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3 November 2024

Committee welcomes prevention of R3.47 billion in financial losses

Location: News

Committee welcomes prevention of R3.47 billion in financial losses

The Standing Committee on the Auditor-General (AG) has welcomed the recovery and prevention of the R3.47 billion in financial losses by the Office of the Auditor General (AGSA) through the Material Irregularities (MIs) process.

This as the committee received a briefing from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on its integrated annual report for the 2023/24 financial year.

“The AG has recovered R1.55 billion in financial losses; R1.14 billion in financial losses in the process of recovery and has prevented the financial loss of R0.78 billion for government departments, municipalities and entities.

“These successes show the importance of the execution of the new powers of the AG obtained through the amended Public Audit Act. In the year under review, the AG identified 626 MIs on non-compliance and suspected fraud,” the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on the Auditor-General Wouter Wynand Wessels said on Friday.

This resulted in 500 MIs on material financial loss, 51 MIs on substantial harm to the general public, 66 MIs on substantial harm to public sector institutions and 9 MIs on misuse on material public resource.

An MI is any non-compliance with legislation, fraud, theft or breach of fiduciary duty that could result in a material financial loss, misuse of public funds or substantial harm to a public sector institution or the public.

The amended Public Audit Act introduced the concept of MIs and expanded the powers of the AG to refer the MIs to relevant bodies for investigation if the accounting officer or authority does not take appropriate action to address them.

“The committee welcomes the AGSA's culture shift strategy. This entails plotting auditees not only according to mere compliance, but also focusing on service delivery performance. This shows that 23% of government departments and entities and 45% of municipalities are currently doing harm, while 40% of departments and entities and 43% of municipalities are not doing the basics.

“The committee commends the AG for receiving a clean audit opinion for the year under review. A functional office of the AG is important as it results in a positive shift towards accountability and public sector performance,” Wessels said.-SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Sun, 11/03/2024 - 10:09

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3 November 2024

Man sentenced to life in prison for raping relative

Location: News

Man sentenced to life in prison for raping relative

Limpopo Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Giyani Regional Court to a 31-year-old man for raping his 10-year-old relative.

The court heard that the victim's mother left her daughter with her cousin whilst going to a local shop.

“The mother returned from the shop and found her daughter naked. Upon questioning her, she told her that the accused took her (daughter) to his bedroom… forcefully put his private part into her mouth and thereafter raped her.

“The matter was immediately reported to the police and a case of rape was registered and transferred to Giyani Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigations,” the SAPS said on Saturday.

The case docket was allocated to Detective Sergeant Maropeng Mashapa. The accused was traced and successfully arrested.

The accused was sentenced on Thursday for raping his cousin at Phikela village in Giyani on 13 November 2020.

Subsequent to police investigations, the accused was found guilty of all charges against him and sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.

"We commend the investigating officer for tirelessly working on the case and all other role players who participated, for the job well done," said Lieutenant General Hadebe. -SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Sun, 11/03/2024 - 09:41

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3 November 2024

Deputy Minister Letsike addresses Village Economy Indaba

Location: News

Deputy Minister Letsike addresses Village Economy Indaba

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Letsike, says more than 60% of jobs and 25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the African continent comes from the agricultural sector which is rooted in the rural areas.

“This presents an opportunity for boundless growth through the potential that is inherent in the rural economy and for expansion to industries that ordinarily have not proliferated in rural areas,” Letsike said.

Speaking at the Village Economy Indaba ceremony held in the North West province, Letsike said over half of the population resides in rural regions, yet these areas often face higher poverty rates, lower access to basic services and limited economic opportunities.
“This divide is not only a matter of geography, it concerns social justice, economic necessity, and national progress.”

Letsike said rural areas in South Africa hold an enormous but often overlooked potential for lifting people out of poverty.

“When we invest in rural economies, we create jobs and boost incomes in areas where they are needed most. Imagine empowering smallholder farmers with access to better technology, training, and markets.

“Not only could they increase their production, but they could also improve their livelihoods, leading to better education, healthcare, and overall well-being for their families and communities,” Letsike said on Friday.

The Deputy Minister said it was reported that about 75% of food produced on the continent is from small farms of less than 20 hectares, while 80% of the 51 million farms on the continent have an area less than two hectares.

“Developing rural economies helps curb urban migration. Every year, thousands of people leave rural areas, hoping for better opportunities in the big cities.

“By creating viable economic opportunities in rural areas, through initiatives such as The Village Economy Indaba whether in agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, or small-scale manufacturing, we can reduce the strain on our cities while enhancing quality of life in the countryside,” the Deputy Minister said.

Letsike said vulnerable groups such as women, youth, LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender or intersex), persons and persons with disabilities are the hardest hit by climate change.

“Therefore, renewable energy projects, like solar and wind farms in areas such as the Northern and Eastern Cape, to eco-tourism in Limpopo and the Western Cape, rural South Africa holds immense potential for green growth and sustainability, particularly as we engage the Just Energy Transition.

“By focusing on sustainable practices, we can preserve our environment for future generations while creating jobs today.

“Many of us who have a rural background will understand that even our indigenous agricultural practices such as companion planting have been proven to promote soil health and maximise production on small pieces of land and it is still used by many farmers in rural areas,” Letsike said. -SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 14:03

55 views

3 November 2024

Deputy President participates in Soweto Marathon

Location: News

Deputy President participates in Soweto Marathon

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is today participating in the African Bank Soweto Marathon.

Sunday’s race has an estimated 25 000 participants in various race categories.

“The Deputy President will participate in the 10km category, whereas the Soweto Marathon has other categories such as the main marathon (42km) and half marathon (21km). He will later take part in the prize-giving ceremony at the close of the marathon,” the Presidency said in a statement.

The marathon is taking place at the NASREC Precinct.

In addition to the Deputy President taking part in the race, the men and women in blue are also partaking in the marathon.

“SAPS Gauteng has 123 members from stations and units across the province who are participating in The People’s Race. SAPS encourages members to partake in sports to stay physically fit and mentally alert in the commission of their duties,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in post on social media platform, X. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Sun, 11/03/2024 - 09:21

48 views

1 November 2024

Council indaba to zero-in on climate resilient build environment

Location: News

Council indaba to zero-in on climate resilient build environment

The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) is on track to convene its second Built Environment Climate Change Indaba (BECCI) next week.

“The CBE’s 2024 BECCI is centred on building a climate-resilient built environment for South Africa while acknowledging and incorporating the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in the entire construction lifecycle, and processes and legislations of national, provincial and local government,” said the council in a statement on Thursday.

The CBE is public entity of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and is a regulatory body established under the Council for the Built Environment Act 43 of 2000 (the CBE Act) that coordinates six councils for the built environment professions including architecture and engineering.

The two-day indaba is set to be held in the Mandeni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal next Thursday and Friday.

