Day: August 2, 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa has denounced the gang rape of eight women near Krugersdorp and called on communities in the area to work with police to “ensure that these criminals are apprehended and prosecuted”.

The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter.

The women were attacked and raped by a group of men while filming a music video in a disused mine near the town.

“Rapists have no place in our society. Our communities must not shelter criminals in their midst. I call on anyone who has information about this crime to report it to the authorities so the perpetrators can be arrested.

“There is always someone in our communities who knows something, who heard something or who even witnessed something. The problem is many of us choose to keep quiet because the perpetrator is a friend, a partner or a colleague. Or we are just afraid and fear victimisation. It is important to remember that all tip-offs received by the SAPS Crime Stop contact centre are treated confidentiality,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa highlighted that according to new legislation, every person now is legally bound to report sexual offences.

“[In] addition to our moral obligation, we all now have a legal duty to report to authorities when we have knowledge, reasonable belief or suspicion that a sexual offence has been committed against a vulnerable person. It is now a crime not to report such a sexual offence.

“This is part of one of three laws that I signed earlier this year that strengthen the fight against gender-based violence and offer greater support and protection to survivors,” he said.

Furthermore, the President said, prosecutors and magistrates are being trained, directives on bail are being issued and charge sheets are being revised in order to bring these new laws into life.

Community involvement

The President acknowledged that gender based violence and femicide is a “deep-rooted societal problem” and urged society to work together with government to address the drivers of the problem – including patriarchy.

“This means promoting positive attitudes around gender equality in our communities, at our places of worship and in our own homes. As men, we should demonstrate our intolerance to sexism, patriarchy and gender-based violence in how we treat our partners, colleagues, mothers, sisters and daughters.

“Whether as individuals, organisations, businesses or employers, we must be part of the national effort in every way we can, whether volunteering at a shelter, supporting community policing forums or joining awareness campaigns in our schools.

“Just as gender-based violence is all of society’s problem, it is all of society’s responsibility to bring it to a decisive end,” President Ramaphosa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

GQEBERHA – SAPS Provincial Organised Crime Investigation unit are on the hunt for three suspects following a robbery at a post office this morning, 02 August 2022 in Summerstrand.

It is alleged that on abovementioned date at approximately 09:30, three suspects entered the post office, pointed the staff with a firearm and demanded entry to the back. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash. The employees and a customer was locked in the bathroom while the suspects fled on foot. No one was injured during the robbery and no shots were fired.

Anyone who can assist with any information relating to the robbery, is asked to contact the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation in Gqeberha, D/ Lt Col Willie Mayi on 082697 5914 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the nearest police station. All information is confidential and callers may remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service

The City of Johannesburg Human Settlements has warned illegal landlords operating in informal settlements to stop demanding money for government services.

The warning comes after the department relocated over 300 families who were victims of shack fires in KwaMaiMai in June.

The families were temporarily sheltered at Hofland Park Community Centre until Friday, when they were relocated to Kaserne Informal Settlement.

During the relocation process, it was established that some of the new structures were locked by illegal landlords, who demanded payment from residents before they could occupy the new shacks.

Law enforcement was called in to break the locks and give residents access to the temporary homes.

Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements in the City, Mlungisi Mabaso emphasised that the services are provided free of charge to deserving residents.

“We cannot allow illegal activities in our communities. No one can demand payment for government services that are provided free of charge. We do not recognise these so-called landlords, in fact, they are criminals defrauding desperate residents,” Mabaso said.

Mabaso added that the issue of illegal landlords is prevalent in many informal settlements and other government properties.

“These illegal landlords cannot claim government property as their own. I urge community members to work with the department to report anyone who demands money for government services so that we can clamp down on this lawlessness and victimisation of vulnerable people,” the MMC said.

Fraudulent activities can be reported to Group Forensic and Investigation Service’s toll-free hotline: 0800 002 587 or email: whistle@joburg.org.za –

Source: South African Government News Agency

President to lead talks at high level South Africa - Botswana Business Roundtable

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 04 August 2022, embark on a working visit to the Republic of Botswana to lead talks at the High Level South Africa- Botswana Business Roundtable.

President will travel to Gaborone at the invitation of the His Excellency Dr.Eric Mokgweetsi Masisi , President of the Republic of Botswana.

The High Level South Africa – Botswana Business Roundtable happens at the backdrop of the fifth session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) which took place on 22 April 2022 in Tshwane.

The two neighboring countries are this year marking 28 years of diplomatic and bilateral cooperation which spans across trade and investment, energy, agriculture, tourism, youth and sport, infrastructure development, culture, mining, defence and security, immigration, environmental conservation and management, transport as well as information and communication technologies.

Preceded by the South Africa - Botswana Business Forum scheduled on 03 August 2022, which draws government and business leaders from both countries, the business forum will among others identify a package of concrete actions to create a conducive environment to strengthen business to business linkages; support the implementation of Southern African Customs Union (SACU) regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Over the two-day South Africa – Botswana Business Forum, 22 South African businesses from a wide range of sectors will form part of the trade expo of the businesses operating in both countries at the Gaborone International Convention Centre. South Africa is Botswana’s number one source of imports, whilst Botswana ranked as South Africa’s 7th largest export market. South Africa’s exports to Botswana were R64.4 billion in 2021, exports to Botswana grew by 2.53 percent or R13.4 billion over the last five years.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor and Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel.

Source: Government of South Africa

The annual SA National Parks Week will run from 11 to 16 September 2022, said the South African National Parks (SANParks).

Announcing the dates in a statement on Tuesday, SANParks said the 17th annual SA National Parks Week initiative, in partnership with Total South Africa and First National Bank, is in line with its vision statement of "A Sustainable National Park System Connecting Society".

