South Africa Vision

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has called on the Department of Water and Sanitation to enhance monitoring in order to ensure adequate safety standards for its dams and private dams, so that the safety of people downstream is not threatened.

This comes after reports of the collapse of retention walls at the Riverlands Dam on Thursday.

Following a meeting held on 1 November 2022, the committee raised concerns with the department about the lack of capacity within the Dam Safety and Management Division.

‘The committee highlighted that this lack of capacity negatively impacts on the ability of the department to enforce Chapter 12 in National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998 (s117 – s123). It also increases exponentially the risk factor for communities residing downstream of dams and requires immediate action from the department,’ the committee said.

The committee also raised concerns about the cumulative total backlog of 474 dam safety evaluation (DSE) reports from the department.

‘It is important
that these dam safety evaluation reports are concluded to enhance the safety of communities. The committee will in the near future request the department to provide an update on eradicating the identified backlog of dam safety evaluation reports,’ Basson said.

Source : South African Government News Agency

The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development Chairperson Xola Nqola has commended the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for its continued work relating to corrupt activities, with the attachment of assets worth millions from the BOSASA accused and their families.

‘South Africa has lost millions of rands due to corrupt activities that could have been used for the many challenges that still exist in the country. We note that this is a temporary attachment of assets and appeal to the NPA to speedily ensure that it follows all processes to ensure it becomes a permanent one,’ Nqola said.

According to reports, corruption-accused BOSASA bosses and their families have had a temporary restraint placed on their properties, valuables and cars, all worth more than R53 million.

The court order obtained by the NPA includes two apartments in north-eastern Italy worth an estimated R17 million.

‘Our people don’t have houses, yet criminals have properties valued at millions, which were likely obtai
ned with money stolen from government, money that was meant to go to health, education and social grants,’ Nqola said.

He said the Zondo commission highlighted the large scale of the corruption perpetrated by BOSASA with officials of the Department of Correctional Services.

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‘We want all those who benefitted from this corrupt relationship to know that South Africans want their money back. Furthermore, we applaud the NPA for the sterling work and encourage them to go after all corruption accused.

“The committee will fully support [the NPA in its] endeavour to obtain justice for the people of South Africa,’ Nqola said.

BOSASA was a South African company specialising in providing services to government, most notably correctional services. The company was liquidated in 2019 after revelations of malfeasance and corrupt activities, which were reported during the Zondo Commission of Enquiry.

Source : South African Government News Agency

South Africa is deeply traumatised by the violence perpetrated against women and children, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

‘As we celebrate the gains made during the 30 years of freedom and democracy, our country is deeply traumatised by violence against women and children. This violence is a betrayal of our Constitution. It is an affront to our common humanity,’ the President said on Friday.

In his address to the National Women’s Day commemoration held in Pofadder in the Northern Cape, the President said the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) continues.

‘Guided by our National Strategic Plan, we have introduced new laws that protect survivors of gender-based violence, improve the response of the police, and ensure harsher sentences for perpetrators.’

He told those gathered at the Dennis Nel stadium that government has opened up additional Sexual Offences Courts, while the network of Thuthuzela Care Centres has been expanded.

‘We have introduced more victim-friendly services at polic
e stations across the country. We have just recently passed legislation for the establishment of a Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Council to mobilise and coordinate work across society.’

President Ramaphosa, joined by Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul and other government officials, signed a pledge for South African men to end gender-based violence and femicide during the national Women’s Day commemoration at the Denis Nel Stadium in Pofadder.

HSRC survey

The first citizen also referred to the Human Sciences Research Council’s first-ever national survey on gender-based violence prevalence in a democratic South Africa, saying that the survey results will help guide the response to GBVF.

The study was undertaken in 2022 based on a random sample of people interviewed at home.

It measured issues like physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse, as well as controlling behaviour between intimate partners. The detailed results of the survey will be released in the coming weeks.

Among other things,
the survey found that around 7% of women aged 18 years and older had experienced physical or sexual violence in the past 12 months. This rate was highest among young women, black women, women who completed secondary education, and women who are unmarried but live with a partner.

‘Seven percent may not sound like a lot but this figure is the equivalent of 1.5 million women. So, according to the HSRC survey, over the course of just one year, more than one and a half million women experienced physical or sexual violence in our country. That is more than the entire population of the Northern Cape.

‘These are not statistics. These are human beings. These are women who have endured trauma that no person should have to experience.’

The President said the survey highlights that physical violence starts early, often affecting adolescent girls and young women, and that it continues through adulthood.

‘Around 13% of women who had ever been in an intimate relationship reported that they had experienced economic abu
se at the hands of their partner. This is why we need to address the massive inequality in income between men and women.’

He stressed that on average, women earn a quarter of their income from grants, compared to a far lower percentage for men.

‘We must therefore create more jobs and other economic opportunities for women, so they are less vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.’

Changing behaviour

The survey also showed that 4% of men reported having perpetrated physical violence against a woman in the preceding 12 months.

‘This translates to over 600 000 men. This makes clear what we all know. Men must change their behaviour. Men must change their attitudes. That is why we today we call on all South African men to make a pledge to be part of the solution. To take responsibility for their actions.’

