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Special votes: all you need to know

Location: News

Special votes: all you need to know

With the General Elections coming up on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has detailed how the electorate can apply for special votes.

A special vote allows a registered voter, who can't vote at their voting station on Election Day, to apply to vote on a predetermined day before Election Day.

To qualify for a special vote, you must be unable to visit your local voting station on voting day because you are pregnant, infirm or have another disability that prevents you from visiting a voting station on Election Day.

You may also be eligible for a special vote if for other reasons, such as work.

Special votes can either be cast at home (where IEC officials visit you at your residence) or at a voting station.

Special votes and home visits for this year's general elections will take place on 27 and 28 May. The IEC says the closing date to apply for special votes is 3 May.

How to apply

To begin the online application for a special vote, visit the IEC website on https://www.elections.org.za/. Then navigate to the “Voters” tab and under the tab, click on “Apply for a special vote” in the middle column.

You can apply if you:

  • Are a registered voter.
  • Have a valid South African identity document (green, barcoded ID book; smartcard ID or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate).

To check that you're registered and to find out where you're registered, you can:

  • Check your voter registration status.SMS your ID number to 32810, or
  • Call the IEC's contact centre on 012 622 5700.

By law, you can apply for a special vote if you:

  • Can’t travel to your voting station because you are physically infirm, disabled or pregnant, or
  • Can’t vote at your voting station on Election Day.

How to apply for a special vote at your voting station

If you can’t vote at your voting station on Election Day, you can apply to cast a special vote at your voting station on the predetermined date only, as per the election timetable, in one of the following ways:

  • Using the IEC's secured online application form.
  • By SMSing your identity number to 32249 (R1.00 per SMS). (For special vote at a voting station only.)
  • By visiting your local IEC office (not the national or provincial offices) and submitting a MEC 35 form. Forms can only be hand-delivered (no emails or faxes accepted), but someone else can deliver your completed form on your behalf.

Make an appointment at your local IEC office

If you can’t apply for a special vote online, you can do it in person at your local IEC office. If you want to apply for a special vote at your home, you can send a relative or spouse to apply on your behalf.

You first need to make an appointment. You can do that by calling your local IEC office.

After you have made an appointment, you can visit your local IEC office during the operating hours of Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

A the local IEC office, you will need to present the MEC 35 form. You can download the form online or you can request this form at the IEC office.

How to check special vote application status

After you’ve submitted your special vote application, you can review the status of your application online via SMS or by calling the IEC call centre.

Check special vote application status online

Visit the IECs website. On the home page, click the “I want to” Tab and then click “Check the status of special vote application”.

From there, you will be directed to the special vote status check. You will need to select the election you’re applying for and enter your ID number.

You will then be redirected to a page that will display the status of your special vote application.

Check special vote application status via IEC

You can also call the IEC call centre on 0800 11 8000 and follow the prompts to get information about your special vote application status. – SAnews.gov.za

    Edwin
    Wed, 03/06/2024 - 13:51

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    Read moreSpecial votes: all you need to know

    Collaboration between government and business bearing fruit

    Location: News

    Collaboration between government and business bearing fruit

    The partnership between government and business is yielding positive outcomes, such as decreased load shedding, enhanced efficiency in rail and ports, and a decline in security incidents affecting energy and logistics infrastructure.

    This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who convened a meeting with members of Cabinet and senior business leaders on Tuesday on the partnership between government and business to address key challenges in energy, transport and logistics, and crime and corruption.

    The objective of the partnership is to achieve more rapid economic growth and generate a significant increase in sustainable employment by urgently delivering on priority interventions in each of the three focal areas. 

    “We are beginning to see the tangible results of this collaboration in reduced load shedding, improved performance of our rail network and ports, and a reduction in security incidents targeting energy and logistics infrastructure. 

    “We are confident that we are turning the corner on our most urgent challenges, and are absolutely committed to building on this partnership as we work to grow the economy,” President Ramaphosa said in a joint statement between Government and Business. 

    Adrian Gore, co-convenor of the business delegation, said they have achieved real progress over the last nine months, and the partnership is gaining excellent traction. 

    “The private sector has contributed more than R170 million of support directly into this partnership, and has mobilised over 350 technical experts. We need to capitalise on the momentum and urgently implement the necessary reforms. This will help to improve societal and investor confidence in South Africa’s potential, and mobilize much needed investment to grow the economy inclusively,” Gore said. 

    As part of the support provided by business, the Resource Mobilisation Fund (RMF) was established to procure and donate resources to support the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. To date, the fund has raised approximately R100m, with R25m already having been drawn down to fund expertise to support the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM).

    The joint statement said business is looking to scale this model to support the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) and the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption (JICC). 

    The meeting discussed the progress made over the last three months, as well as key priorities to accelerate progress in the next period. 

    Key updates since November 2023: 

    • Energy: Load shedding is roughly 61% less than the same period last year (80% less for stages 4 and above), and is starting to decouple from Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF), demonstrating the positive impact of alternative energy sources including rooftop solar. 

    • Transport and logistics: A 45% reduction in vessels anchored outside the Port of Durban and a 36% reduction in the waiting time to anchor for container vessels has been achieved. Capable executive leadership has been appointed in Transnet to ensure stability and focused delivery. 

    • Crime and corruption: Collaboration between Transnet and business, including the provision of security on the rail network, has resulted in a 65% reduction in criminal incidents on the Northern Corridor which is key to reducing the cancellation of trains.

    Energy 

    The work underway within the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) and the implementation of the Energy Action Plan is starting to bear fruit. 

    “Load shedding is down by 61% compared to the same period last year, with the return of units at Kusile power station as well as new generation capacity from rooftop solar and private sector investment having a positive impact. 

    “Reform of the energy sector is progressing, with an independent board appointed for the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) and preparations underway for the new entity to commence trading,” the statement read. 

    On the downside, however, Eskom plant performance remains unreliable with an unacceptably high level of unplanned outages. Under the leadership of its new Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, Eskom is working to ensure full delivery on its recovery plan. 

    The joint statement highlighted that Eskom and business are finalising a Mutual Cooperation Agreement to establish a sustainable framework through which to deploy additional independent skilled experts to support Eskom in this regard. 

    “The aim for 2024 is to increase generation capacity from multiple sources by up to 11.5 GW, which will enable a significant reduction in the severity of load shedding by the end of the year.

    “This includes improved plant performance as a result of Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan, additional private investment in rooftop solar and utility-scale projects as a result of policy and regulatory reforms, and projects from previous bid windows connecting to the grid,” the statement said. 

    Initiatives are also underway to unlock increased grid capacity, successfully conclude Bid Window 7 and open further bid windows for gas-to-power and battery storage will contribute to additional generation capacity in the medium term. 

    Finally, government is working to accelerate reforms in the energy sector, including the promulgation of the ERA Bill, the establishment of the NTCSA, the finalisation of a national wheeling framework, and the development of financing mechanisms for transmission infrastructure.

    Transport and logistics 

    Government and business emphasised that challenges in the logistics system are receiving urgent attention, with the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) focused on stabilising and improving rail, port and road operations. 

    Business is supporting a number of the NLCC workstreams with technical, security and operational expertise. 

    “Green shoots include a 45% reduction in vessels anchored outside the Port of Durban and a 36% reduction in the waiting time to anchor for container vessels. A major success has been the provision of security by business on the rail network on an interim basis, which has resulted in a 65% reduction in criminal incidents on the Northern Corridor, reducing the number of trains cancelled. Work is currently underway to ramp up the deployment of SAPS resources to secure network infrastructure in the longer term,” the statement said. 

    It further highlighted that progress was achieved with the approval of the Freight Logistics Roadmap (FLRM) and the Private Sector Participation Framework, which together outline clear actions and timeframes to ensure a more efficient logistics network that encourages private investment and competition in operations. 

    Implementation of the roadmap is now underway, with key milestones included in conditions attached to the R47 billion guarantee recently extended to Transnet. 

    “Despite this progress, continued poor operational performance and inefficiency costs the economy R1 billion per day, with recent announcements of retrenchments in the mining industry illustrating the urgency of reform in the logistics sector. 

    “Transnet is focused on improving performance through clearly defined and agreed measures such as rebuilding internal capacity, implementing operational excellence centres for strategic corridors, and drawing on private sector technical resources.

    "The recent appointment of permanent executive leadership at Transnet will assist with the necessary focus and delivery mindset, and the urgent implementation of the Transnet Recovery Plan,” the statement said. 

    Crime and corruption 

    Steady progress has also been made in the crime and corruption focal area, including the establishment of the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption. 

    The private sector is continuing its support to strengthen law enforcement through providing business information and resources to assist with the fight against infrastructure crime. 

    The statement said support has also been provided to modernise the 10111 helpline, with a pilot project initiated at the main call centre in Midrand. 

    “Passing the NPA Amendment Bill within the current Parliament will strengthen the independence and investigating capacity of the NPA and will enable the establishment of additional infrastructure to support the Investigating Directorate as a permanent entity, including a dedicated Forensics Laboratory. 

    “A key focus is to secure South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, with the aim of achieving this by June 2025,” the statement said. 

    Next steps 

    The next meeting will be held in May to assess progress on the three focal areas.

    Government and business reaffirmed their commitment to communicating regularly on progress, and identifying areas where further work is required. 

    “We are finalising our targets for the end of 2024, and aligning on the critical paths to achieve these. These plans will be communicated publicly, and reported on regularly. This will build confidence in the process and will enforce accountability. As partners, we are absolutely focused on delivery,” Chair of the B4SA Steering Committee, Martin Kingston said. – SAnews.gov.za

    DikelediM
    Wed, 03/06/2024 - 12:43

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    Deregulation: Easing of regulation is driving African innovation across the continent’s energy sector

    Location: News
    Starsight Energy

    A deregulated power sector is an enormous opportunity for key markets in Africa, as individual countries start to contribute to an efficient, sustainable and competitive renewable energy ecosystem, says Paul van Zijl, Group CEO at Starsight Energy (https://StarsightEnergy.com). Here he shares some insight into the potential benefits of deregulation and how these changes can create a ripple effect across the African continent – becoming the blueprints that many African countries will use to overcome their own energy challenges.

    The deregulation of the energy sector has massive potential for the continent, but it must be approached in the right way to have a long-term and sustainable impact. Deregulation is already happening in various African countries at differing paces, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, as more and more Independent Power Producers (IPPs) collaborate with local regulators and stakeholders to assess and determine the best way to optimise natural resources and harness their limitless potential.

    While the application of deregulation in each country is different, the principal benefits remain the same. Each country stands to gain from a revitalised power sector that offers more opportunities to IPPs, attracts more local and international investment into the local energy landscape, and makes electricity and renewable energy more accessible to consumers at competitive prices.

    In Nigeria, for example, we are seeing the first exciting steps of deregulation as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) moves towards transforming the sector. A new federal law, the Electricity Act (2023) (https://apo-opa.co/3Ir5QpI), has been enacted which enables different states to pass their own laws and establish state electricity markets. Once a state establishes its electricity market, the federal government will cease regulation of electricity distribution within that state. This first step is a collaborative effort that will go a long way in creating a sustainable, privatised and deregulated market in Nigeria.

    In Kenya, the eagerly anticipated Open Access (wheeling) regulations have also recently been gazetted. The regulator fast-tracked Open Access to the grid, enabling IPPs to supply electricity directly to large customers through the national network, under regulation guidelines from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). Further impetus will also derive from the recent announcement that the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) (https://EAPPool.org) is targeting to go live with a competitive power trading market by the end of December 2024 – taking the region from bilateral trade to trading amongst all countries. This will allow the EAPP's 13 member countries to sell excess electricity in cross-border transmission projects. Considering that countries in the EAPP are already trading over 3 400 GWh annually, this move is set to transform the region's interconnectivity even more. Kenya has already reaped the rewards of bilateral trading, including an energy exchange engagement with Uganda and the importation of 200 MW of renewable energy from Ethiopia.

    Meanwhile, in South Africa, deregulation has seen the introduction of innovations such as self-generation, electricity wheeling (https://apo-opa.co/3IuyKFm), and energy trading from IPPs. The rising popularity of utility-scale solar farms is a direct result of deregulation, which in turn has been accelerated by local funders deploying funds to grow IPPs. The funders invest in the construction of solar farms, allowing them to meet their mandate to fund the low-carbon transition. At the same time, the IPPs can leverage this financial backing to bring Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) on board to support the project until completion. These initiatives demonstrate the power of collaboration between the private and public sectors.

    The positive impact of deregulation on South Africa's power infrastructure runs even deeper than boosting generation capacity. In some cases, IPPs also provide a main transmission substation (MTS) to the national utility provider, Eskom, as part of their project to bolster connectivity to the transmission network. In other instances, IPPs are installing utility-scale battery storage alongside their farms to store the solar energy that is produced. These installations help the IPPs mitigate their risk to ensure their projects aren't hampered by the complexities associated with the local grid. Such widespread deregulation is not necessarily to be expected across the continent, but learnings can be taken from South Africa to apply on a country-by-country basis.

    Our South African operation, trading as SolarAfrica (https://SolarAfrica.com), is working closely with Eskom to bring projects like these to life in the country, while Starsight Energy (https://StarsightEnergy.com). and Starsight Premier Energy Group (https://SPEGea.com) are working with regulators, stakeholders and various industry players in Nigeria and Kenya to see how we can shape each region's changing energy landscape.

    The impact of deregulation has been – and will continue to be – transformative. We look forward to working with the industry and regulators to accelerate the process in our key markets as we ultimately believe a well-considered deregulated market will be to the benefit of the end consumer and allow economies to grow and thrive with the private and public sectors working hand in hand.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Starsight Energy.

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    Starsight Energy
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    KZN government engages businesses amid municipal strike

    Location: News

    KZN government engages businesses amid municipal strike

    The KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has assured the business community in eThekwini that the provincial government is dealing accordingly with the strike by eThekwini Municipality workers.

    READ | eThekwini Municipality obtains court interdict against striking workers

    Dube-Ncube and eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda met with the business community, led by the KZN Growth Coalition, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and individual businesses to brief them on government’s interventions to deal with the strike which started on 27 February 2024.

    The meeting comes after a meeting held between the provincial government and the municipality to devise practical solutions to protect infrastructure and citizens from what the province has called “clear sabotage”.

    Highlighting the progress made to deal with the situation, Dube-Ncube said a technical task team, including officials from all spheres of government, has been established to implement coordinated interventions by the relevant departments.

    To address the challenge of intimidation and attacks on non-striking workers, Dube-Ncube said the Metro Police and private security have been sourced to escort staff to service delivery points, including the clearing of roads, electricity faults, water leaks, burst pipes and refuse removal. 

    “Both the municipal and provincial law enforcement agencies are on high alert and will act without any fear on the acts of impunity. We are confident that this intervention will allow staff to respond to reservoirs overflowing or running empty, valves being closed, burst pipes and water leaks.

    “As part of the business continuity plan, the municipality has made provision for some key employees to work remotely. Contractors have also been engaged to do some work, such as refuse collection and attending to water and electricity faults,” Dube-Ncube said.

    A team has also been set up to analyse all video footage of the destruction of property, including the abuse of State vehicles that were in the hands of municipality officials who participated in the illegal strike. 

    The Premier said this process is well underway, warning that “culprits are being identified through internal processes and they will be arrested soon”.

    She said the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has provided a four-person team to fast-track the disciplinary action of those who would be found to have been involved in untoward behaviour.

    “The eThekwini leadership will meet with the leadership of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) to explain to them that no amount of grievances should result in destruction of infrastructure and denying citizens their rights to basic services. 

    “Importantly, those who are involved in this anarchy will be liable for litigation for damages. Our legal units have been tasked to analyse that area,” Dube-Ncube said.

    The municipality has further engaged the Department of Water and Sanitation, COGTA and Umgeni-Uthukela Water to provide technical assistance and additional water tankers.

    Through Operation Sukuma Sakhe, the Premier said all field workers have been activated in the province to conduct clean-up operations throughout the city, as part of Operation Mbo (an integrated service delivery events within a particular area to ensure services are delivered to many community members at the same time).

    On the strike, Dube-Ncube said the municipality has not received a memorandum of grievances or petition from SAMWU, apart from the Ekurhuleni Municipality pay scale, which was submitted to the Office of the City Manager on 27 February 2024.

    “Based on the information submitted, it would seem that SAMWU is demanding pay parity to that of Ekurhuleni Municipality and/or implementation of Category 10 pay scales. The matter regarding the implementation of the Wage Curve is still under negotiation at national level, as it is a national competence,’’ Dube-Ncube said. 

    The municipality has since obtained an urgent interdict in the Labour Court, which prohibits the striking employees from intimidating, harassing, assaulting, threatening or perpetuating acts of violence against employees, service providers or those accessing offices or workstations.

    “We want to emphasise that all spheres of government are working together to resolve this challenge and we are in discussion with the national government to support the city and province through the provision of intelligence services and deployment of additional police officers in key hotspots to enhance safety and security capacity,” Dube-Ncube said. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    GabiK
    Tue, 03/05/2024 - 14:33

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    SANDF deployment not done without planning

    Location: News

    SANDF deployment not done without planning

    By Siphiwe Dlamini

    The deployment of a contingent of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) as part of the SADC Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) and the subsequent tragic deaths of Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semono have provided plenty of grist to the opinion mill.

    It should. We are a democracy and this is a people’s defence force – and its role and its use should be debated.

    There are major and justifiable concerns about budget implications. The lack of sufficient air cover for the mission and that this deployment might be fatally overstretching the SANDF’s capacity has been raised by some as a concern.

    None of these are new concerns; successive chiefs of the SANDF have raised these precise issues in the past, along with their chiefs of service.

    But these concerns ignore the reality that this deployment was not done in haste, nor without the requisite planning. There have been numerous discussions at the highest echelons of government about the need to support the SANDF in all its needs, including funding. There is a real commitment to do this.

    We should also not forget three critical points in the current discourse, well intentioned or otherwise, about the SANDF.

    The first is that the mission in the DRC is not solely a South African tasking but a request from the greater Southern African Development Community to ensure the stability of the region as the United Nations began its well-publicised drawdown of Monusco, its 20 year-long mission to stabilise the DRC, in December last year.

    Secondly, there are other countries that will be also contributing to this mission, some of whom will be able to directly address the issue of air cover through the capabilities of their own air forces.

    Thirdly, the SANDF has been part of Monusco since its inception, commanding the mission and regularly providing commanders for the smaller three-battalion strong multinational Force Intervention Brigade, the only UN force mandated to use force offensively.

    The biggest issue of all though is peacekeeping. SA is a continental leader and has never shied away from the often onerous responsibility to lead these processes, participating from the front, if necessary, putting its money and its troops where its mouth is.

    This is not an easy decision and it is not without risks, all of which weigh very heavily upon our commander-in-chief, President Cyril Ramaphosa; the political head; Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise; and chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, before deploying these national assets.

    These soldiers are not conscripts, they are volunteers, but all of us know the risks that they will face in the field – and the sacrifices they may well be asked to make – to keep this peace.

    It is easy for the keyboard warriors to argue that our horizons should be limited to our land, sea and air borders, but the reality is that the beating of a butterfly’s wings in Kivu or Goma could very well create an unstoppable tsunami in Johannesburg or Cape Town.

    It’s too late to deal with an insurgency not just on your doorstep but within your borders. This is part of the rationale for the SANDF’s participation in the SADC Mission in Mozambique (Samim) to keep the insurgency in Cabo Delgado at bay.

    That is the apex threat – of war and terror in our cities and countryside, but there are other threats, too, of even more refugees seeking a better life in SA, potential economic and criminal risks which put further strain on our law enforcement agencies, the home affairs department, the department of social security and, indeed, our fiscus.

    It is said that a stitch in time saves nine. It doesn’t help to just create nonporous borders, where the SANDF is already performing a yeoman and unheralded service as part of the ongoing Operation Corona.

    We have to try to resolve issues and create the conditions that are crucial to allowing a sustainable and enduring state of peace on the continent that could otherwise threaten the way of life we aspire to, even though they are not our direct neighbours.

    It is this philosophy that has guided the SANDF ever since the days of our first commander-in-chief Nelson Mandela, when he worked tirelessly to bring peace to the Great Lakes Region.

    *Siphiwe Dlamini is Head of Communications at the Department of Defence.

    **This article first appeared in The Citizen on 1 March 2024.

     

    Janine
    Tue, 03/05/2024 - 09:54

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    Over 80 000 beds registered on NSFAS portal

    Location: News

    Over 80 000 beds registered on NSFAS portal

    The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has recorded a total of 88 705 beds that have been registered on the scheme portal and accredited for both Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and universities.

    Briefing media on the student accommodation pilot project in Pretoria on Monday, NSFAS Acting Chairperson, Professor Lourens van Staden, said the Student Accommodation Unit has to date received lists from 28 out of 40 institutions, which were subjected to verification processes, in terms of funding status. 

    Van Staden said 10 institutions submitted their lists in batches, while others requested assistance from NSFAS in order for them to submit their lists, with some still engaging NSFAS owing to their contractual obligation.

    “To date, out of 40 institutions in the pilot, 30 have placed students in accredited properties. Out of 10 institutions, five supported by the NSFAS team will continue with placements, while three are still in discussion with NSFAS. Two will submit once placements have happened,” van Staden said.

    He said the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and University of Mpumalanga will submit their lists when students are placed in accommodation.

    Van Staden also reported that NSFAS, in collaboration with institutions, portal providers, and accommodation providers, is onboarding students onto the portal system to ensure that NSFAS-funded students are residing in accredited accommodation.

    To date, he said, 18 institutions have onboarded students onto the portal, while the rest are yet to do so or are still onboarding. 

    “The NSFAS Board wishes to encourage all institutions that have not been onboarded to do so urgently, as this might impact the on-time rental payments. Equally, landlords are requested to ensure that leases that are generated through the portal are signed by all students in their residences,’ van Staden said.

    No arrangements with unaccredited accommodation providers

    Van Staden also put it on record that the scheme does not have any arrangements with unaccredited accommodation providers. 

    “Institutions apply different approaches to manage unaccredited accommodation, and it is in the resolve of NSFAS that in the near future, no NSFAS-funded student will be residing in unaccredited accommodation. 

    “Where accommodation providers have applied to NSFAS for accreditation, they are encouraged to consult the portal to check their statuses. Students who have been provided with accredited accommodation and are unwilling to utilise those, NSFAS and the institution will allocate transport allowance to those students,” van Staden said. 
      
    Warning against corruption and bribery

    Meanwhile, van Staden has warned that NSFAS will not tolerate corruption and bribery, and anyone found in the wrong will be reported to the law enforcement agencies.

    This follows a report received by NSFAS on the alleged corruption and bribery between accrediting agents and landlords.

    “If this is indeed true, we wish to reiterate that this will not be tolerated by the scheme and that should anyone be found in the wrong, NSFAS will report them to law enforcement agencies. Any suspected fraud should be raised through our whistleblowing hotline, Vuvuzela, toll-free number 0860 247 653. SMS 'call back' to 30916. Fax: 086 726 1681,” van Staden said. – SAnews.gov.za

    GabiK
    Mon, 03/04/2024 - 15:41

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    Read moreOver 80 000 beds registered on NSFAS portal

    Health dept welcomes NHI court judgment

    Location: News

    Health dept welcomes NHI court judgment

    The Department of Health has welcomed a decision by the Gauteng High Court to dismiss a legal attempt by trade union Solidarity to halt the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the public health system.

    In a statement on Thursday, the department said Solidarity sought to stop the filing of critical posts under the National Health Insurance (NHI) branch.

    According to the department, the trade union approached the court last year to challenge a decision taken by the department to advertise and fill 44 vacancies, including five Chief Directors and competent technical specialists to assist with the preparation for the National Health Insurance Fund for the country to achieve universal health coverage.

    “The union argued that the NHI should be established only after the NHI Bill has been signed into law by the President. However, Section 85(2) of the Constitution empowers the Minister of Health to develop and implement national policies deemed critical to improve healthcare delivery to achieve a long and healthy life for all South Africans. 

    “Further, the National Health Act of 2003 (Act 61 of 2003), Section 3(1) provides that the Minister must, within the limit of available resources, determine the policies and measures necessary to protect, promote, improve, and maintain the health and wellbeing of the population,” the department said. 

    The court found that the establishment of the NHI branch, as part of the department’s organisational structure, does not amount to the implementation of a Bill. The functions of the branch remain relevant for any health system in the world, public or private.

    Thus, the creation of these critical posts responsible for, amongst others, health products procurement, health care benefits and provider management, health system digital information, risk and fraud management, and user and service provider management, are part of broader health system strengthening.

    “The court ruling paves way for the department to prepare for the rollout of NHI once it is signed into law. 

    “The judgment simply means the department has the right to continue with the work to strengthen the public health system of the country to respond to the health care needs and demands of the population. 

    “We hope the applicant will abide by the ruling and allow the department space to execute its mandate of improving health by preventing illness and disease, and promoting healthy lifestyles without interference,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

    DikelediM
    Thu, 02/29/2024 - 13:04

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    KZN plans to recruit 1000 social crime prevention volunteers

    Location: News

    KZN plans to recruit 1000 social crime prevention volunteers

    In a bid to further strengthen the fight against crime in KwaZulu-Natal, the provincial government plans to recruit 1000 social crime prevention volunteers who will be deployed throughout the province.

    KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, made the announcement when she was delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.

    Highlighting some of the provincial government’s initiatives aimed at fighting crime in communities, Dube-Ncube said police capacity has over the past four years been augmented by new members with a total of over 4 000 new police officers received in the past two years.

    Dube-Ncube also announced that the Department of Community Safety and Liaison will in the 2024/25 financial year establish a Community Safety Intervention Unit (CSIU) which will work with other law enforcement agencies as a force multiplier, proactively and reactively fighting crime in communities.

    “The SAPS has also announced significant improvements in the allocation of resources with more vehicles and trainee Constables being made available in KwaZulu-Natal.

    “The Department of Community Safety and Liaison has bought 60 safety patrol cars that will be used by the Community Safety Committees and Community Police Forums to complement the work of the police,” Dube-Ncube said.

    Specialised team to tackle cross border crime

    On cross border crime, Dube-Ncube said the province is pursuing diplomatic channels to ensure that South Africans’ properties that are illegally stuck in sister countries are returned to their rightful owners.

    “In this regard, we met with the Mozambican High Commissioner to South Africa last year to discuss this matter. We have installed jersey barriers at exit points to make it difficult for stolen vehicles to cross into Mozambique,” Dube-Ncube said.

    The provincial government is working closely with the SAPS’ Specialised KZN Stabilising Team to address issues of criminality in and around the Manguzi area.

    She said the interventions have resulted in the arrest of several highly sought criminals, and who are currently facing justice.

    “When we visited there late last year with Police Minister Bheki Cele this special team had arrested 103 suspects [and] four had been convicted. Fifty-six dockets were in court, 193 motor vehicles had been identified or which 63 had been handed back to the owners,” the Premier said, adding that 42 cases were also under investigation,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za

     

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    Thu, 02/29/2024 - 15:05

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    Murder of Soweto doctor condemned 

    Location: News

    Murder of Soweto doctor condemned 

    The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has strongly condemned the recent tragic murder of a medical doctor in Dobsonville, Soweto. 

    Well-known Dr Michael Isabelle was tragically shot during an armed robbery at his medical facility and succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital on Saturday. 

    “It is deeply troubling that he lost his life simply for refusing to surrender his laptop and phones to the suspects,” the committee said. 

    The committee has described the incident as utterly unacceptable and regrettable.

    “This heartbreaking incident serves as a sad reminder of the pervasive violence that plagues our communities, with innocent individuals bearing the brunt of heinous crimes. 

    “Despite concerted efforts by government and civil society to combat crime in Gauteng and across the nation, criminals continue to wreak havoc and instill fear among South Africans.” 

    The committee has urgently called upon law enforcement agencies to swiftly apprehend those responsible for this senseless act of violence and ensure that they are brought to justice.

    “It is imperative that we send a resounding message that senseless crimes of this nature have no place in our society and that perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions.”

    The committee also extended its heartfelt condolences to Isabelle’s family. 

    “We stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time and recognise doctors' invaluable role in saving lives and providing essential medical care to those in need.

    “We urge the entire nation to unite in condemning violence and reaffirming our commitment to building safer communities for all.” 

    According to TimesLive Premium, Isabelle was also attacked and shot in the stomach soon after he qualified in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, 20 years ago. 

    A family spokesperson who spoke to the publication said Isabelle was a jazz lover, who was generous and principled with an uncompromising work ethic. – SAnews.gov.za

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    Wed, 02/28/2024 - 11:31

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    SARS takes legal action against Sasfin Bank

    Location: News

    SARS takes legal action against Sasfin Bank

    The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Edward Kieswetter, has confirmed that the revenue service has instituted legal proceedings against Sasfin Bank.

    SARS has conducted a thorough investigation into various South African taxpayers who had not made true and accurate tax disclosures to it.

    “The investigation revealed that the taxpayers had colluded to expatriate funds offshore in a manner that obscured tracing the expatriated payments and jeopardises the recovery of tax in South Africa. 

    “The Commissioner’s position is that it is inappropriate to comment on the question of liability and compensation for the fiscus’ loss, as these are legal issues that are now before the South African judicial system. Given this development, SARS will not be making any further comment,” SARS said on Tuesday.

    The Commissioner affirmed his commitment to pursue the enforcement and recovery of taxes without fear, favour or prejudice in the interest of upholding the fiscal integrity of the South African tax system.

    Meanwhile in an announcement on Tuesday, shareholders of Sasfin Holdings Limited were advised that Sasfin Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sasfin Holdings, was served a civil summons for a total amount of R4,872,327,649.27 plus interest and costs in the form of a damages claim, instituted by SARS.

    “This summons, which was received on 9 January 2024, arises from SARS’ purported inability to collect income tax, value added tax and penalties allegedly owed by former foreign exchange clients of the bank.

    “Former foreign exchange clients of the Bank operated as a syndicate that ran an unlawful scheme to facilitate the expatriation of money out of South Africa and colluded with former employees of the bank who operated outside the scope of their employment.”

    Sasfin Holdings Limited also added that the bank took decisive action when it became aware of this unlawful scheme, including instituting an expanded investigation led by an independent forensic consultancy.

    This resulted in the termination of relationships with the implicated clients and employees and the opening of criminal cases against them.

    “Subsequent to receiving the summons, Sasfin Bank engaged transparently with the relevant regulators on the matter and obtained a legal opinion from ENS, authored by Professor Dale Hutchinson, Professor Michael Katz and Aslam Moosajee and endorsed by Adv. Wim Trengove S.C.”

    “The legal opinion is unequivocal that the claim falls outside of the recognised parameters of applicable law and has a very remote likelihood of success. On the basis of this legal opinion, Sasfin Holdings concluded that the claim will not result in the recognition of any liability.”

    In the SENS announcement, the board of directors of Sasfin Holdings “remains of the view that SARS’ claim has no merit and has little chance of success.”

    “The Bank will therefore defend the claim, and given that this involves a defended trial action, the matter is only likely to come to trial in several years’ time,” said Sasfin Holdings. –SAnews.gov.za

     

    nosihle
    Wed, 02/28/2024 - 10:23

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    KwaZulu-Natal records high number of rhino poaching cases

    Location: News

    KwaZulu-Natal records high number of rhino poaching cases

    While efforts to prevent rhino poaching have resulted in positive outcomes in national parks across the country, South Africa has seen a shift in rhino poaching with the majority of cases in the past year being recorded in KwaZulu-Natal.

    “The pressure again has been felt in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province with Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park facing the brunt of poaching cases losing 307 of the total national poaching loss. This is the highest poaching loss within this province,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy said on Tuesday.

    Last year, 499 rhinos were poached across South Africa, 406 were killed on state properties and 93 on privately owned parks, reserves and/or farms. This was an increase of 51 in comparison to 448 rhinos poached in 2022.

    Addressing a media briefing on the 2023 national rhino poaching statistics in St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, the Minister said the province recorded 49 arrests and 13 firearms were seized by multi-disciplinary teams that continue to work tirelessly in an attempt to slow the pressure on rhino poaching.

    The Kruger National Park (KNP) recorded a 37% decrease from 2022 with a total of 78 rhino poached in 2023. No rhinos were poached in any other National Parks. 

    “As part of the government’s poverty relief program there are a number of fence monitors employed from neighboring communities that patrol the western boundary fence of the KNP and report fence breakages, illegal tracks and people entering the KNP as well as animals escaping from the KNP,” Creecy said.

    Various interventions can be attributed to the decrease of rhino poached at KNP in 2023:

    • Strong collaboration between external stakeholders permanently based in KNP and attending to various Wildlife Crime cases such as the Skukuza Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, Skukuza SAPS and SAPS forensic teams.
    • An extensive and ongoing dehorning programme, which focuses on the dehorning of all rhino in core areas.
    • The continued implementation of the KNP Ranger Services Integrity Management Plan, which is a holistic approach that assesses the drivers and dynamics of corruption, and then addresses these with a comprehensive set of actions that focuses on building individual integrity and organisational resilience to corruption.
    • Improved access control through the installation of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and gate cameras.
    • Radar detection systems that remotely track any illegal entry by poachers on foot into the KNP.

    The Minister commended the work performed by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – the Hawks - in several regional and transnational engagements to enhance the government’s integrated approach to combat wildlife trafficking.

    “Responsible partnerships between the public and private sectors, and the financial and transporting sectors remains critical in combating international wildlife trafficking.

    “The approach is not exclusive to South Africa but is followed within the region and transnationally working with the transit and end user countries in South-East Asia, especially with the People’s Republic of China, Singapore, Qatar, Malaysia and Vietnam,” she said.

    In relation to rhino prosecutions, verdicts were handed down in 36 cases of which 35 resulted in guilty verdicts and one in a not guilty verdict.

    The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Environmental Working Group (EWG) meets on a biannual basis to share best practice in the investigation and prosecution of environmental crime and to address challenges experienced.

    These meetings also foster closer collaboration between the provincial conservation authorities dealing with wildlife trafficking cases and to help identify repeat offenders moving around the country to further the implementation of the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT) strategy.

    “Further to this, real time information pertaining to arrest is shared, which enhance collaboration between prosecutors and the law enforcement agencies significantly. A national environmental cases audit has been conducted to establish the number of cases being dealt with by the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa (NPA).

    “A consolidated list of investigating instructions pertaining to rhino and abalone cases has been developed to ensure that comprehensive investigations are requested,” the Minister said.

    In the 2023/24 financial year, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) embarked on a consultative process to revise both the Black and White Rhinoceros Biodiversity Management Plans (BMP) in line with the provision of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act. 

    “The revision of the BMP aims to address the needs of both black and white rhino, provide a strategic approach and detailed action plan to conserving rhino in South Africa and for engaging with range States to the north.

     It consolidates previous work at policy and planning level on rhino management into a single integrated tool in order to usher in a whole of society approach in the interest of both the rhinos and the people of South Africa. The revised draft BMP will be published in a Government Gazette for public participation in the near future,” Creecy said. – SAnews.gov.za

     

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    Tue, 02/27/2024 - 10:53

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    Law must crack down on police killers – Cele

    Location: News

    Law must crack down on police killers - Cele

    Police Minister Bheki Cele has called for stricter laws to crack down even harder on criminals who murder police officers.

    The Minister was speaking during a panel discussion at the National Conference on the Implementation of the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) programme and the review of the Criminal Procedure Act.

    Cele highlighted that between October and December 2023, at least 22 police officers were killed.

    “Our call… is that human rights must be respected. Police are humans and they have rights. I would really like to see [the law] protecting members of the South African Police Service.

    “There has been a call… to say that the law must protect the law enforcers adequately. Sometimes, there is a feeling that criminals are more protected than the law enforcers. As this law, the Criminal Procedure Act, is developed, we wish that it takes that on board that [SAPS] members must find some cushion in the law,” he said.

    He assured that any change in law would not give SAPS members leeway to abuse their power.

    “The lives of SAPS members cannot be above the citizens of South Africa. But it must also be understood that they stand as a buffer between criminality and the whole of society. If they are pushed to the brink and they fall, these criminals will walk over the community thereafter,” he said.

    Cele also called for increased protection of whistle-blowers and witnesses, as they remain crucial for the criminal justice system to work.

    “We would love to see the law really getting tight on protecting witnesses. Sometimes, witnesses feel that we don’t take care of them. There are witnesses that lose everything for us to win cases, so it would be important that the law… makes sure that those who are prepared [to take the stand are protected].

    “If witnesses fall off, then cases fall off. It’s important that all processes are kept in place so that when the day [a case is in court] and it’s time for the magistrate to pronounce [a verdict], we are all happy,” he said.

    Turning to the issuance of bail for suspected criminals, Cele said more stringent conditions for the approval of bail must be put into place.

    “[Criminals] go and get bail and the community takes matters into their own hands so the bail issue is one issue that we have to look at,” he said.

    He encouraged all stakeholders to work together for the betterment of the criminal justice system and to make citizens safer.

    “Let’s work together across the board to reduce crime, while police are at the hard end of leading it with all law enforcement. But all other departments and all of us, we can do better to reduce crime and make South Africans feel better,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

    NeoB
    Tue, 02/27/2024 - 12:29

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    Current legal framework must transform to respond to society’s current needs – DP Mashatile

    Location: News

    Current legal framework must transform to respond to society's current needs - DP Mashatile

    Deputy President Paul Mashatile says although much has been done to address challenges in the criminal justice system, the current legal framework requires transformation and amendments that align with society in its current form.

    He was delivering the keynote address at the official opening of the National Conference on the implementation of the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) programme and the review of the Criminal Procedure Act.

    The conference is expected to be held over the next three days.

    “For many years, the integrated criminal justice system and the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977 have had a profound impact on how we handle law enforcement, prosecution, and adjudication in South Africa.

    “However, we must examine the current legal framework and identify areas that require transformation or amendment. Our laws must be responsive to the changing needs of society and aligned with international standards,” he said.

    Challenges

    Mashatile said the criminal justice system “has been put to the test due to widespread corruption, criminality, gender-based violence and femicide” and added that despite government’s concerted efforts, crime remains persistent.

    “The prosecution and judicial systems are overburdened; the correctional service is overcrowded, and the police system continues to be besieged as the state fights to prosecute and punish criminal behaviour, frequently compromising on ‘zero-tolerance’ pledges to ‘punish at all costs’.

    “Looking at these challenges, it is easy to grow despondent, but we must never be discouraged. Instead, we must double our efforts to reach our desired goal,” he said.

    Outlining government’s actions to combat crime and corruption, Mashatile told the conference that tackling lawlessness is government’s top priority.

    “We are tackling significant commercial and serious organised crime through the developed Anti-Corruption Task Team (ACTT) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Operational Committee, currently known as the National Priority Crimes Operational Committee (NPCOC) under the South African Police Service Act.

    “Through the Integrated Task Force, we are coordinating the implementation of 205 recommendations for criminal investigations made by the Zondo State Capture Commission. As it stands, three convictions secured and 11 cases are currently before court relating to 36 recommendations. The remaining recommendations are still under investigation,” he said.

    Turning to gender-based violence and femicide, Mashatile said the courts are now coming down harder on perpetrators of the scourge.

    He said laws that have been passed and Bills at the desk of the National Assembly are enabling the courts to be more efficient and effective in dealing with GBVF.

    “In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the courts have shown a 27.9% increase in life imprisonment sentences for GBVF at Thuthuzela Care Centres, indicating the courts’ robust approach to combating GBVF. Most significantly, the National Assembly approved the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill, which is currently under the National Council of Provinces review.

    “The government is responding swiftly to the GBVF epidemic by putting an emphasis on robust institutions and solid evidence. In late 2020, the Department of Justice introduced three amendment bills including the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act 12 of 2021, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 13 of 2021, and the Domestic Violence Amendment Act 14 of 2021.

    “The latter Act established an electronic repository for domestic violence protection orders, which became operational on April 14, 2023,” he said.

    Loss of trust

    The Deputy President acknowledged that despite government embarking on crime intervention strategies and other initiatives, “it is concerning the most recent Statistics South Africa Victims of Crime Survey indicates that confidence in our criminal justice system is declining”.

    As a result of this, he revealed that the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster is embarking on key interventions to address the challenge of crime.

    These include, amongst others:

    • Maintaining targeted efforts to address gender-based violence and femicide and its impact on individuals and communities.
    • Establishing an independent entity called the Investigating Directorate against Corruption within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
    • Enhancing the effectiveness of the Whistle-Blowers Act.
    • Finalising revisions to the Criminal Procedure Act to bolster efforts to combat both crime and corruption.

    “As we look towards the future, let us commit to further enhancing and protecting this crucial institution to ensure a just and fair society for all South Africans.

    “I am optimistic about the potential outcomes that will emerge from the conference’s discussions, which will ultimately shape the ongoing evolution of the criminal justice system,” Mashatile concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

     

    NeoB
    Tue, 02/27/2024 - 11:07

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    Investigation into KZN bus crash ferrying ANC supporters

    Location: News

    Investigation into KZN bus crash ferrying ANC supporters

    An investigation has been launched into a bus crash which claimed the lives of nine people who were returning home to Mpumalanga after the African National Congress (ANC) election manifesto launch in Durban.

    According to media reports, the bus accident happened at around 5am in Paulpietersburg under the eDumbe Local Municipality in Zululand on Sunday.

    “The law enforcement team on the scene has so far confirmed nine fatalities. However, they have not concluded the full recovery of the bus at the accident scene.

    “Scores of other occupants sustained injuries, with four being more critical [and] they have all been taken to a local hospital. The cause of the accident is being investigated, and experts will be deployed to assist with the forensic investigation,” KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC, Sipho Hlomuka said.

    The MEC said a team was deployed on the scene to work with all law enforcement agencies. 

    “The investigation has already started, and we are in touch with the bus owner. Our investigation is looking at the condition of the road, condition of the bus, weather during the times of the accident, and the condition of the driver,” Hlomuka said.

    He expressed his deepest condolences to the ANC and all affected families and wished those who sustained injuries a speedy recovery.

    The MEC encouraged road users, especially public transport movers, to be extra cautious on the road. – SAnews.gov.za

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    Mon, 02/26/2024 - 10:37

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    Elections2024: Voter verifications underway

    Location: News

    Elections2024: Voter verifications underway

    Following the proclamation of the election date of 29 May 2024 and closing of the voters’ roll, the Electoral Commission will today publish the provisional voters’ roll for inspection.

    This is according to the Electoral Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo, who briefed the media on Monday in Pretoria.

    He said voter verifications as well as other validations are currently underway to ensure that there is compliance with the provisions of the law in respect of eligibility to vote.

    “An electronic version of the voters’ roll will be made available at all offices of the Commission for inspection purposes. Those who wish to object to the inclusion or exclusion of a voter on the voters’ roll must do so by the 4th March 2024.

    “The objections received on or before 4th March 2024 will be considered, investigated and determined by the Commission by 11 March 2024. It is important to remind roleplayers that objections to the voters’ roll are governed by the law,” Mamabolo said.

    Mamabolo said the procedural as well as the substantive requirements of Section 15 of the Electoral Act must be satisfied when lodging an objection.

    He said the pertinent aspects in this regard include outlining the relief sought and establishing the basis for such relief as well as serving the objection on the person against whom the objection is raised.

    “Following the determination of voters’ roll objections, the Chief Electoral Officer will certify the voters’ roll on 12 March 2024. Electronic copies of the certified voters’ roll will be made available to contestants and a printed copy will be prepared for use in voting stations on Election Day,” he said.

    Mamabolo said the proclamation of the election date by the President at the weekend has certain legal consequences for the electoral process.

    “The first major implication is that the voters’ roll has now closed. This means no further voter registration may take place, either at a local office or online,” Mamabolo said.

    He said the second implication is that the Commission is enjoined to publish an Election Timetable following consultation with the National Political Liaison Committee.

    “This political consultation was also conducted on 23 February 2024, paving the way for the publication of the timetable. Accordingly, the 2024 timetable was published on Saturday, 24 February 2024.

    “The timetable is the motive force in the intensive preparations for the delivery of the 2024 general elections. The timetable outlines all the key cut-off-times and dates for the performance of salient electoral activities. The timetable contains crucial performance dates for election contestants as well as the broad voting public.

    “As regards the voting public, the focal point is accessing the voting process through special arrangements, including dates for applications for special votes and notifications to vote outside of voting stations of registration,” Mamabolo said.

    The Chief Electoral Officer said as it pertains to contestants, the timetable is equally crucial in that it contains key dates to be complied with relating to the nomination of candidates and the payment of prescribed deposits.

    Election Timetable

    Notice of provisional voters’ roll available for Inspection

    By 26 February 2024, the Chief Electoral Officer must give notice of the periods during which and the venues where the provisionally compiled voters’ roll compiled for the election shall be available for inspection in terms of section 14(2)(e).

    Notice that list of addresses of voting stations is available for inspection

    The Chief Electoral Officer must give notice by 12 April 2024, that from the date of the notice until the voting day, copies of a list containing the addresses of all voting stations will be available for inspection.

    Notice of route of mobile voting stations

    The Chief Electoral Officer must give notice by 12 April 2024, of the route, including the locations and estimated times of stopping of each mobile voting station.

    Cut-off date for objections to the provisional voters’ roll

    Any person, including the Chief Electoral Officer, may object to the inclusion or exclusion of a person on the provisional voters’ roll, or the correctness of any person’s registration details on that provisional voter’s roll, by 4 March 2024 in terms of section 15.

    Cut-off date for notification and application to vote outside of the Republic

    By 22 April 2024, a person who intends to vote outside of the Republic is required to notify the Chief Electoral Officer of their intention to vote outside of the Republic in terms of section 33(3) or (4), read with regulation 10.

    Cut–off date for the commission to decide on objections to the provisional voter’s roll

    By 11 March 2024, the Commission must decide any objection made in terms of section 15 in respect of the provisionally compiled voters’ roll for this election and notify the objector and the chief electoral officer and a person other than the objector whose name or registration details are involved.

    Cut-off date for certification and publication of voters' roll

    By 12 March 2024, the chief electoral officer must certify the voters' roll or the segments of the voters' roll to be used in this election in terms of section 24(2).

    Cut-off date for submission of list of candidates and nominations of independent candidates

    Registered parties that intend to contest this election must nominate and submit a list of their candidates for the election to the Chief Electoral Officer in the prescribed manner by 08 March 2024. Nominators of independent candidates that intend to contest this election must submit their nominations to the Chief Electoral Officer in the prescribed manner by 08 March 2024.

    The objector or the registered party who nominated the candidate may appeal against a decision of the Commission in terms of section 30(4) to the Electoral Court in the prescribed manner by 02 April 2024. (2) The objector or the nominated independent candidate may appeal against a decision of the Commission in terms of section 31E(4) in the prescribed manner by 02 April 2024.

    Cut-of date for notice of non-compliance by contestants in respect of lists of candidates

    The Chief Electoral Officer must notify a registered party that has submitted a list of candidates in terms of section 27 but has not fully complied with section 27(2)(a), (b), (cA), (d) or section 27(4), of that non-compliance by 18 March 2024.

    The Chief Electoral Officer must notify the person nominated to be an independent candidate, who has not fully complied with section 31B(3)(c), (d), (e), (f) or section 31B(4), of that non-compliance by 18 March 2024.

    If the party or person notified in terms of sub-item (1) or (1A) takes the opportunity to comply with section 27(2)(a), (b), (cA), (d), section 27(4), section 31B(3)(c), (d), (e), (f) or section 31B(4), that party or person must do so by 20 March 2024.

    Cut-off dates for notification of contestants of candidates appearing on multiple contestant list

    The Commission must notify a candidate whose name appears on more than one party list for an election submitted in terms of section 27 and all the parties on whose party lists such a candidate appears by 22 March 2024. The Commission must notify a person who has been nominated both as an independent candidate and by one or more parties for an election; and all the parties on whose party lists such a candidate appears, of the multiple nominations by 22 March 2024. If the notified party decides to act in terms of section 28(3) or section 31C(3), that party must do so by 25 March 2024.

    Inspection of lists of candidates and draft list of independent candidates and accompanying documents

    The Chief Electoral Officer must give notice by 26 March 2024, that on 26 March 2024 and 27 March 2024, between 09:00 and 17:00, copies of the following documents will be available for inspection: The lists of candidates and accompanying documents submitted by registered parties in terms of section 27, as amended and supplemented in terms of section 28; and the draft list of independent candidates and accompanying documents submitted in terms of section 31B, as amended and supplemented in terms of section 31C.

    Cut-off date for objections

    Any person, including the Chief Electoral Officer, may object to a candidate to the Commission in the prescribed manner by 27 March 2024.

    Decision of objections

    The Commission must decide an objection under section 30 or section 31E, and must notify the objector, the registered party that nominated the candidate, and the nominated independent candidate, if applicable, of the decision in the prescribed manner by 28 March 2024.

    Cut-off date for appeals against decisions

    The objector or the registered party who nominated the candidate may appeal against a decision of the Commission in terms of section 30(4) to the Electoral Court in the prescribed manner by 02 April 2024. The objector or the nominated independent candidate may appeal against a decision of the Commission in terms of section 31E(4) in the prescribed manner by 02 April 2024.

    Deciding appeals

    The Electoral Court must consider and decide an appeal brought under section 30(4) or 31E(4) and notify the parties to the appeal, and the chief electoral officer, of the decision in the prescribed manner by 09 April 2024.

    Application for special vote to Chief Electoral Officer

    A person who wants to apply to the Chief Electoral Officer for a special vote in terms of section 33(1)(a),(b) or (c) or section 33(2) read with regulation 7,8 and 9, and section 33A(1)(a),(b) or (c) or section 33A(2) read with regulation 15,15A and 15B may do so from 15 April 2024 until 03 May 2024.

    List of parties and candidates entitled to contest election and final list of candidates

    By 10 April 2024, the Chief Electoral Officer must give effect to a decision of the Commission in terms of section 30(3), section 31E(3), or a decision of the Electoral Court in terms of section 30(5) or section 31E(5); and must compile a list of the registered parties entitled to contest the election, the final list of candidates for each of those parties, and the list of independent candidates contesting this election.

    Issue of certificate to candidates

    By 12 April 2024, the Chief Electoral Officer must issue in the prescribed manner to each candidate on a final list of candidates, and to each independent candidate on the final list of independent candidates, a certificate stating that the person is a candidate in this election in terms of section 31(3) and section 31F(3).

    Casting of votes at foreign missions

    A person who wants to cast a special vote at a foreign mission in terms of section 33(3) or (4), may do so on 17 May 2024 and 18 May 2024, between 07:00 and 19:00.

    Visitation for the purposes of casting a special vote

    A person who has applied for a special vote in terms of section 33(1)(a), read with regulations 7 and 8 and section 33A(1)(a) read with regulation 15 and 15A, may be visited by voting officers on 27 May 2024 and 28 May 2024, between 09:00 and 17:00.

    Casting of special votes at the office of the presiding officer

    A person whose application for a special vote has been approved and who wants to cast a special vote at the office of the presiding officer in terms of section 33(1)(b), (c) or 33(2) read with regulation 9, and section 33A(1)(b),(c) or 33A(2) read with regulation 15B may do so on 27 May 2024 and 28 May 2024, between 09:00 and 17:00. – SAnews.gov.za

     

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    Condolences for bus crash victims

    Location: News

    Condolences for bus crash victims

    Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga has expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a tragic bus accident on the R33 road in Paulpietersburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

    Nine individuals lost their lives, and several others were injured in the accident on Sunday.

    “It is reported that the accident occurred when the driver lost control, leading to the bus overturning. The incident involved a passenger bus, which was transporting African National Congress (ANC) supporters from Durban back to Mpumalanga,” the Department of Transport said on Monday.

    Chikunga extended her heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to all those injured.

    The Minister reiterated the department’s call for responsible driving on the roads and urged citizens to obey road safety precautions.

    Law enforcement authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident.

    Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC, Sipho Hlomuka also joined the Minister in conveying his condolences while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

    The MEC encouraged road users, especially public transport movers, to be extra cautious on the road. ––SAnews.gov.za

     

     

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    Mon, 02/26/2024 - 14:32

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    Landmark election marks 30 years of electoral democracy

    Location: News

    Landmark election marks 30 years of electoral democracy

    Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says the 2024 General Election is a landmark event as it marks 30 years of electoral democracy.

    The President has declared 29 May 2024 the date for the National General and Provincial Elections.

    “The Commission reiterates its willingness and ability to deliver this mammoth national project. All staff of the Commission stand ready to fulfil their tasks and thus ensure that the Commission meets its constitutional duties pertaining to the 2024 general elections,” said Mamabolo, at a media briefing in Pretoria.

    He said this year’s election introduces novel experiences for the voters such as a third ballot in the National and Provincial Elections as well as the participation of independent candidates for the very first time.

    For purposes of candidate nomination, he said the Commission promotes the use of the online Candidate Nomination (CNS) platform.

    “It is convenient and facilitates compliance with the requirements of the law as it provides a compliance dashboard for users. Furthermore, the online platform generates pro-forma invoices and a payment gateway for the payment of prescribed deposits,” Mamabolo said.

    He said all independent candidates and political parties who intend to contest this general election must submit nomination requirements by 17:00 on 08 March 2024.

    “The Electoral Commission will, after verifying the submitted nomination documents, issue notices on non-compliance where such are warranted. These notices will be issued on 18 March 2024 and those issued with such notices must rectify non-compliance by 20 March 2024.

    “In previous elections, there were candidates who were nominated by more than one political party. The law now obliges the Commission to notify affected parties and offer them an opportunity to either remove the said candidate and substitute or confirm their continued candidature.

    “Our electoral scheme acknowledges that it is a matter of immense national importance for the citizens to know who the nominated candidates are. The publication of the provisional lists of candidates goes to the heart of the vote based on informed choices,” Mamabolo said.

    Mamabolo said the provisional lists of candidates will be published for inspection on 26 and 27 March.

    Mamabolo said interested parties may object against certain prospective candidates who are nominated.

    “Such objections must be lodged with the Commission on 27 March 2024. The Commission will decide on these objections on 28 March 2024.

    “Any person or political party or entity that is not satisfied with the decision of the Commission may approach the Electoral Court to appeal the objection decision. The Electoral Court’s appeals must be lodged by 02 April 2024. The Electoral Court will determine appeals relating to candidates on 9 April 2024,” he said.

    Mamabolo said the conclusion of the candidate nomination process will set in motion the ballot paper printing project.

    According to Mamabolo, the official list of the 23 292 voting stations to be used in the elections will be availed for inspection from 12 April 2024.

    “This list will include the addresses of voting stations as well as the stopping times of the 33 mobile voting stations. The project of contracting these voting stations well advanced,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

        

     

    Edwin
    Mon, 02/26/2024 - 14:40

    366 views
    Read moreLandmark election marks 30 years of electoral democracy

    Clarification on voting outside of SA

    Location: News

    Clarification on voting outside of SA

    Those who intend to vote outside of the country and who are registered on a specific country’s segment of the voters’ roll, do not have to give notice to the Electoral Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer that they will be voting in that country.

    “The law assumes that they will be voting at the diplomatic mission of registration,” said the Electoral Commission on Monday.

     Addressing a media briefing in Pretoria, the Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said those registered elsewhere, including locally registered voters who intend to vote at a particular diplomatic mission outside the country, must give notice to the CEO of their intention to vote in that country. 

    “The notice to vote out of the country may be submitted as of today until 22 April 2024. An online notification facility (VEC10) is available on the Commission’s website,” Mamabolo said.

    He further explained that special voting at the diplomatic missions will happen either on Friday, 17 May 2024 or Saturday, 18 May 2024. 

    “The exact date for each diplomatic mission will be determined considering the host country's dominant religious and cultural practices.”

    On voting outside of the voting station of registration on Election Day (29 May 2024), the Commission re-emphasises the general principle of election administration that voters must vote where they are registered.

    “However, in the event a voter intends to be in a different voting district on voting day, such a voter must notify the Commission of their intended absence from their voting district and the voting station where they wish to cast the vote. A notification portal will soon be launched for this purpose. Notifications in this regard will close on 17 May 2024.”  – SAnews.gov.za

     

    Edwin
    Mon, 02/26/2024 - 15:02

    195 views
    Read moreClarification on voting outside of SA

    Showing up for SA

    Location: News

    Showing up for SA

    Even if one does not usually pay attention on a daily basis to the ins and outs of government and the political landscape in the country; the flurry of activities within this domain  over the past few weeks could hardly be missed.

    Invited into our living rooms have been the country’s number one citizen President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering his State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on our TVs; various political parties responding to that Address, and then of course the President again in his reply to those debates. 

    I should stop here to remind all that we will be seeing all of this again in a few months time, after the National General and Provincial Elections, as in an election year, these Parliamentary proceedings happen twice. Heads up to make plans for those TV snacks in advance!

    With all of us entitled to our own views, there have been - as it should be in a robust democracy such as ours - varied responses to the President’s address which sets out deliverables for the year ahead while also setting out government’s key policy objectives. After all, the state of the country does concern each and every one of us.

    While the political parties represented in Parliament responded to the SoNA on the national stage, citizens have probably expressed their opinions to each other on the train-ride or minibus taxi to work or at the dinner table.  

    Others have done so on various social media platforms and in many cases expressing their frustration with the pace of service delivery.

    The sixth administration which came to the helm in May 2019, has not had it easy. It is an administration that had to deal not only with the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on everyday life, but also challenges SA had been facing prior to the arrival of the pandemic - such as poverty and unemployment.

    However, in delivering the SoNA, and in reflecting on the last thirty years of our country’s democracy, the President said that perhaps “the greatest damage was caused during the era of state capture.”

    This as the effects of state capture continue to be felt across society, “from the shortage of freight locomotives to crumpling public services; from the poor performance of our power stations to failed development projects.”

    We must admit that it can’t be easy to turn the fortunes of the country around, especially one that comes from a history of inequality that is still a part of our social fabric today.

    I’m not suggesting that we ought to blame the past for all our current challenges. However, as in most cases in life, the past does have a bearing on the present. No  matter how hard one tries, it cannot be ignored.

    The past which excluded the majority, reminds government, said the President of the “responsibilities that freedom has placed on our shoulders to forge ahead to realise for all South Africans the promise of a better life”.

    While the reference to Tintswalo, the child of democracy is in some quarters being criticised, exacerbated by challenges such as corruption, Tintswalo is no figment of the imagination.

    In the eyes of some members of the public, the story of Tintswalo is one of young people unable to find work, unable to complete their studies due to outstanding fees or being held under the thumb of gender-based violence, amongst others.

    unquestionably, the reality is that the Ghost of Christmas Past, masquerading itself in the form of poverty and unemployment amongst others, continues to hamper government’s efforts.

    However, what remains is that the Tintswalo President Ramaphosa spoke of, is real.

    Born in 1994, she grew up in a society governed by a constitution rooted in equality, the rule of law, and affirmation of the inherent dignity of every citizen.

    She grew up in a household provided with basic water and electricity, in a house where her parents were likely to have lived without electricity before 1994.

    While the Tintswalo of today faces a world different to that of the past, government is committed to bettering the lives of its people.

    In the SoNA debate reply, the President noted that despite the contributions made at the debate, “no speaker has been able to refute the fundamental reality that the lives of millions of South Africans have been transformed over the 30 years of freedom.”

    Government has and continues to make progress in various aspects of everyday life.

    This includes the introduction of the National Minimum Wage, which guarantees the minimum floor below which no worker may be paid, which was introduced for the first time in the country’s history in 2019.

    The sixth administration also oversaw the successful raising of the R1.51 trillion worth of investments over the last five-year period through the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) that the President announced in 2018.

    Held annually over the past five years, the SAIC surpassed the initial R1.2 trillion target to reach the R1.51 trillion in investment pledges.

    The transformation of South African lives can be found in the Census 2022 results which among others showed that access to electricity for lighting increased from 58% to 95% between 1996 and 2022 as well as 82.4% of households having access to piped water either inside their dwelling or inside their yard. 

    Additionally, by November 2023, the 20 specialised South African Police Service Economic Infrastructure Task Teams that were set up to work with business, private security and state-owned enterprises to tackle illegal mining, construction site extortion, cable theft and vandalism of economic infrastructure, had made arrests.

    The teams had made over 4 000 arrests for damage of critical infrastructure, 70 arrests for extortion at construction sites and over 3 000 arrests for illegal mining.

    With my popcorn in hand, watching the President deliver his address, my bite on this one was clear - the journey of a better South Africa has not been perfect, but succumbing to our challenges is not an option. As South Africans, let’s continue to show up for ourselves and for our country.  -SAnews.gov.za

    Neo Semono is a Deputy Director at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) 

    Neo
    Fri, 02/23/2024 - 10:12

    167 views
    Read moreShowing up for SA