Day: June 3, 2024

On Monday, 03 June, there are no events are confirmed.

On Tuesday, 04 June, Statistics South Africa will release the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) quarter one 2024.

On Wednesday, 05 June, there are no confirmed events.

On Thursday, 06 June, there are no confirmed events.

On Friday, 07 June, there are no confirmed events.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Following the successful 2024 National and Provincial Elections held last week Wednesday, plans for the establishment of the country’s seventh democratic Parliament now get into full swing.

Explaining the next step after the elections concluded, Parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, said Parliament is fully prepared, and all the necessary arrangements have been made for establishing the new National Assembly.

‘Comprehensive plans are in place to ensure a seamless transition, including onboarding new Members of Parliament,’ Mothapo said in a statement.

Mothapo noted that in democratic countries such as South Africa, Parliament plays a crucial role in making legislation and holding the government to account.

‘Under a proportional representation electoral system, Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent the people of the country and act as their voice. Parliament, therefore, is accountable to the people of South Africa,’ Mothapo said.

Mothapo explained that every five years, the people of
South Africa have the opportunity to cast their votes for a new Parliament, and each new five-year term of Parliament is numbered.

This has happened in the elections of 1994, where people voted for the first democratic Parliament. The second Parliament followed the General Elections in 1999, with the third Parliament in 2004, the fourth in 2009, with the fifth Parliament in 2014 and the sixth in 2019.

On Wednesday, 29 May, South Africans cast their votes in the country’s seventh democratic election to determine which political parties and, for the first time, independent candidates, will represent them in Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures.

Mothapo said as the legislative authority of the democratic republic, the National Assembly must ensure a government by the people by choosing a President, providing a national forum for public consideration of issues, passing legislation, and exercising oversight over the executive’s actions.

He said the National Assembly may be constituted with no fewer than
350 and no more than 400 members.

‘The National Assembly is elected for a five-year term according to Section 49 of the Constitution. When the term expires or the Assembly is dissolved, the President must call an election within 90 days.

‘Although the term of this Assembly expired on 21 May, it continued to function until the day before the first day of the elections, which was midnight on 28 May.

“Currently, there is no National Assembly, and the process to establish the new House has commenced,’ Mothapo explained.

Handling of election results

The election results must be declared within seven days after an election, in terms of Section 57 of the Electoral Act. Following this, members of the National Assembly are designated by the Independent Electoral Commission, and the Commission then hands these lists to the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, who then hands them over to Parliament.

First sitting of the National Assembly

The first sitting of the National Assembly must occur no more than
14 days after election results are declared, and the Chief Justice of the Republic, Raymond Zondo, will determine and gazette the date for this sitting.

Mothapo explained that before members of the National Assembly perform their functions in the Assembly, they must swear or affirm faithfulness to the Republic and obedience of the Constitution, under Schedule 2 to the Constitution.

‘After the swearing in of members, the Chief Justice presides over the election of the Speaker of the National Assembly, who must, in turn, preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

“The President of the Republic is the last to be elected by the House because the Assembly must be duly constituted first to exercise its power to elect the President. The Chief Justice presides over the election of the President,’ Mothapo said.

Rules for the first sittings gazetted

Mothapo said the Office of the Chief Justice has officially gazetted the rules for the first sittings of the National Assembly.

The rul
es, as approved by Chief Justice Zondo on 27 May 2024, outline the procedures for the election of key parliamentary and provincial officials, including the President, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Chairperson and Deputy Chairpersons of the National Council of Provinces.

Election of the President

Mothapo said the election of the President, who is chosen among the members of the Assembly, is conducted by the Chief Justice of the Republic and when elected President, a person ceases to be a member of the National Assembly.

‘Within five days, he or she must assume office by swearing or affirming faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution at an inauguration ceremony,’ he explained.

Term of the President and Executive

The term of the President, along with the members of the Executive, only ends when the new President is sworn into office by the Chief Justice of the Republic.

‘This is usually during the inauguration ceremony after the National Assembly has
elected the President. This is intended to ensure there is no gap in the country’s administration between the election and the assumption of office by the incoming President.’

Opening of Parliament Address

Once the President has assumed office, Mothapo said he or she must appoint the Cabinet, and the President, in conjunction with the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, determines a date for the Opening of Parliament Address.

According to the new joint rules of Parliament, the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) is now distinct from the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

‘The State of the Nation Address is held annually in February to outline the government’s plans and priorities for the year and report on the state of the nation. The Opening of Parliament Address, on the other hand, occurs once every five years, after elections, to announce the new administration’s plans and to mark the beginning of the new five-year parliamentary term.

‘The Openin
g of Parliament is more than a ceremonial occasion – it is a platform where the government’s vision and priorities are presented, setting the tone for the legislative and administrative actions that will follow. It also symbolises the functioning of the new Parliament, reflecting the continuity and stability of governance,’ Mothapo said.

Orientation of new MPs

Mothapo said the newly elected MPs are inducted and oriented through a structured orientation programme, which includes briefings on parliamentary procedures, ethical guidelines, legislative responsibilities, and administrative processes.

‘The orientation also often involves training sessions on effective communication, law-making, and constituency management, ensuring that new MPs are well-prepared to fulfil their roles effectively,’ he said.

Venue for the first sitting

Mothapo said the first sitting and onboarding venue has been secured at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

He said Parliament will, in due course, provide the
comprehensive process that will be followed in establishing the National Council of Provinces of the seventh democratic Parliament.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Search and rescue operations continue in the Buffalo City Metro in the Eastern Cape which has been hit by inclement weather.

‘The Buffalo City Metro is intervening in areas that have been impacted by floods… Rescue operations are continuous as emergency teams remain on high alert. Search and rescue teams are still searching for a missing 20-year-old who was washed away near Dawn in East London,’ the metro said in a statement on Monday.

The metro reported that a pedestrian was fatally knocked down in a flooded street in Westbank over the weekend while a 13-year-old was recued in Amalinda Forest.

In an update at 1:30pm, the metro said that 1300 people had been displaced by the floods.

‘Displaced residents have been accommodated in community halls in Mdantsane, Braelyn and Mzamomhle whilst others are being moved to chalets, old age homes and temporary housing structures.’

Eleven wards across the metro have been affected including areas like Ducats, Pefferville, Duncan Village, Cambridge Location, Mzamomhle,
Reeston, Stoney Drift, Mdantsane and Gompo.

The metro is also working with the Department of Social Development together with non-government organisations Gift of the Givers and Living Hope to assist with clothes, groceries, blankets and food parcels.

The metro’s executive Mayor Princess Faku visited Duncan Village, Mdantsane and Stoney Drift with Gift of the Givers on Monday morning.

In addition, the metro is engaging with the Department of Human Settlements to avail temporary relocation structures.

‘Thus far, 800 temporary structures are being verified to be included in the database.’

This as the metro is dealing with 379 electrical fault cases in various areas in East London, Mdantsane and eQonce.

‘All teams have been assigned to the different regions. The main challenge is fallen electrical poles leading to cables and transformers being dysfunctional.’

Rescue operations

In East London yesterday, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), South African Police Services (SAPS), Police Dive Unit, Polic
e K9 Search and Rescue responded to a sailing yacht with a jetty saving a passenger barge from sinking.

Also, Priority Care Ambulance Services, Buffalo City Metro (BCM) Traffic Services and Emergency Services responded to 10 flood-related incidents at various locations around East London.

In one scene, six people (four adults, one aged 80, and two children) were rescued from a flooded home, where their two dogs drowned.

Roads and beaches

The heavy rains have posed challenges for the city’s storm water drainage systems resulting in the blockage of major roads such as Settlersway, Biko Bride from Westbank to East London CBD, Cambridge Cemetery, Duncan Village, Cc Loyd Township, Parkridge and Scenery Park.

The Disaster Management Service has conducted an initial damages assessment and the city’s Infrastructure, Traffic, Fire and Rescue Services have been instrumental in clearing of blockages.

‘The metro is advising motorists to be cautious around flooded roads and bridges. Communities and motorists are urg
ed to be extra cautious and report any incidents.’

The metro has urged residents to contact emergency services call centre on (043) 705 9000 and their respective ward councilors for assistance.

The city has set up a Disaster Management Operations Centre which is being chaired by the Mayor and includes disaster management, law enforcement, traffic, fire, police lifesaving, EMS Ambulance services and the NSRI.

Meanwhile, all metro beaches remain closed.

The metro is still urging residents to be on high alert as more disruptive rain is predicted.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the floods. This as seven lives have been lost in the Eastern Cape.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones due to severe flooding in the Eastern Cape.

