Category: General

The 15th BRICS Summit held at the Sandton Convention Centre during August was a success that ‘heralded a new chapter’ for the group.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who addressed the nation on Sunday evening.

“It was a historic Summit that heralded a new chapter for BRICS.

“The summit was attended by the five BRICS member countries along with representatives of 61 other countries. Forty-six of the countries that attended were from our continent, Africa. This included 20 Heads of State and Government. We were also honoured by the attendance of the United Nations Secretary-General Mr Antonio Guterres.

“The success of the summit is a credit to our country and its people. It is another demonstration of our ability to host major international gatherings that have a significant impact on the conduct of international affairs far beyond our borders. Overall, many people have said that this was a most successful BRICS Summit,” he said.

The President honed in on key decisions and outcomes that were taken during the summit, including the call for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council.

“This was a most significant decision in view of the fact that it was supported by two BRICS members who are permanent members of the UN Security Council. The reform of the United Nations is important for South Africa and our continent Africa because we stand to benefit from a world that is more fair and from international institutions that are more democratic and more representative.

“In taking this position, the BRICS leaders recognised the desire of many other countries to contribute to redefining the terms of international relations,” he said.

On the second key outcome of the summit – which was to expand BRICS membership invitations to Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – President Ramaphosa said: “Through an expanded BRICS, we will be able to better align the voices of those countries that seek a fairer global governance, financial, investment and trading system based on clear rules that apply equally to all countries.

“An expanded BRICS also means that we will be able to export more of our products to major markets and, as a result, we will be able to produce more and create more jobs. While an expanded BRICS will be an important champion for the Global South, South Africa stands to benefit from its relationship with these countries.”

International relations

President Cyril Ramaphosa also used his address to reaffirm South Africa’s non-aligned stance in international relations.

“South Africa’s participation in BRICS and its support for the expansion of BRICS does not detract from the good and strategic relations we have with many other countries around the world.

“From the advent of our democracy, we have always sought to develop ties of friendship, cooperation and respect with all nations. We have never aligned ourselves with any one global power or bloc of countries. Our non-aligned approach has enabled us to pursue an independent foreign policy and to forge our own developmental path.

“We have consistently advanced the articles of the United Nations Charter, including the principle that all members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means,” he said.

The President emphasised the importance of South Africa’s relations with our other countries and reflected on its impact on ordinary South Africans.

“[Our] country’s relations with other countries and the conduct of our foreign policy affects our lives as South Africans in many ways, such as in trade and investment, sport, peace and security, technology, education, and many other areas. As we have said before, our international work cannot be separated from our efforts to end poverty, to create jobs and to reduce inequality in South Africa.

“Through stronger investment and trade relations with other countries, we are able to grow our economy, create more opportunities for new businesses and reduce unemployment. By supporting peace and stability on our continent, and by promoting Africa’s development, we are able to improve social cohesion in our own country.

“By encouraging greater cooperation between countries in areas such as investment, financing for development, international crime, fighting terrorism, climate change and vaccine production, we are able to strengthen our efforts to tackle these challenges in our own country,” President Ramaphosa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a call to the South African Police Service (SAPS) to demonstrate that they can take on criminals and protect South Africans as well as the authority of the state.

The President was speaking on Sunday at the SAPS National Commemoration Day honouring the lives of police officials and reservists who died in the line of duty between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023.

President Ramapohosa’s call comes just two days after some 18 suspects – who were allegedly planning a cash in transit heist – were killed during a shootout with police in Limpopo.

“We must all unite and work together to ensure we leave no space for criminals to operate in. The time has come for the police to demonstrate to the South African people that indeed, we can gird our loins and indeed we can take on these criminals. Just like the police did in Limpopo 48 hours ago.

“It is now time to show that the authority of the state cannot be disrespected. It cannot and must not be disregarded. The authority of the state is the authority of the people of South Africa as a whole. We are the people.

“Therefore anyone who disrespects and disregards the people of South Africa collectively, under the umbrella of the state, must know that they’ve crossed the line and we will not allow them to do as they wish and we will not allow them to kill those whose job is to protect, defend the people of South Africa,” he said.

The President told the gathering that deadly attacks on police officers are once more on the rise.

“The Constitution mandates police to prevent, combat and investigate crime. It mandates them to maintain public order and protect the inhabitants of the Republic and their property. Theirs is the noble duty of ensuring that all people in South Africa are safe and feel safe.

“The officers we are commemorating today lost their lives to criminals who have no regard for the rule of law. The increase in the killings of police officers, whether on or off duty, demonstrates the level of desperation of criminals to remove any obstacle that is in the way of their criminal intent. Attacks on police officers must come to an end,” President Ramaphosa said.

Honouring fallen heroes and heroines

Some 34 police officials and reservists were honoured during the commemoration ceremony with their names etched on the Memorial Wall at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.

President Ramaphosa assured that “there must be justice and there will be justice for the families of our fallen heroes and heroines”.

“The hard work of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, known as the Hawks, has resulted in the arrest of 76 suspected police murderers over the past year. These cases are currently before different courts.

“A total of 488 suspects have been arrested for deaths of police officers since 2018. Through diligent investigative work, nine convicted police killers were handed down nine life sentences, a sum total of 158 years imprisonment. We must continue to arrest, prosecute and convict those who wilfully undermine the authority of state.

“The members we are remembering today were spouses, parents, sons and daughters, siblings, colleagues, and so much more. Many of them were breadwinners. Although the convictions of these criminals can never bring their loved ones back, it will comfort them knowing that justice has been served,” he said.

The President passed on his condolences to the families that lost loved ones while serving the South African public through their work.

“On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, we thank the 34 fallen heroes and heroines posthumously for their bravery and service to the country, which they rendered diligently.

“We want to thank their families who supported them throughout their careers in the SAPS, for having been their strength, their support and their comfort. To the families of the fallen officers, we pray that you find peace and healing.

“May their souls rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that the tragedy in which 74 people died during a fire in Johannesburg must not be allowed to happen again.

He was speaking during a meeting of the Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Tshwane on Friday.

The PCC meeting was attended by Cabinet members and provincial Premiers and was preceded by a moment of silence for the victims of the fire.

“We are meeting here just a day after a catastrophic building fire in central Johannesburg claimed the lives of more than 70 people. As we await further information on the cause of the fire and the huge loss of life, we must ask hard questions about the effectiveness of our interventions to improve the living conditions of our people.

“As we grieve this devastating loss, let us learn from this tragedy and make sure that it never happens again,” President Ramaphosa said.

According to the Presidency, the meeting discussed various issues of national importance including service delivery, the District Development Model and crime and “the need to continue enhancing intergovernmental coordination”.

“The meeting…deliberated on service delivery constraints and proposed interventions; the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM); and corrective action plans to address the worst performing municipalities in terms of the Blue Drop and Green Drop assessments of water and wastewater treatment quality.

“The meeting reaffirmed the need to continue enhancing intergovernmental coordination, with a particular focus on infrastructure development and related financing mechanisms in view of the constrained fiscal environment. The meeting also welcomed proposals on the institutionalisation of the District Development Model and the roll out of the DDM support tool that will enable more focused and improved serviced delivery.

“On the ongoing fight against crime, the PCC resolved to strengthen the partnership between law enforcement agencies and the various provincial crime fighting initiatives to address illegal mining, intimidation of contractors and other security threats, and to bolster community based crime fighting capacity,” the Presidency said.

The PCC is the President’s platform for consultation and engagement with provinces and local government in order to raise matters of national interest, ensure alignment of strategic priorities, strengthen coordination, and discuss performance.

The PCC transcends local boundaries and coordinates action across spheres of government in a holistic and transversal manner, according to the Presidency.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Sentencing procedures against two members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) convicted of rape are expected to commence on Monday.

According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the two members raped a woman in 2017 after they offered her a lift home.

Sergeant Simphiwe Ncube stationed at Northern Cape Border Policing (Nakop Port of Entry) and Constable Andile Ntshweza stationed at the Upington police station were convicted of rape on 4 May 2023.

“The suspects are alleged to have both raped the…victim on 3rd of April 2017 at the house of one of the suspects after she was offered a lift from Upington town to her place in Rosedale.

“The accused first took her to Ncube’s house and raped her before she left and opened a case of rape. The case was investigated until the accused were convicted at the Upington Special Offences Court in May 2023.

“Both accused have since been disciplined by their Employer and have been sanctioned two months’ suspension without salary sometime in 2018,” IPID said in a statement.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Johannesburg’s Central Business District is filled with buildings that look on the brink of collapse. Windows are boarded up and walls are covered in graffiti.

Streets are filled with detritus – food wrappers, empty beer bottles, cigarette butts – and a foul smell of rotten food combined with urine fills the air.

It is overcrowded, dangerous, and there are few working amenities.

And it is now the backdrop to one of South Africa’s worst building disasters, when 76 people died and dozens more were injured in a fire that ripped through 80 Albert Street on Thursday.

The dilapidated complex was one of dozens that have been “hijacked” – taken over by criminals and property gangs who then rent out the space illegally to people who cannot afford anything else. There are often no reliable amenities, nor sanitation.

Molly, a 21-year-old South African who lives down the road from 80 Albert Street in another “hijacked” building, says it is like living in a prison.

“I won’t have water to shower for long periods,” she told the BBC. “And we live in the dark. Lots of us, in one room.”

She was scared to use her full name for fear of authorities arresting her for living illegally.

Molly’s building is one of the 57 that have been hijacked in the inner city, where up to 2,000 people can live in a single complex.

And in the aftermath of the latest deadly blaze, people wonder how so many are allowed to.

