Day: January 21, 2023

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says one of its officials has been arrested for allegedly selling application forms for learnerships at the department.

The department cautioned members of the public not to pay any sum for these forms.

“The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, is calling upon members of the public to refrain and outright refuse to pay any money for Learnership Application Forms as this is unlawful and will never be a prerequisite for placement. One Correctional Official has already been arrested for selling these forms and shall face the full might of the law.

“DCS officials assisting with the process of submissions are not supposed to ask for money or any favour of kind, but are instead expected to guide applicants on where to submit and sign the submission register,” the department said.

Thobakgale condemned those taking advantage of the unemployed for their own personal gain.

“Although harsh realities of unemployment may leave citizens vulnerable, we urge people not to fall prey to these unscrupulous agents or those that may pose as DCS officials promising false placements,” he said.

The department called on the public to report any person selling these forms “to the nearest police station so that they can be arrested accordingly”.

“It is important to reiterate that there is no requirement for people to pay money when applying for learnership placements or employment in the public service.

“An advert for the learnership opportunity does highlight the requirements and competencies to be considered. There are no third parties or middle persons appointed by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to recruit nor process such applications,” the department said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will next week resume the national public consultations on the Draft Policy on Water and Sanitation Services provision on Privately Owned Land.

The purpose of the national consultations is to solicit input on the Draft Policy from various stakeholders and individuals who have interests in the provision of water and sanitation services to privately owned land across the country.

Privately owned land is a land that is not owned, controlled, or leased by the state. This may include commercial farms, mine owned land, churches owned land, trust properties, game parks, sectional or residential complexes among others.

The draft policy seeks to explore ways to redress the provision of water services to residents on privately owned land by ensuring that there is access to a safe and potable water supply and sanitation, supported by appropriate health and hygiene practices for the people living on those lands that are currently out of municipal distributing network, using water services intermediaries’ mechanisms as enshrined in the Water Services Act, 1997 (Act No. 108 of 1997).

“The draft framework is a culmination of a 2017 judgment on the case of Mshengu vs uMsunduzi, uMshwathi Local Municipalities, uMgungundlovu District Municipality and others, and the Department of Water and Sanitation as the sixth respondent.

“The court judgment stated that failure by the Water Services Authorities (WSA) to provide farm occupiers and labour tenants with access to basic sanitation, sufficient water, and collection of refuse was inconsistent with the Constitution. This necessitated the department to revive the draft policy to provide a framework on how to deal with the provision of water services to people living on privately owned land,” the department said.

As part of its national public consultations, the department will be engaging with stakeholders and affected parties in Mpumalanga from 23 January to 27 January 2023.

The department will be engaging stakeholders in Mbombela on 23 January, Ermelo on 25 January and Middelburg on 27 January to solicit input from interested parties.

“The public consultations which commenced in December last year will span for a period of 60 days, and interested parties are also welcome to submit written comments to wspolicy@dws.gov.za or jalisal@dws.gov.za by 17 February 2023,” the department said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has condemned in the strongest terms the robbery that took place at the studios of INX Prime, in Houghton.

INX Prime, broadcasts across sub-Saharan Africa and can be accessed through DStv on channel 345.

“The news of the robbery is indeed disturbing. It is particularly disheartening as INX Prime has only been on air for four months, with their broadcast reaching people in sub-Saharan Africa. It is vital that we have such platforms to tell the African story,” said Acting Director General of the GCIS, Michael Currin.

Currin said that the GCIS is confident that the South African Police Services will move with speed to apprehend the perpetrators.

“Crimes committed, especially against the media, not only robs them of expensive equipment, but also puts the lives of journalists in danger and robs viewers of accessing crucial information.

“The media is a platform to amplify voice, facilitate meaningful participation, disseminate key information and foster social change. South Africa’s media landscape is strong, dynamic and independent and free and we must do all in our power to protect the media,” Currin said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will host a multinational maritime exercise with Russia and China over a 10-day period to strengthen the already flourishing relations between the three countries.

According to the statement released on Thursday, the event known as Exercise MOSI will take place in Durban and Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, from 17 to 27 February 2022.

“This will be the second time such an exercise is taking place involving the three naval forces with the first one held in November 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa,” the statement read.

“Exercise coordinators have concluded all necessary coordination and preparation arrangements for this exercise during virtual planning conferences held at the beginning of December 2022.”

This year’s Exercise MOSI is expected to see 350 SANDF personnel from various arms of services and divisions participating alongside their Russian and Chinese counterparts with the aim of sharing operational skills and knowledge.

The event will coincide with the Armed Forces Day celebration that will take place at uMhlathuze Municipality in Richards Bay, east of KwaZulu-Natal.

Source: South African Government News Agency