This, as KwaZulu-Natal has experienced adverse weather in recent years.

“These natural disasters are worsened by poor drainage and building standards, especially in low-income areas. There was significant damage to over 13 000 homes, disrupted water supply, impassable roads, and destroyed bridges. Additionally, the recent snowfall in KwaZulu-Natal… underscores the growing severity and unpredictability of South Africa's weather patterns.

“The snow and icy conditions led to the closure of the N3 highway between Gauteng and KZN, stranding numerous travellers, which highlights the vulnerabilities in our infrastructure amid extreme climate events, necessitating urgent policy and planning responses.”

READ | Condolences to family of victim affected by freezing weather conditions

The indaba will be held under the theme: “Co-creation of spaces and places that respond to just transition.”

The council said the indaba will together stakeholders from the engineering and the built environment sector, disaster management and the South African Weather Service (SAWS) to co-create sustainable, resilient, and equitable spaces that address climate change and socio-economic disparities.

“The Indaba is particularly critical in the context of the CBE’s mandate to transform the built environment, promote sustainable development, and contribute to inclusive socio-economic growth.”

The BECCI will bring together stakeholders from the engineering and the built environment sector under one roof to discuss and enhance climate resilience in South Africa’s built environment “by fostering collaboration to generate new knowledge and insight geared towards reducing and mitigating the impact of climate change in the sector.”

The outcomes and resolutions from the BECCI 2024 are expected to feed into the operations and functions of the CBE’s and its stakeholders on numerous levels. Furthermore, the BECCI will aim at addressing climate change related challenges facing the South African Built Environment and vulnerable communities at large.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, among others, are expected to attend the indaba. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 09:30

233 views

1 November 2024

Maintenance defaulters’ days are numbered, warns Minister

Location: News

Maintenance defaulters' days are numbered, warns Minister

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane says the days of those who have been shirking their responsibilities and not paying maintenance are numbered.

“We are indeed coming for them,” said Simelane, who was speaking at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Maintenance Online Listing of Defaulters held in Johannesburg on Friday.

She said the signing was historic, as it heralded a new era in the quest to ensure that maintenance defaulters have no place to hide.

“There is no doubt that the failure to pay maintenance has a negative impact on the best interests of our children and it also undermines the child’s right to be maintained.

“The Constitution protects and provides in section 28(2)... that ‘a child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.’

“Section 15(3)(a) of the Maintenance Act creates an obligation on both parents to support their children proportionately in accordance with their financial means.

“However, and notwithstanding this provision, many parents still fail to support their children and this failure negatively impacts on the children’s rights to maintenance, which includes the provision of food, accommodation, education, health and clothes,” the Minister said.

She said a person who fails to make a particular payment, in accordance with a maintenance order, is guilty of a criminal offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine or to imprisonment.

“Parents are therefore fully entitled to lay a criminal charge against a person who is obliged to pay maintenance in terms of a court order if he/she fails to stick to the terms of the order. Although this step will likely result in a person’s arrest, it will not necessarily result in receiving payment.

“Judging by the numbers of the long queues at the maintenance service centres, it is crystal clear that the enforcement of maintenance payments is a highly problematic area. Often, people liable to pay maintenance either refuse or simply neglect to fulfil their obligation.

“South Africa’s commitment to child welfare is embedded in our laws, and our obligations, as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, stand as a testament to this. We are duty-bound to take every measure necessary to ensure that the maintenance for children is not only an ideal but a reality,” Simelane said.

The Minister said the signing of the memorandum signalled government’s dedication to protecting and empowering the future generation.

Simelane explained that the Maintenance Online Listing Project, which is the subject of the memorandum of understanding, will create a structured, transparent framework where maintenance obligations are tracked, enforced and integrated within our financial systems.

“The strength of this project lies in the powerful partnership between the public and private sectors. The Department of Justice, the Social Justice Foundation and the Consumer Profile Bureau have come together to drive this initiative forward.

“Each partner brings a unique strength: legal oversight, community engagement, and data-driven solutions, ensuring that this initiative reaches every corner of our nation and stands as a model of efficiency and accountability,” the Minister said.

The Minister further explained that the project was not merely a tool for enforcement, but it was also a commitment to fairness.

“This approach is not just punitive in nature but serves as a fair reminder that support for our children is non-negotiable,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 12:02

191 views

1 November 2024

Gauteng Health MEC laments poor Ekurhuleni spaza food safety standards

Location: News

Gauteng Health MEC laments poor Ekurhuleni spaza food safety standards

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has lamented the lack of food safety standards at some of the local spaza shops in Ekurhuleni townships.

The MEC, together with City of Ekurhuleni officials and local councillors, conducted a food safety blitz in the area following the recent spate of deaths and children falling ill after eating snacks from local spaza shops across the country.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced this week that forensic tests unveiled those six primary school children from Naledi, Soweto, were killed by a highly toxic organophosphate called Terbufos.

The children aged between six and nine had allegedly eaten snacks from a foreign-owned local spaza shop that officials concluded was contaminated by this lethal pesticide.

READ | Death of six Soweto children linked to Terbufos

According to Nkomo-Ralehoko, who was part of the interdepartmental team that visited spaza shops on Friday, the initiative aims to educate the public about food safety and monitoring compliance with food safety standards by local businesses and protecting public health.

Some of the things confiscated at one of the shops illegally occupying municipal land in Alra Park include spices and snacks and expired sour milk and meat.

“Some of the foods are on the floor and not on the shelves. We’re going to close the shop to ensure they follow the right processes and channels. But this place mustn’t be open again for illegal trading even if it means the municipality has to demolish it,” she stressed.

The MEC said she would also rope in the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) team after it was discovered they were also selling “wrong” medication.

“These spaza shop owners aren’t compliant and the building itself, they’re using municipal land and that’s why we are closing it,” she said while speaking outside the shop with journalists.

Last week, the National Department of Health rebuffed claims that government is neglecting the issue of children dying from suspected food poisoning.

However, government said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is currently treating the recent spate of deaths as a national security threat.

“These increasing incidents in black communities have led to an unfortunate and unsubstantiated perception that authorities are turning a blind eye to this crisis and seem not to care about what’s happening to citizens.
“Contrary to these beliefs and perceptions, this is what various authorities have been engaged in,” a statement from the department read.
READ | Food poisoning incidents treated as national security threat

The Health Minister has now involved the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) to assist in these cases.
Meanwhile, the inspectors from the department are also working with the teams selected from the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Agriculture and the National Consumer Commission (NCC), under NICD’s direct supervision. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 13:09

178 views

1 November 2024

President calls for enhanced collaboration between national and provincial governments

Location: News

President calls for enhanced collaboration between national and provincial governments

President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the importance of closer cooperation between national and provincial governments, urging ministers to engage more directly and consistently with their provincial counterparts.

The President was addressing a meeting between the National Executive and the Limpopo Executive Council, led by Premier Phophi Ramathuba, at the Polokwane Municipality Council Chamber in Limpopo on Friday.

President Ramaphosa described today’s meeting as significant, marking the start of a programme by the National Executive to visit all the provinces in the coming months and to engage directly with their leadership.

The President outlined the significance of the meeting as the first high-level bilateral engagement between the National Executive and provinces under the 7th Administration and the Government of National Unity (GNU).

President Ramaphosa highlighted the necessity for such interactions to ensure that both spheres of government can effectively coordinate their efforts and address local needs.

“As we strive for greater alignment between the developmental priorities of national and provincial governments, there is a need for Ministers to engage more directly and regularly with their provincial counterparts.

“On the one hand, this enables the National Executive to have better line of sight of provincial programmes. On the other hand, it enables provincial executive councils to better align their developmental roadmap with national plans,” the President said.
The President reiterated the constitutional mandate for cooperation among different spheres of government, stressing that effective governance must be transparent, accountable, and coherent in serving the people of South Africa.

“Section 41 of the Constitution outlines the obligation of different spheres of Government to cooperate with one another, assist one another, coordinate with one another and consult on matters of common interest.

“The spheres of government are to do so, while respecting the scope of their respective powers and functions,” the President said.
He called for a focus on overcoming structural challenges that hinder investment and job creation in the provinces.
The GNU, the President said, has identified a set of key priorities for the term of its administration, which includes driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental State.

He underscored the vital role provinces play in achieving these goals, particularly through the implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan.

“Our collective focus now is on marshalling the necessary will and resources to finalise and implement the Medium-Term Development Plan. Driving economic growth that is inclusive and transformational is at the centre of our national agenda.
“Provinces have a critical role to play in this effort. Improving service delivery, accelerating job creation and growing provincial economies are as much a priority for provinces as they are for national government.

“What will be critical in the coming months is a razor-sharp focus on the actions that we all need to take to enable provinces to leverage their respective endowments – be they avocados, minerals or citrus fruit – to ensure that that endowment is more effectively used for economic growth,” the President said.

The discussion also highlighted the need for provinces to leverage their unique resources such as agriculture, minerals, and tourism to stimulate economic growth.

President Ramaphosa noted the under-utilisation of arable land and the potential for improved tourism infrastructure as areas needing urgent attention.

Some provinces are extracting large amounts of minerals from the soil, but are not moving to another level. They need to start looking at the second level to beneficiate those minerals.

“We need to move beyond diagnosis of problems. We need to look at how to overcome the obstacles to provincial endowments being successfully used for development,” he said.

Premier Ramathuba and the provincial leadership were urged to identify obstacles to growth and to collaborate with ministers to formulate actionable strategies.

President Ramaphosa pointed out that ongoing structural reforms in sectors, such as electricity and water management, are critical to unlocking provincial potential.

This engagement is intended to open channels of communication and foster a collaborative spirit, with the aim of ensuring that Limpopo and other provinces align their economic development plans with the national vision.

Limpopo perfectly positioned to lead in a number of key sectors

The President said this first engagement between the National Executive and the Limpopo Executive Council must set the tone and agenda for future cooperation.

“We have to set our collective sights on what must be done to ensure provinces' economic development plans align with the broader national economic vision.

“Limpopo is perfectly positioned to lead the country in a number of key sectors, including agriculture, tourism, freight and logistics, and also mineral resources. The province is set to play a major role in the green economy transition.

“Limpopo possesses a number of critical energy transition minerals, including platinum, and has been designated as a site for the proposed Hydrogen Valley. We are pleased with the work already underway in this regard,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa added that Limpopo, by way of geographical positioning, is South Africa’s gateway to the continent.

He said the province is well positioned to strengthen South Africa’s links to the rest of the African continent under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The President called for innovative solutions and clear timelines to realise the full potential of provincial economies and improve the lives of citizens.

As government prepares for further engagements across the country, the focus remains on creating a capable and accessible governance framework that prioritises the needs of South Africans.

From here, President Ramaphosa will go to KwaZulu-Natal next week and then to other provinces.

“Our plan is to go to each province over the course of one year. We engage with provinces on an ongoing basis through MinMEC [Minister and Members of Executive Council] meetings and other forums, and we engage with people through izimbizo. This is the government that we want to make more capable and accessible to the people,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 13:26

150 views

1 November 2024

dtic calls for comments on draft amended Consumer Protection Act

Location: News

dtic calls for comments on draft amended Consumer Protection Act

The Department of Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic) has called on all stakeholders and interested parties to submit comments on the draft amended Regulations 4 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA 68 of 2008).

Regulations 4 of the CPA provides mechanisms to block unwanted direct marketing communication.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Parks Tau, published the amended Regulations in the Government Gazette on 28 October 2024, giving interested parties 45 days to submit their comments.

South African consumers are constantly exposed to intrusive marketing, and this has significantly increased over the years.

With the Opt-Out Registry, direct marketers must be registered and should ensure that when contacting any consumer for direct marketing that they do not contact any consumer that has registered a pre-emptive block on the Opt-Out Registry.

All interested parties, including direct marketers, legal experts, industry associations, and interested citizens are encouraged to submit their comments by no later than 15 January 2025.

Written comments should be submitted to the dtic for the attention of Mr Sibusiso Sasayi, Private Bag X 84, Pretoria, 0001, or by email to: SSasayi@thedtic.gov.za.

The draft amended Regulations can be accessed here: https://www.thedtic.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/NCC-Gazette.pdf - SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 12:12

72 views

1 November 2024

Payments at all magistrates courts to be suspended for system upgrade

Location: News

Payments at all magistrates courts to be suspended for system upgrade

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has announced that the provision of payment services at all magistrates’ courts in the country will be temporarily suspended with effect from 13:30 on Friday, 01 November 2024.

The suspension is due to the upgrading of the payments system.

The service will only resume on Monday, 04 November 2024.

“The department apologises for any inconvenience which would be suffered during the period of system upgrade and reiterates its commitment to bring access to justice services,” the department said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 12:22

75 views

1 November 2024

Government accelerating land reform and redistribution

Location: News

Government accelerating land reform and redistribution

Accelerating land reform remains the key priority of government, says Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

The Deputy President announced in Parliament on Thursday that in the past five years alone, the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform and Agriculture, through the relevant departments and State organs, redistributed 305 990 hectares of land.

This includes 127 525 hectares allocated to women, 111 071 hectares to youth, and 2 781 hectares to people with disability between 2019 and 2024.

Meanwhile, he said about 2.3 million people have benefitted from land restitution, where a total of R25 billion was spent on the restitution of 3 972 331 hectares.

