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Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has this week met with Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, to discuss government’s comprehensive approach to deal with the dire water situation in affected towns in the province.

The water situation remains precarious in the Eastern Cape where dam levels continue to drop by an average one percent weekly.

Butterworth and Queenstown are among the towns worst-hit by extremely dry conditions that have been experienced in parts of the province.

The latest dam levels report by the department estimates the province’s levels at 48.3%. This is a drop by 13% compared to the same period last year.

However, Limpopo, which is also experiencing dry conditions because of the high temperatures, has improved slightly from 48.2% to 49.1% this week. Tzaneen Dam in Mopani District has also stabilised slightly after sliding its level to 5.5% last week.

Recently, the department, including the provincial Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department and Mopani District Municipality asked the Minister to gazette stringent restrictions and prohibit the abstraction of water for irrigation, as this may lead to Day Zero.

“Worst hit areas in Modjadji and Greater Letaba are already receiving tankered water to alleviate besieged communities from a desperate situation,” the department said.

After the heavy rains that soaked most parts of the country recently, scorching temperatures returned with towns such as Upington, Lephalale, Phalaborwa and Thohoyandou reaching a maximum 40 degrees Celcius.

According to the South African Weather Services, the heat wave is expected to continue until this weekend when scattered thundershowers fall in areas like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Despite the heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal, the department said most towns that fall under Mkhanyakude and Zululand continue to experience acute water shortages.

“Jozini residents, about 200km north of Durban, have been without potable water for months because of the absence of rain. The average dam level in the region is estimated at 47.6% while the areas that receive much rainfall in the past weeks have zoomed to 70.3%,” the department said.

The Vaal Dam in Gauteng is stable at 67% while smaller dams in Pretoria are overflowing.

The Bronkhorstpruit Dam, east of the capital city received much of the recent rains and has gone up to 75.9% while Bon Accord has gone up to 108.4%

Against the background of unpredictable weather patterns, the department has appealed to all water users to continue saving water and use it sparingly.

The department encouraged rural communities to take advantage of heavy rains in their respective villages and practise water harvesting.

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The recent South African Airways strike has resulted in a sudden deterioration of the state-owned company’s financial position, the Public Enterprises Ministry has revealed.

The Ministry in a statement said it was now working with the SAA to urgently formulate immediate actions that will be required to provide support to enable the State Owned Enterprise to carry on its business.

However, SAA cannot continue “as is”, the Ministry said.

Government efforts, under the direction of Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, are focused on ensuring that the airline is stabilised in the short term and has the necessary support from all stakeholders.

They also seek to ensure that governance and leadership issues are being addressed, including the process of appointing an effective Management Team.

The efforts, added the Ministry, are to ensure that the airline returns to a stronger financial footing in the medium to longer term.

“None of this can be achieved without the necessary contributions by all the key role players in the airline. The actions being undertaken by the Minister include involving relevant stakeholders so that they can participate in the support initiative,” the Ministry said.

Further details will be provided over the next week.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has applauded the inroads made in efforts to restore peace in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Speaking at the final Plenary of the Multi-Stakeholder National Dialogue on national reforms in the Kingdom yesterday, the President said it was an accomplishment that stakeholders had reached a critical stage in the reform process.

“I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation,” he said. “Irrespective of your political or other affiliations, you have come to the table, and worked with a singular determination to reach consensus for the good of this country.”

He conceded, however, that the journey had been long and difficult.

“That we have made such great progress thus far is testimony to the strength of collaboration and to the power of dialogue.”

Singling out the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union Delegation Office in Maseru, the President expressed gratitude to the international community for its continued support.

“I also applaud the Facilitation Team led by retired South African Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, who despite his busy schedule made time to engage with us in order to forge a way forward,” said the President.

“Since the inception of this national dialogue the goal has been clear, to realise the Lesotho that the people of this Kingdom want.”

The SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government which took place in Tanzania in August this year applauded the government and all relevant stakeholders for their commitment to the national reform process, and for the progress achieved thus far.

The summit was also impressed with the facilitation process, and deemed it appropriate for the facilitator to take matters to their logical conclusion.

The facilitator is expected to give a report to the next summit, which is scheduled to take place in Maputo in the Republic of Mozambique in August 2020.

President Ramaphosa said the Second Multi-Stakeholder National Dialogue Plenary has been a critical milestone in forging a political consensus on the multi-sectoral national reforms and reconciliation in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

“The plenary has afforded all Basotho an opportunity to engage and reach consensus on all identified areas of reform. These include constitutional, parliamentary, judicial, security and public sector reforms as well as reforms in the media and economic sectors,” he said.

“The choice of the seven thematic areas for reforms ably captures the significant interplay between the political, social and economic factors that impact on stability.”

He said the success of the Multi-Stakeholder National Dialogue Plenary further demonstrates the commitment of the people of Lesotho to building a prosperous, peaceful and united country.

“You are to be commended for this commitment. You have demonstrated that no difficulties you encounter along the way will succeed in reversing the gains you have already made,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says leaders on the continent must step up efforts to strengthen political stability and drive development to meet the needs of its people.

“One of the foremost aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 is of a continent that is stable and at peace with itself,” the President said.

He was addressing the closing ceremony of the Multistakeholder National Dialogue Plenary II in his capacity as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) facilitator to Lesotho.

The Multistakeholder National Dialogue Plenary II, which took place from 25 to 27 November 2019, was an important milestone in the reforms process of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

“This Second Multi-Stakeholder National Dialogue Plenary has been a critical milestone in forging a political consensus on the multi-sectoral national reforms and reconciliation in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Plenary has afforded all Basotho an opportunity to engage and reach consensus on all identified areas of reform,” President Ramaphosa said.

These include constitutional, parliamentary, judicial, security and public sector reforms as well as reforms in the media and economic sectors.

“The choice of the seven thematic areas for reforms ably captures the significant interplay between the political, social and economic factors that impact on stability. The success of this Multi-Stakeholder National Dialogue Plenary further demonstrates the commitment of the people of Lesotho to building a prosperous, peaceful and united country,” the President said.

He said now is the time for both the National Reforms Authority and Parliament to realise the aspirations that have been eloquently articulated throughout this National Dialogue Process.

“You should be reassured of my firm support, and of my commitment to accompany you in your quest to finding a lasting solution to your challenges,” President Ramaphosa said.

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The Department of Employment and Labour, in conjunction with Home Affairs Immigration Officers, and the Hawks, on Wednesday raided two factories in Johannesburg, which were suspected of flouting labour laws.

According to the Department Employment and Labour, the owners who mostly are Chinese, were suspected, among others, of flouting labour laws and employing foreign nationals who do not have work permits.

During the raids, the Immigration Officers verified the status of the employees, while the Department of Labour Inspectors conducted workplace inspection, checking compliance with labour laws.

In both factories raided, the authorities were shocked to discover the appalling conditions which the employees were working under.

According to the workers interviewed by the authorities, they worked long hours and once they were inside the factory, they were not allowed to go outside and they were not allowed to take leave.

Some of the workers told the authorities that they are paid R1 600 a month.

They also told the authorities that were paid R1 for every pillow they produced.

During the raid at the second factory which manufactures blankets, it was found that factory owners had employed foreign nationals who do not have work permits and did not have valid passports.

It was also discovered that the employees were paid below the minimum wage stipulated by the Department of Labour.

The employees were working under horrible conditions and the factory did not comply with safety standards, among other things.

Department of Employment and Labour Inspector-General Aggy Moiloa told SAnews that since the raid is being conducted jointly with Home Affairs, those found to be in the country illegally will be detained and sent back to their countries of origin.

Most of the employees at the factory are from Malawi.

“We got a tip-off from the Hawks about the factories that are flouting labour laws and we immediately arranged to raid these factories,” Moiloa said.

Moiloa told SAnews that they are still going to conduct other raids in the factories that are suspected to be flouting labour laws.

The owners of the two factories were issued with fines and they are expected to appear in court soon.

In the second factory that was raided, officials found that Occupational Health and Safety laws were completely disregarded; the employees were working long hours in dangerous conditions.

The authorities had issued the second factory a fine and closed it down.

Department of Employment and Labour Inspectors are appointed in terms of section 63 (1) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75 of 1997, as amended to monitor and enforce labour laws.

The inspectors visit workplaces from time to time to check the level of compliance with labour legislation. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Home Affairs is gearing itself to deal with high volumes of travellers at all the country’s ports of entry during the festive season.

The department, in collaboration with other border law enforcement agencies and six countries sharing borders with South Africa, have finalised plans for the 2019/20 festive season.

The plans, which will become operational from 04 December 2019 until 13 January 2020, are aimed at helping navigate the festive season period of heightened movement across South Africa’s ports in the interest of all travellers.

“The ports of entry with traditionally high volumes of movement will have their operating hours increased by between one and seven hours. This means that the Lebombo Port of Entry with Mozambique and the Oshoek Port of Entry with the Kingdom of Eswatini will operate for 24 hours on some dates during this period.

“Border law enforcement entities have confirmed readiness to handle increased volumes of travellers and goods at all ports of entry. This increase in movement of people and goods, across borders is due to the inflow and outflow of travellers such as tourists, cross-border workers, business, academics and educational activities,” the department said in a statement.

The department said that close to 400 additional officials will be deployed at selected ports to assist with delivery of immigration services and offer technical support at the borders. Most of the officials will be at the Beit Bridge Port of Entry with Zimbabwe, Lebombo, Maseru Bridge Port of Entry with Lesotho, and the Ficksburg Port of Entry with Lesotho.

“The South African Police Services has increased police with an additional 80 officials. South African Revenue Services (Customs) is deploying an extra 86 customs officials at selected ports, and the rest of the border law enforcement entities have also deployed limited numbers of staff as they will rely mainly on overtime for permanent staff,” the department said.

The department noted that increases in traveller movement exert additional strain on resources and pose security risks for South Africa and the six countries with which it shares borders in the region.

Among main risks experienced during peak periods include fraudulent documents, undocumented travellers and poor access control due to congested roads.

The department has urged vehicle drivers to refrain from lawlessness around the country’s ports, with all ensuring traffic rules are not undermined on the way to certain ports like Lebombo and Beitbridge.

The department also implored all travellers leaving and entering South Africa to ensure all their travel documents are in order to avoid unnecessary delays at ports. These include passports, visas, health certificates, permits for specified goods, plants and animals, and vehicle insurance and bank authorised cross-border documents for vehicles. – SAnews.gov.za

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