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Whether young or old, unemployment is a thorn in the flesh of many South Africans, writes Neo Semono.

Whether in our families or within our circle of friends, many of us know someone who is without a job. The situation is so dire that we may even know more than one individual who does not have a job, and it is not due to the lack of trying nor to the lack of qualifications.

Those who are unemployed want to wake up in the morning to go and make an honest living for themselves and their loved ones. Through their work, they also want to make a difference in the country that they live in.

Recent data has shown that the country’s joblessness rate has come down slightly. Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) has shown that the unemployment rate decreased from 32.9% in the first quarter to 32.6% in the second quarter of 2023.

Granted, the figure is marginal – but 154 000 new jobs were created in the second quarter, taking the number of employed persons to 16.3 million – a flicker of hope for those who may have given up on finding work.

Finding a job is hard and is further exacerbated by the costs that job seekers may not be able to cover. In the quest to find jobs, money is borrowed to visit internet cafes to search and apply for work, to printout CVs and to drop off said applications at prospective employer’s offices.

Having altered the CV more times than one can remember, and filing out more online applications and Z83 forms, hope and confidence take a knock when one does not get that invitation to a job interview.

While that hope is sometimes on shaky ground, South Africans don’t quit. Instead, they make a plan, even if it means taking on any job to make ends meet. Some go on to start innovative businesses that change their local landscapes while also giving jobs and training to others in their respective communities.

This speaks to the innate resilience of the people of this country in that individuals not only deviate from their original life plan, but that they also give work opportunities to others who may not have had the opportunity to put a foot in the door of larger establishments minus the required skills.

While one will always find fault with government, it cannot resolve the unemployment challenge on its own. And while it should have done better in tackling it, it is doing something about it.

This includes the employment of people with disabilities. Through the Presidential Working Group on Disability, government is working on increasing funding for disability-related programmes and services. This includes funding for the education, training and employment of people with disabilities.

Well aware of the unemployment problem particularly around the youth, government has put in place the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI). Through the initiative announced in 2020, at least 135 000 earning opportunities were secured by young people.

The Department of Employment and Labour–which has labour offices across the country– offers tips on how to find a job and how to fill out the Z83 form. It also has career counsellors to assist job seekers in preparing for interviews and other career related services for free.

Mobile employment centres are also available to assist work seekers to sign up for the Employment Services System of South Africa (ESSA) which is a platform where work seekers are matched with available job opportunities for free.

Other government initiatives to get particularly young people into work include the Gauteng government’s Nasi Ispan (“Here is work”) mass recruitment programme that aims to get thousands of young people into state jobs.

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) which has been in existence for close to two decades continues to make a difference in people’s lives. It provides an important avenue for labour-absorption and income to poor households in the short to medium-term.

The implementation of government plans is also making an impact with the Poultry Masterplan which contributed to the creation of 750 jobs at a Rainbow Chicken facility.

The adoption of the masterplan saw government implement several measures to safeguard the local industry including placing anti-dumping duties on imported poultry.

This is the same Rainbow Chicken which in 2017 closed its operations in Hammarsdale and retrenched over a thousand workers.

The adoption of the plan was also coupled with increased investment and measures to transform the industry has led to success with the company reopening and investing R220 million.

Government is not just talking the talk; it is also putting in the work for its people who have a never say die attitude.

The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, has commended the swift reaction by Gauteng police in tracing and apprehending cash-in-transit (CIT) suspects within three hours of the commission of the crime.

The heist took place at 17:15 on Wednesday in Springs, when armed suspects forced a cash van to come to a halt.

The security guards had just picked up money from various outlets and were on their way back to their base when they were disarmed and the cash van bombed.

The suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

Gauteng police immediately operationalised information and maximum resources were mobilised. Vigilant members attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Johannesburg Flying Squad traced the suspects at 20:20 on the M1 south, just before the Booysens off-ramp.

A shoot-out ensued with the suspects, who were travelling in a Toyota Quantum. One suspect was certified dead at the scene, while two others were apprehended.

Three rifles were recovered, and cash and two cell phones were seized.

Two empty cash bags, as well as implements used in armed robberies were found in their getaway vehicle. A manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects.

During the shootout, one police officer sustained a gunshot wound and is recovering in hospital.

Mosikili said police remain on high alert and ready to take down syndicates.

“Well done to the team for the swift reaction. We continue to deal decisively with serious and violent crime in various provinces. We continue to take down syndicates and groups involved in these crimes. Either they surrender or we will continue to hunt and take them down. A speedy recovery to our member who is in hospital,” said Mosikili.

In the past week, 10 158 suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder and armed robberies.

Operation Shanela continues to register commendable progress. Since its inception on 8 May 2023 , 155 970 suspects have been arrested.

The Middleburg High Court in Mpumalanga has reaffirmed the regulatory role played by the Department of Water and Sanitation when it found Msukaligwa Local Municipality guilty of eight counts relating to water pollution.

The case, which was brought before the court on Wednesday, relates to non-compliance by the municipality with several directives issued by the department, in terms of sections 19 (3) and 53 (1) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act no. 38 of 1998).

The municipality failed to take reasonable measures to prevent the pollution of water resources and engaging in water use without authorisation at the Ermelo Waste Water Treatment Works.

This comes after the department’s Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Unit undertook numerous investigations since 2016, and subsequently issued notices and directives to the municipality.

“The outcomes of the investigations revealed that the Ermelo Waste Water Treatment Works was not authorised to engage in water uses, not functioning adequately, and the sewage was bypassing the process units and discharged straight into water resources, and there were poor operations and maintenance of the plant,” the department said.

Judge Bruce Langa ordered Msukaligwa Local Municipality to:
•    Immediately cease unlawful water use at the Ermelo Waste Water Treatment Plant.
•    Apply for registration of water use, as set out in section 21 (f and g) of the National Water Act.
•    Immediately take corrective measures to stop the discharge of poor quality effluent to prevent further pollution of water resources.
•    Appoint a suitably qualified environmental consultant to compile a rehabilitation plan, which must include the nature and impact that pollution has had or may have on water resources, and the measures that will be implemented to remediate the impact (with clear timeframes).

The rehabilitation plan must be compiled within 30 days from the date of the order of the court and submitted to the department for approval.

The municipality must implement all remedial action contained in the rehabilitation plan within 30 days from the approval of the plan by the department.
•    The municipality must compile a closeout report after the completion of the rehabilitation, to be submitted to the department within 14 days of completion of the rehabilitation activities.

The costs of the application by the department are to be paid by the municipality.

Judge Langa said the Department of Water and Sanitation acted in good faith and made many reasonable efforts to make the municipality account for its actions or non-actions, including the issuing of notices and directives.

“The applicant, in my judgement, was entitled to approach the court for relief once it became clear that the respondent was not responding to the various notices, in terms of which it was directed to take certain measures to correct the issues identified repeatedly in various reports dating as far back as 2016.

“In this case, the respondent clearly remained supine, despite the critical problem that was raised many times by the applicant,” Langa said.

The department said it will issue a letter of intent to open a criminal case against Msukaligwa Local Municipality, should they fail to submit an action plan with clear timeframes and budget.

“The department is pleased by this court order and hopes that it will send a strong message to other institutions and serve as a deterrent to transgress provisions of the National Water Act,” the department said.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has suspended its services at the Rissik Street branch in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, following a fire that broke out on Wednesday.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the fire was successfully extinguished due to the prompt and efficient response by fire rescue services.

“All staff and taxpayers were immediately evacuated and no one incurred any serious injuries. As a result of the fire, SARS has suspended its services at the Rissik Street branch and will provide services virtually.

“Taxpayers are urged to book an appointment for assistance via the SARS website –  www.sars.gov.za. Those who want to visit our offices can make an appointment to visit either the Randburg or Alberton branches,” Kieswetter said.

The Commissioner expressed his appreciation to the fire and medical emergency personnel for their assistance in containing the damage and treating people who were affected.

He also apologised to taxpayers for any inconvenience.

