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Unfair to end employment contracts of doctors working in Tshwane clinics

Location: News

It was unfair and short-sighted of the Gauteng Department of Health to end the contracts of all doctors employed by the Tshwane Metro’s Health Department on 31 March. These doctors are all part of the National Health Insurance pilot programme. Thousands of patients receiving treatment at the 24 clinics in Tshwane are affected by the […]

The post Unfair to end employment contracts of doctors working in Tshwane clinics appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

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Women Ministry speaks out on Omotoso’s acquittal

Location: News

Women Ministry speaks out on Omotoso’s acquittal

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, has expressed its disappointment with the acquittal of Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused from 32 serious charges, which include rape and human trafficking.

“While the department respects the independence of the judiciary, a clarion call by the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence, Pillar Number Three (Justice Safety and Protection), emphasises the importance of strengthened capacity within the criminal justice system to address all impunity and effectively respond to femicide and facilitate justice for GBV survivors.

“The department stands firmly with both victims and survivors of the prolonged case. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities acknowledges and recognises the emotional toll and the potential secondary trauma that may be experienced by survivors,” the department said in a statement on Thursday.

The department said the acquittal of Omotoso serves as a judicial turning point for the many women who came forward to testify as both victims and survivors. 

The department, together with other sister departments, has called for essential services, including psychosocial support and counselling, to navigate the emotional and psychological impact of these traumatic experiences.

The department maintained that GBV and femicide is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon that needs urgent and comprehensive attention. 

The department called on all sectors of society to unite in action, solidarity and support for survivors to continue with the fight against all forms of gender-based violence. 

“To combat gender-based violence, accountability, coordination and strong leadership are crucial for effective prevention, response and support for survivors, which will require a multi-sectoral approach with clear roles and responsibilities.

“This ruling will not dampen our fight; it will only fuel our intention to build a South Africa that is safe, just, and empowering for women, youth, and persons with disabilities,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 04/04/2025 - 07:33
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Read moreWomen Ministry speaks out on Omotoso’s acquittal

Scotland Confirm 2025 Summer Tour

Location: Sport

Scotland’s summer tour plans for 2025 have been confirmed, where they will take on the Māori All Blacks, followed by Fiji and Samoa. The tour kicks off with a match against the Māori All Blacks on Saturday 5 July, and will be the first time the sides have met since 2000, when the hosts edged …

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Ministers Nzimande and Nkabane talk science 

Location: News

Ministers Nzimande and Nkabane talk science 

In a move to strengthen collaboration between science and education sectors, Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande and Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane have held a high-level meeting to align their departments' efforts in research, technology, and skills development. 

The talks focused on enhancing coordination in infrastructure, human resource development, and shared projects within universities and TVET colleges, ensuring that science and innovation play a central role in shaping South Africa’s future.

“The meeting with Minister Nkabane focused on several critical issues in the science, technology, and innovation, and post-school education and training landscape.

“There was a strong emphasis on the need for the DSTI [Department of Science, Technology and Innovation] and DHET [Department of Higher Education & Training] to ensure greater coordination in such areas as research and infrastructure, technology, and human resources development and the common projects undertaken by both departments within universities and TVET [Technical and Vocational Education and Training] colleges,” the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation said in a statement.

Wednesday’s meeting was part of Minister Nzimande’s ongoing programme to engage with departments focused on science.

The department’s main objective for this engagement was to ensure that the mandate of the DSTI is fulfilled. 
This will be achieved by securing support from key State departments for the critical focus areas outlined in the DSTI’s Decadal Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation (2022-2032).

Nzimande’s programme to engage science-intensive State departments is also informed by the DSTI’s recently adopted mantra, which is: “Placing Science, Technology and Innovation at the Centre of Government, Education, Industry and Society.”

Through this mantra, the DSTI seeks to significantly raise the profile and impact of science, technology, and innovation within government and across key sectors of society.

The Ministers also stressed the importance of facilitating access for both departments to strategic national and international platforms and networks, strategic partnerships, and opportunities. 

The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and the exchange of critical information between the two departments.

“The Ministers further agreed to set up an inter-departmental committee that will coordinate key joint projects and the overall cooperation between the two departments.

“The Ministers further agreed to a follow-up meeting, which will be held soon to assess progress on some of the commitments made in the meeting. The meeting was very cordial and productive,” the Ministry said on Thursday.  – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Fri, 04/04/2025 - 10:47
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Read moreMinisters Nzimande and Nkabane talk science 

The Crucial Role of Private Investigators

Location: MyPR

In the complex web of modern society, the importance of Private Investigators cannot be overstated. These professionals delve into various situations where truth and clarity are sought, offering a unique set of skills that bridge the gap between law enforcement capabilities and individual needs. Understanding the Work of a Private Investigator   A Private Investigator, …

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Mokone and Boer Called Up

Location: Sport

The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad to travel to Poland on Sunday for next weekend’s World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament in Krakow, will feature two uncapped players in Patience Mokone and Vianca Boer. Mokone, who just finished the Women’s Premier Division as the leading try scorer for the Bulls Daisies, will make a first appearance …

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VF Plus Supports Benefits of City Improvement Districts in Cape Metro

Location: News

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) supports the application for establishing a City Improvement District (CID) in Cape Town’s Lower Gardens area and will campaign for it to be introduced in more areas throughout the Metro. The Lower Gardens is the area between the CBD and the suburban neighbourhoods of Vredehoek, Oranjezicht and the Upper […]

The post VF Plus supports benefits of City Improvement Districts in Cape Metro appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

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Safe Initiative: Time’s up but Pit Latrines Still Plague South African Schools

Location: News

GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile ,GOOD National Youth Chairperson 04 April 2025 The deadline has come and gone for the eradication of pit latrines in South African schools. This pledge made by the Minister of Education Siviwe Gwarube has failed – just as it did under her predecessor, Angie Motshekga. The promise to eradicate pit […]

The post SAFE INITIATIVE: TIME’S UP BUT PIT LATRINES STILL PLAGUE SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS appeared first on For Good.

Read moreSafe Initiative: Time’s up but Pit Latrines Still Plague South African Schools

NPA head requests report on Omotoso case

Location: News

NPA head requests report on Omotoso case

National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi, has requested a report from the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Barry Madolo, on the judgement in the Timothy Omotoso case.

Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, were acquitted by the Gqeberha High Court of 32 serious charges, including allegations of rape, racketeering and human trafficking, on Wednesday.

In a stinging judgement, Judge Irma Schoeman noted that the prosecution’s cross-examination of the accused was “shallow and lacking the intention to uncover the truth” – leading to the acquittal as the prosecution did not prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said Batohi would “carefully study the judgment when it is made available to the parties”.

“In the meantime, she has expressed her serious concerns about adverse findings made by the judge against the prosecution team, relating to the manner in which the prosecution was conducted.

“The NDPP has called for a transcript of the proceedings and will consider it in order to determine whether the criticism of the prosecution team is warranted. Depending on the outcome of this process, the NDPP, together with the DPP: EC [Eastern Cape], will decide on appropriate action,” Mhaga explained.

He added that the DPP in the Eastern Cape has also “indicated that the team will study the judgement and decide on whether to bring an application to appeal the judgement”.

Mhaga emphasised that the NPA has demonstrated commitment to the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual offences.

“The NPA has a world-class special unit called the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit which is dedicated to dealing with sexual violence and related cases. The NDPP appreciates the public outrage expressed by many in response to the judgment in view of its devastating impact on the victims in this case, and the fight against the scourge of gender-based violence in the country. 

“The NDPP is proud of the NPA’s track record in providing victim-centred and professional support to victims of gender-based violence, including through the national rollout of Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) that for the past eight years have provided specialised support in almost 280 000 matters (or 34,600 matters per year).

“This recent judgement represents a travesty of justice that we cannot accept. The NDPP awaits the report from the DPP EC and will consider the next steps to ensure that this tragic outcome is dealt with swiftly and appropriately, based on the facts and the legal dimensions relevant to the judgement,” Mhaga concluded.

Meanwhile, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, has expressed her deep concern regarding the manner in which the case of Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused was handled by the prosecuting team.

READ | Justice Minister requests comprehensive report on Omotoso acquittal

– SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Fri, 04/04/2025 - 09:24
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Read moreNPA head requests report on Omotoso case

Car Maintenance and Repair Services

Location: MyPR

In today’s fast-paced world, having a reliable vehicle is essential. Regular maintenance and timely repairs are crucial for prolonging the life of your vehicle and ensuring safety on the road. This guide will walk you through various services provided by professional auto repair shops like RS Service Centre, highlighting the importance of each service in …

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KwaZulu-Natal police operations bear fruit

Location: News

KwaZulu-Natal police operations bear fruit

Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested 11 780 suspects for various crimes while also recovering 341 firearms and 3 562 rounds of ammunition.

“The highest number of arrests was for contact crimes where 3 872 suspects were nabbed, with 219 of them arrested for murder, 222 for attempted murder and 160 for robberies including robbery with aggravating circumstances, house and business robbery, carjacking and cash in transit robbery,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said of the arrests made in March.

In its statement on Thursday, the SAPS said the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) detectives arrested 248 suspects for rape while 49 suspects were also arrested for sexual assault.

Additionally, 1 817 suspects were arrested for cases of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, whilst 891 more suspects were nabbed for common assault. On property related crimes, 268 suspects were arrested for burglary at residential premises and 55 suspects were arrested for stock theft with 33 cattle and 80 goats recovered in the process. 

Seventeen suspects were also arrested for theft of motor vehicles.

On drug related crimes, 1 599 suspects were arrested. 

“Police visibility on the roads was maintained and 512 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and 41 people were arrested for reckless and negligent driving.

“Stop and search operations resulted in the recovery of 791dangerous weapons, of which 716 were knives. These operations will be amplified during the month of April and high police visibility will be maintained, especially during the Easter weekend,” said the police. -SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Fri, 04/04/2025 - 09:28
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A Guide to Student Accommodation Options

Location: MyPR

Finding the right living space is an important part of student life. Many students look for comfortable, affordable, and convenient places to live while they focus on their studies. This guide provides a straightforward look at various types of student living arrangements and offers practical advice on what to consider when choosing your next home. …

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Hlabisa launches public consultations for ward delimitation process

Location: News

Hlabisa launches public consultations for ward delimitation process

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has launched a series of public consultations aimed at facilitating the ward delimitation process in Mpumalanga.

Hlabisa officially launched the Municipal Demarcation Board’s (MDB) public consultation process for the 2025 Ward Delimitation.

The event, held in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, on Thursday, marked the beginning of engagements with communities nationwide regarding the adjustment of municipal ward boundaries, in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE).

The Ward Delimitation Process plays a crucial role in enhancing democracy by ensuring that municipal ward boundaries accurately reflect demographic changes, promote fair representation, and foster effective local governance. 

Public participation is essential to empower communities to influence how they are represented in local government, ensuring that public policies and initiatives reflect the diverse needs, values, and perspectives of the communities they serve.

Delivering a keynote address, Hlabisa encouraged communities to actively participate in these discussions.

The Minister reflected on the impact of ward delimitation on the lives of communities, as it is also a transformative opportunity for communities. 

Hlabisa believes that the timely conclusion of this process is also integral to the success of the next Local Government Elections. 

The Minister called for all stakeholders to provide the Municipal Demarcation Board with maximum support, to ensure the success of this process within the agreed timeframe.

According to the department, Section 154 of the Constitution stipulates that, if the electoral system includes ward representation, the delimitation of wards must be conducted by an independent authority appointed in terms of, and operating according to, procedures and criteria prescribed by national legislation. 

The MDB is the independent authority tasked with defining municipal boundaries and overseeing community consultations with support from CoGTA and other relevant stakeholders.

“I urge us all to consider the impact that effective spatial planning and demarcation have on the lives of our citizens and the prosperity of our communities. This is important because while Municipal Wards are the smallest, they are critical units of local governance. They are the foundation upon which we build inclusive and effective systems for local governance,” Hlabisa said. 

Hlabisa also stressed the significance of recognising that the delimitation of municipal wards is not merely a technical task, but “a transformative opportunity to strengthen democracy, promote inclusivity, and enhance service delivery.” 

According to the Minister, the municipal wards serve as the fundamental building blocks of local government and spaces, where citizens directly engage with elected representatives and where community needs are identified and discussed. 

“Wards reflect the diversity of our cities and towns, serving as microcosms of their respective communities. For these reasons, we should strive to ensure that ward delimitations foster improved social cohesion among our communities,” he added. 

The Minister called on everyone, including the youth, people in traditional areas, and other community structures across the country, to become active participants in the process set to finalise the wards ahead of the LGE. 

“The social cohesion will result from the connectedness, solidarity, and shared goal of ensuring democracy in action through the ward delimitation process. This will result in the community feeling empowered and included in deciding and finalising the wards. 

“This will foster trust emanating from the engagements with communities through the public consultation process.”

The event focused on redefining municipal wards and the building blocks for inclusive and efficient local governance. 

The gathering kick-started with public consultations for the nationwide ward delimitation process.
The public consultations will occur in all provinces, from April to June 2025. 

The department believes that the success of the process depends on the nationwide maximum participation of our communities.

By the end of October 2025, the MDB will hand over the wards to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), in preparation for the 2026 LGE.

The speakers at the event emphasised that the ward delimitation process is democracy in action as it will see all South Africans given an opportunity to have a say on how their wards will be configured.

The outcome of the ward delimitation process will be the municipal ward boundaries, which accurately reflect demographic changes and foster effective local governance. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Fri, 04/04/2025 - 09:36
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Event Info: Visual Voices Amplified

Location: Entertainment

The golden era of jazz illuminates Journey to Jazz 2025 with a special look through the lenses of photographers Alf Kumalo, Bob Gosani, Peter Magubane, Ernest Cole, Jurgen Schadeberg and Paul Weinberg in Prince Albert 1 – 4 May As the dawn breaks in Prince Albert, for the start of this year’s Journey to Jazz (J2J), festivalgoers are in for more […]

Read moreEvent Info: Visual Voices Amplified

Mighty Single-Seater King of the Hill Battle on the Cards for 15th Simola Hillclimb

Location: Sport

Long-standing rivals Andre Bezuidenhout and Robert Wolk will be going head-to-head in equal machinery this year – both driving Gould GR55B hillclimb racing cars Three exciting new Investchem MSA4 single-seater race cars set to compete this year, along with Formula Ford and Formula VW entries Rui Campos expected to be a strong contender for podium […]

Read moreMighty Single-Seater King of the Hill Battle on the Cards for 15th Simola Hillclimb

TEARS Animal Rescue – Let Them Become Your Feline Couch Potatoes

Location: MyPR

Cape Town, 3 April 2025: The TEARS Animal Rescue Cattery needs help, they are at capacity, with many beautiful, vibrant kittens (under four months), juveniles (4-12 months) and adult cats that deserve to feel loved, cherished and safe! Small kittens are in highest demand so as cats get older it gets harder to find them loving …

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World Autism Awareness Day – Autism in Africa Conference 2025: Pioneering Afrocentric Approaches to Neurodiversity

Location: MyPR

With an estimated 2-3 million children and young people with autism spectrum disorders in sub-Saharan Africa, a leading youth development organisation, Afrika Tikkun proudly announces its partnership with the inaugural Autism in Africa Conference. This landmark event, scheduled for April 9-10, 2025, at The Garden Venue in Johannesburg is set to gather stakeholders from around …

Read moreWorld Autism Awareness Day – Autism in Africa Conference 2025: Pioneering Afrocentric Approaches to Neurodiversity