Day: June 22, 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on BRICS to support the drive of the African Union to ensure that vaccines destined for African countries are procured from African manufacturers.

The President was delivering a pre-recorded message at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum on Wednesday ahead of the virtual 14th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on Thursday and Friday.

Though the global economic recovery is underway, President Ramaphosa highlighted that the situation remains fragile and the recovery itself is uneven.

He said that developing economies continue to face challenges of poverty and inequality, which the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated.

“Lack of access to lifesaving vaccines and treatments is still holding back the recovery of millions across the world.

“We cannot have a swift and inclusive global economic recovery unless the issue of vaccine inequality is urgently addressed,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa said that the forum is taking place at a difficult time.

As BRICS nations, he said, they have to do all within their means to mitigate the impact of poverty, food and energy insecurity on the people.

“We have to advance sustainable and inclusive development that safeguards us against future shocks. At the Moscow Summit in 2020, we adopted the revised Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership. Last year, we adopted its Implementation Plan,” he said.

Through this strategy, the President said that they want to expand market access for goods, products and services across the bloc.

“We want to promote mutual trade and investment, implement structural reforms and other measures to improve the business environment.

“In particular, we want to enhance trade and investment cooperation that supports value-addition among the BRICS countries,” the President said.

The President told the Business Forum that South Africa has recently implemented far-reaching structural reforms in areas such as energy, telecommunications, transportation, water and infrastructure.

Despite the pandemic, he said that trade and investment cooperation within the BRICS has been steadily improving.

“This needs to be deepened even further if we are to withstand vulnerabilities in regional and global supply chains. We therefore endorse the BRICS Initiative on Enhancing Cooperation on Supply Chains,” he said.

He emphasised that this initiative affirms that openness, efficiency, stability, transparency, reliability and resilience of national, regional and global supply chains are necessary preconditions for international trade and investment.

“We are committed to strengthening dialogue, exchange and cooperation in areas such as industrial development, investment, trade in services, and micro, small and medium enterprises development. We recognise the dynamism of the digital economy as an enabler of the global economic recovery,” the President said.

Overcoming the digital divide between countries

President Ramaphosa called for an urgent need to overcome the digital divides that exist within and between countries.

He said that BRICS countries will continue their constructive engagement with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to foster inclusivity, industrialisation and development.

“We appreciate the contribution of the BRICS Women Business Alliance in promoting women’s financial inclusion and the participation of women and women-owned and women led businesses in the mainstream economies of BRICS countries.

“We must oppose attempts to shape global economic policies through unilateral sanctions and other coercive measures,” he said.

At the same time, President Ramaphosa emphasised the need to preserve the pre-eminent role of the WTO in setting global trade rules and governance, in supporting inclusive development and in promoting the rights and interests of its members.

The President further wished the BRICS Business Forum well in the critical task of expanding and diversifying trade and investments between its countries.

“Our task is to forge new pathways for cooperation that bring higher levels of development for our respective peoples. We extend our appreciation to the BRICS Business Council for its ongoing work of deepening collaboration among the BRICS business communities,” he said.

President Ramaphosa added that this year’s BRICS Business Forum is an opportunity to move beyond solidarity to real action.

“As BRICS leaders and as the BRICS business community, let us deepen our collaboration and partnership in pursuit of global development that benefits all and that leaves no-one behind,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

BETHLEHEM – On 27 April 2021 at about 14:30, the 45-year-old victim Nomasondo Cecilia Vilakazi was at a tavern in Bohlokomg when her 35-year-old former boyfriend, Sebuti Molelekwa called her outside.

He then grabbed her by the hand and dragged her to his residence where he locked her inside his house for three days, raped and assaulted her. The victim sustained serious injuries.

On the third day, while Sebuti was asleep, she managed to get the key from his trouser, unlocked the door and escaped.

She was assisted by the neighbours who alerted the police and her elder sister who then took her to the hospital to receive medical treatment.

The investigating officer, Detective Constable Khehla Innocent Misikili arrested the suspect on 03 May 2021 and he has been remanded in custody until his sentencing.

Magistrate Lindiswa Mpama found him guilty on all the charges. On 21 June 2022, she sentenced him to 25 years imprisonment for rape, five years imprisonment for assault with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping. The charges will run concurrently.

