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The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) says the banking licence for the old VBS Mutual Bank, in its old form, cannot be revived.

The Reserve Bank said it has received a number of letters from parties interested in reviving the Venda Building Society (VBS) Mutual Bank.

VBS was placed into liquidation by the High Court on 13 November 2018. The bank is currently being liquidated, the collection on loans is continuing and assets are being sold to recover monies owed to depositors.

The SARB said it has provided R261 million, covering over 97% of retail depositors, who originally deposited with VBS Mutual Bank.

To date, the Reserve Bank said over 98% of deposit balances guaranteed by government have been claimed.

“The banking licence under which VBS Mutual Bank operated was suspended. VBS Mutual Bank, in its old form, cannot be revived. The SARB cannot give that licence to someone else or to another entity,” the Reserve Bank said in a statement.

The Reserve Bank said if anyone wishes to apply for a new mutual or commercial banking licence, they are welcome to do so, and any party wishing to buy any of the assets of the old VBS Mutual Bank may do so, through the liquidator.

“They can also apply to use the name VBS or Venda Building Society, with the permission of the courts (and, in this case, the community involved). This process would be similar to the new licence granted to the resuscitated African Bank after the old African Bank was placed into curatorship in 2014.

“A banking licence application is, however, for a new licence and the applicant would need to meet the financial and prudential requirements of the particular licence that they are applying for (licence conditions for mutual banks, cooperative banks and commercial banks differ),” the Reserve Bank explained.

The SARB said the application process for a banking licence is relatively long, and can take between one and two years.

The SARB and the Prudential Authority (PA) have welcomed any engagement with communities and other interested parties seeking to enter the financial sector.

“We stand ready to advise and guide applicants through what is a long and complex process. We remain committed to ensuring a safe and sound financial sector, which meets the transformational and financial inclusion objectives of government,” the Reserve Bank said.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has issued directions in line with the National State of Disaster Regulations to extend the validity period of legally issued visas which expired during the lockdown period, to 31 October 2020.

The directions extend the initial validity period from 31 July 2020 to 31 October 2020.

This means that lawfully issued visas, which expired from 15 February and during the period of the lockdown, are deemed to be valid until the end of October 2020.

Holders of such visas are permitted to remain in the country under the conditions of their visas until 31 October 2020.

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

The refugee reception offices throughout the country remain closed. VFS offices are open only by appointment for collection of outcomes on applications which were made before the lockdown.

Call for written submissions

Minister Motsoaledi has also invited the public and stakeholders to make written comments on the South African Citizenship Act Draft Amendment Regulations published on 24 July 2020 in the Gazette.

The Draft Regulations relate to Sections 4 (3) and 5 (1) of the South African Citizenship Act. The Amendment Sections were passed by Parliament in 2010 and came into operation on 1 January 2013.

Written submissions can be sent to the Legal Services Division on or before 30 August 2020 to Tsietsi.Sebelemetja@dha.gov.za.

Enquiries on the Draft Regulations can be directed to Adv Tsietsi Sebelemetja at (012) 406 4271.

The Directions and Draft Regulations can be accessed via the following links: https://www.gov.za/documents/disaster-management-act-measures-prevent-and-combat-spread-coronavirus-covid-19-home-0

https://www.gov.za/documents/south-african-citizenship-act-regulations-draft-comments-invited-24-jul-2020-0000.

The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has dismissed allegations of interference in the appointment of the chairperson of the Eskom pension and provident fund.

A report by the Sunday Independent claimed that Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, revoked the appointment of the first black woman to be the chairperson of the Eskom pension and provident fund, and instead appointed Caroline Henry to the position.

The department said the report is manufactured by “an arrogant and destructive cabal employed to tarnish the reputation of all those fighting against corruption and to defend malfeasance”.

The choice and appointment of the pension fund chairperson is entirely the responsibility of Eskom.

“The allegations seek to tarnish the name of the Minister and sustain a narrative that has been propagated over several months by specific individuals that are entangled in SOE (State Owned Enterprises) corruption and state capture.

“The Sunday Independent ignored all the facts provided to its journalists by Eskom on the recruitment process, including the fact that the company ran the process with the help of an external recruitment firm. The process culminated in a final shortlist, from which Henry became the preferred candidate,” the department said in a statement.

According to Eskom, Mantuka Maisela had not made the shortlist.

The department disputed the report that the Ministry intervened in the appointment of Maisela to the position.

