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Government ups the ante against crime

Location: News

Government ups the ante against crime

Some R765 billion has been allocated to the security cluster to up the ante in Government's fight against crime and to support the defence forces.

This was revealed during Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Budget Speech delivered in Cape Town on Wednesday.

“In the coming financial year, 10 000 new police recruits will be trained. As part of the country’s responsibility to promote regional peace and stability, this budget will also allocate funding for the deployment of soldiers in Mozambique and the DRC. 

“Work on costing and identifying the needs for these critical missions will continue throughout the year and funding will be allocated as such. 

“R628 million has been allocated to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development [DJCOD] for the implementation of FATF [Financial Action Task Force] and State Capture Commission recommendations - bringing the total funding to these efforts to R2.3 billion,” he said.

Godongwana added that some R2.9 billion from the Criminal Asset Recovery Account is being used to combat illegal mining and other priority crimes “with 60% allocated for police deployments, including vehicle procurement”.

In the 2024 Budget Review, National Treasury explained that the total allocation includes “additional allocations of R39.4 billion to selected departments to cover the carry‐through costs of the 2023/24 public‐service wage increase”.

“Of this, R22 billion is allocated to the Department of Police. To improve efficiency, the department will rationalise its organisational structure, align police districts with municipal districts, implement cost containment measures and improve operations. It is also fostering strategic partnerships with local communities to enhance safety.

“The [DJCOD] is allocated R627.8 million over the medium term to implement recommendations from the [FATF] and the State Capture Commission. For land rights representation, R156 million is shifted from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to Legal Aid South Africa.

“The Department of Defence will prioritise acquiring vehicles and technology to safeguard the country’s borders. An amount of R1.9 billion is reallocated within the Department of Defence for day‐to‐day maintenance and emergency repairs.

“Measures are being implemented to reduce the pressure on employee compensation and sustain critical defence capabilities,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:11

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Read moreGovernment ups the ante against crime

Economic growth to stay low over the next three years

Location: News

Economic growth to stay low over the next three years

South Africa’s economy is expected to grow at some 1.6% over the next three years, with real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching 0.6% in 2023.

“Despite the improved global outlook for 2024, South Africa’s near-term growth remains hamstrung by lower commodity prices and structural constraints. We estimate real GDP growth of 0.6% in 2023. This is [revised] down from 0.8% growth estimated during the 2023 MTBPS [Medium Term Budget Policy Statement].

“The revision is due to weaker-than-expected outcomes in the third quarter of 2023, particularly in household consumption and fixed investment,” said Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, who delivered the Budget Speech at the Cape Town City Hall on Wednesday.

Godongwana said despite this, between 2024 and 2026, growth is projected to average 1.6%.

“The growth outlook is supported by the expected easing of power cuts as new energy projects begin production, and as lower inflation supports household consumption and credit extension. 

“But, there are also risks to the domestic outlook. These include persistent constraints in electricity supply, freight rail and ports, and a high sovereign credit risk. Our challenge… is that the size of the pie is not growing fast enough to meet our developmental needs,” he said.

National Treasury’s 2024  Budget Review explained that load shedding and challenges in freight rail and the ports “continue to disrupt economic activity and limit the country’s export potential”.

“Comprehensive reforms are underway in these sectors, although it will take time to see a recovery in growth. Household consumption is under pressure from high living costs, and investment remains low due to weak confidence and challenging business conditions linked to structural constraints.

“To turn the tide and raise economic growth sustainably, government is prioritising energy and logistics reforms, along with measures to arrest the decline in state capacity.

“Successful efforts to improve the fiscal position, complete structural reforms and bolster the capacity of the State will, in combination, reduce borrowing costs, raise confidence, increase investment and employment, and accelerate economic growth,” National Treasury said.

The department said as reforms begin to bear fruit, GDP will be on the rise.

“[This] as the frequency of power cuts declines, lower inflation supports household consumption, and employment and credit extension recover gradually. New energy projects will improve fixed investment and business sentiment.

“To accelerate GDP growth after an extended period of weak economic performance, South Africa needs large‐scale private investment. Government is working to improve the fiscal position, complete structural reforms and bolster the capacity of the State to reduce borrowing costs, raise confidence, increase investment and put the economy on a higher, job‐creating growth path,” Treasury said.

