Home Affairs Minister delivered an address to Senior Management graduates

Athenkosi Mvane

31 May 2013

Department of Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor today delivered a keynote address at the graduation ceremony for 20 Department Senior Managers who qualified for a Management Development Programme offered by the Wits University Business School.

Departmental Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the Management Development Programme was conceptualised between the Wits Business School and the Department of Home Affairs in 2010 in support of Government’s commitment in developing a capable state in the service of the people.

The Business School also developed a new programme to enable managers in the Department at all levels to acquire the necessary skills required to support the development and retention of public servants within the government.

“The Department, since the beginning of the Programme trained 133 Managers at various levels” Mamoepa added.

WC Health Department and CANSA raise awareness against tobacco use

Athenkosi Mvane

31 May 2013

Western Cape Department of Health together with various partners including the Cancer Association of South Africa has raised awareness against tobacco use and other forms of smoking. 

World No Tobacco Day is marked every year on the 31^st of May globally to highlight health risks associated with tobacco. 

A recent survey done by the Medical Research Council showed that nearly half pf Western Cape learners in grades 8 to 10 are currently smoking. 

Communications officer for the department of health Sithembiso Magubane said the WC tobacco control team brought together nurses, health promoters, environmental health officers, and others involved in health promotion in the province.

“The team shared the latest updates on research into tobacco, tobacco control legislation and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle to raise awareness and to empower health workers to take this knowledge to their communities and work places” Magubane added.

DA requests for amendment of Children’s Act

Athenkosi Mvane

31 May 2013

The Democratic Alliance said its requests to amendment the Children’s Act of 2006 to include the provision that the names of people convicted of attempted rape be added to the National Child Protection Register. 

DA MP of Social Development Mike Waters said the request has been ignored. 

Waters has said children must be protected from those who are convicted of rape and attempted rape.

“Together with the Child Protection Register, the Children’s Act has the potential to prevent the abuse, neglect and endangerment of thousands of children, but needs better legislation and implementation” Waters added.

NICRO proposes awaiting trial offenders to be released and be monitored electronically

Athenkosi Mvane

31 May 2013

The National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders has proposed prisoners awaiting trial could be safely released and monitored by the use of electronic tags. 

Nicro’s Jacques Sibomana said the tags would enable social workers to track the offenders and also make sure that they are in a safe environment and that they are not using alcohol. 

It has been estimated that it would cost about R4 000 to electronically tag monitor the suspect. 

Sibomana explains the system includes a tracking device, a cellphone and a breathalyzer.

A NICRO social worker can check anytime can call the offender not only to inform them about their case proceedings, but to check and monitor if they are taking any alcohol or need further assistance whilst still awaiting their sentencing in their community.

“What it does is also answer a big challenge that our government is facing at the momentwhich is overcrowding in prisons.

“And giving an opportunity to those who are waiting trials, and should not be in prison, an opportunity to be at home and continue with their daily work” Sibomana added.

Security on trains a major issue

Loyiso Langeni
31 May 2013

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and the National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega took a train ride with locals on their way to work on Thursday in Khayelitsha.

Commuters say they risk their lives on the trains every day, and they've lost faith in the police.

Mthethwa said the metro, provincial government and national departments need to come together and come up with ways to ensure safety on trains. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said the minister has noted hat Khayelitsha has no proper street lights that is why most of people are being mugged between 04:00am and 07:00am.

Mnisi added that they will continue to mount operations from time-to-time to ensure that people are safe.

GABS granted leave to appeal

Loyiso Langeni

31 May 2013

The Western Cape High Court on Thursday granted Golden Arrow Bus Service the right to appeal an earlier decision denying an interdict against routes of MyCiti bus system.

Golden Arrow in April interdicted the City of Cape Town from finishing the Phase 1A and B of the MyCiti bus system.

Golden Arrow’s Corporate Development Manager John Dammert said they wish another court may rule differently in the matter.

Meanwhile Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater Brett Herron said the city will oppose the appeal to the Supreme Court.

Herron added that the city respects the right of Golden Arrow to apply for leave to appeal and respects the decision of the judge.

34 Suspects arrested in KZN for various crimes

Mluleki Mrwebi

31 May 2013

A total of 34 suspects were arrested in Kwa-Zulu-Natal for various crimes including murder, possession of dagga, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunitions. 

The arrested suspects appeared in various courts in the province on Thursday. 

Captain Thulani Zwane said they also managed to recover 49 firearms including AK 47, 303 as well as pistols and 340 live ammunition.

He added that this is a major breakthrough made by the unit because the Kwazulu Natal has a problem of infighting.

