South Africa News
Public Protector concerned by non-implementation of VBS report by Limpopo government
The Public Protector has expressed concern about the non-implementation of the VBS report by the Limpopo government.
Fourteen municipalities in Limpopo, North West and Gauteng irregularly invested more than a billion rand meant for service delivery in the defunct VBS mutual bank. Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane says all municipal officials who were involved in investing money into VBS need to be held accountable.
Mkhwebane addressed Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha and MECs in Lebowakgomo outside Polokwane, about the province’s non-implementation of findings in the report compiled by her office, during her ongoing public protector stakeholder roadshow.
The objective of the roadshow is to assess and monitor implementation of the remedial actions recommended by the Public Protector’s office in various cases. Mkhwebane says the Limpopo government must implement the VBS report and its remedial actions.
Mkhwebane says, “The VBS report has not been implemented by the province and the remedial action which was there is that the municipal managers were supposed to make sure that all the relevant officials who were involved in investing the monies into VBS bank are held to account. The MEC is supposed to follow up and receive the quarterly report on how the money which was utilised will be recovered.”
Limpopo PP’s office dealing with numerous complaints
She says the Public Protector’s office in Limpopo is dealing with more than 100 complaints, mainly related to maladministration. She says there are 88 complaints of maladministration and three related to corruption which are yet to be resolved.
“We have a total number of 107 complaints or matters which are still active fourteen of those relate to service delivery complaints, three of those relate to corruption, 88 of those relate to maladministration. It involves abuse of power, abuse of state resources and behaviour of a public servant,” says Mkhwebane.
However, Mathabatha says the provincial government has been implementing the remedial actions from the VBS report.
Mathabatha says, “We also want to implement the remedial action but it is just impossible to do so because of the availability of the resources. I want to commit this government, we will always cooperate with your office, the VBS issues we have tried, we have done everything. What is left is in the hands of law enforcement authorities both from the government and the ruling party. We have done everything.”
MEC for Co-operative Governance Basiko Makamu has appealed to Mkhwebane to consult all stakeholders when preparing reports.
Makamu says, “I think you want to be popular by issuing a lot of reports but the reports will also be fine when they have resolved the issues because that is the main thing that we should be able to care but I think there are a number of things that we are engaging premier, your VBS report we are working on as the department.” Limpopo is the seventh province to be visited by Mkhwebane as part of the ongoing roadshow.
Source: News365
In other news – Actress Masasa Mbangeni opens up about her failed relationships
Masasa Mbangeni has left many of her fans worried after she opened up about her failed relationships and went on to deactivate her Twitter account.
The star went on to share another story of her ex-lover. Learn more
Asari Dokubo Reveals He Declined Pipeline Contract Offer from Tinubu. In a recent statement that has stirred discussions across Nigeria, former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo disclosed that he turned down a pipeline contract offer from President Bola Tinubu. Known for his outspoken views and often controversial remarks, Dokubo shed light on the circumstances surrounding the offer, as well as his reasons for declining it.
During an interview, Dokubo revealed that Bola Tinubu offered him a lucrative contract to manage pipelines in the Niger Delta region, a high-stakes role designed to reduce vandalism and secure Nigeria’s oil resources. However, Dokubo chose to walk away from the opportunity, emphasizing that his principles and vision for the Niger Delta community took precedence over financial gains.
“This was not a decision I took lightly, but for me, it’s about integrity and my responsibility to my people,” Dokubo explained. He stated that while he appreciated the President’s offer, he did not believe that accepting the contract would align with his goals for the region. For Dokubo, the struggle for the Niger Delta has always been rooted in empowerment and community-led development, rather than personal gain.
Dokubo has a long history of activism in the Niger Delta, advocating for the rights of the region’s people, often marginalized despite its rich natural resources. His stance on pipeline contracts, a topic that has frequently led to clashes between government officials and local leaders, reflects his dedication to what he considers a genuine fight for the community’s benefit. “This is not just about money or power. It’s about securing a future where our resources benefit the people who live on this land,” he affirmed.
Asari Dokubo Reveals He Declined Pipeline
Pipeline security has long been a sensitive issue in Nigeria, where oil remains the country’s primary revenue source. The Niger Delta, as the heart of Nigeria’s oil production, has faced numerous challenges, from environmental degradation to inadequate infrastructure and limited economic opportunities for its residents. Oil pipeline vandalism, often blamed on economic desperation and disenfranchisement, has led to substantial losses in government revenue and, at times, significant ecological damage.
Previous administrations have used security contracts with local leaders and former militants to curb these issues, often outsourcing pipeline protection in the hopes of reducing sabotage. However, critics argue that such contracts may only offer a temporary fix and sometimes fuel resentment within communities. Dokubo’s decision to refuse the contract underscores his belief in the need for long-term, community-focused solutions to address the root causes of these problems.
Instead of accepting the contract, Dokubo has called for a more sustainable approach that centers on education, skill-building, and economic empowerment for the Niger Delta people. “Our people need opportunities, not handouts. It’s time to invest in education, infrastructure, and industry so that our communities can thrive independently,” he argued. This perspective has garnered support from those who share his vision for a self-reliant Niger Delta, though others view his refusal as a missed chance to use government resources to uplift the region.
Despite differing opinions, Dokubo remains resolute in his stance. He has expressed his willingness to work alongside the government on initiatives that prioritize the well-being of the Niger Delta communities, provided that such efforts are genuinely aimed at empowering local populations. “I am ready to support any initiative that brings true development to our people. But it must be genuine and transparent,” Dokubo insisted.
Reactions to Dokubo’s statements have been mixed, with some applauding his decision as a show of integrity, while others argue that he should have accepted the contract to exert a positive influence from within. However, Dokubo’s stance speaks to a broader conversation about how Nigeria’s resources are managed and who truly benefits from them. For Dokubo, meaningful progress in the Niger Delta is about shifting the focus from short-term profits to creating sustainable opportunities for future generations.
In conclusion, Asari Dokubo’s decision to decline President Tinubu’s pipeline contract offer reveals his commitment to a long-term vision for the Niger Delta. His focus on empowering the region through genuine development rather than financial contracts illustrates a deeply rooted dedication to his people. Whether or not others agree with his choice, Dokubo’s actions have ignited important discussions about Nigeria’s approach to resource management and the future of the Niger Delta.
Source: Dailypost
In other news –
American singer, Lady Gaga has revealed why she chose to ignore rumours that she’s a transgender. Speaking in an interview with Variety, Gaga disclosed that she chose not to address the rumours because she didn’t want to make being transgender seem shameful.
“I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie and I thought: What about a kid who is being accused of that who would think that a public figure like me would feel shame?
I’ve been in situations where fixing a rumour was not in the best interest and the well-being of other people,” she explained. Lady Gaga recently announced her engagement to her French boyfriend, Michael Polansky.
The singer revealed that it was her mom who introduced her to her fiancé.The Bad Romance singer mentioned how she “didn’t feel like a victim” amid the swirling claims and, therefore, didn’t feel the need to address the rumour until she finally cleared the air on the Netflix show that premiered on Wednesday.
Lady Gaga addresses ‘man’ rumours
“The reason I didn’t answer the question was because I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie,” Gaga told Gates in his new series as she made her way to the OTT stage. “But I thought about, what about a kid that’s being accused of that, that would think that a public figure like me would feel shame,” she continued.
The pop star recalled times when she was plagued by such claims and frequently questioned in press conferences about doctored pictures on the internet and rumours that she was a man. In 2011, she told CNN, “Why the hell am I going to waste my time and give a press release about whether or not I have a penis? My fans don’t care and neither do I.
Source: People
American singer-songwriter Kehlani Ashley Parrish, popularly known as “Kehlani,” has opened up about losing opportunities and deals due to her support for Palestine. The singer revealed this in an interview with ‘Breakfast Club’ released in the early hours of Tuesday. I have experienced a lot of pushback,” Kehlani said.
I’ve experienced a lot of loss. I’ve experienced a lot of things that were promised and set up for this rollout and album to happen, supposed to be a lot of ‘firsts’… magazines and these things… brand deals and opportunities that we’re sad to lose. But at the end of the day, I don’t regret doing something that I… I can go to sleep at night. I can go to sleep knowing that, like, what I’ve learned to be as an artist, I’m aligned with.
The singer voiced her support for Palestine in an Instagram post on May 29th, before featuring the Palestinian flag in her video for ‘Next 2 U,’ released on May 31st. Through the singer’s support, $500,000 was raised for the people of Gaza, Congo and Sudan.
Source: Dailpost
In other news – My man pays me allowance – Mercy Eke
Reality TV star Mercy Eke has revealed that she gets paid for being in a relationship. Speaking in a recent episode of the ‘Love Is A Game’, she said: “My guy [partner] pays me an allowance. But it’s not that I mandated him to do that. I have about six domestic workers. So the allowance is just to assist me to pay my staff.
I didn’t tell him to pay my staff’s salaries. He’s doing it on his own to reduce my responsibilities. Because of that, I always want to do things for him too. Mercy Eke has been hiding her current partner from the public. Read more