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Cabinet commends efforts to fight crime

Location: News

Cabinet commends efforts to fight crime

Cabinet has commended the signing of the Cooperation Agreement to Combat Crime in the Western Cape.

The agreement enhances collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders to address safety and security concerns.

Signed last Friday, the agreement paves the way for sharing technology and resources, information, and best practice to improve the state of public policing.

“Through community-driven initiatives, the integration of resources and the development of innovative strategies, the agreement allows for a united front between the South African Police Service (SAPS), the province and communities to combat crime and promote public safety,”acting Minister in The Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa said during a post Cabinet media briefing.

Ramokgopa reiterated government’s warning against crime, fraud and corruption.

“Government has zero-tolerance for crime, fraud and corruption; and will hold those who violate the laws of the country accountable. Cabinet remains determined to ensure that South Africa is a society where all people feel safe; and the recent arrests and conviction of suspects involved in various serious crimes demonstrates the commitment to push back against crime,” Ramokgopa said at the briefing held in Cape Town on Thursday.

READ | Criminals will face full might of the law - President Ramaphosa

Quarterly crime statistics 

Cabinet also noted the increase in contact crimes in the latest quarterly crime statistics for the first quarter from April to June 2024, which indicated that more still needs to be done to ensure every citizen feels safe.

Ramokgopa said the SAPS, led by the Ministry of Police, is actively fighting these crimes through recent operations, including a confrontation with suspects in Milnerton, Cape Town, resulting in fatalities and arrests and operations in the Eastern Cape focusing on Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Bay. Arrests related to extortion activities have also been made in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Free State. 

“Government is implementing a whole government approach, including signing cooperative agreements with provincial and local governments; rolling out operational plans in Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay, with plans to replicate in all metros; [and] engaging with sister departments to improve collaboration against crime.”

READ | SA's crime figures "tell sobering story"

National Policing Policy
The Minister also announced that the National Policing Policy is set to be completed and adopted by the end of October 2024. It will address issues such as police stations and infrastructure based on norms and standards. 

The policy will serve as an overarching framework for policing and will accommodate the provincial needs and priorities in line with section 206 (1) and (2) of the Constitution. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 09/05/2024 - 12:12

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Collaborative effort uncovers rare meteorite in the Eastern Cape

Location: News

Collaborative effort uncovers rare meteorite in the Eastern Cape

A significant meteorite that fell in the Eastern Cape last month has sparked a collaborative scientific investigation involving several leading universities.

The event, witnessed by residents from different locations, has led to the recovery of a rare meteorite fragment, provisionally named the “Nqweba Meteorite” after the nearby town of its discovery.

On 25 August 2024, residents from Garden Route, the Karoo, and provinces of the Western Cape and Free State observed a bright blue-white and orange streak of light in the sky. 

“The meteorite, after splitting into several smaller fragments, disappeared. Shortly after, witnesses reported hearing loud explosions and sensing vibrations,” a statement by the universities read.

Namely these institutions are: Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Little did they know that nine-year-old Eli-zé du Toit, while sitting on her grandparents’ porch in Nqweba formerly known as Kirkwood, would see a dark rock fall from the sky before landing near a Wild Fig tree in the garden. 

She recalled that the rock – black and shiny on the outside with a light grey, concrete-like interior – was still warm when she picked it up.

The probe into the meteorite has since involved a coordinated effort between scientists from the three institutions.

The researchers have been working around the clock to establish various facts about the meteorite, including the probable origin, size and trajectory, and speed as it entered the Earth’s atmosphere as well as the possible fall area. 

Dr Carla Dodd from Nelson Mandela University, immediately secured the sample collected by the youngster when the news broke, recognising the rarity and importance of such a find.

Meanwhile, Rhodes University’s Dr Deon van Niekerk obtained a permit from the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority to recover all fragments from this meteor for scientific analysis.

According to Wits University’s Professor Roger Gibson, the response time was critical if they were going to collect valuable scientific data and meteorite fragments. 

He believes this was also crucial to explain to the local public that this was a natural event and how the individual parts linked together.

“Events such as these are incredible and are very exciting, both for the public who witness these falls and the scientists who gain invaluable information from studying the bolides and rocks,” said Gibson’s colleague, Dr Leonidas Vonopartis. 

Nqweba Meteorite

The Nqweba Meteorite is believed to be an achondritic meteorite, specifically a rare type within the Howardite-Eucrite-Diogenite (HED) group. 

It weighs less than 90g and has a pre-fragmentation diameter of less than 5cm.

According to scientists, the specimens have a dark black glassy coating with a light grey interior, peppered with dark green and light green grains and clasts. 

“Such meteorites provide valuable insights into the inner workings of other planetary bodies, offering scientists a glimpse into processes like those that formed Earth’s rocks.” 

Collaborative effort

“We are grateful that Eli-zé’s family immediately thought to contact us at Mandela University’s Geosciences Department upon making this rare find, effectively setting off this collaborative effort to study the meteorite and preserve it as part of the Eastern Cape heritage,” Dodd stated. 

Meanwhile, Van Niekerk is of the view that it was fitting for Rhodes University, being in the Eastern Cape, to be involved in science regarding such a historic heritage event that's already touched the lives of so many eyewitnesses in the province. 

The initial scientific focus will involve microscopic and geochemical analysis of the recovered meteorite fragment to fully classify it and understand its origin. 

This investigation could provide insights into the meteorite’s source region in space and possibly identify its parent body. 

“The discovery of the Nqweba Meteorite represents a significant opportunity for South African scientists to study a rare and valuable specimen from space, advancing our understanding of meteorites and their role in the broader context of planetary science.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 09/03/2024 - 13:06

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Operation Shanela nets 13 949 suspects

Location: News

Operation Shanela nets 13 949 suspects

Operation Shanela continues to make its mark in the fight against crime with the police having arrested 13 949 suspects in the past week.

“Through detectives and crime intelligence tracing operations, roadblocks as well as stop and searches, police have taken a bold and decisive approach in protecting the communities that they serve,” said the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a statement on Monday.

The suspects were netted in operations that got underway on Monday, 26 August up until Sunday, 01 September.

This as all Operation Shanela operations are led by the Provincial Commissioner of the respective nine provinces. 
During the week-long operations,  4 233 wanted suspects for crimes such as murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms and business robberies were arrested while 117 suspects were arrested for murder. An additional 118 suspects were arrested for attempted murder.

A total 280 suspects were arrested for rape, with 116 of them arrested in KwaZulu Natal.
Hundred and sixty suspects were nabbed for the illegal possession of firearms while 1463 people were held for assault: grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Meanwhile, 442 suspects were arrested for the illegal dealing in liquor and 145 drug dealers were arrested during this period. Among others, 82 illegal miners were arrested with 52 of these arrests being made in the Free State.

Successes made also include the confiscation of 164 firearms as well as the recovery of 52 hijacked and stolen vehicles.

“Four extortionists were fatally wounded during a confrontation with police in Milnerton, Western Cape. Four others are under police guard in hospital. Five firearms were seized at the scene. Gauteng police arrested a suspect after the discovery of a cloned police vehicle believed to have been used in a spate of truck hijackings and courier vehicle robberies in the Gauteng province.

“Police will continue with their operations in stamping the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all people living in South Africa,” said the SAPS. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 09/03/2024 - 10:01

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The sky’s not the limit for SAPS pilot

Location: News

The sky's not the limit for SAPS pilot

Meet Lieutenant Colonel Kgothatso Khunou, the first African female chief helicopter pilot attached to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Airwing in the Free State, and one of 17 female pilots nationwide.

Khunou is certainly living up to her first name, Kgothatso, which means ‘courage,’ loosely translated from Setswana. 

During the month of August, SAPS continues to celebrate its women in blue by celebrating those who are not only game changers in their respective fields, but who also break barriers in male dominated environments.

Khunou hails from Rustenburg and she fondly describes her humble upbringing as a "village girl". Her career in aviation found her and not the other way around, she insists. As a teenager, Khunou kindled a dream of following a career in science. 

In 2010, the Royal Bafokeng Administration offered Khunou a scholarship to obtain a commercial pilot licence, just shortly after she obtained a National Diploma in Biotechnology. Having a fear of flying, Khunou courageously jumped at the opportunity to overcome this fear. 

This ultimately led her to join the SAPS in 2014 as a junior pilot at the rank of warrant officer. 

As a helicopter pilot, Khunou’s duties include operational flights by providing aerial support as requested from ground units, stock theft and stolen vehicle searches as well as assisting with search and rescue operations. 

Khunou is currently deployed to Operation Vala Umgodi which continues to register commendable progress in dealing decisively with those involved in illicit mining activities across the country. 

