Day: December 22, 2022

WESTERN CAPE – The strategic deployment and vigilance of police units deployed at our exit and entry points, including our national key points has yielded excellent results when members arrested a 50-year-oldsuspect at the Cape Town International airport after being found in possession of drugs with the estimated value of almost half a million rand in his possession.

Yesterday, Wednesday, 21 December 2022, members attached to Border Police were busy conducting normal profiling when they noticed the suspect who acted in a suspicious, nervous way as he awaited his flight abroad in the departure hall. They approached the suspect to verify his passport and travelling documents. During the interview he appeared to become even more agitated which created more suspicion and led officers to inspect his luggage.

Upon checking the luggage, they discovered 2kg of heroin concealed in a false compartment inside the lining of his suitcase. The substance is estimated at a value of about R480 000-00.

Subsequently the suspect was arrested and the find was sent to our forensic laboratory for analysis.

The suspect appeared in the Bellville Magistrates’ court earlier today after being charged for Dealing in drugs, relating to the contravention of Drug and Drug Trafficking Act. The case was postponed to 29 December 2022 for formal bail application. He was remanded in custody.

Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile reiterated that these actions and crime combatting operations will persist well after and beyond the festive season to ensure that our inhabitants, visitors and holiday makers are and feel safe at all times. He commended those involved in the bust for their vigilance and commitment to eradicate the prevalence and trafficking of drugs.

Source: South African Police Service

NWPG addressing mainframe system challenges caused by load shedding.

The North West Provincial Government wishes to inform all service providers and members of the public about a challenge that was experienced this week regarding the mainframe system.

During a load shedding that occurred on Tuesday night, the back up generators did not kick in automatically as expected. This resulted in the abnormal shut down of the mainframe, resulting in delays in the processing of payments and related employee benefits.

A team of specialised mainframe engineers was secured and worked hard to fix the problem.

The mainframe is back online as of last night, and payments will be processed accordingly from today, Thursday 22 December 2022.

The North West Provincial Government wishes to extend an apology to affected service providers and members of the public for the inconvenience occasioned to them by the delays in payments.

The Provincial Government is working on a solution for the generators which were also affected by the loadshedding event. Ends

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng residents urged to use water sparingly ahead of Christmas weekend

The Department of Water and Sanitation has urged Gauteng residents to use water sparingly ahead of the Christmas weekend. This is as the province’s overall storage capacity recorded a minimal increase from last week’s 101.0% to 101.5% this week.

According to a weekly report on the status of dam levels issued by the Department earlier this week, the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) which comprises of 14 dams has increased from 99.5% to 102.3%.

Vaal Dam which is within the IVRS stands at 106.8% from 101.2% while Klipdrift Dam on the Loop Spruit River is unchanged at last week’s 102.9%. Bon Accord Dam located on the Apies River has marginally decreased from 108.1% to 107.2% and Rietvlei Dam on the Hennops River has recorded an increase from last week’s 100.9% to 101.2% in the current week.

Maintaining its above average percentage, Roodeplaat Dam has recorded 100.7% from 100.6% in the previous week. Also remaining above average is Bronkhorstspruit Dam at 101.4% from 100.3%.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has reiterated its plea to consumers to use water sparingly, refrain from vandalizing water infrastructure, fix and report water leaks to local authorities while it continues to work collaboratively with the provincial and local government to ensure consistent and reliable water supply in the province.

“We understand that there could be a number of festivities planned for the Christmas weekend and we want to emphasise the need for prudent water use. If you will be heading out, please ensure that all your taps are closed and that all leaks are attended to. South Africa remains a water scarce country and we need be mindful of our relations with this precious resource during this Christmas season and beyond,” said Wisane Mavasa, the Department’s spokesperson.

Source: Government of South Africa

Statement by the Minister Thandi Modise and Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla regarding progress on the implementation of Military Veterans’ pension benefits

Pension pay out

The fundamental principles of the Military Veterans Act emphasise the need to redress the injustices of the past in the delivery of services and benefits to the community of military veterans and further enjoins the rest of government to cooperate on the delivery to military veterans.

The Ministry acknowledges that it was its intention and wish to disburse the pension pay outs by the 1st December 2022 as it was originally communicated by the Deputy President Hon. D.D Mabuza.

