Category: News

The High Court in Pretoria has granted the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (NPA AFU) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) an order to freeze the assets belonging to Eskom’s former middle manager for Program Complex Projects Duduzile Moyo and her husband Mmoloki Moyo.

The assets include a luxury property on the Silver Lakes Golf Estate in Pretoria, a Mercedes Benz Viano and a Chevrolet Utility vehicle.

According to a joint statement by the two units, the order includes a trust and business named after her children – Onalerona Trust and Tshimologo Trading and Projects – as well as two trustees, Tandiwe Gloria Nzama and Anani Sanelisiwe Dlamini, who is also the sole member of Tshimologo.

“The order emanates from the SIU’s investigations into Moyo’s conduct in her role as Eskom’s Supply Manager/Contracts Manager/Employer’s Representative who contracted a business named Tamukelo.

“Tamukelo was appointed to transport raw and potable water from Kendal Power Station to Kusile Power Station. In her position as Eskom Contracts Manager, Moyo signed 23 interim payment certificates in respect of Tamukelo’s services for the period December 2011 to July 2014 totalling approximately R138 million,” the statement read.

The two units said the probe further revealed that entities linked or associated with Moyo allegedly received payments from Tamukelo and its representatives while she was negotiating and managing Eskom’s contract with the company.

Her alleged modus operandi was “to create structures of entities owned by members of her family and friends to receive these funds”.

“There was a clear conflict of interest in that she received these funds in circumstances where part of her duties and functions were as a Middle Manager. Moyo was also part of a team that presented the negotiation strategy of the Tamukelo tender worth over R300 million to the tender and procurement committee.

“She also deceived Eskom and repeatedly made fraudulent misrepresentations, declaring that there was no conflict of interest when dealing with Tamukelo and other role players for five years when signing Eskom’s annual declaration of Conflict of Interest Policy,” the two units said.

This is the second freezing order obtained against Moyo after her Eskom pension was frozen in September after her resignation from the power utility that same month.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has announced a number of high impact service delivery projects aimed at improving the lives of communities in uMsinga under uMzinyathi District Municipality.

As part of the Premier’s Imbizo, Dube-Ncube — accompanied by Members of the Executive Council (MECs) — visited various parts of uMsinga, engaging with stakeholders and assessing the impact of government projects.

During the visit on Tuesday, Dube-Ncube officially opened Main Road P6-3 KwaKopi, which is the only road linking Greytown and Dundee.

Main Road P6-3 was built at a cost of over R127 million and created 427 job opportunities for the local community.

Dube-Ncube also announced that a R204 million state-of-the-art school, which will be equipped with the latest technology to prepare youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), will be built in uMsinga next year.

“The construction of the new school will boost the economic activities of Cwaka in Msinga, and create job opportunities for the local communities and business opportunities for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs),” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier and MECs engaged with informal traders, who will now be accommodated at trading stalls.

The trading stalls, built by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, will have enough capacity to accommodate bulk stocks for informal traders.

“The trading stalls project is consistent with the provincial government’s commitment to empower SMMEs and rebuild the economic landscape of townships and previously disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the province,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier’s Imbizo, held in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, July civil unrest and devastating floods in the province, also gave the community an opportunity to engage directly with the Premier and MECs on service delivery issues, economic opportunities and future development plans in the district.

Residents cited their challenges, including lack of proper infrastructure, water and healthcare facilities. They also appealed to the Premier to build an Early Childhood Development Centre for their children.

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) says government has put measures in place to mitigate the impact of strike action by public servants on Thursday.

This is after public servants affiliated to the Public Service Association (PSA) have indicated to the employer their intention to strike on Thursday.

The department said all provisions related to the management of employees participating in the protected strike shall apply.

“The State, as the employer, calls upon trade unions to return to the bargaining chambers to start negotiations for the 2023/24 financial year in order to conclude the process before the Minister of Finance tables the final budget in February 2023.

“This further demonstrates the department’s commitment to re-align the negotiations to government’s planning cycle,” the DPSA said in a statement.

Having considered the risks of public servants not receiving any salary increases for this financial year if the processes of wage negotiations are not concluded in time for the 2022 MTBPS, as outlined by the Minister of Finance, Acting Public Service and Administration Minister, Thulas Nxesi, said he would implement the last salary offer for public servants, which was tabled at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) after the facilitation process by both trade unions and the employer at the PSCBC.

Nxesi said the implementation of the offer should not be seen as undermining collective bargaining and the processes of the PSCBC.

The Minister indicated that this would be in the interest of public servants and government’s planning cycle.

He said he is cognizant of the dispute resolution processes that are already underway at the PSCBC.

DPSA reiterated that government will continue with the current non-pensionable cash allowance until 31 March 2023 for all employees on salary levels 1 to 12, including those covered by the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD), employed in the public service, and a 3% pensionable increase for all employees on salary levels 1 to 12, including those covered by the OSD employed in the public service, backdated to 1 April 2022.

According to the department, the date of payment is 17 November 2022.

The department said the implementation of the non-pensionable cash allowance and 3% pensionable increase for members of the Senior Management Service (SMS), with effect from 1 April 2022, will be implemented as soon as the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for non-SMS is concluded.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks) in Limpopo has welcomed the 15-year prison sentence handed to explosives smuggler, Alois Kamwaza.

The Musina Magistrate’s Court handed Kamwaza the sentence on Friday.

Said Hawks spokesperson, Captain Matimba Maluleke: “On 23 July 2022, Kamwaza was en route from Zimbabwe to South Africa when he was stopped by the border police at the Beitbridge port of entry.  The police subjected the truck to a mandatory search and they made a shocking discovery of the explosives that were hidden inside a tool box at the back of his truck.

“The driver was interviewed and it was established that the explosives were destined for Gauteng province. The explosives, 779 units of blasting cartridges and three reels of detonating fuses, with the estimated value of R200 000, were seized and he was subsequently arrested.”

Kamwaza was in custody until he was sentenced on Friday.

In another separate but similar incident, an undocumented person was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of explosives.

On 27 May 2022, members of the South African National Defence Force saw a suspicious man walking at Beitbridge port of entry. The members approached the man and upon searching his bag, members found 489 units of blasting cartridges, with a value of R146 700.

The accused, said Maluleke, Wilman Mwando (40), was arrested and he had been in police custody until he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment by the Musina Magistrate’s Court on 4 November 2022.

“Mwando was also found guilty of failing to use the port of entry to enter RSA, and for entering and remaining in RSA without legal documentation. He was further fined R5 000 or three months imprisonment on each offence,” he said.

The sentence of Ekurhuleni serial rapist Nkosinathi Phakathi will be handed down in the Pretoria High Court sitting in Palm Ridge over two days in December.

This after Phakathi was found guilty of some 90 counts of rape, four counts of compelled rape, three counts of compelling or causing a child to witness a sexual act, 43 counts of kidnapping, two counts of assault as well as four counts of theft.

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, his youngest victims were school going children with the youngest being nine years old and the oldest being 44.

She said Phakati committed the offences over a nine year period between 2012 and 2021 when he was arrested.

“He targeted his victims while they were going or coming back from school or work in the morning or evening. However, he targeted some in their own home.

“He would pretend to be an electrician coming to fix a geyser or other household appliances and rape them.  He raped some of his victims in the presence of children. In some instances when raping more than one person at a time, he made the other watch while raping the other, where after he would run or leave the house,” she said.

Mahanjana explained that the serial rapist initially faced some 203 charges with 55 minor charges withdrawn by the prosecution.

He pleaded guilty to 148 charges.

“Phakathi was arrested and linked to some of the offences through DNA evidence, and a modus operandi linkage report.  A total of 96 dockets was investigated by warrant officer Tlala John Mokoena, of the South African Police Service which formed part of this case.

“The matter was postponed to 8 and 9 December 2022 for the presentence report and continuation of sentencing proceedings,” she said.

Deputy President David Mabuza, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans, will on Thursday visit the Western Cape, to hold engagements with military veteran associations.

“Since its establishment, the Task Team on Military Veterans has been seized with the task of facilitating the delivery of services and coordinating activities aimed at recognising the contribution by military veterans to the attainment of freedom in South Africa,” the statement read.

In this regard, the Deputy President’s Office said the task team working together with provincial governments, has established a framework for the implementation of the national policy and standards governing military veterans’ affairs to improve the quality of their life and dependants’ well-being.

“The visit by the Deputy President will therefore provide a platform for the task team to provide updates on progress achieved in facilitating access for the rollout of services and benefits to military veterans and their dependents, such as a military pension, housing, access to healthcare services, skills acquisition and education support, burial support and counselling, amongst others.”

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thabang Makwetla, together with senior government officials, will join Deputy President Mabuza.

Members of the media are invited to cover the engagement at the Castle of Good Hope at 11:00.

Eskom has announced an online platform in response to what it calls an “overwhelming response” to its call for skilled and experienced persons to support the power utility’s turnaround strategy.

The platform enables prospective workers to submit their details directly to Eskom at https://www.eskom.co.za/crowdsource/.

“A digital platform and governance mechanism have been designed and implemented to reap the full benefits of the diversity of skills across the country through the crowdsourcing of these skills into the business.

“Crowdsourcing differs from recruitment, in that it is triggered by specific technical challenges, is not linked to a permanent position, and it targets a talent pool that consists of highly skilled and experienced persons,” Eskom said.

Candidates are selected on the following criteria:

• Highly skilled electricity generation expert or technical professional (e.g. engineer, power plant operator/controller, artisan, technician).
• More than 10 years of related experience.
• You are able and willing to support Eskom.
• You are willing to transfer your skills and expertise.

“To date, the database includes 238 individuals, with 153 having been shortlisted as potentially active, skilled and willing candidates. Approximately 25 individuals have been selected for the first phase of the crowdsourcing intake. These individuals will commence work between November and December 2022.

“Additional recruitment will take place as and when required by the business to meet specific technical needs. To ensure sustainability and to maximise the impact of these skills, each crowdsourced individual is required to transfer skills to the permanent Eskom team that they will work with,” Eskom said.

For more information, email crowdsourcing@eskom.co.za.

The South African Post Office (Sapo) has announced a brand new limited edition stamp issue titled “The Road to Democracy” at the International Philatelic Exhibition (IPEX) at the Cape Town Convention Centre.

The stamp, which was issued on Tuesday, depicts a peace dove combined with words from the preamble of the South African constitution.

“South Africa’s constitution is regarded as one of the most advanced in the world, and it entrenches fundamental rights, freedoms and civil liberties while guaranteeing the independence of watchdogs such as the Public Protector and Auditor General.

“The First Day Cover design is the South African flag made up of words from the preamble of the South African constitution. The stamp was designed in-house by Thea Clemons, an employee of the post office,” Sapo said.

Each stamp costs R5.40 and the stamp as well as the first-day envelopes can be pre-ordered from the Post Office stand at the exhibition in Cape Town.

Collectors who are not in Cape Town can send an email to SAstamps@postoffice.co.za to order stamps.

“A total of 225 000 Road to Democracy stamps have been printed and once sold out, will not be reprinted.  This is a small number compared to the million postal items that the SA Post Office delivers daily.

“Some of the world’s most remarkable stamps are on display at IPEX 2022 and around 60 countries will be represented at the exhibition. Guided tours of the exhibition area for expert advice on stamps will be available,” the post office said.

Sapo has two exhibits in the Court of Honour and the public is invited to view these showcases of the important role that stamps played in promoting and upholding the legacy of  South Africa.

“The first exhibition of the post office is by the Post Office Museum, titled South Africa’s history as reflected by its philately collection. Consisting of 128 A4 pages and eight frames, the exhibition showcases South Africa through a selection of stamps and related material as well as information that the South African Post Office issued from the first stamp to date.

“The second exhibition is titled Commemorating Democracy in South Africa. Consisting of 64 pages or four frames, it commemorates South Africa’s road to democracy through a selection of philatelic material and information that the South African Post Office issued from 1994 to date,” Sapo said.

The stamps that the post office issued to celebrate milestones on the road to democracy are sold out and are now collector’s items.

They include stamps featuring heroes of the freedom struggle, the constitution, and special stamps commemorating the life and times of Nelson Mandela, who was the first president of a democratic South Africa.

The IPEX which got underway on Tuesday, will run until 12 November 2022.

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday signed a letter of intent to formalise a space exploration partnership.

The signing was followed by a sod-turning ceremony with NASA and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), an entity of the DSI, signalling the renewal of the partnership through the establishment of a new communications facility that will help the Artemis missions return humans to the moon.

Located in Matjiesfontein, about 240 km northeast of Cape Town, the site will be one of three Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) placed strategically around the globe.

These 18 to 24-metre communications antennas are intended to ensure near-continuous connectivity between astronauts on NASA’s Artemis spacecraft and those who will subsequently come to work on and around the lunar surface.

Deputy Associate Administrator for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) programme, Dr Badri Younes, joined SANSA officials at the sod-turning ceremony, where the LEGS antenna is to be built.

“Location, weather and existing infrastructure make Matjiesfontein the ideal place to build this antenna.

“We really couldn’t have asked for a better spot on Earth than here in South Africa, with whom we first partnered six decades ago to land the first humans on the lunar surface,” said Younes.

South Africa was home to a ground tracking station outside Johannesburg at Hartebeesthoek, which played a critical role in NASA’s Apollo missions in the 1960s.

Artemis, named for Apollo’s mythical twin sister, will land the first woman and person of colour on the moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence, and serving as a stepping-stone to sending astronauts to Mars.

“We see this partnership as mutually beneficial. The Matjiesfontein ground station will alleviate increased demand for NASA’s Deep Space Network, allowing Artemis to meet its goals and expand our scientific knowledge,” said DSI Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara.

The Matjiesfontein site, according to the department, will join future LEGS facilities at NASA’s White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and a still-to-be-determined location in Australia.

With LEGS stations in North America, South Africa and Australia, the moon will always be in Earth’s view to ensure essential, enhanced direct-to-Earth communications capabilities, up to two million kilometres away through NASA’s Near Space Network.

“We are pleased that this project has reached a significant milestone with the support of the Department of Science and Innovation as well as the partnership of NASA.

“The Matjiesfontien ground station extends SANSA space capabilities and specialisation, taking the agency a notch higher as a global player in space science and technology,” said Acting Commercial Services Executive at SANSA, Tiaan Strydom.

“The moon brought NASA and South Africa together 60 years ago. I’m so pleased it’s done so again today,” Younes said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for bolder and innovative ways to finance Just Transition projects in developing countries, saying a “one-size-fits-all approach” will not work.

“We need to be bolder and more innovative in reducing project risk and crowd in private sector finance for climate and just transition projects.

“A one-size-fits-all approach to financing the transition that disregards African realties is neither just nor equitable and will not work,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President was speaking during the high-level roundtable on Just Transition at the COP27 climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

The President called on commercial financial institutions to do more to support these efforts by structuring project financing instruments that take into account the specific needs and circumstances of developing economy countries.

President Ramaphosa said that there is a need to promote the use of non-debt instruments to ensure that developing economy countries do not have to shoulder an even greater debt burden.

The President further called on a just transition financing framework or pooled financing mechanism to support transition pathways.

He said that this entity could play the role of facilitator between the various funding sources and separate funds to ensure there is coherence in just transition financing.

“The fact that the global community was able to mobilise fiscal measures worth an estimated US$ 17 trillion within two years in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, indicates that the resources to meet climate finance commitments exist, provided there is political will.

“It is our task at this COP27 to harness the political will and mobilise the resources for the just transition. The scale of climate finance must reflect the level of ambition.

“This is critical if we are to effectively reduce emissions, respond meaningfully to the effects of climate change on the vulnerable and ensure that no person, no community and no country is left behind,” the President said.

Inclusive low carbon transition vital for developing economy countries

The President told the roundtable that the imperative of a low-carbon transition that is just and inclusive is particularly important for developing economy countries, which are the worst affected by climate change.

Although Africa carries the least responsibility for climate change, he said that the continent experiences much of its harshest effects.

“The same is true for vulnerable countries and communities in other parts of the world, including small island states.

“Extreme weather like floods and droughts are driving food insecurity, displacing populations, causing damage to infrastructure and leading to the loss of livelihoods,” he said.

He highlighted that African economies are losing between 3% and 5% of their GDP due to the effects of climate change.

“Our common starting point is that all parties should honour their undertakings and commitments in line with the guiding principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities.

“For transitions to be just, vulnerable workers and communities need to be included in designing solutions. These same constituencies must share the benefits and not just the risks of transitions,” the President said.

Because climate transitions are whole-of-society transitions, President Ramaphosa said that it is important for countries to establish institutions that enable government, business, civil society and organised labour to jointly identify vulnerable sectors and plan together for their transition.

“In our country, this has taken the form of the Presidential Climate Commission, which represents all key stakeholders.

“Equally important is a regulatory framework that harnesses the energies and resources of all aspects of government towards a common climate goal,” he said.

The President added that the reality is that developing economy countries have not received the required multilateral support to face the climate challenge, including for loss and damage.

“We need to acknowledge that the multilateral development banks and international financing institutions need to be reformed to meet the climate financing needs of developing economies.

“Their business models must be modernised so that they can efficiently mobilise financing at scale and deploy a full suite of instruments from grants to guarantees, across the entire range of countries they work with,” he said.