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Polokwane to host Bafana Bafana match against Lesotho

Location: News

Polokwane to host Bafana Bafana match against Lesotho

Bafana Bafana will host the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane next month.

“This match is not just another fixture on the football calendar, but it is a momentous occasion for our city, our province and of course for our country as we rally behind our boys in their quest to secure a spot in football’s grandest stage (the 2026 FIFA World Cup),” Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, said on Monday.

Coach Hugo Broos’ charges will face the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) neighbours in the Limpopo province on Friday, 21 March 2025.

The South African senior men’s national team will then fly to Benin by charter to face the West Africans in the second qualifier a few days later.

The Limpopo Provincial Government, led by the Premier, in collaboration with the South African Football Association (SAFA) held a media briefing to announce Polokwane as the venue of the match and also used the opportunity to allay fears about the readiness of the pitch to accommodate the crunch FIFA World Cup qualifier.

SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan, said the association was happy to continue taking the senior men’s national team to different parts of the country, with Polokwane the latest to assume the responsibility.

“Hosting this game in Polokwane, Limpopo, is a continuation of our commitment to taking the team to different parts of the country. We hope to see the passionate and packed stadiums we saw in Mangaung, Gqeberha and Cape Town during the team’s unbeaten run in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last year. Now it is Polokwane’s turn to fill up the stadium,” Jordaan said.

The kick off time and ticketing information will be communicated by SAFA in the coming days. -SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Tue, 02/11/2025 - 09:01

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SAPS condemns killing of on-duty officers in Free State

Location: News

SAPS condemns killing of on-duty officers in Free State

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has condemned the brutal killing of two police officers, who lost their lives in the line of duty on Saturday, 4 January 2025, in Namahadi, in the Free State.

Preliminary reports indicate that at around 10pm, two officers from the Namahadi Community Service Centre (CSC) responded to a complaint about a house robbery in Mangaung village. 

They were supported by a crime prevention vehicle, which had three additional members on board.

“Upon arriving at the scene, two suspects fled the house, prompting a chase by the crime prevention team. Meanwhile, the CSC members approached the house, where one suspect emerged and opened fire. One member was fatally shot, and his service pistol was taken by the suspect.

“As the pursuit continued, another suspect ambushed the driver of the backup vehicle while he was reversing the police vehicle. He was shot in the neck and succumbed to his injuries. The other police officers in the vehicle were unharmed.” 

According to the SAPS, the suspects, whose faces were covered with balaclavas, also stole two cellphones and an undisclosed amount of cash from the victim of the house robbery.

The police said the suspects remain at large, and the investigation is ongoing. 

The details of the deceased members will be shared as soon as their loved ones are formally informed.

“On behalf of SAPS, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the two constables. 

“Their sacrifice in service to their community will never be forgotten,” said the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.

For any information regarding this incident, please contact the SAPS Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Mon, 01/06/2025 - 12:37

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Correctional Services confirms Mangaung centre death 

Location: News

Correctional Services confirms Mangaung centre death 

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed the death of an inmate at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State.

“The Department of Correctional Services confirms with regret the death of an inmate, who was found to have taken his own life by hanging. This unfortunate incident occurred at Mangaung Correctional Centre on 15 December 2024.

“At this time, personal details of the deceased cannot be disclosed as the family is being notified. We appeal for patience and understanding as we ensure that proper procedures are followed with due respect for the family's privacy,” the department said.
A probe into the death is underway.

“The Office of the National Commissioner has directed that a thorough investigation be undertaken to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” DCS concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Tue, 12/17/2024 - 09:24

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Review on metros’ performance in housing delivery

Location: News

Review on metros' performance in housing delivery

The Department of Human Settlements has started a series of engagements to review the performance of housing delivery in all metropolitan municipalities in the country.

Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, said the department was concerned about the performance of the metros, with leadership and governance instability being a major factor in the performance of human settlements delivery.

Kubayi said the department had therefore started a process of meeting all metros to assess performance and determine the interventions necessary to expedite delivery.

“Our first engagement was with the Gauteng Metros last week and it was noted that although improvements have been visible with some metros, there is a need for intervention in the City of Ekurhuleni.

“We intervened in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan by establishing a War Room to complement the technical capacity in the city. We have seen the significant improvements with the Nelson Mandela Bay due to the intervention of the War Room,” Kubayi said.

She said the City of Ekurhuleni will be afforded a similar intervention, to ensure acceleration of service delivery and respond to the needs of the people of Ekurhuleni.

“We will continue these engagements with eThekwini, Mangaung, Buffalo City and the City of Cape Town in the next few weeks, and where necessary, we will provide the appropriate interventions for the metros,” Kubayi said.

Verification of housing subsidy beneficiaries

Meanwhile, Kubayi said the department is considering appointing a team of legal experts with expertise in large forensic investigation, forensic audit, and data analysis to deal with the injustices in the housing subsidy sector.

The Minister said the department has noted concerns raised by the public regarding housing subsidies provided by government through Breaking New Ground (BNG).

Kubayi said some BNGs were allocated to people who are not rightful beneficiaries, either because the beneficiary list was manipulated or because of syndicates operating across the country who illegally take housing units from rightful owners and sell them to non-deserving citizens.

“There are those that were sold BNG houses within a period of eight years in contravention of Section 10A of the Housing Act, that BNGs are occupied by foreign nationals with no information as to what led to that situation.

“The team is expected to provide a report that will provide clarity on the ownership of the houses, the occupants and where necessary initiate steps for legal action so that corrective measures are taken,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Tue, 08/27/2024 - 15:20

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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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DWS priorities completion of bucket eradication projects

Location: News

DWS priorities completion of bucket eradication projects

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) says it will prioritise the completion of the remaining delayed Bucket Eradication Programme projects in the Northern Cape and the Free State.

Briefing the media on the department’s plans and priorities for the 2024/25 financial year on Monday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said of the 33 projects which formed part of the programme in the Free State, 26 have been completed (eradicating approximately 32 000 buckets).

“Approximately 10 000 buckets remain to be eradicated in the seven incomplete projects. Of 30 projects which formed part of the programme in the Northern Cape, 29 are completed (eradicating approximately 12 000 buckets), and 596 buckets remain to be eradicated in the one incomplete project,” Majodina said.

However, the Minister acknowledged that the programme will not result in the eradication of the “undignified” and “repugnant” bucket system altogether from the South African landscape. This is because the programme only focuses on eradicating buckets in certain towns in certain provinces, where they were identified in 2012.

She said since then, and on an ongoing basis, other municipalities elsewhere have introduced buckets systems in formal and informal settlements.

“The eradication of buckets is therefore a moving target. In order to address this, Cabinet has recently approved a National Sanitation Framework which will provide the basis for the department to issue new national minimum norms and standards for sanitation which will prohibit the use of the bucket system in both formal and informal settlements,” Majodina said.

Working together with the Water Research Commission, the department is developing new safe, dignified, on-site and non-sewered sanitation systems.

“These solutions will use much less water than water-borne sewered sanitation systems, which is necessary in a water scarce country such as South Africa. Such systems will need to be implemented by municipalities.”

Strengthening partnerships

The Minister added that the Ministry of Water and Sanitation will continue to collaborate with all sectors, especially the private sector, to contribute to resolving the country’s water and sanitation challenges.

This is in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to strengthen collaboration and social compacts with the private sector, labour, civil society and government.

In addition to partnerships with mining houses for water supply projects, the department is also facilitating partnerships between the private sector and municipalities, through its Water Partnerships Office, which was established in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

This includes finalising plans with the eThekwini, Mangaung, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Tshwane municipalities to mobilise private sector finance for the replacement of leaking municipal water distribution pipes which are resulting in high levels of non-revenue water.

Water Services Amendment Bill 

Meanwhile, the department will shortly be presenting the Water Services Amendment Bill to Cabinet for approval for it to be submitted to Parliament.

Majodina noted that despite the high level of support provided by the department to the municipalities, the municipal water and sanitation services continue to decline.

She said the Amendment Bill provides for the introduction of an operating license system for Water Services Providers, to enable Water Services Authorities to ensure that their providers have a minimum level of capability to provide water and sanitation services that meet national norms and standards.

“The amendments propose that this should be done through the introduction of an operating license requirement for Water Services Providers, to ensure that they have a minimum level of competency.

“The Bill also introduces measures to enable the national department to take regulatory action against municipalities which do not comply with national minimum norms and standards for water services,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 08/05/2024 - 14:23

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Water partnerships office to support funding for municipal infrastructure

Location: News

Water partnerships office to support funding for municipal infrastructure

The Department of Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), has put in place an office to support municipalities in establishing partnerships with the private sector.

This as poor investment in water and sanitation infrastructure by municipalities is one of the biggest challenges in the water sector currently.

Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Madojina, said this when she tabled the department’s Budget Vote in Cape Town on Friday.

While South Africa is doing well in terms of mobilising private sector finance for investment in national water resource infrastructure, Majodina said it is not doing so well in terms of private sector financing of municipal water and sanitation infrastructure.

“Aging infrastructure, pipe leaks and lack of operation and maintenance, among others, are some of the main causes of high levels of non-revenue water in municipalities. For example, the water partnerships office is currently supporting the eThekwini, Mangaung, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane municipalities to mobilise private sector finance for the replacement of leaking municipal water distribution pipes which result in high levels of non-revenue water,” Majodina said.

She added that other focus areas include private sector investment in municipal water-reuse and desalination projects.

Water resource infrastructure agency

The Minister further announced the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency, which will own all the national water resource infrastructure assets and obtain the revenue streams associated with those assets.

This will enable the agency to borrow additional funds on the strength of its balance sheet.

“The establishment of the agency will be one of the major focus areas of the department over the coming year. Parliament passed the National Water Infrastructure Agency Bill before it rose in May this year and we are expecting it to be signed by the President shortly.

“This will involve the transfer of all the national water resource infrastructure assets currently owned by the department to the agency, as well as the staff responsible for the operation and maintenance of the assets,” Majodina said.

The Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) will be merged into the National Water Infrastructure Agency, along with the water trading entity in the department, which is responsible for collecting revenue from the sale of raw or untreated water to the water boards, municipalities and industry.

“A transition plan is in place, and we aim to complete the establishment of the agency by May 2025. During this financial year, the department will be focusing on implementing the major structural changes and staff transfers associated with the establishment of this agency,” the Minister said.

The Minister shared her intentions to ensure that there is continuity of the various reforms and improvements that were initiated by the former Minister Senzo Mchunu. Many of them were mandated by the National Development Plan and the Presidency’s Operation Vulindlela. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Fri, 07/12/2024 - 15:04

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Free State Premier charts a new path for seventh administration

Location: News

Free State Premier charts a new path for seventh administration

Newly inaugurated Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, has emphasised the urgent need for a dedicated public service, spearheaded by selfless and noble public servants, as government begins the work of the seventh administration.

Letsoha-Mathae said this when she met with the officials in the Office of the Premier at the Bram Fischer Building in Bloemfontein on Thursday. 

Addressing the officials, the Premier stressed the importance of creativity, hard work and collective effort to combat the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. 

"As we embark on this new journey, I implore you to remember that we are not just public servants, but patriotic citizens tasked with building a united, democratic, non-sexist, non-racial, and prosperous South Africa. 

“Let us work together to deliver quality services to our people and make the Free State a beacon of hope and excellence," Letshoha-Mathae said.

The Premier emphasised participatory democracy, urging public servants to take an active role in addressing societal issues. 

She reiterated her administration's commitment to providing prudent oversight, overseeing, and coordinating the delivery of quality services, leveraging on the District Development Model (DDM) for integrated development. 

Letshoha-Mathae stressed the importance of empowering the previously disadvantaged women and the youth in building a capable developmental state that prioritises the needs of the people. 

The Premier said there would be a zero-tolerance approach towards maladministration, unethical practices and laziness of officials. 

"The preoccupation of government, moving forward, should be that of ensuring public servants are held accountable and that the state is responsive to the plight of the people,” the Premier said. 

Collective approach towards GBVF

Letsoha-Mathae added that there was a need for a collective approach towards ending gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the province and South Africa in general. 

The Premier led a GBVF march in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, following the brutal murders of two young women in Mangaung.

The march, held under the banner “March for Justice”, was organised by various sectors and associations of society.

“Together, we are determined to overcome this pervasive threat that has invaded our communities. I urge men to stand up and protect women and children, while encouraging women to never tolerate any form of abuse," Letshoha-Mathae said.

Addressing key government priorities

Meanwhile, announcing the members of the Free State Executive Council for the seventh administration last week, Letsoha-Mathae said the team reflects the commitment to addressing key priorities of the provincial government, enhancing public service, and ensuring a sustainable future for all people. 

She said each member brings a wealth of experience, commitment, and a shared vision for the prosperity of our province. 

“This Executive Council shall be constituted of men and women who are dedicated to serving the people of the Free State with integrity, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of our people and reflects our commitment to addressing key priorities of our government, enhancing public service, and ensuring a sustainable future for all our people,” the Premier said.

“This Executive Council shall be constituted of men and women who are dedicated to serving the people of the Free State with integrity, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of our people,” she said.

The Members of the Executive Council are as follows:
• MEC for Finance, Tourism and Economic Development, Moses Ketso Makume
• MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Dibolelo Kathleen Mahlatsi
• MEC for Social Development, Nokwanje Selina Leeto
• MEC for Education, Mantlhake Julia Maboya
• MEC for Health, Monyatso Viceroy Mahlatsi
• MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Elizabeth Cornelia Rockman
• MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Jabu Ntsokolo Ishmael Mbalula
• MEC for COGTA and Human Settlements, Teboho Zacharia Mokoena
• MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ntobizanele Beauty Sifuba

Visits to health facilities

The Premier will today conduct a monitoring visit to the health facilities accompanied by Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi.

The Premier will first visit Bongani Hospital in Welkom and then Katleho District Hospital in Virginia. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 06/28/2024 - 09:13

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Law enforcement agencies reminded of responsibility to execute their mandate

Location: News

Law enforcement agencies reminded of responsibility to execute their mandate

With their sights set on safety and security and maintaining law and order during and after the election period, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in various provinces have been deployed at voting stations to ensure a peaceful and safe environment for eligible voters.

The Provincial Commissioners have on Tuesday sent off the last contingents of police officers who will further increase the foot soldiers who are already on the ground to create a safe and secure environment for the 2024 elections on Wednesday.

In the Eastern Cape, SAPS Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major General Zolani Xawuka, and his management addressed members during a parade which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, ahead of deployment for elections duties. 

“All members are operationally ready to apply fundamental policing principles, guided by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” Xawuka said.

Xakuwa reminded the members on parade of their responsibility and obligation to execute their mandate professionally, impartially and with integrity and to “do so within the confines of the laws of the country”.

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, gave his marching orders during a parade ahead of the deployment of the members to various parts of the province for the elections.

In the North West, police members have been deployed at the voting stations to ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and in a free and safe environment for voters, IEC officials, as well as role-players and the general public.

In the Free State, SAPS Mangaung District Teams are maintaining heightened police visibility at the Independent Electoral Commission's warehouse to ensure safety and security during the transporting and delivery of voting materials to different places in the Mangaung area. 

Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, visited Bainsvlei Clinic to cast her special vote as well as interact with SAPS operational members who are posted at the voting station to ensure safety during the elections.

Briefing the media on the state of readiness on Monday, the SAPS Provincial Commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe and the Provincial Electoral Officer, Nkaro Mateta, reassured citizens that the Electoral Commission and law enforcement agencies in the province are ready to ensure free and peaceful elections.

The police members at the various parades were reminded of their responsibility and obligation to execute their mandate professionally, impartially and with integrity, and to do so within the confines of the laws of the country. 

Giving the marching orders during the sending off parade in Harrismith of police officers who have been deployed to ensure safety and security at KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces on Tuesday, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola emphasised the maintenance of public order.

“There can never be disorder because you must be there to maintain public order and prevent crime... and do all other what is required by the Constitution. Go and assist your colleagues, make sure the election goes smooth and wherever you are, make sure you create a peaceful situation to ensure that people go to vote in a very peaceful and stable environment, and allow people to do what they are supposed to do,” Masemola told the police.  – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 05/28/2024 - 14:44

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