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Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo acting as Chief Justice

The Office of the Chief Justice has announced that Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has assumed responsibilities as Acting Chief Justice with effect from yesterday.

The Office said on Friday that the acting capacity of Madam Justice S S V Khampepe as Acting Deputy Chief Justice ended on 30 June 2021.

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Madam Justice S S V Khampepe as Acting Deputy Chief Justice following the Chief Justice taking a long leave.

As the Chief Justice is still on long leave as made known on 06 May 2021, and by application of the relevant legislation namely section 4 (2) (b) of the Superior Courts Act, 2013, the Deputy Chief Justice will exercise the powers or perform the functions of the Chief Justice as the Acting Chief Justice.

“The work of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, has now, despite the extension, reached a stage that the Deputy Chief Justice will be in a position to fulfil his responsibilities as Acting Chief Justice while attending to the finalisation of the Commission’s work,” the Office of the Chief Justice said in a statement.

In terms of Regulation 8 of the Judges Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act, Judges leave is not cumulative and therefore had the Chief Justice not taken his leave it would have been forfeited as it has happened on previous occasions.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Synchronoss Announces Closing of $235 Million of Common Stock and Senior Notes Offerings

In addition, Synchronoss raised $75 million through a
private placement of preferred stock

Net proceeds used to refinance the company’s capital structure

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. , June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNCR), a global leader and innovator of cloud, messaging and digital solutions, today announced that on June 29, 2021 it closed an underwritten public offering of 42,307,692 shares of common stock, which included 3,846,154 shares issued in connection with the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, at a price to the public of $2.60 per share, for gross proceeds of approximately $110 million. The Company also announced that on June 30, 2021 it closed an underwritten public offering of $125 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% senior notes due 2026, which included $5 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes issued in connection with the underwriters’ option to purchase senior notes. Gross proceeds for both offerings are exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

Synchronoss and the senior notes both received a rating of BB- from Egan-Jones Ratings Company, an independent, unaffiliated rating agency. The notes are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SNCRL” as early as July 1, 2021.

In addition to the public offerings, on June 30, 2021 the Company closed a private placement of 75,000 shares of its Series B Perpetual Non-Convertible Preferred Stock to B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $75 million.

The two public offerings and the private placement resulted in net proceeds of approximately $300 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, but before expenses. On June 30, 2021, the Company used the net proceeds in part to fully redeem all outstanding shares of its Series A Convertible Participating Perpetual Preferred Stock owned by an affiliate of Siris Capital Group and to repay amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

“Synchronoss has emerged from this comprehensive refinancing process with a solid financial foundation that will support our mission to empower our customers to connect with their subscribers in trusted and meaningful ways,” said Jeff Miller, President and CEO of Synchronoss. “Today we have a sustainable financial environment that gives us the operating flexibility required to invest in delivering and enhancing great cloud, messaging and digital experiences for our customers; to enable long-term growth; and to deliver higher stockholder value to those who invest in the company.”

The refinancing has also led to the departure of Synchronoss Board of Directors members Frank Baker, Peter Berger and Robert Aquilina, each of whom is associated with Siris Capital Group. “On behalf of the entire Board and management, I would like to thank Frank, Peter and Bob for their contributions to Synchronoss over the last three years and for their generosity as advisors to me personally,” said Miller.

In conjunction with this new capitalization, B. Riley Financial, Inc., including certain of its affiliates, serve as Synchronoss’ anchor investor. Synchronoss has granted B. Riley representation on its Board.

Bryant Riley, Chairman and Co-CEO of B. Riley Financial, Inc., commented: “We are pleased to serve as a strategic partner and financial sponsor to Synchronoss on this capitalization and are committed to leveraging the full operational and financial capabilities of our platform to support Synchronoss in its strategy to deliver value. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Jeff and the entire management team as Synchronoss enters this exciting new phase for its business.”

B. Riley Securities, Inc., acted as the lead underwriter and sole book-running manager for the common stock offering. Northland Capital Markets acted as co-manager for the common stock offering.

B. Riley Securities, Inc. acted as the sole book-running manager for the senior notes offering. Northland Capital Markets, Aegis Capital Corp. and EF Hutton, a division of Benchmark Investments, LLC acted as lead managers for the senior notes offering.

The common stock and senior notes were offered under the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 28, 2020. The offerings were made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus for the offering may be obtained on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by contacting B. Riley Securities by telephone at (703) 312-9580, or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Synchronoss

Synchronoss Technologies (NASDAQ: SNCR) builds software that empowers companies around the world to connect with their subscribers in trusted and meaningful ways. The company’s collection of products helps streamline networks, simplify onboarding and engage subscribers to unleash new revenue streams, reduce costs and increase speed to market. Hundreds of millions of subscribers trust Synchronoss products to stay in sync with the people, services and content they love. That’s why more than 1,500 talented Synchronoss employees worldwide strive each day to reimagine a world in sync. Learn more at www.synchronoss.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to statements regarding the closing of the public offering and the anticipated use of the proceeds thereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, including the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the public offering and the risk factors set forth from time to time in Synchronoss’ SEC filings, including but not limited to the risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections (as applicable) of Synchronoss’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021, which are on file with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition to the risks described above and in Synchronoss’ other filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Synchronoss’ results. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Synchronoss undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts

Media
Anais Merlin, CCgroup (International)
Diane Rose, CCgroup (North America)
[email protected]

Investors
Todd Kehrli/Joo-Hun Kim, MKR Investor Relations, Inc.
[email protected]

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The International Action Centre issues the following statement on: CAPE VERDE TAKES ON THE UNITED NATIONS

PRAIA, Cape Verde, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a decision on interim measures dated June 8, the United Nations Human Rights Committee called on Cape Verde to “refrain from extraditing Mr. Alex Saab to the United States of America” and to “take all necessary measures to ensure access to appropriate health care […] by independent and specialized physicians of his choice”. This decision ordering interim measures is the first urgent step resulting from the registration of a complaint filed by Alex Saab before United Nations Human Rights Committee.

In an interview on June 29, 2021, the Cape Verdean Prosecutor General, Mr Jose Luis Landim, makes a frontal attack on the United Nations, claiming that the UN Human Rights Committee does not have the competence to impose the suspension of the extradition of Alex Saab from Cape Verde to the United States of America.

Such a position is alarming and is a legal, strategic and ethical mistake.

First, this position is completely wrong in law. We would like to remind Mr Landim that Cape Verde has chosen to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since August 6, 1993 and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since May 19, 2000. It must therefore comply with its international obligations in good faith and fully respect the decisions of the expert body responsible for interpreting the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Human Rights Committee. Saying that the Committee does not have the power to request the suspension of an extradition that may expose someone to risks of irreparable harms and of violations of the right to life and right of physical integrity, is an unforgivable legal error totally incompatible with the rule of law.

Second, such a position is a frontal attack on the United Nations and the human rights that are at the heart of the values that the Organization defends. It sends a clear message to the world that Cape Verde can exercise its sovereignty to violate human rights while ignoring the norms of international human rights law to which it has subscribed and ignoring international decisions. In doing so, Cape Verde, after defying the ECOWAS Court of Justice which ordered it to release the arbitrarily detained Alex Saab, after violating Alex Saab’s diplomatic immunity as a Special Envoy and an Ambassador to the African Union, is taking a hostile stance towards the United Nations and placing itself on the outside of the international community.

Third, such a position is a mistake in terms of fundamental ethical values. By requesting the suspension of Alex Saab’s extradition pending the examination of the merits of the case, the Human Rights Committee was inviting Cape Verde to show humanity and common sense by considering that the extradition would be detrimental to the physical integrity and life of Alex Saab. The Committee did not take a political position, but a purely humanitarian one.

MEDIA Contact:
Sara Flounders
International Action Center
Https://www.iacenter.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +1 212-633-6646

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Spate of attacks on LGBTQI+ community in SA

Despite having constitutional and legislative protection of the rights of people of different sexual orientation, South Africa has recently seen an increase in the number of attacks against lesbians, gays and transgender people.

Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister, John Jeffery, said while Pride Month, which is celebrated annually in June, was marked in many parts of the world, South Africa was seeing a spate of attacks against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) persons in the country.

“These attacks are extremely concerning and put the dignity, well-being and safety of all people of different sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics in South Africa at heightened risk.

“Individuals in these vulnerable communities continue to be subjected to hate crimes and gender based violence (GBV). At the same time we are also seeing allegations of homophobia and bullying of LGBTQI+ learners at schools in our country,” Jeffery said.

He was addressing the media on the department’s efforts to address hate crimes against LGBTQI+ persons.

During a meeting with the National Task Team on the Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons, held on Wednesday, it was reported that as at 29 June, 2021 42 pending hate crimes were perpetrated against that community.

Of the 42 pending cases, 30 cases are for murder and 12 are for rape.

“Out of the 42 pending hate crime cases, approximately 29 hate crime cases were reported from 2020 to date. Of these 29 hate crime cases, 16 are on the court roll with remand dates with the remaining 13 cases still under investigation.

“Eight cases have been finalised, some with significant sentences such as life imprisonment for rape (Daveyton), 25 years imprisonment for rape (Ikageng), 25 years imprisonment for murder (Umlazi), and 14 years imprisonment for rape (Greytown),” the Deputy Minister said.

Some 14 cases have been closed as undetected due to a lack of evidence, but may be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority to review the dockets.

Jeffery said the pending cases are being actively monitored, with government departments working with the SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority and civil society to ensure that they are thoroughly investigated, arrests are made and prosecutions follow.

The Deputy Minister emphasised that the crimes perpetrated against LGBTQI+ persons can only addressed if the information is known to law enforcement agencies.

Revised National Intervention Strategy

The Deputy Minister announced that plans are underway to have further strategic discussions on enhanced collaboration and interventions to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQI+ persons.

While the NTT was initially created to respond to hate crimes against LGBTQI+ people, the adoption of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide National Strategic Plan (NSP-GBVF) requires that the NTT reconsiders its NIS in order to also integrate its responses to GBVF related crimes against LGBTQI+ people.

As a result, he said, the reviewed National Intervention Strategy (NIS) 2021 – 2025 is an opportunity to use the NTT to also respond to GBVF in ways that expand access to broader human, socio-economic, civil and political rights to LGBTQI+ people in South Africa, among others.

“Our real challenges are in implementation and in changing societal attitudes in our communities.

“Changing societal attitudes is the only way to ensure that persons are not victims of violence or discrimination in their daily lives on the grounds of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics,” the Deputy Minister said.

Activist, Steve Letsike, said the revitalisation of NTT at this difficult time for the LGBTQI+ community in South Africa will need to focus on implementation that helps the country to prioritise rights protection, promotion and fulfilment as enshrined in the Constitution.

“The urgency of turning the tide on human rights violations is needed now more than ever. Stakeholders must discharge of their responsibilities, coherent strategies must be implemented, and lives must be saved. We have that responsibility,” Letsike said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Missing Valentine Shabani (15) sought by police

Athlone police are kindly requesting the assistance of the public to trace 15-year- old Valentine Shabani who was reported missing in Athlone last night. Valentine was last seen leaving her Athlone residence at around 07:30 wearing a grey pants, white shirt and a blue jersey. She is about 1.6 meters tall and her weight is approximately 60kg. If you can shed light on her disappearance or know her whereabouts, you are kindly requested to contact Sergeant Yandie Jack-Mkile of the Nyanga FCS on 062 342 0799 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

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If you’re in your 50s, register for your COVID-19 jab

Cabinet has encouraged those in their 50s to register for the COVID-19 vaccination on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) from today, to receive their shot from 15 July.

People in this age group are urged to register using the https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za or WhatsApp 0600 123456.

Meanwhile, Cabinet has confirmed that police officers will be vaccinated from Monday, 5 July.

According to a Cabinet statement released on Thursday, the inoculation of the police officers will be followed by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who are due to receive their jab from Thursday, 8 July.

This comes as government intensifies the country’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout plan to protect citizens from the devastating effects of the virus, Cabinet said.

As of 30 June, Cabinet said over three million people have been vaccinated. This includes healthcare workers, senior citizens, and teachers.

“The dates for vaccination of employees in the frontline of productive economic sectors such as mines, retail workers, and others will be announced by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Vaccines that is chaired by the Deputy President,” the Executive added.

Meanwhile, Cabinet said the tightening of the State of National Disaster restrictions to Adjusted Alert Level 4, would strengthen government’s ability to limit the surge in infections by limiting the burden on the healthcare system that is already overwhelmed.

“The additional restrictions will be reviewed after 14 days and took care to minimise the impact on economic activity as part of the continued balancing of the need to save both lives and livelihoods.”

Cabinet has once again emphasised that the Delta variant was more transmissible than previous variants.

“Therefore, this requires vigilance in our day-to-day interactions because many people who are infected with COVID-19 do not show any symptoms.”

During this “dangerous” period, Cabinet is advising people to avoid public places and adhere to non-pharmaceutical health protocols by wearing masks when in public, washing hands frequently with soap and water or using a 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser and maintaining a social distance of at least 1.5 metres.

Source: South African Government News Agency