Nehawu warns against privatization

Mluleki Mrwebi

31 May 2013

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union said it has noted the release of the presidential review committee report on the governance of state owned enterprises. 

Nehawu said it is fully behind any process to improve governance but it is against the idea of exploring the privatisation of public assets. 

Nehawau’s Spokesperson Sizwe Pamla has warned against the idea of privatization of public assets.

Pamla further said there are always temptations to privatize public assets ands as a union they will remain oppose to that idea and there is an anti state ideology in this country.

Cosatu condemns xenophobic attacks

Muleki Mrwebi

31 May 2013

The Congress of South African Trade Union has condemned the attacks and looting of shops belonging to foreigners in Diepsloot, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

Cosatu said it is totally opposed to xenophobia and the root of the problem lies with the apartheid regimes, deliberately strategy to destroy, the economic infrastructure of our neighbouring countries. 

Cosatu’s Vusumuzi Bhengu said these xenophobic attacks are as a result of inequality in wages, the frustration has led to anger in most townships.

Bhengu further called for all communities to stand up and condone these actions and the rising issues of unemployment need to be addressed.

Meanwhile Eastern Cape Police have confirmed that they have arrested 21 people for public violence and the police continue to keep peace in the affected areas. 

General Practitioners to meet WC government and Metropolitan Health Risk Management on HIV treatment

Athenkosi Mvane

31 May 2013

Attention is on General Practitioners in the private sector, as they meet with Metropolitan Health Risk Management and the Western Cape Government Health along with the South African HIV Clinicians’ Society. 

The assemblage is to discuss people living with HIV receiving the highest quality of treatment. 

The private sector has an central role to perform in the health sector of this country. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Helene Rossouw said they discussed with Metropolitan Health Risk Management the possibilities there for partnerships so that more patients in both the public and private sector should be tested for HIV.

“At present, all public patients are screened for HIV” Rossouw added.

SIU head position still not filled

Athenkosi Mvane
30 May 2013

The Democratic Alliance said the Special Investigating Unit still remains without a permanent head. 

Minister of Justice Jeff Radebe gave his budget vote speech on Wednesday in Parliament. 

The DA says there is no rational explanation for the SIU not having a head. 

DA MP of Justice Debbie Schafer said the only comment the Minister made was that the President was considering appointing their head.

“What can he be considering after 17 months? There is no rational explanation for the on-going failure to appoint a permanent suitable head of the SIU.

“The ANC speaks about fighting corruption but their actions reveal the real truth” Schafer added.

Teacher allegedly beats handicapped 7-year-old City pupil

Athenkosi Mvane
30 May 2013

It has been alleged a teacher at St Joseph’s special needs school in Cape Town has come under fire for allegedly beating a mentally-challenged seven-year-old. 

It is believed that the child was being disruptive in class when the teacher beat the child with a plastic hosepipe. 

Western Cape Department of Education Ministerial Spokesperson Bronagh Casey said the Department is investigating the matter.

“We view the incident in a serious light; and the Department had launched its investigation as soon as it learnt about the alleged incident.

“The child’s parents also laid a charge with the police and the teacher appeared in court on Tuesday” Casey added.

Casey also said that they will be monitoring the situation closely.

DA:Initiates’ safety should take priority over all else

Athenkosi Mvane
30 May 2013

 

Democratic Alliance said the safety of initiates must be top priority. 

The DA has called on Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional

Affairs Richard Baloyi to set up an Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate what really went wrong during the initiation process. 

DA research and communications officer Michael Mpofu said the deaths were due to reckless health and safety practices, and that some individuals in communities have taken advantage of traditional systems by taking up initiation schools without proper training and skills.

“Our message must be clear; the safety of our children must take precedence over all else during these ceremonies” Mpofu added.

Black Sash happy SASSA prevents deductions from beneficiaries’ accounts

Athenkosi Mvane
30 May 2013

Black Sash said it welcomes the long overdue decision by the South African Social Security Agency, to prevent unlawful deductions being made from social grants by financial providers which trade in mirco-loans. 

Black Sash’s Elory Paulus said social grant beneficiaries need to be vigilant and report and questionable deductions from their social grants.

Paulus said they acre concerned about the practices that money-lenders have unlawfully, unscrupulously and immorally making deductions from grant beneficiaries.

“SASSA has committed itself not to allow these deductions either than ten percent of the grant payments to be deducted from the beneficiaries’ accounts only for funeral cover.

“Black Sash is cautiously optimistic and is working very closely with authorities” Pulus added.

Drug dealer arrested at Hillcrest

Loyiso Langeni

30 May 2013

A 17-year-old boy was arrested by Kwa-Zulu Natal Police after he was caught in possession of dagga in Hillcrest CBD.

Police discovered 17 dagga plants at a house in Jan Smuts. 

Provincial Police Spokesperson Jay Naicker said Police also seized other exhibits such as drug paraphernalia that will be sent for forensic testing.

Naicker added that he was detained at the Hillcrest Police station and will be appearing in court soon.

Authorities seize bottle store records in Saldanha Bay

Loyiso Langeni

30 May 2013

The Western Cape Liquor Authority this week conducted a joint search and seizure operation with police at a bottle store in Saldanha Bay. 

A licensed bottle store faces a possible fine of up to R500 000 for allegedly selling alcohol to an illegal shebeens.

The search is the first under the new Liquor Act. 

MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde said the Liquor Authority had good reason to suspect that the liquor outlet in question was making deliveries to illegal shebeens.

Winde added that the licence holder is selling alcohol to customers knowing or having reasonable grounds to suspect that these people will resell the liquor without a licence.

“This is an offence as stipulated in the Western Cape Liquor Act.” Winde added.

Authorities seize bottle store records in Saldanha Bay

Loyiso Langeni

30 May 2013

The Western Cape Liquor Authority this week conducted a joint search and seizure operation with police at a bottle store in Saldanha Bay. 

A licensed bottle store faces a possible fine of up to R500 000 for allegedly selling alcohol to an illegal shebeens.

The search is the first under the new Liquor Act. 

MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde said the Liquor Authority had good reason to suspect that the liquor outlet in question was making deliveries to illegal shebeens.

Winde added that the licence holder is selling alcohol to customers knowing or having reasonable grounds to suspect that these people will resell the liquor without a licence.

“This is an offence as stipulated in the Western Cape Liquor Act.” Winde added.

A woman was struck dead by a taxi in Durbanville.

 Loyiso Langeni

30 May 2013

Paramedics on Wednesday responded to an accident at the Durbanville taxi rank, whereby a woman was struck dead by a taxi.

 It is believed that three taxis’s collided into each other, one taxi knocked the back of another taxi which in turn pushed into a third taxi and they collided head on. 

ER24’s Vanessa Jackson said when Paramedics arrived on the scene, they found her lying on the ground and she had sustained fatal injuries.

Jackson added that there was nothing further that could be done for her, she was declared dead on the scene.  

In another accident a man died while a female sustained critical injuries after they were struck by a car on the N2 near the construction site at Umgeni Road. 

It is believed that the two workers ran across the road to get to the work site when they landed in front of a car.

 Netcare 911 Spokesperson Chris Botha said a man in his thirties died due to the extensive injuries.

Botha added that a female also in her thirties sustained injuries, she was stabilised on the scene then transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

 

DA-Limpopo schools are struggling to stay afloat

Mluleki Mrwebi

30 May 2013

The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo said schools across the province are struggling to stay afloat five months into the school year. 

The DA said this is because the Education Department has not sent them basic funding required by law. 

The DA conducted an investigation and found that schools servicing the province’s poorest learners are receiving as little as R30 per child. 

DA Limpopo Provincial Leader Jacques Smalle said what is currently occurring within the department and the schools is that normal accounts that would have been covered by these norms and standards which are suppose to pay for water and electricity is not being done.

Smalle has given the MEC for Provincial Treasurer to make sure that all payments are done within 48 hours and failure to do so will results in the matter being taken to the Human Rights Commission and the Basic Education Minister. 

ACDP calls for gang membership to be criminalized

Mluleki Mrwebi

30 May 2013

The African Democratic Party in the Western Cape has called for a hard stance to be taken against gangstersim. 

ACDP Provincial Leader Ferlon Christian said we should not tolerate the ongoing gangsterism in Lavender Hill. 

Christian said the Minister of Justice Jeff Radebe to start a process to criminalize being a gang member.

He further said it is well known that gangsters recruit the youth to commit crime and as the ACDP they are calling for whoever is responsible to legalise being part of the gang should be charged.  

The ACDP believes that this move would alleviate the problem of gangsters in the Western Cape.

Court ruled in favour of Num

Mluleki Mrwebi

30 May 2013

The National Union of Mineworkers said it welcomes the decision by the Labour Court in Johannesburg in stopping Lonmin from evicting the NUM offices at its Eastern and Western Platinum mines in Rustenburg. 

Judge Justice Basson on Wednesday ordered that the 90 day period contemplated in terms of clause 12.1 of the recognition agreement will run from the 16^th of April to the 16^th of July. 

NUM Spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said they welcome the judgment more especially that the company was succumbing to presure to have to leave the premises.

Seshoka added that the court has given Num a lifeline to continue to recruit and service the union members and had the union been ordered to leave this week it would have been a breach of contract in terms of the existing recognition agreement.

SJC asks City to act on Sannicare-toilet services debacle

Athenkosi Mvane

30 May 2013

The Social Justice Coalition said the recent dramatic protests on the N2 were not isolated and spontaneous. 

Last week the N2 was closed by former employees of Sannicare, a private company contracted by the City of Cape Town to service certain container toilets across the city’s informal settlements. 

The workers say they have been mistreated. 

Thousands of residents who use the toilets were without them for weeks as buckets became full and were not being collected and emptied. 

SJC’s Axolile Notywala the City needs to act because the Sannicare Company is paid by theCity, and can not just say it is an employee-employer related dispute.

“The City should be responsible to monitor these outsourced services, and we as the SJC said the City failed to monitor the service, we would like the City to act immediately” Notywala added.

ACDP welcome re-establishment of sexual offences courts

Athenkosi Mvane

29 May 2013

The African Christian Democratic Party said it welcomes the reestablishment of dedicated sexual offences courts throughout the country. 

This follows the budget vote by the Justice and Constitutional Development in Parliament today. 

The ACDP said it is concerned by the severe budgetary constraints upon both the department, NPA and other entities. 

ACDP MP Steve Swart said he believes that the Department of Justice, National Prosecuting Authority and other crime fighting bodies are not being sufficiently funded to enable them to effectively fight crime.

“We call upon Government and national treasury to consider our request for additional funding for the Department of Justice and the National Prosecuting Authority.

“Without additional funding we will not be able to have effective courts that will enforce the rule of law and make sure those criminals are put behind bars” Swart added.

Child found dead in Phillippi

Athenkosi Mvane

29 May 2013

Philppi police are seeking assistants from the community in identifying the parents of a newborn baby who was found on a field in Philippi. 

Captain FC van Wyk said yesterday a man who was walking discovered the baby with the umbilical cord still attached. 

Van Wyk said the child was found wrapped in blue plastic bags, lying on the road, where she was declared dead on the scene.

“A murder and concealment of birth case was opened for investigation, an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death” van Wyk added.

Van Wyk requested anyone with any information to phone investigating officer Detective Constable Clifton Stevens on

082 334 7564  or Phillipi police on 021 370 1900.

Home Affairs to launch service delivery needs of communities in the NW

Athenkosi Mvane

29 May 2013

North West Provincial Stakeholders forum to exercise oversight, monitor and advise the Department of Home Affairs on service delivery needs of communities will be launched by the Minister of Home Affairs Naledi Pandor this weekend. 

The launch of the forum is to advance the National Population Registration Campaign coincides with Child Protection Week. 

Premier Thandi Modise’s Spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said Premier Modise said the inclusiveness of the forum, launched in all 19 of their municipalities and 4 districts; leading towards the provincial launch, gives her confidence.

“Closer involvement of stakeholders will not only help assist Home Affairs business processes that deliver quality services that meet expectations of communities in the province” Kgwele added.

SACP: there is a dire need for monitoring of scholar transport

Imogen Vollenhoven
29 May 2013

The South African Communist Party in the Eastern Cape said the quality of scholar transport in the province needs to be relooked.

This is after a scholar transport hired by the Department of Transport was involved in an accident which left five children dead and several injured. 

The cause of the accident is brake failure.

SACP Provincial Spokesperson Siyabonga Mdodi explained that there is a need for monitoring and accountability of the scholar transport to be the primary responsibility of the government and not to be outsourced to selfish tender premiers.

“Because if this function of monitoring accountability continues to be outsourced, then the corruption network that exists between some corrupt government officials and some tender premiers will not be isolated and it won’t be defeated,” added Mdodi.

He adds that at the end those who are going to suffer are children and the families.

Three men arrested in Laingsburg for being in possession of dagga

Imogen Vollenhoven
29 May 2013

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Officer late on Tuesday afternoon arrested three men for being in possession of dagga on the N1 in Laingsburg. 

Provincial Traffic Chief Kenny Africa said one of their provincial traffic officers arrested three men for being in possession of dagga to the value at R60 000.

“Both the occupants was arrested and taken to the police station in Lainsburg, where they will appear in court soon,” added Africa.

Patricia De Lille delivered the WC 2013/ 2014 budget

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 May 2013

The Executive Mayor of Cape Town Alderman Patricia De Lille today delivered the 2013/2014 budget.

The proposed total budget fro 2013/14 has increased from R26, 144billion to R31, 5billion. The operating revenue ha also increased from R23, 9billion in 2012/13 to R24, 89 billion in 2013/14 financial year.

Patricia de Lille said Cape Town follows an approach that ensures enough generation of revenue to be able to cross-subsidise services for the poor, more than any other municipality, while maintaining the highest standards.

The average proposed tariff increases for 2013/14 financial year all are at less than 10%,these proposed tariff increases include, rates, refuse, disposal, sanitation, water and electricity.

De Lille said it is proposed that senior citizens qualify fro rates rebates where their gross monthly household income is less than R12 000.

She further said the capital budget for Utility Services is over R2 billion, Transport, Road and Storm water is over R1, 4 billion and Human Settlements is over R600 million.

Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Road and Storm water Brett Heron said the City will prioritise fixing roads and job creation.

Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said his department is ready to start with the Fire Services Reservists, and that will assist during fires in the Province as well as an additional traffic officer reservists that will ensure the safety of motorists on the roads and safety of communities.

Mayco Member for Human Settlements Thandeka Gqada said there are many projects in place to ensure that the problems in housing are minimised. Gqada further urged residents and councillors to work together to ensure that all housing backlogs are attended to.

De Lille added that communities need to stop vandalising during protests because that costs the City lot money and the money that could be used something else.

SACP condemns criminal attacks against foreigners

Loyiso Langeni

29 May 2013

The South African Communist Party in Gauteng said it strongly condemns the new wave of violent criminal attacks against foreigners. 

SACP Provincial Secretary Mamabolo Jacob said it is only through united and firm action by communities and organs of the state that we can successfully isolate and defeat these criminal elements.

Mamabolo said we call upon our communities, activists and leaders of fraternal and revolutionary movements to intervene decisively in the affected communities.

Mamabolo added we also call on law enforcement agencies to ensure that those responsible for this act are held criminally liable.

Kidnapping case cracked

Loyiso Langeni

29 May 2013

On Monday Kwa-Zulu Natal cracked a kidnapping case, whereby a twenty six-year-old woman and her four month old baby were kidnapped from their beach front hotel room. 

Police later learnt that the kidnappers had contacted a church leader and demanded a ransom of R100, 000. 

During the weekend the search for the two was unsuccessful.

Kwa-Zulu Natal Police Spokesperson Jay Naicker said Police followed the vehicle and eventually stopped when they noticed that the woman was definitely alone.

Naicker added she claimed that she managed to give her kidnapper the slip at the bank.

“The women have been taken in for questioning and investigations are continuing.” Naicker said.

Plans in place to eradicate liquor licence red tape

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 May 2013

Western Cape MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde together with Liquor Authority has put together an action plan in place to eradicate liquor licence application red tape. 

MEC Winde said there has been a backlog of applications for liquor licences under the old Act. 

Winde said they have put an extra committee in place to work on the backblocks and also refined the system to ensure that it works easier.

He added that those that are not complying with the new system will deal with the police or risk having their licenses confiscated.

WC Refuge Reception Centre under the spotlight again

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 May 2013

People Against Suffering Oppression and Poverty Director Braam Hanekom said its unacceptable that the staff at the department of Home Affairs is treating people like animals.  

Hanekom said it is clear that the refuge reception centre had allocated time for people to extend their applications.

He further said the department of Home Affairs should have known that there were going to be large numbers of people at the centre and the department should not have allowed for human rights violation.

It is alleged that on Monday security guards hosed down angry people, including children, when they became unruly outside the centre. 

Over 1 000 people had gathered at the centre for days wanting to renew their asylum seeker’s documents. 

Meanwhile the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security in the Western Cape JP Smith said this is unacceptable and can not be left alone, because a few years an incident such as this one had led to closure of the centre.

JP Smith -abuse of refugees at home Affairs is unacceptable

Athenkosi Mvane

29 May 2013

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the abuse of refugees at the Home Affairs refugee reception centre is shocking and unacceptable. 

On Monday security guards hosed down angry people, including children, when they became unruly outside the centre. 

Over 1 000 people have been queuing at the centre for days wanting to renew their asylum seeker’s documents. 

MEC Smith said in this situation, a similar situation with the refugee reception centre a few years ago that lead to the centre being closed.

“I’m unhappy that the Department of Home Affairs has not learnt from the previous exercise that we are forced to be replayed the same problems and challenges that arose before, without any effective intervention from their side.

“I have asked the Mayor to facilitate another meeting with home Affairs” Smith added.