War declared on mafias in South Africa, and alleged gang bosses back in court

Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:

• War declared on construction mafias: A partnership to end criminal disruption on construction sites was formalised at the National Construction Summit in Durban, with the Durban Declaration signed by DPWI Minister Dean Macpherson, Deputy Police and Finance Ministers Cassel Mathale and Ashor Sarupen, and CIDB chair Khulile Nzo. They the signing the start of a collective effort to eliminate construction site criminality, emphasising that the summit would become an annual event to ensure continued commitment to ending lawlessness. [Moneyweb]

• Alleged Cape Town underworld gang bosses case resumes: The Cape Town High Court case of alleged underworld gang bosses is set to resume today. The case will resume without alleged kingpin, Mark Lifman, who was gunned down in George about two weeks ago. [SABC]

• Controversial RAF lawyer in the spotlight: A Legal Practice Council (LPC) disciplinary committee has acquitted attorney Steven Kuselo Gqeba of misappropriating funds after he only paid R50,000 of a R15 million medical negligence settlement into a disabled child’s trust account. The funds were transferred to Gqeba’s trust account nearly four years ago, but he failed to provide evidence on where the remaining R15 million was kept. Gqeba claimed he didn’t pay the full amount due to undisclosed legal costs. [News24]

• Councilor fined for repainting tardy roads: A councilor from Aberdeen was fined again for repainting parking spots and a pedestrian crossing at the NG Church, despite the paint being finished. He was summoned by police and municipal law enforcement, but plans to contest the fine in court, as his previous case was thrown out due to lack of evidence. [Daily Maverick]

• Markets: The rand fell on Tuesday as investors pulled out of riskier assets after President Vladimir Putin updated Russia’s nuclear doctrine amid escalating tensions with the United States over Ukraine. On Wednesday (20 November), the rand was trading at R18.06 to the dollar, R22.88 to the pound, and R19.12 to the euro. Oil is trading at $73.23 a barrel. [Reuters]