Category: News

Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has unveiled a R430 million bulk infrastructure project in Moqhaka Local Municipality, Free State.

Unveiled on Friday, the bulk infrastructure project for Maokeng Extension 10 and 13 will yield 5 300 serviced stands to benefit the community of Moqhaka in the Fezile Dabi District Municipality.

The project also includes sites for public amenities like schools and recreational facilities.

Kubayi said the infrastructure project will provide a huge financial injection into the municipality.

“This will be in the form of labour, the procurement of materials, diesel and hiring of plant machines. As part of local economic development, 30% of the value of the project will be spent on local sub-contractors,” Kubayi explained.

The event was followed by a community engagement at Constantia Hall in Maokeng township, where the Minister handed over 445 title deeds to the rightful beneficiaries.

The handing over of title deeds is part of the Title Deeds Friday campaign, which the department is embarking on to restor dignity by fast-tracking the issuing of title deeds to the rightful owners.

Kubayi said about 30 000 title deeds are readily available for handing over to beneficiaries around the country, and the Free State province accounts for the highest number, at least 16 000 title deeds.

The Minister said the main obstacle to the delivery of title deeds to beneficiaries is township establishment. She urged municipalities to state their problems in the planning process, as they delay the issuing of titles.

Joined by Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, Cooperative Governance Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements MEC, Ketso Makume and Moqhaka Local Municipality Mayor, Ellis Mokatsane, Kubayi used the opportunity to reiterate the department’s warning to contractors who leave projects incomplete.

“The worst scenario is if you take the money and do not complete the work. It disadvantages communities who must benefit. Some contractors fail to complete projects because of criminal elements who demand money from them and disrupt the implementation of projects.

“We are pleased the Security Cluster has come on board to rid the sector of these criminal elements. Communities must work with government, as the Security Cluster continues to be seized with resolving this untenable situation of project disruptions,” the Minister said.

Kubayi called on councillors to interact with communities, citing an agreement with Mokatsane that all ward councillors will, in the next two weeks, call community meetings to talk to the people about developments in their areas.

Makume reiterated government’s commitment to clear all backlogs, saying that a title deed “restores people’s dignity and confirms the ownership of property”.

“To many, it gives hope to their children that they will have a home to live in even when they pass on, and it is also means giving our people the land,” Makume said.

On Monday, 6 November, the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, briefs media in Pretoria on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 1 November.

From Monday, 6 November, the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is expected to embark on a series of follow-up visits to Eskom power stations. The follow-up visits will begin at Arnot and Hendrina power stations in Mpumalanga on Monday, 6 November.  On Wednesday, 8 November, the Minister Ramokgopa will visit Kriel and Matla power stations in Mpumalanga. On Thursday, 9 November, he will visit Camden power station in Mpumalanga.

On Monday, 6 November, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, hosts the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ukraine, Dmytro Kubela, for political consultations.

On Monday, 6 November, the Deputy Minister of Transport, Lisa Mangcu will lead a clean-up and awareness campaign at the Rand West City Local Municipality in Randfontein.

From Monday, 6 November to Tuesday, 7 November, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) and the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal embark on a service delivery drive to address psychosocial challenges that women, youth and persons with disabilities are confronted with in Kwa-Nongoma.

On Tuesday, 7 November, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, will host a consultative stakeholder engagement meeting on South Africa’s negotiating position ahead of the third Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC3), which is  scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 13 – 19 November 2023.

From Tuesday, 7 November to Thursday, 9 November, the Department of Employment and Labour will host a three-day Occupational Health and Safety Conference in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

From Wednesday, 8 November to Thursday, 9 November, the Anti-Corruption Dialogue will be held in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

On Thursday, 9 November, the Electoral Commission will present the Atlas of Results for National and Provincial Elections to Parliament.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has once again called on Israel to adhere to its obligations under international law and protect civilians as required under the Geneva Conventions and under International Humanitarian Law.

This comes after reports from Al Jazeera suggested that Israel may delay the repatriation of nationals from countries such as South Africa, Brazil and Ireland due to these countries having called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“According to reports from the ground in Gaza, Israel is reportedly choosing countries that it considers ‘friendly’ to allow their nationals to leave first.

“Those countries such as South Africa, which Israel considers ‘unfriendly’ and which have taken a strong stance on the ongoing onslaught are being pushed to the bottom of the list. At the current slow pace at which the Israelis are approving foreign nationals, the turn for South Africans could be after 20 days,” DIRCO said in a statement.

The department said it believes that it is not only foreign nationals who must be allowed to freely exit the Gaza Strip in a timely manner.

According to the latest data, the department said at least 9 227 Palestinian civilians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October.

Meanwhile, more than 1 400 Israelis, including settlers and soldiers, have been killed in Israel.

“Over the past few days, a school, a hospital, an ambulance, and civilians on roads travelling South have been bombed.

“The bombing of the ambulance at the gate of Al-Shifa Hospital on Friday killed 15 people, injuring 16 others,” the department said.

It said the targeted air strikes on civilians fleeing South killed 14 Palestinian civilians, among them children.

“These are serious breaches of international humanitarian law and are war crimes. These actions again illustrate the need for an immediate ceasefire, as overwhelmingly voted for by members of the United Nations General Assembly.”

Meanwhile, the department said ongoing threats by Israel to bomb the Al-Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals, where thousands of displaced civilians are sheltering, must be condemned by the international community.

“South Africa invested resources, together with its IBSA partners, India and Brazil, to build a state-of-the-art cardiothoracic unit at Al-Quds Hospital over six years ago, as Israel at the time was preventing Gazans from leaving to get medical treatment in the West Bank. Threats to bomb the hospital put this investment at risk, but more importantly, countless human lives,” DIRCO said.

By Nomonde Mnukwa

Since the dawn of our democracy, one of our nation’s priorities have been increasing accessibility for everyone, especially vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities.

Today, in a democratic South Africa, the rights of persons with disabilities are protected, promoted and advanced through legislation and the Constitution, which leaves no room for discrimination on any grounds.

While our laws and policies have been enacted to promote people with disabilities, they should not be viewed by the private and public sector simply as a compliance issue.

Equality for people with disabilities must become a lived reality to enable a societal shift that will ensure people with disabilities fully contribute to the country’s socio-economic growth and development.

As we mark National Disability Rights Awareness Month from 3 November to 3 December, it is a time for introspection on how we can advance the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure that people with disabilities are fully integrated in every area of our society.

Government remains unwavering in its commitment to uplift and improve the lives of disabled people. To facilitate the full participation of people with disabilities, public spaces are being equipped according to the needs of those with disabilities, for example wheel chair-friendly environments.

These spaces improves the quality of life for people with disabilities by enabling their participation and improving accessibility. This supports social cohesion priorities of government and promotes the rights of disabled people.

The recent recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language is an important step towards the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Through the enactment of the SASL, the language needs of people with hearing impairments are met, helping increase their access to economic and learning opportunities. Moreover, it ensures they have equal protection and benefit under the law.

Learning for children with hearing difficulties is being facilitated through the use of sign language in teaching and learning by the Department of Basic Education. This initiative is helping empower and equip these children to develop their lives beyond their circumstances.

Government is working towards creating economic opportunities for people living with disabilities to enable them to actively participate in the economy and provide for themselves and families. These economic opportunities also give them a sense of fulfilment.

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities together with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development have collaborated to accelerate inclusion for women, youth and persons with disability in the agricultural sector.

The SASSA disability grant enables over 1 million people with disabilities to live integrated lives in communities.

Whilst government strives to improve access for people with disabilities, we urge organisations, Non-Profit Organisations and civil society to work with us in creating an enabling environment for people with disabilities.

These include spaces with wheel chair ramps, assistive devices, incorporating sign language facilitators for deaf people and braille materials for the blind.

Everyone can lend a helping hand to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. It can be through helping a disabled person cross the road, volunteering at shelters or learning sign language.

Our actions are inspired by our former President Nelson Mandela who advocated for the rights of disabled persons. Madiba said: “The new South Africa we are building should be accessible and open to everyone… Only then will the rights of the disabled to equal opportunities become a reality”

While we have come a long way in breaking some barriers of access and entry for people with disabilities, more needs to be done to move disability issues into the mainstream. Together we can further advance our democracy by improving access for everyone, especially vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities.

*Mnukwa is the Acting Director-General for the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says South Africa will continue to explore various avenues of strengthening and deepening long-standing economic, trade and people-to-people relations with China.

“By advancing more South African value-added products from a top 10 category to an exponential top 100 products, we are confident that we are making progress in our bilateral trade,” he said on Sunday.

The Deputy President was speaking during his open remarks at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.

“We commend the Chinese government’s efforts to continuously host the CIIE, thereby opening this market to the world, and to Africa in particular.”

Mashatile described the expo as a unique platform that provides companies around the world the opportunity to showcase their products and services, and expand their network.

It is also a platform to conclude trade deals, while companies learn about the culture of doing business with Chinese enterprises and get first-hand information on compliance and adherence to Chinese protocols.

The country’s second-in-command said South Africa has optimised the space accorded to it at the Country Pavilion for Trade and Investment, where 25 South African entities — comprising provincial trade and investment agencies, export councils and other manufacturers — have been supported to exhibit at this premier location.

“We have also secured additional space at the Enterprise and Business Fair. A further 11 business enterprises are showcasing the best of South Africa’s agricultural produce and agro-processing products,” Mashatile said.

The stalls include value-added products in the diverse sectors of creative industries, medical equipment, clothing and textiles, cosmetics, metals, mining and engineering services, manufacturing, and aerospace and defence technologies.

“We are confident that the group of businesspeople that we have supported to participate in the multi-sectoral expo will not only find markets for their products through the business-to-business meetings, but they will also identify opportunities for joint trade and investment ventures,” Mashatile said.

South Africa’s participation, he said, is taking place on the back of three significant events, including the BRICS Summit hosted in Johannesburg in August.

BRICS is a bloc of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

“At this summit, our two countries, together with the other founding BRICS partners, agreed to expand the membership for greater global influence and impact,” the Deputy President said.

The other events include the Procurement Mission led by the Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, which resulted in purchase agreements for South African products of about US$2.2 billion, and the Bi-National Commission held this month, which was co-chaired by Mashatile and Vice President Han Zheng.

By Nomonde Mnukwa

One of the greatest lessons we can take from the COVID-19 pandemic is that life is precious and that we were never designed to live in a state of complete isolation or individualism.

During the pandemic, many people battled with depression because of prolonged periods of isolation. It showed us the significance of togetherness and how interactions make our lives more meaningful and help us overcome life’s challenges.

Our return to normality has once again allowed us to rekindle the spirit of humanity and togetherness that epitomises the character of our nation. Throughout our history, we have shown that we are stronger together and can overcome the most arduous challenges.

Our country is built on the cumulative actions and deep relationships of its people. It is also our collective culture and rich diversity, which makes South Africa an exceptionally great nation. This collectivism is known as the spirit of Ubuntu, which encompasses the quality of being human and showing humanity.

The word Ubuntu has its roots in the IsiZulu phrase “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”, which means that a person is a person through other persons or I am because we are, suggesting the interdependency of humankind.

It suggests that we can each achieve our full potential by promoting the well-being of others and reminds us that we need each other to live holistic lives and build a better nation.

Moreover, the spirit of Ubuntu reflects our warm and rich South African heritage premised on values such as compassion, consideration, empathy, kindness, equality, human dignity and oneness.

As we move our nation forward, we are called to reignite in the spirit of Ubuntu to work towards the common good and collective interests for the betterment of everyone. Let us support one another and encourage togetherness as we contribute to building our nation.

Redefining our legacy as South Africans requires us to adopt a culture of Ubuntu and we can begin by simply lending a listening ear and providing advice, guidance or a shoulder to lean on for those who require emotional support.

Ubuntu calls for us to lend a helping hand in our communities and this can be done by donating to those less fortunate, helping elderly citizens, volunteering in charity, initiating food drives or cultivating food gardens to enable food security for impoverished communities.

We can volunteer in neighbourhood watch groups and support our local community police forums to help fight crime in our communities. Actions such as refusing to buy stolen and or fake goods and reporting such activities to the nearest police station advances our fight against crime.

One of the most gruesome crimes that needs our collective effort is Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). We can play our part by reporting violence and abuse perpetrated against women and children to the nearest police station and help survivors overcome their horrific experience through support, and counselling.

Let us also support and guide our children by being available to them and directing them towards the right path.  One of the ways we can do this is by discouraging the consumption of intoxicating substances, which are detrimental to their health.

All South Africans, particularly our youth are urged to say “NO!” to drugs and illegal substances. We must intensify the fight against drug and substance abuse as it directly or indirectly affects everyone in our communities

In the spirit of Ubuntu, let us lend a helping hand to our youth by making every effort in our area of influence to offer young people their first work opportunity. The more young people we draw into work, the more we build our nation and drive back the scourge of unemployment.

Government, on its part, will bring together citizens in a common front against our most pressing challenges through community outreach programmes, awareness campaigns and Izimbizo.

We can all make South Africa a great nation by taking the spirit of Ubuntu forward and embracing a culture of collectivism. In doing so we can build a nation that flourishes and works for everyone.

*Mnukwa is the Acting Director-General of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

The Department of Tourism, together with the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) – an agency within the Department of Small Business Development, has announced the opening of the application process for the Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) on Monday, 06 November 2023.

