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South Africa administered 52 556 COVID-19 vaccines in the past 24 hours, 43 137 more shots compared to last Sunday.

According to the Department of Health, this means the country has now distributed 17 875 187 vaccines since the start of the inoculation programme.

South Africa now has 9 075 189 fully vaccinated adults, of which 37 982 people either received the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine or the second dose of the Pfizer jab.

Meanwhile, as of Sunday, the cumulative number of COVID-19 identified cases identified stands at 2 906 422 after 809 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours.

Of the new cases, the majority of new infections were recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (177), followed by the Western Cape (156), Eastern Cape (127), Gauteng (97), Northern Cape (87).

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said the new infections came at a 3.4% positivity rate.

In addition, 27 more people succumbed to the disease, pushing the tally to 87 780 deaths.

The number of patients who recuperated stands at 2 906 422, translating to a recovery rate of 95.6%.

According to the NICD, there were new 30 hospital admissions in the past day, which means 6 268 patients are currently receiving treatment for COVID-19 in both the public and private health institutions across the country.

A three-day operation in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro has seen police exert their authority in an effort to ensure the safety of all citizens.

The operation, which started on Thursday and concluded during the early hours of Sunday, saw police pounce on wanted suspects, drug peddlers and Disaster Management Act infringers.

In a statement, provincial spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said 74 suspects were arrested over the three days.

“On Friday, 1 October, detectives conducted operations from 6pm until 6am the following morning, hunting down wanted suspects. In the 12-hour operation, 48 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, house/business robbery, carjacking, housebreaking, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm etc.”

Operations continued on Saturday until yesterday morning, where visible policing members conducted blue light patrols and concentrated on vehicle hijackings, compliance of DMA regulations, illegal firearms and drugs in hotspot areas.

During this operation, 26 suspects were arrested, during which three hijacked vehicles, a large quantity of drugs (mandrax), a replica firearm, a stolen iPhone and a shotgun with rounds were recovered.

Fines were also issued to illegal liquor outlets in Motherwell for trading without a licence. Fines totalling R60 000 were issued for various violations by the metro police.

On 1 October 2021, at about 8:15pm, while SAPS Bethelsdorp Crime Prevention members were conducting blue light patrols with the Anti-Gang Unit members in Gelvandale, they noticed a male running and members chased after him. As he ran, he threw a firearm in a yard in Borchard Street.  A shotgun with two rounds of ammunition was recovered. The suspect managed to evade arrest.

In another incident on Saturday, SAPS Bethelsdorp CPU members, while patrolling on Adriaans Street in Bloemendal, they noticed a white Mazda 323 Sting driving with its lights off. Members followed the vehicle and when the driver noticed them, he sped off.

Naidu said the vehicle was pulled over in Barberry Drive, Ext 31.

“The vehicle was searched and a bag containing 990 mandrax tablets with a few halved tablets was found in his possession.  The 37-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of drugs. His car was also confiscated. The estimated street value of the drugs is R44 745,” she said.

Later that evening, SAPS KwaZakhele Vispol Task Team members recovered a Datsun Go vehicle, which was allegedly hijacked earlier. The vehicle was found abandoned in Tambo Street with its battery, key and wheel jack missing.

All the arrested suspects will today appear in their respective court jurisdictions.

Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Luntu Ngubelanga, hailed the three-day operation as a success and applauded the commitment and dedication of all the police units. The operation included SAPS Vispol and detectives from all stations in the metro, specialised units (K9 and Flying Squad), Public Order Policing, Anti-Gang Unit and metro police officials.

“As the Country in Blue operational concept was launched countrywide last week, aimed at intensifying police visibility across our policing precincts, these operations in the metro will be ongoing.

“We will be squeezing the space for criminals everywhere until they have no place to hide. Police visibility will be heightened with all operational SAPS vehicles on the road switching on their emergency warning blue lights from sunset to sunrise (18:00 to 06:00).

“We call on the communities to play an active role in preventing and combatting crime by exposing criminals within their communities,” he said.

The investigation into the fire at a chemicals warehouse at Cornubia, north of Durban, found that UPL South Africa (Pty) Limited was not in possession of the requisite environmental authorisation prior to establishing its operations three months before the incident.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, said authorisation should have been obtained from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.

