MINISTER STEENHUISEN’S 100 DAYS FAILURE @KASIBCNEWS

MINISTER STEENHUISEN’S 100 DAYS FAILURE @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the flagrant incompetence and corruption of Democratic Alliance’s (DA) John Steenhuisen, the Minister of Agriculture, who, within the first 100 days of holding office, has failed to appoint qualified staff. 

He continues to cling onto his cadre deployments—appointments of his unqualified cronies and white supremacists—while trying to bend the rules to push them through. Steenhuisen's request for a deviation from the minimum appointment requirements for his candidates shows his blatant disregard for the rules that govern public office appointments. His nominations of Annette Steyn, Una Christians, Charity McCord, and Mr. Kruger are an insult to the hardworking and qualified South Africans who are being overlooked in favour of Steenhuisen’s politically connected friends. 

Three of these four candidates only possess matric certificates and do not meet the minimum academic qualifications required for the positions they have been nominated for, with the last one not having enough experience for their role.

Steenhuisen's actions demonstrate a complete disregard for governance and a prioritisation of personal loyalty over merit. 

This is nothing more than blatant cadre deployment, something Steenhuisen and his party hypocritically condemn in public while practicing behind closed doors. His insistence on appointing these people is the very reason for the delay in finalising appointments and, consequently, the delay in worker’s salaries, and the work of the department and government at large.

Furthermore, Steenhuisen has displayed his true racist colours by hiring Roman Cabanac, notorious for his white supremacist views, as his head of staff. It is only due to public outrage and backlash that Steenhuisen was forced to ask Cabanac to resign. 

However, Cabanac is now refusing to step down, rightly pointing out that Steenhuisen  was fully aware of his racist background before hiring him. This demonstrates not only Steenhuisen’s poor judgment but also his complicity in fostering white supremacists and racist individuals in government, and his lack of commitment entirely to his job and responsibilities.

Steenhuisen is not only failing his staff by withholding their salaries but is also holding  the country hostage by delaying government operations to satisfy his own political agenda.

The EFF will continue to expose and fight against the corrupt practices of Steenhuisen  and all those who seek to undermine the functioning of government for their personal  gain. We demand that he be held accountable for his incompetence, his racist appointments, and the failure of his leadership in the Department of Agriculture.

GAUTENG E-TOLL DEBT INSTALLMENT R3.8 BILLION @KASIBCNEWS

GAUTENG E-TOLL DEBT INSTALLMENT R3.8 BILLION @KASIBCNEWS 

In his 2022 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, the Minister of Finance, Honourable Enoch Godongwana made the following policy pronouncement on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project popularly known as E-Toll: “to resolve the funding impasse the Gauteng provincial government has agreed to contribute 30 per cent to settling SANRAL’s debt and interest obligations, while national government covers 70 per cent”.

In the Budget Speech in March this year, Gauteng Provincial Treasury announced that as part of the province’s arrangements to service the debt, a provision for honouring this commitment has been pencilled into the 2024 fiscal framework.

This was followed by the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Gauteng Provincial Government and the National Treasury for the province to honour the debt and the maintenance portion for the E-Toll debt. The obligation to service this debt has necessitated the implementation of a host of reforms and measures to maintain a healthy fiscal environment that will be both sustainable and manageable in the long term.

Today, the Gauteng Provincial Government is starting the process to service the historical debt of R12.9 billion in five equal annual instalments at government 5-year interest rate. The first instalment that we are paying today amounts to R3.8 billion, consisting of R3.2 billion (historical debt) and the maintenance portion of R546 million. The implications of the E-Toll debt require the provincial government to manage finances in a prudent manner whilst carefully balancing the service delivery needs of the citizens.

The fiscal trajectory of Gauteng Provincial Government must be addressed through a combination of active debt management strategies and spending restraint that improves the primary fiscal balance and elimination of wastage and leakages in the system. The province will need to allocate a substantial amount of funds each year for the next five years to meet the repayment obligations.

Therefore, to address these fiscal challenges, Gauteng Provincial Treasury is working with revenue-collecting departments to identify alternative sources of revenue. This aims to ensure that frontline services remain uncompromised, prioritising programmes that foster growth, safeguarding essential social services for vulnerable members of society, maintaining the provision of basic services in the province.

Gauteng Provincial Treasury has a five-year budget approach that will facilitate provincial delivery based on the Medium-Term Development Plan for the 7th Administration. 

The five year budget approach will focus on introducing and implementing immediate, short-term, and medium-term budget reforms over the 2025 MTEF. This include maintaining fiscal discipline and credibility, and impactful service delivery.

Given the maintenance of fiscal discipline, the province will prioritize the reprioritisation of budgets, identification of efficiency gains, and making of trade-offs to fund the government priorities. Fiscal discipline requires that governments maintain fiscal positions that are consistent with macroeconomic stability and sustained economic growth.

Furthermore, provincial departments and entities must explore alternative sources of funding to supplement the existing constrained revenue streams and thus enhance fiscal sustainability over the long-term. Partnerships with private sector, donor funding, developmental finance are among the possible alternative funding sources.

The provincial government also views Public Private Partnerships as a key vehicle to not

only deliver infrastructure but for its ability to stimulate the economy, create jobs and deliver projects within cost, time and quality whilst providing the upfront funding for these projects. Therefore, PPPs with revenue raising potential will be prioritised.

As the MEC of Finance and Economic Development, I have emphasised to Gauteng

Provincial Treasury that any approach to the market for funding should be premised on

securing funding to finance strategic infrastructure projects, which have sound economic benefits to the province, create jobs, raise revenue and potentially provide an avenue to pay back the E-Toll debt. This approach is seen as a more sustainable and will prove far more beneficial to the citizens of Gauteng, with far more positive spin-offs than borrowing to pay a debt of E-Toll.

The 2025 Budget will see a conclusion of the national fiscal consolidation strategy

announced in the national 2020 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), with

debt‐stabilising primary surplus achieved in 2025/26, a reduction in the fiscal deficit to

pre‐COVID levels and a stabilisation of debts service costs as a percentage of revenue.

Gauteng Provincial Treasury is therefore confident that through the measures and reforms mentioned above, the province will be able to service the E-Toll debt, simultaneously providing much needed services to the citizens of Gauteng, whilst reaping the benefits of the spinoffs of proposed economic infrastructure initiatives.

It is in this context that we would like to assure residents of Gauteng that we will not

compromise our priorities in social services such as health and education.

 

COGTA COMMITTEE CALLS FOR STABILITY FOLLOWING REMOVAL OF TSHWANE MAYOR @KASIBCNEWS

COGTA COMMITTEE CALLS FOR STABILITY FOLLOWING REMOVAL OF TSHWANE MAYOR @KASIBCNEWS

The Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), chaired by Hon. Mzi Khumalo, has taken note of the removal of the Tshwane Mayor and calls for urgent action to ensure stability in the City of Tshwane during this transitional period.

As the oversight body responsible for promoting good governance, the Portfolio Committee urges the Department of CoGTA. to take immediate steps to ensure that the upcoming mayoral election is conducted within the 14-day legal timeframe and that  all necessary measures are in place to maintain municipal operations without disruption. The Department must play a proactive role in supporting the City’s governance structures during this period of change.

Chairperson Khumalo emphasized that it is critical for the Department to ensure there are no delays in service delivery, to strengthen internal governance, and to maintain stability in collaboration with local leadership and stakeholders. "The Department must act swiftly to prevent any governance voids and guarantee that essential services to residents remain unaffected," said Hon. Khumalo.

The Portfolio Committee will remain engaged with the Department and other provincial bodies to ensure that the transition is seamless, and processes are handled with transparency and efficiency, ensuring that Tshwane’s residents are prioritized throughout this period.

 

R60 BILLION CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST BIG BANKS @KASIBCNEWS

R60 BILLION CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST BIG BANKS @KASIBCNEWS

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) fully endorses the long-overdue R60 billion class action lawsuit against South Africa's major banks for their predatory and exploitative practices, which have left hundreds of poor, primarily black South Africans homeless and destitute. This legal action exposes the deep-rooted systemic neglect and exploitation of the vulnerable, a reality the EFF has consistently highlighted in its fight for economic justice.

This class action involves more than 200 applicants whose homes were repossessed by major banks—Absa, Standard Bank, FirstRand, and Nedbank—after missing bond payments. These repossessed homes were auctioned off for a fraction of their true market value, with some homes sold for as little as 10% of what they were worth, leaving their owners homeless and still indebted to the banks.

Some properties were even sold for as low as R100. These practices were common before 2018 when the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, amended the rules to require reserve prices for properties sold in auction, but by then, many had already been affected. The applicants, most of whom are poor and unable to recover their losses,have been living in destitution for over a decade, and now seek damages from the banks.

This legal battle began in 2017, when the victims sought recourse from the Constitutional Court. However, the court referred the case back to the High Court for further hearings. In 2020, a R60 billion class action lawsuit was filed against the banks in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, for unjustly selling properties far below market value, failing to treat property sales as a last resort, and disregarding the livelihood of the affected homeowners. 

The class members argue that the bank’s sales in execution were not only unnecessary in many cases but also represented a grave violation of their rights, as these properties were their primary residences and were sold at far below market value, destroying their savings and security.

The EFF has consistently exposed how black homeowners are disproportionately  targeted, losing their homes and properties when they encounter financial hardships,  while white individuals are given ample time and opportunity to make arrangements  without forfeiting their assets. These practices have been confirmed by the fact that recent statistics show that out of six million home loan applications submitted by historically disadvantaged persons, less than half were approved, while white applicants continue to receive loans valued exponentially higher. 

African people have been violently stripped of their land for generations by colonialism and apartheid, forced into cramped townships and locations, left without the dignity of space and ownership. Now, even in our pursuit of homeownership, we remain  landless, dispossessed twice over by white capitalist banks. When it comes to credit for consumer goods—clothing, cars, and credit cards—white establishments are quick to trap us in endless debt. But when it’s about owning a home, they block our path at every turn, denying us the one thing that could truly liberate us from generational poverty. 

This is an orchestrated system of oppression.

As far back as 2019, the EFF called for a judicial commission of inquiry, with forensic 

financial expertise, to investigate these discriminatory practices after widespread reports of the deeply entrenched racist practices within the South African banking sector, where Black people are systematically exploited and denied fair access to financial services. Furthermore, we called for banking licenses to be revoked from institutions that continue to discriminate based on race.

It is, therefore, deeply concerning that it took until this year for the Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, to summon the banks to address the shocking statistics regarding their racist practices of denying Africans access to financial services. Even now, the onus falls on individuals to pursue class action lawsuits, highlighting a glaring neglect of effective government oversight and legislative action to protect the marginalised.

The banks have long operated with impunity, shielded from any meaningful oversight due to the ANC’s collusion with white capital in South Africa's financial landscape. With the current DA-led coalition, the prospects for genuine accountability have diminished significantly. This partnership perpetuates a system that favours the interests of a privileged few over the needs of the marginalised.

The EFF has long recommended that government needs to provide significant housing finance subsidies for middle-income and low earners, including those earning minimum wage. Additionally, to enforce laws preventing banks from repossessing homes from individuals who have paid off 50% of their bond but are unable to continue payments due to socioeconomic hardships.

This is the only way to counter the extreme historical inequalities that exist in our country, and the continued targeted dispossession of Africans.

More importantly, as stated in one of our seven cardinal pillars, we need the establishment of a state bank to break the stranglehold of private financial institutions,particularly when it comes to home loans. A state bank would offer lower interest rates, making it easier for historically dispossessed and working-class people to access affordable home loans and escape the exploitative grip of commercial banks. By prioritising the needs of the people over profit, a state bank would provide fair, accessible credit, and ensure that homeownership is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all South Africans.

The EFF remains clear in its commitment to pursue ajudicial investigation within Parliament, and we will give our political support to this case until every victim receives the justice they rightfully deserve.

 

CEREMONY OF HEROES AND HEROINES WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM @KASIBCNEWS

CEREMONY OF HEROES AND HEROINES WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM @KASIBCNEWS 

PRETORIA ON 27 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 11H00

Programme Directors

His Excellency, President of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril

Ramaphosa

President of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Cde Mzwanele Nyhontso

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Cde Angie Motshekga

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton Mackenzie

High Commissioner of Zimbabwe to South Africa, His Excellency Hambaziripa High Commission of Zambia to South Africa, Her Excellency Mazuba Monze

Premier of the North-West Province, Cde Lazarus Mokgosi

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sports and Recreation, Cde Matome Chiloane

Families, Friends and Relatives of our heroes

Comrades and Compatriots

Today, we welcome home gallant sons and daughters of the South African soil, who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we all can gather here today as a free people. 

These illustrious men and women, whose remains are finally brought  home after decades of exile, represent different generations, united by the  yearning to liberate their motherland. 

They represent the well-known, such as ANC Secretary General Duma  Nokwe and head of the ANC Women’s Section Florence Mophoshe, journalist Todd Matshikza and Wankie campaigner Basil February as well as other unsung freedom fighters, who are all heroes and heroines of our liberation struggle. Today we pay homage and express our profound gratitude to them and their families for their immense contribution to our freedom. 

They came from all over the country, from Alexandra to Zeerust, Cape  Town to Soweto, Durban to Mdantsane, Bloemfontein to Mahikeng, the East Rand to Ivavuma, paying testimony that our struggle against apartheid tyranny, was a truly national struggle.

This homecoming is a culmination of extensive work that spans a number of years by the ANC government. Many hurdles had to be overcome to correctly trace the final resting places of these and many more other  combatants. 

Some have been quick to claim easy victories and arrogate this homecoming to their preferred leaders. This homecoming is a culmination of years of painstaking work by the ANC to fulfil a commitment to the  families to bring their loved ones home. 

We were pleased when in March 2021, the Cabinet of the 6th Administration approved the National Policy on Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects. The implementation of this policy is driven by the Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the Deputy President.

This then paved the way for this first group of 47 freedom fighters, who were buried in Zambia and Zimbabwe, to be exhumed and repatriated.

This will be followed by comrades buried in countries like Tanzania, Angola, Uganda, Lesotho, Mozambique, and many more.

Over the last century since the establishment of the ANC in 1912, our people have fought heroic battles against colonial and apartheid tyranny.

These battles were waged in many fronts. From internal resistance inside the country to armed combat in the frontline states to the capitals of the world who rallied behind the anti-apartheid movement.

The brutality of the apartheid regime and the banning of the ANC alongside many other progressive organizations in the country led us to the underground and exile, where we continued to wage our struggle.

Indeed, many of our comrades went into exile so they could contribute in different ways to the liberation of our country. We remain grateful to the many nations of the world who embraced our people, supported our struggle, trained our people and provided our movement with the much-needed resources to wage our struggle in different terrains. The role of the frontline states who stood as a bulwark against the aggression of the apartheid state gave our struggle momentum and rallied the continent and the world behind our struggle.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the indelible role played by the countries where these comrades mortal remains were repatriated from:

Zambia and Zimbabwe. Zambia, led by President Kenneth Kaunda gave home to the ANC and other liberation movements, providing for ANC headquarters, training camps, and the education of our children and young people. It did so whilst still busy rebuilding their own country, after just attaining their own independence from colonialism in 1964. In the spirit of true Pan Africanist, the government and peoples of Zambia vowed that they can’t be free until all peoples of Africa and Southern Africa are also free. And they put deed to word. We remain forever grateful. Zambia also ensured the ANC’s sonic presence in the airwaves in the form of Radio Freedom, which enabled the ANC to shape the course of the unfolding struggle and internal political developments.

Zimbabwe too, like us fought a long and hard struggle for her independence and freedom against a regime, like the apartheid regime, that was determined to cling to power at all costs. It was for this reason that we found common cause with the freedom fighters and freedom loving people of Zimbabwe, expressed in the joint Wankie and Sipolilo Campaigns of Umkhonto we Sizwe and ZIPRA in 1967 and 1968. Once she attained her independence in 1980, Zimbabwe too provided offices to the liberation movements and played a critical role in uniting the Frontline states against apartheid South Africa.

Both Zambia and Zimbabwe became victims not only of cross border raids and strikes, but also assassinations, bombs, grenades and other attacks. 

Despite these they remained steadfast in their solidarity with the liberation movements and peoples of South Africa.

It was Egyptian intellectual Edward Sa-id who said:

“Exile is strangely compelling to think about but terrible to experience. It is the unhealable rift forced between a human being and a native place, between the self and its true home: its essential sadness can never be surmounted. And while it is true that literature and history contain heroic, romantic, glorious, even triumphant episodes in an exile’s life, these are no more than efforts meant to overcome the crippling sorrow of estrangement.”

This estrangement impacted particularly harshly on the families of those of our comrades who went to exile. Often not knowing where their loved ones ended up, what they endured and experienced, let alone when and if they will ever see them again.

Unfortunately for those in whose honour we hold this Homecoming Ceremony today, they were never able to taste the fruits of freedom in their homeland, let alone see their loved ones.

It is therefore important that we continue with this programme, working with families, to bring home the remains of those who passed away in exile, so that we may all begin to have closure and heal.

Amandla!!

 

Mpumalanga Dams record another drop @KASIBCNEWS

Mpumalanga Dams record another drop @KASIBCNEWS

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) calls on the public to use the available water wisely and sparingly, as dam levels in Mpumalanga record a marginal decrease from last week’s 86.0% to 85.1% in the current. 

A weekly status of dam levels report issued by the Department also shows a decrease in the Water Management Areas (WMA). The Olifants WMA dropped from 78.0% to 77.0% and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dropped from 87.5% to 87.0%. In terms of the districts, Ehlanzeni dropped from 86.5% to 85.4%, Gert Sibande dropped from 83.9% to 83.4%, and Nkangala dropped from 89.1% to 87.7%. 

The department notes that there are no improvements recorded in most dams across the province, with only a few dams remaining unchanged and the majority recording declines.

The listed dams which recorded declines in water levels in Ehlanzeni District and the Lowveld include Blyderivierpoort from 79.0% to 76.6%, Buffelskloof from 66.7% to 63.6%, Witklip from 83.8% to 82.1%, Kwena from 82.1% to 79.9%, Da Gama from 89.6% to 87.8%, Inyaka from 89.9% to 88.7%, and Ohrigstad from 35.0% to 29.9%.

The dams that remained unchanged in the Lowveld include Driekoppies Dam at 92.7%, Longmere at 91.1%, Klipkopjes at 85.4%, and Primkop at 50.8%.

In Gert Sibande District, Grootdraai Dam dropped from 77.1% to 76.0%, Nooitgedacht from 79.8% to 79.2%, Vygeboom from 98.1% to 96.9%, and Westoe from 36.4% to 36.0%. 

All the listed dams in the Nkangala District continue to decrease in water volumes with Witbank Dam further dropping from 92.5% to 91.0%, Middelburg Dam from 85.4% to 84.3%, Loskop Dam from 90.2% to 88.5%, and Rhenosterkop Dam from 86.1% to 85.5%.

The department urges residents to fix and report water leaks, while using water sparingly. 

 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile undertakes working visit to Ireland @KASIBCNEWS

Deputy President Paul Mashatile undertakes working visit to Ireland @KASIBCNEWS

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on 27 – 28 September 2024, undertake a working visit to Ireland. The visit is aimed at reinforcing South Africa’s historic and warm bilateral relations with Ireland.

Upon arrival in Ireland, the Deputy President will meet his Irish counterpart, Prime Minister Simon Harris, to reaffirm the strong political and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

South Africa and Ireland established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago. Political and economic relations between South Africa and Ireland encompass a broad spectrum of cooperation, such as trade and investment, education, science and innovation and gender equality. Ireland’s developmental programmes have greatly assisted many initiatives in South Africa since 1994, and the partnership continues to this day.

During the visit, the Deputy President will participate in the South Africa-Ireland Trade and Investment Round Table with Irish companies that are already invested in or intend to invest in South Africa, he is expected to deliver remarks at the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering connections between the South Africa and Irish tech ecosystems.

The Deputy President will be accompanied to Ireland by the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Andrew Whitfield.

The Deputy President will then proceed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain (UK) from 29 September – 04 October 2024. The visit will focus on showcasing South Africa as an investment destination of choice and strive to identify and create new trade opportunities for South African businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.

The UK is one of South Africa’s most significant bilateral partners in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in trade, investment, skills development, science, innovation, the Just Energy Transition and tourism, among others.

The Deputy President will engage selected investors and trade partners invited in cooperation with economic partners in the UK, and deliver a lecture at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University in London, focusing on South Africa’s forthcoming Presidency of the G20.

The Deputy President will also pay a courtesy call on the Duke of Edinburgh, and meet the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Ms Angela Rayner.

The Deputy President will be accompanied to the United Kingdom by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola; the Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Maropene Ramokgopa; the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson; the Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni Abrahams; the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ms Rosemary Capa; the Deputy Minister Finance, Mr David Masondo; the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mr Kenneth Morolong and the Deputy Minister Trade Industry and Competition, Mr Andrew Whitfield.

 

Urgent Court Interdict against John Hlophe @KASIBCNEWS

Urgent Court Interdict against Jon Hlophe @KASIBCNEWS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the Western Cape High Court’s decision to grant an urgent interdict preventing Dr. John Hlophe from taking up his seat on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). This is a landmark victory for the DA and for the integrity of South Africa’s judiciary.

The court's decision affirms our position and strengthens the fight to maintain the highest standards of integrity within our judiciary. An impeached judge, found guilty of gross misconduct, should not hold a position on the JSC, a body entrusted with the responsibility of selecting judges and upholding the highest standards of judicial integrity.

This ruling is a major step in safeguarding the independence and credibility of our judicial system. Allowing Dr. Hlophe, who was impeached after a long and contentious legal process, to influence the selection of future judges would have severely damaged public trust in our judiciary and compromised the principles that uphold our democracy.

Today’s ruling is a clear victory for all South Africans who believe in an impartial and ethical judiciary. It underscores that those tasked with overseeing and selecting our judges must be held to the highest standards of conduct. We remain committed to upholding the rule of law and defending the values enshrined in our Constitution.

The DA will continue in its fight to ensure that our judiciary remains independent, transparent, and free from political interference.

 

R1-billion New Driver’s Licence printing machines @KASIBCNEWS

R1-billion New Driver’s Licence printing machines @KASIBCNEWS 

In response to a RISE Mzansi parliamentary question, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has stated that the current driver’s licence production machines have reached the end of their lifespan, meaning that three new machines, totalling a cost of R1,003,223,784 need to be procured. Each machine costs R334,407,928.

RISE Mzansi is calling on the Minister of Transport to take the nation into her confidence and to be transparent, without interfering in the work of the bidding committee, by providing an update to South Africans on how far the process is, as the last update on this matter was given more than 3months ago on 10 June 2024.

In light of the current machines reaching their lifespan, RISE Mzansi can further disclose that between 2019/20 and 2023/24 R21,091,201,32 was spent maintaining the current equipment, with R870,000 budgeted for the current financial year.

What is vital with the new procurement is that the equipment is serviced and maintained locally so there are no delays in ensuring that South African drivers are able to obtain their driving permits without delays.

 

GAUTENG HEALTH JOURNEY CLEAN AUDIT

GAUTENG HEALTH JOURNEY CLEAN AUDIT @KASIBCNEWS

SERVICE DELIVERY 

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is committed to ongoing reforms to strengthen governance, procurement processes and service delivery in its journey towards a clean audit outcome. 

These reforms continue to be be implemented in the current financial year  (2024/25) in order to address audit findings and improve operational efficiency within the GDoH. They include comprehensive improvements in procurement systems and processes, contract and asset management, with the main focus being on enhancing compliance, reducing irregular expenditure, and addressing service delivery concerns, particularly in critical areas such as medical and  mental health services and food supply at facilites.

While the GDoH has maintained an unqualified audit opinion with findings in the  2023/24 reporting cycle, it is important to contexualise the position of the Department in regard to the audit outcome and various announcements that have been made regarding its overall performance.

The overall audit outcomes highlight improvements on financial statements in  which the number of areas where adjustment was required has improved from 7 in 2019 to only 4 in the 2023/24 reporting cycle. These include Movable Tangible  Capital Assets, Assets Under Investigation, Contingent Liabilities and Accrued  Departmental Revenue. Considering that assets have been grouped together, this makes it only three areas. 

To ensure compliance in these areas, the Department is conducting asset verification across all its entities while also looking at ways to address system challenges such as reviewing of applicable policies and standard operating procedures.

In the case of contingent liabilities, the Department has made significant progress  which has seen a decrease in the rand value of the medico-legal claims from R18 billion to R13.2 billion (a reduction of approximately R4,8 billion) owing to various  interventions such as mediation, administrative archiving and public healthcare  defense. It is important to clarify that contingent liability does not constitute actual  payments of finalised cases but the amount that signify potential legal exposure based on submitted claims which are still to be verified.

It should be noted that the overall audit outcome for performance reporting  highlights an improvement on Health Facilities Management and identified material findings which were subsequently corrected by management leading to  an unqualified audit opinion. The material findings were as a result of non-adherence to the processes on how data should be collated and reported in the annual performance report. 

Amongst other key interventions that have been implemented in the GDoH’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) includes the introduction of compliance and  oversight where all procurement between R500,000 and R1 million is vetted by the Gauteng Provincial Treasury before any purchase orders are created. This  oversight ensures that all procurement actions are transparent and meet  regulatory and legal requirements.

The GDoH’s SCM Policy has also undergone a thorough review, resulting in the  introduction of stricter procedures to align with Treasury regulations. There has 

also been the introduction of Quotation Adjudication Committees across all  health institutions to review procurement activities between R2 001 and R1 million to ensure no procedural missteps. This is vital in preventing irregular expenditures and ensuring compliance across all institutions.

To address contract management, several important contracts have been finalised, addressing longstanding challenges with extended contract  management, which previously led to irregular expenditures. Key contracts  include for services including physical security, waste removal, radiation oncology services, food supply, mental health services, and medical equipment.

 

Gauteng Health Department paid R3.9 million to absent Cuban Doctors

 Gauteng Health Department paid R3.9 million to absent Cuban Doctors @KASIBCNEWS

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has disclosed in a written reply to my questions that R3.9 million was paid to 7 Cuban doctors who had left South Africa to go back to Cuba.

This expensive bungle happened as 28 Cuban doctors were hired on a one-year contract to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic, but the contracts for seven of them were irregularly extended for another year.

Instead of their contracts terminating on 14 May 2021, they continued to receive salaries without working until May 2022.

