Social Development Scandal: Last Three Suspended Officials Return to Work
They were suspended during the term of MEC Mbali Hlophe when the department was in chaos
News
Course Records for Xaba and Mofolo as Thousands Celebrate ABSA Run Your City Tshwane 10K
South African 10km sensation Glenrose Xaba delivered a career-defining performance this morning (Sunday 25 August 2024) at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, blazing through the course in a remarkable 31:51. This marks her third sub-32-minute finish this year, solidifying her status as one of the country’s best elite women of all times. The …
Babita Deokaran: A Tragic Anniversary and a Stark Reminder of South Africa’s Corruption Crisis
Today, as we mark the third anniversary of Babita Deokaran’s brutal assassination, we are compelled to confront an uncomfortable truth: South Africa’s battle against corruption remains a farce, and whistleblowers like Deokaran continue to pay the ultimate price for their bravery. Babita Deokaran’s murder on August 23, 2021, was not just a personal tragedy but …
Rosebank Mall’s Spring Street Feast: A Day of Food, Fun, Fashion Thrifting & Festivities on Bath Avenue!
Get ready to groove to the rhythm of spring and indulge in a culinary and shopping adventure like no other at Rosebank Mall’s Spring Street Feast on Saturday, 7 September 2024. From 10h00 to 19h00, the vibrant space adjoining the mall on Bath Avenue will come alive with the sights, sounds, and flavours of this …
Clifton: Infant Body Washed Up on Beach
On Saturday, 24 August, at 11h25, NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) was alerted by a bystander public member at Clifton 3rd Beach reporting an infant he had come across found washed up on the beach. NSRI Bakoven, NSRI Table Bay, a Clifton Surf lifeguard, CoCT (City of Cape Town) Law Enforcement, Community Medics, Life Healthcare …
Lives will improve in Ekurhuleni, vows government
Lives will improve in Ekurhuleni, vows government
Government is committed to improving the lives of residents of the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality through interventions including “expanded support for small businesses and intensified efforts to spare communities from crime”.
Other interventions will be in security of tenure for people living and working on farms, and much needed repairs to major roadways that serve as economic arteries to the municipality.
On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa led a District Development Model Presidential Imbizo in the municipality.
READ | Strong municipalities needed to grow economy
The Presidential Imbizo was a platform for communities to interact and share their challenges with government leaders from all three spheres of government on service delivery challenges, and for the executive to respond to the community on what they are doing to resolve those issues.
“During this interaction, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and other leaders outlined efforts address these matters and to improve economic prospects more broadly in the district,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said in a statement.
Water and electricity
After the community expressed their challenges, particularly those related to water, Xhakaza assured them that the city’s Water and Sanitation Department was working tirelessly to deliver services.
A new water pump station is in the pipeline for the area.
“The department has been allocated R590 million in 2024/25 for key projects including R30 million for a new 30Ml reservoir in Germiston; R15 million for the construction of a new sewer pipeline at Pomona and R10 million for a new water pipeline in Nigel.
“To mitigate the challenge the city power cuts and load reduction the City has undertaken to install backup generators at 21 water supply infrastructure sites such as reservoirs and pump stations. Some sites where the backup generators installed include Sunward Park, Tsakane and Germiston reservoirs,” the statement read.
Housing and employment
During the Imbizo, it was revealed that land claims totalling some R53 million are being fast tracked while housing is also getting attention.
It was revealed that the city, the provincial and national governments have partnered to under mega hosing projects which are at “various stages of pre-planning and construction”.
“The City has provided hundreds of serviced sites or stands that feature permanent infrastructure such as water, electricity and sanitation and are ready for top structures for integrated human settlements, and the development of transport services.
“Ekurhuleni is implementing a range of housing projects and related infrastructure totalling just under half a billion rand at Brakpan Old Location, Esselen Park, John Dube, Helderwyk, Birchleigh, Leeuwpoort, Daggafontein and Palm Ridge.
