Day: June 1, 2022

Government has offered much-needed short-term reprieve to motorists by extending the temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre.

Initially, the Ministers of Finance and Mineral Resources and Energy had on 31 March 2022 jointly announced a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre from 6 April 2022 until 31 May 2022.

This was to provide limited short term relief to households from rising fuel prices following the Russia/Ukraine conflict.

On Tuesday, the two departments said relief was to be funded by a liquidation of a portion of the strategic crude oil reserves.

“Since this announcement, the continuation of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, supply chain bottle-necks and a tightening of global monetary policy have led to further unfavourable changes in the two key drivers of the regulated petrol price, the exchange rate and the global oil price.

“These events have led to even larger increases in fuel prices compared to a few months ago when the temporary fuel levy relief was introduced. The withdrawal of the temporary relief in the general fuel levy on 31 March 2022, as per the original announcement, would contribute to an increase in petrol prices of close to R4 per litre, and push prices of 95 octane unleaded petrol (ULP) to above R25 per litre, an increase of just under 20 percent next month.”

The departments said due to this significant monthly price increase, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Tuesday submitted a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, requesting the tabling of a two-month proposal for the extension of the reduction in the general fuel levy.

“This will take the form of a continuation of the relief of R1.50 per litre for the first month, from 1 June 2022 to 6 July 2022, and then a downward adjustment to the relief for the second month to 75c per litre from 7 July 2022 to 2 August 2022,” they said.

They added that the temporary relief would be withdrawn from 3 August 2022.

The Chair of the National Council of Provinces was also been informed of this proposal.

The departments said the revenue foregone from the extension of the relief was estimated at R4.5 billion.

“Unlike the previous announcement, this proposal is expected to have an impact on the fiscal framework as it will not be fully funded through a sale of strategic oil stocks.

“Government remains committed to the fiscal framework outlined in the Budget 2022. The proposed temporary reduction in the fuel levy will be accommodated in the current fiscal framework in a manner that is consistent with the fiscal strategy outlined in the Budget. Any changes, if required, will be announced at the time of the 2022 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement.”

The temporary reduction in the general fuel levy was expected to only smoothen the impact of persistently higher fuel prices on consumers and businesses, as the economy would need to adjust to the new reality.

They added: “As announced on 31 March 2022, government will also take further measures to help reduce fuel prices in a more sustainable manner. From 1 June 2022, the DMRE will remove the demand side management levy of 10c per litre that has been applied to inland 95 ULP.”

After a review and consultation by the DMRE, it is proposed that the basic fuel price also be decreased by 3c per litre in the coming months.

Government intends to continue with consultations and proposals to remove the price cap on 93 ULP, which will partially deregulate the market and introduce more competition to lower pump prices.

The departments said a review on the Regulatory Accounting System would be completed by the DMRE to assess the potential to lower margins over the medium term.

The DMRE will publish further details within the next hour on the actual adjustment of fuel prices with effect from 1 June 2022.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Two hundred youth to benefit from the Labour Activation Program (LAP) projects in the North West Province

Two hundred youth from different areas within the Rustenburg Local Municipality in the North West Province have been enrolled in different training projects within the Hospitality sector. These trainings are part of the Department of Employment and Labour’s Labour Activation Programme (LAP).

LAP is a programme within the Department and is funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The purpose of the programme is to skill and up-skill the unemployed youth and unemployed UIF beneficiaries in order to gain access into the labour market, and to establish their own businesses.

With this project, leaners will be trained to become Assistant Chefs, Baristas, Fast Foods Cookers, Convenience Food Cooker and Table Attendant. These trainings are offered through theoretical training and practical work; and the curricular has among others, business studies and field specific disciplines.

According to the Deputy Director: LAP in the province, Jeffrey Zitha, it is envisaged that at the end of these projects, participants would be able to be integrated into the world of work and also be able to open their own businesses, thus reducing unemployment and also empowering those around them.

“The aim of these trainings is to ensure that youth and work seekers are equipped with the necessary skills that are needed to close the skills gap and to enable the unemployed youth and unemployed UIF beneficiaries to meet the requirements of the labour market,” Zitha said.

He said as much as they will assist in making sure that they are placed in work places at the end of the programme they encourage them to also look into starting their businesses.

“With the current economic meltdown, the Department seeks to encourage the youth and work seekers to look into other opportunities that can create employment for themselves and those around them,” he concluded.

The training initiatives commenced on Tuesday, the 31st May and are expected to run over a period of three months for Baristas, Fast Food and Convenient Food Cookers while the Chef Assistant and Table Attendant will run for 10 months. Upon completion, Baristas, Fast Food and Convenient Food cookers will receive NQF level 2 certificate while Chef Assistant and Table Attendant will receive NQF level 4 certificates from accredited service provider.

