EFF ALL SYSTEMS GO NPA 2024 @KASIBCNEWS The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is going to the 3rd National People's Assembly (NPA), which will be held between the 12th and 15th of December 2024 at Johannesburg NASREC Expo Centre, under the theme,   “DEFEND, REBUILD, AND ADVANCE THE STRUGGLE FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOM.”  The NPA is the highest decision-making body of the EFF, convened by the democratically elected Central Command Team (CCT) every five years. This gathering is attended by 90% of delegates from branches of the EFF. Since we released guidelines on the 30th of July 2024, out of 2,123 branches that meet the requirements to convene a Branch People's Assembly/Branch General Assembly, a total of 1,100 branches met, elected new leadership and programmes of action and delegates to the NPA.  A branch that meets the requirements is a branch that has 100 paid-up members who are registered to vote in their branch and received a minimum of 10% of the votes in the 2024 National a...

CITY OF TSHWANE NEW MAYOR @KASIBCNEWS The National Working Committee of the African National Congress gave a final go-ahead to the team led by the Secretary General to conclude negotiations on the election of a new Mayor of the City of Tshwane.  The election of the Executive Mayor will take place today, Wednesday 9 October 2024. This process follows a successful motion of no-confidence against the then Mayor, Celliers Brink. The motion of no-confidence was brought by the ANC with the support of seven other parties on the basis of high levels of dissatisfaction with the state of the City. Since the DA took over Tshwane in 2016, the Capital City has experienced a dramatic and sustained deterioration with regard to governance and service delivery to communities.  Eight years of DA-led coalitions and five Mayors have achieved nothing other than driving the Capital City to the brink of administrative collapse. The City of Tshwane is a shadow of its former self. Across the Capita...

President Cyril Ramaphosa mourns the passing of Pastor Ray McCauley @KASIBCNEWS President Cyril Ramaphosa has learned with sadness of the passing of Pastor Raynor “Ray” McCauley, founder of the Rhema Bible Church and former Co-Chair of the National Interfaith Council of South Africa. The President offers his deep condolences to Mrs Zelda McCauley, Pastor Ray’s children, the extended family and the large community of the Rhema Bible Church. Pastor McCauley has passed away at the age of 75 years. President Ramaphosa said: “Pastor Ray’s passing leaves our deeply spiritual nation bereft of a remarkable leader whose impressive legacy lives on in the faith of hundreds of thousands of believers within and beyond the Rhema community. “May his soul rest in peace.”

  SOWETO UPRISING AGAINST FOREIGNERS SPAZA SHOPS @KASIBCNEWS  MEC MAILE CALLS FOR CALM IN SOWETO  MEC of Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile will visit Soweto this weekend to interact with spaza shop owners and informal traders.  MEC Maile has received disturbing reports to the effect that the residents of Naledi / Tladi, in Soweto, are destroying, shutting down and looting foreign-owned spaza shops .  "I will visit the affected areas (Soweto) this coming weekend to interact with spaza shop owners and informal traders", said MEC Maile.  MEC Maile has urged the community to remain calm and desist from taking the law into their own hands, in response to the tragedy that befell school learners who died after allegedly consuming contaminated snacks.  "We don't want lawlessness in Gauteng and people should not take the law into their own hands. We will intensify the Qondis' Ishishini Lakho – Fix Your Business campaign, as a powerful instrument t...

LIMPOPO AND GAUTENG HIGHSPEED RAIL LINK @KASIBCNEWS The Limpopo and Gauteng Provincial Governments, led by Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi, convened a strategic meeting today to advance plans for the proposed high-speed rail network linking Limpopo and Gauteng.  The meeting took place at the Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro in Mookgophong, Waterberg, on 09 October 2024. A key outcome of the meeting was the approval of the implementation protocol document by both Premiers, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development.  The meeting also initiated the process for the nomination and appointment of a Joint Project Manager, confirmed the cost-sharing mechanism and proposed the budget for the prefeasibility study. Additionally, both provinces agreed to engage in joint consultations with the Ministries of Finance, Transport, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Trade, Industry and Competition, and the Presidency to secure b...

Chinese Nationals charged with Human Trafficking and Child Labour @KASIBCNEWS  The defence in the trial of seven Chinese nationals charged with human trafficking and child labour yesterday (4 October) closed its case after calling its last witness to take a stand. In the trial the defence closed its case after having only called accused number one to testify. Amil Thousaad (27), a Malawian national who took a brief stand in Gauteng Division of the High Court (Johannesburg) as a defence witness on Wednesday continued with his testimony yesterday. On Wednesday proceedings had to be brought to a halt after Thousaad took an oath and told the Court that he was comfortable in testifying in English. No sooner had he taken the stand he was battling to give testimony and Court decided to enlist the services of a Chichewe interpreter. Thousaad continued on his testimony on his association with the Chinese, whom he said he had been working for since 2018, when he arrived in South Africa. Trou...

  Nigeria Dumps Oil Trade in US Dollars @KASIBCNEWS  The Nigeria’s official shift to conducting crude oil and refined petroleum product sales in Naira as of October 1, 2024.  This move aligns with a directive from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), announced by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.  The initiative aims to boost transparency, self-sufficiency, and stability in Nigeria’s economy.  The decision was supported by key stakeholders, including prominent figures in government and industry.  This is seen as a bold strategic step by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

TERS Budget from R400Million to R2.4Billion @KASIBCNEWS  The Department of Employment and Labour has announced an increase in the budget for its Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) from R400 million to R2.4 billion, for the current financial year. This significant boost aims to assist companies in distress and prevent employee layoffs amid unstable economic conditions, as revealed by Minister Nomakhosazana Meth. About TERS TERS is an intervention by the Department of Employment and Labour that provides financial assistance to companies in distress for up to 12 months. The scheme enables employers to retain employees by covering their salaries while the company focuses on implementing a turnaround strategy to remain operational. During this period, employers are only required to cover employee social costs such as provident fund and medical aid contributions. Productivity SA, an entity under the Department, offers turnaround strategy solutions to companies in distress. ...

