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23 December 2024

Water and Sanitation investigates fish kill incident

Location: News

Water and Sanitation investigates fish kill incident

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has announced that it is investigating an incident of fish kills at Nandoni Dam in Limpopo.

The department explained it was alerted to the incident last week.

“The Department was alerted of dead fish floating on the watercourse in the evening of Thursday, 19 December 2024, and has since dispatched teams to investigate and collect water samples at different sites around the area of occurrence for analysis to determine the cause of the fish kill,” DWS said in a statement.

Residents are warned not to consume the animals following the incident.

“DWS cautions members of the public not to collect and consume the dead fish from the sites until investigations are concluded. The public is further advised not to swim in the Nandoni dam or drink water from the watercourse as it is raw and untreated, and not fit for human consumption.

“A detailed statement will be issued once the investigation has been concluded,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 12/23/2024 - 09:26

63 views

20 December 2024

President moves on full implementation of BELA Act

Location: News

President moves on full implementation of BELA Act

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday evening announced his intention to sign a Presidential Proclamation that will bring the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act into operation, immediately.

The BELA Bill was passed by the 6th democratic Parliament on 26 October 2023. The President assented to the Bill on 13 September 2024.

During the public signing of the Bill, President Ramaphosa announced his decision to delay the implementation date for sections 4 and 5 by three months.

The President said in a statement issued this evening (20 December 2024) that he had met with the leaders of the parties to the Government of National Unity (GNU) today.

“I accordingly advised them that I would proceed to sign a Presidential Proclamation to bring the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act into operation from today. I have instructed the Minister of Basic Education to see to the full implementation of the BELA Act,” the President said.

Consensus

The President explained that at the time he assented to the BELA Bill, "I noted that a number of parties to the Government of National Unity and other key role players in our country had expressed their wish to further engage each other on sections of the bill that deal with issues of admission and language.”

“I said that whilst I had assented to the Bill, in the spirit of cooperation and meaningful engagement, I would delay the implementation date of the BELA Act in totality by three months.”

The three months would give the parties time to deliberate on these issues and make proposals on how the divergent views may be accommodated. He also said that should the parties not agree on an approach at the end of the three-month period, he would then direct the Minister and the Department to proceed with the implementation of the Act.

The President explained that he has also instructed the Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, to do what is “necessary” as is customary with any law to ensure that the timeframe of implementation – particularly with regard to the preparedness of the system for universal Grade R access – and the consequential regulations setting out the norms and standards are prepared.

“All bodies and all officials responsible for the implementation of this Act are required at all times to act in accordance with the Constitution, the law and the relevant policies and regulations,” said President Ramaphosa.

The President said that over the last three months, discussions have been held with a view of reaching consensus on these outstanding clauses of the BELA Act.

Various formations outside of government have also made representations, both for and against the relevant sections.

Last week the President received a report from the GNU clearing house mechanism.

READ | Deputy President Mashatile clarifies position of the GNU on BELA Act

This is the structure which brings together the parties to the Government of National Unity and other parties represented in Parliament to deal with contentious issues and thereafter report to the leaders of the political parties represented in the GNU.

"In their final report, the parties agreed that the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act should not be sent back to Parliament to make changes to the sections that were in contention.

“The GNU clearing house participants agreed that the Act be fully implemented. This view was endorsed by the leaders of the parties to the GNU in a meeting I held with them today.”

READ | President notes settlement agreement with Solidarity on BELA Act

Transformation

In his statement, the President said the BELA Act is vital to the transformation of South Africa’s education system and is an important part of ongoing efforts to build an education system that is more effective and more equitable in line with the precepts of the Constitution.

“The BELA Act continues the work that has been done over the last 30 years to ensure that all children have equal access to quality education – from their early years and throughout their schooling.

“As a democratic country committed to building a new society, we have stated unequivocally that all children must get an education that prepares them to succeed in life, no matter what the circumstances of their birth might be, no matter where they live, no matter what language they speak.

“In implementing this Act, we are all ultimately guided by the Constitution.”

Equality in education

He stressed that the Bill of Rights guarantees the right of every person to equality and that it guarantees the right of every person to receive a basic education.

“We must therefore do everything in our means to ensure that every child, without exception, has equal access to a decent, quality education. We must therefore leave no child behind.

“Let us ensure that our children get the best education so that they can take our beautiful country and our diverse nation forward to a prosperous future.”

The first citizen said the Constitution states that every person has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice where reasonably practicable.
This is a right that applies equally to an English-speaker as it does a Zulu-speaker.

“It applies equally to someone who speaks Afrikaans as it does to someone who speaks Xitsonga, Sesotho, Sepedi, isiXhosa, Setswana, Tshivenda, isiNdebele or siSwati. And now, it also applies equally to someone who uses the South African Sign Language.”

The Basic Education Laws Amendment Act enacts measures that strengthen the ability of schools to give effect to these Constitutional rights.

“In the application of this law, we must ensure that no language is diminished. Rather, we must work to ensure that all official languages are valued and promoted,” said the President. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 18:36

65 views

20 December 2024

Bulk water project signals new chapter for Eastern Cape communities

Location: News

Bulk water project signals new chapter for Eastern Cape communities

To help end the persistent water challenges faced by communities in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has handed over the newly upgraded Mount Ayliff Water Treatment Works (WTW) for communities in that area.

The commissioning certificate of the upgraded water treatment works was handed over to Alfred Nzo District Municipality Mayor, Vukile Mhlelembana, on Wednesday, signalling a new chapter for the communities of Mt Ayliff that struggled with intermittent water supply.

The Alfred Nzo District in the Eastern Cape, has experienced water shortages in Mount Ayliff and the surrounding areas for a long time due to population growth, and the increased demand of water supply services in the area.

The then Mount Ayliff WTW could not meet water demand due to malfunction and ageing infrastructure.

The currently upgraded WTW, based in uMzimvubu Local Municipality within the District, will improve water supply to about 38 184 households in Emaxesibeni and the surrounding five villages of Betshwana, Singeni, Mombeni, Lubhalasi and Santombe.

Majodina said the WTW is part of the R370 million Mount Ayliff Peri-Urban Bulk Water Supply Project, funded through the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), with the Alfred Nzo District Municipality as the implementing agent.

“The scope of the project entailed upgrading the raw water abstraction point at Mzintlava River and installing pipelines that take raw water to a reservoir at the WTW to be treated before distribution to the communities. Other work included the construction of pump stations and upgrading of the existing gravity network pipes from the WTW,” she said.

Majodina urged Mhlembana to prioritise water reticulation projects that will ensure reliable and sustainable water supply to the communities.

Updates on uMzimvubu Dam, Vandalism

The Minister also highlighted progress made in the revived construction of uMzimvubu Dam, in uMzimvubu River, which will ensure sufficient water supply in Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo District Municipalities.

“The Mount Ayliff Peri-Urban Water Supply Project is an effort by the Department of Water and Sanitation to ensure that the Alfred Nzo District has sufficient water supply. As we have completed this project, we are calling on the community of Mount Ayliff not to vandalise or illegally connect to the infrastructure installed but they should patiently wait for the reticulation projects in their areas.

