Category: News

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed a briefing by the Vice President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of the Republic of Sudan, Malik Agar Eyre Nganyoufa, on the situation in Sudan, while reiterating the call for an immediate ceasefire.

President Ramaphosa held a meeting with Nganyoufa on the situation in Sudan on Sunday.

According to the Presidency, the purpose of the meeting was to brief the President on the developments towards peace in Sudan.

“President Ramaphosa welcomed the briefing and expressed South Africa’s support for dialogue between the warring factions. The President further reiterated the call for an immediate ceasefire that will alleviate the suffering and humanitarian catastrophe facing the Sudanese people, especially women and children.

“President Ramaphosa looks forward to meeting with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council,” the Presidency said.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has convened a Board of Inquiry with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to investigate an incident which led to the deaths of two defence force members.

“The incident occurred when one of them [SANDF member] shot and killed the other with their service weapon before turning the weapon on themselves with fatal consequences,” said the SANDF of Thursday’s incident.

In a statement on Friday the defence force said it has convened a Board of Inquiry to work with the MONUSCO command to investigate the incident and the circumstances that led to it.

Meanwhile, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise has expressed her shock at the incident that involved the two officials deployed to the central African country.

The remains of the officials will be repatriated to South Africa in due course and all families have been informed of the unfortunate incident.

Minister Modise, the Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla, the acting Secretary for Defence, Dr Thobekile Gamede and the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya have expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased.

Last month, the SANDF repatriated and officially handed over the mortal remains of Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semono to their families.

Bobe and Semono were killed and three of their colleagues injured in the DRC after a mortar bomb landed inside one of the South African contingency military bases.

The soldiers were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) deployed to support and assist government of the second-largest country in Africa to restore peace, security and stability.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is set to inject R740 million for six road maintenance projects in the Kou-Kamma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape over the next few months.

These projects include a periodic maintenance contract for the N2 National Road from Bloukrans River bridge to Storms River village intersection, valued at R80 million, and another contract from Storms River village to Wittelsbos, worth R50 million.

The scope of work will entail the construction of surface seal, localised surface repairs, crack sealing and edge break repairs.

“The special maintenance project on the R62 national road between the border of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces is expected to start in June this year and over 30 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are expected to benefit, and over 200 job opportunities will be created.

“About 250 job opportunities are expected to be created, and over 35 SMMEs will benefit on the special maintenance project on the R62 national road between Joubertina and Kareedouw.

“The construction tender for the special maintenance of the R62 between Louterwater and Joubertina is in design stage, while the periodic maintenance between Bloukrans River bridge and Storms River village is at tender evaluation stage. The contract for the periodic maintenance between Storms River Village and Wittelsbos is in construction tender stage, closing in March 2024,” SANRAL project manager Siphesihle Bulose said.

SANRAL Southern Region’s Transformation unit, Zenande Mpondo, said that the roads entity will train and develop SMME contractors to enhance their business acumen and tendering skills.

“All SMMEs will be required to undertake assessment and class activities during the training, and they will have to demonstrate competence to be awarded the unit standard. The unit standards are from the National Certificate: Construction Contracting National Qualifications Framework (NQF) 2. These unit standards are a skills programme that will have a credit value towards the National Certificate,” Mpondo said.

The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has urged the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and the Office of the Military Ombud, to find workable solutions to the Ombud’s current challenges in spending its goods and services budget.

The committee received a mid-term report for the 2023/24 financial year (1 April to 30 September 2023).

“While the committee welcomed the progress in implementing the Ombud’s mandate, it highlighted that the current process where the Ombud can only procure goods and services through the department, limits its ability to properly function and spend its budget.

“The committee acknowledged that the Minister of the Defence and Military Veterans has given assurances that the matter is under consideration. Furthermore, the committee hopes the National Treasury’s review of the Ombud office’s capacity to ensure it is adequately resourced will bear positive fruit,” said the Committee in a statement on Friday.

The Office was created in 2012 with the mandate of investigating complaints by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members and former members regarding their conditions of service.

Part of the mandate is also investigating the complaints from the members of the public regarding the official conduct of the SANDF when they are on duty.

Meanwhile, the committee welcomed progress made in investigating complaints lodged with the Ombud Office, especially carryover cases from the previous financial year.

The committee was informed that the office had 100 active cases by September 2023, which included 53 cases lodged in this financial year and 47 lodged in the previous year.

The committee has encouraged the Office to continue ensuring the effective and efficient resolution of complaints within the set timeframes through continued improvement of investigation turnaround times.

This, according to the committee, will further entrench the legitimacy of the office in the hearts and minds of South Africans.

The committee also welcomed the work the Office has done in strengthening its outreach programme across the country to make the public aware of its mandate.

The Office reported that it has undertaken 52 outreach programmes across the country and that it is now collaborating with sister government departments and municipalities to ensure its work reaches a wider audience.

“The heightened outreach programmes will lead to greater awareness of the mandate of the office and will ensure adherence to set standards. Also, training of members of the South African National Defence Force by the office will ensure that members are aware of expected official conduct,” co-Chairperson of the committee, Cyril Xaba said.

Dan Marokane officially assumes his role as Eskom Group Chief Executive today.

In a statement on Friday, the Eskom Board expressed confidence in Marokane’s abilities, as well as in the leadership and staff of Eskom, emphasising their collective commitment to turning the organisation around.

“We expect Morokane and his leadership team to accomplish at least two critical tasks. Firstly, they must address the current business challenges. Load shedding must become a thing of the past. Secondly, they need to reposition and restructure Eskom to enable growth and sustainability,” said Eskom Board chairman Mteto Nyati.

As Marokane takes the helm, the Eskom Board has asked him to prioritise several key areas in the first 100 days and these are:

• Assessing the Generation Operational Recovery Plan.
• Reviewing Eskom’s unbundling plans.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders.

These first 100 days are crucial for helping him gain the necessary insights about Eskom and the industry.

Eskom said the new Group Chief Executive should be in a position to engage with the media at the end of this critical period.

“Morokane has the full support of the Eskom Board. Eskom employees are excited to welcome him back into the organisation. We invite all South Africans to rally behind him as he steers Eskom toward stability, reliability, and sustainability,” said Nyati.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan announced the appointment of Marokane in December 2023.

READ | Marokane re-joins Eskom as new chief executive

According to the Department of Public Enterprises, Marokane is a qualified Chemical Engineer, who has a MBA and is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of senior leadership experience.

At the time of the announcement of his appointment, Marokane was expected to join the power utility no later than 31 March 2024.

Marokane was a senior manager at Eskom from 2010 to 2015, holding various senior positions, including Head of Group Capital.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has officially launched Khutlo-Tharo Performing and Creative Arts School of Specialisation in Sebokeng on Thursday, with a focus on Research and Innovation.

The Schools of Specialisation Programme continues to be a pioneering initiative by the Gauteng Department of Education, with Khutlo-Thato marking the 35th School of Specialisation to be launched in Gauteng.

“As we reflect on the journey thus far, it is clear that the Schools of Specialisation Programme has become an integral part of Gauteng’s educational legacy. Through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Gauteng continues to strive for greatness.

“We take pride in Khutlo-Tharo continuing to be a beacon of hope in this community and beyond, providing underprivileged learners with opportunities to explore and develop their creative talents that might otherwise have remained dormant within the confines of traditional education,” the Gauteng Education Department said.

In recognising the integral role of the arts in 21st-century education, the department said that the widely acknowledged STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education yields numerous benefits, including enhanced creativity, academic performance, motor skills, decision-making abilities, visual learning, and overall learning experiences.

By infusing arts into STEAM framework, learners are offered a fresh perspective on traditional subjects, fostering engagement and allowing them to explore diverse fields in a conducive and nurturing environment.

According to the department, this approach not only opens pathways to artistic careers but also prepares learners for success in more conventional professions, including those in Maths, Science and Engineering, further expanding learners’ options and opportunities for their future and emphasising the Schools of Specialisation Programme aim of addressing unemployment.

The school has excelled in the arts, earning multiple accolades in music over the years, while also demonstrating resilience in achieving excellence in matric results. Since 2018, a steady increased has been witnessed, culminating in a commendable 90.8% pass rate in 2023.

During the launch, learners demonstrated how there is Science in Art. The launch was also filled with amazing theatrical, entertaining and musical acts, which showed an extensive level of dedication from learners. The school also promotes entrepreneurship, with learners selling jewellery, artworks and ornaments – all crafted and made by them.

“Indeed, we envision a transformative educational journey that nurtures and challenges learners’ technical, creative, and academic talents. We are committed to dispelling stereotypes associated with arts education and demonstrating the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.

