Month: June 2024

In an effort to ensure the involvement of stakeholders in the management of water resources, the Department of Water and Sanitation is expected to launch four Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs).

They will be launched during the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) conference set to take place in Durban this week.

The establishment of the Catchment Management Agencies is in line with the provisions of the National Water Act (NWA) and the National Water Policy for South Africa.

The purpose of Catchment Management Agencies is to enhance decentralised decision-making in managing water resources, in an integrated manner, at a local level.

The department said the CMAs will ensure participative management, good water governance and integrated planning and improving co-operative governance of the country’s water resources, in order to achieve the objectives of the National Water Act, equity, accessibility and government’s commitments to improving service delivery.

‘A CMA manages all the water resources i
n a water management area at the catchment level. This means that a CMA is responsible for the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of all the water resources in that particular water management area (WMA).

‘This responsibility requires that all spheres of government, water users and communities in the water management area participate with CMAs as partners,’ the department said in a statement.

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, finalised the appointment of Board Members of the Pongolo-Umzimkhulu and the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agencies, a decision concurred by Cabinet.

The Boards of Pongola-Umzimkhulu and Vaal-Orange CMAs appointments became effective from 1 December 2023.

The department has reconfigured the number of CMAs to six, including Limpopo-Olifants, Vaal-Orange, Pongola-Umzimkulu, Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma, Breede-Olifants and Inkomati-Usuthu.

The boards, as the accounting authority, will operationalise the CMAs including developing the catchment mana
gement strategy, effective participation of stakeholders and management of water resources in the water management area.

‘In addition, the CMA will be more responsive to water user needs and speedy decision-making around water resources management and create a customer-focused culture for water resources management,’ the department explained.

The appointed board members for Pongolo-uMzimkhulu include Dr Thava Kelly (Chairperson), Sibusiso Makhanya (Deputy Chairperson), Hlengiwe Ndlovu, Bhekumuzi Gumbi, Dr Lembi William Mngoma, Snenhlanhla Mngadi, Professor Purshottama Reddy, Mdandla Myeni, and Nokuthula Khanyile.

This CMA is an amalgamation of the previous WMA areas within the KwaZulu-Natal province, such as half of the Pongola-Usuthu WMA, the Thukela WMA, and the Mvoti-Mzimkulu WMA. Interim Chief Executive, Swaswa Ntlhoro, was appointed for the transitional phase.

The appointed board members for the Vaal-Orange CMA, which operates in the Central North-eastern part of South Africa and extends from Ermelo
in Mpumalanga to Kuruman in the Northern Cape, include Desmond Solomon Fransman (Chairperson), Tsakane Zwane (Deputy Chairperson), Hubert Thompson, Nontuthuzelo Njeza, Nakana Masoka, Ponatshego Mothibi, Doris Dondur, Dichikane Mashego, and Louis Van Oudtshoom. Interim Chief Executive, Solomon Mathebula, was appointed for the transitional phase.

‘The Minister has finalised the appointment of Board members of Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma and awaiting concurrence by Cabinet. Interim Chief Executive, Sibusiso Mjwara, was appointed for the transitional phase. This agency’s footprint covers the majority of the Eastern Cape, and includes portions of KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and the Northern Cape.

‘For the Limpopo-Olifants CMA, the Advisory Committee has concluded their recommendation for the appointment of the Board and is awaiting the vetting of candidates and concurrence by Cabinet,’ the department said.

Water Institute of Southern Africa conference

Meanwhile, the three-day Water Institute of Southern Africa confe
rence will take place at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, from 12-14 June 2024.

WISA conferences provide a platform to discuss problems and solutions facing the water and related sectors. The conference is used to create mechanisms and collaborations, to ensure an enabling environment to set us on a path of implementation and impact.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The ECOWAS Court has dismissed an application filed by former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, praying the court to compel Nigeria to enforce its judgment delivered in his favour on Oct. 4, 2016.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had in the judgment declared Dasuki’s arrest and detention by the Nigerian government unlawful and a violation of his rights.

Justice Sengu Koroma, the Judge Rapporteur, while delivering judgment in Abuja on Dasuki’s application for enforcement, dismissed it on the ground that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain or enforce the earlier judgment.

Koroma said the court was guided by laid down procedures regarding the enforcement of its judgments as enshrined in the Community Law, and the proper party to institute an enforcement failure claim.

‘Having thoroughly assessed the claims and constitutive texts of the Court, it lacks the competence to adjudicate the present claim,’ the court said.

NAN reports that in the suit marked: ECW/CC
J/JUD/23/16, Justice Friday Nwoke had declared the government’s action against Dasuki as ‘arbitrary, unlawful, a mockery of democracy and the rule of law, and a violation of local and international rights to liberty.’

The court had further held that the government’s action violated Dasuki’s rights under the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

It, therefore, ordered the release of all the seized properties of the applicant, as well as the payment of N15, 000,000 damages to him.

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Following the federal government’s failure to comply with and enforce the said judgment, the applicant, therefore, filed the application before the court for its enforcement.

Earlier at the hearing of the matter, the federal government denied the applicant’s allegations, stressing that the properties being claimed by Dasuki were subjects of ongoing criminal proceedings, which he did n
ot disclose in the suit.

The respondent’s counsel had argued that the government had already fulfilled its obligations, adding that the court’s Chief Registrar had issued a Writ of Execution, making the relief prayed for by the applicant unnecessary.

The panel, which comprised Justice Edward Asante (presiding), Justice Sengu Koroma (Judge Rapporteur), and Justice Ricardo Claúdio Gonçalves (member), awarded no costs to parties in the suit.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says it remains relentless in its pursuit to dismantle the trade in counterfeit and illicit goods nationwide.

On Friday, the National Counterfeit Goods Unit led an operation in the Johannesburg CBD which resulted in the arrest of two Chinese nationals and the seizure of counterfeit goods with an estimated value of R5.8 million.

Police also arrested two Ethiopian nationals for contravening the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002 during the operation.

Almost 7 000 counterfeit items imitating well-known brands were seized, which included sports apparel, clothing, shoes, perfumes, sunglasses, watches and bags.

The team comprised SAPS members from various specialised units, officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Gauteng Traffic’s Saturation Unit, Brand Protectors, Crime Prevention Wardens and private security.

In the past eight months, the National Counterfeit Unit, in collaboration with its various crime fighting partners, seized over R400 million worth of
counterfeit and illicit goods during various takedown operations in different parts of the country. The unit was established in November last year.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Committee of Youths on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS), has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to align its minimum wage demand with governments’ ability to pay sustainably.

Its Director-General, Mr Obinna Nwaka, made the call during a thanksgiving service to mark the end of the 2024 Youths’ Week at the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Nyanya, Abuja on Sunday.

The theme of the thanksgiving service was, ‘Promotion of Peaceful Coexistence and Religious Co-creation in our Nation’.

Nwaka said that considering the current economic challenges in the country, ‘the federal and state governments may struggle to pay, if the amount is unrealistic.’

According to him, the N250,000 demand as minimum wage by the NLC for workers is not sustainable, considering the country’s current financial situation.

He pointed out that Nigeria is still recovering from the economic difficulties of the past administration and warned against making promises that could destabilise the nation.

He also argued tha
t a substantial salary increase would be insufficient if critical infrastructure and public services remain inadequate.

He advised labour to also pay attention to addressing broader systemic issues rather than focusing solely on wage increase.

‘We are in the same shoes. There are other areas; labour for example can advocate for good governance; it’s not just all about minimum wage,’ he added.

He called on the NLC to channel their efforts towards advocating for improved healthcare and education services, including the provisions of critical infrastructure.

This, he believes, could have a more significant impact on the quality of life of the Nigerian workers.

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‘Even if they are paying you 500,000 Naira as a salary, it will not be enough, if a healthcare facility is not there; if infrastructure is not there; and if we cannot even send our children to a public school.

‘The NLC should focus on motivating the government to invest in these essent
ial sectors,’ he said.

Earlier, the minister in charge, Rev. Samuel Labuja, said that the conversations, throughout the youths’ week, reflected the nation’s quest for unity and development.

Labuja advised the youths to maximise their potential and invest in self-reliance ventures, as against depending on white-collar jobs.

‘The youths should understand that we can’t live together without peace, and the best we can do to make the nation move forward is to live in peace.

‘Youths should learn not to depend on salary alone. They should make use of their God-given talent to earn more resources.

‘Whatever you are doing, do it well to the glory of God to earn a living,’ he said.

On his part, the Church’s Youths President, Mr Bobby Odia, described the week-long youths’ conference as impactful.

Odia particularly said that the youths, as leaders of tomorrow, have understood the need to contribute their resources towards the development of the country.

‘We just celebrated the 2024 Youths’ Week with the theme, ‘S
tand Firm and Take Charge’, and for us to be the future of tomorrow, we have to utilise our energy for the good of our nation,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Ronald Lamola, is expected to lead a South African delegation to the High Level Conference titled the ‘Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response to Gaza’.

The conference will be held in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Middle East on Tuesday.

‘The High Level Conference will among others, articulate on how the minimum requirements for ensuring sustained, predictable and sufficient supplies of humanitarian assistance can reach into and throughout Gaza via land and sea routes in line with Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023).

‘[The] High Level Conference is also expected to outline the minimum requirements for ensuring conducive conditions for the safe and effective distribution of aid inside Gaza, including those related to the protection of civilians and humanitarian staff. This is in line with previous calls for an immediate ceasefire and based on existing constraints to the safe and effective delivery of aid,’ the Department of Justice and Cons
titutional Development said in a statement.

The conference is expected to be co-chaired by His Majesty King Abdullah Il bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres.

‘South Africa remains committed towards advancing efforts to find a coordinated and sustainable solution to the dire situation in Palestine and addressing and ending the large-scale suffering of the people of Gaza is of utmost importance to the country.

‘Minister Lamola says the South African government remains committed to advocate for peace in Gaza expressing the country’s determination to seek justice through all available international legal channels. He adds that South Africa is dedicated to upholding universal human rights and supporting the Palestinian people’s right to sovereignty, peace and secure life,’ the department concluded.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni has commended South African Police Service (SAPS) members involved in dismantling an underground drug laboratory worth millions in Alberton on Friday.

The police also arrested eight suspects.

On 28 May 2024, Johannesburg K9 members received information regarding a suspected drug laboratory operating from certain premises in Alberton. Over the following days, police observed the premises and confirmed there was illegal activity happening within the premises.

The members approached the National Counter Narcotics for assistance and proceeded to the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court to apply for a search warrant, which was granted.

On Friday, at about 10:00 in the morning, the team comprising of the Johannesburg K9 and National Counter Narcotics units, executed the search warrant at the premises.

The police found massive quantities of precursor chemicals for manufacturing drugs, drug manufacturing equipment and actual drugs.

The members then withdre
w from the house and called in Forensic Crime Scene Management as well as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

The police placed eight suspects found at the premises under arrest. They are facing possible charges of dealing in drugs and contravening Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Act 140 of 1992.

The Provincial Commissioner thanked the team for their due diligence, patience and execution of the search warrant.

‘This discovery and subsequent arrest of these alleged drug dealers and traffickers will have a positive impact on the streets of Gauteng.

‘These suspects’ criminal dealings have been disrupted and we have definitely hit them hard in the pockets,’ said Mthombeni.

Source: South African Government News Agency