Category: News

Cabinet has expressed concerns at the illegal protest action by eThekwini municipal workers, which has seen violence as well as water and power outages.

“The impact of the strike has seen many residents without water, electricity and waste removal, which is an infringement of the rights of people and a contravention of the Constitution.

“Such behaviour will not be tolerated. Cabinet calls on law enforcement agencies to do all it takes to protect the rights of people,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said at the post Cabinet briefing on Thursday.

Ntshavheni said the closing of critical services, such as clinics, is tantamount to sabotage and a threat to life.

“Those found guilty will face the full might of the law,” the Minister said.

READ | KZN government engages businesses amid municipal strike

The EThekwini Municipality has served 79 employees with notices of misconduct for engaging in unlawful conduct, as outlined in the Disciplinary Procedure Collective Agreement. These employees, from different units, face various charges in relation to their participation in the unlawful industrial action, which started on 27 February 2024.

Cabinet has expressed concern about the safety of children following recent cases of child kidnappings in different parts of the country.

“Parents and caregivers must be extra vigilant regarding the safety and whereabouts of children in their care and should educate children on general safety precautions. In the spirit of Ubuntu, communities are urged to assist with taking care of children,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday.

Cabinet applauded police and the community of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape for the arrest of suspects in connection with the missing six-year-old Joslin Smith.

According to reports, Smith disappeared outside her home in Saldanha Bay last month.

“Cabinet joins the nation in prayer and efforts for the safe return of many other children who have gone missing in the recent past. Cabinet calls on persons with any information on all missing children to contact their nearest police station or call Crime Stop at 08600 10111 immediately.

“It simply cannot be the norm that 30 years into our democracy women and children live in fear of being the next victim. This damning situation goes against the founding values of our constitutional democracy, which is built on human rights, human dignity and equality for all,” the Minister said.

READ | Four suspects implicated in Joslin Smith disappearance appear in court

As the world commemorated International Women’s Day on Friday, 8 March 2024, Cabinet reiterated its call on South African men to stand up and fight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

“We call on men to take part in the 365 Days of No Violence against Women and Children Campaign,” she said.

The Minister made these remarks in Cape Town during a media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting that was held on Wednesday.

Cabinet has welcomed all the parties involved in reaching consensus on the positioning of the Shangoni Gate in the northern part of the Kruger National Park.

This follows a long-standing dispute on the positioning of the Shangoni Gate amongst communities around and adjacent to the Shangoni Gate on the northern part of the Kruger National Park (KNP).

“The Shangoni Gate will provide a major boost to tourism development and growth. It will also catalyse local economic development for both the Vhembe and Mopani district municipalities by providing job and business opportunities for the local communities,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday.

The Minister made these remarks in Cape Town during a media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting that was held on Wednesday.

A statement from the Department of Tourism said that the department committed financial assistance to the South African National Parks (SANParks) in 2016 for the development of the Shangoni Gate.

The project was supported as it would catalyse local economic development for both the Vhembe and Mopani District Municipalities in Limpopo by providing job and business opportunities for the local communities through improved access to the KNP especially from the northern side.

In a statement last week, Tourism Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela said a stakeholder meeting took place at Mopani Camp in the northern part of the KNP and a final resolution was reached in which all parties agreed on the position of the gate on 5 March 2024.

The Deputy Minister also said that the meeting had agreed that a sub-committee would be set up with representatives from all concerned parties to ensure that the surrounding communities reap the benefits of the opening of this new gate.

“Cabinet was [also] appraised about the working progress to increase the volume and value of domestic and international tourism. The recent official release by Stats SA [Statistics of South Africa] of international arrival figures from January to December 2023 underscores the rising momentum of [the] South African tourism sector as the international tourists’ arrivals for this period totalled 8.5 million – a remarkable increase of 48.9% compared to 2022,” Minister Ntshavheni said.

Furthermore, Cabinet received a progress report on measures to address the backlogs on tour operator licenses.

“The Department of Tourism will partner with relevant institutions and structures, including the Department of Transport Interim National Public Transport Regulator Committee, to ensure improvement and more quicker turn-around times in the processing of tour operator licenses,” she said.

The plans also include establishing a call centre to handle tour operator queries.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has reiterated South Africa’s unequivocal call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza, calling upon the international community to act swiftly to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Nxesi was delivering a country statement on Wednesday at the 350th Session of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) concerning the urgent crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly the Gaza Strip.

The Minister expressed deep concern over the dire situation, highlighting the significant impact of the Israeli military operation on the economy and welfare of the people in Gaza.

“The Republic of South Africa concurs with the Director-General’s report that the people of Palestine continue to suffer at the hands of the Israeli military, with their fundamental human rights, including labour rights, trampled upon and their very existence threatened.

“There is an [urgent] need for basic services and humanitarian assistance to address famine and starvation, and the dire conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza,” the Minister said.

The Minister also urged ILO Member States, who have announced that they will defund humanitarian work by some UN agencies in Gaza, to reconsider their decision.

The alarming statistics from the ILO Director-General’s report revealed that over two-thirds of jobs in Gaza have vanished, equivalent to 192 000 jobs, and that the fundamental human rights, including labour rights, of Palestinians are being trampled upon.

Nxesi underscored South Africa’s concern regarding Israel’s excessive use of force in the Occupied Palestine Territory, which potentially violates international labour conventions.

Consequently, he condemned Israel’s actions for their detrimental effects on the livelihoods, economy, workers and businesses in Gaza. He drew attention to the alarming unemployment rates and the displacement of Palestinian workers.

Nxesi also raised concerns about the complicity of certain ILO Member States and entities in perpetuating injustice in Gaza through their actions and support.

He called for a re-evaluation of the bilateral labour agreements that Israel had signed with some governments. He further urged decisive action to hold Israel accountable for its violations of labour conventions and international law.

“We are concerned that Israel’s bilateral labour agreements with fellow ILO Member States will displace and replace Palestinian workers.  The DG’s report points to a mere 10 000 of the 171 000 workers from the West Bank, formerly employed in Israel and the settlements, currently are able to work there.

“We appeal to the ILO and the affected Member States to review these bilateral labour agreements, which go against the principles and conventions that underpin this organisation.

“We believe we have sufficient grounds to initiate action against Israel under Article 26 of the ILO Constitution and other international human rights treaties,” the Minister said.

South Africa further urged the Workers’ Group and Employers’ Group to break their silence and actively address the plight of Palestinian workers and businesses. Nxesi stressed the critical role of tripartism in advocating for social justice for the most vulnerable.

“We believe in the critical role of tripartism in upholding decent work principles and advocating for social justice, and we appeal to the Workers’ Group and Employers’ Group to call on Israel to implement the provisional measures ordered by the principal legal organ of the United Nations,” Nxesi said.

The Minister reminded the international community of the recent interim measures issued by the International Court of Justice, directing Israel to prevent acts of genocide, ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza promptly, and submit a compliance report.

He expressed dismay at Israel’s disregard for the ruling and urged the international community to add its voice to condemn Israel’s flagrant disregard for international law.

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina will on Friday join the National Consumer Commission (NCC) in commemorating World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) at the University of the Free State.

The theme for this year’s WCRD, ‘Safe Products, Safe Consumers: Fostering Accountability and Compliance’, sheds light on the critical issue of product safety within the South African consumer market.

It emphasises the imperative for suppliers to adhere to the regulations enforced by various consumer protection bodies in the country.

A series of consumer education and business compliance initiatives are already underway ahead of WCRD, led by various regulators in the consumer space, under the umbrella of the Consumer Protection Forum (CPF).

These efforts are geared towards empowering consumers on their rights and ensuring compliance among suppliers.

As part of these activities, the University of the Free State will also host a symposium tomorrow, focusing on food safety and the roles of relevant stakeholders in guaranteeing that consumers purchase and consume goods meeting the required safety standards.

During WCRD celebrations on 15 March, Gina will deliver a keynote address highlighting the significance of consumer rights and government’s commitment to ensuring consumer safety.

