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The Department of Water and Sanitation has urged Gauteng users to reduce water usage to a bare minimum as the Vaal Dam continues to be constrained and dam levels decline week-on-week.

The department warned that the drop in dam levels could spell a serious situation if water consumers do not heed the call to use water cautiously during this dry, winter season.

“The levels of the Vaal Dam are reaching critical levels week-on-week and this requires everyone to save water as much as possible,” said the department in a statement.

The department stressed the importance of responding timeously to leaks and wastages to minimise losses.

A major dam in the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), the Vaal Dam dipped to even lower levels this week when it declined from last week’s 43.4% to 42.6%.

This, according to the department, indicates that the dam has been hovering under stress for some time, a situation which is now worsened by the dry winter season.

The Grootdraai Dam continues to stand firm at 81.4%. This is, however, down from the 82.4% at which it stood last week. Both these levels are healthier when compared to the 66.8% the dam was at during the same period last year.

For a third consecutive week at 93.9%, the Sterkfontein Dam located in Free State sits in a strong position. During the same week last year, the dam levels were at 92.4%

The Bloemhof Dam, which is firmly at 99.5%, has seen an upswing this week as it increased from 99.3% last week and looks set to rise to the full capacity of 101.4% it saw last year at the same time.

The Mohale Dam in Lesotho presently sits at 8.0%, recording a fall from last week’s levels of 8.5%. The dam has been at a concerning state ever since last year during the same week when it was at 33.2%

With its levels slipping further down weekly, the Katse Dam, which is also located in Lesotho, is in dire straits this week. The dam declined from 31.6% last week to 31.0% this week. If the levels of the dam are anything to go by, it looks set to remain in a critical state for some time to come.

The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) declined from 63.7% last week to the present 63.3%. The system remains lower when compared to the 69.5% at which it stood at the same period in the preceding year. The IVRS consists of 14 dams that are vital to a number of provinces.

KZN ramps up efforts to supply water

Meanwhile, the Department of Water and Sanitation in KwaZulu-Natal has ramped up its efforts to supplement water supply shortages in the province as dam levels continue to show a week-on-week decline.

According to a Water and Sanitation National Command Centre (NCC), a progress report issued by Rand Water said a total of 4 200 water tanks have been dispatched to various municipalities thus far.

The department and its entities had earmarked to deliver a total of 4 211 water tanks and this means that there is a shortfall of a mere 11 water tanks that still needs to be delivered.

Of the 4 200 delivered water tanks, 3 026 of them have already been installed and are currently in use. Adding to this, the targeted 639 water tankers have been delivered to assist with refilling the tanks as a way to assist communities experiencing water supply challenges.

Meanwhile, the provincial dam storage capacity has slightly decreased from 59.8% last week to 59.4% in the current week. When compared to a similar period last year, the average storage capacity was 61.1%.

The Umgeni Water Supply System with five dams which supply water to the eThekwini Metro, Pietermaritzburg and surrounds has slightly decreased from 70.5% last week to 69.5% this week. The Water Supply System this time last year was slightly above average at 70.7%.

The Albert Falls dam on the Umgeni River just outside Pietermaritzburg, has declined further from 39.8% last week to 39.2% this week. The Pongolapoort Dam in Northern KwaZulu-Natal is this week at 42.4% from last week’s 42.5%.

“We implore KZN residents to use water with care as we work towards implementing long-term measures to address water supply challenges in many parts of the province,” said department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.

Ratau said the department would commission the construction of Phase 1 of the uMkhomazi Water Project for eThekwini, uMgungundlovu and Msunduzi. He said the department’s plan included the construction of a dam at Smithfield, a tunnel and associated water Infrastructures.

“The uMkhomazi Water Project is amongst the top 10 mega projects we will be implementing countrywide, as announced by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo during the department’s Budget Vote last week,” Ratau said.

The Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Commission has released its annual report on the national status and trends on B-BBEE.

“The B-BBEE Commission has today released the report on the National Status and Trends on broad-based economic empowerment (B-BBEE) for the calendar year 2019, which report shows a 1% (43%: 2018 – 42%: 2019) decrease in the number of submitted compliance reports by JSE listed entities,” said the Commission on Tuesday.

In addition, the National Status and Trends on B-BBEE report showed a 5% increase (to 15%) in compliance by organs of state with the majority of measured entities still failing to comply with section 13G of the B-BBEE Act.

Section 13G of the B-BBEE Act makes it compulsory for all JSE listed entities, organs of state, public entities and SETAs [Sector Training and Education Authorites]  to submit compliance reports on B-BBEE to the B-BBEE Commission on an annual basis, which reports are analysed in terms of section 13F (1) (g) of the B-BBEE Act.

In total, the report is based on compliance reports from 150 JSE listed entities, 43 organs of state (including SETAs and public entities) and 5 818 entities whose B-BBEE certificates were uploaded to the B-BBEE Commission Certificate Portal for the year under review.

The reporting helps the B-BBEE Commission to track how the country is performing against the scorecard set in the Codes of Good Practice and the respective sector codes on an annual basis, testing ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development and socio-economic development.

Transformation

This year’s report shows a slight change in the levels of transformation with the overall black ownership reflecting a 4% increase from 25% black ownership in 2018 to 29%.

The report found management control to be sitting at 39% overall and JSE listed entities board control at 43.6 % (male – 23.08%; female – 20.55%).

Only 3.3% of entities listed on the JSE are 100% black owned, which was 1.2% in 2018 and 1% in 2017.

The three least performing sectors on ownership in 2018 were AgriBEE (11.19%), MAC (19.55%) and financial (21.64%), with construction (48.03%), transport (40.53%) and forestry (33.66%) showing relatively good progress.

In 2019 the three least performing sectors are AgriBEE (12%), financial (25%) and forestry (26%) with construction (44%), property (42%) and ICT (36%) showing a relatively good performance.

In 2019, women ownership remained at around 10% in all sectors except property (11%), generic (12%), transport (12%), tourism (14%), construction (16%), MAC and ICT (17%).

Skills development and compliance

On average, contributions towards skills development and enterprise and supplier development ranged between 50%-60% in 2018 and the 2019 performance showed an average of 49%-51%.

Black people continue benefiting from bursaries, partnerships and incubation opportunities under these elements, however, absorption into a job or sustainable supply chain remained a challenge, amongst other things.

The analysis has not expanded to cover the impact and sustainability of the initiatives reported.

The report showed that 49.3% (50.9% – 2018) of JSE listed entities are at level 4 and higher, while 50.7% (44.5% – 2018) entities are between level 5 and non-compliant B-BBEE status.

State organs that reported show that 32.56% (45% – 2018) rated between level 1 and level 4, while 67.44% (55% – 2018) were level 5 to non-compliant B-BBEE status.

Pace of economic transformation

The B-BBEE Commission reiterated its concern about the low level of reporting and the overall slow pace of economic transformation.

To address this, the B-BBEE Commission has started conducting site visits on the reports submitted to verify the accuracy of the reports submitted and to identify best practices to share with other measured entities.

Also, preparation to refer measured entities that failed to submit reports are underway as their conduct is not only a violation of the B-BBEE Act, but enables the harbouring of fronting arrangements.

The Commission also noted worrying trends observed over the three-year period 2017-2019.

Though black ownership indicates slight change, black ownership percentage does not always correspond with the management control scores.

“For instance, an entity is able to score full points for ownership and very low on management control, which gives the impression that despite black ownership recorded, black people are not involved in the control and core operations of the measured entity.”

The Commission noted that the saturation of management control points is still between junior and middle management, also noting the rotation of black executives from one measured entity to another, without utilising the skills development element to create a pipeline of new black executives.

Supplier development

Under the enterprise and supplier development element, measured entities are still not able to transform the value chain by developing sustainable black owned entities utilising the supplier development and enterprise development aspects of the element.

“Preferential procurement enables market access but does not automatically translate into enterprise or supplier development, and hence the three aspects be implemented in a complementary manner for the desired impact.”

Further, whereas supplier or enterprise development focuses on creating sustainable black owned entities, most initiatives are increasingly implemented through a third party or intermediary, with less focus on the needs of the beneficiary.

“While the codes of good practice do allow for the use of a third party or intermediary to implement enterprise and supplier development, there must still be a comprehensive needs analysis.

“A substantial part of the spend by the measured entity must be initiated and implemented with the beneficiary entity, and not for the benefit of the third party or intermediary that facilitates the initiatives,” said the Commission.

For real and accelerated broad-based black economic empowerment to be achieved, the Commission said the B-BBEE Act must be applied consistently by both the private and public sector, particularly in regard to section 10 and section 13G of the B-BBEE Act, which are mandatory.

“Also, ownership, skills development and enterprise and supplier development are priority elements, however, performance overall is not satisfactory,” said the Commission.

The National Status and Trends on B-BBEE report is normally released in the first quarter of each financial year, but was delayed slightly due to the COVID-19 national lockdown.

The Commission is an entity of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has welcomed a fact-finding report by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), which details challenges faced by health workers in their fight against COVID-19.

The report, released on Tuesday, identified a general lack of personal protective equipment, staff shortages and a lack of compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act as some of the challenges in the public healthcare system.

Responding to the report, the Minister called for reference to specific provinces, districts and facilities, so that the identified shortfalls can be addressed immediately.

“The constant reporting of incidents of non-compliance will assist us in protecting our frontline workers.

“We also continue with our drive to recruit new health workers, especially in light of field hospitals, which will stretch the current workforce. This recruitment is being done on an urgent basis during this pandemic period,” said Mkhize.

The fact-finding report follows continued reports that some health facilities are still not complying with health protocols.

To address the lack of compliance, at the beginning of July, the Minister requested that a labour workstream be formed by the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC), which will work on a fact-finding exercise, focusing on issues affecting health workers, with a specific focus on the PPE requirements.

The Minister further requested that the labour workstream identify specific facilities that have shortages, so that the Department of Health can immediately intervene in those facilities.

“This exercise is ongoing and the Minister will now not only rely on reports from the provincial Departments of Health to understand the situation on the ground. This will now be augmented and the department will benefit from the work done by the labour workstream of the multi-sectoral MAC to timeously respond to concerns raised,” said the Minister.

The Health Department reiterated its commitment that no health worker should be exposed to a work environment where they have not been provided with sufficient PPE.

“We will continue to provide as much support as we can in various areas affecting our health workers. We continue to take seriously all concerns raised by health workers,” said the Minister.

He encouraged unions to continue to engage in all structures and platforms to raise issues, and bring them to the department’s attention.

He further thanked health workers on the frontline for their hard work and dedication.

“I salute all the men and women who serve our nation in the health sector. I thank them for their dedication and hard work in caring for our nation in the fight against this invisible enemy. We bow our heads as we pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in this fight and convey condolences to their loved ones.

“I salute all our heroes: the doctors, nurses, radiographers, physiotherapists, pharmacists, laboratory workers, therapists, technologists, technicians, emergency care officers, drivers, porters, care workers, general workers and all health worker categories for your commitment to serving our people. It is because of your hard work that South Africa will triumph over the pandemic.”

South Africa has recorded fewer than 10 000 new COVID-19 cases for two days in a row, for the first time in almost a month.

On Tuesday, the country registered 7 232 new infections, 112 fewer than the previous day.

This brings the number of people officially diagnosed with Coronavirus in the country to 459 761.

Gauteng accounts for 35.8% of the positive cases and remains the only province that has surpassed the 100 000 mark.

To date, the country’s economic hub has had 164 584 infections, followed by the Western Cape (92 983), Eastern Cape (75 067) and KwaZulu-Natal (68 101).

