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Cabinet approves Final White Paper On Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection

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Cabinet approves Final White Paper On Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection

Cabinet has approved the Final White Paper On Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection.

This is according to Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who briefed the media on Wednesday.

“The Department of Home Affairs carefully and duly considered all the oral and written submissions. This final White Paper is the product of robust engagements.

“The Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa approved this final White Paper on Wednesday, 10 April…and it has been published in the Government Gazette…today,” the Minister said.

Motsoaledi explained that the department had received an “overwhelming” response to the call for public comments.

“The responses have been overwhelming. Individuals, that is citizens, asylum seekers and refugees as well as public interest groups, companies, national and local government departments, premiers, research institutes, political parties, [international bodies]…and many others made their voices heard and made constructive comments.

“The [department’s] team and I conducted public hearings in all nine provinces. The outcome of the engagements and public comments is that the policy position adopted in the White Paper enjoys wide support.

“Only a handful of public interest groups are opposed to selected policy positions such as the withdrawal of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1967 Protocol and re-acceding to them with reservations, proposed repeal of Section 4 (3) of the South African Citizenship Act and the First Safe Country principle,” he said.

International Agreements

Turning to international agreements that South Africa is party to, Motsoaledi explained that the White Paper seeks to open a path for government to exercise its right to make reservations on some elements of the agreements.

“In 1996, two years after the first democratic elections, South Africa acceded to various international agreements such as the 1951 Convention, the 1967 Protocol, the 1969 OAU [Organization of African Unity] Convention and other international instruments. This was done without the government having developed a clear policy on migration, including refugee protection.

“The government did not make reservations and exceptions permitted in terms of international law. The white paper proposes that the government of the Republic of South Africa must review and/or withdraw from the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol with a view to accede to them with reservations like many countries did.

“All the South African government intends achieving is to exercise its right granted in Article 42 of the 1951 Convention and Article 7 of the 1967 Protocol and make reservations accordingly,” he said.

Motsoaledi emphasised that South Africa “does not have the resources” to fulfil all of the requirements of the 1951 Convention.

“The Refugee Protection and Immigration legislation must provide for reservations and exceptions as contained in the 1951 Convention and the 1969 OAU Convention. Particularly in that South Africa does not have the resources to grant the socio-economic rights envisaged in the 1951 Convention,” he said.

The final White Paper can be accessed on the Government Gazette at http://www.gpwonline.co.za/GPWGazettes.htm#:~:text=50530%2017%2D04%20HomeAffairs  .– SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Wed, 04/17/2024 - 16:28

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Read moreCabinet approves Final White Paper On Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection

IEC ready to print ballot papers for 2024 elections

Location: News

IEC ready to print ballot papers for 2024 elections

With the finalisation of the list of candidates contesting seats in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections (NPE2024), the Electoral Commission (IEC) can now go ahead with the printing of ballot papers for the elections.

"The 27.79 million registered voters will receive three ballot papers to elect candidates to represent them in the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures,” IEC Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sy Mamabolo said on Tuesday in Centurion.

Addressing a media briefing, Mamabolo said the use of the three ballots follows the amendment of the Electoral Act, which was signed into law in April 2023.

“This amendment revised the electoral system to allow independent candidates to contest in the regional (province-to-national) tier of the National Assembly and the Provincial Legislatures. Although the phenomenon of three ballots will be familiar to voters in various local municipalities, it will be new to voters in metropolitan areas and for the first time in general elections for national and provinces.

“There are a total of 400 contested seats in the National Assembly. The proportional representation compensatory 200 seats will be contested by political parties only and there is a dedicated ballot paper for this tier of the National Assembly.

“The remaining regional or province-to-national 200 seats will be contested by independent candidates and political parties. This tier of the National Assembly will also have a dedicated ballot paper,” he said.

This means that National Assembly elections will be based on two ballot papers – a national ballot and the newly introduced regional or province-to-national ballot.

“Therefore, in respect of the elections of the National Assembly, voters may elect a preferred party on the national ballot and elect another preferred party or independent on the regional ballot. However, in respect of provincial elections, voters will elect a preferred party or independent candidate on a single provincial ballot,” the CEO said.

Mamabolo explained how the three ballot papers would work.

WATCH | 

The National Ballot will consist of a list of political parties vying for seats for 200 seats in the National Assembly.