“Plans to build uMzimvubu Dam to benefit Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo District Municipalities are at an advanced stage. This dam will ensure that there is enough water within the two districts,” Majodina said.

The Minister also called on communities to look after water infrastructure in their areas and protect them from vandalism.

She further encouraged the community members to save water and report any water leaks to the municipalities. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 11:02

163 views

20 December 2024

Over 21 000 spaza shops registration forms issued in Gauteng

Location: News

Over 21 000 spaza shops registration forms issued in Gauteng

A total of 21 172 registration forms have been issued to local and foreign spaza shop owners across Gauteng.

This follows a directive issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month, that all spaza shops and food-handling facilities must be registered with their respective municipalities, after a surge in reported cases of foodborne illnesses in the country.

Briefing the media on the progress made in the registration of spaza shops and food handling facilities in Johannesburg, on Thursday, Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile, said the number of spaza shops that had been issued with application forms has increased from last week’s 13 616 to 21 172.

Of this number, 10 389 application forms have been submitted across all municipalities in Gauteng.

“At our first media briefing, the number of applications that had been returned owing to missing documentation stood at 1 916. Since then, the number of applications received have increased, leading to a corresponding increase in the number of returned applications, which now stands at 2 677.

“This indicates that more spaza shops are complying with the President’s directive, a positive sign that the programmes, and interventions that have been instituted by the Gauteng Provincial Government are working,” Maile said.

Maile noted that the registration progress has been hampered by compliance issues, “with challenges relating to zoning being at the core.”

“A lot of structures were built without zoning provisions and consent use, with some of the structures having been built on critical municipal infrastructure, such as water pipes. This is a serious issue that has significant implications, not only for spatial and economic development in the province, but for the safety of our communities as well.

“Municipalities have been encouraged to issue notices of correction to the owners. In some instances, such as where structures are erected on critical infrastructure, there will be a need for demolition, in order to protect this critical infrastructure that services communities,” Maile said.

In such cases, Maile emphasised that demolition will only proceed where regularisation cannot be achieved.

“It is important to state that our approach to this matter is developmental. This means that demolishing structures is our last resort as we recognise the financial and economic implications of such an intervention,” the MEC explained.

Over 500 spaza shops closed for non-compliance

Maile also revealed that hundreds of shops have already been shut due to non-compliance, emphasising that the intensification of law enforcement across all municipalities, remains a priority.

He said a total of 541 spaza shops have been closed for non-compliance.

“These establishments will not be opened or allowed to operate, until such time they meet all compliance requirements as stated. There are currently 437 environmental health practitioners operating in the province, whose role is to ensure that the health and related inspections are conducted speedily.

“The Gauteng Provincial Government has undertaken to strive to increase the capacity of these practitioners with the aim of ensuring that inspections are done continuously. The municipalities will be continuing with inspections and the monitoring of compliance throughout the festive season and beyond,” Maile said.

Registrations deadline extension

The provincial government has implored all the businesses to use the extra allotted time to apply.

Government announced this week that the registration deadline of spaza shops and food-handling outlets has been extended to 28 February 2025.

This follows the end of the initial 21-day registration period, which concluded on Tuesday, 17 December 2024.

Maile said the extension should not be seen as a time for relaxation, but as an opportunity to ensure that all necessary compliance is done.

“This includes the obtaining of the necessary health and environmental certificates, as well as other necessary documents that will ensure compliance with the process. For the Gauteng Provincial Government, this extension is also an opportunity to expedite the processes underway in municipalities, including, but not limited to the drafting and adoption of the Spaza Shop Policy previously outlined,” the MEC said.

“The horrors that the people of Gauteng and South Africa at large have experienced in the deaths and hospitalisations of our children, should never happen again. We all have a role to play in ensuring that we are never again condemned to this brutal reality.

“For this reason, the Gauteng Provincial Government wishes to implore all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to partake in this extended application process,” Maile said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 11:03

345 views

20 December 2024

NPA, Justice department meet to discuss State Capture database

Location: News

NPA, Justice department meet to discuss State Capture database

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have met and agreed to further strengthen ties.

This in the wake of reports in August this year claiming that the department was hampering the work of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) by blocking access to the State Capture data centre.

This was strongly refuted by the department when it appeared before a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development in September.

In a statement on Friday, the department said it had met with the NPA to further clarify the issue.

“The department…and the NPA held constructive discussions on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, with regard to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption’s [IDAC] required access to information from the repository of the State Capture Commission.

“The parties have agreed to strengthen their collaboration with a view to resolving all outstanding issues pertaining to IDAC access, and to facilitate efficient and effective response to all IDAC requests,” a statement from the department read.

READ | Justice department rebuffs “inaccurate” reports

A joint technical working group will also be set up which will “immediately start working on all the urgent issues to ensure that IDAC carries out its mandate without any challenges".

“The Minister will be regularly briefed on progress in this regard to ensure that the Parties are given any high-level support they may require from time to time.

“The meeting was led by [the department’s] Director-General, Advocate Doctor Mashabane, and National Director of Public Prosecutions [NDPP] Advocate Shamila Batohi,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 11:13

218 views

20 December 2024

Department of Health calls for calm as rubella cases rise

Location: News

Department of Health calls for calm as rubella cases rise

The National Department of Health has stated that there is no need for the public to panic despite the rising number of rubella cases in the country.

However, citizens are encouraged to urgently visit their nearest health facilities if they experience symptoms of rubella.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) announced on Thursday that there has been an increase in laboratory-confirmed cases of rubella across the country.

READ | SA reports surge in seasonal rubella cases among children

According to the latest statistics, a total number of 101 37 positive cases of rubella have been identified in the country between January and November 2024, which is higher than cases recorded last year.

Data shows that most cases were recorded in Gauteng and the Western Cape provinces, while more than 90% of the total cases are in children under 15 years of age accounting for over 8 300 cases, with only one patient over the age of 50 years.

Gauteng has since recorded 2 603 infections, followed by 1 996 in KwaZulu-Natal, 1 338 in the Western Cape, 1 113 in the Eastern Cape, 899 in the North West, 862 in the Northern Cape, 665 in Mpumalanga, 471 in Free State, and 190 in Limpopo.

“Although rubella in children is a mild, self-limiting illness and complications are rare, the risk of transmission remains high amongst children especially because many children entered the year 2024 without prior exposure to rubella, or without being vaccinated against rubella,” the department explained.

Rubella is a highly contagious, but vaccine-preventable disease.

According to the department, if children are not vaccinated against rubella, and never come into contact with rubella virus through natural infection, children will remain susceptible to rubella.

The disease spreads from person to person through droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person.

Meanwhile, children and pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe health complications of rubella.

Parents and caregivers are urged to closely keep an eye on the health condition of their children and look out for common symptoms which include rash, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, runny nose, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and nausea.

The department stated that symptoms develop two to three weeks after exposure.

Rubella infection poses a risk of congenital rubella syndrome amongst pregnant mothers if they are infected in the first trimester of the pregnancy and can lead to birth defects in their unborn child.

According to the department, the public healthcare facilities will remain accessible throughout the festive season.

“There is no need for the public to panic, but members of the public are urged to present themselves or their loved ones with suspected rubella symptoms without delays for early detection, effective treatment and to prevent further transmission.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 11:19

254 views

20 December 2024

City of Cape Town calls on residents to make use of e-services this festive season

Location: News

City of Cape Town calls on residents to make use of e-services this festive season

The City of Cape Town has urged residents to make use of convenient online booking options to pay their municipal accounts and renew their licence discs to save time and get ahead of the queue this busy December.

In a statement on Friday, the city said that its Customer Interaction Centres are usually busier over the festive period as many residents choose this period to pay their municipal accounts, renew licence discs and attend to other urgent business.

The city reminded residents that the upcoming public holidays will impact operating hours, with some of the City’s Customer Interaction Centres, closed during this time.

“As we approach the busier customer office days this December, we remind residents to use our e-Services options and to make an online booking when visiting a Customer Office in person.

“Municipal customer offices, including payment, account enquiries, motor vehicle licensing offices, driving licence testing centres, municipal courts and Human Settlements offices will be closed on several days this festive period.

“Residents are encouraged to check the City's website or to phone before visiting their nearest office,” the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi said.

Mbandezi added that residents can also settle their municipal accounts using one of the convenient online options during this period for an accurate, efficient and secure payment process.

Customer offices and municipal courts will be closed on these days:
•    Tuesday, 24 December 2024 (closes at 12:30 pm)
•    Wednesday, 25 December 2024
•    Thursday, 26 December 2024
•    Tuesday, 31 December 2024 (closes at 12:30 pm)
•    Wednesday, 1 January 2025

Residents were further urged to note that the Revenue Department’s payment, account enquiries and motor vehicle registration and licensing offices situated at Liberty Promenade Mall, Table Bay Mall and Lansdowne Corner Mall will also be closed on the above dates but will be operational on the weekends.

“Remember you can pay your municipal accounts (excluding motor vehicle licences) at any Shoprite, Checkers, USave, Pick n Pay, PEP, Ackermans, Lewis, Top It Up, Woolworths and Spar shops, online at www.easypay.co.za or www.powertime.co.za as well as via your internet banking facility: select the City of Cape Town as a bank-listed beneficiary on your bank’s website and use only your nine-digit municipal account number as reference,” Mbandezi reminded residents.

Payment for the renewal of motor vehicle licences may be made online at www.capetown.gov.za/vehiclelicensing. Payment of pre-due date traffic fines may be made at selected Spar shops or online at www.paythat.co.za.

For payment arrangements residents can email payment.arrangements@capetown.gov.za, for indigent applications they can email indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za.

For more information on QR code payments, residents are urged to check the user’s guide here: https://bit.ly/3MhZXgT - SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 11:19

155 views

20 December 2024

Weather warning for several provinces

Location: News

Weather warning for several provinces

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a yellow level 2 warning with severe thunderstorms in the southern and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening.

“Scattered showers and thundershowers are expected over western parts of KwaZulu-Natal today as well as over the southern and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal tomorrow. Possible severe thunderstorms are expected over the south-western KwaZulu-Natal today and over the western as well as the southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal tomorrow," the weather service said in a post on social media platform, X.

The Weather Service said that these may be accompanied by large amounts of small hail, damaging winds, excessive lightning, and heavy downpours which may lead to localised impacts.

Turning to the impact, the SAWS said localised damage to infrastructure, settlements, vehicles and livestock are a possibility.

These include localised injuries and danger to life due to lightning, localised and short-term disruption to municipal and other essential services and localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges.

A yellow level 2 warning of severe thunderstorm was also issued for Gauteng, Mpumalanga, as well as over Limpopo, except over the northern and extreme south-western parts for Friday (from 12pm until 11pm).

Earlier in the week, the SAWS warned of heavy rain that is likely to elevate the risk of flooding over the next few days.

READ | SAWS warns of heavy rain

“Eastern South Africa is expected to experience increased rainfall over the next week, with numerical models predicting between 70 - 150 mm of accumulated rainfall in parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern Free State, eastern parts of North West, and the western and southern areas of Limpopo,” it said on Tuesday. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 12:16

119 views

20 December 2024

Public urged to be vigilant on roads amid festive season

Location: News

Public urged to be vigilant on roads amid festive season

EThekwini Metro Police Commissioner Sibonelo Mchunu, has urged residents, visitors, and motorists to be extra vigilant on the roads, to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities, as the highly anticipated festive season approaches.

Mchunu said while officers are working to enforce by-laws and conducting roadblocks, the number of accidents remains a concern.

He said the Metro Police has partnered with multiple government institutions and municipal departments, to address the high number of accidents.

“Our ongoing operations involve partnerships with the South African Police Service, the City’s Health Unit, and other internal and external stakeholders. The festive season is a highly anticipated time of year to spend with loved ones and on holiday, so we urge residents and visitors to adhere to the rules of the road and by-laws to ensure safety,” Mchunu said.

The Commissioner also condemned the throwing of objects from motorway bridges onto passing cars below.

“The recent death of a 62-year-old who was killed when a car battery was thrown from the N3 bridge has caused concern. We reassure the public that we are working to curb such acts, through increased officer deployment [as] we want everyone to have an enjoyable and safe festive season,” Mchunu said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 12:36

13 views

20 December 2024

SA reports surge in seasonal rubella cases among children

Location: News

SA reports surge in seasonal rubella cases among children

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has reported a significant rise in rubella cases across the country.

By the end of September, the NICD identified over 8 700 IgM-positive cases.

Data indicates that 98% (8543 out of 8723) of these cases have affected children under 15 years old, with the majority occurring in the age group of five to nine years.

The Centre for Vaccines and Immunology (CVI) at the NICD has recorded a rise in rubella cases in 2024, exceeding the numbers from fever-rash surveillance since 2015.

“This surge is attributed to a large number of children entering 2024 without prior rubella exposure or vaccination,” said the NICD in a statement.

The institute observed that the significant seasonal increase in rubella cases is due to the disease being transmitted through droplets containing the virus.

Additionally, non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as lockdowns, social distancing, and mask-wearing implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupted the natural seasonal transmission patterns of rubella.

The NICD noted that between 2020 and 2022, almost no rubella cases were identified from the fever-rash surveillance.

“Children who would have been infected with rubella over the past three years are now becoming infected with the infection.”

Rubella is a mild, self-limiting infection that presents with fever and a maculopapular rash, myalgia, enlarged lymph nodes, headache and conjunctivitis.

Occasionally, the NICD said people may develop joint pain or arthralgia, low platelets and mild encephalitis.