Meanwhile, global growth is forecast higher at some 3.1% for 2024 and 3.2% for 2025.

“The moderate improvement is due to better‐than‐expected growth in the second half of 2023, particularly in the United States and several large emerging market economies, as well as fiscal support for disaster relief in China.

“Robust US economic growth has partially offset weaker‐than‐expected outcomes in the Euro area, which, nevertheless, is expected to recover gradually. Commodity prices are expected to continue to decline in 2024 and 2025,” Treasury said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:13

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Read moreEconomic growth to stay low over the next three years

Government raises US$3.3 billion to support climate change initiatives

Location: News

Government raises US$3.3 billion to support climate change initiatives

Government has raised US$3.3 billion so far from Multilateral Development Banks and International Finance Institutions to support climate change, energy, and just transition objectives. 

Delivering the 2024 National Budget Speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said National Treasury plays a crucial role in mobilising resources, designing incentives, and influencing policy to mainstream climate change. 

“As climate-related disasters intensify, a multi-layered risk-based approach is being developed to manage the associated fiscal risks.  This considers various funding instruments from grants to contingency funds, including the Climate Change Response Fund, depending on the incidence and intensity of the disaster event. 

“The National Treasury is reviewing disaster response grants to improve efficiency and create incentives for disaster planning, preparedness and risk reduction. It is also developing a climate-budget tagging framework to influence policy, planning, and budget decisions, by tracking climate-related expenditures in public budgets,” the Minister said on Wednesday in Parliament.

He said the support of concessional funding providers, such as Multilateral Development Banks, is going a long way to support the country’s climate adaptation, mitigation, energy transition, and sustainability initiatives. 

“Crowding-in the private sector is necessary to managing the climate disaster funds. We are actively participating in climate negotiations, aligning with the government's advocacy for reforming multilateral finance institutions. 

“We are also working with eight municipalities to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate and weather-related events, by providing technical assistance for climate-responsive capital projects,” the Minister said.

According to the 2024 National Treasury Budget Review, the department is finalising a disaster risk financing strategy, centred on innovative financing and risk transfer to effectively mitigate climate impacts.

The strategy will boost state capacity to fund disaster recovery efforts and expand insurance mechanisms to protect against the financial strain of natural disasters.

“Recent years have seen a significant increase in extreme weather events and economic losses amid mounting concern over the effects of climate change. Between 1980 and 2021, 86 notable weather-related disasters have been recorded, affecting more than 22 million people and causing economic losses of about R113 billion.

“The 2017 Knysna wildfires, Cape Town (2015–2018) and Eastern Cape (2015–2020) droughts and KwaZulu-Natal floods in 2022 have heavily affected agriculture and tourism, with negative implications for government spending and revenue.

“These events exacerbate economic inequality, particularly in poor communities that are highly exposed to droughts, floods and wildfires and their consequences,” the document said.

Government incentivises electric vehicles producers

In an effort to encourage the production of electric vehicles in South Africa, government will introduce an investment allowance for new investments, beginning 1 March 2026. 

This will allow producers to claim 150% of qualifying investment spending on electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles in the first year. 

“The incentive will be implemented in addition to the existing support under the Automotive Production Development Programme. Government has also reprioritised R964 million over the medium term to support the transition to electric vehicles,” the Minister said.

The Electric Vehicles White Paper outlines government’s strategy to transition towards a broader new energy vehicle production and consumption in South Africa, starting with electric vehicles. 

It aims to transition the automotive industry from primarily producing internal combustion engine vehicles to a dual platform that includes electric vehicles, by 2035. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:14

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Read moreGovernment raises US$3.3 billion to support climate change initiatives

Municipalities sign up for Eskom debt relief programme

Location: News

Municipalities sign up for Eskom debt relief programme

At least 70 municipalities have applied for and been approved for the Eskom debt relief programme introduced by National Treasury last year.

The debt relief programme is aimed at assisting ailing municipalities to pay off their bulk electricity supply debt to the power utility.

This was revealed in the 2024 Budget Review drafted by National Treasury.

“By December 2023, 72 applications had been submitted, totalling R56.7 billion or 96.9 % of total municipal debt owed to Eskom at end‐March 2023. [Some] 70 applications totalling R55.2 billion had been approved as of January 2024, said Treasury.

Once municipalities are admitted into the programme, strict conditions set by Treasury have to be followed in order for the debt to be written off over a three-year period.

“These conditions include enforcing strict credit controls, paying their monthly electricity accounts and enhancing revenue collection,” Treasury said on Wednesday.

Smart meter conditional grant

In the Budget Speech tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godogwana, Treasury announced that a new conditional grant will be introduced to increase the rollout of prepaid smart meters.

“A new conditional grant will be created to fund the rollout of smart prepaid meters, initially in municipalities that have been approved for Eskom debt relief. The National Treasury will distribute this grant.

“A total of R2 billion has been allocated for the grant, made up of R500 million in 2024/25, R650 million in 2025/26 and R800 million in 2026/27,” the department said.  – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:15

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Read moreMunicipalities sign up for Eskom debt relief programme

Load shedding, logistics hamper growth

Location: News

Load shedding, logistics hamper growth

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says although structural reforms have made “good progress”, load shedding and freight rail challenges remain an obstacle.

He was speaking during the Budget Speech held at the Cape Town City Hall on Wednesday.

“We have embarked on a broad structural reform agenda that aims to address the challenges that have held back our growth.

“This agenda has included areas like electricity, logistics, water, telecommunications and visa reforms. The Budget Review details the good progress that has been made in these areas over the past few years. But, obstacles remain and let me focus on the two largest of these,” Godongwana said.

Godongwana said the rolling power cuts “disrupt production, operations and livelihoods”.

“Reforming the sector will result in long-term energy security. We took the necessary decisions in the past five years and these are bearing fruit. 

“To promote further investments in renewable energy, this budget proposes an increase in the limit for renewable energy projects that can qualify for the carbon offsets regime, from 15 megawatts to 30 megawatts,” he said.

He revealed that in the coming week, the report on the independent review of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations will be released.

“The review was done to inform part of the conditions attached to the debt relief plan. The recommendations will feed into Eskom’s corporate plans to bolster accountability and oversight.

“It is through the combination of private investment in new energy projects, rooftop solar installations and improvements in Eskom’s generation fleet that load shedding will reduce, and reliability and security of supply improve,” he said.

READ | Ramokgopa sets sights on accelerated transmission line expansion

Turning to South Africa’s logistics challenges, the Minister revealed that third-party access to the freight rail network will be introduced by May 2024.

“In ports, a private partner has been secured to upgrade Pier 2 of the Durban Container Terminal. This should increase private investment in equipment, enhance technological capability and improve operational efficiency.

“Government has provided Transnet with a R47 billion guarantee facility to support the entity’s recovery plan and meet its immediate debt obligations.

“Like Eskom, the guarantee comes with conditions. These conditions require Transnet to focus on its core activities, and for the entity to introduce private sector partnerships. This will improve Transnet’s sustainability and support the implementation of the Freight Logistics Roadmap,” Godongwana said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:17

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Read moreLoad shedding, logistics hamper growth

Hope is on the horizon despite South Africa’s economic challenges

Location: MyPR

Hope is on the horizon despite South Africa’s economic challenges The nation’s eyes and ears will be focused on Cape Town today as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presents the 2024 National Budget. It is no secret that South Africa faces a challenging economic climate where austerity is the phrase most commonly used during the Budget. …

Read moreHope is on the horizon despite South Africa’s economic challenges

Treasury to tap into foreign exchange account to reduce debt service costs

Location: News

Treasury to tap into foreign exchange account to reduce debt service costs

A combination of high debt servicing costs and a higher budget deficit has led to the introduction of a new reform of the Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account (GFECRA).

The reform is aimed at mitigating fiscal risks by reducing government borrowing in the medium-term and will allow government to draw down from its GFECRA held at the Reserve Bank.

This was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during the tabling of the 2024 Budget Speech held in Cape Town on Wednesday.

GFECRA is a Reserve Bank held account which captures gains and losses on South Africa’s foreign currency reserve transactions and the account has grown to more than R500 billion.

“We will draw down R150 billion of the GFECRA balance once we have ensured that sufficient buffers are available to absorb exchange rate swings and the solvency of the Reserve Bank is not compromised,” he said.

The draw down is expected to result in a decline of some R30.2 billion in government debt servicing costs over the 2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

Godongwana explained that national government debt is expected to peak at some 75.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025/26 with 2023/24’s budget deficit estimated to worsen to 4.9 % of GDP.

Debt-service costs in 2023/24 have been revised higher, by R15.7 billion to R356 billion.

The Minister said this will require that government stick to its fiscal goals with cuts in expenditure reaching more than R80 billion.

“Debt-service costs will absorb more than 20 % of revenue. To put this into perspective, spending on debt-service costs is greater than the respective budgets of social protection, health, or peace and security. 

“A net reduction of R80.6 billion in non-interest expenditure is being implemented over the medium-term. At the same time, revenue has been revised up by R45.6 billion over the medium-term, relative to [the] 2023 MTBPS [Medium Term Budget Policy Statement]. [This is why] we have taken the decision to introduce a reform…GFECRA,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:19

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Read moreTreasury to tap into foreign exchange account to reduce debt service costs

NHI receives R1 billion allocation

Location: News

NHI receives R1 billion allocation

The health sector is expected to receive an allocation of R848 billion over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework with at least R1 billion directed to the National Health Insurance (NHI).

This was announced by Minister Enoch Godongwana during the 2024 Budget Speech on Thursday.

“These allocations include R11.6 billion to address the 2023 wage agreement, R27.3 billion for infrastructure, and R1.4 billion for the NHI grant over the same period. 

“The allocation for the NHI is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to this policy. There remain a range of system-strengthening activities, that are key enablers of an improved public health care system, that must be undertaken,” Godongwana said.

He said these activities include:

  • Building a national health information system and digital patient records;
  • Upgrading health facilities and improving quality of care to ensure that they meet the minimum criteria to be certified and accredited for contracting under NHI;
  • Strengthening facility and district management in preparation for contracting;
  • Granting semi-autonomous status for central (and potentially other) hospitals; and
  • Developing reference prices and provider payment methods for hospitals.

In the 2024 Budget Review, National Treasury noted that the budget for the sector is expected to grow slower than inflation over the MTEF “due to the R23.7 billion baseline reductions over the medium term”.

“The function will prioritise greater efficiency, better management of commuted overtime and intensified promotion of preventative care. Spending reviews in the sector have led to some savings in vaccine and antiretroviral tenders. The health sector continues to recover from service disruptions due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, particularly in antiretroviral treatment and tuberculosis screening and treatment.

“The Department of Health and its provincial counterparts will prioritise building tertiary services like oncology through earmarked funds in the national tertiary services grant in provinces with inadequate services. This grant grows by 8.8% in 2024/25 as funding is shifted into it from the oncology portion of the national health insurance conditional grant,” Treasury said.

Education Sector

Turning to education, he said the sector will receive some R25.7 billion “carry-through costs of the wage increase over the medium term”.

“At the same time, we were able to protect the budgets of critical programmes such as the school nutrition programme. The programme provides food to pupils in almost 20 000 schools. 

“The early childhood development grant is allocated R1.6 billion rising to R2 billion over the medium term,” he said.

Firm eye

Government is expected to keep a firm eye on value for money as consolidated government spending is expected to reach R2.37 trillion in 2024/25, R2.47 trillion in 2025/26 and R2.6 trillion in 2026/27.

This is according to the National Treasury’s 2024 Budget Review.

“Government’s priority is to enhance spending quality and minimise inefficiency while ensuring sustainable public finances – in other words, to increase the value for money from this spending,” the department said.

The bulk of the 2024/25 budget will go to basic and tertiary education, peace and security.

“While R69.4 billion is added to this function for the carry‐through costs of the 2023 public‐service wage agreement over the medium term, there are baseline reductions of R49.8 billion in other areas. Improved efficiency in the procurement of learner‐teacher support materials and in the management of the placement of educators will continue.

“Spending in the post‐school education and training sector grows by 2.5% over the medium term. Spending in the sector education and training authorities and the National Skills Fund grows by 3.9% over the medium term, allowing the institutions to improve the quality of their offerings,” Treasury said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:35

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Read moreNHI receives R1 billion allocation

Reforms to support public infrastructure investment

Location: News

Reforms to support public infrastructure investment

Government is introducing fundamental and far-reaching reforms to infrastructure financing and delivery in an effort to optimise the infrastructure value chain to be effective and efficient. 

“In this way, we will strengthen the public investment management and the associated value chain. We will also attract private sector participation,” Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said on Wednesday in Parliament.

According to the 2024 Budget Review, over the next three years government plans to invest R943.8 billion in infrastructure.

This includes investments of R486.1 billion by state-owned companies and public entities, R213.8 billion from municipalities and R224.8 billion from provincial and national government.

Consolidated spending on buildings and other fixed structures will increase by an average of 15.9 per cent over the next three years.

“We gazetted the amendments public-private partnership (PPP) regulatory framework for public comments earlier this week. The amendments seek to reduce the procedural complexity of undertaking PPPs, create capacity to support and manage PPPs, formulate clear rules for managing unsolicited bids, and strengthen the governance of fiscal risk. 

“We are reviewing institutional arrangements and governance for catalytic infrastructure. The intention is to create clearer mechanisms for accountability, cooperation and coordination.  We are also consolidating similar functions to reduce duplication and inefficiencies. The intention is to fast-track delivery, particularly of blended finance arrangements,” the Minister said.

Government is also introducing several new financing instruments, such as infrastructure bonds and concessional loans.

“As part of this, a flow-through tax vehicle for specific infrastructure projects, similar to trusts and other investment vehicles, is being considered. A new funding window for proposals under the new dispensation of financing instruments will be opened to public institutions shortly. 

“Through these reforms, greater efficiency gains and infrastructure delivery will be fast-tracked. This will benefit network sectors, social infrastructure, PPPs and blended finance projects,” the Minister said.–SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:45

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Read moreReforms to support public infrastructure investment

Social grants to increase in 2024

Location: News

Social grants to increase in 2024

Social grants are expected to increase to keep in line with inflation and increase access for those who are eligible.

This does not include the Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant) also known as the R350 grant.

This was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during the Budget Speech delivered in Cape Town on Wednesday.

“We are sensitive to the increase in the cost of living for the nearly 19 million South Africans who rely on these grants to make ends meet. In this regard, we have done as much as the fiscal envelope allows,” he said.

The increases to be implemented during this year are as follows:

  • An increase of R100 to the old age, war veterans, disability and care dependency grants. This amount will be divided into R90 effective from April, and R10 effective October;  
  • A R50 increase to the foster care grant; and  
  • A R20 increase to the child support grant.   

In the expanded Budget 2024 review, National Treasury explained that social grant expenditure – excluding the SRD grant – will increase from R217.1 billion in 2023/24 to R259.3 billion in 2026/27.

The COVID‐19 Social Relief of Distress Grant is allocated R33.6 billion in 2024/25 with provisional allocations for the 2025/26 and 2026/27.

“Work is currently underway to improve the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant by April this year. National Treasury will work with the Department of Social Development in ensuring that improvements in this grant are captured in the final regulations. 

“These improvements will be within the current fiscal framework. For the extension of the grant beyond March 2025, the social security policy reforms, together with the funding source, will be finalised,” the Minister said.

National Treasury expects that grant beneficiaries, excluding those receiving the COVID‐19 SRD Grant, are projected to increase from 18.8 million in 2023/24 to 19.7 million in 2026/27. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:22

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Read moreSocial grants to increase in 2024

Tee off 2024 with the right balance of work and play on KZN’s ‘Golf Coast’

Location: MyPR

Golf remains one of the world’s most popular sports, and a key strategy for business networking and engagement. The KZN South Coast, known colloquially as ‘The Golf Coast’, is home to 11 different courses with a backdrop of ocean views, coastal forests, and sunny skies. This quality MICE destination, with top accommodation, conferencing, and teambuilding …

Read moreTee off 2024 with the right balance of work and play on KZN’s ‘Golf Coast’

The Battle of the Blades

Location: MyPR

AutoMowers vs. Ride-On Mowers vs. Traditional Mowers – Which is Best for You? When it comes to lawn care, homeowners, landowners and even greenspace professionals are faced with an array of mower options with which to achieve a beautifully manicured lawn. Choosing between a traditional mower, ride-on mower or automower can pose a challenge though …

Read moreThe Battle of the Blades

E-tolls ‘will be history’ in Gauteng – Premier Lesufi

Location: News

E-tolls 'will be history' in Gauteng - Premier Lesufi

The Gauteng e-toll scheme is expected to be delinked from the end of March this year.

This was announced by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi during the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday evening.

