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Health Ombud releases findings on Zenizole Vena case

Location: News

Health Ombud releases findings on Zenizole Vena case

The Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, on Tuesday released the findings of the investigation into the allegations of a patient denied provision of care at the Motherwell NU 11 Clinic in the Eastern Cape.

Mokoena said his office was requested by the Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla, to investigate potential negligence and suboptimal care at the clinic.   

The complaint alleged that the clinic denied provision of healthcare to Zenizole Vena, a 15-year-old, which resulted in her death.

Vena had gone to the clinic, accompanied by an elderly woman, seeking healthcare after being sexually assaulted.

The investigation established that Vena was turned away by healthcare workers at the clinic and that she later died at the Motherwell Police Station Community Service Centre (MPSCSC) where she had sought assistance.

The allegation that Vena was denied provision of care at Motherwell NU 11 Clinic was substantiated and confirmed based on the information gathered during the investigation, said Mokoena.

It was also established that two nurses did not arrange transport to take both the elderly escort and the victim to MPSCSC or call the police to come to Motherwell NU11 clinic to take over the case.

The investigation further revealed additional findings, such as the failure of the Motherwell Police Station Community Service Centre to assist Vena upon her arrival at the charge office.

At the station, she was told to wait and was attended to her after she waited for one hour and 30 minutes. During this time, she experienced seizures and was foaming at the mouth. She was later found dead on the floor in the charge office.

“The investigation was conducted through analysis and triangulation of information and documentary evidence received from Motherwell NU 11 Clinic, the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health (ECDoH), Nelson Mandela Bay District Health (NMBDH), onsite visits and interviews with relevant personnel,” Mokeona said.

Interviews were conducted with 13 witnesses between 28 February 2023 to 27 March 2023 by the investigation team from the Office of the Health Ombud.

“A further 10 interviews were conducted by the Ombud and the investigation team from 15 to 19 May 2023. This included eight witnesses, who were re-interviewed and they did not contradict themselves. Statements from three witnesses were also received from the Motherwell Police Station.

“It is important to mention that before the Office of the Health Ombud investigation, the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health had conducted an internal investigation in November 2022 and shared their report with the Office of the Health Ombud,” Mokoena said.

He said it was quite disturbing that a basic human instinct to assist a person in distress, particularly a child, does not seem to exist within the South African Police Service (SAPS) at Motherwell Police Station.

“The allegation that Motherwell NU 11 Clinic failed to refer Ms Z Vena to the next level of care was substantiated and confirmed.

“Based on the evidence obtained, it can be concluded that Ms Z Vena was not attended to in a manner that is consistent with the nature and severity of her health condition at Motherwell NU 11 Clinic,” Mokoena said.

The complaint was lodged by the Democratic Alliance’s Shadow Minister of Health, Michéle Clarke, in September 2022 against the Motherwell NU 11 Clinic.

In his remarks, Minister Phaahla said it is totally unacceptable for someone to be denied healthcare.

Recommendations include, among others, that the District Manager of the NMBDH should institute a disciplinary inquiry within one month against various personnel; the District Manager must, within two months, ensure that mentoring is provided to the healthcare workers to ensure that all the nurses are kept abreast of the new developments in the management of sexual assault cases; the District Manager of NMBDH and the Head of Department must, within six months, procure a service provider to install the Service/Notice Board at the Motherwell Clinic that indicates the health care services provided by the clinic and indication of working times at the clinic; the District Manager must within one month ensure the Standard Operating Procedure for the management of sexual assault cases is developed and in-service training is provided to the staff at Motherwell NU 11 Clinic.

