Elections 2024: What the major political parties say about Israel, Russia and the DRC
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Budget
Municipality fined R150m for contravening water and environmental laws
Municipality fined R150m for contravening water and environmental laws
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has welcomed the heavy fine imposed on Govan Mbeki Local Municipality for polluting water resources and contravening environmental legislation.
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in Mpumalanga province was fined R150 million for five counts relating to contravening the National Environmental Waste Management Act and National Water Act.
The Bethal Regional Court in Secunda found the municipality guilty of causing significant pollution to the environment, interfering with waterworks, pollution of water resources, an act that detrimentally affects a water course, and failure to comply with compliance notices.
This comes after a series of intervention measures undertaken by the department against the municipality since 2019, in line with the Constitution and the Intergovernmental Framework.
Water and Sanitation Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, said in December 2019 and March 2020, the department issued the municipality with directives to make representations addressing the risk assessment, intervention and potential rehabilitation plan, and to implement all the recommendations in respect of the underlying problem in their area of jurisdiction.
However, the municipality failed to respond and adhere to the conditions of the directives issued to them within the stipulated timeframes.
“In November 2020, the municipality compiled an assessment report and intervention plan with an approved budget for the commencement of a rehabilitation project in the area, however, no rehabilitation was implemented,” Phillips said.
Phillips commended the enforcement team, saying the judgement has asserted the department’s role as a regulator of the water and sanitation sector.
“It has been our resolve to take all transgressors of the National Water Act to task and send a strong message that if people and institutions do not comply, we will not hesitate to act, without fear or favour. We want to strengthen our role as a regulator of the sector in line with all the prescripts,” Phillips said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 09:56
162 views
Elections 2024: What the major political parties say about the courts
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Wheelchair users demand better access to transport
We spend R600 out of our R2,180 grant on transport, say disability activists
QUIZ: Are you a Budget Buster or a Savvy Saver?
Many reports over the past year have indicated a concerning trend among South Africans, revealing that a massive portion of the population is grappling with debt. Whilst we all know that mastering our finances is key to unlocking a more secure future, it’s often easier said than done. Samantha Pillay, Director at First Loyalty Plus, …
Simple Steps Blogging Summit: Pioneering Digital Influence in South Africa
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Navigating the Essentials of Financial Security
Planning for the future is a crucial aspect of financial management, ensuring that your assets are protected and your loved ones are cared for in your absence. Wills and trusts, life insurance, and education insurance are pivotal elements in this planning process. Each serves a unique purpose in safeguarding your financial legacy and providing peace …
Diversifying water resource mix essential for supply security, says Mahlobo
Diversifying water resource mix essential for supply security, says Mahlobo
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has emphasised the importance of diversifying South Africa's water resource mix for water security.
The Deputy Minister was addressing the Inaugural Built Environment Indaba hosted by the Black Business Council in the Built Environment recently, which was held recently in Gauteng.
The Indaba was aimed at promoting collaboration, procurement and skills development in the industry.
Mahlobo confirmed that in terms of water security, the supply of raw water is currently in balance with the existing demand at national level.
Additionally, government has recognised the localised deficit, acknowledging that 98% of the available water is already allocated. Mahlobo said to ensure water security in the future, it is crucial to broaden the water resource mix through sustainable use of groundwater, desalination of seawater (even though technology remains expensive), water reuse from treated wastewater systems, and water reclamation.
While supply-side measures are essential, Mahlobo emphasised the need for water conservation and demand management.
The Deputy Minister warned that water availability in South Africa could decline rapidly due to factors such as economic growth, population growth, urbanisation, inefficient water use, degradation of wetlands, and the impact of climate change.
He also highlighted the financial challenges faced by municipalities, noting that they owe R19 billion to water boards.
According to the Deputy Minister, one of the main issues plaguing the water sector is the poor performance and adherence to standard operating procedures for drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment.
Infrastructure is often left in poor condition due to a lack of maintenance, with municipalities failing to hire qualified personnel to oversee these essential processes.
Additionally, weak billing and revenue collection, as well as inadequate budget prioritisation for maintenance and operations by municipal councils, further exacerbate the challenges faced by the sector.
In terms of support to municipalities, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and water boards are supporting many municipalities to implement improved plans that are agreed to by the Ministry and municipal leadership.
DWS, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA), Department of Human Settlements, and National Treasury allocate water and sanitation infrastructure grants worth more than R20 billion to municipalities per annum, and provide technical and engineering support and assistance, capacity building and training and financial management advice and support.
Water projects
Mahlobo highlighted several key water sector projects that are currently in implementation.
These projects aim to address water shortages and improve access to water in various regions across the country.
The R40 billion phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP2) is one of the major projects that is currently in progress.
This project is aimed at delivering approximately 470 million m3 per annum in addition to the 780 million m3 per year which the IVRS currently receives from LHWP1 and will increase the availability of raw water for Gauteng and surrounding areas, which have been experiencing water shortages.
Another project is the R26 billion uMkhomazi Water Project in KwaZulu-Natal. This project was facing an affordability deadlock, but Mahlobo announced that it had been resolved, and the project is now moving forward.
The R4 billion phase 2A of the Mokolo Crocodile Water Augment Project (MCWAP) in the North West and Limpopo has also been completed, with funding being raised for phase 2.
In addition to these projects, Mahlobo also highlighted the R12 billion Olifants River Water Resource Development project in Limpopo, the R10 billion Vaal Gamagara project in the Northern Cape, the R8 Billion Mzimvubu Water Project in the Eastern Cape, the R1.2 billion Berg River Voelvlei Augmentation Scheme in the Western Cape and the R4 billion raising of the Clanwilliam Dam in the Western Cape.
All these projects are aimed at diversifying the water resource mix to ensure water security for South Africa.
Mahlobo assured that South Africa will not run dry by 2030, but there will be challenges if there is no change in the way of doing things. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 04/07/2024 - 14:16
129 views
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Pit toilet eradication deadline missed by Limpopo education department
But department says it’s 80% of the way there
Funding crisis shuts down children’s centres in Gauteng
Social development department’s funding adjudications have been finalised, but for many organisations it is too late
Gauteng Social Development to sign service level agreements
Gauteng Social Development to sign service level agreements
The Gauteng Department of Social Development has embarked on a rigorous NPO (non-profit organisation) adjudication process, paving the way for reviewing and the signing of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with complying and successful NPOs for the 2024/25 financial year.
“Over 1732 applications were received collectively tallying an amount of over R11.4 billion in financial requests – an amount far greater than the department’ s overall budget of R5.5 billion.
“This meant that panellists had a gruelling task to stretch the budget far and wide in response to the needs presented by NPOs while realistically remaining within the confines of the budget available, as its impractical to fund the entire R11.4 billion,” said the provincial government in a statement on Wednesday.
It further added that the process to invite eligible NPOs to sign the SLAs is now underway and has been centralised to the Department of Social Development (DSD) headquarters to be coordinated by the accounting officer.
This process was previously decentralised to officials in regional offices, which has been found to be in contravention of Treasury Guidelines in terms of delegation of powers.
The contravention resulted in officials signing of millions that are outside of their financial delegations, thereby affecting internal control systems.
The Department has reviewed all such delegations to be aligned to existing Treasury Guidelines.
“The financial delegations of the department have also been revised to ensure such contraventions to the Treasury guidelines are indeed corrected and accountability for such processes rightfully restored with the required delegated authority within the department based on amounts of funding requested and awards decided upon,” the department said.
It further added that many considerations had to be made before the “panellists could decide on whether or not funding could be awarded to applicant NPOs.”
Amongst those were physical verification of the NPO at registered addresses, observations of services being rendered and also verification of the compliance status with the national DSD database.
As per commitment, successful NPOs are being contacted as of the first week of April 2024, to come to head office for signing of SLAs.
“The department wishes to thank all NPOs for exercising patience during the adjudication period, which took place in a very difficult climate of investigations, and peddling of mistruths from those opposed to clean governance,” it said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 04/04/2024 - 09:06
237 views
Stay and Play: Tips for The Ultimate Golfing Getaway
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President Cyril Ramaphosa assents bills in forestry, agricultural and correctional services sectors
President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill, the Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Bill, 2023 and the Correctional Services Amendment Act.
National Veldfire Act
The amended National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998, will amongst other key provisions;
- Provide for the facilitation of the formation of fire protection associations by a municipality and a traditional council;
- Compel a municipality, state-owned enterprise, public entity or other organ of state which owns land to join the fire protection associations;
- Extend the powers of entry, search, seizure and arrest to peace officers and traditional leaders;
- Amend the title of the Act to the National Veldfire Act.
The Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Act, 2023
The amended Act, will amongst other provisions, empower the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to designate a person, an entity, undertaking, body, institution, association or board, who or which, as the case may be, has particular knowledge of the product concerned, or particular knowledge of the relevant management control systems, with no direct or indirect personal or financial interest, as an assignee to inspect the commodity for quality control and audit management control system.
The Correctional Services Amendment Act
The amended Act complies with the 2020 Sonke judgement of the Constitutional Court, in providing for an adequate level of independence of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS).
The amendments include changes to section 30(7) to provide for an inmate that is subjected to solitary confinement, to be informed of their right to appeal.
The amended section further provides that the Head of the Correctional or Remand Detention Facility must, upon request provide all relevant information relating to an appeal to the Inspecting Judge within 24 hours of receiving such information.
The amended act further provides for;
- The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the JICS by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services instead of the National Commissioner of Correctional Services.
- The expenses incurred by the Judicial Inspectorate will be covered from budgets appropriated by Parliament. These costs were previously covered from the Department of Justice and Correctional Services budget.
- Mandatory reporting obligations by the Department to the Inspecting Judge.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
President assents to Correctional Services, Forestry and Agriculture Bills
President assents to Correctional Services, Forestry and Agriculture Bills
The Correctional Services Amendment Act, National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill and the Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Bill, 2023 have been signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Correctional Services Amendment Act
According to the Presidency, the Correctional Services Amendment Act “complies with the 2020 Sonke judgment of the Constitutional Court, in providing for an adequate level of independence of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS)”.
“The amendments include changes to section 30(7) to provide for an inmate that is subjected to solitary confinement, to be informed of their right to appeal.
“The amended section further provides that the Head of the Correctional or Remand Detention Facility must, upon request, provide all relevant information relating to an appeal to the Inspecting Judge within 24 hours of receiving such information,” the Presidency said.
The amended act further provides for:
- The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the JICS by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services instead of the National Commissioner of Correctional Services.
- The expenses incurred by the Judicial Inspectorate will be covered from budgets appropriated by Parliament. These costs were previously covered from the Department of Justice and Correctional Services budget.
- Mandatory reporting obligations by the Department to the Inspecting Judge.
National Veldfire Act
The amended act provides for provisions, including:
- The facilitation of the formation of fire protection associations by a municipality and a traditional council.
- Compel a municipality, state-owned enterprise, public entity or other organ of State which owns land to join the fire protection associations.
- Extend the powers of entry, search, seizure and arrest to peace officers and traditional leaders.
- Amend the title of the Act to the National Veldfire Act.
Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Act
“The Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Act, will, amongst other provisions, empower the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to designate a person, an entity, undertaking, body, institution, association or board, who or which, as the case may be, has particular knowledge of the product concerned, or particular knowledge of the relevant management control systems, with no direct or indirect personal or financial interest, as an assignee to inspect the commodity for quality control and audit management control system,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 04/03/2024 - 14:20
318 views
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Langaville families lose flushing loos case
Residents of the informal settlement went to court because they have had “temporary” chemical toilets for over 12 years
Consumers to dig deeper as petrol, diesel prices increase
Consumers to dig deeper as petrol, diesel prices increase
Motorists are expected to feel the pinch even further this month when the prices of all grades of fuel increase.
The following are the increases that have been announced by the Central Energy Fund (CEF):
- Petrol (93 ULP & LRP): 65 cents increase
- Petrol (95 ULP & LRP): 67 cents increase.
- Diesel (0.05% sulphur): 3 cents increase.
- Diesel (0.005% sulphur): 1 cent decrease.
- Illuminating paraffin (wholesale): 29 cents decrease.
- Single Maximum National Retail Price for illuminating paraffin: 58 cents decrease.
- Maximum LP Gas retail price: 19 cents decrease
This means a litre of 95 petrol, which used to cost R24.45 a litre in Gauteng, will now cost R25,12.
“The average international product prices for petrol increased, while diesel and illuminating paraffin decreased during the period under review.
“The rand appreciated against the US dollar during the period under review, on average, when compared to the previous period. The average rand/US dollar exchange rate for the period 1 March 2024 to 26 March 2024 was 18.8689 compared to 19.0186 during the previous period. This led to a lower contribution to the Basic Fuel Prices on petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 10.78 c/l, 10.88 c/l and 10.74 c/l respectively,” the CEF said.
Furthermore, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced, during the Budget Speech in February, increases to the Carbon Fuel levy of some 1c per litre on petrol and 3c per litre on diesel.
“No increases will be made to the General Fuel and Road Accident Fund levy on both petrol and diesel.
“With effect from 03 April 2024, the Fuel Levy in the price structure of petrol and diesel will increase to 396.0 c/l and 384.0 c/l respectively and the Road Accident Fund Levy in the price structure of both petrol and diesel will remain at 218.0 c/l,” the CEF said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 04/02/2024 - 09:53
501 views
New CEO promises brighter future for state’s media development agency
But the MDDA’s last clean audit was in 2020/21 and the board chair, flagged by the Nugent Commission, is still in office
Call for proposals for consideration by Budget Facility for Infrastructure
Call for proposals for consideration by Budget Facility for Infrastructure
The National Treasury has issued a call for proposals for consideration by the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI).
The BFI is a reform established in 2016 to support the execution of priority infrastructure projects and programmes through a more rigorous planning, appraisal, and selection process.
“The primary purpose of this BFI Special Window is to close funding gaps and provide viability gap funding for projects and programmes that will leverage private sector financing and technical assistance,” National Treasury said on Wednesday.
This call for proposals was announced by the Minister of Finance during the 2024 Budget Speech.
“The National Treasury intends to utilise this BFI Window to develop a pipeline of projects and programmes to test alternative financing and funding models. Public institutions are being invited to submit proposals in respect of projects and programmes that will form part of this pipeline.
“Public institutions that qualify to submit proposals include those in the National, Provincial and Municipal spheres of government as well as Public Entities. The Call for Proposals is open to projects and programmes that are undertaken under alternative financing and delivery mechanisms and private sector participation frameworks such as Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and concessions,” National Treasury said.
To be eligible, proposals should closely follow the BFI Guideline for this window, which can be accessed at https://www.treasury.gov.za/publications/guidelines/. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:02
328 views
Centre for quadraplegics may have to close if Gauteng funding cuts are implemented
Gauteng Department of Social Development says funding decisions will be announced before the end of March
Proactive Financial Management For Your Business
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Have your say in eThekwini service delivery plan
Have your say in eThekwini service delivery plan
Residents of eThekwini are invited to submit their comments on the draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the 2024/2025 financial year - a key city strategy that informs and guides all service delivery and development in the region.
All planning, including budgeting, management and decision-making related to delivering services and development in the municipal area, is considered in this important city business plan.
“The IDP considers the challenges facing the city and the strategic approach to resolving these as underpinned by city’s long-term development plan and informed by global, national and provincial policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the National Development Plan (NDP) and the provincial Growth and Development Strategy,” the municipality said in a statement.
The IDP consists of eight plans that will help the city achieve its vision of becoming Africa’s most caring and liveable city.
“These plans are all inter-related and include actions to develop and sustain our spatial, natural and built environment; develop a prosperous, diverse economy and create employment; and creating a quality living environment.
“The IDP also takes into consideration building a socially cohesive environment, developing the skills of our communities, fostering good governance, ensuring a financially accountable and sustainable city,” the municipality highlighted.
The municipality added that each plan has a set of deliverables which informs the city’s budget and with which its performance is monitored.
“A Service Delivery Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) is thereafter compiled to monitor the implementation of the various programmes and projects contained within each plan. The SDBIP provides both financial as well as non-financial performance indicators which are used to monitor and evaluate quarterly and yearly service delivery targets,” the municipality said, adding the document also forms part of the IDP.
The municipality said public consultations on the draft plan will be taking place together with the draft budget.
“It is a critical opportunity for the public to provide input into the future development of the city and make sure that their community needs are raised.”
The draft IDP is available on the municipality’s website: durban.gov.za.
Comments can be sent to comments2021@durban.gov.za
The closing date for comments submission is 23 April 2023. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 03/26/2024 - 10:07
173 views
Protesters block busy Vereniging road to complain about stalled housing project
Kanana Park residents from Thulamntwana township brought traffic to a standstill on Monday