“WCRD serves as a crucial reminder of the responsibilities we hold as custodians of consumer interests. It is imperative that we continue to foster accountability and compliance among suppliers to safeguard the well-being of consumers.

“This year’s theme underscores the importance of ensuring that products entering the market meet the highest safety standards, thereby instilling confidence among consumers.

“Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders and rigorous enforcement of consumer protection regulations, we can create an environment where consumers can make informed choices and trust in the safety and quality of the products they purchase.

“I look forward to engaging with fellow advocates and stakeholders during the celebrations as we reaffirm our commitment to protecting consumer rights,” she said.

Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr David Masondo, has reiterated to his counterparts in the United States of America (USA) that government is working hard to get South Africa out of the grey list.

“[We] are working together with [the] Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the United States as our important partner to combat illicit and terror finance, manage risks associated with that, and generate the necessary investor confidence in our country,” Masondo said.

South Africa was grey listed by the FATF in February 2023 for not complying with international standards that relate to money laundering and addressing illicit financial flows.

The FATF is the international standard-setting body that oversees global compliance with anti-money laundering rules.

The FATF grey list refers to the FATF’s practice of publicly identifying countries with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. The FATF maintains two such lists with one being jurisdictions under “increased monitoring” that are actively working with the FATF to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes” and secondly “high-risk jurisdictions subject to a call for action” that are not actively engaging with the FATF to address these deficiencies.

The Deputy Minister and the United States Deputy Secretary of Treasury, Wally Adeyemo, as well as officials, recently held a bilateral meeting as part of measures to strengthen cooperation between the two Treasuries and associated entities.

“Investment is critical for economic growth, which is a necessary condition for addressing unemployment and poverty in our country. But if our country is infested with corruption, illicit and terror finance, we cannot attract investment. Hence, we are working hard to get out of the greylist,” said Masondo.

Deputy Secretary Adeyemo said the US shared a “deep and broad” relationship with South Africa and that South Africa can continue to take steps that will ensure that it attracts more capital from the US and other parts of the world.

The Deputy Minister said the capacity of agencies such as the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been improved upon in order for them to combat issues such as money laundering.

The US authorities also offered further technical assistance to assist South Africa to exit the grey listing, and rebuild the capability of institutions combatting money laundering, terror financing and wildlife trafficking.

Masondo said South Africa has made significant progress since being grey listed, including passing two Acts in Parliament aimed at addressing money laundering and terror financing.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tabled in Parliament the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill in August 2022. The tabling followed Cabinet’s approval of the bill at its meeting on 17 August 2022.

In a statement at the time, the National Treasury said the approval was a demonstration of government’s commitment to the fight against corruption, money laundering and terror financing.

READ | SA works on exiting FATF grey list

The country has also addressed 15 of the 20 legislative deficiencies identified by the Financial Action Task Force.

The US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury is visiting South Africa from 10th – 15th March 2024.

South Africa has no regrets about becoming the first country to file a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to end its “deadly and relentless genocidal bombardment” of Gaza.

This is according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile who attended a question and answer session in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.

Speaking in Parliament, Deputy President Mashatile said the United Nations estimates that more than 30 000 Palestinians, including over 10 000 children, have been killed.

“Over 70 000 have been injured while 10 000 are missing under rubble. This brings the number of civilian casualties to about 110 000, amounting to roughly 5% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population. We will not condone genocide,” he told Members of Parliament.

Last year, South Africa led a case against Israel at the ICJ in The Hague, under the Genocide Convention, for acts committed by Israel in the context of its attacks on Gaza on 7 October 2023.

This is after members of the Hamas military and political organisation massacred at least 1 200 people and abducted 240 others during surprise attacks on its territory.

In January 2024, the ICJ ordered Israel to, among others, take all measures within its power “to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide” and to immediately ensure that Palestinians have access to basic services and humanitarian assistance.

While South Africa had called for the suspension of Israeli military operations in Gaza, the court did not grant this provisional measure.

READ | President calls for an end to Palestinian suffering

“Similarly, I must reiterate South Africa’s condemnation of Hamas for the indiscriminate and wanton violence meted against Israeli civilians,” the country’s second-in-command added.