The report with findings and recommendations was handed over to Health Minister for further analysis. It can be found on www.healthombud.org.za. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 12/12/2023 - 14:40

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Read moreHealth Ombud releases findings on Zenizole Vena case

PROTEC and partners prepare for expansion over ‘the next 40 years’

Location: MyPR

PROTEC, a national NPO that has been building successful STEM careers in South Africa since 1982, is closing the year with exciting plans and strategies for expanding the geographic reach, the number of teachers and learners to be impacted, and the range of programmes in PROTEC’s portfolio in forthcoming years. Balan Moodley, CEO of PROTEC, …

Read morePROTEC and partners prepare for expansion over ‘the next 40 years’

SA20 Lolly

Location: Sport

SA20 Lolly to take incredible ‘Taste of Summer’ on a countrywide tour Monday 11 December 2023: As temperatures rise, so does...

Read moreSA20 Lolly

SA to celebrate Universal Health Coverage Day

Location: News

SA to celebrate Universal Health Coverage Day

South Africa will on Tuesday, 12 December, join the global community in celecrating the progress made towards health for all. 

According to the Department of Health, government will also observe the day by raising awareness of the necessity for resilient, equitable, and robust healthcare systems to achieve the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Department of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) South Africa and other health sector stakeholders, will host a seminar to reinvigorate pledges to accelerate UHC efforts in South Africa.

The 2023 UHC Day theme is ‘Health for All: Time to Act’. 

“The theme emphasises the need for immediate and tangible steps to accelerate progress towards UHC, ahead of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 deadline.”

The seminar will be attended by 300 delegates from different stakeholders in the health sector and the Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, is expected to deliver a keynote address. 

The event comes after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) adopted the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill on 6 December 2023, a turning point for the country’s journey to achieve equal access to quality and affordable health care for all.

Phaahla will later in the day join the Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, during a media briefing to release findings of the investigation reports emanating from complaints lodged against the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Motherwell NU 11 Clinic. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Mon, 12/11/2023 - 13:30

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Read moreSA to celebrate Universal Health Coverage Day

Weather service warns of heavy rain from Sunday

Location: News

Weather service warns of heavy rain from Sunday

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of widespread heavy rain in the days ahead, which could result in flooding or river flooding that might cause significant disruption in some provinces.

Initially the weather this weekend will be relatively settled, with just a small chance of thunderstorms over some of the eastern provinces on Friday and Saturday.

“Incidentally, neither the Western Cape nor the Eastern Cape will be directly affected by this weather system. On Sunday, 10 December, weather conditions will begin to deteriorate significantly, as the cut-off low manifests itself over the northern parts of the Northern Cape, introducing marked instability into the atmosphere, to drive widespread showers and thundershowers.

“As tropical air begins to stream southward over Botswana and South Africa, conditions will become progressively cloudy to overcast. During the course of the day, rain will set in over numerous provinces, including North West, the Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and to a lesser extent, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN),” SAWS said.

Heavy rainfall is likely to occur in many parts of the above-mentioned provinces, elevating the risk of flooding as well as river flooding.

The public has been urged to monitor, and to take heed of, regular weather updates and warnings issued by the weather service.

“Moreover, as the rain produced by this system is expected to continue unabated into Monday, 11 December, the ground is likely to become saturated, leading to widespread overland runoff into streams and rivers.

“Whilst this phenomenon will ultimately lead to increased dam levels, the risk of river flooding (and associated road closures and general traffic disruption) will remain particularly high. Disaster management practitioners are also advised to maintain a high level of vigilance during this period, should river flooding continue to pose a safety and health risk to the public at large,” SAWS said.

Motorists and pedestrians are urged not to try to cross rivers or streams, which are already flooded, under any circumstances.

“The cause of the widespread rainy weather will be the combination of three distinct circulation features in the atmosphere over southern Africa. Firstly, a cut-off low is expected to develop, in the upper air of the atmosphere, over the central interior during the latter half of the weekend.

“Secondly, a surface trough is expected to begin intensifying, in sympathy with the deepening upper-air cut-off low. The combination of these two features is well known to have the potential to drive episodes of widespread, often heavy, rain over southern Africa.

“Importantly, in this particular case, there is a third significant factor which is expected to elevate the risk of heavy rainfall from this system. This factor is the expected introduction of a stream of tropically sourced moisture, drawn southwards over the central and eastern interior of South Africa, under the influence of the circulation associated with the surface trough and upper-air system respectively,” SAWS said.

Tropically sourced air is well known to be associated with rainfall of a potentially heavy, widespread nature.

“Currently, numeric weather prediction models suggest that the rainfall in association with this system will start clearing from the west, during the course of Tuesday, 12 December, although areas of heavier rainfall may still linger over KZN, eSwatini and the lowveld regions of Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

“A surface high pressure system is likely to sustain light rainfall over aforementioned provinces on Wednesday, 13 December, as cooler, moist maritime air is introduced to the eastern coastal regions. However, the upper air cut-off low will have moved off the country completely by this time,” SAWS said.

The South African Weather Service will continue to monitor this weather system and issue subsequent updates and impact-based warnings over the next few days.

The public has been advised to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio, as well as all social media platforms.

Updated information will regularly be available at www.weathersa.co.za as well as on X at @SAWeatherServic and Facebook @SouthAfricanWeatherservice. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Fri, 12/08/2023 - 12:18

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Gender-based violence statistics highlight failures of plans to address the scourge

Location: MyPR

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 …

Read moreGender-based violence statistics highlight failures of plans to address the scourge

Fusion Centre’s efforts pay off

Location: News

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:

  • 556 cases and incidents of fraud, maladministration, tax evasion and corruption involving 168 accused persons were investigated;
  • 51 natural persons and 43 entities were convicted for various crimes, including corruption, fraud, tax evasion, money laundering and others; and
  • 48 cases are still in court.

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:

  • The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) obtained 25 orders worth R274 million;
  • The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) obtained 42 orders worth over R331 million;
  • The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) obtained 29 orders amounting to R465 million and
  • South African Revenue Service (SARS) obtained 22 freezing orders worth over R740 million.

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

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Read moreFusion Centre’s efforts pay off

Government departments urged to pay suppliers on time

Location: News

Government departments urged to pay suppliers on time

Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya says out of 40 national government departments, only 15 have fully complied with the policy on timeous payment of service providers.

Gxoyiya on Tuesday addressed media in Pretoria on the PSC’s Quarterly Bulletin titled: ‘The Pulse of the Public Service’.

According to the PSC, the number of invoices paid after 30 days by the national and provincial departments amounts to 117 158, with the rand value of R11.1 billion.  This represents a regression of 12% when compared with the number of invoices paid after 30 days by national and provincial departments during the first quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, which amounted to 104 937 invoices, with the rand value of R8.6 billion.

Gxoyiya encouraged the departments that are compliant to maintain their performance and continue to pay all legitimate invoices from suppliers within 30 days, as required by the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and its related prescripts.

“The rand value of invoices paid after 30 days in the first quarter of the 2023/24 financial year amounted to R1.2 billion, and this indicates a regression of 126% when compared to the rand value of invoices paid after 30 days in the first quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, which amounted to R530 million,” said Gxoyiya.

The most common reasons provided by both the national and provincial departments for the late or non-payment of invoices are interruptions caused by poor internal controls, internal capacity, and budget constraints.

“North West provincial departments reported the second highest invoices paid after 30 days, amounting to 12 988 invoices, with the rand value of R880 million during the same period.

“In contrast, Eastern Cape provincial departments reported the highest number of invoices older than 30 days amounting to 25 789, with the rand value of R2.3 billion at the end of June 2023,” Gxoyiya said.

According to the PSC, the main contributing departments towards late or non-payment of invoices at national level are the Departments of Home Affairs; Correctional Services; Defence; Military Veterans; South African Police Service; Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Transport; Water and Sanitation; Public Works and Infrastructure; Health, and Tourism.

Gxoyiya advocated for transparency in dealing with public finances.

“Transparency is subtly intertwined with accountability... Transparency is pivotal to democracy and accountability, as well as upholding the principles of responsiveness and efficiency.

“In many ways, democracy is government by explanation because in an open and democratic society, government should be accountable for its actions and decisions, which should be informed by rational considerations that are explicable to those affected by them,” Gxoyiya said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 12/05/2023 - 13:34

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Read moreGovernment departments urged to pay suppliers on time

Class of 2023 urged to celebrate responsibly

Location: News

Class of 2023 urged to celebrate responsibly

As the Class of 2023 nudges closer to finishing their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has urged learners to stay safe and act responsibly in their celebratory moments. 

The Minister said this when she briefed the media on Sunday in Pretoria.

This week marks the final week of exams with only six NSC papers left to write.

“Now that the Class of 2023 is about to finish writing, we urge them to be safe. This may mark the end of the 12 years that you spent in the basic education sector; however, it is certainly not the end. Many of you are gathering in various places to celebrate the end of exams. As you do so, I urge you to act responsibly,” the Minister said. 

Motshekga said the department noted with great concern that learners were hosting and attending “pens down” parties.  

“What is clear is that as much as this time is cause for celebrating, hundreds of our youth are overindulging in alcohol, binge drinking, and even finding themselves in trouble with the law.  

“You may have turned 18 years of age and therefore reached the legal age to consume alcohol but you must understand that adulthood comes with lifelong responsibilities,” she said. 

The Minister said the Gauteng Liquor Board has highlighted the dangers of overindulgence in drinking alcohol. This is in addition to the call to retailers to refrain from selling alcohol to underage children.

She said the department hopes to see more of these efforts across the country.

“May we always remember the tragedy of Enyobeni Tavern in the Eastern Cape, and many other such events, where the lives of young people were cut short, in incidents that could have easily been avoided.

“We urge parents, to know where your children are, with whom they are, and what they are doing. We need them back in 2024, as they continue with their education journey,” she said. 

Rewrites

There will be rewriting opportunities for candidates who experienced technical challenges during the writing of Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 in five provincial education departments and Information Technology Paper 1 in one provincial education department and those who could not complete due to load shedding. 

This also includes Tourism Practical Assessment Task (PAT): 19 candidates in the Northern Cape and 32 candidates in the North West.

The Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 and Information Technology Paper 1 will be written in the morning of 6 December 2023.

Tourism Practical Assessment Task (PAT) Paper 1 will be written in the afternoon on 6 December 2023

Tourism Practical Assessment Task (PAT) Paper 2 will be written in the morning of 7 December 2023.

The Minister announced the matric results announcement will take place on 18 January and the provincial release will take place on 19 January.

The department, she said, is confident that the all-important marking process, capture of results, standardisation, resulting and release of results will proceed according to plan. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Mon, 12/04/2023 - 13:43

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Read moreClass of 2023 urged to celebrate responsibly

Our position to tackle climate action must leave no one behind – President 

Location: News

Our plan to tackle climate action must leave no one behind – President 

As the country grapples with an energy crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa has used the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, known as COP28, to emphasise that the nation's transition towards equitable energy will align closely with South Africa’s developmental objectives.

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, the President said in pursuing a measured, realistic and sustainable transition towards a low-carbon economy and society, the foremost priority is to secure the future of all South Africans and that no one is left behind. 

“As a country in the midst of an energy crisis, we were clear at COP28 that the pace of our just energy transition will be guided by our developmental priorities. Our JET Implementation Plan makes it clear that we can take effective action against climate change while pursuing energy security for all our people.

“Even as we confront several challenges, we are clear about the path we must take to tackle climate change and protect our country from its effects,” the President said.

The President attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference where important decisions taken so far will affect the future of the planet.

He said the discussions at COP28 have significant implications for South Africa and its people.

The President added that the impact of climate change is a measurable reality in South Africa, with poor, rural communities in particular bearing the brunt.

The overriding message the country took to COP28 is that climate commitments will be implemented in a manner that both addresses the current energy crisis and strengthens efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment. 

The country’s JET Implementation Plan focuses on expanding investment in transmission networks, investment in new energy vehicles and harnessing the potential of the green hydrogen economy. 
 
