Day: June 6, 2022

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has expressed her outrage and concern at the relentless war waged on women and children.

This follows the 4th quarter crime statistics released by Police Minister, Bheki Cele, which painted a horrific picture of the extent of violence against women and children, particularly girls in South Africa.

The statistics released on Friday indicated that there is an increase in the number of contact crimes, particularly murders and sexual violence.

Cele echoed the sentiments expressed by Nkoana-Mashabane on the need to take decisive action by society to respond to the prevalence of violence in communities.

Nkoana-Mashabane has consistently indicated that the crimes reported by the media remain the tip of the iceberg on the violence experienced by women and children.

Nkoana-Mashabane noted that many researchers, academics, and activists working in the gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) sector put this figure much higher due to the increasing number of unsolved murder and assault cases still under investigation.

“Although the current statistics paint a horrific picture of violence in our homes and communities, the unfortunate reality is that there are many who continue to suffer from extreme forms of violence, in silence. Therefore, we are really faced with a shadow pandemic of violence against women and children,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.

The Minister highlighted that over the past few months, the country has witnessed some of the most gruesome acts of violence against women and children.

These include the murder of 35-year old Singwa Namhla Mtwa who was allegedly shot and murdered outside her home in Sidwadwa in Mthatha, the inexplicable killing of six-year-old Bontle Mashiyane who was found murdered in Mganduzweni outside White River, with her womb and knees removed, and the raping and sexual exploitation of a 2-year-old child by the 52 year old Wikus van Deventer in Paarl, Western Cape.

While these cases garnered widespread condemnation, Nkoana-Mashabane said they form part of a much wider pandemic of violence against women and children.

“As a society, we often underestimate the barbaric nature of violence against women and children. If we do not act with urgency collectively, we run the risk of reversing some of the great milestones we have achieved in advancing and protecting the rights of women and children,” Nkoana-Mashabane warned.

These crime statistics were released as the country commemorated National Child Protection Week between 29 May- 05 June, under the theme, “Let us all Protect Children during COVID-19 and Beyond”.

Nkoana-Mashabane emphasised that citizens can no longer ignore how high levels of violence remain a threat to the social, cognitive, physical development of the country’s future.

“We cannot celebrate our democracy at the expense of the livelihoods of our children. As we commence with Youth Month under the theme Promoting sustainable livelihood and resilience of young people for a better tomorrow, we are particularly sensitive to the lived realities of young women who remain most vulnerable to various forms of gender-based violence, including femicide.

“The persistent threat of violence does hinder the ability to build a resilient youthful population that will advocate and lead the development trajectory of our country. The issue of violence is more than just a physical battle. It has a direct impact on the development of South Africa,” the Minister said.

She added that in order to fully address the scourge, a passive approach can no longer be taken, but instead “we need to invest and strengthen coordinated responses across all spheres of society – especially our communities”.

“Equally, we must challenge the toxic and violent norms and values that perpetuate the violence in our homes, schools, workplaces and churches. We need collective action to report criminality and intervene as communities in promoting prevention of crimes,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Basic Education Department to host indaba on early grade reading research

The Department of Basic Education will host a two-day Early Grade Reading Research Indaba to address the reading challenges in the basic education sector. From 8-9 June, speakers and panelists from world-leading developmental, research and gov- ernment bodies will contribute insight and thrash out the issues in a bid to chart the way forward regarding reading outcomes in schools.

One of South Africa’s biggest developmental challenges is the number of children who cannot read for meaning in the early grades. These children fail to thrive in the foun- dation phase and beyond, with far-reaching consequences for the country as a whole.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has risen to this challenge with the Early Grade Reading Study (EGRS) programme, a series of impact-driven randomised trials conducted in partnership with various developmental and academic institutions.

Since 2012, EGRS has generated a wealth of evidence into how best to implement early grade reading support solutions in South African schools. Specifically, an on-site model of paper-based lesson plans and regular in-person coaching visits has deliv- ered robust evidence of sustained impacts on reading outcomes. The challenge is how to implement the model cost-effectively at scale. To address this question, the second Early Grade Reading Study (EGRS 2) was conducted in Mpumalanga from 2017- 2020. Interventions aimed to improve learning in English as a First Additional Lan- guage (EFAL) in grades 1 to 3. The on-site model was compared to an alternative model using electronic tablets preloaded lesson plans, audio and video clips and a specialised “virtual coach”.

The outcomes confirmed the sustainable impact of on-site coaching but found that virtual coaching had little discernible impact: A cost-effective alternative to on-site coaching has yet to be found. All early grade reading stakeholders – from government, developmental and academic role-players to the parents, teachers and learners on the ground – are invited to join the Indaba’s live stream(link is external).

The Early Grade Reading Research Indaba

Can alternative ways of providing professional support to teachers create the same kind of change in teaching practice and learning outcomes as coaching, but at a lower financial cost?

Is it more sustainable and effective to intervene in the home language or EFAL? How should parents be involved? What is the optimal use of technology? Where do donors and partners fit in? These are the big questions posed by EGRS 2, answers to which the DBE’s forthcoming Early Grade Reading Research Indaba will seek to find

High-impact speakers and topics

Session One of the Indaba opens with a key-note address by Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Makgabo Reginah Mhaule, followed by high-level reflections and inter- national experience on “The Importance of Evidence Building” from Muriel Mafico, UNICEF’s Representative in South Africa, Andy Karas, USAID’s Southern Africa Mis- sion Director, and David Evans, senior fellow at the Centre for Global Development.

Prof Brahm Fleisch, Professor of Education Policy and Head of the Division of Educa- tion Leadership, Policy and Skills at the Wits School of Education, weighs in on early grade reading in research and practice.

In Session Two, Stephen Taylor, DBE Director of Research, Monitoring and Evalua- tion, presents key EGRS findings, and Dr Fatima Adam, Director of Research and Evaluation at the Zenex Foundation, chairs a panel on the international experience of early grade reading.

Session Three delves into EGRS findings in detail, as the DBE’s Carol Nuga Deliwe, Nompumelelo Mohohlwane and Lesang Sebaeng as well as other participants ad- dress the specifics of pedagogy and classroom materials and debate the emotive topic of home language versus English.

Session Four focuses on “Technology and Learning Loss”, with input from the DBE’s Prof Martin Gustafsson and Kholosa Nonkenge, Young Impact’s Dr Noam Angrist and The Learning Trust’s Sibongile Khumalo.

Session Five concludes the Indaba with a “Reflection on Donor Collaboration and Partnership” with Zenex Foundation CEO Gail Campbell, UNICEF SA Education Man- ager Dr Andile Dube, and USAID Education and Youth Team Leader Dr Felicia Wil- son-Young.

Source: Government of South Africa

The Presidency has reiterated government’s commitment to fighting corruption and crime even in the face of threats of violence.

This comes after Director-General in the Presidency Phindile Baleni received a death threat in her mail last week.

The letter, addressed to the DG, instructed her to advise the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to “release [the] suspect” in the murder case of former Gauteng Health Department top official and whistle blower Babita Deokaran who was killed in an alleged assassination last year.

The letter also instructed Baleni to advise President Cyril Ramaphosa “not to proceed with State Capture findings” or meet the same fate as Thabo Masebe, Babita Deokaran and Thabo Moerane.

“We know where you drive and all your visiting points. The plan is complete. But only if you consider our proposal then, the deal will be struck off. The President listens to you [more] than any other person. Those two cars you always travel with, we have a good plan for them. We are not scared of those soldiers that are escorting you.

“Something special is on for you. Any province you travel [in] we have our eyes on the ground,” the letter reads.

The Presidency said state security agencies are investigating the threat.

“Several days ago, Ms Baleni received a threat by an unknown person or persons who seemingly want to affect the Presidency’s processing of the findings of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State.

“Ms Baleni found, in her letter box at home, an envelope containing a bullet and a letter in which the perpetrator(s) made a threat against her life. The fight against crime and corruption will be unaffected by this threat against the Director-General,” the Presidency said.

According to the Presidency, Baleni is receiving protection to enable her to continue her critical duties as DG, Cabinet Secretary and Convenor of the Forum of South African Directors-General.

Source: South African Government News Agency

North West Committee on Health to meet Department on their 4th Quarter Report 2021/22

The North West Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development will hold a meeting with the Department of Health, over their 4th quarter report for the 2021/22 financial year.

The meeting is scheduled as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 07 June 2022

Time: 08h00

Venue: Virtual Meeting

Members of the Media who would like to attend the virtual meeting can contact Ms. Namhla Luhabe on 079 527 0628.

Issued by: North West Provincial Legislature: Media & Communications Unit on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development, Hon Gavin Edwards

Source: Government of South Africa

WESTERN CAPE - Lwandle Police are seeking the assistance of the public with information to locate the suspects involved and the families of the two men who were found deceased in two separate incidents in Lwandle policing precinct.

In the first incident, the deceased was shot in the head in Lwandle by a yet to be identified suspect on the 08 May 2022 at about 6pm. He was admitted to a nearby hospital and later transferred to Tygerberg hospital where he succumbed due to the serious head injury. He is estimated to be in his early thirties.

In another incident, an unknown man, believed to be in his forties was found on the 12 April at about 19:45, with gunshot wounds in a ditch, at the back of Chris Hani informal settlement in Asanda Village.

In both incidents, cases of murder were opened and investigated by Lwandle police detectives. At this stage, the motive of the killings are still unknown.

Police urged anyone with information about these incidents or who knows the families of these men to contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Thandokazi on 082 4112 735 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

Gauteng Government welcomes the take up of the PotholeFixingGP reporting App

Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, has expressed his appreciation on the increasing use of the PotholeFixingGP Application (App) since it was launched two weeks ago.

“Since its launch two weeks ago, we are pleased with the take up, seeing that more people are downloading and using the App. More than 4000 people have, so far, downloaded the App and are putting it to use,” said Mamabolo.

The Department of Roads and Transport partnered with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop the App to improve the condition of the provincial road network.

The App offers users a platform to report road maintenance issues and updates are also provided on issues reported. The app is currently available on the Android platform.

“Since its launch, we have received the first set of data which gives us insights into maintenance challenges on our roads,” added the MEC.

Across the five developmental corridors of Gauteng over the past two weeks, a total of 728 defects were logged on the App.

73 were defects reported on provincial roads and 650 on Municipal Roads.

The City of Joburg accounted for 239 defects; City of Ekurhuleni had 172, whilst 137 cases were reported in the City of Tshwane.

Emfuleni Local Municipality received 39 defects, followed by Mogale City with 32 defects reported. The Rand West City Municipality received 21, with Lesedi and Merafong Local Municipalities each receiving one complaint.

“This data is very important as it provides us with a sample of the maintenance work required, assists us to plan better on resources deployment. This ensures that resources, human and material, are made available where they are needed most”.

“The partnership with municipalities continues as we work closely to attend to those defects reported through the App to their maintenance teams,” added Mamabolo.

The App is an integral part of tools identified in the Department’s Growing Gauteng Through Smart Mobility 2030 Strategy to leverage the deployment of smart technologies to improve delivery. It also outlines plans to facilitate the provision of critical transport infrastructure to assist with the recovery and growth of the economy in the province.

Monthly updates on data collected through the App will be made available to the public to promote transparency and accountability.

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport

Source: Government of South Africa

LIMPOPO – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation members are continuing to apprehend vehicle dealership fraudsters in Makhado. This follows the arrest of a 27-year-old suspected vehicle dealership fraudster in Gauteng Province on Saturday, 4 June 2022.

It is alleged that on 3 September 2021, the suspect visited one of the vehicle dealerships in Makhado and showed an interest in a Toyota Avanza valued at R460 019-52. It is further alleged that the suspect did not have necessary documents to attach when applying for vehicle finance loan however, the salesperson promised to assist in arranging the required documents at a cost of R5000-00.

After the application was approved by the WesBank, the vehicle was successfully delivered to the suspect. Shortly after, the bank conducted its audit and noticed that the payslip of the applicant was fraudulent. The case was opened and referred to the Hawks for further investigation. During the investigation, it was revealed that the suspect was actually unemployed.

The suspect is expected to make her first appearance in the Makhado Magistrate’s Court today, 06 June 2022 to face fraud charges.

This is the second case in a space of less than a month whereby the Hawks have arrested a suspect for allegedly defrauding vehicle dealerships. On 27 May 2022, Clement Mathelemusa (27) was arrested also for allegedly defrauding a vehicle dealership in Makhado through the assistance of a salesperson. Mathelemusa is currently out on R2 000-00 bail and his case was postponed to 22 July 2022 for further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service