“This ballot will be used to vote for political parties. There are currently 52 parties who will be on this ballot and the configuration will be a dual column. The Regional or Province-to-National Ballots will have political parties and independent candidates contesting for the seats reserved for each province in the National Assembly.

“Voters will use this ballot to elect a political party or an independent candidate to represent them in the National Assembly. The number of contestants range from 30 to 44 on regional ballots. The configuration of this ballot is single column,” he said.

The Provincial Ballots are unique to each province and include parties and independent candidates competing for seats in each respective provincial legislature.

“This ballot will allow voters to choose either a political party or an independent candidate to represent them in provincial legislatures. The number of contestants range from 24 to 45 on the provincial legislatures ballots,” the CEO said.

The Commission has decided that the design of the ballot papers will be underpinned by the following identifiers:

  • Full registered name of the party.
  • The photograph of the registered party leader.
  • Registered abbreviated name of the party.
  • The registered emblem or symbol of the party.

In respect of independent candidates, the ballot papers will have:

  • The name of the independent;
  • The photograph bearing the face of the independent and
  • The word “INDEPENDENT.”

The Commission has urged voters to carefully review and mark each of these three ballot papers before depositing them into the ballot box.

“Our appeal to voters is to remember that they can only put one mark on each ballot, more than one mark will result in a spoiled ballot and will not [count]. The Universal Ballot Template (UBT), whose dimensions are benchmarked against the longest ballot paper, is in production and will be available in all voting stations.

“The UBT can be used by blind and partially sighted people, low-vision users, people who are dyslexic, and people with motor and neuron conditions which do not allow for a steady hand,” Mamabolo said.

Voters have been reminded that they may only vote at a voting station at which they are registered.

“Voters who will inevitably be away from their voting districts on Election Day, 29 May 2024, may give a Section 24A notice of their intention to vote at another identified voting station by no later than 17 May 2024,” the CEO said. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Tue, 04/16/2024 - 12:11

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Play your part to consolidate democracy

Location: News

Play your part to consolidate democracy

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on citizens, political parties and civil society to work together to ensure that this year’s election is a “success in our ongoing journey of democratic consolidation”.

The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter.

The 2024 National and Provincial Elections are expected to be held on 29 May this year.

“It is up to us all, whether as government, political parties, candidates, voters, the media or civil society organisations, to play our part by ensuring that our actions and words inspire faith in our democracy. We must continue to work together to ensure that nothing undermines the integrity of our elections.

“Above all, it is up to us all to ensure that this hard-won right to vote, for which so many sacrificed so much, is exercised by every eligible citizen in a climate free of intimidation and all forms of violence,” President Ramaphosa said.

This year’s elections will be the seventh held since the dawn of democracy 30 years ago.

As highlighted by the President, the country’s electoral processes together with the rights enjoyed by citizens and political parties to organise, campaign and contest, “are among the greatest strengths of our constitutional order”.

Valuable rights

President Ramaphosa reminded South Africans that in this country, politicians are free to contest and media freedom to report is guaranteed with the courts administering justice “without fear or favour, including an Electoral Court that oversees the work of the Independent Electoral Commission [IEC] and the conduct of elections”.

“As the country counts down to the election, the vibrant and robust campaigning that is taking place reflects how South Africa’s politics continues to evolve and mature. It is also a reflection of the many different views in our society and the variety of choices that voters have.

“In a democracy such as ours, we should not be worried about differences, even when sharply expressed. That is because the vast majority of South Africans value and respect the democratic process. They have faith in the rule of law and know that any disputes can be resolved through the courts and other legal avenues.

“Over the past 30 years we have held elections that are not only free and fair, but also peaceful and free of intimidation. Dire predictions of South Africa ‘regressing into violence’ or ‘democratic backsliding’ that regrettably remain a common feature of some reportage and analysis have been proven wrong time and again,” he said.

The South African voter

President Ramaphosa said that according to research, most South Africans “recognise the importance of their vote and believe they have a duty to vote” with the IEC commissioned research finding that some 57% of South Africans having expressed belief that voting is their duty.

“While youth apathy is often cited as a problem in our country, some 55% of 18-24 year olds saw it as their duty to vote. It is significant that young people accounted for over 78% of new voter registrations last year. The IEC research also found that the majority of respondents agreed that democracy is preferable to other kinds of government.