Source: South African Police Service

Eskom says due to the breakdown of four generation units this morning, contributing to the capacity constraints, Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented today from 10:00 until midnight.

Starting tomorrow until Sunday night, Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 05:00 until midnight.

According to Eskom, there is likelihood that the stage of load shedding might need to be increased during the evening peaks.

“Eskom will continue to closely monitor the system, adjust and communicate any changes as may be necessary. We appeal to all South Africans to help limit the impact of shortages by continuing to reduce the usage of electricity and to switch off all non-essential items,” Eskom said in a statement.

A generation unit each at the Kendal and Matimba, as well as two units at the Matla Power Station broke down this morning. This reduced generation capacity by 2 400MW adding to the ongoing capacity constraints.

There has been a delay in returning to service a unit at Kusile Power Station which is now expected to return to service tomorrow.

“We currently now have 3 630MW on planned maintenance, while another 2 277MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns,” Eskom said.

Eskom cautioned the public that as the shortage of generation capacity persists, the system will continue to be constrained with an elevated risk of load shedding over the coming weeks.

“We would like to remind the public that load shedding is implemented only as a last resort to protect the national grid. We therefore urge all South Africans to continue using electricity sparingly especially between 05:00 – 10:00 in the mornings and 16: 00 – 22:00 in the evenings,” Eskom said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

GQEBERHA – Commitment and dedication to protect our community and closing the gap for criminals to move freely resulted in the arrest of two suspects allegedly involved in a business robbery committed on Saturday, 11 June 2022.

It is alleged that on the said date at approximately 15:30, the complainant was at the back of his shop assisting his neighbour and as he returned to the shop he noticed two males in the store pretending to be customers. When the neighbour left the shop, the one suspect pulled out a firearm and demanded cash and the complainant’s cell phone. The one suspect removed an undisclosed amount of cash and took his cellphone. The complainant managed to press the panic button, the suspects ran out and attempted to flee in a yellow Toyota Tazz that was waiting for them. The complainant chased after the two suspects and before they could get into the getaway vehicle, he scuffled with them. During the scuffle the complainant manage to disarm the suspect however they managed to flee. The firearm was recovered on the scene.

A case of business robbery was opened.

Today at approximately 02:00, Gqeberha K9 Unit members received and followed up on information pertaining to the two suspects. The suspects aged, 25 and 46, were arrested at their homes in Chatty. Further investigation, led to the seizure of the motor vehicle that was used during the commission of the crime. The vehicle was impounded for further investigation. The firearm was sent to ballistics for analysis.

The two suspects were detained on charges of business robbery and will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court during the week.

Source: South African Police Service

Annual consumer price inflation (CPI) reached 6.5% in May, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has revealed.

The figure is a 0.7% increase from the 5.9% in April and March.

Stats SA said the increase breaks through the upper limit of the South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy target range.

This is the highest reading since January 2017 when the rate was 6.6%, it said.

The impact of fuel prices

In a statement, the agency said transport and food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) accounted for just over half of the annual rate, with sharp price increases recorded in both categories.

“Fuel, in particular, continues to be a major contributor. If the impact of fuel is removed from the CPI reading in May, the headline rate falls to 5.1% from 6.5%.

“Diesel prices jumped by 8.1% between April and May, taking the annual rate to over 45%. The average price of a litre of diesel in May 2021 was R16.20 – meaning it cost R729 to fill a 45-litre tank. Twelve months later, with the average price at R23.67 per litre, filling the same tank cost R1 065.”

Petrol prices moderated between April and May, edging lower by 0.7%. Despite this decline, petrol is almost 27% more expensive than it was in May 2021, reads the statement.

Cooking oil prices continue to soar

During this period, prices for food and NAB jumped by 2.1% between April and May, representing the largest monthly increase since February 2016 when the monthly rise was also 2.1%. At that time, the country was experiencing a severe drought.

“The oils and fats product group continues to witness sustained levels of high inflation. The annual rate was 26.9% in May, representing the 17th month that the rate has been above 10% (since December 2020). Prices jumped by 10.1% between April and May, representing the first time since 1997 that the monthly rate was above 10%.

“Sunflower oil, the product with the highest weight in the oils and fats group, is almost 40% more expensive than it was a year ago. Prices jumped by 16.1% between April and May,” said Stats SA.

The monthly rate for bread and cereals was 3.4%, taking the annual rate to 8.4%. Maize meal recorded a monthly increase of 5.1% and a loaf of white bread was 3.7% more expensive.

Stats SA said annual meat inflation remained above the 6% mark since November 2020, with the reading for May 2022 at 9.4%. Prices for individually quick frozen (IQF) chicken portions and stewing beef increased by 13.7% and 12.2%, respectively, in the 12 months to May.

Source: South African Government News Agency

NORTHERN CAPE – The Springbok SAPS Visible Policing unit received a complaint of alleged copper theft at a cellphone tower and their swift reaction ensured the arrest of three male suspects.

On Tuesday, 21 June at about 08:00, the SAPS members found the suspects with the copper and chased after the five males and managed to arrest three suspects in the veld near the Springbok Hospital.

Approximately 86m of copper was stolen and police managed to retrieve about 70m on the scene. The SAPS members also confiscated two pangas, a hand saw and a screwdriver that was allegedly utilized in the commission of crime.

The suspects should be appearing in the Springbok Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of tampering with, damage, or destroy essential infrastructure. The investigation continues.

The Acting District Commander for Namakwa, Colonel Schalk Andrews commended the members from the Springbok SAPS Visible Policing unit for their lightning fast response and also thanked the community for their assistance in this regard.

Source: South African Police Service

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s participation in the virtual 14th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, hosted by the People’s Republic of China, from 23 to 24 June 2022.

The summit will be chaired by President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, as chair of BRICS for 2022, under the theme, ‘Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership: Usher in a New Era for Global Development’.

The programme will include opening remarks, which are open to the media and the BRICS High-level Dialogue on Global Development.

Ahead of Thursday’s summit, the President will today deliver a pre-recorded message at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum, scheduled for 13h00 SAST.

The President will also participate in the opening ceremony of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit on Thursday, as well as the BRICS High-level Dialogue on Global Development scheduled for Friday.

President Ramaphosa will lead a delegation comprising Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor; Minister in The Presidency, Mondli Gungubele; Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel and Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – which together represent about 41% of the world’s population, 26% of the planet’s land mass across four of the continents, 25% of global GDP and 20% of world trade.

The grouping was established as a forum of like-minded, progressive emerging market and developing countries.

This association is committed to restructuring the global political, economic, and financial architecture to be more inclusive, fair, representative and democratic, with meaningful and greater participation of developing countries.

“The leaders will focus on strengthening intra-BRICS relations and mutually beneficial cooperation across the BRICS pillars of cooperation, namely, political and security, economic and finance, social, and people-to-people partnership,” the Presidency said in a statement.

The summit will also receive reports from the BRICS National Security Advisors, the Chair of the BRICS Business Council, the Chair of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, and the President of the New Development Bank.

The summit will also consider for adoption the BRICS 2022 Beijing Declaration, which emphasises the priorities of the Chinese chairship in 2022.

These priorities entail the three BRICS pillars of cooperation, which are enhancing trust, communication and coordination on global and regional issues; deepening practical cooperation in all fields, and enhancing dialogue and cooperation with other emerging markets and developing countries to broaden South-South cooperation for common development and prosperity.

For this year’s summit, the Presidency said among the expected outcomes are a standalone BRICS High-level Meeting on Climate Change; the adoption of an Action Plan for the Implementation of the Agreement between the Governments of the BRICS States on Cooperation in the Field of Culture, as well as the adoption of a BRICS Digital Economy Partnership Framework.

Others include a BRICS Initiative on Trade and Investment for Sustainable Development, a BRICS Initiative on Enhancing Cooperation on Supply Chains, a BRICS Strategy on Food Security Cooperation, a BRICS Initiative on Denial of Safe Haven to Corruption and Implementing Procedures of Joint Observation for the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation.

“South Africa’s membership of BRICS enables the country to employ additional and powerful tools in its fight to address its domestic triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality through science, technology and innovation, energy, health, and education cooperation, as well as through BRICS financing for infrastructure development, capacity building, research, educational and skilling, trade, investment, and tourism opportunities,” the Presidency said.

South Africa has made concerted efforts to place the African continent and the Global South on the agenda of BRICS, and to harmonise policies adopted in regional and international fora, particularly Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Source: South African Government News Agency