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The South African Police Service Central Firearm Registry has confirmed that firearm license applications have been delayed, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement issued on Monday, police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said the SAPS, like any other government department, is affected by the pandemic.

“This situation has resulted in unexpected consequences on the service delivery front.

“It is common knowledge this virus has been the cause for employees to frequently self-isolate after having tested positive or come in contact with persons who tested positive for the virus, and the SAPS had not been immune to this,” he said.

Naidoo said in compliance with the National Disaster Management Regulations and other safety related protocols, SAPS members are operating at reduced capacity in order to mitigate the spread of the virus.

“In the event a positive case is detected, buildings are also evacuated for purposes of decontamination, adding to the delays,” said Naidoo.

In light of these challenges in the year 2020, the Minister of Police approached Parliament with a request for the declaration of another firearm amnesty period after the amnesty that was declared from 1 December 2019 ended on 31 May 2020. This request was approved by Parliament, and the second amnesty period was declared for a period of six months, commencing 1 August 2020 until 31 January 2021.

Naidoo said applications for licences, in respect of surrendered firearms during the amnesty period, compounded the situation after the total number of firearm licence applications increased by more than 80% for the duration of amnesty.

“Applications for licences, in respect of surrendered firearms, require an entirely different process to that of a normal renewal of licence, which inevitably prolongs the turnaround time for their finalisation.”

Naidoo said while SAPS has put measures in place to mitigate the situation, the organisation has an obligation to ensure that strict protocols, with regards to the virus, are observed.

“One [protocol is] the balancing of finalising applications speedily with the health and safety of members of the SAPS.  In light of this situation, the turnaround time for a firearm licence application is taking more than the normal 90 working days.”

After taking all factors into consideration, as well as to allow for proper administration of firearm licence applications, the period for the finalisation of these applications has been extended from 90 working days to 120 working days.

“Firearm licence applicants are therefore requested to please exercise patience and allow SAPS to do due diligence in administering these applications. An assurance is given that everything possible is being done to process these applications within the new 120 working days turnaround time,” Naidoo said.

The public is urged to observe the stipulated steps, while enquiries are considered. Enquiries pertaining to outstanding applications may be directed to the local Designated Firearm Officer (DFO) where the application was lodged. If no assistance is forthcoming there, then the Station Commander of that relevant station or the District Commissioner, where such a station is located, must be contacted. The relevant Provincial Commissioner’s office may also be contacted.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s collective efforts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic must now shift from relief measures to deliberate action to aid economic recovery.

This, the President said in his weekly newsletter on Monday, will require cooperation and contribution from every citizen. President Ramaphosa said the country was able to provide a lifeline to its citizens due to the already-existing social security safety net in the form of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The two bodies were respectively able to provide relief to vulnerable citizens and those whose livelihoods were compromised by the pandemic and resultant lockdown.

“We need to make sure that these relief measures provide a firm foundation for a broader recovery without driving the country deeper into debt. Unless we can bring our national debt down to sustainable levels, no meaningful economic recovery will be possible.

“Many workers lost part of their income as their work hours were reduced with many being retrenched. Several businesses have incurred heavy losses from scaled-back operations. Others have had to close. People working in the informal sector have also suffered

“This is why the extensive relief measures we put in place were both necessary and urgent. Now that nearly a year has passed, we can say that these measures have proved effective.

“We would not have been able to roll out these measures in such a short space of time if we had not had an extensive social security infrastructure already in place.

“We were able to respond to this huge and immediate need in our society thanks to the substantial nationwide infrastructure and systems of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF),” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the support provided by the UIF was a lifeline to struggling businesses and employees. “It made the difference between companies remaining open and being forced to close, between jobs saved and jobs lost. Employees in dire straits were able to receive a portion of their salaries.”

While these relief measures were designed to be temporary, the economy, the President said, will continue to feel the effects of the pandemic for some time to come.

“Even as lockdown restrictions have been eased, many companies are struggling to cope with the fallout of months of diminished operations and lost revenue.

“It is for this reason that following extensive discussion with social partners at NEDLAC, the COVID TERS [temporary employer-employee relief scheme] benefit has been extended until 15 March 2021 for sectors that have not been able to fully operate.

