Month: September 2023

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Herunga urges party members to avoid spreading misinformation


Swapo Party deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has encouraged party members to desist from spreading inaccurate information, specifically referring to members who are advocating for an extra-ordinary congress.



Herunga, during a ground-breaking ceremony for the Tallismanus party office in the Otjombinde Constituency on Saturday, cautioned party members to be cognisant of “some party members” who want the party to have an extra-ordinary congress to vote for a party presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election.



“These members include senior party members. As the deputy secretary general of the party, I want to make it clear that we are fresh from the renewal of our mandate, we have elected our Swapo Party leaders at all levels, and we are guided by the constitution of the party and other documents,” he said.



“People are asking how we arrived at the sole presidential candidate, dear comrades before the party congress everybody, every Swapo Party member, knew that the Swapo member who becomes vice president of our party will automatically become the presidential candidate,” he added.



At the same occasion, Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah applauded party leadership and members in the Otjombinde Constituency and encouraged them to work hard and recruit more members for the party.



“The new Swapo leaders are ready to serve with commitment, dedication and honesty,” she assured the members, adding that for members to fulfil the last congress solution they should long for unity of purpose.



“As national leaders we are obliged to protect the Swapo constitution, rules and regulations and to implement the decision taken by our elective congress, being the highest decision-making body of our party,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.



The party welcomed 122 new members from Otjombinde while members and sympathisers pledged N.dollars 174 300 for the construction of the party office in Tallismanus.



Source: Namibia Press Agency

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Uutoni applauds regional councils for promoting employee wellness through sports


Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni on Monday commended all 14 regional councils and their leadership for striving to improve employees’ wellness through recreational interventions such as sports to achieve a healthy work-life balance.



Uutoni made the remarks at the fifth regional annual wellness sports week, which is being held under the theme ‘Our wellness, the road towards productivity’ at the Olufuko Festival Centre in Outapi.



The minister in a speech availed to Nampa said the theme was a good choice because wellness programmes are primarily created to help workers improve and maintain their health, which has a direct impact on increasing productivity within the workplace.



“It is a known fact that excessive workload increases mental and physical distress and could lead to low productivity given the constant pressure and overwhelming demands within our workplaces. Not everyone knows how to manage stress and cultivate a work-life balance and when employees constantly feel exhausted, their physical and mental abilities suffer, and their performance could take a fall,” Uutoni stressed.



He said sports can be a powerful tool to help the current situation of high youth unemployment in Namibia as investing in sporting and recreational facilities could create an avenue for sports champions to emerge.



Source: Namibia Press Agency

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Three companies fined for contravention of export permit conditions


Three companies who attempted to export scrap metal and copper ingots without valid export permits have been fined in the Durban Regional Court.



Amalgamated Metal Recycling (Pty) Ltd, Cayo Largo Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Group Wreck International Non-Ferrous (Pty) Ltd entered a Section 105A plea and sentence agreement.



All three companies admitted the allegations and counts contained in their respective charge sheets, and to a contravention of section 54(1)(b) of the International Trade Administration (ITA) Act.



This is according to a statement by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC), which is vested by the ITA Act with the authority to issue import and export permits.



Permits issued under such authority prescribe the kind, quantity, value and other attributes of goods that can be imported into or exported from South Africa.



Scrap metal and copper ingots are examples of products that are subject to permitting.



In a statement, ITAC said each of the three companies is a licensed metal recycling merchant that collects, sorts, processes, recycles and sells recycled metal.



“The sale of certain scrap metals, at the time of the contravention, was subject to ITAC export permit control and/or the Price Preference System (“PPS”) on the exportation of scrap metal, introduced in 2013 to promote the affordable supply of scrap metal to domestic steel and other metal makers, by requiring scrap dealers to first offer scrap to the domestic consuming industry at a prescribed discount to international prices, before it can be exported to other markets.



“If such recycled metal at that time could not be sold locally in terms of the PPS, a prospective seller (the accused) could apply to the ITAC for an export permit, allowing the export of the metal to foreign buyers.



“Furthermore, the exportation of copper and copper alloy ingots is subject to ITAC export control measures, mainly to ensure that stolen infrastructure is not smelted and exported,” it said.



The respective companies applied for the requisite permits for scrap metal and ingots, after having offered such scrap on the local market and after such offers were not taken up locally.



On obtaining the requisite export permits, the companies sourced a foreign buyer and sought to arrange the logistics and shipping of the scrap to give effect to the sale.



“The three companies admitted that, when the containers were entered into the customs export stacks for exportation, the export permits were no longer valid.



“All three companies admitted that they are guilty of contravening section 54(1)(a) and or (b), read with sections 1, 6(1)(c), 15, 26, 27, 55 and 56 of the ITA Act, as read with Government Notice R92 published in the Government Gazette 35007.



“Since the accused had failed to apply for new or revised permits at the time of export, the presiding officer Anand Maharaj found the respective entities guilty of contravention of the ITA Act,” said ITAC.



All three companies further admitted that they benefited from the proceeds of their crime and consented to three separate Section 18 orders issued in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 121 of 1998 (POCA), said the commission.



According to ITAC, the following orders were made by the court:



– Amalgamated Metal Recycling (Pty) Ltd to pay R250 000 into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account established in terms of Section 63 of the POCA.



– Cayo Largo Holdings (Pty) Ltd to pay R250 000 into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account.



– Group Wreck International Non-Ferrous (Pty) Ltd to pay R1 000 000 into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account.



ITAC said it will continue to work with law enforcement agencies and the National Prosecution Authority to ensure that those involved in illegal exports and imports and permit abuse face the consequences of their actions. – SAnews.gov.za



Source: South African Government News Agency

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Didiza commends agri sector’s contribution to economy


Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, says growth in the agricultural sector signifies the importance and influence of the sector in the nation’s economy.



Didiza’s remarks come after the latest figures released by Statistics South Africa on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2023, showing that the agricultural sector was once again, one of the biggest contributors to the country’s economic growth.



The report showed that the agricultural sector grew by 4.2% in the second quarter of 2023, fuelled largely by a good summer harvest of grains, and oilseeds commodities, coupled with solid horticultural exports.



The report also showed that South Africa has, in the second quarter of 2023, exported agricultural products worth R60.2 billion, which is almost 13% higher than the corresponding period last year.



Didiza commended the agricultural sector’s continued contribution to the country’s economy, noting that currently, the country is expected to harvest 16.4 million tons of maize and about 743 000 tons of sunflower, a crop size that will bode well for consumers, as food inflation will subside.



“The growth in agriculture and its contribution to the country’s economy can be attributed to the increasing footprint of South Africa’s agricultural products in the international markets.



“This is underscored by government’s decisions to invest resources in opening new export markets, while maintaining trade relations with existing markets,” Didiza said.



Didiza said already in July 2023, food inflation had receded to 9.9%, providing a much-needed relief to consumers.



In August 2023, the Minister secured new export markets for avocados, beef and other animal products to countries including Saudi Arabia and China.



“The drive to open new export opportunities will continue as government strives to grow a competitive, resilient and export-oriented agriculture,” Didiza said. – SAnews.gov.za



Source: South African Government News Agency

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Magalies Water welcomes BCCSA ruling


Magalies Water says it has noted the judgement issued by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) which ruled in its favour against SABC News.



The matter relates to a news report broadcast and published on 21 June 2023 across SABC News platforms about alleged water quality non-compliances recorded at the Mmabatho Water Treatment Plant.



Magalies Water said in a statement on Monday that the plant, through agreement with the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM), is managed and operated by Magalies Water on behalf of the district municipality.



“While Magalies Water is on record admitting that prior to taking over the operations at the water treatment plant, which was previously operated and managed by the erstwhile Sedibeng Water, numerous operational challenges had affected water quality output, as was reported in the Blue Drop Watch Report for the 2021/22 financial year, the situation has improved.



“Within reasonable time, through collaboration many of the identified challenges were resolved,” said Magalies Water.



The NMMDM, as the asset owner and a responsible arm of government, would have not continued to maintain a working relationship with Magalies Water at the detriment of the residents who are the primary recipients of this important service.



The progress was consequently reported to the accounting authority – the Department of Water and Sanitation – and this information was supplied to SABC News as well, during their own investigations relating to the allegations of continued water quality non-compliances.



“Magalies Water’s Scientific Services, through its SANS 241 accredited scientific laboratory ensures that water treatment processes at the water treatment plant, result in potable water of the highest quality, which is certified as safe for human consumption and does not pose any health-risks to the consumers.



“To date, the water treatment plant, is regularly monitored and tested for non-compliances. Where noncompliances are observed, Magalies Water immediately activates quality assurance processes in line with the water sector standards, to resolve such,” said Magalies Water.



In its judgement, according to Magalies Water, the BCCSA found that SABC News failed to comply with provisions of Section 12 (3) of the code of conduct, which reads: “Clause 12(3) of the Code of Conduct determines if a person who has stated that he or she is not available for comment or such a person could not reasonably be reached to comment on a public issue, it must be stated in the programme. If there is no response from a person or party whose issues are to be discussed, or if, as in this instance the response is not received timeously, the Broadcaster is obliged to mention this fact on air. Applied to the facts of this case the Broadcaster should have indicated that the Complainant was asked for its comment but that their response had not reached the Broadcaster at the time of the broadcast.”



The Commission has assured Magalies Water that SABC News has been reprimanded in accordance with the ruling.



Magalies Water Chief Executive Sandile Mkhize said the judgement vindicated the water utility’s position and reaffirmed its integrity as a reputable bulk water services provider.



He said SABC News’ approach, story treatment and delivery fell short of the BCCSA code of conduct as Magalies Water’s complaint was based on fairness.



“We are not only relieved but also vindicated. It has always been our position that the SABC needed to act responsibly and not be sensationalist in its approach.



“The misrepresentation that Magalies Water suffered extended to doubts in the minds many, as it relates to our capacity, skills, and technical knowledge to improve water quality within the area of operation.



“We appreciate the role of the media as the fourth estate and its watchdog function, however, it is critical that the conduct of journalists and editors alike is beyond reproach given their responsibility to society” Mkhize said. – SAnews.gov.za



Source: South African Government News Agency

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Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to be laid to rest on Friday


The funeral of the late Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) founding President and Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu Nation, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, will take place on Friday, 15 September 2023.



The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, as well as the Buthelezi family, made the announcement after a short meeting on Sunday.



“The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has confirmed that there is ongoing communication with The Presidency on the funeral arrangements. The Premier stated that the funeral service and the associated ceremonial logistics will be communicated in due course,” the provincial government said in a statement.



Prince Buthelezi passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 95.



Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the passing of Prince Buthelezi, the KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council, led by the Premier, visited KwaPhindangene in Nkonjeni, uLundi, to pay respects to the family.



Dube-Ncube said Prince Buthelezi was a giant whose footsteps are etched indelibly on the canvas of time, and his role in the negotiations, which led to the democratic transition was emphatic.



“His passing is equivalent to the burning down of a library as Prince Buthelezi was an unmatched chronicler and an encyclopaedia of our history. His memory was, even until his passing, photographic and his storytelling the stuff of international theatres.



“As he transitions to the world of ancestors, our hearts are deeply pained by the loss. On behalf of the government and people of KwaZulu-Natal we doff our hats to Prince Buthelezi for his own part in seeking to work for the people of our country. May his soul rest in peace,” Dube-Ncube said.



Meanwhile, in their quest to grieve the sad passing of Prince Buthelezi in private, while accommodating mourners who are streaming in to pay their respects, the family has set up a marquee at the entrance of the homestead where a daily service will be held at 5pm.



The family has thanked South Africans from all walks of life for the outpouring of messages of condolences as they mourn the sad passing of the family head. – SAnews.gov.za



Source: South African Government News Agency