Meanwhile, pregnant women who are susceptible to rubella or who have not been vaccinated against rubella nor had natural rubella infection at some point in their lives are at risk of passing rubella infection to their unborn child, resulting in “congenital rubella infection”.

“Fortunately, this is uncommon, as studies have shown that up to 98% of women of childbearing age are immune to rubella.”

The NICD explained that the congenital rubella syndrome may lead to foetal death or congenital abnormalities such as congenital heart disease, blindness and deafness.

Any pregnant woman who has been exposed to a case of rubella, or a person with fever and rash should report this urgently to their health practitioner who will then conduct tests.

“A pregnant woman who is diagnosed with rubella infection should undergo specialist obstetric evaluation.”

Rubella is a notifiable medical condition and people meeting the case definition for rubella should be notified, and a blood specimen for rubella antibody testing should be sent to the NICD.

“Specimens are routinely tested for measles and rubella,” the institute explained.

Due to the backlog of tests at the NICD, the institute stated that priority rubella testing should be requested under three conditions.

A pregnant woman in her first trimester may need testing if she is exposed to someone with rubella or a person exhibiting fever and rash.

In addition, testing is necessary for severely ill patients admitted to the hospital to rule out rubella or measles.

Furthermore, testing is warranted if a newborn is suspected of having congenital rubella syndrome.

The specimen should be marked “Priority sample, urgently required.”

Health practitioners are advised to email Busisiwe Masengemi at BusisiweM@nicd.ac.za (NICD receiving office), Jayendrie Thaver at jayendriet@nicd.ac.za, and Lillian Makhathini at LillianM@nicd.ac.za (both from the CVI laboratory) to request urgent testing. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 14:58

242 views

20 December 2024

Botswana’s new administration lifts ban on SA vegetable imports

Location: News

Botswana’s new administration lifts ban on SA vegetable imports

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has welcomed Botswana’s commitment to strengthening ties and promoting trade with South Africa.

This follows Lamola receiving a letter from his counterpart in Botswana, Dr Phenyo Butale, informing him of the new administration’s decision to lift the ban on vegetable imports from South Africa gradually.

“This letter follows a congratulatory message sent by Minister Lamola to Dr Butale on his appointment as Minister of International Relations of the Republic of Botswana,” the statement read on Thursday.

The previous administration of Botswana, led by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, imposed a ban on South African produce to support domestic farmers and reduce reliance on imports.

“Minister Lamola welcomes Botswana’s commitment to fostering closer ties and facilitating trade with South Africa,” the department said.

The department has described Botswana as a significant trade partner for South Africa, accounting for approximately 15% of our country’s total vegetable exports as of 2021.

At the time of the ban, the department reported that South Africa’s vegetable exports to Botswana fell by nearly half to R272 million in 2023.

“In the spirit of strengthening regional integration, lifting the ban also paves the way for stronger collaboration between the countries in agricultural development and trade, as well as deepening cooperation in the regional value chain.”

The department believes South Africa possesses advanced agricultural technologies that could benefit Botswana’s efforts to boost domestic agricultural production.

“These initiatives will be explored and underscored during the upcoming sixth session of the South Africa-Botswana Binational Commission, which Botswana will host in 2025.

“South Africa also looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Botswana to advance the African agenda at regional, continental, and global levels.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 10:02

324 views

20 December 2024

Chikunga affirms Government’s commitment to address GBV

Location: News

Chikunga affirms Government's commitment to address GBV

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has reaffirmed the department’s commitment to eradicate gender-based violence, and support families and communities affected by the scourge.

This comes after the murder of a 25-year-old woman, whose body was found in the middle of a road with several stab wounds at Umzinto, in the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday.

Sibusiso Lawrence Ntaka allegedly killed his girlfriend, Nontobeko Cele, and posted his confession on social media.

Ntaka was later found hanging from a tree on Wednesday, not far from where Cele’s body was found.

Chikunga has strongly condemned the tragic and senseless murder and extended her deepest condolences to the family, friends, and Cele’s loved ones.

"This incident, which occurred shortly after the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, is a devastating reminder of the need to accelerate our efforts to address gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

“As a nation, we must move beyond 16 Days and commit to 365 Days of Activism to eradicate this scourge," Chikunga said.

READ | Men urged to seek help when facing emotional triggers

The Minister recently joined King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in KwaZulu-Natal, to lead the Men Unite Against GBVF March, which called on men to take an active stand against gender-based violence.

"This tragic case underscores the urgency of our call to action. It is a stark reminder that, while we are making strides in mobilising communities, more needs to be done to ensure these commitments translate into lasting change," the Minister said.

The department acknowledged the swift action by the South African Police Service in investigating the case, and the provision of psychosocial support to the families by social workers.

Misuse of social media

Chikunga also condemned the misuse of social media to perpetuate harm and violence.

"The exploitation of social media to glorify violence must be stopped. Platforms must take stronger measures to prevent the sharing of harmful content and ensure [that] the dignity of victims and their families is protected.”

The Minister further called for collaborative efforts across society to tackle GBVF.

"This incident reaffirms the need for robust, year-long interventions, community-based initiatives, and stricter measures to address GBVF at its root. We must unite as government, civil society, and individuals to create a South Africa where women and children can live without fear.”

Alarming rates of GBVF persist in KZN

Meanwhile, the province of KwaZulu-Natal continues to report alarming rates of GBVF.

The recent national crime statistics showed that police stations in the province, including Umlazi and Inanda, lead the country in gender-based violence related crimes.

READ | KZN reassures public safety through collaborative initiatives

The data from the First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study, revealed that 35.5% of women in South Africa experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and many of these cases occurred in KwaZulu-Natal.

READ | Over seven million women have experienced physical violence, study reveals

Alarmingly, 22.4% of ever-partnered women reported experiencing physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime, while 7.9% reported experiencing sexual IPV.

“These figures highlight the pervasiveness of IPV as a major driver of GBVF. The department remains committed to implementing policies and programs that address the root causes of GBVF, promote gender equity, and hold perpetrators accountable,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 10:05

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20 December 2024

The Future of Collaboration: How LG CreateBoard is Redefining Workplace Productivity

Location: Business

LG Electronics
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Collaboration technology has become the norm in the modern workplace. Nowadays, various advanced tools, platforms, and systems are available to businesses and professional environments to boost productivity, communicate effectively, and foster better teamwork.

A growing category of collaborative display technology is large, interactive touchscreen displays that combine the features of a digital whiteboard with conferencing tools. These impressive systems are the way forward for organisations that value brainstorming sessions, real-time collaboration, integrated video conferencing, and overall increased focus and creativity among team members.

Reshaping the future of work

Technology plays a vital role in the changing workplace landscape because of the adoption of hybrid and remote work in recent years. Some of the most crucial methods to facilitate improved collaboration, communication, and productivity—no matter the physical distance—are using digital tools and platforms.

“Companies and organisations often struggle to promote effective collaboration between teams across different time zones or even continents,” says Tyrone Young, Head of Sales for Information Display and Information Technology at LG Electronics South Africa. “That is why there is such a need for innovative tech solutions like interactive displays to bridge the gap.”

Introducing the future of hybrid work

One system that is a leader in collaboration technology is the LG CreateBoard TR3DK series (http://apo-opa.co/404hUXN). While this cutting-edge collaboration display is widely used in classrooms, it is also designed to enhance corporate collaboration during meetings, brainstorming sessions, or training programs.

An impressive feature of the LG CreateBoard collaboration display is the multi-touch interaction which supports up to 40 touch points on the display at the same time. Moreover, the CreateBoard features cloud integration, making it ideal for group projects.

Speaking of collaborative projects, the LG CreateBoard is equipped with built-in collaboration tools like a digital whiteboard and ConnectedCare DMS for remote management. On top of that, using Smart Viewing Mode, multiple materials can be displayed side by side, making for productive and efficient presentations.

Maximising corporate collaboration

Several great advantages of using the LG CreateBoard in the workplace include smooth, well-organised workflows, improved meetings, and better team collaborations. For businesses where employees are split physically, the LG CreateBoard almost acts like a central hub where everyone can participate no matter where they are located.

“The LG TR3DK is an interactive, high-resolution digital display that is quintessential for streamlining workflows and improving efficiency” explains Young. “How? It provides easy cloud integration and remote device management for both IT teams and end users.”

Collaborative display technology in action

There are many examples of real-world applications of the LG TR3DK Collaboration Display in the work environment. For one, the LG CreateBoard is ideal in boardroom settings for interactive client presentations, whether that be for data visualisation, project updates, or a sales pitch. Another real-world application is using it for various training and learning sessions and workshops. This is particularly beneficial because it allows remote learners to participate and it allows for better hands-on learning.

All-in-all the LG CreateBoard is the ultimate tool for project collaboration. The multi-touch interface is a great way to encourage team members to include their real-time input, feedback, thoughts, and decisions.

“The TR3DK is a game-changer for the modern workplace,” states Young. “It breaks down communication barriers and equips teams with the tools they need to stay productive and connected in any environment.”

Looking ahead

In a world where workplaces are becoming more and more global, remote, or hybrid, collaboration technology plays a vital role. Advancements such as the LG CreateBoard collaboration display can completely change the way the workforce communicates, engages, develops, and shares information.

“LG is well-known for its innovative solutions and their focus on collaboration technology shows how they are transforming the modern work environment into a more productive place,” concludes Young.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of LG Electronics.

20 December 2024

Hlengwa to lead Festive Season Road Safety Campaign

Location: News

Hlengwa to lead Festive Season Road Safety Campaign

With a few days left until Christmas Day, Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa and the Acting Premier of Gauteng, Lebogang Maile, are set to lead the National Department of Transport’s Festive Season Road Safety Campaign, where they will interact with motorists and road users.

Friday’s activation will take place at the Grasmere Toll Plaza, Johannesburg.

“The principals will be supported by a multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation. Deputy Minister Hlengwa and Acting Premier Maile, will interact with motorists and road users and will conduct vehicle fitness inspections,” the department said ahead of the day’s operations.

The Deputy Minister and Acting Premier will be joined by the Gauteng MEC for Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela to re-emphasise and spread the message of road safety and responsible road user behaviour during this time of year.

“Major routes leaving the Gauteng and other provinces are predicted to have high traffic volumes and to be even busier with the festive season traveling having started,” said the department.

On Thursday, the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) - which is an entity of the Department of Transport - advised holidaymakers to arrive three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic flights, as they head to their various travel destinations.

At a media briefing with the Border Management Authority, ACSA CEO Mpumi Mpofu suggested alternative arrangements for the festive season, such as allowing more time for international travellers to arrive at the airport.

Mpofu stated that the busiest day is generally the first Friday after schools close, which was on 13 December 2024. ACSA also expects Friday, 20 December, to be the busiest day of the entire peak season. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 09:48

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19 December 2024

South African Post Office SOC Ltd Amendment Bill signed into law

Location: News

South African Post Office SOC Ltd Amendment Bill signed into law

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the South African Post Office SOC Ltd Amendment Bill into law, setting the stage for a significant transformation of the country’s postal service into a modern, multi-functional hub for government, business, and community services.

The new law expands the objects and mandate of the Post Office and enables its relevance and sustainability by including services that respond to the needs of users and customers.

“The expansion will ensure that the Post Office is not only empowered by the legislation to provide basic postal services but is empowered to provide other value-added services to expand on its revenue generating streams.

“The new law enables the Post Office to serve as a hub for government services and other agency services, and as a digital hub for businesses and communities,” the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

This game-changing legislation redefines the mandate of the Post Office, enabling it to go beyond traditional postal services to offer a diverse range of value-added solutions.

The Post Office will also be able to serve as a logistics partner to other e-commerce providers – including small enterprises and informal traders - and any future business that the state-owned company may develop to serve users and consumers.

The law empowers the Post Office to continuously adapt its business model to stay relevant in an evolving technological landscape while enhancing its Universal Services Obligation.

It also prioritises partnerships with government institutions, which include national and provincial departments, national and provincial government components and municipalities, encouraging them to use Post Office infrastructure for efficient service delivery, reducing dependency on state funding, and unlocking new revenue streams.

“This aims to eliminate the company’s over-reliance on government funding and ensure efficient utilisation of post offices.
“The new law also addresses governance matters such as the size of the South African Post Office Board, the functions for the Board to deal with creditors and skills requirements for board membership,” the Presidency explained.

Financial distress

The South African Post Office (SAPO) was placed under business rescue in March 2023 as a result of severe financial distress.
This move followed years of declining revenue, operational inefficiencies, and an inability to modernise in the face of a rapidly changing postal and logistics industry.

At the time of entering business rescue, SAPO owed creditors a staggering R8.7 billion.

The decision to place the state-owned entity under business rescue was aimed at restructuring its debt and addressing operational challenges to prevent its complete collapse.

The financial woes of the Post Office stemmed from a combination of factors, including reduced mail volumes due to digital communication trends, mismanagement, and an over-reliance on government bailouts to sustain operations. Additionally, unpaid pensions, salaries, and other liabilities exacerbated the crisis, drawing criticism from unions and employees.

The business rescue process aimed to provide SAPO with an opportunity to stabilise, restructure, and develop a sustainable operational model.

This included exploring diversification of services, enhanced logistics capabilities, and becoming a central hub for government service delivery, a vision reinforced by the subsequent enactment of the SAPO Amendment Bill.

Revitalising the SAPO

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has welcomed President Ramaphosa’s assenting to the bill.

“This Act provides a viable path for a revitalised and repivoted South African Post Office (SAPO) geared towards ordinary consumers, in particular the poor and marginalised.

“This progressive Act provides a new mandate for the SAPO. It cannot rely upon posting letters in an era of e-communications. The Act enables a critical shift by expanding the mandate of the SAPO to include e-commerce, courier services, support for SMMEs and an enhanced partnership with the Postbank. It positions SAPO to serve as a multi-purpose access point where the public can apply for key government services,” said the union. -SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 11:18

328 views

19 December 2024

Have your say on anti-money laundering draft bill

Location: News

Have your say on anti-money laundering draft bill

The National Treasury has published two key Acts aimed to strengthen South Africa’s system of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system.

The draft General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill, 2024, was published in the Government Gazette No. 51772 Notice 5683, on 13 December 2024, for public comment.

“The draft Amendment Bill aims to demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to strengthening its Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system, by addressing the remaining deficiencies identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) mutual evaluation in 2021 and during the remedial process to exit the FATF greylist, and to better prepare South Africa for the next mutual evaluation to be conducted in 2026/27,” National Treasury said on Tuesday.

The draft Amendment Bill was developed together with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Department of Social Development, and Financial Intelligence Centre.

It proposes amendments to four pieces of legislation that fall under the administrative responsibilities of different Ministers, including:

The Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001: Minister of Finance;
The Financial Sector Regulation Act, 2017: Minister of Finance;
The Companies Act, 2008: Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition; and
The Nonprofit Organisations Act, 1997: Minister of Social Development.

The sections of the above laws that would be amended in the draft Amendment Bill, if enacted, include the following:

Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Act to deal with minor deficiencies relating to targeted financial sanctions in sections 26A, 26B, 28A and 51A;
Section 42 of the FIC Act to address minor deficiencies identified with respect to new technologies;
Section 46 of the FIC Act to address a deficiency relating to customer due diligence measures for anonymous clients;
Section 30 of the Nonprofit Organisations Act to specify the maximum amount of the fine and years of imprisonment in respect of an offence in terms of the Act;
Sections 82 and 175 of the Companies Act, 2008 to address deficiencies related to the application of remedial actions and/or dissuasive and proportionate sanctions for non-compliance with beneficial ownership obligations;
Sections 2, 3, 58, 106, 108, 111, 131 and 135 of the Financial Sector Regulation Act to close gaps in the protection of financial sector customers, and licensing and regulations for market conduct and anti-money laundering, and to strengthen licensing and enforcement powers; and
Other technical amendments related to strengthening the country's anti-money laundering and anti-corruption laws.

“Upon the receipt of written comments, the National Treasury, in collaboration with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition will engage with stakeholders on selected issues.

“This engagement will occur through public workshops designed to facilitate discussions regarding the written comments on the draft Amendment Bill, prior to its submission to Cabinet. Subsequently, the updated draft Amendment Bill will be presented to Cabinet for consideration and eventually, for tabling in Parliament,” National Treasury explained.

Interested parties are invited to submit their written comments to the National Treasury at Commentdraftlegislation@treasury.gov.za by close of business on 6 February 2025.

The General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill, 2024 is accessible on the National Treasury website www.treasury.gov.za - SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 11:48

242 views

19 December 2024

ACSA urges passengers to arrive early for flights

Location: News

ACSA urges passengers to arrive early for flights

To manage the high volumes of passengers expected at OR Tambo International Airport this festive season, holidaymakers are advised to arrive three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic flights, as they head to their various travel destinations.

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) issued a warning on Monday about longer queues at the passport control points at OR Tambo due to a failure in the border management system.

ACSA reported that the unresponsiveness of the Border Management Authority (BMA) biometric movement control system was causing these extended queues.

The incident affected on-time performance, which dropped to 62% on 16 December, before recovering to 85% the following day after interventions.

At a media briefing on Thursday, ACSA CEO Mpumi Mpofu suggested alternative arrangements for the festive season, such as allowing more time for international travellers to arrive at the airport.

“And that would give us 20 886 international passengers coming through, and that's both departures and arrival. And 39 423 domestic travellers on 20 of December.”

The airport anticipates 696 000 international passengers and 262 000, on peak days, from today until Christmas Eve on 24 December.

The briefing was held at OR Tambo in Johannesburg and comes as more people are expected to travel in and out of the country this festive season.

The briefing focused on transparency, accountability, and the need for public cooperation.

Mpofu also emphasised the importance of the airport as a gateway to the world and its role in the economy, particularly during the festive season.

She also stressed the importance of facilitating passengers and the negative impact of disruptions on the economy.

“We take our passengers seriously, but the negative impact on the economy that comes with disruptions in the flow of passengers during peak season is a matter needing serious attention.

“OR Tambo International Airport now serves as a very important gateway during peak season, particularly, and plays an important role as one of our key international airports with three ports of entry.”

The CEO also discussed the preparation for the peak season starting in September, involving stakeholder engagement and plan submissions.

She stated that the recent incidents were unplanned and did not result from a lack of planning and expressed disappointment at these events.

“Our ecosystem works based on multiple stakeholders, and I think it’s important to indicate that that’s why, when we speak as ACSA, we do so after consultation with the rest of the stakeholders on our platform.”

She also stressed the importance of public awareness about parking arrangements and the availability of long-term parking with shuttles.

Jet fuel

Mpofu also addressed the incident related to jet fuel and the subsequent analysis of the dry shaft and discussed upgrading the jet fuel system by March 2025.

“Aviation is a highly safety-sensitive area where nothing can go wrong, and as such, we are also really disappointed in the events that have happened, because basically, [we] did not anticipate [them].”

BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said 14 new systems and additional human resources have been deployed at the airport to enhance capacity.

“We had to make sure that we respond with speed, and we have been able to deploy all our key top ICT [information and communication technology] officials on the ground to make sure that the issue is effectively addressed, and we are then able to get back to normal as fast as possible,” he said.

Earlier this month, ACSA apologised to its stakeholders and the public for the flight disruptions that occurred at OR Tambo due to refuelling challenges. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 12:08

201 views

19 December 2024

President Ramaphosa signs National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill into law

Location: News

President Ramaphosa signs National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill into law

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill, which provides for nuclear safety oversight, ranging from the decontamination of defence facilities, to airline pilot safety.

The National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill marks a significant step in enhancing nuclear safety and aligning South Africa with global regulatory standards.

The Amendment Bill amends the National Nuclear Regulator Act of 1999 to align it with current international regulatory best practices as determined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“This alignment is necessary because South Africa is one of the founding members of the IAEA and is a signatory to various international conventions governing nuclear safety, as promulgated by the IAEA.

“The law gives the National Nuclear Regulator additional functions and provides for the decontamination, decommissioning and closing of national defence force facilities, equipment, machinery and scrap for civilian use,” the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Presidency said the Amendment Bill inserts new definitions, amends certain definitions, and removes obsolete definitions, in order to align with IAEA international best practices.

“The law now empowers the Regulator to exercise regulatory oversight to provide nuclear safety assurance, that property of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), designated for release for civilian use, will not cause radiation harm. The Bill also empowers the Regulator to exercise regulatory oversight over occupational exposure of aircrew to cosmic radiation flying below 49 000 feet.

“The new law provides for the control and management of the affairs of the Regulator, including the term of office of the board and the establishment of board committees, and expands the scope of activities which cannot be undertaken without obtaining authorisation from the Regulator,” the Presidency said.

The amended law also excludes the application of the Defence Act of 2002 – which deals with permits for and inspection of - naval vessels of a foreign state that are visiting South Africa, in view of the challenges of foreign forces disclosing details of naval vessels to host countries.

The signing of the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill means stronger protections for ordinary South Africans against the risks associated with nuclear materials and activities.

In simple terms, the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill means:

Safer Defence Facilities: Old military equipment or sites that might have been exposed to nuclear materials will now be thoroughly cleaned and checked before being reused or repurposed for civilian use. This ensures they are safe and will not pose any radiation risks.
Protection for Airline Crews: Airline pilots and cabin crew flying at high altitudes are exposed to cosmic radiation. The new law ensures this exposure is monitored and regulated to keep them safe.
Stronger Oversight: The National Nuclear Regulator now has clearer rules and more power to ensure all activities involving nuclear materials are strictly controlled, protecting people and the environment from potential harm.
Global Standards: The updated law brings South Africa in line with international nuclear safety best practices, ensuring the country meets the highest safety standards. - SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 12:16

87 views

19 December 2024

‘There’s no turning back’ – Minister Ramokgopa on Eskom

Location: News

'There's no turning back' - Minister Ramokgopa on Eskom

The financial year ending March 2024 was an inflection point for Eskom, signifying the turnaround of the energy utility.

This according to Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who addressed the media at the utility's annual results announcement for the Financial Year 2024.

“The 2024 financial year is a point of inflection. There’s no turning back [and] we’ll only improve from here and that’s the assurance we are giving to the country,” Ramokgopa said on Thursday.

The financial year ending in March was a challenging one for the power utility.

The country experienced at least 329 days of load shedding (between April last year and end of March 2024), there was a decline in plant availability; distribution energy losses amounted to some 13.9TWh as well as worsened emissions performance.

Eskom also recorded a net loss before tax of some R25.5 billion – an improvement from the previous financial year’s R34.6 billion.

The separation of the National Transmission Company has triggered a once-off accounting adjustment – leading to loss after tax of R55 billion.

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) officially commenced trading earlier in the year, marking the company’s establishment as a distinct and wholly owned subsidiary of Eskom. At the time, it was said that the NTCSA will own and operate the country’s national transmission system.

The Minister acknowledged the issues faced by Eskom over the last financial year.

He reminded South Africans, however, that the electricity producer has upped its performance – resulting in more than 260 days of no load shedding, improved plant performance and billions of Rands in diesel cost savings.

“We are taking responsibility of what happened, and the numbers don’t look good. We carry that responsibility and take the good with the bad. The projection outlook going forward is very positive, but we are responsibility for that record.

“[But] we are able to illustrate to the country that we are moving in the right direction. We can simply improve from here,” he said.
Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, explained that although the year was a “painful year” for the electricity provider, it was also a “building year in terms of our path towards recovery”.

This was the year in which the Generation Recovery Plan was instituted. A lot of effort went into investing into both maintenance expenditure and human resources that was critically required to enable execution.

“It’s also a year where we started seeing the government debt relief programme kicking into action. The certainty that arises from that gave us the ability to plan better and to do the deep maintenance that was required in that financial year,” he said.

Marokane, reiterated the Minister’s sentiments – calling the tough results a part of the state-owned entity’s recovery.

“We own [the results]. They are our results. They are part of our story. They are part of our journey, and we hope that in due course as we add more points, you will begin to see the recovery path unfolding,” Marokane said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 14:21

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19 December 2024

MEC Diale-Tlabela assesses services at Tshwane TOLAB

Location: News

MEC Diale-Tlabela assesses services at Tshwane TOLAB

As part of government's ongoing efforts to ensure citizens receive efficient and effective service delivery, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, on Wednesday, made her first official visit to the Tshwane Transport Operating License Administrative Bodies (TOLAB), since its relocation to the city centre.

"We were doing monitoring to ensure that services are provided to all public transport operators efficiently and effectively, and also to give support to the staff of the department in doing work on a daily basis," the MEC said.

In a social media post in November, the provincial department announced the move of the Tshwane TOLAB to the ABSA Towers in Lilian Ngoyi Street.

Tshwane TOLAB is one of the Gauteng’s “one-stop service centres” for public transport licensing services. The offices function to receive, process and award road transport operating licenses.

Wednesday’s visit marked the last day for application of special permits by public transport operators.

Special permits are issued as large numbers of people are expected to travel to various provinces during the 2024/2025 holiday season.
The Department of Roads and Transport has encouraged public transport operators to be compliant with the rules of the road when undertaking interprovincial trips and use roadworthy vehicles.

The MEC’s visit forms part of her assessment of licensing services by the department and efforts to improve service delivery. It also served to evaluate the day-to-day operations of centres.

During her visit she interacted with various stakeholders including taxi and bus operators who were at the centre to either collect or check on the status of their applications.

She also promoted and called for safer roads during the festive period.

MEC Diale-Tlabela pleaded with public transport operators to be safe and compliant with the rules of the road.

“Let us note that road safety is a shared responsibility, therefore let us all work together to prevent road accidents, injuries and fatalities during this period,” the MEC said. -SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 09:34

206 views

19 December 2024

Fast food chain slapped with R1m fine for contravening Consumer Protection Act

Location: News

Fast food chain slapped with R1m fine for contravening Consumer Protection Act

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has welcomed the ruling issued by the National Consumer Tribunal - which confirmed that the Gauteng-based fast food chain, Braai Block, violated provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

The Tribunal has since imposed an administrative penalty of R1 million on the food chain, which must be paid within 90 days.

This follows a tip-off received by the NCC from a consumer about potential violations of various CPA provisions by Braai Block.

“The consumer alleged that Braai Block did not include the location of its trading address in its tax invoices. Secondly, Braai Block charges a service fee on each transaction.

“The service fee amount depends on each meal’s cost and varies from transaction to transaction. The NCC then initiated an investigation,” the Commission said in a statement, on Wednesday.

After concluding the investigation, the NCC found that there was a reasonable suspicion that Braai Block violated sections 23(6)(a) and 26(3)(b) of the CPA.

Section 23 pertains to the disclosure of prices for goods or services, with subsection 6(a) stating that “a supplier must not require a consumer to pay a price for any goods or services that is higher than the displayed price for those goods or services."

Meanwhile, Section 26(3)(b) states that the sales record must include at least the address of the premises where the goods or services were supplied.

The Tribunal found that Braai Block deceived its customers, violating significant provisions of the CPA.
“It acted contemptuously towards the very consumers who supported it,” the statement read.

NCC Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu has described the penalty as a major ruling as it affirms consumers the protection against suppliers that do not disclose accurate information on sales records.

“This ruling should serve as a strong deterrence to other suppliers from engaging in similar conduct,” he added.

On its website, Braai Block describes itself as the world’s first natural organic braai fast food chain, which has five outlets across South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 11:00

274 views

19 December 2024

De Lille encourages integrating community engagement into tourism

Location: News

De Lille encourages integrating community engagement into tourism

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has highlighted the importance of integrating community engagement into tourism and conservation efforts.

“Sustainable tourism is about ensuring that the beauty and biodiversity of our destinations are preserved for future generations,” De Lille said.

As part of the annual Tourism Summer campaign, launched in the Free State in October this year, de Lille and Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu, visited various sites in the eThekwini Municipality on Wednesday.

The visit forms part of the summer readiness activations, as well as welcoming local and international tourists, who will visit various holiday destinations across the country, over the summer period.

Joined by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and eThekwini Executive Committee members, de Lille and Sotyu spent time at key tourist sites, including the beach front, where they joined Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers in a beach clean-up operation.

The initiative organised by the Department of Tourism, in partnership with eThekwini Metro and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, marks the fifth clean-up in an ongoing series aimed at promoting environmental conservation and responsible tourism.

The clean-up campaign aligns with the government’s commitment to preserve the environment and maintain Durban’s status as a top-tier holiday destination.

The initiative also underscores the need for collaborative efforts to ensure beaches and other attractions remain clean, safe, and appealing to both local and international tourists.

The clean-up was followed by an engagement with 50 senior citizens inside the Open Bus Tour to uShaka Marine World.

Tourism Sector Masterplan

“As South Africa's summer holiday season peaks and visitors venture out to explore our diverse travel offerings, we visited these sites to inspect summer readiness and to encourage visitors to explore the country responsibly.

“This roadshow is part of the broader objectives of the Tourism Sector Masterplan to promote tourist attractions and hidden gems in all our provinces," De Lille said.

The Tourism Sector Masterplan seeks to promote tourism attractions and hidden gems across South Africa’s provinces; foster collaboration between industry stakeholders, community members, and government entities; and drive initiatives that enhance safety and environmental awareness at key tourist sites.

Presidential eThekwini Working Group

The Department of Tourism is part of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group tasked with addressing various issues in eThekwini.
The working group represents an intergovernmental collaborative approach to addressing challenges in local government, and includes active participation from all levels of government, private sector, state owned enterprises, organised labour, and civil society.

Among the workstreams, is the tourism revitalisation workstream which includes beach clean-ups and general clean up initiatives around the city.

“The clean-up programmes have been a resounding success, with over 800 participants mobilised to date. These participants include EPWP workers, tourism monitors, volunteers from government, local businesses, NGOs [non-government organisations], and local communities, showcasing a collective commitment to revitalising eThekwini.

“The Deputy Minister and I want to thank all visitors for choosing to explore our beautiful country and contributing to the success and growth of the tourism sector. We especially want to thank our domestic travellers as this is the bedrock of our sector, and we thank them for exploring and enjoying their own country,” the Minister said.

Tourism Monitors

As part of supplementing safety initiatives by the South African Police Service and local law enforcement, Sotyu said the department has implemented the Tourism Monitors initiative, which involves the training, mentorship, and deployment of unemployed youth at identified tourism sites across the country and enhance tourism safety.

Sotyu said a total of 78 tourism monitors have been deployed to various sites in the eThekwini region.

“The Tourism Monitors Programme is part of the National Tourism Safety Plan to enhance tourism safety awareness at key tourism sites; upskill unemployed youth, and reduce tourist vulnerabilities," Sotyu said.

The Deputy Minister added that the department, together with partners in eThekwini, will continue to conduct clean-up campaigns and deploy Tourism Monitors to the region, to assist with safety and upkeep of tourist sites.

Ntuli emphasised that tourism is one of the cornerstones of KwaZulu-Natal’s economy.

“Maintaining clean and welcoming spaces is not just about aesthetics but also about fostering a sense of pride and responsibility among residents,” Ntuli said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 11:41

100 views

19 December 2024

Construction to repair N1 sinkhole in Centurion completed

Location: News

Construction to repair N1 sinkhole in Centurion completed

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced that construction to repair the sinkhole on the N1 near the Flying Saucer Interchange in Centurion, Gauteng, has been completed.

The repairs to the sinkhole on the N1 come shortly after another sinkhole on the nearby R21 was repaired last month.

The total cost of repairs to the two sinkholes was R424 million, with R280 million spent on the N1 and R144 million on the R21, respectively.

According to SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana, the N1 sinkhole project, which started in September 2023, was 99.9% complete.

“Given the importance of the N1 and R21 to the economy of Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, the construction work undertaken here was very important. The Flying Saucer is a major interchange, which connects the N1 and R21, so it was critically important to ensure we minimised congestion in morning and afternoon peak traffic.

“One of our major concerns here was the extent of the damage due to the rains at the end of 2021 and early in 2022, and whether the sinkhole might extend further under the N1, which could have led to a total collapse of the road,” Demana said.

He explained that the repairs were a complex piece of geotechnical work.

“Pretoria is a dolomitic area so when it rains a lot, sinkholes develop in certain parts of the city and this was one such case. The sinkhole led to depressions of sections of the N1 and cracks developing on the entire route, so we immediately took measures to assess the damage and start the repair work.

“With sinkholes you never know the extent of the damage until you start excavating and drilling holes and piling in with concrete,” Demana said.

SANRAL was made aware of the sinkhole along the N1 in Centurion at the beginning of January 2022. To prioritise the safety of road users, the agency closed off the affected lanes and redirected traffic. -SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 11:20

61 views

19 December 2024

Gender-Based Violence Command Centre goes live

Location: News

Gender-Based Violence Command Centre goes live

The Department of Social Development’s Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) is officially operational again, marking a significant step forward in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

After a protracted battle with the initial service provider due to non-delivery, the department terminated the contract and appointed a new service provider.

The service was relaunched at 10 am on Wednesday, 18 December, with voice call capabilities restored as a priority to meet urgent needs.

“Due to the urgent need to resuscitate the services of the GBVCC, the department had to prioritise making voice services available. This means callers reporting incidents of GBVF will be able to do so by calling the command centre,” the department said in a statement.

Victims of GBVF can now call the GBVCC on 0800 428 428 for immediate support and counselling from qualified social workers, available 24/7.

The centre’s advanced geo-location capability will soon be reinstated, pending approval from the Information Regulator under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

This feature will allow the GBVCC to track victims' locations to ensure faster response and linkage to additional government services.

“In order for the department to provide the unique service of the GBVCC to geo-locate victims of violence, the department will approach the Information Regulator for an exemption to, in terms of S37(1)(a) of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), allow the GBVCC to track the location of victims or potential victims of GBVF,” the department said.

Other contact options such as SMS, Please Call Me (USSD), Web-link, and WhatsApp will be gradually rolled out in the first quarter of 2025, broadening access to these critical services.

The Gender Based Violence Command Centre was launched by the department in November 2013, to provide immediate care, support and counselling to victims of violence by qualified social workers for 24 hours and link victims to other services of government. – SAnews.gov.za

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Thu, 12/19/2024 - 09:41

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