The week grants free access to most of the 22 national parks for day visitors, especially people from the local communities. However, it should be noted that free access to parks does not include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities. Some of the parks will be extending the week to include the weekend. For individual park dates and participating parks the public can visit: http://www.sanparks.org/about/events/parks_week/default.php .

Since its inception in 2006; National Parks Week, under the theme 'Know Your National Parks', has seen an influx of over 619 252 day visitors in all participating parks.

SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer, Hapiloe Sello, said the idea of a national parks focus week is a worldwide campaign.

"The week was established in a bid to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa's natural, cultural and historical heritage, protected by the national parks system,” she said.

SA National Parks Week has proved to be a successful campaign in terms of education and awareness of conservation issues.

"The survival of the South African national parks system and our natural and cultural heritage lies in the people of South Africa. Environmental education and protection is the responsibility of everyone, not just a privileged few," said Sello.

"This initiative aims to give the public an understanding of the role that SANParks plays as custodian of the country's natural heritage. If we are to create a sense of ownership of the natural heritage of South Africa in all South Africans, then all South Africans must be able to have access to such. We especially want our young people to take advantage of this opportunity because this heritage will be under their protection in the near future," said the Acting Chief Executive Officer.

Source: South African Government News Agency

MEC Sambatha applauds Department over unqualified Audit outcome

North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha has applauded his department for commitment and dedication demonstrated towards strengthening accountability in the way government resources are utilised. This follows the release of the Auditor-General Report on vote 3 concerning the North West Department of Health audit outcome.

In terms of the Report, the Auditor-General indicated that the financial statements which comprise appropriate statement and financial position as at 31 March 2022 was audited. The audit also covered financial performance, statement of net changes in net assets, cash flow statement for the year that ended as well as notes to the financial statements.

“Congratulations, to all managers and programmes who had contributed to the unqualified audit outcomes of the North West Department of Health. Well done to the SG and the executive team and keep the performance in the same level. I encourage you to work for the improvement instead of decline”, said MEC Sambatha

While there are still some internal control deficiencies identified, MEC Sambatha has emphasised the need to strengthen oversight. “I am confident we are on the right track and there is a need to deal effectively with the weaknesses that have been identified by the audit. Our risk management, audit committees and internal audit will require a special attention. This way we will be able to pick up any audit issue and address it even before the Auditor-General audits the Department”, said Sambatha

Sambatha concluded that implementation of post audit action plan remains a priority for his Department and will rally all his managers behind this important task.

Source: Government of South Africa

Official ending of phase III of The Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) in the Basic Education Sector

Phase III of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) implemented in the Basic Education sector will conclude at the end of the month of August. The third phase started on 1 April 2022 and the qualifying youth were placed in more than 20 000 schools across the nine provinces.

As initially communicated in terms of the project management plan based on available resources, Phase III comes to an end on 31 August 2022 with no further extension. Preparations are already underway for Phase IV which will start early in 2023 with a new cohort of young people. The PYEI is meant to provide the youth with an opportunity to gain work experience, obtain skills through informal and formal training that are offered by provinces and Department of Basic Education.

The PYEI further afforded young South Africans an opportunity of making meaningful economic contribution in their communities. The significant achievement of PYEI helps in addressing the triple challenge of inequality among the genders, unemployment and poverty. As government we urge youth to continue to grab the upskilling opportunities that are available, and we further urge all stakeholders to invest in the next generation of talent.

The youth placed in Phase III of PYEI are in the main, the youth that were placed in either in Phase I and II or in Phase II only as they met the requirements stipulated in the Implementation Framework. The Ministry would like to take this opportunity to thank all the youth that participated in PYEI.

The Ministry further requests that you continue to use the skills, knowledge, experience you gained whilst placed in schools to broaden your horizons. Some of the youth have started buddy support classes as a small fee, others are tutoring in the subjects that they excel in, others are doing infrastructure jobs in communities.

Message to the Youth:

The Presidency, the Department of Basic Education and Provincial Education Departments wish to extend their gratitude to all the youth that participated in Phase II and III of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) in the Basic Education sector.

he youth are encouraged to continue using the skills, competencies and knowledge that were acquired through this initiative. The Ministry wants to wish you well in your future plans.

Message to the School Governing Bodies, School Management Teams and School Principals:

The Presidency, the Department of Basic Education and the Provincial Education Departments express their appreciation for the contributions and commitment you provided throughout the implementation of Phase I, II and III. You allowed the youth to be part of the school culture, you provided guidance, training and support throughout the placement of youth in your schools, for that the Ministry sends its message of gratitude and appreciation.

Message to our communities

The Presidency, the Department of Basic Education and the Provincial Education Departments thank you for your vigilance throughout the implementation of PYEI Phase I, II and III. You reported any challenge that you noticed during the implementation. The DBE sends its message of gratitude and appreciation for all your efforts of curbing unbecoming practices. The DBE requests that you prepare a new cohort of youth, that they apply for Phase IV, through your vigilance and participation in building your communities.

Message to our partners:

The Presidency, the Department of Basic Education and the Provincial Education Departments express their sincere gratitude to all partners that came on board since 2020 to offer funding, human resources, skills and knowledge to the youth of South Africa. The generosity big and small, is highly appreciated as it contributed to the upliftment of youth and communities of South Africa. The Ministry extends its appreciation and gratitude.

Message to our Departmental officials both at DBE, provinces and districts:

The Presidency, the Department of Basic Education and the Heads of Education Departments express their sincere gratitude for working tirelessly since 2020. Your contribution has resulted in the excellent success stories that are told about the PYEI today. The Ministry extends its appreciation and gratitude.

Phase III terminates on 31 August 2022 with no further extension and DBE values the contributions of all participants in PYEI, officials, assistants, schools and business.

Source: Government of South Africa