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The South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction’s newly established online registration and permit system has gone live.

“The South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (the Council) is pleased to inform all relevant stakeholders that the newly-established Online Registration and Permit System is now live,” said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) on Thursday.

The Council is a statutory body established by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition in terms of the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 1993 (Act No.87 of 1993) (Non-Proliferation Act) to regulate strategic (dual use) goods and technologies that could be used in the development and production of weapons of mass destruction.

As contemplated in the Non-Proliferation Act, any person who is in control of any controlled goods or who has in his possession or custody, or under his control controlled goods shall register with the Council.

In addition, the Act determines that import, export, re-export or transit of such goods may only take place under a permit issued by the Council.

Currently, all applications for registration and permits (import and export) are manually submitted by industry to the Council.

In order to ease the administrative burden and improve service delivery, the Council embarked on the development of an electronic, internet-based system for submission of registration and permit applications.

Applicants would also be able to request additional functionalities with regard to permits.

“The industry is encouraged to register on the new system from 1 October 2020. Companies with existing registrations with the Council would be able to update their registrations details while new applicants would be able to submit new registration applications.”

As of 1 October 2020, the submission of import and export permit applications should preferably be done on the online system.

For any queries, stakeholders can contact the Non-Proliferation Secretariat on 012 394 5779 / 3030 or email nonproliferation@thedtic.gov.za.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has been granted leave to appeal a High Court decision relating to Eskom’s fourth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD4).

“The National Energy Regulator of South Africa welcomes the granting of leave to appeal against the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division) judgment of 28 July 2020, which substituted the Energy Regulator’s decision on Eskom’s MYPD4 with its own,” said the energy regulator.

In granting the leave to appeal, Judge Kathree-Setiloane indicated that the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division) is of the view that there are reasonable prospects of success, and that another court would come to a different decision.

The 28 July 2020 High Court decision allowed for a phased recovery of R69 billion in equity injections.

The court had ruled that the injections had been illegally deducted by NERSA on Eskom’s fourth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD4) for the 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years.

In a statement on Wednesday, NERSA said the appeal will be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

“The matter is of critical importance to the electricity supply industry and the economy of South Africa, as well as for the creation of certainty to investors,” said the regulator.

Eskom has noted the court’s decision.

“Eskom acknowledges and respects the decision made by Judge Kathree-Setiloane to grant the NERSA leave to appeal the High Court decision on the timing of recovery of the misappropriated R69 billion of government equity.”

Chief Financial Officer at Eskom, Calib Cassim, has agreed that the matter is of significant importance to the country.

“It would be beneficial for a Superior Court to provide an order on the recovery of the misappropriated equity. Eskom is committed to a speedy outcome of this process, as any further delay in resolving this matter continues to burden the economy of the country,” said Eskom.

A total of 23 583 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, with 1 913 new cases identified on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, 145 more succumbed to COVID-19 related illnesses, bringing the total number of deaths to 17 248 since the outbreak.

Of the latest fatalities, 42 are from KwaZulu-Natal, 41 from Gauteng, 24 from Limpopo, 11 from Mpumalanga and Free State, eight from the Western Cape, seven from the Northern Cape and one from the Eastern Cape.

Also, the cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases is 685 155, while the recovery rate stands at 90% after 618 127 patients recuperated.

Gauteng remains the epicentre with 221 719 cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal 119 930, Western Cape 111 826 and Eastern Cape 90 165.

Free State has 49 270 cases, North West 30 288, Mpumalanga 27 800, Northern Cape 18 207 and Limpopo 15 950.

Globally, there have been 35 659 007 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 044 269 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has once against warned against the risk of resurgence.

“The message is there shouldn’t be complacency,” he said during a political lecture in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday.

He has asked people to focus on the “new normal” of wearing masks, sanitising, social distancing, and cough etiquette especially now that international travel has been opened.

“This has assisted us and therefore it is something we should continue with,” Mkhize added.

He also encouraged people to download the COVID Alert SA app so people can be notified if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus.

He also thanked Cuban doctors and the WHO surge team for their support in fighting the Coronavirus in the country.

“The tenets of the National Health Insurance could be recognised during COVID-19. There was the pooling of resources and a public-private partnership,” Mkhize added.

“There was also infrastructure development, refurbishment, investment in health and a strong and capable workforce was built.”

Mkhize said the fight against the pandemic is a non-partisan campaign, but one that involves everyone in society.

“Behavioural change is the new normal. We must fight stigma and ensure vigilance,” he added.

The KwaZulu-Natal government has applauded the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural and Linguistic Communities (CRL) for launching an investigation into KwaSizabantu Mission.

The mission is accused of gross human rights violations following a News24 investigation lifting the lid on allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, money laundering and corruption.

Former members have also accused KwaSizabantu of bearing a resemblance to a cult.

KwaSizabantu describes its organisation as a “non-denominational Christian mission station that reaches out to people of all racial and cultural groups bringing a message of repentance and hope and providing spiritual guidance, educational support and counselling”.

The mission station is situated between Greytown and KwaDukuza and is currently one of the largest missions in Africa.

“The provincial government believes that the CRL, an independent chapter nine institution, is the correct platform to establish the truth behind these serious allegations,” Premier Sihle Zikalala said in a statement earlier this week.

“The CRL has informed the provincial government that it has commenced with its work to investigate the allegations against the Christian mission,” he added.

The KwaZulu-Natal government believes that a hearing will allow everyone to present their side of the story before the commission.

“However, allegations that involve gender-based violence are very concerning to the provincial government and every attempt will be made to deal with this scourge.”

According to Zikalala, Human Settlements MEC Peggy Nkonyeni has been tasked to meet with KwaSizabantu leadership to understand the matter and ensure that economic activities helping people to get employment do not suffer.

KwaSizabantu owns aQuellé and Emseni Farming, one of the biggest sweet pepper producers in the country.

Meanwhile, according to media reports, Woolworths, Massmart, Spar, Food Lover’s Market and Pick n Pay have cut ties with the mission’s business.

“We are seriously concerned about the allegations against the KwaSizabantu Mission and we welcome and applaud the investigation by the CRL. We hope that the investigation will be able to get to the bottom of these allegations which we view in an extremely serious light,” said the Premier.

KwaSizabantu has denied all the allegations in a series of statements they have been releasing since last month when the claims came to light.

A South African Revenue Service (SARS) employee is to appear in court today after allegedly soliciting a bribe from a taxpayer.

The official was arrested in a Hawks sting operation on Monday.

The employee allegedly offered to write off a taxpayer’s tax debt in return for the payment of R20 000.

In a statement on Tuesday, the revenue service said it would cooperate fully with the Hawks in the investigation.

Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said that while SARS will not pre-empt the ongoing investigation, the organisation would not tolerate any of its officials engaging in any collusion with taxpayers neither any act of criminal malfeasance.

“Employees of SARS hold positions of privilege and trust, and are expected to display the highest levels of professionalism, act with utmost honesty and integrity, and apply the tax and customs laws competently, without any fear, favour and prejudice. We cannot stand by a fallow the hard work of many honest SARS employees to be undermined and compromised,” he said.

He said employees should keep their conduct beyond reproach in the service of the country and its people.

“Any actions that distracts from achieving this vision has no place in SARS,” said the Commissioner.

The North West Provincial Coronavirus Command Council has expressed concern at the public’s non-adherence to the COVID-19 preventative measures, in particular the wearing of face masks in public spaces.

“While we note a steady decrease in the number of new and active infections in the province since August, we are concerned about the apparent public complacency, particularly on the use of masks,” North West Premier, Prof Tebogo Job Mokgoro, said.

Mokgoro, who is also the Chairperson of the Provincial Command Council, made these remarks on Tuesday during the council’s virtual meeting.

“We need to caution the public that COVID-19 is not over, and that we have a collective responsibility to prevent a possible resurgence,” the Premier said.

The Premier has called on members of the public to continue observing the Coronavirus prevention measures.

These include washing hands with water and soap regularly or using an alcohol based sanitiser, wearing face masks when in public places, keeping physical distance and covering the mouth with a flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.

According to the Department of Health, the province’s recovery rate is now at 91%, and that there is a further decrease in hospitalisation cases, which were at 180 as at 2 October.

The ICU and High Care numbers were ranging between 5 and 23 during the same period.

“The Command Council welcomed the department’s resolve to continue educating the public about the significance of adhering to the preventative measures as well as strengthening the current strong focus on contact tracing.

