Day: August 21, 2024

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), in collaboration with the South African Embassy in Saudi Arabia, will host a virtual Outward Selling Mission to Saudi Arabia.

The theme of the mission will be: “Unlocking Trade Opportunities through Collaboration.’

Thursday’s mission will focus on opportunities that are available in the Saudi market for South African meat producers to take advantage of, as well as market access requirements.

In August last year, the Saudi government lifted a 21-year ban on importing red meat products such as beef, lamb and mutton from South Africa.

According to the Deputy Director-General of Exports at the dtic, Lerato Mataboge, the lifting of the ban provides a good opportunity for South African meat producers to tap into the $5 billion Saudi market.

Exporters, importers, agents, distributors, retailers, as well as representatives of abattoirs, chambers of businesses and business organisations are expected to attend the interactive session to share inform
ation on how to further explore the opportunities provided by the Saudi market for South African meat producers.

‘Soon after the lifting of the ban, numerous companies worked hard to ensure that they seized the export opportunity that was created by the decision of the Saudi government, which was the result of the State Visit to Saudi Arabia by President Cyril Ramaphosa in October 2022,’ Mataboge said.

‘The lifting of the ban was preceded by a visit by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to South African abattoirs and feedlots to check their compliance with the Saudi market access protocols and halaal certification,’ she said.

Mataboge said since the lifting of the ban, twelve South African companies have been approved by the SFDA to export beef meat and its products and approved seven companies for lamb and mutton meat and its products to Saudi Arabia.

She said the session will provide valuable insights to Saudi importers and distributors into the South Africa’s meat export value chain, highlighti
ng why South African companies are suppliers of choice for importers worldwide.

‘Our value proposition is that South Africa has a world-class meat sector that is well-positioned to meet the Saudi market demand,’ Mataboge said.

She said in addition to providing market access information, the session will also explore South Africa’s halaal compliance standards and provide opportunities for Saudi importers to connect with South African exporters. It will also promote South Africa’s industrial capabilities and facilitate business-to-business engagements.

‘These engagements are expected to ultimately culminate in an increase in the volumes of South African meat products that are exported to Saudi Arabia,’ Mataboge explained.

Bilateral trade

The mission will also contribute to strengthening economic relations between South Africa and Saudi Arabia and boost trade and investment.

She added that exports of meat from bovine animals increased to R3.6 million in 2023 from R0 in 2022.

‘Saudi Arabia continues to
be a key strategic partner for South Africa in the Middle East. It is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner and the biggest source of imports from the Middle East. Bilateral trade between the two countries totalled R66 billion in 2023,’ Mataboge said.

The session will get underway at 10 am. It can be accessed on: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a36b99fd-7ea0-40e9-b0a0-84fb05b81aa4@65bb5da6-80f4-46a8-a104-842c82f8acce

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, has hailed Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as a beacon of wisdom, forged by experience, unwavering in principle and integrity, and embodying both humility and courage.

Simelane was paying tribute on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the farewell dinner of outgoing Chief Justice Zondo in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, on Tuesday night.

Zondo is retiring at the end of August 2024 after a distinguished judicial career spanning 27 years.

During his term, Zondo has been pivotal in advancing the transformation of the judiciary, leading the Labour Appeal Court through significant challenges, and presiding over the State Capture Commission.

‘Tonight, we honour a person who possesses all the virtues demanded of a judge as foretold by the ancients. A man of wisdom, tempered by experience. A man of unwavering principle and integrity. A man of humility and courage.

‘Chief Justice Zondo has served the cause of justice over a long and illustrious ca
reer. He led the Constitutional Court at an important time in our democracy,’ the Minister said.

Simelane praised Zondo for leading the State Capture Commission as the country tried to uphold the rule of law.

‘This was a task which he undertook with dignity, with fairness and with integrity. The work of what is now known as the Zondo Commission remains integral to our efforts to rebuild our country in the wake of one of the most shameful periods in our democratic history.

‘The Zondo Commission was an affirmation of our constitutional order, the rule of law and the strength of our institutions. The Commission did much more than reveal – in painstaking detail – the extent and nature of state capture,’ she said.

The Minister added that the Commission began to restore society’s confidence in its ability to correct mistakes and to hold those responsible for wrongdoing to account.

‘History will record that Chief Justice Zondo fulfilled his assigned responsibility with wisdom and diligence. But more than that
. History will record that Chief Justice Zondo established a standard for probity in public affairs that will serve our country for many years to come,’ the Minister said.

Simelane told the gathering that it was a great honour to pay tribute to a distinguished jurist and a dedicated champion of our democratic constitutional order.

‘Through the service he has rendered the nation, through his conduct and his demeanour, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has earned the admiration, respect and gratitude of all South Africans,’ she said.

Simelane added that the government’s task now is to follow in Zondo’s direction.

She highlighted that already, the government has done much to implement the recommendations of the commission.

‘To ensure that our country may never again experience state capture, we have introduced and enacted legislation in critical areas such as public procurement, criminal justice, public administration and others.

‘The law enforcement agencies have made important progress in investigating and pro
secuting alleged perpetrators and have begun to recover stolen funds.

‘As we continue and intensify this work, we are duty bound to entrench in all areas of public life the ethical standards that the Zondo Commission has helped to define,’ she said.

Simelane wished Chief Justice Zondo the very best upon his retirement.

‘The nation thanks you for your service. The bench, the legal fraternity and our country is all the richer for your contribution.

‘We are confident that your important voice and wise counsel will not be lost to us in this new era in the life of our country,’ the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

This year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is observing Women’s Month by celebrating its women in blue, who do not only bring inclusivity and empathy to the table, but who also go beyond the call of duty to serve and protect the people of South Africa.

Today, SAPS introduces the nation to Sergeant Silindile Njilo, a crime prevention member attached to the Ntuzuma police station in KwaZulu-Natal.

Njilo and baby ‘Tholakele’ captured the hearts and minds of the nation when a video clip of them trended on social media platforms earlier this year. Loosely translated, the name Tholakele means ‘being found’. The real identity of the toddler is being withheld.

Little did Njilo know how her day shift would unfold when she reported for duty on 05 May 2024 and found an abandoned baby girl at the Client Service Centre (CSC). The baby was brought to the police station during the previous shift by the owner of a local tavern after the biological mother had left the baby at his establishment.

Wasting no time,
Njilo went home to get a wash basin and returned back to the police station where she bathed Tholakele, changed her into a new set of clothes and fed her while waiting for social services to arrive.

It was as if the baby instinctively realised that she was safe in the arms of Njilo and a bond immediately formed between them.

Baby Tholakele, a name Njilo gave her, has since been placed at a place of safety. Njilo visits often and says she continues to love and care for Tholakela as if she were one of her own.

Njilo, a devoted wife and mother of two, also says her act of humility that day was merely a reflection of her humble upbringing as she knows how it feels to ‘come from nothing’.

Her mother single handedly raised Njilo and her siblings with no steady income. Njilo says she will never forget her late mother’s words: “Be a light and take care of those who need help”.

She often takes out money from her own pocket to buy basic essentials and food to support poverty-stricken community members.

Joining
the Service 14 years ago was a dream come true for Njilo, as she believes there is no greater calling than to be of service to her community.

As a crime prevention member, her duties include dealing with general enquiries and complaints lodged by the public, attend to crime scenes, effecting arrests and detaining suspects as well as carrying out patrol duties.

“I urge our community members to support and stand alongside members of the South African Police Service. Because, together we can achieve more towards a safer country for all,” said Njilo.

Nothing short of a heroine, Sergeant Njilo continues to be a shining light in the community she serves.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Eskom has confirmed the arrest of four employees and a contractor security guard, in connection with the theft of heavy fuel oil, valued at R500 000 from the Camden Power Station.

According to an official statement, the accused have been charged and are detained at Ermelo Police Station after they were arrested on Friday, 10 August 2024, at midnight.

This is after two Eskom weighbridge operators were apprehended for their alleged role in colluding to steal heavy fuel oil and defraud the company.

‘The investigation began during a routine quality inspection of coal deliveries at Camden Power Station, conducted by Eskom’s Security Investigation team.

‘A suspicious truck attempting to leave the station was intercepted, and the driver was asked to park on the side of the road. Upon presenting a weighbridge slip, the driver claimed that 30 610 kilograms of heavy fuel oil had been offloaded at Camden Power Station.

‘However, a subsequent inspection revealed that the truck was still fully loaded with the fu
el oil. The driver fled the scene, triggering further investigations that led to the arrests,’ the State-owned utility explained.

Following further investigations on 16 August 2024, authorities arrested two more Eskom employees, a weighbridge operator and a control room operator as well as a contractor security guard.

According to Eskom, all the accused remain in custody, as the case has been remanded to 27 August 2024 for a formal bail application.

Eskom’s Acting General Manager for Security, Botse Sikhwitshi, said the organisation is committed to safeguarding the security and integrity of its critical infrastructure.

‘The ongoing collaboration between Eskom’s internal security investigations team and law enforcement agencies, coordinated by the National Energy Crisis Committee’s (NECOM) Safety and Security Priority Committee, is yielding positive results in our efforts to combat crime and corruption,’ she explained.

Sikhwitshi said while most of their employees are hardworking and dedicated to enhan
cing Eskom’s performance, they are fully committed to eradicating corruption.

‘The recent arrests are a positive step in our ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal activities within our organisation, reaffirming Eskom’s zero-tolerance approach to crime and corruption,’ Sikhwitshi added.

Eskom is urging the public to report any unlawful activities, such as fraud, illegal electricity sales, theft of coal, fuel oil, and diesel, and crimes targeting critical infrastructure.

‘These reports help Eskom eradicate crime and corruption, potentially saving thousands of rands, as demonstrated in this case,’ the statement read.

Reports can be made anonymously via the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 27 22 or through WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Eskom, in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies, has removed over 35 illegally connected transformers in Gauteng’s Diepsloot Extension 6.

‘This joint operation is part of Eskom’s ongoing efforts to reclaim its network and alleviate the strain caused by unauthorised and illegal electricity connections,’ the State-owned power utility said of Tuesday’s removal.

In the 2022/23 financial year, Eskom said it suffered non-technical losses of around R5 billion due to illegal connections, meter bypasses, and other electricity-related criminal activities within its supply area.

The utility has lamented that these unauthorised practices undermine its financial health and its ability to provide a reliable electricity supply to lawful customers.

Meanwhile, according to Eskom, illegally connected transformers not only destabilise the network, causing frequent supply interruptions, extended outages and substandard service for paying customers, but it also poses significant safety risks to their technician
s working on the system.

Eskom’s Group Executive for Distribution, Monde Bala, expressed deep appreciation for the collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), Joburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Red Ants, Eskom Protective Services, and the private security companies in ensuring the success of this operation.

‘These efforts are crucial in safeguarding Eskom’s assets, ensuring public safety, and mitigating the severe energy losses caused by illegal connections, meter bypasses, and acts of theft and vandalism,’ Bala added.

While most employees are dedicated and committed to delivering their daily job outputs and striving to enhance Eskom’s performance, the organisation stated that it maintains a clear stance of zero tolerance towards crime and corruption.

‘Consequently, we are currently investigating allegations from community leaders that some Eskom employees are allegedly involved in the sale of illegal transformers. We will update community leaders on the outcomes of these inves
tigations once they are concluded.’

Eskom has since called on all communities to refrain from engaging in any illegal activities related to electricity.

Members of the public are encouraged to report illegal connections, meter bypasses, and any suspicious activities to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 27 22 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.

Additionally, anyone with information regarding the involvement of Eskom employees in illegal activities is urged to report anonymously for further investigation.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Matome Chiloane, has expressed concern about a fire incident at Lancea Vale Secondary School in Eldorado Park.

According to a statement released by the department, the fire resulted in significant damage to three classrooms within the Grade 8 and Grade 9 block.

The incident took place on Tuesday.

‘It is indeed concerning that last week Wednesday there was a stabbing incident of a learner by another learner at the same school. We will not tolerate violence or gangsterism perpetuated in around and our schools. In the same breath, we are closely monitoring the situation, and we are certain that learning and teaching will resume accordingly at the school,’ MEC Chiloane said.

The department reported that preliminary reports indicate that the fire initially started in Room 81, located on the first floor of Block C.

The fire spread rapidly, completely gutting three classrooms, and the structural safety of the building which is now a concern.

The d
epartment said that firefighters will provide a report on the extent of the damage, for a decision to be taken on whether it will be safe to continue with teaching and learning at the affected block of classroom.

The police are also investigating circumstances surrounding the incident.

Source: South African Government News Agency