Month: July 2024

Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has moved to assure South Africans that the department is committed, together with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and municipalities, to finding an enduring solution to the rising cost of electricity in South Africa.

The Minister was addressing a media briefing on Monday morning.

‘There’s been an exponential rise in the cost of electricity. Our electricity pricing plan needs to kick in and that’s the primary preoccupation of the work of the ministry now working with Eskom; working with municipalities and working with SALGA.’

Ramokgopa addressed some initiatives by municipalities, which have not been well received by communities. He cited the example of a ‘surcharge’ (also known as a network fee).

‘We really don’t want to engage publicly on the merits of whether the R200 [surcharge] is necessary or not. What we want to do is to find a more enduring and robust solution to this problem,’ he said.

The Minister added that di
scussions with SALGA had already begun during the sixth administration.

‘There’s an appreciation that it’s important that we pull together. This situation is untenable. Communities are getting more and more enraged [and] people just can’t afford the cost of electricity.

‘As the ministry, together with the Deputy Minister, we have taken a view that we will not fold our arms although that domain… is the exclusive purview of local authorities. Municipalities rightfully say that it’s their domain but we are agreed with SALGA that we are going to resolve this problem domestically,’ he said.

Ramokgopa said in finding solutions, the role of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) is indispensable.

‘As an independent authority, they’ve got the duty to protect the consumer, they’ve got a duty to interrogate the proposed tariff increases from Eskom and also from municipalities. So what we’re going to do is not to pressure Nersa but to work with Nersa.

‘We are going to insist on a Nersa framework… tha
t takes care of the interests of the poor and the marginalised so that we don’t deny them access to electricity. Protect the interests also of the affluent because we can’t get to a situation where the pricing structure is such that it becomes unaffordable over time but also protects industries… that don’t become competitive as a result of the pricing structure.

‘We will work with the municipalities. We know what you are going through and it is our intention to resolve this question,’ he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

National Treasury, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and the National Consumer Financial Education Committee (NCFEC) has called on organisations and individuals to participate in the Money Smart Week South Africa (MSWSA) 2024 campaign.

The 2024 edition of MSWSA will run from 26 August to 1 September 2024, featuring various consumer-focused financial education programmes and initiatives.

‘The key objective of the MSWSA is to provide a national collaborative platform and mobilise a wide range of stakeholders to motivate, empower and educate South Africans and contribute to a more financially literate citizenry,’ the National Treasury said on Monday.

MSWSA is an initiative of the NCFEC and was first launched in 2018.

Over the past six years it has reached a multitude of South Africans through mainstream media, community radio, exhibitions, television, social media, and face-to-face workshops.

Additionally, the initiative has witnessed an increase in stakeholder participation from 48 participants
in 2018 to 78 participants in 2023.

‘Participation in MSWSA is open to any organisation or individual, including academic institutions, government departments, regulatory authorities, financial institutions, community groups, companies, non-governmental organisations and public benefit organisations.

‘Activities during this campaign will include free workshops, presentations, mall activations, exhibitions, and webinars. Interested participants are invited to organise their own financial education initiatives and events to host during the week-long campaign,’ National Treasury said.

The online registration process is open for participants to submit a participation application form, by no later than 16 August 2024.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has asserted that it has not conducted any ‘secret meetings’ with business on the review of the country’s climate change commitments.

This comes after the department received a request for access to information related to closed-door meetings and other interactions between government officials and private industry representatives relating to South Africa’s policy and regulatory approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The application also relates to other interactions on South Africa’s energy mix, the Just Transition to a low-carbon economy and any associated infrastructure and resource exploration activities.

The request was received on 25 August 2023 in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act No 2 of 2000) for information.

‘DFFE will respond to the PAIA application from Just Share and the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism in due course. South Africa concluded its process to develop its nati
onal climate change commitments on climate mitigation and adaptation in 2021.

‘The process involved rigorous public consultation and the Presidential Climate Commission, a constituency based advisory body, provided valuable advisory inputs that led to the finalisation of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC),’ the department said on Monday.

Through the updated NDC, South Africa has committed to a target range of 420-350 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

‘This is consistent with the Paris Agreement limit of a temperature increase well below two degrees Celsius. Since then, there has not been any subsequent discussion to review these targets,’ the department said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished Team South Africa the best success for the Olympic Games currently underway in Paris.