He called on men not to raise their hands against women, while also urging them to treat women as equals and with dignity.

‘If we are to end gender-based violence, we must work together as a society. We mu
st work together, both men and women, both young and old,’ he said.

This year’s Women’s Day marks 68 years to the day since 20 000 women of diverse backgrounds marched to the Union Buildings to protest the pass laws of the apartheid regime.

Source : South African Government News Agency

Grade 12 learners, who plan to pursue studies in the water and sanitation field, have until 30 September to apply for bursaries offered by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

The DWS offers comprehensive bursaries to Grade 12 learners, who plan to pursue studies in the water and sanitation field for the 2025 academic year.

‘The comprehensive bursary application process opened on 1 May 2024 and will close on 30 September 2024 and is targeting the previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and rural communities across the country,’ said the department in a statement.

The bursary programme covers full tuition fees, accommodation and food, as per university guidance, books and stationery allowance, and a monthly stipend.

For the 2025 academic year, the department will consider applications only for first year students studying towards the following qualifications:

BSc/BEng in Civil; Mechanical and Electrical

BSc in Hydrology; Geohydrology; Water Project Management, E
nvironmental and Water Sciences

BSc (Hons) in Hydrology; Geohydrology; Water Project Management, Environmental and Water Sciences

National 3-year Diploma/BEng Tech in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering; Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current) and Water Care

‘Through the bursary programme, the Department of Water and Sanitation will require bursars, who obtained their qualifications, to join the Learning Academy as graduate trainees on a fixed-term contract for a period of maximum of three years,’ said the DWS.

The graduate trainees will be exposed to general and soft skill training programmes, orientation and induction into the department. After completion, the trainees will be placed in various functional areas (base stations) within the department and allocated mentors within the various line functions to receive the job training.

‘The experience and expertise gained during this time will assist with the professionalisation of scientists and engineers and give workplace exposure and additional t
raining until they are ready to register as professionals with their relevant professional bodies.’

Bursary application forms can be sent by email to [email protected]. For more information, students are encouraged to visit the department’s website.

Source : South African Government News Agency

With Women’s Month in full swing, residents of the Northern Cape say that while strides have been made to uplift women, more needs to be done to win the fight against gender-based violence.

‘Today as women, government recognises us and listens to our voices, and we are represented in government departments and in Parliament. However, women still suffer at the hands of the perpetrators of gender-based violence, and many have been killed by those who do not understand the role or the importance of women in communities. We wish government can do more to protect women,’ Sandra Booi, a resident of Pofadder, told SAnews.

Booi was one of hundreds of citizens who attended the national commemoration of Women’s Day at Denis Nel Stadium in Pofadder, Northen Cape, on Friday.

Lettie Swart, a resident of Upington, told SAnews that the commemoration of Women’s Day demonstrates government’s commitment to the cause of women.

‘Women are the pillars of every society. Women played a crucial role during the struggle against t
he apartheid regime. Women were at the forefront and they deserve to be recognised,’ Swart said.

Echoing the same sentiment, Johannes Matsaboge said: ‘It’s time that women are recognised and occupy senior positions in government. Women are capable of doing what men can do.’

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the celebrations under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom Towards Women’s Development”.

The President, joined by Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul and other government officials, signed a pledge for South African men to end gender-based violence and femicide.

The national event marks 68 years to the day since 20 000 women of diverse backgrounds from across South Africa marched on the Union Buildings to protest against the extension of the pass laws to women.

Source : South African Government News Agency

North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has welcomed the significant improvement in the 2023/24 audit outcomes for provincial departments, which show a marked progression from the previous year.

In the latest audit cycle ended 31 March 2024, a total of nine out of 12 departments received unqualified audit reports, whereby two of them received clean audits. Only one department received a qualified audit outcome, with a reduction in audit qualification paragraphs.

The provincial government said this positive trend reflects government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing financial management, accountability and transparency across all its departments and entities.

‘We are particularly encouraged by the increase in clean audits and the overall accuracy of our financial statements. These improvements are aligned to our ongoing efforts to build public trust, enhance service delivery and improve the lives of the people of the North West,’ the Premier said.

The provincial government said current year performance r
eveals that the new techniques that were employed over the previous year, which included working closely with Chief Financial Officers and officials in the financial management sections are yielding the desired results.

‘In the previous year, the province managed to obtain seven unqualified audit outcomes, while five departments were qualified, prompting the provincial government to increase its support to these five departments. The expansion in audit coverage bears testimony to the province’s comprehensive financial oversight and accountability,’ the provincial government said.

Mokgosi said part of building a capable, ethical and developmental State is to see to it that government has sound financial management controls.

The Premier said the collaborative efforts of the Provincial Treasury, Provincial Audit Committee, the Auditor General of South Africa, dedicated members and chairpersons of portfolio committees and other robust governance structures continue to set the province on a positive development
al trajectory.

‘We made significant progress in addressing the root causes of the challenges that culminated into Section 100. These key stakeholders have been instrumental in implementing comprehensive reforms, enhancing financial management and strengthening oversight mechanisms,’ Mokgosi said.

Source : South African Government News Agency