MyZA
News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
UNIQ celebrates 10th store and first summer range The Shoprite Group has opened its 10th UNIQ store in Rosebank Mall, just in time to launch the clothing brand’s inaugural Spring/Summer collection. Offering quality clothing for the whole family, UNIQ focusses on simplicity, comfort, superior textiles and value. The new collection is a fresh take on …
PIETERMARITZBURG: AET Tuskers registered an impressive win in their opening match in the top division, with a commanding nine-wicket victory over...
Suspects arrested for being in position of stolen railway tracks
Three suspects were arrested on Tuesday on the N4 freeway in Middleburg after being found in possession of a truck transporting allegedly stolen railway track valued at about R3 million.
The suspects, aged between 41 and 51, are expected to appear at the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
They are facing charges of being found with stolen items and for contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.
Police are working with the Department of Home Affairs after it was discovered that the suspects are foreign nationals and two were found without valid documentation to be in South Africa.
Two of the suspects are Mozambican nationals while the third found with documentation is a Zimbabwean national.
“Police in Mpumalanga are working hard to address the challenge of damage to essential infrastructure as well as theft of valuable railway items. The Mpumalanga Provincial Anti-Gang Unit of the police was tasked with the responsibility of helping curb this challenge.
“As a result of the determination by the team, working in collaboration with members of the public and in this case Middleburg Highway Patrol members played a role as well which led to a breakthrough that was achieved,” said the office of the Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela.
According to information, the railway track was stolen in Barberton in August 2023.
A case was opened and the investigation was handed over to the team, with the hope of arresting the perpetrators and recovering the reportedly stolen items.
After an investigation, investigators were able to gather valuable information and made follow ups which led to the trailing of the truck which was possibly transporting the suspected stolen railway track to a certain destination.
After being spotted and stopped, a search was carried out and the railway track was discovered inside the truck. The three men were then arrested.
The truck with its consignment and other items have been confiscated for further investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner has hailed the breakthrough.
"We are elated by this great achievement. We are adamant that the suspects may have been involved in other similar offences committed previously as our investigation team continues to probe.
“The damage to essential infrastructure is a thorn in the flesh but we are doing our best to address this, hence the arrest," said Lieutenant General Manamela – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 09/20/2023 - 14:47
Department and police fail to answer questions because they are still investigating three years later
BLOEMFONTEIN: SA Emerging Men will for the first time compete in this season’s Division 2 One-Day Cup and head coach Malibongwe...
Illegal miners to appear before Sabie Magistrate's Court
More than 60 suspects arrested over the weekend are expected to appear before the Sabie Magistrate's Court today on charges of illegal mining, among other things.
In total, 68 male suspects, aged between 19 and 54, were arrested in connection with illegal mining activities in Mpumalanga.
Amongst them, two were nabbed for human trafficking, meanwhile two others were charged for possession of unlicensed firearms with ammunition, while eight were nabbed for alleged kidnapping.
The successes are part of Operation Shanela in the province, which was carried out at Sabie on Saturday. All arrested suspects are facing charges relating to the contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.
According to the police report, the operation was conducted by a team consisting of members of the police from Provincial Organised Crime, members from Sabie Vispol, members from the Local Criminal Record Centre in Lydenburg, Lydenburg K-9 Unit, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Minerals and Resources, personnel from the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and guards from Phoenix Security and Amandla Security.
An operation was carried out after a victim from Lesotho came to the Sabie police station last month to report a case of kidnapping.
An investigation was thoroughly conducted and information was gathered. The investigating team coordinated and executed a sting operation in the early hours on Saturday.
When members arrived at the site, they managed to arrest the alleged illegal miners, well known as 'zama zamas', where two firearms with ammunition were found amongst the suspects.
The members also nabbed eight individuals, who are suspected to have been behind the kidnapping of the Lesotho national.
A preliminary investigation by the police revealed that two of the suspects are allegedly involved in the human trafficking of people from Lesotho, who were used for illegal mining in Sabie.
Two suspects face charges of human trafficking and more charges could possibly be added against them as the investigation continues.
The investigators are adamant that there could be more criminal activities that these men might be involved in. A probe is underway, where other stakeholders are assisting to ensure that the law take its course.
The confiscated firearms will be taken for ballistic testing to determine whether they were used previously in the commission of crime.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has commended the outstanding work that has been done by the collaborative team.
"We are very glad that not only was a huge number of suspects arrested, but two firearms were discovered.
“The issue of illegal mining is a concern in our country and we are happy that the public can see that the state, in conjunction with the private sector, is working hard to address the challenge, hence this success," she said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 09/18/2023 - 09:24
Police appeal for cooperation in apprehending suspects
Police in Mpumalanga are appealing to members of the public to assist by providing information that can lead to the arrest of suspects involved in the shooting of patrons at a tavern in Kanyamazane on Sunday.
Two people died and scores others were injured as a result of the shooting.
One patron died at the scene, while another died in hospital later in the day. Two other people are said to be in a serious condition in hospital.
All the deceased have not yet been identified.
According to police, two armed men wearing balaclavas stormed into the tavern just after midnight and opened fire indiscriminately. After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene.
A team of investigators has been assembled under the leadership of the provincial commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela.
Manamela has strongly condemned the incident.
“We are very concerned about crimes that are being committed at liquor outlets, including crimes that are carried out near these liquor outlets.
“We trust that our communities will come on board and share information that will assist in this investigation,” she said.
A case of murder and attempted murder has been opened. The motive for the shooting is still unknown.
The investigation continues, and police have urged members of the public to come forward with information that may assist in the arrest of the perpetrators. The public is urged to use the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP.
All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 09/18/2023 - 11:59
Kabelo Mulaudzi and Karabo Mailula emerged triumphant to secure the most prestigious titles on offer, on a spectacular day of racing at the ASA Cross Country Championships held at Nelson Mandela University sports grounds in Gqeberha on Saturday. Competing in tough conditions, which included near gale-force winds, in-form athlete Mulaudzi delivered in style after turning …
Kusile’s Unit 4 returns to service
Kusile Power Station's Unit 4 has returned to service bringing back 800 megawatts, which was taken off during the unit’s 20-day planned maintenance.
Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said this while briefing the media on the implementation of the country’s Energy Action Plan.
The unit came back online on Sunday morning, and will add 800 megawatts to the capacity available and removes 800 megawatts from the planned maintenance of Eskom.
Units 1, 2 and 3 of the power station located in Mpumalanga were put offline due to a flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) mechanism that was damaged in October last year. This affected stacks at the units. He said that these are expected to come online between October and the end of November 2023.
“We’ve been able to shed a month on the return of unit 3 and the expectation is that we should be able to return this unit by 14 October. The same is applicable for unit 1. We should be able to get it on 30 October.
On progress made on unit 2, the Minister said the team initially was of the view that the unit would return on 24 December. However, this has been revised to 30 November 2023.
The Minister reiterated that Kusile is central to addressing the load shedding question, because “we will need significant more additional generating capacity to be able to address this.”
In recent weeks the country has been experiencing various stages of load shedding including Stage 6.
In an update on Sunday afternoon, Eskom said that due to further improvements in generation capacity, Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 4 pm until 4pm on Monday.
Thereafter, Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 4pm on Monday until 5 am on Tuesday. This will be followed by Stage 2 load shedding from 5 am until 4 pm.
“This pattern will be repeated daily until further notice,” it said. –SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Sun, 09/17/2023 - 13:32
Call for a review of National Strategic Plan on GBVF
South African children have reiterated a call for the review of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF).
The call was made during consultations with children on Pillar 7 of the NSP on GBVF, held simultaneously in Limpopo, the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
The Department of Social Development has been on the road consulting children on the NSP-GBVF - the country’s blueprint document to combat Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
This follows a call by children during the Presidential GBVF Summit held last year, that the document should have Pillar 7, which will specifically look at violence against children.
During the summit, the children expressed their dissatisfaction about adults speaking on their behalf.
The NSP-GBVF currently has six pillars namely:
• Accountability, coordination and leadership;
• Prevention and Rebuilding;
• Justice, Safety and Protection;
• Response, Care Support and healing;
• Economic Power; and
• Research and Information.
During consultations, the children noted that the document is not child friendly, and does not include children and men.
The children believe that the “gender” in gender-based violence indirectly means women, and not children and boys.
They challenged the drafters to look into the document and count how many times children are mentioned.
“Maybe instead of a pillar, there should be a strategic document on how to deal with violence against children, seeing that adults have already drafted their own,” 17-year-old Rebecca Smith said.
The children also raised concern on the document being written only in English, noting that they do not think that their communities even know what “gender-based violence” is.
“The seventh pillar must all be about us - the children,” said Mondli Mncandi.
Patience Sibande (17) said she had to continue consulting her dictionary because of the difficulty in terminology and language used.
“We don’t understand it, and it excludes us as children from the rural areas,” she said.
The children also pointed out that while the drafters of the document may think that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA) community is mentioned, the document glosses over their issues and it does not understand [what] children who are of a different sexuality go through.
“The document is sound but lacks inclusivity in the sense that it only mentions the LGBTQIA community towards the end, the document should include them throughout,” said 16-year-old Northern Cape Child Ambassador Shareez James.
The department started the consultations last week with the children from Gauteng and the Western Cape.
“The consultative sessions seek to ensure that children have an opportunity to express their views on the NSP-GBVF and how their issues can find expression in the document. The Children’s Act encourages the right for children to participate in all matters affecting them,” the department said.
The consultations will continue in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga on 23 September 2023.
Upon the conclusion of the consultations, the inputs from children will be submitted to the national steering committee responsible for the NSP-GBVF so that a decision can be made on whether to include Pillar 7, as asked by the children. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Sun, 09/17/2023 - 10:10
South Africa is a diverse country made up of vibrant, multicultural communities. This cultural richness is evident in the many languages, dialects, phrases, and expressions that make South Africa so unique. The recent addition of South African Sign Language to the country’s 11 existing official languages creates even more opportunities to connect. To celebrate the …
Athletics SA, EP Athletics and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will be hosting the ASA Cross Country Championships this Saturday, 16 September, at the Nelson Mandela University Sport fields. The best of South Africa’s Cross Country runners, ranging in age from 8 years to over 80 years, and covering distances from 2km to 10km, will …
Oil and gas imperative for SA's energy security
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) will “sustainably continue to develop” South Africa’s oil and gas resources in order to ensure energy security and alleviate dependency on foreign oil.
This is according to Mineral Resources and Energy Deputy Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, who was speaking at the Southern Africa Oil Gas Conference on Wednesday.
“It is imperative to accelerate the exploration of oil and gas both onshore and offshore, as having our own petroleum resources will reduce our dependency on foreign oil and cushion our economies, in particular our citizens against imposed whirlwinds of crude price volatility,” she said.
The Deputy Minister said South Africa has already initiated policy intervention processes to boost the development and growth of the country’s oil and gas industry.
“The first intervention is the development of the Gas Master Plan which is a policy that outlines and guides the critical role of gas in South Africa while providing policy direction to the gas industry.
“We have also developed the Upstream Petroleum Development Bill seeking to ensure that the upstream petroleum sector is no longer regulated under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (MPRDA), but under discrete petroleum legislation. We believe the de-coupling of the Upstream Petroleum Development Bill from MPRDA will bring regulatory certainty and hopefully shore up investor confidence,” Nkabane said.
Natural gas
Deputy Minister Nkabane highlighted that natural gas in one the key components in South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 and accounts for at least 3% of the country’s energy supply.
She explained that natural gas can also contribute to South Africa’s quest to lower emissions output.
“[The] continued exploration and discovery of indigenous gas is crucial for meeting our climate change targets and securing of energy supply,” she emphasised.
Nkabane highlighted that the recent discovery of maiden gas reserves in Mpumalanga represents a “major boost in electricity generation capacity as the country was looking at different sources of energy”.
She urged countries that have discovered gas to ensure these reserves not only serve international appetite but also contribute to energy security in local communities.
“Mpumalanga is the epicentre of South Africa’s power generation because [it] has a high concentration of power stations, therefore the discovery of gas positions the province at the centre of the just energy transition and as a source of reference for the country’s emission-reduction targets.
“We have also seen that Europe is looking to Africa to diversify its gas supplies. This presents a good opportunity and market for local gas beyond our own use. However, the caveat is that we should not rush to export our gas to Europe at the expense of our domestic and regional markets, no matter how tempting the prospects of earning foreign revenue.
“The argument often advanced is the lack of transmission infrastructure and unaffordability of gas products for local communities. My counter argument is that we are not going to change this situation if we do not use the revenue earned from gas exports to develop … our economies to create employment opportunities that will lead to consumption of goods and services,” she said.
Nkabane also called on African countries to increase ties in oil and gas trade between themselves.
“Already, South Africa imports the bulk of its crude requirements from African producers, including Nigeria and Angola. There is ample opportunity for a massive expansion of gas trade, especially from the Gulf of Guinea and the broader West Coast of Africa, where we have many producers and some already exporting. We collaborate closely with the African Petroleum Producers Organisation and urge more meaningful engagement with this continental body.
“As a region we should strive to build a strong oil and gas sector that will drive regional and continental economic development as is the case with the advanced economies,” Nkabane said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 09/13/2023 - 14:53
Load shedding to resume at Rocky's Drift substation
Eskom has resumed load shedding at Rocky’s Drift substation after the power utility successfully applied for leave to appeal a Mpumalanga High Court urgent order prohibiting it and the City of Mbombela from implementing rotational power cuts in the area.
That order was suspended pending the court’s decision on the appeal.
“Thereafter, upon application, the High Court granted an order in terms of section 18(3) of the Superior Courts Act, which lifted the suspension of its earlier order.
“Eskom has appealed this further order and it has therefore been suspended in terms of section 18(4) of the Superior Courts Act pending an adjudication of this appeal.
"As such, Eskom has resumed load shedding at Rocky’s Drift, as per the previously published load shedding schedules,” the power utility said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the power utility has ramped up load shedding from stage 4 to stage 5.
“Due to the loss of 4 generation units overnight, stage 5 load shedding will be implemented from 10:00am until 4pm today. Eskom will publish another update this afternoon,” Eskom said on its social media account. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 09/12/2023 - 09:59
Labour dept set to launch mobile employment centre
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi will this week launch a mobile employment centre at the Jobs Fair in Malelane, Mpumalanga.
The launch is set to take place on Thursday morning at the Paradise Creek Lodge in Malelane.
“Minister Nxesi will deliver a keynote address to stakeholders at the Employers’ Breakfast Session. Thereafter, he will address work seekers and exhibitors at the Jobs Fair and launch the Mobile Employment Centre of the Department of Employment and Labour,” the department said in a statement.
The Jobs Fair seeks to identify opportunities and solutions that can enhance the capacity of the department and its partners to deliver on its mandate of creating employment for unemployed people, especially the youth of Mpumalanga.
The Jobs Fair is designed to create a platform where employers and work seekers can interact with the purpose of ensuring that the unemployed and underemployed get access to both work and learning opportunities.
The event is targeted at work seekers and to draw employers, institutions and government departments that provide various services to the youth in particular.
The department will provide the following services during the event:
• Registration of unemployed work seekers on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) database.
• Facilitating access to opportunities and employment counselling services to work seekers.
• Offer career information and study options from educational institutions within the province.
• Job hunting skills, interview preparation and work ethics.
- SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 09/11/2023 - 09:41
Deputy President calls on social partners to tackle joblessness, climate change
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on social partners to work with government to deal with the country’s pressing issues, especially unemployment and climate change.
The Deputy President took to the podium at the National Economic Development Labour Council’s (NEDLAC) 28th Annual Summit in Johannesburg on Friday to reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said intensified economic setbacks, resulting in high unemployment and loss of jobs.
He also spoke about the current condition of the labour market, which he believes is indicative of the legacy of apartheid.
“We have inherited a labour force characterised by racial and gender inequities, skills shortages and high unemployment rates, particularly among Africans,” he told the delegates.
He welcomed the decline in the unemployment rate to 32.6% in the second quarter of this year, this is down from 32.9% in the first quarter.
“The best that can be said here is that the trend is heading in the right direction, albeit at a slow pace. Serious concerns such as job losses in manufacturing remain.
“In this regard, organised business, labour, government and the community sector at NEDLAC have turned to each other to seek ways of turning our economy around, reversing unemployment and building inclusive growth.”
Through collective efforts, one purpose and shared values, he said, they hold the power to determine the trajectory of South Africa.
The Deputy President cited President Cyril Ramaphosa who has called for a social compact between the government and the social partners in his 2022 State of the Nation Address.
He noted that NEDLAC has historically sought to collaborate about the big policy choices that face the country.
“However, in South Africa, where unemployment is so high and those who work support many of those who do not, this type of trade-off may be difficult to attain. The most pressing challenge appears to be one about ideological positions among social partners with respect to the path to growth, which have not shifted despite the enormous crisis the country faces.
“We must summon enough bravery to discuss this matter openly in order to prevent the ticking time bomb of poverty, inequality and joblessness from going off. This is not impossible to achieve.”
Meanwhile, he said the Presidency and Business for South Africa has initiated an important partnership with government to focus on energy, logistics and crime.
“It has offered to bring in resources and expertise to accelerate progress and address the current impediments to economic growth.”
He also urged social compacts to avoid being mere “talk shops”.
“NEDLAC has a responsibility to demonstrate to the nation that there can be win-win situations and that we can proceed with the best potential or least worst outcomes.”
Climate change
He also touched on the impact of climate change whether it is the flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, persistent drought in the Eastern Cape, high temperatures in Upington or poor air quality in Mpumalanga.
“[This makes] it impossible to cultivate fields… climate change is here.”
“Government’s response has been to prepare for a just transition from the world as we know it, to one which is friendlier to the environment and ultimately gives our children a safe future.”
He believes it will only be through partnerships that they can ensure that everyone is supported to transition to new employment or better livelihoods and provided with the necessary social support mechanisms.
“If not, those that are negatively affected now will resist this transition, to the detriment of future generations.”
In addition, social partners should focus on preparing for and building resilience in the face of challenges, especially health crises, natural disasters, deteriorating infrastructure, and rising levels of disruptive crime and vandalism.
“The reality is that some terrible aspects of our country cannot be wished away. Instead, we must indeed prepare for these crises to preserve lives and livelihoods and then address systemic challenges such as climate change and improved water access.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 09/08/2023 - 11:42
Construction of N4 Montrose road infrastructure investment complete
Minister of Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga will officially open the multi-million rand N4 Montrose Interchange in Mpumalanga on Friday.
“Construction of the Montrose Interchange is now completed and temporarily being used by traffic to service the entire community traversing through between Middleburg and Mbombela as well as the cross-border traffic leading to the neighbouring state, Mozambique through the Maputo Port of Entry,” the Department of Transport said on Thursday.
The department, through the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and the Trans African Concessions (TRAC), completed the upgrading of the N4/Montrose/Schoemanskloof Interchange in August 2023 as part of the Maputo Corridor Development initiative.
“Work on the interchange included the construction of four new interchange ramps and the widening of the existing two-lane Crocodile Bridge from two to five lanes.
“Two new arch bridges supported by adjacent rock cut faces have also been constructed to cross the existing Elands Valley section to accommodate two new ramps with Five 25-m-high masts illuminated at the interchange, increasing visibility and road safety,” the department said.
The interchange has already created over 350 jobs and provided subcontracting opportunities for at least ten local companies.
Chikunga will officially open this key economic corridor interchange joined by Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, the SANRAL Board of Directors, CEOs of Transport Department roads entities, TRAC CEO, traditional leadership and community members in the Mpumalanga province. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 09/08/2023 - 09:15
Simbini Lifestyle Estate is not only a unique Investment opportunity bordering Kruger National Park, it also offers an innovative way of ensuring the financial sustainability of the project. Do you dream of owning a place where the irresistible allure of African landscapes merges seamlessly with luxurious modern living? Could there be a place that offers …
The building’s residents say they need help not eviction
Facelift for land ports of entry
Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, says officials are committed to making the country's border posts safer, less porous and more efficient in the facilitation and easing of trade, as well as the legitimate movement of people.
“The South African government is committed to putting in the latest infrastructure and relevant technology in its efforts to modernise and upgrade our ports to be on par with the current global best practices on border management,” Motsoaledi said.
Addressing media in Pretoria on Wednesday, Motsoaledi said the main objective of upgrading border posts is to make it easier for law-abiding people and companies to easily enter and exit South Africa through the borders, while the illicit movement of persons and goods is nipped in the bud.
“It has taken a while for us to get to this point. I would like to commend my team consisting of officials from the Border Management Authority, the Department of Home Affairs, The Presidency’s Infrastructure SA, National Treasury, SARS, the DBSA’s Infrastructure Fund, and the transactional advisors, Bowmans and Ernst & Young, for their hard work in getting us to this point,” Motsoaledi said.
He said South Africa’s ports of entry were designed during the apartheid era, with the primary objective of tightened security, while neglecting the effective facilitation of regional and international trade.
“Since the advent of democracy, there has been an exponential increase in the number of people moving between South Africa and the countries in the region. The volume of regional and international trade has similarly increased.
“As a result, our land ports of entry are very congested and that continues to stifle trade, instead of enabling it. If you want to understand what we are talking about, just take a visit to the Lebombo Border Post between SA and Mozambique, where you will see trucks lining up for kilometres, bumper to bumper, for hours on end, on the N4 Corridor,” Motsoaledi said.
He said this is because mining companies in the North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga took a decision to use the Maputo Port for their exports and no longer Richards Bay Harbour.
“Given the current narrow design of the port, this has led to congestion. The announcement we are making today will make sure that what is happening there, will become history (sic),” the Minister said.
Improvements to boost continental trade
Motsoaledi said SA has 72 ports of entry, 53 of which are land, 11 are international airports and eight are seaports -- all of which are now operated by the Border Management Authority.
“Of the 53 land ports of entry, we have now earmarked six of our largest and busiest, by traffic volume, for redevelopment in order to address the congestion. The outcome of the redevelopment of these ports of entry will be used as a blueprint in the long-term for all other South Africa’s land ports of entry.
“The primary intention is to ensure the realisation of regional economic integration in the SADC region, while facilitating the realisation of African Continental Free Trade Area,” the Minister said.
Motsoaledi said in order to ensure that ongoing operations at each of the designated Ports of Entry are not interrupted, construction will be undertaken in phases.
“During construction, the project is expected to create in the order of 38 000 jobs in areas around the six designated ports of entry,” he said.
The six ports of entry earmarked for upgrading or redevelopment are:
• Beitbridge - Zimbabwe
• Lebombo - Mozambique
• Maseru Bridge – Lesotho
• Ficksburg - Lesotho
• Kopfontein - Botswana
• Oshoek - Eswatini
The redeveloped ports of entry will result in:
• Efficient cross-border management of the movement of people, goods and services.
• Improved administration of persons entering and leaving the Republic.
• Better regional economic integration, and enhanced support for the African Continental Free Trade Area.
• Improved revenue collection and addressing leakages caused by the illegal movement of goods and illicit financial flows.
• Protecting local industry from harmful imports and exports.
• Effective migration management including curbing illegal migration. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 09/06/2023 - 13:10
Govt reviews Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government has embarked on a comprehensive review of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act of 2005, to ensure that the different spheres of government work in a joined-up and coordinated manner to secure the well-being of the people of South Africa, among other things.
“In the design of our democratic unitary state, we introduced cooperative governance to ensure that the three spheres of government worked together to meet the needs of the people. Each sphere of government has constitutionally assigned powers and functions that cannot be encroached upon, but need to be mutually respected.
“Chapter 3 of the Constitution requires all spheres of government to cooperate with one another in mutual trust and good faith by, among others, fostering friendly relations and assisting and supporting one another. Importantly, the Constitution says that all spheres of government must secure the well-being of the people of the Republic,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President said the District Development Model (DDM) is geared towards improving and strengthening the intergovernmental relations system as an approach towards giving effect to the Constitutional principles of cooperative governance.
“The District Development Model approach has made great strides in ensuring that the principles of cooperative governance guide how we plan, budget and implement key government programmes and projects across the country. This is demonstrated through the Presidential Izimbizo and implementation of key catalytic projects identified in intergovernmental long-term One Plans.”
To date, the President said, experiences in the implementation of the DDM have placed greater emphasis on the requirements to undertake a review and re-look at the policy instruments framing and guiding of intergovernmental relations system, and cooperative governance.
Progress in addressing challenges identified at Imbizos
President Ramaphosa highlighted some of the progress made and key service delivery interventions through Izimbizo, and these include road maintenance projects in Mpumalanga, the provision of title deeds in North West, measures to tackle livestock theft in the Free State, and the provision of water in North West, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.
The President said through the Izimbizo government has further identified opportunities for skills development in key economic sectors in districts such as mining and agriculture in North West and Limpopo and energy programmes in Northern Cape.
“Through the information and contribution collected during the various Izimbizo, it has been possible to identify interventions that are required in many localities across the country. The benefit of these engagements therefore extends beyond the communities in which they take place as they are able to improve service provision more generally,” President Ramaphosa said.
He added that the documenting and tracking of key resolutions emanating from the Izimbizo are part of the design of the Izimbizo.
“Quarterly implementation reports indicate that measurable progress is being made in addressing the challenges identified, which are done in an intergovernmental manner. The various intergovernmental platforms established through the Izimbizo protocols are also tasked to address challenges where these occur.
“District Development Model political champions are assigned for each district and metro, and are tasked to provide regular updates not just to the established intergovernmental platforms but also to the respective communities,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 09/06/2023 - 10:01
Rand Water Station 5 purification plant ensures Gauteng’s water security
Rand Water has been hailed for completing Phase 1 of the 150 megalitres a day (ML/d) Station 5A filtration plant on schedule.
The plant, which is one of Rand Water’s flagship projects, will bring assurance to the sustainability of water supply to the Gauteng province and surroundings.
Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, joined by the Emfuleni Mayor Sipho Radebe, Rand Water Board Chairperson Ramateu Monyokolo, and Rand Water Chief Executive Sipho Mosai, have commissioned the first part of the mega water project situated at the Zuikerbotch Water Treatment Works outside Vereeniging in the Vaal.
Mchunu said there is a great need to increase infrastructure and to ensure that operation and maintenance are undertaken to existing infrastructure, and that Rand Water is doing exactly that.
The Minister commended Rand Water in its forward thinking and keeping its eye on its mandate.
“Whether it is in terms of actual water supply or the maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure, Rand Water has continued to ensure that it keeps its eye on the mandate. Those of you doubting our commitment as DWS to infrastructure development, forget it. We're ahead of the curve. It is not a matter of when, but rather where are we today,” Mchunu said.
Rand Water has built the completely new purification plant at the existing Zuikerbosch Plant, referred to as Station 5, in an effort to augment water supply, ensure sustainable water supply, and to meet current and future demands.
The Station 5 plant is divided into two phases (5A and 5B). The completed Phase 1, Station 5A, will produce 150ml/d of potable water, adding to the current available supply by Rand Water to its customers, including Gauteng municipalities, parts of Free State, Mpumalanga and North West provinces, as well as industries.
Upon completion of Phase 2 (Station 5B) at the end of 2024, the plant will add another 450 ML/d, totalling to 600ML/d of water to users.
The purification plant is part of the Rand Water's capital expenditure projects and seeks to bring more capacity to the water utility’s system to ensure water security to the provinces it supplies.
Speaking at the recent ribbon cutting to officially commission Phase 1 of the newly built Section 5A purification plant, Mchunu emphasised the need for new water infrastructure to address current and future demand of water in the province.
He said the commissioning of Station 5A is demonstrative of the department’s seriousness about increasing infrastructure capacity.
Mchunu said while the mandate of the sector was to ensure access to clean drinking water and to manage water resources, “one cannot have access to water without the proper infrastructure”.
Since 2019, the Station 5A project has created 871 job opportunities, providing employment to people with diverse skill levels, ranging from unskilled to semi-skilled, and skilled labourers.
The project has also supported more than 48 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) with small work packages from the core activities of the 26 projects.
Vision 2030 infrastructure build programme
Monyokolo said the project is part of Rand Water’s Vision 2030 Infrastructure Build Programme and that they are well within their timelines and in some instances, they are ahead.
“… This additional 150ML/d Station 5A programme ensures that there is more than enough water for all our customers and therefore consumers.
“As a board, we have a full and comprehensive understanding of the importance of infrastructure upgrading and refurbishment to ensure uninterrupted bulk water supply to our customers. As we celebrate the 120th year anniversary of our existence, we recognise and embrace inherent challenges that we continue to turn into opportunities,” Monyokolo said.
Monyokolo also noted some of the challenges faced by the water utility in the implementation of its CAPEX [capital expenditure] projects, which include population growth in its areas of supply, vandalism of infrastructure, encroachment on servitudes, quality of raw water, and non-payment of invoices by customers.
“The porous municipal water reticulation infrastructure also creates a simulated shortage. We are working hard to assist and collaborate with municipalities through the capable leadership of our Minister to mitigate this challenge.”
In February this year, the water utility launched the 210ML/d Vlakfontein Reservoir in the City of Ekurhuleni. The reservoir is post-tensioned concrete, the biggest in the world and is part of the Mapleton Booster system augmentation programme. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 09/04/2023 - 13:46
I did nothing wrong, says Collins Tshisimba as the Special Investigating Unit moves to freeze two properties
South Africa is not only known for its stunning coastlines but also for its commitment to preserving them. Plastics SA’s annual Clean-Up & Recycle SA Week, which will take place this year from 11-16 September 2023, plays a pivotal role in promoting environmental sustainability and combating the waste crisis plaguing our beautiful country. “Plastics SA …