According to the MEC: "The officials who extended the contracts allege to have not been aware that the Cuban Healthcare Workers were no longer in the country."

This oversight has been flagged by the Auditor General as a "Material Irregularity".

An investigation has led to the recovery of R1.2 million, and disciplinary charges have been laid against the responsible officials.

The Cuban government has also been contacted to recover the outstanding money.

It boggles the mind that seven foreign doctors were paid for an entire year when they were not even in the country.

It is also outrageous that R2.7 million is still not recovered more than two years after this wasteful expenditure, and the officials concerned have not yet been disciplined.

It's yet another example of deep incompetence and possible corruption in this department.

As in the DA-run Western Cape Health Department, the DA in Gauteng believes there is no reason to hire Cuban doctors when so many local doctors are unemployed.

The priority should always be the best use of the available budget to provide quality healthcare.

REPATRIATION OF EXILED LIBERATION FIGHTERS

REPATRIATION OF EXILED LIBERATION FIGHTERS @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the long-awaited repatriation of our brave liberation fighters who laid down their lives in the struggle against apartheid. The beginning of the return of 49 comrades from Zimbabwe and Zambia, who died in exile, is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in pursuit of our freedom. We express our deep gratitude to the Zimbabwean and Zambian governments, whose support during our shared struggle for liberation will never be forgotten. 

Together with our comrades across borders, we fought against colonialism and apartheid, standing side by side in the battle for justice and dignity. Their solidarity was crucial then, and today’s repatriation reflects the enduring bonds between our peoples. Many of these freedom fighters were forced into exile to continue the struggle from beyond our borders when the apartheid regime intensified its oppression. Unable to fight openly within South Africa, these comrades found refuge in countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. From there, they organised military campaigns, trained new cadres, and built pan-African solidarity for the anti-apartheid movement. Exile was not just a physical departure from home, but a continuation of the struggle in different terrains, and it contributed enormously to the eventual downfall of apartheid. 

The solidarity and support they garnered from the African community strengthened the fight for our freedom. Their sacrifices in exile, often living under harsh conditions far from their families, are a vital part of the story of how South Africans, both inside and outside the country, united to bring down a brutal regime.
However, this moment is also a painful reminder of the freedoms that the ANC-led government has recklessly squandered over the last three decades. While this repatriation brings long-overdue closure to many families, it is a stark symbol of the ANC’s neglect—only now, as we mark 30 years of democracy, are these heroes being honoured with the respect they deserve. The ANC has failed to prioritise the dignity of our fallen comrades, waiting until now to remember the sacrifices of those who once stood shoulder to shoulder with them. Furthermore, this repatriation calls attention to the many unresolved atrocities committed under apartheid, where justice has yet to be served. From the murders of activists such as Nokuthula Simelane, the Cradock Four, and the hundreds of disappearances and killings orchestrated by the apartheid regime, many of these cases remain unsolved. 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), while initially seen as a vehicle for healing, has proven ineffective in delivering justice for these crimes. The TRC’s failure to hold key apartheid perpetrators accountable has left many families without the closure they deserve, and the ANC has done little to advance these cases since. True reconciliation cannot be achieved without justice, and the lack of meaningful follow-through on TRC recommendations reflects the government’s abandonment of the liberation ideals it once championed. Let it also be known that by forming an unholy alliance with the DA, the very descendants of apartheid architects, the ANC is spitting in the faces of these fallen freedom fighters. Joining hands with those who once upheld the system of oppression is a betrayal of the blood spilled for our liberation. As the EFF, we stand in solidarity with the families of these fighters and honour their legacy. We call for this process of repatriation to be expedited, so that every freedom fighter, regardless of their political affiliation, is finally brought home. We must not allow their memories to be tarnished by delay or neglect. 

We must also not forget that over 1,000 of our freedom fighters remain buried across the world, from Africa to Europe and the Americas. The EFF will continue to encourage that all of these fallen heroes be brought home, to their final resting place, where they can be honoured with the dignity and respect they deserve. Let this be a reminder to all South Africans of the ongoing fight for true economic freedom, which remains incomplete as long as the ideals for which these heroes fought continue to be undermined.

GAUTENG SPORT AWARDS (GSA) AS CLOSING DATE LOOMS

GAUTENG SPORT AWARDS (GSA) AS CLOSING DATE LOOMS 

 The 2023/24 year has witnessed outstanding sporting achievements by South African teams and athletes, many of whom are based in Gauteng. Events such as the recent Olympics, the Under 20 World Athletics Championships, the Rugby World Cup, the Netball World Cup, and football have brought joy and hope to many South Africans, showcasing success in both the field and administration of various sports. With only 09 days to go before the close of nominations for the 20204 Gauteng Sport Awards (GSA) nominees, the organisers of the Awards are calling for the public to finalise their submissions before closing day. Sports fans, federations, clubs and everybody are permitted to submit their nominations. Nominations should be based on achievements between August 1, 2023, and September 15, 2024, for Gauteng-based athletes, teams, clubs, and more. 

There are 20 unchanged awards categories from previous years including; Sportsperson of the Year, Personality of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Sports Team of the Year, Disabled Sports Team of the Year, Disabled Sportsman of the Year, Disabled Sportswoman of the Year, Coach of the Year, Most Promising Athlete of the Year, Technical Official of the Year, Sports Federation of the Year, Amayanga-Yanga Player of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Community-Based Sport and Recreation Programme of the Year, Sport Photographer of the Year, Community Sport Media of the Year, Sports Journalist of the Year (print, radio, and television), Fan of the Year, as well as Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The GSAs are organised by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation working through the Gauteng Sport Confederation. The prestigious awards ceremony will be held on 17 November 2024.
NB: Methods of sending nominations: 1. Online using the following link: https://sportapps.gauteng.gov.za/SportAwards/nominations/index. php Fill in the form electronically and email to the following email SportsAwards@gauteng.gov.za 2. Physically- Print out the form, fill it in and submit it at the following centres:  Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation - Head Office; 35 Rissik Street Johannesburg, Surrey House Building  North Corridor (Tshwane), 111 Swaan Street, East Lynne  South Corridor (Sedibeng) CCMA Building, Cnr Kruger and Edward Street, First Floor, Vereeniging,  West Corridor (West Rand) Corner Bram and Retief Street, Toekomsrus Stadium  East Corridor (Ekurhuleni), Faranani Multipurpose Centre, Tsakani  Gauteng Sports Council, Gauteng Sports House- Johannes Stadium 011- 402 1971/2/3 NB: The forms are to be accompanied by extra supporting documentation including but not limited to CV/Profiles; Testimonials; Photos etc

MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AMONGST TEACHERS

MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AMONGST TEACHERS @KASIBCNEWS 

 The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes, with concern, the escalating mental health crisis among South Africa’s teachers. Our educators, the backbone of our nation’s future, are being overwhelmed by unbearable workloads, compounded by budget cuts that have left our classrooms understaffed. A recent study revealed that an overwhelming majority of teachers surveyed are in dire need of crisis intervention, including hotlines, counselling, and mentorship. 

The mental health toll on our teachers is a silent epidemic—one that is being ignored by a government that has cut funding for education at a time when our children need it most. In Gauteng alone, teachers are occupying more than half the beds in wellness centres due to stress-related issues, while teachers in KwaZulu-Natal are relying on anti-depressants just to cope with the demands of their profession. As more teachers leave the profession due to burnout and depression, the remaining teachers are burdened with even greater responsibilities, leading to a vicious cycle of stress and incapacity. This is a national emergency. The EFF has long called for social workers to be embedded in our schools, providing psychological support to both learners and teachers. Our educators should not be expected to bear the emotional burdens of their students in addition to their already overwhelming teaching and administrative responsibilities. 

 The ANC has diabolically failed the entire education sector, betraying both the African child and the teachers meant to serve them. Under their watch, our education system has deteriorated to such an extent that South African students are trailing behind the world in literacy, with many unable to read at age-appropriate levels. This is not just a failure of policy, but a direct consequence of a government more focused on looting than on development.

 
Mud schools, a disgraceful relic of apartheid, still exist in 2024. School transport is almost non-existent, and in many areas, it has had to be sacrificed just to retain teachers in understaffed classrooms. Feeding schemes, which should ensure no child goes hungry while trying to learn, are being systematically sabotaged through corrupt tender processes that lack any form of accountability.And now, the Ministry of Basic Education is now being led by a DA minister—a party whose interests lie not in improving education but in advancing their divisive, racist politics. 

Their indifference was made clear when Minister Gwarube could not even attend the signing of the crucial BELA bill aimed at addressing the urgent challenges in education. With such leadership, the prospect of reform in our education sector is dim. The DA in education brings nothing but a continuation of the negligence that has plagued our schools for decades, leaving little hope for meaningful change for our teachers and learners. They are focused on their pursuit of privatising education, a guaranteed cash cow for white capital, and not in a quality public education system that could uplift the African child. 

The EFF, therefore, stands with the educators who have voiced their struggles and those who feel helpless and voiceless in a system that values their output more than their well-being. We will continue to advocate for a reduction in the teacher-to-pupil ratio to 1:30 for primary schools and 1:25 for secondary schools through the construction of new schools and employment of all teachers currently unemployed. In addition, there needs to be #TeachersMatter campaign, focusing on the professiona and personal needs of teachers. 

This initiative will provide training in soft skills, emotional wellness, financial literacy, and debt management. Furthermore, we need to ensure that two social workers and one nurse are appointed per school to offer counselling, career guidance, and healthcare, addressing the overall wellbeing of teachers and creating a supportive environment for both educators and learners.

PARLIAMENT DEBATE ON THE PROPOSED ELECTRICITY TARIFF INCREASES

 

PARLIAMENT  DEBATE ON THE PROPOSED ELECTRICITY TARIFF INCREASES

@KASIBCNEWS

South Africans are a resilient people, and whilst we understand and even empathise with the current cost of living expenses that we are all experiencing, we find ourselves at a crossroads in so far as the recent decision by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to grant Eskom’s application to retrospectively recover R8 billion for the 2021/2022 financial year.

The debate today to discuss this crucial matter in Parliament is unfortunately not  one the ANC relishes, as we understand the gravity of the situation and why it is imperative for this tariff increase to be effected.

NERSA is the regulatory authority of the energy sector in South Africa and its mandate includes the regulation of the electricity supply industry. and thus, this Energy Regulator must regulate electricity prices and tariffs. In other words, its applicable by law that NERSA determines the tariffs that Eskom charges at a level that allows it to recover revenue for generating electricity.

Eskom needs to be reimbursed for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

It has accumulated a growing municipal debt which necessitated bailouts from the treasury.

What this has meant is that electricity prices are determined, and consumers face the burden of paying for this service. Whilst the ANC understands the massive gains made by Eskom in keeping the lights on for 176 consecutive days, and the difficult financial challenges they face, we want to make it clear that any massive increase in the cost of electricity at this stage is untenable. The ANC believes that as our Minister and government develop an innovative approach to determine the cost of electricity in our country, we need urgent interventions to reduce the burden on consumers.

We should also resist the temptation to create panic by spreading unconfirmed information about tariff increases. Disingenuous arguments which seek to conflate the need and cost of this tariff increase with scoring political points are unconscionable. The Democratic Alliance is hypocritical in this regard. In several areas across the Southern Suburbs and Cape Flats, residents have accused the DA-run City of Cape Town of exorbitant electricity fare increases following the installation of new power meters. By invoking the ire of residents against the proposed tariff, the DA wilfully ignores that they have already subjected those residents to the DA electricity price increases.

The ANC is acutely aware of the strain this has placed our people under, and we will not relent in our fight to advance the fundamental programme of inclusive growth and employment creation, the war on poverty and the high cost of living. In the debate today, our speakers will focus on one of the issues to be raised by the Minister of Electricity in Parliament this afternoon, vis-à-vis, that treasury has provided funds to supply 50khw of electricity to 10 million indigent households, but only 2 million households are currently benefitting. It is critical that our government and SALGA deals with this matter. As the ANC, we will today make clear our support for a process which leads to a bigger amount of free electricity to be provided to indigent households in the new budget.

We must always seek the truth through facts. We must find solutions based on evidence and scientific analysis. In all that we do, the ANC will fight to lower the cost of living for the people of our country - the rural poor, the unemployed, the working class as well as the middle class.

The focus on the implementation of our Energy Action Plan targeting Eskom’s Plant performance and transmission maintenance and development, was solidified when President

Ramaphosa recently signed into law the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill. The Bill seeks to open pathways to greater competition and reduced energy costs; increase investment in new generation capacity to achieve energy security; establish an independent transmission company as the custodian of the national grid; and impose severe penalties for damage to and sabotage of infrastructure.

The ANC also commends Eskom, its board, management and all its employees who have worked tirelessly to ensure that load shedding remains but a distant memory. 

Stable electricity supply is imperative for economic growth in our country. We appeal to our people to remain focussed on the bigger picture of growing our economy and we must come together to support the generation recovery plan.

MOTHER BREATHES SIGH OF RELIEF AS SON IS ADMITTED TO REHABILITATION CENTRE

MOTHER BREATHES SIGH OF RELIEF AS SON IS ADMITTED TO REHABILITATION CENTRE

Jane Mtshwane, a resident of Ekangala, expressed her gratitude after her 39-year-old son was admitted for treatment at the Dr Fabian andFlorence Ribeiro Treatment Centre in Cullinan today.

"As a family, we are relieved and grateful that my son got this opportunity.

From my interaction with the staff, I feel confident that he’s in the right place to turn his life around", said Mshwane, as this marked a new

beginning for his son, and is looking forward to the programme impacting his son and family positively.

He son is amongst a group of individuals who were admitted today at the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre, which is 100% run by

the Gauteng Department of Social Development. The youngest admission today was a 14-year-old boy.

The admitted substance users, who are seeking support in their battle against drug addiction, represent a critical step in the Department’s

ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to those in need.

This initiative follows a commitment made by Gauteng Social Development MEC, Faith Mazibuko, during the Ke Moja Friday outreach program in Saulsville and Mamelodi last week Friday. During the event,

she pledged that the Department would actively support individuals struggling with addiction by offering them access to rehabilitation programs.

“We have secured space at the Dr. Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre in Cullinan to provide a safe and supportive environment for those who are committed to overcoming addiction,” said MEC Mazibuko. "Our aim is to help them not only break free from substance abuse but also equip them with life skills to rebuild their lives."

The Department of Social Development plans to admit more individuals by the end of the week, offering them a six-week rehabilitation program.  Upon completion, participants will have access to skills development

opportunities, ensuring a holistic approach to recovery and reintegration into society.

This initiative highlights the Department's commitment to providing much-needed support to those that are struggling with substance addiction and their families, with the goal of fostering healthier communities across Gauteng.

 

Ekurhuleni’s Fight going to Parliament

 Ekurhuleni’s Fight going to Parliament 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni is deeply concerned with the ongoing energy and water crises, particularly in Germiston, and has taken the fight for Ekurhuleni’s residents to Parliament.

It has become clear that the city's electricity and water department is failing, with days of outages and no commitment from the Mayor to resolve the crisis. Some of the issues the municipality faces are:

- Crippling staff shortages;

- An inadequate maintenance budget;

- Standby teams lack vehicles;

- There is no funding available for essential repairs; and

- Operating with staff levels of under 70%, while the metro welcomes new residents daily.

Residents, pushed to breaking point, are threatening rates boycotts. Last week, the Mayor called a public meeting in Germiston's Ward 39 to address these concerns, but failed to attend, leaving the community deeply frustrated. Tempers flared, leading to a physical altercations and public representatives' safety was put at risk. This is unacceptable.

In addition to this, NERSA’s proposed 40% tariff hike will feel to residents who are already paying the price for years of fraud, corruption, and mismanagement, like an additional charge payable for services they do not receive.

We urge national government to instate a consequence management system hold the Mayor, the City Manager, and the HOD of Energy accountable. The Mayor must be held responsible for endangering the safety of both residents and public representatives.

We urge immediate action to ensure accountability and respect for the community.