Day: August 11, 2023

Voter registration will be held this weekend for four municipal ward by-elections scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 27 September 2023.

Voting stations in the wards listed below will be open this Saturday, 12 August 2023 and Sunday, 13 August 2023, from 08h00 to 17h00 to allow all

eligible voters to register and for current voters to check their registration details and to provide/update address details where necessary.

Voters should take their identity document (ID) with them – either a green barcoded ID book, a smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary ID Certificate.

They will also need to complete their physical home address on registration or provide sufficient particularities of their place of residence.

Documented proof of address (e.g. a municipal account) is not required.

Voters may also check and update their details at their local (municipal) Electoral Commission (IEC) office on weekdays during office hours.

Voters are reminded that it is a criminal offence to register and vote in a ward in which they are not ordinarily resident.

By-elections will be held in the following wards:

In KwaZulu-Natal

Ward 13 in uMhlathuze Municipality – KZN282, 6 837 registered voters, which became vacant as a result of the councillor’s resignation. Registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

Voting District/Station Number

Voting District

43412701

AMABUYE COMBINED SCHOOL

43412723

NDESHENI HIGH SCHOOL

43417043

MKHOBOSA PRIMARY SCHOOL

43418426

EMPEMBENI PRIMARY SCHOOL

In Limpopo

Ward 11 in Blouberg Municipality – LIM351, with 4 473 registered voters, which became vacant as a result of the councillor’s death. Registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

Voting District/Station Number

Voting Station Details

76130209

RAMATEMA HIGH SCHOOL

76130322

RALEKWANA SECODARY SCHOOL

76130535

SEHWIDITSANE PRIMARY SCHOOL

76130568

TSWATSANE PRIMARY SCHOOL

76130704

MANTOTOLE PRIMARY SCHOOL

In the North West

Ward 03 in Madibeng Municipality – NW372, with 4 410 registered voters, which became vacant as a result of the councillor’s death. Registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

Voting District/Station Number

Voting Station Details

86661513

NTOLO HIGH SCHOOL

86661524

MPYATILO PRIMARY SCHOOL

86661535

ROMAN CHURCH MADIDI

86661546

HALL 15

86663368

MMAMONWANA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Ward 03 in Maquassi Hills Municipality – NW404, with 2 956 registered voters, which became vacant as a result of the councillor’s death. Registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

Voting District/Station Number

Voting Station Details

86960032

RAGOGANG PRIMARY SCHOOL

86960076

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Special voting will take place at voting stations as well as through home visits on 26 September 2023 between 08h00 and 17h00. Voters wishing to apply to cast a special vote can apply at their local IEC office during office hours between

11 September 2023 and 15 September 2023.

Applications for special votes can also be made online via the IEC’s website, www.elections.org.za(link is external). Once voters have applied online they will receive an SMS notifying them of the outcome when their application has been processed.

They can also check the status of their special vote application online at www.elections.org.za(link is external).

Voters can also apply for special votes via cellphone by SMSing their identity number to 32249 (charged at R1). The SMS application facility is only available for those applying to cast a special vote at their voting station and NOT for home visits.

For more information on these by-elections contact your local (municipal) IEC office weekdays during office hours. Contact details for all IEC offices are available on the IEC website at www.elections.org.za(link is external) under Contact Us.

For media queries, please contact:

Kate Bapela

Cell: 082 600 6386

For media interviews, please email requests to: [email protected](link sends e-mail)

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IECSouthAfrica(link is external)

Instagram: www.instagram.com/IECSouthAfrica(link is external)

X (formerly Twitter): @IECSouthAfrica

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/IECSouthAfrica(link is external)

Website: www.elections.org.za(link is external)

WhatsApp: 0600 88 0000

Election timetable for all municipal By-elections called on or before 18 August 2023 to be held on 27 September 2023

The cut-off dates for the various electoral processes for these by-elections are as follows:

18 August 2023

Notice calling the by-election on or before, and opening of nomination of candidates

21 August 2023

Open inspection voters’ roll for objections

28 August 2023

Close inspection voters’ roll for objections

01 September 2023

Electoral Commission to decide on objections to voters’ roll

04 September 2023

Certification of voters’ roll

4 September 2023

Cut-off date and time for submission of nomination of candidates

5 September 2023

Cut-off date to notify party/independent nominator of non-compliance of outstanding candidate documents

8 September 2023

Notices: List of and particulars pertaining to voting stations and mobile voting stations

8 September 2023

The cut-off date for party/independent nominator to submit ID copy and/or signed Acceptance of Nomination

11 September 2023

Opening of applications for special votes

11 September 2023

Compilation and certification of lists of candidates contesting a ward

11 September 2023

Issue certificates to candidates

15 September 2023

Closing of applications for special votes

26 September 2023

Special votes at voting stations and special vote home visits, 08h00 to 17h00

27 September 2023

By-Election date

(Note: All deadlines are at 17h00 on the date listed)

Electoral Commission

Tel: 012 622 5941

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, this morning commended Dr Marcos Orellana, UN Special Rapporteur on Toxins and Human Rights, on his successful visit to South Africa from 31 July – 11 August 2023.

