Category: News

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has condemned in the strongest terms the robbery that took place at the studios of INX Prime, in Houghton.

INX Prime, broadcasts across sub-Saharan Africa and can be accessed through DStv on channel 345.

“The news of the robbery is indeed disturbing. It is particularly disheartening as INX Prime has only been on air for four months, with their broadcast reaching people in sub-Saharan Africa. It is vital that we have such platforms to tell the African story,” said Acting Director General of the GCIS, Michael Currin.

Currin said that the GCIS is confident that the South African Police Services will move with speed to apprehend the perpetrators.

“Crimes committed, especially against the media, not only robs them of expensive equipment, but also puts the lives of journalists in danger and robs viewers of accessing crucial information.

“The media is a platform to amplify voice, facilitate meaningful participation, disseminate key information and foster social change. South Africa’s media landscape is strong, dynamic and independent and free and we must do all in our power to protect the media,” Currin said.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has sent his condolences following the death of a student at Reneilwe Community Learning Centre in Mamelodi East, Gauteng.

According to a report, Mabutho Jenamo (18) was stabbed to death during a mugging incident, where a group of men took his cellphone and wallet, while on his way back from school after the orientation day.

At the time of the incident, Mabutho was in the company of his fellow students whose belongings were also taken during the robbery.

Nzimande said Mabutho’s passing is a loss to the entire Post School Education and Training (PSET) sector.

The four alleged killers were arrested by law enforcement agencies following a tip-off by the members of the community who witnessed the incidence.

Nzimande has sent his condolences to the Jenamo family, friends and the entire Reneilwe Community Learning Centre.

He also expressed his appreciation to the community of Mamelodi who responded swiftly by identifying the perpetrators and helping the police to apprehend them.

“Through the Gauteng Community College, and Higher Health, the Department of Higher Education and Training will continue to provide the necessary support to the family,” Nzimande said.

The four perpetrators made a brief appearance at the Mamelodi West Court on Wednesday, 18 January 2023, and the case was postponed to 25 January 2023 for a formal bail application.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says one of its officials has been arrested for allegedly selling application forms for learnerships at the department.

The department cautioned members of the public not to pay any sum for these forms.

“The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, is calling upon members of the public to refrain and outright refuse to pay any money for Learnership Application Forms as this is unlawful and will never be a prerequisite for placement. One Correctional Official has already been arrested for selling these forms and shall face the full might of the law.

“DCS officials assisting with the process of submissions are not supposed to ask for money or any favour of kind, but are instead expected to guide applicants on where to submit and sign the submission register,” the department said.

Thobakgale condemned those taking advantage of the unemployed for their own personal gain.

“Although harsh realities of unemployment may leave citizens vulnerable, we urge people not to fall prey to these unscrupulous agents or those that may pose as DCS officials promising false placements,” he said.

The department called on the public to report any person selling these forms “to the nearest police station so that they can be arrested accordingly”.

“It is important to reiterate that there is no requirement for people to pay money when applying for learnership placements or employment in the public service.

“An advert for the learnership opportunity does highlight the requirements and competencies to be considered. There are no third parties or middle persons appointed by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to recruit nor process such applications,” the department said.

The Special Tribunal has dismissed an application by beneficiaries of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) to reconsider a preservation order granted to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) against them.

The beneficiaries also failed in their bid to have the SIU’s application to have the grant funding reviewed and set aside.

The beneficiaries – through non-profit organisation Inqaba Yokulinda – allegedly pocketed at least R15 million out of at least R19 million in NLC funding which was earmarked for the construction of athletics tracks in two provinces.

Some R2.5 million of that money is alleged to have been paid into the account of a law firm for the purchase of a R27 million luxury home owned by former NLC board chairperson Alfred Ntshengedzeni Nevhutanda while the rest of the money allegedly bought luxury vehicles, paid off loan debts and paid for a R58 000 spa day, among other things.

The SIU had obtained the preservation order against the beneficiaries in February last year and preserved two Mercedes Benz AMG vehicles, an Audi A3, a Honda Jazz and residential home in Zwartkop.

Some of those linked to the scandal include:

• Inqaba Yokulinda CEO Buyisiwe Khoza
• CEO of IT company Unicus, Jabulani Sibanda
• Acting Athletics South Africa (ASA) CEO Tshifhiwa Terrence Magogodela
• Former NLC board chairperson Alfred Ntshengedzeni Nevhutanda

In the application for reconsideration of the preservation order, Judge Soma Naidoo said the applicants have not presented any facts which may prompt the tribunal to reconsider the preservation order.

“In my view, the SIU had established a prima facie case for the grant of the preservation order. Additionally, there are no facts that have been presented in the reconsideration application, which, if placed before the Tribunal on 14 February 2022, would have caused it to refuse the application for an interdict/ preservation order,” Naidoo said.

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has wished the 2022 matric class well as learners await the announcement of their examination results.

Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, is expected to make the announcement later this afternoon in Johannesburg.

Nzimande assured current and prospective students that the release of the results will not affect the state of readiness for the Post School Education and Training (PSET) 2023 academic year.

This as registration for the academic year 2023 at universities commenced on 16 January and is anticipated to close on 20 February 2023.

There are also several universities that will allow late registrations.

Nzimande advised prospective students to continue to liaise with the universities of their choice through their communication channels.

“Most Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have commenced with their teaching and learning, including practicals, following the successful online registration process.

“Some of the colleges are still accepting students in areas where the enrolment targets are not met and the department’s TVET branch is monitoring the developments at each college,” Nzimande said.

Community colleges opened on 11 January 2023 for inland provinces and 18 January 2023 for coastal provinces.

The Minister advised prospective students to go to their colleges of choice for registration for the academic year 2023.

NSFAS application results

Nzimande reminded students that National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) application results will be communicated to all applicants once the scheme received confirmation from the institution that an academic offer has been made.

This will be communicated to all students via SMS, email and through students’ myNSFAS account. For further information on the NSFAS application processes, applicants are advised to visit the NSFAS website at www.nsfas.org.za. 

CACH services to open next week

Meanwhile, in order to assist prospective students, the department has activated the services of the Central Application Clearing House (CACH) to assist individuals access university, college and skills development opportunities.

“The system will open on the 24th January to the 31st March 2023,” the Minister said.

As part of the department’s normal process to work with the sector to prepare for the academic year’s registration process, consultation meetings are being held with various stakeholders including Universities South Africa (Usaf), South Africa College Principals Organisation (SACPO), South African Union of Students (SAUS) and South African Technical and Vocation Student Association (SATVESA).

Nzimande wished the 2022 matriculation class well as they are awaiting the announcement of their results.

The Minister is expected to announce further details on the department’s state of readiness before the end of January 2023.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) says it processed and paid out over R1 billion to 225 646 beneficiaries during December 2022 to ensure clients and their loved ones met their financial obligations during and after the festive season.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Labour said of the R1 billion, R876 million was paid towards unemployment benefits; R88 million towards maternity and parental benefits; R32 million towards dependants benefits; and R24 million towards illness benefits.

“I am very pleased that we were able to disburse the R1 billion to so many of our clients during the busy December period. I have no doubt that this R1 billion pay out in benefits went a long way towards helping our clients put food on the table during the festive break and planning for crucial items such as purchasing stationery and uniforms for children in the beginning of the new year as schools reopened around the country,” UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping said.

Since the inception of the special COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (COVID-19 TERS) in March 2020 during the first lockdown, the fund has disbursed R62 billion to at least 5 million workers.

“For the Workers Affected by Unrest (WABU): Temporary Financial Relief Scheme that was established to assist workers who lost income as a result of the July 2021 unrest, the UIF has paid out R21 million to 6 404 workers,” Maruping said.

Maruping said the fund remains committed to providing social security to UIF contributors and their beneficiaries in line with the Constitution which states that “everyone has the right to have access to social security”.

The Commissioner added that this year the fund will redouble its efforts to improve service delivery and continue paying out claims to qualifying clients and their beneficiaries as efficiently as possible.

“We will also be enhancing our Information and Communications Technology systems and launching a data free mobile Application (APP), a free USSD system, and a few other platforms to bolster and improve service delivery to our clients and stakeholders. Further announcements to these developments will be made in due course,” Maruping said.

Maruping also acknowledged the dedicated UIF officials in all provinces who continue to make benefit payments to the clients possible.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has welcomed the smooth start to the 2023 academic year as over 2.8 million learners across the province went back to school on Wednesday.

Dube-Ncube accompanied Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and Education MEC Mbali Frazer on visits to schools in Umlazi, Parlock and La Mercy to monitor the first day of school for coastal areas.

Speaking during the school monitoring visits, Dube-Ncube emphasised that quality education is an apex priority for the provincial government and expressed her satisfaction that learning and teaching started in earnest on the first day of the school calendar.

“The minor challenges experienced in some schools are being urgently addressed by the Department of Education. We were very encouraged by the active citizenry demonstrated by the community and members of the governing bodies in the schools we have visited.

“We also commend the dedication shown by educators. As the provincial government, we are fully committed to ensuring access to quality education therefore it is critical that teaching and learning begins from the first day of the school year,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier announced that the province will pilot online registration for schools in the province from this year.

This is in a bid to reduce the number of parents waiting in queues to enrol their children and so that all learners are enrolled within the stipulated timeframe.

“The process for admissions for the 2023 academic year started early in 2022 when admissions opened on 1 March 2022 and closed on 30 September 2022. A total of 209 665 learners have been admitted in Grade 1 and 237 987 learners have been admitted in Grade 8,” the department said.

Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has welcomed the arrest of a third suspect in connection with the murder of a councillor in Mkhondo last week.

In a statement, provincial SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the team assembled to investigate the killing arrested a 40-year-old suspect on Monday.

The suspect, who is from uMbumbulu in KwaZulu-Natal, was taken in for questioning and ultimately charged with murder. He will today appear before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court.

Councillor Sbonelo (Mthembu) Ntshangase (36), Sandile Khumalo (51) and Sizwe Mbingo (40) were gunned down in a shooting at the Longhomes Township in Piet Retief on Friday, 13 January 2023 at around 8pm.

“It is further alleged that suspects fired multiple shots at Mr Ntshangase who was in the yard, and also shot Mr Mbingo inside a bakkie who sadly died at the scene whilst Mr Khumalo was shot in the yard as well. Thereafter the suspects fled to unknown direction.

“The police in Piet Retief as well as the paramedics were informed about the incident whilst Mr Ntshangase and Mr Khumalo were privately taken to a nearby hospital. Mr Khumalo was unfortunately certified dead on arrival meanwhile Mr Ntshangase regrettably succumbed to his injuries moments later.”

A case of three counts of murder was opened and a dedicated team of experts in the field of investigation was immediately assembled by Lieutenant General Manamela.

On Tuesday police had reported that two male suspects had been arrested and an automatic rifle with ammunition were confiscated. They have been charged with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The Provincial Commissioner urged members of the public, including families and colleagues of the victims, to remain calm and allow police the space to investigate and bring all perpetrators to book while allowing due processes of the law to take their course.

“We have always stayed true and committed to our call of duty, that of preventing crime, and when crime has been committed we are obligated in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, to investigate and bring perpetrators thereof to book.

“We still need support from members of the public regarding further details which may assist in the investigation to come forth. We promise to treat such information with much delicacy,” she said.

At the start of the 2023 academic year, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Makhotso Sotyu has encouraged learners to commit to their studies, perform well and be upright students.

“Education is the cornerstone of securing a successful future. To the educators, it’s wonderful to see the commitment on your side; ensuring that children remain in school, providing support to help them succeed in these primary years,” the Deputy Minister said on Wednesday.

She made these remarks when she was addressing more than 150 learners at the Boaramelo Combined School in Jagersfontein, Free State, as part of government’s Back-to-School oversight campaign.

The Back-to-School campaign is an opportunity for the Deputy Minister to conduct oversight duties – assessing the state of school readiness for the 2023 academic year. In addition, Deputy Minister Sotyu used the visit to provide learners with school supplies that will aid learners and teachers to fulfil their educational goals.

The Deputy Minister used the opportunity to encourage the students to be environmental warriors and green champions.

She reminded them of their responsibility towards protecting the environment.

This includes recycling and reusing household waste, ensuring the community is clear of illegal dumpsites by refraining from littering as well planting trees and vegetable gardens at the school and in their homes.

During this year’s Back-to-School campaign, the Deputy Minister donated 70 eco desks, 700 LED lights, 800 school shoes, 800 bottles, 800 school bags, sanitary packs and gardening tools. The event ended with the planting of trees.

The Department of Small Business Development is working on an energy relief package for the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) with stakeholders to alleviate the devastating impact of load shedding on small businesses.

SMMEs are particularly hit hard by continued power outages as many cannot afford alternative power sources such as generators. They are forced to pause trading during load shedding. As a result, some small businesses resort to selling perishable goods such as meat and vegetables at low prices, to avoid them rotting away, which affects their much-needed income.

This has prompted Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, working together with her team to find solutions that could lessen the impact of load shedding on small businesses.

The Minister has instructed the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) as well as the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) to work in consultation with different stakeholders within and outside government on an energy relief package.

“Our aim is to find immediate solutions that can be urgently effected to avoid disastrous consequences, such as closure of small businesses and job losses in the SMME sector. This sector is still recovering from the ruinous effects of COVID-19. We cannot afford losing more businesses and jobs,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said on Tuesday.

SEFA conducted a research study on the impact of load shedding on its funded clients, and the following were key findings:

• Most respondents indicated that they are highly reliant on electricity for their operations;
• About 71% of respondents indicated that they are negatively impacted by load shedding; and
• The majority of the respondents will require an alternative power source to continue with their operations.

The details of the package, the criteria and avenues for the application for the relief will be announced soon.