Category: Key Issues

Parliament announced on Friday that this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) will now be held at the Cape Town City Hall on 10 February 2022.

According to the statement, the Presiding Officers met this morning to consider various reports on options available for business continuity of Parliament’s work, including the hosting of the SONA.

This comes after a fire that started on Sunday engulfed Parliament and was contained after two days.

“Following a sad and devastating week in which fires that started on Sunday and destroyed Parliament’s buildings, including the National Assembly and sections of the Old Assembly Chamber, we made a solemn undertaking that, despite the devastation of the disaster, we will not allow a situation where Parliament’s work is derailed or disrupted in any manner,” the statement read.

The fires, which the firefighters battled for over 70 hours, severely damaged the National Assembly building, including the National Assembly Chamber, where the official sittings of both Houses of Parliament are usually held.

“The extensive damage has necessitated the institution to find an alternative venue off-site to host this important event in the parliamentary calendar and the country.”

Parliament described the National Assembly Chamber as a building with great historical significance and rich heritage and representation of evolution from apartheid to democracy.

“It was there that Members of Parliament met to pass laws, take binding decisions, hear important announcements and host the Joint Sittings of the two Houses of Parliament.”

The Presiding Officers said they were grateful to the Western Cape Provincial Government and the City of Cape Town, which offered the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the City Council Chambers and the City Hall as alternative venues.

“After a great deal of consideration and following thorough onsite inspections of alternative places, we are pleased to announce that the 2022 SONA will be held at the Cape Town City Hall.

“It is also a befitting place considering its historical significance, which is embedded in the minds and hearts of South Africans.”

The Presiding Officers said it is where Nelson Mandela addressed the nation after his release from prison on 11 February 1990.

“Again, on 9 May 1994, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu introduced Tata Mandela to thousands of jubilant South Africans in the same balcony after his election in the National Assembly as the first democratic President.”

The officials said they were looking forward to a successful SONA.

“As South Africans, we are resilient people, we have overcome many difficulties in the past. Therefore, we will rise from these ashes and rebuild, restore, renew and march forward in our continuous endeavour to build a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, united and prosperous society we all aspire.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Minister of Justice and Correctional Service, Ronald Lamola, has strongly condemned the attack on the Constitutional Court buildings on Wednesday morning.

This comes after a 36-year-old suspect allegedly went on a rampage and smashed windows using a hammer at the highest court in the land in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

It was reported that the man continued to break the windows even after the police fired warning shots in a bid to stop him when they arrived at the scene.

Reacting to the incident, Lamola said the Constitutional Court is a powerful symbol of the country’s constitutional dispensation and rule of law.

“Attacks on the Constitutional Court – or any other of our democratic institutions for that matter – is attacking democracy and what it represents.”

The Minister described the site of the Constitutional Court as a historic landmark that represents the struggle for freedom.

“It was specifically designed to reflect the values of our constitutional democracy and Nelson Mandela himself called the building a beacon of light, a symbol of hope and celebration.”

According to reports, the suspect is currently detained and expected to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has denounced the attack on Constitutional Court building, which took place on Wednesday morning.

Speaking on behalf of the Judiciary on Thursday, Zondo said he noted with grave concern the attack at the Constitutional Court building, which has been widely reported in the media.

This incident comes shortly after other important State facilities have experienced unprecedented attacks, including recent threats having been made to cause damage to some Superior Courts.

“These attacks and threats seek to cause the destruction of these important facilities that the public rely on for the protection of their constitutional rights,” Zondo said.

The Acting Chief Justice said he was satisfied with the report that security officials and the police were able to act swiftly to apprehend the suspect and prevent further damage to the building.

However, he said the incident must be viewed in a very serious light and urged all law enforcement agencies to do everything in their power to put proactive measures in place to avert similar attacks going forward.

Furthermore, the Judiciary appealed to all relevant organs of the State and functionaries responsible for State facilities and security services to ensure a threat and risk-based assessment of arrangements around critical court facilities and its important assets.

“It is necessary to mention that this incident does not in any way hamper the Justices and court staff members from performing their functions. However, due to such incident, the security of the Judiciary, the supporting staff and the general court users, remains compromised and requires urgent attention,” Zondo said in a statement.

Despite the damage to the court facility, no one was injured and the work to have the damage repaired has already commenced.

The Acting Chief Justice said he trusts that the investigation by law enforcement agencies will reveal the motive behind this incident.

Source: South African Government News Agency

NORTHERN CAPE – Two suspects aged 40 and 43 were arrested yesterday in a joint operation by the Hawks Serious Organised Investigation team and Border Policing for allegedly dealing in drugs.

The team acted on information about drugs being sold at Gousblomsingle, Upington. A search and seizure disruptive operation was conducted at the said premises. During the search, 79 grams of mandrax powder, 1 gram of crystal methamphetamine (tik), 16 cellphones, jewelery and an undisclosed amount of money were seized for further investigation.

Both suspects are expected to appear before Upington Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday, 06 January 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has noted the new court application by Telkom to set aside the Invitation to Apply (ITA) for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum issued by ICASA.

On 10 December last year, the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) issued the final ITA for the International Mobile Telecommunications spectrum.

In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies said that this development happens without affording Minister Ntshavheni an opportunity to resolve whatever concerns Telkom may have with the current ITA.

“The Minister reiterates that the conclusion of a process to release the IMT spectrum by 31 March 2022 is important for the country to reap the benefits of the digital dividend in the country’s quest for post COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery, job creation and transforming SA into a digital economy,” the department said.

The department said the Minister is taking legal advice and would respond accordingly to Telkom’s court application.

“In the meantime, the Minister will engage Telkom and all relevant parties with the aim to reach an out of court settlement and avoid further delays in the release of spectrum,” the department said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WESTERN CAPE – The continued strategic deployment of resources and heightened visibility along entry and exit routes of the Western Cape once again yielded positive results with the confiscation of two unlicensed firearms during Safer Festive Season operations in the Southern Cape.

On Wednesday, 05 January 2022 at about 12:45 Rural Flying Squad members conducted a vehicle check point on the N12 near Oudtshoorn where they stopped a Volkswagen Caddy. The members proceeded with a search of the vehicle when they found a Star pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition on board. The 22-year-old driver was unable to produce a licence and account for his possession thereof. He was subsequently arrested on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

In the meantime, last night 05 January 2022 at about 23:00 members attached to the Rural Flying Squad were strategically deployed on the N2 when they received a tipoff about a vehicle involved in possible illicit activities. They later spotted the vehicle, Ford Ranger bakkie, near the entrance to The Crags just outside Plettenberg Bay with two occupants on board. A search of the vehicle ensued when the vigilant members confiscated a 7.65 pistol with an empty magazine. Police proceeded to arrest the driver and his passenger.

The suspects, aged 22 and 31, are facing a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm each.

All arrested suspects remain in police custody. They will appear in the respective courts once charged.

Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, thanked the members for their commitment to the policing priorities of the province. He said: “Unlicensed firearms in the hands of criminals remain a major threat to the safety of Western Cape communities. The Festive Season operations are part of concerted efforts to rid communities of illicit firearms and drugs. The strategic deployment of resources would be maintained during this phase of the holiday period to ensure that the public are and feel safe, even whilst returning to their destinations.”

Source: South African Police Service