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Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged municipalities and stakeholders to become more proactive in removing the root causes of violent protests.

He said it was worrying that protests are turning violent and dangerous.

“The fact is that communities resort to violent demonstrations if and when they feel their voices are not heard, when their basic needs are not met,” said the Minister.

He reminded South Africans that the Constitution guarantees that everyone “has the right assemble peacefully and unarmed”.

However, communities must act responsibly and within the law when exercising their democratic right to protest, said the Minister, adding that the carrying of dangerous weapons during protests was illegal.

“The attacks on police officers, property and businesses during protests will not be tolerated,” said Cele.

The police will be taking this message to the doorstep of South Africans through various community awareness campaigns. “This, I believe, will serve as preventative measure to minimise and stop disruptive and violent protests,” he said.

In the same vain, police officers remain obliged to fulfil their constitutional mandate of maintaining public order, protecting and securing the inhabitants of the Republic and their property.

“They are urged to always exercise restraint and utmost professionalism during these situations of unrest,” the Minister said.

He warned officers that they would always be under scrutiny and remain accountable for their decisions and actions.

Police killings

Cele used the briefing to condemn ongoing murder of police. In the last month, 12 officers have been killed on and off duty in South Africa.

“Violence against any law enforcement officer must never be normalised,” he said.

While government and Cabinet have condemned the attacks, the silence from communities, civil society formations, NGOs, activists, churches and other interest groups was deafening.

“Each day thousands of police officers put their lives at risk in order to serve and protect us. We all must speak out against violence meted on our men and women in blue,” he said, urging communities to continue to assist police with information that can lead to arrests.

Significant inroads in attempts to professionalise crowd management processes within the South African Police Service (SAPS) have been made, says Police Minister Bheki Cele.

The Minister made the remarks on Monday while releasing the Panel of Experts Report on policing and crowd management of the SAPS.

The panel was appointed by Cabinet in 2016.

The panel, in its 596-page report, put forward a detailed programme for the professionalisation of the SAPS for reforms in crowd management.

“The tragedy of Marikana is an occurrence that is etched in the minds of all of us, as a nation. More so, for those who lost their fathers, uncles, sons and breadwinners on that fateful day in 2012,” said Cele.

The 16 August 2012 event was preceded by the killing of ten people, including two security guards and two police officers.

“This mass shooting of 34 mineworkers has certainly forced the South African Police Service to correct where it went wrong,” said the Minister at the briefing held at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) head office in Pretoria.

The Marikana Commission of Inquiry, chaired by retired Judge Ian Farlam, looked into the day’s events and presented a report with findings and recommendations.

Steered by the late Judge David Sakelene Vusimuzi Ntshangase, the panel sought to analyse the recommendations in line with the strategic imperatives of the National Development Plan.

The panel’s terms of reference included strategy and policy; public order policing processes and procedures; professionalisation and demilitarisation of the police; and accountability and transparency in all SAPS operations.

In its report, the panel put forward a detailed programme for the professionalisation of SAPS for reforms in crowd management.

“The review of the SAPS code of conduct; issues of discipline; training and recruitment as well as competency are also contained in the panel’s findings. The panel sought to give advice on the approaches and possible policy interventions in this regard,” said Cele.

The Minister assured South Africans that accountability was in motion, with police members involved in the Marikana tragedy being criminally prosecuted.

“To date, the SAPS has paid out over R176 million compensate the families of those killed in the Marikana tragedy. R18 million-rand worth of civil claims to yet to be finalised. The process to finalise other categories of compensation are ongoing,” said the Minister.

Cele added that Cabinet had directed that the issue of the families of those killed on that fateful day be looked at.

The Marikana Commission called on the SAPS to address the systematic problems relating to governance, leadership and accountability.

Legislative reforms

In this regard, the Minister said legislative reforms had commenced.

“The bulk of the recommendations are to be realised in the short to medium term as they are incorporated into the SAPS Act Amendment Bill,” he said, adding that the bill had already gone through a round of public comments.

These inputs are being finalised before the bill is tabled in Parliament.

“The Bill gives the assurance that no automatic rifles may be used in crowd control management. It will also address matters of vetting and integrity testing for those employed under the SAPS Act, including municipal police,” said Cele.

Those joining the service will also need to be subjected to processes that ensure the integrity of the organisation is maintained. He said the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service will monitor the implementation of the recommendations and provide regular progress reports.

De-militarisation of the SAPS

Among the matters raised by the Commission was the de-militarisation of the SAPS.

Cele said the Civilian Secretariat’s research studies had established that the SAPS Visible Policing units were not militarised.

There were, however, sections within the SAPS that are paramilitary by virtue of the crimes they have to deal with. These included the Tactical Response Team (TRT), National Intervention Unit (NIU) and Special Task Force. This was due to the units using specialised techniques to deal with serious and violent crimes.

“Overall, the professionalisation of the SAPS is being realised through ongoing internal training courses. These are earmarked for officers at every section of the SAPS to understand the law as well as the rights of the people they serve,” he said.

Over and above that, the police recruitment process continues to attract professional graduates.

“SAPS is now employer of choice for graduates of law, criminology, forensics and other policing related degrees. Attracting the best will bolster policing and better serve South Africans,” he said.

IPID

Another recommendation was that the Ministry continues to work towards beefing up the staffing and resourcing of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

Cele said it was crucial for IPID to remain responsive in its mandate.

“It also must have the freedom to build strong capacity and remain an effective impartial oversight body of the SAPS,” said the Minister.

The Ministry remains fully committed to capacitating and resourcing the Directorate to ensure it functions effectively and is supported in maintaining its independence.

Public Order Policing units

On public order policing (POP) units, interventions such as the equipping of the units were already in place.

“POP units are better resourced today than they have ever been before. Nearly R598 million has been spent toward resourcing and capacitating of the POP units.”

The units are equipped with two–way radios, loud hailers, video cameras and PA systems for ease of communication during operations. Beyond this, 6 324 officers have been trained through numerous courses and found competent in proper crowd management.

Officers in the unit have also been trained on the use of specialised equipment such as water cannons and stun grenades.

“New generation water cannon driving workshops have also been conducted to further equip and empower officers,” the Minister said.

In addition, all POP officers are trained in first aid and each vehicle used for the unit’s operations is equipped with first aid kits as per the Expert Panel’s recommendations.

One of the sharpest criticisms of the SAPS by the Marikana Commission was the lack of transparency on the events 16 August 2012.

One recommendation was to encourage the video recording of protests, public unrest and other mass gatherings by the police.

Cele said this had now become a standard operating procedure in the SAPS.

“In this regard, hundreds of professional video cameras, external hard-drives as well as voice recorders and stills cameras have been secured for this purpose,” he said.

The South African Police Service Provincial Organised Crime Detectives have arrested the 30-year-old wife of the late Leon Brits, following an investigation into his murder on 7 October 2020.

The arrest took place this morning at their house in Marchand, Kakamas in the Northern Cape.

The body of Brits, which had several stab wounds, was found floating in the swimming pool at one of their properties in Pofadder.

Several valuables such as firearms, a cell phone, Kruger Rands, polished diamonds and cash was allegedly taken from the premises.

Three men were later arrested and one accused namely Jacques Van Vuuren was sentenced in the Kimberley High Court, following a plea bargain agreement last week Thursday.

Van Vuuren received 25 years of which 5 years was suspended for the murder, 15 years for aggravated robbery and 3 years for unlawful possession of a firearm. The sentences will run concurrently and he will serve an effective 20 years behind bars.

The two other accused, Amantle Bareki and Enrich Williams are also facing charges of murder, aggravated robbery and possession of an illegal firearm and will be appearing in the Pofadder Magistrate’s Court again on 17 May 2021.

The 30-year-old wife will be charged with murder, aggravated robbery and perjury and will appear in the Pofadder Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Captain Sergio Kock confirmed that the murder took place but could not disclose any more information.

“Police are still currently searching the premises, as such we are unable to reveal any information with regard to what led to the murder of Leon Brits because the investigation is still underway,” Kock said.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has condemned the recent vandalism of university property and theft conducted by criminal elements during student protests.

According to a department report, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology recently reported two cases, mainly related to the vandalism of fire extinguishers and fire hoses, with the bill for repairs amounting to R250 000.

“There were also reported cases of damage from arson which involved the burning of the pre-fab structure which is used as classrooms. The repair costs have amounted to R2 690 000, with R1.2 million still to be used for repairs.

“The Central University of Technology had violent incidences reported in 2020 during student protests on both the Bloemfontein and Welkom campuses. The costs for the repairs amounted to R1 457 201.84, and all repairs were completed in 2020,” Nzimande said.

Rhodes University reported minor vandalism cases due to burglary or forced entry with the damage amounting to R5 000.

Six cases of vandalism to university property were reported at Sefako Makgatho University during the student protest in June last year. The repairs were valued at R30 220.

The University of Johannesburg reported seven cases of vandalism and repairs were done to the value of R202 826.30.

“The University of KwaZulu-Natal had several cases of damage to property and burning of buildings due to student protests in 2020. The value of repairs is R27 388 914.25. The repairs commenced in July 2020 and ended February 2021 this year.

“The University of Fort Hare had incidents of vandalism in March 2020 and December 2020. It cost the university R468 000. Repairs to the value of R68 000 were carried out and repairs totalling R400 000 are due for completion in July this year.

“The University of the Western Cape reported two cases of vandalism and theft, costing the university R166 007.50 to repair. The University of Venda reported three cases of vandalism during student protests in November 2020 and repairs were done at the cost of R133 227.50,” Nzimande noted.

The Minister said the current information is based on information received from 21 universities.

The department is still awaiting reports from the University of Zululand, Vaal University of Technology and Walter Sisulu University.

“Given the incidents, the total cost of repairs that have been completed, as well as those still to be carried out, amounts to R32 791 397,39. None of these acts and massive losses incurred could be justified or associated with any legitimate forms of protest and should be condemned unequivocally by all, including our student and union stakeholders.

“I am also convinced that all progressive stakeholder organisations will agree that criminal and violent acts have no legitimacy in genuine political protests around demands for greater equality in post-school education and training,” Nzimande said.

Law enforcement agencies called to act against property destruction

The Minister has called on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly against any acts of violence and destruction of public and private property.

He called on university vice chancellors to tighten up appropriate safety and security measures to prevent any form of destruction and to protect life and limb.

“The destruction of property is a criminal offence and all those engaging in such acts must be apprehended by law enforcement agencies and face the full might of the law,” the Minister said.

He said the acts of sabotage undermine the significant advances made by government since 1994 in progressively expanding access to, and success in both universities and colleges across the length and breadth of South Africa.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel says South Africa must rebuild its manufacturing strength to be able to fully benefit from the opportunities in the BRICS markets.

“This needs to be done through deeper partnerships and careful use of both demand and supply-side measures,” Patel said.

Patel was speaking at the BRICS Business Council meeting.

The conference, which attracted small and large industrialists, was a hybrid event, with attendance in Sandton and through virtual platforms.

Minister Patel highlighted the crucial role of manufacturing in strong and dynamic economies.

“Over a number of years, manufacturing was seen as a sunset industry, a relic of an age that was passing, and policy-makers were urged to abandon efforts to support the industry and seek opportunity in other sectors of the economy.

“In the case of South Africa, the country rapidly opened its trade-exposed sectors to what was described as the bracing effects of global competition, but without supporting local firms to become stronger and more dynamic. The results were painful to see – we lost critical manufacturing capacity,” Patel said.

“It led to a wave of de-industrialisation pressures, and as core feeder-factories were closed down, they impacted on other parts of supply-chains.

“Our localisation project is about working with the business community to rebuild the foundations of manufacturing, to strengthen industrial capacity that can supply both the domestic and export markets,” the Minister said.

Patel said manufacturing is a big driver of employment with the strongest employment multiplier.

“IDC research shows that for every one manufacturing job, another three jobs are created across the economy, in both supplier industries and services sectors.

“It is an earner of foreign exchange and a driver of innovation, of research and development and in times like the COVID-19 crisis, countries with capacity relied on their industries to produce food, personal protective equipment and medical supplies,” he said.

SA’s reimagined industrialisation agenda

Patel noted that the country’s reimagined industrialisation agenda is based on building dynamic firms and economic inclusion which includes:

• To retain and modernise traditional sectors, like steel, textiles and clothing;

• To expand advanced-manufacturing sectors such as autos and chemicals;

• To develop national resilience through expanding sectors in food and healthcare; and

• To nurture new industries such as the green economy and the digital economy.

Master Plans

Sector partnership agreements, known as Master Plans, have now been put in place in five sectors, with another one in the furniture industry close to conclusion.

These initiatives have positively impacted on sentiment and investment, and Minister Patel pointed to the recent R16 billion investment announcement by the Ford Motor Company and the R1 billion investment in the poultry industry.

South Africa has expressed concern at the recent attacks against foreign nationals in Palma, northern Mozambique.

The conflict, which intensified on Friday, has left dozens dead while about 60 people are believed to be still missing after a group of terrorists stormed into the town.

“It is with grave concern to note that South Africans were also affected by these attacks,” said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

According to media reports, many South Africans, some contractors working on the construction of the French Total energy company’s Afungi liquid natural gas processing plant, were caught in the deadly insurgent attack.

A South African man, Adrian Nel, is among the dead, News24 said.

According to media reports, hundreds of locals and foreigners were reportedly rescued from Palma, a logistics hub for international gas projects in Cabo Delgado province.

In a statement released over the weekend, the department said South Africa is now working with the local authorities on verifications through its mission in Maputo, as well as providing the necessary consular services.

“The mission in Mozambique is being re-enforced with additional staff to handle the work at hand of locating, identifying and responding to the respective needs of the affected,” the DIRCO statement read.

“South Africa stands ready to work with the government of Mozambique in pursuit of lasting peace and stability,” it said.

The Western Cape Education Department has extended the online learner application deadline for the 2022 school year to 1 April 2021 at midnight.

The application system which opened on 26 February 2021 for learners who will attend public schools in the province, was initially set to close on 26 March 2021 midnight.

However, in recent days the provincial department has noticed an increase in website activity on the online application system.

“We have also received a number of requests from parents to accommodate an extension to allow parents to complete the last few applications. It was decided that an extension for applications for the 2022 school year would be granted up until midnight of 1 April 2021.

“There will be no further extensions beyond this point. Parents will then have had 35 days to apply. We believe that come 1 April, parents have been given ample time to get the necessary documents together and to complete their applications,” department spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond said on Friday.

Hammond noted that activity on the website over the past few days has indicated that some parents have left the process to the last minute, with 16 000 applications being submitted on Tuesday, 19 000 on Wednesday and 22 000 on Thursday.

“At this stage we have recorded 344 305 applications by 104 038 registered users. We would like to thank the parents who have applied timeously, and appeal to those that are still to apply, to do so immediately. It is recommended that they do not leave it until the last minute,” Hammond said.

Applications can be made either online or through a paper-based application process.  Should a parent not have access to technology, they must please ask the relevant school for the application form.

The link to the WCED admissions website is: https://admissions.westerncape.gov.za/admissions/login (link is external)

“Parents must apply to at least three schools, including the ones closest to your home, and order their preference on the system,” Hammond said.

The following supporting documents are required when applying:

• The last official school report card;
• ID, Birth certificate, passport of the learner; or study permit (foreign learners); or proof of application (study permit) or a police affidavit;
• Immunisation card (Road to Health Chart) [primary schools only]; and
• Proof of residence (rates account, lease agreement, an affidavit confirming residence).

The department has also created two video tutorials to assist parents to navigate both the registration and application process online.

The tutorial on how to register on the website can be accessed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nm8svoRmSE (link is external)

The tutorial on how to apply online can be accessed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GS2yR57RuY (link is external)

“We ask that parents please cooperate with this plea to apply before Thursday. Should they still fail to do so, they will still be able to apply, but it will be registered as a late application,” Hammond said.

A total of 24 256 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, with 965 new cases identified, representing a 4% positivity rate.

Meanwhile, a further 15 COVID-19 related deaths were reported on Sunday, bringing the tally to 52 663 to date.

Of the latest fatalities, six are from KwaZulu-Natal, four from Mpumalanga, three from Free State and one from the Western Cape, while the rest of the provinces recorded zero deaths.

“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.

Also, the recovery rate is holding steady at 95% after 1 471 899 beat the infectious disease, while the active cases now stand at 20 869.

KwaZulu-Natal remains the hardest-hit province with 5 434 active cases.

The province is followed by the Western Cape with 5 081 people who are currently infected, 2 647 in Gauteng, 2 511 in the Northern Cape, 1 886 in the North West, 1 597 in Free State, 1 006 in Mpumalanga, 283 in Limpopo and 209 in the Eastern Cape.

The Minister announced that the number of vaccinated healthcare workers have risen to 231 605.

As of 28 March 2021, there have been 126 359 540 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2 769 473 deaths, reported to the World Health Organisation.

Also, 462 824 374 vaccine doses have been administered as of 25 March 2021.

From improving the balance sheet to correcting defects at the Kusile and Medupi power plants, Deputy President David Mabuza says the task team on Eskom is pleased with the progress the recently-appointed transformation management office at the power utility has made.

“In line with achieving operational efficiency, five units at Medupi and Kusile power stations that had design defects have been corrected, and this will contribute to sustainable energy provision by our new build programme.

“For instance, Kusile Unit 2 has added 720 megawatts to the national grid since its commercial operation in October 2020. Major defects at Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme, have been addressed and each of the four units are now performing at full capacity of 331 megawatts from previous 245 megawatts.

“Further, transmission network performance has returned to expected levels, and distribution performance remains stable,” he said.

The Deputy President said with regards to efforts to improve the utility’s income statement, Eskom has realised savings of four billion Rands that was declared against a target of R3.1 billion.

This will further be complemented by a tariff increase of 15 percent for the 2022 financial year which has been granted to Eskom.

In terms of employee costs, the second round of voluntary severance packages are underway, and net savings are expected to be realised in the 2022 financial year.

The Deputy President said efforts are underway towards ensuring that procurement savings are delivered on.

Deputy President Mabuza said, meanwhile, that in relation to strengthening the balance sheet, a savings of R7.5 billon has been realised in terms of capital expenditure.

Processes are also underway to dispose non-core properties.

As far as the restructuring of Eskom into three divisions is concerned, the Deputy President said the division of the power utility was completed by March 2020 as the first step towards business separation, with functional separation to be completed by March 2021.

The establishment of a separate Transmission subsidiary is still targeted for completion by December 2021, with Generation and Distribution by December 2022.

He said the finalisation of this process will create the required certainty for prospective investors in generation capacity, in turn ensuring that bids are fairly adjudicated, relative to Eskom generation.

“As the Political Task Team on Eskom, we are comfortable with the notable progress in Eskom’s recovery of its operational performance that has been made thus far,” he said.

The Department of Social Development has urged Early Childhood Development (ECD) service organisations to update their information for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund (ECD-ESRF) by Saturday, 20 March 2021 to enable speedy processing of the payments.

This follows the finalisation of the ECD-ESRF payments by the department recently.

“The department must ensure due diligence as part of the verification process for payment to be made and it must be emphasised that it is the responsibility of the ECD service-provider to ensure that all the information that is captured on their applications is correct. Failure to do so may result in the applications being rejected,” the department said.

Over 3 000 applications submitted by government employees

As part of the ongoing verification process, the department noted that, in addition to the 98 applications of deceased persons that have been previously reported, 3 729 applications have now been found to be made by government employees who are on the PERSAL System.

The department emphasised that it will not process any payments, if applications have bank and staff verification inaccuracies as a result of wrong information submitted by applicants.

“It is important for applicants to verify their details and do the necessary corrections to enable payment.”

The common issues that have been picked up, included incorrect Identity Document (ID) numbers and names of applicants; incorrect banking information (the status of bank verifications can be checked on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) website; and incorrect addresses.

Application with incorrect classification of being, either a funded or unfunded service; and incorrect documents being uploaded like Non-Profit Organisations’ registration certificates instead of partial care registration certificates, were also picked up.

Applicants may log onto https://ecd.gov.za/ecd/login, and this should be done by using the reference number received when applications were sent to the GovChat platform.

If there is a need for any assistance, applicants must contact the call centre on 0800 089 666.

SRD grant payments under investigation

Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Social Development has heard that about 67 000 Social Relief and Distress (SRD) grant payments should be subjected to investigations. This as they may have been paid to undeserving beneficiaries.

This came during a briefing from the Office of the Auditor-General regarding Special Reports relating to the COVID-19 grants.

Committee Chairperson Mondli Gungubele, warned that double-dipping, particularly by people employed in the public service, is unacceptable and should be eliminated.

“The SRD grant is intended for the most vulnerable of our society, who had no form of income. The attitude of getting government funding at all cost has a potential to undermine the good work the department and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are doing.

“This is a huge number to have undeservingly received the R350 grant and the committee therefore asks that the department spares no effort in getting to the bottom of this challenge and that if there is a need to recover the money, such should be done,” Gungubele said in a statement on Wednesday.

The SRD grant was started during the COVID-19 outbreak in April last year, with an aim to lessen the impact of lockdown on unemployed, distressed and vulnerable persons.

The committee also heard that although 146 936 food parcels had been distributed as part of the COVID-19 relief response, the procurement process was affected by poor planning.

Gungubele said the committee will fulfil its oversight function, in order to make sure that the implementation of projects reaches the people that government interventions intend reaching.