She played a pivotal role in a recent women-led Vala Umgodi operation in celebration of Women’s Month. 

On 1 August 2024, the team arrested 178 illicit miners and recovered over 400 pendukas and various other illicit mining equipment during that particular operation in Benoni.

"When you set goals, always tell yourself that the sky is not even the limit. I was once afraid of flying, but now I serve my country fearlessly as an SAPS helicopter pilot," said Khunou.

With a bird’s eye view, Lieutenant Colonel Khunou continues to serve the people of South Africa with dignity, honour and pride. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 08/27/2024 - 09:20

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Suspect arrested for kidnapping and robbery

Location: News

Suspect arrested for kidnapping and robbery

A 49-year-old woman is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Tuesday in connection to a case of robbery and kidnapping.

A task team led by Captain David Ramasoala and Captain Kelaotswe Lebodi found the wanted suspect, Mamokete Jeminah Koloti, at her hiding place in Lourierpark, near Bloemfontein, during the early hours of Sunday.

A warrant of arrest had been issued for Koloti, who was on the run after a case of kidnapping and robbery was opened at Kagisanong police station in the Free State.

According to the report made to the police, the suspect and other male accomplices arrived at the 50-year-old victim's residence in Chief Moroka Crescent on Thursday, 20 June 2024, where they kidnapped him and robbed him of his belongings. 

They then took him to an unknown location in Bloemspruit Phase 6, where they extorted money from his accounts.

The District Commissioner of Mangaung Metro, Major-General Arthur Peter Adams, advised the public not to publicise their financial gains such as pension payout, Road Accident Fund claims or lottery wins, as it renders them vulnerable criminal targets. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 10:16

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Interventions to make housing affordable

Location: News

Interventions to make housing affordable

Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says the department is forging ahead to implement several interventions to redress the unaffordability of houses for the missing middle.

Announcing government plans and developments in the human settlements sector at a media briefing held in Pretoria on Monday, Kubayi said the department has recognised that the gap market or missing middle continues to face challenges in accessing adequate affordable housing.

“These are the households earning between R3 501 and R22 000 per month, who neither qualify for mortgage finance nor fully subsidised houses,” Kubayi said.

WATCH | Minister Kubayi briefs media 

Kubayi said the interventions include First Home Finance, social housing and the Rapid Land Release Programme to encourage people to build for themselves.

Government will also develop a policy to encourage employers to provide housing to their employees and housing access for government employees through the Government Employees Housing Scheme. Government will also strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to collaboratively deliver housing solutions.

Progress 

The Minister highlighted that since April 2023, First Home Finance (FHF) has been providing grants for non-mortgage products, and the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) has seen a significant increase in applications from individuals who want government assistance to buy their first properties through FHF.

“Since April 2024, the NHFC has approved about 1 151 of the non-mortgage subsidies at a value close to R160 million. The majority of these are from KwaZulu-Natal (283), Gauteng (160) and Limpopo (263),” Kubayi said.

Kubayi added that the NHFC action plan has identified potential partners who can partner with the corporation as subsidy origination and distribution channels to support the non-mortgage housing programme. This has also been warmly welcomed by traditional authorities, mainly in the Free State, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal.
She said the department will soon launch its first rural First Home Finance housing project at Inanda, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Partnerships

“Over the next five years, the NHFC will also intensify its working relationships with traditional leaders to increase the delivery of affordable housing in rural areas. Another category of partners in the action plan is of building merchants and employers keen on assisting their employees to access adequate housing.

“The recently unveiled strategic partnership between the NHFC with Cashbuild and Capitec for the Zakhelikhaya initiative is a great step towards strengthening partnerships with this category. Cashbuild formulated this programme so that its staff and clients could build their own homes using the First Home Finance grant and a purpose loan from Capitec,” Kubayi highlighted.

By partnering with NHFC, the minister said the programme has been widened to include the broader Cashbuild clientele that qualifies for the subsidy.

She explained that the NHFC and Cashbuild will collaborate in assisting Zakhelikhaya customers to apply for and access First Home Finance subsidies.

“Capitec has partnered with Cashbuild to provide purpose loans to the Zakhelikhaya Project, meaning that the grant will get to its intended beneficiaries a lot quicker than has been the case with just the mortgage products.
“The partnership will also facilitate payment of subsidies to assist Zakhelikhaya clients to buy material and be assisted to build their homes.”

Transfer of old government property

The Minister and Members of the Executive Council (MINMEC) responsible for Human Settlements took a decision earlier this year, to have the old government housing stock to be given back to municipalities or to the people who have been staying there for a long time, by 31 March 2025.

Kubayi said people who have been occupying these houses for more than 20 years will be given the preference to take ownership.

She said all provinces have commenced their work to ensure that they meet the deadline of 31 March 2025.

“All provinces have met municipalities to agree on the transfer of properties to beneficiaries and devolution of vacant land to municipalities. Provinces will continue to engage individual beneficiaries to conclude transfer processes, and we will be monitoring the progress,” Kubayi said.

Once completed,  the transfer will economically empower beneficiaries who mostly fall within the gap market. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 15:02

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Medico-legal claims a feeding trough for unscrupulous legal practitioners

Location: News

Medico-legal claims a feeding trough for unscrupulous legal practitioners

Unscrupulous and greedy lawyers and advocates have attempted to swindle billions of rands from the State and embezzled monies from their ill clients through fraudulent and irregular medico-legal claims.

This was revealed by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi during a media briefing held on Saturday.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been, through a proclamation, investigating medico-legal claims against the State since 2017, in which allegations of fraudulent claims have been uncovered.

“So far, in the matters completed by the SIU, the sum of [at least] R3 billion has been saved for various Departments of Health. We believe that this amount will increase as the investigations are still ongoing,” Motsoaledi said.

The damning and ongoing investigation by the SIU has revealed that some legal practitioners have been targeting provincial Departments of Health – at times with the help of health practitioners working for the State.

“[The] Department of Health noticed several claims which were completely out of sync and made no sense at all. There were claims that were evidently fraudulent.

“Just as an example, a claim was submitted in which the claimant demanded R70 million for a supposedly botched circumcision by a doctor in a hospital in Limpopo province. On investigation of this claim, it was found out that no such circumcision was ever performed,” Motsoaledi said.

The Minister explained that during the investigation, it was revealed that during 2015, the number of medico-legal claims grew exponentially.

“This explosion happens to have coincided with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) strengthening its systems. It is common cause that RAF had been hollowed out by a multiplicity of claims that brought it to its knees.

“In the aftermath, legal practitioners who used to litigate against RAF seem to have migrated en masse to the health care sector. In response, the Department of Health convened a medico-legal claim summit in 2015,” Motsoaledi said.

In the main, claims against Health institutions were “targeting cerebral palsy, a condition in which babies develop some form of brain damage due to depravation of oxygen during the process of birth”, the Minister said.

Grandparents taking care of children left behind by their parents were also targeted.

“While it is recognised that cerebral palsy is a very debilitating and unfortunate occurrence to come from the health care system, it is a matter of very serious concern that it is abused by legal practitioners, due to sheer greed. The level of abuse was such that the SIU found that some of the claims were made on behalf of patients without their knowledge.

“Elderly people, who are taking care of their grandchildren in the absence of their mothers, were tricked into signing the Power of Attorney to sue, whereas they were told that they were signing SASSA forms for child support grants. This simply means that legal practitioners or their scouts were masquerading as social workers,” the Minister said.

Eating at the trough 

The provincial breakdown of medico-legal claims investigations finalised by the SIU is as follows:

  • Eastern Cape: 89 matters to the value of R1.2 billion (unfinalised matters: 108 matters to the value of R2.6 billion)

  • Free State: 30 matters to the value of R280 million (unfinalised: 22 matters to the value of R120 million)

  • Gauteng: 58 matters valued at R66 015 234 (unfinalised: 2 392 matters valued at R23 783 535 552)

  • KwaZulu Natal: 107 matters valued at R2 416 284 800 (unfinalised: 1 420 matters valued at R18 020 272 612.60)

  • Mpumalanga: 902 medico-legal claims unfinalised investigations valued at R10 115 964 997.77

  • Limpopo: 63 medico-legal claims valued at R139 753 944.09 (unfinalised: 698 medico-legal claims valued at R2 732 710 053)

  • Northern Cape: one medico-legal claim finalised valued at R23 250 000 (unfinalised: 19 medico-legal claims valued at R535 305 250)

  • North West: 12 medico-legal claims to the value of R32 million (unfinalised: 20 medico-legal claims to the value of R190 million)

  • Western Cape: Preliminary assessment of raw data/databases of claims provided by the Office of the State Attorney is still underway.

Lawyers and advocates who have been found to have been submitting fraudulent claims have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for criminal prosecution and to the Legal Practice Council for violation of the Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners and the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund (LPFF) to consider reimbursing claimants whose funds were embezzled by their legal representatives.

“We wish to take this opportunity to make an offer to lawyers, who might have knowingly submitted claims that are fraudulent, to withdraw them within two weeks and there will be no consequences. Failure to withdraw within two weeks would mean that the offer will have lapsed and the SIU will strike,” Motsoaledi warned. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Sat, 08/24/2024 - 11:55

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Witnessing the value of democracy

Location: News

Witnessing the value of democracy

By Khanyisile Rasmeni and Sinovuyo Mfiki

Tshibiso Morao of Makwane village in Qwa Qwa, Free State, has seen the positive impact of democracy in his community.

“We observed changes resulting in our children attending school for free.  The children of our community are also provided with breakfast and lunch at school daily," he said.

He added that after three decades of democracy,  there was improvement in the delivery of low cost housing, benefiting those who struggled to access dignified housing.

Moroa spoke recently to the Vuk’uzenzele team which was aboard the Democracy Bus.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency, recently launched the Democracy Bus, which travels around the country to drum up citizen participation in celebration of the country's 30 years of democracy.

In the Free State, the Democracy Bus visited Namahadi and Makwane villages and brought government services closer to people.

For Ephraim Mojsoane, who was 14 years old in 1994, democracy means being able to have basic human rights.

“Democracy has greatly benefited South Africa, we now have human rights and the Bill of Rights,” he said.

Mojsoane testified that during the 30 years of freedom and democracy, there has been progress in workplaces, business and the economy.

He added that the government still needed to work hard to better the lives of South Africans.

Magauta Mohobeleli, originally from Bloemfontein, but currently residing in Kgotsong,  said she currently has land thanks to the principles of democracy. 

“Democracy has brought numerous positive changes, we can easily access all government services. Our children have access to scholarships, and efforts are being made to combat gender-based violence,” she said.

Sibongile Makubo from Namahadi village, expressed gratitude for the positive effects of democracy over the past 30 years. 

“Democracy has led to significant changes such as improved access to government services  without the need for transportation, and the provision of housing and land,” she concluded. 

The Democracy Bus travels to different parts of South Africa and promotes dialogues with communities. The initiative is part of the country's milestones of the 30 years of democracy.

*This article first appeared in Vuk’uzenzele

 

Janine
Wed, 08/21/2024 - 13:21

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More than 100 attempts over three decades to finally reach Championship Boerewors Top 10

Location: MyPR

More than 100 attempts over three decades to finally reach Championship Boerewors Top 10 Whilst some were lucky enough to make it on first try, many of the Shoprite and Checkers 2024 Championship Boerewors competition finalists have been refining their recipes for decades, submitting a combined 100+ entries before finally landing their spots in the …

Read moreMore than 100 attempts over three decades to finally reach Championship Boerewors Top 10

#WomensMonth: SAPS honours outstanding veterinary nurse

Location: News

#WomensMonth: SAPS honours outstanding veterinary nurse

This year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is observing Women's Month by highlighting the work of its women in blue, who are not only game changers in their respective fields, but who also go beyond the call of duty to serve and protect South Africans and visitors.

Today, the SAPS introduces the nation to Captain Mariaan Nel, a qualified veterinary nurse attached to the SAPS Veterinary Services in Bloemfontein, Free State. 

The Veterinary Services is a specialised unit that resides within the component, Visible Policing and Operations.

Nel joined the service 13 years ago as a veterinary nurse at the rank of captain shortly after she obtained a National Diploma in Veterinary Nursing from the University of Pretoria. She also holds a degree in Accounting.

She is one of five female veterinary nurses in the Service and currently the only nurse based in the Free State province as part of a pilot project. In total, there are eight veterinary nurses nationwide in the SAPS.

As a veterinary nurse in the SAPS, Nel's duties include the following:

* Execute primary health care support to SAPS animals;

* Monitor the primary health status of SAPS animals and report epidemiological phenomena;

* Conduct veterinary inspections at SAPS K9 and Mounted Units; and

* Present veterinary and animal handling courses to SAPS members

Being based in Bloemfontein, Nel travels vast distances to ensure the welfare of 37 dogs and nine horses attached to the various K9 and Mounted Units within the Free State.

