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Advancing gross farming income sustainability of smallholder farmers in the Free State Province, South Africa.
(2023) Moloabi, Badiri Victor Motlhabani.; Yalezo, Bhasela.
Abstract available in PDF.
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The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) remotely sensed data and machine learning techniques to predict maize yield.
(2024) Dlamini, Celuxolo Michal.; Odindi, John Odhiambo.; Mutanga, Onisimo.; Matongera, Trylee Nyasha.
Abstract available in PDF.
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Structural characterization of caseinolytic protease (ClpP) from Klebsiella pneumonia.
(2023) Zuma, Sbahle Naledi.; Khoza, Thandeka Ntokozo.
Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumoniae) is a non-motile bacterium that is characterized as an opportunistic pathogen known to cause hospital-acquired infections (HAI) in immunocompromised patients. It is part of a group of pathogens referred to as ESKAPE pathogens. Other pathogens that form a part of this group include; Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter. These pathogens are known to “ESKAPE” the effect of antibiotics. Moreover, Klebsiella pneumoniae is amongst the top 8 most critical pathogens in hospitals therefore, this pathogen poses a great global concern and is life threatening in lowand middle-income countries. Caseinolytic proteases (ClpP) are thermostable proteins which play an important role in protein homeostasis by degrading aggregated and misfolded proteins and allows the pathogen to survive in different environmental conditions. To our knowledge, there are no studies which have focused on the diversity of clpp genes in the Klebsiella species as well the expression and purification K. pneumoniae (Kp) ClpP, to date. Therefore, this study aimed to address this knowledge gap. Bioinformatic analysis was used to investigate the diversity of ClpP in the Klebsiella species. ClpP was found to be present in all the investigated Klebsiella strains with each strain containing more than one ClpP and 17 different ClpP isoforms were identified across the species. Homology modelling of the hypothetical Kp ClpP structure and molecular dynamic simulations showed that this protein was mainly alpha helical, highly dynamic, stable and flexible. The gene encoding for Kp ClpP was cloned into a pColdI vector. This was followed by successful expression Kp ClpP with a band size of 25 kDa, this was slightly higher than the expected size of 21 kDa. Western blot and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis was used to confirm that the 25 kDa protein was indeed Kp ClpP. This protein was then purified to homogeneity using affinity chromatography.
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A criminological inquiry into life insurance fraud in KwaZulu-Natal: an exploratory study.
(2023) Mthethwa, Nomathamsanqa.; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.
Life insurance is a financial safeguard designed to provide individuals and families with a sense of security, assuring them that their loved ones will be financially protected in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. However, there exists a dark side to this industry the realm of life insurance fraud, which has become vulnerable to the intricate web of fraudulent activities. The reality is that innocent people are killed solely to cash in on life insurance money. Life insurance fraud has become pervasive and is on the upsurge within the insurance sector in South Africa, particularly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. with a major financial impact on insurance companies and policyholders. While life insurance fraud is not a new problem in South Africa, it has gained increased media attention in recent years, highlighting its importance as a critical subject. However, very little data on this phenomenon is available in local and international literature. Hence, this study aimed to contribute to this knowledge by exploring the Modus Operandi used by policyholders or beneficiaries to commit life insurance, the motivating factors and the detection and prevention strategies employed by insurance companies, using those who have first-hand experience and knowledge. To ensure that the aim of this study was achieved, a qualitative research design was utilised which assisted the researcher in focusing on the criminological inquiry of life insurance fraud in KwaZulu- Natal. Data collection was achieved employing semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews (KIIs) that involved a total of twenty (20) participants comprising of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) members and Assupol forensics investigators. A set of predetermined questions were used, these enabled the researcher to explore themes and elicit data that focused on achieving the objectives of the study. The fraud triangle and routine activities theory were used as theories in support of this study. The findings of the study revealed that life insurance fraud takes on various forms, with policyholders and beneficiaries engaging in deceptive practices such as faking their deaths or orchestrating the death of others to secure a pay-out. The study uncovered that the occurrence of death in rural areas, similar to other settings, can be vulnerable to life insurance fraud when individuals or beneficiaries attempt to deceitfully claim life insurance benefits for someone who passed away months or even years ago. Additionally, the study uncovered a chilling trend in the manipulative exploitation of life insurance policies through the use of hired dead bodies. This modus operando goes beyond mere deception, delving into the horrid realm of utilising actual deceased individuals to fabricate deaths and illegally claim insurance benefits. In essence, the findings depicted that life insurance fraud costs the lives of innocent people, as people are murdered for the sole purpose of obtaining a life insurance pay-out. The findings also revealed that the insurance sector employs various strategies; however, challenges that were exposed include a lack of cooperation from South African Police Services officials, a basic understanding deficit regarding what constitutes life insurance fraud, limited public awareness, and reluctance of informants to cooperate in criminal investigations. Moreover, the research revealed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) tends to respond reactively rather than proactively in cases of life insurance fraud. Consequently, the responsibility for proactivity is perceived to lie with the insurance industry. This underscores the argument for enhanced collaboration between the South African Police Services and the insurance industry to formulate strategies to proactively address the rising trend of life insurance fraud in the study area.