“Our goal is to cultivate well-rounded citizens who will contribute meaningfully to our society and beyond, and it is the learners of Khutlo-Tharo who will be the trailblazers who turn these possibilities into reality. We look forward to embarking on this journey of growth, innovation and empowerment alongside our learners, staff and community,” Chiloane said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Dipuo Peters, of his decision to suspend her.

In a statement on Friday, the Presidency said the Deputy Minister has been informed of her suspension in writing.

The decision follows a sanction adopted by Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interests against the Deputy Minister.

The Committee found that Peters had breached the Code of Ethical Conduct in her former portfolio as Minister of Transport.

Consequently, Peters was sanctioned and suspended for one term.

“The suspension, which will be without pay, became effective on 28 February 2024 and will end on 28 March 2024,” said the Presidency.

In a statement at the end of January 2024, Parliament noted the Western Cape High Court’s dismissal  of Peters’s urgent application to stop Parliament from implementing her suspension from her seat in all parliamentary debates, sittings and committee meeting-related functions for one term of the parliamentary programme.

In October 2023, after considering a complaint lodged against her, Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests found that the Deputy Minister had breached the Code of Ethical Conduct in her former portfolio as Minister of Transport.

As a result, she was sanctioned and suspended for one term.

In its statement Parliament said #UniteBehind leader and activist, Zackie Achmat, lodged the complaint with several allegations, including that Peters “was neglectful in her previous portfolio as Minister of Transport by failing to appoint a Group CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)”.

It was also alleged that she used PRASA buses for ANC events during 2014 and 2015 without ensuring payment from the ANC, among others.

“Following deliberations, the ethics committee found that the Member’s failure to appoint a Group CEO breached items 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 of the code, in that the Member failed to act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in her; and discharge her obligations, in terms of the Constitution, to Parliament and the public at large, by placing the public interest above her own interests when she failed to appoint a Group CEO after the PRASA Board had commissioned a recruitment process, which resulted in a financial loss of R1 767 000,” said Parliament in its statement in January.

The committee advised the National Assembly that for each of the three violations identified, Peters should be barred from participating in all parliamentary debates and sessions, as well as from committee meetings and their related activities and operations, for one session of the parliamentary programme.

Additionally, the committee suggested that the suspensions for all three violations occur simultaneously during a single session of the parliamentary programme, as decided by the National Assembly.

In the response to the court matter, Parliament said it appreciated the court’s sentiments regarding the importance of allowing Parliament, as an arm of State, to regulate its business without interference from other arms of the state.

“Granting relief to delay the enforcement of this sanction would essentially invalidate a decision taken by a different arm of the State, exercising its constitutional oversight responsibilities, especially given its time-sensitive nature, where there is no legal foundation to do so.

“Ms Peters will be placed on suspension commencing tomorrow, 30 January, with the suspension expected to last until 28 March,” said Parliament at the time.

As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Cabinet says plans are in place to achieve the remaining 390 973 work opportunities by March 2024.

The year 2024 marks 20 years of the existence of the EPWP, which represents one of South Africa’s success stories of mass public employment programmes and is by far one of the largest poverty alleviation initiatives.

Briefing media on Thursday during a post Cabinet briefing, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Cabinet received a briefing on the implementation and achievements of the EPWP, a flagship government programme that has provided millions of work opportunities to unemployed South Africans since its inception.

“Cabinet was informed that 4 609 000 work opportunities were created during the Phase 4 medium-term of the EPWP, which covers the period 2019/2020 – 2022/23.

“This figure represents a 92% achievement against the target set by the Sixth Administration to create five million work opportunities. Plans are in place to achieve the remaining 390 973 work opportunities by March 2024,” the Minister said.

The EPWP has over the past 20 years created over 14 million work opportunities, making it the largest continuous public employment programme in the world.

This milestone was achieved through ongoing partnerships with the private sector and civil society.

“These work opportunities have contributed to skills development for the participants, as they were created under a range of EPWP projects in the tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, social projects and projects led by women,” Ntshavheni said.

Of the 4 609 000 work opportunities, the top three provinces where most work opportunities have been created are KwaZulu-Natal, which accounts for 1 064 000 opportunities (23%), followed by the Eastern Cape, with 903 789 (20%) and the Western Cape at 508 954 (11%).

The Minister said while most of these opportunities are short- to medium-term; some have resulted in permanent employment. Figures also indicate that more than 20% of participants obtained employment outside the EPWP.

Many past EPWP participants have successfully completed diplomas in fields such as professional cookery and some are permanently employed in the hospitality industry. In addition to work opportunities, the EPWP also contributes much more in terms of service delivery, and improvements of amenities in communities and a better quality of life.

Over R52 billion has been transferred to the EPWP participants as wages for work done in Phase 4. In addition, over 600 businesses were established through the programme.

Cabinet has commended the South African Police Service for their tireless work which has led to the arrest of seven people in connection with the murder of South African rapper, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, known as AKA, and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.

Forbes was gunned down in Durban’s Florida Road on 10 February 2023 as he was leaving the Wish restaurant. His friend, Motsoane was also murdered.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, announced the arrest of the six suspects during a media briefing held at the SA Police Service provincial headquarters in Durban.

A seventh suspect was arrested on Wednesday morning.

At the briefing, which was also attended by Police Minister Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Mkhwanazi said Forbes was the main target of the shooting, and not Motsoane, who was “at the wrong place at the wrong time”.

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday evening and are facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, among others.

The suspects arrested included a coordinator, shooters, spotter and person who hired the vehicle and firearms.

“The arrests are as result of months of painstaking police work,” Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said during a media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, five suspects made a brief appearance at Durban Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

The case was postponed to 6 March 2024 for bail application.

Ntshavheni said two of the suspects, who were arrested in Eswatini, are still to be extradited to the country.

While unemployment figures may cause despair, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, says the rate of investment into the province is a sign that tomorrow will be better than today.

“As KwaZulu-Natal, we faced an uphill battle in ensuring that investor confidence is unwavering, despite challenges with load shedding, the civil unrest, ageing utilities’ infrastructure, some of which could not withstand the recent floods. Yet we remain determined to continue in our quest to ensure that investors know that KwaZulu-Natal is and remains the most favoured investment destination in Southern Africa,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier made the remarks when delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Oval Cricket Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.

Dube-Ncube said during the South African Investment Conference (SAIC) held last year, where President Ramaphosa’s target was exceeded by some R306 billion, KwaZulu-Natal’s share included 55 companies in the province, which invested over R300 billion.

Dube-Ncube said some of the investments are located in the province’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Richards Bay and Dube Trade Port, and around the province.

“Targeted business expansion and retention support activities amounted to over R23 billion, resulting in 37 201 jobs being created. Added to this are investments attracted by Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) over the last two decades, amounting to over R60 billion and creating over 95 000 jobs,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier said KwaZulu-Natal is committed to the establishment of new leather and textile Special Economic Zones in the Newcastle and Ladysmith corridor, which are estimated at R600 million.

She said the two new SEZs will add to the two provincial SEZs of Dube Trade Port and Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ), and will create 4 500 employment opportunities.

According to the Premier, 35 Black Industrialists have been supported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and for grant funding, and they will create approximately 4 000 jobs. She said the target is to support 10 new Black Industrialists in the coming financial year.

“KwaZulu-Natal has 35 small scale fisheries cooperatives comprising 1 000 small scale fishers registered by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. Government has rolled out training to capacitate these fishers in the variety of Ocean Economy and Maritime technical skills,” the Premier said.

Dube-Ncube also highlighted some government-led projects to create jobs, including the Port of Durban’s R1.34 billion investment programme aimed at upgrading port facilities to mainly increase port capacity. This created 1 328 jobs.

The Passenger Rail Agency South Africa (PRASA) has also spent over R900 million in KwaZulu­-Natal through its capital programme on investment and infrastructure works.

“This includes projects on rolling stock upgrades, including the Bridge City Development with a new rail network, new access gates and CCTV cameras and stations, and the Dalbridge turnaround facility and general infrastructure station improvement. These were never there prior to this government.

“In 2023, the R2 billion Dr Pixley ka lsaka Seme Regional Hospital was officially opened with 500 beds and a full package of regional services provided. This hospital has changed lives, especially in the Phoenix, lnanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (PINK) area, and created 5 312 jobs during construction,” Dube-Ncube highlighted.

The Premier acknowledged that government alone cannot address the enormous developmental challenges faced by the province.

“In order to accelerate development, we have partnered with the private sector to stimulate our economy. The public and private projects, worth over R129 billion, have created over 339 000 jobs,” the Premier said.