Day: February 19, 2024

African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government have launched the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of the AU’s Agenda 2063: ‘The Africa we want’.

Agenda 2063 serves as a 50-year blueprint for Africa’s socio-economic development and integration.

It was adopted by the AU Member States at the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) this weekend, after extensive consultations across the continent.

President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded his participation at the summit on Sunday.

‘A key flagship project of Agenda 2063 in which South Africa is playing a leading role is the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (the AfCFTA), that serves as a milestone development in the evolution of the AU,’ said the Presidency.

The AU Assembly met under the theme: ‘Educate an Africa fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa’.

The assembly also discussed the status
of peace and security on the continent and the Report of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC).

‘The discussion took place against the backdrop of great concern regarding the state of peace and security in Africa. The ongoing and concerning trend of unconstitutional changes of government that have occurred in West Africa as well as the ongoing conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, South Sudan and Mozambique,’ said the Presidency.

President Ramaphosa presented a report on the continent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of readiness against future health threats, in his capacity as the Champion of the AU’s COVID-19 response.

As the pandemic is waning on the continent, said the Presidency, South Africa intends to work with the AU Commission and the Africa Centre for Disease Control towards expanding the role of the President to include all other health pandemics that are affecting the continent.

President Ramaphosa said: ‘Although the Africa CDC has classifie
d COVID-19 as no longer a public health emergency of international concern, it remains an ever-evolving endemic virus. Furthermore, the effects of the pandemic continue to reverberate across our continent and beyond.

‘The COVID-19 crisis was an opportunity for us as Africa to bolster our manufacturing sector. We were able to draw in an impressive USD 1.1 billion in financial and technical investments, in addition to the USD 1 billion advanced market commitment from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.’

The President praised the concerted efforts and collaboration demonstrated by the continent during the COVID-19 pandemic. He further urged the gathered leaders to continue improving the levels of alertness of their countries against future pandemics.

‘Despite these successes, we are still at the delicate juncture of recovery. There is the threat of future pandemics. Our rapid and precise interventions have averted further crises, and for this, we must continue to sharpen our vigilance.

‘The adoption of a strong Comm
on Africa Position on Pandemic Preparedness and Response (CAP PPPR) is non-negotiable. It will define our roadmap to safeguarding our people, with a keen focus on critical issues,’ he said.

Addressing the summit leaders on positive masculinity and the need to support the development of the AU Convention on Violence against Women and Girls, the President expressed his gratitude for the effort of Champions on Positive Masculinity and all Member States that have been part of the continental movement.

The President called on the assembly to forge a strong and enduring commitment to protect and uplift those who have suffered from violence against women and girls.

‘We must now launch the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Campaign, championing continent-wide consultations and ensuring that the journey to developing this critical instrument is shared by citizens across our vast continent.

‘Developing the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is more than a political act.
It is a moral imperative to redefine our societies, to confront the legacies of colonialism, patriarchy and racism, and to champion equality, freedom and self-determination for every African.

‘As President of South Africa, I hereby commit to support the development and timely adoption of a comprehensive convention that is backed by resources and institutional mechanisms to ensure its efficacy,’ said President Ramaphosa.

On the margins of the AU Summit, President Ramaphosa held several bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Government.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minister in The Presidency responsible for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is expected to engage with business stakeholders in KwaZulu-Natal on energy challenges and interventions.

The engagement is expected to take place at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Tuesday, 20 February.

‘The energy sector in South Africa is facing significant challenges which have implications for businesses, households, and the economy at large. The engagement will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share their perspectives on the energy challenges businesses face in the region.

‘The primary objective of this engagement is to foster dialogue and collaboration between the Ministry of Electricity, supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and business stakeholders in the province,’ the Ministry in the Presidency said in a statement.

Ramokgopa is expected to be joined by KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and eThekwini Municipality Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.

Meanwhile on Sunday, power utility Eskom said it is workin
g to restore power ‘as quickly as possible’ following a high volume of electrical faults in Northern KZN.

The faults are due to damage to infrastructure following a storm in the area over the weekend.

‘Eskom apologises for any inconvenience caused and reminds those affected by the loss of supply to treat all electrical installations as live and dangerous, as electricity supply may be switched on without notice.

‘Customers are also urged to stay away from fallen infrastructure. Eskom will endeavour to restore power as quickly as possible and wishes to thank customers for their patience.

‘Customers are encouraged to download the MyEskom Customer App from Google Play and the App Store, or use the Alfred chatbot on https://alfred.eskom.co.za/chatroom/ to report fallen infrastructure, report faults and follow up on progress,’ the power utility said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, says members of the DPCI are determined to deal with national priority offences.

‘Their persistence led to securing the attendance in court of at least 724 suspects, which is made of 705 natural persons and 19 juristic persons,’ Lebeya said.

Briefing media in Pretoria on Monday to outline progress made in the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, Lebeya said 229 accused persons, which is made of 220 natural persons and nine juristic persons, were convicted and sentenced.

‘The top five national priority offences that contributed a high number of arrests are 156 for fraud, including 15 companies; 64 for precious metals and diamonds; 67 for narcotics; 51 for non-ferrous metals and 51 for corruption,’ Lebeya said.

Lebeya said during the arrests, the DPCI seized various exhibits, including precious metals and diamonds, endangered species, vehicles, cash, firearms, ammunition, counterfeit goods, explosives and el
ectronic devices worth R102 614 521.89.

‘Out of the 229 convictions, fraud contributed the highest number of convictions, with a total number of 63. Precious metals and diamonds are the second highest, with a total number of 45 accused persons.

‘Over and above arrests and convictions, the Directorate, in collaboration with the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), secured 92 orders with a monetary value of R39 642 652.71,’ Lebeya said.

Lebeya used the opportunity to warn criminals attacking police officers that the law will not have mercy on them.

‘An attack on police official is an attack on the State, and the death of one police official, who is the protector of all the people in South Africa, is unacceptable,’ he said.

Lebeya said 22 police officials were murdered in the third quarter, 12 off duty and 10 on duty, and that 12 arrests were effected.

As part of successes in apprehending those that are attacking police officers, three accused persons were convicted and
sentenced to share four life imprisonment and 38 years imprisonment terms.

‘This sentence serves as a deterrent to other would-be criminals that under the doctrine of common purpose, not only will the accused be held liable and charged for the murder of police officers, but also for the murder of their accomplices who died during a crossfire with the police.

‘The crimes that your co-perpetrator commits are imputed on you. If the crimes committed results in the death of a co-perpetrator, the surviving co-perpetrator will be charged with the death of his or her co-perpetrator, regardless of the fact that the death may have been inflicted by the victim,’ he said.

Crimes against the State

With regards to crimes against the State, Lebeya cited an incident which took place in July 2021, where a video clip inciting people to burn and loot the Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg was circulated on social media platform. The perpetrator was arrested on 28 August 2021.

The Hawks initiated investigations and identifi
ed the author of the video clip as Mdumiseni Khetha Zuma (36). He was arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, where his bail was also denied.

Zuma was sentenced to10 years imprisonment for the first count, of which two years was suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension.

He was further sentenced to six years imprisonment on a second count, of which two years is to run concurrently with the sentence on the first count.

‘We may recall that 65 alleged July unrest instigators were secured to appear in court on charges of conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson.

‘A charge of terrorism has been added. All the accused are on bail and the case is postponed to 8 April 2024 at the Durban Local Division of the High Court,’ Lebeya said.

With regards to illegal miners, Lebeya said there have been some successes. On 24 November 2023, three suspects — Progress Bayeni Mlambo (42), Leornard Moyo
(46) and Kocanai Sithole (26) — were arrested by a team comprising Welkom-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks’ Head Office Precious Metals and Diamonds (PMD) team, Public Order Police and Protea Coin Security.

‘Information about the accused exchanging gold for cash between the Free State and Gauteng led the investigators to seek a search and seizure warrant. They had their eyes set squarely on a certain house in Parys, where these illegal activities were said to be taking place.

‘The suspects appeared before the magistrate in Parys on 27 November 2023 for contravention of the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005, and again on 29 January 2024,’ Lebeya said.

Lebeya described human trafficking as modern-day slavery and a crime against humanity.

‘South Africa has not been spared this twin-pandemic of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants,’ he said.

During this reporting period, 19 potential victims of trafficking in persons were rescued. Three foreign nationals were convicted, whi
le four suspects were arrested.

Lebeya said 16 awareness campaigns were pro-actively conducted and 17 disruptive operations were reactively conducted.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is expected to launch a probe into allegations of serious maladministration in the affairs of the Department of Home Affairs and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

This after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed proclamations authorising the corruption busting unit to investigate the department and PRASA.

The SIU said it will also probe ‘improper or unlawful conduct by officials or employees of the State entities and…recover any financial losses suffered by the State’.

‘Proclamation 154 of 2024 empowers the SIU to probe serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of Home Affairs relating to the issuance of permanent residence permits; corporate visas; business visas; critical/exceptional skills work visas; study visas; retired persons’ visas; work visas; and citizenship by naturalisation, contrary to the Immigration Act, 2002; the South African Citizenship Act, 1995; manuals, guidelines, circulars, practice notes or instructions applicable to Ho
me Affairs; or manuals, policies, procedures, prescripts, instructions or practices of or applicable to the Department,’ the SIU said.

The unit said it will also investigate ‘improper or unlawful conduct by officials or employees of Home Affairs in relation to the installation of T200 firewalls’.

‘The Proclamation also empowers the SIU to investigate any irregular, unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of Home Affairs or any other person or entity, in relation to the allegations being investigated.

‘The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 12 October 2004 and 16 February 2024, the date of the publication of the Proclamation or before 12 October 2004 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,’ the SIU said.

PRASA

The SIU explained that in relation to PRASA, the unit will investigate allegations of corruption relat
ed to the awarding of tenders for the supply of trains.

The proclamation covers a period from 1 January 2010 to 16 February 2024.

‘Proclamation 153 of 2024 empowers the SIU to probe offences that were committed…in relation to the award of tenders for the supply of various train locomotives to Swifambo Rail Leasing Pty Ltd, and the supply and maintenance of an integrated security access management system at various train stations to Siyangena Technologies Pty Ltd.

‘The SIU will also investigate serious maladministration in the affairs of PRASA relating to fraudulent liability claims processed and paid by PRASA’s Group Insurance Department, including claims paid as one time vendor payments. The probe will also extend to employment of ghost employees identified by PRASA’s Project Zivese in August 2021,’ the anti-corruption unit said.

The SIU said it will also ‘identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses’.

‘In line with the Special Investigating U
nits 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,’ the SIU said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Eskom has announced that load shedding will oscillate between Stage 2 and no load shedding until further notice.

This after the power utility faced serious challenges over the past 10 days, with load shedding reaching Stages 5 and 6 – leaving consumers without power for up to four hours per shedding period during the day.

Now, the power utility says consumers will have power between 5am and 4pm during the day, with Stage 2 load shedding kicking in from 4pm to 5am every day.

‘This alternating pattern of suspending load shedding from 5am to 4pm and Stage 2 load shedding from 4pm to 5am will be repeated daily until further notice.

‘While the available generation capacity has been sustained, the need to replenish emergency reserves for the upcoming week necessitates an increase in the stage of load shedding. Eskom will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes to load shedding, should it be required,’ the power utility said.

By Sunday afternoon, at least 13 350MW of generating capacity was
unavailable due to breakdowns, with planned maintenance rendering some 8 476MW offline.

‘Eskom Power Station General Managers and their teams continue to work diligently to ensure that additional generating capacity is recovered by bringing units on unplanned outages, and planned maintenance back to service. A total of 3 300MW of generating capacity is anticipated to be returned to service by [today].

‘We would like to thank those who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers and pool pumps from 5pm to 9pm or when the load is limited. This lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system, contributing to lower stages of load shedding,’ Eskom said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), will host the second Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference at the Sandton International Convention Centre on 20 March 2024.

The day-long conference will provide a platform for an exchange of ideas, knowledge and information on the achievements of the Black Industrialists Programme since its inception in 2015, as well as challenges and opportunities presented by the programme.

There will also be an exhibition that will showcase proudly South African products manufactured by Black Industrialists and an awards ceremony that will recognise and reward Black Industrialists that have contributed significantly in the country’s industrialisation, job creation, poverty alleviation, innovation and transformation efforts.

More than 1 300 delegates, including 800 black firms, 73 panellists and speakers, 139 exhibitors, nine buyers from the country’s
biggest retailers and seven ministers participated in the inaugural event that took place in Sandton in July 2022.

The objective of the Black Industrialists Programme is to increase the participation of black South Africans in the ownership and control of productive enterprises in key sectors and value chains of the country’s economy.

President Cyril Ramaphosa graced the inaugural event which took place in Sandton in 2022. He officially opened the conference and later handed over certificates to deserving and distinguished Black Industrialists in various categories.

In his keynote address, President Ramaphosa described the conference as ‘an opportunity to reflect on progress in advancing redress and equity in the South African economy.’

Source: South African Government News Agency