MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / Archives for Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga

SAPS makes strides in crime fighting operations

Location: News

SAPS makes strides in crime fighting operations

Police Minister Bheki Cele says combating crime through decisive police action and robust community involvement remains at the heart of policing in the country.

“We all can agree that crime is [at unacceptable] levels and communities have called on the SAPS [South African Police Service] to respond to their crime concerns,” Cele said.

Addressing media on the Police Take Down Successes of Police Counter Operations in Pretoria on Sunday, Cele said in the past few of days, SAPS has intercepted armed and dangerous gangs, who have left a reign of terror and fear in their wake.

“A group of 11 youngsters terrorising the community of Mariannhill in KwaZulu- Natal was intercepted, and nine were shot and killed during the arrest,” Cele said.

Cele said over 20 would-be cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers in Witbank, Mpumalanga, were also stopped in their tracks through coordinated responses by the police and private security.

“Five of the suspects were killed during gunfire exchange with police in their attempt to evade arrest. Eight of CIT robbers were arrested and another nine managed to escape.

“There is no doubt that these criminals and many others are ruthless and arrogant. Their actions demonstrate that they will eliminate anything and anyone that stands in their way.

“Criminals have waged a war on communities and are so brazen, they are testing the authority of the State by attacking police officers,” Cele said.

Cele said police remain unapologetic in their aggressive and decisive response to crime.

“This Ministry remains in full support of police work that results in safer communities. We will forever welcome the arrest of criminals and for them to have their day in court.

“But criminals are warned that if they engage the police instead of surrendering themselves; they will come out short.

“We are clear police will continue to protect communities and push back hard on criminality. Not on our watch will we allow criminals to walk all over communities and certainly not the country’s law enforcement,” Cele said.

Cele said the SAPS Crime Intelligence Division has been rejuvenated and bolstered to identify and infiltrate syndicates.

He said intervention units and tactical response teams of the SAPS continue to be capacitated.

“The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations and overall detection of organised crime is sharper than ever. The combination of all these policing services is decisively responding to crime especially to violent and serious crime.

“Without an ounce of hesitation, officers on the ground will protect their lives and preserve the lives of innocent community members when the need arises,” Cele said.

He said takedowns by the police are not isolated and are not coincidental.

“They are as a direct result of reliable and strong intelligence coupled by sharp tactical readiness of police units who are trained to neutralise any threat and protect lives,” he said.

According to Cele, from April 2023 to date, 1 171 intelligence-led takedowns were conducted by the SAPS.

To date, 3 749 suspects have been apprehended during intelligence-led takedowns. These include 173 for murder, 57 for extortion and kidnapping, 164 for property-related crimes and 269 for vehicle-related crimes.

Cele said 768 suspects have been arrested for possession of illegal firearms.

“Four hundred and eighty-eight and 79 suspects were arrested for robberies and CIT robberies, respectively; 1 510 drug-related and 214 illicit mining arrests were made from April to date during intelligence-led takedowns,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Sun, 04/07/2024 - 11:16

642 views
Read moreSAPS makes strides in crime fighting operations

SIU obtains interdict to stop sale of farm linked to former NLC exec

Location: News

SIU obtains interdict to stop sale of farm linked to former NLC exec

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained an interdict from the Special Tribunal to stop the sale of a farm in Limpopo that is linked to the former National Lotteries Commission (NLC) Chief Operations Officer, Phillemon Letwaba and his brother, Johannes Letwaba.

The farm was listed for R7 million last year and is currently under offer for R5 million.

In an order dated 28 March 2024, the Special Tribunal prohibited the Letwaba brothers and any other person with knowledge of the order from selling, disposing, leasing, transferring, donating, or dealing with the farm in any manner.

The 3 426 128-hectares farm is registered under the Mosokoti Business Trust, whose trustees are the Letwaba brothers.

The funds that were used to purchase the farm emanate from the NLC. The farm is now preserved pending the final determination of civil action to be brought by the SIU within 60 days.

The SIU received a tip-off from a whistleblower about the sale of the farm and its potential link to NLC funds.

Following the tip-off, the SIU found that the farm was purchased using NLC funds siphoned through two organisations, which include organisation one -- Lulamisa Community Development Organisation NPO.

The SIU’s investigation revealed that in July 2015, an application for grant funding for Lulamisa Community Development Organisation (Lulamisa) was submitted to the NLC.

On the application form, the NPO was requesting an amount of R85 million for “hosting the Commonwealth Games, which would benefit the people of South Africa and boost the economy of the city of Durban”.

The NLC granted Lulamisa R80 million in two tranches of R64 million and R16 million, respectively.

Between 1 and 31 March 2016, Lulamisa made various payments to Iron Bridge Travelling Agency totalling R2 712 269.77. Phillemon Letwaba’s wife, Rebotile Malomane, owns Iron Bridge Travelling Agency.

In April 2016, Iron Bridge Travelling and Events transferred R1 000 000.00 to conveyancing attorneys, which went towards purchasing the farm.

Organisation number two is Tshikovha Graduate Academy.

On 11 February 2016, Konani Pfunzo Learning Centre applied for grant funding to the NLC for R49 935 697.52. The request aimed to assist Tshikovha Graduate Academy, an NPC, in drilling 200 boreholes in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State and Eastern Cape provinces.

On 19 February 2016, NLC awarded Konani Pfunzo Learning Centre grant funding of R55 463 735.

On 22 February 2016, Konani Pfunzo and Tshikovha signed a memorandum that the grant will be transferred to Tshikovha within two working days upon receipt thereof. After Konani Pfunzo received grand funding from the NLC, an amount of R55 250 000 was transferred to the bank account of Tshikovha Graduate Academy.

Two days after receiving these funds, Tshikovha Graduate Academy transferred R4 800 000.00 to a private company named Redtaq (pty) LTD. Karabo Charles Sithole, Phillemon Ledwaba's cousin, is the sole director of Redtaq.

On 01 March 2016, Redtaq transferred R600 000.00 to Iron Bridge Travelling and Events. On 03 March 2016, Tshikovha further transferred R4 500 000.00 to Redtaq.

On 23 March 2016, Redtaq transferred R2 4000 000.00 to conveyancing attorneys. On the same day, Iron Bridge Travelling and Events transferred R66 009.83 and R300 000.00 to the same attorneys.

On 30 March 2016, Tshikovha transferred R8 000 000.00 to Mshandukani Holdings's bank account. Mshandukani Holdings is a private company with the company and Mr Mashudu Shandukani is the sole director.

On 05 April 2016, Mshandukani Holdings transferred an amount of R1 000 000.00 to Ndzhuku Holdings' bank account. On the same day, Ndzhuku Holdings transferred an amount of R1 000 000.00 to the same aforementioned attorneys.

The farm was purchased for a total of R4 766 003.83. The SIU’s evidence shows that Letwaba contravened the NLC's conflict of interest clause. He also used the funds received from NLC-funded NPOs for his gain.

The interdict is part of implementing the SIU’s investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover cash and assets lost by State institutions due to alleged corruption or negligence.

Acting on the tip-off is part of fighting corruption as a whole of society, as envisioned in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

The SIU was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, in terms of Proclamation R32 of 2020, to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the NLC and the conduct of NLC officials, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State.

The SIU is empowered by the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 to institute civil action in the Special Tribunal or the High Court to correct any wrongdoing it uncovers in its investigation.

The SIU has referred the evidence pointing to criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action. -  SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Sun, 04/07/2024 - 12:53

688 views
Read moreSIU obtains interdict to stop sale of farm linked to former NLC exec

Labour activation programmes to create job opportunities in Gauteng

Location: News

Labour activation programmes to create job opportunities in Gauteng

The Department of Employment and Labour, through its entity, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), will enter into partnerships with private business, SETAs and NGOs to create thousands of employment opportunities for residents of Gauteng.

At the launch of labour activation programmes for Gauteng on Saturday, Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi said an amount of R8.4 billion has been set aside to implement 105 labour activation programmes over 22 sectors, including agriculture, services, IT, construction, engineering, wholesale and retail, safety and security, hospitality, social services, textile and transport in Gauteng.

The Gauteng launch is part of a R23.8 billion national job creation plan that will be rolled out over the next couple of weeks to create more than 700 000 employment opportunities throughout the country. The opportunities will run between 12 and 36 months.

Nxesi, delivering the keynote address, said that in the face of rising unemployment, all efforts to create employment in South Africa should be welcomed.

“It is very important that we respond to the challenge of unemployment, and plan together to implement strategies to mitigate it on an ongoing basis. We believe that government, working together with all stakeholders, has a major role to play in mitigating unemployment, and creating and preserving jobs,” said the Minister.

Nxesi said that only substantial economic growth and development will rescue the country from the huge unemployment challenge.

The launch was attended by labour activation programme beneficiaries, project owners, various MECs from the provincial government, as well as senior government officials.

Participants that will be hired and trained in the programme will be selected through the Department of Employment and Labour’s Employment Services of South Africa database (ESSA).

For registration as a work seeker, members of the public can register on the database using the link https://essa.labour.gov.za/EssaOnline/WebBeans/?wicket:bookmarkablePage=wicket[1]1:za.gov.labour.essa.web.individual.register.RegIndSearch.

Launches of labour activation programmes for other provinces are scheduled to take place as follows:

  • KwaZulu-Natal, 16 April 2024
  • Western Cape, 17 April 2024
  • Eastern Cape, 19 April 2024
  • Free State, 22 April 2024
  • North West, 23 April 2024
  • Mpumalanga, 24 April 2024
  • Limpopo, 30 April 2024
  • Northern Cape, 09 May 2024.

 – SAnews.gov.za

Matona
Sun, 04/07/2024 - 16:19

218 views
Read moreLabour activation programmes to create job opportunities in Gauteng

Nxesi launches skills training programme to assist unemployed citizens

Location: News

Nxesi launches skills training programme to assist unemployed citizens

Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, has launched a skills training and entrepreneurship programme designed to benefit the youth and the unemployed in the country. 

The programme will afford Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) beneficiaries and unemployed youth with an opportunity to be integrated into the labour market or start their own businesses.

Nxesi announced the launch of the Unemployment Insurance Fund Labour Activation Programme (LAP) during a media briefing held in Pretoria on Thursday.

LAP was established within the UIF to enhance the department’s mandate through enhancing the employability of the unemployed through training; enable entrepreneurship through enterprise development; preserve jobs through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and Productivity SA, and collaborate across government departments and entities to massify jobs, skills training and enterprise creation.

Nxesi said an amount of R23.8 billion will be allocated to implement this plan. 

“Opportunities will run between 12 and 36 months. The money invested in the plan will be recouped by the UIF through contributions and revenue generated from investments, as has been the sustainability model of the fund.

“The spread of our implementation nationally will be across every province, with 333 recommended projects to provide seven training, small enterprise support and employment opportunities to 704 000 unemployed people,” Nxesi explained.

Nxesi said the department is collaborating across with other government departments and entities to massify jobs.

“As early as next week, we will be talking about a joint programme with the Department of Higher Education and Training, and Small Business, which is also a collaboration with the programme we are talking about today,” Nxesi said. 

The Minister assured that the projects have all been subjected to meticulous quality assurance processes to ensure that they are compliant with the policy and legislation. 

“There are necessary controls in place, there is capacity and necessary resources in place, and these programmes produce the real outcomes in terms of the jobs and at a perineural scheme or prospect. 

“Employability interventions are delivered through contracts with the condition that they guaranteed jobs for beneficiaries with a minimum period of employment of one year post intervention,” Nxesi said.

Nxesi said he hopes the companies and industries will contribute significantly to the sectors, including agriculture, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), construction, engineering, manufacturing, education, transport, and mining.

The first roll-out of LAP projects will be launched in Gauteng with the provincial government on 6 April 2024, followed by KwaZulu-Natal on 16 April, Western Cape 17 April, Eastern Cape 19 April, Free State 22 April, North West 23 April, and Mpumalanga on 24 April 2024.

The launch will also move to Limpopo on 30 April, with the last roll-out to take place in the Northern Cape on 9 May 2024.

The programme will be offered to people across all ages. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 04/05/2024 - 09:54

238 views
Read moreNxesi launches skills training programme to assist unemployed citizens

Arrests for violating traffic laws

Location: News

Arrests for violating traffic laws

More than 1 000 road users have been arrested and 900 vehicles were impounded in law enforcement operations conducted in all nine provinces since the start of the Easter holidays.

The arrests related to various offences, such as drunken driving, producing false driving documentation, driving recklessly, operating on the roads without driving permits and the overloading of both goods and passengers.

Vehicles were impounded mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga for violation of public transport operating permits.

A total of 75 961 vehicles were stopped and checked and 916 927 drivers were issued with traffic fines for various infringements.

One of the major concerns during this period was unroadworthy vehicles, and 274 vehicles with defects being discontinued.

“The Easter weekend is associated with increased traffic volumes as pilgrimages and holiday makers take advantage of the public holidays to visit family or go on vacation. However, this surge in traffic poses significant road safety challenges, with authorities often warning motorists to exercise caution due to the high volumes of vehicles on the roads.

“Increased traffic volumes were experienced on Thursday and Friday from approximately 10 am with [the] N1 North and N3 South recording an average of 2 000 vehicles passing through various tollgates per hour. The N4 East recorded 1 900, while N1 South recorded an average of 1 000 vehicles,” the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said.

Meanwhile, South Africa and Botswana are finalising details to identify and repatriate the 46 victims and human remains of Botswana bus crash fatalities, which happened over the Easter long weekend in Limpopo.

“We will be guided by the people of Botswana, especially the families and the government to say how they prefer this to be done. Post-mortems will be conducted tomorrow. Pathologists will issue a notice then [the Department of] Home Affairs will issue death certificates. Then a funeral parlour will issue a cover letter, requesting the repatriation permit,” Limpopo Health MEC, Doctor Phophi Ramathuba, said on Monday in an interview with the SABC. –SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Tue, 04/02/2024 - 09:30

516 views
Read moreArrests for violating traffic laws

Call for responsible driver behaviour

Location: News

Call for responsible driver behaviour

Motorists have been warned against violating traffic laws this Easter weekend as law enforcement officials intensify their operations to ensure the country’s roads are safe.

“Roadblocks will be staged on all major routes and within residential areas to address deviant behaviours by those who think that long weekends are a license to break the rules of the road and undermine our national effort to make our road safe,” Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said.

Traffic volumes are expected to start increasing on Thursday, 28 March, from about 10:00 and will stay high until about midnight.

“On Friday, 29 March, traffic volumes will start increasing early in the morning and will return to normal after 14:00. Return traffic will commence with worshippers from Moria City and other places of worship on Sunday, 31 March.

“All other main routes are expected to be extremely busy throughout Monday, 01 April. We appeal for motorists to stagger their traveling,” Chikunga said.

Addressing the 2024 Easter Road Safety Campaign in Mpumalanga the Minister said government has set a target to reduce road fatalities by 15% this Easter.

“We have mapped the routes, sharpened our strategies, and prepared our battle plan. With Gauteng being home to 40% of South Africa’s vehicle population, we expect a substantial number of motorists to leave Gauteng to different holiday destinations.

“The N1 towards Polokwane, especially the road to Moria City in Limpopo and to Beit Bridge, will be heavily policed. The N3 to the coastal city of Durban and N1 to the Free State, Western Cape, particularly Cape Town to Eastern Cape will be no exception.

“Here in Mpumalanga, on the N4 we expect heavy traffic especially on stretches leading to border gates and around toll gates,” the Minister said.

She called on the religious community, especially those that will be travelling to different places of pilgrimage, to ensure that the busses and taxis they hire are roadworthy and fit to be on the roads.

“Attention must be paid to ensure that the bus has two drivers who will relieve each other during the trips to avoid fatigue. Vehicle must also have proper permits that allow them to travel outside of their normal routes. This will help to avoid conflict with other operators and inconvenience to passengers when the vehicles are stopped by law enforcement authorities,” the Minister said.

She said government is committed to improving performance on road safety.

This endeavour will be achieved by integrating law enforcement efforts and avoiding fragmentation, improving community understanding of factors behind road carnages and the role they can play to reduce as well as placing road safety on the national agenda.

“We are warning those who are a law unto themselves to obey traffic rules or else they will face the full might of the law. The message is simply that if you are reckless and irresponsible you will be locked up in jail, for in our view you are danger to society… if you drive drunk, if you drive at excessive speed, you drive a vehicle without number plates, you drive without a driver’s licence,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

nosihle
Wed, 03/27/2024 - 10:46

7 views
Read moreCall for responsible driver behaviour

South African projects seize opportunity to tackle climate crisis and create jobs

Location: News

British High Commission Pretoria
Download logo

The businesses were chosen from 173 applications following a rigorous selection process. The chosen projects come from the energy, transportation, agriculture, forestry and other land uses, circular economy and water sectors.

The businesses concerned will receive tailored one-to-one and group support from financial, technical and gender equality and social inclusion experts to help increase their chances of securing finance from South African and international investors. For the first time, two separate cohorts have been created to trial providing capacity building to promising early-stage projects.

So far, almost a third of projects from the first two phases of CFA South Africa have found investment since participating in the programme.

British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson said:

"South Africa has a huge number of companies and organisations with innovative ideas on how to tackle climate change. Support provided to these projects will help them secure investment, deliver green growth and jobs and contribute to South Africa meeting its climate commitments."

The 10 core cohort projects will undertake intensive capacity building before pitching to investors at an event in July, which early-stage projects will also be invited to attend.

The 5 projects selected in the early-stage pilot will have the opportunity to attend elements of the core capacity building training and will be encouraged to share their experiences with members of the core cohort, who may act as mentors.

CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI), Shameela Soobramoney said:

"NBI believes that identifying and supporting innovative, low carbon companies across key green economy sectors is not just a strategic initiative, but a moral imperative. These companies represent the vanguard of progress, offering solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our country and the globe."

"Initiatives like CFA illustrate how targeted support, collaboration, innovation, and unwavering dedication can pave the way for a brighter, greener future for generations to come. If we don't create the future we want, the one we get will be worth infinitely less."

CEO of GreenCape (GC), Michael Mulachy said:

"Food systems, rare earth metal beneficiation, storage, e-mobility, waste and sanitation are all featured in this year's CFA finalists. This incredible cohort have solutions to some of the most pressing green economy challenges globally."

"Each finalist has found its niche in South Africa and has the potential to scale up rapidly – creating much needed jobs and investment in South Africa's green economy. The CFA programme has been an incredibly effective launch pad for these innovative green companies and GreenCape is eager to see the impact of this cohort."

The 10 core cohort projects are:

  • Charge - catalysing the decarbonisation of the transport sector by installing 120 off-grid, green-powered, ultra-fast charging stations for passenger and light delivery vehicles. Located approximately 150 km apart, this first phase of installations covers South Africa's major highways and regional routes (18,200 km).
  • Creslow Energy Solutions - renewable battery manufacturer based in Mpumalanga. The energy storage solution is aimed at leisure, commercial and industrial markets (battery packs are suitable for small to medium factories and shopping malls), as well with specialised solutions provided for the mining sector.
  • Cultura Fresh - expanding the existing successful hydroponic vegetable business to meet persistent excess demand. Cultura Fresh is currently the largest supplier of leafy greens in Western Cape. This expansion will create jobs and boost food security.
  • EWaste Africa - expanding EWaste Africa's existing offer of  storing, collecting, transporting and end-of-life management of e-waste by diversifying into reuse, refurbishment and repair of e-waste (electrical, electronic, solar and lighting equipment waste) and increasing recycling facilities for hazardous e-waste.
  • Loowatt - providing high-quality ‘Kalula' home toilets to customers in urban neighbourhoods that lack adequate sanitation access.
  • Manganese Metal Company - constructing a 5,000 ton per annum manganese sulphate monohydrate (MSM) plant, to be located in Mbombela. MSM is a key ingredient in electric vehicles batteries.
  • MycoSure - addressing sustainable food production by developing mycelium-based submerged biomass fermentation technology to produce alternative protein and nutraceutical ingredients at scale.
  • Nambu - turning food ‘waste' into high value insect protein for livestock and pet feed - including dog kibble, liquid based feed additive and a basic ruminant feed - as well as pelletised frass (fertiliser),
  • SOCO CAPITAL - a spin off from an Engineering Procurement and Construction company, now an Independent Power Producer delivering comprehensive solutions, including fully funded solar PV (Power Purchase Agreement) and battery offerings available for rental.
  • Valternative Energy - bringing next-generation clean energy solutions to the e-mobility sector in South Africa with electric bikes, smart batteries and swap stations.

The 5 early-stage cohort projects are:

  • Aquagel - Regenr8 is addressing climate change through food security. Regenr8 does this by offering organic bio-stimulant that disrupts the chemical fertiliser industry and stores CO2 in the soil for hundreds of years.
  • Breev - Breev has a vision of an EV charger in every town in Africa and currently aims to expand EV charging along 980,000 km of roads in South Africa and Kenya, doubling mobility options and reducing environmental impact.
  • React - enhancing access to recycling services and ethical standards by setting up decentralised micro material recovery facilities in low-income areas, integrating informal waste reclaimers as operators, and providing them with access to recyclables and eco-friendly transportation.
  • Smartfill - connected smart dispensers enabling consumers to accurately fill any container with the quantity of dry food they need, eliminating plastic packaging.
  • Solarfi - is set to connect 5 million individuals by distributing more than 500,000 innovative lantern-routers, delivering both internet and lighting to off-grid communities and driving progress through sustainable technology.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of British High Commission Pretoria.

Read moreSouth African projects seize opportunity to tackle climate crisis and create jobs

Progress made at troublesome power stations

Location: News

Progress made at troublesome power stations

Eskom Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, says although challenges continue, at least five power stations identified for attention and intervention are beginning to show improvement.

Nxumalo was speaking during an Energy Action Plan (EAP) media briefing on Monday.

“One of the stations identified was Kusile Power Station, where we were running one unit and it was also not running at full capacity. At Kusile now, we have actually taken it out of recovery station because it is running exceptionally well, on average above 90% availability.

“It shows that we have taken the lessons from Medupi [power station], which has been consistently running at those levels. Kusile has now turned the corner,” he said.

Kusile power station is located in Mpumalanga.

Meanwhile, improvements are being seen at the Majuba, Matla, Duvha and Kriel power stations, which are all located in Mpumalanga.

“With the work that we’ve done, we’ve seen a significant improvement at Majuba in terms of reduction of partial load losses and also trips at that plant. That plant is also running exceptionally well, so is Matla power station as well.

“Duvha has been doing exceptionally well, except for the boiler failures but on average, Duvha is on the right track. It is actually performing much better than it was a year ago. Kriel power station is also seeing good improvement,” he said.

Nxumalo conceded that Kendal and Tutuka power stations “have not improved as expected”.

