Day: July 23, 2024

Over 700 people have been arrested in Operation Shanela operations in the North West.

The suspects, 793 in total, were arrested in stop and searches, roadblocks and inspections conducted in the province from Monday, 15 July 2024 until Sunday, 21 July 2024.

The suspects were arrested for, among other things, rape, murder,, malicious damage to property, burglary at a residential and business premises, theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

Of the 793 arrested suspects, 347 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, common assault, house robbery and business robbery.

A total of 54 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In addition, 29 undocumented persons were taken in for processing.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) the arrests were effected through the execution of several actions, including stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, visiting and inspecting of 56 lice
nsed liquor premises, 13 second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and others.

The operation also resulted in the confiscation of a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, four handguns and ammunition, three vehicles, liquor, tobacco products and 11kg of copper cables.

The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for these successes and thanked them for working tirelessly in putting suspects behind bars.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has announced a new programme to foster cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI) between South Africa and war-torn Palestine.

‘The programme will also have a special focus support for safeguarding, rebuilding, and developing Palestine’s research and innovation capacities and infrastructure,’ Nzimande explained on Tuesday.

According to the Minister, the decision was made following a series of collaborations between the two nations.

These include a joint research project, seed funding for developing South African-Palestinian knowledge networks, the hosting of Palestinian scholars and students in South Africa in exchange programmes and sharing South African policy experience regarding science policy and system development.

The Minister, delivering his 2024/25 Budget Vote, stated that the programme aligns with the department’s strategic objective of using science diplomacy to foster human solidarity, and social justi
ce, and support the country’s foreign policy.

‘This new programme will be implemented by our entity the NRF [National Research Foundation] and will be funded from the department’s existing budget for international cooperation,’ he told Members of Parliament (MPs).

Vaccines

For the 2024/25 financial year, the department experienced a budget cut, which was adjusted to R10 562 billion from R10 874 billion in 2023/24.

‘I am honoured to be delivering the first Budget Vote of the Department of Science and Innovation, under the seventh administration, in the same year we celebrate 30 years of democracy.

‘In these 30 years, our country has made tremendous strides in science, technology, and innovation,’ he added.

He highlighted some of the achievements under the previous administration, which he believes have laid a foundation for deepening work in the new government.

This includes a new Vaccine Manufacturing Strategy (VIMS) to promote domestic design, development and production of vaccines.

Through VIMS, the
department targeted vaccine development to fight the Rift Valley fever (RVF), human papillomavirus (HPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the hepatitis B virus.

Working with the World Health Organisation (WHO), government also set up capacity for the local development of mRNA vaccines in response to future Coronavirus threats.

Hydrogen economy

Nzimande also touched on the hydrogen economy, which was specifically referenced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) last Thursday.

‘The DSI is leading major innovations to promote the transition to green hydrogen as an alternative source of energy to fuel our economy and to facilitate a net-zero energy future,’ he explained.

In 2023/24, they also provided R53 million as an initial investment to support women-led small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) in the hydrogen economy.

Achievements

A national solar research facility was also established by the government to enable localisation and technology transfer in suppo
rt of the Cannabis Industrialisation Masterplan and the Renewable Energy Masterplan.

‘Arising from this, it is pleasing to report that the CSIR [Council for Scientific and Industrial Research] graduated 23 SMMEs with two commercial value-added products each.’

The Minister also highlighted the role of the department in leading scientific and technological advancements in the field of astronomy, particularly in the construction of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, which is poised to become the world’s biggest-ever radio telescope array.

In the area of agro-processing and farmer development in the 2023/24 period, the department provided 1 480 black emerging farmers with technology development support.

New growth industries

Building on the successes of the sixth administration, the Minister said they remain committed to ensuring the sustainability of existing businesses in the agricultural, manufacturing and mining sectors and supporting the development of new growth industries.

‘STI is also about t
ransforming the socio-economic conditions of working-class communities in townships and rural areas.’

He also touched on the Mandela Mining Precinct, a public-private partnership between the DSI and the Minerals Council of South Africa aimed at revitalising mining research, development and innovation to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

As part of building a capable State, he said his department has begun establishing an Earth Observation Data Centre to provide decision support tools for government in fire and flood mapping, food security monitoring, human settlements mapping, forest mapping, disaster management, climate change and water resources management.

In addition, he told Parliament that government was looking at ways of raising gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) equal to 1.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030/31.

‘Our challenges notwithstanding, we present this budget as our commitment to transform our National System of Innovation and using science, technolog
y, and innovation to impact the lives of our people in a transformative way,’ he added.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on Tuesday seized various assets and properties valued at approximately R52.6 million.

The assets and properties are linked to 22 senior management officials, service providers and entities involved in an alleged corruption network within the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works.

The seizure follows a preservation court order from the High Court of South Africa, Mpumalanga Division, Mbombela obtained by the AFU.

The order allows the AFU, SIU and Hawks to seize various assets in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the North West and Western Cape provinces associated with personal protective equipment (PPE) corruption.

‘The operation included serving orders at 34 locations and capturing inventories of 29 properties, 31 vehicles and a boat trailer.

