Archives

Cabinet has welcomed the release of the 2nd quarter crime statistics, which show that law enforcement agencies’ efforts to turn the tide in the fight against crime are starting to yield results, with a decrease in both murder and violent crimes.

Addressing the post-Cabinet media briefing held in Cape Town on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the murder rate in South Africa has decreased by 5.8%, while sexual offences decreased by 2.5%, and robbery with aggravating circumstances decreased by 8.8%.

“Additionally, rape decreased by 3.1%, while robbery at residential premises and non-residential premises decreased by 1.3% and 21.1% respectively,” Ntshavheni said.

Cabinet also welcomed the arrest of a 39-year-old Mexican national for dealing in and manufacturing drugs, as well as contravening the Immigration Act after a multi-disciplinary operation guided by police led to the discovery of a drug laboratory in Rietfontein, Johannesburg, valued at approximately R100 million.

“In addition, the South African Police Service (SAPS), through an intelligence-driven operation, confiscated a container carrying cocaine with an estimated street value of around R86.5 million, which came in from Brazil through the Durban Harbour.

“[Additionally], five suspected ATM bombers were killed in a shootout with police in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga. The suspects opened fire on the police after they were cornered at a safe house in Schoongezicht in Emalahleni,” Ntshavheni said.

Cabinet has called on all sectors of society to partner with the police to strengthen the fight against crime.

“By working together, we can create safer communities and public spaces, while ensuring criminals have no place to hide,” she said.

Cabinet has called on anyone who witnesses the sale of counterfeit foodstuffs and expired items in communities to report it to the National Consumer Commission.

Complaints can be reported free of charge at 012 065 1940.

This comes amid rising concerns about contaminated food linked to the deaths of several schoolchildren in some communities across South Africa.

Briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 December 2024, Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said since President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on 15 November 2024 where he announced interventions against foodborne illnesses, nearly 200 000 spaza shops have been visited while more than 1 000 spaza shops, supermarkets and warehouses have been closed down.

“Large quantities of goods have been confiscated and numerous fines have been issued for violations of by-laws. There will be added scrutiny of manufacturers of foodstuffs and pesticide Terbufos to ensure that proper controls are adhered to,” Ntshavheni said.

The Minister said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) continues to coordinate government’s response to incidents of foodborne illness.

She said the Departments of Small Business Development and Trade, Industry and Competition were finalising the setting up of a R500 million fund to support South African-owned townships and rural businesses, as soon as they meet the compliance requirements.

Cabinet reminded all spaza shops and food handling businesses to register for permits at their respective municipalities within 21 days and to meet required health standards or face closure.

All spaza shop owners and vendors must register with their respective municipalities from 15 November to 13 December 2024.

Cabinet also called on all South Africans to remain vigilant when purchasing food items, especially items that have passed their expiry date.

“Let us make it our responsibility to educate our children about food safety, including teaching them to check the labelling themselves.

“Vendors and food producers are also urged to adhere to strict hygiene practices, including proper food storage, thorough cooking, and maintaining clean preparation areas,” Ntshavheni said.

As the country continues to observe the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has praised Captain Gail Cottee for her sterling work in putting perpetrators behind bars.

Captain Cottee, a forensic social worker, is attached to the Bishop Lavis Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations Unit in the Western Cape.

She joined the police service 17 years ago and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work.

She later went on to obtain a master’s degree in child and family studies.

Forensic social work is a specialised field of social work practice within the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) environment, which is characterised by the social worker’s primary function of providing expert testimony in courts of law.

As a forensic social worker, Cottee’s core function is to conduct forensic interviews in the investigation of child abuse cases using age-appropriate techniques to obtain accurate information from child victims to assist a court to make just and fair decisions.

Often travelling vast distances, Cottee traces and assesses child victims within six policing areas that include Bishop Lavis, Bonteheuwel, Elsies Rivier, Langa, Ruyterwacht and Valhalla Park.

Among her many career highlights include the sentencing of a sexual predator to 30 years’ imprisonment by the Parow Regional Court in 2021.

The perpetrator (63) was a respected member of the Bishop Lavis community who befriended the victim’s grandmother while he also gained trust from the rest of the family. He sexually groomed and impregnated the 16-year-old victim twice over a period of four years.

Cottee was also assigned to compile a forensic assessment report and testified in court as an expert witness whereby two girl victims under the age of ten were repeatedly raped over a period by their stepfather.

In December 2023 the Parow Regional Court sentenced the 48-year-old stepfather to 25 years in prison.

“These sentences are the result of good teamwork and cooperation, each team member executing his or her duties to the best of their abilities,” said Cottee.

The community of Bishop Lavis is known for gangsterism and high volumes of serious and violent crimes.

Cottee understands the dynamics of the communities she serves which enables her to relate to child victims and compile quality assessment reports.

Cottee said parents, caregivers, teachers or any other adult should never doubt or dismiss a child when they are disclosing the possibility of sexual abuse.

She also urged adults to contact their nearest police station, open a case and act in the best interest of the child.

“In my profession I learnt that every small action counts. It gives me great joy knowing that my services as a forensic social worker give voiceless child victims a voice in court,” said Cottee.

Captain Cottee is one of countless members who remain relentless in their pursuit to fulfil the mandate of the SAPS in protecting women, children and vulnerable persons with pride.

The 16 Days campaign forms part of government’s comprehensive 365 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.

This year’s campaign is being held under the theme: “30 Years of Advancing Collective Action to End Violence against Women and Children”.

The campaign is held from 25 November to 10 December every year.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has commended members of various law enforcement agencies in the province for intercepting pure cocaine worth R80 million, packed inside a shipping container at the Durban Harbour.

According to a police report, information was received by the police about a vessel which left Brazil at the beginning of November carrying pure cocaine that was disguised as kidney beans.

The vessel, which came to South Africa via another country, was monitored until Saturday when it docked at the Durban Harbour. The identified container was taken to a warehouse on South Coast Road in the Bluff area for a proper search.

During the search, eight bags of crushed pure cocaine were found and according to the documentation, the shipment was destined for Johannesburg.

Ntuli said increased police surveillance at targeted crime hot spot areas is yielding positive results, as law enforcement intelligence operations continue to thwart criminal activity in all the corners of the province.

“We commend the excellent work being done by members of various law enforcement agencies to ensure that we close ranks. We are sending a strong message to all criminal syndicates that we are on high alert, we have adopted a zero-tolerance stance against all criminal activity,” Ntuli said.

Ntuli also acknowledged the Border Management Authority (BMA) effort, who are working around the clock to tighten security measures at all ports of entry and borders of the province.

He said the provincial government and law enforcement agencies under the banner of the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster has developed an integrated multi-disciplinary crime prevention plan during the festive season to ensure that the province remains the destination of choice for holiday makers and tourists to create a safe environment conducive for the growth of business, and to boost investor confidence.

The Premier has reassured the people of KwaZulu-Natal that targeted intelligence driven operations will be affected throughout the festive season and beyond.

“Our provincial government has called for augmented numbers of police deployed during this period especially at identified crime hot spots like the Durban harbour. We are going to clamp down on all crime elements in our province,” the Premier said.

Ntuli encouraged the community members to continue coming forward with critical information to assist law enforcement to crack down on criminal activity in our province.

The Presidency has addressed a misunderstanding regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s remarks at the SA-Nigeria Bi-National Commission on Tuesday, clarifying changes to the visa application process for Nigerian nationals.

South Africa has implemented modernised and streamlined visa application procedures as part of ongoing visa reforms to enhance economic activity, boost tourism and protect national security. These reforms aim to improve efficiency and convenience, without compromising the integrity of the visa system.

According to the Presidency, South African missions in Nigeria have introduced measures that simplify the process for prospective travellers. This forms part of the work underway to modernise and streamline visa application processes worldwide.

Applicants are no longer required to submit their physical passports at the time of application. Instead, they only need to provide certified copies of their passport biopage for initial processing. However, applicants must present their physical passports during the application process for verification and confirmation.

“Prospective travellers can apply for their visas without submitting their passports, along with their applications. At the time of application, they are only required to submit certified copies of the biopage of their passports, and their actual passports should also be availed during the application process for verification and confirmation.

“Once a visa has been approved, they are required to submit their passports for the process to be completed and for the visa to be affixed in the passport,” The Presidency explained.

The Presidency further explained that these changes have improved the customer experience, while ensuring the security and integrity of the overall visa application process.

With the public gearing up for the festive season, consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets as the price of all grades of petrol has increased by 17 cents a litre.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) announced the price increase of 93 (ULP & LRP) and 95 (ULP & LRP) by 17 cents on Tuesday.

As of Wednesday, a litre of 95 petrol now costs R21.47 in Gauteng from the R21.30 seen in November.

In the coast, a litre of 95 petrol now cots R20.68 from R20.51 seen in November.

Diesel (0.05% sulphur) has increased by 54.88 cents per litre while the price of Diesel (0.005% sulphur) has increased by 55.88 cents per litre.

The price of Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale) has risen by 48.88 cents per litre and the Single Maximum National Retail Price for illuminating paraffin (SMNRP) has increased by 66 cents per litre. Meanwhile, the maximum LPGas retail price has increased by R1.72.

The department said the average Brent Crude oil price decreased from 73.28 US Dollars (USD) to 72.70 USD during the period under review.

“The main contributing factors are the OPEC+ decision not to increase production in December and increased production from non-OPEC countries amid stagnant economic growth globally,” said the department.

In a statement, the department added that the average international product prices of petrol were affected by lower demand, a switch to cheaper winter gasoline as well as higher inventories.

“On the other hand, diesel and illuminating paraffin increased because of higher seasonal demand given the upcoming winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. LPG prices increased due to the increase in the prices of propane and butane. These factors led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 19.69 c/l, 23.83 c/l and 16.86 c/l, respectively.”

“The Rand depreciated on average, against the US Dollar (from 17.53 to 17.93 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one. This led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 22.35 cents a litre, 23.74 cents a litre and 23.62 cents a litre, respectively.”

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has emphasised to his Nigerian counterpart the necessity for both nations to elevate investment and trade relations to a higher level.

“One of the overriding imperatives of our bilateral relations is the need to increase our investment and trade relations to higher levels.

“The relatively large sizes of our economies logically dictate that our economic collaboration should be yielding much bigger results,” Lamola said on Monday.

The Minister was speaking in Cape Town, where he co-chaired the Ministerial Meeting of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) with the Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

To enhance economic cooperation and build on established sectors that both investors have in the markets, Lamola said identifying bankable projects, especially in infrastructure development, is a key priority they should pursue together.

Lamola stressed the importance of expanding trade relations between South Africa and Nigeria, as well as utilising opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Our bilateral trade needs to reflect the enormous potential that is abundant in our countries,” he added.

Lamola said strengthening people-to-people relations is essential for fostering understanding, friendship, and shared values.

He is of the view that this approach also promotes tourism, creative industries, sporting events, and collaboration in education and science.

“This will also allow our citizens to appreciate the rich tapestry of diverse cultures and heritage that exists in our respective countries.”

South Africa and Nigeria are this year marking 30 years of diplomatic relations, established in February 1994.

This morning’s session focused on strengthening relations and reviewing and evaluating the progress made in implementing the decisions from previous meetings.

“As we deepen bilateral collaboration, our countries cannot avoid the historical responsibility bestowed on us to be responsive to the challenges in our regions, the continent, and the international sphere,” Lamola said.

Nigeria has consistently advocated for an international system focused on peace in global relations among nations, Lamola said.

“Nigeria, like South Africa, puts a high premium on the promotion of dialogue and peace in resolving disputes among countries.

“[Nigeria’s] current and previous leadership of ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] illustrates this track record of highlighting the supremacy of diplomacy over confrontation.”

Lamola expressed concerns about the state of peace and security in some parts of Africa and globally.

“The world is becoming fragmented and fragile, challenging the foundations that are important for anchoring a peaceful world.

“Multilateralism is under threat as the temptation to resort to force is becoming a feature of inter-state relations in certain regions. Our continent is also grappling with a few conflict and war situations in some regions.”

As leaders seek to strengthen global institutions to be responsive to the needs of all States, Lamola said reform of some institutions has become paramount.

“It is important that progress is realised in the current engagements aimed at reforming the United Nations Security Council. This organ of the United Nations needs to be more inclusive.”

He also assured his counterpart that South Africa’s Group 20 (G20) Presidency, which the country assumed on Sunday, is committed to ensuring that African developmental priorities are highlighted.

“Once again, Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu, I welcome you and your delegation with open arms of friendship as we open this Ministerial segment.

“I look forward to the report of the officials and hearing your insights and perspectives on the matters we are about to deliberate upon.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa will co-chair the 11th Session of the BNC between South Africa and the President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has outlined a series of government interventions in a bid to curb food safety challenges affecting vulnerable communities across the province.

This follows weeks of heightened reports of food poisoning incidents, particularly impacting children.

Outlining a series of government interventions during a media briefing recently, Ntuli said the provincial government commits to tackle the root causes of the problem, which include poor regulation of the informal food sector, inadequate hygiene standards and insufficient waste removal systems.

“The safety and health of our communities, especially our children, are priorities we cannot compromise on. We are moving swiftly to implement measures that will restore public confidence in the safety of our food supply,” Ntuli said.

Steps to improve community safety

Ntuli said the provincial government is rolling out a multi-pronged approach to address the issue, through interventions, including enhanced monitoring and inspections; trader education and awareness campaigns, strengthened municipal oversight; community collaboration, and coordination with national efforts.

Through enhanced monitoring and inspections, a provincial task team, in collaboration with local municipalities, will conduct routine inspections and surprise spot checks at spaza shops and informal food outlets to enforce compliance with hygiene and safety standards.

The provincial government will also launch a campaign to educate informal traders about food safety practices, waste management, and the importance of adhering to licensing requirements.

To strengthen municipal oversight, Ntuli said the municipalities will play a significant role in enforcing the newly gazetted by-law, ensuring that all food outlets meet safety and hygiene benchmarks.

“Communities are encouraged to report unsafe practices and suspicious food products to local authorities. This feedback will help officials take swift action against non-compliant vendors. The province will align its strategy with the national government’s initiatives, ensuring that local interventions complement broader regulatory efforts,” Ntuli said.

The Premier’s briefing follows the national government’s gazetting of a draft municipal by-law aimed at standardising food safety regulations across municipalities. The by-law seeks to address critical gaps in oversight and provide a consistent framework for monitoring spaza shops and informal food outlets.

Recent food poisoning incidents have highlighted systemic challenges in the informal food sector, where regulation and enforcement have been uneven. Children, particularly those relying on meals purchased at or near schools, have been disproportionately affected.

While acknowledging the severity of the crisis, Ntuli expressed optimism about the steps being taken.

“These interventions are not just reactive but designed to create a lasting solution that prioritises public health,” the Premier said.

He also called on all stakeholders, including informal traders, law enforcement agencies, and municipal officials, to work together to ensure food safety standards are upheld.

“Protecting the health of our people is a shared responsibility. Together, we can safeguard the lives of our children and restore trust in the food sector,” Ntuli said.

The provincial government has vowed to closely monitor the implementation of the measures, with plans to evaluate progress and address shortcomings.

Ntuli said public feedback will be central to refining the province’s approach and ensuring its effectiveness.

“KwaZulu-Natal’s efforts to tackle food poisoning and spaza shop safety represent a broader commitment to improving the living conditions and well-being of its citizens. The measures announced signal a proactive stance in addressing challenges that have long plagued the informal food sector, with a firm focus on public safety and health,” Ntuli said.

Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Municipality Deputy Mayor, Gary van Niekerk, has described the demolition of a hijacked building and crime hotspot at 35 Clyde Street, Central, as a major step towards addressing problem buildings.

Once a quaint, historic building, the hijacked building had become a den for crime, where illicit activities thrived in the dilapidated structure.

The door to the murky world was firmly shut when Stu Davidson Plant Hire and Demolition started their work on Friday morning (29 November).

Van Niekerk was alerted to the criminal activities at 35 Clyde Street during a visit to a closed-circuit television (CCTV) control room of a private security company in November last year when he was mayor.

According to Van Niekerk, a memorandum was signed to fast-track the demolition of the eyesore that used to be a historic gem occupied by the Community Chest, a non-profit organisation in the welfare sector.

Van Niekerk said the owner of the building was tracked down and encouraged to apply for a demolition certificate.

“He [owner] did, and we got municipal officials around the table to ensure that the process is fast-tracked to demolish the building. We only lacked a budget to get the job done and this conundrum was solved at the launch of the Mandela Bay Development Agency’s CCTV control room launch earlier this month.

“We discussed this matter with a representative of the Central Special Rating Area (SRA) and an agreement was reached. This resulted in Stu Davidson & Sons agreeing to demolish the building at a reduced cost as part of their corporate social investment portfolio,” Van Niekerk explained.

The Deputy Mayor said the SRA will only have to pay for a third of the cost.

“We are excited that this initiative will bring immediate relief for the residents of that street, as a major crime hotspot has now been removed,” Van Niekerk said.

Residents have commended the initiative, saying they will now be able to move freely at night and not be concerned about thugs robbing and attacking them from the site.

In November 2021, four people were killed and five wounded during a shootout at the site.

Five suspected ATM bombers have been killed and one arrested during a shootout with police in Emalahleni, in Mpumalanga.

The suspects were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with the Tactical Management Operational Section (TOMS) of the Hawks, the South Africa Police Services (SAPS) Special Task Force (STF), and Falcon Risk Security in the early hours of Monday.

National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, said the team was following up on information received regarding a potential ATM bombing in the Witbank area.

“Information was operationalised leading the team to Schoongezicht in Emalahleni where the group was reported to be converging at an alleged safe house. The multi-disciplinary team were strategically posted to be on the lookout for the white Toyota Hilux received in the intelligence information.

“The identified vehicle was spotted driving out from the area and when the team attempted to stop the vehicle, suspects opened fire, and a shootout ensued. Five suspects were fatally wounded and one injured,” Lebeya said.

Lebeya said a R5 rifle, a hunting rifle with a scope, and three 9mm pistols, as well as explosives, were recovered on the scene.

The bakkie in which the suspects were travelling in, was subject to further investigation.

Lebeya has commended the work of the law enforcement agencies.

“A call is made to potential robbers to withdraw from such activities as this always attracts dire consequences. The team shall always be on alert,” Lebeya said.