In fact, and in line with the process, the department said, it received a letter from the Eskom Board nominating Henry as the sole candidate, adding that this is a consideration for appointment by the Minister.

“Minister Gordhan approved the appointment of Henry based on the information before him and at no stage of the process did the DPE or the Minister contribute, suggest, or veto any names.

“The paper downplayed Eskom’s responses to its questions regarding the situation regarding Maisela’s candidature and instead chose to caricature Minister Gordhan in line with its deliberate distortion campaign,” the department said.

Before publishing, the department noted that the newspaper was informed by Eskom that Maisela had served on the Fund’s board for a continuous period of 16 years, a service that far exceeds the recommended period in terms of acceptable governance and protocols.

The department called on all to provide the space to the Pension Fund Board to perform their work without being concocted narratives of political interference.

“We are committed to a genuine transformation agenda that seeks to reverse the wrongs of apartheid and the recent state capture atrocities. Competent and ethical leaders have been appointed to the Eskom Board and leadership layer under Minister Gordhan,” the department said.

According to the department, the Eskom executive leadership team is broken up to 70% African, 15% Coloured and 15% White.

“Transnet has a score of 81% African representativity in its executive management, almost half of those being African women. Distortions and other nefarious agendas simply fortify our resolve to improve the performance of these entities and simultaneously implement the Constitution’s values of a non-racial, non-sexist South Africa.”

With 8 195 new identified cases, South Africa now has 511 485 people, who have contracted the novel Coronavirus.

The country recorded 213 deaths on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 8 366.

Of the additional fatalities, the Free State reported 51 deaths, Western Cape 43, Gauteng 40, KwaZulu-Natal 31, Eastern Cape 25 and Limpopo 23.

The country’s epicentre, Gauteng, now has 180 532 recorded infections, Western Cape 96 838, KwaZulu-Natal 82 300 and Eastern Cape 79 410.

The Free State has 23 099 reported infections, North West 19 961, Mpumalanga 15 120, Limpopo 9 044 and Northern Cape 5 131.

Fifty cases are still unallocated.

On Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the daily increase in infections appears to be stabilising, particularly in the Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape.

“While it may be too soon to draw firm conclusions, this suggests that the prevention measures that South Africans have implemented are having an effect.

“Our recovery rate is currently around 68%. Our case fatality rate, which is the number of deaths as a proportion of confirmed cases, remains at 1.6%, significantly lower than the global average,” the President said, adding that the country has only the 36th highest number of deaths as a proportion of the population.

However, he urged citizens to remain vigilant until there are zero cases in the country.

According to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, more than three million people have been tested, with 34 794 tests done in the last 24 hours, while 347 227 people have recovered to date.

Globally, there are over 17.6 million cases and 680 894 deaths to date, according to the World Health Organisation.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has announced the appointment of several key appointments which come into effect from 01 August 2020, to bring committed leadership and stability in the Directorate.

Major General Obed Ngwenya has been appointed as the new Provincial Head of the DPCI in the Eastern Cape.

Major General Ngwenya has more than 30 years in the police service. He holds a MTech in Forensic Investigation and has successfully completed several operational courses and management and leadership programmes.

Prior to his appointment, he was the Provincial Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation within the Directorate in Mpumalanga.

Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has been appointed as the Provincial Head of Gauteng.

Major General Kadwa joined the SAPS in 1985 and he is in possession of a National Diploma in Police Administration and has completed a Regional Drug Enforcement course, Major Case Management and an Executive Development Learning Programme amongst others.

He was appointed as a Brigadier on 01 January 2007 as the Section Head: Operations within Serious Organised Crime Investigation at DPCI, Head Office.

Major General Lesetja Senona is the new Provincial Head of the DPCI in KwaZulu-Natal.

Major General Senona also joined the SAPS in 1985 and possesses a BTech in Policing.

He has also completed numerous operational courses and management and leadership programmes.

He was appointed as a Brigadier on 01 January 2017 as the Section Head: Project Investigations at South African Police Service, Head Office.

Brigadier Msizi Nyuswa was appointed as the new Provincial Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. With more than 30 years in the police service, Brigadier Nyuswa possess a National Diploma in Police Administration, B-Tech in Policing, Bachelor of Laws and M-Tech in Forensic and Investigative Auditing.

He has completed a number of detective courses as well as management and leadership programmes. He was appointed as a Colonel on 01 March 2017 as the Unit Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation and later placed as the Provincial Coordinator of Serious Organised Crime Investigation at DPCI in KZN.

