The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development Chairperson, Mr Xola Nqola, has expressed his concern about conflicting reports on the access to the Zondo Commission investigation database.

“These reports are extremely concerning as it deals with state capture and millions and millions of rands stolen from the South African people. Every South African wants to see justice in these matters and the money returned to the state coffers in order to alleviate the strain on the economy and our people,” said Mr Nqola.

He was responding to media reports that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are locked in a stand-off with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD), after full access to vital state capture evidence was allegedly blocked. The reports go on to say that the NPA and the Investigating Directorate have lost access to a large digital evidence database gathered by Zondo Commission investigators because of a lack of maintenance. The NPA has since refuted the allegations and said that access to the digital lab is a technical one and it continues to engage the department on the matter. The department has called the media reports misleading and factually inaccurate.

Mr Nqola further stated that such reports can lead to the public losing faith in the justice system and the country’s efforts to fight corruption. “It is clear that the reports and the comments from the authorities are contradictory. It is for this reason that the committee will call the department and all the role players to enlighten the Members of Parliament and the public on this very serious matter. The country’s reputation to deal with crime and corruption is at stake when allegations of this nature are circulated.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

The humanitarian Community in Ethiopia mourns the death of Mr. Yared Melese, a humanitarian who was working with the NGO Action for Social Development and Environmental Protection Organization (ASDEPO) and expresses its deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased. Mr. Melese was kidnapped for ransom and later killed by an unidentified criminal armed group operating in Dawunt Woreda of North Wello Zone, Amhara Region.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the kidnapping for ransom and subsequent killing of our colleague, Mr. Yared Melese, by criminals, whilst he was serving in the line of duty. As a Nutrition Officer, Yared was a brave and dedicated humanitarian worker who was ready to assist civilians in need under extremely challenging circumstances. Any attack, threat, looting or extortion demands are unacceptable breaches of our Code of Conduct” said Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia. “Mr. Yared Melese was a beloved husband, father and son. My deepest sympathies go to his family and the entire humanitarian community in Ethiopia for this tragic loss”.

Including this latest incident, eight humanitarian workers have been killed in Ethiopia so far in 2024 (six in the Amhara Region), whilst at least 14 incidents of kidnap of aid workers for ransom have been reported, a majority in the Central and North Gondar zones of Ahmara Region. While the Humanitarian Country Team remains committed to assisting vulnerable Ethiopians wherever they are, and as resources and the security environment allow, such incidents undermine the ability of humanitarian workers to assist people in need, particularly children and women, who depend on our vital assistance.

“When humanitarian workers are targeted, our ability to deliver assistance to the people in need in affected areas is seriously compromised. We have engaged with respective Government institutions regarding the speedy investigation and the necessary process to bring perpetuators of this and previously committed crimes to justice. The Code of Conduct1 must be respected by all stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of aid workers, operations, and of the affected communities. Humanitarian workers are not a target” Dr. Ramiz added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has signed a project preparation facility agreement with Veenocks Limited for the financing of the development of Veenocks’ porcelain tile manufacturing plant located in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria.

The plant, to be operated as an indigenously owned state-of-the-art facility with an annual production capacity of 6.6 million square metres of floor and wall tiles, is expected to bring on stream assets with an estimated investment cost of US$117 million.

Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development Bank, signed the facility agreement on behalf of Afreximbank while Mr. Adebisi Abidemi Adebutu, Ultimate Beneficial Owner of Veenocks Limited, signed for the company.

Under the terms of the facility agreement, the project preparation facility will be deployed during the pre-investment stage towards de-risking the project and rapidly advancing it to bankability, with the early-stage intervention sending a strong signal to the market about Afreximbank’s commitment to the project. In addition, Afreximbank will be appointed the Mandated Lead Arranger and will take the lead in syndicating the debt raise, with the ability to incorporate credit enhancements, if needed.

The project is expected to exploit and beneficiate Nigeria’s underutilised natural resources using clay to produce porcelain tiles for the domestic and international markets and will deploy proven technology to enable the country to exploit its natural resources at scale. In addition to creating over 700 job roles over its operational period, the project is expected to result in exports estimated at US$11.4 billion.