“In addition, UPL had not obtained a critical risk assessment or planning permissions from the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the relevant municipal by-laws.

“Had the UPL undertaken this process, it would in all probability have been defined as a Major Hazard Institution considering the significant volumes and nature of the chemicals stored at this particular location. These assessments would have determined the emergency readiness of the facility in the face of a disaster such as a fire,” the Minister said on Sunday.

She made these remarks during the release of the report of the Joint Preliminary Investigation into the Compliance Profile of UPL.

The report is the result of an investigation by a multi-disciplinary team into the regulatory environment in which the UPL warehouse was required to operate, and the environmental impact of the chemical spill and fire incident that has caused extensive environmental damage.

Beaches along this stretch of the KwaZulu-Natal north coast remain closed, and subsistence and recreational fishing, as well as the utilisation of any marine living resources in the area remains prohibited.

An independent team of investigators comprising Environmental Management Inspectors from both the national and provincial departments have initiated a criminal investigation.

“This investigation is being undertaken in line with the Criminal Procedure Act and involves the collection of evidence, including sampling of, amongst others, sand, water, fish and plants, to determine criminal liability in relation to the harm that has been caused to the environment.

“The probe will also take into account the liability of other role-players that may have been involved in this matter,” the Minister said.

The report has recommended an evaluation of the response of the authorities to the incident, with the aim of enhancing our capabilities to respond to similar incidents in the future.

“Ideas currently on the table include the establishment of an interdepartmental rapid emergency response team to deal with a certain category of incidents, and the establishment of a panel of intergovernmental specialists,” Creecy said.

The report also recommended a baseline compliance profile of the entire agrochemical-manufacturing sector and the inclusion of this sector into the national environmental compliance and enforcement activities.

The trial involving the R40 million Beitbridge Border fence repair and construction contract awarded by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is expected to be heard in the Special Tribunal sitting in the Johannesburg High Court this week.

The trial gets underway today.

The 40km border fence project was initiated by the department in March 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Special Investigating Unit is now seeking to have the contract reviewed and set aside.

According to the Special Tribunal, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) alleges that the department did not follow state procurement regulations when it awarded the border fence contract to construction companies Caledon River Properties (Pty) Ltd and ProfTeam CC.

The two companies were allegedly paid in advance by the department for the construction of the razor mesh fence before the SIU applied for and received an order preventing any more payments and freezing the bank accounts of the two companies.

“The SIU approached the Special Tribunal on [an] urgent basis to preserve the amount pending the finalisation of the review proceedings. The Special Tribunal granted the preservation order on 16 October 2020.

“The interim preservation order interdicted, prohibited and restrained the Department of Public Works from making further payments to the contractors beyond the R21.8 million of the R40 million that had already been paid and subsequently preserved,” the Special Tribunal said.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned the public to beware of yet another scam which purports to be communication from the Ministry about supposed projects and funding.

In a statement on Wednesday, the department said that in the latest scheme, the scammers are impersonating the Minister as inviting people on social media to take up new opportunities.

The scammers are inviting citizens and corporates of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) member states who are interested and dedicated to development in their respective communities and organisations to apply for funding.

“Neither the Ministry nor the Department of Employment and Labour has issued an invitation to assist individuals or businesses with the funding,” the department said.

The scammers claim that: “The SADC and BRICS has utilized funding in the form of budgetary support provided to Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, amongst others, totalling €58 billion in the period of 2018-2022. Individuals are liable to get up to the amount of R20 million and cooperate organizations and NGO’s could get up to the sum of R45 million”.

The Ministry and the department has pointed out that it has not invited any citizens or corporates to participate in any so-called SADC or BRICS funding project.

The public will get a chance to have their say on the Draft Companies Amendment Bill, which among others aims at improving ease of doing business in respect of certain provisions of the Companies Act.

“The series of amendments in the 2021 Bill are aimed at achieving three policy objectives – improving ease of doing business in respect of certain provisions of the Companies Act; providing for greater transparency on wage ratios at firm level and; addressing true or beneficial ownership of companies, to address money laundering challenges,” said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).

