Day: September 22, 2022

National Prosecuting Authority Investigating Directorate (NPA ID) head, Advocate Andrea Johnson, has reiterated the unit’s commitment to fighting corruption without fear or favour.

This as several prominent former members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were arrested and appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to face charges related to two police tenders amounting to some R54 million.

The accused are former National Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey Mahwayi, Major General Maanda Obert Nemutandzhela, Major General Mankosana Agnes Makhele, and businessmen Inbanathan Kistiah and Avendra Naidoo.

“The arrest of these very high ranking and seasoned police officials in this seminal case endorses the ID’s commitment to dealing with corruption and state capture regardless of where it manifests itself. It is also dealing with the lack of accountability, which to date has undermined the legitimacy of the law is and shows that the wheels of justice are turning and impunity is no longer a given.

“On the contrary, the rule of law is the most important protection of the weak against the whims of the powerful and it is what stands between us and tyranny,” Johnson said.

NPA ID spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka said the accused face a litany of charges including fraud, corruption, theft, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) related to two police tenders issued in 2016.

She explained that one of the tenders, initiated in December 2016, related to the emergency procurement of intelligence gathering software called RIPJAR.

“RIPJAR…was intended to collect and monitor information from social media platforms on the instigators of the university students’ #FeesMustFall protests. Open sources reveal that the #FeesMustFall protests started in October 2015. By December 2016, it was far-fetched to claim a response to the protests as an “emergency”.

“They purported to buy the RIPJAR software from a company that is not involved in software engineering but was a security alarms and surveillance cameras company. The owners of the so-called competing companies were friends, who in fact and in truth, were involved in cover quoting.

“The cover quote was supplied to Inbanathan Kistiah by the former husband of the sole director of a company called Perfect Source, which was a human resource recruitment company,” Seboka said.

Further, another mobile communication encryption software – called Daedalus – was also procured.

According to Seboka, the software was procured to “encrypt voice calls made by management of the SAPS at the time when Phahlane was under investigation by IPID” in relation to the controversial police blue lights tender and other allegedly irregular procurements that happened while he was in the police service.

“Daedalus made it impossible for investigators to get call records from cellphone providers. Daedalus was procured for the sole purpose of encrypting calls and wiping out cellular records and messages. It is further alleged that deviation from normal procurement processes for the contracts [which were]…signed and processed on the same day and payment was made on 22 December, one day after approval,” she said.

The accused are all currently out on bail of ranging from R5000 to R50 000 and are expected back in court on December 7.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Government is considering a wide range of interventions in an effort to relieve the burden of the soaring cost of living on poor households, says Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

The Minister made the comments while responding to questions from members of Parliament on Wednesday when Ministers in the Economic Cluster appeared before the National Assembly.

Godongwana was asked what steps National Treasury was taking in this regard. He said government had in recent months suspended and decreased the general fuel levy amid soaring prices. Government had also introduced the Social Relief of Distress Grant for the unemployed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In terms of income support… in our own situation, we have to focus broadly on what is called a comprehensive social security, of which income support is but one part. There’s a level of social insurance that needs to be coordinated properly.

“There are active labour market interventions that we need to coordinate.”

The World Bank has also conducted some studies to look at the key labour market activities in South Africa.

“Income support needs to be located as part of that strategy. There are discussions that are taking place at the moment as to what is the appropriate income support that we need to [provide] as part of that broader social security compact,” Godongwana said.

Electricity

The Minister was also asked what plans National Treasury has to mitigate the current effects of load shedding on food prices.

He said until load shedding is addressed, this is going to be “going to be difficult”.

“What we’re analysing is how to minimise the impact on income. In other words, what instruments of income support we need to deliver to support vulnerable communities. That’s the one way,” he said.

Secondly, he said, the long-term goal is to avoid load shedding.

“That’s the aspect which government is dealing with. We’ve set up a committee. Three members of that committee are sitting here (in Parliament)… looking at the electricity crisis in the economy.”

He stressed that officials are looking into different income support measures, and should these materialise, plans will be presented at next month’s Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS).

Financial crime

Godongwana said Cabinet is prioritising remedial steps to address the deficiencies identified in the country’s anti-money laundering and terrorist financing activities.

The deficiencies were identified by the Financial Action Task Force, the global money laundering and terrorist watchdog. South Africa has until February 2023 to avoid greylisting in this regard.

The Minister said government has activated various interventions in this regard.

This includes the introduction of two bills in the National Assembly in July and August 2022 to address deficiencies in the legal framework and technical compliance deficiencies.

The two bills are the General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill) and the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorists and Related Activities Amendment Bill. Both bills, Godongwana said, are currently before Parliament.

“If enacted into law before the end of this year, [they] will represent a substantial and critical step towards preventing greylisting.