“Despite its many challenges, our democracy is in good health. Even as political and other forms of contestation continue in the run-up to this year’s polls, they are taking place under the broad umbrella of a constitutional order characterised by fundamental freedoms and human rights,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Mon, 04/15/2024 - 09:57

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Read morePlay your part to consolidate democracy

IEC publishes final candidate lists for upcoming elections

Location: News

IEC publishes final candidate lists for upcoming elections

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has released the final lists of political parties and independent candidates that will appear on the various ballot papers in the upcoming National and Provincial Elections. 

The IEC published the lists on its website on Wednesday, and has made them available at all of its offices.

According to the election management body, a new and historic feature in National and Provincial Elections (NPE) 2024 is that independent candidates will contest for seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures.

This is after President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to the law enabling the participation of independent candidates in April 2023.

Six independent candidates will contest for seats in the National Assembly and six will contest the provincial legislature elections. 

Meanwhile, the Electoral Code of Conduct has been in effect since the 23 February proclamation of the election date.

On 4 April, the IEC held a special ceremony, where all national contestants publicly pledged to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct, as well as to get their members and supporters to act in a manner that is consistent with the code.

Provincial pledge signing ceremonies at the provincial level will take place in the coming weeks.

South Africa will hold its General Election on May 29, which marks the country’s seventh democratic election.

Here is the link to the final candidate lists for the 2024 NPE:  https://www.elections.org.za/pw/parties-and-candidates/candidates-list. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Thu, 04/11/2024 - 10:52

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Political parties, independent candidates sign Code of Conduct

Location: News

Political parties, independent candidates sign Code of Conduct

Political parties and independent candidates contesting the 2024 National and Provincial Elections have signed the Electoral Commission’s Code of Conduct committing to abide by the set of rules that are meant to ensure free and fair elections.

The General Elections will be held on 29 May to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each province.

This will be the seventh general election held in the democratic dispensation since the end of the apartheid era in 1994.

In total, 325 political parties will be taking part in this year’s elections.

In his keynote address at the signing ceremony held in Midrand on Thursday, Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson Mosotho Moepya said violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct can cast doubt on the legitimacy of election results, and lead to disputes and legal challenges.

“By complying with the code, political parties help to ensure that election outcomes are accepted as legitimate by all stakeholders, thereby contributing to political stability and social cohesion,” Moepya said.

Click here for the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Moepya said with freedom comes great responsibility. The Constitution affords political parties, independent candidates and citizens the freedom to contest elections for public office.

“Today's signing ceremony holds profound significance, as the country witnesses leaders of parties represented in the National Party Liaison Committee publicly pledge to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct for the forthcoming elections.

“This code provides the framework for conduct consistent with the vision of democratic forebears, who envisioned a society at peace with itself and all its constituents. It is a statutory instrument for realising free and fair elections, requiring profound political leadership, as its observance reflects not only our commitment as democrats but also our collective dedication to orderly public affairs.

“As leaders, we bear the responsibility of guiding our nation towards a vision of peace and tranquillity,” Moepya said.

Rules and regulations

Moepya said beyond adherence to the code, political parties, independent candidates and citizens alike must actively promote awareness of the code's purpose and support efforts to educate voters.

Moepya said certain behaviours, such as inciting violence, intimidation, spreading false information or abusing positions of power, are strictly prohibited and must be met with swift accountability measures.

Moepya said upholding the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct reinforces democratic values such as tolerance, respect for diversity and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

“These values are essential for the functioning of a healthy democracy and fostering trust between citizens and their elected representatives.

“We know that political violence and intimidation can undermine the integrity of the electoral process and deter citizens from exercising their right to vote. By complying with the code, political parties help prevent such incidents and contribute to a peaceful electoral environment.

“The Electoral Code of Conduct also aims to ensure that all political parties and candidates have equal opportunities to campaign and communicate their messages to voters,” Moepya said.

30 Years of Democracy

Sy Mamabolo, the Electoral Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer, said as the country commemorates the 30th anniversary of democracy, it is vital to reflect on one of its abiding successes.

“Today, we stand before South Africa and her people to affirm our readiness to conduct an election which accords with the constitutional yardsticks and international norms.

“We give this affirmation of readiness, alive to the enormity of the challenge that rests on our hands. We stand ready to assiduously ensure that we do not let the motherland down for otherwise history will have a deleterious account of our charge of this task,” he said.

Most political parties had expressed their delight in taking part in the signing ceremony.

Sizwe Ummah Nation (SUN)  party representative, Mondli Thulani Ncayiyane, commended the signing ceremony.

“The Electoral Commission has done a splendid job by coming with the Code of Conduct committing political parties to, among other things, denounce violence during the election period.

“As a party, we support the initiative and we hope that this is going to ensure peaceful elections in our country,” Ncayiyane said.

Echoing the same sentiments was Inayet Hussain Hassen from the Allied Movement for Change, who praised the IEC for the good work they have done in a bid to ensure peaceful elections.

“We are aware that it is not going to be easy for the voters as the ballot paper is going to be a big one, but we hope everything will be under control.

“The IEC has a good track record for conducting elections. We are confident that all the other political parties are going to uphold the Code of Conduct,” Hassen said.

Party lists

Last month, the Commission made available the lists of names of independent and political party candidates available for inspection at its national office, and at all its nine provincial offices and local municipal offices.

Parties intending to contest the elections were given an opportunity to revise their lists and inform the commission if they had nominated candidates who also appeared on the list of another party or who were nominated as independent candidates.

In all, there were 42 candidates appearing on more than one party list implicating 39 parties. Furthermore, one candidate was nominated as an independent candidate and also appeared on a list of a party.

The final list of candidates contesting the elections will be published by the Commission on 10 April 2024.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in February that South Africa will head to the polls on 29 May 2024 for the General National and Provincial Elections. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Thu, 04/04/2024 - 13:52

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X marks the spot

Location: News

X marks the spot

With the clock inching closer to Voting Day when citizens will mark their X next to the name of their preferred candidate in the 2024 general elections, it is important that we all go into the various voting booths across the country armed with all the relevant information to make an informed choice, writes Neo Semono.

The 2024 National and Provincial Elections coincide with the 30 years of freedom and democracy celebrations that the country is observing this year.

Young and old registered voters will make their mark in South Africa’s seventh democratic elections on 29 May after which the seventh administration will come into being.

While we are accustomed to receiving two ballots in national and provincial elections, things will be a little different this Voting Day.

Instead of the usual two - registered voters will this time around receive three ballot papers - wherein to mark their X.

The three ballots are the result of the passing of the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023.

The Electoral Amendment Act of 2023 which President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law on 17 April 2023, gives effect to the Constitutional Court judgment handed down in June 2020.

The judgement declared the Electoral Act of 1998 unconstitutional for stipulating that election to the National Assembly and provincial legislatures may only be attained through membership of political parties.

The court gave Parliament two years to remedy the defects. Since the court decision, the Electoral Bill was born and extensive public consultations on the bill were held by Parliament’s National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

This prompted Parliament to request two deadline extensions from the court with the final deadline for Parliament to pass the bill having been set at 28 February 2023.

And while there were hiccups, the Act finally became law in June 2023.

Less than a year later since becoming law, South Africans will be voting in elections that include independent candidates.

Come Wednesday, 29 May, voters will receive three ballots - the first being for the election of the compensatory 200 members of the National Assembly, which is only contested by political parties on a closed list basis.

According to the Electoral Commission (IEC), the second ballot will be for the regional elections of the 200 members of the National Assembly. This ballot will vary from region to region, depending on which parties and independent candidates contest the relevant regional election. Only the names of political parties and independent candidates that have met the requirements to contest each regional election will appear on this ballot.

According to the commission, in the national elections, independent candidates will contest the 200 regional seats alongside political parties, while the other 200 seats will be compensatory to bring back general proportionality for political parties.

This means that the total votes for a party in a region determine the number of seats they hold.

The third ballot which is the provincial ballot, will be for electing the members of the provincial legislature in each of the nine provinces. It contains the names of the political parties and independent candidates that have met the requirements to contest each provincial election.

However, while independent candidates can contest in multiple regions, they are limited to winning just one seat in the National Assembly.

The participation of independent candidates in the country’s elections for the very first time, is a feather in South Africa’s cap. It’s a reflection of a democracy in action.

And while the country is not without its faults, including corruption and the continued impact of the state capture years among a list of things that need attention, our democracy is a robust one and very much alive with individuals and organisations able to approach the courts for relief.

The judgment in the matter of the New Nation Movement NPC & others V President of the Republic of South Africa & others where the Electoral Act of 1998 was declared unconstitutional for stipulating that election to the National Assembly and provincial legislatures may only be attained through membership of political parties, is one such example.

The year of the three ballots at the polls is also the year wherein the South African voters’ roll which was first compiled ahead of the 1999 national and provincial elections, has swollen to 27.79 million registered voters.

In 1999, the voters’ roll stood at 18.17 million registered voters.

While it is not a perfectly hung portrait, the South African canvass is continually being improved upon with the flair and outspokenness that we’re known for.

Let us go out and exercise our right to vote. The South African Inc picture is far from being complete, it needs you and I. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo Semono is a Features Editor at SAnews.

Neo
Thu, 03/28/2024 - 08:44

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Read moreX marks the spot

 Independent and political party candidates lists available for inspection

Location: News

 Independent and political party candidates lists available for inspection

The Electoral Commission (IEC) will today and tomorrow between 09:00 and 17:00 make the lists with the names of independent and political party candidates available for inspection at its national office, at all its nine provincial offices and at local municipal offices.

Parties intending to contest the elections had until 17:00 on Monday to revise their lists and inform the commission if they had nominated candidates who also appeared on the list of another party or who were nominated as independent candidates.

In all, there were 42 candidates appearing on more than one party list implicating 39 parties. Furthermore, one candidate was nominated as an independent candidate and also appeared on a list of a party.

“The focus in the evolving candidate nomination process shifts to a period within which interested persons may inspect the lists of candidates and raise objections against candidates.

“To this end, the Commission will today and tomorrow, between 09:00 and 17:00 make the lists with the names of independent and political party candidates available for inspection at its national office, and in all its nine provincial offices and in local municipal offices.

“Copies of the documents accompanying the lists are available for inspection at the commission’s national office between 09:00 and 17:00,” said the commission in a statement.

In all, 14 662 candidates have been nominated to contest the 887 seats available in the National Assembly and the nine legislatures. The spread of the candidates is as follows:

  • 4 323 candidates have been nominated to contest the compensatory seats in the National Assembly (contested by parties only),
  • 3 596 candidates have been nominated to contest the regional seats in the National Assembly (contested by party candidates and independents) and
  • 6 743 candidates have been nominated to contested seats in the provincial legislatures (contested by party candidates and independents).

The biggest ballot paper will contain 56 contestants. This is the ballot for the compensatory seats in the National Assembly. The biggest regional election ballot will be in the Gauteng region with 40 political parties and 2 independent candidates.

Similarly, the biggest ballot in respect of provincial legislature elections will be in Gauteng with 42 political parties and 2 independent candidates.

Seven independent candidates will contest the regional elections and six will contest the provincial legislature elections. The region with the most number of independent candidates is the Limpopo region with three candidates.

Any person may object to the nomination of a candidate. Such objections must be lodged with the commission by 17:00 on 27 March 2024.

An objection may be raised on the basis that an independent candidate or nominating party has failed to submit the signed prescribed acceptance of nomination or that there is no signed prescribed undertaking, that the candidate is bound by the electoral code of conduct, the commission said.

An objection may be on the basis that a candidate is not qualified to stand in the election. In this regard section 47 and 106 of the Constitution are instructive.

The sections provide that every citizen who is qualified to vote for the National Assembly is eligible to be a member of the Assembly, except:

(a) Anyone who is appointed by, or is in the service of the state and receives remuneration for that appointment or service

(b) Permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces or members of a provincial legislature or a Municipal Council

(c) Unrehabilitated insolvents

(d) Anyone declared to be of unsound mind by a court of the Republic or,

(e) Anyone who, after this section took effect, is convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine, either in the Republic, or outside the Republic if the conduct constituting the offence would have been an offence in the Republic, but no one may be regarded as having been sentenced until an appeal against the conviction or sentence has been determined, or until the time for an appeal has expired. A disqualification under this paragraph ends five years after the sentence has been completed.

The commission will decide the objections by 28 March 2024. The objector, registered party or nominated candidate may appeal against the decision of the Commission to the Electoral Court by 2 April 2024.

The final list of candidates contesting the elections will be published by the Commission on 10 April 2024.

Voters are reminded that they may only vote at a voting station in which they are registered.