Squatters’ rights

South Africa’s Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act (PIE Act) is a starting point. It states that no person can be removed from their home without a court order.

And once a person is settled in a building and can prove they have nowhere else to go, they cannot be evicted.

This makes clearing hijacked buildings incredibly difficult.

Angela Rivers, the general manager at Johannesburg Property Owners and Managers Association, says the anti-eviction law is the root of the problem.

“You cannot evict anybody unless they have alternative accommodation, which needs to be provided by counsel [the prosecution],” she says.

“And that is where the mess comes in. Because counsel is incapable of providing any accommodation because their own accommodation has been hijacked.”

The 80 Albert Street complex was owned by the City of Johannesburg, which means the city would have been responsible for finding alternative shelter for those evicted.

The building opened in 1954 as the Central Pass Office, which controlled the movement of black people in the city during apartheid.

South Africans used to go to collect a passbook, or a “dompas”, that controlled where they could travel.

The building later became the home of the Usindiso Women’s Shelter, before it was abandoned and taken over by criminal gangs.

Johannesburg has had a growing housing shortage since white-minority rule ended in 1994. Many black and mixed-race residents who lived in townships outside the city moved to the centre to be closer to where they worked.

Authorities say they are unable to meet the cost of the new affordable housing needed, and their hands are tied by eviction laws.

Critics, such as Ms Rivers, says the city simply refuses to tackle the problem.

“The PIE act is 25 years old. It’s been giving us issues for 20 years. So you can’t suddenly wake up 20 years later and say; ‘Well, we are bound by this act’. They have known about it. It hasn’t been sprung on them.”

She says officials could start by doing inspections of public buildings and using even the few powers and bylaws they have to improve the lives of the people living in these buildings.

Kenny Kunene, a member of the opposition Patriotic Alliance who spent a weekend as acting mayor of Johannesburg in May, says that the anti-eviction law “protects criminals”.

“Whenever the government acts, NGOs then go to court on an urgent basis to stop the government from evicting people.

“So at the root of the spread of illegal hijacking of buildings by illegal immigrants and South African criminals, is the property law that protects them.”

He also wants mass deportation of immigrants who are living in the buildings. He sees the hijackers and their “tenants”, as the same problem.

Rights groups say Mr Kunene’s views are another example of rising xenophobia in the country which has an estimated 2.9 million migrants.

As the most industrialized economy in the region, it’s an attractive destination for those seeking better work opportunities from as far afield as Nigeria and Somalia.

Victims, not criminals

Ms Rivers agrees that there is a “problem” with illegal immigrants.

“But it’s not the illegal immigrants that neglected that building,” she adds. “A lot of these tenants are desperate people who will pay money to put a roof over their head.”

“They’re just as much victims in this as the property-owner who’s lost his building,” she says.

And since many are undocumented and work in informal jobs, they are unlikely to come forward to ask for alternative accommodation that the government can provide for low wage earners.

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the burnt remains of 80 Albert Street soon after the fire. He called for a thorough investigation to ensure there were no future tragedies.

“It’s a wake-up call for us to begin to address the situation of housing in the inner city,” he said.

However, he did not mention any specific steps that the government would take.

So while the investigation of what caused the fire continues, so will the blame game as to why so many of Johannesburg’s residents are living in such unimaginable conditions.

Source: BBC

The Katsina State Government has disbursed N20 million to support 33 families of local vigilantee members who lost their lives in the line of duty .

Gov. Dikko Radda announced this during the presentation of cash to the victims’ families in Katsina on Saturday.

Radda represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abdullahi Faskari, said that some of the beneficiaries would receive N500,000 cash.

The governor added that no fewer than 10 vigilantee members who sustained injuries and a policeman get N250,000 each, while the family of one military officer who also lost his life received N1 million cash.

He added that that some members of the public who sustained injuries during the recent bandit attacks across the affected areas would also be considered in due course.

Radda explained that the gesture was part of his campaign promises towards appreciating those who sacrificed their lives and comfort in securing the state.

He assured the commitment of his administration towards fighting insecurity and other criminal tendencies across the state.

“My office is always open for advice and suggestions that will assist our administration to fulfill and actualise its promises,” he said.

Alhaji Sa’idu Danja, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Support of Victims of Banditry earlier said the government had spent over N11.8 million for the treatment of victims of banditry attacks.

According to him, over 80 victims were treated free of charged at various health facilities, adding about 40 of them had since been discharged.

Also,Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir-Usman, commended the gesture and appealed to the government to expand the scope to accommodate more victims.

The royal farther was represented by the Galadiman Katsina and District Head of Malumfashi, Alhaji Sadiq Abdullahi-Mahuta.

Malam Salisu Rabo-Kurfi, State Commander of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), appreciated the government saying the support was desirous and timely.

Malam Garba Musa who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries described the gesture as miraculous as they never expected it.

He assured that they would make judicious use of the cash donations.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria