Day: February 26, 2024

An investigation has been launched into a bus crash which claimed the lives of nine people who were returning home to Mpumalanga after the African National Congress (ANC) election manifesto launch in Durban.

According to media reports, the bus accident happened at around 5am in Paulpietersburg under the eDumbe Local Municipality in Zululand on Sunday.

‘The law enforcement team on the scene has so far confirmed nine fatalities. However, they have not concluded the full recovery of the bus at the accident scene.

‘Scores of other occupants sustained injuries, with four being more critical [and] they have all been taken to a local hospital. The cause of the accident is being investigated, and experts will be deployed to assist with the forensic investigation,’ KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC, Sipho Hlomuka said.

The MEC said a team was deployed on the scene to work with all law enforcement agencies.

‘The investigation has already started, and we are in touch with the bus owner. Our investigation is looking at th
e condition of the road, condition of the bus, weather during the times of the accident, and the condition of the driver,’ Hlomuka said.

He expressed his deepest condolences to the ANC and all affected families and wished those who sustained injuries a speedy recovery.

The MEC encouraged road users, especially public transport movers, to be extra cautious on the road.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The North West province is forging ahead with its plans to fight recurring incidents of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) by funding 20 non-profit organisations to provide a variety of services to victims.

Acting Premier Nono Maloyi made this announcement during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) recently.

‘In his address, Acting Premier Maloyi said the province is saddened by a growing number of gender-based violence (GBV) incidents, which largely affects women, girl children, the elderly and people with disabilities,’ a provincial statement read on Sunday.

Through the Department of Social Development, the province has set aside R17 million to fund non-profit organisations (NPOs) to provide services to people with disabilities.

He also revealed that as part of strengthening efforts by government to deal with GBFV, 792 victims received sheltering services.

‘Government will continue to provide financial and professional support to 19 victim empowerment centres, to ensure that the victims are
provided with accommodation, basic counselling, court preparation and psycho-social support services,’ said Maloyi.

In addition, he maintained that the State would continue to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure coordinated services to the victims of GBV.

On women empowerment, Maloyi said eight women-led cooperatives and individuals would benefit from R1.4 million, which has been set aside for their upskilling and business growth.

A further R4.5m has been set aside to support women cooperatives and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to provide market access for their products and commodities.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended police for the swift arrest of three suspects who allegedly assaulted and killed a male German tourist at the weekend.

The incident took place at Northam in the Waterberg District on Saturday 24 February 2024.

According to the police, the 74-year-old victim departed from Botswana on Friday and drove to South Africa in a sedan.

He arrived at Lephalale in the Waterberg District on Saturday morning, and as he drove, he offered an unknown male hitchhiker a lift.

Along the way, he requested him to assist with accommodation around North West province before proceeding with his tour across the country.

Preliminary reports indicate that the pair established a friendship to an extent that the victim requested the man to drive his vehicle.

On arrival at the said accommodation, the suspect suggested they make a turn at a liquor outlet where they had a few drinks.

‘That’s when the susp
ect informed his two friends that the elderly man is expecting a substantial amount of money from his family abroad. The suspect and his two friends drove with the unsuspecting victim to his place [and] upon arrival, they tied him up and started to assault him while demanding his bank pin code.

‘They also searched him and took an undisclosed amount of cash and other valuables,’ said police in a statement on Sunday.

The three suspects removed the vehicle’s number plates and drove with the tourist to Northam in Limpopo using a secluded gravel road.

When they reached a particular farm, two suspects dragged the victim from the vehicle where they dumped him in the bushes, while the driver remained in the vehicle.

While patrolling, security officials noticed the suspicious vehicle parked at night and without number plates.

They stopped to investigate, and noticed one of the suspect’s blood-stained t-shirt, and they notified the police.

‘Upon their arrival, they started with their initial investigations, and t
he victim’s body was found in the bushes. The two suspects had already fled the scene. An intelligence driven operation was activated, and the two suspects were arrested in the North West province later in the evening, in possession of some of the deceased’s belongings.’

The three – aged between 24 and 46 – are expected to appear before the Northam Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 February 2024, on charges that include murder.

“We will work hard to secure a water-tight case that will result in a lengthy conviction for these perpetrators,’ said Lieutenant General Hadebe.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the late Namibian President Hage Geingob as a leader committed to his people.

Geingob passed away earlier this month while being treated for cancer.

Over the weekend, President Ramaphosa joined the Geingob family and other Heads of State at Geingob’s funeral service held in Namibia.

‘I will forever remember, very fondly, his brotherly love. I remain inspired by the dedication he demonstrated towards his work, his undoubted commitment to the wellbeing of his people and his desire to see a peaceful, united and developing continent of Africa.

‘His support and guidance to me and to fellow Heads of State and Government within SADC remains invaluable to this day and in the future,’ President Ramaphosa said.

According to a statement by the Presidency, President Ramaphosa and Geingob ‘enjoyed a close relationship’.

‘President Ramaphosa reiterates, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, his deep condolences to the government and people of Namibia, especially
First Lady Madame Monica Geingos.

‘President Ramaphosa further extends his sympathies to President Nangolo Mbumba, the Cabinet of our neighbouring state and the leadership and members of the SWAPO Party at this time of mourning.

‘President Ramaphosa and President Geingob enjoyed a close relationship which infused relations between our two countries. In 2023, President Ramaphosa hosted President Geingob on a State Visit to South Africa in April, while in October, President Ramaphosa undertook a Working Visit to Namibia to co-chair with President Geingob the Third Session of the South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission,’ the Presidency said.

While in Namibia, President Ramaphosa held a meeting with his counterparts from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Malawi.

‘The meeting continues from an engagement between the Heads of State that took place in Addis Ababa on the margins of the recently held AU [African Union] Summit. The leaders, whose countries have contributed troops to the SADC Mission
in the DRC, discussed efforts towards the restoration of peace and security in the eastern DRC,’ the Presidency said.

Source: South African Government News Agency