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The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is collaborating with companies in the energy sector to carry out a feasibility study for the establishment of a Platinum Valley.

The collaboration agreement is led by DSI, partnering with Anglo American, energy and services company ENGIE, and clean energy solutions provider Bambili Energy.

The feasibility study, which is the first phase of the Platinum Valley initiative, will drive the planning, design, construction and commissioning of projects related to the development of a Hydrogen Valley.

The project will be implemented through the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), which will also fund projects to take intellectual property through the Hydrogen SA (HySA) centres of competence to market in partnership with the private sector.

“The study will support plans to create a Hydrogen Valley along the Bushveld complex and larger region stretching from Anglo American’s Mogalakwena platinum mine near Mokopane to Johannesburg and Durban,” DSI explained.

The study aims to identify tangible opportunities to build hydrogen hubs in this key economic and transport corridor, leveraging the regional platinum group metals (PGMs) mining industry and exploring the potential for hydrogen production and supply at scale.

“PGMs play an important role in polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis used to produce hydrogen, as well as in hydrogen fuel cells,” DSI explained.

The DSI said the agreement has the potential of creating direct opportunities for economic and community development while contributing to decarbonisation efforts.

Meanwhile, the department believes that science, technology and innovation will play a key role in supporting the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan for South Africa.

The Hydrogen Valley is one of the first projects that will be implemented in partnership with the private sector to support the Platinum Valley initiative.

In addition, small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) will be supported to take advantage of opportunities in the green economy as part of the just transition to a green economy.

“The aim is to boost economic growth and job creation, drive the development of new industries, increase value-add to the country’s platinum reserves, and reduce the country’s carbon footprint.”

Also, hydrogen and fuel cells offer several advantages to the transport sector – comparable refuelling times to internal combustion engine vehicles, longer ranges and space efficiency.

Anglo American is deemed as one of the leaders in initiatives to promote the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells vehicles for commercial use, facilitating the creation of consortiums of industry partners to promote the development of hydrogen freight corridors in the United Kingdom, South Africa and China, among others.

Anglo American’s PGM business CEO, Natascha Viljoen, said: “The transition to a low-carbon world is an opportunity to drive the development of cleaner technologies, create new industries and employment, and improve people’s lives”.

She said the company was an early supporter of the global potential for a hydrogen economy, recognising its role in enabling the shift to greener energy and cleaner transport.

“Our integrated approach includes investing in new technologies, supporting entrepreneurial projects and advocating for policy frameworks that enable a supportive long-term investment environment for hydrogen to deliver that potential,” she added.

Meanwhile, the department said Bambili Energy has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the HySA catalyst and membrane electrode assemblies developed by the HySA Catalysis centre of competence are integrated into commercial products through its partnership with global original equipment manufacturers.

ENGIE, a French company, aims to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions.

It has provided co-funding for the techno-economic analysis that will be conducted on identified hubs within the Hydrogen Valley corridor.

As the Political Party Funding Act comes into effect today, the Electoral Commission says it is all systems go.

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a Proclamation on the Commencement of the Political Party Funding Act, 2018 (Act no. 6 of 2018), which regulates public and private funding of political parties.

The Act establishes funds to provide political parties represented in Parliament and legislatures with funding to undertake their work. It also requires that donations be disclosed by parties and donors to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

The Act prohibits donations to parties by foreign governments or agencies, foreign persons or entities, organs of state or state-owned enterprises.

“The implementation of the Act introduces a new era of transparency within South Africa’s electoral democracy, mandating all political parties to disclose donations above R100 000 to the Electoral Commission.

“The Act also sets restrictions on sources of funding for political parties including outlawing donations by government departments, state-owned entities and foreign governments and agencies,” the Electorial Commission said in a statement.

Over the last two months, the Electoral Commission has embarked on a comprehensive programme of stakeholder engagement which included training all political parties represented in the National Assembly and the provincial legislatures on the workings of the Act and use of a new Online Party Funding System (OPFS).

Training was also extended to all political parties registered with the Commission, including those that are currently not represented in any of the legislative Houses.

From today, all registered political parties are urged to sign-up to the Online Party Funding System (OPFS) available for free at www.elections.org.za.

The system, which has been piloted by parties over the past two months, allows parties and their donors to make electronic disclosures to the Electoral Commission via the internet.

The Commission also reminds all registered political parties that their first quarterly disclosure of direct donations above R100 000 is due at the end of the first quarter.

In terms of the Act, donations include cash, in kind (such as transport, posters, vehicles etc) or both and the R100 000 threshold is cumulative (disclosure is required once smaller donations by a single donor exceed R100 000 in a financial year).

Funds provided to the represented political parties by the National Assembly and provincial legislatures, respectively, in terms of sections 57(2) and 116(2)(c) of the Constitution are not required to be disclosed quarterly by the political parties.

Instead, these will be disclosed by the Accounting Officer of the respective legislative Houses annually.

As part of the system of checks and balances to help ensure transparency, donors who make direct donations above R100 000 to political parties must also declare these to the Electoral Commission on the OPFS within 30 days.

The regulations require that upon receipt of the political party disclosures, the Electoral Commission make them publicly available quarterly on its website.

In the first year of implementation, the Electoral Commission is given a period of up to six months to make such disclosures publicly available.

The Electoral Commission estimates that there will be at least one disclosure published ahead of the Local Government Elections.

The Electoral Commission has also been engaging potential funders to support the Multi-Party Democracy Fund (MPDF) as part of its fund-raising drive to encourage donations to the Fund.

The Fund presents a perfect opportunity for corporates, individuals and foundations to support multi-party democracy on a non-partisan basis.

Within the parameters of applicable prescripts, contributors to the Fund can request to do so anonymously should they prefer.

As part of the implementation of the Act, the Electoral Commission will today launch a series of educational messages on radio, television, digital channels and selected publications to promote awareness of the Act.

South Africa’s cumulative number of COVID-19 cases stands at 1548 157.

A total of 34 513 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours with 1 422 new cases, which represents a 4% positivity rate.

Meanwhile, a further 58 people lost their lives due to COVID-19 related complications on Wednesday, bringing the tally to 52 846 to date.

Of the latest fatalities, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal recorded 23 deaths each, while nine occurred in the Western Cape and two in the Northern Cape.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

According to the latest data, the recovery rate remains at 95% after 1 474 319 people recuperated from Coronavirus, while South Africa is currently home to 20 992 active cases.

The information is based on 9 879 348 tests of which 34 513 were conducted in the last 24 hours.

According to the Minister, the number of healthcare workers vaccinated is 263 878 as of 30 March 2020.

Globally, there have been 127 877 462 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2 796 561 deaths, reported to the World Health Organisation.

South Africa logged 548 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24-hour cycle, which pushes the total number of infections to 1 545 979 since the outbreak.

Meanwhile, the death toll has risen by 47, bringing the tally to 52 710.

Of the latest fatalities, 23 are from the North West, 15 in Gauteng, three each from the Eastern Cape and Western Cape and two from Free State.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Meanwhile, the recovery rate still stands at 95% after 1 472 645 patients beat COVID-19, while there are 20 624 active cases.

The information is based on 9 819 994 tests of which 16 123 were performed since the last report.

According to Mkhize, the number of healthcare workers vaccinated is 239 665 as of 29 March 2020.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is reporting 126 890 643 confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the world, including 2 778 619 deaths to date.

“As of 25 March 2021, a total of 462 824 374 vaccine doses have been administered,” the WHO added.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has extended the validity of visas which expired during the lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

The Minister gazetted an amendment to the lockdown regulations last week.

According to the department, the short-term visas issued for a period no longer than 90 days, such as a tourist visa will now be deemed to be valid until 30 June 2021.

“The validity of longer-term temporary visas, issued for three months to three years, is until 31 July 2021,” the department said.

Initially, the grace period had been extended to 31 March 2021.

“This means that visas that were lawfully issued and expired during the period of the lockdown are deemed to be valid until the end of June 2021 and 31 July 2021,” the department explained.

Also, holders of these visas are permitted to remain in the country until the expiry of their applicable extension.

“Those wishing to be repatriated to their countries within this period can depart without being declared undesirable persons.”

However, the extension does not apply to people who entered the country from 15 March 2021.

“The normal validity period of visas of people admitted into the country from 15 March 2021 applies,” the department added.

Holders of the longer-term temporary visas including study, treaty, business, medical treatment, relatives, general work, critical skills work, retired person’s and exchange, which expired during the State of National Disaster are invited to renew their visas at www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica before 31 July 2021.

Meanwhile, the department said the Refugee Reception Centres remain closed.

“The validity of asylum and refugee permits has been extended until 30 June 2021. In due course, the department will communicate details of an online service to renew these permits.”

The new directions can be accessed via https://www.greengazette.co.za/notices/disaster-management-act-57-2002-amendment-of-directions-issued-in-terms-of-regulation-4-8-and-1-of-the-regulations-made-under-section-27-2-of-the-act-measures-to-prevent-and-combat_20210326-GGN-44335-00271.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) on Monday refuted claims that it has authorised Ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19.

This comes after Afriforum, which is pushing for the use of the drug, claimed court victory in a press statement saying “doctors can prescribe Ivermectin to patients if they deem it necessary”.

“This is grossly untrue, misleading to the public and irresponsible and could have dire consequences,” said the regulator.

SAHPRA said its position remains steadfast and that it has not issued a green light yet for the use of Ivermectin.

“Ivermectin may be prescribed and dispensed to patients without awaiting Section 21 authorisation, but is still subject to receiving Section 21 authorisation, informed consent and all reporting requirements normally required under Section 21,” SAHPRA explained.

SAHPRA said the unregistered Ivermectin-containing finished pharmaceutical products may only be accessed under SAHPRA’s Ivermectin Controlled Compassionate Use Programme Guideline through the authorised suppliers of such products.

Meanwhile, the entity said it has registered Soolantra cream, which is for topical treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory lesions of papulopustular rosacea or acne-like rash in adult patients.

However, it has stressed that the Soolantra cream is not for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

“The effect of the registration of the Soolantra cream is that compounding is allowed in accordance with the provisions of section 14(4) of the Medicines Act such as for specific patients, on the basis of a prescription by a medical practitioner,” the entity explained.

The South African High Commission in Maputo on Monday said it has accounted for the 43 South Africans affected by the recent attacks in northern Mozambique.

Meanwhile, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister, Naledi Pandor, has expressed her deepest condolences to the family of a South African man, Adrian Nel, who lost his life in the attack.

According to DIRCO, the accounted citizens were in the area known as Afungi.

“These include the two men who fled into the bush during the attacks on the Amarula Hotel convoy on 26 March and a young South African who hid away and was found by search and rescue helicopters.

“Some of these nationals are already back home whilst others have been moved to safe areas within Mozambique,” said the department.

Northern Mozambique has been affected by a bloody violence since 2017. The conflict intensified on Friday after a group of suspected terrorists stormed into the town of Palma, targeting shops, banks and a military barracks, according to media reports. The incident has left dozens dead while about 60 people are believed to be still missing.

The High Commission said it remains “seized” with a track-and-trace process to determine whether there are any more South Africans who may have been affected.

“The services provided by the High Commission include assisting South African citizens with emergency medical evacuation, obtaining emergency travel documentation and securing international flight transfers.”

Pandor has since commended staff at the High Commission for their prompt efforts at reaching out to fellow South Africans in distress.

“I urge our Mission and the officials including the Ambassador to continue to do all they can to provide assistance to our citizens and any to citizen of Mozambique who may be in need of help.”

She said South Africa will continue to lend a helping hand to the southern African nation.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu is set to a conduct follow -up programme on youth development and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

The two-day programme which gets underway today, follows a 2020 visit that formed part of the 365 Days of Action Against GBVF, with specific focus on areas identified as hotspots across the country.

This is in line with Human Rights Month that is celebrated in the country under theme “The year of Charlotte Maxeke: promoting human rights in the Age of COVID-19”.

In a statement ahead of the start of the programme on Tuesday, the Department of Social Development (DSD) said the aim of the outreach is to mobilise young people to play their part as agents of change. This is in promoting a culture of respect for human rights, gender equality and prevention of gender-based violence, which has reached epidemic proportions in South Africa.

“The most recent crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (October-December 2020) revealed a 5% increase in reported sexual offences in the midst of COVID-19 national lockdown. Part of Zulu’s outreach will include interaction with local police to get a briefing on police response at Plessislaer, which is one of the seven GBVF hotspots in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

“The aim of the interaction is to support and encourage police who are in the frontline of the criminal justice system to play their part in prevention and response measures and better serve the needs of victims/survivors,” the department said.

Zulu is a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to expedite the implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF (2019-2024).

The DSD is responsible for Pillar 4 of the NSP: response, care, support, healing and empowerment of victims/survivors.

The Minister is set to host a dialogue in Howick with young women living and working on farms.

She will also launch the Umzansi Youth in Business Digital HIV and Resource Centres in Zayeka, Sweetwaters. The Minister will also attend a commemoration of the International Social Work Day at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.