Police dogs and horses not only enhance police visibility but they are also deployed during crime prevention operations. They assist with investigations on crime scenes, trace suspects, detect narcotics and assist with search and rescue operations.

Nel says her profession may not place her at the forefront of fighting crime, but it gives her satisfaction to ensure the SAPS’s four-legged crime fighting heroes stay in tip top shape.

"I am passionate about the well-being of animals, in particular SAPS animals. I encourage girls and young women to pursue a career in the police, as it is rewarding to know your services make a valuable contribution towards a safer country for all," said Nel.

A dog may be a man’s best friend, but Captain Nel is certainly any SAPS dog and horse’s best friend. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 08/20/2024 - 11:53

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Government, private sector partnerships offer hope for jobs

Location: News

Government, private sector partnerships offer hope for jobs

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has expressed optimism that the strengthened partnership between government and business will significantly boost economic growth and pave the way for increased job creation.

In a statement on Thursday, Meth acknowledged the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) report for the second quarter of 2024 that was released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) earlier this week. 

She noted that while the official unemployment rate has increased from 32,9% in quarter one to 33,5% in quarter two, the number of employed persons in quarter two:2020 during the COVID inception was 14,1 million and 16.7 million in the second quarter of 2024, showing an increase in the labour force.

Additionally, the Minister said a decrease in the unemployment rate recorded in Limpopo, Free State and the Eastern Cape is encouraging and commendable under the circumstances. 

“Whilst government has continued to put in place interventions like addressing load shedding, resolving transport and logistics challenges, the economy is not growing as expected. Some of the key contributions to this sluggish economic growth are that South Africa is not insulated from the global economic pressures and geo-politics. 

“Henceforth, the scale at which the partnership between government and business is to be elevated, there is much hope that we will see a turn on economic growth yielding to job creation,” Meth said. 

Meth considers her department as central in intensifying the coordination of contributions that are to yield the results needed to address and arrest the stubborn nature of unemployment. 

As such, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is contributing to the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative which will conclude the next intake of the one million young people as school assistants in over 23 000 schools across South Africa.

In the 2023/2024 financial year, the department has played a crucial role in job preservation saving 14 887 jobs as part of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) dispute resolution mechanisms. 
Furthermore, through another of the department’s entity, Productivity South Africa’s business turnaround and recovery programme, 71 enterprises were assisted resulting in 5 390 jobs being saved.

As Minister Meth continues with her first 100 days in office, her plan of action to refine and repurpose the strategic thrust of the department in ensuring that the employment mandate is sharpened and delivers tangible results, remains high. 

The Minister was appointed in June.

The department and its entities continue to preserve jobs through the signing of the funding agreement between the UIF and Productivity SA projected to benefit 226 companies with a target to save 11 300 jobs in the next three years.

“Aligned to the three priorities of the 7th administration, my department, in fulfilling its mandate needs a collective approach and refined coordinated efforts that are vigorous to turnaround the status quo, particularly, youth unemployment,” Meth said. – SAnews.gov.za  

 

DikelediM
Fri, 08/16/2024 - 10:19

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Deputy President Encouraged by Progress Achieved in Restoring Better Living Conditions for the People of Jagersfontein Following the 2022 Mine Dam Disaster

Location: News

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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Deputy President Paul Mashatile has today, Wednesday, 14 August 2024, commended the Free State Provincial Government, the Kopanong Local Municipality,  as well as the Jagersfontein Development Project, on progress achieved in coordinating support, to address the challenges faced by communities in Jagersfontein, following the collapse of a tailings dam wall on September 11, 2022, resulting in a mud slide which damaged infrastructure and homes in the area.

Deputy President Mashatile has been delegated the responsibility to provide leadership in the implementation of rapid response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting in service delivery hotspots in the country, by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In pursuit of this critical mandate, the Deputy President undertook a service delivery oversight visit to Jagersfontein, last year in May, as part of efforts towards finding a lasting solution to service delivery challenges in the municipality, with specific focus on the efficient and equitable supply of water, and the resettlement of community members affected by the Jagersfontein Development Project dam disaster.

The visit by Deputy President Mashatile brought together various role players such, as government, private sector as well as civil society representatives, to deliberate on various mechanisms aimed at improving the functioning of municipality and in particular, on efforts to address the concerns raised by the community of Jagersfontein.  

In this regard, Deputy President Mashatile has expressed his appreciation to all key role players, on progress achieved and also thanked the management of the Jagersfontein Development project in particular, for delivering on their promise to urgently build houses, for the affected community members.      

“The remarkable progress we continue to make, brings us closer towards restoring better living conditions for the people of Jagersfontein. Such progress bears testimony that working together through partnership between government and the private sector, we can create a better life for all our citizens”, said Deputy President Mashatile.

The Deputy President has further emphasised the importance of expediting the process of addressing all other outstanding critical matters of water supply challenges experienced by residents, agricultural support needed, as well as responding to educational needs of youth in the area. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Read moreDeputy President Encouraged by Progress Achieved in Restoring Better Living Conditions for the People of Jagersfontein Following the 2022 Mine Dam Disaster

Mashatile encouraged by progress made in Jagersfontein 

Location: News

Mashatile encouraged by progress made in Jagersfontein 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has praised the Free State provincial government, the Kopanong Local Municipality, and the Jagersfontein Development Project for progress achieved in coordinating support to address the challenges communities face in Jagersfontein.

This follows the collapse of a tailings dam wall in 2022, resulting in a mudslide which damaged infrastructure and homes in the area.

The responsibility to provide leadership in implementing rapid response interventions on service delivery and troubleshooting in service delivery hotspots has been delegated to the Deputy President by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The Deputy President undertook a service delivery oversight visit to Jagersfontein, last year in May, as part of efforts towards finding a lasting solution to service delivery challenges in the municipality. 
He focused mainly on the efficient and equitable water supply and the resettlement of community members affected by the Jagersfontein Development Project dam disaster. 

“The visit by Deputy President Mashatile brought together various role players such, as government, private sector as well as civil society representatives, to deliberate on various mechanisms aimed at improving the functioning of municipality and in particular, on efforts to address the concerns raised by the community of Jagersfontein,” said the Presidency in a statement on Wednesday.

The Deputy President has since expressed his appreciation to all key roleplayers, for the progress achieved. 

He also took the time to particularly thank the management of the Jagersfontein Development Project for delivering on their promise to urgently build houses for the affected community members.    

“The remarkable progress we continue to make brings us closer towards restoring better living conditions for the people of Jagersfontein. Such progress bears testimony that working together through partnership between government and the private sector, we can create a better life for all our citizens,” said Deputy President Mashatile.

The country’s second-in-command further emphasised the importance of expediting the process of addressing all other outstanding critical matters of water supply challenges experienced by residents, agricultural support needed, as well as responding to the educational needs of youth in the area. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Wed, 08/14/2024 - 15:29

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Read moreMashatile encouraged by progress made in Jagersfontein 

Miss South Africa redefines what it means to be a queen, Chikunga

Location: News

Miss South Africa redefines what it means to be a queen, Chikunga

Minister in Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has congratulated Mia Le Roux who was recently crowned Miss South Africa 2024.

The 28-year-old Le Roux who was born in Sasolburg, Free State, and raised in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, was crowned Miss South Africa during a glittering ceremony held at the Sun Bet Arena in Menlyn, Pretoria East, on Saturday night.

Le Roux, who is deaf, became the first Miss South Africa and differently abled finalist in the history of the pageant.

READ | Mia Le Roux wins Miss South Africa

Prior to entering the competition, Le Roux worked full-time as a marketing manager for a start-up company. She is also studying a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing part time at Unisa.

In her congratulatory message, Chikunga said Le Roux’s incredible achievement speaks volumes, not just for her beauty and grace, but for her strength, resilience, and determination.

“You have shown the world that true beauty shines from within, and that our differences only make us stronger. You have broken barriers and redefined what it means to be a queen.

“May your reign be filled with joy, pride, and the knowledge that you are a beacon of hope and inspiration to countless others. Wishing you continued success and happiness in all your future endeavours,” Chikunga said.

The Minister also noted that her win will assist to carry the baton of hope and trust among young people.

“We also wish to encourage Le Roux to become an ambassador to address the rights of persons with disabilities, while also assisting with dismantling social, psychological, and structural barriers, which remain major challenges for people with disabilities,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

GabiK
Tue, 08/13/2024 - 13:56

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Read moreMiss South Africa redefines what it means to be a queen, Chikunga