“Decarbonising our energy sector has become even more urgent in the face of carbon border taxes and other measures being taken by developed economies in the name of fighting climate change.

“These measures are going to hurt many countries with developing economies, making their exports less competitive and making them bear the economic burden of climate action. It is for these reasons that the South African delegation to COP28 spoke out against these unilateral actions,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the country already has sustainable, measurable and science-driven programmes in place to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. These include a successful renewable energy procurement programme, biodiversity and conservation management, air quality management, as well as successful natural resource management programmes such as Working on Fire, Working for the Coast and Working for Water. 

“But if we are to implement these and the other actions outlined in the JET Investment Plan we – like all other developing economies – will require massive financial support from those countries whose development has been the primary cause of climate change.

“The countries that have contributed most to global warming must support those countries that now bear the brunt of its effects,” the President said.

South Africa expressed its concern that developed economies are still not meeting their obligations to support developing countries with the finance, technology and capacity building needed for effective climate actions. 

He said the funding that has been channelled through entities like the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund has been negligible. 

“The operationalisation at COP28 of a fund to help vulnerable countries with loss and damage caused by climate change is a step in the right direction, but it will need substantial funding if it is to fulfil its purpose.

“For the transition to lower carbon economies to be just, affected communities cannot live on promises. Workers and communities currently dependent on coal and other fossil fuel industries need viable alternative livelihoods,” the President said. 

The plan, which he announced at COP27 last year, outlines the path towards reducing the carbon emissions of the energy sector, which is the largest contributor towards South Africa’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

The plan focuses on investment in electricity infrastructure, new energy vehicles, green hydrogen, skills development and municipal electricity distribution.

“It emphasises that this transition must be underpinned by engagement and in partnership with workers, communities, business and civil society. Importantly, the plan also includes interventions to support affected communities, notably in Mpumalanga, where most of our country’s coal-fired power stations are located,” he said.

While in Dubai, the President visited the South Africa pavilion where he was shown a striking artwork called the Umlibo tapestry which was made by a group of rural women from Hamburg in the Eastern Cape. - SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Mon, 12/04/2023 - 10:22

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Read moreOur position to tackle climate action must leave no one behind – President 

Interfaith leaders urged to succor address societal difficulties

Location: News

Interfaith leaders urged to help address societal difficulties

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has encouraged the church to help government to tackle societal challenges.

“We strongly encourage the church, in its capacity as a moral and social leader, to engage in a collaborative effort with us to effectively tackle any societal difficulties. The government relies on you as the religious sector to point out mistakes in a constructive manner and recommend solutions,” the Deputy President said on Sunday.

The second in command was addressing the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ (TACC) International Thanksgiving Day celebrations held at the Absa Stadium in East London, in the Eastern Cape.

“There is an open-door policy in my office, so you can come in whenever you want to talk about the problems you are having and how to fix them,” he said adding that despite the challenges South Africa faces, the country has much to be grateful for.

He included gender-based violence as some of the challenges facing South Africa.

“We need you to be part of our initiatives to fight gender-based violence in our society and promote equality. We need you to be the voice of women and children who are abused. We need you to be the refuge and defender of women's and children’s rights.

“We must speak against sexual violence and rape of young children and women. We must not be silent when we witness acts of abuse or rape against women and children by our brethren or family members.”

He also reflected on the role played by the church in the fight against apartheid.

“We have achieved democratic freedom, which entails the freedom to practice any religion without fear of persecution among others. Collectively, we can agree that South Africa is a better place than it was three decades ago.

“Despite the significant progress our great nation has undeniably made over the years, it is of utmost importance to conscientiously acknowledge that we have not yet fully attained our desired goal, including complete economic freedom for our people.”

He said that government together with the church, wants to establish an atmosphere favourable for growth and development.

“It is widely acknowledged that social cohesion is a fundamental element of each society, necessitating the active participation of every member in the joint goal of establishing a cohesive community.

“We must steadfastly persevere in our collective efforts to promote a spirit of inclusivity amongst all individuals, regardless of the diverse tapestry of our racial, religious, or cultural origins, for in the divine gaze of the Almighty, we are all the same.”

Mashatile said without the cooperation of interfaith leaders, “I will not be able to successfully carry out my assigned role of promoting social cohesion”.

“As a government, we need interfaith and traditional leaders to strengthen relationships and the sense of solidarity among community members,” he said. -SAnews.gov.za  

Neo
Sun, 12/03/2023 - 14:14

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Read moreInterfaith leaders urged to succor address societal difficulties

Kubayi orders improved services in Nelson Mandela Bay informal settlements

Location: News

Kubayi orders improved services in Nelson Mandela Bay informal settlements

Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has given the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan a directive to provide informal settlement dwellers with adequate human rights services, including water and sanitation -- in compliance with norms and standards -- within seven days.

Kubayi gave the directive during an outreach programme, which saw the handing over of keys to newly built government-subsidised homes and title deeds to beneficiaries in Motherwell in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape.

The visit on Wednesday formed part of the coordinated effort amongst the three spheres of government to effect province-wide interventions to accelerate the delivery of sustainable human settlements.

Kubayi said the three spheres of government and relevant agencies should present tangible responses to improve living conditions of various communities by the end of January 2024.

Responding to various concerns raised by the community during an imbizo, Kubayi said the three spheres of government must find solutions to the inhumane conditions under which people live. 

“We cannot have instances where people live in Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) with inadequate ablution facilities. We can’t sit and watch injustice happen… we must intervene urgently,” the Minister said.

She noted some progress in the in-situ upgrading project in the metro, and acknowledged that more work needs to be done. 

This includes proper verification processes, as “some people who demand housing in the projects may not necessarily qualify for fully subsidised government housing”.

“There cannot be repeat benefits, as the system automatically disqualifies anyone who owned a property before,” Kubayi reminded the applicants.

She said the Eastern Cape province has about 53 000 houses that require rectification. 

“These are homes that predate democracy and also from the early days before the set norms and standards by the National Home Builders' Registration Council (NHBRC). Due to limited financial constraints, the rectification programme will be undertaken in a phased manner,” Kubayi explained.

Warning against sale of government-subsidised houses 

The Minister reiterated the warning to beneficiaries not to sell government-subsidised houses.

“The current Human Settlements policy is very clear on who should benefit from subsidised housing, and it does not include foreign nationals. It takes R350 000 to build each house and you sell them for R15 000, and three months down the line you come back demanding housing from the government,” the Minister said. 

The Minister also announced that she and Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete will conduct a verification programme, called Operation Ziveze, aimed at ascertaining that government-subsidised homes are occupied by their rightful owners.

Echoing the Minister’s sentiments, Tshwete warned residents about giving away their title deeds to loan sharks in exchange for quick, unsecured loans.

“I urge you to take care of your title deeds we are giving you today. This is not just proof of ownership, but also an asset for your children.”

The imbizo was part of a series of outreach programmes the Minister and Deputy Minister are embarking on to unlock challenges within the Human Settlements value chain.

Limpopo houses handover 

Meanwhile, Kubayi and Tshwete will on Thursday hand over government-subsidised houses to the qualifying beneficiaries in Bela Bela Ext 25 in the Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo.

The project is one of the informal settlements upgrading projects aimed at restoring the dignity of people living in informal settlements. 

Bela Bela Extension 25 is expected to deliver over 1 000 housing units on completion. 

The housing handover will precede the last meeting for this calendar year between the Ministry and MECs of Human Settlements (MINMEC) to reflect on the performance of the sector since the beginning of the 2023/24 financial year.

Discussions will include the release of land parcels for human settlement development, an update on government’s efforts to upgrade informal settlements across the country and the delivery of housing units, and progress on the title deeds campaign. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Thu, 11/23/2023 - 10:15

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Read moreKubayi orders improved services in Nelson Mandela Bay informal settlements