The department made this announcement on Wednesday ahead of the publishing of the bill on Friday, 1 October 2021.

Addressing the media in Pretoria, dtic Minister Ebrahim Patel said the department is releasing the bill for public comment prior to Cabinet considering it for approval.

“The amendments in the bill seek to update the Companies Act in light of developments in the field, address public concerns and improve the ease of doing business. One area covered in the Bill relates to remuneration policies and we are not the only country grappling with the challenge of high levels of inequality,” Patel said.

Patel said the bill proposes a transparency-driven approach, with clearer shareholder powers than what is currently the case.

“Public comments would be appreciated on this and the other provisions of the bill. Since the implementation of the Companies Act a number of deficiencies have manifested which has caused unnecessary costs of compliance and retards the efficient and effective conduct of business.”

Professor Michael Katz, Chairman of the Specialist Committee on Company Law (SCCL) said certain unintended consequences of the existing legislation have adversely impacted on the conduct of business and the bill aims to remedy these problems.

“All of these remedial measures take into account best practice which has arisen during the intervening period since the drafting of the existing Act,” Professor Katz said.

Professor Katz said the amendments contained in the Bill set out to improve accountability and scrutiny on remuneration practices, promote shareholder activism and corporate governance.

“Furthermore, they also relieve companies of onerous, impractical and burdensome provisions in previous iterations of companies’ legislation.

“Lastly, they give South Africa instruments to undertake its role in the global offensive against illicit cross-border behaviour,” he said.

A businessman linked to allegations of money laundering, fraud and theft at Transnet and its pension fund has been granted R150 000 bail in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

Kuben Moodley was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport before he could board a flight to Dubai.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Moodley faces offences relating to at least R300 million in fraud, money laundering and theft.

“The money laundering charges relate to the proceeds received in two Albatime business bank accounts, one held at ABSA and the other at the Bank of Baroda, from contracts improperly awarded by Transnet to Regiments Capital and Trillian Capital, as well as theft by Regiments Fund Managers from the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund,” the NPA said.

Moodley allegedly allowed more than R100 million to flow through his business (Albatime) bank accounts and received gratification for this.

“The payments relate to a criminal scheme in which Moodley would receive kickbacks of 3% of a R189 million payment that Transnet made to Regiments Capital and a payment of R56 million that Regiment Fund Managers stole from Transnet’s Second Defined Benefit Fund.

“He is charged with allowing Albatime accounts to be used to launder 75% of the R189 million and R56 million through to entities controlled by the Gupta family,” the NPA said.

The NPA said at least R93 million of that money was “laundered” through Gupta company, Tegeta, back to Trillian Asset Management.

“Moodley is also accused of using these proceeds to assist members of the Gupta family to acquire Optimum Coal Mine for Tegeta,” the prosecuting authority said.

He is expected to appear again in court on 28 February 2022 next year.

There is only one day left for all parties interested in the annual review of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for 2022 to submit written representations concerning possible adjustments.

The Department of Employment and Labour said comments and representations should reach the directorate by Friday, 1 October.

“On 10 September, the NMW Commission published in the Government Gazette a notice inviting all interested parties to submit written representations concerning possible adjustments to the National Minimum Wage for 2022.

“The closing date for submission of inputs is 1 October 2021,” the department said.

These representations will be considered by the National Minimum Wage Commission before it publishes its annual report and recommendations on the annual review of the NMW later in the year.

The NMW Act of 2018 requires the NMW Commission to annually review rates and make recommendations to the Employment and Labour Minister on any adjustment to the National Minimum Wage, while also reflecting on alternative views, including those of the public.

The minimum wage is the policy instrument specifying the floor level below which no employee should be paid.

“In considering the annual adjustment, the NMW Commission takes into account the following factors: inflation, the cost of living, and the need to retain the value of the minimum wage; gross domestic product; wage levels and collective bargaining outcomes; productivity; ability of employers to carry on their businesses successfully; the operation of small, medium or micro-enterprises and new enterprises; likely impact of the recommendation adjustment on employment or the creation of employment,” the department said.

Interested parties are requested to send their comments and representations to the directorate by Friday at: Employment Standards, Department of Employment and Labour, Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001 or to nmwreview@labour.gov.za.

South Africa’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, submitted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, requires an equally ambitious multilateral commitment of financial support by developed countries.

This was the message conveyed by a Ministerial delegation led by Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy, in a meeting with Climate Envoys, led by UK COP 26 Envoy John Murton. Held in Pretoria on Tuesday, the meeting also included representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States of America. Representatives from the European Union were also present.

The discussions, which took place a few weeks ahead of Conference of the Parties (COP26) , aimed to explore opportunities for enhanced co-operation, financing and support for South Africa’s Just Transition to a low carbon economy and climate resilient society.

The South African delegation included the Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, Deputy Minister of Finance, David Masondo and the Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes.

The delegation explained that South Africa, as a developing country, is committed to contributing its fair share towards a global low-emissions, climate resilient economy and society by mid-century.

“We recognise the consequences of climate change will be catastrophic for the world and for South Africa in particular, without global ambitious action to reduce emissions, and address adaptation,” said Creecy.

The latest science makes it clear that in order to prevent these catastrophic consequences, an accelerated shift to a low-emissions society is required.

In partnership with the rest of the continent, South Africa is on the frontline in the global struggle against climate change and is dedicating significant resources to adapt to the reality of an already-changing climate and address consequential loss and damage.

South Africa has set an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution of 420- 350 Mt CO2-eq that is compatible with Paris Agreement goals. To achieve such an ambitious target, developed countries must meet their financing commitments made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and reaffirmed in the Paris Agreement adopted at COP 21.

“While South Africa is committed to a Just Transition, we need certainty and predictability of the quantum of financing available to us, to accelerate this transition. We do need an irrevocable agreement that we can sign at COP 26 where our commitments, as all Parties are clear,” Creecy said.

The Minister said some of the specific areas where South Africa requires immediate support include repowering and repurposing of retiring coal plants, investment in new low carbon generation capacity and transmission and distribution infrastructure.  The first phase of the Just Transition support Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacture in South Africa as a critical transition pathway for the automotive industry and support for an export-oriented green hydrogen industry based on low-cost renewable energy.

“As the largest carbon emitter on the African continent, South Africa is particularly well positioned to be the preferred partner for concessional climate (or green) funding to accelerate the decarbonisation of its economy.

“In this regard, South Africa’s Just Transition requires substantially concessional and grant funding and technical assistance which takes into account current fiscal constraints and supports government’s quest to promote long term financial sustainability,” Creecy said.

Just Transition Financing Facility

South Africa is proposing the establishment of a Just Transition Financing Facility, which will support the Just Transition process across the relevant sectors of the economy.

This represents a win-win for South Africa and its international partners, enabling ambitious climate action in South Africa, addressing social impacts comprehensively while meeting developed country commitments to finance the transition.

Murton commended South Africa on its revised and ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution.

The delegation further welcomed the opportunity for enhanced co-operation in support of South Africa’s Just Transition.

The delegation agreed to revert on issues related to financial support raised in the meeting. A technical task team made up of expert officials will take forward the discussions with the aim of reaching an enabling framework agreement by COP 26.

The COP 26 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in November.

South Africa has now crossed the 17 million mark of the total number of COVID-19 doses administered.

This comes after 164 097 jabs were distributed on Tuesday, pushing the tally to 17 176 603 since the start of the country’s vaccine rollout programme.

According to the Department of Health, the country is now home to 8 611 747 fully vaccinated adults. Of these, 102 399 people either received their second shot of Pfizer vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson jab in the last 24 hours.

In addition, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), reported 1 367 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2 898 888.

The majority of new infections were reported in KwaZulu-Natal after 372 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus.

The province is followed by 241 cases in the Western Cape, 190 in Gauteng, 185 in the Eastern Cape and 169 in Free State.

“This increase represents an 8.6% positivity rate,” the NICD explained.

According to the latest data, the death toll now stands at 87 417 after 201 patients succumbed to the respiratory disease, while there has been an increase of 158 hospital admissions in the past 24 hours.

Globally, as of 28 September 2021, there have been 232 075 351 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 4 752 988 deaths, reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In addition, the WHO said, over five billion vaccine doses have been administered.