News

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, has welcomed the conviction of a Gauteng couple, Gerald and Elisha van der Westhuizen, for their role in the smuggling of reptiles from South Africa.

“The conviction and sentencing demonstrate the important work being undertaken in implementing the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking with a focus on disrupting transnational organised crime, and targeting the value chain and financial crimes linked to the illegal wildlife trade,” the Minister said on Thursday.

The Gauteng couple was linked to two German nationals, who were earlier convicted of smuggling lizards and other reptiles from South Africa, through an analysis by the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre. 

An analysis of WhatsApp messages found that Gerald van der Westhuizen had on three occasions illegally sent Sungazer lizards to Germany and Mexico.

The couple was sentenced in the Kempton Park Regional Court on Monday. Gerald was sentenced to a fine of R1 million, half of which was suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of a similar offence; while Elisha was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment.

The sentence has been wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of Contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). – SAnews.gov.za

The highly anticipated 2023 Netball World Cup is expected to contribute about R68 million to Cape Town’s economy.

Taking place on African soil for the first time ever, the tournament will start on Friday, 28 July and will end on 6 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

South Africa will be competing against 16 countries for the prestigious trophy to become world champions. The SPAR Proteas will play their first match of the tournament against Wales on Friday.

While all matches are being played in Cape Town, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) has partnered with municipalities across the province to host public viewing centres so that residents everywhere can have access to watching the live matches.

“We encourage members of communities across the province to use these public viewing centres to support our SPAR Proteas as they compete for the World Cup. We have seen the unique atmospheres that these centres can bring at past events and we hope to see the same enthusiasm for this event! Thank you to all the municipalities for their support in hosting these centres,” Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais said.

Details on tickets and travel packages and more information on the Netball World Cup 2023 are all available on the official tournament website (www.nwc2023.org.za) with a range of tickets and packages still on offer.

The following viewing centres will be available:

Eden

• Mossel Bay - Kwanonqaba Asla Park Thusong centre
• George – Rosemore Stadium
• Bitou - Kurland Community Centre
• Riversdale - Thusong Centre
• Knysna - Safe Hub, White Location Community Centre

Central Karoo

• Laingsburg - Thusong Centre
• Beaufort West – Thusong Centre
• Prince Albert - Sidwell Williams Hall

Overberg

• Swellendam - Thusong Centre
• Caledon – Victoria Hall
• Overstrand - Hermanus Hawston Thusong Centre

Cape Winelands

• Langeberg - Kallie De Wet sport Field/hall
• Paarl East – Thusong Centre (open from Sunday, 29 July 2023)
• Witzenberg – Ceres

West Coast

• Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre
• Mooresberg - Rosenhof Community Hall
• Malmesbury - Score Facility
• Darling - Community Hall

- SAnews.gov.za

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts on Wednesday said she is confident that the new Soshanguve Magistrate court, currently under construction, will be completed on time.

Swart met with a number of stakeholders to discuss progress made in the construction of the Magistrate court which was started in 2019 and expected to be completed this year in December.

The multi-million Rand project is expected to provide much needed accommodation to the client department, which is the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Speaking after meeting with the stakeholders, Deputy Minister Swarts said the new court building will benefit the community of Soshanguve,who will no longer have to drive long distances to access the crucial services.

Swarts said there has been a few delays due to the withdrawal of some professionals but said she is confident that the project will be completed on time.

“The Department of Justice told us that they are ready with furniture. They confirmed that on the 16th of December when the project is being officially opened, they would have furniture inside,” Swarts said.

Swarts expressed confidence that the project will be complete in December.

“Phase 1 is almost complete and phase two is not really that much of an issue because they are just going to do renovations. On the renovations the architect drawings are already ready which tells what colour carpets and what colour paints and everything that is needed,” Swarts said.

Swarts said the department has found a new Quantity Survey who will make it easier for the project to continue at an accelerated pace.

“We had seven professionals on the project before, and few of the professionals decided not to continue with the project for their own reasons. But us as DPWI have now found a new quantity Surveyor.

“There were challenges which were just a few minor stumbling blocks,” Swarts said.     

Among other things, the project when completed will entail eight new courtrooms, including dedicated reception areas, storerooms, kitchens, staffrooms, public waiting rooms, SAPS offices, Inmate drop-off zones, transition cells, 17 holding cells, administration offices and 81 basement parking bays.                                                                                                                                                            

The project had created more than 150 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) National Youth Service (NYS) jobs which benefited young people in Soshanguve.

The NYS participants were exposed to a number of skills such as plumbing, bricklaying and plastering, among others. – SAnews.gov.za

By Anele Zikali

It’s all systems go for the Netball World Cup (NWC) tournament, which is being hosted in the City of Cape Town, with less than 24 hours left until the opening match on home soil.

The tournament will run from 28 July to 6 August and will be the first to take place on the continent of Africa.

The SPAR Proteas have all of their ducks in a row, according to team manager, Nisha Rupnarian.

“The City of Cape Town is ready. A lot of hard work has been put into the preparations and the excitement is building.

“As SPAR Proteas, we are grateful to the City of Cape Town for their commitment, hard work and preparations as well. We, as a nation, are very resilient and resourceful. We are going to put on a show that the world will be in awe of. Well done to the city for the hard work that they have put in to make sure that this event is a success.”

For Rupnarian, it has taken a lot of organisation and preparation to make sure that the SPAR Proteas are in good condition and are ready to take on the world.

“The support that we get from Netball South Africa and our various sponsors help us to perform well. It is these kind of structures that provide us with all of our needs. Thank you to Netball SA for making it happen, and for bringing the NWC to us and for all that they have done. 

“The government support has been absolutely amazing. We appreciate that as well,” said Rupnarian.

It has taken a lot of work for the NWC organisers to put together the construction of the netball courts at the Cape Town International Convention Center (ICC).

Speaking on the readiness of the venue, Heins van Juuren, Safety Officer on site said: “We started working on the NWC construction project since last year and to finally convert the venue to courts, it took about two weeks to put together the whole court.

“All of the courts are built-in structures… [The] seats have a capacity of 4 000 to 7 000. We are busy with lighting, the floor, built-in chairs, changing rooms and fabricating will be behind the court, and it is a lot of work,” said Heins van Juuren, the Safety Officer on site.

Safety and security is one of the main concerns for many people in South Africa and Cape Town is no exception.

The NWC organisers have put together tight security plans.

“We cannot confirm the numbers on security personnel. However, it is going to be a lot. We do have the Venue Operations Control. All the main teams will be involved, from medics, the Fire Department, South African Police Service and the Air Force,” said Van Juuren.

Fans can also watch the games at fan parks that have been officially opened in various provinces.

Visit the Netball World Cup website to buy tickets online and to follow match schedules on https://nwc2023.org.za/. – SAnews.gov.za

With the 2023 Netball World Cup set to get underway in Cape Town, South Africans are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the SPAR Proteas squad representing the country.

Taking place on African soil for the first time ever, the tournament will start on Friday, 28 July and will end on 6 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

South Africa will be competing against 16 countries for the prestigious trophy to become world champions.

The names of the players in the final squad representing South Africa at the global tournament are as follows:

Bongiwe Msomi (capt); Karla Pretorius (VC); Khanyisa Chawane; Izette Griesel; Owethu Ngubane; Refiloe Nketsa; Phumza Maweni; Lenize Potgieter; Lefebre Rademan; Nicola Smith; Jeante Strydom; Nichole Taljaard; Elmere van der Berg; Shadine van der Merwe and Ine-Mari Venter.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has encouraged South Africans to support the national netball team. 

“The SPAR Proteas have made the country proud with their performance and have stood out with their world-class talents. These teams exemplify the unity and cohesion, which spreads to all parts of the nation in South Africa's great sporting moments.

“I would like to wish Netball South Africa and the World Cup Local Organising Committee a successful tournament. More so, I would like to pay tribute to the SPAR Proteas, South Africa's national netball team, who head to the World Cup as the highest ranked African team, and one of the top five ranked netball teams in the world. The SPAR Proteas have shown world class standards and enter the Netball World Cup as one of the tournament favourites,” Kodwa said.

The SPAR Proteas will play their first match of the tournament against Wales on Friday.

Public viewing areas available for Netball World Cup

The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department will bring the Netball World Cup action to communities with four public viewing areas (PVAs).

Admission to all PVAs is free. Each viewing area will be equipped with seating, surround sound and live uninterrupted streaming of the games so there is no need to worry about load shedding.

Refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase at affordable rates and local entertainment will take place at each location.

As per the official match schedule for the Netball World Cup (NWC) 2023, each PVA will be accessible from 28 July to 6 August from 9am until the end of the last match for the day.

PVAs are equipped with ample parking and ablutions, and can accommodate a maximum capacity of 500 people at a time.

Below are the four PVA locations:

• Proteaville Recreation Centre, c/o Peter Barlow and Abdurahman Streets, Bellville South.
• Langa Civic Hall, c/o Church and Washington (King Langalibalele).
• OR Tambo Multi-Purpose Centre, Jeff Masemola Street, Khayelitsha.
• Portland Indoor Centre, Address: c/o Merrydale & Hazeldene Avenues, Portland, Mitchells Plain.

Details on tickets and travel packages and more information on the Netball World Cup 2023 are all available on the official tournament website (www.nwc2023.org.za) with a range of tickets and packages still on offer. – SAnews.gov.za

The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department is bringing Netball World Cup 2023 action to communities with four public viewing areas.

“With the official start of the Netball World Cup this week, the City would like to encourage residents to come out and enjoy the sport at a public viewing area (PVA) close to them,” the City said on Tuesday.

Admission to all PVAs is free.

Each viewing area will be equipped with seating, surround sound and live uninterrupted streaming of the games so there is no need to worry about load shedding.

Refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase at affordable rates and local entertainment will take place at each location.

The event promises to be an exciting day for family and friends.

“The City is excited to bring this event to its residents. We hope this event will bring people together and create a sense of community. These recreational facilities are an essential part of the City's infrastructure, allowing residents to gather and experience the Netball World Cup, while providing a space for youth to engage in sport and recreational activities,” Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, said.

Spectators are asked to follow all health and safety protocols for a fun and safe viewing experience.

Stay safe

Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult and alcohol and smoking are strictly prohibited at the venues.

“Our aim is to ensure that all netball fans, local netball teams, including those without tickets to watch games live at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), can also participate in the energy and excitement of the games and cheer on their favourite teams.

“There will be a range of enjoyable activities at each PVA, including local performers, a DJ, food vendors, and more. Don't forget to use the hashtag #PutYourHandsUp when capturing moments, have fun sporting your favourite team's colours, and bring the gees to your community. We look forward to seeing you there,” Van der Ross said.

As per the official match schedule for the Netball World Cup (NWC) 2023, each PVA will be accessible from 28 July to 6 August from 9am until the end of the last match for the day.

PVAs are equipped with ample parking and ablutions, and can accommodate a maximum capacity of 500 people at a time.

Below are the four PVA locations:

• Proteaville Recreation Centre, c/o Peter Barlow and Abdurahman Streets, Bellville South.
• Langa Civic Hall, c/o Church and Washington (King Langalibalele).
• OR Tambo Multi-Purpose Centre, Jeff Masemola Street, Khayelitsha.
• Portland Indoor Centre, Address: c/o Merrydale & Hazeldene Avenues, Portland, Mitchells Plain.

- SAnews.gov.za

The City of Johannesburg has restored electricity, water and sewerage services to residents living at Lillian Ngoyi (Bree) Street and surrounding areas after an explosion in the area disrupted services since last week.

The explosion claimed the life of one person and injured 48 others.

“As a city it has been of paramount importance for us to restore our services to the residents in the area as a matter of urgency and that is the reason [for] the level of commitment from our officials…to restore that we restore these services to the people.

“We wish to thank the residents of the area for their patience and their consideration and we will continue to monitor the area for any disruptions that may occur as a result of some of the work that is still being undertaken in that area,” City manager Floyd Brink said.

Brink said although investigations continue, the cause of the blast remains “inconclusive”.

“We continue to receive regular updates from the experts on site and are concurrently pushing to restore services and to prepare for the rehabilitation and reconstruction work of the road and the underground tunnels,” he said.

The city manager added that a team has been assembled to thrash out the scope and extent of the work needed in this regard.

“We have now established a team of engineers from various entities in the city to begin the planning and the scoping of that work that will be undertaken. It is evident to us that [in] rehabilitating the road surface and the underground tunnels, we will have to implement new standards of how we manage the underground services.

“Our work will then now seek to set the standard of what should be the most suited, safe and appropriate layout of the services as a city,” he said.

Brink assured citizens that any procurement undertaken in the process will be within the prescripts of the law.

“[City CFO] Tebogo Moraka…will oversee a team of persons from the various teams to manage and oversee any procurement that must be undertaken to facilitate the work in response to the disaster.

“He will be chairing the committee to ensure a level of compliance with relevant legislations, regulations and prescripts. The mandate is to ensure we comply with all legislated procurement rules and for us to be audit ready as and when we will be audited during this process,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

By Dikeledi Molobela 

St. Petersburg, Russia - A number of key elements in areas of collaboration, including digital innovation, space science, as well as strengthening people-to-people exchange will form part of the subjects to be discussed at the second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg.  

The summit, which aims to foster mutually beneficial cooperation and partnerships between Russia and the African continent, was first convened in October 2019, with a commitment to continue meeting every three years.

Speaking to SAnews in St. Petersburg, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, said that a wide spectrum of areas of partnership are a rationale for South Africa’s presence at the summit. 

The Minister reflected that through the first summit held in Sochi, Russia, an agreement was reached to continue to have contact between African countries, the African Union and the Russian Federation to cement and strengthen relations between the continent and Russia.

“There are a range of aspects that will form part of our deliberations here. There are a number of areas of collaboration that we have agreed particularly in the areas of digital innovation, collaboration in space science, as well as strengthening people to people exchange. 

“We've also added a much stronger focus on matters of trade. All of these will be part of the subjects that we will discuss during this second summit,” Pandor told SAnews.  

The Minister emphasised that it was important to mention that for the first time, it is not just Heads of State attending the summit, but there are also a number of enterprises from various African countries as well as the Continental Development Finance institutions present. 

“Interestingly, we also have the brand new president of the New Development Bank or the BRICS Bank, as it is sometimes called. This will be President Dilma Rousseff's first detailed interaction with African leaders, particularly the BRICS leaders. This (meeting comes ahead of the) BRICS summit that will occur in Johannesburg in South Africa, next month,” Pandor said. 

The summit comes a month after seven African Heads of State embarked on a peace initiative mission to Ukraine and Russia concerning the war in Ukraine. 

The Minister said she believes the African Heads of State will use their time in St Petersburg to continue the discussions they began earlier this year in seeking a peaceful outcome in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“The seven Presidents from the African continent are part of an Africa led peace initiative that seeks to encourage the beginning of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in order to end the conflict between the two countries, to start a process of returning the world to a context in which we have peace and stability.

“And thus allow for economic growth and development which are urgently necessary for many countries in the world, but most particularly for us in the developing world,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

A prominent Mpumalanga truck and bus owner has been arrested in connection with fraud and corruption charges, to the tune of R89 million, in relation to vehicle licence fees in Mpumalanga.

Morris Robert Shabalala (58), who owns a fleet of buses and semi-trailers registered under the trade name Lamavuso Family Trust, appeared in the Mbombela Magistrates Court on Tuesday on charges of fraud, theft and money laundering.

He was released on R15 000 bail.

Shabalala’s arrest is linked to the arrest of 17 other suspects, who include two businesspeople, five former Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison employees, and licensing officials based at the Mbombela, Piet Retief, Mashishing, KwaMhlushwa and Delmas registering authorities.

The arrests took place between December 2022 and April 2023.

All the suspects and Shabalala will appear in the Mbombela Commercial Crimes Court on 30 August. They are currently out on bail.

“It is alleged the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison former staff members, who worked at the department’s helpdesk, colluded with the licensing officials to fraudulently issue vehicle licence discs to corrupt fleet owners and company representatives.

“Initially, it was thought that the scheme was operated between 2018 and 2019 and cost the State R60 million in lost revenue (unpaid vehicle licence fees and penalties). However, further investigations showed that more crimes were involved, and the scope of the investigation was extended to 2016 and this showed that R89 million is the amount of revenue lost in unpaid fees in the period 2016 to 2019,” the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said.

A lengthy collaborative investigation by the RTMC’s National Anti-Corruption Unit, the Hawks and Special Investigative Unit established that corrupt businesspeople allegedly paid large sums of money into the accounts of departmental officials to have their licence fees and penalties dumped or cancelled for the businesspeople to receive vehicle licence discs as if they owed nothing to the state.

“In the case of Shabalala, it is alleged that the file for the renewal of his fleet was unlawfully moved from the Standerton registering authority to Nelspruit helpdesk with the intention to commit crime.

“Preliminary investigations showed that the state lost R343 332 in vehicle licence fees and penalties that were not paid. A lump sum of money was made into the account of one of the suspected officials on the day that the illicit transaction was concluded,” the RTMC said.

In the case of another accused businessperson, Demieties Pieter Botes (46), who owns a fleet of truck tractors and tippers trading under the name DP Botes Verwoer Beperk, it is alleged that the file for the renewal of his fleet was unlawfully moved from the Delmas registering authority to the Nelspruit provincial helpdesk with the intention to allegedly perpetrate crime.

“Preliminary investigations indicated the State lost R1 005 923 in unpaid vehicles fees and penalties as a result. A large sum of money was allegedly paid into the bank account of one of the suspected officials on the day the illicit transaction was concluded,” the RTMC said.

With regards to businessperson Doctor Mpapane (59), he was accused of failing to pay R709 333 in vehicle licence fees.

“Mpapane is the registered owner of Doc’s Construction and Plant Hire. He owns a fleet of vehicles, such as tankers and loader pump lifters. His business file was moved from KwaMhlushwa registering authority to the helpdesk in Nelspruit to perpetrate the alleged crime. It is alleged that a large sum of money was paid into the bank account of one of the suspected officials on the day the illicit transaction was concluded.

“Doc’s Construction and Plant Hire has also been positively linked to another vehicle licence fraudulent transaction that took place at the Sedibeng branch of the South African Post Office in 2021,” the RTMC said.

Investigations are continuing, with the possibility of more arrests.

The RTMC has welcomed the arrest and calls on citizens to report suspected acts of fraud, corruption and malfeasance to ntacu@rtmc.co.za or by WhatsApp to 083 293 7989. – SAnews.gov.za

Messages wishing the SPAR Proteas everything of the best are pouring in from all over the country, with the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, encouraging the national netball team to represent South Africa well in the Netball World Cup. 

“Know that 60 million South Africans are behind you. Know that you represent the hopes of the nation. I wish you well,” the Minister said on Wednesday. 

He was addressing the SPAR Proteas at a breakfast reception for the team in Cape Town.

The reception served as the official send-off for the SPAR Proteas to the Netball World Cup. It included a ceremonial flag handover by the Minister to the SPAR Proteas team. 

“You have represented our nation proudly on the global stage. It is not only a significant moment for the country to host the Netball World Cup, but it is also significant in that South Africa will be represented in this global showpiece by the SPAR Proteas who are the top ranked African netball team, and are ranked fifth in the world.

“The SPAR Proteas represent what we want to see for this country – that goal of forging strong unity and social cohesion in the country. You are a team of leaders, a team of players who perform their role well as a collective. The results of this are reflected in your status as one of the best netball teams in the world,” the Minister said.

Taking place on African soil for the first time ever, the tournament will start on Friday, 28 July and will end on 6 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. South Africa will be competing against 16 countries for the prestigious trophy to become world champions.

The Minister described the occasion of the handover as an emotional moment. 
“The protea, a flower native to South Africa, is an important national symbol. It represents the beauty and harmony of the country’s diverse cultures and signifies South Africa’s growth as a nation. Like the protea flower, South Africa blossoms with unity and strength when her various cultures come together.

“It is a moment not to be taken lightly. As you will be representing the country in a global sport showpiece, I have the duty, on behalf of the people of South Africa, to hand you, Captain Bongi Msomi, the South African flag. A flag of a Nation is the key symbol of patriotism,” he said.

The SPAR Proteas will play their first match of the tournament against Wales on Friday.

Public viewing areas available for Netball World Cup

The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department will bring the Netball World Cup action to communities with four public viewing areas (PVAs).

Admission to all PVAs is free. Each viewing area will be equipped with seating, surround sound and live uninterrupted streaming of the games so there is no need to worry about load shedding.

Refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase at affordable rates and local entertainment will take place at each location.

As per the official match schedule for the Netball World Cup (NWC) 2023, each PVA will be accessible from 28 July to 6 August from 9am until the end of the last match for the day.

PVAs are equipped with ample parking and ablutions, and can accommodate a maximum capacity of 500 people at a time.

Below are the four PVA locations:
•    Proteaville Recreation Centre, c/o Peter Barlow and Abdurahman Streets, Bellville South.
•    Langa Civic Hall, c/o Church and Washington (King Langalibalele).
•    OR Tambo Multi-Purpose Centre, Jeff Masemola Street, Khayelitsha.
•    Portland Indoor Centre, Address: c/o Merrydale & Hazeldene Avenues, Portland, Mitchells Plain.

Details on tickets and travel packages and more information on the Netball World Cup 2023 are all available on the official tournament website (www.nwc2023.org.za) with a range of tickets and packages still on offer. – SAnews.gov.za