Day: July 19, 2022

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has commended private companies for their donations to help push back Day Zero in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.

Mchunu visited Nelson Mandela Bay on Monday, where he inspected boreholes donated by Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and the Gift of the Givers, in a bid to ensure water supply to communities amidst water supply challenges in the municipality.

Accompanied by Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Eugene Johnson, Mchunu inspected a borehole at Walmer township in Q Section, which was donated by Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa.

Nine more boreholes are expected to be drilled in Gqeberha, which would generate 10 million litres of water per annum, with the capacity to benefit 500 households in nine areas.

Mchunu also inspected a borehole donated by Gift of the Givers at Elizabeth Donkin Psychiatric Hospital.

The boreholes donated by the Gift of the Givers in various parts of the metro can augment water supply to the municipality by six billion litres per day.

The third borehole visited by Mchunu is at the Coegakop Ground Water Development Project, which falls under the metro.

Mchunu was informed that the completion date for the project, which includes treatment capacity on site, is 30 October 2022. On completion, the project is expected to supply the metro a yield of 12 MLD (Minimal Liquid Discharge).

The project is also designed to raise the yield to 20 MLD, which creates assurance of supply for the long-term.

Mchunu said despite interventions made by Water and Sanitation to ensure water supply to Nelson Mandela Bay residents, the contributions made by NGOs and the private sector have made a tremendous difference in the area.

“It is very important that we continue with partnerships of this kind because government can’t make these kinds of interventions alone, and we have made it known that we are out there to promote partnerships in order to address water supply challenges in the country,” Mchunu said.

However, Mchunu warned community members not to overuse water because of the water augmentation efforts through the boreholes.

He said the more boreholes are being donated, the more water restrictions will be implemented to ensure that there is a reduction of water usage in the metro.

“The completion of these boreholes is merely a necessary security measure to preserve water. It does not mean that people must now relax and use water wastefully because there are now boreholes that assist with water supply,” Mchunu said.

Coca-Cola’s Head of Sustainability, Ntsako Baloyi, assured that the provision of water by the boreholes is at no cost to the communities.

“The boreholes are not running with electricity and are purely dependent on the solar system. As a beverage company, we take health and safety very seriously, and therefore all our water goes through thorough testing before it gets into the taps.

“The supply of water is at no cost to communities and we will be maintaining the boreholes for two years before we hand them over to the municipality,” Baloyi said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

NELSPRUIT - Three suspects were arrested in two separate incidents by members of the police at Balfour who reportedly caught them with copper wire cables. The suspects, aged between 31 and 37 are expected to appear at the Balfour Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 20 July 2022. They are facing various charges, including possession of suspected stolen properties as well as tampering with essential infrastructure.

According to the information, on Monday, 18 July 2022 at about 22:00, police attended a complaint at Dipaleseng sewage plant after being notified of an incident of tampering with infrastructure in the area. Upon arrival, the members scanned the premises they then came across a man who was found in the vicinity lying next to the fence. On closer inspection, the astute members realized that he was holding a bag and inside was a grinder as well as some copper cables estimated to the value of about R100 000-00.

The 37-year-old suspect failed to give a proper account of the origins of the copper cables in his possession hence he was arrested and charged for tampering with essential infrastructure. Preliminary investigation has since revealed that the suspect is an employee who works as a security guard at the Dipaleseng Municipality.

Meanwhile on a separate yet related incident, today 19 July 2022 at about 10:00, am police at Balfour conducted a roadblock near R23 Road. Whilst on duty, the members stopped a bakkie with some occupants and then conducted a search. The members managed to discover copper wire which is suspected to be that from Telkom. The estimated value of the copper is about R16 000-00. One suspect attempted to flee on foot but was shortly arrested.

The driver of the bakkie, aged 31 and his crew, aged 32 were both charged for possession of suspected stolen properties.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended members for remaining true to their call, thereby bringing perpetrators to book. "We are really making a notable mark in dismantling the copper theft market and urge the public not to buy stolen goods but rather report to the authorities," said Lieutenant General Manamela.

Source: South African Police Service

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has offered condolences on the passing of former Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos.

The former President died in Barcelona, Spain, on July 8 at the age of 79.

“We fondly recall his invaluable contribution to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, which culminated in majority rule and democracy, and his overall contribution to the liberation struggle, as one of the leaders of the Frontline States,” the Minister said.

Pandor was speaking on Tuesday during the 24th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the (Southern African Development Community) SADC Organ.

The late politician served as President of Angola from 1979 to 2017.

He was also one of the SADC leaders and served as its chairperson in 2002 to 2003 and 2011 to 2012, respectively.

“Throughout his tenure as Chair, he was unwavering in his support for peace and stability, and socio-economic development and integration in our region.

“In honour and remembrance of the late President José Eduardo dos Santos, may I invite you, honourable Ministers, and distinguished delegates, to rise for a moment of silence,” Pandor said.

The Angolan government said the former Statesman devoted himself from a very early age, having had a relevant participation in the fight against colonisation, in the achievement of national independence, consolidation of the Angolan Nation, and conquest of peace and national reconstruction and reconciliation.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Residents from various communities in Cape Town have joined the battle against illegal dumping and littering. The City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate is hopeful more will take up the fight.

The City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate is pleased to report that the Mayor’s Let’s Keep Cape Town Clean campaign has inspired many more community leaders and representatives to take up the fight against littering and dumping in their area.

Since the campaign launched in February this year, the directorate has supported 111 community clean-ups organised by ward councillors and community organisations. Support is provided in the form of blue bags, and removal of bagged waste to landfills.

‘Our sincere thanks go out to all those who have participated in community clean-ups, and we hope that this will inspire more communities into action. The primary benefit of community clean-ups is residents demonstrating that they stand against littering and dumping. Unfortunately, some Capetonians still believe that it is the City’s duty alone to ensure that neighbourhoods are kept clean. While the City does have a role to play in keeping the environment clean and beautiful, we need a team effort with residents to make progress,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management Alderman Grant Twigg.

Those who organised clean-ups since February 2022 include:

• Shark Spotters

• Save our Schools

• Dunoon ECD forum

• Numerous ward councillors across the City

If you would like the City to support a community clean-up in your area please contact your Ward Councillor. The City hopes to shine a spotlight on many more positive contributions in future.

Source: City Of Cape Town

There are only three days before the 2023 Gauteng Online Admissions application period for Grades 1 and 8 begins.

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said applications will open on 22 July 2022 at 08:00 and close on 19 August 2022 at 00:00.

The department has urged parents and guardians to apply online on www.gdeadmissions.gov.za to secure their child’s space at a Gauteng public school in 2023.

After applying, they will receive SMS notifications of placement offers to either accept or decline from 3 – 31 October 2022.

Following an analysis of various online parent surveys and stakeholder consultations, the system has been enhanced to follow a single application process, allowing all applicants to apply at the same time during the application period.

The GDE said it believes this overall simplified applications process will satisfy everyone.

Important documents to submit

Parents and guardians must upload or submit certified copies of the following documents within 7 days of applying:

• Parent and child ID or passport

• Refugee Permit

• Asylum Seeker Permit

• Permanent Residence Permit

• Study Permit

• South African birth certificate

• Proof of home address

• Proof of work address

• Latest school report and clinic card/immunisation report (Grade 1 only)

Parents and guardians will be given up until 26 August 2022 - 7 days after application period ends - to upload or submit their documents.

However, the GDE said, documents that are uploaded or submitted after the application period closing date will be considered as incomplete applications and will only receive placement at available schools between 1 – 15 December 2022.

To eliminate the risk of overlooking an applicant with uploaded documents by a school, during and up to 7 days after the end of the application period, schools will receive an auto alert each time new documents are uploaded. The system will highlight all uploaded documents for verification.

“In order to hold schools accountable for verification of all received documents, the system will prompt schools to answer the question whether an applicant submitted documents or not.

“If verified, the system will prompt the school to verify and update document status. If not verified, the system will create an alert on the parent’s profile and an SMS will be sent to parent to submit or upload documents,” the department had said previously.

As part of the system enhancement process, applicants will be afforded the opportunity to make informed choices regarding languages offered when applying to a school.

Language of learning and teaching, home languages, and additional languages offered by each school will be visible on the system to applicants during the application period.

“All applicants will be granted an opportunity to apply to a school of their choice, according to the selected application option. This is an improvement as previous complaints we received stated that schools were not available for certain application options and, as such, all schools will remain open for applications for all during the application period,” the GDE said.

For all applicants to submit completed applications, electronic messages will be sent via SMS reminding parents and guardians to complete their application, and the same notifications will be created on the parent’s profile on the system.

The department said that SMS notifications informing applicants whether their application was successful or unsuccessful will be sent from 3 – 31 October 2022.

Therefore, parents are urged to note that it is highly important that applicants provide one reliable and working cellphone number when applying in order to receive notifications and complete their application.

Admission Regulations

The department said the placement of applicants with documents uploaded / delivered within the regulated period will be prioritised.

It must be noted that placement will be conducted as per the following admission regulations:

• Home address within feeder zone

• Siblings

• Work address

• Within 30 km Radius

• Beyond 30km Radius

Decentralised walk-in centres

To ensure access for applicants who are unable to apply from the comfort of their homes and or offices, the department has identified decentralised walk-in centres in different areas where applicants will be safely assisted.

The department said that some district offices and the head office will serve as walk-in centres.

This information will be made available to the public via schools, districts, the GDE website and social media platforms.

“Parents and guardians who experience challenges during the application period are encouraged to visit our district offices and decentralised walk-in centres or call the GDE’s contact centre 0800 000 789.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

The City of Cape Town has successfully opposed the legal bid by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to strike down the existing legal right of landowners to protect property from unlawful occupation attempts without a court order. The City’s Anti-Land Invasion Unit and procurement of support services to protect land was also found to be lawful by the court. The Western Cape Government and South African Police Service (SAPS) joined the City in opposing the application. While important property protection rights have been upheld, the City is nevertheless considering whether to appeal aspects of the court’s interpretation of counter-spoliation as affording landowners only the narrowest of windows to protect property

The court dismissed arguments by the SAHRC and EFF that legal protection begins the moment a person enters a property and begins putting up a structure, and that a court order should first be obtained before a landowner can act to stop an invasion of property in real-time.

The applicants had also wanted the well-established legal right – known as ‘counter-spoliation’ – declared unlawful. This would have removed the existing ability of owners to lawfully retake possession of seized property, without approaching a court first.

The City argued that counter-spoliation is both constitutional and vital for the protection of public land from mostly well-organised unlawful occupation attempts. The City conducted 993 anti-land invasion operations in 2020/21 during the height of the national lockdown and large-scale orchestrated illegal occupation attempts, which led to the formation of some 159 settlements, mostly on uninhabitable, unserviceable land, at great health and safety risks. Over the last five years, the City has responded to protect over 2 800 parcels of land.

It is not feasible to follow lengthy court processes before responding to coordinated invasions, which are often backed by criminal syndicates seeking to profit from illegal plot-selling and electricity connections. In these instances, fully-built structures can even be dropped onto sites and furniture thrown in to create the impression of a long- established ‘dwelling’.

While the court upheld the lawfulness of counter-spoliation as a remedy, the City is considering its options relating to the finding by the court that the City had not lawfully applied counter-spoliation in specific localised instances during the height of large-scale orchestrated land invasion attempts, particularly during the hard lockdown in 2020.

In a lengthy judgment exploring complex issues, the court interprets counter-spoliation – the act of retaking property in the process of being taken away – to be applicable in extremely narrow timeframes, equivalent to near instantaneous. This may render protection of immovable property via this method all but impossible in practise, especially in instances of well-organised illegal land invasions.

‘The development goals of our city depend on upholding property rights and protecting the interests of future generations of Capetonians who will require land for schools, hospitals, housing, transport infrastructure, and community facilities. We commit to doing everything possible to protect public land from what are often large-scale, orchestrated illegal occupation attempts. No matter the scale of the challenge, we must also ensure land protection operations occur constitutionally with due care for individual circumstances of the vulnerable, the rights of property owners, and the interests of all residents,’ said Cape Town Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

‘The Safety & Security Directorate, including the Anti-Land Invasion Unit, is currently being briefed on the enforcement implications of the court ruling. The ruling now brings to an end the interdict which had severely impacted the City’s ability to protect land from organised unlawful occupation attempts via the use of counter-spoliation, which remains a vital tool in the protection of public land,’ said Alderman JP Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security.

Source: City Of Cape Town

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday officiate at the opening of the first Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference at the Sandton International Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Championed by the President since its inception in 2015, the inaugural Black Industrialist and Exporters Conference will showcase the progress of government measures in promoting access and transformation to more black industrialists in the economy and the opportunities that the Africa Free Continental Trade Area (AfCTA) offers.

The conference will highlight how broad-based empowerment enables growth and job-creation strategy, specifically on the value it adds to the economy.

The programme has to date empowered over 800 black industrialists inclusive of new entrants, women and youth in competitive industries.

President Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address during the opening session of the conference and will tour the market place exhibition.

Later in the evening, the President will hand awards to outstanding black industrialists at the Presidential Awards for Excellence dinner.

The conference will hold six high level panel discussions on Assessing the impact of Broad-based empowerment, Strengthening the impact of transformation, facilitating transformation – the role of Supplier Development and Procurement, challenges and opportunities with financing black industrialists, promoting exports and the AfCFTA and Master Plans to promote economic inclusion and Quantifying the impact of BEE.

Panelists will include Ministers, leaders in business, civil society and prominent black industrialists.

The conference will maximise the opportunity for delegates in attendance to meet with potential funders, customers and suppliers.

Source: South African Government News Agency