This as the 2024 Olympic Games got underway this week in France.

‘Having our flag held aloft by Team South Africa fills us with great pride and expectation for the team’s success in the Paris Games. Team South Africa also causes us to reflect on how our 30 years of freedom have opened the doors for South Africans from all backgrounds, walks of life and geographic locations to exercise their human potential and talents,’ said the President in a statement.

The Opening Ceremony of the Games was held on Friday evening with the President saying that the diversity of national team reflects the unity, social inclusion and shared vision ‘we have been able to build as a previously divided nation.’

‘Today, we celebrate our participation in global society, including in the sports arenas of the world.

‘From rugby sevens, aquatics, fencing and archery to track and field, canoeing, cycling and gol
f, our flag and our good wishes will accompany our athletes as they realise their dreams, which are our collective dreams.’

President Ramaphosa assured the athletes who will perform at the games as well as the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) of the nation’s full support.

The President similarly wished the host nation, France, and the International Olympic Committee a successful showcase of human ability and social solidarity.

The Paris Olympic Games which began on on 24 July, will conclude on 11 August 2024.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has congratulated Justice Mandisa Maya on her appointment as the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.

‘This historic appointment of Justice Maya as the first woman in this position will serve as an inspiration that gender equality and equity can be achieved through a concerted effort,’ the CGE said in a statement on Friday.

In a significant milestone for the country, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of current Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, as Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa with effect from 1 September 2024.

In a statement on Thursday, the Presidency said the appointment follows the President’s consultation, in accordance with Constitutional prescripts, with the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly.

READ | President Ramaphosa appoints Justice Maya as next Chief Justice

The CGE released a report titled ‘Gender Transformation in the Judiciary’ in 2016.

‘The
findings of this report decried amongst others lack gender transformation in the judiciary. The CGE believes that Justice Maya has over the years displayed strong leadership qualities since she became a member of the bench, and this will serve as a catalyst for her to do exceptionally well.

‘The CGE believes that the Commission’s report on transformation in the judiciary has decried lack of gender transformation in the judiciary, and this appointment is the first step in addressing that imbalance.’

It further added that Maya’s appointment will go a long way in ensuring that more women are considered for senior positions in the judiciary.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, has welcomed the arrest of 95 Libyan nationals who are alleged to have been receiving training at an illegal military training camp in White River, Mpumalanga.

The Libyan nationals allegedly entered the country with visas that were acquired through misrepresentation in Tunis, Tunisia.

‘One operation at a time, we must restore the rule of law. Following a major joint operation by Home Affairs, [the] South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement authorities, the department is on the ground ensuring that anyone who breached immigration laws is processed through the court. Respect our laws, or there will be consequences,’ said the Minister in a statement on Saturday.

The Minister said that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has already cancelled the irregularly acquired visas and is working with other law enforcement authorities to look at all options, including deportation.

The visa cancellation means that all the affected Libyans are now undocument
ed foreign nationals.

Schreiber has instructed the department to provide full support to this multidisciplinary effort.

This as as the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola assured the nation that the SAPS will ensure a thorough investigation into allegations that the Libyan nationals were allegedly receiving military training at the site.

General Masemola welcomed the intelligence driven operation that led to the takedown operation on Thursday morning by a multidisciplinary team including detectives and specialised units within the SAPS.

A team of detectives is investigating alleged suspicious activities that are taking place at the farm in White River.

‘When a team led by SAPS detectives arrived at the farm they found the Libyans housed in military tents. Military training equipment was also found including licensed firearms. SAPS detectives cannot rule out the possibility that the farm that is accredited as a security training site is allegedly being utilised as an illegal militar
y training camp,’ said the SAPS which is working closely with the DHA on the case.

General Masemola said the police will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of what kind of activities have been taking place on the farm.

‘During the takedown operation, police also found dagga and cocaine. Some of the other drugs found in their possession are being sent to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory in Pretoria to identify them as illegal substances,’ he said.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu conducted a walkabout of the site on Saturday.

‘Thorough investigations by various law enforcement agencies are underway,’ he said in post on social media platform, X.

Masemola said the safety and security of citizens is of paramount importance and that the SAPS remains committed to dealing decisively with transnational organised crime.

Source: South African Government News Agency