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You are here: Home / Archives for office

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17 May 2024

SIU, Hawks raid Home Affairs offices in five provinces 

Location: News

SIU, Hawks raid Home Affairs offices in five provinces 

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) with the assistance of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, on Friday conducted searches and seized evidence at Home Affairs offices in five provinces.

The SIU said in a statement that this is part of an ongoing investigation into the affairs of the department.

The SIU was granted a search warrant by the Special Tribunal, a judicial platform established to adjudicate on matters emanating from SIU investigations, on 10 May.

The searched offices and mirror imaging of a server took place at the head office of the Department of Home Affairs in the Pretoria CBD, at the Centurion office and at the Desmond Tutu Refugee Centre in Marabastad.

The other raids took place at the Refugee Reception Centres in Musina, Cape Town, Gqeberha and Durban. 

“The searches follow a tip off from a whistleblower that suggested that Home Affairs officials in the identified centres work with syndicates to duplicate application status files applied for in other offices and process them for a fee. 

“The whistleblower also stated that the officials bypass immigration systems to enable foreign nationals who have entered the country illegally to remain in the country and acquire permits illegally and unlawfully,” the statement read. 

It was also alleged that Home Affairs officials were delaying the finalisation of the asylum seeker permits to facilitate bogus asylum seekers. 

Using the permits, which were obtained illegally and unlawfully, the bogus asylum seekers remain in the country and later use the same permits to apply for Permanent Resident Permits and ultimately, obtain South African citizenship.

“After getting citizenship, they qualify to get a maroon passport, which allows them to travel all over the world except their country of origin.” 

Members of the SIU and the Hawks seized computers, electronic pieces of equipment, and documents that will assist with their ongoing investigation.

Proclamation

President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to investigate serious maladministration and improper conduct at Home Affairs through Proclamation 154 of 2024. 

The proclamation empowers the SIU to probe serious maladministration relating to the issuance of permanent residence permits, corporate visas, business visas, critical or exceptional skills work visas, study visas, retired persons’ visas, work visas, and citizenship by naturalisation, contrary to the Immigration Act, 2002; the South African Citizenship Act, 1995; manuals, guidelines, circulars, practice notes or instructions applicable to Home Affairs; or manuals, policies, procedures, prescripts, instructions or practices of or applicable to the department.

The proclamation also authorises the SIU to investigate any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees of Home Affairs or any other person or entity concerning the allegations being investigated.

It also covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 12 October 2004 and 16 February 2024, the date of the publication of the Proclamation, or before 12 October 2004 and after the date of the Proclamation that is relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters, or involves the same persons, entities, or contracts investigated.

“In addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption and fraud, the SIU will identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future recurrence,” the SIU explained.

In line with the SIU and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the agency will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

The SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 05/17/2024 - 11:48

502 views
Read moreSIU, Hawks raid Home Affairs offices in five provinces 
17 May 2024

Ratepayers block plans to upgrade informal settlement in eThekwini

Location: News

There are more than 300 shacks in Havelock next to the formal suburb of Greenwood Park

Read moreRatepayers block plans to upgrade informal settlement in eThekwini
17 May 2024

Plans to establish government service delivery points in Durban townships

Location: News

Plans to establish government service delivery points in Durban townships

The Department of Employment and Labour in KwaZulu-Natal has announced plans to establish service delivery points within the township communities of Durban.

Provincial Operations Chief Director, Edward Khambula, made the announcement during an Employer Breakfast Session held at the KwaMashu Indoor Sports Centre, north of Durban, on Thursday.

Khambula said the Employment and Labour Service Delivery Office Points programme is in the pipeline for areas covering Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu (INK); and Umlazi township.

Khambula said the establishment of service points, which has been approved, will bring services closer to the communities. 

“We are trying to expand to other townships such as Umlazi as well, because we can see that it does not help for people to travel to town to receive services. We would like to plead with the community to use the service point offices properly,” said Khambula. 

The breakfast session, held in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Development, aims to provide a platform for small business operators to engage with the department, while informing and teaching them about various labour laws to comply with in the country. 

It also formed part of the department’s plan to get closer to the shopping centres and provide services to the people.
                                            
“Because we know that the small businesses in townships sometimes struggle to comply with labour laws, there has been a proposal for us to get closer to the people and teach them and clarify the manner that can assist them to comply without necessarily having to employ the services of consultancy agencies,” Khambule said.

Khambule said there are ways for employers and the small business community to mitigate and negotiate if a business is unable to comply with the labour laws, adding that the department provide assistance free of charge. 

“The department is fully aware of the challenge of unemployment and the state of the economy is dire. There is an exemption to apply from the department to mitigate certain non-compliance issues,” Khambula informed the employers. 

Instead of running away from the inspectors, Khambula urged the employers to seek guidance from the department in order to get guidance on how they can obtain an exemption. 

He emphasised that the department has no intention of closing down businesses, which will consequently result in unemployment.

“We have also heard that you can pay the money you owe through instalments so that the facility exists, and the officials are sensitive about it. The department is wary that an employee can lose a job due to its interventions,’’ Khambula said. 

Employment and Labour Minister, Thula Nxesi, is expected to attend the Jobs and Careers Fair to take place at Umlazi on Friday. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Fri, 05/17/2024 - 09:51

187 views
Read morePlans to establish government service delivery points in Durban townships
17 May 2024

PRASA has failed to fix East Rand train stations

Location: News

From Boksburg to Springs, stations remain in ruins

Read morePRASA has failed to fix East Rand train stations
16 May 2024

Premier steps in to resolve funding crisis at Gauteng social development department

Location: News

Non-profit organisations starved of funds

Read morePremier steps in to resolve funding crisis at Gauteng social development department
15 May 2024

Victims of 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods march to demand housing

Location: News

Hundreds come to central Durban to hand over memo to Premier’s office

Read moreVictims of 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods march to demand housing
15 May 2024

Collaborative Workspaces To Dominate Africa

Location: MyPR

Africa’s two leading providers in the shared workspace industry, KOFISI and Workshop17, have announced a strategic partnership to provide a wider range of services and locations across Africa. The demand for shared workspace continues to grow faster in Africa than the rest of the world – fueled by the growth in the working age population …

Read moreCollaborative Workspaces To Dominate Africa
14 May 2024

Inquests re-opened into Luthuli, Mxenge and Mantyi apartheid era deaths

Location: News

Inquests re-opened into Luthuli, Mxenge and Mantyi apartheid era deaths

Inquests into the deaths of prominent anti-apartheid activists Chief Albert Luthuli and Mlungisi Griffiths Mxenge and civic leader Booi Mantyi have been re-opened by Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, on recommendations from the National Prosecuting Authority.

“With these inquests, we open very real wounds which are more difficult to open 30 years into our democracy, but none the less, the interest of justice can never be bound by time the truth must prevail,” said the Minister.

Regarding Luthuli, who was also Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the department said official reports found that he was struck down by a train “but the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear to this day”.

An inquest was held in September 1967 and an apartheid era court found that he had died following a fracture to the skull but that the “evidence did not disclose any criminal culpability on the part of South African Railways and anyone else”.

“As a result of representations made to the National Director of Public Prosecutions which brought to the fore that in 1967, the inquest did not consider certain mathematical and scientific principles. This mathematical and scientific report reveal that it is highly unlikely that Chief Luthuli was struck by a train and died because of that.

“Considering this information, amongst others, and the investigation done by the Truth and Reconciliation Unit of the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation, Minister Lamola accepts and agrees that it is necessary and in the interest of justice to approach the Judge President of the High Court of South Africa in the KwaZulu-Natal Division to re-open the inquest into the death of Chief Albert Luthuli,” the department said.

Griffiths Mxenge

The anti-Apartheid activist and civil rights lawyer Mxenge died in 1981 and his body – with some 45 lacerations – was found at a sports field in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal.

Two years later, an inquest into the death was opened which, according to the department, “failed to identify the perpetrators, despite clear signs of foul play, including evidence of surveillance on Mr. Mxenge’s office and the poisoning of his dogs”.

“A thorough investigation was not done into the death of Mr. Mxenge. The Harms Commission and Truth and Reconciliation Commission revealed that orders to kill Mr. Mxenge came from Vlakplaas head Dirk Coetzee. Dirk Coetzee and his accomplices Nofomela, and Tshikalanga were granted amnesty for the murder of Mxenge.

“There is new evidence that certain critical information was not presented to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the initial inquest, although the perpetrators were clearly identified. Minister Lamola accepts that it is necessary and in the interest of justice to approach the Judge President of the High Court of South Africa in the KwaZulu-Natal Division to re-open the inquest into the death of Mr Mxenge,” the department said.

Booi Mantyi

Mantyi was killed on 16 June 1985 during an alleged altercation with Apartheid era police at De Aar in the Northern Cape.

That same year, an inquest was held into Mantyi’s death with the outcome finding no one responsible.

The department explained that a fresh investigation “has revealed that an eyewitness who has not previously testified has been identified”.

“Considering the above, Minister Lamola is of the view that it is necessary and in the interests of justice to request the Judge President of the High Court of South Africa, Northern Cape Division to re-open an inquest into the death of Mr Booi Mantyi,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Tue, 05/14/2024 - 09:39

595 views
Read moreInquests re-opened into Luthuli, Mxenge and Mantyi apartheid era deaths
14 May 2024

African Property Investment awards 2024 now open

Location: MyPR

Celebrating excellence in African real estate, including South Africa: enter now! Johannesburg, 13 May 2024 – The 8th annual African Property Investment Awards (API Awards) are now open for entries. This prestigious platform recognises excellence in the African real estate industry. This year, for the first time, the #APIawards will be open to entries from …

Read moreAfrican Property Investment awards 2024 now open
14 May 2024

Nzimande committed to work with Forth Hare University Council

Location: News

Nzimande committed to work with Forth Hare University Council

Higher Education and Training Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has reiterated his commitment to working with the Council of the University of Fort Hare and all key university stakeholders to ensure clean governance at the university. 

This comes after Nzimande held a special meeting with the Council of the University of Fort Hare.

The meeting, which was held last Friday, forms part of Nzimande’s continued interventions to ensure stability and clean governance at the University of Fort Hare.

The purpose of the meeting was for the Council to provide the Minister with a progress update on specific governance issues and the disturbing recent events, including the arrest of senior university employees, with some employed in the Vice Chancellor's office.

Reporting on the outcome of the meeting, the department disputed media reports suggesting that Nzimande’s meeting with the university council collapsed.

According to a statement issued by the department, some members of the Council had initially expressed concern that a detailed agenda was not distributed before the meeting. 

However, after a brief break that was mutually agreed to, the meeting continued and the Minister then tabled his set of concerns about the recent developments at the university.

Nzimande also indicated that he would like the Council, as the highest decision-making body, to respond to the concerns raised.

“After tabling his concerns, it was agreed that the Council will not respond immediately to the issues raised by the Minister and that the Minister will communicate his list of concerns to the Council, in writing.

“The Minister's concerns will form the basis for the next meeting with the Council, which will be a physical meeting, to be convened by the department within several days,” the department explained.

The department said Nzimande is pleased with the outcome of the meeting and remains committed to working with the Council and all university’s key stakeholders to ensure that clean governance is restored, and that the proud history of the university is protected. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 05/14/2024 - 10:12

157 views
Read moreNzimande committed to work with Forth Hare University Council
13 May 2024

Universal Basic Income Grant: What should a payment system look like?

Location: News

South Africa can learn from Brazil

Read moreUniversal Basic Income Grant: What should a payment system look like?
13 May 2024

MDDA partners with media for elections training

Location: News

MDDA partners with media for elections training

In preparation for the 2024 National Elections, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) has collaborated with the Electoral Commission (IEC) for the past year to implement a training programme for the community media sector to improve their coverage of the elections.

Through this partnership, the sector has been taken through the legislative amendments (Electoral Act), the Electoral Code of Conduct, prohibited conduct and applicable penalties, and free and fair elections.   

“For the first time since the first democratic elections in 1994, voters will have a wider range of options in terms of the individuals or political parties they want to elect for the National and Provincial Elections.

“As a result of amendments to legislation governing elections, voters will only be able to vote anywhere after notifying the IEC of the intent to such. Failing such notification, voters will only vote where they are registered,” the MDDA said on Monday.

Furthermore, voters will be faced with three ballots instead of the two as was done in previous elections. Independents may now contest National and Provincial Elections.

“Elections are a critical part of democracy. They give power to voters to choose their leaders and hold them answerable for their performance and level of service in office. Further, elections enable people through voting the opportunity to express their views on current issues as well as their frustrations towards leaders who may be failing them.

“However, to vote efficiently and choose a party or leadership that will enable the fulfilment of an equitable society, voters need to know where candidates and parties stand on public policy issues,” MDDA Chief Executive Officer Shoeshoe Qhu said.

With only three weeks left until Elections Day, the Agency is hosting its final leg of the elections capacity-building programme.

They will be conducting elections readiness sessions starting on 17th of May with an online session focusing on IEC legislative amendments and announcements, followed by a roundtable discussion on the 20th May 2024 unpacking the importance of safety on election day, the role of the church in politics and the impact of political party messaging.

The series of events will end with a full day workshop on focusing on fact checking, verification and the impact of generative AI on journalistic content training session on 22 May 2024.

The elections will take place on Wednesday, 29 May 2024. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

nosihle
Mon, 05/13/2024 - 10:46

393 views
Read moreMDDA partners with media for elections training
12 May 2024

Labour dept institutes strict controls for service providers

Location: News

Labour dept institutes strict controls for service providers

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned service providers linked to the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) that they will not be paid without their performance being checked.

“The department expects delivery, compliance with contractual obligations, professionalism, quality work, measurable outputs and impactful interventions from you,” said Nxesi while delivering his keynote address at the Labour Activation Programme launch in Kimberley, Northern Cape, on Friday.

Nxesi said the department has employed systems and processes to monitor the performance of LAP service providers. 

This comes after eight LAP service providers accepted and signed a pledge to provide training to 23 070 young people in the Northern Cape.

The training, with a budget of R558 million, will focus on sectors including agriculture, construction, hospitality, security, energy, call centres, and new venture creations. 

Nxesi said the department has also been focusing on reconfiguring, along with its entities, to strengthen and improve effectiveness. 

“We are currently implementing the recommendations of an independent review of the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund, focusing on strengthening service delivery and innovation, and developing effective and efficient business processes and systems.

“This includes an established project management office to monitor projects, enforce contracts and evaluate outcomes,” Nxesi said.

After the LAP launch, Nxesi visited a Jobs/Careers Fair -- also hosted by the department -- at Galeshewe Stadium. 

The event was attended by scores of work seekers from nearby communities. 

IMAGES | Jobs Fair @Galeshewe Stadium

Jobs/Careers Fair @ Galeshewe Stadium, Northern Cape. Jobs/Careers Fair @ Galeshewe Stadium, Northern Cape. Jobs/Careers Fair @ Galeshewe Stadium, Northern Cape.

Nxesi advised job seekers to use their mobile phones to register on the department’s Employment Services of South Africa database, and to apply for LAP opportunities when they are advertised. 

The Minister also advised job seekers to be aware of unscrupulous and bogus employers advertising fake opportunities.

He also urged them to report unscrupulous recruitment agencies, who charge job seekers a fee for employment opportunities, to the department and the South African Police Service. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Sun, 05/12/2024 - 08:28

1089 views
Read moreLabour dept institutes strict controls for service providers
11 May 2024

Refugee and former car guard graduates with a PhD

Location: News

Albert Mpazayabo hopes his thesis on integration of refugees in South Africa will be taken seriously by the authorities

Read moreRefugee and former car guard graduates with a PhD
10 May 2024

W Cape Education urges parents to apply for Grades 1 and 8 before closing date

Location: News

W Cape Education urges parents to apply for Grades 1 and 8 before closing date

The Western Cape Department of Education has urged parents to apply for Grades 1 and 8 in 2025 before the online window for late applications closes on 12 May 2024.

Since the on-time admissions window for parents applying for a place for their child in Grade 1 or 8 in 2025 closed on 12 April, the provincial department said it received late applications for an additional 11 464 learners.

This brings to 114 144 the total number of learners whose parents have submitted applications for Grades 1 and 8 in 2025.

“We thank the parents who have already applied so far, as they are helping us to plan better for a place for their child in a school next year,” the department said. 

According to data, 87% of applications have been captured on the online system by parents themselves. 

The online admissions system is zero-rated and does not use any data. 

However, if parents need in-person help capturing their application, they can visit their education district office for assistance.

Parents of Grade 1 and 8 learners, who did not apply before 12 May, will need to contact their district office for assistance as soon as possible thereafter. 

“We urge parents not to wait until the last minute to apply,” the department said.

The window for Grade R applications and transfer requests for Grades 2 to 7 and 9 to 12 will run from 1 to 16 August.

Parents are reminded that they will only need to drop off their certified hard copies once they have received an offer from a school and accepted the offer.

The outcomes of the on-time applications online will start trickling in from 30 May and parents must accept or decline offers before 14 June.

The department is also encouraging them to confirm their choice of school speedily when they have received offers from multiple schools. 

“These parents are essentially ‘double parking’ on the system, stopping schools from offering these places to other applicants until they make their choice.”

If a parent has not confirmed their choice by 14 June, the system will automatically confirm their top-ranked school that has made an offer and all other offers will then be removed, so that those places can be offered to other learners.

“Parents who do not receive an offer on 30 May should not be disheartened. Places always open up as parents confirm their final choices. We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to place every learner whose parents applied on time as quickly as possible,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 05/10/2024 - 10:35

298 views
Read moreW Cape Education urges parents to apply for Grades 1 and 8 before closing date
10 May 2024

KZN Premier receives provincial allocation of Home Affairs mobile offices

Location: News

KZN Premier receives provincial allocation of Home Affairs mobile offices

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Ncube-Dube has described the allocation of new Home Affairs mobile trucks as a game-changer in the provision of government services.

Dube-Ncube made the remarks when she received the provincial allocation of Home Affairs mobile offices that were unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Mokopane, Limpopo, this week.

READ | Mobile Home Affairs offices to bring convenience for Mokopane residents 

The unveiling of 100 new mobile offices on Tuesday is part of the Home Affairs Hybrid Access Model, which expands services to areas, where the department footprints is limited.

On Friday, Nomusa-Dube received 16 of the 100 mobile offices allocated to KwaZulu-Natal.

Speaking at the event held at Hoy Park Stadium in Durban, Dube-Ncube said the day marks yet another milestone in the quest to bring dignity to the people of the province.

“What we are seeing here today is just another milestone for us [and] our people in the townships and far-flung areas who have not been able to reach Home Affairs. Today, they will be able to reach Home Affairs.

“This is a game-changer in the provision of Home Affairs services. We are here to wage a war against the inaccessibility and unavailability of government services for our people,” Dube-Ncube said.

Dube-Ncube said with the allocation of the new fleet, people can now walk to a Home Affairs office and apply for identity documents and passports. 

The Premier said many people have been complaining about long queues at Home Affairs offices, especially in Umngeni, Durban central and Pinetown.

“With these mobile offices, our people... [can] wait for the trucks to come near their areas where they will be able to do their ID and passport applications or birth certificate registrations. Each truck is fully equipped and caters for people with disabilities and the elderly,” Dube-Ncube said.

IMAGES | Mobile offices handed over in KZN

Home Affairs mobile office handover. Home Affairs mobile office handover. Home Affairs mobile office handover.

She said with services being brought closer to where people reside, this will curb the unauthorised practice of people paying for spots in queues outside the offices.

The additional trucks will bring the total number of mobile trucks in the province to 30. Members of community safety will accompany the trucks, to ensure their protection from the criminals, while bringing services in various areas.

The Premier expressed her appreciation to the President and Motsoaledi for allocating mobile offices to the province.

She said the relevant provincial MEC will collect and dispatch the mobile offices to the districts. 

Provincial Manager for Home Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Cyril Mncwabe, said the trucks will be distributed to Home Affairs offices located in five district municipalities. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 05/10/2024 - 14:29

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Read moreKZN Premier receives provincial allocation of Home Affairs mobile offices
10 May 2024

SASSA Mkhondo office reopens its doors

Location: News

SASSA Mkhondo office reopens its doors

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Mpumalanga has announced that its Mkhondo office, which was formerly known as Piet Retief, has reopened its doors.

This comes after two senior officials and three unidentified men, who are believed to be traditional healers, were caught on security cameras performing rituals in the office after hours on 17 April 2024.

The senior manager reviewed CCTV footage after staff reported finding residues of needles and other muthi-like substances in the office.

On Sunday, Mpumalanga MEC for Social Development Lindiwe Ntshalintshali and executives from the SASSA held a debriefing with staff.

The leaders also invited local pastors who led a mass prayer session at the office where the rituals were performed in addition to the fumigation and thorough deep cleaning. 

“The intervention led the office to be reopened on Monday and the public was informed through various social media channels and stakeholders,” the statement read. 

According to the agency, services are now back to normal, while staff will continue to receive counselling services through a wellness programme. 

“As part of continuous support, officials have agreed to utilise the services if [they] still need further counselling.”

The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Dr Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, also held a debriefing session on Thursday with officials to encourage and motivate them to continue serving the community with resilience.

Bogopane-Zulu also committed to providing all the necessary support to staff.

According to SASSA, the incident is currently under investigation to determine the reason for the actual occurrence and appropriate remedies. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Fri, 05/10/2024 - 14:37

110 views
Read moreSASSA Mkhondo office reopens its doors
10 May 2024

Universal Basic Income Grant: who will profit?

Location: News

There are risks in using a private company to pay the grants

Read moreUniversal Basic Income Grant: who will profit?
9 May 2024

Protesters demand Wits take public stand on Gaza

Location: News

Calls for “academic boycott of apartheid Israel”

Read moreProtesters demand Wits take public stand on Gaza
9 May 2024

President assents to law Bill criminalising hate crimes, hate speech

Location: News

President assents to law Bill criminalising hate crimes, hate speech

President Cyril Ramaphosa has given his approval to the Preventing and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, which criminalises hate crimes and hate speech. 

The law also outlines the prosecution process for individuals who perpetrate these offences.

“This legislative measure gives effect to South Africa’s obligations in terms of the Constitution and international human rights instruments concerning racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in accordance with international law obligations,” the Presidency explained in a statement on Thursday. 

According to the statement, the Constitution sets out certain basic values, including human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms and non-racialism and non-sexism.

The Bill of Rights, in Section 9 of the Constitution, prohibits direct or indirect unfair discrimination against anyone on the grounds of race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.

“The Bill of Rights gives everyone the right to dignity and gives everyone the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources.”

The President’s Office explained that the new Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act provides for the prevention of hate crimes and hate speech, effective enforcement measures, and the gathering and recording of data on hate crimes and hate speech.

“A hate crime is committed if a person commits any recognised offence under any law that is motivated by prejudice or intolerance based on one or more characteristics or perceived characteristics of the victim, as listed in the legislation or a family member of the victim.”

The definition of the crime, the Presidency said, extends to offences targeting the victim’s association with or support for a person with one or more of the listed characteristics or a group of persons who share these characteristics.

“The offence of hate speech applies to any person who intentionally publishes, propagates, advocates, shares or communicates anything to one or more persons in a manner that could reasonably be construed to demonstrate a clear intention to be harmful or to incite harm and to promote or propagate hatred based on defined grounds.

“The law also makes it an offence when speech material is intentionally distributed or made available in electronic communication, and the said person knows that such electronic communication constitutes hate speech.” 

However, the law does not consider actions undertaken in good faith during engagement as part of hate speech.

These actions include artistic creativity, performance or other form of expression; academic or scientific inquiry; and fair and accurate reporting or commentary in the public interest. 

It also excludes interpretation and articulating or espousing of any religious conviction, tenet, belief, teaching, doctrine or writing that does not advocate hatred or constitutes incitement to cause harm.

The law also contains directives on training and other measures to be undertaken by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure effective processing of the newly defined crimes. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 05/09/2024 - 11:39

931 views
Read morePresident assents to law Bill criminalising hate crimes, hate speech
9 May 2024

Hi-Tec Mothers’ Day Gift Guide!

Location: MyPR

We have one-stop shoppers in mind with this Mother’s Day gift guide that includes picks for every type of mom. Choose something the mom in your life will use — like a snuggly jacket with functional pockets or sporty-chic running shoes. When in doubt of where to buy these staples, keep in mind a retail …

Read moreHi-Tec Mothers’ Day Gift Guide!
9 May 2024

DMRE hosts Battery Energy Storage bidders’ conference

Location: News

DMRE hosts Battery Energy Storage bidders' conference

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy will today host a bidders' conference in respect of Battery Energy Storage (bid window 3) under the Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP).

The department launched a third Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (IPPPP), calling for the procurement of 616 MW of new generation capacity from battery energy storage technologies.

“The third battery energy storage bid window calls for 616 MW (2464 MWh) battery energy storage capacity and ancillary services in line with the power system service requirements as set out by the system operator. The procurement round will procure five storage facilities that are located within the Free State province,” said the department.

The new bid window was released on 28 March 2024 in accordance with the Ministerial Determinations made under the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019).

“In support of this significant milestone in the IPPP programme, and to engage with potential bidders and other energy sector stakeholders, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), and the Independent Power Producers Office, will host a virtual bidders' conferences on Thursday, 9 May 2024,” said the department.

The conference will allow all stakeholders to engage with members of the DMRE and IPP Office on queries or clarification questions in relation to the released RFP.

Hosted on an e-platform, it further aims to provide more information on the qualifying criteria and bid submission requirements.

The conference is open to any interested parties of the BESIPPPP BW3 Programme. Stakeholders can register at the following link: conference registration.

Further queries can be sent to events@ipp-projects.co.za or query@ipp-storage.co.za. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Janine
Thu, 05/09/2024 - 09:42

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Read moreDMRE hosts Battery Energy Storage bidders’ conference
9 May 2024

President to engage Northern Cape residents on various issues

Location: News

President to engage Northern Cape residents on various issues

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today lead government’s interaction - in the form of a District Development Model Presidential Imbizo - with communities and stakeholders within the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality in the Northern Cape.

Themed "Leave No One Behind", the 12th Presidential Imbizo promotes participatory democracy and inclusive development by allowing community members and stakeholders to voice proposals and express any concerns or dissatisfaction they may have about conditions in the district or province.

The official programme is expected to get underway at 11am at the Batlharos Sports Ground.

According to the Presidency, the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality is a rural district municipality which comprises three local municipalities - Ga- Segonyana, Joe Morolong and Gamagara.

“Mining, tourism, manufacturing and agriculture and forestry are key economic drivers in the district,” the office said in a statement.

The imbizo is directed at enabling successful implementation of the “One District, One Plan” District Development Model in which residents, traditional leaders, business formations, organised labour and faith- and community-based organisations work with government across all phases of planning, implementation, and evaluation.

In March, residents of Emalahleni, in Mpumalanga, had the opportunity to engage the President on the pressing matter of service delivery, among other issues.

Read I Communities have their say at Imbizo

There have been various build-up outreach activities led by all three spheres of government in parts of the district municipality and across the Northern Cape.

Ahead of the community engagement, President Ramaphosa will meet with the Northern Cape Provincial Executive of the House of Traditional and Khoi-san Leaders. – SAnews.gov.za

Janine
Thu, 05/09/2024 - 10:01

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Read morePresident to engage Northern Cape residents on various issues
8 May 2024

Universal Basic Income Grant: who should run it?

Location: News

The sad history of Net1 and the Post Office shows that this is an important question

Read moreUniversal Basic Income Grant: who should run it?
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