Category: News

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has praised the Grade 12 students, who benefit from Social Development services and have successfully completed the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

Of the 897 775 Grade 12 learners who wrote their NSC, 543 786 full-time learners were social grant beneficiaries, with 62 out of 110 social grant beneficiaries amongst the top performing learners in different categories, as awarded by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

According to the department, social grant beneficiaries formed the largest number of learners who wrote their 2023 National Senior Certificate and 441 871 learners passed the NSC examinations which is an overall pass rate of 82.9%.

About 202 156 received a Bachelor’s pass, which gains them access to institutions of higher learning, with 160 326 distinctions.

The Minister said that the child support grant formed the biggest grant type received by these learners, with the majority of them from KwaZulu-Natal, the second-best performing province after Free State.

The South African Constitution, through the Child Justice Act, also obligates the state to provide care and support services to children in conflict with the law, including educational opportunities.

According to the data from the Departments of Basic Education and Social Development, 1 630 children in conflict with the law  registered for the 2023 NSC.

“Providing educational opportunities for children in conflict with the law is a key element of rehabilitating and re-integrating them back into society. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (the CRC), which South Africa ratified in 1995, recognises the importance of education for children in conflict with the law,” Zulu said.

The Minister detailed that the Social Development sector has been integrating the social protection administrative data system to ensure better coordination of services and tracking of health and educational outcomes for beneficiaries of various government services aimed at tackling child and adult poverty.

She asserted that the linking and sharing of administrative data systems within the social cluster departments – Social Development, SASSA, Department of Basic Education, and NSFAS – ensure information is shared on the academic performance of social grant beneficiaries.

“One such success story of the benefits of linking and sharing of data systems was the agreement between Social Development and NSFAS on the exemption of social grants beneficiaries from the means test, a decision that has significantly bridged the higher education gap as it opened the doors of learning for many, regardless of their socioeconomic background,” the Minister said.

Zulu emphasised that education has the power to break the cycle of poverty and transform lives. By accessing education opportunities at institutions of higher learning, she said, many social grants beneficiaries have succeeded in creating a better future for themselves and their families, thus breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and inequality.

“The benefits of social grants extend beyond individual beneficiaries to broader society. Our government’s pro-poor policies such as our social assistance programme, no-fee schools, school nutrition, school uniforms, free health care including sanitary dignity packs have made significant impact over the past 30 years in reducing poverty by bridging the education gap for learners from impoverished backgrounds. We will continue to build on the success of these impactful interventions that have lifted many of our people out of poverty,” Zulu said.

State power utility Eskom is expected to embark on a province-wide prepaid meter installation drive in Limpopo, as part of its meter maintenance programme.

“Eskom Limpopo is excited to announce a significant advancement in our ongoing commitment to providing reliable electricity services to the residents of the Limpopo province. As part of electricity meter maintenance, Eskom Limpopo will be introducing prepaid smart meters as an ongoing initiative in phases across the province,” the power utility said.

Eskom warned that customers in the area may experience some power supply interruptions during this time.

“Eskom Limpopo acknowledges the inconvenience this may cause and wants to assure the community that every effort will be made to minimize the duration of the interruption. Eskom believes that by working together, we can create a more sustainable and efficient energy future.

“We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the community during this transitional period. The safety and well-being of our community and customers are paramount, and we urge all customers to treat all electrical connections as live during this period,” Eskom said.

Meanwhile, the power utility has announced on social media X that Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from today (Monday) until further notice.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the unprecedented success recorded by the matric Class of 2023 is evidence of the determination and ambition of learners and of a nation that values its youth.

The President offered his warm congratulations and that of government to the matriculants and the extended support system of educators, parents, school governing bodies and health care providers who carried this cohort of learners through the COVID 19 pandemic when they were in earlier grades.

The 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) overall pass rate reached 82.9%, compared with 80.1% in 2022, and 76.4% in 2021.

This is an improvement of 2.8%, and 6.5% from the pass rates achieved by the Classes of 2022 and 2021 respectively.

In real numbers, 572 983 candidates passed the 2023 NSC exams.

As a percentage, the 2023 pass is the highest in the history of the NSC.

Similarly, Bachelor passes as well as passes with distinction produced by the Class of 2023 stand out as the highest in the history of NSC exams.

“The Class of 2023 has given itself and the nation great cause for pride and belief that our investment in education is the key to moving our country forward.

“The 2023 matric results show that we’re a nation that takes care of its young people and that our young people are taking care of their future through their resilience and their dedication to learning.

“The matric results are an irrefutable indicator of our comprehensive national development during 30 years of freedom and democracy. Our success in education must motivate us to achieve even greater things in all areas of our development,” President Ramaphosa said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated South Africa’s unequivocal call for an “immediate and comprehensive ceasefire” in Gaza, Palestine.

The President on Friday delivered the country statement of South Africa during the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit being held in Uganda.

The Israeli-Palestinian war erupted in October 2023 when militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel – killing at least 1200 people.

The Israeli retaliation on Palestine has been far greater with estimates that more than 20 000 Palestinians have been killed with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reporting the internal displacement of some 1.9 million people in Gaza.

“South Africa calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza. We call for the release of all hostages and the resumption of talks on a just solution that will end the suffering of the Palestinian people. We further call for unhindered and expanded humanitarian access to allow for vital aid and basic services to meet the needs of everyone living in Gaza.

“As a consequence of the ever-worsening situation of the people of Gaza, South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice to issue provisional measures ordering Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza. This is necessary to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the ongoing conflict lays bare the “inadequacy” of global governance organisations such as the United Nations (UN).

“South Africa recently made financial contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency and the UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] to support their humanitarian operations in Gaza and the broader Palestinian refugees. In addition, many ordinary South Africans and NGOs have mobilised resources to assist the people of Gaza.

“The conflict has again illustrated the inadequacy of the United Nations, in particular the UN Security Council, in maintaining international peace and security. We should establish a system of global governance that is fair and equitable, and has the capacity to respond to the needs of all persons in situations of threat and harm,” he said.

World challenges

Fixing attention on the Summit, President Ramaphosa said the gathering takes place at a time when international challenges – “exacerbated by geopolitical dynamics and conflicts in various regions of the world” – are abound.

“The wars taking place in Ukraine and Palestine are causing grave humanitarian and health crises and contributing to international instability. The supremacy of multilateralism as embodied by the United Nations Charter and international law is being undermined exactly when it is needed most.

“At a time when the world appears to be once again divided between east and west, the Non-Aligned Movement should continue to assert its independence based on our common values.

“South Africa remains steadfast in advancing its non-aligned approach in the maintenance of international peace and security and advocating for inclusive dialogue and the peaceful political settlement of disputes,” he said.

President Ramaphosa called on the NAM to work together in pursuance of:

• the right to self-determination of the peoples of Palestine and Western Sahara;
• the lifting of the economic blockade against Cuba and unilateral sanctions against Iran, Venezuela and Zimbabwe;
• reaffirmation of the inalienable right of access to nuclear materials, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes;
• upholding the centrality of the UN Charter and international law in the peaceful resolution of conflict;
• defeating the scourge of terrorism and its root causes; and,
• the alleviation and eradication of poverty and underdevelopment.

“This interconnected world calls for a collective determination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to address the economic, social, health and environmental challenges that every country faces.

“We need to give dedicated attention to the reform of global governance institutions, including the United Nations. We must give meaning to the principle of sovereign equality of nations and ensure that the voice of the African Continent and the Global South is strengthened in the broader multilateral system,” he said.

A man is due to appear in the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court today following his arrest for possession of unlicensed firearms with ammunition, as well as for contravention of the Firearm Control Act of South Africa.

A multi-disciplinary team consisting of members from the Mpumalanga Provincial Organised Crime, Criminal Record Centre, Provincial Designated Firearms Officers, Elukwatini Detectives, VISPOL, as well as officials from the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) played a major role in the breakthrough.

According to a report, information was received by law enforcement agencies regarding a firearms cache stored by an old man inside a house at Elukwatini.

Further information indicated that the man, 67, was in some way part of a certain security company but was suspected to be non-compliant.

The team coordinated their resources to establish if he was compliant to the PSIRA regulations. As a result, the team paid him a visit at Elukwatini on Thursday afternoon.

A search warrant was obtained and upon arrival at the premises as per information provided, the law enforcement agencies conducted a search.

The members discovered a total of about 106 firearms as well as 1704 various assorted live rounds of ammunition.

Among the weapons found in the house are 14 rifles, eight shot guns, 84 pistols with ammunition, 718 9mm pistols, about 921 live rounds of ammunition for a rifle and 65 live rounds of ammunition for a shotgun.

It is further reported that the firearms were not kept inside a safe but rather stored underneath a bed while some were kept inside the wardrobe.

The members discovered that licences for some of the firearms, owned by a certain security company had already expired. The male suspect could not account for about 20 firearms.

In addition, the members established that he did not have licences for four pistols, which had ammunition hence he was arrested and charged accordingly. Part of the probe is to determine how he got hold of the firearms. Police investigations are continuing.

The firearms as well as the ammunition were confiscated for further investigation.

As a norm in the police, the confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine any linkages to crimes committed in the country.

At this stage, police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspect as the investigation continues, in relation to contravention of the Firearms Control Act.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has welcomed the arrest of the suspect as well as the recovery of the firearms with ammunition.

“Indeed the proliferation of firearms remains a thorn in the flesh in our endeavour to win the battle against crime.

“Therefore when we succeed in recovering these firearms as well as arresting suspects, it gives us courage that we are really moving towards the right direction whilst removing firearms from the wrong hands. We commend the whistle blowers and members for the job well done,” said the General.

An extension has been granted to allow the public to submit their comments on the review of Coastal Waters Discharge Permits issued to fish processing facilities operating within St Helena Bay in the Western Cape.

The notice calling for public participation was published in various newspapers on 23 November 2023, as well as on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s (DFFE) website.

The date for submissions has been extended to 29 February 2024.

“The review process of the Coastal Waters Discharge Permits (CWDPs) aims to amend inconsistencies in the conditions of the CWDPs to establish uniformity and ensure gradual and consistent improvement of water quality in St Helena Bay over a five-year period.

“Persons or entities who discharge, or intend to discharge, effluent from land-based sources are required to obtain a CWDP or a General Discharge Authorisation from DFFE,” the department said on Friday.

This is according to Section 69 of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act 24 of 2009 (ICM Act) which regulates pollution that originates from land-based sources.

Four fish processing establishments (FPEs) in St Helena Bay, namely Lucky Star, West Point Processor, Pioneer Fishing and Amawandle, have historically been discharging effluent into coastal waters using CWDPs obtained prior to the enforcement of the ICM Act.

“The review process intends to set effluent discharge limits based on the 90th percentile of the FPEs’ effluent monitoring results from January 2022 to December 2022. Subsequently, the effluent improvement limits will mandate a 20% annual enhancement of interim limits for all FPEs.

“To achieve these improvements and meet the stricter limits, the FPEs will be required to upgrade their infrastructure. Members of the public, including interested and affected stakeholders, are encouraged to take advantage of this extension to make valuable contributions and submissions,” the department said.

Inputs can be delivered by hand to:

The Director: Coastal Pollution Management

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

1 East Pier Building, East Pier Road

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Attention: Dr Yazeed Peterson

They can also be emailed to fpp@dffe.gov.za.

Copies of the current CWDPs, together with proposed amendments, can be downloaded from the department’s website at https://www.dffe.gov.za/permits/coastalwatersdischarge or obtained via email from rmolale@dffe.gov.za.

Hard copies of these documents can be obtained from any of the four FPF companies mentioned above. Any enquires may be directed to Rueben Molale on 021 819 2493.

The Hawks’ Bellville-based serious corruption investigation team have arrested Renay Claudine Ruiters for acts corruption.

Ruiters, 47, is a traffic official who allegedly extorted R15 000 from a person whom she arrested for driving under the influence of liquor in September 2023.

The matter was brought to the attention of the Hawks and the arrest was effected on Wednesday.

Ruiters is out on R1000 bail after she briefly appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. The matter is postponed to 05 April 2024 for further investigation.

Head of the Hawks in the Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato, appreciated the arrest as law enforcement officials are mandated to uphold and enforce the law.

He said this would hopefully send a strong message to other law breakers.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has reminded individual taxpayers and trusts that are provisional taxpayers, to file their income tax returns for the 2023 tax year as the deadline is around the corner.

The 2023 year of assessment refers to the period between 01 March 2022 to 28 February 2023. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, 24 January 2024.

“SARS has made it easy for taxpayers to comply through online filing solutions. The personal income tax return (ITR12) and trust income tax return (ITR12T) may be obtained on eFiling while an appointment with a SARS branch may be made on the SARS website. Taxpayers are encouraged to refer to the SARS website for further information on their tax obligations, trusts, tax filing season 2023 and provisional tax.

“SARS is taking a zero-tolerance approach to taxpayers not registering for the applicable tax, not filing tax returns, not making accurate declarations in their tax returns and failing to make payments due to SARS where applicable. Non-compliance with these obligations is a criminal offence and will attract penalties and interest,” SARS said on Thursday.

A provisional taxpayer is any person who receives income or to whom income accrues, other than remuneration.

A Trust is included under the definition of a “person” in terms of the Income Tax Act, no.58 of 1962 and is therefore regarded as a taxpayer.

“All trusts are required to file a tax return annually, including those that are not economically active. A trustee is the representative taxpayer of a trust and is liable to file on behalf of the trust or appoint a registered tax practitioner to do so,” SARS said.

As of the 2023 year of assessment, trustees are required to submit mandatory supporting documents during the filing process.

These documents include amongst others, the trust instrument, annual financial statements, letters of authority, resolutions/minutes of trustee meetings and an organogram depicting the beneficial ownership of the trust.

Additionally, beneficiaries of trusts are required to declare their income, including income derived from a trust, in their personal income tax returns.

The Gauteng Department of e-Government has urged learners who wrote their matric exams last year to use the Matric Results Online System to access their results.

The matric results for the National Senior Certificate exams are expected to be released on Friday, 19 January, while the ministerial announcement on the results will be made on Thursday, 18 January.

The Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, e-Government, Research and Development, Mzi Khumalo, said the system empowers learners.

“The Matric Results Online System is a testament to our commitment to harnessing the power of technology to enhance our education system. We believe in this case that technology not only facilitates access to information but also empowers learners to make informed decisions about the success of their education.

“This initiative aligns with our broader vision of creating a transparent and accessible education system. By providing instant access to matriculation results, we are fostering a culture of openness and accountability within our education sector,” Khumalo said.

The department explained that the digital platform provides “easy access to matriculation examination results for learners, parents, and educators alike”.

The platform can be accessed at https://results.gauteng.gov.za/.

“The Matric Results Online System is a user-friendly platform that allows learners to conveniently access their matric results on their smartphones or other digital devices as soon as the results are out.

“It is a safe platform to use and also offers insightful data analytics, allowing learners to track their performance trends over multiple examinations.

“Parents and guardians can also utilise the app to access their children’s results, fostering a more collaborative and supportive approach to education. Additionally, educators can use the platform to gain valuable insights into the performance of their learners, enabling them to tailor teaching strategies to address specific needs,” the department said.

Nhlanhla Sizani (24) has appeared briefly before the Pretoria Magistrates Court on charges of fraud, alternative forgery and uttering after he was issued with a summons on 12 December 2023.

It is reported that during the 2021 Local Government Elections (LGE), Sizani submitted a fraudulent letter with the United Nations (UN) insignia, requesting South African Police Service (SAPS) escort to polling stations for the duration of the elections.

Sizani is said to have misrepresented himself as a United Nations (UN) Ambassador/Diplomat and thus was escorted by SAPS Diplomatic Police Unit to various polling stations as an observer.

Through an investigation by the Hawks’ Crime against the State within Serious Organised Crime Investigation, the UN confirmed that Sizani was not an Ambassador/Diplomat (observer) and the request for escort was not requested by them.

SAPS suffered financial loss as a result of the misrepresentation.

The case was postponed to 23 January 2024 for the accused to obtain legal representation.