“Our focus now must be on creating an enabling environment for businesses to recover, and for economic growth that spurs job creation and attracts investment.”

President Ramaphosa said companies will need to be innovative in driving methods and processes that secure their sustainability and profitability, with job retention being their foremost consideration.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has appealed to travelers to ensure that they have all the requisite travel documents, including valid COVID-19 tests, when they present themselves to officials at the country’s borders.

“Truck drivers should adhere to laws, regulations and agreements in place in the border area. This will go a long way in minimising congestion,” said Motsoaledi.

The call follows a Cabinet decision to reopen 20 land borders for ordinary travel on 15 February 2021. The ports of entry were closed on 11 January 2021, as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Motsoaledi will today lead the deployment of senior managers of the department to key land border posts

The Minister, including Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza and the Director-General Tommy Makhode are expected to visit the four busiest land ports to monitor the implementation of plans to process travellers through the ports.

Motsoaledi is scheduled to be at the Lebombo border post, while Nzuza will be at Beitbridge, and Makhode at Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg.

Motsoaledi emphasised that the active and orderly management of people through the borders is an important part of the country’s overall risk-adjusted approach to control the spread of COVID-19.

“In the past four weeks, the department has increased its engagements with officials in neighbouring countries, provinces with land borders and other stakeholders to improve coordination of efforts.

“The aim of these engagements was to share plans and ensure seamless movement of travellers and goods to minimise the chances of border crossings being super spreader events,” Motsoaledi said.

He also warned that any person presenting themselves at any of the borders with fake COVID-19 certificates “will be denied entry and barred from visiting South Africa for a period of at least five years.”

The list of the 20 land borders scheduled to reopen can be accessed on : http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/corona-virus-information

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has invited young people who have completed Grade 12 and want to improve their high school marks in the fields of maths and science to apply to the Coega Maths and Science Programme (MSP).

“For years, the maths and science programme has been extensively involved in the moulding of young people. This has resulted in increased numbers of learners being accepted in institutions of higher learning for science related courses due to improved marks obtained at the programme,” Head of the Coega Foundation Mzoxolo Dube said.

The enrolment period for the year 2021 commenced on 1 February 2021 and will be closing on 1 March 2021.

With a target on young people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, the programme has since its inception seen a steady increase of learners taking advantage of the opportunity.

Over the years, the programme has recorded impressive results, affording many young people an opportunity to upgrade their matric results and enrol in their field of choice.

Yothando Sikhuza (20) and Sinovuyo Kostauli (21) are some of the beneficiaries, who have since joining the programme, managed to get good marks, propelling them to pursue their dream careers within the field of science and technology.

Sikhuza said taking part in the MSP was the best decision she made after being rejected for medicine in all tertiary institutions that she had applied to after matric.

“I have developed holistically because of this opportunity. I am now competent with a deep understanding of maths and science, which are major requirements for the career I always wanted. I am currently studying towards my dream career in medicine with the University of Free State,” Sikhuza said.

Kostauli is pursuing a career in the Aviation industry as she has ambitions of becoming a commercial pilot.

“I fell in love with planes through my exposure watching movies. I told myself, I must one day, do everything in my power to become one. The programme didn’t just help me upgrade my matric results; It played a role of developing me into being a mature and responsible young lady.

“The programme is a place where you can discover your true potential. In my life I never imagined myself passing maths and science with flying colours until Coega MSP made it possible,” Kostauli said.

With the MSP’s explicit focus on maths and science, one of the requirements for learners is having completed grade 12 and passing all other subjects except for mathematics and science.

Young people who are interested in joining the programme must submit their statement of results as well as a copy of their South African Identity Document.

All applications can be submitted at the (front gate) Coega Human Capital Solutions (HCS), Zone 4 in the Coega SEZ, Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

Alternatively, applications can be emailed to eldon.september@coega.co.za or contact (041) 404 3407 for enquires.

The programme classes will start in the month of March until November, daily from Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, in compliance with COVID-19 regulations.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the number of participants will be limited to only 100 learners; preference will be given to residents of the Nelson Mandela Bay.

“It is important to support young people and empower them with knowledge that will help improve the skills base for the Eastern Cape and broadly that of the country.

