Day: July 3, 2024

A 49-year-old Portuguese businessman who was kidnapped for ransom last month, is the latest victim to be rescued by the police.

In the last six months, 12 businessmen and six students who had been kidnapped for ransom have been rescued by a multidisciplinary team led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team.

According to the SAPS, the Portuguese businessman was kidnapped from his business premises in Florida, Johannesburg, on 24 June 2024.

‘On Monday evening, 1 July 2024, the team traced the victim to a home in Snake Park, Soweto, where he had been in captivity.

‘On the same evening, members also arrested one of his captors in Turffontein, Johannesburg,’ a statement from the Office of the National Commissioner of the SAPS read.

According to Eyewitness News (EWN), Portuguese South African butchery owners are being targeted in a spate of kidnappings in Gauteng.

The news organisation said that 20 Portuguese South African butchery owners and managers were kidnapped in the provinc
e since January last year, with one victim murdered.

EWN said ransom demands for the safe release of the victims range between R400 000 and R3.5 million, while in at least nine of these cases, ransom demands started from R10 million.

‘The SAPS anti-kidnapping task team including other law enforcement agencies and private security have been working around the clock to find the businessman, safe and unharmed,’ the police said.

The police believe that the 39-year-old suspect belongs to a syndicate that is responsible for at least four other kidnappings where businessmen were the target in the Johannesburg District.

‘The team is currently tracing suspects who were working together with the man.

‘In cases where the businessmen and students had been rescued, no ransom payment was made as a direct result of the expertise and capabilities of SAPS detectives, the crime intelligence unit and collaboration with private security.’

As per the police statement from January 2024 to date, 49 kidnappers who had demanded
ransom payment from families of victims have been arrested in Gauteng, the North West and Free State.

In addition, 21 vehicles used in the commission of these crimes have been confiscated and eight firearms have also been seized.

‘The SAPS is confident that working together with all stakeholders and community tip-offs, it will continue to take down more syndicates believed to be behind a spate of kidnappings for ransom across the country,’ the SAPS added.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) says a number of areas have started receiving water from Wednesday morning following the completion of repairs to the Sundays River Canal, with water being subsequently pumped back into the system.

The municipality embarked on a 10-day rehabilitation project for the Sundays River Canal, which commenced on 24 June 2024.

Led by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the project aimed to enhance the reliability and sustainability of the water supply to Nelson Mandela Bay residents.

The Lower Sundays River Canal repairs have led to added pressure on the municipality’s water reticulation system, with more areas identified as high risk.

The Lower Sundays River Canal forms part of the Lower Sunday’s Government Water Scheme (LSGWS).

The LSGWS forms part of the greater Orange-Fish-Sundays Inter Basin Transfer Scheme and it transfers 740 million kilolitres of water annually from the Gariep Dam to the Eastern Cape through the 80km Orange-Fish Tunnel.

The repair of
the canal is a result of a May 2017 incident, where a section of the canal embarkment slipped, about 4.4km south of Enon.

The Department of Water and Sanitation then had to construct a temporary embarkment using a plastic membrane to ensure the continuous supply of water to users. However, a secondary embankment failure has occurred, with 200m downstream of the initial embankment and canal failure.

The work on the canal included the demolition of the existing canal at the upstream and downstream tie-in sections.

The municipality said the production at Nooitgedacht Water Treatment Works is averaging 120 megalitres per day, with the Motherwell Reservoir at 27% and Grassridge and Oliphant Kop seeing increases to 23% and 32%, respectively.

‘Most low-lying areas are receiving water, with the exception of high-lying areas around NU 8, 9, 10, and 11. Water trucks will remain in the Motherwell area.

‘Bloemendal and Bethelsdorp reservoirs are also increasing, with average levels of 9%. This indicates that the sys
tem is full and that the affected areas in the Northern regions will also begin to receive water, starting with low-lying areas,’ the municipality said in a statement on Wednesday.

Planned water shutdown

Meanwhile, the municipality announced that a water shutdown is planned for Thursday, 4 July 2024, for maintenance on the water pipe network to be carried out.

‘Areas that will be affected include South End, and Forest Hill. Water supply will be shut off from 8am to 5pm.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier has noted with concern the recent circulation of misleading job advertisements sent through various social media and other platforms purporting to be newly issued by the provincial government.

The Office of the Premier said upon close examination, the job advertisements mirror the references and appearance of the original job advertisements issued by the provincial government in August 2023, under the Sthesha Waya-Waya provincial recruitment drive.

‘Those advertisements have closed, and the recruitment processes have been concluded and they are not being re-advertised. All approved provincial government vacancies are advertised on the provincial government e-recruitment system or departments’ websites.

‘At this juncture, the Office of the Premier categorically states that these social media advertisements are not sanctioned by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and are the work of unscrupulous and mischievous individuals seeking to exploit the aspirations of hon
est South Africans who are diligently searching for employment or considering career changes,’ the Office of the Premier said.

The Office of the Premier has urged all citizens to exercise extreme caution and discernment when applying for any vacancies.

‘We strongly advise against engaging with such fraudulent adverts and emphasise that any legitimate government vacancies will be formally advertised through credible newspapers as well as the official KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government e-recruitment system, http://kznonline.gov.za/kznjobs.

‘The Office of the Premier and KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government remain committed to transparency and integrity in all its recruitment processes. We encourage the public to verify the authenticity of any job postings and to report any suspicious advertisements to the appropriate authorities,’ the office said.

The Office of the Premier added that the goal is to protect the interests and well-being of all South Africans and ensure that all opportunities are accessed fai
rly and legitimately.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Mbali Shinga, has ordered a full investigation into the allegations of child abuse at the Aryan Benevolent Home Child and Youth Care Centre in Chatsworth, Durban.

Shinga visited the centre on Tuesday, following recent allegations of child abuse at the home.

According to the provincial department, reports suggest that workers at the facility have ignored children’s rights, with instances of children being assaulted with wet towels and belts.

Shinga said it was disappointing that management at the institution could not pick up any signs of the abuse.

‘I believe that one person should have picked this up before it reached this stage because it has been happening for a long time.’

The centre’s General Manager, Ray Naguran, confirmed the abuse allegation and that 48 children had been abused.

The MEC has announced the formation of a dedicated team of investigators to thoroughly examine the grave concerns.

‘The investigative team will work diligently t
o uncover the truth, provide support to any affected children, and ensure that appropriate actions are taken against any perpetrators.’

Shinga added that the team will also wait for the other 21 children residing at the home, who are currently away for the holidays to come back so that they can also hear their side of the story on the allegations.

The team which will be led by the department’s Head of Department has been given three weeks to complete its investigation and compile a report for her to review.

‘The department remains steadfast in its mission to protect the most vulnerable members of society and uphold the highest standards of care within our child welfare institutions. The safety and well-being of our children are paramount, [and] any instances of child abuse will be met with swift and decisive action,’ said Shinga.

Naguran said four child caregivers have since been dismissed.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The independent school Christel House, which made the top 10 shortlist for the World’s Best School Prize for ‘Overcoming Adversity,’ has received a congratulatory message from the Western Cape Education Department.

The school, which is situated in Ottery in Cape Town, serves learners from disadvantaged communities.

Christel House’s mission is to help children break the cycle of poverty, realise their hopes and dreams, and become self-sufficient members of society.

Most of the learners at the school must face gang warfare, drugs, alcoholism, hunger and abuse to make it to school every day.

Christel DeHaan, a German American businesswoman and philanthropist, founded the school, which offers Grades R through 12.

Western Cape MEC for Education, David Maynier, congratulated Christel House for being a finalist in the World’s Best Schools competition for 2024.

‘The school is doing excellent work supporting learners from poor communities to receive a world-class education, and it is fitting that they have been
selected as a finalist in the ‘Overcoming Adversity’ category. We wish them all the best in the next phase of the competition, and we are holding thumbs for the announcement of the top three in September.’

Christel House joins the Western Cape’s list of previous top 10 and top three finalists in the World Best School Prize.

In 2022, Pinelands-North Primary School achieved the top three position in the category ‘Overcoming Adversity’, while the West End Primary School featured in the top 10 position in the same category.

