South Africa Vision

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members in various international obligations in Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the South African Development Community (SADC) Maritime security strategy.

The President has informed the National Assembly and Acting Speaker of the move, which was done in accordance with section 201(2)(C) of the Constitution.

‘The President has extended the employment of 1 495 members of the SANDF for service in fulfilment of an international obligation of the Republic of South Africa towards the SADC Region.

‘The deployment will help combat acts of terrorism and violent extremists affecting the northern areas of Mozambique under Operation VIKELA,’ the Presidency said in a statement.

That deployment will last until the end of the year at an estimated cost of R984 368 057.

‘The extended employment of 1 198 members of the SANDF, at the estimate expenditure of R805 057 755, is for service in fulfilment
of an international obligation towards the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission [MONUSCO] in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

‘Lastly, the 200 members of the SANDF extension of employment is for the fulfilment of an international obligation towards SADC Maritime Security Strategy [SADC MSS]. This deployment will help counter the threat of piracy and other related illegal maritime activities along the Southern African coast of the Indian Ocean. The expenditure estimate to be incurred for this deployment amounts to R35 325 852.

‘President Ramaphosa will communicate the report to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces,’ the statement said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, on Thursday inaugurated Namibia’s first Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Plastic Recycling Plant aimed at reducing plastic waste.

The N.dollars 24 million plant, situated in Okahandja, is a joint endeavor between Namibia Polymer Recyclers and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Namibia.

PET is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages, especially convenience-sized soft drinks, juices and water.

In a statement issued to Nampa, Shifeta at the inauguration ceremony said the cutting-edge facility will enable Namibia

Polymer Recyclers to process up to 500 tons of PET material per month which is significantly reducing the need for virgin PET while diverting substantial waste from landfills and our precious environment.

‘ By doubling the capacity of our mechanical plastic waste recycling, we are not only addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution but also unlocking economic opp
ortunities for our nation,’ he said.

Shifeta emphasised that his ministry remains committed to its mandate to create an enabling environment for doing business and to continue to initiate policy interventions and strategies to promote an environmentally friendly and conducive space for businesses to thrive.

He further noted that waste management practices such as composting, reusing, and reducing consumption can significantly lessen the environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has commended the Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision to reinstate the ruling in the rape case against paramedic, Loyiso Coko.

Coko was accused of raping his then 21-year-old girlfriend, who had repeatedly expressed her desire to preserve her virginity and not engage in penetrative intercourse.

Despite assurances from Coko that he respected her wishes, he, however, proceeded to sexually penetrate her without her consent, causing her distress and pain.

In 2018, the Regional Court in Makhanda found the State’s evidence compelling and convicted Coko of rape.

However, Coko appealed his conviction at the High Court in 2021 and the High Court ruled that his conviction was unsustainable based on the evidence presented.

The High Court further found that the Regional Court made significant errors in understanding the concept of consent in sexual penetration cases. It, however, found that consent can be given explicitly or implied through conduct.

The High Court postulated
that the complainant was an active participant due to her lack of objection to various actions before the sexual penetration, such as kissing, undressing, and oral sex, and concluded that force or coercion was not used by the accused.

The State appealed to the SCA, and on Wednesday ruled that consent must be given consciously and voluntarily, either explicitly or implicitly by individuals with the mental capacity to understand the nature of the act.

The SCA highlighted that consent to specific acts of sexual penetration is necessary, and withdrawal of consent during the act is valid. The court also concluded that the accused intentionally engaged in penetrative sexual intercourse without consent, despite assurances that he would not do so.

Commission for Gender Equality’s Chairperson, Advocate Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale, noted that in its submission, the CGE referred the court to foreign judicial precedent in interpreting sexual assault and in finding that ‘an act’ referred to in section 3 of the Criminal L
aw (Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act) Amendment Act 32 of 2007, does not mean more than one act.

‘Furthermore, the court indicated that such interpretation would undermine the purpose of the legislation,’ Sepanya-Mogale said.

Sepanya-Mogale said the Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision to set aside Coko’s acquittal and uphold his conviction is a monumental step in the nation’s fight against the scourge of rape.

Sepanya-Mogale said the judgment reaffirms the rights of women and children to dignity and physical integrity.

‘A 21-year-old woman was raped, and the Commission was disturbed by sentiments expressed in the High Court’s judgment implying that she was an active participant in her own rape due to her lack of objection. We hope that the SCA judgment will provide clarity on the matter of consent in respect of sexual intercourse.

‘We are equally relieved that the SCA has set the High Court ruling aside and we are looking forward to the consideration of the High Court on whether the sentence of sev
en years imprisonment that was imposed by the Reginal Court is appropriate in the matter,’ the chairperson said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani, has requested that President Nangolo Mbumba declare a State of Emergency on account of drought.

In an open letter to Mbumba seen by Nampa on Wednesday, Venaani said the declaration would help mobilise resources, accelerate assistance and draw international attention, all of which the country direly needs to tackle this looming disaster.

