Day: February 1, 2024

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed Proclamation R147 of 2024 authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in the affairs of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA).

The SIU is also authorised to recover any financial losses suffered by the State and ECDRA.

‘Proclamation R147 of 2024 authorises the SIU to probe the procurement and/or contracting for goods, works or services concerning a tender for the planning and design of the Marine Tilapia Industry Incubator Project within the Mbhashe Local Municipality, by or on behalf of the ECRDA,’ said the SIU in a statement.

It will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by ECRDA or the State.

The scope of the investigation also covers any unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of ECRDA, the applicable suppliers or service providers or any other person or entity.

The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper
conduct that took place between 1 February 2020 and 26 January 2024, the date of the publication of the Proclamation or before 1 February 2020 and after the date of the Proclamation that are relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involves the same persons, entities or contracts investigated.

In addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption and fraud, the SIU said it would identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses.

‘In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action,’ it said.

The SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministratio
n.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is expected to investigate allegations of serious maladministration at the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA).

This after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the unit to delve into the affairs of the agency.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the unit will also look to recover any financial losses that the state may have incurred.

‘Proclamation R147 of 2024 authorises the SIU to probe the procurement and/or contracting for goods, works or services concerning a tender for the planning and design of the Marine Tilapia Industry Incubator Project within the Mbhashe Local Municipality, by or on behalf of the ECRDA.

‘The SIU will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by ECRDA or the State. The scope of the investigation also covers any unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of ECRDA, the applicable suppliers or service providers or any other person or entity,’ he exp
lained.

The proclamation allows the unit to probe allegations over the period between February 2020 and 26 January 2024.

‘In addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption and fraud, the SIU will identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses.

‘In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] for further action.

‘The SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration,’ Kganyago said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

South Africa places great importance on the African Union (AU) Summits, as the country forges ahead with its foreign policy of the advancement of the African agenda.

This is according to International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, who was briefing the media on Wednesday on developments in her department.

The summit, which will take place on 17 and 18 February in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, will focus on education.

Last year, the AU finalised a 10-year review of Agenda 2063.

A key recommendation, Pandor explained, is that the AU Member States must accelerate the implementation of the Agenda 2063 flagship projects that are aimed specifically at fast-tracking continental integration.

The project particularly focuses on trade and market integration, free movement of people and infrastructure development.

However, top of the agenda is the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), in which South Africa is playing a leading role.

‘We are especially plea
sed that President [Cyril] Ramaphosa will officially witness the launch of South Africa’s first shipment and preferential trading under the AfCFTA on 31 January 2024, at the Port of Durban,’ she said.

President Ramaphosa is expected to attend and participate in several high-level committee meetings of the Assembly.

These include the meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), which will be held to reaffirm Africa’s position on climate change as advocated during the Conference of the Parties (COP28) held in the United Arab Emirates last year.

In his capacity as the Chairperson of the Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative, the country’s First Citizen annually hosts a meeting on the margins of the AU Summit to provide a progress report on infrastructure projects.

The initiative aims to enhance infrastructure development in sectors such as transport, information communication and technology, water and sanitation, and energy in South Africa and th
roughout the region and continent.

These areas, she said, are critical to the implementation of the AfCFTA.

The President is also expected to chair a high-level meeting of the Committee of Five (C5) on South Sudan to review and provide political guidance on the progress made in the implementation of the revitalised agreement on the resolution of conflict in South Sudan.

BRICS

She also announced that Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have confirmed they are joining the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc after being invited to last year.

‘However, you’d be aware that Argentina has written to indicate that they will not act on this successful application by the previous administration to become full members of BRICS. And we accept their decision, particularly given that 30 countries have now written to Russia, expressing interest in becoming members.’

NAM Summit

The Minister also touched on the recent summits of the Heads of State and Government of th
e Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Group of 77 and China, convened in Uganda, last month.

She told journalists that the NAM Summit identified five priority areas.

These include regional and international peace and security; the fight against terrorism; migration and humanitarian crises; human trafficking; and the Sustainable Developmental Goals.