Last year, the Rustenburg Girls High School scooped the top 10 position in the category for ‘Supporting Healthy Lives’.

The top three finalists for each of the five World’s Best School Prizes – for Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives – will be announced later this year.

After a public advisory vote, the winner of each prize will be chosen based on rigorous criteria by a judging academy comprising distinguished leade
rs across the globe including academics, educators, non-government organisations (NGOs), social entrepreneurs, government, civil society, and the private sector.

‘We are delighted that Christel House will have the opportunity to showcase their ‘best practice’ to the world and are rooting for them to make the finals.’

The World’s Best School Prizes are the world’s most prestigious education awards, giving inspirational schools a share of the $50 000 (R 924 816.50) award and a global platform so others can replicate their best practices.

This year’s list features Afghanistan’s only school helping students with all kinds of disabilities to a school in Poland set up for Ukrainian refugees.

On the list, there is also a school from Italy tackling bullying and a London school confronting knife crime.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The new Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the seventh administration have been sworn into office in Cape Town.

The cohort took their oath of office or solemn affirmation in a ceremony officiated by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Wednesday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile watched on and congratulated the new Ministers and Deputy Ministers that he appointed in terms of the powers vested in him by the Constitution.

Addressing members of the media following the swearing-in ceremony, President Ramaphosa said the ceremony was a historic moment.

‘It has been a very difficult and complicated process. It’s now come to an end and to a start. It’s a fresh start for all of us in South Africa. Today was a historic moment in constituting the Executive of our country in the form of Ministers and Deputy Ministers, who have all collectively been assuring me… that they are going to work and they are going to make South Africans proud.

‘The trust that our people have invested
in all these men and women… We will not waste time. We will work very hard to take our country forward,’ he said.

The first to take the oath of office was Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

In taking the oath, the Deputy President said: ‘In the presence of everyone assembled here, and in full realisation of the high calling I assume as Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, I, Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution and all other law of the Republic; and I solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always promote all that will advance the Republic, and oppose all that may harm it;

be a true and faithful counsellor;

discharge my duties with all my strength and talents to the best of my knowledge and ability and true to the dictates of my conscience;

do justice to all; and

devote myself to the well-being of the Republic and all of its people

‘So help me God.”

Then it was the turn of
the newly minted executive to take the oath of office or solemn affirmation.

The oath or affirmation compels them – amongst others – to be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and to uphold the Constitution and all other laws while in office.

See our Special Feature | Meet the new Cabinet

New path

Unlike previously, the new Ministers and Deputy Ministers are from an array of political parties as a result of the formation of the Government of National Unity.

The cohort boasts some of South Africa’s youngest minds to enter office, including the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, 34; new Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, also 34; Finance Deputy Minister Ashor Sarupen, 36 and 32-year-old Deputy Minister of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi.

On social media platform X, Gwarube said: ‘Thank you all for the well wishes! Being appointed the Minister of Basic Education is a massive responsibility that I do not take lightly. The future of the country
rests on how well this department that I lead does its work.’

New faces to the Cabinet include Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber and Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi.

In a post on X, Schreiber said: ‘It is my honour to be appointed as Minister of Home Affairs for the Republic of South Africa. I pledge to serve you to the best of my abilities and in a spirit of collaboration, to demonstrate that South Africans can fix even the most intractable problems when we work together.’

There are some returning faces to South Africa’s Cabinet and deputy ministries.

These include Sihle Zikalala, who will be serving as Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

Zikalala served as Minister of that department during the sixth administration.

‘As we continue this work, we do so with a steadfast commitment to put maximum efforts towards bettering the poor and work with all stakeholders.

‘Together, we must make relentless str
ides to address unemployment, poverty and inequality. I congratulate the new Minister of DPWI, Dean MacPherson, and wish him all the best in his new assignment and look forward to working with him,’ Zikalala said in a statement.

At the end of the swearing-in ceremony, Director General in the Presidency, Phindile Baleni, wished the leaders of the seventh administration well.

‘Congratulations to the new National Executive and the Deputy Ministers on your appointment. We wish you well in your duties and endeavours to create a better South Africa and a better world,’ Baleni said.

Source: South African Government News Agency