Day: April 22, 2022

The ratings agency Moody’s has changed its outlook of the City of Cape Town municipality from negative to stable.

Moody’s Investors Service published its latest credit opinion reaffirming the existing long and short-term national and global scale rating of Aa3.za/P-1.za and Ba3/NP, and changed the City’s outlook from negative to stable. This update follows after the City received its 17th consecutive unqualified audit report and after the change in outlook of the sovereign (the Republic of South Africa) from negative to stable.

The City’s rating reflects its moderate financial performance supported by prudent financial management and its large and diversified economic base. The City has consistently generated a robust operating surplus with stronger liquidity and lower debt than that of its peers in South Africa also rated by Moody’s.

The City’s credit profile is constrained by capital spending pressure and the structurally weak national economic environment, worsened by the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, which is expected to moderate the City’s operating performance. The resilience in the City’s cash position is expected to remain. The City’s low debt level, together with its liquidity reserves, places the City in a favourable position to raise funding. Any movement in the South African sovereign rating will impact directly on the City’s global scale rating.

‘The City is pleased with this change in outlook from negative to stable. Good rating opinions are crucial for prudent financial planning as the better the rating, the lower the interest charged on debt, which means it costs less to service debt and conserves public money. Although economic pressure is pronounced and the post Covid-19 disaster recovery has been much slower than anticipated, there is room for hope and optimism. In Cape Town, we are doing all we can to enhance resilience going forward and ensure we remain financially healthy enough to provide services,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.

Source: City Of Cape Town

The South African Police Service in the ZF Mgcawu District launched the Spiritual Crime Prevention on Wednesday, 20 April 2021.

The programme led by Colonel Maggy Ndzutha, was held at Upington Mess, and attended by station commanders, VISPOL heads, the CPF and the spiritual leaders.

Lieutenant Colonel (Rev) Itumeleng Pudule outlined the concept to the station management and emphasised on the implementation of the strategy at station level by building positive relationships with the relevant structures in the fight against crime. The attendees had an opportunity to give input as the program proceeded and were positive about the success of the initiative.

Source: South African Police Service

The alleged killers of Pimville resident, Kgomotso Diale are behind bars, four days after he was gunned down.

The Police Ministry is encouraged that South Africans Police Service detectives have worked tirelessly to make arrests in the shooting incident that occurred on Monday, 18 April 2022, at the Chicken Farm informal settlement where six people were shot following a violent confrontation over cable theft. Thirty-four-year old Kgomotso Diale passed away on the scene, while five others were taken to hospital. Three of the victims have since been discharged while two remain in hospital.

Minister of Police General Bheki Cele visited the Kliptown police station on Wednesday, 20 April 2022 where he received a full briefing from the Provincial SAPS on the shooting incident and the growing cases of cable theft that have resulted in disrupted electricity supply in some parts of Soweto.

The Minster also visited the family home of Kgomotso Diale and assured the family, that police are working around the clock to find those responsible for the deadly shooting and will soon make arrests.

In his address to community members of Pimville in the same day, Cele also announced that a 12 member Detective team is on the ground to investigate the shooting and extra forces have deployed in the Kliptown policing area, to enhance police visibility and maintain law and order. Ten more police vans have also been added to the Kiptown police station vehicle fleet, to better service the community.

The Police Ministry wishes to commend the speedy investigative work that has led to the arrest of two suspects on Thursday 21 April 2022, they face charges of murder, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. A third suspect was fatally shot after he pointed a firearm at the police.

Source: South African Police Service

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be conducting zero pressure tests on the main water supply to the De Bron area bounded by Tygerberg Valley Road, Jip De Jager Drive, Kenridge Road, Door De Kraal Road and Welgemoed Road. This work will result in the disruption of the water supply to this area on Tuesday, 26 April 2022, from 20:00 until 04:00 on Wednesday, 27 April 2022.

Zero-pressure testing is part of the installation process for pressure management technology. Tests are done to see if there are any unmapped inflows that need to be taken into account before smart pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are installed.

Residents are advised to store water upfront in clean, sealed containers for use during this period and to ensure that their taps are closed to avoid water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.

This work forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.

The City regrets any inconvenience caused.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Opening Remarks by Minister Naledi Pandor on the occasion of the Ministerial Session of the Fifth Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Botswana, Pretoria, 21 April 2022

Your Excellency and Dear Brother, Dr Lemogang Kwape, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Botswana,

Honourable Ministers, and Deputy Ministers,

Your Excellencies,

Senior Officials from our respective Governments,

Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me start by extending a warm welcome to your Excellency, Dr Lemogang Kwape. It is indeed a pleasure to receive you and your delegation today here in Pretoria for the Ministerial Meeting of the Fifth Session of South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission. Welcome to the OR Tambo building. I also wish to welcome my fellow colleagues and Ministers who have come in full force to be part of today’s programme.

Your Excellency and Dear Brother,

We meet here today in very trying times, as our economies are emerging from the devastation of the COVID–19 pandemic. We have a responsibility to work closely to address the resultant challenges and ensure the restoration of the dignity of our people whose lives have severely been affected by the pandemic.

South Africa and Botswana have a lot in common. In addition to our shared history and geographic proximity, we share the same aspirations for growing our economies to create employment and eradicate poverty and inequality. We also share similar views on the security and economic development of our region and the continent. In the same vein, we aspire for a just and secure world. Our contribution to regional, continental and international organisations reflects these imperative.

Through our bilateral cooperation, we are well placed to rebuild our national economies and contribute to the economic recovery of our region and the continent.

South Africa is therefore more determined to continue to expand efforts towards ensuring socio-economic development, joint prosperity and the mutual benefit of our people. In this regard, we have a solid and dependable cooperative partner in Botswana.

Your Excellency,

Mutually beneficial economic ties and investment flows must grow between our two countries, as these are the foundations for regional integration. Our interactions and consultations within the framework of this BNC enhance accountability in the implementation of our Bilateral Agreements.

In this regard, I am aware that there are thirty-eight (38) Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in various fields currently exist between our two countries. We have an opportunity to take stock of these with a view to consolidate the work done thus far and resolve challenges that may have hampered the effective implementation of some commitments if any. The report of the Senior Officials will provide substantive be instructive in this regard.

I would therefore like to commend our Senior Officials for their work in the past two (02) days. I am confident that they had fruitful deliberations and their recommendations on projects and programmes will be considered by ourselves in a short while.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We expect the Senior Officials to present to us implementable proposals, with action plans which are realistic and time-bound, to enable us to monitor and assess progress. Today, Co-Chair, our officials await our guidance, approval, and endorsement of their proposed projects.

In conclusion, and as Your Excellency is aware, the outcomes of our meeting will be presented to our Principals, His Excellency, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and His Excellency President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi.

Honourable Minister and Dear Brother, I invite you to make your remarks before we consider the Senior Officials’ report.

I thank you!!

Source: Government of South Africa

The City of Cape Town thanks customers for their patience as we do necessary routine maintenance on our electrical infrastructure next week in various areas of the metro. This is how we ensure reliable electricity supply and good management of our public infrastructure. We encourage residents to always double check on the City’s social media channels to see if their area will be affected by the regular electricity maintenance during the week. Where customers are affected by supply interruptions due to normal maintenance, they should receive a door-to-door notice ahead of the planned work.

*Information is complete and correct at time of publication, but subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen conditions.

*It is standard practice to notify customers of planned maintenance via a pamphlet delivered door-to-door ahead of work.

Please note: The City does not carry out maintenance from Stage 3 and above of load-shedding. Routine maintenance work is cancelled in the event of higher stages of load-shedding being implemented.

Tips:

• Where possible, please switch off appliances at the wall socket ahead of maintenance to reduce the risk of damage caused by power surges.

• The supply could be restored at any time, therefore residents should remember to treat all electrical installations as live for the full duration of the interruption.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Late KwaZulu-Natal police search and rescue officer, Sergeant Busisiwe Mjwara, has been hailed for her courage and bravery through her unrelenting service to the nation.

Mjwara and her canine, Leah, on Sunday perished while searching for a family of three that did not survive the devastating floods in the Msunduzi River in Pietermaritzburg. It was a team of six that attempted to find the family when the tragedy struck.

Paying tribute, Police Minister, Bheki Cele, in jest described Mjwara’s commitment to the police service as “very arrogant”.

This, he said, was because she chose to join the male-dominated search and rescue unit, despite the risks associated with the job.

“The girl sleeping here is very arrogant. She knows herself. It wasn’t enough for her to be a police officer. She said she wanted to do what others couldn’t do. I’m told that in the entire unit, there were only two women among a host of men. She did what others avoided,” he said.

The Minister said Mjwara was the epitome of police “excellence”.

“Very few police officers go the extra mile – she’s one of them,” said Cele.

The Minister paid tribute to all police officers who had risked their lives to provide service to flood-ravaged areas in the province.

Comforting the family, Cele said the Sergeant had concluded her life’s journey and called on the family to find solace in knowing this.

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, described Mjwara as a “brave and courageous officer”, saying her death was a sad turn of events for SAPS.

“There is no greater sacrifice than for one to give up their life in the service of others.

“Police… [provide] a service to communities… One of the critical services we provide is also search and rescue.”

Mjwara, Msemola said, was among those providing the service.

“She chose to go and provide the service of searching for and rescuing people,” he said.

When Mjwara joined SAPS in 2008, she “took up the oath of office, and promised to uphold and enforce the law”.

Masemola said: “Most importantly, she promised to serve and protect the people of South Africa. As management of the SAPS, we have no doubt that she played a role in protecting the people of this country. She upheld the code of conduct, and also the ethics and integrity with pride and dignity.”

“In the face of danger, she did not step back, but chose to put the safety and security of the people of this country first.”

KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala, said Mjwara’s death was a reminder of the importance of police in society.

“They don’t just protect us from criminality but they even protect us in times of strife.

“To the family, do know that we grieve with you in this difficult moment of grief and find comfort in God.

“Let us accept that she left us in a painful manner. Let us imagine her conceding that she fought a good fight and has concluded her journey. She served the country with distinction. As we speak here, we speak of her patriotism, bravery and heroism. When all is said and done, Sgt Mjwara teaches us that courage and bravery are born out of a deep care for others.

“Without that human compassion and ubuntu, we cannot talk of courage and not speak of a crown of glory given to those who fought courageously,” he said.

The Premier saluted the late sergeant, saying she died a “heroic death”.

“Her work is risky by nature. She could have easily said the river’s current was too strong and not worth the risk, but she did not do that. That is courage, that is commitment,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency