THE FUSE

Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.

Verulam: The ANC Youth League is changing their stance on the chasing of illegal foreign nationals that are employed in many factories in Durban. This follows their new campaign led by the eThekwini Regional leadership in Verulam, north of Durban, where they found over 57 illegal immigrants being employed there. The ANC Youth League has come under fire from many communities after it rejected the campaigns by the police and other organisations which were directed at companies that are employing illegal immigrants over locals. The campaign in Verulam was led by eThekwini Regional Secretary of the ANC Youth League Nokulunga Khuzwayo and Deputy Chairperson Sphelele Nene.

Durban: The Durban Regional Court has sentenced former prosecutor Ntokozo Mzulwini, 36, to five years in prison following his conviction for defeating the ends of justice. The offence was committed in October 2022 while he was on duty at the Durban Magistrates’ Court. On 27 October 2022, while performing his duties as a District Court Prosecutor, Mzulwini made false statements to two Control Prosecutors at the Durban Magistrates’ Court. He had been assigned to prosecute an accused, Mr Khan, who was charged as an illegal immigrant in contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act. Upon conviction, this offence requires deportation to the accused’s country of origin, Malawi, and does not allow for the option of an admission of guilt fine in terms of Section 57A of the Criminal Procedure Act. Mzulwini falsely told the Control Prosecutors that Mr Khan had contravened Section 37(b) of the Refugees Act, which relates to the expiration of a refugee permit and permits the payment of an admission of guilt without deportation. Acting on this false statement, Mzulwini prepared documentation reflecting the incorrect charge, despite evidence in the docket confirming that Mr Khan was not a refugee but an illegal immigrant.

Mayville: KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli presided over the Premier’s Coordinating Forum which took place at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Mayville on Friday. The forum is a platform attended by members of the Executive Council, mayors, councillors and other stakeholders. It focuses on efficient and effective service delivery. During his opening address, Premier Ntuli urged participants to make positive and constructive contributions on deliberations pertaining to service delivery, especially in municipalities, which are at the forefront of ensuring that services reach people promptly, effectively and efficiently.

Pictured above: ANC Youth League eThekwini Regional leaders storm several factories that were found with illegal immigrants.

Image source: ANCYL