Brigadier Trevor Hoys will take over the post as the new Provincial Commander of Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in the Western Cape.

Brigadier Hoys joined the Service in 1995. He holds a National Diploma: Policing and B-Tech in Policing.

He has completed a number of detective courses as well as management and leadership programmes.

He was appointed as a Colonel on 01 November 2016 as the Unit Commander of Investigation and Resolution at the Integrity Management Service, SAPS Head Office and later seconded to the Directorate as the Section Commander of Trans-National Corruption Investigations in the DPCI at Head Office.

Brigadier Mafiwa Mmekwa will be heading the Specialised Forensic Analysis – Forensic Accounting Investigation at Head Office.

Brigadier Mmekwa joined the Service in 2010 and has more than 10 years in the Police Service. She is in possession of a National Diploma: Internal Auditing and B-Tech: Internal Auditing.

She is a designated Forensic Practitioner and has completed Practice and Fraud Risk Management, Commercial Forensic Information Technology, and Programme in Forensic and Investigative Auditing, amongst others.

She was appointed as a Colonel on 15 February 2014 as the Section Commander of Forensic Investigation and Audit at the Internal Audit, SAPS Head Office.

Brigadier Thipe Rapholo has been appointed as the Head of Specialised Forensic Analysis: Forensic Accounting Investigation in Pretoria as well.

Brigadier Rapholo joined the SAPS in 1995 and has more than 20 years work experience.

He is in possession of a National Diploma: Policing, B-Tech in Policing, B-Tech in Security Risk Management and M-Tech in Policing.

He is a certified fraud examiner and has completed Advanced Fraud Examination, Detection of Forged documents Course, a Fraud Risk Management Course and management courses, amongst others.

He was appointed as a Colonel on 11 February 2014 as the Section Commander of Forensic Investigation at the Internal Audit, SAPS Head Office.

Brigadier Frederick Smith will head the Tactical Operations with the directorate. Brigadier Smith joined the Service in 1983 and has more than 37 years in the police service.

He is in possession of a National Diploma: Police Administration and has completed SANAB Investigators Course, Organised Crime Threat Management Training, Forensic Interviewing Course and Project Management, amongst others.

He was appointed as a Colonel on 01 April 2010 as the Operational Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation, DPCI in Gauteng and later placed as the Unit Commander of SANEB in DPCI, Gauteng.

Brigadier Rasekaka Makuoane is the new Section Head of Economic Protected Resources at Head office.  Brigadier Makuoane joined the Service in 1988 and holds a National Diploma and B-Tech in Policing.

He has completed a number of detective courses as well management and leadership programmes. He was appointed as a Colonel on 01 December 2015 as the Provincial Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation in the North West.

The National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has welcomed the new appointments.

Lieutenant General Lebeya said the appointments of the Provincial Heads have been made following the necessary selection process and subsequently the concurrence with Cabinet as provided for in terms of section 17CA(6) of the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995.

He urged the Management team and all DPCI members to support  the new appointees in ensuring and realising the Directorate’s  mandate which is to prevent, combat and investigate national priority offences, in particular Serious Organised Crime, Serious Commercial Crime and Serious Corruption as set out in Chapter 6A of the South African Police Service Act.

Processes to finalise a R25 million investment to boost pan-African vaccine manufacturing is currently underway, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This announcement was made during a virtual National COVID-19 Conference on Friday.

The conference, which brought together scientists, governments, business and civil society from all over the world, provided a platform for open discussions and contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on society and the economy.

The conference focused on health innovations and technologies, and social and economic sustainability during and after the pandemic.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, delivered the President’s address to the conference on his behalf.

In the address, the President said the international community is unanimous in that services, supplies, products and technologies for prevention, treatment and care of COVID-19 must be available to all.

No country must be left behind, he said.

Constraints

In addition, resource constraints pose a very real barrier to the ability of vulnerable countries to manage the pandemic.

“Science, technology and innovation has proven to be an important tool for generating valuable insights and for the delivery of effective solutions. A platform such as this one enables scientists, governments, business and civil society to engage in open discussion, to share experiences and best practice, and to chart the way ahead.”

While behavioural change is a key element in fighting the pandemic, the President also spoke of the need to develop technological solutions.

“We know that every strategy to manage COVID-19 must focus on behavioural change, and that social distancing and proper hygiene are our safest and best bets at this time. By equal measure, we must continue to work tirelessly to develop technological solutions that meet our most pressing challenge, and that is resource scarcity,” said President Ramaphosa.

Finding solutions

The President also announced that the country would soon witness the very first ventilators produced by the South African National Ventilator Project coming off the assembly line at a factory in Cape Town.

“These locally-produced ventilators will complement existing stock in the public and private health system and those purchased from or donated by other countries,” President Ramaphosa said.

President Ramaphosa also noted that a number of South African innovators have taken up the challenge of addressing the need for COVID-19 solutions.

These included the bulk-production of hand sanitisers, developing self-screening assessment tools in local languages and pioneering contact-tracing applications.

Investing in Africa

President Ramaphosa reiterated that the COVID-19 pandemic must be a clarion call for African nations to invest in what is already a vibrant pan-African science and innovation ecosystem.

The President said investment in research and innovation has enabled South Africa to respond effectively to the pandemic.

“We have been able to support the national COVID-19 response in critical areas, including the development and provision of diagnostic tools, ventilators and personal protective equipment, and in epidemiological modelling and data analytics.”

Research and innovation

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, South Africa has been able to harness innovations like telemedicine to protect patients and healthcare workers from exposure to the virus.

“The introduction of COVID Connect has enabled over 6 million citizens and healthcare workers to access information on the pandemic through mobile messaging platforms. South African researchers are working in collaboration with international vaccine developers around a potential COVID-19 vaccine.

“The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Department of Science and Innovation have provided R10 million funding for the first South African COVID-19 vaccine trial. Our researchers and scientists have the expertise to develop human vaccines, having been involved in the development of several other vaccines,” said the President.

However, the President said, it is not just in the research space that the country has demonstrated its capability.

“We also have important laboratory infrastructure. The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has contracted with a number of universities and government-funded platforms to assist with additional capacity to conduct COVID-19 testing. We have also developed a pathway for the potential production of COVID-19 vaccines locally.

“South Africa is part of a traditional medicine panel set up in partnership with the World Health Organization to assist in developing protocols for various aspects of traditional medicine usage. The MRC has also brought together a number of government, academic and industry partners to support the development and local production of diagnostic kits and reagents for COVID-19,” he said.

The President emphasised that harnessing the potential of science, technology and innovation for vaccine production, and other manufacturing is not just about security of supply, but it is also about boosting local capabilities, supporting local industries and creating jobs.

Rebuilding economies

He said strategic partnerships in science, technology and innovation will play an important role in South Africa’s economic recovery.

He said opportunities in sectors like low-carbon energy and circular and green economies should be explored, as countries strive to rebuild their economies.

“There is immense potential for kick-starting economic growth in the uptake of innovation and in driving technological solutions for the delivery of services. It is crucial that we maintain the momentum of international cooperation and solidarity to ensure inclusivity not just in the provision of life-saving therapeutics for COVID-19, but also in sustainable economic recovery.

The President said science, technology and innovation are key to healthier populations, productivity and progress.

“It is of the utmost importance that they remain a public good. As we collectively strive to overcome this pandemic, we must share experience and expertise.”

In addition, countries must pool resources through joint investments, data sharing and reciprocal access to research infrastructure.

“We must reinforce global solidarity through science diplomacy. This conference provides a valuable platform to advance these efforts and to affirm the absolute necessity of health innovation as a vital resource for the common good,” President Ramaphosa said.

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has welcomed the announcement by the Tourism Minister on the relaxation of travel and leisure regulations.

“We appreciate that after four months of confinement, the public is keen to engage with nature. However, we are obligated to ensure that the opening of our national parks for accommodation is done under the strictest health protocols to safeguard both our staff and guests,” said SANParks CEO Mketeni.

Mketeni said SANParks is likely to implement some additional visitor management procedures to ease entry into the parks and further mitigate the risk of the spread of Coronavirus.

He said in due course, SANParks will make further announcements regarding the opening dates of accommodation in individual parks as and when they are comfortable with their state of preparedness to welcome visitors back.

“We therefore beg your indulgence as the opening needs to be done in a responsible manner for the safety and enjoyment of all our guests,” Mketeni said.

As per the Minister’s announcement, overnight accommodation is only permissible for residents of the various provinces that the respective National Parks are located in.

