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Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has given contractors in the Eastern Cape, who are responsible for providing emergency housing, two months to finish the job or face contract termination, at their own cost.

Kubayi gave the directive during an emergency housing engagement with six districts and 24 local municipalities to consolidate response interventions in the Eastern Cape.

The engagement follows numerous disasters where the province and its municipalities committed to rolling out various interventions to assist the disaster victims.

According to reports on work done to help accelerate the implementation of these interventions, there are still families who were affected by various disasters, as far back as 2021, who have not been accommodated in any form of formal shelter.

Reports received by the Minister during a meeting this week revealed that 2 382 households affected between 2021 and 2023 have been assisted with permanent houses, with 2 172 assisted with temporary shelter, leaving 5 766 households with no assistance.

Households that have not been assisted have been forced to find alternative accommodation, including living with friends, families and neighbours. 

Kubayi said the department is going to work around the clock to make sure that it turns the situation around. 

“Having listened to the municipalities, we are all in agreement that we owe our people a speedy resolution of this situation. I will approach National Treasury to assist with funding to speed up these interventions for the province,” Kubayi said.

Kubayi also instructed officials, led by the national office, to consolidate the backlog of households that were victims of disasters in the past five years, and the budget needs. 

She said this will assist in expediting and focusing on building homes for the victims. 

The Minister said the national Department of Human Settlements will lead the verification process of the work ahead to ascertain that funds are properly utilised.

This follows the Minister’s announcement on 1 April 2023 that the national department will take over the responsibility of emergency housing response.  However, provinces and municipalities will still be responsible for interventions in disasters that occurred before the policy change.

The Minister emphasised that moving forward, the department will no longer accommodate people in Temporary Residential Units (TRUs), as “these are not sustainable”.

“As articulated in our Budget Vote, we have decided to embrace innovative alternative building technologies so that our solutions are sustainable and of good quality, with efficiency and cost-effectiveness being the primary drivers of our disaster response. This way, we will know that we have given permanent quality homes,” Kubayi said.

She also urged those at the meeting to always keep in mind that they have a duty to the vulnerable communities who are affected by these disasters.

“We owe it to the people we serve, who only have us as their hope for a better future and we dare not to fail them. There is no time for excuses,” the Minister said. 

Eastern Cape Human Settlements Indaba

Meanwhile, Kubayi will today address the inaugural Eastern Cape Human Settlements Indaba 2023, hosted by MEC Siphokazi Lusithi.

Held at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha from 5 - 7 July 2023, the indaba seeks to create a platform for strategic reflection on the conceptualisation and development of sustainable and integrated human settlements. 

The three-day indaba is held in partnership with Nelson Mandela University under the theme, 'Accelerating the delivery of sustainable integrated human settlements in the Eastern Cape through collaborations and partnerships: Leaving No One and No Place Behind'. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has appealed to all potential and existing blood donors, who are due to donate, to visit blood donation sites amid severe blood stock shortages.

In a statement, the SANBS said the current weather conditions and a higher than usual demand for blood have sent blood stocks plummeting, and it needs to collect 3 500 units of blood a day.

SANBS Senior Manager for Marketing, Communication and Brand, Thandi Mosupye, said with little blood available on hand, this will have a severe impact on the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions.

“Whenever our blood stocks reach below three days, it places the lives of patients at risk -- the lives of haemorrhaging mothers, newborn babies, accident victims, and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion.

“Each blood donation gives patients a second chance with their loved ones,” Mosupye said.

To become a blood donor, you must:
•    Be between the ages of 16 and 75 years;
•    Weigh 50kg or more;
•    Be in good health;
•    Lead a healthy lifestyle;
•    Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient; and
•    Commit to donating blood regularly.

To find out more about where you can donate blood, visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31. Connect with SANBS on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs). – SAnews.gov.za
 

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned job seekers to be vigilant of unscrupulous and bogus employers with fake advertisements of “employment opportunities" on social media.

Nxesi was speaking at the Jobs Fair and employer session held in NASREC, Johannesburg, on Thursday. 

The session intended to discuss labour market issues, including growth prospects with the potential to create jobs, as well as clarify any strategic policy issues that can enhance employment creation.

Nxesi officially launched the Jobs Fair initiative and the Public Employment Services (PES) buses, which aim to create an opportunity for work seekers to meet with prospective employers and other organisations or departments that may assist with their placement in different forms of employment or learning opportunities.

During his keynote address of the launch, the Minister warned job seekers to be vigilant of unscrupulous and bogus employers with fake “employment opportunities" on social media.

Addressing job seekers and employers, Nxesi said other falsified employment opportunities have been advertised under the guise of his name and image, and that of the Department of Employment and Labour. 

“Labour laws forbid agencies from charging work seekers who are looking for employment any fees. Please stop giving these organisations and mafias your parents’ hard-earned cash to buy employment from these crooks. 

“For the common interest of everyone, report unscrupulous agencies that charge you fees to labour inspectors and the police," Nxesi said.

The Minister also encouraged job seekers not to undermine certain job opportunities, saying that taking an entry-level job could lead to the discovery of new talents and skills.

“You will never know what you are good at unless you try. Use our labour centres to talk to employment practitioners and counsellors. Seek out mentors and trusted people that can help you during your job search journey," the Minister said.   

The department also graced the launch of 14 mobile buses for the its Public Employment Services unit to reach out to work seekers across the country.

Nxesi said the mobile buses, funded by the European Union, will be distributed across all provinces of South Africa. 

“We are introducing these vehicles to reach out to our rural and urban communities that find it difficult to access our Employment and Labour Centres. One vehicle is not sufficient at all in each of these provinces. 

“We definitely need more of them to reach out to our young people in recognition that the economic hub of the country, such as Gauteng and other provinces such as the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga are vast."

The Jobs Fair will continue until Friday with the launch of two Employment Centres in Johannesburg and Germiston. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Cabinet says it welcomes the improvement in Eskom’s energy availability factor, which is now closer to 70%. 

This comes after about 400 megawatts (MW) have been added to the grid and planned maintenance has improved quickly.

The Cabinet statement released on Thursday also noted the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s National Air Quality Officer granting Eskom a postponement to meet minimum emission standards at Kusile Power Station, in Mpumalanga. 

“The postponement will allow Eskom to carry out repairs on the stack that was damaged on 23 October 2022. The power utility will also construct three temporary stacks that are expected to return 2 100 MW of power to the national grid and reduce load-shedding by two levels,” Cabinet explained. 

The Executive has reiterated government’s commitment to the Just Energy Transition (JET) and determination to mitigate the impact of climate change. 

The JET, established in 2020, aims to achieve “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050.

“Cabinet also thanked South Africans who continue to use electricity sparingly, especially during peak times. Our combined energy efforts have helped bring about lower stages of load shedding.”

They further welcomed the commitments made at the New Global Financing Pact Summit held in Paris, France, last month. 

The summit, which President Cyril Ramaphosa attended, aimed to build a new contract between the North and the South to help address issues of climate change, development and debt.

Green hydrogen 

Cabinet further welcomed a joint declaration of intent to establish the South African-German Hydrogen Task Force, signed by Electricity Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck. 

“The task force will look at how the green hydrogen market will be created and developed, as well as create business-to-business opportunities between the two countries. Green hydrogen is generated by renewable energy and it has significantly lower carbon emissions than traditional hydrogen.”

The state already has plans for a Hydrogen Valley, which is expected to run from Limpopo through Johannesburg to Durban. 

“The valley will establish opportunities for projects that will kick-start hydrogen initiatives in hubs to boost economic growth and job creation.” – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has commended the Provincial Disaster Management teams for their quick response in assisting communities affected by the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape.

The floods have caused extensive damage to road infrastructure, electricity supply, sewer systems and houses in the affected areas in KwaZulu-Natal, while roads in some parts of the Northern Cape have suffered structural damage.

Cabinet expressed sadness at the loss of lives in KwaZulu-Natal, and sent condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

Cabinet said government and humanitarian organisations continue to provide immediate relief supplies to the affected communities in KwaZulu-Natal, including food parcels, blankets, plastic sheeting and emergency boxes. 

“Eskom and municipal electrical departments have also been activated to restore power to affected areas,” Cabinet said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Residents called to participate in Presidential Imbizo

Meanwhile, Cabinet has called on residents to play an active role in determining the future of their communities by participating in the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo Programme.

The call follows a Presidential Imbizo held in KwaZulu-Natal last week.

President Ramaphosa, joined by leaders from all three spheres of government, undertook the 7th DDM Presidential Imbizo of the sixth administration at the uThukela District Municipality.

Government leaders used the Presidential Imbizo to interact with residents on service delivery challenges and plans for the development of the district.

“All citizens are urged to play a role in the development of their communities by being active citizens. By working together, we can identify issues of concern and unblock impediments to integrated service delivery,” Cabinet said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

South African Communist Party (SACP) General Secretary Solly Mapaila has paid homage to Minister in the Presidency, Dr Essop Goolam Pahad, whom he described as a selfless leader without personal interests.

“You demonstrated this up to your last days. May your undying fighting spirit live on and inspire new generations of our people to continue the struggle until all forms of exploitation and oppression are eradicated in society,” Mapaila said on Thursday.

He made these remarks while honouring Dr Pahad during his funeral at Westpark Cemetery, Johannesburg. The struggle stalwart passed away at the age of 84 and was laid to rest in a ceremony in which ceremonial honours were provided by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“Your intellectual rigour to assess the conditions of the working class of our country, to place the movement that you so led with distinction, to be a selfless servant of the people will never fall down. Dr Pahad was a senior leader of the SACP, a great patriot of our party. A selfless comrade who lived humbly and respected all people but was also a communist intellectual,” he said.

He served in the World Maxis Review, which essentially assessed international development of the socialist struggles and the struggles of the working class towards their emancipation.

“If he was engaging with you and you are not rising to the occasion, he would come across as arrogant because intellectually he will decapitate you. You needed to raise the bar when you engage him on intellectual questions of the revolution. He was not a man to be taken for granted and in that regard, the Communist party will miss him dearly,” Mapaila said.

He expressed gratitude to Dr Pahad’s immense contribution and service to the country.

Minister in the Presidency, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, also paid tribute to her former mentor, describing him as a kind hearted and caring individual.

“The loss of this committed, revolutionary and caring internationalist is very sad but we understand it as the cycle of life,” the Minister said.

She remembered him as a dedicated cadre of the movement who did not miss the opportunity to speak out.

“He also created an environment where everyone could speak up. He was a selfless patriot and he put the country first. That is the lesson we must learn because it is a lesson that seems to elude us.

“We bid farewell to a former secretary the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress, executive committee from 1958 to 1964. We bid farewell to a selfless and daring volunteer that risked everything when producing and distributing pamphlets to mobilise communities behind the then banned African National Congress (ANC),” Dlamini-Zuma said.

She said Dr Pahad was a vibrant student activist of the 1960s at universities such as Wits and other universities abroad.

“We bid farewell to an exile revolutionary who led the ANC and SACP structures in exile. Dr Pahad comes from the golden generation of ANC and Alliance who placed revolutionary ideas at the forefront of building the consensus and ideas that guide us and a guide to ideas.

“He comes from a generation that gave priority to quality and not quantity of membership. Yes, we need quantity but we need quality leadership. We learn from Dr Pahad and his collective that the success of an idea must first depend on its strength and not on the mere number of people who support it,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has, in his capacity as Acting President, declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 as a mark of honour for the late struggle stalwart and former Minister in the Presidency, Dr Essop Goolam Pahad.

Pahad passed away at the age of 84. 

He will be laid to rest at the Westpark Cemetery, Johannesburg, this afternoon n a ceremony in which ceremonial honours will be provided by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The Deputy President will deliver the eulogy in his capacity as Acting President. President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently undertaking a State Visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Earlier, the President paid tribute to Pahad for serving the nation with pride, principle and pragmatism.

“We mourn the passing of a veteran of our struggle, 65 years after he took his first revolutionary step of becoming a member of the Transvaal Indian Congress.

“Security crackdowns, banning and exile shaped Essop Pahad’s contribution over decades to our struggle and, as Parliamentary Counsellor to President Thabo Mbeki and Minister in the Presidency, to the early design and impact of our democratic state.

“Essop Pahad was a thinker and strategist who brought his understanding of the human condition, injustice and inequality at the national and international level to bear on our transition to democracy and in introducing a democratic, non-aligned and activist South Africa to the global community,” the President said.

He said he served the nation with a charm that that lived comfortably alongside a tongue that could lash severely at the right provocation.

“May his soul rest in peace,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

National Police Commissioner, General Fanie Masemola, has confirmed that eight members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) implicated in the video which shows the assault of three civilians on the Gauteng highway, have been issued with suspension notices.

The officers have also been temporarily removed from their posts pending investigations.

The police said they have since successfully traced the victims and that they have encouraged them to open cases against the police officers.

“I want to reiterate that the SAPS does not condone such behaviour at any point,” General Masemola said.

Addressing the media in Vanderbijlpark earlier on Thursday, General Masemola said no amount of provocation can ever justify or validate what was witnessed on the video clip.

The media briefing was called to update the nation on key policing matters. The briefing also focused on successes achieved by the SAPS's nationwide high density operations.

“We generally follow a very stringent process to identify members that should be protecting our principals, so for those members to have conducted themselves in such a manner, is quite concerning.

“We pledge to offer our full cooperation to the IPID investigation, at the same time ensuring that our internal processes are not compromised in any manner,” General Masemola said.

General Masemola explained that SAPS has clear instructions on the role of VIP Protectors whose mandate is  to ensure that an integrated protection service is rendered to all individuals identified as VIP’s.

“The protection of VIP’s is provided for in terms of the policy on protection packages.

“The policy is in accordance with 2014 Cabinet memorandum. In executing their duties, close protection officers must at all times portray professionalism, discipline, politeness, enthusiasm, and high ethical conduct, at all times prioritising the safety of their principals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Paul Mashatile whom the implicated police officers are said to be his protectors also condemned the incident.

“Members of the SAPS are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person and exercise the powers conferred upon them in a responsible and controlled manner,” said the Deputy President.

General Masemola said in terms of Regulation 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2000, any member of the service can use blue lights and sirens if necessary in order to execute his/her duties.

“Therefore, when members are on convoy, they are permitted to use blue lights. This should be done taking into account the safety of other road users.

“A police official may exceed the general speed limit with or without the use of a blue flashing light, provided that he/she drives the vehicle in the execution of duties necessitating this and with due regard and careful consideration of the safety of other road users,” he said.

General Masemola also called on members of the public to direct complaints against a close protection officer to the SAPS Complaints Directorate on 0800 3331 77.  - SAnews.gov.za

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says tax administration tools are imperative to countering illicit financial flows and ensuring that governments can continue to collect revenue and serve society.

He was addressing the 13th Africa Initiative Meeting held by Tax Transparency in Cape Town on Thursday.

The Minister highlighted that in Africa, illicit financial flows are costing governments between €48 billion and €77 billion – valuable resources needed for functioning governments.

“[Tax administration] is one of the most valiant career callings because it is at the centre of enabling governments to provide infrastructure and basic services, and improve the lives of society at large, but especially the lives of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised. As tax administrators, you are tasked with the imperative responsibility of collecting what is due to governments in a timely and efficient manner.

“However, this task is not easy where tax evasion, tax crimes and illicit financial flows continue to spirit away revenues due to the State. A means to counter this scourge is [allowing] tax administrations, with the requisite tools and capabilities, measures such as tax transparency through Exchange of Information (EOI), as facilitated by the Global Forum and its regional partners,” he said.

Godongwana emphasised that although these tools are being improved, “this is only effective where the necessary political will is explicit”.

“We see this in the quality of laws that are passed, international agreements that are entered into, and the commitment to build competent and fully resourced tax administrations and the development of best international practices in effective tax administrations,” he said.

The Minister reflected on the efficiency of international tax standards and how these have become an “effective tool” in curbing tax evasion and other illicit financial flows.

“During the past eight years, the Africa Initiative has changed the tax transparency landscape in Africa, enabling the mobilisation of more than €310 million in domestic resources. However, continuous action is needed to ensure a long-lasting positive impact.

“Working with its regional partners, the Global Forum should continue to serve African countries and to support the Africa Initiative in its efforts to build or enhance their capacities to use the EOI standards at their full potential on the continent.

“From the South African experience, I can unequivocally say that [Exchange of Information on Request] and [Automatic Exchange of Information] are essential tools to drive tax compliance. As such, I want to urge members of the Africa Initiative to continue this important work, to collaborate closely, and to ensure that a sustainable legacy is left behind for future generations,” Godongwana said. – SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has passed his condolences to the families of those affected by a gas cylinder leak which killed at least 17 people in Boksburg on Wednesday evening.

A further 11 people have been hospitalised with some of them in a critical condition.

The incident comes just six months after a gas tanker exploded – killing at least 40 people in the same area.

Addressing the media at the site of the incident, Lesufi said support will be given to families of those affected and the surrounding community where the incident took place.

“We want as national government, provincial government and local government to extend our sincere condolences to all the families that have been affected. It’s a tragic event.

“We have learnt from the previous incident and our systems…this time, were on par and they responded the way we advised them and the lessons we learnt from the previous explosion. We are strongly monitoring the situation and we keep our eye on it. We have asked our experts to remain here,” he said.

It is believed that the gas cylinder was cut by illegal miners in the area – causing the leakage.

Lesufi condemned the alleged criminality and said a specialised unit needs to be formed in the SA Police Service to combat the scourge.

“We are under siege. We are using outdated law enforcement mechanisms in a new era that needs new forms of law enforcement. We have to overhaul our law enforcement response.

“This thing of illegal mining is completely out of control. I am of the view that we need a specialised way of training our law enforcement. They try…[but] the fire power of the illegal miners and the resources that [police] have are not…at the level that they confront these things.

“I am calling for a completely new strategy in confronting this thing. A strategy that is well resourced and the capability of our law enforcement agencies that are at a higher level and they need to respond as if we are in a war zone,” he said.

The premier said police are doing what they can to combat illegal mining but, he said, the service needs to be further capacitated.

“The police are doing their best…[however] we are exposing them because they are confronted with a situation that is well resourced, well connected and that has the firepower to create problems for all of us. We just have to capacitate the police with the necessary firepower to respond.

“We need firepower… from technology and from the air. If people get out of those illegal mines and come out, we need to be able to pick them up and we need to know where these activities are taking place. We can’t do that with the naked eye or the resources that we have,” he said.

The Premier is expected to meet with community leaders in the area. – SAnews.gov.za