The cause and extent of the fire is unknown at this stage and will be investigated.

About 87 learners from Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve, who were hospitalised after consuming muffins laced with marijuana, have now been discharged, says Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane.

The affected learners were admitted at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital on Wednesday and have been discharged, as their condition and health significantly improved. Only three girl learners remain in hospital, and they are still receiving the necessary medical attention to return to full health.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding this incident still continue.

“We are relieved that the affected learners were discharged following this saddening incident. We wish the remaining learners speedy recovery,” MEC Chiloane said.

Meanwhile, the two suspects who were arrested in connection with this case will appear at the Soshanguve Magistrates Court this morning.

“We are informed two suspects arrested for allegedly selling space cookies to Pulamadibogo learners are appearing at Soshanguve Magistrates Court this morning,” DBE spokesperson, Steve Mabona,said.

Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, has called on the public to be wary of cybercriminals targeting unsuspecting individuals on various social media platforms.

“The public must be aware of cybercriminals, who target unsuspecting individuals on various social media platforms with the purpose of causing harm, demanding ransoms and scamming,” the MEC said on Thursday.

This follows the kidnapping of a University of the Witwatersrand student on Tuesday in Johannesburg.

The student was reported missing by his roommate on Tuesday in Johannesburg.

According to reports, the student was lured to the suspects through the dating site, Grindr. The suspects demanded an amount of R30 000 from the student’s family for his safe return.

A team comprising members from Gauteng Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime Investigations, Hillbrow Detectives, Johannesburg Trio Detectives, Johannesburg Metro Police K9, security companies – including Vision Tactical, JT VIP, CAP Security, Fidelity Strategic Team – and Cellular Data Investigation, operationalised the information that led them to an ATM, where one of the suspects was expected to withdraw the ransom money on the M2 Road.

The police held an observation and placed the suspect under arrest as soon as he arrived. He then led the team to Denver Men’s Hostel, where the victim, aged 18, was found bound and unconscious.

Seven suspects were arrested, while three knives and the student’s personal items were also recovered. The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, has commended the swift response by a multi-disciplinary team for the rescue.

The MEC commended the rescue team for their efforts.

“I would like to commend the heroic law enforcement officials, who carried out the rescue operation. The successful apprehension of the suspects is a result of collaborative efforts by various law enforcement agencies and private security companies,” said MEC Mazibuko.

Electricity Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has described load shedding as an economic problem that government is urgently addressing, as his department relentlessly tackles generation and transmission challenges.

“It’s a structural constraint to the economy of the country and therefore it’s indispensable to the resolution of the economic question in the country,” he said on Thursday.

The Minister is hosting a Transmission Financing Seminar with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

The gathering will discuss the financing of South Africa’s Transmission Development Plan, which seeks to expand, support and secure the sustainability of South Africa’s energy mix and electricity supply.

The seminar brings together government, energy industry veterans and potential private sector investors to engage in a critical conversation on South Africa’s energy crisis.

Ramokgopa touched on the country’s Energy Action Plan (EAP), a comprehensive response by government to address the challenge of power cuts.

“In 1997, we were told that at the rate at which you are connecting households to the grid and the economy is growing, you’re going to run into a generation problem, a capacity problem 10 years later, and we know that we ran into that problem.”

This is the reason he believes the country needs to speedily attend to transmission with the same vigour it is handling generation capacity.

“We are saying also now if you don’t resolve the issues on the transmission side, having that problem today might not be as pronounced and I want to argue that it will be pronounced in the next six to 12 months.

“The similar amount of effort and exertion you’re placing on the generation side requires that they be placed also on the transmission side.”

Eskom’s transmission has the mandate to reliably control, maintain, plan, expand and provide access to an interconnected transmission system.

Ramokgopa told the summit that part of the problem that is confronting Eskom is structural constraint primarily presented by two issues – energy deficit and issues of logistics.

The Minister spoke frankly about the impact of load shedding.

He highlighted agriculture and manufacturing as sectors that are heavily impacted by severe shortages in power generation capacity.

“And what this does really borrows from the modelling that has been done by the South African Reserve Bank, which begins to illustrate the kind of injury that is inflicted by load shedding on the South African economy, potentially contracting the economy.”

The Minister has since called for all hands on deck to contribute towards the resolution of this “bleak picture”.

Ramokgopa, who has visited all power plants to better understand the challenges, said there are communities and businesses that have not had electricity for about six years.

“This is not an exaggeration. And so as a result of the failure of the distribution infrastructure, I’m talking about transformers and substations, and this comes about as a result of municipalities being financially unviable.”

The Minister said he will introduce regular updates on the transmission side.

“[This] is after we’ve gone to Cabinet [to present] the options that are available to us. Once that is adopted, then we will give feedback and then we’re doing a significant amount of work on the distribution side (sic).”

These interventions will see the country significantly strengthen and increase South Africa’s electricity supply and capacitate the energy sector in meeting global decarbonisation targets, thereby ensuring South Africa’s long-term energy security and energy sovereignty.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed concern about an incident that took place on Wednesday, where 90 learners from Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve were hospitalised after consuming “space cookies”, which are cookies laced with marijuana.

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said the students were rushed to local medical facilities after experiencing nausea, stomach cramps and some vomiting from allegedly consuming the space cookies.

“According to information at our disposal, approximately 90 learners from Grade R – 7 consumed what looked like muffins, suspected to be laced with dagga (space cookies), which they bought from a street vendor on their way to school. Educators witnessed strange behaviour from the learners in class and immediately called emergency services.

“All 90 affected learners were attended to by emergency services on school premises. However, they were all subsequently rushed to different medical facilities where their condition will be monitored,” the GDE said.

Police visited the school and subsequently, the street vendor was identified. Police will conduct their investigation accordingly.

“This is concerning for us and we call for patience from parents while investigations are underway and learners are recovering. We implore learners to be vigilant of what they purchase and consume, and be cautious of who they purchase food from. We wish all affected learners speedy recovery,” Chiloane said.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, has commended the swift response by a multi-disciplinary team that rescued a University of the Witwatersrand student, who was kidnapped on 19 September 2023 in Johannesburg.

In a statement on Thursday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the team arrested seven suspects and recovered three knives and the student’s personal items.

“The student was reported missing the same day by his roommate. It is reported that he was lured to the suspects through a dating site called Grindr. The suspects demanded R30 000 from his family for his safe return,” the SAPS said.

On 20 September 2023, the team comprising members from the Gauteng Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime Investigations, Hillbrow Detectives, Johannesburg Trio Detectives, Johannesburg Metro Police K9, security companies including Vision Tactical, JT VIP, CAP Security, Fidelity Strategic Team and Cellular Data Investigation, operationalised the information that led them to an ATM where one of the suspects was expected to withdraw the ransom money on the M2 Road.

The police held an observation and then placed the suspect under arrest as soon as he arrived. He then led the team to Denver Men’s Hostel, where the victim, aged 18, was found bound and unconscious.

“Six more suspects were arrested and the victim was rushed to hospital for medical attention.

“The team is currently investigating the possibility of linking these suspects to cases in Gauteng with the same modus operandi. All seven will be charged with kidnapping and extortion and they will be appearing before court soon.” the SAPS said.

The City of Ekurhuleni says it is actively addressing ongoing water supply challenges, particularly in the Tsakane/Geluksdal and Etwatwa/Daveyton areas, where low storage levels are affecting supply and pressure.

City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said in order to protect the system from cavitation, pumps are temporarily offline until water levels stabilise.

Dlamini said the KwaThema reservoir is currently empty and its outlets will remain closed overnight to replenish storage levels.

“We are working in close coordination with Rand Water, following their efforts to enhance the RW Mapleton system. We are awaiting further updates from Rand Water to ensure an equitable water supply for all residents.

“In the meantime, we are providing alternative water sources to all impacted communities. We urge the community to remain calm during this period as we work diligently to restore consistent water supply to all affected areas,” Dlamini said.