By Monday morning, at least seven people had lost their lives in the floods with reports of some 1200 people displaced.

Areas most hit by the inclement weather are Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and Kariega.

‘The loss of life, destruction of public infrastructure and the loss of personal property brought about by the forces of nature saddens all of us as South Africans.

‘The aftermath of these occurrences is best overcome when we work together in the way we are seeing in the Eastern Cape,’ President Ramaphosa said.

In a statement, the Presidency said the President urged South Africans to heed weather warnings

‘President Ramaphosa commends the way in which authorities, communities, non-governmental organisations and individuals are dealing with rescue and recovery efforts, including the rehousing of a significant number of families who have been displaced.

‘Given
the potential impacts of the winter season on various parts of the country, President Ramaphosa urges the public to keep safe by heeding weather alerts and exercising greater care and restraint on our roads in poor weather conditions.

‘The President also calls on citizens to reach out to vulnerable members of their families and communities, to make this season as comfortable and safe as possible for people who have limited resources or live on their own,’ the statement read.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Nigerian Army on Monday handed over eight students of Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Kogi State, who were rescued on Sunday, to Gov. Ahmed Ododo, at Army Headquarters Abuja.

The handing over was conducted by the Deputy Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

Emekah said the troops of the Nigerian Army in synergy with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, successfully rescued the abducted students who were taken hostage by terrorists.

He said the rescue operation took place in a dense forest near Oro Ago Village in Kwara following an intense clearance mission.

He added that the operation was still ongoing to apprehended the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.

In his remarks, Gov. Ahmed Ododo thanked God Almighty for making it possible for the rescue of the students, adding that it was a mixed feeling for him as two of the 31 abducted students
were murdered.

Ododo said that 29 of the students were successfully rescued while appreciating the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the military for the fight against insecurity in the country.

He also thanked the National Security Adviser (NSA) for making the country’s security apparatus more effective, efficient and technology driven.

‘At this level, I have come to realise that the Nigerian army has all it takes to stamp out kidnapping, banditry and all forms of criminal activities from our land.

‘Because the level of synergy, the level of understanding, collaboration and coordination carried out by them professionally is highly commendable and I sincerely appreciate you and your men.

‘I want to promise that Kogi State will always be there to partner with you and we are ever ready to answer your call at any point in time and fighting crimes and criminality in our land.

‘We have all it takes in terms of equipment and we will continue to collaborate and synergise with your agencies to make sure our
land is free of all these criminalities,’ he said.

Ododo assured the student that the government would continue to support them to ensure that they succeed in their aspiration and educational pursuits.

According to him, Kogi is a state that is well known to be well blessed with mineral deposits and that deposit must work for the state.

He said the criminals had now known that Kogi was not a safe heaven for them, assuring that no criminal that entered the state would be spared.

The governor commended the army for its efforts and display of professionalism in carrying out the rescue operation.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), has reiterated its commitment to sustain its move towards process improvement, regulatory compliance and performance excellence.

This is coming as the NNPC Ltd. bagged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA) Compliance Certification on Ship, Port Security.

Mr Inuwa Danladi, the Executive Vice President, Business Services, NNPC Ltd. said this while speaking on the recent certification of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code Compliance obtained by the Company, from NIMASA.

The ISPS certification, issued in April 2024 and covering all NNPC Ltd. jetties nationwide, is crucial for the Company’s business continuity as it prevents potential operational disruptions and financial losses.

Danladi on Sunday in a statement issued by Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd. said the certification also granted the Company entry into the Global Integrated Shipping Information Syste
m (GISIS).

This, he said would enhance its reputation as a safe and reliable business destination and potentially reducing the company’s insurance premiums.

He listed some of the rigorous processes followed in obtaining the certification to include the upgrading of relevant security facilities at the nation’s ports and jetties and the establishment of the ISPS Code Command Centre.

He also included the engagement of NIMASA Recognised Security Officer (RSO), who played a crucial role in managing key regulatory processes.

‘The development of Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA); Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP), coupled with the meticulous Verification Inspection Exercise (VIE) from NIMASA.

‘It also underscores NNPC’s commitment to ensuring adherence to the highest standards of maritime security in the Company’s operations.

‘This achievement is a testament to our consistent dedication, and we pledge to continue striving towards attaining regulatory excellence in all our operations,” Danladi said.

S
ource: News Agency of Nigeria