In addition, R22.5 billion has been spent on financial compensation for those beneficiaries who opted to receive financial compensation instead of the land being transferred.

The Deputy President was responding to a question from a Member of Parliament from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party who had asked about his role in leading government efforts to fast-track land reform and coordinating programmes to accelerate land reform and agricultural support.

The MP asked whether the Deputy President intended to facilitate the introduction of a Bill by the government to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to give effect to expropriation without compensation instead of expropriation with nil compensation.

“Regarding the matter of the introduction of a Bill to amend Section 25 of the Constitution, this is a matter that falls within the structures of Parliament.

“Honourable Members would remember that the sixth Parliament established the Joint Constitutional Review Committee, which conducted public hearings in all the provinces of South Africa to get public inputs on the amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution.”

The country’s second-in-command said this process culminated in the development of a Bill that was aimed at amending Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation.

“However, the National Assembly could not pass this Bill since its support could not meet the required two-thirds majority vote for the 18th Amendment of the Constitution.”

He told MPs that the current constitutional framework provides for the expropriation of property subject to just and equitable compensation.

“To this end, Parliament has passed the Expropriation Bill which has been sent to the President for assent. The Bill provides for the expropriation of property for a public purpose or in the public interest and matters connected therewith.”

He assured Parliament that the agenda of accelerating land reform and land restitution will continue.

“However, we are certain that once the President has completed his consultation process, and assented the Bill into an act, government will be in a better position to accelerate the pace of land reform, land restitution and sustainable development that will benefit all the people of South Africa.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 09:51

160 views

1 November 2024

President Ramaphosa assents to Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill

Location: News

President Ramaphosa assents to Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially assented to the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill, a key piece of legislation aimed at accelerating petroleum exploration and development with participation by black South Africans, as part of the nation’s social and economic advancement.

The Presidency said in a statement that the Bill ensures petroleum resources are developed responsibly, provides fair access, and promotes sustainable growth.

It also allows for active involvement from government and black South Africans in building up the country’s petroleum sector.

“The legislation acknowledges that South Africa’s petroleum resources belong to the nation and that the state is the custodian of these non-renewable natural resources which must contribute to South Africa’s social and economic development,” The Presidency said.

As part of advancing industrialisation and manufacturing diversity, the law provides for local content as a development strategy to enable skills development, local recruitment and national participation through supply of goods and services.

The Bill reaffirms the state’s commitment to regulatory certainty and to guaranteeing security of tenure in respect of petroleum rights.

The Bill separates petroleum provisions from minerals provisions as currently provided for in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act.

“This separation is necessary from a policy and administrative perspective to ensure matters in the petroleum and minerals industries are addressed on the basis of their distinctive features, to bring about stability and security to investors, especially in the upstream petroleum sector,” the Presidency said.

The law sets out the functions of the South African Agency for Promotion of Petroleum Exploration and Exploitation, which include receiving and evaluating applications for reconnaissance permits, petroleum rights and retention permits, and making recommendations to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Reconnaissance refers to any operation carried out for or in connection with the search for petroleum by geological, geophysical and photo geological surveys. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 11:34

18 views

1 November 2024

SIU collects evidence in Makana Local Municipality maladministration allegations

Location: News

SIU collects evidence in Makana Local Municipality maladministration allegations

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has searched and collected evidence related to allegations of serious maladministration at the Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

This after it obtained a warrant to search the premises of the municipality on Thursday.

“At 9 am on Friday, 01 November, the SIU, assisted by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, entered the municipality's premises to collect evidence that is in line with Proclamation 207 of 2024 authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration,” the unit said in a statement.

The SIU and Hawks collected documentation and equipment required for audit or compliance purposes concerning successful tenders from 1 January 2019 to 18 October 2024, as stipulated in Proclamation 207 of 2024.

“This includes comprehensive records such as company registration documents, all forms of payment documentation (invoices, purchase orders, remittance advice), and devices—such as laptops, mobile devices, external storage, or media used by relevant committees, officials, or employees.

“The documentation also extends to any electronic data stored on these devices, including emails and cloud storage, covering current and outdated devices associated with specific personnel and posts.”

The warrant was granted by the Grahamstown Magistrate Court.

The application for a search and seizure followed the signing of Proclamation 207 of 2024 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in the affairs of the Makana Local Municipality involving seven tenders, which was gazetted two weeks ago.

The SIU’s investigation will look into the:

• Makana Bulk Sewer Upgrade Phase 1.
• Professional Engineering services for groundwater development project.
• Implementing agents for water conservation and demand management.
• Re-appointment of MBB Consulting for water conservation and demand management.
• Electrification of the greater Makana and surrounding areas 11KV line project.
• Host municipal emails and provide internet services.
• Operate and manage the Makana burning landfill site for six months.

“The SIU has reason to believe that a normal route of requesting information and documents would not have yielded positive results. Hence, it was deemed necessary to approach the Grahamstown Magistrate Court for a search warrant to seize documents and computers to assist with the ongoing investigation.

"Upon the receipt of the allegations, the SIU engaged the municipality seeking documents that would help assess the merit of the allegations and help prepare a motivation for a proclamation.

“However, the municipality did not cooperate with the SIU’s request. The SIU engaged the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), as the office was auditing the municipality at the time. The AGSA indicated that the municipality failed to furnish it with documents.”

The SIU is empowered by the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act) to subpoena bank statements and cell phone records, search and seize evidence, and interrogate witnesses under oath to thoroughly investigate allegations brought before it.

The SIU is also empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration. In line with the SIU Act, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action. -SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 10:35

2 views

1 November 2024

dtic calls for a resilient health system

Location: News

dtic calls for a resilient health system

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi, has called for a resilient health system that prioritises equitable access and sustainable solutions in times of crisis.

He emphasised the need for fair and sustainable measures to equip health systems with the necessary "shock absorbers" to withstand future challenges.

Godlimpi said it was clear with every health crisis faced as a country, region and world that sustainable ways must be found to strengthen health systems.

He made these remarks during his address at the Annual General Meeting of the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association South Africa (IPASA), which took place in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Reflecting on the impact of recent global health challenges, Godlimpi emphasised that these crises, while affecting all, are not felt equally.

“The severity of their impact is determined by geopolitical and economic standings, often leaving vulnerable populations to bear the brunt.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa, under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership, championed vaccine justice on the world stage, asserting that access to vaccines and essential medicines should be a universal right,” Glodlimpi said.

He called for the development of robust domestic manufacturing capabilities, especially in pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to reduce reliance on external sources during global emergencies.

The creation of a resilient healthcare system would not only secure the health of the population but would also drive job creation and economic growth.

“By investing in local manufacturing capacity, we secure our sovereignty in healthcare and strengthen our economy.

“Building a sustainable pharmaceutical industry cannot be achieved by government action alone.

“We need active participation from industry leaders, multinational corporations and local innovators alike, and I commend IPASA’s contributions to promoting ethical standards and supporting a patient-centred healthcare system,” he said.

Godlimpi mentioned that as part of South Africa’s broader industrial strategy, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) had implemented master plans to drive growth in key sectors.

“The MedTech Master Plan, launched in May, is one such initiative, aiming to bolster local manufacturing in the medical technology sector. The development of future master plans, including those for pharmaceuticals, biologics and vaccines, depends on collaboration with multinational corporations and industry stakeholders,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of local manufacturing, Godlimpi noted that currently, pharmaceutical imports account for a significant trade deficit.

“However, with the active participation of multinationals in localisation programmes, we can create a more self-reliant healthcare system and reduce our dependency on imports.

“I also want to highlight opportunities within offset programmes, where foreign suppliers are encouraged to invest in local industry through technology transfer, local hubs, and third-party manufacturing,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 09:44

14 views

31 October 2024

SARS welcomes MTBPS, increases its compliance focus

Location: News

SARS welcomes MTBPS, increases its compliance focus

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has welcomed the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday.

The MTBPS revised the February 2024 Budget net tax revenue forecast from R1.863 trillion to R1.8408 trillion.

SARS said as of 30 September 2024, it has collected gross revenue of R1 070.4 billion, yielding a net revenue of R846.2 billion and R224.3 billion in refund payments.

The revenue performance was bolstered by stronger collections from CIT Provisional tax and lower-than-expected VAT and PIT refund payments.

This was offset by lower-than-expected collections from Customs taxes, PAYE, and the General Fuel Levy.

The areas that were adjusted downward are:

Lower-than-expected previous year salary adjustments, reducing the nominal wage bill estimate from 8.4% in the 2024 Budget to 5.5% in the MTBPS 2024.
Slower growth on capital projects across general government, public corporations and private sector, with gross capital formation anticipated to decline from 9.5% in the 2024 Budget to 5.2%.
Downward revision in outlook of nominal exports from 5.2% to 3.5%, as well as nominal imports from 6.0% to 3.8%.
At Budget 2024, a 13.8% growth in PAYE, based on the 8.4% growth in the wage bill, was assumed. PAYE collections for year-to-date (September 2024/25) amount to R340.0bn, lower than the PE by R12.0bn (3.4%) and higher than previous year by R30.8bn (10.0%).

SARS highlighted that the deficit in revenue collections was partially offset by strong collections in CIT provisional tax collections (at R150.2 billion) against an expectation of R141.4 billion, yielding a surplus of R8.8 billion, up by 2.7% or R3.9 billion from the previous year.

The fuel levy has faced challenges this financial year due to a year-on-year decrease in fuel consumption, with 1.333 million litres less fuel used. SARS said that this decline, attributed to factors like reduced load shedding and a shift to alternative energy sources, has directly impacted the Net Fuel Levy, resulting in a 3.9% year-on-year contraction and a R7.2 billion shortfall.

Trade taxes also underperformed, as imports, which were expected to grow by 1.9%, have instead declined by 5.1% year-to-date. Total trade flows have decreased by R39.2 billion (or -2.0%) compared to the same period last year, primarily due to lower import flows of electrical machinery and vehicles.

SARS noted that Provisional Corporate Income Tax (CIT) collections reached R150.2 billion, recording a surplus of R8.8 billion (6.2%) and a year-on-year growth of R3.9 billion (2.7%), driven by the Finance, Electricity, and Manufacturing sectors.

Collections exceeded the Budget 2024 target rate of -3.3%. However, the Mining sector continues to struggle with volatile commodity prices, particularly in Platinum Group Metals, Coal and Iron Ore, which has negatively impacted profitability and provisional payments. Additionally, the sector faces ongoing transport, logistics, and border crossing issues, leading to delays and higher export costs.

Despite having finalised ± 1.3 million more debt cases, which is almost 290% more than the previous year, SARS said its debt compliance efforts have yielded lower returns year-on-year by R9.3 billion, which equals to a 23.6% year-on-year contraction.

SARS further recorded significant year-on-year increases in deferred payment arrangements, requests for suspension of payments, and final demands, highlighting the financial hardship taxpayers are experiencing and its impact on their ability to meet tax obligations.

“The SARS Strategic Intent will continue to focus on Voluntary Compliance, ensuring that taxpayers and traders have clarity and certainty regarding their obligations, along with the necessary tools to facilitate easy and straightforward compliance. Conversely, SARS will impose significant legal and administrative costs on taxpayers and traders who deliberately fail to meet their obligations,” the revenue service said.

SARS said that its compliance efforts continue to yield success in dealing with non-compliance in particular segments and tax products. To date, compliance revenue secured R110.1 billion, reflecting a growth of R8.1 billion (8.0%).

The Revenue Service emphasised that it will continue to intensify its efforts to maintain visibility and reinforce compliance, with plans to invest further on compliance initiatives to close the tax gap by targeting various taxpayer segments.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said that in pursuing the attainment of the 2024/25 tax revenue estimate of R1 840.8 billion, SARS will be unrelenting in its drive to engender voluntary compliance.

“Critical in this pursuit is to ensure that intermediaries charged by law to collect taxes on behalf of SARS pay it over. Importantly, SARS is ready to act against those who willfully and defiantly ignore their legal obligations by misrepresenting their true economic status. Those who enable this conduct are equally culpable.

“Taxpayers who abdicate their legal obligations place a disproportionate burden on honest taxpayers. Taxes play a critical role in cushioning the most vulnerable and destitute in our society. In this respect, voluntary compliance is sacrosanct,” Kieswetter said.

The Commissioner further emphasized that SARS will continue to intensify and deepen its existing administrative efforts.

“We will continue to use sophisticated data science and artificial intelligence, to maintain the balance between service to taxpayers/traders, whilst managing risks to the fiscus by detecting dishonest taxpayers,” he said.

SARS will deploy more data science and artificial intelligence (AI) to step up its focus on the following areas of compliance risk:

Broadening the tax base via third-party data sources: Leveraging data from both formal and informal sectors to widen the tax base.
Work to register all taxpayers and traders, through predictive modelling, who ought to be on the register and ensure that they honestly file their declarations and pay their dues where necessary.
Build its detection capability using machine learning models and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to significantly improve service and offer a seamless service to honest taxpayers. This will also be used to detect dishonest taxpayers, improve debt collection while expanding the tax base and deal with tax avoidance.
Enforcing trade laws against the illicit economy (Customs and Excise): Strengthening tools to detect and prevent illicit activities, including those related to tobacco, fuel, and illicit financial flows.
Focusing on dispute prevention and resolution: Prioritising products and strategies that prevent disputes that can be resolved.

“SARS is the nation’s treasure; a well-functioning tax and customs administration is a cornerstone to our vibrant democracy and should never be taken for granted. SARS seeks to ensure revenue sustainability by securing appropriate investment in SARS, and funding certainty.

“From a human capital perspective, SARS will continue to attract, develop and sustain a workforce that is future ready. We will be building the leadership bench strength of SARS and protect the autonomy of the institution,” the tax revenue said.

Despite the tough operating environment, SARS said it expects that the start of a cycle of interest rate cuts will spur consumption expenditure. This expansion is expected to drive economic growth and widen the tax base, resulting in buoyant corporate tax, and VAT revenues.

Additionally, the introduction of the “Two-Pot” system is expected to increase the tax base in the short to medium term.

“The 12 821 SARS staff, to whom we express sincere appreciation, will continue to work diligently in achieving the revised revenue estimate as presented by the Minister of Finance,” SARS said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 11:03

299 views

31 October 2024

President Ramaphosa to lead meeting with Limpopo Provincial Executive

Location: News

President Ramaphosa to lead meeting with Limpopo Provincial Executive

President Cyril Ramaphosa is on Friday expected to lead a meeting with the Limpopo Provincial Executive.

President Ramaphosa will meet with the Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, and the Provincial Government Executive at the Council Chamber in Polokwane.

The President who is set to deliver an opening address at the meeting, will be accompanied by Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

“The meeting with the Limpopo Provincial Government’s Executive is a start of a series of engagements between the President and provinces aimed at enhancing intergovernmental coordination and improve service delivery in line with the priorities of the 7th Administration,” The Presidency said in a statement on Thursday.

President Ramaphosa will also meet with the Provincial Executive of the KwaZulu-Natal province ahead of the Presidential District Development Model (DDM) Imbizo next week.

The Provincial Executive will present to the President its five-year program in alignment with the priorities of the seventh Administration.

The meeting will also discuss various approaches to service delivery issues including interventions to improve service delivery at local government level.

President Ramaphosa and Premier Ramathuba will address the open session before the start of the meeting.

The President is expected to lead the second DDM Presidential Imbizo under the Government of National Unity (GNU), in Umgababa, in KwaZulu-Natal.

The imbizo that is scheduled for Friday, 8 November.

Cabinet adopted the DDM in August 2019.

The DDM is an integrated planning model for cooperative governance which seeks to be a new integrated, district-based, service delivery approach aimed at fast-tracking service delivery. It also seeks to ensure that municipalities are adequately supported and resourced to carry out their mandate. - SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 11:13

384 views

31 October 2024

President wishes Hindu community a blessed Diwali

Location: News

President wishes Hindu community a blessed Diwali

President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished South Africa’s Hindu community a blessed and festive Diwali/Deepavali 2024.

In a statement on Thursday, President Ramaphosa emphasised that the Festival of Lights, rooted in the triumph of good over evil, serves as a time for all South Africans to renew their commitment to addressing inequalities, disadvantages, and social challenges impacting society and many areas worldwide.

“The Festival of Lights, with its origins in the triumph of good over evil, is a period for all South Africans to recommit to overcoming the inequalities, disadvantage and social ills that affect parts of our society and many parts of the world today.

“The values of truth, love, peace and non-violence by which Hindus live and conduct themselves within family and community are values that are at the heart of creating a better country and a better world.

“Happy Diwali and may this be a special time of celebrating life, family and community,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 11:19

414 views

31 October 2024

African countries reaffirm commitment to nuclear weapons treaty

Location: News

African countries reaffirm commitment to nuclear weapons treaty

South Africa has welcomed the convening and outcomes of the 6th Conference of States Parties (CSP) to the African Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone Treaty, also known as the Pelindaba Treaty.

The meeting was held from 24 to 25 October 2024 at the headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the States Parties have reaffirmed their commitment to the Pelindaba Treaty.

They expressed concern over recent events and actions that have adversely impacted the operations of the Secretariat and the work of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE).

“They resolved to take the necessary measures to prevent such challenges in the future and strengthen cooperation among themselves and between the treaty structures,” the statement read.

The department said the parties also reaffirmed the decision taken by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) on 30 July 2024 to dismiss the former Executive Secretary, Enobot Agboraw.

“They decided that a recruitment process to appoint a new Executive Secretary of AFCONE should commence urgently.”

In addition, the States noted the difficult task of the South African government, as the host country, to implement the decision by the AUC Chair regarding the dismissal of the former Executive Secretary.

However, they confirmed that no dispute exists between AFCONE and South Africa as the host country but expressed appreciation to the country for its continued cooperation and support and for hosting the AFCONE Headquarters.

“The Department of International Relations and Cooperation trusts that the pronouncement of the 6th CSP outcomes, as well as the dismissal by the High Court of South Africa on 18 September 2024, of the urgent application brought by Mr Enobot Agboraw, against the department regarding the withdrawal of his diplomatic immunities and privileges following termination of his employment contract as Executive Secretary of the AFCONE Secretariat.

“This will effectively dispel the unfounded and false allegations in recent media reports against officials in the department, who have been carrying out their official responsibilities.”

Meanwhile, the department said South Africa remained fully committed to the Pelindaba Treaty and achieving its objectives.

These include the establishment of an effective, impartial and professional Secretariat of AFCONE that can execute its mandate satisfactorily in promoting the peaceful application of nuclear energy on the African continent.

“South Africa will continue to work with all States Parties to the Pelindaba Treaty to prevent any further reputational, operational and financial damage to AFCONE and its Secretariat and to restore its credibility in the interest of the African continent.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 11:35

335 views

31 October 2024

SA working to promote inclusive growth, deal with high cost of living

Location: News

SA working to promote inclusive growth, deal with high cost of living

The South African government seeks to attract foreign investment to foster inclusive growth and tackle structural barriers faced by marginalised communities.

This is according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who was briefing Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly on Thursday.

The Deputy President addressed several topics, including his recent working visit to Ireland and the United Kingdom.

He reflected on the keenness of investors from these two countries to tap into various South African sectors such as finance, energy, transportation and infrastructure development.

“The overall aim of this engagement was to reassure the world and investors that our country is stable and open for business. I must say, in all of these meetings, we were warmly received,” he told Parliament.

In the United Kingdom, the Deputy President said he met with more than 20 institutional investors, who are already investing in South Africa.

“We also engaged with the government of the United Kingdom to strengthen and renew the historically deep and rich bilateral relations between our two countries by exploring new initiatives and opportunities for enhancing trade and investments.”

Following the working visit, government agreed to strengthen existing initiatives while exploring new opportunities to maintain strong trade and investor interest.

“We anticipate that the upshot of our visit will contribute to an increase in the UK investors who have shown a strong interest in doing business in South Africa,” Deputy President Mashatile explained.

In addition, he said the relevant ministerial teams presented opportunities in State-owned entities (SOEs), particularly Eskom and Transnet.

“They dealt with issues of energy, rail and port projects and water infrastructure projects, including the handing of the investment project book that was developed by Infrastructure South Africa.”

However, the Deputy President believed that government alone would not be able to achieve the objectives of growing the economy and creating jobs.

“As a result, we’re taking these steps to engage the private sector, particularly also foreign investors who are interested to come and invest in our country.”

The State is working hard to ensure the regulatory frameworks throughout government are friendly for investors who can come and invest.

“So, we were quite impressed that many of those that we met were very happy. They were saying they will be taking advantage in South Africa so that we can create the necessary jobs that we want to create and empower many of our people, particularly young people,” Mashatile said.

G20 Presidency

The Deputy President is of the view that South Africa should use its G20 Presidency to prioritise its objectives of growing an inclusive economy that creates jobs.

Preparations are underway for South Africa’s G20 Presidency and hosting the G20 Summit in 2025. South Africa is expected to take over Chair of the G20 from December 1 this year from Brazil.

Mashatile said the State is determined to deal with the question of the high cost of living and professionalisation of the public service.

“But we want to use that also to benefit the continent. So, what South Africa will do will ensure that, as we Chair the G20, [this] benefits the entire African continent, and we are looking at programmes of infrastructure.

“When leaders of various countries come here, they come with huge delegations, including business people, and therefore they look for opportunities. But we will make sure that there is sound infrastructure to be able to ensure that people can have meetings throughout the country.”

The Deputy President announced that government has decided that it will concentrate meetings in one place, so the 2025 summit benefits the entire country.

Skill shortages

Mashatile acknowledged that the local labour supply does not meet the demand for management personnel, professionals, engineers, technicians, educators, and information and technology experts, necessitating the temporary importation of high-level skills.

However, various measures are being implemented to improve local skills, including updating job listings, promoting the critical skills list, and enhancing vocational training in digital skills.

Mashatile explained that the National Skills Fund directs resources to in-demand sectors and that the Human Resource Development strategy aims to match supply and demand for skilled workers.

Meanwhile, he said collaboration among industry, government, education, and non-profits is crucial for effective skills development and local employment growth. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 15:21

77 views

31 October 2024

Team established to deal with BELA Act concerns

Location: News

Team established to deal with BELA Act concerns

The Government of National Unity (GNU) clearing house mechanism has formed a task team to address concerns raised by various parties regarding the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act.

This comes after leaders met on Wednesday to discuss the issue of the Act, which has two clauses that have been the centre of concern by some members of the signatories of the statement of intent of the GNU.

According to the Deputy President’s Office, the meeting was attended by most parties that participate in this structure.

“The meeting noted the need to resolve the matter within the three months that President Cyril Ramaphosa has allocated.

“After an extensive engagement, the clearing house mechanism agreed on the establishment of a small team to work on the concerns as raised by some parties.”

The team comprises Deputy Minister Andries Nel; Dr Cornelius Mulder from the Freedom Front Plus; Brett Herron from the GOOD Party; Helen Zille from the Democratic Alliance, and Mdumiseni Ntuli from the African National Congress.

In September, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Bill into law but delayed by three months the implementation of clauses 4 and 5, which deal with school admissions and language, to make room for more discussion and deliberations after it received some opposition.

According to the Deputy President’s Office, the team has since been given two weeks to work and report to the clearing house mechanism.

“The meeting also agreed on the need to put party-political interests aside and find a solution to benefit all South African people.”

The GNU clearing house mechanism was established by President Ramaphosa last month to address policy disagreements within the 10-member GNU, led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, regarding policy agreements and other disputes. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 13:08

46 views

31 October 2024

Godongwana lauds GNU for working well

Location: News

Godongwana lauds GNU for working well

While there might be a difference of opinion on how to address the myriad of challenges facing South Africa, the Government of National Unity (GNU) agrees on the strategic task of fiscal consolidation.

Addressing the RMB-Sunday Times post-Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) dialogue, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said while working on the budget, there was a unity of purpose on fiscal consolidation, although parties in the GNU may disagree on the pace of the fiscal consolidation.

"Doing the budget under the GNU was easy. We have the Minister’s committee on the budget. The three major budgets are represented there. There was not a single descending voice because we agree on the strategic task of fiscal consolidation.

“We are working very well [together]. We may differ on some issues but on substantive matters, we are on the same page. Despite what the analysts say, the GNU will be here for five years because there is a commitment with those in government to make it work and deliver,” the Minister said on Thursday in Cape Town.

Godongwana delivered the first MTBPS on Wednesday to Parliament since the GNU was established in the seventh administration.

“In the run up to the elections, our society was fractured. We needed to build a unity of purpose, and I think we have achieved that. The positive sentiment that has come out as a result of the GNU is quite impressive,” the Minister said.

Growing the economy

Godongwana emphasised that South Africa’s big challenge was growing the economy.

“If we had a growing economy, we would solve the issues of unemployment, poverty and the problem of debt. If we had a growing economy, we would have the capacity to service the debt. South Africa has to refocus on growing the economy. We have had a growth problem for more than a decade,” the Minister said.

To strengthen efforts to grow the economy, National Treasury has identified four pillars to lift the economy to a higher and more inclusive growth path.

The strategy is anchored on four pillars:
•    Creating a conducive environment based on maintaining macroeconomic stability;
•    Implementing structural reforms;
•    Supporting growth-enhancing infrastructure; and
•    Building State capability.

National Treasury has forecast a real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 1.1% in 2024 domestically.

This is lower than the estimate of 1.3% in February. Over the medium-term, growth is forecast to average 1.8%.

“This underscores the need for higher inclusive growth to meet the aspiration of a better life for all. Pillar one is about a stable, transparent and predictable macroeconomic framework that creates a conducive environment for businesses and households to save, spend, invest and grow.

“The second phase will also introduce new focus areas that seek to strengthen local government, harness digital infrastructure and integrate urban environments to make cities more efficient.

“Pillar three is about effective infrastructure investment, to boost economic activity and enable higher growth over the medium term,” the Minister said.

Government is also implementing initiatives like early retirement, not to merely reduce the size of the workforce, but also to introduce younger talent to the public service.

“This is part of building a capable, ethical and developmental government. We will be harnessing digital infrastructure to roll out critical systems in the provision of service delivery,” the Minister said.

These initiatives include:
•    Digitising and simplifying the application and disbursement process for social grants;
•    Broadening access to employment pathways;
•    Rolling out digital identification documents;
•    Building a centralised and accessible website for all government services; and
•    Digitising health records management for the rollout of National Health Insurance. - SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 11:41

129 views

31 October 2024

dtic to launch the Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme

Location: News

dtic to launch the Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme

The Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic), in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the University of Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, will launch the Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme (KIPP) on Monday.

This as a fund to drive innovation among early-stage Small Medium Enterprises in the Free State.

The programme was initially launched in June 2024 in Johannesburg and a series of regional launches will be taking place throughout the country.

The objective of the KIPP is to enable early-stage innovative SMEs to penetrate the market with their locally developed innovations resulting in a more competitive economic environment, thereby facilitating economic growth in the South African economy.

According to the Acting Deputy Director-General of Investment and Spacial Industrial Development at the dtic, Yunus Hoosen, the launch seeks to facilitate interactions with potential partners, beneficiaries, and supporters, building relationships that support the fund's objectives.

According to Hoosen, since the establishment of KIIP in 2020, the programme has funded more than 36 projects across various sectors of the economy, with R 148.2 million committed and R113.8 million disbursed to date.

He said the launch will highlight progress for present achievements under KIPP to demonstrate the positive impact of the programme.

“The session is intended to enhance knowledge and increate public gain and clear understanding of KIPP’s objectives and application process.

“The session will be characterised by an interactive stakeholder engagement that is expected to create public awareness and inspire participation and applications from Free State innovative SMEs eligible for funding and support under KIPP,” Hoosen said.

Local entrepreneurs and SME owners, especially those working in the technology and innovation sectors, and industry stakeholders including funders are expected to attend the event.

Potential partners who are interested in promoting economic transformation through innovation and university students and researchers who are interested in innovation and entrepreneurship will also participate in the launch. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 11:41

4 views

31 October 2024

Fourteen in court on fraud, money laundering charges

Location: News

Fourteen in court on fraud, money laundering charges

Fourteen people have appeared in court on allegations of fraud and money laundering, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) said on Wednesday.

The 14 accused, including two former Nedbank employees, Nicolette de Villiers and Keitumetse Mathimbi, aged between 25 and 51 years were arrested on Tuesday in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni by the Gauteng Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks on allegations of fraud and money laundering.

“It is reported that the main suspect unlawfully made payments from suspense accounts valued at over R157 million which were further transferred … to recipients who were [not] entitled to receive such monies. The amounts were between R50 000 and R20 million. Twenty-three recipients are involved in the matter including 15 individuals, seven entities and six banks.”

The 14 made their first appearance in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrates court on Wednesday.

The Hawks said 13 of the 14 were granted bail while accused number 10’s bail application will be heard on 7 November 2024 in the same court.

“Accused No 10, Yu-Wei Fang's bail application will be heard on the 7 November 2024 in the same court, he was remanded in custody. The other 13 accused will appear again on 29 January 2025,” said the Hawks.

The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General (Dr/Adv) Godfrey Lebeya commended the concerted efforts by the investigation team, prosecutors and specialists to ensure speedy finalisation of the investigation and securing the attendance of the accused in court.

“This is one of the complex high value serious commercial crime[s] that exhibits the elements of professional money laundering enablers. Investigations are continuing,” said the Hawks.

Meanwhile, the Hawks said three suspects are expected to appear in court following the murder of an unknown man whose body was found severely beaten, stabbed and dumped in a veld in Boksburg, Gauteng.

The three suspects aged 42, 33 and 31 were arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning in a multidisciplinary operation led by the Hawks Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Benoni Flying Squad, Secure Tech, Graphite Security, Blue Hawk Tactical, DOT Towing and Brakpan Crime Prevention.

“Two suspects were arrested in connection with a murder of an unknown man whose body was found severely beaten, stabbed and dumped in a veld in Boksburg North. Through information received, the pair was traced to Brakpan. The third suspect was arrested also in Brakpan after he was found with a replica firearm and live ammunition which were confiscated for further investigation.”

The team also recovered a baseball bat and a panga which are suspected to have been the weapons utilised in the murder.

Investigations in the matter are continuing. -SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 11:23

37 views

31 October 2024

KZN Finance MEC welcomes MTBPS

Location: News

KZN Finance MEC welcomes MTBPS

KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers has welcomed the 2024 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) presented by Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana.

The Minister tabled the MTBPS in Parliament on Wednesday.

Rodgers said the budget accounts for necessary cost-containment measures, given the challenges of the national fiscus, but “ensures that essential spending areas are not comprised”.

Drawing inspiration from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s outline of priorities for the Government of National Unity, Rodgers said Godongwana asserted that government will continue to drive inclusive growth and job creation.

“The MTBPS was conservative and took into account the current economic climate. Projected economic growth at 1.1% remains weaker than ideal for a country that has a growing population such as ours.

“The infrastructure reforms, as announced by the Minister, are welcome as they bode well with government’s mission of ensuring inclusive growth, job creation as well as the building of a capable and ethical state. Government debt will reach more than R6.05 trillion, or 75.5 % of GDP [Gross Domestic Product], in 2025/26.

This as National Treasury expects improved growth prospects for the South African economy, despite slowing projected growth of some 1.1% in 2024 – down from the projected 1.3% earlier this year.

Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is projected to improve at some 1.1% in 2024, up from the 0.7% in 2023.

In the MTBPS, National Treasury said economic growth was being “weighed down by stop-start economic growth and stubborn inflation in the first half of the year”.

READ | Treasury optimistic about economic outlook
Minister Godongwana asserted that debt-service costs will reach R388.9 billion in the current financial year.

To counter this unsustainable debt increase, National Treasury has resolved to restrain spending and maintain stable tax collection.

Against the backdrop of a national debt, Rodgers welcomed the approach taken by National Treasury.

Rodgers said the biggest challenge remains the bloated government wage bill, noting this will again be a serious challenge to the fiscus as government has proposed a 4.5% wage increase but unions insist on demanding a 14% increase on salaries.

He said a clear and decisive policy needs to be implemented on addressing the challenges of the excessive wage bill.

At a recent budget council meeting, a resolution was taken that provinces would not have to face an unfunded wage agreement as in the past.

The increased wage agreement would be funded by National Treasury.

Relating to the public sector wage bill, government is expected to propose a reignition of its early retirement programme.

This, as National Treasury attempts to further reel in the wage bill.

“Over the past decade, the wage bill has decreased as a share of consolidated spending, falling from 35.7% in 2013/14 to 32.1% in 2023/24. By 2027/28, the wage bill is projected to decrease to 31.4% of consolidated spending.

“To further contain public service wage costs, government is proposing to reactivate early retirement without penalties. To support this initiative, an additional R11 billion will be allocated over the next two fiscal years. Details will be set out in the 2025 Budget,” the MTBPS said.

READ | Government non-interest expenditure expected to increase

“We also welcome the Minister’s approach to public-private partnerships as well as cooperation with the private sector. A review of government’s approach to this is expected to be tabled next month [and] this is something that we look forward to.

“At provincial and local government levels, private sector involvement remains relevant. However, investors need to see the establishment of a capable and ethical state,” Rodgers said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 10:51

15 views