looting | Radio 94.7 FM

Millions of rand in alleged “unlawful looting” of the SAPS’s medical scheme POLMED have drawn the ire of scores of police officers, who have slammed the level of coverage received.

Claims are that POLMED, which covers 680,000 members and beneficiaries, has “unlawfully” awarded roughly R15.7 million to its BOT (board of trustees) over three years in alleged contravention of its own rules.

Allegations are also that former National Police Commissioner General, Riah Phiyega, was “illegally” elected on to the BOT in contravention of Rule 18.9.9, which states: “Any person removed from an office of trust on account of misconduct should not serve on it.”

According to rule 18.24, Polmed remuneration should be determined by the scheme’s AGM (annual general meeting) and not by the CMS (Council of Medical Schemes).

By Polmed’s own admission, the scheme hasn’t held an AGM since 2015, with questions being raised
Continue reading…

Rocks being hurled directly at truck drivers is “something new” as a spate of attacks on the “soft targets” plays out on the country’s roads – some of them deadly.

That was the warning sounded by Road Freight Association (RFA) CEO Gavin Kelly on Wednesday, as reports of more rock-throwing and looting incidents emerged.

“Throwing rocks or stones from overhead bridges is something new. We’ve had rocks packed on the road or roads being closed off to bring the truck to a standstill and then burnt. But these incidents now are attacks directly on the driver,” Kelly said.

“One can compare it to what happened in the 80s and the 90s. There is a lot.”

Road Freight Association reports and in accordance their database, 320 people – nearly one person a day on average – died in the road freight industry over the past year due to crime or violent service delivery protests.