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A Saldanha Bay businesswoman has appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrates’ Court on fraud charges relating to a R26 million Saldanha Bay Local Municipality security tender.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalla, businesswoman Wanda McCarthy allegedly misrepresented her company when bidding for the tender some five years ago.

“The winning company was required to provide 77 security guards to the towns, inclusive of day and night shifts. The security guards were required to be qualified to level-C and possess legitimate PSIRA certificates. The company was also required to provide labour and transportation, with 10 vehicles registered in the service provider’s name at the time of bidding.

“Scrutiny of the company found that the accused had made misrepresentations, stating that her company had a workforce of between 400 to 600 employees and a registered fleet of over 10 vehicles.

“Between February and March 2018, the company’s bank statements reflected payments to 27 employees for February 2018, 90 employees for March 2018 and 90 employees for April 2018, with a total of R357 273.00. This meant that the company had an average of 69 employees between March and April 2018,” Ntabazalla said.

He added that further investigations found that she had also allegedly misrepresented the number of vehicles that the company owned.

The tender was subsequently cancelled two years after it was awarded having already paid some R13.8 million to McCarthy.

“The State alleges that the accused’s actions were both unlawful and intentional to the extent that the unsuccessful service providers were prejudiced, and incurred a substantial amount of money to pursue the appeal which was fraudulently awarded to the company. As a result, other prospective tenderers and the municipality suffered actual loss and prejudiced in the amount of R13.8,” Ntabazalla said.

She was released on R20 000 bail and is expected back in court on 21 August.

Meanwhile, two suspects have appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court also on charges related to fraud in a tender for high mast lights awarded by the Rustenburg Local Municipality.

NPA regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the two, Obakeng Mokgale and Orebotse Tlale, are former employees of the municipality and were arrested and face four counts of fraud.

The two have since been dismissed from the municipality.

“All procurement processes were duly followed for the tender to be awarded. Investigations reveal that the tender was awarded to a company that was not compliant, owing to the fraudulent documents that were submitted in order to be awarded the tender. The two were notified of the noncompliance but continued to recommend for the tender to be awarded to the said company.

“The company is said to have also submitted fraudulent invoices amounting to more than R1.7 million for a service that was not rendered. The accused continued to sign the procurement documents, pretending to have seen the service that was rendered, for payment to be processed,” he said.

The two were granted R30 000 bail and are expected back in court on 15 August. – SAnews.gov.za

The climate change threat can only be confronted through activism led by the youth, says Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong.

Morolong said the BRICS nations are key actors in the global energy landscape, both as consumers and producers of energy needs. 

The Deputy Minister was speaking at the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Youth Summit in Durban.

He said the dual challenge of ensuring energy security and combating climate change, requires the world to transition to a more secure and sustainable energy system. 

This transition he said, holds substantial prospective benefits for the youth, emphasising that for young people to fully take advantage of these new job opportunities, the BRICS will need to invest in education and skills training. 

“This investment will have to focus on technical training in renewable energy technologies, as well as broader skills, such as project management, policy analysis, and entrepreneurship. In this regard, a corps of skilled youth will be more capable of realising the economic opportunities that will flow out of the renewable energy interventions,” Morolong said on Thursday.

He added that the Just Energy Transition also presents opportunities for entrepreneurship, and young people in BRICS nations can create start-ups that provide innovative solutions for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience.

To practically encourage entrepreneurship, financiers and governments will have to develop new financial instruments and provide financial support and mentoring.

“The creation of a favourable regulatory environment, and promotion of collaboration between start-ups, academia, and industry led decisively by our governments. The Just Energy Transition beckons a unique opportunity to create enormous economic value for our domestic economies and for the youth. 

“Through the creation of green jobs, investment in education and skills training, promotion of youth entrepreneurship, and the involvement of the youth in policy making, BRICS can ensure that energy transition is just and equitable.”

Held under the theme “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism”, the four-day summit, which started on 18 July 2023, brought together youth participants and afforded them an opportunity to share ideas and work on a concrete Action Plan for co-operation in economic, humanitarian, mass media and the science sphere.

The BRICS Youth Summit is among the series of high-level engagements, hosted by KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, as a precursor to the 15th BRICS Summit that will take place in August 2023. – SAnews.gov.za

 

It was a joyous occasion as Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, and other government officials turned the first sod to mark the birth of the groundbreaking new Limpopo Central Hospital in Polokwane.

The barren land, situated a stone’s throw away from the Peter Mokaba Stadium, will soon be turned into the state-of-the-art hospital, which is one of the five flagship academic hospitals around the country. 

Equipped with advanced medical technology, the Minister said the hospital will offer cutting-edge diagnostic procedures and innovative treatments. 

The project, which was launched during this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day, has been a long time coming since the initial planning of the hospital started in the 2008/09 financial year. 

However, Phaahla said he was pleased when a Master Plan, which was approved by National Treasury in 2022 was finally approved for the 488-beds hospital. 

“This day of laying the foundation for the construction of the Limpopo Central Academic Hospital is a culmination of the work of many years by many people, some of whom are here while others are not.”

The Minister announced that the health facility in association with the health science faculty of the University of Limpopo will make a significant contribution to health education and research.

“The establishment of a specialist hospital in this province will bolster the health sciences education and training, creating more opportunities for future generations to pursue careers in health sciences. 

“The university’s health sciences faculty which houses the medical school, must start concrete plans to attract specialists and super-specialists to train doctors and other health professionals.”

He is of the view that the establishment will reduce Limpopo’s dependence on Gauteng for specialised medical care.

Meanwhile, as a teaching institution, it will also provide valuable educational opportunities for health sciences students ranging from medical students to nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy and more. 

The hospital will also offer emergency health services, critical care, surgery, rehabilitation, and ancillary services. 

“This will not be an ivory tower, but part of a network based on the foundation of primary healthcare.”

Meanwhile, he said the success of the execution is going to depend on cooperation by all the role-players. 

The department has assigned the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) appointed as an implementing agent, working with technical professionals of Sakhiwo, and Enza construction company. 

“This team is under very strict instructions which were given by President [Cyril] Ramaphosa. He said to me that this must not be another Eskom-like Medupi, where you budget so much and you end up spending three or four times more. I assured the President that all those shenanigans will not happen here.”

Minister Phaahla called on the service providers to deliver a quality product, on time and within budget.

“As a result, their mandate is to complete and hand over the keys by Christmas of 2026 to whoever will be the Premier or Minister and when they hand the keys, it must be like the [impressions we saw on the screen].”

At various stages of construction, the department expects to produce about 2 000 jobs and about 2 000 more, once it is fully operational. 

However, he cautioned that not everyone will get a job or contract while the hospital is under construction.

“Above all, thousands of lives will be saved every year,” he stressed. 

Phaahla thanked the Limpopo government for their cooperation and assistance and former Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi who started the process and laid the foundation for this hospital to be built. 

“I am confident that if we embrace the spirit of President Mandela; of doing everything for the most vulnerable we can disappoint the naysayers. 

“This Limpopo Central Hospital will be one of the pillars to deliver the National Health Insurance. In Madiba’s memory, let us deliver the Limpopo Central Hospital.” – SAnews.gov.za

 

South Africa is honoured to take over the Chairmanship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, says Public Service and Administration Deputy Minister, Dr Chana Pilane-Majake.

“Our focus is to build a partnership between BRICS and Africa to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities for increased trade, investment and infrastructure,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said Africa, through the African Union (AU), has engineered and approved the African Union’s Agenda 2063, with the intention of building strong institutions to enhance cross-border economic development and good governance.

Pilane-Majake said this when she addressed the BRICS Conference on Governance and Public Administration Reform at the University of Pretoria. The event was held as a build-up towards the BRICS Summit which will be held in August in South Africa.

The government of South Africa, she said, was certain that the BRICS partnership had the ability to support South Africa and the African continent at large on the journey towards economic recovery.  

“This will contribute to making Africa’s economy globally competitive, reduce the cost of doing business, attract investments, and stimulate economic growth, thus alleviating poverty and unemployment,” she said.

Pilane-Majake said without capable public institutions, there is a risk of collapse of governments and other sectors of society.

“Building capable institutions requires an investment in building human capabilities to be diligent, masterful and innovative,” she said.

The National School of Government in South Africa remains a key institution to drive the developmental state agenda of building state capacity. This year marks 10 years since the establishment of the National School of Government. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

Young people from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and Africa have been challenged to use their voices to demand action from the leaders.

The call was made by Acting KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomagugu Simelane, during her address at the BRICS Youth Summit, currently underway in Durban.

Simelane challenged young people to seize the moment and be part of the debates about their own future.

She said young people have a unique perspective to offer on the challenges and opportunities of our time, noting that they are the ones who will inherit the world tomorrow. 

“It is said that we do not inherit the Earth, but we merely borrow it from future generations. This therefore places a major responsibility on us all, to rise to take our respective places in the sphere of infinite possibilities… but to do that, conscious of those who are yet to come and the world they’ll be borrowing from future generations,” Simelane said.

Simelane also urged the youth to use the summit to discuss, debate and share brilliant ideas for the better, safer, more prosperous, but “sustainable future of our country, our continent and the world.”

“Let us work together to build a BRICS that is inclusive, prosperous and sustainable. This is a timely and important topic, as we face the challenges of climate change, environmental degradation and inequality.

“You are the ones who will inherit this planet; and you are the ones who will have to live with the consequences of our actions. You have a responsibility that you will lend those who will come after you, a planet that is not only viable, but also conducive to further growth and development,” the Acting Premier said.

She added that the KwaZulu-Natal Government believes in the importance of creating a culture that values the contributions of young people, by listening to their ideas, respecting their opinions and giving them the opportunity to lead.

“We certainly believe that when young people are empowered, they can make a real difference in the world. They can help to solve problems, create change, and build a better future for everyone.”

Held from 18-20 July 2023, the BRICS Youth Summit aims to bring together youth participants and afford them an opportunity to share ideas and work on a concrete Action Plan for co-operation in economic, humanitarian, mass media and the science sphere. 

The summit will focus on discussions that aim to encourage young leaders amongst BRICS nations to actively participate in addressing the most significant global challenges, as well as economic and social issues and contribute to the developmental agenda.  

It also aims to establish constructive engagements on issues relating to youth empowerment, the advancement of youth development and in creating a conducive environment where youth will devise a path to a brighter and better future. – SAnews.gov.za

It was a joyous occasion as Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, and other government officials turned the first sod to mark the birth of the groundbreaking new Limpopo Central Academic Hospital in Polokwane.

The barren land, situated a stone’s throw away from the Peter Mokaba Stadium, will soon be turned into the state-of-the-art hospital, which is one of the five flagship academic hospitals around the country. 

Equipped with advanced medical technology, the Minister said the hospital will offer cutting-edge diagnostic procedures and innovative treatments. 

The project, which was launched during this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day, has been a long time coming since the initial planning of the hospital started in the 2008/09 financial year. 

However, Phaahla said he was pleased when a Master Plan, which was approved by National Treasury in 2022 was finally approved for the 488-beds hospital. 

“This day of laying the foundation for the construction of the Limpopo Central Academic Hospital is a culmination of the work of many years by many people, some of whom are here while others are not.”

The Minister announced that the health facility in association with the health science faculty of the University of Limpopo will make a significant contribution to health education and research.

“The establishment of a specialist hospital in this province will bolster the health sciences education and training, creating more opportunities for future generations to pursue careers in health sciences. 

“The university’s health sciences faculty which houses the medical school, must start concrete plans to attract specialists and super-specialists to train doctors and other health professionals.”

He is of the view that the establishment will reduce Limpopo’s dependence on Gauteng for specialised medical care.

Meanwhile, as a teaching institution, it will also provide valuable educational opportunities for health sciences students ranging from medical students to nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy and more. 

The hospital will also offer emergency health services, critical care, surgery, rehabilitation, and ancillary services. 

“This will not be an ivory tower, but part of a network based on the foundation of primary healthcare.”

Meanwhile, he said the success of the execution is going to depend on cooperation by all the role-players. 

The department has assigned the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) appointed as an implementing agent, working with technical professionals of Sakhiwo, and Enza construction company. 

“This team is under very strict instructions which were given by President [Cyril] Ramaphosa. He said to me that this must not be another Eskom-like Medupi, where you budget so much and you end up spending three or four times more. I assured the President that all those shenanigans will not happen here.”

Minister Phaahla called on the service providers to deliver a quality product, on time and within budget.

“As a result, their mandate is to complete and hand over the keys by Christmas of 2026 to whoever will be the Premier or Minister and when they hand the keys, it must be like the [impressions we saw on the screen].”

At various stages of construction, the department expects to produce about 2 000 jobs and about 2 000 more, once it is fully operational. 

However, he cautioned that not everyone will get a job or contract while the hospital is under construction.

“Above all, thousands of lives will be saved every year,” he stressed. 

Phaahla thanked the Limpopo government for their cooperation and assistance and former Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi who started the process and laid the foundation for this hospital to be built. 

“I am confident that if we embrace the spirit of President Mandela; of doing everything for the most vulnerable we can disappoint the naysayers. 

“This Limpopo Central Hospital will be one of the pillars to deliver the National Health Insurance. In Madiba’s memory, let us deliver the Limpopo Central Hospital.” – SAnews.gov.za

 

More than 2 000 cases and arrests have been made in cases linked to criminality at Eskom.

This was announced by Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, during a media briefing on Monday.

“Over the period from April 2022 to date, there are 2 147 Eskom cases that have been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and about 1 586 of these are under investigation. Since that period…126 arrests have been made.

“In addition to the technical solutions that we are seeking to resolve the issues at Eskom, we are also focused on addressing some of the underlying problems which have been issues of fraud, corruption and security,” he said.

Ramokgopa explained that law enforcement is hard at work, not only patrolling Eskom power stations but also investigating criminal activity linked to the power utility.

“A unit is located and embedded at Eskom and they also get to interact with various police stations that are attached to the various power stations.

“They do make regular visits not just to power stations but also to coal yards because they are trying to understand the anatomy of these criminal activities. They also go to second hand dealers just to ensure that people can account for their activities,” he said.

The Minister further stated that thousands of scrap yard dealers – where stolen Eskom copper cables can be sold – have been visited in thr crackdown on copper cable theft.

“They have visited about 15 043 scrap metal dealers. They have done compliance inspections so that we are able to undermine and cut the arteries of these syndicates and allow Eskom to do its work going forward,” he said.

The Minister emphasised that the work done by law enforcement, coupled with the recovery of some R93 million for Eskom coffers, carries a tangible impact not only for the power utility, but also citizens.

“We have tried to provide a physical value of what has been recovered but there’s a greater value that, from a security point of view, is intangible but from a technical point of view, is tangible.

“If we could be able to illustrate that some of the megawatts recovered are as a result of the work of our colleagues in the intelligence and security agency, the megawatts would far exceed the R93 million.

“Those would be the additional megawatts that are made available to the South African economy,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the call President Ramaphosa had with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, about the ongoing negotiations between Russia and the UN about the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The discussions also revolved around the African Leaders Peace Mission and the need for a permanent and sustainable solution to the movement of grain from Russia and Ukraine to the international markets.

As part of ongoing engagements on the conflict in the Ukraine and the Black Sea Grain Initiative , President Ramaphosa also held a telephone discussion with  President Zelenskyy on Thursday.

President Ramaphosa will have further discussions with both leaders and the UN Secretary General about these matters. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, accompanied by the Charlotte Mannya Maxeke Institute, will on Tuesday lead the Nelson Mandela International Day activities in Soweto.

Mandela Day is an annual global celebration, which takes place on 18 July, to honour the life and legacy of the late liberation struggle veteran and international icon, President Nelson Mandela.

This important day also serves as a call to action for individuals, communities and organisations to take time to reflect on Tata’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities.

This year’s Mandela Day will be observed under the theme: ‘Climate, Food and Solidarity’ - urging all to action in response to the impact of climate change, addressing the challenges of poverty and inequality.

In this regard, the Deputy President and his delegation will participte in planting 12 additional vegetable beds at the Morris Isaacson High School in Jabavu, Soweto, with the aim of encouraging the learners to start and maintain vegetable gardens at their schools and homes.

This is also part of the food security initiatives aimed at contributing to the overall National School Nutrition Programme.

While in Soweto, Mashatile, together with representatives of the National Youth Development Agency, Clinic Health Group and the Gauteng Provincial Government, will hand over gifts to learners at both Morris Isaacson and Matseke High Schools.

The Deputy President will then visit and hand over gifts to the elderly at the Soweto Home for the Aged which accommodates needy and destitute elderly people with full boarding and lodging facilities, frail care and other services.

As part of honouring and paying homage to freedom fighters, the Deputy President will lay wreaths at Tsietsi Mashinini’s statue in Jabavu, the Nelson Mandela House in Vilakazi Street, as well as the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum in Orlando West.

The Deputy President will be supported by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi; Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Parks Tau; Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale Tlabela; Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Morakane Mosupyoe; Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane; Gauteng MEC for Social Development Mbali Hlophe and senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za