‘The court order freezes properties such as houses, electronics, cars, household items, jewellery, arms, amm
unition, bank accounts, salaries and bail monies.

‘All internet banking privileges will be removed from the accused as of 23 July 2024. The seized assets and frozen properties belong to employees of the Mpumalanga Public Works, while others belong to service providers doing business with the department,’ said a joint statement by the NPA, Hawks and SIU.

The order restrains the following individuals and entities:

Department officials:

– Macdonald Sigudla

– Dorries Mbatha

– Bandile Ngcobo

– Godisamang Molotsane

– Kobus Mkhabela

– Sipho Monareng

Service providers:

– Maganeleni Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd

– Anthony Maganeleng Mashigo

– Gladness Gugu Bulunga

– Thandolwam Transport and Projects (Pty) Ltd

– Mbombela Integrated Waste Management Services (Pty) Ltd

– Orapaleng Molotsane

– Tsidi Susan Sedibe

– Superia Services Trading CC

– Whisky Delisa Khumalo

– Makulaspan Construction (Pty) Ltd

– Thabang Lebo Andiswa Dibakoane

– Ntando Ms Trading (Pty) Ltd

– Bongani Edward Lukhele

– Ligabho
Le’Africa Properties (Pty) Ltd

– Oratile Molotsane

– Ezrom Molotsane

‘The order is based on Section 26 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 121 of 1998, which prevents a person from dissipating their assets before a confiscation order is made following a conviction,’ the joint statement said.

The SIU’s investigation into PPE contracts related to the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that senior management officials awarded multi-million Rand COVID-19 PPE tenders to suppliers who did not deliver the services.

‘These suppliers paid substantial kickbacks to the senior management officials and their family members in different ways.

‘The investigation uncovered multiple instances of corruption, fraud, theft, and money laundering committed by senior managers and service providers involved in procuring PPE disinfection services during the COVID-19 period.

‘In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU referred criminal evidence to the NPA and Hawks for fur
ther investigation, leading to the arrest of department officials and service providers,’ said the statement.

The officials and service providers face criminal charges related to PPE procurement and will appear in the Commercial Crimes Court on charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering.

President Cyril Ramaphosa directed the SIU, in terms of Proclamation R23 of 2020, to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, malpractice, and payments made by State institutions relating to PPE procurement and the conduct of State employees.

Source: South African Government News Agency

While this week marks 120 days without load shedding in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa says it is too soon to claim victory.

‘Our electricity system is still vulnerable, and we cannot yet rule out a possibility of further load shedding,’ President Ramaphosa said on Tuesday.

The President said this when he tabled the 2024/25 Presidency Budget Vote in Parliament.

He told Members of Parliament (MPs) that one of the greatest impediments to economic growth has been the electricity crisis, which the Presidency has been instrumental in addressing.

The National Energy Crisis Committee, which was established in 2022 to oversee the implementation of the Energy Action Plan, is chaired by the President and coordinated at a technical level by the Director-General in the Presidency.

‘With the support of the National Energy Crisis Committee, there has been a marked improvement in the performance of Eskom’s power stations, which produce the bulk of South Africa’s electricity.’

WATCH | President Cyril Ramaphosa
addresses the National Assembly during the tabling of the Presidency’s Budget Vote.

Meanwhile, he said regulatory changes have enabled substantial new investment in electricity generation.

He announced that government has also been working closely with independent power producers (IPPs) in steering their projects through to the construction phase, contributing significantly to the reduction in the severity of load shedding.

‘We are going to continue working with companies, financial institutions and business organisations, both South African and international, during the course of our ambitious investment drive over the last five years.’

According to the Head of State, alleviating load shedding, improving the performance of the logistics system, reducing the cost of data, improving water supply, attracting the much-needed skills, and the reforms already underway will provide a significant boost to the economy in the medium term.

‘In addition, these reforms support the repositioning of strategic State-own
ed enterprises by strengthening their balance sheets and improving their operational performance, while also enabling higher levels of private investment in infrastructure.’

READ | President: 100 days of no load shedding no reason to relax

Corruption

The President also touched on corruption and stated that government has made important progress in implementing the recommendations of the State Capture Commission.

‘This includes the work of our law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice and to recover stolen funds, as well as the legislative and other changes needed to strengthen the fight against corruption and prevent state capture.’

In addition, he said the Presidency plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the work of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has an impact and that people involved in wrongdoing face the consequences of their actions.

‘The Presidency has forged a close working relationship with the SIU and law enforcement agencies to monitor the implementation of the recommenda
tions for criminal, disciplinary and administrative action arising from SIU investigations,’ he added.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Cape Town residents have one week left to submit their comments on the revised Sub-council by-law which proposes that the number of sub-councils operating in the metropolitan be reduced from 21 to 20 sub-councils.

The council has considered the listed sub-council boundaries with a view to creating greater synergy in service delivery by aligning sub-council boundaries with line departments’ service delivery areas and streamlining sub-council boundaries by reducing the number of sub councils from 21 to 20 as well as effecting fiscal prudence and contributing to budget austerity measures by reducing the number of sub councils.

‘With the ongoing budget cuts from National Government, it was decided that the boundaries of the sub-councils be reviewed, and that Alderman Matthew Kempthorne be appointed by the Executive Mayor to reconvene and lead a multi-party committee to relook the boundaries of the sub-councils,’ City of Cape Town Speaker, Felicity Purchase said.

The multi-party committee comprising all the par
ties in council, met to provide input and proposals on the new boundaries for sub-council, where it concluded their deliberations and decided to submit a proposal for the new sub-council boundaries to council.

City’s Mayoral Member of Committee for Corporate Services, Theresa Uys, said during the council’s meeting on 12 June 2024, council decided to approve the proposal, as submitted by the multi-party committee, and thereafter advertise it to the broader community of Cape Town for comment.

‘Once we have received public input, we will then submit these comments to the multi-party committee for consideration [and] the committee will then make a final recommendation to council,’ Uys said.

The public comment will close on 30 July 2024, and the council will then decide on the proposed new boundaries of these sub-councils at the council meeting scheduled for 22 August 2024.

Additional information, including the draft by-law and the map depicting the new proposed sub-council boundaries, is available at www.cape
town.gov.za/collaborate

Source: South African Government News Agency

For the next five years, government’s overriding priority is to achieve more rapid and inclusive economic growth so that it can create jobs, reduce poverty, and build a more just and equal society.

‘To achieve this, we must configure the system of government to support a significant expansion of investment in infrastructure. We have seen the value of collaboration in pursuing this objective,’ President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday in Parliament.

Tabling the Presidency’s Budget Vote, President Ramaphosa said through Infrastructure South Africa, government has been able to draw on private sector expertise and skills to improve the preparation, financing and implementation of infrastructure investment.

‘Through the Infrastructure Fund, we are going to explore new approaches to blended financing of infrastructure, using the fiscus to leverage additional funding from the private sector, development finance institutions and other sources.

‘We have been working closely with Independent Power Producers in stee
ring their projects through to the construction phase, contributing significantly to the reduction in the severity of load shedding.

‘We are going to continue working with companies, financial institutions and business organisations, both South African and international, during the course of our ambitious investment drive over the last five years,’ the President said.

In 2018, government set a target of mobilising R1.2 trillion in new investments over five years.

‘By the conclusion of the fifth South Africa Investment Conference last year, government had exceeded that target, raising over R1.5 trillion in new investment commitments.

‘We have had an opportunity to visit many of the factories and projects that have been built or expanded as a result of these investments and we have seen the many jobs they have created,’ the President said.

Red tape reduction efforts

As part of efforts to enhance the business environment and create much-needed jobs, a team to address red tape reduction in government was es
tablished in The Presidency.

‘The work of the red tape reduction team that was established in the Presidency under the leadership of Mr Sipho Nkosi has been possible due to close cooperation with various departments, public entities and spheres of government, as well as support from the private sector.

‘The team is looking at a capacity building approach to tackle red tape in provincial governments and a pilot to support three city municipalities with reform action plans to address inefficient business processes.

‘Through this experience, it is clear that the removal of red tape is a cross-cutting exercise that requires a coordinated and integrated approach. Significant progress was made during the sixth administration in implementing reforms to enable economic growth, with a focus on modernising network industries,’ President Ramaphosa said.

These reforms have been undertaken across government with the support of Operation Vulindlela, which is a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury th
at seeks to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms and support economic recovery.

‘This progress provides a solid platform on which we will build a sustained increase in the rate of economic growth and a reduction in poverty, unemployment and inequality.

‘By alleviating load shedding, improving the performance of the logistics system, reducing the cost of data, improving water supply, and enabling the country to attract the skills it needs, the reforms already underway will provide a significant boost to the economy in the medium term,’ the President said.

In addition, these reforms support the repositioning of strategic state-owned enterprises by strengthening their balance sheets and improving their operational performance, while also enabling higher levels of private investment in infrastructure.

A recent independent study released by the Bureau of Economic Research estimates that the reforms undertaken under the auspices of Operation Vulindlela could increase real Gross Domestic Product g
rowth to 3.5 percent by 2029.

‘Apart from the changes that these reforms are making to the country’s productive capacity and competitiveness, they are also contributing to greater business confidence. As confidence grows, so does investment, creating jobs and supporting demand. This is a virtuous cycle that leads to higher growth on a sustained basis,’ the President said.

Government will now embark on the second phase of Operation Vulindlela.

‘The immediate priority is to sustain the momentum and follow through on the implementation of current reforms to realise their full impact. While these reforms are a necessary condition for growth and job creation, they are not sufficient to drive structural transformation in the economy,’ President Ramaphosa said.

In its second phase, Operation Vulindlela will therefore focus on reforming the local government system, harnessing digital public infrastructure, and addressing spatial inequality.

‘We will work closely with provincial and local governments to address s
ervice delivery challenges, in line with our Constitutional mandate. We will coordinate a whole-of-government programme to drive digital transformation of government and modernise our digital public infrastructure.

‘Finally, we will turn the attention of Operation Vulindlela to spatial inequality, which remains a key barrier to economic growth,’ the President said.

Source: South African Government News Agency