Month: April 2024

Liberation struggle veteran and former Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) President, Dr Ernest ‘Motsoko’ Pheko will be honoured with a Special Provincial Official Funeral.

Dr Pheko passed away on 19 April at the age of 93.

‘President Cyril Ramaphosa has designated the funeral of Dr Motsoko Pheko as a Special Provincial Official Funeral. The designation of the funeral follows a request from Premier Panyaza Lesufi to the President,’ said the Gauteng provincial government in a statement on Friday.

The provincial government said that Pheko had dedicated his life to fighting for a liberated South Africa.

‘We will remember this son of the soil as a true Pan African to the end of his life. His teachings through his writings will continue to inspire us to move forward in improving the lives of all South Africans,’ said Premier Lesufi.

Following the dawn of democracy Pheko served as a Member of Parliament for ten years and served in different portfolio committees, including Foreign Affairs and Safety and Security. He
also served as the PAC representative to the United Nations.

Dr Pheko was a renowned lawyer, author of 45 books, theologian, academic and historian.

‘He documented his political party history very well including what happened at Robben Island during the Apartheid regime,’ said the provincial government adding that the Pheko family will communicate all memorial and funeral details.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of liberation struggle veteran.

Source: South African Government News Agency

With just 30 days left until South Africans head to the polls, government has assured citizens that the seventh National and Provincial Elections will be conducted in a safe and secure environment.

‘As the government, we want to issue a stern warning to anyone with intentions to disrupt the elections that the law enforcement officers will deal with them decisively and will put them behind bars,’ Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise said on Sunday in Pretoria.

Addressing a media briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, the Minister emphasised that no one has a right to intimidate and prevent others from exercising their Constitutional right to vote for a party of his or her choice.

‘We want to assure the public of the readiness of the JCPS Cluster to execute its mandate of protecting the public, our country’s strategic installations and infrastructure during the election period. We will do everything in our power to protect all those who want to exercise the
ir Constitutional right to vote,’ the Minister said.

The 2024 General Elections are believed to be the most contested in the history of this country. Overall, 70 political parties are contesting the elections, 11 independent candidates, and the national contestants are 52.

In total, there are over 14, 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures.

‘Our approach as the JCPS Cluster is to ensure coordinated and intelligence-led planning and operations pre-, during, and postelections where multi-departmental teams work together to ensure that all South Africans exercise their Constitutional rights without fear of intimidation or violence.

‘This coordination is managed by National and Provincial JOINTS [ Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure] structures of the JCPS Cluster and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Inter-departmental Priority Committees were established in 2023 at both the National and Provincial levels to safety and security planning.

‘Our law en
forcement agencies have led in developing the national security plan which has been approved by the Ministers of the JCPS Cluster. NATJOINTS [National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure] has done a thorough threat and crime pattern analysis to inform the development of a security plan and they want to ensure that nothing is left to chance,’ the Minister said.

Fit-for purpose

Based on the threat and crime pattern analysis, NATJOINTS has recommended a fit-for-purpose deployment plan that will deal with any potential threats of crime and violence in and around voting stations and national and provincial results centres.

‘We have also put measures in place to protect all public facilities that will be used for voting, national key points and other essential infrastructure that might be targeted by criminal elements. In addition, the Criminal Matters Amendment Act of 2015 states that any person who tampers with or damages essential infrastructure is guilty of a criminal offence and he/she can be sente
nced to a maximum of 30 years if found guilty

‘The South African Police Service (SAPS) Ministry and SAPS management have conducted several oversite roadshows in all provinces where they met with the station commanders of all police stations and district commissioners to assess the SAPS state of readiness and preparedness to ensure safety and security.

‘The management of SAPS and Ministry are satisfied with the level of readiness of all the provinces and districts to provide policing services pre-, during and post-the elections,’ Modise said.

The elections will be policed within the relevant prescripts and laws and police officers will enforce the law accordingly.

‘We want to reiterate that the security plan will be constantly reviewed as the situation changes and we will adapt as required. As the JCPS Cluster leadership, we want to send a clear message to the public that no incitement to violence, lawlessness, destruction of infrastructure, or barricading of roads will be tolerated. Anyone who participate
s in any form of criminal activity will be dealt with.

‘We therefore reiterate to all South Africans that political rights for citizens are guaranteed and should not be violated. The JCPS will ensure that all the rights enshrined in the Constitution are not violated,’ she said.

Among these rights are the rights to freedom, security, and protection from all forms of violence from either public or private sources.

‘Although the Constitution allows all citizens to participate in protests, pickets and present petitions, those who participate in these activities must do so peacefully and not violate the rights of those who do not want to participate. Anyone who is found to have contravened these critical provisions of the Constitution during this period will be met with the full authority of the state,’ the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Government has urged members of the public to report any crime related to elections to their nearest police station or Electoral Commission (IEC) offices.

‘A protocol has been established between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, South African Police Service (SAPS) Detectives and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to prioritise all election-related crimes,’ Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise said on Sunday in Pretoria.

Addressing a media briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, the Minister said prosecutors stand ready to prosecute offences such as electoral fraud and corruption, removing or defacing political party and campaign posters, interfering with the duties of the electoral officials as well as forcing anyone to vote.

‘Individuals who use social media and electronic platforms to send threatening messages, incite violence, or cause harm to others will be charged. When an individual creates a video or share a post to th
e public and where the post contains words, speech or conduct that may encourage others to commit public violence, the aforementioned post will make one guilty of the offence of inciting public violence and police will not hesitate to track the person down and hold you accountable,’ Modise said.

The Minister appealed to political and community leaders to exercise caution when speaking on public platforms.

‘Do not make inflammatory or threatening statements as you will be breaking the law and may also encourage others to carry out criminal activities.

‘We urge the public to exercise caution before sharing the information with others. Ensure that you double-check the accuracy of the information and be aware of the unintended consequences of your actions. Members of the public should report any inflammatory statements to law enforcement agencies,’ the Minister said at the briefing held in Pretoria.

She warned the public against sharing false, unverified information, rumours, or threats online or in person as
that can have serious consequences.

It can incite violence, confuse voters, and undermine the democratic process.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has activated provincial disaster management teams to identify risks and put mitigation measures in place for any disasters that may occur pre, during and post the elections.

‘The NDMC is working closely with the South African Weather Service to monitor the situation, early warning messages will be issued when necessary. On the day of the elections, these teams will be deployed for 24 hours to monitor the situation,’ the Minister said.

Collection of Identity Documents

To assist voters with the process of application for new Identity Documents and Temporary Identity Certificates and the collection of these documents, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has opened its offices from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays from 06 April to 25 May 2024.

‘In addition, Home Affairs will open its offices on voting day. Mobile offices are also scheduled to
be opened in remote areas to assist with the application and collection processes. The department will engage with councillors and other community leaders to decide on the dates, times and venues of the operation of mobile offices.

‘Citizens can also use the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS), which is available on the DHA website to book appointments to collect their Smart ID Cards and Green barcoded ID books. We encourage clients who have applied for identification documents and have received their SMS notifications, to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents.’

Modise encourage all eligible voters to go out in their numbers to the different voting stations on 29 May 2024 to cast their votes.

The 2024 General Elections are believed to be the most contested in the history of this country.

‘Overall, 70 political parties are contesting these elections, 11 independent candidates, and the national contestants are 52. In total, there are over 14, 9
03 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures. Ensuring the safety and security of all voters and officials are of paramount importance,’ the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe has called on the public to contribute to the development of the policy document on the draft Gas Master Plan (GMP2024).

‘The draft GMP2024 is a policy instrument that seeks to ensure security of gas supply by diversifying supply options from both local and international markets. It outlines the role of natural gas in the context of [the] energy mix and provides policy direction to the industry in South Africa,’ the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said on Friday.

The draft GMP2024 was published for public comments in the government Gazette No: 50569 of 26 April 2024.

‘The plan considers the complete gas topology ranging from demand, supply, importation, infrastructure, and distribution networks. It recognises the critical role of natural gas in the country’s economy, and anticipates the infrastructure required for the delivery of gas at a point of consumption based on a least-cost model,’ the department said.

Members of the public, stakeho
lders and industry experts are invited to contribute to the development of the policy document by submitting inputs and/or comments on the draft Gas Master Plan by no later than 15 June 2024.

The draft GMP2024 document is accessible on:

https://www.energy.gov.za/files/policies/Gas-Master-Plan2024-for-public-comment.pdf

Written comments may be addressed to the Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy either by post at Private Bag X 59, Arcadia, 0007; by hand at Travenna Campus, 71 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria,0002; or by email: [email protected]

Source: South African Government News Agency

Eskom has cautioned political parties against putting up election posters on electrical structures as part of their campaigns due to the risk of electrocution.

As South Africa is getting ready to host the 2024 General Elections on 29 May 2024, political parties are putting up election posters as part of their campaigns.

‘In the past, there have unfortunately been incidents where persons have been electrocuted or shocked when putting up these posters. As such, Eskom would like to caution all political parties against the dangerous practice of placing campaign posters on electrical structures.

‘This includes electricity poles, electricity towers, meter boxes and mini substations. Electricity is invisible to the naked eye and the risk is that when someone gets close to or touches them it may result in an inadvertent flash-over or electrical contact. This can cause serious injuries to the person or even be fatal,’ Eskom said in a statement on Saturday.

Only authorised personnel are allowed to climb or work
on these electrical structures.

According to Section 19 (5) of the Electrical Machinery Regulations, “No person shall encroach in person or with objects on the minimum safety clearances required in terms of sub-regulation (1) or require or permit any other person to do so except by permission of the supplier or user operating the power line.’

‘Attaching posters to an electrical structure is not only a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (No.85 of 1993), but also puts the lives of your valuable employees, members of the public and volunteers at risk. Eskom cares about your safety and we request you to refrain from attaching posters to electrical structures to prevent injury or loss of lives,’ the power utility said. -SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Police in the Erongo Region have arrested a 24-year-old mother who reportedly abandoned her toddler in the dunes in the Narraville area in Walvis Bay on Saturday morning.

The 1-year-old child was discovered about 200 metres from the main road between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, by a passerby at around 07h10.

She was found wrapped well in a blanket and dressed in warm clothes along with some disposable nappies.

Namibian Police Force spokesperson in the Erongo Region, Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba said the woman was arrested later that day when she was found selling kapana (meat) at a shebeen in Kuisebmund.

She was charged under the Child Care and Protection Act No 3 of 2015 and is set to appear in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The child, who was found with no sign of physical injury, was taken to a safe place and social workers from the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare were informed.

Shapumba expressed concern over the incident.

‘This kind of conduct can
not be condoned. It is important to indicate that children have rights to know and be cared for by their parents and we as parents, have that constitutional obligation,’ he stressed.

Investigations in the matter are ongoing.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency