Category: Key Issues

Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, has assured that the avian influenza outbreak is under control, with 70% of farms not infected by the disease and continuing to produce eggs and chickens.

In a statement issued by the department, Didiza said the egg stock levels are replenishing steadily and there is no need for panic buying at this stage.

“We have increased fertilised eggs from 1.9 million to 9 million in less than one month. These eggs will be chickens in less than four months,” Didiza said.

Didiza said the department has a few open import permits for eggs and poultry products from a few countries.

The Minister noted that the import of table eggs, including fertilised eggs, pasteurised eggs, egg powder and liquid eggs, has been on-going  for many years in South Africa, and has not only started with the current outbreak of avian influenza, also known as ‘avian flu’ or ‘bird flu’.

“Other countries including Brazil, USA and Argentina have been exporting eggs to South Africa for quite some time, and the department is currently processing import permit applications from a few more countries.

“The department does not dictate which countries should make business sense for South African retailers to import eggs from, it only ensures that biosecurity risk assessments are conducted when importers apply for import permits,” Didiza said.

Didiza added that since the egg production cycle is not too long, the department expects the situation to normalise early next year.

“We will continue to import more eggs should the situation not improve,” the Minister said.

To prepare for the festive season, Didiza said a total of nine million fertilised eggs have been imported, including 37 802 tons of day-old chicks, 62 metric tons of egg products, and 30 986 metric tons of poultry meat.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated South Africa’s position on the conflict in the Middle East, revealing that the country has taken steps towards laying a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Israeli government for the “war crimes” in Gaza, Palestine.

President Ramaphosa said this during a media briefing in Doha on Wednesday as he wrapped up his state visit to Qatar.

“We stated our position as South Africa very clearly, that we are opposed to the operations that are ongoing, particularly as it is now targeting hospitals where babies, women and the injured are dying like flies and where the care of life is just something that has been completely ignored and put aside.

“As South Africa we have accordingly, together with many other countries in the world, saw fit to refer this whole Israeli government action to the International Criminal Court. We have put through a referral because we believe that war crimes are being committed there,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa told journalists that South Africa does not condone the actions that were taken by Hamas earlier but similarly, “we condemn the actions that are now currently underway and believe that they warrant investigation by the ICC”.

The President and his Qatari counterpart His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani were able to exchange views on the geopolitical situation in which the world finds itself particularly in relation to the crisis that is unfolding in Gaza.

“We thank and applaud his Royal Highness for the interventions that Qatar is making to mediate in the midst of this crisis, particularly in relation to releasing hostages, but also in advocating a position that we as South Africa have been advocating that the crisis between Israel and Palestine needs to be resolved through a two state solution where Palestine emerges as a fully-fledged state as well as the continued existence of the Israeli state.

“We both abhor what is happening right now in Gaza, which has now turned into a concentration camp, where genocide is taking place,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said that many people around the world are not pleased at what is unfolding in Gaza.

He reiterated that South Africa joins many other countries and organisations that is calling upon the ICC to investigate what is happening.

“And in fact, as we see it unfolding before our own eyes, we can see that real war crime is underway, particularly at that Shifa Hospital and we are completely opposed to what is happening and we are calling upon various countries to put pressure on Israel to immediately cease what they are doing. There is a desperate need for a ceasefire now, so that we can save more lives. Innocent lives are being lost and the rule of law is no longer being observed, where children are just being killed,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa further told journalists that government has taken a very clear position in as far as the support for the struggle of the people of Palestine.

He said government’s commitment to the struggle of the Palestinians is irrevocable and it will go beyond just political to being very practical.

The President said government will be sending medical supplies and other products to offer assistance to the people of Gaza.

The Department of Employment and Labour is awaiting a Southern Sun hotel investigation and structural reports to decide on the next course of action on the “near fatal” incident that led to the collapse of a ceiling on Monday.

A team of inspectors led by the Department’s Inspector General Aggy Moiloa yesterday visited the Southern Sun Hotel in Rosebank to establish the causes of the ceiling collapse.

“In an unprecedented move, the Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch following the Monday incident, embarked on a national blitz of Southern Sun hotels across the country.

“Dozens of inspectors’ teams have been mobilised across South Africa to conduct the blitz inspections of Southern Sun establishments starting on Wednesday morning,” the department said in a statement.

A team of departmental inspectors visited the site of the incident on Tuesday and issued a prohibition notice on the affected area which is the hotel’s restaurant as well as a contravention notice and also requested a structural report.

The hotel has been given seven days to furnish all necessary documentation to the department and 60 days to repair the damaged area.

Following that, on Wednesday, the department’s Inspector-General, Aggy Moiloa visited the site of the incident and said when such incidents occur, the department takes the posture of assistance “because we want business and employers to comply with legislation”.

The Inspector-General was accompanied by the department’s Chief Inspector Milly Ruiters, a team of inspectors responsible for the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Occupational Health and Safety, Unemployment Insurance Act, and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and senior departmental officials.

“According to Southern Sun Operations Director, Andrew Hoskin, the hotel has isolated the collapsed area. He said of the guests that were in the hotel only one patron was injured and has since been discharged from a medical facility.

“Although the Engineering Report was crucial in establishing the cause, he said the ‘substantial hail’ in the area on Monday at about 18:30 may have caused the collapse,” the department said.

Hoskin was full of praise of emergency services including the police for their speedy intervention.

“The department will await the Southern Sun investigation and structural reports to decide on the next course of action.
“The purpose of the visit was to establish the cause of the collapse and devise mechanisms to prevent future incidents and ensure compliance,” the department said.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has mobilised resources to provide emergency relief to displaced residents in the Clairwood informal settlements after the fire that destroyed more than 200 shacks last week Friday.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, together with Human Settlements and Public Works MEC, Sipho Nkosi and eThekwini Municipality Speaker, Thabani Nyawose, visited Clairwood on Monday to assess the extent of the damage, to understand the impact on the community and express solidarity with the affected residents.

“Government has mobilised resources to provide emergency relief to those affected. Shelter, food, and other essential supplies are being arranged for displaced residents,” Dube-Ncube said, adding that attention is also being paid to long-term recovery.

Dube-Ncube said a big challenge facing the province is that people are invading privately-owned land, which is not suitable for housing construction.

The other problem, she said, is people who already own RDP houses, but decide to stay in informal settlements so that they rent out their houses.

“We cannot give them services because it’s privately-owned land and we can’t provide building materials here because we will be doing something illegal.

“We need to make sure it’s legitimate people who get assistance. Normally when such a tragedy happens, you find a lot of people come and register, claiming they are victims,” Dube-Ncube said.

She said government is working with law enforcement agencies and the community to crack down on people who intimidate tenants.

The Premier said the actions taken and promises made during the visit will be closely monitored, as they hold the potential to bring hope and relief to the hundreds of affected residents, who are patiently awaiting assistance in their time of need.

The Premier is also expected to meet with local authorities and emergency services to coordinate a comprehensive response plan.

By Dr Ntombifuthi Nala

Many South Africans thrive on celebrations, whether it is a national accomplishment such as winning the Rugby World Cup, or a personal achievement such as passing an exam. These celebrations are often accompanied with dancing, singing and of course alcohol.

While alcohol is a means of celebrations and enjoyment, it can be open to misuse or abuse that can lead to the destruction of lives.

Every year the lives of 3 million individuals are lost due to alcohol, representing 5 per cent of all deaths. This is worrisome in South Africa where alcohol is the most widely used psychoactive substance and high levels of binge drinking and associated harms prevail.

In characterising the challenge, Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, stated that “alcohol is one of the most abused substances that causes the most harm to the most people in our country”.

Alcohol abuse not only harms the health of an individual by affecting their vital organs and increasing susceptibility to life threatening diseases, it also jeopardises the safety, well-being and lives of others.

In searching out solutions to reduce alcohol-related harms and best practices for regulating alcohol, South Africa recently hosted the Global Alcohol Policy Conference (GAPC).

This is the first time that the conference was held in Africa, which brought together policy makers, academics, representatives of community-based organisations and NGOs from across the globe.

The conference made strong inroads in the formulation of a global alcohol policy that protects children and vulnerable adults. It also engaged on how further the regulation of alcohol marketing could help fight the abuse of alcohol.

During the conference Minister Zulu committed to reviewing the Liquor Amendment Bill which seeks to strengthen regulations on alcohol trading, marketing and sales. The bill put forward strong interventions which includes increasing the legal age of drinking to 21 and introducing an increased radius limitation for the trade of alcohol around educational and religious institutions. It also places liability on alcohol retailers and manufacturers for harm resulting from contravening regulations.

These proposals are important in advancing our fight against alcoholism, particularly in curbing access for young people as one in three teenagers are addicted to drugs and alcohol in our country.

The plight of underage drinking and non-compliance with alcohol-related laws were recently brought to the fore at the Enyobeni tavern tragedy that resulted in the loss of 21 young lives.

In strengthening our efforts to address the challenges caused by alcohol and substance abuse in the country, the Department of Social Development has drafted a policy framework on the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Use Disorders, which will soon be gazetted for public comment. Cabinet also recommended an inter-Ministerial Committee for prevention, reduction and treatment strategies for alcohol and substance abuse.

Whilst government strives to reduce alcohol-related harms by reinforcing our laws and developing new strategies, we urge South Africans to be responsible citizens by adhering to current legislation.

The National Liquor Act prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 18, which calls for the co-operation of parents, community members, and liquor outlets to ensure that alcohol is not sold to children.

Establishments with liquor licences must perform verification checks against identity documents to ensure a person is of the legal age to consume alcohol. These checks are essential, especially as pens down parties, rage festivals and a host of social gatherings will occur as exams come to an end and the festive season approaches.

South Africans are urged to act responsibly this festive season should they choose to consume alcohol, and to always say no to the use of drugs. Excessive alcohol intake is widely linked to an increase in accidents, violent behaviour, fights and domestic violence.

Alcohol abuse is one of the main contributors to crime, especially gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. We ought to make it our duty to report incidents of GBVF, alcohol–related and other crimes, to law enforcement authorities.

Reducing alcohol-related harms requires the combined efforts of everyone. When we do our part by practising responsible drinking and adhering to our laws, we can celebrate without putting our health, safety and the lives of others at risk.

*Dr Ntombifuthi Nala, Director: Research and Knowledge Management at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

Residents of the City of Ekurhuleni have been warned to exercise caution when buying products from spaza shops.

This as a spate of incidents has left at least six children dead and several others hospitalised around the country ,allegedly as a result of consuming expired or counterfeit goods from spaza shops and street hawkers.

The City of Ekurhuleni said: “The City’s Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) have intensified food hygiene and safety inspections at food handling premises to stop the practice.

“The city encourages the public to buy foodstuffs only sold from premises that have a Certificate of Acceptability. This certificate is only issued after inspections are conducted and the premises meets all food safety requirements.”

The following are markings that can be used to identify whether food stuff is still fresh to eat:

• Date of minimum durability (“Best Before” or “Best Before End”), which means the date which signifies the end of the period under any stated storage condition during which the product will remain fully marketable and will retain any specific qualities for which claims have been made. Beyond the date, the food may still be perfectly satisfactory. These foodstuffs do not require to be removed from the shelves and can be sold for human consumption.
• “Sell by” or “display until” means the last day of offer for sale to the consumer, after which there remains a reasonable storage period at home. The food that has past the sell by or display until date must be removed from the shelves and must not be sold for human consumption to the public.
• “Use By” (Best Consumed Before, recommended last consumption Date, Expiry Date) means the date which signifies the end of the estimated period under the stated storage conditions, after which the product probably will not have the quality attributes normally expected by the consumers and after which date the food should not be regarded as marketable. These foodstuffs must be removed from the shelves and must not be sold for human consumption to the public.

Some foods are exempted from date markings. These include some alcoholic products, chewing gum, fruits and vegetables that have not been peeled or treated and sugars.

Residents are encouraged to report any shop selling expired or counterfeit products to the City of Ekurhuleni environmental health offices.

“The public is also discouraged from playing the role of an EHP by inspecting and seizing foodstuff from the shops as this is impersonation of a EHPs. In terms of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974 no person shall perform any act deemed to be an act pertaining to any registerable health profession, such as environmental health profession,” the city said.

As the festive season approaches, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has warned law enforcement officers that anti-corruption units will be out in full force to deal with unacceptable, unethical and unprofessional conduct.

This warning follows the sentencing of a Mpumalanga traffic officer by the Ermelo Regional Court for taking a R200 bribe from undercover anti-corruption agents.

The man was arrested after soliciting a R200 bribe from an agent during Project Arrive Alive on 22 January 2020 and was subsequently arrested on 3 March 2021.

The man pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to a R4 000 fine or 12 months imprisonment. He was further sentenced to five years imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years should he not be convicted of the same crime during this period.

“Bribery, corruption, and other unlawful activities do not only tarnish the image of our traffic law enforcement fraternity; it leads to devastating consequences, including loss of life.

“The RTMC calls for harsher sentences against officers who solicit bribes from motorists and urges citizens to report suspected acts of fraud, corruption, and malfeasance to ntacu@rtmc.co.za  or by WhatsApp to 083 293 7989.”

The man was also subjected to a disciplinary hearing, which found him guilty and terminated his employment. He took the matter to arbitration but failed to have the decision of the disciplinary committee overturned.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is leaving “nothing to chance” as it deals with the outbreak of Diphtheria at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, says it’s National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale.

This after a 19-year-old inmate died and eight other inmates tested positive for the contagious bacterial infection at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in the Western Cape.

“We would like to assure the public and stakeholders that we are taking proactive measures to address and contain any possible spread of the disease. The epidemiological investigation on the index case is still ongoing.

“Recognising the potential risks associated with communal living, we have implemented a comprehensive set of measures to mitigate the spread of the disease within the correctional setting.

“We are doing this because we also know that [a] Diphtheria outbreak in a correctional environment requires a coordinated and comprehensive response in order to contain the spread and provide appropriate medical care to the affected individuals,” he said at a media briefing on Monday.

Thobakgale outlined the measures taken which include:

• Vaccination campaign: The department has initiated a vaccination campaign to ensure that all eligible individuals receive the Diphtheria vaccine. A total of 342 inmates have been vaccinated. In terms of officials, the department stands at 36.
• Hygiene practices: Inmates and staff members are once more being educated and encouraged to practice enhanced hygiene, including regular handwashing with soap and water, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and the use of hand sanitizers. Facilities are being deep cleaned in an effort to minimize the risk of disease transmission. This involves pest control.
• Isolation: according to Thobakgale, direct contacts are  “effectively on day 16 of isolation”. Appropriate medical care is also provided to those classified as high risk.
• Regular Health screenings: Inmates and staff members are now subjected to regular health screenings to detect any potential cases early to enable DCS to prevent the spread of the disease and be ready to deal with new infections should they emerge.
• Medical attention: Health care professionals are available and are treating affected inmates. Appropriate medical treatment is also being offered. The Department of Health is also working closely with DCS in this regard thus ensuring a comprehensive response plan.

“We are leaving nothing to chance, health education efforts to inform inmates, DCS officials and service providers about the symptoms of Diphtheria, the importance of vaccination, and preventive measures are being amplified. Our health care team is vigilant in monitoring the situation and the infection prevention measures are for every individual in a correctional facility to follow through.

“The situation is calm and under control. No new cases have been reported in the past five days. Hence, we do believe that the measures that we have put in place shall be effective in ensuring the well-being of everyone in our care,” he said.

Roots of the outbreak

Reflecting on the events leading up to the outbreak, Thobakgale explained that the 19-year-old inmate who died, fell ill after being transported back to the facility following a court appearance on October 17.

“When the inmate showed signs of not feeling well, the Correctional Services Health Care officials treated him and a decision was taking that he be transferred to an outside hospital. At the time the inmate showed malaise and respiratory symptoms hence the transfer to Victoria Hospital on 28 October.

“He received further treatment and was tested for Diphtheria and the results came back positive on 02 November 2023. Unfortunately, the inmate’s condition deteriorated and he sadly passed away on 5 November 2023 at the Groote Schuur Hospital,” he said.

Thobakgale said following the inmate’s diagnosis, the department immediately embarked on a contact tracing exercise with some 54 inmates and 15 correctional services officials identified as contacts.

Some eight inmates tested positive.

“[The officials] were tested and released to isolate at home. The provisional results have since came back negative, awaiting confirmatory results.

“As a department, it was important that we act with necessary urgency. The health and well-being of our incarcerated inmates, staff members, and the surrounding community are of utmost importance to us, and we are obligated to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

“Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, and through…comprehensive measures, we aim to minimize the risk of transmission at Pollsmoor Correctional facility,” he said.

Discussions about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be on the table when President Cyril Ramaphosa embarks on a State Visit to Qatar on Wednesday.

The President’s visit to the Middle Eastern nation is at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar.

The State Visit will form part of the two days of engagement between the governments of South Africa and Qatar on 14 and 15 November.

“The governments of South Africa and Qatar share deep concern regarding the conflict, notably the unfolding human catastrophe in Palestine, violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, the large-scale loss of life and the ongoing hostilities, especially in Gaza.

“The leaders will discuss respective efforts to ensure that the conflict does not escalate to other parts of the region and that a peaceful resolution is found. South Africa also welcomes Qatar’s mediation efforts in this crisis,” the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.

A wide range of issues are also expected to be under discussion with the ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Trade, Industry and Competition; Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Mineral Resources and Energy, Defence, Basic Education and the Minister in the Presidency accompanying the President.

The two countries have shared diplomatic relations for at least 30 years and the visit will be President Ramaphosa’s first visit to the Middle Eastern nation in his capacity as Head of State.

“During their meeting, President Ramaphosa and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani are expected to deliberate on various geopolitical issues that are currently impacting the world. Both parties are committed to enhancing their economic ties and focusing on improving economic relations including trade, investment, and tourism.”

Trade

According to the Presidency, Qatar became South Africa’s fifth largest trading partner in the Middle East with exports to that country reaching some $206 million in 2022. In the same year, imports from Qatar reached $252 million.

“The bulk of the exports were in the manufacturing sector, accounting for about 56% of total exports. South Africa has witnessed a surge in its imports from Qatar between 2017 and 2022, primarily due to the import of petroleum oils,” the statement read.

In a bid to deepen trade relations, a high level delegation of South African business people are expected to join the President on the visit.

“The President will be joined by a high-level business delegation and is expected to engage the Qatari business community to explore opportunities for cooperation in areas such as the creative industries, energy, mining, agro-processing, retail, healthcare, tourism, and shipbuilding.

“South Africa is a significant investor in Qatar, especially in the petrochemical-related sector, with a total investment of approximately USD 8.7 billion.

“Sasol has a 49% shareholding with Qatar Petroleum, and established ORYX GTL, the world’s first commercial-scale gas-to-liquids plant. Sasol’s GTL technology is used in ORYX GTL to convert natural gas into liquid fuel and chemical products,” the statement read.

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, announced on Thursday an outbreak of diphtheria disease at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in the Western Cape, which has since claimed one life.

A 19-year-old male inmate presented with diphtheria symptoms on 28 October and was referred to the local hospital for further medical care.

“Throat swabs were collected the same day for culture laboratory testing and the results returned positive five days later on 2 November. Unfortunately, his health condition continued to deteriorate until he regrettably passed away on 5 November,” a statement from the department said.

Diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheria.

The bacterium usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, causing respiratory and skin infections.

Public health measures have since been undertaken to bring the outbreak under control. These include contact tracing of inmates, correctional services staff, consulting healthcare workers and emergency services personnel.

Meanwhile, more tests were conducted with the 55 identified close contacts as part of the case investigation, of which eight inmates tested positive for this serious infection.

Of these, the department said, two of them presented mild symptoms, while the other six were asymptomatic.

“All patients including the deceased fall within the age group of 18 to 23 years old. Immediate contacts of the patients and the deceased have been put in isolation from the rest of the correctional centre section to prevent further spread of the disease.”

In addition, two staff members displayed symptoms compatible with diphtheria and have received treatment and are still waiting for their laboratory test results.

The Western Cape Department of Health, working with the Department of Correctional Services, has since embarked on a vaccination campaign in the affected section of the correctional centre.

The department said two laboratory-confirmed cases of diphtheria disease were recorded earlier in the year from an adult in KwaZulu-Natal and a child in the Western Cape.

Diphtheria, according to the department is an uncommon, but vaccine-preventable serious infection. The toxin may lead to difficulty in breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death.

The bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.

The symptoms of diphtheria include sore throat with the formation of a membrane on the tonsil and throat and swollen glands in the front of the neck.

Close contacts of known cases are at increased risk of infection, the department explained.

“Routine diphtheria vaccination is part of the childhood vaccine programme and parents are encouraged to get their children vaccinated.”

Healthcare workers are urged to maintain a high index of suspicion in order to ensure that cases are detected early, while all individuals are reminded of the importance of ensuring that they and their families are up-to-date with their vaccinations.

In South Africa, diphtheria-containing vaccine is offered to all children free of charge in public sector facilities at six, 10 and 14 weeks and 18 months as one component of the hexavalent jab.

“Booster doses are offered at six and 12 years, and to all Grade 5 learners in public schools during the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.”