Month: June 2024

The KwaZulu-Natal government remains on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance to the families that have been displaced by devastating floods following heavy rains that have battered parts of the province on Monday night.

The heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds, wreaked havoc in various parts of the province, affecting five districts, including eThekwini Metro, Ilembe, King Cetshwayo, Umzinyathi, Amajuba and Umkhanyakude District Municipalities.

The preliminary reports indicate that at least 11 people have died, and these include seven people from uThongathi in the north of Durban, and four in Nquthu, Eshowe and KwaHlabisa, respectively.

Over 55 people were reported to have suffered minor to moderate injuries and are receiving medical treatment in hospital.

Dozens of people have also been left homeless after their homes were ripped apart by heavy winds. Three temporary shelters have been established, where the affected families are receiving humanitarian aid.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dub
e-Ncube has expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of people that have tragically lost their lives, and wished a speedy recovery to the people who were admitted and are recovering in hospital.

Dube-Ncube led a government delegation to various areas in eThekwini Metro on Tuesday to receive a first-hand report on the extent of the damage and ensure a coordinated rapid response from government.

The Premier said the provincial government’s priority is to ensure that the displaced families receive immediate humanitarian relief and to fast-track the restoration of services.

‘We have rallied all government departments to ensure an all-hands on deck approach as we consolidate our rebuilding and recovery plan of action. Our aim is to support affected families to rebuild their lives.

‘Assessments are continuing so that work to repair damaged infrastructure can begin. The assessment reports will give us a clear indication of the extent of the damage and funding that will be required,’ Dube-Ncube said.

She
has also urged the municipalities to ensure that all affected people are profiled and receive the necessary support from government.

Immediate humanitarian aid

Disaster management teams are conducting assessments and coordinating humanitarian efforts for the affected families.

Non-governmental organisations, including the Red Cross, Al-Imdaad Foundation, Gift of the Givers and IPSS Medical Rescue, are working closely with government to ensure the provision of hot meals, mattresses, blankets, food parcels and humanitarian assistance.

uThongathi is currently being classified as the most affected area, with hundreds of houses severely destroyed. Other areas, including Umgababa, south of the eThekwini Metro, Eshowe, Utrecht, Osizweni and KwaHlabisa have also been severely affected.

Public infrastructure, including schools, roads, community halls and health care facilities, were also affected.

Repairing of infrastructure

The Premier said repairs to damaged transformers and powerlines, which left many areas
in the eThekwini Metro without power, have started, and power has been restored in some areas, while work continues to ensure that all areas are fully restored by the end of the week.

Overhead electricity infrastructure has been severely impacted. This includes infrastructure above-ground, such as electricity poles, transformers and overhead lines.

The heavy rain also resulted in higher levels of turbidity in raw water abstracted from the uThongathi water works and the water works was shut down for few hours.

The uThongathi water works is presently operating optimally and water supply is being gradually restored.

‘Residents are urged to continue to heed weather warnings whenever they are issued to minimise the impact and loss of lives,’ Dube-Ncube said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD) has welcomed the Public Protector’s report into systemic administration deficiencies relating to gender-based violence (GBV) within the justice system.

On Tuesday, Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka released a report into gender-based violence and the responsiveness of the criminal justice system to the scourge.

This after a woman, Altecia Kortje and her child, were brutally murdered in 2020 by her former boyfriend after she had gone to the Belville Magistrate’s Court to apply for a domestic violence protection against him. She was allegedly turned away by court officials.

Following reports of the murder and the treatment Kortje received at the court, DJCOD Deputy Minister John Jeffery approached the Public Protector to investigate the matter.

Following the release of the report, Jeffery commended the work of that office.

‘We want to commend the Public Protector for this very useful investigation, which focuses not only on the Depar
tment of Justice, but also on the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Social Development as key stakeholders in the justice system.

‘The implementation of the proposed remedial action is vital. The justice system has to be responsive to the needs of those seeking assistance. These are matters which affect the daily lives of women in a very real way, therefore we must ensure that the system is made less cumbersome and more user-friendly,’ he said.

Jeffery added that the report honours the memory of Kortje.

‘On Saturday, it will be four years to the day that Altecia Kortje came to Bellville Magistrate’s Court for a protection order. This report honours her memory and the memories of so many other women who have lost their lives to gender-based violence.

‘The Public Protector’s report will help the justice system to better protect women against GBV and to save lives,’ Jeffery said.

Although the investigation did not find that Kortje was turned away from the court, Jeffrey emphasised th
at it did raise concern about the treatment of women when they approach the courts for help, particularly when it comes the GBV matters.

‘The ability of the justice system to serve and support women who come to seek justice services or assistance from the courts is an absolute priority for us, and we must continuously seek ways in which it can be improved,’ he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembi Nkadimeng and Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, will visit areas devastated by floods on Tuesday in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Eastern Cape.

This is after parts of the Eastern Cape were flooded this week, with the most affected areas being the Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay metros.

‘The floods have unfortunately resulted in the loss of lives, while others were rescued. The floods have also displaced several people after their homes were severely affected, with some being swept away,’ a government statement read.

Government is currently assessing the extent of damage and is assisting the victims with humanitarian relief.

During the visit, the Ministers and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane will provide direction about further government interventions.

‘Government continues to urge communities to exercise caution and be extra vigilant, especially in areas prone to flooding, and follow the regular updates and
warning messages from the South African Weather Service, as well as other authorities.’

The SABC reported that the number of people who have died because of floods in the Eastern Cape has risen to 10 after the body of a female, who went missing in the Rocklands area, was found yesterday afternoon.

According to the Eastern Cape CoGTA Department, the worst affected area in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro is Kariega.

To date, over 500 people have been evacuated and placed in community halls.

The strong rains also damaged the road infrastructure, bridges, and electricity power stations.

The provincial department said the rains have destroyed the sewerage network in Kariega, resulting in blockage of stormwater drains.

Water infrastructure in KwaNobuhle is said to have also collapsed and the community does not have running water because of the flooding.

Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal government is on the ground providing humanitarian support and assisting families that have been displaced following heavy rains an
d strong winds that hit parts of the province on Monday evening.

This has wreaked havoc in different parts of the province, affecting five districts, including eThekwini metro, Ilembe, King Cetshwayo, Umzinyathi, Amajuba and Umkhanyakude District Municipalities.

According to officials, preliminary reports indicate that at least 11 people have died, with seven of them being from uThongathi in the north of eThekwini metro.

The other four fatalities were reported in Nquthu, Eshowe and KwaHlabisa.

In addition, over 55 people suffered minor to moderate injuries, and are receiving medical treatment in hospitals.

Dozens of people have been displaced and three temporary shelters have been established where the affected families are receiving humanitarian aid.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has condemned the brutal killing of two children in Soshanguve, Gauteng.

The two children, aged four and seven, died when the shack they were in was set alight by gunmen, who were allegedly after their father.

The suspects had allegedly already shot six other people at a shebeen in the same area, killing two.

‘It is unconscionable that such horrific indent occurs during a period when our country is commemorating Child Protection Week.

‘It highlights the urgent need for swift action from law enforcement to bring perpetrators to book. The full might of the law must be demonstrated to ensure justice for the victims and their families,’ Lamola said.

Police have subsequently launched a manhunt for the alleged killers.

Lamola also condemned the killing of family members in Glenmore, KwaZulu-Natal, allegedly related to their support of Palestine.

‘This senseless act of violence, which resulted in the death of a woman and the attempted murder of her hus
band and son, is a blatant attack on South Africa’s Constitutionally-guaranteed rights to freedom of association, expression and political choice.

‘We call for a thorough investigation and prosecution to ensure that justice is served,’ Lamola said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Julie Okah-Donli, Lady Captain of the IBB International Golf Club has urged women to participate in the game of golf to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

Okah-Donli, a former Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), made the call at the Women’s Golf Day Kitty, to mark the 2024 International Women Golf Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the event with the theme, ‘Inspiring Women Inclusion through Golf’, was organised by the Ladies Section of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Golf Club in Abuja

Okah-Donli emphasised the need for women’s revolution in the golf game, stressing, it would lead to growth in the golf industry and give women more opportunities to play.

‘We are here to celebrate the International Women’s Golf Day, aimed at celebrating women golfers and to introduce the game of golf to non-women golfers just to tell them how important it is to play golf.

‘Golf is life. It is very good for your mental and physical health and also go
od for networking and business.

‘I have met new friends here that I have never met before. So, for women, that is the best way to go,’ she said.

Okah-Donli added: ‘Golf can be expensive, but it depends on what you want. You can buy an expensive golf kit ,you can buy a cheap one ,you can even buy a fairly used one.

‘The most important thing is, if you are interested in playing the game and you are focused, then, playing golf does not become expensive to you

‘I encourage women and young girls to play golf. Now, we are having a lot of young girls that play golf’.

According to her, ‘back in the days, the game was believed to be for old men and women, but now, times have changed with advancement in technology, the younger ones are even playing more than the older ones’ .

Also speaking, Dr Lami Ahmed ,the first vice President of Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, said there was a need to attract more women to play golf to reap the benefits.

‘We are happy to be here to celebrate women’s golf day and as the
name implies, it is to celebrate women.

‘The vision is to increase the participation of non-golf playing ladies to begin to love the game and also to celebrate existing lady golfers.

‘Since the game was introduced in 2016, it has been played every year and the import of it is women holding women’s hands in collaboration to enable us to move further than what we are doing, individually,’ she said.

Ahmed said there were not many women playing the game of golf compared to the men, thus the need to encourage more participation of women.

‘It is very important that we give avenue to women to participate, so that we can inspire and enjoy the networking and as well build relationships, ‘she said

Ahmed disclosed that over 70 women had registered to play at the GEJ Club for the year.

She added that different activities were lined up to celebrate the day at the GEJ Golf Club.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it is working towards harmonising framework and policy documents for the management of logistics for its Standby Force (ESF).

The Standby Force constitutes the use of force as a last resort if diplomacy fails.

Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, made this known at a four-day workshop to review the documents, in Kano on Tuesday.

Musah, who was represented by Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom, Director Peacekeeping and Regional Security, said that the documents spelled out the logistics requirements by the Troop Contributing Countries, ECOWAS, and other partners.

He explained that the workshop was organised to review and harmonise the documents to address emerging contemporary security challenges.

He recalled that the Commission had earlier recruited a consultant in 2019 to develop the policy and guiding documents for the management of ECOWAS Logistics Depots (ELDs).

He explained that the ESF logistics co
ncept was created in 2005 to provide a platform for the coordination of all key logistics support and procedures for the ECOWAS Standby Force.

According to him, both documents were reviewed during internal expert workshops and are now ready for an independent expert validation.

‘The documents are expected to be rich enough to address contemporary challenges and in tune with international best practices.’

The commissioner further said that the logistics concept also provided a conceptual understanding of sustained operations, considering that the dynamics of the contemporary security environment and peace support in the region had continued to evolve.

This, he said, underscores the need to adapt the original ESF logistics concept to accommodate emerging realities.

He added that to deploy the ESF efficiently, when necessary, ECOWAS had established a Multidimensional Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, and a Humanitarian Logistics Depot in Senou, Mali.

Earlier, Dr. Sani Adamu, acting Head of ECOWAS Pea
ce Support Operations, decried the challenges of peace keeping operations over the years.

He said that it was for this reason that ECOWAS decided to put in place an effective framework to enhance the ESF’s deployment capacity.

Adamu said that the overall objective of the workshop was to review and harmonise the policies in line with UN and AU standards of procedures.

He said that the participants would review the logistics concept, existing statutes, policies, and other strategic instruments relating to ESF’s objectives as an instrument for conflict prevention and management.

‘It was also organised to update, harmonise, and finalise the policies on ECOWAS logistics bases, in line with AU and UN principles.

‘It was also to review and adopt a standard organogram for the ELD, among others,’ he explained.

A participant, Mr Francis Babatunde, said the two documents, if reviewed, would enhance the deployment capacity of ESF for strategic roles towards a formidable regional security framework.

Source: News A
gency of Nigeria