‘I impress upon you to heed the call of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry to declare drought a national emergency, as empowered by Chapter 4, Article 26 of the Constitution. Mr. president, the importance of this matter cannot be stated enough. The government ought to learn from historical disasters and devise strategies to better deal with calamities of this nature,’ read the letter.

He said the recent announcement by NamWater indicating that the three key dams in Windhoek are only filled to 18.7 per cent combined capacity serves as a dire warning, hinting at the perils that lie ahead, adding that the
relentless El Niño climatic phenomenon exacerbates this already precarious situation, causing severe rainfall shortages.

Venaani said the adverse effects of climate change have brought the nation to an alarming state, where the imminent threat of meteorological calamity overshadows daily existence, citing that the severe rainfall shortages indicate not merely a seasonal irregularity, but a dreadful specter of climate changes, a matter that deserves undivided attention and swift action.

‘Our farmers, the backbone of our economy, could bear the brunt of this impending disaster without timely and requisite assistance. We must remember, Mr. president, that the nature of our challenge is not merely environmental, it is human. The livelihoods at stake are the ones of our brothers and sisters, the very fabric of our society. Therefore, it is our moral duty to ensure their welfare, in the face of adversity,’ said Venaani.

He also called on the president to devise a crop subsidy for farmers that have cultivated mor
e than one hectare of land through insurance institutions such as NASRIA, as this particular category of farmers is usually left without any assistance.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu is set to establish an independent investigation into the alleged blockage of tributaries that lead to the Middle Letaba Dam in Limpopo, which has resulted in low water levels in the dam.

This follows Mchunu’s visit to the Oliphant Catchment Area, where Middle Letaba Dam is located.

The Minister and his Deputies, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala, conducted a site inspection at the streams and tributaries along some of the biggest farms at Mooketsi on Wednesday before interacting with the concerned farmers and community members, who have been negatively affected by the alleged blockages.

READ | Twenty-four Giyani villages expected to have running water by June

Middle Letaba Dam is fed from the Middle Letaba, Koedoes and Brandboontjies rivers in the Middle Letaba sub-catchment within the Olifant Catchment Area. Its primary objective is to supply raw water to domestic users and for irrigation purposes.

The dam is a source for Middle Letaba, Mapuve and Giyani Wat
er Treatment Works, through a 60km canal. It supplies 82% of water to agriculture, with industry and mining using 3% and 6% respectively, while 8% of water is for domestic use.

However, due to the low levels of the dam (currently at about 2.8%), the department said the water treatment works cannot yield raw water according to their designed capacities, resulting in restricted water supply to communities.

Mchunu said the department has received complaints from the concerned local farmers and community members, and it has conducted investigations into the claims.

He said the department has also implemented interventions that include developing groundwater to maximise the available source from the dam, and the transfer of water from Nandoni Dam to Nsami Dam to augment water in the Nsami system in Giyani.

Mchunu said the investigation will pave the way to solving the allegations of blockages of streams and illegal dams, and finally bring closure to the matter, ensuring fair distribution of water in the area.

‘
There have been complaints on these illegal blockages which cause water supply challenges in the area, and we have therefore resolved to set up an independent investigation into the matter, and its recommendations will give way to the resolution of the matter.

‘We understand that this is an urgent matter, and we will give our full attention to ensure that there is justice and fairness for everyone in the area,’ Mchunu said.

The Minister also visited Tzaneen Dam, where the R550 million wall raising project is currently underway.

He commended progress made on the project, which commenced last year and is currently at 25% completion.

The raising of the Tzaneen Dam wall by three metres will result in increased storage capacity, providing much-needed additional water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use in the north-east of Limpopo.

Mchunu and his deputies will on Thursday and Friday conduct an oversight inspection of bulk water infrastructure projects that are currently underway in Lebowakgomo and
Burgersfort in Limpopo.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the 2024 Freedom Day national celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria this weekend.

‘This commemoration calls on all South Africans to honour our past, celebrate our achievements, and collectively build a future where everyone enjoys equal rights,’ the Presidency said on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s celebrations.

This year’s Freedom Day marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic dispensation and commemorates the nation’s first democratic election on 27 April 1994.

Celebrated Under the theme: ’30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth,’ this year’s Freedom Month celebrations hold special significance as they also coincide with the 28th anniversary of the enactment of the South African Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

‘Reflecting on the strides made over the past three decades, we honour the sacrifices of those who fought tirelessly for a democratic, equal, and discrimination-free nation. The Freedom Day event will unite all spheres
of government and stakeholders and partners from all sectors of society in celebrating our democratic journey,’ the Presidency said.

VIEW | Read our Special Feature on the 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy

The observance of this historic milestone comes as preparations are being finalised for the 2024 National and Provincial elections taking place on Wednesday, May 29.

‘Freedom Day and Freedom Month seek to deepen understanding of South Africa’s history and development, foster dialogue on our constitutional journey, and mobilise the public and private sectors towards addressing pressing challenges.

‘Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa, Premier of Gauteng Province Panyaza Lesufi, and Members of the Executive Council, along with mayors and senior government officials, will join President Ramaphosa on this momentous occasion,’ the Presidency said.

Source: South African Government News Agency