“Other actions under way and in the pipeline in the district include public employment projects such as the Vala Zonke pothole repair initiative; the opening in the coming weeks of a shared facility that will bring together small businesses under one roof; the revival of dormant industrial parks, and the provision of solar panels to needy residents in an initiative that has the potential to create 30 000 jobs,” the GCIS said.
Pre-Imbizo
Ahead of the Imbizo, leaders from all three spheres of government embarked on oversight visits to Ekurhuleni.
“Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy paid an oversight visit to the rehabilitation work construction crews are performing on 14km of the R21 freeway.
“Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontsho presented title deeds to land tenure beneficiaries who now have security on land bought by government at a cost of R12 million,” the GCIS said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 12:42
123 views
Four perish in Joburg building fire
Four perish in Joburg building fire
At least four people have died and three others have been injured in a building fire in the Johannesburg inner city.
The incident occurred in an abandoned building during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Speaking to the SABC at the site of the fire, City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, said the abandoned building was found “well alight” when emergency services arrived in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“We started evacuating the residents who were inside the building. While we were conducting our fire fighting operations, there were three people who came out of the building injured… One was critically injured. We can also confirm that… we managed to recover four bodies. Unfortunately, paramedics confirmed them dead on the scene.
“We have activated our disaster management officials who are on site, we have got our colleagues from City Power, who are here to also try and disconnect some of the illegal connections in the building, and also officials from the city to facilitate some relief for the residents,” Mulaudzi said.
By 10am on Sunday morning, fire fighters were damping down the hotspots and conducting a proper sweep of the building.
“So starting from the ground floor up until the last floor… we’re sweeping through the building just to remove any uncertainty of any person who might still be missing. After we have done that, we are going to be handing over the building to the South African Police Service to continue with their own investigations,” Mulaudzi said.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 12:40
279 views
Tshwane to host weather early warning system workshop
Tshwane to host weather early warning system workshop
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Bernice Swarts, is expected to address the opening of the National Consultative Workshop on Early Warnings for All (EW4All) to be held in Tshwane from Monday.
The agenda of three-day workshop will include:
- The review of the current state of Early Warning Systems in South Africa and the evaluation of the progress in implementing the four pillars of EW4All.
- The exploration of the linkages and alignment among ongoing and upcoming initiatives and the consolidation of key stakeholder commitments to strengthen early warning services.
- The establishment of a national coordination mechanism / affirmation of existing national coordination mechanism to guide efforts to scale-up early warning programming across the four pillars and linking national and local engagement.
- The identification of gaps in national Early Warning Systems, with respect to the minimum core capabilities checklist tool provided by the EW4All initiative.
- The provision of initial inputs towards a multi-year, multi-stakeholder, focused and actionable EW4All National Roadmap, around which all actors can marshal resources, technical assistance, and long-term support.
“The workshop, which will be hosted by the South African Weather Service, comes as South Africa continues to rank among the Southern African countries that are vulnerable to hazardous weather events including severe floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, storms, and heat waves.
“Among the participants at the workshop will be the SAWS; the National Disaster Management Centre; the Departments of Water and Sanitation and Communication and Digital Technologies; the Council for Geoscience; the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa; and provincial, district and local government representatives.
“Also participating in the programme will be the UN and international organisations active in Early Warning Systems; civil society organizations, including Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) active in early warning services, climate and disaster risk information; and the private sector, including the mobile network operators and the insurance industry,” the department said.
The DFFE said the EW4All is a United Nations initiative, which seeks to “ensure that everyone on earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving Early Warning Systems by the end of 2027”.
It rests on the pillars of Disaster Risk Knowledge and Management, Detection, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis and Forecasting, Warning Dissemination and Communication and Preparedness and Response Capabilities.
“According to the UN, Early Warning Systems have helped decrease the number of deaths and have reduced losses and damages resulting from hazardous weather, water or climate events. However, major gaps still exist, especially in small island developing states and least developed countries,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 13:05
96 views
Water and Sanitation sector delegation heads to Sweden for conference
Water and Sanitation sector delegation heads to Sweden for conference
The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, is expected to lead a delegation to Sweden for the World Water Week conference, which kicks off today.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the conference is expected to be held under the theme: “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future”, and is “centred on water cooperation for peace and security”.
“Deputy Minister Mahlobo will participate in panel discussions with his counterparts from across the globe and deliberate on topics focused on unlocking the financing ecosystem for water security, innovative financing for transboundary water cooperation and Africa investment in infrastructure for socio-economic benefits, amongst others.
“He will further outline how the South African water sector has enhanced cooperation in times of water scarcity and detail efforts employed in all spheres of government to avert severe water challenges in water-stressed communities,” the department said.
Part of the delegation will be a pair of 15-year-old twin sisters, who won the South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) competition in June this year.
“The duo will present their water education and awareness app named 'Drop-Drop', which is aimed at enhancing education around the importance of prudent water use in communities.
“The World Water Week conference is hosted by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and is an inclusive meeting place to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and accelerate water action,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 11:29
86 views
Minister Ronald Lamola Hails Economic Diplomacy Milestones in the South Africa-Japan Relations
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, is in Japan to attend the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting. Ahead of the opening ceremony of the TICAD Ministerial meeting, Minister Lamola had a business roundtable discussion with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to further strengthen economic cooperation. Among other matters, the meeting noted two critical economic developments. Following successful diplomatic negotiations, an agreement between the two countries was signed earlier this year, establishing a protocol for the export of South African avocados to Japan. The first consignment arrived in Japan this week, coinciding with Minister Lamola's visit.
This significant milestone marks the beginning of a new market opening for South African avocados in the East. The agreed protocol requires a cold treatment of 2°C for 19 days. South African research has shown that Hass avocados can withstand this treatment, with successful shipments to the UK under the same regime.
South Africa's economic diplomacy efforts continue to yield results in 2024, as evidenced by breakthroughs for our avocado industry, with the opening of new big markets in Japan, China, and India.
Speaking to Toyota Executives attending the JETRO interaction, Minister Lamola acknowledged Toyota's announcement this week of a strategic investment of R 1.2 billion in the South African automotive industry, which is expected to drive faster implementation of industrialisation, job creation, and transformation.
Minister Lamola also had the opportunity to meet with his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ms. Yōko Kamikawa. Minister Lamola reiterated that South Africa enjoys a significant relationship with Japan, underpinned by a fair economic partnership that contributes significantly to our nation's economic development and people-to-people relations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Hawks committed to fighting serious crime
Hawks committed to fighting serious crime
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, has assured South Africans that the Hawks, as the directorate is known, are committed to the mandate of "investigating, preventing and combating national priority offences".
Lebeya was speaking during a media briefing to outline progress and take stock of milestones achieved during the first quarter of financial year 2024/2025.
“...We note that the fight against national priority offences remains an ongoing challenge that requires sustained commitment and collaboration.
“The DPCI recapitulates its commitment to work diligently to address the evolving threat and bring those who engage in criminality to justice. The DPCI shall at all times continue to enforce the law of the Republic without fear, favour or prejudice.
“At the end of the last financial year, the DPCI was carrying 18 461 cases involving 752 712 charges with the value of R1 026 817 012 597.38. Of these cases, 5 616 involving 11 972 accused [natural persons] were serving before the various courts in the country, while 1 788 were receiving attention by the National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] in order to decide on prosecution or otherwise,” he said.
Lebeya noted that the DPCI has made “significant inroads in apprehending individuals… thus ensuring accountability and justice for the victims”.
The arrested suspects are alleged to have been involved in crimes including serious corruption; fraud; money laundering; police killings; cash-in-transit robberies; illegal mining; damage to essential infrastructure and crimes against the State.
“A total number of 673 suspects, representing 637 natural persons and 36 juristic persons, were secured before the various courts in the country. Of these natural persons, 489, which is 77%, are South Africans while 148, which is 23%, are foreign nationals.
“Of the 673 suspects, the Serious Organised Crime Investigation secured 370, the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation secured 234, while the Serious Corruption Investigation secured 69 suspects.
“Most of the arrests were effected in Gauteng province with 167; KwaZulu-Natal province with 114; North West province with 92; Mpumalanga province with 57 and Eastern Cape province with 56 suspects,” Lebeya said.
The DPCI head added that not only were arrests made, convictions were secured against some 506 accused.
“Of these convictions, 262 accused persons, inclusive of 12 juristic persons, were sentenced, while the balance of 244 convicts, inclusive of 15 juristic persons, are to be sentenced on dates after the quarter under review. Of the 262 sentenced natural persons, 173 are South Africans while 77 are foreign nationals.
“To ensure that crime does not pay, 77 court orders were granted in relation to the assets associated with crime. These make the total recorded successes on arrests, convictions and attachment of assets to 1256,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 11:12
108 views
Medico-legal claims a feeding trough for unscrupulous legal practitioners
Medico-legal claims a feeding trough for unscrupulous legal practitioners
Unscrupulous and greedy lawyers and advocates have attempted to swindle billions of rands from the State and embezzled monies from their ill clients through fraudulent and irregular medico-legal claims.
This was revealed by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi during a media briefing held on Saturday.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been, through a proclamation, investigating medico-legal claims against the State since 2017, in which allegations of fraudulent claims have been uncovered.
“So far, in the matters completed by the SIU, the sum of [at least] R3 billion has been saved for various Departments of Health. We believe that this amount will increase as the investigations are still ongoing,” Motsoaledi said.
The damning and ongoing investigation by the SIU has revealed that some legal practitioners have been targeting provincial Departments of Health – at times with the help of health practitioners working for the State.
“[The] Department of Health noticed several claims which were completely out of sync and made no sense at all. There were claims that were evidently fraudulent.
“Just as an example, a claim was submitted in which the claimant demanded R70 million for a supposedly botched circumcision by a doctor in a hospital in Limpopo province. On investigation of this claim, it was found out that no such circumcision was ever performed,” Motsoaledi said.
The Minister explained that during the investigation, it was revealed that during 2015, the number of medico-legal claims grew exponentially.
“This explosion happens to have coincided with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) strengthening its systems. It is common cause that RAF had been hollowed out by a multiplicity of claims that brought it to its knees.
“In the aftermath, legal practitioners who used to litigate against RAF seem to have migrated en masse to the health care sector. In response, the Department of Health convened a medico-legal claim summit in 2015,” Motsoaledi said.
In the main, claims against Health institutions were “targeting cerebral palsy, a condition in which babies develop some form of brain damage due to depravation of oxygen during the process of birth”, the Minister said.
Grandparents taking care of children left behind by their parents were also targeted.
“While it is recognised that cerebral palsy is a very debilitating and unfortunate occurrence to come from the health care system, it is a matter of very serious concern that it is abused by legal practitioners, due to sheer greed. The level of abuse was such that the SIU found that some of the claims were made on behalf of patients without their knowledge.
“Elderly people, who are taking care of their grandchildren in the absence of their mothers, were tricked into signing the Power of Attorney to sue, whereas they were told that they were signing SASSA forms for child support grants. This simply means that legal practitioners or their scouts were masquerading as social workers,” the Minister said.
Eating at the trough
The provincial breakdown of medico-legal claims investigations finalised by the SIU is as follows:
- Eastern Cape: 89 matters to the value of R1.2 billion (unfinalised matters: 108 matters to the value of R2.6 billion)
- Free State: 30 matters to the value of R280 million (unfinalised: 22 matters to the value of R120 million)
- Gauteng: 58 matters valued at R66 015 234 (unfinalised: 2 392 matters valued at R23 783 535 552)
- KwaZulu Natal: 107 matters valued at R2 416 284 800 (unfinalised: 1 420 matters valued at R18 020 272 612.60)
- Mpumalanga: 902 medico-legal claims unfinalised investigations valued at R10 115 964 997.77
- Limpopo: 63 medico-legal claims valued at R139 753 944.09 (unfinalised: 698 medico-legal claims valued at R2 732 710 053)
- Northern Cape: one medico-legal claim finalised valued at R23 250 000 (unfinalised: 19 medico-legal claims valued at R535 305 250)
- North West: 12 medico-legal claims to the value of R32 million (unfinalised: 20 medico-legal claims to the value of R190 million)
- Western Cape: Preliminary assessment of raw data/databases of claims provided by the Office of the State Attorney is still underway.
Lawyers and advocates who have been found to have been submitting fraudulent claims have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for criminal prosecution and to the Legal Practice Council for violation of the Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners and the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund (LPFF) to consider reimbursing claimants whose funds were embezzled by their legal representatives.
“We wish to take this opportunity to make an offer to lawyers, who might have knowingly submitted claims that are fraudulent, to withdraw them within two weeks and there will be no consequences. Failure to withdraw within two weeks would mean that the offer will have lapsed and the SIU will strike,” Motsoaledi warned. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sat, 08/24/2024 - 11:55
138 views
Japan-South Africa Foreign Ministers’ Working Dinner
On August 23, commencing at 7:00 p.m. for approximately 70 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan held a working dinner with Honourable Mr. Ronald LAMOLA, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa. The overview is as follows.
- Introduction
(1) At the outset, Minister Kamikawa congratulated Minister Lamola on the formation of South Africa's government of national unity and his appointment as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and expressed her hope to work together on the challenges facing the international community with South Africa, an important partner with which Japan shares fundamental values and principles and has built up cooperation in a wide range of fields, and which will hold the G20 Presidency from December this year.
(2) In response, Minister Lamola stated that he is pleased to visit Japan and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity of this TICAD Ministerial Meetingwhere we can hold various discussions and hoped to work together with Minister Kamikawa to further develop the friendly relations between the two countries. - Bilateral Relations
(1) Minister Kamikawa stated that South Africa is a hub for Japanese companies to do business in Africa and she would like to strengthen cooperation, particularly in the power and energy sectors, which form the basis of economic activity. Minister Kamikawa also introduced the installation of a system of the officials in charge of cross-border economic affairs who support initiatives by Japanese companies from the perspective of the importance of network building. In response, Minister Lamola expressed his gratitude for Japanese cooperation towards the decarbonization of South Africa, including technical cooperation, and expressed strong expectations for Japanese companies which are creating many jobs to further expand into South Africa. Minister Lamola also expressed his delight at the lifting of the ban on avocado export from South Africa to Japan and expressed his hope to promote high-level visits between two countries, utilizing the Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum.
(2) Minister Kamikawa stated that it is indispensable to maintain and develop a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law as the countries that both face Indo-Pacific Ocean and stated her hope to explore areas where both countries can cooperate, such as freedom of navigation and the promotion of the blue economy. In response, Minister Lamola expressed his hope for the reinforcement of cooperation in Indo-Pacific Ocean, utilizing frameworks including the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). - Cooperation in the International Arena
Minister Kamikawa stated that the G20 has a major role to play as the international community faces complex crises and development challenges become increasingly complicated and that she would welcome it that African voices will be reflected more than ever in the G20 chaired by South Africa, which will begin from December this year. In response, Minister Lamola stated that Africa's role in the international community has been increasing in recent years, including the AU's full membership of the G20, while explaining the areas of focus as the G20 Presidency. Two Ministers confirmed that the two countries would continue to work together looking ahead to the TICAD 9 and the G20 in South Africa scheduled in next year. - In addition, the two ministers exchanged views on such issues as the United Nations Security Council reform, the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the regional situation in East Asia, such as dealing with North Korea including the abductions issue.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Clutter Causes Chaos: Crown Relocations’ New Self-Storage Cube Brings Order to Everyday Life
We all know that clutter has a way of creeping up on us. Whether it’s the pile of sports gear that’s taken over the garage or those sentimental items that you can’t bear to part with, finding a place for everything can be a challenge. That’s where Crown Relocations South Africa’s new Self-Storage Cube comes …
In These Free State Villages You Must Share Water With the Pigs
2,000 households short of water in Maluti-a-Phofung, says ward councillor
Western Cape Government Calls for Harsher Penalties for Attacks on Social Workers
There has been one attack a week on social workers since the beginning of the year
Taxi Bosses Demand Children Use Their Services to Get to School
But taxi association denies the letter is from them
LATEST: Grounded MV Ultra Galaxy – oil and fuel removal a lost cause, wreck removal the next target
Pretoria: 23 August 2024 With removal of all remaining oil and fuel onboard the grounded and now wrecked Panama-flagged general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy, no longer feasible; the salvage effort has smoothly moved onto removal of the wreck off the South Africa’s west coast beach, as soon as possible, according to the South … Continue reading LATEST: Grounded MV Ultra Galaxy – oil and fuel removal a lost cause, wreck removal the next target- SAMSA
Cape Town electricity protest brings traffic to a halt
“We are eating less food because we have to pay more for electricity”
Strong municipalities needed to grow economy
Strong municipalities needed to grow economy
Efficient and strong municipalities are key to ensuring that South Africa’s economy grows and jobs are created, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The President addressed the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo at Tsakane Stadium in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, on Friday.
The Presidential Imbizo is a platform for communities to interact with government leaders from all three spheres of government on service delivery challenges, and for the executive to respond to the community on what they are doing to resolve those issues.
WATCH |
“We have said as the Government of National Unity, our key priority is to grow the economy, and to create jobs and fight poverty. But to do this, we need strong municipalities. It is municipalities that are the engine room of development because they provide the services to our people but they also are economic engine rooms.
“We want our municipalities to work efficiently. To our councillors, we should not be continuously hearing that our people don’t even know their councillors. That must come to an end. Councillors have been elected to serve the people and they must show themselves in the community. They must hold meetings with our communities. We must not wait for an Imbizo to come and listen to our people raising their concerns,” the President said.
Turning to the City of Ekurhuleni municipality, President Ramaphosa said it is one of South Africa’s most important hubs.
“The Ekurhuleni Municipality is well positioned as an economic driver of job creation. Ekurhuleni is a major transportation hub. But apart from that… it is the manufacturing capital of our country. Ekurhuleni plays a very important role in the life of our province, and in the life of our country and our economy.
“It is home to Africa’s largest and busiest airport… OR Tambo International Airport. It’s also a major centre for freight corridors in our country. This makes the metro a substantial economic player because manufacturing is one of the key contributors to the GDP,” he said.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged, however, that service delivery in the area must be improved. He assured the community gathered at the imbizo that government has heard their cries.
“We want to improve the services that are delivered to our people. We know that service delivery is one of the key challenges and particularly water and electricity.
“We are going to be giving more focus on water…building new reservoirs, increasing our bulk water delivery. We are also going to be focusing on housing. Housing shortage is one of challenges many of our people face and we will address that,” he said.
Another area of concern raised by community members is crime and the President said Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is focusing “on how we can deal with extortion, the construction mafia and gender based violence”.
“Those men who play football with the women of our country must stop and we are going to be focusing on that. Gender based violence is a pandemic and our people are working in a very focused manner on that,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 17:03
89 views
Eskom launches pilot electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Midrand
Eskom launches pilot electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Midrand
Eskom has officially launched its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL) in Midrand, Gauteng.
“This milestone marks a significant step in Eskom Distribution’s commitment to supporting the growth of the eMobility sector in South Africa and contributing to the country’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions,” the state-owned power utility said.
According to Eskom, the pilot project includes the procurement of 20 EVs ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks for operational use.
The pilot project also involves the installation of 10 charging stations at five Eskom sites across the country.
The other sites are Brackenfell in Cape Town, Mkondeni in Pietermaritzburg, Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) in Rustenburg and Marathon CNC in Mbombela.
These sites will serve as the foundation for Eskom Distribution’s long-term strategy to electrify its entire fleet by 2040.
“We continue to focus on our long-term strategy to deliver a competitive, sustainable, and future-proof Eskom to ensure energy security, growth, and long-term sustainability for the benefit of South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa,” said General Manager in the Office of the Eskom Group Executive for Distribution, Gabriel Kgabo.
By investing in eMobility and the charging infrastructure needed for EVs, Kgabo said Eskom was not only reducing its carbon footprint but also stimulating the local economy and creating new growth opportunities.
Kgabo highlighted Eskom’s support of the government to align South Africa with the global EV ecosystem market.
Key initiatives include the EV White Paper released by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition in December 2023 and the incentives announced by the National Treasury to encourage the local production of EVs from 2026.
Pilot Project Overview
The recently installed charging stations, in collaboration with Gridcars, feature state-of-the-art direct current fast chargers (60kW) and dual alternating current (AC) chargers (22kW). They are optimised for overnight charging of fleet vehicles and daytime workplace charging for employees and visitors.
The power utility believes this initiative will serve as a blueprint for the future rollout of EVs across Eskom’s entire fleet.
“It is one of the levers that will steer the organisation towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and will also contribute to stimulating the local EV market.
“The successful launch of this infrastructure is a result of the dedicated efforts of the project team within Eskom. Their work is laying the groundwork for a future where electric vehicles play a central role in South Africa’s transportation landscape.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 10:00
491 views
Proteas Women’s T20 World Cup Prep Moves To Durban
DURBAN: In preparation for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, the Proteas Women will convene for a national...
Strike at Premier Sweet Factory Enters Fifth Day
Mister Sweet factory workers in Germiston initially wanted salaries raised to R19,500 per month, but have lowered their demands
Minister calls for urgent meeting to tackle construction mafia challenge
Minister calls for urgent meeting to tackle construction mafia challenge
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, and KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer, have announced plans for an urgent meeting to develop a decisive response to the construction mafia challenge across the country.
In a statement, Minister Macpherson said they have jointly agreed that an urgent meeting with all the respective MECs in all provinces and the Ministers in the Law Enforcement cluster should be held in KwaZulu-Natal.
The decision follows a meeting between Macpherson and Meyer, during which Meyer presented a report detailing the resurgence of construction mafia activities in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Shortly after I was appointed as Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, I vowed to deal decisively with the construction mafia and to restore the rule of law at construction sites across the country.
“During a recent oversight visit to the uMkhomazi water project, I learnt how an altercation with the construction mafia led to the death of three people and the assault of another. This is simply unacceptable. We will never be able to attract additional infrastructure investment, and turn the country into a construction site, while this lawlessness continues,” Macpherson said.
The Minister stated that this is why it is imperative to host the meeting with Public Works MECs across the country and the Ministers in the Law Enforcement cluster to develop a comprehensive plan to turn the tide against the construction mafia “to not only attract additional infrastructure investment but protect the lives of our people.”
Beyond addressing the construction mafia, the Minister and MEC Meyer discussed the potential reform of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to ensure it benefits recipients and contributes to job creation.
They also explored how national and provincial governments can collaborate to expand infrastructure development in KwaZulu-Natal.
“KwaZulu-Natal is a province of such immense potential, and I therefore look forward to working closely with the MEC to unlock economic growth and job creation in the province,” he said.
The Minister added that he will be meeting with MECs in other provinces and mayors in the week ahead to see how they can work together to improve the lives of our people.
“It is only through working together towards a common vision that we can unlock South Africa’s potential. Let’s Build South Africa,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 10:55
322 views