Category: Key Issues

Farmers have been advised to be on the lookout for daily extreme weather warnings and implement risk-reduction measures.

This comes as the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) says that in large parts of the country poor to reasonable veld and livestock conditions are being reported.

“Veld fires in several provinces have resulted in damage to grazing land and infrastructure, as well as contributing to livestock fatalities. Land preparations are underway for summer crops, and assessments are being conducted by provinces to quantify the damage,” the department said.

According to the Seasonal Climate Watch issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) on 3 October 2023, above normal rainfall is anticipated for large parts of the country during the early part of summer “though mostly with low probabilities of above normal rainfall”.

“Below normal rainfall is expected during mid-summer over the western and central parts of the country as predictions still favour above normal rainfall conditions over the north-eastern parts of the country during mid-summer, even with an El Niño in place,” the weather service reported.

The weather service warned that the El Niño effect might still manifest its influence over the next few months and change the outlook of the rainfall forecast for mid- and late summer. Both minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be above normal countrywide.

Considering the seasonal forecast and accompanying caution, the department advised farmers to approach the season with vigilance.

“Dryland farmers should wait for sufficient soil moisture before planting. Drought-tolerant cultivars should be prioritised in areas that have constantly been experiencing dry conditions.

“In regions that are in a reasonable condition, farmers are advised to prepare in line with the expected conditions, i.e. in line with the seasonal forecast. However, they should not expand planting land unnecessarily,” the department said.

It advised farmers to consider short-season cultivars and note that rainfall distribution continues to remain a challenge, and not all areas might receive the anticipated above normal rainfall that is well distributed.”

It further advised farmers to put measures in place for pests and diseases associated with wet and hot conditions, as normal rainfall and high temperatures are anticipated during early summer.

“Farmers using irrigation should comply with water restrictions in their areas. Farmers must continually conserve resources in accordance with the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA), 1983 (Act No. 43 of 1983).

“Livestock should be kept in balance with carrying capacity of the veld and provided with additional feed such as relevant licks. Additionally, livestock should be provided with enough water points on the farm as well as shelter during bad weather conditions,” the department said.

The creation and maintenance of fire belts should be prioritised as well as adherence to veld fire warnings.

“Episodes of flooding resulting from rain-bearing weather systems are likely and preventive measures should be in place. Farmers are encouraged to implement strategies provided in the early-warning information issued.”

The OR Tambo District Municipality Mayor Mesuli Ngqondwana has sent condolences to families that have lost their loved ones following Monday’s heavy rains in various parts of the district.

In the Nyandeni Local Municipality, three people have lost their lives in separate incidents.

A 14-year-old pupil lost her life after she drowned while crossing Phompo river at Maqebevu village (Ward 19). A pregnant mother and her child succumbed to injuries after a house fell on them at Rainy village outside Libode.

Police divers and the community of Nkumandeni A/A are searching for a 17-year-old girl who was allegedly swept away while crossing a river on her way back from school.

The Disaster and Risk Management teams remain on high alert and incidents can be reported on 047 501 6494 / 047 501 6584.

The Ministry of Electricity says the return to service of unit 1 at Kusile Power Station marks a critical milestone in the quest to “recover South Africa’s economy”.

Eskom on Monday announced that the unit had returned to service a month and a half ahead of schedule since it was taken offline late last year.

The ministry said the Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has welcomed the development.

“The return of the unit, which had been out of commission, together with unit  2 and 3 since August 2022 following safety concerns with the structural integrity of the stack, comes two months ahead of schedule and adds 800MW onto the grid.

“This marks significant overall improvements to generation performance with Kusile Unit 3, which came back online on 29 September 2023, also returning back to service two months ahead of schedule.

“The third of the units (Unit 2) is now expected to similarly return to service in November 2023, whilst Unit 5 will come into commercial operation in December 2023,” the statement read.

The Ministry highlighted the impact that the return of the unit will have.

“The return of the Kusile units represents a critical milestone in our quest to recover South Africa’s economy, protect jobs, advance universal access and improve the quality of life.

“The Minister remains focused on bolstering the country’s electricity generating capacity by giving accelerated attention to the expansion and strengthening of transmission infrastructure to accommodate new renewable generation capacity.

“The Minister congratulates Eskom’s Generation team for the sterling hard work to bring back stability and credibility to the Eskom generation fleet and reducing the intensity and severity of load shedding,” the statement said.

Communities in the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in the Eastern Cape have been urged to remain vigilant amid the rainy weather conditions.

The municipality said it has experienced heavy rains in most parts of the district, which has caused severe damage to houses and caused roads and bridges to overflow.

“Communities are urged to remain vigilant and on high alert during this time and at all costs avoid crossing overflowing bridges, roads and rivers. ADM disaster teams are on the ground conducting assessments working closely with the local councillors.

“The extent of damage will only be clear once this has been concluded. Affected communities are encouraged to report damages to their ward councillors to expedite ADM disaster response,” said municipal spokesperson, Nonceba Madikizela-Vuso.

Durban motorists must exercise caution

Meanwhile, in Durban, the eThekwini Municipality has urged motorists to buckle up, switch on headlights and drive safely as many roads have been affected by heavy rainfall.

A number of roads were closed on Monday night due to heavy rainfall.

The affected roads include Curnick Ndlovu Highway N2 bridge, N2 North bound in Umlazi, R102 and Glen Anil, M4 southern freeway, M25 towards Phoenix and KwaMashu Highway, Kloof Village Road and Maytime offramp in Hillcrest, Duffs Road and Glen Anil in Durban North, Sparks Road from Sherwood towards Randles Road, M4 South from Victoria Embankment, Plamview Drive near Palmview Primary School, and South Coast Road near Delta.

According to the South African Weather Services outlook for 16 to 17 October 2023, showers and thundershowers will be experienced in the eastern parts of the country with widespread rains over the eastern parts on 16 October 2023 and over the north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal on 17 October 2023.

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, has called for the urgent cessation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Lamola was addressing the 61st annual meeting of the Asian African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) in Bali.

The most recent uptick in violence has been ongoing for about 10 days and follows a long standing conflict whose origins can be traced to the proclamation of the State of Israel in 1948.

“At the outset, we wish to express our condolences to all victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The atrocities committed against civilian populations are causing great concern, and we urgently call for an immediate cessation of violence from all parties involved.

“Our primary concern is the urgent humanitarian assistance those affected require, and we implore that all basic life-supporting necessities be provided to alleviate their suffering,” he said.

Lamola warned that delays in resolving the deadly conflict have “led to an unending cycle of unspeakable atrocities and human rights violations”.

SA’s foreign policy

Lamola told the meeting that “supporting Palestinian nationhood” has been a part of government’s foreign policy since the dawn of democracy.

“South Africa’s foreign policy aims to promote a viable and sustainable peace plan for the Middle East, wherein Palestine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic viability are secured, and there is sovereign equality between Palestine and Israel.

“As a matter of international law, the principle of self-determination for the Palestinian people is widely recognised and enshrined in various international covenants, instruments, and the United Nations Charter.

“South Africa’s policy position on the Israeli-Palestine conflict aligns with the Oslo Accords, the Roadmap, and the Arab Plan 2002, recognising the two-State option as the only viable solution,” he said.

The Minister called on members of AALCO to work together to find a “permanent solution to the conflict, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions, international law, and internationally agreed parameters”.

“As global citizens, we envision a world where every nation adheres to international law and collaborates to promote peaceful coexistence. Achieving this noble goal requires collective effort from all of us.

“As members of the international community, we have a responsibility to take action whenever we observe any violations of international law or impediments to peace. However, we cannot attain this objective alone. We must work in unison and extend support to each other,” Lamola said.

Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Thandi Modise, has extended words of comfort to the six families who lost their loved ones in the wildfire that engulfed parts of the SA Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla, Northern Cape, last week.

“I am so sorry because it’s never easy to address people who have lost loved ones. I’m apologising because we’ll go and visit the graves. Yes, we’ll go and touch the stones. But that voice, hug, that laughter, will continue only in our hearts and only in our minds,” Modise said.

The Minister was addressing mourners and fellow South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who had gathered at the training centre to honour the deceased.

The SANDF has since issued the names of the deceased members and they are Sergeant Abraham Desember Morajane, Staff Sergeant Sipho Berrington Cele, Corporal Sithembiso Wiseman Ndwalane, Corporal Noxolo Faith Ngubane, Lance Corporal Prince Michael Mthethwa and Lance Corporal Londiwe Purity Zulu.

The officials tragically lost their lives after the raging fire that started from a nearby mine destroyed sections of the camp where the soldiers were in preparation for the upcoming Exercise Vuk’uhlome, which is taking place this month until November.

“We will not be there to wipe every tear of a child who continuously asks the mom about the father. But we will be there to make sure that the child is well looked after and well educated. We will make sure that the names of those who gave their lives shall be remembered,” she added.

She also had a word of encouragement to the widows and daughters who lost fathers.

“I want to say to the mothers who have lost their sons and daughters who have lost their mothers, God always gives you what He knows you can carry.

“In whatever pain you may be feeling; the sun shall rise. We will take heart. The most painful is to lose a child when you are a parent because children are supposed to bury us.”

She said her department also stands with the children who will grow up without parents.

“We will walk with you and hold your hands through the journey. Even though we haven’t met those who parted. It hurts because we become parents on your behalf when they’re on our premises. You will not walk alone.”

Modise said they will ensure that the dependents are looked after and that the children go to school.

She urged the widow with a two-year-old, Lerato Noxolo Cele, who lost her husband not to lose the memories but pass them on to her daughter.

Seargent Cele leaves behind a toddler that he and his wife battled for a decade to conceive.

Modise told the packed hall that no life is taken for granted in the army.

“We know that those who serve, serve at a place that sometimes takes life and sometimes rewards for keeping our heads above the water but also for ensuring that South Africa continues to do well.”

Meanwhile, the Minister said government will do everything in its power to ensure that the soldiers do not lose their lives through the elements such as fire.

“Whatever this base needs, we will look at. We will also make sure that in our training, we take care and that in whatever contingency we’re ready to preserve the lives of those who are willingly giving up their lives in the name of this country.”

She said government needs to ensure it has a well-trained and well-resourced force.

“Because if we don’t, we might not have a country tomorrow,” she said.

Modise also announced that the SANDF has launched an inquiry that will get to the bottom of the matter.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the granting of a postponement for Kusile Power Station to operate without sulphur dioxide pollution control technology does not deviate from the country’s firm affirmation to contribute to the global climate change efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.

President Ramaphosa said this while answering oral questions in the National Council of Provinces on Thursday.

“The granting of a postponement for Kusile Power Station to operate without sulphur dioxide pollution control technology was necessary as a temporary measure to enable the return to service of three units damaged in October last year.

“The granting of this postponement does not deviate from the country’s firm affirmation to contribute to the global climate change efforts in reducing greenhouse gases.

“As a country, we are committed to a just transition to a low-carbon economy at a pace and scale that is affordable to us,” the President said.

The President told the House that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change recognises this need for a just transition and has allowed countries to nationally determine their contribution to a global effort to decarbonisation.

“South Africa submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution to the UN in 2021 and as I have indicated previously, we remain firmly committed to achieving our target range for emission reduction. Data from our recent greenhouse gas inventory indicates that we are on track to do so.

“As part of the granting of the once-off postponement, Eskom must undertake measures to mitigate against the exposure of its employees and surrounding communities to harmful emissions. These measures must, at a minimum, include independent health screenings and referral to appropriate public health facilities for treatment where necessary,” the President said.

He said the end of load shedding and the achievement of energy security for all South Africans is not incompatible with the pursuit of the country’s emission reduction goals.

The President emphasised that the massive investment that is currently underway in renewable energy sources, alongside the stabilisation and improvement of our existing generation fleet, will help the country to achieve both of these goals simultaneously.

Maitland police are seeking the assistance of members of the public to help them trace 29-year-old Stefano Corso who was last seen by his colleagues on Wednesday afternoon.

He was a visiting doctor from Malta who was attending a medical seminar in Paarden Island at the time of his disappearance.

Reports suggest that he stepped out of the conference to attend to a phone call, but never returned.

Video footage available to SAPS shows him leaving the seminar. Attempts by his colleagues to reach him telephonically were unsuccessful. He has not been seen nor heard from since then. They then alerted the SAPS.

At the time of his disappearance he was wearing beige pants, a white t-shirt and a black jacket.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Stefano or who can assist the investigating officer to trace him is requested to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Melvyn Matthews, on 079 894 0092 or contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended members of the Ekurhuleni District and Edenpark police stations for arresting perpetrators responsible for attacking the police on Thursday.

The suspects will be appearing before the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

In the early hours of this morning, at about 02:00, the police arrested five suspects including the driver of the car that the police had stopped in an attempt to search it before they were attacked.

The suspects, aged between 32 and 57, will be charged with obstructing police in the execution of their duties, attack on police officers, assault on police officers, attempted robbery of a firearm and the driver will face an additional charge of reckless and negligent driving.

The Provincial Commissioner has reiterated that those that seek to undermine the authority of the State will be dealt with decisively.

“Let this be a lesson to those that think they are above the law. We should all have a common goal of fighting crime, we cannot allow a situation where some members of the community believe they do not have to abide by the law and decide to obstruct law enforcement officers while they perform their constitutional mandate,” warned Lieutenant General Mawela.

Thousands of arrests related to the damage of essential and critical infrastructure have been made since June last year, with a further 70 people arrested in relation to extortion at construction sites.

This was revealed by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Questions for Oral Reply session held at the National Council of Provinces on Thursday.

The President said that in an effort to combat economic sabotage some 20 Economic Infrastructure Task Teams have been established through the SA Police Service.

“A total of 946 personnel have been allocated to the 20 Economic Infrastructure Task Teams from existing structures within each province, district and station. They are experienced and knowledgeable personnel within their respective functional environments.

“The Task Teams integrate processes, resources and intelligence across all of the operational environments of the SAPS under a single command. This is to enable them to successfully combat essential infrastructure crimes, illicit mining and extortion within the construction sector.

“The Task Teams incorporate personnel from SAPS divisions such as Crime Intelligence, Visible Policing and Operations, and Detective and Forensic Services, as well as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said an operational budget of R20 million has been “ring-fenced and allocated for the implementation of the Economic Infrastructure Task Teams during the 2022/2023 financial year and a further R17 million for the 2023/2024 financial year”.

“Between their establishment in June last year and the end of June this year, the Task Teams have made over 4 000 arrests with respect to the damage of essential and critical infrastructure.

“They have also arrested over 70 people with respect to extortion at construction sites and made over 3 000 arrests for illegal mining. The Task Teams have confiscated significant quantities of copper cable, rail tracks and other metals,” President Ramaphosa said.

He bemoaned the damage that the destruction of infrastructure has on the South African economy.

“The sabotage of our infrastructure and our economy continues to pose a great threat to the country’s development. However, through the work of the Economic Infrastructure Task Teams, together with partners in the state and the private sector, we are making progress in combating these crimes,” President Ramaphosa said.