The success of the programme also depends on full commitment from learners. Therefore, we encourage young people to grab this opportunity with both hands. Through this opportunity we hoping it will unlock a number of opportunities for our youth,” Dube said.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has urged parents to continue paying school fees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at a briefing on an array of issues, she said there are two types of public schools in the country, the fee-paying and no-fee paying schools.

She explained that fee-paying schools are allowed to charge school fees as determined at the annual general meeting of the School Governing Body (SGB).

“Therefore, the payment of school fees in such schools is mandatory,” she said at Sunday’s briefing.

She also cited the South African Schools Act (SASA) of 1996, which states that SGBs of fee-paying schools have the powers to enforce parents to pay school fees through legal means.

“The liability of parents is determined through an affordability formula, which can be used to determine whether a parent can be exempted partially or fully from paying school fees.”

Meanwhile, she also raised concerns about schools that are charging registration deposits and exorbitant amounts to pay staff the Section 42 bonuses.

This was despite the moratorium placed on the public service salary bill.

“We must advise schools to avoid such temptations, as the first is illegal. Secondly, it is completely unreasonable especially as it is done and enforced under the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI)

The Minister announced that 290 000 young people have been employed on contract as education assistants and general school assistants in the response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Fiscal Stimulus Package announced in April 2020.

The aim of the initiative is to address COVID-19 related academic disruptions by providing assistance in dealing with lingering systemic challenges and support to workers directly impacted by the pandemic.

In addition, the portion of the R7 billion allocated for the BEEI is targeted at saving SGB funded posts in public and government subsidised independent schools.

“We are working hard to ensure that the delayed payments of some of these young people are addressed immediately.”

NSC exam results

The Minister confirmed that the 2020 National Senior Certificate exam results will be released on 22 February 2021.02.15

Candidates who sat for the exams can expect to receive their statements on 23 February 2021 from their schools.

Motshekga said the pandemic requires the entire nation to support its children, and indeed cooperate and support schools on a sustainable basis.

“I urge every one of us, to play our part in keeping our communities safe and healthy,” she said. 

South Africa continues to see fewer COVID-19 cases, with deaths showing signs of slowing down, with only 78 reported in the last 24 hours.

This brings the death toll to 47 899, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said on Sunday.

Of the latest fatalities, 37 are from Gauteng, 15 from Western Cape, 10 from Free State, nine from Mpumalanga, five from KwaZulu-Natal and two from the Eastern Cape.

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

Meanwhile, South Africa recorded 1 744 new COVID-19 cases, which represents a 7% positivity rate, pushing the total number of known infections to 1 491 807.

South Africa is now home to 55 587 active cases, with KwaZulu-Natal having 18 802 patients who are currently infected, followed by the Western Cape with 8 624.

“Our recoveries now stand at 1 388 321, representing a recovery rate of 93%.”

The information is based on the 8 697 066 tests, of which 24 470 were recorded since the last report.

Globally, there have been 108 153 741 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2 381 295 deaths, said the World Health Organisation.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) says the granular details of the extension to the COVID-19 TERS benefits, as announced in the State of the Nation Address last night, is to be discussed and finalised among the social partners at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday said the UIF will be extending the COVID TERS benefits from 16 October 2020 to 15 March 2021.

“The granular details about who the extension will be applicable to will be discussed and finalised by social partners at NEDLAC. An announcement will be made in that regard once the details have been finalised,” said the fund in a statement on Friday.

It said it is envisaged that sectors that are not fully operational since the beginning of the lockdown will require and may receive assistance. These include the tourism, hospitality, liquor industry and related sectors within that value chain.

The UIF will announce the opening of the system for the new period once the work to configure its systems is complete, and provide guidelines to assist users with the application process.

“The fund will continue to process and pay valid and complete outstanding COVID TERS benefit claims that are already in the system. The fund continuously re-processes claims already in the system so that those that have been corrected and have passed validations can be paid when payment re-runs are conducted,” it said.

So far, the fund has paid close to R60 billion since March last year and this have been done in 13 million iterated payments. The initial budget was R40 billion.

This social assistance from the Department of Employment and Labour forms part of the overall government response to fighting the worst effects of COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that as a result of the closure of the economy, workers are not left destitute.

The Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Human Settlements, has finalised its analysis of the provincial CoGTA and Human Settlements’ performance for the 2019/2020 financial year.

This comes after an interrogation from the Auditor General’s (AG) report received last week, resulting in the committee submitting its concerns to the two departments on their performance.

The departments – who were summoned to appear before the committee – this week gave presentations on their annual reports, while also responding to concerns raised.

While the AG’s report acknowledged strides made by Human Settlements to improve its audit outcome, following last year’s qualified opinion, the committee expressed concern with the report regarding the increase in the department’s irregular expenditure.

The committee has called for a turnaround strategy to address the matter.

Committee chairperson, Kedibone Diale said the committee has also asked the department to outline its measures to improve the participation of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s), particularly those owned by designated sectors in the economy, amongst other things.

Furthermore, the department had to provide a breakdown of its performance interventions on areas of underperformance including legacy project housing units; hostel construction; hostel detailed planning; hostel community residential units (CRUs) rectified; hostel maintenance; as well as title deeds registration, including pre, post, and new.

Overall, Diale said the committee called the department to provide detailed accounts on the misalignment of targets achieved and budget spent.

“The committee is cognisant of persisting housing issues within the Human Settlements Department and is committed to continuously holding the department and municipalities accountable for addressing these,” Diale said on Friday.

Gauteng Partnership Fund

Regarding the housing and the Gauteng Partnership Fund, the AG believes that the latter underperformed with audit findings, which has been the case for the past two financial years.

Diale said the committee is concerned about the housing fund’s increase in irregular expenditure in the current year from R0 to R11 704 448; and requires the department to tighten controls in this regard.

The AG found that partnership fund’s performance regressed to unqualified with material findings on non-compliance with laws and regulations.

“This is mainly due to goods and services with a transaction value below R500 000 which were procured without obtaining the required price quotations.

“The departments and its entities were warned on the implications of questionable procurement practices; and reiterated the requirement for compliance with standard Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes as outlined in the Public Financial Management Act,” the chairperson said.

CoGTA commended for another clean audit

Meanwhile, Diale has congratulated the Department of CoGTA for another clean audit with no qualifications.

The AG reported that CoGTA’s management, maintained the good practice of performing adequate reviews on the financial statements and performance reporting, which contributed to the sustained clean audit outcome.

Key controls over supply chain management were also adequately implemented as there was a decrease in irregular expenditure.

Upon appearing before the committee on Thursday, the department presented a detailed performance breakdown on some of their key targets; as requested by Members of the Committee.

“The Portfolio Committee welcomed statistical breakdown on the notable achievement of 33% of the planned 40% of employment equity target for women in Senior Management Service (SMS) positions for the 2019/2020. The committee is pleased with the level of cooperation and compliance to Cooperative Governance displayed by all reporting entities throughout this process,” Diale said.

She urged both departments to be wary of irregular expenditure and procurement trends that could lead to mismanagement of funds.

“The committee remains committed to exercising oversight; through making recommendations for improvement in the service delivery of the departments, entities and municipalities.

“We have the responsibility to ensure the implementation of these recommendations; and will conduct due oversight to ensure those mandated to deliver services to the people of Gauteng do so with transparency and accountability,” Diale said.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says recipients of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant need not reapply for the grant.

This follows the announcement made by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, that the special COVID-19 grant of R350 would be extended for another three months.

The special grant was introduced last year following the emergence of Coronavirus.

According to SASSA, the agency has processed in excess of 9.6 million applications each month from May 2020 to January 2021, and has paid more than 6.5 million grants per month.

“The total amount spent on this grant to date has exceeded R16 billion,” SASSA said in a statement on Friday.

The following should be noted about this grant:

• There is no need to go to a SASSA office; all SRD processes are done online. Any amendments on your application can be made at https://srd.sassa.gov.za;
• Those who have already received this grant and are on the system need not reapply;
• Every application will be validated monthly, as has been the case, and if approved, will be paid; and
• Clients, whose applications for the grant were declined, can lodge an appeal for review on the SASSA COVID-19 portal: https://srd.sassa.gov.za. Declined applicants who already lodged appeals need not reapply or re-appeal.

SASSA has also reassured all citizens who had their special grant approved, but had not been paid by the end of January, will still be paid through the existing payment channels, including the South African Post Office, direct deposits into bank accounts or money transfers to cell phones, as requested by the approved applicants.