Later in the day the Minister will host a bonfire conversation with youth and representatives of youth organisations in uMgungundlovu District Municipality at Ascott Inn, Pitermaritzburg.

The second day of the outreach programme on Wednesday, will include a 10km Walk Against GBVF and Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s 1961 Address to the All-in Africa Conference. It will take place at Plessislaer Hall.

Zulu will also attend an interaction with police management on the response to GBVF; and attend a women empowerment initiative at the Tatham Art Gallery.

The Minister’s programme will end with a visit to KhanyiTex and ribbon cutting for an Early Childhood Development centre benefiting factory employees’ children at Coveway Industrial Park in Elangeni, Hammarsdale.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged employers to comply with their legal obligations by submitting accurate information during the annual filing season which gets underway next month.

The annual filing season for employers will run from 1 April to 31 May 2021.

In a statement, the revenue collector said: “Employers are required to submit their Employer Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501) to SARS by 31 May, as well as outstanding monthly declarations (EMP201) and annual reconciliations (EMP501).”

SARS said Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) payments must be up to date and the data provided to SARS must be clean and accurate.

“The correct data is important so that SARS may pre-populate returns correctly and employees may submit their personal income tax returns with the correct information during the filing season for individuals,” said the revenue service on Monday.

The revenue collector said employers are also required to issue an IRP5/IT3(a) to employees on time, to enable employees to submit their personal income tax returns timeously. SARS requests employees to check if their details on the IRP5/IT3(a) are correct.

“Third party data suppliers such as medical aid schemes are also required to submit accurate information to SARS and to their clients,” read the statement.

These are important requirements so that the revenue collector can offer a streamlined and seamless service to taxpayers in line with its objective to make it easy for taxpayers to comply with their obligations.

Employers, tax practitioners and payroll administrators need to download the latest Employers e@syfile version.

This is a channel that SARS offers to allow employers to submit their EMP501 electronically. The revenue service has also encouraged small businesses to use this platform and move from manual to automated payroll systems.

Meanwhile, first-time job seekers can register for personal income tax via eFiling. It takes less than 24 hours to receive an SMS with a new tax number when applying via eFiling.

“To avoid penalties and interest employers must submit their annual reconciliation declarations to SARS by 31 May 2021,” said SARS.

The National Consumer Tribunal (NCT) has fined Up Money (PTY) Ltd an administrative fine of R1 million for conducting a pyramid scheme and contravening Section 43 (2) of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) referred Up Money to the Tribunal following its investigation into allegations that Up Money is a pyramid scheme.

The CPA describes a pyramid scheme as an arrangement, agreement, practice or scheme if participants receive compensation derived from their respective recruitment of other persons as participants, rather than the sale of any goods or services.

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister, Nomalungelo Gina, welcomed the decision by the Tribunal, saying it sends a strong message to South Africans to stay away from promoting, joining or participating in any pyramid schemes.

“While Up Money promoted their scheme as a “stokvel” to lure participants during the pandemic, the Tribunal confirmed that it is not a stokvel but a pyramid scheme, as their operation fits the description of a pyramid scheme as provided under Section 43 of the CPA. Up Money’s business model was unsustainable as it relied heavily on new participants feeding into the scheme,” Gina said.

Acting National Consumer Commissioner, Thezi Mabuza, warned South Africans to be careful not to contravene the CPA while trying to explore other sources of income, as they lose money in the process.

Mabuza said pyramid schemes continue to mushroom on a daily basis, especially on social media platforms and consumers continue to lose their hard-earned money.

“We want to reiterate to consumers that all involved; the directors, the promoters (the ones advertised and recruited on social media and other platforms) and all those who joined Up Money, broke the law.

“We want to send a strong message to operators of schemes, arrangements or practices like Up Money that as the consumer protector in the space, we will not tolerate the contravention of the Act,” Mabuza said.

Mabuza urged all South Africans, as responsible citizens and member of communities, to be honest in their dealings.

“If people are recruited into prohibited/illegal activities, thought should be given to the relationships that may be severed, trust that may never be restored, but mostly the economic hardships that others would suffer and may not be able to recover from in this lifetime.

“The NCC reiterates its commitment to better ensure the realisation of the purpose of the Act by taking reasonable and practical measures to promote the purpose of the CPA while ensuring that prohibited conduct is prosecuted,” Mabuza said.

Up Money has been given 20 working days to pay the fine.