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Introduction: A Lucrative Market for Gold In South Africa, a unique market thrives around the buying and selling of gold for cash. This market caters to individuals looking to sell their gold for immediate financial gain, reflecting both the enduring value of gold and the economic needs of the population. Who are the Gold …
Johannesburg – World-renowned designer to the stars, Gert-Johan Coetzee, is proud to announce the launch of the 2023 Fashion Design Bursary, an annual initiative that has been shaping the future of South African fashion since its inception in 2009. The lucky winner will embark on a transformative three-year journey of fashion education at Gert-Johan Coetzee’s …
Insufficient corporate governance lies at the core of several societal welfare and democratic challenges, spanning from dysfunctional municipalities struggling to meet service delivery needs due to corruption and inefficiency, to disparities in the private sector such as wage gaps and collusive practices that do not serve the public interest. Addressing the critical issues surrounding ethical …
Commission recommends a CPI plus 3% adjustment in National Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission has issued another invitation to interested parties to submit written representations concerning possible adjustments to South Africa’s national minimum wage in 2024.
The Department of Employment and Labour said the commission had three proposals on its table after it issued an invitation to interested parties to submit written representations concerning next year’s wage increase.
“The NMW Commission has published a report in the government gazette with the intention to present the commission’s report and recommendations on the annual review of the national minimum wage and also invite written representations from the public,” the department said.
A minimum wage is the lowest remuneration employers can legally pay their employees for each ordinary hour worked. It is illegal for an employer to pay employees less than this minimum floor.
The three proposals tabled in the report are as follows:
• The recommendation by the majority is Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 3%. Eight of the 12 commissioners propose that the national minimum wage increases by CPI plus 3%.
• The recommendation by the Business Constituency is CPI.
• The recommendation by an independent expert is CPI plus 0.75%.
“The CPI is a measure of the change in prices as paid by consumers for goods and services over time. In South Africa, the latest consumer price inflation as published by Statistics South Africa was 5.9% in October 2023, up from 5.4% in September 2023,” the department said.
The commission’s latest invitation for inputs follows similar calls in August and September in accordance with section 6(2) of the National Minimum Wage Act, No. 9 of 2018.
The commission comprises representatives from organised labour, business, community and experts in the field of labour market and conditions of employment.
In 2021, the commission recommended increasing the national minimum wage from R20.76 to R21.69 per hour. The 2022 national minimum wage was revised from R21.69 to R23.19 per hour. In 2023 the minimum wage was revised to R25.42 per hour.
Factors considered by the commission in the annual adjustment include inflation, the cost of living, and the need to retain the value of the minimum wage; wage levels and collective bargaining outcomes; gross domestic product; the ability of employers to carry on their businesses successfully; the operation of small, medium or micro-enterprises and new enterprises; and impact on employment or the creation of employment.
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi will announce in February 2024 the new rate of adjustment, which will come into operation from 1 March 2024.
The public has until 8 January 2024 to make their written representations.
Requests for inputs should be sent to the directorate: Employment Standards, Department of Employment and Labour, Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001 or be sent to nmwreview@labour.gov.za. - SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 12/08/2023 - 13:31
As South Africa engages in the last week of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, a R1.6 billion budget allocation has done little to stem the tide of violent crimes against women and children. Commitments at presidential summits on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in 2018 and 2022, including the budget …
It gives me great pleasure to put pen to paper once more to the coach development newsletter! The 2023/2024 summer...
Government welcomes adoption of Post Office business rescue plan
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has welcomed the decision by the South African Post Office (SAPO) creditors to adopt the draft Business Rescue Plan.
“The timeous adoption of this Business Rescue Plan sets us on course in turning the tide in saving the South African Post Office in the interest of our developmental agenda as a country,” Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli Gungubele said on Thursday.
The draft Plan was published for comment on 23 November 2023.
“The post office remains an important institution in our postal services network nationally and in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region. Most importantly, we remain committed to ensuring that we build a post office of tomorrow which provides quality, affordable and accessible services to the people of South Africa, particularly in this digital era,” Gungubele said.
Business Rescue Practitioners, Anoosh Rooplal and Juanito Damons, appointed after SAPO was placed under Business Rescue in July 2023, were tasked with the responsibility of developing and submitting a Business Rescue Plan by 30 November 2023.
In July, then acting Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Enoch Godongwana, welcomed the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa’s decision to place the SAPO under supervision and in business rescue which would commence with immediate effect.
According to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies at the time, the decision of the court in support of the application brought by Minister Mondli Gungubele confirmed that indeed SAPO is a strategic government asset that provides vital services throughout the country. This is especially in remote areas where SAPO is often the main link between residents and the outside world.
It added that it further uses its countrywide footprint to render services such as the distribution of social grants at its branches and the distribution of medication to those in need. It also renders various national and international postal services.
Full details on the Business Rescue Plan can be accessed on: https://www.postoffice.co.za/BusinessRescue/index.html
–SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 12/08/2023 - 10:17
It gives me great pleasure that I am putting pen to paper for this edition of the PowerPlay newsletter. This...
“We are only working to put food on the table, nothing else” says Tinashe Mandobe who has made bricks in the small Eastern Cape town since 2004
In the bustling business landscape of the UK, call answering services have become a pivotal force in reshaping customer interaction. This blog explores the transformative role these services play in enhancing customer experiences and ensuring businesses never miss a beat – or a call. The Silent Revolution in Customer Service Call answering services UK …
Facilities management in South Africa is an essential aspect of the real estate and business sectors, contributing significantly to the operational efficiency and sustainability of buildings and properties. This blog post will provide an insightful overview of facilities management in the country, exploring its importance, services offered, and the benefits it brings to businesses and …
Investing in commercial real estate in South Africa presents a unique opportunity for savvy investors and business owners. This blog post delves into the world of commercial property for sale in South Africa, highlighting the potential benefits, key locations, and types of properties available. The Appeal of Commercial Property Investment Diverse Market: South Africa’s …
Are you looking for office space in one of Johannesburg’s most vibrant suburbs? Look no further than office space Rosebank, a perfect blend of modernity, convenience, and style. This post will guide you through the advantages of choosing office space in Rosebank and provide tips on finding the right fit for your business. Why …
Free State communities share expectations ahead of Imbizo
As scores converged at the Kopano Indoor Sports Centre in Thabong, Free State, for the 11th District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo, some local residents of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality shared what they expected to be addressed by authorities at the gathering.
Speaking to SAnews on Thursday in Matjhabeng (which falls under the Lejweleputsawa District Municipality), Kgosi Mmelwana from Welkom said he was keen to hear President Cyril Ramaphosa’s message. He was especially looking forward to hearing what Ministers would have to say on education and health-related matters.
“I am glad that the President and his Cabinet Ministers have descended on our town. We want to tell the President what we need as a community.
“We still need more schools and healthcare facilities. Some of our learners walk long distances to school,” Mmelwana said.
Echoing his sentiments, Dithabo Mmutle, said some community members still travel long distances to access government services.
“We want government offices to be closer to where we stay. We spend a lot of money traveling to government offices to access services,” she said.
A Grade 12 learner at a local high school, Abraham Sithebe, said he was most concerned about the high unemployment among the youth.
“Young people go to school and at the end of the day, they are not employed. Government needs to take care of our people. We don’t want them to end up becoming drug addicts,” he said.
Today’s Imbizo in the Free State is the second in the province since the Presidential Izimbizo started in 2022. President Ramaphosa’s first Imbizo in the Free State took place in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in April 2022.
During the 2022 engagement, 42 community members - representing the seven regions of the Mangaung Metro - voiced their concerns to the President, which included lack of service delivery, corruption, inadequate housing, unemployment and crime. The towns represented in this discussion included Van Stadensrus, Soutpan, Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo and Bloemfontein.
Ministers present at last year’s Imbizo had committed to dealing with pressing matters, including the standard of water and sanitation, and the state of roads.
The aim of the DDM Izimbizo, which have taken place throughout the country, is to provide an interactive platform for communities to engage and interact face-to-face with the President, Ministers and the provincial and local leadership.
The District Development Model enhances integrated and sustainable service delivery through the maximisation of intergovernmental planning, budgeting and implementation towards creating inclusive economic opportunities for locals.
The DDM, which was introduced and adopted by Cabinet on 21 August 2019, aims to improve cooperative governance and enhance service delivery, in line with the National Development Plan.
Focus on Lejweleputsawa
Today’s Imbizo takes place in Lejweleputsawa District Municipality, which consists of five local municipalities, which account for a third of the province. The district municipality is made up of the local municipalities of Matjhabeng (whose economy is mainly anchored on the mining of gold and uranium and it is the hub of the Free State Goldfields), Masilonyane, Nala, Tswelopele and Tokologo.
Under the theme “Leave No One Behind”, today’s Imbizo will allow the President and other leaders in government to assess progress made and be briefed on challenges associated with the improvement of service delivery since the President’s previous engagement with communities.
Ahead of this week’s Imbizo, the national, provincial and local spheres of government, as well as State entities, embarked on pre-Imbizo build-up programmes across the Free State.
These activities were undertaken to stimulate communities’ participation in the Imbizo and to assist residents with services they may require or other challenges they wish to report.
Stabilising Mangaung
Last year, Cabinet approved an intervention by the national executive in the governance of the Mangaung Metro, in terms of Section 139(7) of the Constitution.
Following failure by the Free State provincial executive to implement a financial recovery plan in the metro, the municipality was placed under national intervention.
At the time, The Presidency had said that this intervention was directed at helping the metro to improve its finances and to deliver on its mandate, and to return to sound governance and a better life for residents, the business community and other stakeholders.
In October this year, Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), Pinky Kekana, conducted an oversight monitoring visit of economic and service delivery-related projects in Mangaung.
She noted some of the positive joint efforts to stabilise the metro, including the finalisation of the appointment of the Municipal Manager, albeit challenges remain in certain areas.
Kekana reiterated that the DPME was dedicated to continuing to help the metro overcome its challenges in the interest of service delivery to residents and positive economic spinoffs for South Africa.
“If we can all work together through an integrated approach and create an enabling environment, it will help the municipality and lead to enhanced service delivery, investment, and economic growth.
“Our first and immediate goal is to contribute towards assisting the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality absolve itself from the S139 constitutional intervention,” said Kekana at the time.
The DPME said its departmental specialists have supported the metro with comprehensive frontline monitoring reports and proposed interventions aimed at strengthening the capacity and overall operations of the municipality. - SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 12/07/2023 - 12:38
By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (http://www.EnergyChamber.org)
When examining how fossil fuel exploration, production, and usage differ between African and more developed nations, the contrast is so stark that it essentially defines the core mission of the African Energy Chamber (AEC). We exist not to bring these rates on par with each other but to amplify Africa's standing in the global energy industry such that it results in massive improvements in the quality of life across the continent.
Consider this: While Africa holds roughly 13% of global natural gas stores and 7% of its oil, when it comes to per capita use of these hydrocarbons for energy, Africa's consumption rate is the world's lowest.
Or this: While we're under pressure to adopt renewable energy resources, Africa already relies on renewables more than any other continent, but this refers to the wood and cow dung that fuel the cooking fires, which account for essentially half of Africa's energy consumption. Of course, both are linked to hazardous indoor air quality, adding to the already long list of vexing issues that many Africans must deal with daily.
In total, nearly one billion Africans have no access to clean cooking fuels. Another 600 million, with a majority living in the sub-Saharan regions, survive without access to electricity from any source.
Africa deserves relief from such difficulties.
As much as the African people stand to benefit from access to their own fossil-fuel resources, Africa's hydrocarbon-bearing nations possess a vast wealth they're willing and ready to share with the world. The prospect of forging development partnerships with foreign nations and international oil companies would offer much of Africa a path toward modernization, advancement, and prosperity while at the same time providing much-needed energy security to its business allies abroad.
We've been waiting for Africa to take its place alongside the equally resource-rich yet developed regions of the globe for far too long. However, Africa's readiness for this overdue transformation comes at a strange time in modern history. Just as we've observed increases in GDP per capita and average life expectancy parallel the proliferation of fossil fuels, we've also seen the rise of a small but vocal and influential minority that has set out to obstruct their continued extraction.
Activists and ill-informed ideologues mainly comprise this opposing faction. And either knowingly or as a result of having been taken in by false promises, they propose alternative energy solutions which are still far too expensive for Africa to implement effectively.
Africa needs affordable, readily available energy, but this group has steadily garnered sway over individuals, financial institutions, and world governments, convincing them that, for the sake of the planet's health, Africa's untapped resources must indefinitely remain right where they are today.
Over the years, these activists brought many to their side, ratifying their intentions through measures like the Paris Agreement of 2015 and the Glasgow Climate Pact of 2021 that require signatories to commit to green energy initiatives at home and abroad.
This movement proved effective in achieving its own goals and was allowed to carry on with its agenda unimpeded for many years. However, recent global events have rather suddenly forced both participants and onlookers to reconsider the merits of its claims and the value of any allegiance to it.
Eastern Aggression, Western Hypocrisy
When then-U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking before the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, warned Germany against their dependence on Russian energy, the German delegation in attendance famously snickered at his concerns. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union's sanctions against the Russian energy sector that followed, and the subsequent sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, Trump's remarks appear more prescient in retrospect than they did at the time.
The war in Ukraine and the supply chain disruptions and fuel price spikes it induced sent world leaders scrambling to secure new energy sources for their countries.
Spring 2022 saw a frenzy of energy industry activity as Italy's foreign minister brokered new liquid natural gas (LNG) deals with Angola and the Congo, Germany engaged in gas talks with Senegal, and the energy ministers of Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria pledged to accelerate their work on the long-delayed Trans-Saharan gas pipeline project.
Even President Joe Biden, who notably vowed to end the United States' involvement with fossil fuels during his campaign, reached out to Saudi Arabia, urging the nation to increase oil production.
Coal: Don't Call It a Comeback
The 2021-2023 global energy crisis also led many nations to continue or increase their reliance on coal — the fossil fuel even conventional oil and gas companies are quick to disparage due to its negative impacts on human health and its history of environmental harm.
With their own power generation capacities in peril thanks to war shortages, below-average winter temperatures, overcast skies, and a wind drought that still threatens to starve turbines across Europe, the countries often most critical of Africa's modernization ambitions rushed to refill their stores of the very fuel they had scheduled for phase-out years before.
According to the International Energy Agency's mid-year Coal Market Update, global coal consumption grew by 3.3% in 2022, reaching an all-time high of 8.3 billion tons. While 2023 and 2024 might show a slight decrease in coal-fired power generation, the 1.5% rise in industrial coal use expected with improving economic conditions during the same period will likely negate this drop.
Putting a pause on an initiative begun in 2015 to shutter all its coal-fired power stations, the United Kingdom relaxed permitting conditions in July 2022, keeping its remaining plants operational albeit on standby into 2024.
Around this same time, the EU imported roughly 11 times more coal than usual from Australia, South Africa, and Indonesia.
In August of 2023, in a move highlighted by opponents of the green agenda, German energy firm RWE began dismantling its wind farm in North Rhine-Westphalia to allow for the expansion of its Garzweiler II lignite coal mine.
Had these nations engaged in more earnest development negotiations with African oil and gas producers when we suggested they should, perhaps they would have found a better footing for dealing with unforeseen climate-related events, natural or political.
Gas Gets the Greenlight
In a move that helped to lessen the stigma cast upon a fuel much cleaner burning than coal, the EU voted in 2022 to officially recognize natural gas as a “green” or “sustainable” energy source. Unsurprisingly, this decision angered environmental activists. At the AEC, though, we support this development; we regard natural gas as crucial to Africa's battle against energy poverty and key to its future success as a sizeable supplier for the international market.
While the EU was at one point one of the loudest voices calling for full-scale decarbonization, we applaud this concession as this more positive classification will likely encourage European investment in African natural gas projects. And, as the AEC has always suggested, it will support our eventual transition to an emissions-free, fully renewables-based energy economy.
