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New Zealand replacement Tanya Kalounivale has been suspended for three matches having received a citing in New Zealand’s match against USA on the final day of the World Rugby Pacific Four Series on 14 July. Tanya Kalounivale (New Zealand) Citing, Law 9.13 (Dangerous tackle) New Zealand replacement Tanya Kalounivale appeared before an independent judicial committee …
The Ocean Festival team will continue to promote a healthy ocean by celebrating MPA (Marine Protected Areas) Day on 1 August with a number of ocean-based activities and adventures. The focus will stretch from Amanzimtoti to the lower part of Scottburgh, along the length of the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area. This is just one …
Gauteng couple found guilty of smuggling reptiles
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, has welcomed the conviction of a Gauteng couple, Gerald and Elisha van der Westhuizen, for their role in the smuggling of reptiles from South Africa.
“The conviction and sentencing demonstrate the important work being undertaken in implementing the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking with a focus on disrupting transnational organised crime, and targeting the value chain and financial crimes linked to the illegal wildlife trade,” the Minister said on Thursday.
The Gauteng couple was linked to two German nationals, who were earlier convicted of smuggling lizards and other reptiles from South Africa, through an analysis by the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre.
An analysis of WhatsApp messages found that Gerald van der Westhuizen had on three occasions illegally sent Sungazer lizards to Germany and Mexico.
The couple was sentenced in the Kempton Park Regional Court on Monday. Gerald was sentenced to a fine of R1 million, half of which was suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of a similar offence; while Elisha was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment.
The sentence has been wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of Contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 07/27/2023 - 12:42
Leading automotive manufacturer, Renault South Africa is proud to announce its recent collaboration with Netball South Africa (NSA) as the official vehicle partner, effective 1st July 2023. As a brand that strives to promote diversity and uphold gender equality, this exciting partnership rings true Renault’s core values and marks an exciting path in forging its …
ACCESSORISE YOUR WARDROBE WITH HUNTER BOOTS A look without accessories can never be complete! Hunter Boots has a wide range from bags to socks and many more must-have pieces. Whether you’re revamping your entire closet, or just filling in the gaps, these key pieces will keep you on-trend for seasons to come. Hunter Patchwork Crossbody …
Scottish Rugby has established three new Regional Training Centres for the performance pathway as part of its continued investment in the women and girls’ game. This initiative, in partnership with sportscotland and alongside the already existing Highland & Islands performance development programme, will see Scottish Rugby delivering high-performance training across the country for women and …
FREE STATE – Members arrested two suspects and seized a large amount of drugs from a flat and, dagga from a vehicle. On 26 July 2023 at about 12:00, intelligence led information was received by Counter Narcotics and Welkom K9 Unit about a flat in Waterkant Street Odendaalsrus where drugs are kept. Upon arrival of …
NELSPRUIT – The Police at Mhluzi arrested a 39-year-old councillor, William Phetla and his accomplices, Kholofelo Manola (31), Lui Nkadimeng (48) and Thabo Ntuli (24) on allegations of assaulting and kidnapping a 29-year-old domestic worker, aged 29 on Saturday, 22 July 2023. The victim, who is alleged to be pregnant, was allegedly accused of stealing …
GapCover.co.za is proud to announce the launch of its innovative online platform, designed to provide South Africans with a straightforward method to explore medical aid shortfall cover options. Aimed to bridge the gap between medical costs and medical aid payouts, the platform comes as an essential tool in today’s unpredictable healthcare landscape. Medical aid schemes …
Netball World Cup to boost Cape Town economy by R68 million
The highly anticipated 2023 Netball World Cup is expected to contribute about R68 million to Cape Town’s economy.
Taking place on African soil for the first time ever, the tournament will start on Friday, 28 July and will end on 6 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
South Africa will be competing against 16 countries for the prestigious trophy to become world champions. The SPAR Proteas will play their first match of the tournament against Wales on Friday.
While all matches are being played in Cape Town, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) has partnered with municipalities across the province to host public viewing centres so that residents everywhere can have access to watching the live matches.
“We encourage members of communities across the province to use these public viewing centres to support our SPAR Proteas as they compete for the World Cup. We have seen the unique atmospheres that these centres can bring at past events and we hope to see the same enthusiasm for this event! Thank you to all the municipalities for their support in hosting these centres,” Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais said.
Details on tickets and travel packages and more information on the Netball World Cup 2023 are all available on the official tournament website (www.nwc2023.org.za) with a range of tickets and packages still on offer.
The following viewing centres will be available:
Eden
Central Karoo
Overberg
Cape Winelands
West Coast
- SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 07/27/2023 - 11:49
MedicalAid.co.za is introducing a pioneering online platform designed to simplify the complex process of comparing medical aid schemes in South Africa. With our innovative tool, users will be able to review, contrast and choose from a broad spectrum of medical aid plans to find the one that best suits their individual needs. Medical costs can …
South Africa’s largest agricultural lender, ABSA, says new technology has huge potential to unlock capital for smallholder farmers and SMEs who have previously had limited access to finance Pioneering ag-tech company Origin Digital is poised to help lenders revolutionise the agricultural credit landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa and drive growth in the sector. Providing credit to …
New Soshanguve Magistrate court to be completed on time
Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts on Wednesday said she is confident that the new Soshanguve Magistrate court, currently under construction, will be completed on time.
Swart met with a number of stakeholders to discuss progress made in the construction of the Magistrate court which was started in 2019 and expected to be completed this year in December.
The multi-million Rand project is expected to provide much needed accommodation to the client department, which is the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Speaking after meeting with the stakeholders, Deputy Minister Swarts said the new court building will benefit the community of Soshanguve,who will no longer have to drive long distances to access the crucial services.
Swarts said there has been a few delays due to the withdrawal of some professionals but said she is confident that the project will be completed on time.
“The Department of Justice told us that they are ready with furniture. They confirmed that on the 16th of December when the project is being officially opened, they would have furniture inside,” Swarts said.
Swarts expressed confidence that the project will be complete in December.
“Phase 1 is almost complete and phase two is not really that much of an issue because they are just going to do renovations. On the renovations the architect drawings are already ready which tells what colour carpets and what colour paints and everything that is needed,” Swarts said.
Swarts said the department has found a new Quantity Survey who will make it easier for the project to continue at an accelerated pace.
“We had seven professionals on the project before, and few of the professionals decided not to continue with the project for their own reasons. But us as DPWI have now found a new quantity Surveyor.
“There were challenges which were just a few minor stumbling blocks,” Swarts said.
Among other things, the project when completed will entail eight new courtrooms, including dedicated reception areas, storerooms, kitchens, staffrooms, public waiting rooms, SAPS offices, Inmate drop-off zones, transition cells, 17 holding cells, administration offices and 81 basement parking bays.
The project had created more than 150 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) National Youth Service (NYS) jobs which benefited young people in Soshanguve.
The NYS participants were exposed to a number of skills such as plumbing, bricklaying and plastering, among others. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 07/27/2023 - 10:09
Final countdown for Netball World Cup Tournament
By Anele Zikali
It’s all systems go for the Netball World Cup (NWC) tournament, which is being hosted in the City of Cape Town, with less than 24 hours left until the opening match on home soil.
The tournament will run from 28 July to 6 August and will be the first to take place on the continent of Africa.
The SPAR Proteas have all of their ducks in a row, according to team manager, Nisha Rupnarian.
“The City of Cape Town is ready. A lot of hard work has been put into the preparations and the excitement is building.
“As SPAR Proteas, we are grateful to the City of Cape Town for their commitment, hard work and preparations as well. We, as a nation, are very resilient and resourceful. We are going to put on a show that the world will be in awe of. Well done to the city for the hard work that they have put in to make sure that this event is a success.”
For Rupnarian, it has taken a lot of organisation and preparation to make sure that the SPAR Proteas are in good condition and are ready to take on the world.
“The support that we get from Netball South Africa and our various sponsors help us to perform well. It is these kind of structures that provide us with all of our needs. Thank you to Netball SA for making it happen, and for bringing the NWC to us and for all that they have done.
“The government support has been absolutely amazing. We appreciate that as well,” said Rupnarian.
It has taken a lot of work for the NWC organisers to put together the construction of the netball courts at the Cape Town International Convention Center (ICC).
Speaking on the readiness of the venue, Heins van Juuren, Safety Officer on site said: “We started working on the NWC construction project since last year and to finally convert the venue to courts, it took about two weeks to put together the whole court.
“All of the courts are built-in structures… [The] seats have a capacity of 4 000 to 7 000. We are busy with lighting, the floor, built-in chairs, changing rooms and fabricating will be behind the court, and it is a lot of work,” said Heins van Juuren, the Safety Officer on site.
Safety and security is one of the main concerns for many people in South Africa and Cape Town is no exception.
The NWC organisers have put together tight security plans.
“We cannot confirm the numbers on security personnel. However, it is going to be a lot. We do have the Venue Operations Control. All the main teams will be involved, from medics, the Fire Department, South African Police Service and the Air Force,” said Van Juuren.
Fans can also watch the games at fan parks that have been officially opened in various provinces.
Visit the Netball World Cup website to buy tickets online and to follow match schedules on https://nwc2023.org.za/. – SAnews.gov.za
Matona
Thu, 07/27/2023 - 09:35
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy is travelling to India to participate in the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Ministerial meeting in Chennai, India, later this week.
The Ministerial meeting will consider recommendations prepared by senior officials in the G20's Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG).
The Indian G20 Presidency has focused on three priority issues under the ECSWG, namely:
1. Arresting land degradation and accelerating ecosystem restoration via an ecosystem-based approach, and enriching biodiversity
2. Promoting a sustainable and climate-resilient blue economy to protect the natural environment and the lives and livelihoods dependent on marine resources
3. Encouraging resource efficiency and circular economy to move towards sustainable production and consumption systems.
Climate change issues are mainstreamed in discussions across the thematic working groups of the G20 and will therefore also feature prominently in the Environment and Climate Sustainability Ministerial meeting.
South Africa has an important role to play in the G20 in advancing an ambitious environment and climate agenda in the context of sustainable development and seeks to ensure that priority issues of African and fellow developing countries are included in G20 outcomes.
In this regard, developing countries are keen to ensure that our approach to building environmental sustainability assists with addressing developmental challenges including addressing poverty and ensuring shared prosperity. The support from developed countries for the climate transition and biodiversity agendas of developing countries remains a priority.
The Group of 20 (G20) is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union.
Minister Creecy will have an opportunity in India to meet face to face with Minister Dan Jorgensen from Denmark to take forward the task assigned to the two Ministers by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the incoming COP 28 President to facilitate discussion on the Global Stocktake. The two Ministers hope to begin consultation with some of the parties attending the G20 on an approach to the Global Stocktake.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
In January 2025, the global anti-money laundering watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), will review its decision to greylist South Africa and interrogate the public and private sector measures to address its concerns. The country will need to demonstrate a practical, scalable plan to combat money laundering, fraud and other financial crimes. Failing to achieve this will have serious economic knock-on effects, such as a significant decrease in international capital inflows and downgrading by credit rating agencies, all of which will negatively impact the Rand. An extended greylisting is also a serious threat to state-owned enterprises that rely on offshore debt capital markets for funding.
This doesn't need to be South Africa's reality. Mauritius successfully met FATF's criteria and was removed from the grey list in two years. However, this required focused attention and collaboration from the public and private sectors. Now, South African financial institutions are under the spotlight and the country has just 18 months to demonstrate an effective anti-money laundering (AML) strategy. It is sufficient time to make enough strides to reverse the greylisting, as the technology exists to combat money-laundering and financial crime at scale.
Money laundering – banking's Achilles heel
South Africa's greylisting spans a wide range of shortcomings, some of which fall within the remit of the public sector. The private sector, however, can make a concerted effort to combat money laundering and financial crime. While some criminal activity occurs using cash or cryptocurrencies, banks remain vulnerable to money laundering, particularly in cross-border transactions. Currently, only 1% of laundered funds are ever recovered despite the government estimating R35bn-R143bn is laundered through local financial institutions each year (https://apo-opa.info/3KgdggP).
The root of online financial crime
To successfully combat money laundering and financial crime, banks need to get to the root cause of how these crimes can go undetected. And this root cause is identity.
Murray Collyer, Chief Operating Officer of iiDENTIFii (www.iiDENTIFii.com), says, “If banks want to effectively and reliably counter financial crime, they need to validate one critical piece of information: a person's identity. Banks need the security that a person performing a transaction on the other side of the screen is who they say they are.”
As our lives grow increasingly digital, the ability to counter cybercrime is an urgent consideration. The global police agency Interpol's Global Crime Trend Report 2022 estimates that over 70% of respondents (all from law enforcement) expect crimes such as ransomware and phishing attacks to increase significantly in the next three to five years. This renders the traditional verification technologies banks favour, such as one-time passwords (OTPs), outdated and a security risk.
Digital security threats to banks
Biometric security threats currently fall into two categories: presentation attacks and digital injection attacks. Presentation attacks refer to photos, videos, or even masks being held up to a screen to fool the technology into mapping the features of the identity being defrauded. On the other hand, digital injection attacks see imagery injected directly into the video stream, either through emulators, hacking tools, or virtual cameras. This directly injected imagery includes sophisticated ‘deepfakes' or ‘face swaps', where AI technology spoofs another person's likeness. iProov, iiDENTIFii's technology partner, reveals in a new 2023 study that there has been a 149% increase in digital injection attacks and a 295% increase in face swaps. With the emergence and growth of face swaps, low-skilled criminals now have the means to launch advanced attacks. Threat actors launched motion-based attacks simultaneously and at scale against hundreds of systems globally.
Collyer adds, “To the untrained eye or technology, face swap synthetic imagery has the characteristics of the genuine individual's facial traits. The imagery can match their government-issued identification photograph during a liveness verification attempt if the technology is not equipped with the latest defences.”
How financial institutions can prepare for 2025
Banks must tackle the challenge head-on to have the robust AML systems and processes required for South Africa's greylisting review. This needs a clear perspective on the current threats and how to mitigate the resulting risks to banks and customers.
Digital injection attack detection needs fundamentally different techniques from presentation attack detection (PAD). Many current biometric systems are not equipped to defend against this fast-growing threat and financial institutions must find a new way to prove identity to prevent money laundering and cyberattacks. The answer lies in the use of ‘liveness' in authentication.
“Simply put, ‘liveness' is the confirmation and verification that there is a human being conducting a transaction on the other side of the screen,” Collyer explains. “While cybercriminals can mine personal data and override certain systems through targeted attacks, it is more difficult to forge a sense of human liveness.”
Many local banks are addressing the challenge head-on. They are upgrading their systems in response to new digital risks. “iiDENTIFii has to date partnered with three leading South African banks to fortify their digital identification and onboarding processes. This is part of a wider banking strategy to protect companies and consumers against AML and fraud,” adds Collyer. “Over the next 18 months, we believe the full impact of this solution will be visible and hopefully play a part in shifting the needle on the greylisting decision.
“Our 4D Liveness is resilient to deepfake and replay attacks. It comprises different colour lights that reflect in a certain sequence off the user's face, which helps determine true biometric liveness. This has been the solution of choice for South Africa's leading banks.”
It is possible to reverse South Africa's greylisting in 18 months. Financial institutions need to refine their focus on digital identity, the central factor in performing safe, verifiable, and authenticated transactions.
Collyer concludes, “We call on financial institutions and the government to embed infallible, enterprise-level and sophisticated biometric authentication into the country's financial services infrastructure. This should not just be a response to our greylisting, but a strategic imperative in an increasingly digitised economic climate where cybersecurity risks abound. If we can demonstrate an ability to combat threats at a global level, this could instill faith in reluctant overseas investors and local customers alike.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of iiDENTIFii.
About iiDENTIFii:
iiDENTIFii is an award-winning face authentication and automated onboarding technology platform. It makes use of a frictionless and non-invasive automated proven process that meets customer intelligence, risk and compliance goals, as well as governance and legislative requirements. The technology plugs seamlessly into existing infrastructures, including mobile and web-based platforms.
Get to know the SPAR Proteas squad
With the 2023 Netball World Cup set to get underway in Cape Town, South Africans are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the SPAR Proteas squad representing the country.
Taking place on African soil for the first time ever, the tournament will start on Friday, 28 July and will end on 6 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
South Africa will be competing against 16 countries for the prestigious trophy to become world champions.
The names of the players in the final squad representing South Africa at the global tournament are as follows:
Bongiwe Msomi (capt); Karla Pretorius (VC); Khanyisa Chawane; Izette Griesel; Owethu Ngubane; Refiloe Nketsa; Phumza Maweni; Lenize Potgieter; Lefebre Rademan; Nicola Smith; Jeante Strydom; Nichole Taljaard; Elmere van der Berg; Shadine van der Merwe and Ine-Mari Venter.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has encouraged South Africans to support the national netball team.
“The SPAR Proteas have made the country proud with their performance and have stood out with their world-class talents. These teams exemplify the unity and cohesion, which spreads to all parts of the nation in South Africa's great sporting moments.
“I would like to wish Netball South Africa and the World Cup Local Organising Committee a successful tournament. More so, I would like to pay tribute to the SPAR Proteas, South Africa's national netball team, who head to the World Cup as the highest ranked African team, and one of the top five ranked netball teams in the world. The SPAR Proteas have shown world class standards and enter the Netball World Cup as one of the tournament favourites,” Kodwa said.
The SPAR Proteas will play their first match of the tournament against Wales on Friday.
Public viewing areas available for Netball World Cup
The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department will bring the Netball World Cup action to communities with four public viewing areas (PVAs).
Admission to all PVAs is free. Each viewing area will be equipped with seating, surround sound and live uninterrupted streaming of the games so there is no need to worry about load shedding.
Refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase at affordable rates and local entertainment will take place at each location.
As per the official match schedule for the Netball World Cup (NWC) 2023, each PVA will be accessible from 28 July to 6 August from 9am until the end of the last match for the day.
PVAs are equipped with ample parking and ablutions, and can accommodate a maximum capacity of 500 people at a time.
Below are the four PVA locations:
Details on tickets and travel packages and more information on the Netball World Cup 2023 are all available on the official tournament website (www.nwc2023.org.za) with a range of tickets and packages still on offer. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 07/27/2023 - 09:13
PRETORIA- 154 Conversion kits were confiscated in a simultaneous Section 109 compliance inspection by the members of the Hawks National Priority Violent Crime Investigation based in Head Office in concert with their counterparts in Western Cape’s Provincial FLASH, Ballistic and Gorensic Science Laboratories yesterday, 26 July 2023 both in Pretoria and Western Cape. According to …
GroundUp experiences first hand the RAF’s dysfunction
Messages wishing the SPAR Proteas everything of the best are pouring in from all over the country, with the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, encouraging the national netball team to represent South Africa well in the Netball World Cup. “Know that 60 million South Africans are behind you. Know that you represent …
Fires on vessels remain one of the biggest safety issues for the shipping industry as evidenced by a significant increase in recent incidents including the Fremantle Highway, a car-carrying vessel which caught fire this week off the Dutch coast with thousands of vehicles on-board en-route from Germany to Egypt. In this Q&A, Captain Rahul Khanna, …
MaxxLiving claims to “create jobs, profit, culture and prosperity” - but it may be in contempt of court for not housing 15 families after a court order
Four public viewing areas available for Netball World Cup in Cape Town
The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department is bringing Netball World Cup 2023 action to communities with four public viewing areas.
“With the official start of the Netball World Cup this week, the City would like to encourage residents to come out and enjoy the sport at a public viewing area (PVA) close to them,” the City said on Tuesday.
Admission to all PVAs is free.
Each viewing area will be equipped with seating, surround sound and live uninterrupted streaming of the games so there is no need to worry about load shedding.
Refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase at affordable rates and local entertainment will take place at each location.
The event promises to be an exciting day for family and friends.
“The City is excited to bring this event to its residents. We hope this event will bring people together and create a sense of community. These recreational facilities are an essential part of the City's infrastructure, allowing residents to gather and experience the Netball World Cup, while providing a space for youth to engage in sport and recreational activities,” Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, said.
Spectators are asked to follow all health and safety protocols for a fun and safe viewing experience.
Stay safe
Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult and alcohol and smoking are strictly prohibited at the venues.
“Our aim is to ensure that all netball fans, local netball teams, including those without tickets to watch games live at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), can also participate in the energy and excitement of the games and cheer on their favourite teams.
“There will be a range of enjoyable activities at each PVA, including local performers, a DJ, food vendors, and more. Don't forget to use the hashtag #PutYourHandsUp when capturing moments, have fun sporting your favourite team's colours, and bring the gees to your community. We look forward to seeing you there,” Van der Ross said.
As per the official match schedule for the Netball World Cup (NWC) 2023, each PVA will be accessible from 28 July to 6 August from 9am until the end of the last match for the day.
PVAs are equipped with ample parking and ablutions, and can accommodate a maximum capacity of 500 people at a time.
Below are the four PVA locations:
- SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 07/26/2023 - 11:40
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