“E-tolls are a system that was introduced in the province by national government on the basis that we wanted to improve our road network. We have now reached a stage where we all accept that the people of Gauteng have rejected e-tolls.

“We had a meeting with all affected parties. We held a meeting with the Minister of Finance [Enoch Godongwana]; we also held a meeting with the Minister of Transport [Sindisiwe Chikunga]. All of us now have reached an agreement that by the 31st of March this year, the formal process to switch off and de-link e-tolls will begin and e-tolls will be history in our province,” he said.

Lesufi added that the Finance Minister will provide more detail.

The scrapping of e-tolls has long been in the pipeline and Minister Godongwana, during the mini budget speech in October 2022, called for moving on from “debates of previous years and find solutions to this challenge”.

During that speech, the Minister explained that the Gauteng provincial government had agreed to “contribute 30 percent to settling SANRAL’s debt and interest obligations” related to the tolls.

“Gauteng will also cover the costs of maintaining the 201 kilometres and associated interchanges of the roads and any additional investment in road will be funded through either the existing electronic toll infrastructure or new toll plazas, or any other revenue source within their area of responsibility.

“Government proposes to make an initial allocation of R23.7 billion from the national fiscus, which will be disbursed on strict conditions,” the Minister said then. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Tue, 02/20/2024 - 13:38

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Read moreE-tolls ‘will be history’ in Gauteng – Premier Lesufi

Government activities for the week 19 to 23 February 2024

Location: News

Government activities for the week 19 to 23 February 2024

On Tuesday, 20 February, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and MEC Reagan Allen hand over drones to district mayors at the Huguenot Community Hall, Paarl, Western Cape. It is World Day of Social Justice 2024. Statistics South Africa releases the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) results for the fourth quarter of 2023.

On Wednesday, 21 February, the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana tables the Budget Speech in Parliament. It is International Tourist Guide Day 2024. It is International Mother Language Day 2024.

On Thursday, 22 February, the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana will deliver a keynote address at a post-Budget Speech Analysis event hosted by Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) in partnership with the Sunday Times in Cape Town. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the annual address to the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders.

 

 

Janine
Mon, 02/19/2024 - 13:42

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Read moreGovernment activities for the week 19 to 23 February 2024

Parliament prepares to host National Budget Speech

Location: News

Parliament prepares to host National Budget Speech

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will outline all the financial, economic, and social commitments that government will prioritise in its planned expenditure during the National Budget Speech next week.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA) and outlined national government's plans to tackle the country's energy crisis and other socio-economic challenges.

“The Budget Speech, among others, aims to balance economic growth and support for the vulnerable in our society, despite limited resources. Godongwana will provide a detailed plan for 2024 spending, including proposals for revenue collection to help fund government’s planned interventions and commitments.

"He will also introduce the Appropriation Bill and table the Division of Revenue Bill, which Parliament will process in the following months,” Parliament said on Wednesday.

The Minister will present the budget allocation for 2024 to Parliament on Wednesday, 21 February at 2pm at Cape Town City Hall.

“Godongwana’s 2024 Budget Speech will be broadcast live on Parliament’s DSTV Channel 408, livestreamed on Parliament’s website and social media platforms, including Parliament’s YouTube Channel. Parliament will also provide live feeds to interested broadcasters upon request,” Parliament said.

Parliamentary sittings are open to the media and the public.

Members of the public can follow parliamentary sittings live on Parliament TV (DSTV Channel 408), through a live stream on Parliament’s website, Parliament’s YouTube channel, and X (Twitter) page on the links below:

  • X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/ParliamentofRSA
  • Facebook: https://facebook.com/ParliamentofRSA
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ParliamentofRSA

– SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Thu, 02/15/2024 - 09:32

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Read moreParliament prepares to host National Budget Speech

Sixth administration cracking down on crime – Lamola

Location: News

Sixth administration cracking down on crime - Lamola

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola says the sixth administration is steadily rebuilding law enforcement agencies like the National Prosecuting Authority to fight crime.

Lamola was speaking during the debate of the State of the Nation Address held in Cape Town.

“[It] is the sixth administration that strengthened the work of law enforcement agencies like the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] by appointing permanent leadership in the upper echelons of the NPA and the SAPS [South African Police Service] and increased the operational budget resulting in visible institutional growth and stability.

“Organized crime verdicts have increased by 21% from 193 to 234 at a conviction rate that is above 80%. Gang leaders are behind bars or in court, whether it is Jerome Booysen, Nafik Modak, Ralph Stanfield, Mark Lifman and Vusi Khekhe, all are behind bars.

“The conviction rate in gender-based violence and femicide matters is at 74.6%. When it comes to successful prosecutions for cable theft matters, the NPA has exceeded some of the targets, the conviction rate is well above 85%, 299 convictions have been obtained from 347 cable theft verdicts,” Lamola said.

The Minister added that R3.2 billion from the criminal assets recovery funds has been allocated to fighting illegal mining and organised crime.

Furthermore, 2 996 arrests have been executed related to illegal mining activities as at December last year.

“SAPS is implementing Operation Shanela, a comprehensive plan to combat crime throughout the country. The plan includes clamping down on illegal mining areas.

“At the end of last year, the Asset Forfeiture Unit, Special Investigation Units and the Hawks have secured preservation orders to freeze assets which are proceeds of unlawful activities of a syndicate dealing in unwrought gold in Gauteng province.

“The frozen assets include 51 properties with a value of more than R16 million. In Mpumalanga, they secured a preservation order of assets worth more than one billion rands. The message is clear, crime does not pay and the tide against crime is turning,” Lamola said.

‘I am Tintswalo’

Harking back to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s SONA last week in which he described the life of Tintswalo, Lamola described how he himself is a product of progressive government policies.

He recalled how he benefitted from the Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (TEFSA), now known as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), after his parents who were both farmworkers could not afford his tertiary education.

“I can stand here in this house [and say] with great conviction that had it not been for …government’s expansion of TEFSA and my sister paying for my university registration and monthly stipend, I would not be standing here today.

“I would not have been an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa having appeared in the highest Court in the world, the ICJ, on global affairs. My life was predestined as a farm worker [by] design by the apartheid government and not by choice.

“The village where I come from, Cunningmore B in Mpumalanga, had no electricity nor running water. Today there is electricity, running water and tarred roads, so are many villages across the country.

“[NSFAS]…results are tangible. You can touch them with your bare hands,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Thu, 02/15/2024 - 09:59

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Read moreSixth administration cracking down on crime – Lamola

Unemployed doctors to be placed by April, says Minister Phaahla

Location: News

Unemployed doctors to be placed by April, says Minister Phaahla

Government is working tirelessly to ensure that unemployed doctors who want to join the public service are placed by 1 April this year, Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla has announced.  

This follows an ongoing public outcry over doctors who have completed statutory community service programmes but remain unemployed.

“I am, therefore, happy to announce that working with the Minister of Finance we have a solution to address the current challenge of doctors who want to stay in the public service but could not be offered funded posts,” said the Minister.

During the debate on the President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), Phaahla said the Finance Minister will flesh out more details during his Budget Speech next week on how these posts will be funded.

“Our national team is working with the National Treasury team to thrash out the details and working with provincial health departments to speed up the process so that by 1st April 2024 all those who will not be already in posts can be able to start.” 

Phaahla said he was confident that some provinces will even be able to start giving out appointment letters before 1 April 2024. 

“The measures we are working on with the Minister of Finance will give us sufficient breathing space while we are working on long-term solutions.” 

He told Parliament that over the last 15 years, government has ramped up the training of doctors both in the local universities and the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro programme in Cuba.

The number of graduates, according to Phaahla, has almost doubled over the last 10 years, from 1 338 graduates who entered the internship programme in 2014 to 2 210 this year.

“The medical profession is very key in the multidisciplinary teams and that is why we are doing everything to retain as many doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and other members of the teams in the public health system.”

In addition, he said his department was committed to working with the medical association and the trade union to look at more opportunities for doctors including offering primary health services in the community as the State prepares to implement the National Health Insurance (NHI). 

NHI

He told the House that the government interventions are laying the foundation for the implementation of the NHI. 

Phaahla also took the time to thank members of both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) who passed the Bill last year. 

As stated in the Bill, he said the NHI will be implemented in two remaining phases from 2024 to 2026, while between 2026 and 2028 government will focus on establishing the Board and CEO and several key committees of the NHI Fund. 

“We are confident that the innovative funding of infrastructure as stated by the President will also contribute to health facilities.” 

In the meantime, he said his department was strengthening key delivery areas. 

These include the healthcare benefits design, digital health systems, and risk identification and fraud prevention. 

COVID-19

Since the lifting of all restrictions in June 2022, he said the health sector has been on a recovery path. 

“Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members indeed as stated by the President, key indicators show that we have recovered well from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

For example, he cited the improved life expectancy approaching pre-COVID, the continued reduction in maternal mortality in pregnancy and reduced infant and under-five mortality rates. 

Meanwhile, he said backlogs in planned surgery procedures including in orthopaedics, general surgery and eye operations are being attended to through the mobilisation of specialists to spend time in under-served areas with many doing it free of charge. 

In addition, Phaahla said procurement and distribution of medicines has stabilised with the result and that public health institutions now have stock availability of 85%.

As stated by the President in his SONA, the department will also focus on serious interventions to improve the quality of health services by upgrading infrastructure, including building new facilities. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Wed, 02/14/2024 - 09:32

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Read moreUnemployed doctors to be placed by April, says Minister Phaahla

Significant strides made in social assistance programme and combating GBV 

Location: News

Significant strides made in social assistance programme and combating GBV 

Government has over the last 30 years made significant strides in improving the social assistance programme, combating gender-based violence (GBV) and providing underprivileged children with opportunities for a better life through grants. 

This is according to Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, who was speaking during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) Debate in Cape Town on Tuesday.

She highlighted the gains made over the last 30 years, indicating that government is currently providing regular income support each month without fail to those who are underprivileged. 

Zulu said when government signed the Social Assistance Act into law, the nation took a historic step toward fulfilling a fundamental principle of the Freedom Charter and the Constitution, that "social security is a right, not a privilege".

She said the social assistance programme is the most enduring and one of the biggest poverty alleviation and redistribution interventions by the sixth administration.

“We have progressively expanded social protection coverage from 2.4 million in 1994 to 28 million [today] to support those who cannot support themselves due to no fault of their own.

“We are currently providing regular income support each month without fail to more than four million older persons, about one million adults with disabilities and 160 000 children with disabilities.  More than 13 million children from poor households receive the Child Support Grant, while a further 237 000 children are supported through our Foster Care Grant,” Zulu said. 

She said there has been improved access to sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurial opportunities through grant funding and capacity building of civil society organisations by the National Development Agency (NDA). 

The department has also provided financial support to the tune of R8.2 billion to non-profit organisations that render the much-need community development and statutory services in communities.
 
The achievements include an increase in the number of children benefitting from Early Childhood Development, living up to the mantra, 'From inception to the grave'.

“We have restored the dignity of our older persons and increased life expectancy through, amongst others, the provision of the Old Age Grant. We created over 500 000 employment opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme, and addressed the disproportionate impact of poverty on women through women empowerment initiatives,” she said. 

The Minister further highlighted that government has passed progressive pieces of legislation, such as the Children’s Act, to ensure the protection of children, providing universal access to social welfare services, including adoption, foster care and psychosocial support services. 

There has also been intensified international collaboration with development and UN agencies such as UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme, and International Labour Organisation on best practice,s focusing on poverty eradication initiatives.

Turning to gender-based violence and femicide, Zulu said that there has been expanded access to care and support services for victims/survivors through the implementation of Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (specific focus on GBV hotspots). 

“We have capacitated the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre and the National Emergency Response Team (NERT) to render psychosocial, trauma counselling and referral services. We are currently expanding shelters and the Khuseleka One-Stop Centre Model to all provinces,” she said. 

The Minister told Parliament that with a total budget of R266 billion this year, over R22 billion is directly injected into the economy every month and into the hands of those who need it most to facilitate their participation in the economy and the labour market.  

“This in turn stimulates key sectors of our economy, what in economic terms is referred to as the multiplier effect. The positive spin-offs of this investment are reflected in numerous local reports and international studies. This is no small achievement by any measure,” she said. 

Guided by the developmental philosophy of 'Leave no one Behind', Zulu said government is now finalising policy proposals for the introduction of the Basic Income Grant. 

“As we stride into the third decade of freedom and democracy, we do so with great confidence that our goal for social and economic transformation is well on course,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za 

DikelediM
Wed, 02/14/2024 - 11:15

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Read moreSignificant strides made in social assistance programme and combating GBV