Our critics breathlessly warn us that future price drops could render African natural gas suppliers unable to compete against larger, established producers. Naysayers suggest that renewable energy technology will get up to speed and become widely adopted before any new African natural gas outfits can get underway. While these cynics regard oil and gas as merely trends in danger of falling out of fashion by next season, we remain confident that we are on the best course for Africa's future.
And while the wealthy, developed nations of the world have much to say about appropriate energy solutions for Africa, even as they flout the rules they've set for their own, we know we are in pursuit of the most beneficial gains for our people.
Just as the fuels that supported humanity progressed from wood to coal to oil as economies and technological needs evolved, so too will Africa's — naturally, and never as a consequence of dictated policy.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Swarts calls for inclusion of people with disabilities in built environment
Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister, Bernice Swarts, has called on the department’s entities to play their part in ensuring that people with disabilities are trained and get work and business opportunities in the built environment.
“Often people living with disabilities are overlooked in built industry work and business opportunities because of the assumption that they would not be able to do physical duties associated with the industry,” Swarts said.
Swarts was speaking at the inaugural Council for the Built Environment (CBE) colloquium on persons with disability in the built environment, held this week in Boksburg, Gauteng.
Held under the theme “Co-creation of spaces which entrench universal access”, the conference aimed to consolidate and accelerate the rights of people with disabilities.
Swarts noted some of the challenges still facing people with disabilities in the built environment, including physical access to many buildings which do not have ramps, hand rails, heavy doors that are hard to open and close, narrow doorways and hallways, and poor signage that does not cater for the visually impaired.
The Deputy Minister called for people with disabilities to be offered job opportunities in project management and owning businesses in the built industry.
She also called on the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to ensure that people with disabilities receive training in built industry qualifications in order for them to be more employable in the sector.
The DHET's Strategic Policy Framework on Disability for the Post-School Education and Training System is one instrument that aims to create an enabling environment for inclusion and mainstreaming of people with disabilities in the post-school education and training system, which seeks to ensure that disability-related policies and guidelines are implemented and monitored.
“While there have been positive gains in the fight for the inclusivity of people with disabilities in the country, like the inclusion of the South African Sign Language as the 12th official language, the country is still lagging in reaching minimum targets for the employment of people with disabilities,” the Deputy Minister said.
Swarts also advised the CBE to invite stakeholders outside the built industry sector to next year’s colloquium, including education stakeholders, in order to have a more holistic approach in resolving the challenges faced by people with disabilities in the built industry.
Built Environment Recognition Awards
Meanwhile, Swarts will this evening deliver a keynote address at the Built Environment Recognition Awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations, who are shaping the future of the built environment.
The awards recognise outstanding contributions to the industry and encourages professional registration.
The inaugural awards -- hosted by the CBE -- will take place in Durban. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 12/07/2023 - 10:26
Date set for final voter registration weekend
The Electoral Commission has announced the dates for the second and final voter registration weekend ahead of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
The Electoral Commission announced that the Voter Registration Weekend will take place on 3 and 4 February 2024 to allow new voters to register and existing voters to inspect, and if necessary update their registration details.
The country’s 23 296 voting stations will open from 8am to 5pm on both days.
“Following the first registration weekend held on 18 and 19 November 2023, the voters’ roll contains 26.8 million voters with 568 374 of those registering for the first time during that period. The Electoral Commission is hopeful that the second registration weekend will build on and surpass the satisfactory turn out recorded in November,” the Commission said in a statement.
The Commission said South African citizens aged 16 years and older can register to vote, and all they need is a South African green barcoded identity document (ID) book, or smartcard ID, or a valid temporary ID certificate.
“When registering, voters will need to provide their address or a description of where they live to allow the Electoral Commission to place them on the correct segment of the voters’ roll. However, proof of an address is not a requirement to register as a voter,” the Commission explained.
The Electoral Commission has also confirmed that South Africans living abroad will have an opportunity to register at South Africa’s 120 high commissions, embassies and consulates on 26, 27 and 28 January 2024.
The Commission acknowledged and expressed its appreciation to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for its continued collaboration in ensuring the sustained franchise of South Africans abroad.
A new and additional voter registration modality for South Africans living abroad has been introduced, where South Africans abroad may now register as voters using the online self-registration portal by visiting https://online.elections.org.za/voterportal and capturing their details and uploading a scanned image of their identity document.
General elections will be held in South Africa in 2024 to elect a new National Assembly, as well as the Provincial Legislature in each province. These will be the seventh elections held under democracy since the end of apartheid in 1994. The new National Council of Provinces will be elected at the first sitting of each Provincial Legislature.
Voter registration for inmates
Meanwhile, offenders at correctional centres will get an opportunity to register to vote, as voter registration will also be conducted at centres around the country to allow inmates to exercise their right to vote.
Working with the Department of Correctional Services, the Commission said it will undertake the registration of inmates at correctional centres between 30 January and 1 February 2024.
The Commission has requested the family members of incarcerated inmates to deliver their identity documents to them ahead of the registration drive.
“The Electoral Commission will be supporting the registration drive with the roll out of national communication and education campaign to encourage participation. The key thrust of the campaign will retain its youth focus and urging young, first-time voters to register,” the Commission said.
The Electoral Commission’s contact centre continues to be operational to assist citizens with queries and information about the registration process and information related to the location of voting stations. The contact centre can be reached on 0800 11 8000 from 8am to 5pm weekdays.
“The online voter registration portal remains available until the date of proclamation of the elections for first-time voters to register and for those who are already registered to update their registration details.
“Registered voters can visit the Electoral Commission website (www.elections.org.za) to check their current registration details and voting station location. They can also SMS their ID number to 32810 to receive an SMS containing the address of their voting station (charged at R1),” the Commission said.
The Electoral Commission has also appealed to all stakeholders, including expatriate communities, political parties, aspirant independent candidates, government departments and entities, the media and civil society organisations, including labour, business, NGOs, religious-based organisations, traditional leaders and all community organisations to support the registration drive and encourage voter registration ahead of the elections. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 12/07/2023 - 11:49
Holidaymakers looking to relax by the seaside this summer will soon be heading to the beautiful Sapphire Coast! This is a prime opportunity for local businesses to expand their brand and capture a new market – and the Sapphire Sizzling Summer Beach Campaign, running from 20 to 31 December, provides the perfect platform. Promotional and …
The post-pandemic trend of living that holiday lifestyle now continues to inspire buyers who are prioritising happiness and well-being. The coast remains a popular location but the high property prices often make this an unrealistic possibility. On the KZN Mid-South Coast, where large-scale developments are unlocking the region’s property potential, discerning investors are getting in …
The Social Craft is changing the talent narrative in South Africa, for the 3rd year in a row. Turning three in 2023, The Social Craft is celebrating its birthday with remarkable statistics and a growing client list. With a 241% increase in 2023 alone, the company has also seen an impressive 3x employee growth in …
Fusion Centre's efforts pay off
National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, has outlined the progress and successes achieved by the Fusion Centre in its bid to prevent and combat corruption.
“Since May 2020 to date, the Fusion Centre has achieved a significant number of successes in arrests, prosecution, freezing orders and recoveries. These significant achievements serve to amplify that government’s sharp focus on capacitating the agencies focused on fighting crime and corruption is yielding results,” Lebeya said, while addressing a media briefing in Pretoria, on Wednesday.
The centre was established in May 2020 by the Anti-Corruption Task Team (ACTT) and the National Priority Committee on Organised Crime (NPCOC) as a multi-disciplinary and collaborative effort by all corruption-fighting agencies that are actively involved in the prevention and combating of corruption.
It follows an intelligence-driven approach in investigating corruption and uses comprehensive data and information analysis. It also fast tracks and expedites the processing of cases, thus reducing delays in the pursuit of justice.
"The Fusion Centre broadens the scope of investigations by combining the expertise of multiple agencies, working within their legislative mandates and enhancing the quality and depth of each inquiry. This results in improving the quality of investigations, and increasing prosecution successes," he said.
Progress made
The Fusion Centre has achieved successes relating to the following cases:
Lebeya explained that some of the cases handled by the Fusion Centre are complex commercial crimes, involving networks of organised criminal syndicates.
“The investigators from the Fusion Centre had to trace the networks and the syndicates in order to arrive at conclusive evidence of wrongdoing. The first case involved an accountant who defrauded the COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) [of] over R11 million by claiming relief funds on behalf of a number of companies without their knowledge.
“The investigators uncovered a network of 17 persons, 26 entities, 53 banking accounts and 983 transactions involved in the flow of the financial proceeds from the accountant. The funds were used to purchase immoveable and moveable assets such as houses and a car,” he said.
Preservation orders against two accountants to the value of R3 065 114.08 were obtained as well as four immoveable properties valued at R2 662 986.60. One vehicle was bought with an amount of R665 000.
The accused accountant, Lindelani Bert Gumede, was arrested and convicted for fraud, theft, and money laundering. He was sentenced in 2022 to 135 years imprisonment.
“The second case also involved an accountant who, using the names of six companies, defrauded the TERS scheme to the amount of R884 308.06. Crime analysis revealed that the accountant was behind the companies that claimed the funds.
“This accountant was charged and an amount of R482 258.71 was recovered in an FNB account registered under the name of the accountant. Through the recovery process by the Fusion Centre, he agreed to refund the funds derived from defrauding the scheme. The accountant, Mark Voster, was sentenced to six years imprisonment,” Lt-Gen Lebeya said.
The third case involved an Eastern Cape Taxi Association, which fraudulently claimed R220 million from the TERS scheme using 66 accounts.
The Fusion Centre issued Section 34 directives on the 26 bank accounts securing a preservation order of R26.9 million against the taxi association.
The personal protective equipment (PPE) contract of the taxi association was declared irregular and unlawful. The criminal trial is still proceeding.
In terms of the freezing orders and recoveries, the following successes were achieved:
Lt-Gen Lebeya said public officials were involved in some of the cases of maladministration or did not follow the legislative frameworks in the appointment of service providers, and payments made to service providers and third parties.
“There were 97 referrals for disciplinary and executive actions against officials in government departments and state-owned entities. So far, 11 public officials have been dismissed for various cases of maladministration, fraud and corruption. Three have resigned, eight were suspended, 71 pending and one has received a written warning,” he said.
Other referrals include 58 cases to the Competition Commission, 57 to the South African Health Product Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and 29 companies referred to National Treasury to blacklist them on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
In addition, 47 referrals from the SIU to the National Prosecuting Authority and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) were made.
Fusion Centre's Mandate
The operationalisation of the Fusion Centre coincided with the need to identify and stem misappropriation of funds set aside by government for social and economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Initially it focused on money laundering, corruption and other financial crimes related to procurement of personal protective equipment and other COVID19 related procurement.
However, since the success of the collaborative approach, the mandate of the Fusion Centre has been expanded to include organised crime, money laundering, fraud, maladministration, terrorist financing and other serious financial crimes both in public and private institutions
“We are calling upon the business sector, specifically, to partner and collaborate with the Fusion Centre and support the enhancement of forensic investigation skills and other critical skills which will lead to a higher rate of prosecution for commercial corruption crimes.
“The Fusion Centre contributes towards the implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan in respect of South Africa in addressing deficiencies in the anti-money laundering system,” he said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 12/06/2023 - 11:59
Pieter Vlok has been promoted to Acting Division Head of Strategic Facilities Projects (SFP) at Afroteq Advisory. Before this, he was the Senior Project Manager – a position he has filled since 2017. Pieter is currently pursuing his MBA degree through the University of Stellenbosch Business School. He earned a B.Sc in Construction Management and …
Algoa FM will be getting even closer and more personal with listeners and businesses in the Garden Route following the opening of its purpose-built studio on Courtenay Street in George. “The drive show on weekdays between 3 and 7pm, hosted by Simon Bechus, has been aired from Algoa FM’s headquarters in Nelson Mandela Bay while …
By the end of this year already, the market for artificial intelligence (AI) in South Africa is projected to reach (https://apo-opa.co/481NZ3n) a size of $2.4 billion, showing an annual growth rate of 21% between now and 2030. Locally, the technology has the potential to mitigate security risks, enhance decision-making, address legacy challenges, and have a significantly positive societal impact. Despite the impressive applications and implications, Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA (https://www.KnowBe4.com), warns of the associated risks that need to be considered.
“Generative AI models are trained on data from various sources,” she explains, highlighting that these sources are not all verified, lack sufficient context, and are not regulated. “AI is incredibly helpful in handling the mundane administrative tasks associated with spreadsheets and statistics. However, it becomes concerning when we rely on it to make decisions that have the potential to influence people's lives.”
AI is an algorithmic construct built on the bones of human creative endeavours and data that is often flawed and biased. “As Kate Crawford, a professor at the University of Southern California and Microsoft researcher, pointed out (https://apo-opa.co/3GwCPYK), AI is not truly artificial or intelligent. This poses risks that can have long-term consequences if users are unaware of them,” explains Collard.
Here are six of the most concerning risks:
01: AI hallucinations: Earlier this year, a New York attorney used a conversational chatbot for legal research. The AI deceitfully incorporated six fabricated precedents into his filing, falsely attributing them to prominent legal databases. This is a perfect example (https://apo-opa.co/3uJjW2e) of an AI hallucination, where the output is either fake or nonsense. These incidents happen when prompts are outside of the AI's training data and so the model hallucinates or contradicts itself in order to respond.
02: Deepfakes: The implications of fake images extend to various areas. With the rise of fake identities, revenge porn, and fabricated employees, the range of potential misuse for AI-generated photographs is expanding. One particular technology called Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) (https://apo-opa.co/481j1Zi) is a type of deep neural network capable of producing new data and generating highly realistic images by using random input. This technology opens up the realm of deepfakes, where sophisticated generative techniques manipulate facial features and can be applied to images, audio, and video. This form of digital puppetry carries significant consequences in political persuasion, misinformation or polarization campaigns.
03: Automated and more effective attacks: This taps directly into the potential of GAN mentioned before, as cybercriminals make use of deepfakes in more sophisticated attacks. They use it in impersonation attacks, where fake voice or even video versions of someone can be used to manipulate victims into paying or following other fraudulent instructions. Cybercriminals also benefit from jailbroken generative AI models to help them automate or simplify their attach methods, such as for example automating the creation of phishing emails.
04: Media equation theory: This refers to the fact that human beings have a tendency to attribute human characteristics to machines and develop feelings of empathy towards them. This tendency becomes even stronger when the interactions with machines seem intelligent. Although this can positively impact user engagement and support in the service sector, it also carries a risk. People become more vulnerable to manipulation, persuasion, and social engineering because of this over-trust effect. They tend to believe and follow machines more than they should. Research has shown (https://apo-opa.co/3RvGVqg) that people are likely to alter their responses to queries in order to comply with suggestions made by robots.
05: The manipulation problem: AI, through the use of natural language processing, machine learning, and algorithmic analyses, can both respond to and simulate emotions. By gathering information from various sources, agenda driven AI chatbots for example can promptly react to sensory input in real time and utilise it to accomplish specific objectives, such as persuasion or manipulation. These capabilities create opportunities for the dissemination of predatory content, misinformation, disinformation, and scams.
06: Ethical issues: The presence of bias in the data and the current absence of regulations regarding AI development, data usage, and AI application all raise ethical concerns. Global efforts are underway to tackle the challenge of ethics in AI and reduce the risks of AI poisoning, which entails manipulating data to introduce vulnerabilities or biases. “However, South Africa currently lacks momentum in addressing these issues. This must change, as managing and detecting the risk of polluted AI data before it causes long-term harm is essential.” Says Collard.
“It is important to be mindful of the information we share with AI chatbots and virtual personal assistants. We should always question how our data is being used and by whom,” concludes Collard. “There is a risk of sharing sensitive personal and business information with data training models. While AI is a valuable tool, it is crucial to use it with critical thinking and mindfulness, and only rely on it in situations where it provides the most value and has been fact checked.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.