Day: June 9, 2022

Gauteng Government launches first licensing centre at a Gautrain Station

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has opened a first of its kind, smart Driving Licensing Testing Centre (DLTC) at the Gautrain Midrand station.

The new pilot DLTC, which was built using alternative building materials, is completely off the grid, guaranteeing customers minimal disruptions and a quick, convenient service along the Gautrain line.

The centre is part of four new stations set to be delivered by the GDRT together with the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to add capacity that will help address driver license card renewal backlogs in Gauteng.

“This state-of-the-art facility gives us an opportunity to efficiently deliver licences and other related service to the people. Working together with GMA and RTMC, in just over two months we have delivered this facility,” said MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo.

Through the use of smart technologies, the new DLTC promises to halve the time it takes for customers to complete the process of renewing the validity of their driver license cards while on the move.

“This additional capacity will make it more convenient for customers to access services. Last year, we introduced two new smart DLTCs at Waterfall Estate, City of Joburg and Eco Park in the City of Tshwane. These new generation DLTCs are the benchmark we are setting ourselves as we look at modernising all our facilities across the province,” added Mamabolo.

The centre will also provide full online and cashless services as part of the provincial government commitment to exploring new technologies and process optimisation.

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President David Mabuza says law enforcement agencies should be allowed to investigate the robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm without any interference.

The Deputy President said this when he was responding to a supplementary question by the DA’s Deputy Chief Whip Siviwe Gwarube. The question was asked as the Deputy President was dealing with questions related to performance agreements between the President and members of the Executive.

“I think that has been reported to the police and I take it that we should allow the respective law enforcement agencies to investigate without our interference and finally, make their investigation known.

“If they want to charge the President, they will do so at a proper time, so I think we should allow that process to unfold,” he said.

In another follow up question, the EFF’s Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi asked the Deputy President if he would be ready to resume the Presidential responsibilities, as provided for in the Constitution, in the event that the President heeded to calls for him to step down.

“I don’t think we have reached any point that seeks to say the President must step down,” he said, adding that the different institutions of the country must be allowed to investigate and make a determination on the matter.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Golden Valley housing development successfully delivered

The Golden Valley housing project has successfully delivered 136 brand new homes to the community of Blanco in the George Municipality.

Construction at the R29 million budgeted project, commenced in March 2017 and managed to provide 136 beneficiaries with a housing opportunity as per the outlined targets. The final group of beneficiaries took occupation of their homes in the second quarter of 2022. The project experienced challenges in its initial stages with 2 years lost due to construction delays between August 2018 and October 2020 when George Municipality sought the assistance of the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements (WCDoHS).

After the initial contractor failed to commence with any work due to financial constraints, the George Municipality wrote to the WCDoHS to assist with the procuring and appointment of new contractors in December 2019. With the appointment of a new contractor by the Department via an Emergency Limited Bid, construction of top structures resumed in October 2020 and was completed at the end of the first quarter 2021.

MEC Simmers said; “ It is quite remarkable to note that within 18 months we not only managed to build and complete these houses but have handed over all of the 136 units to the deserving beneficiaries, whose lives have been changed for the better. When George Municipality presented this matter to us in 2019, as the Western Cape Government, we recognized the severity of the situation taking into consideration the appalling living conditions, that the intended beneficiaries found themselves in. We therefore could not delay the procurement and appointment of a noteworthy contractor and resume with construction as soon as possible.”

The project unlocked economic opportunities for 7 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s), with a creation of 50 job opportunities for the local residents. Of the 136 houses, 103 have received their title deeds in what is another milestone for this project.

“I commend the George Municipality for acknowledging the urgency the situation necessitated and writing to my department for our assistance, as the spheres of government it is through such collaborative efforts that we can once again ensure the citizens of this province continue to receive the services they deserve. Through this project we granted 103 beneficiaries with security of tenure and made the legal homeowners by handing over title deeds” said Simmers.

Source: Government of South Africa

PARKTOWN – Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng remain resolute in fighting the scourge of crime against women, children and vulnerable persons. It is on this basis that Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela welcomed the recent lengthy sentence achieved by a detective from Katlehong Family, Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit.

On Thursday, 02 June 2022 the Vosloorus Magistrates’ court sentenced 25-year-old Nhlanhla Sibiya to two life terms and an additional 42 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty for rape, attempted murder and kidnapping.

In the early hours of Sunday, 28 July 2019 members of SAPS Vosloorus were out on a routine patrol when they noticed a suspicious looking taxi which was parked on the side of the road with two occupants. The male occupant; Sibiya immediately alighted from the vehicle when he noticed the police. Sibiya told the members that he was having intercourse with his “girlfriend” in the taxi, but the woman indicated that she was raped. Sibiya tried to evade his arrest, but was swiftly apprehended by the members.

The 20-year-old victim and her male cousin were walking home when Sibiya hit them with his taxi; both sustained injuries. Sibiya offered to take the woman to hospital, but instead raped her twice in different locations in Vosloorus before he was arrested.

The case was assigned to Sergeant Zininzi Vamba, a detective from Katlehong FCS unit, for further investigation. Vamba meticulously collected all the evidence which resulted in a solid case against the accused in court.

Sibiya stood trial on two counts of rape, three counts of attempted murder and one count of kidnapping.

"It is a top priority for the SAPS to ensure the citizens of this country are safe and feel safe. Quality investigation and work ethic displayed by our members will restore the communities' faith in the police," said Lt Gen Mawela.

Source: South African Police Service

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni celebrates Youth Day at the launch of Capenexis ICT Hub

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni will observe the 2022 Youth Day celebrations at Makotopong, outside Polokwane (Limpopo) by launching of the CapeNexis ICT Hub on 15 June 2022.

The ICT Hub initiative is part of the long term Makotopong Rural Development Project which aims at developing young people in rural areas and bridge the digital divide that exists in our society ultimately contribute into socio-economic development by creating jobs and poverty reduction. The project’s ultimate objective is to develop and document a model for rural socio-economic development and establish a smart village.

The Minister pledged to have the South African government contributing in closing the digital gap that exists and significantly deal with the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality in our country and most importantly, in the digital world.

Source: Government of South Africa

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has warned the public of job advertisements doing the rounds on popular social media sites, purporting to be from the agency.

The advertisements are claiming that the agency is hiring people to fix railway lines in Soweto/Johannesburg.

“The adverts may look convincing. PRASA advertises its vacancies or careers on its website, social media and newspapers,” the agency said on Thursday.

Jobseekers can verify job advertisements from the agency by contacting PRASA on 086 000 88 88 or via Twitter: @metrorailgp and Facebook: Metrorail Gauteng.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to launch the only black owned call centre

The Minister for Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams will launch the Dastile Wealth Insure (DWI) call centre in East London, on 09 June 2022. Dastile Wealth Insure is an empowerment based financial services provider, with a focus on empowering unemployed youth in townships and rural areas.

The call centre currently employs 64 people in East London, and has created over 350 across the Eastern Cape. The call centre was founded by Mr. Vuyo Dastile with the aim to maintain job security for unemployed youth. The purpose of the establishment is to expand the capabilities of disadvantaged youth in customer care, sales and marketing – a fast growing field in the country and the world at large.

DWI has committed to create up to 500 jobs within the next 5 years with a core focus on unemployed youth with disabilities and females, to teach them the necessary skills through learnership programmes with services SETA.

Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams will be joined and supported by the Executive Mayor of Buffalo City District Municipality, Cllr. Xola Pakati and key partners at the Metro including BPESA and Inseta.

Source: Government of South Africa