Archives

The Mpumalanga Department of Education has directed the Nkangala District Director to immediately suspend a teacher from Silamba Secondary School in KwaMhlanga for allegedly assaulting two women.

The teacher was caught on a video that went viral on social media, allegedly assaulting two women.

Mpumalanga MEC for Education, Bonakele Majuba, said the department is of the view that a person who displays such bad conduct is not fit to stand in front of children to teach, hence the instruction to suspend him, while awaiting the South African Police Service to investigate his case.

Majuba said the department will also write to the South African Council for Educators to request them to institute an investigation into the teacher’s conduct and to advise on the course of action to be taken against him.

“This is really bad conduct, especially at a time when the nation is inundated by acts of gender-based violence and the murder of women and children. The President of the country has stated categorically that all South Africans need to join hands to fight the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV).

“Ordinarily, teachers are leaders of society and are expected to teach our communities about the negative impact of violence and GBV in particular, and lead by example in this national agenda at all times. To suggest that we are disappointed by the conduct of this teacher will be an understatement, as we are really appalled by this behaviour,” Majuba said.

He said the department is glad that the police have apprehended the said teacher.

“We await justice to take its course.”

More police stations have been shut down to undergo decontamination, as more members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) test positive for COVID-19.

“All communities serviced by Katlehong, Vosman, Douglasdale and Amersfoort police stations are advised that the police stations have been temporarily closed after some members tested positive for COVID-19.

“The Community Service Centre will be operating from the huts behind the cells at Katlehong police station.

“The telephone lines at Katlehong police station community service centre will not be accessible for the duration of closure,” SAPS said in a statement.

The community is advised to call 10111 for emergencies and complaints, which need to be attended by Katlehong police station.

The three remaining police stations, which have been shut down, will now operate at the following locations:

• The Amersfoort Community Service Centre will now be operated at Amersfoort 1912 town hall at Sybrandt van Niekerk Street, which is near the police station.
• The Douglasdale Community Service Centre will be operating from Block J Detective Boardroom.
• The Vosman Community Service Centre will now be operated at the satellite police station, situated in Hectorway Street in Lynville.

The buildings will undergo decontamination and the community will be informed when the stations will be operational again.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has provided much-needed support to over 2 000 practitioners in the creative industry.

The department has a R150-million relief fund to assist artists, athletes, technical personnel and the core ecosystem of the sector, whose gigs were cancelled due to the COVID-19 induced shutdown.

“We remain resolute in improving the quality of life for South Africans, in spite of the huge socio-economic impediments brought on by the restrictions of COVID-19.

“We know that as a department, ours is to save the lives of our sector’s practitioners so that they can utilise their skills to better their lives and those of our communities,” the department said.

One of the beneficiaries of the relief fund, author and musician Loyiso Lindani, could not stop singing the department’s praises.

Lindani has since signed a purchase order for her books, thanks to the money from the department.

“I used the relief funds to pay for expenses and I am now selling copies.

“The book I published, titled ‘How HIV Saved My Life’, is listed on the South African Publisher’s Network. The funds assisted in paying that off. The book is also listed with the National Library of South Africa, where we obtained its International Standard Book Number. I want to thank the DSAC [Department of Sport, Arts and Culture],” said Lindani.

Meanwhile, the department said it has noted concerns raised by the sector about the delays in processing the applications.

“We are empathetic to the impact of our lengthy processes. Laborious as this exercise was to our sector, the principles of empathy, responsiveness and agility became the cornerstone of our measurement framework of engaging the sector as we move forward.”

The department said it would be exploring the possibility of a second application process.

“For ease of reference, the updated list of beneficiaries and digital applications can be found on our official website published on 6 July 2020. Furthermore, we will continue to update the nation on developments pertaining to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, as we have consistently done along the way.”

In line with the National Development Plan’s 2030 vision, the department said it intends to build a cohesive society in which everyone has access to sport, arts and culture resources, facilities and opportunities.

“While COVID-19 has robbed our industry of gaining fruitful employment, this challenge has further inspired us to ensure that our mandate becomes even more pronounced,” the department said.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says almost all provinces are currently doing repairs to schools that were vandalised during the national lockdown.

Briefing the media on Sunday on the state of readiness for the return to school of the second group of grades, Motshekga said a total of 1 718 schools across the country are currently undergoing major repairs following a spike of burglaries and vandalism during the lockdown.

“In Gauteng alone, 351 schools have been affected by vandalism. Six were vandalised just this week, and these are burglaries taking place at schools previously targeted.

“In the North West, a school was torched this week, resulting in three classrooms being damaged.  The province reports that burning tyres were used to set the school on fire,” Motshekga said.

The Minister said the vandalism of schools is a serious setback to the communities affected by these barbaric acts, which cause so much damage to the department’s infrastructure.

“What is disturbing though, is that the criminals continue to cause havoc in our schools,” Motshekga said.

Only Grades R, 6 and 11 returned to schools on Monday, following an agreement by the Council of Education Ministers (CEM).

The CEM also noted that provinces may be at different levels of readiness for the return of Grade R learners, and agreed that provinces that are not ready to receive Grade R on Monday must provide strategic and realisable plans for ensuring the reincorporation of Grade R learners to schools within, but not later than the end of July 2020.

However, Motshekga said the provinces that are ready to receive Grade R learners on Monday can proceed to receive those learners.

“What is critically important is that all Grade R and pre-Grade R learners, who have already returned to schools, must remain in schools. Schools that meet the health, safety and social distancing protocols can reopen for their Grade R and pre-Grade R learners,” Motshekga said.

Water tanks delivered to additional 2 000 schools

Motshekga reported that to date, water tanks have been delivered to an additional 2 175 schools.

“In total, Rand Water assisted with filling on-site storage tanks at 3 380 schools. It is important to note that over and above the Rand Water contribution, there are several other water boards and municipalities working hard to ensure sustainable water supply and appropriate sanitation at our schools,” Motshekga said.

When the department started the discussion on the reopening of schools, Motshekga said the provincial education departments identified about 3 500 schools with water supply challenges.

She said municipalities came on board as part of the cooperation between the Department of Basic Education, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, South African Local Government Association, and Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent.

“Some schools had existing on-site storage tanks, and just required assistance with filling them up with water.  There were, however, several schools that did not have on-site storage tanks.  Rand Water, contracted by the department, assisted with the procurement and delivery of additional on-site storage tanks and water supply,” the Minister said.

On sanitation, Motshekga said all 910 schools in the Eastern Cape and 453 schools in Limpopo requiring proper sanitation, have received proper sanitation.

Learner support interventions

Meanwhile, Motshekga said to mitigate the resultant challenges of COVID-19, the department continues to provide support to learners at home with a variety of platforms, including radio, television, online and in school.

“We have 197 sites that are zero-rated, and have good curriculum content that can be accessed, whether one has data or not. These interventions are part of the department’s effort to ensure unlimited access to content for learning during this time,” Motshekga said.

Motshekga expressed her appreciation and sincere gratitude to the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies for the continued supported in this regard.

The list of zero-rated is available on the Department of Basic Education home page www.education.gov.za.

Motshekga emphasised that the lessons learnt from COVID-19 must be strategically used to plan for the future.

“We must strive to bring forward some of the strategic plans under development, for implementation.  All of this should be done during our term of office,” the Minister said.

She said strategic plans on the improvement of school infrastructure, including the general maintenance of schools, the provision and sustenance of water and proper sanitation, and plans for the roll-out of Information and Communications Technology, must be brought forward and fast-tracked to finality.

“As South Africans, we have agreed that education is a societal matter.  We therefore have an obligation to turn these noble words into tangible action.”

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has not yet opened for overnight accommodation, as per Level 3 lockdown regulations on leisure and interprovincial travel.

Day self-drives in national parks continue to be permissible for residents of the various provinces in which the respective National Parks are located.

Visitors are urged to book online and to observe all COVID-19 health protocols while in the park, including exiting the park with as much of their refuse as hygienically possible.

SANParks Chief Executive Officer Fundisile Mketeni said the organisation is aware that many domestic tourists are eager to enjoy the tranquillity offered by national parks, and that they would like to extend the current self-drive opportunities to overnight stays.

He urged tourists to be patient until leisure travel and interprovincial travel regulations are implemented.

SANParks has suspended all overnight bookings for July. The public will be advised in due course when bookings open. The organisation advised those with overnight bookings to delay their travel and not cancel.

Mketeni urged South Africans to continue supporting government’s efforts to minimise the impact of COVID-19 by adhering to lockdown rules.

“We are seeing increasing infection numbers and regrettably the loss of lives as well. This is a reminder that a decision to open up our facilities has to be well-considered to ensure our colleagues, tourists, their friends and families’ health are not compromised.

“We all have to be patient and trust the processes and decisions of our leaders during this difficult time. We will announce the dates for the reopening of accommodation bookings in due course,” he said.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has urged operators of ECD centres and partial care facilities across the country to complete the online self-assessment exercise before re-opening.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Department of Social Development (DSD) said this is critical in determining the sector’s state of readiness to reopen amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

The forms, which are accessible on the department’s website, were developed in consultation with the sector. The forms are also available at local Social Development offices and service points within which ECD centres or partial care facilities operate.

“To date, more than 6 700 ECD programmes and/or partial care facilities have completed this self-assessment exercise online, in addition to those who have made manual submissions to the provincial Departments of Social Development,” the department said.

More than 51% of the online completions are from programmes that are registered or conditionally registered, as required in terms of the Children’s Act; whereas about 20% of completions are from those that have applied for registration.

All ECD centres and partial care facilities were closed in March following the declaration of the state of national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as part of the national measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

“As we prepare to reopen the sector, which we will announce in due course through directives, as per the requirements of the Disaster Management Act, it is critical that we ensure we have taken all necessary precautionary and control measures to uphold the best interest of our children.

“The self-assessment is critical in assisting the department to assess the sector’s COVID-19 response plan and the state of readiness. We know the important role that the sector plays in our country’s child protection system and its contribution to children’s emotional and cognitive development,” said Zulu.

Upon submission of the self-assessment, the department will verify the information to determine the centre’s state of readiness.

“As more parents/caregivers return to work, we want them to have the confidence that we have done everything possible to keep our children and staff at ECD centres and partial care facilities safe during this difficult time. We cannot compromise the health and safety of our children,” said Zulu.

The Minister reiterated that ECD centres and partial care facilities will remain closed until further notice.

Verifying state of readiness

Provincial departments are currently verifying submitted information to determine the state of readiness for the reopening of ECD programmes and/or partial care facilities, which provide an afterschool service.

The verification process will include site visits to assess compliance with the minimum health, safety and social distancing measures, amongst others.

“The department will continue to work closely with all partners in the sector to ensure that the health and safety of children, parents/caregivers and staff of ECD centres and partial care facilities are at the forefront of service delivery,” the statement reads.

The department emphasised that the purpose of the self-assessment is to determine whether the ECD centres and partial care facilities meet the minimum requirements under the Disaster Management Act regulations

“In addition, the Department of Social Development wishes to emphasise with reference to the Circular dated 21 June 2020, that no child may return to an early childhood development programme or partial care facility until such time that the Minister has pronounced in the Government Gazette the date(s) and conditions of reopening,” said the department.

If an ECD programme or partial care facility receives a child before the date is announced, they will be contravening the provisions of the regulations.

To this effect, the Minister of Social Development will publish the directives pertaining the reopening of early childhood development programmes and partial care facilities after she has taken into consideration all requirements to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19.

“As the department supports ECD centres and partial care facilities across the country to implement COVID-19 preventive and control measures for reopening of the sector, we wish to thank all parents/caregivers for their cooperation and patience during these unprecedented times,” said the department.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has welcomed Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu’s decision to take action against 1 544 public servants, who were involved in doing business with the State.

Public servants are not allowed to do business with the State.

The actions of the Minister are compliant with the Public Administration Management Act No. 11, 2014 (PAMA), which was enacted based on recommendations from the PSC.

“The Minister’s decision will ensure that there are consequences for wrongdoing. If found guilty, a public servant can serve a jail term for conducting business with the State.

“This will go a long way in ensuring adherence to the law and preventing public servants from conducting business with the State. This Minister’s action affirms the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law in our country. This proves that no one is above the law and transgressors will be punished,” says Public Service Commission in a statement.

The PSC has commenced with the scrutiny of financial disclosures of senior managers to check if there are cases of potential or actual conflicts of interests. Amongst the issues that the PSC will be scrutinising is conducting business with the State.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has welcomed the weekend arrests of suspects, who are accused of being part of the enterprise that scammed R5.7 million from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

The money was meant as relief for workers during the lockdown.

The suspects are expected to appear in court today. They were arrested by the South African Police Service’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks.

“We welcome the swift action by the members of the law enforcement agencies in apprehending the people, who are suspected of having defrauded their employer and the UIF when they allegedly changed the banking details into which the relief money was supposed to be paid.

“As we have indicated before, we will follow every cent that we have spent during this period. Working together with our internal auditors, the office of the Auditor-General and our contracted forensic auditors, as well as the law enforcement agencies, we are putting those who thought that the UIF was their source for easy money on notice. You will be found and you will be prosecuted,” Nxesi said.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit had already frozen the funds after it applied for an order from the High Court.

Government has condemned a social media poster that seeks to sow discord among citizens and foreign nationals in South Africa.

“Government strongly condemns the violence that is mooted and calls on all South Africans to desist from any actions that go against the laws of the country,” Government Communication and Information System Director-General, Phumla Williams, said.

Williams said such posters go against the spirit of social cohesion.

“The intention goes against the spirit of social cohesion and attempts to regress the gains we have made as a country. All South Africans should champion a peaceful co-existence and good relations with all who live in South Africa.”

Government has called on law enforcement agencies to take the necessary action against those responsible.

“Any attack on property and foreign-owned business are not reflective of who we are as a country and violates the values that we embody. South Africa is a constitutional democracy, which is governed by the laws of the country,” Williams said.

The Director-General said South Africa forms an integral part of the African continent.

“In addition to our commitments on the continent, South Africa is also a signatory to the Geneva Protocol on Refugees and remains committed to protecting all foreign nationals in the country. Criminal activity will not be tolerated, as such acts impact negatively on the country’s economy and image,” Williams said.

South Africa recorded 173 new deaths on Sunday, while the number of new COVID-19 infections has increased by 8 773 to 196 750.

Of the additional fatalities, 71 are from Gauteng, 40 from the Western Cape, 29 Eastern Cape, 21 KwaZulu-Natal, 10 Free State and two Northern Cape — pushing the death toll to 3 199.

“We wish to express our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health care workers who treated the deceased,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Meanwhile, 1 830 161 tests have been completed since the epidemic and the number of recoveries stands at 93 315.

The Western Cape remains the hardest hit province with 69 531 cases, followed by Gauteng, which is expected to be the epicentre in the next coming days, with 63 404 infections.

The Eastern Cape has 35 648 cases, KwaZulu-Natal 15 146, North West 6 063, Free State 2 553, Mpumalanga 1 965, Limpopo 1 706 and Northern Cape 734.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 11 125 245 cases of COVID-19 globally and 528 204 deaths.