Gauteng Prioritises Service Delivery @KASIBCNEWS The Gauteng Local Government Turnaround Committee, also referred to as the Turnaround Committee, held its inaugural meeting today, 6 December 2024, in Johannesburg. The committee was established following the successful Gauteng Local Government Turnaround Summit held on 23–24 October 2024 in Mogale City, West Rand District. Its core mandate is to lead and oversee the implementation of decisions made during the summit. Building on the resolutions of the summit and directives from Premier Panyaza Lesufi, the Turnaround Committee has pledged to prioritise improvements in critical bulk infrastructure, including water, energy, waste management, roads, and disaster management. Additionally, the committee will intensify efforts to combat crime and improve community safety as it begins its work.  The committee is composed of Members of Mayoral Committees (MMCs) delegated by Mayors, as well as Municipal Managers, who have been tasked with lea...

ANC SECRETARY GENERAL  FIKILE MBALULA @KASIBCNEWS We have convened this Press Conference to take the nation into confidence against developments taking place in the country  and as a way of closing the vacuum against a false narrative that the country is rudderless.  These falsehoods instil uncertainty and worry in society.  The leadership role of the African National Congress is uncontested. We therefore reaffirm our ability to address problems confronting the country and we call upon society to defend democracy and collectively explore solutions. The African National Congress (ANC), as the leader of society and the custodian of the aspirations of the people, takes this opportunity to address critical issues facing our nation.  We assure our people that the ANC will not stand idle while lawlessness, criminality, and opportunism undermine the sovereignty of our country and the well-being of our citizens.  LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY ELECTIONS   The African Na...

Water and Sanitation on Water Storage Levels @KASIBCNEWS  Water Supply Systems remain stable although a slight decrease is observed in some of the storage reservoirs around the country. The declining water levels are attributed to climate conditions including lack of rainfall in most parts of the country as well as heatwaves that are being experienced in provinces such as Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, central and eastern regions of North West, northern areas of Free State, and the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.  The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) calls on all domestic, agricultural and industrial water users to continue using water with extreme caution during this time.  Members of the public are urged to keep hydrated by consuming enough liquids, keep away from direct sunlight, while being considerate in the use of available potable water in the system to ensure equitable access for all users during this heatwave.  The Department also warns communities t...

EFF BY-ELECTION OUTCOMES @KASIBCNEWS  The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) extends its gratitude to the people of Thabazimbi in Limpopo and Maquassi Hills in the North West for coming out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right in the recent municipal byelections. Your participation is a powerful affirmation of your commitment to building a better future and holding those in power accountable.  We are particularly proud of the growing support that the EFF has received in both Thabazimbi and Maquassi Hills. In the 2021 local government elections, the EFF secured 2 seats with 10.32% of the votes in Thabazimbi, and now following these by-elections, our support has grown to 13.32%, earning us 3 council seats. Similarly, in 2021, the EFF secured 5.78% of the votes in Maquassi Hills. In this 2024 by-election, this support has surged to an impressive 20.04%, a powerful testament to the growing strength and undeniable impact of the EFF.  This increase of votes reflect...

Employment Equity Amendment Act @KASIBCNEWS  The Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth, is pleased to announce that the Employment Equity Amendment Act, aimed at reducing the regulatory burden for small employers to allow them to focus on job creation, will come into effect on 1 January 2025.  President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the proclamation notice giving effect to the start date of implementation of the Employment Equity (EE) Amendment Act, No. 4 of 2022.  In terms of the notice gazetted on 28 November 2024, small businesses that employ less than 50 employees are no longer bound to comply with Chapter III of the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (EEA) for example, in relation to the submission of their EE reports starting from 2025 EE Reporting period. In terms of the 2024 EE report submission, which closes on 15 January 2025, employers must use the current legislation (EEA) to comply with the reporting requirements as per section 21 of t...

BY-LAW INSPECTION AT MZI CARWASH IN NEWTOWN @KASIBCNEWS  The Office of Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg conducted a by-law inspection at Mzi Carwash in Newtown, Johannesburg, today. The inspection followed complaints from residents in the area and was also part of the City's ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with its by-laws and to maintain a safe and healthy environment for residents and visitors.  During the inspection, the team comprising JMPD, Building Control, Town Planning, and EMS checked for compliance with various by-laws, including those related to health and safety, waste management, and zoning. The inspection found several areas of non compliance which include inadequate waste management practices, non-compliance with health and safety regulations, and several illegal unauthorized structures and zoning non-compliance. A 14-day notice has been issued to the property occupants to submit building plans and other related ...

ANC WELCOMES BY-ELECTION RESULTS @KASIBCNEWS The African National Congress (ANC) acknowledges the outcomes of the December 4th by-elections as an important step forward for our movement. While these results reflect continued trust from the people, they also serve as a reminder that we are not out of the woods yet.  The journey of rebuilding and renewing our movement, and delivering on the needs of our people, requires intensified effort and collective commitment. In Thabazimbi, Limpopo, we secured 10 wards, reflective of the support the ANC enjoys though much more could have been achieved. A significant victory in the Northern Cape saw the ANC reclaim a ward previously held by the Democratic Alliance (DA), signaling growing confidence in the ANC’s transformative agenda.  Moreover, in KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC achieved notable growth in a historically Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) ward, increasing its votes from 659 in 2021 and 211 on 29 May, to 914 votes in the latest by-election. ...

JMPD MISCONDUCT @KASIBCNEWS  The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Councillor Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, has responded swiftly to alarming footage circulating on social media, allegedly showing misconduct by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers.  This incident raises serious concerns about the misuse of state resources and the violation of public trust, which this administration will not tolerate. The MMC has directed JMPD Acting Chief Mr. Patrick Jaca and Acting HOD Ms. Vicky Manyathi to lead an immediate investigation into the matter. Suspension notices have already been issued to the officers implicated in the footage, and the JMPD Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an independent investigation to ensure full accountability and transparency.   This administration remains committed to ethical governance and will not allow the actions of a few to undermine the integrity of the JMPD or the trust the public places in law enforce...

THE VICTORY OF SWAPO AND THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT IN NAMIBIA @KASIBCNEWS The ANC Women's League celebrates the affirmation of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) by millions of Namibians as their only hope towards the attainment of a National Democratic Society. SWAPO is one of the most decorated liberation movements in Africa in both combat and as leader of the Namibian society. Its perseverance in the battlefield saw the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) fighting alongside our people's Umkhonto WeSizwe, in so many battles for the decolonisation of Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, we doff our hats for the African majority who have affirmed the progressive forces to proceed with the full liberation of the African majority, and denounce the steady push for the second colonisation of the African continent.  The gradual deposition of liberation movements is a well-orchestrated counter-revolutionary agenda that is hellbent on discrediting the advance...

THE BASIC EDUCATION LAWS AMENDMENT ACT (BELA) @KASIBCNEWS  The ANC welcomes the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act of 2024 as a milestone in transforming South Africa's education system. This Act, which builds on the achievements of post-1994 reforms, addresses critical areas such as early childhood education, recognition of Sign Language as an official language in schools, curriculum development, admissions and language policies, and the regulation of special education schools. It also tackles issues of governance, learner discipline, and procurement of learning materials, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable education framework. Sections 4 and 5 of the BELA Act are particularly significant, as they clarify the roles of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and Provincial Heads of Department regarding admission and language policies. These clauses address historical inequalities where language and admission policies were misused to exclude black learners. The ANC is resolute in ensuri...

Cabinet Reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa @KASIBCNEWS  The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the recent cabinet reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa as yet another pointless exercise that will do nothing to address the suffering of the people of South Africa. This unnecessary musical chairs of corrupt and incompetent ministers and deputy ministers is a blatant misdirection of resources that could be used to deliver basic services such as water, sanitation, healthcare, and education. President Ramaphosa’s reshuffle, announced on Tuesday, saw Thembi Simelane moved to the Department of Human Settlements as Minister, while Mamoloko Kubayi was shifted to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development. Phumzile Mgcina, formerly the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, has been appointed Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, while Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, who previously served as Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, has been appointed ...

SOUTH AFRICA OPEN FOR BUSINESS FOR NIGERIANS @KASIBCNEWS President Cyril Ramaphosa SA-Nigeria Business Roundtable Remarks on the occassion of the working visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 3 December 2024, Tuynhuys, Cape Town His Excellency, the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Parks Tau, Minister of Trade and Industry of Nigeria, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, High Commissioners, Members of the Diplomatic Corps Leaders of business,  Distinguished guests,  It gives me great pleasure to address this South Africa-Nigeria Business Roundtable. We see the purpose of this roundtable as three-fold:  firstly, to deepen economic cooperation; secondly, to provide a platform to address challenges; and, thirdly, to explore strategies for unlocking the full potential of trade and investment between the two countries. Nigeria and South Africa enjoy strong diplomatic tie...

President Cyril Ramaphosa announces National Executive changes @KASIBCNEWS  The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (“Constitution”) vests executive authority of the Republic in the President. The President exercises executive authority together with other members of cabinet in fulfilling various provisions of the Constitution and national legislation.   In order to ensure the effectiveness of cabinet in delivering to its mandate and in accordance with section 91(2) of the Constitution, I have decided to make the following changes to the national executive;  1. Ms Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi, currently the Minister of Human Settlements is appointed the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. 2. Ms Thembi Nkadimeng, currently the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is appointed the Minister of Human Settlements Furthermore, in accordance with the section 93(1) (a) of the Constitution, 3. Ms Phumzile Mgcina, is appointed the Dep...