Day: December 15, 2022

Eskom Chief Executive Officer, André de Ruyter, has resigned from the power utility.

De Ruyter has been at the helm of the ailing electricity supplier since December 2019.

“It has been an honour and privilege to serve Eskom and South Africa. I wish all the hard working people of Eskom well,” he said on Wednesday.

Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana said de Ruyter will serve until the end of this financial year.

“Mr De Ruyter has agreed to stay for an additional period beyond the stipulated 30-days’ notice to ensure continuity while we urgently embark on a search for his successor. His last day at Eskom will be 31 March 2023.

“On behalf of the Eskom Board, executive and the entire Eskom staff, I thank De Ruyter for his extraordinary service to the people of South Africa. I also thank De Ruyter’s family for supporting the Group Chief Executive during the tumultuous period,” Makwana said.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan thanked de Ruyter for his service to the country.

“André has carried an enormous burden on behalf of South Africa. I want to thank him for his sacrifice and resilience in a difficult job,” Gordhan said.

The news of de Ruyter’s resignation comes about three weeks after Eskom Chief Operating Officer Jan Oberholzer announced that he will be retiring in April next year.

This year, the power utility also accepted the resignations of its long serving head of generation Philip Dukashe, acting head of generation Rhulani Mathebula and also long serving Chief Nuclear Officer Riedewaan Barkadien.

Meanwhile, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises chairperson Khaya Magaxa said the committee noted and welcomes de Ruyter’s resignation.

“The committee appreciates the role Mr de Ruyter played at Eskom and will ever cherish it. However, the committee also recognises that his ability is not stretchable beyond the crisis point the power utility has reached notwithstanding our unwavering support as the committee to him,” he said.

The chairperson and the committee note that de Ruyter has not been able to “resolve the worsening problem of load shedding according to timeframes he had given to the committee” and called for a replacement who will be able to resolve the crippling electricity crisis.

“Eskom requires a replacement which will provide workable and practical solutions to the rising complex problems facing the power utility currently,” Magaxa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

NELSPRUIT – The police in Masoyi are investigating a bizarre incident in which a grave was dug whereby suspects were disturbed as they were attempting to exhume the body of a man who was buried few weeks back. The discovery of this shocking incident is said to have been made by some residents in the early hours of yesterday, Wednesday 14 December 2022 at Jerusalem graveyard in Masoyi outside White River.

A case with regard to a violation of a corpse has been opened and is under investigation. It is alleged that some members of the community were going to the grave in preparation for a funeral when they saw two people who then fled upon their arrival. Police at Masoyi were informed about the incident and upon arrival at the scene, they discovered that the suspects left a panga, a spade as well as a bag with some items which looks like muthi inside. Upon closer observation, the grave of a man who was buried on 23 November 2022 at the age of 19 was dug but the suspects failed to bring the body to the surface. His family was then summoned and they are in a process to determine whether his body parts are complete.

Police cannot rule out the possibility that the act could be somehow related to some kind of practices of a certain cult however more details will unfold as the investigation progresses.

No one has been arrested so far and police urge anyone with information that may assist the investigation to arrest the perpetrators by calling the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via the My SAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned the incident and labelled the act as an indication of a moral decay in the society. The General has vowed that police in collaboration with members of the public ensure that those responsible are soon brought to book.

Source: South African Police Service

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande has welcomed a new agreement between South Africa and Italy, that will see basic and computational sciences development in South Africa.

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) between South Africa’s National Institute of Theoretical Physics (NITheCS) and Triste’s Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) on the sidelines of the World Science Forum in Cape Town last week.

NITheCS Director, Prof Francesco Petruccione and ICTP Director, Prof Atish Dabholkar, signed the agreement in the presence of Nzimande.

Nzimande believes that the partnership will not only provide important support for basic science in South Africa but also serve as a model for future international collaborations in the field.

The agreement will see the two institutes working together on a range of initiatives, including the development of theoretical and computational research and education in South Africa, and the exchange of scientists and students between the two countries.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with NITheCS to support the growth of theoretical physics in South Africa,” said Dabholkar.

“This collaboration will provide valuable international opportunities for South African scientists and students and those at ICTP to work together and advance their research,” he added.

The department said the MoU is a significant step forward in the relationship between ICTP and NITheCS.

“It will have a positive impact on the development of theoretical and computational sciences in South Africa and Africa,” noted Petruccione.

The NITheCS provides a platform for research, training and engagement in theoretical physics, astronomy and astrophysics, data science, mathematics, statistics, quantitative finance, bioinformatics and quantitative biology, earth systems modelling and climate change modelling.

According to Dabholkar, ICTP is a unique institution that explores fundamental scientific questions at the highest level, promotes active engagement with scientists in developing countries, and advances international cooperation through science.

“Scientists there conduct rigorous excellent, curiosity-driven research in frontier and interdisciplinary science ranging from string theory, cosmology, and black holes to quantum computing, climate science, and quantitative life sciences.”

To learn more about these institutions, please visit www.nithecs.ac.za and www.ictp.it.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The City of Cape Town is partnering with local artists under the stewardship of Loukmaan Adams, who organised the concert to commemorate the Day of Reconciliation, which is celebrated annually on 16 December. The second edition of the Unity on the Square takes place this Saturday, 17 December 2022 on Greenmarket Square.

The Unity on the Square concert will feature 20 artists, including legendary duo Mafikizolo who are celebrating 25 years in the music industry.

The line-up also includes Emo Adams, David Kramer, Loukmaan Adams, NV Funk, Jimmy Nevis, Youngsta CPT, Salome, Terry Fortune, Robin Pieters, Jarrad Rikkets, DJ Ready D, Berry, Crushanda Forbes, Mister Cee, Alister Izobell, Quinton Manuels, Leslie Kleinsmith and Sylvia Mdunyekwa.

The event is aimed at promoting a sense of unity and supporting artists impacted by the global pandemic.

‘The City of Cape Town is thrilled to be partnering with local artists once again for Unity on the Square. The first edition in 2021 might have been restricted by Covid-19, but it laid the perfect foundation for the event’s growth going forward and we believe it has the potential to be a catalyst for the local entertainment industry.

‘This is an exciting event which provides a platform for local artists and traders to continue making a living post the pandemic. As the City, we are delighted to get behind an initiative that seeks to revitalise the local performing arts and entertainment industry while also providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Gates for the event will open at 11:00 with the first act set to perform from 14:00 and the last performance at 23:00.

A number of vendors and food trucks will be available throughout the day.

The City’s Arts and Culture Branch will host a pop-up stand and exhibition aimed at assisting those who would want to apply to the Emerging Artists Programme or busking and art permits.

General entrance tickets are available at R180 and R250 will get you into the VIP section. Children under 12 enter free.

You can find tickets here.

Motorists are advised that some roads in the proximity of Greenmarket Square may be temporarily closed or have traffic restrictions.

Source: City Of Cape Town

MPUMALANGA – The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Zodwa Mokoena applauded the collaboration between the Hawks, Special Investigation and the Judiciary for ensuring that the accused are traced and brought to book. The commendation followed the arrest of three more suspects; the Deputy Director of Property Management at the Department of Public Works, Sifiso Kobus Mkhabela (42), the Director of Ntando MS Trading, Andiswa Dibakoane (23) and the Director of Ligcabo Properties, Bongani Lukhele (45).

They appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 14 December 2022 after they were arrested by the Nelspruit based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation. The arrest followed a lengthy investigation conducted by SIU on charges of corruption, money laundering, fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PMFA) for R4.2 million monetary value.

The three will be joined with the six who were arrested in September 2022, the Chief Director of Department of Public Works, Sipho Ronny Monareng (50), an Accountant at Department of Public Works, Mcdonald Buko Sigudla (43), a State Accountant at Department of Public Works, Bandile Jacob Ngcebo (41) as well as three suppliers; Maganeleng Antony Mashigo (43), Whisky Delisa Khumalo (45) and Tshidi Suzen Sedibe (43) who were also released on R10 000 bail each on 28 September 2022.

The matter was assigned to the Hawks in November 2021 for further probe. During further Investigation, it was established that Monareng facilitated the whole processes. The case was finalised and handed over to court who issued warrants for their arrest.

The trio were released on R15 000 bail each and the case was postponed to 19 January 2023 for further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service

The City’s Traffic Service intends to dispose of 300 unclaimed vehicles at its Ndabeni impoundment facility. Registered owners are urged to make arrangements to reclaim their vehicles by 15 January 2023, or it will be disposed of in line with national legislation.

The vehicles were impounded in terms of the National Road Traffic Act of 1993, and/or the City’s Traffic By-Law.

In terms of the Act, any vehicle that has not been reclaimed within 21 days of impoundment, can be disposed of.

The Traffic Service requests that owners of vehicles that have been impounded and who have not recovered their vehicles, check whether their vehicle is on the list set for disposal.

The full list can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3VSdkYb

Motorists can contact the City’s Traffic Service on the following channels – Telephone: 021 444 3368 or 021 444 6454 or Email: Jeremy.Adams@capetown.gov.za or Carl.Diedericks@capetown.gov.za

Vehicle owners have until 15 January 2023 to check their vehicle’s status, and to make arrangements to recover the vehicle.

Vehicles can only be reclaimed upon the payment of all outstanding traffic fines and the impoundment release fee.

However, between 19 December 2022 and 23 December 2022, the City’s Traffic Service will offer a 50% reduction to registered owners of these abandoned vehicles, on towing fees as well as the waiving of impoundment or storage fees.

Any vehicle that is not reclaimed by mid-January 2023, will be disposed of in line with legislation.

Source: City Of Cape Town

GQEBERHA – SAPS Stock Theft unit from Cradock arrested three suspects during the early hours of yesterday morning, 14 December 2022, in possession of two Angora goats.

It is alleged that on the mentioned date at about 01:30, members received and acted on information of a Quantum vehicle allegedly involved in stock theft in the Kommadagga area, Cookhouse. The vehicle was stopped on the N10 between Cookhouse and Paterson where two Angora goats were found inside. The men could not account for the possession and were arrested.

The suspects aged 30, 35 and 47 were arrested on a charge of stock theft and are expected to appear in the Somerset East court soon.

Source: South African Police Service