Archives

South Africa recorded 2 080 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, which pushes the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 769 759.

“We have registered a positivity rate of 14%, which is concerning,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The Eastern Cape active cases have jumped to 11 099, followed by Free State 7 659 and the Western Cape 7 731.

Meanwhile, 65 more people succumbed to the deadly virus, which brings the death toll to 20 968.

Of the new additional deaths, 26 were reported in the Eastern Cape, 19 in the Free State, eight in the North West, seven in the Western Cape and three in Limpopo.

In addition, the recovery rate stands at 92.4% after 711 195 people beat the Coronavirus.

“The cumulative number of tests conducted to date is 5 305 343 with 14 377 new tests conducted since the last report,” Mkhize added.

The World Health Organisation is currently reporting 58 425 681 global cases, including 1 385 218 deaths.

Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, has expressed disgust at the “reckless, irresponsible and dangerous” statements calling for the attack on police officers by EFF leader, Julius Malema.

In a statement, the Ministry said Malema, while addressing his supporters over the weekend, was seen clearly encouraging direct violence against members of the SAPS and their families.

Cele in a statement assured South Africans that such threats will not be taken lightly by the South African Police Services.

“I think the EFF leader has crossed the line. You are not going to threaten the police and think they will just fold their arms. The job of the police is clear and is prescribed in the Constitution, which is to protect, prevent, combat and investigate crime. Police are also there to uphold and enforce the law, so no one has the right to threaten the police when they conduct their work,” he said.

The Minister urged members of the police service to protect themselves.

Cele said he was confident that if needs be, police are more than capable of defending themselves, should they be under any attack.

“The threat to the lives of police members and their families will not be tolerated. Officers of the law should never be used as bait for political mileage,” he said.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and provinces are working around the clock to implement new security measures meant to protect the ongoing National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

“We want to reassure the public that we are hard at work to ensure that we protect the examinations,” Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, said.

The Minister made the remarks on Monday after the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) held an urgent meeting to consider the implications of the latest developments with the leak of the Mathematics Paper 2 and Physical Science question papers.

The meeting was held following reports that the Physical Sciences Paper 2 was leaked and circulated before the commencement of the examination on Monday.

Last week, the Mathematics Paper 2 was also leaked. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (The Hawks) is investigating the matter.

“The Hawks have been helpful in working with us and there are encouraging developments coming from their side,” the Minister said.

The investigations are at an advanced stage and details on the progress of the probe will be made public at the right time, while areas of possible weakness have been identified.

“It is unfortunate that people continue to be involved in something like this, even though the consequences can be dire.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the conduct of persons who undermine the integrity of the examination because it causes untold stress on the learners who are looking forward to exiting the schooling system with a pass from an honest examination, not one associated with cheating,” Motshekga said.

The SABC board has been implored to return to the negotiation table with labour in an effort to preserve jobs in the broadcaster’s planned retrenchments.

This comes after Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, her deputy Pinky Kekana, and Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi, as well as other senior officials of the department met with the board of the SABC on Monday.

In a statement, the department said the meeting, which was the second in two weeks, was requested by Ndabeni-Abrahams to get an update on planned retrenchments at the SABC from the board and executive management.

“Both ministers implored the SABC board and its executive management to go back to the negotiation table with the aim of ensuring that all available opportunities are thoroughly explored prior to engaging on a retrenchment process, which must always be the last resort,” reads the statement.

The department said Ndabeni-Abrahams and Nxesi will continue to observe developments within the SABC with a keen interest to ensure that SABC continues to meet its core mandate of providing broadcasting services to the people of South Africa.

“A functional SABC is in the interest of all South Africans. I am therefore determined to support efforts aimed at finding an amicable solution to the problem,” said Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams.

The parties involved will provide further details on the way forward in due course.

National Treasury, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) have jointly expressed an intent to review the Exchange Control Circular 15/2020 issued by the SARB.

The circular was issued following the announcement by the Minister of Finance in the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) Speech in October.

In a statement, the three said the review is limited to providing clarification on the scope of changes to the announcement related to the reclassification of inward listed instruments.

“This follows enquiries by various stakeholders having different interpretations on the extent that the circular affects the foreign investment limits applicable to institutional investors, inter alia, retirement funds, collective investment schemes and insurers,” reads the statement.

The MTBPS announcement aims to create an enabling environment that makes it easier for foreign investors to invest in South Africa, and support South Africa’s growth as an investment and financial hub for Africa.

National Treasury emphasised that the announced reforms to the capital flow management framework do not alter the prudential framework currently applicable to all regulated funds, including retirement funds, collective investment schemes and insurance.

The circular, issued on 29 October 2020, dealing with the reclassification of inward listed instruments, is therefore suspended with immediate effect, to reduce the scope for ambiguity related to compliance with the prudential framework for regulated funds.

“An amended circular will be issued following a period of public consultations. All approvals granted on the basis of Circular 15/2020 are also suspended. The dispensation before Circular 15/2020 remains extant,” the three said in the statement.

Stakeholders and the public are invited to submit comments to sarbportfolio@resbank.co.za by 15 December 2020 on proposals to amend the circular in question.

Input is also required on the selling of a derivative or ETF, where the underlying foreign asset is issued by a company not listed on a South African exchange.

Curbing the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will require an act of solidary from every sector of society as legislative and policy measures instituted by governments cannot alone rid us of this problem, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The President made the clarion call in the latest edition of his weekly newsletter on Monday while reflecting on the upcoming 16 Days of Activism against GBV. The campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December.

He said while it is government that adopts policy, it is the NGOs and community workers who are closest to where people are.

“They are a barometer of implementation on the ground,” he wrote. “This country’s women and children, and indeed all the people of South Africa will forever remain grateful for the work of our robust, activist and principled civil society organisations and workers.”

“Despite the groundswell of public support for this campaign and many others like it, we are still unfortunately a long way from realising a world free of sexism, discrimination and violence against women and girls,” said President Ramaphosa.

“Despite our best efforts as the international community, as national governments and as civil society, gender-based violence remains a feature of the lives of millions of women and girls around the world.”

The 16 Days of Activism campaign, he wrote, affirms the need for all sectors of society to play their part in the fight against gender-based violence.

“It is about driving fundamental change in societal attitudes that allow sexism, chauvinism and patriarchy to thrive,” he said.

As the country gears for this year’s campaign, President Ramaphosa said government acknowledges the invaluable work being done by those outside government to combat gender-based violence.

“I speak here of the volunteers at shelters, at police station victim support offices and rape crisis centres, and who staff victim-support hotlines. We thank the housemothers and managers in our care centres for children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups who have been affected by gender-based violence,” he said.

He said the country was grateful for the dedication of social workers, both in government and in grassroots organisations, who provide critical psycho-social services to survivors and their families.

“We acknowledge the counsellors and sponsors who are a lifeline both for survivors and those perpetrators of gender-based violence whose lives have been ravaged by alcoholism and substance abuse,” he said.

“I commend the professionals who work with perpetrators; running workshops and programmes and supporting efforts towards their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.”

The President also tipped his hat for neighbours who open their homes to vulnerable mothers and children.

“[We salute] the co-worker who accompanies a survivor of violence to the hospital, police station or a shelter; and the friend who does not stand by and watch a woman or a child being abused but intervenes,” he said.

In paying tribute to the health workers, police men and women, prosecutors and judges on the frontline, the President said the public should not forget those whose work is not publicised, but is no less important or impactful.

“Women form the majority of those engaged in care work and it is in the main unpaid. Acknowledging its important contribution not just to the economy but to society, is key to advancing gender equality.

“During the lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic we witnessed first-hand the integral role played by the NGO and community-based sector in providing support to vulnerable women and children,” he said.

“They worked with government to ensure that the basic needs of women and children in shelters were met, and worked with the Solidarity Fund to ensure there was adequate personal protective equipment in shelters where they were needed.”

Beyond its devastating effects on the health, safety and well-being of women and girls, he said the “insidious problem” has significant social, political and economic impacts.

“According to a 2017 study, the economic cost of gender-based violence in South Africa is between R28 billion and R42.4 billion a year. This includes the social services, shelter and health care needed to respond effectively to gender-based violence,” he said.

Individuals and families bear the greatest proportion of costs – from reduced income to replacement of broken property, to transportation to seek care or attend trial.

Furthermore, the productivity of women in abusive relationships is also negatively affected.

He added that there is also the so-called second-generation impact, such as the cost of services for children and others who are affected.

“It is clear then that not only is eradicating gender-based violence a moral and human rights imperative, it is also key to us realising our developmental potential as a country,” he said.

“As we begin the 16 Days of Activism campaign on Wednesday, he urged the public to remember that they all share the common goal of turning the tide on the scourge.”

Government has reiterated its commitment to investigating and swiftly extraditing fugitive evangelical couple, Shepard and Mary Bushiri, who daringly escaped from the country while facing criminal charges.

In a statement, government said it would investigate the matter and use all the legal instruments to bring back the couple to South Africa to face criminal charges.

The Bushiris were earlier this month released on R200 000 bail each for charges relating to theft, money laundering and fraud in connection with an alleged R100 million investment scheme.

Bail conditions included them not travelling beyond Gauteng and the North West. They were also expected to report to a police station twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

Following Sunday newspaper reports detailing how the couple was allegedly smuggled out of country, government said the story by the Sunday Independent made “false claims and assertions” from “unnamed sources”.

“This story sought to embarrass and implicate the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, and unnamed Ministers in crimes and conspiracy, for which the Sunday Independent has produced absolutely no evidence and will not be able to substantiate,” said Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Director-General, Phumla Williams, in the statement.

The paper published an unsubstantiated allegation about Lesotho having been an escape route used by the Bushiris to leave South Africa.

Williams said if the publication wishes to serve the national interest and ensure that justice is done, it is obliged to report observed crimes to the nearest police station.

“In fact, government encourages all South Africans, who are in possession of information about crimes being committed, to report that to law enforcement agencies, regardless of the status of the person who committed such a crime,” she said.

Williams said government remains committed to keeping South Africans informed on progress at the appropriate time.

“Government cautions the public in South Africa and elsewhere to treat news coverage on this matter with caution and circumspection, in view of baseless reports that emerged this past week.”

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a new crime fighting initiative to strengthen its efforts in the fight against crime in the cities.

The Integrated Safer Cities Concept is a first of its kind to be implemented in any City in South Africa.

The National Safer City Concept is also being piloted in other identified cities which aims to see law enforcement agencies integrating and maximizing on technology to fight crime more effectively.

This platform sees the introduction of the first of its kind fusion centre. Its purpose is to maintain and establish a platform for information sharing through a collaborative approach amongst stakeholders through evidence led information.

In addition, this aims to provide an improved response to coordinated planning to deal with any eventuality.

Utilising state of the art technology, the fusion centre allows for integration of stakeholders from various disciplines, systems and software, coupled with extensive research and development.

The integrated approach forms part of the national crime prevention strategy that seeks to present a model for safety planning through an integration of resources both from all stakeholders involved including SAPS as the lead department, local and metropolitan municipality safety departments, registered private security companies and community safety structures led by Community Policing Forums.

This concept not only focuses on the inner city and suburbs of cities but also in the townships and in rural communities through the Rural Safety Strategy, the Traditional Crime Prevention Programme with the introduction of community-based mounted police as well as the upcoming Royal Reserve Police.

The launch of this ground-breaking programme was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale in Inanda, Durban.

According to crime statistics, Inanda recorded a high rate of reported cases of sexual offences.

The launch of the programme in an area such as this one seeks to arrest the alarming levels of crime through collaboration with key stakeholders.

“A safe city is where a young woman can walk alone at night, without fear of being harassed, violated or harmed in any way. This is the goal that this administration is working tirelessly towards achieving.

“Alongside our efforts to decrease violent crimes, at least by half in the next decade,” said Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale.

The Safer City initiative has been prioritised as one of the critical government interventions that will contribute extensively towards the economic growth of the country.

It is one of the post-COVID 19-crime prevention approaches with the aim of creating a crime-free city or district and at large a country free of crime and violence.

“Local government sphere is pinnacle where development and innovation take place. People aspirations for a better life is centred on the concept of local government.

“This sphere of government can optimally disburse its resources to its intended beneficiaries when the rule of law is upheld. For this concept to function, all responsible government departments need to actively participate in its operations, by providing and distributing resources for its survival. The provision of safety and security in cities is one of the catalysts for their survival,” said the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Khehla Sitole.

MEC of Transport , Community Safety and Liaison in KZN, Bheki Ntuli, said the success of the centre lies with the stakeholders involved.

“Each official has a stake in the development and exchange of information and intelligence and should act as an ambassador to support and further this initiative. It is our responsibility to implement and adhere to the Fusion Centre Guidelines.

“The guidelines are a milestone in achieving a unified force among all levels of law enforcement agencies. Fusion centre bring all the relevant partners together to maximize the ability to prevent and respond to terrorism and criminal acts.

“By embracing this concept, these entities will be able to effectively and efficiently safeguard our communities and maximize anti-crime effort,” Ntuli said on behalf of the KZN government.

Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said in preparation for this programme the City launched community safety forums and local drug action committees whose core mandate is to build trust and strengthen relations between communities and law enforcement agencies.

“Our aim is to ensure safety in our communities in order to attract investments. It would be extremely difficult to attract tourists in an area like Inanda if it remains a hotspot for serious crimes such as sexual offences and murders,” he said.

The South African Police Service hopes that the existence of the centre will grant all key stakeholders an opportunity to come together with a common purpose in maximizing and improving the ability to safeguard communities and prevent criminal activity in cities.

The Department of Small Business Development and Nedbank have called on informal fruit and vegetable traders, who were negatively affected by the pandemic, to apply for funding.

The two entities have collaborated to empower 40 000 informal traders by helping them to restart their businesses.

“In a total contribution of R40 million, qualifying traders will receive grants of R1 000 each. The money will be used to buy stock,” the department said.

The initiative falls within the Department of Small Business Development’s Township and Rural Enterprises Programme (TREP) launched earlier this year.

“Since March 2020, the department launched support schemes for small businesses to help alleviate the negative impact of the pandemic including the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship programme (TREP).

“The focus of the TREP is to support enterprises based in townships and rural areas, and also micro and informal businesses, to restart, rebuild and improve their businesses as part of the reconstruction and recovery of the South African economy,” the Minister of Small Business Development, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said.

The TREP seeks to stimulate the economy through focused financial and business development support geared towards informal traders and micro businesses based in the villages, townships and peri-urban areas (also known as small dorpies).

“While most conversations around the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis focus on the formal economy, the devastation on the informal sector has been enormous.

“The informal sector, while often operating on a subsistence level, is just as vital to the economic recovery that needs to take place in the wake of the pandemic.  Financial service providers in both the public and private sector have the ability to jumpstart this important job creator,” Nedbank Group Managing Executive, Retail and Business Banking, Ciko Thomas, said.

The department has worked together with Nedbank to find a simple, easy and cost effective mechanism to disburse the grant money, using mobile wallets.

Traders seeking support can apply for the grant by following two key steps:

– Traders can register on the National Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) website for small business funding and complete the online form.

– Key requirements are a South African ID and valid municipal trading permit.

Upon successful registration, each trader will be directed to apply for the grant by dialling *120*001# and select option 6 “Apply” from their mobile phones and follow the easy prompts to finish the application.

Successful applicants will receive R1 000, which will be deposited into their mobile wallet, a Nedbank MobiMoney account, which is automatically generated as part of the account application process.

MobiMoney is a mobile-based account that anyone with a valid South African identity number can open from anywhere, within seconds, using a mobile phone

From these wallets, traders will be able to pay fresh produce suppliers directly from their wallet, without needing to withdraw money.

Fresh produce suppliers will be enabled to accept mobile wallet payments through Masterpass.

Nedbank has demonstrated a sustained commitment to supporting government in assisting vulnerable communities in the wake of the pandemic, through its robust and flexible financial tools.

In April, shortly after the start of the national lockdown, the bank announced that it would help the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) with the implementation of the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grants announced by the President.

“Getting relief to people on the ground can be a challenging task. We therefore remain committed to providing the most relevant entry-level banking tools to offer consumers the benefits of formal banking at a minimal cost to them, even saving them time and resources,” Thomas said.

The Department of Employment and Labour has welcomed the judgment by the Constitutional Court affirming the right of domestic work to be covered for injuries sustained in employment.

The apex court last week affirmed the earlier decision last year by the High Court which found the exclusion unconstitutional.

In the judgement, the court found that excluding domestic workers from the definition of employee excluded them from the “social security benefits provided for under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act” (COID).

The court called domestic workers “unsung heroines in this country and globally” whose “profession enables economically active members of society to prosper and pursue their careers”.

In a statement, the Department said prior to the high court judgment, it had already initiated a process of amending the act to include domestic workers under the definition of employee which would enable them to receive the benefits under COID.

“The High Court and the Constitutional Court judgements have by operation of the law fast tracked the inclusion of domestic workers in the current COID Act,” reads the statement.

“This is also the reason why the department agreed to the initial agreement that was presented in the high court and subsequently made order of the court that has now been affirmed by the Constitutional Court,” said Thobile Lamati, Department Director-General.

The Bill amending the act was launched in September and central to the changes is the inclusion of domestic workers under COIDA.

On the order that the inclusion be retrospective to April 27, 1994, Lamati said the department anticipated this judgement and have already looked at the ways of implementing this aspect.

“We recognise that this aspect has far reaching implications and therefore it is incumbent upon the department to work out the best way to address this part of the judgment and to do so in a way that addresses all the other issues raised by the courts,” said Lamati.

“We agree entirely with the court that domestic workers face a multitude of challenges including racism, sexism, gender inequality and class stratification.

“It is one of the reasons that the department has been a driver to other interventions to improve the lives of domestic workers like the sectoral determination that seek to set minimum wages for domestic workers. Even with the payment of workers during the pandemic, we have called on employers of domestic workers to ensure that they apply on their behalf so that they were not left behind,” Lamati said.

Given the fact that the employers of domestic workers need to contribute to the Fund, the department will issue a directive to this effect and also on how the department will deal with the retrospective aspect in as far as contributions are concerned.