Nonetheless, consistent with our constitutional injunction to redress our past and honour those that fought for freedom, the Military Veterans was enacted in 2011, directing government to rollout socio-economic benefit to the community of military veterans. It is regrettable that the military veterans’ pension had not been budgeted for in previous years. Through the intervention of the Presidential Task Team, priority will be given to members of the former Non-Statutory Forces as the main target group to access this benefit. This military veterans’ pension will redress the imbalances of the past and bring to realisation a benefit that is provided for in the Military Veterans Act.

The process to roll out the pension pay-out will commence after the lapse of the 30 days tabling in parliament. The department will in the meantime take in applications and process them accordingly through the government pension processes and system.

However, in the process of the implementation of this decision we were confronted with unavoidable administrative processes which resulted in the delay in the payment of the pension benefits. One of these was the requirement that the Draft Pension Regulations and the Pension Benefit Access form should be tabled in parliament.

These were tabled in Parliament early in December 2022. This will in turn legalize the operationalization of the pension pay-out to military veterans.

We want to reassure the community of Military Veterans and reiterate to them that the Government remains fully committed to the provision of the pension benefit to Military Veterans and has begun the necessary administrative processes.

Government is fully conscious and aware of the financial challenges facing Military Veterans particularly in the current difficult economic times, characterized by poor economic growth, joblessness and persistent poverty.

The Department of Military Veterans (DMV) is working around the clock to ensure that the disbursement of the Military Veterans Pension benefit is implemented as soon as possible.

In order to avoid any further delays, we urge the Military Veterans to register with the Department of Military Veterans on the database in order to qualify for benefits offered by the department and government.

A fully completed Military Veterans Pension benefit application form should be accompanied by an Identity Document (ID) and certified birth/marriage/partnership certificate and service certificate clearly indicating the force number.

Military veterans are urged to apply in person or through registered post. The correct address must be specified on the appropriate form, which can be found on the DMV website and provincial offices.

These forms will be forwarded to the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) which is responsible for processing applications and paying out of the pension

This pension rollout is one of the most significant milestones in the ongoing work of the department to address the plight of military veterans.

The Department of Military Veterans will continue to ensure that qualifying military veterans are provided with the Military Veterans Pension Benefit Support, and that it is implemented in an effective, efficient, sustainable and accountable manner.

Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Support

The Presidential Task Team (PTT) has taken a decision that military veterans should be paid the Social Relief of Distress support amount of R1250.00 per month to augment their pension pay-out during the current challenging economic situation. This will be a significant improvement on the previous R350.00 social relief support paid to veterans.

The department should find alternative ways to implement such support in an effective and equitable manner to ensure that all those eligible do benefit.

Education Benefit

The Department of Military Veterans provides funding to eligible military veterans and their dependents who wish to pursue studies in public institutions within the Republic of South Africa.

We urge military veterans and their dependents to apply and use these benefits during the current open season for applications. The application period is closing at the end of January 2023.

The Ministry and the Department of Military Veterans is working hard to resolve the glitches relating to the provision of housing, education and access to health facilities for the Military Veterans and their dependents as well as the skilling of Military Veterans in line with the Military Veterans Act No. 18 of 2011.

The Ministry is fully aware of the organizational, managerial and leadership challenges faced by the Department of Military Veterans which impact negatively on its ability and capacity to deliver services to the stakeholders. This is a matter that needs to be attended to with the necessary speed to finally restore the dignity of the Military Veterans and to be aligned to the constitutional injunction to honour those who fought and sacrificed to bring about this democracy.

Source: Government of South Africa

Statement by the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos.

It gives me great pleasure to share that the City has formally signed a new lease for Killarney International Raceway operated by Western Province Motor Club (WPMC).

This agreement allows WPMC to plan and commence with investment in its infrastructure and events that will further boost the local economy and job opportunities. The lease was facilitated by the Property Management Department within the Economic Growth Directorate which oversees property transactions that help to unlock socio-economic opportunities for the benefit of Cape Town’s communities and economic development.

Killarney, which has been operating as a motorsport facility for 75 years, is the most used multi-purpose event venue in Cape Town with a pre-Covid total of 200 events per year, with 70 of those being charity events. It hosts a range of motor and motorcycling events, and also non-motorised sporting events such as cycling, duathlons and marathons.

Killarney contributes R357 million to Cape Town’s economy while supporting an extensive industry and thousands of jobs in race manufacturing, trading, servicing, repairs, parts and accessories. It also draws international and domestic competitors, manufacturers, fans, and sponsors who come to the city for extended stays and investments.

Over the years, I have had a front-row seat to some of the many wonderful events held at Killarney and personally witnessed its impact on the city and its people.

Killarney is a multi-purpose and inclusive facility that provides a space for competitors and spectators to enjoy thrills and family entertainment. Events range from motor to motorcycle racing, karting, drifting, drag racing, Robot Racing, regional, national and international championships. It recently opened a new spinning pitch, a large, safe facility that is available for booking by spinner clubs.

The WPMC is a non-profit amateur sporting facility. Its operations model is to break even and retain enough income to maintain and improve the extensive facility.

Motorsport at Killarney is a key component in making Cape Town Africa’s event capital. This new lease, which will commence on 1 January 2023, lets WPMC continue to provide a secure venue, spectator thrills and family entertainment, to actively recruit motorsport events for the benefit of racing fans, the industry, Cape Town’s economy and our tourist destination.

Caption 1: Spectators at the Killarney Motor Show.

Caption 2: An aerial view of the track at Killarney.

Caption 3: Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth speaks to the media at the starting line of a race at the Killarney Motor Show about the economic spinoffs of a new lease agreement.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Water and Sanitation Department calls on community to help police apprehend criminals that highjacked workers carrying out a water restoration project in uMkhanyakude District Municipality

The Department of Water and Sanitation calls on the law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned to apprehend criminals responsible for kidnapping and high-jacking of two engineers contracted by Mhlathuze Water Board last week. The engineers were working to restore water infrastructure to Mntikini community in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mhlathuze Water reported that the engineers from Ziyanda Consulting were conducting site inspection of a water storage tank and a pump station when they were accosted by unknown men carrying guns. They were then hijacked and held hostage for nearly six hours at a nearby forest. The engineers were also robbed of some of the important belongings such as laptops and bank cards.

Mhlathuze Water was appointed by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu as an Implementing Agent in February 2022, to take over the management, operations and maintenance of the water and sanitation infrastructures at uMkhanyakude District Municipality. This was done in terms of Section 63 of the Water Services Act, Act 108 of 1997, to ensure full restoration of the services to the district area.

The Departmental Spokesperson Ms Wisane Mavasa said the Department of Water and Sanitation condemns the incident and calls on members of the community to work with law enforcement agencies to trace and apprehend the suspects.

“The Department condemns in strongest terms this criminal incident that involved hijacking of expert engineers while on duty. This act of crime not only affects the workers, but it also negatively affects the community of Mntinkini because the water restoration project they were supposed to benefit all affected residents will be delayed due to safety measures. The affected engineers were working to advance a project that was meant to bring a much-needed services of water and sanitation in that area”, said Ms Mavasa.

Ms Mavasa also called on members of the community to own and protect water infrastructures in their area, and report incidents of vandalism to the authorities.

“We appeal to the residents to protect water infrastructures in their communities because any act of theft or vandalism of an infrastructure disrupts optimal service delivery of water and sanitation to communities. To restore damaged infrastructure takes a long time, and this equally affects the provision of services to the affected communities. The communities are therefore encouraged to take ownership of an infrastructure in their area and protect it from vandalism or theft”, emphasised Ms Mavasa.

For more information, contact Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 060 561 8935.

Source: Government of South Africa

POTCHEFSTROOM – Itemogeng Joseph Khavango (34) appeared Wednesday, 21 December 2022, in the Vryburg District Court on a charge of possession of suspected stolen stock. He was remanded in custody till his next court appearance on Monday, 23 January 2023 for a formal bail application.

Khavango was arrested in Stella after members of the Vryburg Stocktheft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit made a follow up subsequent to receiving information on Tuesday, 20 December 2022, about a person selling sheep at Stella Abattoir. The accused was found in possession of 15 sheep worth R37 500-00. He was arrested after failing to account for the sheep. Subsequent to preliminary investigation, the owner was located and positively identified the sheep.

The Acting District Commissioner of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng, applauded the members for their dedication that resulted in the arrest and the recovery of suspected stolen livestock.

Source: South African Police Service