“However, we have to do more than enacting these two bills into law. We also have to demonstrate greater effectiveness by achieving the outcomes expected of well-performing anti-money laundering and terrorist financing system,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to protect the black and white rhino populations through partnerships that have resulted in species conservation over the years.

“At present, the private sector is conserving about 60% of South Africa’s national herd. Therefore, government takes building partnerships and relationships of utmost importance in the conservation of this iconic species,” said Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy.

The Minister on Thursday as she joined the international community in observing World Rhino Day.

According to the country’s overall rhino conservation plan, the private sector is playing an increasing role in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

South Africa acknowledges that despite the pressures of rhino poaching, loss of habitat and vulnerability to climate change effects, the country remains the world’s most important and potentially influential rhino range State.

A high-level panel report has noted that the proportion of rhino on private land has grown from about 30% in 2012 to about 60% at present, complemented by anti-poaching successes.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment — in cooperation with provincial conservation authorities, South African National Parks (SANParks), private rhino owners and the South African Police Service (SAPS) — has been focusing on a more proactive and integrated approach.

This approach builds on existing initiatives and blurs the distinction made between national, provincial, and private parks, while increasing situational awareness and sharing of information.

“Joint investigative teams are working on focused investigations, with the support of the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre (EEFC), ensuring consolidation of information nationally, and the ability to provide analysis support, not only at a tactical level but also to investigating teams.

“The aim is to strengthen our capability not only at a tactical level to prevent and combat poaching, but also our ability to disrupt the activities along the value chain, with a focus on integrated, intelligence-led investigations, inclusive of the financial aspects,” Creecy said.

Over the last year, conservation and anti-poaching efforts have intensified countrywide as a joint effort is made by the collaborative initiatives of State-owned conservation areas, government and private landowners to reduce the poaching of rhino in South Africa.

Technology helps in conservation

The use of the ‘Cmore’ situational awareness platform has greatly helped in the fight against poaching.

Through this single technology platform, all role players are able to collaborate, making use of real-time insights and analytical capability, linking, for example, camera traps and ranger patrols, while integrating a range of other systems.

“Information collected and communication flows through the EEFC continues to support the teams at both a tactical level and strategic level in both the private and public sector.

“Our analytical capabilities have also improved, resulting in the increased capacity to identify those involved in rhino poaching and trafficking ,and improved and expanded investigations by multi-disciplinary teams.

“From a biological management point of view, the department – in partnership with the Rhino Management Group and all relevant stakeholders – is in the process of revising the Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs) for black and white rhinos respectively,” Creecy said.

Recently, 27 rhino were successfully translocated from South Africa to the Zinave National Park in Mozambique.

“This landmark and pioneering rewilding initiative is the result of a partnership between Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), Peace Parks Foundation and Exxaro Resources, in collaboration with the governments of South Africa and Mozambique.

“Working to a two- to three-year timeline, the project is already well on its way to relocating more than 40 rhino to Mozambique in a series of highly co-ordinated and carefully managed rewilding operations. The first 20 white rhino and seven black rhino introduced to Zinave earlier this year are thriving,” Creecy said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Tshwane Metro Police Department has announced that several roads will be closed over the weekend due to the African Aerospace and Defence (AAD) expo that is currently underway at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Centurion, Pretoria.

The AAD is Africa’s only aerospace and defence expo that combines both a trade exhibition and an air show. The exhibition returns after a long break as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s event, which officially opened on Wednesday, 21 September 2022, attracts exhibitors from all continents, a host of national pavilions, as well from the world’s leading aerospace and defence manufacturers.

The metro police have warned residents who live around Waterkloof Air Force Base about an increase in aircraft movement since 17 September 2022, which is expected to peak at the weekend.

“On the days of the event which is Saturday and Sunday, 24th and 25th September 2022, the noise level of the aircrafts will be high.”

Meanwhile, from 9:00 to 18:00, residents that will be affected are advised to keep their pets secure and safe.

The department urged motorists to follow information boards, adding that all routes will be clearly marked as well.

“TMPD will be deployed on all routes to assist with traffic flow and monitor all road closures.”

Streets that will be closed on the days of the event:

Solomon Mahlangu Drive and R21 freeway.

Solomon Mahlangu Drive and Solomon Cress (Unie Street).

Veldpou Street at Dastek.

Available parking:

Park and ride from Armscor (Krygkor), next Waterkloof Hoër Skool.

Park and ride from 68 Air School, Trichardt Rd and Zircon Street. 

Guatrain Station in Centurion.

Parking entry points:

From van Ryneveld Rd, Nellmapius Drive, Van Ryneveld Road and N1 Botha Avenue up to Topaz Avenue.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minerals and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, says government remains committed to supporting renewable energy projects but will not rush into transitioning the country from its coal dependent energy production.

The Minister was speaking at the signing of three power purchase agreements with wind power generators.

The three agreements were signed with Coleskop Wind Power, San Kraal Wind Power and Phezukomoya Wind Power, which are expected to contribute some 420MW of energy to the grid by December 2024.

These projects will fetch an investment of some R11 billion and a further commitment of R534 million for the development of the areas where the renewable energy projects will be based.

Some 2 230 jobs are also expected to be created.

“What I want to see happening is a situation where the debate on energy becomes less polarised. The IRP [Integrated Resource Plan] is actually a framework that propagates the development of mixed technologies.

“We need a lot of renewables… to scale down on coal – not move out, scale down systematically. If we are reckless in moving out of coal, we are going to cause more disasters.

“In the coal belt in Mpumalanga, continuous coal mining covers 10 towns. It is the home of a number of power stations, which will be decommissioned over time. We have contributed 40% in buying… a pipeline because we think that Eskom should be able to repurpose some of the power stations from coal to gas.

“Europe has accepted gas and nuclear as part of the [energy] transition so we can’t be left behind and believe that we can close everything else and just go for renewable,” Mantashe said.

He said, however, that government’s early investments and forays into procuring renewable energy are already bearing fruit, and assured that costs concerns are now a thing of the past.

“Bid windows 1 to 4 are all connected to the grid. They generate electricity and they put that energy in the grid… [and] those bid windows were quite expensive. So… when we give money to Eskom, don’t say it’s a bailout (sic). Describe [it] as a premium we pay for attracting a technology into the economy. As we have that technology, it scales down the price. That is the benefit of investing in a technology.

“Bid window 5 is the first bid window to come below the costs of generating and selling energy in Eskom because we have invested in the technology,” the Minister said.

Mantashe acknowledged the disruption caused by the current energy generation crisis at Eskom.

He said at present, Eskom power stations still have a lot of untapped potential of up to 48 000MW in total.

“Eskom, at best, gives us 26 000MW. That’s why we say part of the solution is to optimise the operations of Eskom… by servicing and maintaining the units that are not giving us energy.

“We think if we can invest in that, skills and resources, we will see a difference in terms of the shortfall in energy and we may resolve the energy crisis,” the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The long-awaited Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AAD) expo is now underway at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Tshwane.

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, on Wednesday officially opened Africa’s largest defence and aerospace exhibition, which takes place from 21 to 25 September.

The exhibition, which happens every two years, returns after a long break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the exhibition and air show, Modise said the expo will showcase the capabilities of the armed forces from both South Africa and abroad.

The format comprises three trade days and two air show days, which will consist of indoor and outdoor exhibitions, a hospitality chalet line, a static aircraft park, and capability demonstrations and displays.

“Over the years, AAD has become synonymous with South African excellence, world-class capability and, of course, our exceptional warmth and hospitality,” the Minister said.

She has described AAD as an event that carries a wealth of history, spanning over 20 years.

“Indeed, the story of AAD is a story of dedication, hard work and commitment to sheer excellence.”

Modise commended AAD partners for consistently staging one of the best exhibitions and air shows in the world.

“I am informed that AAD ranks amongst the top six defence exhibitions in the world in terms of its magnitude, scale and size.”

Turning her focus to the economy, Modise said the expo serves South Africa by contributing to job creation and the fiscus.

She said the 2018 instalment generated a taxation revenue of R160 million. Modise hopes that this year’s show will exceed this target.

“This 11th edition of AAD will bring together the largest gathering of aerospace and defence industry decision makers and buyers from around the world, including many from Africa.”

Modise believes that the defence industry plays a key role in assisting the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to carry out its constitutional mandate of defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of South Africa and securing the nation.

“By ensuring security and stability, the SANDF, in turn, helps to create an enabling environment for economic growth and development. Through our peacekeeping missions, we are similarly contributing to peace, stability and prosperity on our continent.”

This year, she announced that Turkey was the biggest exhibitor, with 25 companies participating in the pavilion.

The expo will also host parallel events with conferences, seminars and business-to-business meetings and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) demonstrations.

Exhibitors and trade visitors will also have an opportunity to interact directly with various stakeholders, while the public will be able to witness the spectacular display of the air force and aviation sector.

There are 200 exhibitors from 24 countries, with nine national pavilions, 70% of which are local.

AAD 2022 also features two small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) pavilions, hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition and the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, of which 15 companies will be hosted.

“This is consistent with our understanding that small businesses are a catalyst for the much-needed economic growth and sustained development of our country.”

The AAD Youth Development Programme will be displaying advanced aviation, defence, and aerospace technologies to 10 000 learners and South African Air Force (SAAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) pilots will be holding motivational sessions with them.

In addition, South African Airways (SAA) will be flying learners from Durban and Cape Town.

“These learners will be experiencing the joy of flying for the very first time. Our own South African Air Force members, using the Gautrain to get to Air Force Waterkloof, will then escort them,” said Modise.

The pupils will also be exposed to artificial intelligence-driven drone technology designed by students from Wits University School of Engineering.

Source: South African Government News Agency