‘recognition of prior learning’ during this registration window. We also expect immediate consequence management for any staff members implicated, to prevent them from accessing the university’s IT systems while the investigation is underway,” he said.

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