‘In his statement to the NAM, President Ramaphosa confirmed that South Africa will remain steadfast in advancing its non-aligned approach to the maintenance of international peace and security by advocating for the peaceful political settlement of disputes and inclusive dialogue.’

Following the NAM meeting, Pandor led the South African delegation to the G77 and China Summit.

The G77 and China Summit is the largest negotiating bloc in the United Nations (UN) representing most developing countries and over 80% of the world’s population.

‘The focus of the summit was on South-South cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, sustainable development, climate cha
nge, poverty eradication, and the digital economy,’ she explained.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has hailed the late Professor Mochichi Samuel Mokgokong, as one of our country’s most decorated academics and scholars.

Nzimande joined the nation and the academic fraternity in mourning the passing of Mokgokong, who passed away last week following a battle with cancer.

Mokgokong was well known for heading the team responsible for separations of craniopagus conjoined twins and has trained and mentored more than 20 neurosurgeons.

Nzimande highlighted that Mokgokong has a long and distinguished academic career in the medical field, which has seen him form part of some of the most pioneering surgical teams.

Some of the positions Mokgokong held in his illustrious career include Professor Emeritus of the University of Pretoria, Head of Tembisa Hospital’s Adult Intensive Care and High Care Units; Professor, Chief Specialist, and Head of the Neurosurgery Department at the University of Pretoria’s Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

Paying tribute
to the life of South Africa’s first black neurosurgeon, Nzimande said, owing to his commitment to research excellence and outstanding academic leadership, Mokgokong was honoured with a number of national and international awards.

‘As part of his commitment to transformation in the medical field, he also proudly assumed the role of an activist academic and never missed an opportunity to encourage young black people to enter the medical field.

‘The passing of Professor Mokgokong constitutes an incalculable loss to our post school education and training sector, and I believe we have an obligation to uphold his legacy of research excellence and visionary leadership,’ Nzimande said.

The Minister has, on behalf of the department conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Mokgokong’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Home Affairs offices will be open for an extra two hours on Friday, 02 February 2024, from 16:00 to 18:00 for citizens to collect their IDS.

Offices will then be open for nine hours on Saturday and Sunday from 08h00 to 17h00 for South Africans to collect their IDs.

This in support of the Electoral Commission’s second Voter Registration Weekend in preparation for the general elections of the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures.

The Department of Home Affairs said in a statement that services to be offered are application and collection of IDs and applications for Temporary Identification Certificates (TICs). TICs cost R70 and are issued on the spot.

‘With these documents, eligible voters will be able to register for the 2024 national and provincial elections,’ said the department.

Clients can now book collection appointments before visiting Home Affairs offices, using the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) which is available at www.dha.gov.za through the link: BABS.

Alternatively, client
s can simply visit the offices without making a booking.

Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza said: ‘We want to assist those who need an ID to participate in the voter registration an opportunity to come and collect their documents.

‘We particularly encourage young people to come to our offices from Friday afternoon and over the weekend to come and apply or collect their documents.

‘We encourage clients who have applied for identification documents and have been waiting for three weeks or more, to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents.’

Source: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund on Wednesday announced that it recorded 158 road crashes, 335 injuries and 29 fatalities in its year-to-date statistics for the 01-28 January 2024 period.

According to a media statement issued by MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer Rosalia Hausiku, 89 people were injured and 16 people lost their lives in road traffic crashes in the past week alone.

‘MVA Fund extends its deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragic crash which occurred on the gravel road near Okashandja village, resulting in the death of eight people and injuries of many others. The safety of road users is of paramount importance to the MVA Fund as road crashes have devastating consequences that affect families, communities, and the nation at large,’ Hausiku noted.

The affected families were urged to contact the MVA Fund service centre in Ongwediva for funeral and other benefits offered by the fund.

It further said these crashes are often predictable and preventable through conscie
ntious driving, strict adherence to road traffic rules and regulations, planning long journeys and avoiding driving at night when there is limited visibility on the road.

The MVA Fund thus called for enhanced vigilance and responsible road user behaviour from all drivers.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency