Month: February 2024

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is satisfied that all deployments are in place to ensure the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2024 takes place in a peaceful, safe and secure environment.

The NATJOINTS structure responsible for coordinating all security and law enforcement operations throughout the country is led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), State Security Agency (SSA) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

In a statement on Wednesday, national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the structure has been meeting regularly in the build-up to SONA to ensure that the plans that are in place are adequate for the safety and security of participants, spectators, communities living near the Cape Town City Hall and businesses operating in this vicinity.

‘The operational plan is in place and all critical role players are ready to execute their various responsibilities, as per their mandate.

‘All law enforcement agencies led by the SAPS ha
ve mobilised resources to heighten police visibility with the aim of preventing and combatting any form of opportunistic crimes before, during and post the planned address,’ Mathe said.

Residents of Cape Town, spectators and those who are operating businesses in the vicinity of the Cape Town City Hall are also advised about road closures by the City of Cape Town Traffic Services ahead of the delivery of the President’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday.

READ | Public advised of road closures ahead of SONA 2024

‘It is important to emphasise that those who are not accredited or authorised to be in attendance should avoid the area around the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday, 8 February 2024.

‘It is on that score that we urge the cooperation of those who will be in and around the vicinity of the Cape Town City Hall on the day.

‘Any lawlessness and any form of criminality and any behaviour that contravenes the law will be dealt with accordingly. No disruptions will be allowed and tolerated by law enforce
ment,’ Mathe said.

She said all law enforcement agencies securing the SONA are expected to execute their duties according to their constitutional mandate and within relevant prescripts before, during and after the main address.

Mathe said NATJOINTS is also policing build-up activities to the SONA and the four-day Investing in African Mining Indaba that is currently underway. Thus far, these events have been incident-free, with no incidents of disruption and criminality reported.

‘The NATJOINTS is thus satisfied and confident that like all other State of the Nation Addresses, this one will also take place in a safe and secure environment,’ she said. c

Source: South African Government News Agency

National Treasury has announced the publication of the 2023 Tax Acts that have been promulgated and give legislative effect to the tax proposals outlined by the Minister of Finance in his annual National Budget Speech last year.

The Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Act, 2023, (Act No. 19 of 2023) (2023 Rates Act), Taxation Laws Amendment Act, 2023 (Act No 17 of 2023) (2023 TLAA) and Tax Administration Laws Amendment Act, 2023 (Act No. 18 of 2023) (2023 TALAA) were promulgated on 22 December 2023.

‘The 2023 Rates Act gives effect to changes in rates and monetary thresholds and increases of the excise duties on alcohol and tobacco. The 2023 TLAA contains more complex, technical, anti-avoidance legislative changes. The 2023 TALAA deals with tax proposals that are technical and administrative in nature.

‘A final Response Document on the 2023 Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill (2023 Rates Bill), 2023 Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (2023 TLAB) and 2023 Tax Adminis
tration Laws Amendment Bill (2023 TALAB), as well as the Explanatory Memorandum to the 2023 TLAB (Explanatory Memorandum) and the Memorandum of Objects to the 2023 TALAB (Memorandum of Objects) are also published,’ National Treasury said on Tuesday.

The final Response Document updates the Draft Response Document to consider submissions and decisions made following further inputs made by stakeholders, the Standing Committee on Finance and the Select Committee on Finance during public hearings regarding the 2023 Draft Rates Bill, 2023 Draft TLAB and 2023 Draft TALAB.

The 2023 Rates Act, 2023 TLAA, 2023 TALAA, final Response Document, Explanatory Memorandum and Memorandum of Objects can be found on the National Treasury (www.treasury.gov.za) and SARS (www.sars.gov.za) websites.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has assured that South Africa does not pose any danger to Nigerian citizens, as the two countries are set to face each other in the semi-final match of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tonight.

This assurance follows a safety advisory issued by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria on Tuesday, for its citizens residing in South Africa.

‘The attention of the Nigerian High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigeria living in the host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations Bafana Bafana [semi-final] on Wednesday,’ their statement read.

The commission has advised citizens to be cautious of where they watch the match, particularly in public places, and to avoid loud, riotous or provocative celebrations if Nigerians win the match, both before and after the game.

However, the Dirco has since described the commission’
s advisory as ‘unfortunate’.

‘The advisory is regrettable because it seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension between the citizens of South Africa and Nigerians living in or visiting South Africa,’ the department said.

‘The South African national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, has played against their Nigerian counterparts, the Super Eagles, on many occasions, and there has been no history of soccer hooliganism among South Africans associated with the outcome of such encounters.’

The department has since called on the diplomatic representatives to approach the department to address any concerns about diplomatic matters.

‘We are confident that the sports-loving nation of South Africa poses no threat to Nigerian citizens, and we do not agree with the apprehension expressed by the High Commission.’

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana is said to be confident ahead of the Afcon semi-final clash against the Super Eagles.

‘Yes, we know and understand who we are up against. We know the might of this team and that their
players play all over Europe. We also know that last time in an Afcon what the result was, but this time it’s different. It’s different players, a different team and a different Afcon. Anything is possible,’ the Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, was quoted saying on Tuesday.

The South African Football Association (Safa), also cited captain and goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, who was the man of the match in the quarter-final clash against Cape Verde.

Williams made history after saving four penalties out of the five penalties in a shootout – something that has never been achieved at the Africa Cup before.

‘After seeing the players run for about 130 minutes non-stop, it was my turn to stand up and do my part. I’m happy it went our way but ultimately this is a team sport. I don’t like to take credit because they fought just as hard. So, reaching the semi-finals here means we did it together,’ he said.

Kick off is at 19:00 this evening.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Western Cape Agriculture MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer, has urged the agriculture sector to take the necessary measures to protect lives, livestock, crops and agricultural infrastructure amid the continued extreme heat and numerous veld fires across the province.

Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, said his first concern is for agri-workers, producers and farmers, who are daily exposed to harsh climatic conditions.

Meyer said climate change has a dramatic impact on weather patterns and in extreme conditions, poses a threat to the lives of agri-workers and producers.

‘The department recognises the impact of climate change and disasters on the agricultural sector. The increase in both the frequency and intensity of disasters has necessitated the need for the department to focus on disaster risk reduction and mitigation strategies,’ Meyer said.

The MEC said early weather warnings are distributed as and when needed to all stakeholders.

The department’s Director: Sustainable Resource Use and Management, Ash
ia Petersen, said during high fire seasons, the establishment of fire control committees is essential and open-air fires are strictly prohibited.

‘In general, an alarm system, firefighting teams and plans must be prepared in advance to mitigate the impact of a wildfire. It is extremely important to know the contact details of the closest fire/emergency response unit,’ Petersen said.

Petersen warned that during extremely hot conditions, animals may suffer heat stress.

‘Heat stress can greatly impact cattle producers through decreased milk production and subsequent calf growth, decreased reproductive performance in livestock and decreased stocker and feeder performance,’ Petersen said.

The department said it will continue to work closely with district disaster management centres, including the provincial disaster management centre and organised agriculture, to ensure that farmers receive the necessary support when dealing with disasters.

What to do during veld fires

During veld fires, farmers should move
livestock to safety and out of grazing land to ploughed fields.

If water is not available in sufficient quantities or at adequate pressure for the control of major fires, sand or other loose mineral soil material can be an effective method of control.

Farmers must ensure that a firebreak is reasonably free of material capable of carrying a veld fire across it.

‘The farming communities should also establish fire protection associations to prevent and control veld fires; and insure crops/livestock against financial loss due to fire damage,’ the department said.

Advice to livestock and crop farmers:

Identify animals that are most susceptible to heat stress.

Develop an action plan for heat stress.

Animals in heat stress need to drink water.

Move the animals’ feeding time to late afternoon or evening.

Provide shade if possible. Air movement also promotes animal cooling.

Cool the ground and the animals gradually and add bedding to the ground (this will reduce the ground temperature).

Control flies
as much as possible.

Do not work cattle during extreme temperatures.

Pay attention to long- and short-term weather forecasts and keep a copy of the temperature humidity index chart handy.

Do not irrigate during the day, as more water will evaporate. Instead, irrigate early in the morning.

Select heat and drought-resistant crops for the area in which you are farming.

Use mulch to minimise evaporation.

To access the fact sheets on fire and heat, go to https://shorturl.at/cvzE8.

Source: South African Government News Agency

OTJIWARONGO: An adult male driver of a Volkswagen sedan with an Outjo registration number plate, died instantly on Wednesday morning after his vehicle collided head-on with a mini-truck belonging to a private courier service on the B1 road south of Otjiwarongo.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) crime investigations coordinator in the Otjozondjupa Region, Deputy Commissioner Edna Nawa told Nampa on the same day that the deceased is yet to be identified as no identity documents were found on him.

Nawa said the deceased who was alone at the time of the incident, was travelling from the direction of Otjiwarongo towards Okahandja, while the truck headed the opposite direction.

‘At approximately 10 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo, the two cars collided with severe impact, killing the sedan driver on the spot,’ said Nawa.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the truck allegedly veered to the right side of the road where the collision occurred, Nawa said.

A 37-year-old male driver of the truck sustained
slight injuries and he was treated at the Otjiwarongo State Hospital.

A culpable homicide docket has been opened against him, (truck driver) and police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed devastation at the death of a Grade 1 girl learner who passed away after allegedly consuming biscuits from a local spaza shop.

In an incident that took place on Tuesday, it is alleged that the learner from Mandlethu Primary School in Tsakane, Brakpan, began experiencing health complications in class just before break at 11am and started vomiting a few minutes later.

According to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), the learner’s parents were contacted immediately to come to the school, while emergency services were also alerted to provide the necessary medical assistance.

‘Unfortunately, the learner was certified dead by paramedics upon arrival. According to information at our disposal, the parents confirmed that the child had consumed biscuits which were bought from a local spaza shop owned by foreign nationals,’ the GDE said.

Police are investigating circumstances surrounding this incident, while the department’s Psycho-Social Support Unit has be
en deployed to provide trauma support and counselling to all affected individuals.

‘We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident.

‘We plead with parents to be vigilant concerning the edible goods that their children consume. We call upon law enforcement agencies and municipalities to be more stringent on compliance matters related to spaza shop products. Indeed, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and the school community at large,’ MEC Chiloane said.

Source: South African Government News Agency