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President Cyril Ramaphosa says although South Africa continues to rank in the top five African countries with the best infrastructure, more can be done to improve its development.

The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter on Monday.

He highlighted that good infrastructure can be the foundation of greater and faster economic growth and addressing poverty.

“However for this world class infrastructure to continue to support our developmental goals, it has to be properly, effectively and efficiently maintained. And decisions on infrastructure investment have to respond to the growing need and upgraded appropriately.

“We have good quality infrastructure, but in far too many instances it is not being properly maintained and upgraded. Last year, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering gave the country’s social infrastructure a D rating, with E being failed or failing. Passenger rail scored particularly low, achieving an E,” he said.

The President warned that neglecting infrastructure maintenance can have “detrimental consequences”.

“We are seeing accidents, disease outbreaks and other tragedies that in a number of instances have been associated with dilapidated infrastructure.

“The maintenance of public infrastructure is often the responsibility of local government. It remains of concern that municipalities are failing to spend conditional grants allocated to them for maintenance and upgrades of infrastructure.

“Infrastructure Grant was being spent by municipalities. This grant is for upgrading and building new infrastructure and rehabilitating existing infrastructure,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said municipalities, particularly those that are smaller, do not have the capacity to implement infrastructure plans.

He added that however, there are those municipalities “spending conditional grants successfully and timeously”.

“For example, approximately 91% of funding allocated to municipalities to fund reconstruction and rehabilitation after floods in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal was spent by the respective municipalities.

“This illustrates that with the necessary support, technical assistance, planning and coordination, the problem of municipal underspending on public infrastructure can be overcome,” he said.

In this regard, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, National Treasury and provincial and national government continue to step up support for municipalities.

“Because of its vital developmental function, we continue to prioritise investment in infrastructure across government. Construction is underway on several bulk water, housing, energy and roads projects. Together with better infrastructure maintenance, we are determined that these investments will make a big difference in people’s lives.

“When social infrastructure is well-maintained not only do citizens benefit, but businesses are also supported and the economy as a whole grows and develops,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

The efforts of police members through Operation Restore to fight crime, yielded positive results when they arrested several suspects for charges related to dealing in drugs, possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition as well as the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

On Saturday, at about 21:00, the members of Operation Restore in Gugulethu embarked on an intelligence driven operation which led them to a premises in Ntogwana Street, New Crossroads, Gugulethu.

Upon searching the premises, a consignment of drugs consisting of mandrax tablets, ecstasy and crystal meth were found and confiscated.

On further investigation, an undisclosed amount of cash was also found and confiscated as the proceeds of the lucrative drug trade. A 35-year-old male was arrested for possession and dealing in drugs.

Further information led the members to another address in Bengnia Street, suspected to be linked to the first one, where the members found mandrax, ecstasy and crystal meth which were also confiscated. A 34-year-old male was arrested for possession of drugs. Both suspects are due to appear in the Athlone Magistrates court today on the mentioned charges.

On Saturday, members of Operation Restore deployed in Mitchells Plain followed up on information of a firearm being kept at a complex in Dassenberg Street, Tafelsig.

The members accosted the address and found a 49-year-old male with whose consent they gained access to premises and ensued with a search. During the search they found a wooden replica firearm with two iron pipes and one round of ammunition.

They proceeded to another premises in Arsenal Road, Freedom Park where a 26-year-old male was found at the premises. Another replica firearm, black in colour, and one round of ammunition was found.

Both suspects were arrested for being in possession of prohibited firearms and ammunitions. Once charged they will make their court appearance in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates' Court.

The members also followed up on information of a firearm being kept at a complex at Somerset Place, Derrick Drive, Somerset West.

The members then went to the address and found a male at the premises. During the search that ensued they found a black Taurus pistol with two rounds.

The male person could not provide nor produce the licence of the firearm and told the members that he does not possess a licence for any firearm.

The 30-year-old male was subsequently arrested for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Once charged he will make his court appearance in the Somerset West Magistrates' court. – SAnews.gov.za

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, has undertaken an official visit to Chile from 22 to 25 July 2023. 

According to the department, the Deputy Minister will co-chair the Eighth Meeting of the Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) between South Africa and Chile.