“In support of this contact tracing effort, the Command Council encourages members of the public to download the COVID-19 Alert App launched recently by the national Department of Health, which lets users know when they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19,” the provincial government said.

The provincial government has agreed to keep all 13-government quarantine facilities across the province open to ensure availability of about 500 beds when a need arises.

The provincial government has encouraged parents to allow learners to go back to school in an effort to avoid unintended consequences of an increase in school dropouts.

The meeting called on other community structures, including the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, to forge hands with the department of Education and strategically encourage learners to go back to school.

South Africa now has 683 242 COVID-19 cases after 1 027 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the death toll has increased by 87 pushing the tally to 17 103.

Of the latest fatalities, 35 are from KwaZulu-Natal, 28 from Gauteng, 15 from the Western Cape, five from the North West and four from the Eastern Cape.

Gauteng remains the epicentre with 221 320 confirmed cases since the outbreak, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 119 769, Western Cape 111 596 and the Eastern Cape with 89 991.

Free State has 48 865 cases, North West 30 103, Mpumalanga 27 718, Northern Cape 18 000 and Limpopo 15 880.

The data is based on the 4 294 931 tests of which 14 591 were performed in the last 24 hours.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, once again expressed his gratitude towards health professionals for the work they have done throughout the pandemic. The Minister said this during a South African Medical Association webinar.

“Thank you for patiently going out there to give the services to our people. We salute you all for the good work that has been done,” he said.

Mkhize reiterated that the numbers of deaths have slowed down.

Second wave

“We moved to level 1 with less explosion. It’s possible the second surge can still come. You have played an important part in us achieving a recovery rate of 90%.”

He warned that the issue of the second wave of infections cannot be ruled out.

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) surge team is still working in the different provinces.

It will continue to assist in surveillance for government to respond much quicker should the number of increased infections strike again.

“About vaccines, we should work together as a global effort to make vaccines more accessible and affordable to everyone. There is a whole global awareness for the need to work together for a vaccine,” said the Minister.

Globally, there have been 35 347 404 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 039 406 deaths reported to the WHO.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has expressed shock and disgust at the vandalism and arson of State infrastructure by a group of farmers during a demonstration at the Senekal Magistrate Court on Wednesday.

The events unfolded during a protest by farmers, who gathered outside the court, demanding justice for murdered farm manager, Brandon Horner.

Two suspects appeared in court on Tuesday for the brutal killing of the 21-year-old.

Police reports indicate that following the brief court appearance, around 100 demonstrators, among them armed farmers, stormed into the court building, demanding the suspects be handed over to them.

This violent act resulted in the vandalism of court property, and a police vehicle was also overturned and set alight.

Police had to use teargas to disperse the violent group.

“Minister Cele is adamant that such criminal behaviour will never be tolerated. He has called on police to act swiftly and arrest those responsible.

“While we all condemn the gruesome killing of this young man in Paul Roux, absolutely no one has the right to take the law into their own hands – no matter what the situation is. This type of lawlessness can’t be justified or taken lightly,” said Cele.

The Minister questioned the demonstrators’ motives for turning their anger towards the police.

“There is no logic when these protestors burn a police van, which is the same resource that is meant to assist them. It is also baffling why the anger of this community is being directed towards the police, when arrests have been made by the police and the suspects are before the courts,” said the Minister.

Cele reminded South Africans that the right to peaceful protest is part of any democratic society and is enshrined in our Constitution.

“However, the right to protest is not absolute and it comes with responsibilities,” the Minister said.

South Africa has recorded over 17 000 COVID-19 deaths after 40 more people succumbed to the respiratory disease on Monday.

Of the latest fatalities, 14 are from the Free State, 12 from the Eastern Cape, five each from Gauteng and Mpumalanga, and four from the Western Cape – bringing the toll to 17 016.

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases is 682 215 after 926 people contracted the virus since the last report.

Gauteng remains the epicentre with 221 061 cases since the outbreak, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 119 694, the Western Cape 111 517 and the Eastern Cape 89 964.

The Free State has 48 662 cases, the North West 29 979, Mpumalanga 27 625, the Northern Cape 17 876 and Limpopo 15 837.

“Our recoveries now stand at 615 684, which translates to a recovery rate of 90%,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The information is based on 4 280 340 tests conducted, 10 714 of which were performed in the last 24 hours.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of new cases per week has remained stable at two million for the past three weeks.

Meanwhile, over one million deaths have now been reported globally, the of which majority were reported in the region of the Americas (55%), followed by Europe (23%).

“In the past week, the regions of the Americas, South-East Asia and Europe account for 91% of new cases,” the latest WHO report stated.

The highest percentage of cases has been reported in the 25 – 39 age group, with about 50% of cases in the 25 – 64 age group.

“However, the percentage of deaths increases with age, and approximately 75% of deaths are in those aged 65 years and above.”

South Africa and Ethiopia continue to report the highest numbers of new cases in Africa, followed by Mozambique, Uganda and Nigeria.

“Africa has seen a continuous decline in case incidence since mid-July; however, this trend is now slowing,” said WHO.

For the first week since early August, the number of new deaths has risen – led by South Africa with a 29% increase in deaths in the past week.

South Africa also has the second-highest mortality rate on the continent with 11 461 deaths per one million population.

“Gauteng and the Western Cape have reported the most cases and deaths to date. However, these regions, as well as the country itself, have maintained sustained declines in the daily incidence since the end of July.

“Despite this, weekly case numbers have continued to rise in less populated provinces,” WHO said.

A WHO surge team of experts, including infectious disease specialists and epidemiologists, will continue to work with the Department of Health.

Globally, there have been 35 109 317 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 035 341 deaths reported.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has congratulated the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for its contribution in shaping the country’s science, engineering and technology landscape.

The Minister’s message comes as the CSIR marked 75 years of conducting research aimed at improving the quality of life of all South Africans on 05 October 2020. The council was established through an act of Parliament in 1945 with the organisation’s executive authority being the Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister.

The CSIR plays a significant role in supporting both the public and private sectors through directed research that is aligned with the country’s priorities, the organisation’s mandate and its science, engineering and technology competences.

Within a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, the CSIR repurposed some of its laboratories in support of government’s drive for a massive roll-out of testing and is one of the leading organisations in the development of much-need ventilators and rapid testing kits; and the tracking and tracing Covid-19 cases across the country.

Noting this research excellence and the swift response to national duty, the Minister said the CSIR has put South Africa on the global map by leading research and technological development in the country in the past decades.

“Over the years, I have been observing, with great pride, the work that the organisation does; work that has made a huge contribution to our country. We are proud of what the CSIR has achieved in the past 75 years through science, technology, engineering and innovation.

“We also pay tribute to the leadership; the scientists and all the support staff, who over the years, particularly since the new dispensation into our democracy, have passionately, and are continuing to contribute to the transformation of the organisation,” he said.

Among the CSIR’s outstanding work includes the organisation’s online services, Worldnet Africa and CompuServe, that have been sold to MIH Limited, to form MWEB which marked the start of commercial Internet services in South Africa. Today, the company continues to take advantage of the demand for connectivity.

The CSIR officially opened its clinical and botanical supplies unit in 1999. The facility is key in scientific studies that aim to add value to South Africa’s rich biodiversity and indigenous knowledge. It helps bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical trials through the production of pharmaceutical grade herbal products.

The Centre for High Performance Computing affords local researchers the advantage of using massive computing power in their quest for new knowledge and application. In 2015, the centre provided a dedicated computing cluster to help the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, with two particle detector experiments.

In 2002, the CSIR made a breakthrough in biomedical stem cell technology by generating the first induced pluripotent stem cells in Africa. Scientists use these cells to study the interactions between pathogens and specific cell types in the context of African genetics.

The Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre was established at the CSIR in 2014 to provide product and process development support to South Africa’s SMMEs that intend to produce biologicals for industrial, veterinary and human applications.

Around 2015, CSIR researchers created the first high resolution, locally calibrated national map of woody cover for South Africa, using satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping with existing light detection and ranging (LIDAR) datasets derived from airborne surveys. This is valuable to monitoring South Africa’s biodiversity and clearing of alien plants.

Minister Nzimande said all these researches conducted by the CSIR stood head and shoulders above similar organisations in the rest of Africa.

“The CSIR has been committed to pushing boundaries in our quest for excellent research, technological innovation, and industrial and scientific development. This is evident in the many sectors of our economy that you are impacting through the support you provide to government and the citizens, addressing the majority of the focus areas outlined in the National Development Plan,” he said.