Source: Government of South Africa

Sello Jerry Thomo(50) was found guilty and sentenced by the Ermelo Magistrate Court on Wednesday 01 June 2022 for fifty counts of Corruption and Fraud after he was arrested by members of the Hawks Mpumalanga Serious Corruption Investigation in October 2007.

The sentence followed a lengthy investigation by the Hawks. During the time, the accused was employed at Ermelo licencing office responsible for issuing of learners and driver’s licenses. Investigation revealed that the accused person fraudulently issued learners and driving licences to people who were not tested. Licence holders testified in court that they paid money to get licenses without being tested.

Accused found guilty for Corruption sentence is 9 (nine) years imprisonment of which 3(three) years is suspended for 5 (five) years and Fraud sentence is 4 (four) years imprisonment and the sentences will run concurrently.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena applauded the phenomenal labour by the investigation team and judiciary for securing such sentence to the people who were supposed to advice the public about safety on the road by encouraging them to be tested before they receive their licences. She further acknowledge the true community members who took courage to stand before court and testify against the wrongdoers. She also pleaded with all members of the community to report such types of occurrences.

Source: South African Police Service

Roads and Transport Portfolio committee follows up with department in a committee meeting

The Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Roads and Transport will host the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) on 2 June 2022 at the Magaliesburg Community Hall in Krugersdorp at 10h00.

GDRT is expected to provide responses to Committee questions on the fourth quarter report for 2021/22 financial year and present to the committee progress reports on the appointment of new subsidised bus contracts; the backlog on the renewal of expired driving licenses in the province and the Transport Infrastructure House progress for the fourth quarter of 2021/22 financial year.

Source: Government of South Africa

GQEBERHA - The immediate following up of information received about the possible location of a cellphone taken in a house robbery in Sunridge, led police to recover some of the stolen items in a bush yesterday afternoon, 31 May 2022.

It is alleged that on Tuesday, 31/05 at about 11:00, two unknown males entered a house in Cassia Street in Sunridge and held up the domestic worker. She was also shot in her shoulder before been tied up. When the owner of the house and a tenant returned home at different times, they too were tied up. The house was ransacked and hunting rifles, a firearm, 3 cellphones, jewellery, other household items and the complainant’s silver Izuzu bakkie were taken. A neighbour alerted a private security company who found the victims.

At about 15:45, members of the NMB District Crime Combatting Unit followed up on information received and succeeded in tracing the location of one cellphone which led them to the bushes at the corners of Standford and Nooitgedacht Roads where they recovered some of the stolen property. The rifles, three cellphones and a bag containing alcohol was confiscated. The bakkie is still missing.

The injured domestic worker was taken to hospital for treatment.

Police are investigating a case of house robbery.

Source: South African Police Service

Deputy President Mabuza embarks on a follow-up visit to the North West Province to engage with the Premier and Military Veterans Associations

Deputy President David Mabuza, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans will tomorrow, Thursday, 02 June 2022, visit Potchefstroom in the North West Province, to engage with the Provincial government and Military Veterans associations.

This follow-up meeting is in line with the directive by Deputy President Mabuza for the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans to urgently return to the North West province, with the aim of finding lasting solutions to address the challenges facing the Military Veterans.

Government, through the efforts of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans, is committed to the delivery of socio-economic support services to the Military Veterans and their dependents. Over the medium term, the Department of Military Veterans in particular, has placed its focus on improving efficiencies in the delivery of key benefits such as housing, education, training, skills development, access to health care as well implementing initiatives to support entrepreneurial opportunities for Military Veterans.

In this regard, the meeting will assess progress achieved by both national and the North West Provincial Government in particular, in the provision of the socio-economic benefits to Military Veterans and their dependents.

Chaired by Deputy President Mabuza, the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans includes the Minister in the Presidency, Mr Mondli Gungubele, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Thandi Modise and Deputy Minister, Mr Thabang Makwetla.

Deputy President Mabuza will be supported by the Premier of the North West province, Mr Bushy Maape, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Thabang Makwetla and senior government officials.

Source: Government of South Africa

On Wednesday, 01 June 2022 members of Benoni Flying Squad arrested three suspects, aged between 34 and 42-year-old, on the N12 highway for possession of unlicensed firearm, ammunition, house breaking implements and suspected stolen property.

The SAPS members were reportedly out on a routine crime prevention patrol when they pulled over a taxi with six occupants.

A search led the members to find unlicensed firearms, ammunition, house breaking implements and various suspected stolen property in possession of three men.

The suspects are expected to appear before a Magistrates' court soon.

Source: South African Police Service