Therefore guests will be required to provide proof of residence at the time of booking accommodation and again when checking in. Inter-provincial visitors will be prohibited entry into the parks.

Tour operators will be allowed to conduct guided tours in open safari vehicles, subject to directives that are still to be communicated and gazetted.

Self-drive guests are restricted to a 70% vehicle capacity, as per the Department of Transport’s regulations published on 2 April.

Further details for overnight accommodation protocols will be available on www.sanparks.org.

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries says rhino poaching decreased by almost 53% in the first six months of 2020, with 166 animals being killed for their horns across the country since the beginning of the year.

During the first six months of 2019, a total of 316 rhino had been poached in South Africa.

“After a decade of implementing various strategies and campaigning against ever increasing rhino poaching by local poachers recruited and managed by crime syndicates, efforts are paying off.

“We have been able to arrest the escalation of rhino losses,” the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy.

The Minister said with the COVID-19 lockdown to restrict movement, the decline in rhino poaching compared to the same period last year is striking.

This reprieve was specifically welcomed in the Kruger National Park, where during April, no rhino were killed in the Intensive Protection Zone for the first time in almost 10 years.

Between the start of the lockdown on 27 March 2020 until the end of June 2020, a total of 46 rhino were poached across the country. Of these, 14 were poached during April, 13 in May and 19 in June.

In the Kruger National Park, 88 rhino were poached in the first six months of 2020. As the lockdown restrictions have gradually been lifted, rhino poaching incidents have slowly increased.

Between January and June, 38 suspected rhino poachers were arrested in the KNP and 23 firearms confiscated, while 57 suspects were arrested and 18 firearms recovered during the joint SANParks ECI/SAPS operations outside the KNP.

Despite attempts to smuggle rhino horns valued at around R115 million through O R Tambo International Airport in the first two weeks of July 2020, the decrease in rhino poaching can also be attributed to the disruption of the supply chain resulting from the national travel restrictions, including limitations placed on movement across the country.

“The diligence of SARS customs officials and members of the Green Scorpions, which resulted in the consignments being uncovered, and the resulting arrest by the Hawks of a shipping agent, is a prime example of the excellent relationship and teamwork between departments and entities to stamp out the illicit trade in rhino horns and other wildlife products,” Creecy said.

Notwithstanding the severe interruptions of operations during the lockdown period, the performance data relating to rhino-related prosecutions indicated that a total of 23 accused were convicted.

During the reporting period, January to June 2020, the National Prosecuting Authority managed to not only obtain convictions in 15 cases, but maintained a remarkable conviction rate of 100%.

In addition to these high conviction rates, lengthy sentences were also imposed by the courts.

Celebrating rangers

In celebration of World Ranger Day today, the Minister paid tribute to the men and women whose commitment to protecting the country’s natural heritage, sometimes at the expense of their own safety.

“Our rangers have remained at the forefront of the battle against poaching, despite the National Lockdown, contributing to the decrease in poaching.

“In this time, rangers have had to face not only the threats posed by poachers, but they, and their families, have also had to deal with the danger of contracting COVID-19,” Creecy said.

World Ranger Day, which is supported by the International Rangers Federation, is held annually to commemorate those rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to celebrate the commitment of rangers who battle poaching in protected areas on a daily basis.

To support the efforts of rangers, the department, in collaboration with the provincial conservation and parks authorities, the private sector and NGO’s, continues to implement the decisions of the Rhino Lab with the latest initiative focusing on demarcating specific wildlife zones to ensure that additional resources are directed to high risk areas.

The department is also in the process of establishing the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre, which is aimed at coordinating and improving the reactive and proactive response to rhino poaching and other wildlife crime.

It has begun to consolidate rhino protection efforts across the country, standardising and boosting tactical level anti-poaching and introducing integrated information-led enforcement.

This work further strengthens the essential collaboration with the South African Police Service, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS), the Department of Justice and other sectors of the security forces to gather, analyse and share intelligence on wildlife trafficking so that the international syndicate-related crimes can be effectively dealt with.

“The dedication of essential staff, particularly our rangers, during this time is to be commended. Your hard work, and the support of your families, has not gone unnoticed,” the Minister said.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has called on South Africans and organisations, particularly those involved the fight against gender-based violence, to comment on the Victim Support Services Bill (VSS).

The Minister’s call comes as South Africa will commemorate Women’s Month in August.

The VSS Bill is part of a critical legislative framework by government in its endeavour to combat the scourge of crime, particularly gender-based and violent crimes.

The bill seeks to put the victim at the centre of the criminal justice system in order to ensure that the rights applicable to the perpetrator are also the rights entitled to the victim.

Currently, the criminal justice system focuses more on the rights of an arrested person or accused person, in line with section 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, while limited emphasis is placed on the rights of victims.

The bill also seeks to bring to the attention of the courts the meaning of section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which provides that “everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law”.

Victims of gender-based violence, therefore, require this protection and benefit of the law in the same manner than it is extended to the perpetrators.

The bill, which was gazetted and published on 17 July 2020, begins to recognise that victims experience secondary victimisation and therefore creates a prohibition against such.

It provides that secondary victimisation is illegal and needs to be prevented at all times through service provision.

The VSS Bill stipulates the various services to be provided to victims, in as much as services are channelled towards the accused.

“It delineates the services of various stakeholders according to their mandate and expertise. This includes the department’s psychosocial support services, which is linked to the provision of sheltering services. The VSS Bill advocates specifically for the legal representation of a victim.

“It calls for the State to endure the legal costs for the victim in cases whereby victims wish to sue the accused for damages. It also encourages providers of services to victims to be accredited to ensure that their services comply with the norms and standards set by the department,” Social Development explained.

The norms and standards include ensuring that employees of facilities are vetted against existing registers, for example the Child Protection Register (CPR) and the National Sexual Offences Register (NRSO), to protect victims.

All stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society organisations and members of the public, are encouraged to heed the call and respond with their comments in shaping a society that will advocate for justice for victims of violent crimes and gender-based violence.

The department said the VSS Bill, by its nature, is a critical part of government’s strategies to fight the scourge of GBVF, including the recently approved National Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Strategic Plan, 2020-2030.

The VSS Bill will specifically be driven through pillar four of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF, which focuses on response, care, support and healing.

The memorandum on the objectives of the bill and the bill itself may be accessed on the Department of Social Development website: www.dsd.gov.za or from Government Notice No. 43528 Government Gazette, 17 July 2020.

The closing date for comments is 16 September 2020.

All comments may be submitted in the following format: Clause Commented on, Proposal, and Motivation.

All comments may be submitted to the following address/via e-mail: By post: The Director-General: Department of Social Development Private Bag X901 Pretoria 0001 or on e-mail: Siza Magangoe on Sizam@dsd.gov.za; or Luyanda Mtshotshisa on LuyandaMt@socdev.gov.za; or Anna Sithole on Annas@dsd.gov.za.

The South African automotive sector has stepped up to produce personal protective equipment (PPE), which is high in demand as the country deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) identified an area of opportunity for a number of their manufacturers to produce one of the items that the COVID-19 pandemic demands in order to keep us safe and protected from the virus, namely face shields and visors,” Proudly South African said on Thursday.

Together with Business for South Africa, NAACAM did their research and will use existing capacity, machinery, raw materials and the sector’s engineering skills to mass produce face shields, which could compete in terms of price and quality with imported versions.

The sector is manufacturing face shields that strictly adhere to the recommended guidelines drafted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Department of Health and the South African Bureau of Standards.

“Of the 14 companies that were initially identified as being able to respond immediately to the production switch, many are 51% or more black-owned, putting the economic benefits of this new production line back into communities,” Proudly South African said noting that the demand for visors is expected to rise significantly, as face shields are seen as a secondary barrier to infection in the health sector and in non-health care spaces.

The manufactures of the PPE will be listed on the Proudly South African portal.

“Listing manufacturers on this new portal allows buyers to source locally made face shields and visors. The site is non-transactional and so no one but the manufacturer benefits.

“All sales are made directly – we are simply the host for the information, which includes prices, technical specification and contact details of the suppliers. We urge anyone looking to purchase these items to use the portal to ensure they are supporting local, and are getting high quality and competitively priced items,” Proudly South African CEO, Eustace Mashimbye, said.

NAACAM’s Shivani Singh said it has been interesting to see the quick turnaround by some manufacturers, who seamlessly moved from the manufacture of automotive components to the manufacture of essential protective wear for South Africans.

“This pivot has allowed these manufacturers to keep their doors open and bring most of their staff back to work. We are proud of how the sector has responded to this demand and of what we are managing to produce at a fraction of imported prices, and to a very high standard,” Singh said.

More information on this project can be found on the COVID-19 portal on www.proudlysa.co.za.