“We understand why. With Tutuka… we are starting to commission those units so in the next two months, we are going through a major commissioning period. We expect that Tutuka will start performing much better than what has happened.

“Kendal we understand the issues there [and] we are now also starting to commission the units. We are dealing with both the partial [load losses] and the unavailability,” he said.

Load shedding

Meanwhile, Eskom has suspended load shedding between 5am and 4pm daily followed by Stage 2 load shedding in the evening. This pattern will be repeated until further notice.

“Load shedding will be suspended... until 4pm on Monday when Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented until 5am on Tuesday.

“This pattern of suspending load shedding from 5am until 4pm and Stage 2 load shedding from 4pm until 5am will be repeated daily until further notice,” the power utility said on social media platform, X. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:14

496 views
Read moreProgress made at troublesome power stations

Dagga worth over R600 000 seized at the border

Location: News

Dagga worth over R600 000 seized at the border

Members of the South African Police Service’s border policing unit have arrested a 43-year-old truck driver from the Kingdom of Eswatini for allegedly attempting to smuggle dagga into South Africa.

In a statement on Friday, the SAPS said the male suspect was apprehended at the Oshoek Port of Entry in the early hours of Thursday morning.

According to police, at around 00:30am, the suspect was searched by members of the SAPS on the arrivals side of the port of entry.

“It was during this search that the astute members discovered the dagga concealed under a load of timber. As a result, the driver was detained and charged accordingly,” the statement said. 

A total of 150kgs of dagga with an estimated street value of R630 840 was seized.

The truck, with number plates from the Kingdom of Eswatini, was confiscated together with the seized dagga for further investigation. 

The suspect is expected to appear at the Elukwatini Magistrate's Court today. 

Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner of the Police, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has applauded the members for their dedication.

"The continuous arrests and successes witnessed at the borders prove that indeed the members are working with diligence. They are doing an excellent work on daily basis,” General Manamela said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Fri, 03/22/2024 - 10:20

232 views
Read moreDagga worth over R600 000 seized at the border

Social Development to keep older persons fit and active in Mbombela 

Location: News

Social Development to keep older persons fit and active in Mbombela 

As the country commemorates Human Rights Day, the Department of Social Development will use the day to promote the rights of older persons through dialogue and sporting activities in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. 

The active ageing programme will be held on Thursday in collaboration with the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF), under the theme: “Leaving No One Behind during the Decade of Healthy Ageing”.

The programme seeks to improve the quality of life, health, and well-being of older persons by instilling dignity, peer social integration, as well as promotion of senior citizens’ voices and the creation of awareness concerning their ability to express themselves through dialogue, music, sport, and recreational activities.

The active ageing programme will unfold through an interactive dialogue where older persons will have the opportunity to participate in a democratic manner by independently expressing themselves on how they would like to be treated by authorities and society.

Among other topics, they will reflect on the role of traditional leadership in the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons, family care and support.

Older persons will also participate in various sporting activities including soccer and athletics which are an essential component of active ageing programme.

All government departments, tasked with the implementation of the Older Persons Act will be part of the proceedings

“In choosing to concentrate on the human rights of older persons, the department is trying to encourage the country to respect the human rights of older persons as enshrined in the Constitution. 

“The active ageing programme is a platform to inform older persons about their rights; establish cooperation with government so that older persons’ rights, concerns, needs are identified, voiced, and addressed,” the department said in a statement. 

According to the 2022 Census report, the country’s older persons population was estimated at 5.6 million. The report shows an increase in the number of older persons across all provinces, with highest number of the older population being in Gauteng at 1.4 million and KwaZulu-Natal at 940 000.

“This is an indication that South Africa is becoming an ageing society which is not immune from the burden of disease that can cause disability due to an increase in old age-related chronic diseases. 

“In a few decades, the loss of health and life worldwide will be greater from non-communicable or chronic diseases, such as, cardiovascular disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis and diabetes among others,” the department said. 

The department highlighted that in South Africa older persons are faced with numerous challenges including, gender-based violence and femicide. They are often deprived from enjoying their old age as they are often forced to take care of orphaned and vulnerable grandchildren. - SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Thu, 03/21/2024 - 11:30

160 views
Read moreSocial Development to keep older persons fit and active in Mbombela 

Indwe 4IR Lab a hub for communities: Manamela

Location: News

Indwe 4IR Lab a hub for communities: Manamela

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Deputy Minister, Buti Manamela, says the establishment of the Indwe 4IR Lab positions the Ekurhuleni East TVET College as a transformative hub for communities. 

Manamela made the remarks during the launch of the Indwe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Lab at the Ekurhuleni East TVET College’s Artisan and Skills Development Centre on Tuesday.

The state-of-the-art lab is set to provide staff and students at the TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) college with cutting-edge skills pertinent to 4IR.

The establishment of the Indwe 4IR Lab is a direct result of a collaborative private-public partnership involving the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA), Festo Didactic and the Ekurhuleni East TVET College.

Festo Didactic offers state-of-the-art learning concepts for technical basic and further training.The company’s customers include vocational colleges, universities, research centres, educational institutes and industrial companies all over the world.

The strategic alliance aims to introduce comprehensive 4IR educational programmes that will significantly boost the employability and productivity of the workforce, as well as enhance the capacity-building efforts for staff at TVET colleges.

Speaking at the launch, Manamela said the launch of the lab must be viewed as part of government’s strategic goals such as developing the relevant skills to help address the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges, but also “help steer our economy from being resource driven to one that is more knowledge driven.”

Manamela said the advent of the 4IR has rendered some skills and jobs obsolete, which will require the country to reimagine the content of what is taught at universities and TVET colleges, as well as their role in society.

“The other priority that our embrace of the 4IR must help us to address is the issue of youth unemployment and in particular, the disturbing phenomenon where over two million of our young people, are not in any form of employment, education, or training, what is commonly referred to as the NEET problem.

“As a country, we can’t hope to sustain our key national goals of skills development, education, and employment, if an important section of our population-our young people-are not in any form of schooling or training. This is a huge risk that threatens to undo much of the progress we have made thus far in education and skills development,” Manamela explained.

The Deputy Minister said the launch of the Indwe 4IR Lab also forms part the department’s programme to equip TVET colleges with 4IR related capacity.

“The Indwe 4IR Lab is also envisioned as a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, offering opportunities for young people to engage with cutting-edge technologies. It also imagined to be a space where young people can acquire skills in exciting areas such as robotics, 3D printing, the Internet of Things, and advanced wireless technologies. 

“These skills are no longer optional but essential for success and prosperity in the digital age. There is therefore no doubt the establishment of Indwe 4IR Lab also positions the Ekurhuleni East TVET College as a transformative hub for the communities of Ekurhuleni,” he said.

Equipping young people

Manamela also encouraged the TVET college to reach out to the surrounding community and open its doors for the youth and young adults to access the cutting-edge technologies that can equip them with the knowledge and skills to get out of the debilitating grip of poverty and unemployment.

“As the Department of Higher Education, we remain steadfast in our support for visionary initiatives such as the Indwe 4IR Lab and this is because we value the role of our TVET colleges in equipping our young people with the skills, not only to pursue relevant careers, but also for them to be able to earn a living from what they are taught,” Manamela said. 

The introduction of 4IR programmes to TVET colleges initiative started at Maluti TVET College in the Free State, with Ekurhuleni East TVET College being the second beneficiary. 

The department said the initiative will be rolled out to additional TVETs nationwide, including Ehlanzeni in Mpumalanga; Lovedale Eastern Cape; Majuba in KwaZulu-Natal; Northern Cape Urban; South West Gauteng; Waterberg in Limpopo; West Coast in the Western Cape; and Taletso in North West Province. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Tue, 03/12/2024 - 15:35

81 views
Read moreIndwe 4IR Lab a hub for communities: Manamela