For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Justice dept confirms request for Gupta brothers’ extradition, Winde votes for Hlophe's suspension and, SIU to weed out dodgy medical negligence claims in health departments

Justice dept confirms request for Gupta brothers’ extradition

The Department of Justice and Correctional Services has confirmed that it submitted a request to the United Arab Emirates central authority for the extradition of Atul and Rajesh Gupta to South Africa to face charges.

The kingpins behind State capture, during Jacob Zuma’s Presidency, were arrested as a result of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of the South African government, earlier this year.

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola explained that the request was made in line with the Extradition Treaty between South Africa and the UAE, as well as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, a multilateral international convention to which both countries are member States.

The National Prosecuting Authority said it was complying with domestic and international legal obligations in the extradition.

Winde votes for Hlophe's suspension

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says he hopes President Cyril Ramaphosa acts swiftly to suspend Western Cape High Court Judge President John Hlophe.

Winde, along with other commissioners of the Judicial Services Committee, voted yesterday to recommend to Ramaphosa that Hlophe be suspended after he was found guilty of gross misconduct.

In 2008, Hlophe allegedly approached two Constitutional Court judges to find in favour of then-African National Congress President Jacob Zuma, in corruption cases made against him.

Hlophe has unsuccessfully tried to challenge the findings made against him.

SIU to weed out dodgy medical negligence claims in health departments

President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit to probe allegations of corruption and maladministration at national and provincial health departments.

The SIU said the proclamation and investigations are intended to focus on the billions in medical negligence claims from health facilities.

The terms of reference include serious maladministration, improper or unlawful conduct and unlawful or negligent loss of public money.

The wide scope of the proclamation gives the SIU the power to investigate people and contracts that took place between 1 January 2013 and 22 July 2022, the date of the proclamation, or which took place prior to 1 January 2013, or after the date of publication of this proclamation.

National health department spokesperson, Doctor Tshwale, said the department welcomed the proclamation because the medical negligence claims by legal firms were so huge they were crippling its budget.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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