Day: August 28, 2024

South Africa has expressed its support for bulk water infrastructure investment on the African continent to ensure socio-economic development.

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, David Mahlobo, made the pledge for support during a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the Stockholm World Water Week conference currently underway in Sweden.

The panel discussion was organised by the African Union Commission, and the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, in collaboration with Global Water Partnership on Tuesday. The discussion was attended by representatives from Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia and Senegal.

Speaking during a panel discussion, Mahlobo said it was ‘high time for Africans to pull themselves together and work harder’ to enhance the investment of infrastructure in Africa.

‘We are well capable of improving the state of the continent and in doing so, we need to stop wanting to be pitied,’ Mahlobo said.

The Deputy Minister emphasised the significance of collaborativ
e work among African countries, with the intention of alleviating poverty and improving the lives of all in Africa.

‘We need to find innovative ways to utilise the already existing African assets at our disposal to address the impact of climate change, food insecurity and waterborne diseases, amongst others,’ he said.

The Deputy Minister underscored an urgent need for African governments to prioritise infrastructure investment, given the current deficit on water and sanitation projects in several countries, which often exacerbate the adequate management of diseases.

‘We also need to strengthen our partnerships with the private sector. In South Africa, for instance, we are beginning to see the mining sector coming on board and are investing more in infrastructure,’ the Deputy Minister said.

In South Africa, the Department of Water and Sanitation has established a Water Partnership Office with the assistance of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) that is aimed at facilitating partnerships and man
age joint accounts for specific funding for projects implemented through collaboration.

The World Water Week conference, taking place from 25-29 August 2024 is being held under the theme: ‘Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future’.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), together with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), have secured a preservation order for some R6.5 million in four high-value properties, financial transfers, and a vehicle linked to the looting of funds at the National Lotteries Commission.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the two law enforcement agencies said the order ensures that the assets are preserved until a forfeiture order is granted.

‘This decisive action is part of an ongoing investigation into the unlawful use of NLC [National Lotteries Commission] grant allocations meant to support community development projects.

‘This preservation is part of implementing the Anti-Corruption Strategy, which sees law enforcement agencies coming together to eradicate corruption in South Africa,’ the statement read.

The preserved assets include:

Property in Ekurhuleni

Property at Waterfront Estate in Tshwane

An agricultural holding

Property at Makhado in Limpopo

2016 Toyo
ta Hilux

‘The preservation order ensures that the identified assets remain secured and cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of while investigations continue. The SIU and AFU are working closely to expedite the legal process to recover the misappropriated funds and bring those involved in these fraudulent activities to justice.

‘The AFU and SIU remain committed to protecting public funds and ensuring that those responsible for the misuse of grant allocations are held accountable. All the properties mentioned above represent the proceeds of unlawful activity as provided for in the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

“Once forfeited, the property will be sold at a public auction, and the NLC will be compensated for its losses,’ the statement said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal judgment against Thuja Holdings in the R5 billion Thuja jobs scheme matter.

The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed with costs on 15 August 2024 an application by Mthunzi Mdwaba, Thuja Holdings and others to appeal against judgments and orders handed down earlier this year by the Pretoria High Court.

‘In dismissing the application, the Supreme Court of Appeal found that there is no reasonable prospect of success in the appeal. Furthermore, there is no other compelling reason an appeal should be heard,’ the Department of Employment and Labour said in a statement.

On 19 April 2024, the Pretoria High Court set aside the R5 billion Thuja jobs scheme agreement and declared it invalid after it found that the agreement entered into between the Department of Employment and Labour and Thuja Holdings (Pty) Ltd did not comply with the relevant provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.

Mdwaba was ordered to pay the Minist
er’s costs of the application, including the cost for two legal counsel employed.

Mdwaba, subsequent to the judgment of 19 April 2024, applied for leave to appeal the Pretoria High Court judgments and orders, but after hearing the appeal, the court dismissed the matter with costs, on 28 May 2024.

Meth is pleased that the Court has finally pronounced on the validity and lawfulness of the agreement, which has brought the matter to its conclusion.

“I am pleased that the SCA has finally brought this protracted Thuja jobs scheme matter to closure. This judgment is significant to us as the department and the workers whose UIF [Unemployment Insurance Fund] money was preserved through the aversion of this irregular transaction.

