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The South African National Parks (SANParks) says it is preparing to recall its hospitality staff for a phased approach in the reopening of its overnight facilities.

This follows an announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that accommodation providers can resume operations in alert level 3.

SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni said the President’s address on Wednesday, 17 June 2020, was good news for SANParks and many nature lovers who for the past three months have been yearning to visit their favourite national park.

“However, we urge those who cannot wait to book into our accommodation to exercise a bit of patience as SANParks readies itself for the reopening,” Mketeni said.

Mketeni said SANParks will approach the opening of its accommodation facilities responsibly to ensure that the gains made by South Africa in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are not compromised.

The process of recalling back staff in preparation for the reopening is still to commence.

“We will then immediately activate the re-training of staff on new operating protocols in line with industry standards.

“The safety of both staff and guests is critical and we have to ensure that we are in compliance with regard to regulations as well as health standards and protocols. We will announce the dates for the reopening of accommodation bookings in the next few days,” Mketeni said.

The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) has temporarily closed its East London office after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

“As part of our precautionary measures, all the affected employees based in that office will also be in self-isolation for 14 days as per the COVID-19 regulations. The concerned employee has been hospitalised,” said NHBRC acting CEO Otsile Maseng.

Maseng said the shutdown will also affect NHBRC’s home inspection services in the Buffalo City Metro and Amathole District Municipality for 14 days.

The office will resume its normal operation on Monday, 22 June 2020.

NHBRC said their offices have COVID-19 task teams to ensure the continued safety of the employees and customers.

Meanwhile, all those visiting the offices are requested to cooperate with the measures put in place.

However, developers, contractors, home builders and housing consumers are urged to only visit the NHBRC offices only when it is necessary for a collection of certificates, registration and enrolment and completing technical assessments.

“Furthermore, we encourage those who need to submit necessary supporting documents to do so from the safety of their homes,” the council said.

Clients in the Eastern Cape can use this email address EC-online@nhbrc.org.za if they need assistance, NHBRC said.

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has begun laying criminal charges against government employees illegally conducting business with the State.

Public Service and Administration Minister, Senzo Mchunu, expressed concern at the high number of public servants still conducting business with the State.

“We are following up on these cases with the relevant departments, so that identified individuals will be dealt with within the framework of the law, since doing business with the State is a criminal offence,” he said.

The Minister said the department will ensure that criminal charges are laid with the police in an effort to curb the culture of pillaging State resources with impunity.

“The number of government employees found to be doing business with the State and those who failed to disclose their financial interests is concerning. This situation must be dealt with as the Sixth Administration has committed itself to fighting corruption and maladministration.”

Mchunu said corruption in the public service is inconsistent with the values and principles governing the public administration, stipulated in Section 195(2) of the Constitution and must be tackled head on.

South Africa, he said, has to make a shift towards observing ethics and combatting corruption, both in the public and private sectors.

“Corruption remains a major contributor to economic decline and therefore, it is even more important for South Africa to act swiftly against this scourge,” Mchunu said.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Senior Management Service (SMS) members are required to disclose their financial interests annually by 30 April.

“As a department, we have written letters to the relevant departments to take action against identified employees and to report investigation and disciplinary outcomes,” said the Minister.

Heads of Department and Executive Authorities are required to submit the disclosed financial interests to the Public Service Commission (PSC) by 31 May 2020.

“The PSC can then determine if there is potential or actual conflict of interest regarding the disclosed financial interests,” he said.

South Africa reported 3 478 new positive cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total to 83 890 cases, said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Meanwhile, there are an additional 63 fatalities, bringing the death toll to 1 737.

Of the new deaths, 57 are from the Western Cape and six are from the Eastern Cape.

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

Over the last 24 hours, 27 362 new tests have been conducted, bringing the total number to 1 228 098.

The Western Cape remains the hardest hit province, followed by the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

The Western Cape has 47 522 cases, Gauteng 15 898, Eastern Cape 12 639, KwaZulu-Natal 4 360, North West 1 606, Free State 649, Limpopo 489, Mpumalanga 461, Northern Cape 214 and 56 are still are unknown.

View live stats @ Live Stats

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) have called on eligible Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to apply for funding to manufacture fabric face masks.

“This initiative aims to provide relief for SMMEs that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and is open to both formal and informal traders operating in the Gauteng and Northern Cape Provinces,” SALGA said on Thursday.

Face masks are a measure in South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses that have been approved for or are recipients of COVID-19 relief support will not be eligible.

“Successful applicants will receive financial support to help recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and are required to produce fabric face masks using these funds. Together we can reduce the spread of the virus, save lives and support small businesses,” SALGA said.

Eligibility criteria and application details are available on www.za.undp.org.

Applications close on 23 June 2020 at 24:00.

Application for financial assistance to study for the victims of apartheid, their qualifying relatives and dependents are now open.

However, according to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, qualifying victims must have been declared as such by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

“The regulations relating to assistance of victims, in respect of basic education and higher education and training, came into operation on 7 November 2014, providing for assistance to qualifying TRC victims and their qualifying relatives and dependents,” the department explained.

Applications for the 2021 academic year are now open and should reach the department by no later than 30 September 2020.

“Regarding basic education, qualifying applicants receive educational assistance in respect of grades R to 12 for payment of school fees, boarding fees, uniform and transport,” the department said.

Meanwhile, for the older students, help is provided in respect of adult education and training, further education and training; higher education and skills development.

The aid covers full tuition fees, boarding, textbooks, transport, meal allowances and once-off device.

Also, extra financial assistance will be offered to students with disabilities and provision is made for any assistive devices and human support.

“It must be noted, however, that this assistance only applies to learners or students enrolled in public institutions,” the department stressed.

The regulations and application forms are available on the department’s website.

For general information on assistance for TRC-identified beneficiaries: https://www.justice.gov.za/forms/form_trc.html

For application forms for basic education: https://www.justice.gov.za/forms/trc/J942-TRC-BasicEducation-Form-1.pdf

For applications for higher education: https://www.justice.gov.za/forms/trc/J944-TRC-HigherEducation-Form-1.pdf

Completed applications should be returned to:

Email address: TRCeducation@justice.gov.za.

Fax: 086476 3777

Registered post: The Head: TRC Unit, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development,

Private Bag X8, Pretoria, 0001

If you have any questions, please contact the TRC Unit help desk: 

Ms Lutendo Muneri on 072 042 2016

Ms Seipati Marota on 072 909 9706

Email: TRCeducation@justice.gov.za

Eligible candidates who wish to apply are advised to consult the regulations for the various categories of assistance available.

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has welcomed a R3.6 million fine handed to a major steel producing company after it admitted to contravening sections of the Air Quality Act by exceeding the minimum hydrogen sulphide emissions standards.

The judgment, said the Department in a statement on Thursday, sends a strong signal that the air quality regulatory environment must be respected by industry and government alike. The judgment was handed down by the Vereenigning Regional Court last week.

The sentence included an order for ArcelorMittal South Africa to pay an amount of R3.63 million to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.

“In terms of the court order, this will be utilised for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of air quality monitoring instruments for the benefit of the Sedibeng Municipality,” the department said.

AMSA entered into a plea agreement with the State in which it admitted to violating sections of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act by exceeding minimum hydrogen sulphide emissions standards.

“AMSA Limited’s Vanderbijlpark works is located within the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area. The area was declared a priority in 2006 and is one of three priority areas identified nationally in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA) due to concerns about elevated pollution in these areas,” said the department.

It said the sentence took account of additional measures AMSA is committed to implementing, subsequent to being issued with administrative notices by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2018.

These commitments included, among others, the construction of a new gas plant at an approximate cost of R1.1 billion which will commence in June 2020.

Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Barbara Creecy, in the statement said: “This penalty should deter other violators of air quality legislation. It sends a clear message that violations of air quality regulations carry significant penalties, and that the courts are committed to protecting the right of communities to improved air quality.”

The summons was issued to AMSA on 30 May 2019.

The criminal investigation was initiated by the Green Scorpions following ongoing non-compliances detected at the Vanderbijlpark facility during an inspection undertaken by Environmental Management Inspectors from the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Over the years the authorities have been monitoring compliance within the Ferro Alloy Iron and Steel sector. Three prior inspections had been undertaken at this facility – in November 2008, October 2012 and August 2014.

The Department of Home Affairs head office in Pretoria was on Wednesday vacated after a general worker tested positive for COVID-19.

Seven officials had come into contact with the COVID-19 positive general worker.

According to the department, all the colleagues are being provided with psychotherapy and support. The seven officials have also been advised to self-isolate, as they were not showing any symptoms.

“The building is being disinfected and officials are expected to return next week on Tuesday.

“Senior officials and those rendering essential services to the department will continue doing so from remote locations or from their homes,” the department said.

The building housing the offices of the Minister and the Deputy Minister is in Hatfield and has also been disinfected.

Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has wished the affected general worker a speedy recovery and encouraged officials to remain vigilant and safe, as they provide enabling documents to qualifying people.

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has welcomed the arrest of seven suspects allegedly involved in the collapse of VBS mutual bank.

This comes after the Hawks on Wednesday arrested four suspects during a raid on 10 properties in Gauteng and Limpopo. A further three were expected to hand themselves over to investigators, while a warrant of arrest for the eighth suspect is yet to be effected, as he is in COVID-19 isolation.

The seven are today expected to appear before the Johannesburg High Court, sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court.

The PIC was a significant shareholder in VBS [Venda Building Society] when it was placed under curatorship by the Prudential Authority of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).

In a statement issued on Thursday, the PIC said it believes the arrests were an important step in ensuring that those who are responsible for the collapse of VBS are held accountable.

“The PIC has been fully cooperating with investigations by law enforcement agencies following the release of Adv. Terry Motau SC’s forensic report into the collapse of VBS. The PIC will continue to cooperate with these agencies until the VBS matter is finally settled,” the PIC said.

The bank was placed under curatorship in March 2018 after it experienced liquidity challenges over 18 months. Problems included a failure of the board of directors and executive management to manage the bank’s rapid growth funding and its liquidity.

Several labour offices will remain shut for a few weeks after employees tested positive for COVID-19.

The Mitchells Plain labour centre and its satellite office in Nyanga will be closed for an additional week after another employee contracted the virus.

Meanwhile, the Paarl Labour Centre has also confirmed a case and the office closed its doors from Thursday.

“The officials had interacted with other employees, who were working at the labour centres. The affected employees will now self-isolate and have been referred for counselling,” said Provincial Operations’ Chief Director, Mawele Ntamo.

He said the offices have been conducting regular assessments of employees, which includes daily health checks and temperature screening.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) head office in Pretoria has been hit by COVID-19, with an employee who tested positive. The office will be closed, which may affect operations.

However, the Labour Department said payment of benefits will continue.

The department’s Director-General, Thobile Lamati, has previously stated that the safety of employees remains paramount.

“Our officials are an important cog of the working of the South African economy and as such, we will also ensure that they are as safe as possible,” he said.

As it stands, the offices in the Western Cape, which has over 60% of the reported COVID-19 cases, remain the hardest hit.

Services resumed in Vredenburg in the Western Cape and East London in the Eastern Cape after they were both closed due to COVID-19.

The Paarl labour centre is expected to resume operations on 22 June, while the Mitchells Plain Labour Centre, Nyanga satellite office and the UIF office will open on 25 June.

“Clients are encouraged to make use of the department’s online services in the meantime,” the department said.