Voters who will unavoidably be away from their voting districts on Election Day may give notice of their intention to vote at another identified voting station by 17 May 2024. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Tue, 03/26/2024 - 09:32

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Read more Independent and political party candidates lists available for inspection

S Africans urged to participate in the upcoming elections

Location: News

S Africans urged to participate in the upcoming elections

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Thembi Nkadimeng, has urged South Africans to vote in the upcoming elections.

“Your vote is not merely a mark on a ballot paper; it is a voice – a voice that speaks volumes, resonating with the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our society. 

“It is a symbol of your commitment to the principles of democracy,” she said. 

Nkadimeng was addressing a conference on the impact of the upcoming General Elections on intergovernmental relations at the University of the Western Cape. 

The National Research Chair organised the Multilevel Government, Law, and Development event at the Dullah Omar Institute.

The conference addresses critical questions regarding governance, particularly concerning the challenges posed when different parties or coalitions govern at various levels of government. 

Nkadimeng used her platform to call on South Africans to unite in their diversity and go to their designated voting stations with purpose and conviction.

“Regardless of your political affiliations or beliefs, your vote is a precious right – one that countless individuals have fought and sacrificed for throughout our history. 

“It is a privilege denied to many worldwide yet bestowed upon us as South Africans. Let us not take this privilege for granted, but rather cherish it and wield it wisely.” 

This as the country is set to go to the polls on 29 May 2024.

Coalitions 

Nkadimeng touched on the instability caused by coalitions since the local government elections have underscored that some political parties are struggling to cope with the delicate demands and dilemmas of coalition politics. 

She highlighted the complexities involved and emphasised the importance of cooperation and coordination among government spheres, acknowledging the strain caused by conflicting agendas and ideologies.

These include “unscrupulous manipulation” by smaller parties to have governance by a small unrepresentative group of individuals and bribes with little thought on the impact of the same on the municipality and its ability to deliver services. 

Another hurdle, she said, is the infighting in councils characterised by walkouts, leading to an inability to adopt budgets, resulting in an administration that cannot spend its budget to address service delivery backlogs. 

The Minister spoke of the lack of due diligence when making key appointments, which results in compromised individuals appointed in critical positions.

“Yet, it is precisely during these moments of divergence that the resilience of our intergovernmental relations system is put to the test. 

“How do we navigate the waters of political pluralism while upholding the principles of cooperative governance? How do we bridge the divide between divergent political entities to ensure the seamless delivery of services and the pursuit of shared objectives? These are questions that demand thoughtful consideration and innovative solutions.” 

She also discussed lessons learned from the 2021 Local Government Elections, emphasising the need for coalition regulation to maintain stability.

Nkadimeng stressed the significance of legal frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and fostering dialogue and collaboration.

She reiterated the constitutional principle of cooperative government and intergovernmental relations, regardless of electoral outcomes, emphasising its importance for effective governance.

Central to the notion of intergovernmental relations, according to Nkadimeng, is the recognition of the interdependence among the three spheres (national, provincial and local) of government. 

She explained that each sphere possesses distinct powers, functions, and institutions, yet they are inherently interconnected. 

“Therefore, all spheres of government have to respect each other's autonomy while keeping one another informed of new policies and developments.”

Intergovernmental relations extend beyond mere cooperation. However, according to Nkadimeng, they encompass a complex network of interactions involving government institutions and civil society.

Effective coordination of public policies among national, provincial, and local governments is essential for ensuring coherent and impactful governance.

Regardless of the electoral outcomes when the South Africans go to the polls, she said she believes that it is important for all political parties to adhere steadfastly to the principles outlined in the Constitution of the country.

“Upholding the ideals of cooperative government and intergovernmental relations is not contingent upon political affiliation but is a shared responsibility integral to the fabric of our democracy.”

She concluded by outlining measures to maintain resilience in the face of political changes, including promoting continuity, trust, cooperation, and building institutional capacity within the intergovernmental relations framework. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Wed, 03/20/2024 - 15:07

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Read moreS Africans urged to participate in the upcoming elections

Deepfakes a worrying trend in the run-up to elections

Location: News
KnowBe4

More than four billion people (https://apo-opa.co/4aerFVs) worldwide will take part in elections this year, including in the US, UK, India, and South Africa. However, the increasing prevalence of disinformation, fuelled by the growing use of deepfakes and generative AI, means that politicians and voters alike will need to be on high alert.

In the 2024 Global Risks Report (https://apo-opa.co/3wRJRWs), the World Economic Forum identified AI-generated misinformation and disinformation as the second most significant global risk after extreme weather. This concern is well-founded, especially with the rapid rise of tools like generative AI empowered deepfakes, posing a threat to the integrity of democratic processes. Deepfakes, which are highly realistic fabricated videos or images, can deceive voters, manipulate public opinion, and tarnish the reputation of political parties and politicians.

Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA, a cybersecurity training organisation, says there has been a vast improvement in the quality of deepfakes over the past year, making them more convincing and difficult to identify. In a notable incident from October last year, cybercriminals used deepfake videos (https://apo-opa.co/4aewZYY) to impersonate African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat during online conversations with European diplomats. Similarly, in December, Facebook removed over 100 deepfake paid advertisements (https://apo-opa.co/3TBfnkt) featuring British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after nearly half a million people viewed them.

“Deepfakes pose major risks in the run-up to elections, both in the UK and South Africa,” says Collard. “Voters need to be aware of this risk and be proactive about mitigating their impact.”

Be aware of deepfakes

According to Collard, the initial step in combating the impact of misinformation and disinformation through deepfakes is raising awareness. “It's crucial for the public to be aware of the existence of this phenomenon,” she emphasises, adding, “The production of deepfake videos and images is cheap and easy.”

CounterCloud, a research project to showcase how easy it is to create fully automated (https://apo-opa.co/3wSNhZ0) disinformation campaigns, operated with a modest budget of only $400. Its goal was to counter negative depictions of the US propagated by Russian media. “If you're a politician, expect deepfakes impersonating you to appear in order to sway public opinion,” she asserts. “Similarly, voters should not believe everything they see or hear on social media to be true.”

Verify information

Apart from raising awareness, another crucial principle is to verify information. “If a politician purportedly said something that's deeply polarising, it's important to verify whether they genuinely said it.” To counter the risk of deepfakes, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), in collaboration with Media Monitoring Africa, has launched an initiative called Padre (https://apo-opa.co/3THIwux). This initiative allows voters to fact-check information regarding South African political parties and their recent statements.

Google's reverse-image search (https://images.Google.com/) is another helpful tool that enables you to check if an online image has been used elsewhere. Additionally, FotoForensics (https://FotoForensics.com/) provides a more in-depth analysis of images. However, despite these tools, verifying information remains challenging. “Deepfakes are becoming more convincing, making verifying information even harder,” states Collard.

Don't over-react

Lastly, when faced with inflammatory content, Collard stresses the importance of voters not overreacting. “Scammers want to whip up your emotions and get you in a state where you're unable to think rationally,” she says. “Stay calm and don't share content that is overly emotive. Whenever your emotions are triggered, slow down and verify, -it could be a hoax.”

Collard believes that it is every voter's responsibility to educate themselves about the dangers of deepfakes. “AI-generated fake content has huge implications for society, especially during election periods,” she says. “To combat this form of disinformation and safeguard the democratic process, social media platforms, political parties and independent watchdogs as well as us the public will all need to work together.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

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Mineral Resources and Energy committee chair welcomes passing of ERA Bill 

Location: News

Mineral Resources and Energy committee chair welcomes passing of ERA Bill 

The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, Sahlulele Luzipo, has welcomed the passing of the Electricity Regulations and Amendment (ERA) Bill by the National Assembly (NA).

In a statement, Luzipo said the Bill is a product of the collective wisdom of everyone who participated in the process, including the public hearings held in all nine provinces and those who made written submissions. 

The provincial public hearings were held from 26 September 2023 to 29 January 2024 and the majority of those who participated supported the Bill.

The Bill seeks to amend the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006 and once enacted into law, it will enable the transformation of the country’s electricity sector to ensure electricity sustainability, supply and affordability.

READ | National Assembly passes Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill
 
“It proposes an end to the monopoly-driven market and allows competition through key legislative reforms. This move is underscored in the Department of Public Enterprises’ 2019 Roadmap for Eskom in a Reformed Electricity Supply Industry.
 
“The Bill, however, does not propose the privatisation of Eskom, which the majority of participants in the public hearings said they opposed,” the statement read. 

Furthermore, the Bill proposes the establishment, within five years, of a State-owned Transmission System Operator (TSO) that is legally distinct from Eskom; the expansion and alignment of the powers of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to regulate the competitive market and the empowerment of NERSA to set and approve tariffs and prices, as well as regulate the participation of independent power producers (IPPs), among other things.

In the interim, it authorises a ring-fenced subsidiary of Eskom Holdings, in the form of the National Transmission Company of South Africa, or NTCSA, to fulfil the functions of the TSO.
 
The TSO is an enabler of a competitive market. Therefore, the functions of the TSO are grid ownership and operation, system operation, market operation, and the creation of a Central Purchasing Agency that will take care of the legacy and vesting contracts.

“I am happy that the NA has passed the Bill that is responding to the people’s concerns about the need for setting parameters on the competitive behaviour of IPPs [independent power producers], as this will ensure that the sector delivers sustainable electricity at competitive prices,” Luzipo said. 

According to Luzipo, this is important not only for competition but also because it addresses global commitments around climate change issues with regards to the country’s transition within the context of the Just Energy Transition framework. This is because the participation of multiple players will result in diverse electricity generation technologies, such as renewable energy.

“It is anticipated that, in the long-term, the Bill will drive down the cost of electricity generation, which will be passed on to consumers in the form of lower electricity bills.

“Further, new investment in the industry will bring new technologies and multi-year capital programmes that will enable new local industries and local businesses to empower youth and create new-age skills and digital capabilities because individuals who generate electricity for their use will be allowed to sell surplus to the government,” Luzipo said. 

The ERA Bill criminalises the unlawful destruction and damage of electricity infrastructure, inclusive of transmission, distribution or generation equipment and infrastructure.
 
This provision ensures that cable theft and unlawful electricity damage, amongst other things, are decisively addressed. 
The Bill states that if a person is convicted of these offences, a fine not exceeding R1 million will be imposed.

 
If a person is found guilty of unlawful trading of the electricity infrastructure as listed above, a fine not exceeding R5 million will be charged, or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or both such a fine and imprisonment.

Luzipo said that the committee intends for the Bill to not only address the immediate electricity challenges and load shedding but also to enable long-term electricity supply for businesses and the broader society. 

He thanked all political parties that supported the Bill in the NA and for putting the interest of the country and its citizens ahead of their political interests in the forthcoming elections.

Luzipo further thanked members of the committee and the staff for their dedication. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Sun, 03/17/2024 - 12:14

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A Betrayal of Trust and Empathy by Community Leaders

Location: MyPR

The case of the missing six-year-old, Joslin Smith, starkly exposes the Democratic Alliance (DA) as a party more concerned with political maneuvering and slander than with genuine empathy and care for the communities it claims to represent. The plight of little Joslin’s disappearance should have evoked immediate compassion and support. In such unfortunate times, there …

Read moreA Betrayal of Trust and Empathy by Community Leaders

South Africa: National Assembly Passes the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
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The National Assembly (NA) today, during its hybrid plenary, passed the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill.

The Bill seeks to amend the Political Party Funding Act of 2018. Among its key objectives is to align various pieces of legislation with the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023, which enables independent candidates to contest elections for seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures.

The Bill further seeks to regulate the private and public funding of independent candidates and independent representatives.

Additionally, the Bill provides for the inclusion of independent representatives who may receive funds from the Multi-Party Democracy Fund (MPDF). The fund aims to raise and distribute donated funds from the private sector to represented political parties. Administered by the IEC, the MPDF will now include independent candidates.

The Bill prevents the Electoral Commission from accepting donations for the MPDF if there is reason to believe it is the proceeds of crime. The Commission can also suspend the payment of money to a represented political party, independent political party, or independent representative if it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the represented political party or independent representative has failed to comply with the Act.

According to the Bill, a political party, independent representative, or independent candidate must disclose all donations they received to the Commission. A juristic person or entity that donates to a political party, independent representative or independent candidate above the threshold prescribed must disclose this to the Commission.

The Bill also makes it an offence – punishable with a fine, imprisonment or both – where donations are made to gain political influence and favour. It makes it an offence to donate to a political party, a member of a political party, an independent candidate, or an independent representative in the expectation that the party, member, representative or candidate concerned will influence the awarding of a tender, licence, approval, consent or permission, or the relaxation of a condition or restriction, the provision states.

The National Assembly passed the Bill with 240 votes to 90.

The Bill will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Read moreSouth Africa: National Assembly Passes the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill