Category: Key Issues

Cabinet has sent it condolences to the families of the people who died recently when a bus collided with a cash-in-transit vehicle on the N1 highway in Limpopo.

“Cabinet wished those injured in the accident a speedy recovery,” said Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele on Thursday.

Briefing media following Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, Gungubele said Cabinet remains concerned at the extent of the road carnage seen across the country.

“Government will be exploring new laws to curb truck crashes, one of which includes moving cargo from road to rail in the hope that this would take pressure off of road freight.

“Cabinet appeals to all road users to obey the rules of the road by being vigilant, considerate and patient towards other road users. Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs as well as reckless and negligent driving, including speeding, are responsible for most road accidents,” Cabinet said.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa also sent his condolences to the families of those who died in this week’s accident.

“As compatriots, we are deeply saddened when we experience such a loss of life on our roads. Incidents like this impact severely on families who lose loved ones, as well survivors or witnesses who are affected physically or psychologically when such tragedy happens.

“Incidents of this kind also have economic consequences for the people involved and for the businesses they may operate or in which they are employed. We must all do what we can to travel in safety, while we treat our roads as a shared amenity, which they are,” the President said.

It had been reported that 21 people perished and 68 others were injured in the accident.

On Tuesday, the Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Florence Radzilani, expressed shock and sadness at the news of the bus accident, which happened on the N1-29 stretch, next to the HF Verwoerd Tunnel.

Government has declared a National State of Disaster to enable an intensive, coordinated response to the impact of floods that are affecting Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Northern Cape and North West provinces.

The declaration, made in terms of the Disaster Management Act of 2002, was on Monday gazetted by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

The National Disaster Management Centre has, in terms of Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, classified the impact of current, above-normal rainfall in various parts of the country – with Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape as the most affected – as a national disaster.

A national disaster may be declared by the Minister CoGTA where disastrous events occur or threaten to occur in more than one province.

The Presidency on Monday said the National Disaster Management Centre has received reports ranging from flooded homes, vehicles swept away by floodwaters and overflowing dams and sewerage facilities, to the loss of basic infrastructure and damage to roads, bridges and a Limpopo hospital.

“In agriculture, farmers have suffered crop and livestock losses, and anticipate further losses as the South African Weather Service predicts that current heavy rains will persist.

“These conditions have been brought on by the La Niña global weather phenomenon which occurs in the Pacific Ocean but impacts on a country like South Africa with above-normal rainfall,” said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

Forecasts indicate that this weather pattern will remain in this state during the early part of 2023.

The presence of a La Niña event usually has its strongest impact on rainfall during the mid-summer months.

He said: “With the continued strengthening of the La Niña event, the country can expect above-normal rainfall and below-normal temperatures over the summer rainfall areas.

“Taken together, these conditions demand the provision of temporary shelters, food and blankets to homeless families and individuals and the large-scale, costly rehabilitation of infrastructure.”

National entities, including the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force, may be required to play a role in the response to the disaster.

The National Disaster Management Centre continues to monitor, coordinate response and recovery measures by the relevant organs of state and stakeholders. This further includes the dissemination of early warnings and advisories on weather forecasts by the South African Weather Service.

Magwenya said President Cyril Ramaphosa’s thoughts were with affected communities across the country.

“The President appreciates the way in which entities of government, non-governmental organisations and community-based structures have responded to date.”

The Department of Social Development is set to conduct an anti-alcohol and substance abuse campaign in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape provinces.

The campaign in Mpumalanga will be held at the Middleburg Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In the Northern Cape, the campaign will be held at the Sol Platjie University on Wednesday and Thursday.

The campaign, which will run under the theme, ‘Protecting students against crime, substance abuse and gender-based violence’, seeks to raise awareness among students, who can sometimes diverge from their studies as a result of access to alcohol and drugs.

The department said this also serves as an opportunity for the department to educate, create awareness and disseminate anti-alcohol and substance abuse, as well as gender-based violence information, to students in institutions of higher learning.

According to the 2019 – 2024 National Drug Master Plan (NDMP), 58% of deaths on South African roads can be attributed to alcohol consumption.

It also reveals that nyaope / woonga (heroin and cannabis mix) and methamphetamine (tik) usage is gaining popularity among adolescents, with far-reaching effects on users, families and communities.

“Waging war against substance abuse is not government’s role alone and it is for this reason that the department works in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, including community structures, as well as Institutions of higher learning.

“The abuse of alcohol and drugs is one of the contributing factors to the high prevalence of GBVF, which has been declared as the second pandemic in the country. Similar to GBVF, substance abuse has a negative impact on the lives and well-being of many South Africans, especially, vulnerable women, children and persons with disabilities, who are continuously victims of domestic violence and abuse,” the department said.

As part of building a caring society for all South Africans, the Department of Social Development is the custodian of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, No 70 of 2008, which mandates the department to develop programmes and support initiatives aimed at the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

The Act exists to prevent usage, treatment of substance use disorders, as well as the reduction, production, and distribution of illicit drugs in South Africa.

Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Florence Radzilani, has expressed shock and sadness at the news of a bus accident, which happened on Monday on the N1-29 stretch, next to the HF Verwoerd Tunnel. The crash claimed a total of 20 lives.

Radzilani has since sent messages of condolences to the families of the deceased and comfort to the survivors.

“The accident involved a bus that was transporting passengers from Makhado to areas around Ndzhelele, Siloam and Tshikombani in the Vhembe District,” the department said in a statement.

According to reports, a truck that was overtaking another vehicle lost control and collided with the bus. The bus rolled over a bridge and 19 people died on the scene.

The exact details surrounding the collision are unknown at this time. The South African Police Service is investigating the cause of the accident.

“Paramedics and rescue personnel were able to retrieve 19 bodies from the crash and the 20th person lost their life in hospital,” the department said.

Scores of injured survivors were taken to various hospitals for varying degrees of injuries.

Police divers have been dispatched to the scene to verify that no one has been swept away in the river.

According to reports, 68 people were left injured after the bus landed in a river after rolling off a bridge on the freeway.

Radzilani is today expected to visit the injured.

Disciplinary proceeds relating to a Nic Diederichs High School incident in which a Grade 10 boy learner allegedly assaulted a fellow girl learner has recommended that he be expelled.

In a statement the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed that disciplinary proceedings into the matter whereby the Grade 10 pupil was captured in a video that went viral on social media beating up the Grade 10 girl learner, were held on Sunday.

The video shows a girl and boy approaching the victim, and upon arrival the boy can be seen confronting the girl and as she stands, he hits the girl over the head and she falls back.

As she tries to retaliate, she is slapped numerous times on the head by the boy who was then suspended pending disciplinary proceedings.

The incident took place on 31 January 2023.

“As such, the hearing resulted in a recommendation being made to our Head of Department (HOD) stating that the said learner should be expelled from the school. Accordingly, a final decision on this recommendation will be made by the HOD and same will be communicated in due course,” the GDE said in a statement on Monday.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane condemned misconduct by learners against other learners.

“Again, we vehemently condemn all acts of misconduct by learners against other learners. Learner ill-discipline in our schools will be met with consequences. We also plead with parents to assist in enforcing discipline upon their children in and outside the school environment” Chiloane said.

Government has expressed appreciation to the radio industry for its unique role in promoting the identities of South Africans across cultures and languages, as well as fostering peace domestically and internationally.

This as South Africa observed World Radio Day, which was celebrated under the theme “Radio and Peace,” on Monday, as 13 February is specifically set aside to raise awareness of the importance of radio.

“Radio in particular is still one of the most accessible mediums in the country. During the dark days of Apartheid South Africa, radio was used as a revolutionary tool to keep the people informed of the struggle being waged against the crime against humanity.

“For example, radio played a positive role in society during the anti-apartheid struggle.  Radio Freedom in South Africa used to communicate and send messages to people on the ground. People would gather together in homes who had radios just to hear the broadcast,” Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said.

In South Africa, radio is a very powerful communication medium, which is easily accessible even in the rural parts of the country. It brings people from all walks of life together through its role of entertaining, educating and sharing important information.

“Similarly, it played a crucial role in fostering democracy and expressing our diversity in this country. The media, such as radio, continues to shape opinions and perceptions and influence public discourse.

“Radio holds particular importance in framing narratives on issues or events and has great power to influence people.  In a post-pandemic environment, radio, like other media, has a critical role to play in contributing towards social cohesion, peace and nation building,” Gungubele said.

Radio stations are among the key stakeholders of government, as they disseminate key information about government programmes of action and opportunities that the public can use to improve their lives.

Mpumalanga police management has warned communities to desist from making illegal electricity connections.

The warning comes after police in the province reported four deaths by eletrocution in the past week.

“On Thursday, 9 February 2023, a 16-year-old female who was in the company of her boyfriend lost her life. According to the victim’s boyfriend, they were walking on the wet street at night when he suddenly saw his girlfriend falling.

“Police were summoned to the scene and found the victim lying in a pool of water and there were loose electric cables lying around her. She was certified dead by medical personnel on the scene,” said provincial South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

In a separate incident in Block B, the deceased arrived home at about 5pm when his sister informed him that there was an electric fault. He went to fix the problem, but the deceased’s sister heard him screaming. She never took note until the deceased’s friend came home looking for him.

“When the deceased’s sister sent her younger sister to call him, she came back running and indicated that her brother was lying on the floor and not responding. She said she could only see him shaking. He was quickly rushed to hospital where he was certified dead,” said Mohlala.

In the third incident, a 36-year-old female from Gritana, Kamaqhekeza, was working her field at home on Monday at about 12.30pm when her family members noticed something strange.

“She was taken to hospital with burn bruises on her arm. She was also certified dead by the doctor in hospital.

“The fourth incident took place at Kamhlushwa when a 12-year-old boy was sent to the neighbour’s house. According to the deceased’s father, the victim was seen by other people falling. When they went to inspect, they realised that he was electrocuted by illegally connected electric cables,” Mohlala said.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela called on communities to refrain from making illegal electricity connections as more lives might be lost.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has urged residents, especially in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, to remain indoors and for motorists to be extra cautious as heavy rains batter parts of the province.

Dube-Ncube said the heavy rains could lead to localised flooding and cause extensive damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

She said some roads in the northern parts of the province are completely closed due to flooding and poor visibility.

“We appeal to our communities not to risk their lives but to stay indoors and not to risk travelling to festivals or public engagements because of the extreme weather conditions in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

“We have teams on the ground, who are on 24-hour standby and our Road Traffic Inspectorate is diverting traffic in areas where roads and bridges have been flooded, especially in low-lying areas,” Dube-Ncube said.

She said the provincial government has dispatched Disaster Management teams and Provincial Road Traffic Inspectorates in all affected areas, including around eMfihlweni Royal Residence in Manguzi – the venue for Umthayi Marula Festival in uMkhanyakude District.

The Premier also called on motorists to drive with extreme care, as roads are slippery due to the inclement weather conditions.

So far, no serious car crashes have been reported on the major routes such as the N2 and N3, as a result of the heavy downpour.

“However, we appeal to road users and pedestrians to continue to put safety as a priority in everything they do.

“We are still a province that is rising from the devastating floods of April 2022 and the scars still remain visible. Let us act responsibly in these conditions to avoid any loss of life,” Dube-Ncube said.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has called on all institutions of higher learning, together with Higher Health, to continue working collectively to stem GBV.

“This includes ensuring the provision of safe workplaces, learning spaces and residences for all staff and students in our institutions,” Nzimande said on Monday.

The call follows the gruesome murder of a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) student, Ntokozo Mayenzi Xaba, whose murder is believed to be a gender-based violence (GBV) crime.

Xaba, a third-year student who was studying towards a National Diploma in Integrated Communication at TUT, was found last Thursday with multiple stab wounds at her off-campus residence in Pretoria Gardens, after she was last seen with her ex-boyfriend the night before.

Nzimande said Higher Health must also ensure that all institutions work collaboratively with the established multi-sectoral PSET [post-school education and training] Gender-Based Violence Technical Task Team.

Nzimande has strongly condemned the incident and passed his condolences to the Xaba family, friends and the entire Tshwane University of Technology corp.

He has since directed Higher Health to join in efforts with the TUT wellness team to provide the necessary psycho-social support to the family.

Nzimande said GBV and violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime.

“These numbers are staggering, with global figures indicating that as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner, and 35% of women worldwide experience physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.

“This issue is not only devastating for survivors of violence and their families, but also entails significant social and economic costs, and has dire implication to the PSET sector,” Nzimande said.

Transforming MENtalities

As part of dealing with GBV in the country’s institutions, Nzimande said he will launch the “Transforming MENtalities Initiative,” which is a multi-stakeholder partnership within the PSET sector, with a particular focus on mobilising men to be part of championing a world free of gender biases, stereotypes, violence and discrimination.

The Minister said he will soon release the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) report on sexual harassment and GBV in the university sector.

Gender Commission seeks meeting with TUT management

Meanwhile, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) said it will reach out to the leadership of TUT following the brutal killing of Xaba.

CGE CEO, Phelisa Nkomo, said the Commission has in the past three years conducted investigations to assess gender transformation and GBV at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to ascertain the safety of women on campuses and residences.

Nkomo said more than 15 Vice-Chancellors appeared before the commission to help the commission understand gender related problems at their institutions.

“One of the numerous recommendations we made was for the Department of Higher Education and Training to institute policies and procedures to deal with the scourge of gender-based violence at institutions of higher learning.

“We urge the department to speedily ensure the implementation of our recommendations in this area.

“We implore the criminal justice system to speedily process all GBV related cases, deny perpetrators bail and ensure a high number of convictions,” Nkomo said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness at the large-scale loss of life and extent of injuries inflicted by an earthquake that has affected the nations of Turkey and Syria.

At least 2 300 people have reportedly died in the two countries, which were struck by an earthquake on Monday.

“Our nation and government are deeply saddened by the unthinkable loss of life in Türkiye and Syria, and by the vast damage to social and economic infrastructure with which the two governments and populations are now confronted.

“Our hearts go out to families who have lost loved ones or are searching for relatives, and we wish injured survivors a full recovery,” the President said.

He expressed his appreciation to the South African humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers, which is joining the international response in Turkey and Syria.