Month: December 2022

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President to receive report on state capture inquiry

President Cyril Ramaphosa will formally receive the first part of the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State.

A statement on the Special Cabinet Meeting that took place on Thursday said the hand-over of the first part of the Commission Report will take place on Tuesday, 4 January 2022.

“The Commission Chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, will hand over the first part of the report at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This follows the ruling of the Gauteng High Court on 28 December 2021, which extended the term of the Commission to 28 February 2022.

“In its submission to the Court, the Commission indicated that it would submit its report to the President in three parts: the first to be submitted at the end of December 2021, the second at the end of January 2022 and the last at the end of February 2022,” Cabinet said on Friday.

While the Commission has indicated that it is ready to hand over the on 31 December 2021, as it had committed, the formal handover of the report will only take place early next week due to the mourning period in honour of the late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

According to the court order of 28 December, the President will have until 30 June 2022 to submit the report to Parliament with an indication of his intentions regarding implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.

“As the President indicated to the Court, only once the final instalment has been received will it be possible to have complete sight of the report’s implications and to develop an implementation plan on the recommendations.

“President Ramaphosa has decided that each part of the report will be released to the public immediately after it is submitted to the President by the Commission,” Cabinet said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Roads closures around St. George’s Cathedral precinct

The City of Cape Town has advised the public, and motorists in particular, that numerous roads in the city centre have been closed due to the funeral service for the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

The road closures will remain in place until Saturday.

“Motorists are advised to please find alternative routes during this time, or to avoid the St. George’s Cathedral precinct entirely, if possible. A number of roads including Wale and Adderley Streets will be closed until Saturday afternoon,” said the city.

A full list of road closures is available here: https://bit.ly/RoadClosures-TutuFuneral.

In addition, the city has advised the public that the Company’s Garden will be closed on New Year’s Day, due to the funeral service.

A public viewing area for the funeral service will be set up on the Grand Parade. While there are no planned road closures in this area, it is subject to change, depending on the turnout.

Also, the public has been reminded that an online condolence book is available at this link: here.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Police in Gauteng are operationally ready to ensure a safe, secure and incident-free crossover to 2023

PARKTOWN – The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, is satisfied with the operational plans that have been put in place for the New Year’s Cross Over celebrations at identified hot spots in the province.

The multi-disciplinary operational plans will be implemented simultaneously in the province’s five districts, starting with the detectives’ suspects raiding operations across the province. This would be the first phase of implementation which will be followed by the second phase, high density operations in the morning of 31 December 2022 as the build up to the third phase of overnight cross over operations.

Thus far suspects raiding operations conducted during this week have resulted in the arrest of 926 wanted perpetrators for serious crimes, 178 undocumented persons, 17 for drug related offences, 137 for domestic violence related offences and 21 for rape.

The second phase of the high density operation will comprise of activities that will include compliance inspections at liquor outlets, saturation of crime hot spot areas, stop and searches as well as roadblocks at identified strategic roads to prevent road carnage, drinking and driving, proliferation of illegal firearms, and to search for contraband and drugs.

The cross over operations on the other hand will comprise of all law enforcement agencies as well as various stakeholders. Target areas will include among others, hot spot areas like Berea, Hillbrow, Johannesburg Central, Yeoville, Soweto, Kagiso, Krugersdorp, Bekkersdal, Tembisa, Ivory Park, De Deur, Orange Farms, Evaton, Sunnyside, Pretoria Central, Temba, Stinkwater, Suurman, Soshanguve and Rietgat.

The Provincial Commissioner has reiterated Gauteng’s zero tolerance to public drinking. He has also appealed to the public to exercise responsible alcohol consumption during celebrations and to refrain from beating one another while drunk or through confrontations/misunderstandings/conflicts.

“Our contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, assault GBH and common assault as well as sexual offences increase during this period. As the police, we will be on the ground in our numbers to prevent these crimes. We will further have increased visibility to deter criminals targeting taxis and e-hailing vehicles from committing hijackings for transport purposes,” said Lt Gen Mawela who went on to appeal to residents whose neighbours are away to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour in their surroundings.

The police will further be conducting blue light patrols within our communities to monitor vacant premises while also ensuring compliance at liquor outlets.

Safety tips:

Don’t drink and drive
Avoid unnecessary conflicts and arguments
Use a safe mode of transport
Use alcohol in a responsible manner
Report any suspicious behaviour and conduct to the police
The police would like to warn firearm owners against discharging their firearms in build-up and congested areas while celebrating the cross over the New Year as the repercussions would be dire for those in close proximity. Discharging a firearm in a public place remains a criminal offence.

All law abiding citizens are encouraged to report active criminal activity in their surroundings to the SAPS emergency number 10111.

The public may also send crime tip-offs via MySAPS Application or contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

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Exiled Former Botswana President Khama Faces Arrest

GABORONE, BOTSWANA — A Botswana court has issued an arrest warrant for former President Ian Khama, who is facing 14 charges ranging from unlawful possession of firearms to money laundering.

Khama fled to neighboring South Africa a year ago, after a bitter fallout with his hand-picked successor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Khama was formally charged in April but has yet to appear in court. The warrant said Khama should be arrested on sight.

Khama was officially charged in absentia in April 2022 but has not made a single court appearance.

The arrest warrant for Khama stems from charges of the illegal possession of firearms, a crime he allegedly committed in 2016.

But Khama, who led Botswana between 2008 and 2018, told VOA he is being persecuted for his opposition to Masisi, a former ally.

“This warrant is the latest in a long, long line of actions that Masisi and his regime have targeted me with in order to remove me from the scene as we go towards the 2024 [general] elections,” Khama said. “I have been and I will continue being more and more targeted in this manner because I remain the most constant voice condemning and exposing Masisi for the incompetent failure that he is.”

Khama said he will welcome any extradition request that will enable him to expose what he calls “fabrications” by the government but adds he will tread with caution.

“Am I prepared for the consequences? Well, as prepared as one can be,” he said. “Don’t forget that these people have tried on three separate occasions to poison me. So that is what one is up against. But at the end of the day, we can certainly not allow this rot, this cancer in our country, to continue.”

Khama quit the ruling Botswana Democratic Party in 2019 and is now a patron of the splinter Botswana Patriotic Front.

He has indicated he is ready to return home, without mentioning a specific date.
Piers Pigou, of the International Crisis Group for southern Africa, said it is important to ensure there is no interference in due process.

“Political disagreements are one thing. Manipulating institutions for partisan political purposes is something quite different,” Pigou said. “The arrest warrant dragging from a case in 2016 and employing it six years later is going to be seen as some kind of political targeting. The integrity of state institutions should be subject to greater scrutiny to help avoid this disagreement deepening further.”

The arrest warrant could allow Botswana to seek Khama’s extradition from South Africa.

Pigou said bringing the case to court could answer lingering questions.

“It could assess where the problem lies,” Pigou said, “whether there is merit in the case being put forward here or if indeed it appears to be a result of external pressure to manipulate a particular outcome.”

Khama was charged along with former intelligence boss Isaac Kgosi, suspended police commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe and Victor Paledi, a former senior government employee.

Under Botswana law, illegal possession of a firearm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Source: Voice of America

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South Africa: Government hosts memorial service for victims of Boksburg explosion

JOHANNESBURG, Mourners are expected to pay their respects to the victims of the of Boksburg explosion during a memorial service hosted by the Gauteng provincial government on Friday at the Boksburg Civic Centre.

The death toll of the explosion incident of a truck near the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital on Saturday, Dec 24, now reportedly stands at 27.

According to a media report, 10 of the deceased are health workers from Tambo Memorial Hospital.

Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, together with Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, are expected to attend the memorial service.

President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this week expressed deep sadness at the continued loss of life following the explosion.

“The nation’s hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating incident. Such events take on greater sadness and tragedy when they occur at this time of year when all of us pray for safety and look forward to the togetherness and comfort of extended time with family and friends.

“In this instance, the loss of life is rendered more intense because some of the victims were hospital patients, hospital staff and children, while firefighters are counted among the injured.

“While we await the outcome of investigations into this tragedy, this incident does, like so many others, call on all of us to show due care and to avoid risk when we are out on our roads, which we share as a public amenity,” the President said.

He has expressed his appreciation for the rescue and recovery efforts by government agencies and services, as well as organisations such as Gift of the Givers.

The truck driver has been released on a warning pending further investigation.

The 32-year-old suspect had been charged with multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligent causing of an explosion, resulting in death [Act 26 of 1956, Section 27 (2)] and malicious damage to property.

Source: Nam News Network

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Saint Lucia updates its Citizenship by Investment regulations to remain competitive in the investment migration industry

Castries, Dec. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Saint Lucia has amended the regulations of its Citizenship by Investment Programme to remain increasingly competitive and ensure that the Caribbean country fulfils its mandate of growing demand for its investment products for the ultimate benefit of the people of Saint Lucia.

As one of the youngest Citizenship by Investment products in the market, Saint Lucia has made bold strides in offering an alternative investment option in the Caribbean’s most developed and diverse economies.

The country’s Citizenship by Investment Unit has taken a comprehensive review of its Citizenship by Investment offerings following approvals from the Citizenship by Investment Board and Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Ernest Hilaire. The below amendments to the existing regulations will take effect from 1 January 2023.

  • Developers applying for approved real estate under the Citizenship by Investment Programme or enterprise projects will now have to pay due diligence and background check fee of US$7,500.
  • The replacement fee for a lost or damaged certificate will increase from US$100 to US$500.
  • Investors who have been a citizen of Saint Lucia for 12 months or less that are looking to include a newborn dependent through the country’s National Economic Fund will now have to pay a fee of US$5000, this has increased from US$500.
  • There is also an introduction of a new Bond Offer for investors purchasing non-interest-bearing Government Bonds with the following qualifying investment sums:
Category of applicant Bond purchase sum Bond holding period
Applicant and all qualifying dependents of any number US$300,000 5-year holding bond
Administrative fee (regardless of the number of dependants) US$50,000
  • To qualify for second citizenship through the real estate option, investors will have to invest a minimum of US$200,000, a reduction from US$300,000.

Saint Lucia is emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in the Caribbean region and the nation is well-known for offering various investment and business opportunities for people looking for options to plan their wealth and diversify their portfolios.

The country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme is a perfect choice as it offers ideal business opportunities to investors who do not want to be bound by border limitations.

The Caribbean country is recognized for providing a second home not just to investors but to their families too. The nation has been lauded for its advanced and modernized infrastructure. Saint Lucia has one of the most resilient, modernized education and healthcare systems in the region, which makes it ideal for investors and their families.

The Citizenship by Investment Programme of this Caribbean country attracts Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the nation which is used for advancing various projects such as the development of infrastructure, advancement of real estate, business expansion and job innovation.

The CBI Index 2022, published by PWM Magazine of Financial Times, reported that CBI is assuring the small island nation of Saint Lucia has become independent, developed and prosperous in the true sense. The report also recognized the programme for its “Ease of Processing” and “Due Diligence” Pillars. This year, Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme climbed a spot and gained the third position.

Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Unit makes sure that citizenship is given to credible applicants of good standing while their dependants over the age of sixteen are also subject to multi-layered due diligence checks, in order to qualify for alternative citizenship. Saint Lucia asks for detailed information from the applicants to understand the funding source of the investors who want citizenship.

On this due diligence aspect, Minister Ernest Hilaire recently addressed concerns and fears related to Saint Lucia’s CBI Programme. He gave assurance that the government of Saint Lucia and its CBI Unit perform a strict and rigid due diligence process. Hilaire explained that the due diligence process is a multi-layered procedure noting, “Due diligence is performed by our Unit on all applicants, this is then followed by another due diligence check by the banks. This is then followed by due diligence checks by international intelligence units who also do on-the-ground assessments.”

He also noted that the Government and Unit have been planning to review the country’s CBI programme, making it more attractive as well as competitive. Minister Hilaire announced that these updates would maintain the country’s rigorous but seamless vetting process.

While the programme is the newest in the region, launched in 2016, the Government has made sure to set the bar very high – the programme has been regarded as one of the most advanced, secure as well as transparent programmes.

Through the National Economic Fund, this prestigious programme has helped the nation to develop important public infrastructure. The funds from the programme have been directly contributing to advancing the standard of living of Saint Lucians.

Alternative citizenship in the Caribbean nation is emerging as a platform to alleviate and tackle the risk of uncertainty and unpredictability in future. There is no other better plan than investing in building a new home at a place which offers ample opportunities and, most importantly, peace out of the hustle and bustle of big cities.

PR Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
+1 758 458 6050
mildred.thabane@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8721602