Day: November 11, 2022

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KZN Premier outraged at killing of Durban Grade 12 learner

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has expressed shock and outrage at the killing of a Grade 12 learner, who was allegedly stabbed to death by a Grade 10 learner at Mandlenkosi Secondary School in Ntuzuma, north of Durban.

Dube-Ncube visited the school on Thursday, as part of the her matric exams monitoring programme.

The Premier said it is concerning that schools, which are centres of knowledge and learning, have now been degenerated into “dens of crime”.

“We came to the school to give support and prayer to the teachers and learners who are writing their examinations, following a very unfortunate and sad incident where a learner lost his life at school. We are really saddened by the incident that happened at a time when learners are supposed to be focusing on their exams, especially the matric class of 2022.

“The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government sends its condolences to the parents of the deceased learner, teachers and fellow learners, who witnessed this tragic incident on the school premises,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier assured all stakeholders that government will continue to offer much-needed support to the school and beef up security.

Psychosocial support is being offered to learners and teachers at the school.

“We will be approaching the Department of Health for additional support, so that more affected learners and teachers can receive counselling. We will also be reaching out to the rest of the community so that we preach to our children to value life.

“Violence is not the solution because any disagreements can be resolved through dialogue. We are approaching the police to ensure that there is visibility during exams and additional police will be deployed to KwaZulu-Natal during the festive season and beyond,” Dube-Ncube said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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NRF-funded postgraduate study opportunities now open for 2023

The National Research Foundation (NRF) on Friday announced the implementation of its Global Knowledge Partnerships (GKP) programme for the 2023 academic year.

The programme places exceptional doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and early career researchers (ECRs) that are funded by the NRF at several international universities and research institutions.

The pool of these partner institutions is spread across various countries including Germany, Austria, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Canada, and universities across Africa.

The programme is aimed at accelerating the development of a diverse young researcher cohort into world-renowned experts and a globally competitive workforce.

This is done through the provision of platforms and pathways that offer opportunities for outstanding young researchers to access international networks, mentorship, global research funding streams, industry partnerships, and research infrastructure.

“The Global Knowledge Partnerships programme is one of the NRF’s most prominent initiatives. It is meant to ensure that the NRF achieves its goal to expose students it funds to scientific practices globally,” said Acting Group Executive Strategy, Planning and Partnerships, and Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Dr Aldo Stroebel.

According to Stroebel, international exposure for doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and ECRs is an integral component of the NRF’s strategic goal to create an internationally competitive, transformed, and representative researcher cohort.

“The benefits of such exposure to the researchers and also to South Africa and Africa cannot be understated,” he added.

This NRF initiative, which was implemented in 2020, is also working with the higher education sector in South Africa.

The recipients spend between three and 12 months for doctoral students and up to 18 months for postdoctoral fellows and ECRs in universities, research performing entities, science councils and the industry abroad.

Criteria

The applicant must be a South African citizen or permanent resident. However, this requirement will not apply to students funded under the NRF-MINDS scholarship programme.

Be a currently NRF-funded doctoral student or postdoctoral fellow or ECR.

Have a research plan developed for the time abroad, which is signed by the South African supervisor and international host supervisor.

Produce evidence of demonstrated leadership abilities or potential guided by the questions or requirements set out in the application form (requirement is for NRF-MINDS programme only).

Applications must be submitted through the international partner’s online portal for specific programmes.

Meanwhile, with specific programmes, the international partner and the NRF will conduct the reviewing and selection of applications jointly.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Water to be released from Pongolapoort Dam

The Department of Water and Sanitation will in the next four weeks release water at the Pongolapoort Dam, popularly known as Jozini Dam, in the north of KwaZulu-Natal.

The annual dam water release from the Pongolapoort Dam is part of the department’s operational rule in accordance with the 85% dam safety operational rule.

In a statement on Friday, the department said the upcoming annual dam water release will start on 14 November 2022 and finish on 13 December 2022.

The last annual dam water release from Pongolapoort Dam was done in 2014 and it was halted due to drought experienced by the province since 2015.

“The dam water release normally happens during the October month of every year. In April 2022, the KZN experienced high rainfall that resulted in flooding parts of KZN.

“Rains experienced at the beginning of 2022 resulted in an increase of the dam’s capacity. The continuing water inflows into the dam has caused the dam to rise to 78, 9% of capacity as off this week, and thus the need for the release,” department spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, said.

Ratau said water from the dam will be released at the rate of 16 cubic meters per second with a weekly variation depending on the expected inflows.

The department will continue to monitor the performance of the dam inclusive of all such inflows of the dam.

With the flood hydrograph and the prevailing initial hydrological conditions on the floodplains, Ratau said, it is estimated that the release will be able to address its objectives.

While the department will operate and ensure the dam remains safe and operating optimally, it is critical for the communities downstream to be made aware that there is a need for water releases that will lead to possible flooding of their areas of work or habitat.

He said the department has also consulted the neighbouring country of Mozambique of the initial flood release from the dam.

“The communities of Jozini and surrounding areas are warned of the high-water volumes emanating from the dam water release. This will lead to an increase of the water levels of the river, filling of the flood plains with a potential impact on low level bridges, subsistence farming, water pumping infrastructure, housing and agriculture,” Ratau said.

Positive responses to warnings of imminent flooding and necessary evacuation if need will assist in ensuring safety of lives and livelihoods, he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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EOH to pay back R191m to Water and Sanitation

Information technology company EOH is expected to pay back at least R191 million to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in monies it received through its dealings with the department.

This as the company signed a settlement agreement with the DWS and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the settlement comes after an investigation by the corruption busting unit found that the company had unduly benefitted from contracts it received from the department between 2012 and 2017.

“The matters came to the attention of SIU during its investigation into the affairs of DWS. The SIU was also contacted by EOH with the purpose of informing the unit of possible fraud and corruption involving employees of its subsidiary, EOH Mthombo, and third parties who allegedly colluded with officials of DWS in relation to contracts that EOH had concluded with DWS.

“According to the payment schedule, an upfront payment of [R65 million] should be paid by no later than 30 November 2022 by EOH, while the first instalment of R3.4 million is to be paid on 1 January 2023. Thereafter on the first business day of each succeeding calendar month until the debt is fully settled,” Kganyago said.

He said the unit has made it clear the settlement does not absolve EOH of paying any further amounts that may be uncovered during the ongoing investigation to have been gained unduly.

“Neither does the agreement waive the SIU’s rights to bring any action or application before the High Court or Special Tribunal to recover any further amounts of money that may be due to it or DWS which may be revealed by the ongoing investigation by the SIU or any other organ of the State.

“Furthermore, the agreement is not an exoneration of any person from being held criminally liable for whatever criminal conduct that may be uncovered by the ongoing investigation of the SIU into the conduct of EOH Mthombo and/or DWS and/or any other third party,” Kganyago said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Communities warned against building in low-lying areas near rivers

KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Sihle Zikalala, has warned communities against building structures in low-lying areas that are near rivers, as this poses a great risk to them and their families.

This comes after heavy downpours, which left several houses in low-lying areas damaged, when the uMsunduzi River burst its banks and flooded the surrounding communities.

Zikalala joined the leaders of uMgungundlovu District and uMsunduzi Local Municipality on Thursday, in leading mop-up operations in Peace Valley, which bore the brunt of heavy rains with several households submerged in water.

“We are grateful that no life was lost in this incident but are gravely concerned about the welfare of the communities that reside in areas that are deemed unsafe since they are prone to flooding and other weather-related incidents.

“The impact of the incident does not only stop in Peace Valley but other communities around Pietermaritzburg have also been affected and our teams are deployed to assess the extent of the damages in these areas. So far the exact number of people affected cannot be given as teams are still busy,” Zikalala said.

He said the Provincial Disaster Management Centre will continue to work closely with the affected municipalities to ensure that relief is rolled out to the affected communities.

Zikalala noted that the province is prone to weather-related incidents, especially during the spring and summer seasons.

“We all share a responsibility in ensuring that we heed the weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service so that we can protect ourselves and our families.

“We also strongly believe that it is now time for households located on riverbanks to consider relocating. Weather patterns have changed drastically and flooding is becoming more frequent and severe,” the MEC said.

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has expressed her heartfelt sympathies with the people of uMsunduzi whose houses were flooded during heavy rains.

She called on disaster teams to provide immediate assistance to families affected by heavy rainfall, emphasising that priority should be given to children who are currently writing exams, the elderly and families that are currently homeless.

The Premier called on all citizens to remain vigilant and to be on full alert, as “we are in the season of unpredictable weather conditions induced by climate change which are threatening human lives.”

She commended the disaster management teams, including councillors and mayors, who were the first responders.

“We thank the Almighty that no deaths or casualties have been reported so far, but the Provincial Government will continue to closely monitor developments and provide ongoing support to the affected communities including socio-psychological support where appropriate,” Dube-Ncube said.

The flooding incident comes as the province is hard at work rebuilding infrastructure and restoring services that were disrupted during the April and May floods.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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North West stock theft suspects arrested

North West Premier Bushy Maape has applauded members of the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) for the swift arrest of seven suspects aged between 25 and 49 for stock theft near Ottoshoop, outside Mahikeng.

A whistle blower from a farm in Ottoshoop alerted the police about the alleged stock theft underway at around 02:00 yesterday morning.

Police succeeded in apprehending seven suspects including a woman and impounded two trucks loaded with cattle.

“We commend the SAPS for their swift response and arrest of stock theft suspects in the early hours of the morning. This demonstrates dedication in the fight against crime in our communities especially stock theft which is affecting our emerging farmers,” said Premier Maape

The wave of stock theft in the province has a negative impact on the emerging stock farmers in rural communities.

“Agriculture is one of the cornerstones of the economy in the province and provides for food security of individual households and addresses poverty alleviation through small-scale communal farming,” Maape said.

Premier Maape has encouraged communities to work together with the police in dealing with stock theft and other criminal activities affecting their communities.

The seven suspects are expected to appear before the Mmabatho Magistrate court on Monday.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Labour dept undertakes liquefied petroleum gas inspections

The Department of Employment and Labour in the Free State is embarking on a series of inspections on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) installations, storage, filling and exchange sites as gas usage peaks amid load shedding.

The department’s Inspection and Enforcement Services branch, whose mandate is to enhance occupational health and safety, compliance and awareness in the workplace, will lead the initiative.

The department said the objective of the campaign is to aggressively subject this industry to scrutiny through inspections, assess levels of compliance and enforce health and safety in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Pressure Equipment Regulations, of 2009.

In light of the country’s current energy crisis, the Department said that businesses and households have notably resorted to utilising gas as a primary solution.

“Albeit considered safe, if incorrectly used, gas may cause fire, explosion and poisonous fumes resulting in fatalities and/or damage to property. This risk must be managed through ensuring that there is requisite compliance from all gas users to prevent potential harm and fatalities,” the department said.

Provincial Chief Inspector, Manelisi Luxande, stated that this initiative seeks to monitor compliance of the Pressure Equipment Regulations, 2009 of Occupational Health and Safety Act.

This is a legislation that obligates the manufacturers, importers, sellers, suppliers, installers and end-users of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Equipment to ensure that the apparatus comply with the applicable South African National Standards (SANS 347, 10019, 10087, 1156-2, 1237 & 1539)”.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas users are urged to ensure that:

LP Gas equipment designed and manufactured for use in the Republic is conformity assessed and subjected to the requirement set in SANS347, and the Approved Inspection Authority(AIA) verified manufacturer certificate is available;

LP Gas equipment is operated and maintained within its design operating parameters (read manufacture certificate/ user manual before use);

LP Gas Cylinders storage and filling sites must be approved by the local authority;

LP Gas cylinders are stored and used in well-ventilated areas and away from flammable material;

LP Gas installations are done and maintained by suitably qualified gas installer who is registered with South African Qualification and Certification Authority Gas (SAQCC Gas).

Source: South African Government News Agency