Welcoming the outcome of Dr Orellana’s visit, Minister Creecy urged the United Nations to support South Africa’s journey from environmental racism to sustainable development and realization of the human rights contained in Section 24 of the Constitution.

“We look forward to the outcome of the report and hope that the Special Rapporteur will continue to support South Africa in its quest to improve environmental management and the realization of environmental rights,” said Minister Creecy.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment had arranged for Dr Orellana to hold widespread discussions on the problem of chemicals and hazardous waste with government, business, civil society and organised labour. Dr Orellana also conducted site visits.

The Minister emphasised the importance for developing countries to receive technological transfer, technical assistance, and financial assistance to make a safe environment a reality. “Rapid urbanization, industrialization and immigration, combined with fiscal challenges, have negatively impacted on government’s ability to effectively manage environmental challenges,” the Minister said.

Dr Orellana will present a report on his visit and his findings and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in September 2024.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Peter Mbelengwa

Cell: 082 611 8197

Source: Government of South Africa

The Kwara Government has pledged to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the fight against illegal mining in the state.

Mr. Okanlawon Musa-Olarewaju, Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, made the pledge on Friday, when he paid a courtesy visit on the Ilorin Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Mr Michael Nzekwe.

Musa-Olarewaju, said that the state government was solidly behind EFCC in its efforts to rid the state of illegal miners operating at different locations within the 16 local government areas of the state.

He urged the anti-graft agency not to be deterred by the antics of some corrupt individuals benefiting from the illegal operations.

“We are following your activities closely, especially the latest arrest of some Chinese Nationals over alleged illegal mining in the state.

“The Chinese people have a company in Olayinka, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara. When I visited the place, I almost shed tears. The place is not developed, the roads are not motorable and yet the company is not paying royalty to the government”, he said.

According to him, no fewer than 230 mining operators are in the state, and none of them has come forward to revalidate operating licences.

“We have called them now to come to the ministry to bring their documents for regularisation and revalidation,” the permanent secretary added.

Responding, Nzekwe commended the ministry for pledging to support the commission in the fight against corruption, particularly its onslaught against illegal mining.

He said such support and collaboration from stakeholders is what the EFCC needs to stamp out corruption in the country.

The EFCC zonal commander further vowed to ensure that the operators abide by the rules of the game by paying royalties to government and also obeying the local content law.

He hinted on plans by the commission to set up a taskforce to tackle illegal mining across the state.

According to him, the task force will comprise representatives of all law enforcement agencies, while the EFCC will be saddled with prosecuting suspects arrested by the taskforce.

He added that the first task of the committee would be to meet all stakeholders to get supports for the fight against illegal mining business in the state.

Nzekwe further revealed that the zone within the last one year had secured the conviction of five illegal minners, aside the huge amount of money recovered from the sector.

He added that the commission would not slow down in its efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Jela’s Development Initiatives (JDI), an NGO, trained over 40 teachers and caregivers of young persons with disabilities on mental health to boost their wellbeing.

The Chief Executive Officer of JDI, Angela Ochu-Baiye, who spoke in Abuja said the two-day training would help to create a trauma sensitive environment for Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) especially students.

According to her, the event jointly organised by JDI, the Leprosy Mission and Liliane Fonds for students in the FCT centered on basic mental healthcare and sexual/reproductive health and rights of students with disabilities.

Ochu-Baiye said: “We have started empowering teachers and caregivers that work with students living with disabilities in the two inclusive schools in the FCT.

“They include students with disabilities in GSS Kuje and GSS Kwali, JDSS Kwali, FCT. We have been funded by the mission to carry out unburden group therapy sessions for students with disabilities.

“We found out that there are certain issues that cause students with disabilities to have mental health challenges and part of them also have to do with their teachers.

“Therefore, this training is to empower the teachers to understand their mental health and to enable them create trauma sensitive environments for the students.

“Also, to let the teachers know that these students with disabilities have sexual and reproductive health rights as well.”

Also speaking, Mr Tayo Adefarasin, Sexual and Reproductive Health Specialist, JDI, described women and children as being most vulnerable, especially those with disabilities.

According to him, it has become important to take sexual/reproductive health seriously.

