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Register to vote at your local municipal offices
Register to vote at your local municipal offices
The Electoral Commission is urging those who could not make it to their local voting stations to register or rectify their details to visit its online facility and local municipal offices for assistance.
“The Commission extends its gratitude to thousands of South Africans who have gone online and visited our registration stations to register, re-register or check their details.
“Our online facility and local municipal offices will remain open for registration and verification of details until the date of the elections is proclaimed by the President,” said the Commission.
This as the Commission held its second Voter Registration Weekend on 3 and 4 February.
The registration weekend was held in preparation for the country’s 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
The Commission extended its gratitude to the thousands of South Africans who have gone online and visited the registration stations to register, re-register or check their details.
In a statement on Sunday, the Commission said day two of the registration weekend went well.
According to the Commission, by 8am, over 99% of the 23 303 voting stations had opened with the remainder opening before 8:30am.
“At 1pm … a total of 564 715 registration transactions had been recorded at voting stations,” said the Commission.
Meanwhile, on Saturday the Commission recorded 67 200 online registration transactions. The figure for online registrations on Sunday stood at 34 293.
The provincial breakdown of the registrations recorded is as follows:
Province F M Grand total
Eastern Cape 50 504 43 335 93 839
Free State 17 496 16 462 33 958
Gauteng 55 990 60 294 116 284
KwaZulu-Natal 68 305 63 126 131 431
Limpopo 32 166 25 276 57 442
Mpumalanga 20 426 21 367 41 793
North West 18 963 17 871 36 834
Northern Cape 6 827 6 869 13 696
Out Of Country 519 494 1 013
Western Cape 18 781 19 644 38 425
289 977 274 738 564 715
The Commission reminded eligible voters of the general rule in elections.
“That is, a person votes at a voting station where they are registered. The only exception to the general rule is that a voter may vote outside of the voting district of registration upon notification to the Commission by a date to be regulated by the Election Timetable,” the Commission said.
Details of the modalities of notification will be outlined after the registration process.
The Commission held the first voter registration weekend from 18 - 19 November 2023. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 02/05/2024 - 09:56
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Home Affairs pleased with response to extension of operating hours
Home Affairs pleased with response to extension of operating hours
The Department of Home Affairs has assisted more than 33 500 people in its offices and 105 mobile units that were deployed in the first two days of the service delivery blitz during the Voter Registration Weekend.
The majority of the people, that is, more than 25 700, visited on Saturday, 03 February 2024. Nearly 7 900 visited during the two additional operating hours from 4pm to 6pm on Friday, 02 February 2024.
“This public response is galvanizing us to do more as we prepare to welcome those people who want to visit our offices today. We are open from 8am until 5pm,” Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza said on Sunday.
This as the Electoral Commission is holding the country’s second Voter Registration Weekend ahead of the national elections.
According to the department, the overwhelming public response led to two offices and four mobile units operating beyond 5pm in the Eastern Cape.
One office in the Western Cape operated beyond the closing time while there were three offices and two mobile units that did the same in Mpumalanga. In Gauteng, four offices operated beyond 5pm while one office did in KwaZulu-Natal.
Over the two days, nearly 23 400 people came to collect their IDs. Another 9 100, mostly first-time applicants, came to apply for IDs. More than 920 people applied for and received their Temporary Identification Certificates on the spot.
There were 148 people who were referred by the Independent Electoral Commission to Home Affairs to update their status on the Voters’ Roll. People who came to collect their passports were also assisted.
“We continue to encourage first-time applicants to come and collect their documents. Home Affairs takes up to 13 working days to deliver an ID from the day of application. Therefore, if it has been more than two weeks since you applied, please come back and collect your ID,” Nzuza said.
The department has further set up dedicated queues for collection in offices that have space for such, to make the collection process faster. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Sun, 02/04/2024 - 13:39
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SIU to probe Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency affairs
SIU to probe Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency affairs
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is expected to investigate allegations of serious maladministration at the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA).
This after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the unit to delve into the affairs of the agency.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the unit will also look to recover any financial losses that the state may have incurred.
“Proclamation R147 of 2024 authorises the SIU to probe the procurement and/or contracting for goods, works or services concerning a tender for the planning and design of the Marine Tilapia Industry Incubator Project within the Mbhashe Local Municipality, by or on behalf of the ECRDA.
“The SIU will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by ECRDA or the State. The scope of the investigation also covers any unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of ECRDA, the applicable suppliers or service providers or any other person or entity,” he explained.
The proclamation allows the unit to probe allegations over the period between February 2020 and 26 January 2024.
“In addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption and fraud, the SIU will identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses.
“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] for further action.
“The SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration,” Kganyago said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 02/01/2024 - 11:30
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SIU authorised to investigate ECRDA
SIU authorised to investigate ECRDA
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed Proclamation R147 of 2024 authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in the affairs of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA).
The SIU is also authorised to recover any financial losses suffered by the State and ECDRA.
“Proclamation R147 of 2024 authorises the SIU to probe the procurement and/or contracting for goods, works or services concerning a tender for the planning and design of the Marine Tilapia Industry Incubator Project within the Mbhashe Local Municipality, by or on behalf of the ECRDA,” said the SIU in a statement.
It will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by ECRDA or the State.
The scope of the investigation also covers any unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of ECRDA, the applicable suppliers or service providers or any other person or entity.
The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 February 2020 and 26 January 2024, the date of the publication of the Proclamation or before 1 February 2020 and after the date of the Proclamation that are relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involves the same persons, entities or contracts investigated.
In addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption and fraud, the SIU said it would identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses.
“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action,” it said.
The SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 02/01/2024 - 11:59
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Government activities for the week 29 January to 2 February 2024
Government activities for the week 29 January to 2 February 2024
On Monday, 29 January, the National School of Government is hosting a webinar on artificial intelligence (AI) from 11:00 to 13:00.
On Tuesday, 30 January, is the opening ceremony of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers (COM) responsible for Trade.
On Tuesday, 30 January, Deputy Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Pinky Kenana will conduct a frontline monitoring and Back to School Campaign at Vukuhambe Special School in Mdantsane under the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
On Wednesday, 31 January, is South Africa’s launch of the preferential trade ceremony and the closing ceremony of the Council of Ministers.
Also on Wednesday, 31 January, President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a Presidential Welisizwe Bridges hand over in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Makhotso Sotyu, will lead the hand over ceremonies of the Kei Mouth and Qoloha plantations, followed by the Wilo and Ntlangaza plantations in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, 31 January.
On Wednesday, 31 January, The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) will host a series of public engagement sessions to unpack the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2023) that has been published for public comment.
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Mon, 01/29/2024 - 12:17
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167 scholar drivers held for traffic violations
167 scholar drivers held for traffic violations
Hundreds of vehicles have been impounded and scores of drivers arrested as traffic authorities intensified their national crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles transporting learners to school.
These arrests are part of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) back-to-school campaign, which started when schools re-opened this month. The campaign has so far resulted in 37 548 vehicles stopped and check in 484 law enforcement operations in different provinces.
The provinces with the highest number of vehicles stopped and checked are KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.
“A total of 167 drivers were arrested for, among others, drunken driving, driving while having no driving licence and operating a public transport vehicle in violation of operating permit regulations.
“The campaign has highlighted that many scholar transport drivers were driving without fastening seatbelts, some do not have professional drivers' permits, their vehicles were not licensed, while other vehicles had defects such as cracked windscreens, smooth tyres and faulty brakes.
“More than 6 240 were given fines for these vehicles, while 965 vehicles were impounded and 291 were suspended from operating,” the RTMC said on Thursday.
The RTMC has maintained that the safety of children remains priority and law enforcement authorities will remain vigilant throughout the year to deal with non-compliant operators.