Free State has 18 134 cases, North West 17 791, Mpumalanga 11 552, Limpopo 7 502, Northern Cape 3 997, while 50 cases are yet to be allocated.

The death toll has climbed to 7 257 after 190 people succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said.

Of the new deaths, 62 are from KwaZulu-Natal, 55 from Gauteng, 49 from the Western Cape, 13 from the North West and 11 from the Eastern Cape.

The total number of tests conducted to date is 2 830 635, while 287 313 people have recovered to date.

Also, the statistics show that women represent a vast majority of total infections.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 264 176 of those infected with COVID-19 are female, 192 480 are males, while 3 105 are unknown.

Globally, there are now 16 341 920 COVID-19 cases and 650 805 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is studying the judgment of the High Court to review and set aside its decision on Eskom’s fourth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD4) for the 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years.

“The judgment follows NERSA’s acknowledgment of procedural unfairness in the MYPD4 decision concerning the inclusion of the R23 billion government grant without allowing Eskom to submit its representation, in line with the National Energy Regulator Act, 2004 (Act No. 40 of 2004), read with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (Act No. 3 of 2000),” said the regulator.

Judgment in the matter was delivered on Tuesday.

NERSA has noted with serious concern that the judgment has gone beyond its acknowledgment of procedural unfairness, and the unsuccessful consultations between NERSA and Eskom by pronouncing on the MYPD4 tariff application.

“The judgment, if left uncontested, will not only disrupt the industry, but will further suppress economic recovery, considering the current threat that the country’s economy is facing. This case was not merely a case between Eskom and NERSA, but rather a case of Eskom versus the South African economy and electricity consumers,” said the regulator.

The energy regulator is currently studying the judgment and will advise on the way forward in due course.

Meanwhile, Eskom welcomed the court’s decision, which allows for a phased recovery of the R69 billion equity injections over a three-year period.

“The judgment that has been delivered is very encouraging. It aids in instilling confidence in the regulatory regime within the country by ensuring that the NERSA methodology is adhered to. This judgment will assist Eskom in paving the way forward towards financial sustainability,” said Eskom’s Chief Financial Officer, Calib Cassim.

The power utility said prior to the court hearing, NERSA was in agreement that the deduction of the equity injection was not correct, in terms of its MYPD methodology.

“The Judge was required only to make a decision on the recovery of the equity. Eskom welcomes this decision, which allows for Eskom to migrate towards a situation where it could become more self-sufficient and be in a position to recover efficient costs and reduce its dependence for further equity support from government,” said the power utility.

Supporting the vulnerable

It is understood that certain vulnerable sectors of the economy – poor residential customers and certain industrial sectors – will require special consideration.

“Various measures are already in place to protect the poor. In addition, Eskom has been participating, under the leadership of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), in proposals where certain vulnerable economic sectors would be considered for targeted support,” it said.

The utility will work with NERSA in implementing the outcome of the court decision.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will on Thursday officially launch Women’s Month 2020.

The objective of the launch event is to kick-start Women’s Month 2020, to announce the theme and to unpack the sub-themes for the month, which will guide national conversations, programmes targeted at ending inequality and driving women empowerment initiatives.

Nkoana-Mashabane will also reveal the “call to action” to the nation as a campaign to galvanise society in its collective response to gender inequality.

Women’s Month 2020 takes place in the context of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), which have underlined the urgent need to more decisively deal with the legacy of structural oppression to accelerate the transformation of society.

This includes the transformation of unequal power relations between women and men; addressing gender oppression, patriarchy, sexism, racism and ageism, and to create an environment which enables women to take control of their lives, reach their full potential and contribute to the country’s development.

Another important emphasis is on paying tribute to previous generations of women, who laid the basis for the freedoms that women and South Africa in general enjoy today.

Of importance is ensuring that the baton is passed from generation-to-generation, so that current and future generations can continue the struggle for gender equality and the empowerment of women.

At the launch, Nkoana-Mashabane will be joined by Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as well as representatives from civil society organisations and the Commission for Gender Equality.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board has approved South Africa’s request for a US$4.3 billion (R70 billion) loan to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

The request for emergency financial support under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) will help the country to mitigate the adverse social and economic impact of the pandemic.

In a statement issued on Monday, National Treasury said the additional IMF funding is a low-interest loan that contributes to government’s fiscal relief package, while respecting South Africa’s decisions on how best to provide relief to the economy and those worst affected by the current crisis.

“It will also pave the way for government to provide the necessary financial relief required to forge a new economy and mitigate further harm to the economy,” Treasury said.

South Africa, like many countries across the globe, has not been spared from the devastating impact of the deadly virus that has ravaged economies.

The COVID-19 crisis has forced government to come up with fiscal and monetary measures that respond to the struggling economy and contain its negative effects on society.

In his special adjustments budget in Parliament last month, Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni, outlined government’s key interventions to curb the pandemic.

These include support for health and frontline services, protection of the most vulnerable, supporting job creation efforts, unlocking economic growth through reforms and stabilising public debt.

“Government’s COVID-19 economic support package directs R500 billion straight at the problem. This is one of the largest economic response packages in the developing world.

“The South African Reserve Bank has reduced interest rates and made it easier for banks to lend money, and supported liquidity in the domestic bond market. Government spending and tax proposals, as well as the loan guarantee scheme and wage protection measures, are providing protection to workers and the poor while assisting to stay afloat during these tough economic times,” said Mboweni.

Going forward, government’s fiscal measures will build on policy strengths and limit the existing economic vulnerabilities that have been exacerbated by the Coronavirus pandemic, Mboweni said.

Meanwhile, both the New Development Bank and the African Development Bank have agreed to loans of $1 billion (R17.3 billion) and R5 billion respectively.

Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu says South Africa’s involvement and participation in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is of great benefit to the country as a whole.

“The vision of the APRM is the full actualisation of transformative leadership and practice for the Africa we all want,” Minister Mchunu said.

Addressing the media virtually in Pretoria earlier today, Mchunu said South Africa is committed to the ideals of the APRM of promoting good governance and economic development.

“Poor governance can critically undermine national development and therefore, good governance is critical in ensuring that the citizens and the country benefit in what may ultimately be realised,” Mchunu said.

The Minister said the activities conducted within the APRM will assist South Africa in attaining its National Development Plan 2030 (NDP) goals of eliminating poverty, creating employment opportunities through faster economic growth and building a capable and ethical State.

“In repositioning the APRM in South Africa, an alignment between the APRM National Action Plan, National Development Plan and the Performance Management and Planning instruments, including Annual Performance Plans of departments, will be effected.

“The APRM, via the NGC, is essentially a vibrant and dynamic platform, through which civil society can ensure accountability, integrity, ethical conduct and delivery of services on the part of all three spheres of government and its departments, including State-owned entities (SOEs),” Mchunu said.

He said the formation of the South African National Governing Council (NGC) will pave way for the preparation of South Africa’s 2nd Generation Review, which is about to be undertaken.

Cabinet approved the formation of the NGC, which comprises the three spheres of government, civil society groups, the private sector and labour, in line with the APRM principle of broad-based participation.

Mchunu said the NGC structure is at the core of the functioning and success of the country’s APRM, as its key role is to mobilise and ensure participation of all stakeholders and citizens in the APRM processes.

“The structure is expected to lead this process of country self-assessment, ensure its credibility and ultimately produce the Country Self-Assessment Report (CSAR),” Mchunu said.

Since its appointment, the NGC has convened meetings in order to formulate its Charter, which is in accordance with the Statute of the APRM and further provides insight to the objectives of the NGC, the structure of the various national structures to be appointed and the functions of the various structures.

“Following the adoption of its Charter, the NGC will be inducted on the processes of the APRM, which are technical in nature. This is to ensure that all representatives understand what is required of them as a structure, in respect of the country’s 2nd Generation Review process.

“Furthermore, the NGC will engage on the National Road Map, which is currently in draft form. The National Road Map details the activities to be undertaken in the NGC’s 2020/2021 financial year with the aim of producing the first draft of the National Country Review Report,” the Minister said.

NGC leadership

Mchunu congratulated the newly appointed NGC chairperson and the deputy chairperson to lead the structure of 32 representatives, plus the nine provinces.

Thulani Tshefuta was elected and appointed as the NGC chairperson. Tshefuta holds a number of Post Graduate Qualifications from Wits University, GIBS and Crammer Graduate School of Business at Rollins University – USA.

He is currently studying towards a Master’s Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation with Wits University.

Magdalene Moonsamy – an admitted attorney, the founder of the Women’s Justice Foundation and an activist for human, women and LGBTI rights – was appointed as the deputy chairperson.

The following Ministers form part of the NGC: Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Minister in the Presidency; Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Minister of Finance and Minister for the Public Service and Administration.

Meanwhile, Mchunu paid tribute to all the public servants, both locally and on the continent, who lost their lives in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On behalf of government, we want to thank them for their dedication and service to the nation,” the Minister said.

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has commended the swift action of the police, which led to the arrest of three suspects allegedly involved in a Northern Cape farm murder.

An elderly couple, aged 79 and 83, and their daughter, aged 50, were allegedly robbed and kidnapped on their farm in Magogong, outside Hartswater, on Sunday.

The body of the 50-year-old has since been found.

Committee chairperson Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela has welcomed the arrests of three suspects, and emphasised that they must face the full might of the law.

“Our justice system must send out a strong message that there is no place in our democracy for such callous and inhumane acts. We appeal to the SAPS to leave no stone unturned to find the missing couple and to bring the alleged perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.

“We have repeatedly condemned attacks on farms and farmers as acts of gross criminality, which is detrimental to the social cohesion that our young democracy needs,” Mandela said.

Mandela has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims.

He also appealed to farmers, farm dwellers and rural communities to always be on the alert and to assist in intelligence gathering, which may assist in reducing the incidence of violent crime on farms.

“We applaud SAPS for its swift response and trust that the early breakthrough in the arrest of suspects sends a strong message to others that crime does not pay and that the full weight of the law shall come down hard on perpetrators of such senseless acts,” Mandela said.

The formal non-agricultural sector shed 3 000 jobs between December 2019 and March 2020, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) announced on Tuesday.

According to the quarterly employment statistics (QES), there were 10 231 000 people employed in South Africa’s formal non-agricultural sector in March 2020, compared to the 10 234 000 in December 2019.

The national statistical service said the latest report includes employment up to the quarter ending in March this year and is not indicative of the impact on employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Job losses were reported in the trade industry with 17 000 in the first quarter. Losses were mainly due to decreases in employment in the retail and wholesale trade sub-industries by 14 000 and 3 000 employees respectively,” Stats SA said.

Meanwhile, employment in the construction industry decreased by 14 000 jobs.

Stats SA said job cuts were also seen in the manufacturing industry with a quarterly decrease of 2 000 employees in March 2020.

“This was mainly due to decreases in employment in the wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture, articles of straw and planting materials, paper and paper products, publishing, printing and reproduction of recorded media and transport equipment sub-industries,” Stats SA explained.

Meanwhile, the community, social and personal services industry reported annual growth of 54 000 employees in March 2020 due to increases in employment in provincial departments, local government, national departments, health and social work, universities and technikons.

Also, the business services industry grew by 8 000, mining by 3 000 and the transport industry with 2 000 jobs.

The electricity industry remained unchanged.

“Full-time jobs increased by 18 000 quarter-on-quarter, whilst 37 000 jobs were lost compared to the same period last year,” Stats SA said, adding that part-time jobs declined by 21 000, while 40 000 jobs were added year-on-year.