“South Africa and Chile enjoy cordial diplomatic relations that were formally normalised in October 1991. 

“Bilateral relations between the two countries are underpinned by the values of respect for democracy, human rights and sustainable development,” the department said in a statement.

At the global level, the department said the two countries agree on respect for the rule of international law, multilateralism and South-South cooperation in pursuit of the development agenda of the South.

“Bilateral and multilateral cooperation between South Africa and Chile is conducted within the framework of the JCM, which is co-chaired at the Deputy Ministerial level and meets every second year,” the department explained. 

The areas of cooperation between the two countries include astronomy, fisheries and aquaculture; mining; education, science, and innovation; social development; sport, arts and culture; trade and investment and parliamentary relations.

The JCM also provides a platform to exchange notes and facilitate cooperation on regional and multilateral issues.

The Deputy Minister will also have a business networking session with South African and Chilean companies.

On Tuesday, 25 July 2023, Deputy Minister Botes will take part in the launch of the exhibition, the 10th Year Remembrance of Nelson Mandela under the ‘The Legacy Lives on through You’ theme. 

The exhibition will take place at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in Santiago. –– SAnews.gov.za
 

Eskom Senior Shift Supervisor from the Matla Power Station and a heavy fuel oil (HFO) tanker driver were arrested for fraud and theft of the HFO.

According to Eskom, the arrests were effected on Wednesday, 19 July 2023, after information was received that tanker drivers were involved in the theft of fuel oil at Matla Power Station. 

“The drivers would offload the fuel oil at unknown locations before arriving at the power station. The tankers would then enter the power station empty. Weighbridge slips would be fraudulently registered and printed as if the ordered oil/fuel product was offloaded. Delivery notes are then signed off,” the power utility said.

Eskom said it pounced on the accused after a thorough internal investigation that started in December 2022 was conducted, supported by the Bidvest Protea Coin Investigation team. 

The team is contracted to Eskom to investigate coal, diesel and fuel oil theft cases, evidence obtained led to the arrest of an Eskom Senior Shift Supervisor from the Matla Power Station and an HFO tanker driver. 

“The arrest was made by the South African Police Service (SAPS),” Eskom said, adding that the accused were charged and brought before the Kriel Magistrate’s Court on 20 July 2023. 

“Theft is classified as an act of dishonesty that violates the conduct expected from Eskom’s employees. All employees are at all times expected to behave honestly and in the interest of their employer as part of their contract.”

Eskom has described the theft of fuel oil as a highly organised criminal activity, and the syndicates involved are being enriched through the proceeds derived from the illicit trade of the stolen products. 

“Eskom continues to lose billions of rand due to the misappropriation and adulteration of these critical commodities, which directly affects production.”

Meanwhile, the entity said it will provide the required support to the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure that the suspects are successfully prosecuted and that a stiff sanction is meted out, as a favourable outcome will serve to deter other would-be offenders.

Eskom has also urged the public to report information regarding the theft of coal, fuel oil, and diesel to the Eskom Crime Line: 0800 11 27 22. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Johannesburg Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation have arrested a 36-year-old suspect for allegations of fraud and corruption and will appear in the Middleburg Special Commercial Crime court on Monday.

It is alleged that around October 2022, a complaint was reported about fraud and corruption which was committed by an Eskom project manager as well as two other Eskom officials together with Luthando Engineering.

It is said that an amount of R25 000 was given to the project manager as an gratification by Luthando Engineering in order to be granted a one year tender contract to install lights at Eskom and around November 2022, the project manager gave the complainant another R25 000 for gratification.

The improprieties were reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation. The Hawks' members worked on an operation which was conducted outside Kriel power station after information was received that the suspect will be transporting money yet again to the service provider. 

During the operation, the suspect was searched and no money was found in his possession but R16 600 was found at his place of residence.

Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa commended the team for a breakthrough in addressing the scourge of corruption that is hampering economic growth in the country. – SAnews.gov.za

South African Netball President, Cecilia Molokwane, has called on South Africans to support the South Africa national netball team at the 2023 Netball World Cup where they will be competing against 16 countries.

“It’s time for Africa and South Africa to shine. It is time for South African netball to shine. It is time for women to shine and the SPAR Proteas to shine. They can only shine if all of us are behind them,” Molokwane said on Friday.

Sixty years after the World Cup started in 1962 in England where South Africa was one of the teams that participated, the tournament will be hosted on African soil for the first time. It will take place in Cape Town from 28 July to the 6th of August 2023.

The City of Cape Town will establish a Fan Park outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre) where netball fans can watch matches on a big screen, enjoy live entertainment, play games and enjoy a family environment for the duration of the Netball World Cup.

“Sixteen counties in the world will be competing for this prestigious trophy to become world champions and we know that the SPAR Proteas, the netball team, will make sure that this trophy does not leave these shores and stays in South Africa

“We are the only continent in this competition that has four countries competing. We have South Africa, who are the winners already, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Uganda that will be playing in this tournament,” she said.

Explaining the significance of the dates for the tournament, Molokwane said they were specifically chosen to celebrate Mandela Month and Women’s Month.

“This trophy will be played for from 28 July. It landed on 25 May; we wanted it to land in Africa on Africa Day. When it landed, I learned that the African Union was celebrating 60 years and it was for the first time in 60 years that the trophy was on the continent.

“When the girls play on 28 July, it will be at 6pm and South Africans will be back from work. South Africans can watch the game and support the girls as they play. Support the SPAR Proteas.

“Do not forget to support Banyana Banyana on Sunday. They are playing their first game against Sweden,” Molokwane said.

She made these remarks during the 2023 Netball World Cup activation at the Forum of the South African Directors-General (FOSAD) at Mount Grace Hotel and Spa, in Magaliesburg.

This event took place exactly a week before the beginning of the 2023 Netball World Cup and offered an opportunity to build hype and excitement of the tournament.

The Netball World Cup activation at FOSAD also included the entrance of the Netball World Cup trophy, which was welcomed with jubilation by the director generals.

Director-General in the Presidency, Phindile Baleni, expressed confidence in the SPAR Proteas keeping the trophy in the country.

“Thanks to the new constitution of this country we can afford to participate in such events. Let us not miss the moment that sports give us, which is to create social cohesion and a South Africa of champions.

“Like the women of 1956, when they marched on the Union Buildings, they were doing it for us to get opportunities. Let’s continue to create opportunities for women,” Baleni said. –  SAnews.gov.za

The Bracken Nature Reserve Visitor Education Centre in Cape Town has been awarded a five-star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) for its public and education building design.

This comes after plans to redevelop its historic buildings into a community multipurpose venue made with an industrial-type steel portal frame, brick infill walls and a facade that will be a combination of face brick and plaster. 

The City of Cape Town's Acting Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, said the recognition from the GBCSA signifies that the building design has met stringent environmental standards and demonstrated a high level of sustainability. 

Andrews congratulated the team for coming up with such an innovative redesign.

“This is a fantastic achievement for the city. It shows the city’s commitment to reducing environmental impact, promoting access to efficient facilities, and leading by example in project planning and green building design,” Andrews said.

He said the design of the centre’s features support the city’s goal for all new and existing municipal buildings to be net-zero carbon by 2030, as outlined in the City’s Climate Change Action Plan.

The centre is also designed to encourage alternative modes of transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster healthier lifestyles.

The project, which is scheduled to start in October 2023 and planned for completion in July 2025, will be able to accommodate up to 100 visitors simultaneously, whereas the old building could only accommodate small groups of 20 people at a time.

The sustainable building features of the redeveloped centre will include:

•    Lighting that uses a motion sensor-controlled system and LED-efficient fittings;

•    High-performance internal vision glazing designed to take advantage of natural daylight;

•    Mechanically assisted fresh air ventilation systems that will filter fresh air to enclosed offices and multipurpose venue, using weather louvres and occupancy sensors;

•    50kWp (Kilowatt peak) Photovoltaic grid-tied system with two 25kVA (Kilo-volt-amperes) inverters;

•    3kW backup element for 200-litre solar geyser;

•    Rainwater harvesting;

•    Waste recycling storage facilities for sorting and collecting operational waste; and

•    Black water treatment system and black water harvesting system.

Andrews highlighted that water-efficient fittings will be fitted onto all taps, waterless urinals will be installed, and toilets will be flushed using recycled water from the black water harvesting system.

He said there was no requirement for landscaped irrigation and the local weather-wise indigenous ground cover, plant and tree species, will be watered during the winter months’ natural rainfall.

“Access to water and energy consumption data by means of display screens for all occupants and visitors. This will offer insight into the sustainable operations of the building,” Andrews said.

“Preferential parking bays have been allocated for fuel-efficient transportation, and secure bicycle storage provided. There are also cyclist facilities including showers and lockers on site,” the Acting Mayor said. – SAnews.gov.za

Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD) Minister, Ronald Lamola says the protection of whistleblowers from retaliation and vengeance remains an imperative which would honour the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela.

The Minister was speaking at the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) symposium into the protection of whistleblowers held on Friday.

“As we reflect on the profound legacy of President Mandela, we must acknowledge that his unwavering commitment to justice and equality must serve as an inspiration for us all.

“In order to uphold these values, we must prioritise protecting those who speak out against wrongdoing. Whistleblowers play a critical role in promoting accountability and transparency and we must ensure that they can do so without fear of retaliation,” he said.

Legislation

Currently, South Africa’s whistle-blower legislation is the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA). However, it only refers to employer-employee relations and does not extend protection beyond that relationship, does not require confidentiality nor does it offer legal and financial assistance to whistleblowers.

To improve on this, the DJCOD has released – for public comment – a document with proposed reforms for South Africa’s whistleblower regime.

According to Lamola, this document proposes several measures to enhance protections.

“According to the report, it is recommended that any provision in a contract that attempts to exclude the Protected Disclosures Act should be prohibited. Furthermore, it should be considered a criminal offence for an individual to seek retribution against a whistle blower who has made a protected disclosure.

“Moreover, the state should offer protection to whistleblowers and their immediate family members if their safety or property is at risk. Finally, whistleblowers should be recognised as witnesses under the Witness Protection Act.

“We eagerly anticipate the contributions of society to create a society where morality and integrity are matched by enthusiasm for justice and not vengeance,” Lamola said.

He explained that while work to strengthen whistleblower legislation continues in the background, government is working on how it can help those speaking out right now.

“The question we currently grappling with is what happens in the interim, whilst we are reviewing the act, whistleblowers are being victimised now.

“We are working with the private sector players and civil society to navigate this difficult conundrum. Since as we speak now one can only exercise a power or action empowered by law,” Lamola said. – SAnews.gov.za

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has appealed to residents, especially in informal settlements, to prioritise safety, amid a severe cold front in the Midlands.

The department noted that during this period, there has been an increase in fire disasters, often resulting in tragic loss of life.

“The use of candles, gas and paraffin stoves, izimbawula and electric appliances must be closely monitored at all times and should never be left unattended,” the department said in a statement.

The department also warned residents, particularly in the Midlands areas of an incoming snowfall expected to impact the south-western part of the province.

“The weather condition may lead to icy roads, resulting in traffic disruptions and isolated loss of vulnerable livestock and crops,” the department said.

The South African Weather Service has forecasted that a cold front associated with an upper trough will bring significantly low daytime temperatures over the province on Thursday and Friday. 

The department said the freezing levels are dropping significantly, potentially resulting in snowfalls over parts of Harry Gwala, western uMgungundlovu and uThukela Districts.

Areas likely to be affected by the snowfall include Ladysmith, Underberg, Greater Kokstad, Impendle, Escort, Sobabili, Giants Castle, Mooi River, Okhahlamba, uMngeni and Umzimkhulu Local Municipality. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, has encouraged the youth to actively influence public policy decisions.

“As the youth, you should not just be passive recipients of public policy decisions; instead, you should and are actively influencing them, either directly through political participation or indirectly through civil society activism,” Morolong said.

He was speaking at the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Youth Summit in Durban on Thursday.

Addressing the summit, Morolong said youth activism was a necessary pressure point that led governments to elaborate on policies that prioritise education, job creation, climate change, and social justice - issues he said “resonate with the broad section of our youth populace”.

Challenges of unemployment, including inadequate educational opportunities and social inequalities, are some of the pressing issues that define youth experience, especially in South Africa and Africa as a whole.

While the youth are digitally connected, Morolong said, there was an increasing danger of information overload and a spread of misinformation.

“I hope that this summit has had time to address these issues to provide governments with a policy platform fully to harness the potential dividends for the youth and frustrate its negative impact.

“On a global scale, you have the possibility to significantly impact the geopolitical landscape through the kind of actions you take; issuing out of the policy platforms on which you may have agreed.

“As the BRICS youth, you have to insist on contributing to the digital economic policy that drives more inclusion and cooperation, to enable you fully to participate in global competition.

“Your innovation and entrepreneurial spirit presents an opportunity for the creation of a south-south supply chain that could strengthen the BRICS nations' position in the global digital landscape,” Morolong said.

Beacon of hope

Morolong highlighted that BRICS is gaining more and more global significance, as a beacon of hope in the global South. 

He said the countries’ combined economic influence can play an important role in leading the global south towards a new era of finance and debt relief, focusing on sustainable growth, innovative financial mechanisms, and debt relief.

The Deputy Minister argued that sustainable growth is underpinned by not only economic expansion, but also by environmental preservation and social progress. 

By focusing on inclusive growth, BRICS can help reduce inequality within and between nations, thus creating a more balanced global financial structure.

“Significantly, what are the innovative financial instruments that can significantly reshape the financial landscape and secure youth participation on a grand scale? How can the youth of the BRICS countries and the global South more broadly benefit from the financing that emanates from the New Development Bank (BRICS Bank)?

“The New Development Bank is a significant step towards providing an alternative source of funding for development projects for BRICS and other emerging economies. Enhanced financial cooperation between BRICS and countries of the global South can foster a more equitable financial order,” Morolong said. 

He said that through bilateral or multilateral trade agreements, currency swap arrangements and collaborative investment projects, BRICS can help create a financial environment that supports the growth and stability of the global South.

In this regard, BRICS can help strengthen the economic resilience of the global South by sharing best practices in areas like financial regulation and fiscal management.

“As the world grapples with the economic effects of global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the role of BRICS could be more critical than ever in building a more equitable and resilient global financial system,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says an investigation into the deadly Lillian Ngoyi (Bree) Street explosion that ripped through the heart of the Johannesburg CBD is now being investigated by the Department of Labour.

The blast claimed the life of one person and left at least 48 others with injuries.

Some eight people remain hospitalised.

“Currently, as we speak, there is no confirmation regarding the cause of the explosion. We have preliminary reports from the Department of Labour. We've got reports of all institutions that have one form of infrastructure underground…Telkom, Egoli Gas, Sasol, City Power and all those institutions,” he said.

The Premier said a preliminary report by the Department of Labour indicates that there may be similarities to an incident that occurred in 2010, also in Johannesburg.

“The department…indicates that the nature of gas when it exploded and what has happened here is similar to what has happened at Yeoville…what is known as Telkom Towers. They claim that there are similarities and on the basis of that…there are three manholes that are an interest to their investigations.

“The explosion came through those three manholes and the department of labour…are of the view, from their preliminary reports, that there are certain institutions that they want to interview further even though they have given us the reports that they have given us.

“They’ve analysed the nature of the explosion and they also feel that there is a gas that they still want to experiment so that they can tell us the type of gas that they are sensing that is responsible,” he said.

The Premier said a consolidated report from all relevant stakeholders is being compiled and the area still remains under close guard.

“We are still treating that area, from a risk point of view, that it might have a secondary effect. Which simply means let’s treat it [carefully] until all these reports are finalised. We must keep it closed from being accessed by people who are not authorised to be there.

“But since this morning, there have been many people going to that area. We believe that there is a breach in terms of the human element. So we have accepted the guidance and the advice of the provincial commissioner that we are pulling the human bodies from being the frontline. We are now going to unleash barbed wires across all the areas that are going to be identified as the scene … so that there’s no movement at all in that area,” he said.

People living in the area will be presented with permits to allow them to access their homes safely. – SAnews.gov.za