News
A former senior government minister in South Africa has left the governing African National Congress (ANC), with a blistering attack on the party
Nathi Nhleko said it was “painful” to see the ANC turn into a party he no longer recognised, accusing it of introducing austerity measures and dismantling state-owned companies.
Mr Nhleko was close to the scandal-hit ex-President Jacob Zuma.
Earlier this year, the ANC suspended Mr Zuma for backing a rival party.
An ANC official responded to Mr Nhleko’s resignation by saying “good riddance”.
Mr Zuma joined the new uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party in December, and is spearheading its campaign for votes in the build-up to the 29 May general election.
It is unclear whether Mr Nhleko intends to do likewise, but some of the rhetoric in his resignation letter was similar to that used by Mr Zuma when he announced in December that he was throwing his weight behind MK.
That party is named after the armed wing that the ANC formed when it was fighting white-minority rule in South Africa.
As the police minister in Mr Zuma’s cabinet, Mr Nhleko gained infamy for defending the use of $23m (£15m) of government money to upgrade the-then president’s private residence in the village of Nkandla.
At the time, Mr Nhleko was widely mocked for saying the expenditure was part of necessary security upgrades.
This included the building of a swimming pool which he described as a fire pool that could be used in the event a fire broke out at the residence in Mr Zuma’s home village of Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal province.
An amphitheatre, cattle enclosure and chicken run were also built.
On the campaign trail in January, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said Mr Nhleko was “sweating” at the time as he was forced to defend “lies” in parliament.
Mr Nhleko suggested that these comments triggered his decision to quit the party.
“In the past few years, I have observed that I no longer recognise this ANC that I joined, the ANC whose only aspiration was to liberate our people,” he said, in the resignation letter quoted by the Mail & Guardian newspaper.
This included handing control of key sectors of the economy to the “white-dominated private sector”, and reducing “social spending” to the detriment of the financially needy, Mr Nhleko added.
In his response, ANC KwaZulu-Natal Secretary Bheki Mtolo said that Mr Nhleko had destroyed his political career when he described the swimming pool as a “fire pool”.
It’s good riddance, it’s long overdue,” Mr Mtolo was quoted as saying by the privately owned Eyewitness News.
Mr Nhleko served as police minister from 2014 to 2017, and then as public works minister until Mr Zuma was removed as president by the incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa.
In December, Mr Zuma said it “would be a betrayal” to campaign for the Ramaphosa-led ANC in the May election.
He accused Mr Ramaphosa of being a “proxy of white monopoly capital”, a charge the ANC has denied.
An opinion poll released last month gave MK around 10% of the national vote and a quarter of the vote in Mr Zuma’s political heartland of KwaZulu-Natal.
The election is expected to be the toughest for the ANC, with several opinion polls suggesting that it could lose its outright majority for the first time since it took power in 1994.
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of four officers accused of misappropriating N43.16 million from a total of N74.95 million recovered during an unauthorized operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to Zone 7 Headquarters—were implicated in a case involving the arrest of Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting cash for clients in August 2023.
Investigations revealed that while the officers initially reported N31.79 million as the recovered sum, they concealed the remaining N43.16 million. This prompted the owners of the funds to file a petition, escalating the matter to the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit.
Findings and Allegations
Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed that investigations uncovered a conspiracy among the officers to steal part of the recovered funds. Key revelations include:
The officers photographed the suspect and the money during the arrest but later claimed their device was damaged to hide evidence.
They allegedly transported the missing cash out of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to conceal it.
Attempts were made to mislead the investigation by claiming technical issues and disseminating false narratives to media outlets.
Adejobi stated, “These officers conspired to steal part of the money amounting to N43.16 million, attempting to cover their tracks through misinformation and corruption.”
The four officers have been suspended for gross misconduct, tampering with evidence, abuse of office, corrupt practices, and unprofessional behavior. Following due legal and administrative procedures, they are set to face prosecution.
The police force also dismissed allegations suggesting that Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun was protecting a cartel involved in smuggling banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Adejobi condemned these claims as part of a “sponsored misinformation campaign,” emphasizing that such narratives are attempts to distract from the criminal acts of the officers involved. He reiterated the force’s commitment to accountability and professionalism under the current administration’s reform agenda.
The police urged the public and media outlets to avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing reforms aimed at eliminating corruption and restoring trust in the force.
This case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement, as the officers await trial for their alleged misconduct.
Fire Incidents in Kano Claim Three Lives, Cause Over N132.4m in Damages
The Kano State Fire Service has reported that three lives were lost and properties worth over N132,450,000 destroyed in various fire incidents across the state during November. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the service’s spokesman, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, provided an overview of the service’s operations for the month. According to the statement, fire […] Continue reading here ▶ Police Hunt for Suspected Killers of Security Guard in Ogun State
The Ogun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected armed robbers responsible for the murder of a security guard in the Ologede community, Atan area of Ogun State. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, responding to inquiries from journalists. Reports indicate that the armed robbers attacked a […] Continue reading here ▶ Smugglers attempt to transport cigarettes using an Armaguard vehicle.
The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has uncovered a smuggling operation involving 23 boxes of cigarettes transported in an Armaguard vehicle. The illegal activity was intercepted when ZRA officials impounded the vehicle as it attempted to smuggle the cigarettes from Kazungula to Livingstone, with plans to transport them onward to Lusaka. The seized goods, imported from […] Continue reading here ▶ A truck carrying fertilizer lost control this morning and hit into the George Kunda Toll Gate on the Great North Road in Mkushi District, injuring a toll gate operator
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the accident occurred when the truck, traveling west to east, lost control due to excessive speed and hit the toll gate booth. He said Dimas Yombwe, 36, who was inside the booth at the time, sustained a deep cut on his head, a suspected fractured left shoulder, painful legs, and […] Continue reading here ▶ Father dies holding his child in tragic road accident _ Zambian PoliceA 37-year-old man from Chinsali has died in an accident while crossing the road, holding his three-month-old child in his arms. The accident occurred when the driver of a Toyota Mark-II hit Bruce Mweya, who was crossing the road with his child. The incident happened on Nambuluma Road in the Kazembo area. Muchinga Province Police […] Continue reading here ▶
The Kano State Fire Service has reported that three lives were lost and properties worth over N132,450,000 destroyed in various fire incidents across the state during November.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the service’s spokesman, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, provided an overview of the service’s operations for the month. According to the statement, fire personnel responded to 43 fire emergencies and successfully rescued three individuals.
Additionally, the fire service saved properties valued at approximately N310,600,000 during their operations. However, they also handled six false alarms and responded to five rescue calls.
The emergency responses came from the service’s 29 fire stations located throughout Kano State.
Highlighting the need for public vigilance, Abdullahi urged residents to handle fire responsibly, especially during the dry harmattan season, to prevent further fire outbreaks.
He also cautioned motorists to adhere to traffic rules and drive carefully, particularly during the Christmas season, to minimize the risk of road accidents.
“The general public must exercise caution with fire to avoid incidents during this harmattan period. Motorists should also drive carefully and observe traffic regulations, especially during holiday travels,” Abdullahi emphasized.
The Kano State Fire Service remains committed to safeguarding lives and property while encouraging the public to adopt safety measures to reduce fire-related incidents.
The Ogun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected armed robbers responsible for the murder of a security guard in the Ologede community, Atan area of Ogun State.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, responding to inquiries from journalists.
Reports indicate that the armed robbers attacked a mini car park in the area during a late-night raid. The guard, who had been recently employed to secure the premises, was brutally killed, with his body discovered tied up and bearing severe injuries.
A food vendor operating on the premises reportedly found the lifeless body of the guard the following morning and raised the alarm, drawing the attention of community members. It was also discovered that a truck parked at the facility had been stolen during the invasion.
A resident of the area, speaking anonymously, described the park as a former mechanic workshop turned car park. The resident added that the guard was a familiar face in the community before being hired by the park’s owner to safeguard the facility.
“The robbers killed the guard, hacking him and tying him in a corner. A food vendor who came to the premises early in the morning found his body and raised the alarm. When the park owner arrived, it was confirmed that a truck parked there had been stolen,” the resident explained.
Police officers from the Atan division were alerted and arrived at the scene, transferring the body to Ilaro General Hospital Morgue.
Odutola stated that the chairman of Ologede Village reported the incident to the police, leading to the dispatch of detectives to the scene.
“On 28th November 2024, around 6:00 a.m., the chairman of Ologede Village informed the police about the discovery of a corpse, estimated to be about 40 years old, lying in a pool of blood near the community’s entrance. The victim had severe head injuries, suggesting a possible case of murder and armed robbery,” she said.
The police have commenced a preliminary investigation and assured the public that efforts are underway to track and apprehend the suspects responsible for the heinous crime.
“Investigations are ongoing, and we are committed to bringing those involved to justice,” Odutola concluded.
Four Suspended Police Officers to Stand Trial for Alleged N43m Theft
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of four officers accused of misappropriating N43.16 million from a total of N74.95 million recovered during an unauthorized operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to Zone 7 Headquarters—were implicated […] Continue reading here ▶ Fire Incidents in Kano Claim Three Lives, Cause Over N132.4m in DamagesThe Kano State Fire Service has reported that three lives were lost and properties worth over N132,450,000 destroyed in various fire incidents across the state during November. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the service’s spokesman, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, provided an overview of the service’s operations for the month. According to the statement, fire […] Continue reading here ▶ Smugglers attempt to transport cigarettes using an Armaguard vehicle.The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has uncovered a smuggling operation involving 23 boxes of cigarettes transported in an Armaguard vehicle. The illegal activity was intercepted when ZRA officials impounded the vehicle as it attempted to smuggle the cigarettes from Kazungula to Livingstone, with plans to transport them onward to Lusaka. The seized goods, imported from […] Continue reading here ▶ A truck carrying fertilizer lost control this morning and hit into the George Kunda Toll Gate on the Great North Road in Mkushi District, injuring a toll gate operatorPolice spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the accident occurred when the truck, traveling west to east, lost control due to excessive speed and hit the toll gate booth. He said Dimas Yombwe, 36, who was inside the booth at the time, sustained a deep cut on his head, a suspected fractured left shoulder, painful legs, and […] Continue reading here ▶ Father dies holding his child in tragic road accident _ Zambian Police
A 37-year-old man from Chinsali has died in an accident while crossing the road, holding his three-month-old child in his arms. The accident occurred when the driver of a Toyota Mark-II hit Bruce Mweya, who was crossing the road with his child. The incident happened on Nambuluma Road in the Kazembo area. Muchinga Province Police […] Continue reading here ▶
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Viral Gist6 days agoMy husband left the c0untry 7yrs ago, although he his playing his fatherly role well and always s£nding m0ney for upkeep, Rent and taking good care of me but i am not c0mfortable with it anymore – Nigerian woman seek legal advice
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