E-Hailing Drivers on Strike in Cape Town
Drivers want the government to intervene to improve their conditions
Western Cape
SA launches R300 million facility for recycling plastic
SA launches R300 million facility for recycling plastic
A new PET (polyethylene terephthalate) processing facility, which can accommodate more plastic waste and is the first-of-its-kind technology for Africa, will come on stream in 2025.
This was announced on the sidelines of the International Solid Waste Association’s (ISWA) annual conference where South Africa’s efforts to build a circular economy for post-consumer packaging was thrust into the spotlight.
The ISWA’s annual conference saw the country’s most experienced producer responsibility organisation, Petco, and recycling partner, Extrupet, giving a site tour of the new PET processing facility.
The facility, which houses the new R300 million project, will bring PET bottle-to-bottle recycling capability to the Western Cape for the first time.
The facility will add an extra 15 000 tonnes per annum of food-grade recycled PET (rPET recycled polyethylene terephthalate) output capacity.
Extrupet Joint Managing Director Chandru Wadhwani said 64% of South Africa’s PET plastic bottles were currently collected for recycling.
“With this increased capacity, we will be able to accommodate more plastic waste and strengthen South Africa’s position as a circular economy leader in Africa and the world,” Wadhwani said on Monday in Cape Town.
Stimulating demand
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said the facility adds value to the country’s efforts to increase the collection and recycling rates for packaging materials, including PET.
“We view the facility as an opportunity to stimulate a demand for more PET materials and a supply of these by waste pickers and waste small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), thus creating stable markets for PET.
“The facility needs to be fed and the collection system needs to be improved in order to meet the demand of this facility.
“Waste pickers are an important contributor to the supply of the input material of plastic waste and we look forward to seeing the implementation of the waste picker service fee in order to continue to enable these waste pickers to do their work effectively and efficiently," Swarts said.
Petco CEO Cheri Scholtz said the additional capacity would assist in closing the loop for PET, which is the most widely recycled plastic polymer that can be turned into another food- grade product.
“So, this increase in capacity takes us another tangible step towards that circular economy, in which a bottle becomes a bottle over and over again and keeps that material in circulation at its highest possible value,” Scholtz said.
This year’s ISWA conference is taking place under the theme: “Waste to Wealth: Solutions for a Sustainable Future”.
As the host country, South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development with a focus on building a circular economy and the introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations that require producers to take responsibility for their packaging waste throughout its life cycle.
Partnership
Scholtz said, as a Producer Responsibility Organisation, Petco worked with government to contribute to policy development and the implementation of EPR legislation and helped its members to meet their legislated targets for collection, recycling and the inclusion of recycled content in their packaging, which increased year on year.
She said the key to success lay in building a sustainable value chain that could survive the economic peaks and troughs, by balancing collection with recycling capacity and stimulating.
“It doesn’t just happen overnight; it has been a journey. Petco and Extrupet have been working together for more than 20 years to build a solid foundation.
“Petco’s commitment of ongoing support to our 10 contracted recycling partners, like Extrupet, gives them the confidence to invest in the new equipment and infrastructure that is needed to recycle increasing tonnages of recyclable packaging.
“The support also enables recyclers to increase the gate price at which they purchase recyclable packaging, which stimulates collection on the ground by increasing the street value of this packaging and growing the local market for it, thereby making it easier for waste pickers to sell their collected packaging and earn an income from it,” Scholtz said.
She said a strong relationship with government, especially the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, was equally important for the country to benefit as a whole.
“Having implementable regulations, strong compliance, and effective enforcement is vital. We partner with all tiers of government to support sustainable waste management and diversion initiatives, and work towards meeting sustainable development and circular economy goals.”
Climate Change Bill
She said that the opening of the new plant also aligned with government’s climate change goals, as outlined in the newly signed Climate Change Bill.
The bill sets out to enhance South Africa’s ability to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience, while reducing the risk of job losses, and promoting new job opportunities in the emerging green economy.
Wadhwani said Extrupet had established its first bottle-to-food-grade line in Johannesburg in 2009, with the second following in 2014.
“The third arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. And the fact that this is now the fourth line in what's, in essence, a 15-year horizon is just so gratifying for us,” Wadhwani said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 09/17/2024 - 09:49
594 views
South Africa Makes Strides in Bid to Contain Mpox
As the wider African region experiences an upsurge in mpox cases, South Africa's multi-pronged efforts to bring the outbreak under control are bearing fruit. On 14 August 2024, World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern and subsequently issued a set of temporary recommendations to scale up the emergency response.
South Africa had previously reported five unlinked mpox cases in 2022. Having confirmed zero cases in 2023, the country has experienced a resurgence of the infectious disease in recent months, reporting 25 laboratory-confirmed cases and three deaths between 8 May and 6 September 2024. These cases have been reported in Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, with local transmission suggested for 24 cases and one imported case.
However, there has been a significant change in the epidemiological data in recent weeks, with just one new case and no deaths reported since 2 August 2024, compared to 12 cases and three deaths in June, so far, the peak of the current outbreak.
“With the support of partners including WHO, we have made significant progress in our efforts to contain mpox in the country,” says Foster Mohale, spokesperson for South Africa's National Department of Health. “But we must not become complacent because viruses mutate from time to time. The recent detection of a new mpox case in Western Cape should be a strong reminder that we must all remain extremely vigilant.”
To coordinate its response to the outbreak, the National Department of Health formed an mpox Incident Management Team comprised of experts from national and provincial levels and partners including WHO. In June, with WHO support, health authorities conducted two remote webinars on clinical management of mpox cases, training over 500 health workers and public health professionals.
The department has also activated provincial response teams to implement priority interventions in hotspots, deployed rapid response teams to support community surveillance and case management, and intensified targeted public awareness campaigns.
In addition to providing technical support and guidelines on mpox treatment to help ensure standardized patient care, WHO has donated 35 treatment courses of tecovirimat, an antiviral that is used to treat severe mpox cases in conjunction with symptomatic and supportive care. The Organization is supporting efforts to stockpile an additional 30 treatment courses of the medication for rapid deployment should further cases arise.
South Africa is one of 14 countries in the African region that will be financially supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and WHO from September 2024 until February 2025 to draw up and roll out plans, including vaccination strategies, to continue its fight against mpox. The Mpox Continental Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa will see an estimated US$ 45.5 of a US$ 600-million total budget allocated to South Africa, most of which will be spent on the logistics of rolling out vaccines.
“WHO remains committed to supporting health authorities in containing the mpox outbreak through coordinated efforts in treatment, surveillance, and public awareness,” says Dr Fabian Ndenzako, acting WHO Representative in South Africa. “I am pleased to see mpox control efforts targeting health workers, community members and key risk populations to prevent further transmission and manage this public health issue effectively.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Africa.
Extortionists Now Targeting Social Workers
Western Cape social development department had to spend R20-million on overtime to double-up social workers operating in high-risk areas
Art Lifestyle: Elevate Your Spaces With Custom Window Treatments
[Mosselbay, Western Cape, South Africa] – September 15, 2024 – Art Lifestyle, your premier destination for custom blinds, shutters, awnings, and aluminium louvres in South Africa, invites you to transform your home or business with an exceptional product range. Art Lifestyle’s motto is that every home deserves unique window treatments that reflect your personal style. …
Cutting of 2,400 Teacher Posts Questioned in Western Cape Parliament
MEC for education David Maynier insists it is an “absolute last resort”
Police to intensify operations to root out crime
Police to intensify operations to root out crime
The police will intensify compliance inspections at all police stations and service points in a bid to continuously improve service offering to communities, said the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.
“Our responsibility as a police service is to keep all people living in South Africa safe and as the South African Police Service we will continue to act without fear, favour and prejudice to realise this vision,” said Masemola.
The Commissioner addressed the media in Johannesburg on Thursday.
“The SAPS remains at the coalface of the criminal justice system, and it is upon our members to ensure that the work that they do continues to inspire confidence in the system,” he said, adding that the police’s ongoing operations are yielding the desired results.
This as the police is continuously implementing an “all hands-on deck approach” that leaves no one behind.
“It is a joint effort working closely with other law enforcement agencies, other government departments, the business sector, our community police forum structures and private security.
“At the heart of it all, lies our communities. Through community participation and through the tip-offs that we continue to receive, criminals are feeling the heat. There is no longer much room and space for criminals in all provinces including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape and [the] Eastern Cape to operate because that space has been squeezed,” Masemola said.
According to the Commissioner, ongoing takedowns and the arrests of wanted suspects is sending a firm and stern warning to all criminals that police are hitting the ground running and that the men and women in blue will continue to sniff out criminals.
“We do believe that we are registering progress in destabilising the work of organised crime syndicates as well as ruthless criminals in all forms and shape.
“Since our last briefing four weeks ago, 85 000 more suspects have been arrested for various crimes ranging from murder to rape, kidnapping and extortion. This brings the total number of suspects arrested since the launch of Operation Shanela to 850 375.
“During this period, 824 illegal and unlicensed firearms with more than 17 282 rounds of ammunition [were] seized,” the Commissioner said.
Extortions
Regarding extortions, the SAPS is working hard to bring an end to extortion related crimes.
He added that communities should report these crimes to police.
“We have developed an Extortion Action Plan and thus far, we are pleased with the manner in which this plan is being implemented throughout the country. As management, we are particularly encouraged with how our police officers are addressing the crime of extortion across all provinces that have been identified as hotspots.
“We are following up on tip-offs and information shared through our hotlines and crime stop number. We are fetching each of these extortionists, one by one,” he said.
In the past two weeks, 14 extortionists were shot and killed during confrontation with police in various provinces.
The most brazen of these alleged extortionists were in the Eastern Cape in Mthatha where three followed and tailed the National Intervention Unit (NIU) members to their base.
“Our members had been conducting stop and searches in Mthatha during tracing operations and had earlier confiscated firearms from these alleged extortionists. These extortionists indeed got what they were looking for. They shot at our police officers who were ready to defend and assert the authority of the state.”
READ | SAPS to 'deal decisively' with extortionists
Masemola said the crime of extortion requires a specialised investigative capacity and that is why police have deployed specialist teams led by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), crime intelligence and organised crime units to lead these investigations. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 15:11
185 views
SA must keep pace with international nuclear players
SA must keep pace with international nuclear players
Eskom Group Chief Executive (GCE) Dan Marokane says South Africa should “move with pace” to keep up with the global move towards new nuclear build.
Marokane was addressing stakeholders at the Nuclear Seminar held by the Ministry of Energy and Electricity on Thursday.
“We are for nuclear. We understand that the energy mix is an important component of us achieving our strategic objectives as a country. This is not a discussion about either or. We’ve always argued that it is about the use of [energy] technologies to be complimentary.
“We are looking forward to participating in the process that will be led by the Minister [of Energy and Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa] to show that we can get to a point of making decisions very quickly. We cannot afford to wait any longer. We have fallen behind and we have an opportunity to catch up and we need to move with pace,” he said.
READ | Nuclear build will follow the science - Ramokgopa
Marokane emphasised that it is very important that government has a clear stance on the use of nuclear energy in the country’s ambitions to lower carbon emissions.
“What I would like to appreciate is the very clear government perspective on the strategy of nuclear and where it sits on the energy mix and its importance for us marching towards net zero targets.
“We exist within the global community and clearly there’ve been movements within the world…the world around has reawakened to the reality that [nuclear] is essentially an important component of baseload power generation going forward and us reducing emissions going forward.
“We have heard about the ambitions for nuclear on the continent, Egypt being quite advanced in this area. It would be sad of us to be overtaken having had so many years of operation…both from a perspective of skills and technical contribution to the continent and opportunities,” he said.
The GCE highlighted that the economic spinoffs from using nuclear energy are “quite huge”.
“For us as a country that is emerging out of the history that it has, the social inequalities that it has, this is an element that is going to contribute meaningfully for us. Our presence in the Western Cape has contributed immensely to the economic activities in the value chain.
“We have experienced quite tremendous positive spin offs from a green stability point of view with the Koeberg [Nuclear Power Station] units that are contributing…into the system. We have just…[installed] new steam generators so that we can have a life extension for the next 20 years.
“We will continue to look at the opportunities for exploiting this for even longer,” Marokane said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 14:33
34 views
UIF announces extended operating hours
UIF announces extended operating hours
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has announced that selected service points will be open on Saturdays to render services to clients and employers during the month of September.
“A decision to extend operating hours at UIF service points and to ramp up capacity was taken in anticipation of increased demand for real-time services, after the Pretoria High Court at the end of August 2024 issued an interim interdict preventing a service provider from implementing a new contract for support and maintenance services to the uFiling platform,” the Department of Employment and Labour said in a statement.
uFiling is an online platform used by clients and employers to apply for UIF benefits or to register companies with the UIF, declare employees and pay over contributions to the Fund.
The platform is not connected to the main UIF system used to adjudicate and process claims.
“Due to the uFiling platform not having any support or maintenance at this time, its services was suspended. The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has since the suspension of uFiling processed more than 181 000 claims at service points around the country, totalling a pay out of R419 607 185,” the department said.
Extended operating hours will be rendered from 07:30 until 16:00 at UIF service points within labour centres during September month as follows:
• In Gqeberha, East London and Qonce in the Eastern Cape province.
• At the Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay labour centres in KwaZulu-Natal.
• At the Emalahleni, Secunda, Middleburg, Malelane and Mbombela labour centres in Mpumalanga province.
• At Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Lichtenburg, Klerksdorp, Vryburg, Christiana, Brits, Taung and Rustenburg labour centre in the North West province.
• Cape Town, Paarl, Mitchells Plain and Bellville in the Western Cape.
Registration of employers
New employer registrations can be done through BizPortal, available on https://www.bizportal.gov.za/services.aspx.
The department has urged its clients to note that BizPortal is only for employer registration and will not be able to register employees. Employee registration can be undertaken at a nearby labour centre.
Registration can also be done by downloading UI.8 and UI.19 forms from www.labour.gov.za and submitting the completed forms to e-mail address newui8registrations@labour.gov.za.
Declaration of employees
Employers with electronic payroll systems may declare their employees by sending live payroll files to e-mail address Declarations@labour.gov.za or by visiting a nearby labour centre for services.
In case of a manual declarations an employer can download a UI.19 form from www.labour.gov.za and submit a completed form via email to uif.declarations@labour.gov.za.
Regarding contributions, the department said an employer pays contributions to the UIF before the 7th day of each month. Where the 7th day is not a “business day” such as a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, payments must be made on or before the last business day.
“UIF contributions are made up of 2% of an employee’s salary. 1% is deducted from the salary of an employee and 1% contributed by the employer.
“Employers who are registered for tax purposes and/or the Skills Development Levy (SDL), must pay their contributions directly to the South African Revenue Services (SARS),” the department said.
Employers can also pay contributions using bank details provided on the Department of Employment and Labour website www.labour.gov.za and use their UIF reference number as the reference for payment.
“Through queue management, monitoring of operations and staff repurposing the UIF has been able to adequately handle claim volumes around the country. The Fund is confident that by extending working hours it will be able to maintain the status quo whilst developing alternative online solutions for clients and employers,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 09/11/2024 - 09:51
262 views
PRASA Appeals Against Court Instruction to Return Material Belonging to Land Occupiers
Last week, the Western Cape gave PRASA 24 hours to return the group’s belongings or build them temporary housing
Committee on Home Affairs Agrees to Subject Draft Motion on Regulations on Political Funding Act to Public Participation
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has unanimously resolved that a proposed draft motion in respect to regulations governing the maximum amount of a donation that can be accepted and the threshold amount of donations that must be disclosed must undergo a public participation process to ensure that it is reflective of the will and views of the people.
The draft motion tried to remedy a lacuna in the Electoral Matters Amendment Act of 2014 as confirmed by the Western Cape High Court judgement in the matter of My Vote Counts NPC v The President and others. In making the decision, the committee highlighted the importance of public participation in line with Section 59 (1) of the constitution that compels the National Assembly to facilitate public involvement in its processes.
The draft motion proposes that, in terms of section 24 of the Act, the President as soon as reasonably possible, makes regulations regarding the amounts contemplated in section 8(2) and 9(1)(a) of the Act in accordance with the process set out in that Act, and that the President in that regard considers amounts set by items 7 and 9 of Schedule 2 to the Act prior to its amendment by the Electoral Matters Amendment Act 2024 (Act No. 14 of 2024), namely:
(i) the amount referred to in section 8(2) (upper limit of donations) being fifteen million rand in a financial year; and
(ii) the amount referred to in section 9(1)(a) (disclosure limit) of the Act being one hundred thousand rand in a financial year.
The committee will in due course communicate avenues that the public can contribute comments to the draft motion.
Meanwhile, the committee adopted a report on the draft notice determining the remuneration of Commissioners of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years in line with the Determination of Remuneration of Office-Bearers of Independent Constitutional Institutions Laws Amendment Act of 2014.
The committee concurred with the President's determination on the remuneration adjustment of IEC Commissioners, that a retrospective salary increases of 3% be implemented for the 2023/24 financial year and 2.5% for the 2024/25 financial year for the Chairperson and other full-time Commissioners.
The committee will recommend to the National Assembly to approve the notice determining the remuneration of the Commissioners of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
Furthermore, the committee received a presentation from Parliament's Public Education Office on their plans to ensure a rigorous public participation process on the Marriage Bill [B43 – 2023]. The committee intends on undertaking a comprehensive public participation process and the presentation laid a framework that will be followed to ensure that the public participation process that will be undertaken will be inclusive and meaningful.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
PRASA Accused of Contempt of Court
The rail agency was ordered to restore shelter to people it evicted from Cape Town Foreshore in August
City of Cape Town Pushes for Plan From PRASA to Manage Commuter Rail
Legal correspondence over finalisation of rail agreement exchanged
Province Tells City of Cape Town to Clean Up Dunoon
Warning on pollution and health hazards in informal settlement
SA records one more mpox case
SA records one more mpox case
The Department of Health has called for continued public vigilance as the country records one more laboratory-confirmed case.
According to the department, the patient is a 38-year-old man who sought medical intervention at a private medical practice in Cape Town on Wednesday last week.
This is after he experienced typical mpox lesions on the face, trunk, thorax and genitals. He also had a headache, light sensitivity, sore throat and muscle pain.
“The patient was not admitted but urged to home-isolate while waiting for test results. The results came back positive on Friday, 6 September,” the statement read.
According to the investigation report, the patient has no recent international travel history nor had contact with a suspected or confirmed mpox case.
The outbreak response team in the province has since been activated, while the contact tracing and monitoring activities are ongoing.
This increases the total number of positive cases recorded in the country since the outbreak in May this year to 25 cases, including three deaths.
Twelve of these were reported in Gauteng, 11 reported in KwaZulu-Natal and now two in the Western Cape.
“The patient is home isolating and in a stable condition. We urge all the identified and suspected contacts to cooperate with health officials during contact tracing for screening and possible diagnosis to prevent further transmission of this preventable and treatable disease.
“The healthcare workers understand the importance of confidentiality in managing reported and suspected cases of notifiable medical conditions.”
Meanwhile, according to the department, the risk of wider transmission remains low in the country, but anyone can contract mpox regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation and race.
Some of the common symptoms of mpox include a rash which may last for two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands.
“The painful rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, and so on,” the department explained. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 09/09/2024 - 13:14
212 views
Condolences for activist and poet, James Matthews
Condolences for activist and poet, James Matthews
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the family and friends of poet, writer and political and cultural activist James Matthews.
Matthews, who was an Esteemed Member of the National Order of Ikamanga, passed away at the age of 95 in Cape Town over the weekend.
“James Matthews’s voice will ring in our consciousness following his departure and we will remain captivated and inspired by the rage and elegance with which he articulated the stark struggles of the oppressed.
“We will be comforted by the many works he has left for us to revisit and by our memories of his appearances at rallies, ghoembas, the frontlines of street protest and intimate circles of kindred creatives where, beret askew on his head, he would feed the souls and fighting spirit of those around him. May he now rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde also conveyed his condolences.
“As prolific and talented as James Matthews was, he was so much more than just a writer and poet; he was integral to the anti-apartheid movement, giving a powerful voice through his writing to the oppressed. He was an important part of our province and country's artistic fabric. He will be sorely missed and his contribution rightly celebrated.
“I extend the condolences of myself and our whole government to James’ family, friends, loved ones and all those who knew him. We celebrate him and the lives that he touched. We also know that he lives on through the many other artists he inspired,” Winde said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 09/08/2024 - 12:21
415 views
The Vitality Run Series Takes Place Next Month in Gqeberha
Discovery Vitality is excited to host the second edition of its popular Vitality Run Series in Gqeberha next month. The BayRun will be hosted by 32Gi athletic club on Saturday, 5 October, and will start and finish at Cape Recife High School. The Vitality Run Series was introduced in 2017, with the aim to help …
Activists Organise to Oppose Teacher Retrenchments
Over 2,400 posts to be lost by 1 January
PRASA Ordered to Return Building Materials to Land Occupiers
Court ruling follows interdict against eviction sought by housing activist organisation
How Much Worse Are Coloured Plastics for the Environment?
Studies are finding more reason to boycott coloured plastic products
Police seize counterfeit goods worth more than R94 million
Police seize counterfeit goods worth more than R94 million
The National Counterfeit Goods Unit has led multiple intelligence driven takedown operations that has led to the arrest of five people and the seizing of counterfeit goods worth more than R94 million.
In a statement on Thursday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said it along with its crime fighting partners, remain relentless in efforts to disrupt and dislodge illicit trade in counterfeit and contraband goods.
The teams comprised of various internal and external stakeholders that included, among others; SAPS members from various specialised units, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI – “Hawks”), Department of Home Affairs, South African Revenue Services (SARS), Traffic, Metro Police Departments and Brand Protectors as well as force multipliers such as private security companies.
On 16 August 2024, police found and seized counterfeit clothing and sneakers worth over R37 million in a self-storage facility in Gauteng’s Doornfontein.
On 25 August 2024, police also seized counterfeit goods that included sneakers, clothing, watches and backpacks worth more than R41 million at a shopping centre in Bellville, Western Cape.
“On 29 August 2024, counterfeit sanitary pads, deodorants and other consumables worth over R4.8 million were seized at a self-storage facility in Mayfair, Johannesburg.
“On the same day, counterfeit sanitary pads, hair extensions, toothbrushes and other consumables worth over R9.3 million were seized at a small holding in Bredell, Kempton Park, Gauteng.
“The team also seized branded packaging, labels, machinery and other equipment used to manufacture counterfeit goods. Five Malawian nationals were also arrested for the contravention of both the Counterfeit Goods Act and the Immigration Act,” the statement read.
Furthermore, on 2 September 2024, police seized counterfeit shoe polish, deodorant, toothbrushes and other consumables worth over R2 million at a self-storage facility in Bonaero Park, Benoni.
“Police will continue to combat the illicit trade in counterfeit goods, protecting legitimate businesses and consumers who are subjected to substandard products that pose health and safety risks,” the SAPS said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 09/06/2024 - 10:29
218 views
Cabinet commends efforts to fight crime
Cabinet commends efforts to fight crime
Cabinet has commended the signing of the Cooperation Agreement to Combat Crime in the Western Cape.
The agreement enhances collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders to address safety and security concerns.
Signed last Friday, the agreement paves the way for sharing technology and resources, information, and best practice to improve the state of public policing.
“Through community-driven initiatives, the integration of resources and the development of innovative strategies, the agreement allows for a united front between the South African Police Service (SAPS), the province and communities to combat crime and promote public safety,”acting Minister in The Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa said during a post Cabinet media briefing.
Ramokgopa reiterated government’s warning against crime, fraud and corruption.
“Government has zero-tolerance for crime, fraud and corruption; and will hold those who violate the laws of the country accountable. Cabinet remains determined to ensure that South Africa is a society where all people feel safe; and the recent arrests and conviction of suspects involved in various serious crimes demonstrates the commitment to push back against crime,” Ramokgopa said at the briefing held in Cape Town on Thursday.
READ | Criminals will face full might of the law - President Ramaphosa
Quarterly crime statistics
Cabinet also noted the increase in contact crimes in the latest quarterly crime statistics for the first quarter from April to June 2024, which indicated that more still needs to be done to ensure every citizen feels safe.
Ramokgopa said the SAPS, led by the Ministry of Police, is actively fighting these crimes through recent operations, including a confrontation with suspects in Milnerton, Cape Town, resulting in fatalities and arrests and operations in the Eastern Cape focusing on Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Bay. Arrests related to extortion activities have also been made in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Free State.
“Government is implementing a whole government approach, including signing cooperative agreements with provincial and local governments; rolling out operational plans in Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay, with plans to replicate in all metros; [and] engaging with sister departments to improve collaboration against crime.”
READ | SA's crime figures "tell sobering story"
National Policing Policy
The Minister also announced that the National Policing Policy is set to be completed and adopted by the end of October 2024. It will address issues such as police stations and infrastructure based on norms and standards.
The policy will serve as an overarching framework for policing and will accommodate the provincial needs and priorities in line with section 206 (1) and (2) of the Constitution. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 09/05/2024 - 12:12
420 views
Home Affairs Committee Emphasises Importance of Public Participation During Electoral Reform Panel Process
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs applauds the progress achieved by the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel as it undertakes the process of considering electoral reform but emphasised the need for effective and proactive public consultation to enable broader societal participation.
The committee received a progress report from the panel including the development of a draft programme of action, adopting preliminary guiding principles and undertaking preliminary desktop research, and identifying thematic areas for research.
“While this is commendable progress, we must emphasise the importance of effective and meaningful public participation to ensure broader participation. Of most importance will be to ensure that even those in far-flung areas are given an opportunity to participate,” said Mr Mosa Chabane, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee also persuaded the panel to extend the deadline for the public to submit their views on the issue to the end of October 2024 to enable the public to conduct further consultation and provide substantive inputs.
In addition, the committee welcomed the intention to partner with government entities such as the Pan South African Language Board to enable effective communication on the matter in different languages and the Government Communication and Information System to ensure extensive reach of the panel's messaging.
The committee also underscored the panel's responsibility to examine the current electoral system and conduct extensive research of other electoral systems to ensure broader options are presented to Parliament to consider.
The committee also emphasised that the panel must table before it a full programme with timelines, in the context of the legislated timelines in the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023. The committee also emphasised the need to manage time without affecting the quality of output the panel will produce.
Furthermore, the committee agreed that the panel's independence must be jealously guarded to ensure a credible report. The committee will, upon presentation of the report, undertake its own public participation processes to identify and agree on the best possible outcome.
During their constituency work, committee members committed to engage with their communities about the panel's work and the need for participation. “It is only through the participation of the people that a credible product will emanate from the panel. We thus urge the public to participate and contribute to charting a path for South Africa's democratic order,” Mr Chabane emphasised.
Meanwhile, the committee considered a letter it received from the Speaker of the National Assembly on the matter of the judgement delivered in the Western Cape High Court on the My Vote Counts NPC and the President of the Republic, which was delivered on 16 August 2024, on setting the upper limit for donations and the disclosure threshold for donations determined in Schedule 2 of the Political Parties Funding Act 2018. The committee resolved to finalise a draft motion for consideration by the house in its scheduled meeting of 10 September 2024.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
A Waterblommetjies Celebration
The annual Waterblommetjie Festival returns on Saturday 7 September. Windmeul Kelder and Rhebokskloof Estate outside Paarl will host a fun-filled day of festivities suitable for the whole family. The waterblommetjie (also known as Cape Pond Weed, Water Hawthorne, Vleikos, Aponogeton distachyos (Aponogetonaceae) is an indigenous delicacy that is only found in the Boland area of …