Daily news update: R5 billion Skills Fund graft probe, Terry Pheto house sold and Woolies looter case

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Daily news update: 30 March

Hawks target 10 companies in R5 billion Skills Fund graft probe

A criminal investigation by the Hawks is underway, into corruption and fraud by 10 companies that received millions from the National Skills Fund (NSF) but never delivered the services.

Department of Higher Education and Training deputy minister Buti Manamela and NSF bosses briefed Parliament’s portfolio committee after the damning Nexus forensic report and that of the Auditor-General, which found that R5 billion of the entity’s funds were unaccounted for in two financial years.

READ MORE: Hawks target 10 companies in R5 billion Skills Fund graft probe

Terry Pheto’s house sold for nearly R4 million

A luxury home paid for with Lottery money by actress Terry Pheto, star of Tsotsi and The Bold and the Beautiful, has been sold to an unidentified Johannesburg businessman for R3.9-million.

The house, which was subject to a preservation order obtained by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Assets Forfeiture Unit, failed to attract any bids when it was put up for auction in early March.

READ MORE: Terry Pheto’s house sold for nearly R4 million

2021 July unrest: ‘Woolies looter’ Mbuso Moloi pleads guilty to theft

Mbuso Moloi, the so-called “Woolworths looter”, has pleaded guilty to charges of theft after he was caught on video during the 2021 July unrest allegedly looting a basket of goods from a Woolworths food store in KwaZulu-Natal.

The 32-year-old appeared before the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday on charges of theft and contravention of the National Road Traffic Regulation. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

READ MORE: 2021 July unrest: ‘Woolies looter’ Mbuso Moloi pleads guilty to theft

Rhodes University honours Zondo for ‘exemplary leadership’, inspiring youth

Rhodes University conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LLD) on Judge Raymond Zondo, the Chief Justice of SA and chairperson of the State Capture Inquiry.

The announcement was made earlier this month and Judge Zondo received his degree at the 2023 graduation ceremony held on Wednesday, 29 March.

READ MORE: Rhodes University honours Zondo for ‘exemplary leadership’, inspiring youth

Trevor Noah is back on SA screens with new comedy series

The fans of Trevor Noah will see much more of the talented TV host and comedian with two new shows lined up.

Noah has primarily focused on his standup comedy since he left The Daily Show late last year. 

READ MORE: Trevor Noah is back on SA screens with new comedy series

Wayde van Niekerk in spotlight at SA Champs

While spectators will be disappointed by the absence of the country’s most accomplished track and field star, Caster Semenya, there will be plenty of action to keep them entertained at the SA Athletics Championships starting in Potchefstroom on Thursday, with 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk stepping back into the spotlight.

After displaying his best form in five years last season, finishing fifth at the World Championships in Eugene and clocking 44.33 seconds over the one-lap distance, Van Niekerk will be eager to prove he can return to his best form as he continues to grind his way back from a serious knee injury.

READ MORE: Wayde van Niekerk in spotlight at SA Champs