Police on manhunt for  Qumbu killers @KASIBCNEWS  The Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene strongly condemns the senseless and a brutal ambush of community patrollers, where six people were fatally shot, and four were injured at the Lugongozo Junior Secondary School in Tina Falls near Qumbu last night. It is alleged that on Sunday, 6 October 2024 around 22:45, a group of at least eight (08) men, who were armed with rifles and handguns opened fire to a group of community patrollers.  Six people succumbed to their injuries, and four victims were rushed to the nearest hospital. It is said that the patrollers were at a local school, and were preparing for their evening patrols when they were attacked.  The suspects (unknown) are still at large, and a motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage.  Police are urging anyone with information that could assist our investigating team to contact a team leader on 082 301 77...

Soweto School Learners Poisoned @KASIBCNEWS MEC CHILOANE SADDENED BY DEATH OF FOUR LEARNERS IN SOWETO  Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation, Mr. Matome Chiloane, wishes to express his deep sadness over the tragic passing of four learners, three from Karabo Primary School and one from Khauhelo Primary School, both located in Soweto. These learners allegedly died on Sunday, 6 October 2024, after consuming food that is suspected to have been poisoned. According to information at our disposal, a Grade 1 boy (age 7), a Grade 2 girl (age 8), and a Grade 3 boy (age 9) from Karabo Primary School sadly passed away on Sunday after allegedly consuming food suspected to have contained poison. Additionally, a Grade 1 boy learner from the school remains in ICU at a local medical facility after also having consumed the food. In a separate incident, an 8-year-old Grade 2 boy from Khauhelo Primary School also passed away on Sunday after allegedly consuming snacks purchas...

  NURSING INTAKE APPLICATIONS 2025 @KASIBCNEWS   Gauteng residents interested in studying nursing through the Gauteng Department of Health’s Gauteng College of Nursing (GCoN) in 2025 have until Friday, 11 October 2024 to submit their applications.  Potential students are encouraged to apply to study for a three-year Diploma in Nursing offered at one of GCoN’s four campuses: Ann Latsky, Bonalesedi, Chris Hani Baragwanath, or SG Lourens.  Applicants must be South African citizens residing in Gauteng and meet the specified educational requirements; a Senior Certificate (Standard 10), a National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4, with passes in key subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Life Sciences. Special consideration will be given to applicants from disadvantaged communities, including those from informal settlements, hostels, and rural areas within Gauteng. Individuals already working in the nursing profession as a...

SANDF crisis demands immediate action from Defence Minister Motshekga @KASIBCNEWS  Defence Minister Angie Motshekga's failure to provide a report on the state of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is a clear indication that the Force is in crisis. The report, due on 17 September, has not materialised, and the Auditor-General's recent revelation of significant flaws in the Department of Defence's financial management for 2023/24 further underscores this alarming situation. This raises questions about why Motshekga has not delivered the necessary report. In light of this, the DA has formally written to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms. Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, urging the Minister to fulfill her commitment to reporting to the House on why she disputes the DA’s assertion that South Africa’s Defence Force is indeed in crisis. Immediate accountability is essential for safeguarding our national security. On 3 September, Motshekga had the oppor...

  DA 2026 Local Government Election Plans @KASIBCNEWS This weekend, the Democratic Alliance (DA) held an extended Federal Executive (FedEx) meeting in Cape Town, where the party's leadership gathered to deliberate on the roadmap towards the 2026 Local Government Election. This crucial meeting, attended by the party’s national and provincial leadership, as well as senior staff from across the country, comes at a time when the DA is stronger and more unified than ever. The DA remains positive that it will continue its winning streak and is poised to secure even more metros and municipalities in the upcoming election. Based on the 2024 results, we can emerge as the biggest party in major metros. The successes of the 2024 election have set the DA on a powerful trajectory. We are more determined than ever to expand our footprint in 2026, which will further solidify our position to lead nationally and provincially in 2029. The response we receive from South Africans across all levels of ...

Oversight visit by Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation to Kopanong @KASIBCNEWS The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the oversight visit of Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo in Springfontein, Kopanong Local Municipality (KLM), on Saturday, 5 October 2024, following complaints regarding serious sewerage challenges in the municipality. Recently, local farmers were alarmed when their livestock was exposed to untreated sewage leaking into the veld from a nearby sewage treatment plant in Springfontein. Unfortunately, this is the case across Kopanong, with seven out of the nine sewage treatment plants being dysfunctional, not to mention the many blocked and overleaking sewerage manholes across Kopanong, many of which are in close proximity to rivers, dams and other water sources. The sporadic collection of refuse in KLM also negatively affects the sewerage system as was clear during the oversight visit. KLM must ensure effective delivery of refuse removal and civic education to lessen the ...

  Gauteng Premier Awards Departments 100% Unqualified Audits in 2023/24 @KASIBCNEWS Gauteng Premier awards departments and entities for maintaining 100% unqualified audits in 2023/24  Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has on Sunday, 6 October 2024, awarded departments and entities for achieving clean and unqualified audit outcomes noting that there has been a steady increase in the number of departments and entities achieving clean audits over the past three years.  Seven departments and 14 entities received clean audits while the seven departments and four entities received unqualified audit opinions in the 2023/24 financial year. Six departments sustained their clean audit opinions from the previous financial year.  The Community Safety improved from unqualified audit to a clean audit. Premier Lesufi noted that seven departments remained stagnant on unqualified opinions with findings in the current year. “We need to encourage them to work hard to get the clean a...