‘It goes to show that as government, we do not take light the responsibility placed upon us to safeguard the monies reserved for workers. Indeed, certainty and clarity about the oversight responsibility bestowed on political office-bearers deployed in government was elevated through this m
atter,’ Meth said.

The Minister said the work of the Unemployment Insurance Fund can continue in earnest, as the department maps the way forward to create much needed employment opportunities for unemployed jobseekers.

READ | Nxesi denies allegations of corruption in R5 billion UIF jobs deal.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal judgment against Thuja Holdings in the R5 billion Thuja jobs scheme matter.

The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed with costs on 15 August 2024 an application by Mthunzi Mdwaba, Thuja Holdings and others to appeal against judgments and orders handed down earlier this year by the Pretoria High Court.

‘In dismissing the application, the Supreme Court of Appeal found that there is no reasonable prospect of success in the appeal. Furthermore, there is no other compelling reason an appeal should be heard,’ the Department of Employment and Labour said in a statement.

On 19 April 2024, the Pretoria High Court set aside the R5 billion Thuja jobs scheme agreement and declared it invalid after it found that the agreement entered into between the Department of Employment and Labour and Thuja Holdings (Pty) Ltd did not comply with the relevant provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.

Mdwaba was ordered to pay the Minist
er’s costs of the application, including the cost for two legal counsel employed.

Mdwaba, subsequent to the judgment of 19 April 2024, applied for leave to appeal the Pretoria High Court judgments and orders, but after hearing the appeal, the court dismissed the matter with costs, on 28 May 2024.

Meth is pleased that the Court has finally pronounced on the validity and lawfulness of the agreement, which has brought the matter to its conclusion.

“I am pleased that the SCA has finally brought this protracted Thuja jobs scheme matter to closure. This judgment is significant to us as the department and the workers whose UIF [Unemployment Insurance Fund] money was preserved through the aversion of this irregular transaction.

‘It goes to show that as government, we do not take light the responsibility placed upon us to safeguard the monies reserved for workers. Indeed, certainty and clarity about the oversight responsibility bestowed on political office-bearers deployed in government was elevated through this m
atter,’ Meth said.

The Minister said the work of the Unemployment Insurance Fund can continue in earnest, as the department maps the way forward to create much needed employment opportunities for unemployed jobseekers.

READ | Nxesi denies allegations of corruption in R5 billion UIF jobs deal.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is investigating the cause of a bus crash that claimed the lives of 10 people and left three others seriously injured in Limpopo.

The crash took place along the N1 in Makhado on Tuesday night at around 11:50 pm.

The bus driver, who was allegedly speeding, failed to safely navigate a traffic circle resulting in the bus overturning while traveling south bound from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg.

The deceased passengers are reportedly all foreign nationals.

‘The RTMC expresses deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in this incident and wishes a speedy recovery to those who are currently hospitalised with injuries,’ the Road Traffic Management Corporation said in a statement.

The RTMC crash investigation team is on the scene gathering information to understand the circumstances leading to the crash.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has commended law enforcement agencies for their speedy arrest of the farm owners, who allegedly killed two Limpopo women.

The owners of Onverwacht farm, near Sebayeng, outside Polokwane, have appeared in court on charges of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and defeating the ends of justice.

‘The ferocious murder of the two women confirms that South Africa is struggling to overcome the burden of race, class, and gender-based inequality inherited during the periods of colonialism and apartheid.

‘Women in rural, remote and severely underprivileged areas remain one of the most vulnerable groups to violence in their communities and their homes,’ Chikunga said.

Chikunga said violence against women has reached alarming proportions in South Africa and it affects all women in this country.

The Minister emphasised the need to give attention to the extent of the vulnerability of rural wo
men and women living on farmlands to have access to the justice system.

She said unequal access to education, segregated communities and massive economic disparities persists particularly among rural women and women on farms who are the most marginalised groups of women in South Africa.

‘Approximately 55.5% (30.3 million people) of the population is living in the national upper poverty line while a total of 13.8 million people (25%) is experiencing food poverty.

‘Action has never been more urgent to reduce inequality in society, the department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is leading the socio-economic empowerment of women youth and persons with disabilities, by ensuring that gender-responsive planning and budgeting becomes a norm for the whole country as it works towards ensuring equality,’ Chikunga said.

The accused remained in custody and the case was postponed to 30 August 2024.

Source: South African Government News Agency