However, parents also have a responsibility to ensure that the transport operators they choose are fit for purpose and licensed to transport their children safely to school.
Meanwhile, the RTMC has warned members of the public about a fake traffic officer learnership recruitment circulating on various social media platforms.
“The RTMC is currently not recruiting any traffic officer learners for the 2024 financial year. When positions become available, the corporation will advertise its traffic officer learnership posts through reputable online platforms, which include our website, mainstream media and our social media platforms.
“As a public institution, we do not charge applicants for any employment opportunities within the organisation. Members of the public are warned not to fall prey to any scams doing rounds online.
“We urge the public to verify the legitimacy of any recruitment drive purported to be from the RTMC by contacting our Human Capital Division on 012 999 5200. Alternatively, visit our website: www.rtmc.co.za,” the corporation said.
The RTMC said any scams seeking to take advantage of desperate unemployed youth should be reported to law enforcement agencies immediately. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 01/26/2024 - 09:27
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Health dept receives multimillion-rand equipment from German Development Bank
Health dept receives multimillion-rand equipment from German Development Bank
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has welcomed the multimillion-rand donation of mobile health clinics from the German Development Bank (KfW) in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Minister said the donation supports efforts by the South African government to strengthen the public health system.
“Today is one of the most exciting days for the National Department of Health and the provincial departments as we formally acknowledge the support we received from the German government, through the German Development Bank and the DG Murray Trust.
“The governments of Germany and South Africa have enjoyed a very fruitful relationship across several departments for a while now,” he said on Thursday.
Phaahla was speaking at the official hand over of the equipment at the Town Hill Hospital.
The Minister was joined by the German Ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke, Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane, leaders from local government and DG Murray Trust.
The donated assets, valued at R500 million, include specialised vaccine fridges, vaccine carriers, temperature monitoring devices, notebooks, tablets and mobile health clinics.
Phaahla said the 46 mobile clinics have contributed to changing people’s lives and that they have reached 1.9 million individuals with direct interpersonal interactions.
“I will work with the MECs to sustain and maintain these assets when the funding ends in September this year.”
Phaahla said the mobile units operate in four provinces including Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and are operated by professional nurses, communicators and local mobilisers supported by the #KeReady youthful doctors.
“These units are serving as the bedrock of our campaign to get closer to the youth community and highlight the challenges that face youth life,” said the Minister.
“We consider the Ambassador and his team as friends; friends who did not abandon us at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but stayed with us and provided support for specific vulnerable communities in the informal settlements.
“We thank you for the precise, strategic and tailored programmes you brought into our primary healthcare ecosystem,” he said.
He told the attendees that today’s gathering was not just a celebration but an occasion to showcase the countries’ bilateral relationship and to demonstrate that their relationship was beneficial to both nations.
“Our vision and objectives for the health sector have been expressed in many documents and on many other platforms.”
The Universal Health Access through the National Health Insurance (NHI), he said, was a vision South Africa strives towards, working with the private sector.
“We are committed to this vision and the outcomes we envisage despite the huge setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He noted German’s specific targeted programmes, which are evidence-based and believes that will have an impact.
The focus includes children who are reached through the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme, young people in hard-to-reach areas, community-led social mobilisation campaigns, strong monitoring and evaluation systems and cost-effective approaches.
“Ambassador, we recognise that you give our people a hand to uplift them out of poverty, instead of once-off hand-outs which are not sustainable," said Phaahla.
He acknowledged the German government for its support during the COVID-19 response.
Phaahla expressed his gratitude for German’s forward-thinking approach, which he described as “precise and impactful”.
“We will scale it up as we move forward and apply lessons learned to our programmes.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 01/25/2024 - 14:13
292 views
Amatola Water misses deadline to fix Makhanda’s water woes yet again
Upgrades to water treatment works more than six years behind schedule. New deadline is April 2024.