“Following Cabinet’s approval in September 2023 for the revised TEF to be implemented, we are delighted to announce that the Request for Proposals for funding from the TEF is now open to businesses,” the Department of Tourism said in a statement.

The R1.2 billion TEF aims to increase growth and transformation, and stimulate more inclusive participation in the tourism sector in line with the targets of the Tourism B-BBEE Sector Codes.

The TEF is intended to address the funding challenges faced by Qualifying Small Enterprises and Emerging Micro Enterprises in the tourism sector.

The TEF will be implemented by:

• Assessing and scoring applications against jobs to be sustained and/or jobs to be created, location and geographic spread, and targeted groups (youth, women, and people with disabilities).
• Department of Tourism and Sefa in partnership with banking and/or financial institutions in the Republic of South Africa, which includes, amongst others, banks and developmental finance institutions that will offer affordable and tailor-made financial solutions, in an attempt to close funding gaps in the market, through the provision of a blended finance solution.
• Disbursing a total of 80% of the TEF funds to existing Small Medium and Micro Enterprises in the market to enable these businesses to grow. The remaining allocation of 20% of the funds will be disbursed to new businesses.

“Sefa will implement, execute and manage the Fund through a Fund Management Agreement signed with the Department of Tourism. The Department will support and monitor the implementation of the TEF on a monthly basis,” the department said.

The TEF places significant emphasis on providing support to tourism enterprises that meet the qualifying criteria, including a minimum of 30% Black ownership either before or after the financial support.

The TEF is exclusively dedicated to investing in various sub-sectors within the tourism industry as prescribed in the Tourism B-BBEE Sector Codes.

The department said it is committed to enhancing transformation in the tourism sector and the TEF aims to contribute towards achieving transformation goals in this important sector of the economy.

“The funding structure comprises grant funding, and debt financing, to meet the distinct needs of tourism enterprises that are either seeking equity acquisition, investment in new developments, or expansion of their existing businesses,” Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said.

The TEF is backed by public-private partnerships which support the participation of private, commercial, and non-commercial banks, and various developmental funding institutions.

“The collaboration between public and private entities serves as a notable example of successful cooperation in advancing a more inclusive and prosperous tourism sector.

“The Department of Tourism remains committed to advancing the transformation agenda through creating equitable opportunities to realise an inclusive and revived tourism economy,” de Lille said.

With consideration of Regulation Gazette No 11067, Volume 697, No 49018 published on 25 July 2023, withdrawing Regulation Gazette No 11241, Volume 668 of 19 February 2021. No 44172, all applicants (including previous applicants) are encouraged to submit new applications that will align with the new qualifying criteria of TEF.

For more information on the Tourism Equity Fund and the application process visit: https://www.tourism.gov.za/CurrentProjects/Tourism_Equity_Fund/Pages/Tourism_Equity_Fund.aspx

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has praised police officers for their determination and bravery after four suspects, who were believed to have been terrorising the community of Inanda, were fatally wounded in a shootout with police this week.

A team comprising various police disciplines, private security, the National Intervention Unit and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) conducted an operation after intelligence led them to a house near Dube Village Mall in Inanda.

As the police officers approached the house, they were met with gunfire. A member of the National Intervention Unit was shot in the leg and was transported to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

Following a heated gun battle, four suspects were fatally wounded. Police found four pistols in their possession. A manhunt continues for more suspects. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has been summoned for further investigations.

Mkhwanazi commended the police officers for remaining composed during the gun battle, which lasted for about half an hour.

“We will continue to hunt down these ruthless criminals, who are terrorising innocent civilians in Inanda. It is quite obvious that they are hell bent on taking down police officers and will not submit themselves to face the might of the law,” he said.

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) has put measures in place to ensure the 20th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum takes place in a safe and secure environment.

NatJOINTS includes various government departments led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the State Security Agency (SSA).

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said a safety and security operational plan is already being enforced, with all critical role players already on the ground to execute their various responsibilities, as per their mandate.

Mathe said police visibility has been heightened in and around the Johannesburg Expo Centre, with the aim of preventing and combating any form of opportunistic crime, before, during and post the event.

She emphasised that only those in possession of accreditation to attend will be allowed near the venue and restricted areas.

“Those found with fraudulent accreditation will face the full might of the law. Lost cards must be immediately reported to the South African Police Service. It is a serious offence to exchange cards amongst colleagues.

“Residents of Johannesburg and those who are operating businesses within the vicinity of the Johannesburg Expo Centre are advised about road closures for the duration of the event,” Mathe explained.

The affected intersections in the Nasrec precinct as reported by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) include:
•    Nasrec Road and Recreation Road;
•    Nasrec Road and Randshow Road;
•    Randshow Road and Commerce Street;
•    Nasrec Road and Landbou Road;
•    Golden Highway Road and Randshow Road;
•    Ring 1 and Ring 2;
•    Golden Highway and Stadium Road and
•    Nasrec Road and Stadium Road.

NATJOINTS assured all dignitaries, attendees and spectators that multidisciplinary and integrated teams are already on the ground and are ready to deliver a safe and secure event.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has welcomed the tabling of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), despite the statement’s downward revision of revenue collection by some R56.8 billion.

The MTBPS was tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in Parliament on Wednesday.

“SARS has continued with its core functions of collecting all that is due to the fiscus. During the first half of the current fiscal year, we have collected gross revenue totalling R1 016.3 billion, growing by 4.5% and recording a surplus of R1.0 billion against the Budget 2023 estimate.

“This performance is on the back of strong gross collections from VAT, Fuel Levy and PIT [Personal Income Tax], partially offset by lower gross collections from CIT [Corporate Income Tax], as company profits remain under pressure. Without our assistance, the fiscal framework would have been under greater pressure.

“This is a good news story and offers hope in a currently challenging environment. Through focused commitment, SARS has paid back to the economy through refunds for the first six months of the current fiscal year an amount totalling R212.2 billion, higher by R24.6 billion over the prior year and higher than the Budget 2023 estimate by R30.1 billion,” the revenue service said in a statement.

The 2023 main budget had projected collections would reach some R1.78 trillion but that has now been revised down to R1.73 trillion.

“Income and profits in the broader economy have been adversely affected from what was anticipated at the 2023 February Budget. Provisional corporate income tax collections, from especially the mining sector, have reduced at the end of the June 2023 and led to a larger than expected deficit against the 2023 Budget estimate.

“Nevertheless, higher-than-estimated profitability in the finance sector (amongst others) supported provisional corporate income tax and dividends tax collections. Main sector performance that showed growth includes – Finance 7.8% from employment and vesting of shares, Community 6.8% from annual salary increases (mainly Government) and Wholesale 6.2%, mainly from retail and vehicles,” SARS said.

The revenue service highlighted that net tax revenue performance is “impacted adversely” by local and global challenges.

“A slowdown in mining production is down 55% due to lower demand of coal. This is compounded by disruptions to and underinvestment in freight and logistics networks, which erode the competitiveness of the South African economy. The intermittent and inadequate electricity supply remains the most immediate and significant constraint to production, investment, and employment.

“Rising inflation rates constrained household spending by raising the cost of living. Global growth slowed further in recent months. Central banks are countering the effects of high inflation by implementing restrictive monetary policies for longer than anticipated which negatively impact on all developing countries. Several global risks remain, including the increase in geo-political tensions, resulting in the need for stronger domestic demand to support economic growth,” SARS said.

The revenue service added that Gross Compliance Revenue yielded some R118.4 billion.

Key focus areas in this regard include:

• R11.9 billion from revised assessments flowing from the verification of 1.12 million returns, up Y/Y up by R5 billion (70%).
• Almost R40 billion that was secured from resolving more than 440k debt collection cases, up Y/Y R4 billion (±12%).
• R2.3 billion secured from 121 illicit investigations and 181 state capture cases in progress, 27 cases handed to the NPA.

Fraudulent claims

SARS highlighted that fraudulent refund claims remain a concern for the tax collector.

“At R172.1 billion, VAT refund payments contribute 81% to the overall outflows, growing against last year by R21.5 billion. 84% of all VAT Refunds are paid within 21 days, up from 77% last year. However, like all other revenue agencies, impermissible and fraudulent refunds remain a concern in this year, SARS prevented R45 billion from being paid out.

“Equally important is that we have prevented R45 billion from being paid out following verification activities that were enabled by Artificial Intelligence. Impermissible and fraudulent refunds remain a concern, and we must deal with this phenomenon,” the tax collector said.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter encouraged South Africans to do the right thing and pay what is due to the tax authority.

“The historic win by the Springboks on Saturday communicates an important yet simple message – that every single point makes a massive difference between winning and losing. While the odds were stacked heavily against the Springboks, it took superhuman efforts individually and collectively to contribute to what at times look like an impossible victory.

“It is therefore incumbent upon all of us as South Africans to play by the rules like the Springboks and never give up until the final whistle blows,” Kieswetter said.