“We are mindful that not every citizen supports our government’s decision to refer the Gaza bombardment to the ICJ.

“We are also aware that some, here at home and abroad, started by opposing our position. However, they have revised their view, taking into consideration the number of deaths and sheer scale of human suffering.”

READ | SA requests ICJ to act to prevent famine in Gaza

In addition, he acknowledged those who support Israel for ideological reasons, including religious.

“They will never be swayed no matter the facts and however persuasive the argument. There are, frankly speaking, some whose idea of human pain is informed by the pigmentation of the perpetrator and the victim.

“Others do not so much as care about anything that happens beyond our borders and would rather that we become an insular society even as the world shrinks into a village.”

However, he vowed that government would continue to engage every sector of society, especially on matters contentious.

On the other hand, he said South Africa was committed to the promotion of social cohesion, which he believes does not mean the absence of difference, but the promotion of consensus and evolution of a practical programme of action for progressive social change.

“It is in the context of Ubuntu and the building of a better Africa and the world that we remain committed to promoting the Bill of Rights, which enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.”

Meanwhile, he said the country would continue to pledge solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle to end all acts of the apartheid system by the Israeli government, and the genocide emanating from that evil system and support their collective right to self-determination.

“As President Nelson Mandela emphasised: ‘Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians’,” he concluded.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says government is implementing rapid response interventions to resolve water and electricity disruptions in various municipalities across the country.

The Deputy President was speaking during his question and answer session in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.

Through the Service Delivery War Room, the Deputy President said the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has developed some improvement plans to implement rapid response interventions.

These, he said, include the establishment of the Results Management Office and the introduction of reforms in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to fund repairs, refurbishment and renewal of infrastructure.

The war room is looking into the continued deployment of technical professionals through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA).

The Deputy President told Members of Parliament that part of the Results Management Office’s responsibility is to assist municipalities in advancing demand-side management measures and providing alternate energy supplies.

“These initiatives are aimed at reducing the impact of load shedding and its effect on substations and transformers,” he said.

Last week, the Deputy President, together with the Deputy Ministers of CoGTA and Water and Sanitation, visited Knysna Municipality in the Western Cape to find solutions to some of the challenges the municipality is facing.

“We are happy to report that with the support of MISA, the pump station that had been vandalised in the Hornlee area has been repaired, and water supply has been restored to the community.

“As this government, we are committed to working within the inter-governmental relations framework to ensure that we assist municipalities in delivering services to our people,” he said.

MISA continues to engage the private sector to fund bulk water infrastructure projects. Mashatile cited Sishen Mine in the Northern Cape and the Anglo Platinum Mine in Limpopo as some examples of private sector projects.

“These private sector entities have stepped up to fund wastewater treatment works upgrades in the Northern Cape and Limpopo,” he said.

In addition, Eskom has initiated the Active Partnering Programme, which provides technical support to municipalities through targeted interventions based on their needs. This is also aimed at strengthening the capacity to address the high failure rate of mini substations and transformers.

The Deputy President said Parliament is currently processing the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill to establish the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency as a State-owned company, and a major public entity.

“The agency will enable South Africa to expand our bulk water infrastructure and improve the management of existing water assets to ensure water security over the next decade,” he explained.

Mashatile said government will continue to work tirelessly to assist municipalities to meet their constitutional obligation to provide reliable water and sanitation services to all South African citizens.

Government continues to provide targeted support for female-owned businesses to promote women’s sustainable participation in the economy, said Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa.

“The ultimate goal is for women to develop sustainable enterprises that contribute to the country’s gross domestic product, employment, equity and economic transformation to enable women to have equal access to and control over economic resources,” she said.

The Minister was delivering a keynote address at the 2024 Forbes Woman Africa Awards in Johannesburg on Friday.

She also touched on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s preferential procurement target announced in 2020 to accelerate the empowerment of women, youth and people with disabilities in business.

“This a strategy mapped out by government to allocate 40% of all procurement spend in the public sector towards businesses owned by women,” Ramokgopa explained.

“South Africa has set the precedence, now we need the rest of the continent to follow and lead in the capacitating of women-owned SMEs (small and medium enterprises).”

GBV

The Minister also used the platform to call on African leaders to take up the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

“Beyond the change-makers in this room, our call for gender equality is more pressing for working class and poor women,” she said.

Ramokgopa believes that freedom and security remain significant aspects of gender equality.

Gender equality

The Minister said she was honoured to be joined by women across the world in celebrating International Women’s Day under the ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’ theme.

This year marks 47 years since the United Nations (UN) officially recognised 8 March to celebrate the significant strides achieved by women and the broader women’s movement.

“This year is no exception as we amplify our global call for gender equality. We must be bold in our articulation that the empowerment of women requires the necessary financial, political, social, and institutional commitments from all sectors of society,” she stated.

This, she said, includes development financing, and creating an enabling legislative environment that supports gender equality.

She told delegates that the continent carries a rich history of women’s contributions to liberation and development such as Charlotte Maxeke, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Wangari Maathai, Graça Machel and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

“In 2024, the women of Africa enjoy hard-earned gains. However, more still needs to be done to accelerate the progress in advancing and protecting fundamental human rights. We dare not lower our voices.”

Women’s rights

Ramokgopa said South Africa has signed and ratified several treaties and instruments aimed at advancing women’s rights in several multilateral fora including the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa of 2003, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

“Although the agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment in South Africa is advanced in comparison with many other countries, we remain committed to ensuring that the rest of Africa increases efforts to achieve gender equality.”

Ramokgopa also paid tribute to the women who have been brave in their pursuit of equality by occupying strategic positions across the continent and diaspora.

She mentioned the likes of 2019 Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi and those who are flying the African flag high including the Grammy-award winner singer and performer Tyla Seethal, Kenyan comedian Elsa Majimbo, local media personality Bonang Matheba and Nigerian award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

“As the African continent joins in celebrating South Africa’s 30 years of democracy and freedom, may we never trivialise the hard-earned gains of women under this dispensation.”

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, and his Zimbabwean counterpart, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, will on Thursday sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the transfer of treated water to Musina.

The bilateral agreement between the two countries will allow for supply of about 15 million cubic metres per annum (m3/a) which is equal to 41 Ml/d of treated water from Beitbridge Water Treatment Works in the Republic of Zimbabwe to Musina in South Africa.

The Musina Local Municipality has a total population of 132 009 people residing in 192 villages and one town, which is Musina. The area is dry with limited sources of water and largely relies on groundwater for supply.

“South Africa and Zimbabwe signed a bilateral agreement on Co-operation on Water Resources Management and the Establishment and Functioning of the Joint Water Commission (JWC) in 2015,” the department said in a statement.

Limpopo Watercourse Commission agreement amendment

On the day of the signing of the agreement, Mchunu with his counterparts from Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique – who are all members of the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) – will also sign the amended LIMCOM Agreement in the transboundary agreement.

LIMCOM is a transboundary organisation established by four member countries to use management of the shared water resources in an equitable manner.

The department said the agreement will enable the Ministers to adopt policies, decisions and provide guidance on the promotion and coordination of the management, development, and equitable utilisation of the shared water resources.

“During the Commission Sitting, the four countries will sign a commitment to implement the Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin.

“The agreement will strengthen South Africa’s relations with the three riparian states which share the basin and use water from the river to support various socio-economic activities, including agriculture, tourism, energy generation, as well as for domestic use,” the department said.

National Water Month

Meanwhile, Mchunu and his Deputies, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala, together with Vhembe District Municipality Mayor, Freda Nkondo, will on Friday engage with the community of Musina at Musina Showgrounds, to provide feedback and progress made to address water supply challenges in the area.

The two-day activities form part of the annual National Water Month host by the Department of Water and Sanitation in March.

The National Water Month is South Africa’s expansion of World Water Day, which is observed on 22 March and focuses attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

This year’s World Water Day will be observed under the theme ‘Water for Peace’, which focuses on the critical role water plays in the stability and prosperity of the world.