Commenting on the agreement, Mrs. Awani explained that the facility agreement reflected Afreximbank’s commitment to advancing impactful projects in Nigeria and beyond as well as its dedication to leveraging its diverse product suite to offer end-to-end solutions throughout the project finance value chain.

She added that the holistic approach reflected the Bank’s comparative advantages in supporting its member countries to implement projects efficiently and effectively and of its support for indigenous African investors establishing state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.

Demand for tiles in Nigeria was estimated at 210 million square metres in 2023, with local production at 137 million square metres. The demand is projected to rise to 270 million square metres by 2027.

Mr. Adebisi Abidemi Adebutu, Group President of R28 Holdings, the parent company of Veenocks, stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Afreximbank as a key partner in Veenocks’ journey towards sustainable growth. Once fully implemented, our state-of-the-art factories will set a new benchmark for world-class facilities in Africa, showcasing our commitment to excellence and innovation. This strategic partnership with Afreximbank marks a significant milestone in Veenocks’ expansion plans, enabling the company to leverage the Bank’s expertise and resources to drive growth and development in the region. With this collaboration, Veenocks is poised to make a meaningful impact in the industry, fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for communities across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact: 
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

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About Veenocks Limited: 
Veenocks is a member company of R28, a consolidated and diversified private investment holding company with strategic business interests in various sectors of the Nigerian economy. Veenocks is a manufacturer and supplier of high-quality tiles through cutting-edge technology and premium feedstocks. Veenocks tiles are distinguished for their durability, longevity and ecofriendliness. Driven by an unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence, Veenocks endeavours to surpass customer expectations, aiming to be the ultimate choice in the tile industry.

About Afreximbank: 
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

KnowBe4 (www.KnowBe4.com), the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, today announced the results of its Q2 2024 top-clicked phishing report. The results include the top email subjects clicked on in phishing tests showing HR business-related messages are still provoking the most action from employees leading to potentially harmful results.  

Phishing emails remain a prevalent and effective tool for cybercriminals to launch malicious attacks on organizations worldwide. These bad actors continuously evolve their tactics, adapting to current market trends and outsmarting both end users and organizations by crafting phishing email subjects that appear authentic and credible. Their strategies often exploit human emotions, aiming to elicit feelings of urgency, confusion, anxiety, or even excitement, all in an attempt to lure recipients into clicking on malicious links or opening harmful attachments. The severity of this threat is underscored by KnowBe4’s 2024 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report (https://apo-opa.co/46PDzV9), which reveals that approximately one out of every three users is prone to interacting with suspicious links or complying with fraudulent requests. 

HR related email subjects have become increasingly popular as a phishing tactic with cybercriminals over the last year, particularly those relating to dress code changes, training notifications, vacation updates and more. These are effective because they may provoke a person to react before thinking logically about the legitimacy of the email and have the potential to impact an employee’s personal life and professional workday.  

QR codes (https://apo-opa.co/3M7NFHC) included in phishing emails are a growing concern with cybercriminals attempting to use these to extract sensitive information or steal money from unsuspecting employees and organizations. Prominent email subjects promting employees to scan QR codes included MFA migrations, reminders from HR, and password expiration notifications. Additionally, the data reflects the consistent trend of utilizing IT and online service notifications as well as tax-related email subjects. 

“Phishing tactics are ever evolving and continue to pose a significant threat to organizations worldwide,” said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO at KnowBe4. “We’re seeing cybercriminals adapt their strategies at an alarming speed. The continuous rise in HR related phishing emails is especially troubling, as they target the very foundation of organizational trust. Moreover, the increase of QR codes in phishing attempts adds another layer of complexity to these threats. In this environment, it’s crucial for organizations to prioritize comprehensive security awareness training. By educating employees about these and other emerging tactics, and cultivating a strong security culture, organizations can mitigate the human risk that exists within.”  

To download a copy of the Q2 2024 KnowBe4 Phishing Report infographic, visit here. (https://apo-opa.co/4dImXkG)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

About KnowBe4 
KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 65,000 organizations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. The late Kevin Mitnick, who was an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4’s Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as their last line of defense and trust the KnowBe4 platform to strengthen their security culture and reduce human risk.