“We believe it is pertinent to take into consideration women and girls living with disabilities by providing them with some basic healthcare amenities,

“It could be as little as disposable pads during the menstrual cycle, specifically educating them to gauge their body to know what changing signs are when experiencing puberty.

“We need to sensitise them to be sensitive when somebody touches them in a particular manner, know when to move away from and also know how and when to say no.

“These are the issues on the front burner concerning people living with disability,”Adefarasin said.

On her part, Mrs Zainab Nuhu, Senior Education Officer FCT Secondary Education Board, described the event as an opportunity to sensitise the teachers on the importance of mental health.

“I believe there should be more awareness for school teachers, because a lot of people do not know these things.

“Most of them do not have people living with disabilities close to them; I learnt a lot from this training and I will inform the board about the need for more awareness,”Nuhu said.

On his part, Mr Agada Aguda, Head of Department for Special Needs Education, Junior Day Secondary School, Kwali-FCT, appreciated the training.

He said that the event helped to promote teaching and learning about mental health, as well as proper ways to cater for the needs of students living with disabilities.

“I want to sincerely thank JDI for this initiative, because the workshop has helped me to know more about mental health.

“Also, in ways such could assist these students, in relation to their mental health and proper ways to handle them with care.

“This workshop also opened my eyes to know about how to protect the rights of the children living with disability and to fight for their fundamental right,” he said.

He decried challenges often faced by children living with disability, saying they suffer double tragedy of discrimination and stigmatization in the society.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Tensions remain high in the aftermath of a coup in Niger Republic as the military junta refused entry to a negotiating mission planned for Tuesday by the United Nations, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).

The military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso have called on the UN Security Council to prevent military action against the putschists in their neighbouring country Niger.

ECOWAS threatened this as a possible reaction to the coup d’état at the end of July in which the military seized power in Niger, suspended the constitution, and imprisoned the president.

In Tuesday’s letter, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop and Burkinese Foreign Minister Olivia Rouamba addressed the UN’s most powerful body as well as the African Union.

“The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and the Republic of Mali appeal to the primary responsibility of the (UN) Security Council as guarantor of international peace and security to prevent, by all means at its disposal, armed action against a sovereign state, the consequences of which would be unforeseeable in their magnitude,” the letter reads.

The aim is “to avoid, in addition to the deterioration of the security situation with the multiplication and spread of terrorist groups, a humanitarian tragedy, which would add to the difficulties of a population legitimately waiting for support.”

Both Mali and Burkina Faso are currently suspended from ECOWAS following coups and have clearly sided with the military rulers in Niger.

They declared that they would not support the ECOWAS sanctions and that any military action would be seen as a “declaration of war” against their own states.

Mali’s Diop caused a stir at the UN Security Council in New York in June when he called for the immediate withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission that has been stationed in Mali for a decade.

Coming from Libya and northern Mali, Islamist terrorist groups have been spreading in the three bordering countries since 2012.

The U.S. government said it continues to hope for a diplomatic solution after the coup in Niger but at the same time it is realistic, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in Washington on Tuesday.

U.S. diplomat Victoria Nuland spoke with members of the junta in the capital Niamey on Monday, but was not allowed to meet either the detained President Mohamed Bazoum or the military ruler General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

Tchiani received a delegation from Mali and Burkina Faso on Monday, who assured him of their support.

The junta announced a prime minister and other posts late on Monday night.

Ahead of the special ECOWAS summit on the coup in Niger, Nigeria has underscored its hope for a negotiated solution.

President Bola Tinubu believes “diplomacy is the best way forward” to resolve the crisis, his spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said on Tuesday.

“This represents “the consensus position of the ECOWAS heads of states,” he said.

Tinubu is currently ECOWAS chair. At the summit, “far-reaching decisions will be taken concerning the next steps the regional bloc will take,” the spokesman said.

He added that “no options have been taken off the table.”

The federation of currently 11 states plans to meet in Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Thursday.

The military chiefs of the ECOWAS countries had presented a plan for a possible intervention last week.

Besides Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, and Ivory Coast have declared their readiness for military intervention.

The French broadcaster RFI reported on Tuesday that the plans included a force of 25,000 soldiers.

The military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, which were suspended by ECOWAS after coups, support the putschists in Niger.

Malian Minister of Territorial Administration Abdoulaye Maïga reaffirmed after his meeting with General Tchiani in Niger on Monday “the active, effective and full participation of Mali and Burkina Faso in legitimate defence operations in the event of an ECOWAS attack on Niger.”

On July 26, officers of the presidential guard in Niger ousted the democratically elected Bazoum.

The commander of the elite unit, Tchiani, subsequently appointed himself the new ruler, then the putschists suspended the constitution and dissolved all constitutional institutions.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria