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 enforcement. Any breach of professional conduct will be met with the strongest disciplinary measures. Speaking on the matter, MMC Dr. Tshwaku emphasized: "The behavior displayed in this footage is not only unacceptable but also a betrayal of the values we uphold. This administration is dedicated to rooting out misconduct and protecting the dignity of our law enforcement agencies. We will ensure justice is served and take steps to prevent future incidents." 

The Department of Public Safety is determined to rebuild public confidence through decisive leadership and unwavering adherence to ethical standards. As the investigation unfolds, the public will be kept informed of all developments, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability. 

The MMC and the City of Johannesburg remain resolute in their vision for a law enforcement agency that is trusted, ethical, and driven by service to the community. 

There is no room for misconduct in the JMPD, and those who tarnish the badge will be held fully accountable. 

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 advancement of the National Democratic Revolution across the African continent. 

The ANC Women's League ululates in salutation for the significant victory attained by SWAPO in this election particularly under the candidacy of a woman. Comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is a seasoned cadre who served the people of Namibia throughout the years of South Africa's Colonisation of a Special Type and thus towers as a woman of stature who is ready for the highest office. She has come full circle as a member of the Central Committee and Politburo of SWAPO, a President of the Namibian National Women's Organisation (NANAWO), a servant of the Namibian people through various ministerial positions, and the first female Vice President of Namibia. Comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's ascendancy to the highest office in the country of Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo and Sam Nujoma, is testimony that with perseverance and a resilient spirit, women can reach greater heights, and as former Malawi President Joyce Banda proclaimed "the seeds of success in every nation on earth are best planted in women..." Congratulations Madam President. Malibongwee!!!

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 ensuring no child is discriminated against based on language or any other grounds. The Act strengthens multilingualism in education, advancing the constitutional vision of unity in diversity and addressing the marginalization of indigenous African languages. Despite the extensive consultations and democratic processes that shaped BELA, some groups have opposed sections 4 and 5, fearing the erosion of Afrikaans-medium schools. The ANC acknowledges these concerns but rejects any attempt to use these debates to defend white privilege or reverse transformation. The Afrikaner organizations’ protest on 5 November 2024 revealed underlying motives rooted in exclusion and resistance to change. The ANC reaffirms its call for the President to proclaim BELA in its entirety and supports measures to strengthen norms, standards, and regulations on admissions and language policies. 

The Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) should actively promote mother-tongue education, and the convening of a national conference on advancing multilingualism in schools and higher education is essential, protecting all official languages, in particular indigenous African languages, given the discrimination they faced under apartheid. 

We remind the Minister of Basic Education to respect the authority of Parliament on law making-processes and the authority of the President as Head of the National Executive, with primary responsibility to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic as well as to promote the unity of the nation and that which will advance it. 

The ANC remains steadfast in its commitment to quality education for all, as envisioned in the Freedom Charter. Ensuring equal access for all learners, regardless of race, language, or economic status, is central to building a united, non-racial, and equitable South Africa. 

Cabinet Reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa @KASIBCNEWS

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 as Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour. Instead of addressing the real crises facing our people—African children still dying in pit toilets, communities poisoned by contaminated water, and millions suffering without proper healthcare—the DA-ANC coalition government prioritises rewarding its cronies with cushy positions. 

The only cabinet reshuffle that will bring any meaningful change to the lives of our people is the removal of this bloated and corrupt government, which continues to rob the people of South Africa to sustain the lavish lifestyles of a few political elites. The appointment of individuals with dark clouds hanging over them, such as Thembi Simelane, despite unresolved allegations of corruption linked to VBS Bank, is a clear indication that this reshuffle is not about service delivery or good governance. 

The DA ANC government continues to recycle compromised leaders, using these reshuffles to shield corrupt officials and create an illusion of accountability. It is shameful that Simelane's questionable personal loan and connections to looted funds have not disqualified her from leadership. This government has no moral compass. The people of South Africa are subjected to constant betrayals, while those accused of plundering public resources are rewarded with new roles. 

Finally, the EFF reiterates that deputy ministerial positions serve no purpose other than to reward political loyalty and secure salaries for the connected elite. The time has come to shuffle the DA-ANC coalition out of power and pursue economic freedom in our lifetime.  

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 ties and expanding trade and investment flows. 

The strategic positioning of both countries in their respective regions presents enormous opportunities for collaboration. 

In West Africa, Nigeria is the main destination for South African exports and investments. 

But more needs to be done to improve trade and commercial relations between the two countries. 

South Africa runs a large trade deficit with Nigeria, mainly due to its import of Nigerian oil and gas. 

There is a need to diversify our trade to ensure a mutually-beneficial partnership.

We are greatly encouraged by the presence of South African companies in Nigeria, just as we welcome Nigerian companies in South Africa. 

We do recognise that challenges still exist within our respective operating environments that limit the expansion of investment and sometimes impact on the operations of companies.

We do recognise that challenges still exist within our respective operating environments that limit the expansion of investment and sometimes impact on the operations of companies.

During my State Visit to Nigeria in 2021, the Ministers of Trade launched the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment.

Today, we agreed on the full operationalisation of the Council.

This will support a conducive environment for improved trade and investment.

Through the Council, we hope to ensure the efficient resolution of trade- and investment-related challenges.

As governments, we have committed in our Bi-National Commission to create an enabling environment for doing business in our respective countries. 

We have an opportunity to drive industrialisation.

In the automotive sector, for example, we can create value chains in the manufacture of components and electric motorcycles. 

In critical minerals, we can use lithium to manufacture electric batteries.

There is also much opportunity for cooperation on pharmaceuticals. 

Our two countries are in a strategic position to benefit from the rapid growth of clean energy manufacturing industries.

South Africa has developed a Just Transition Framework and an Investment Plan that anticipates massive investments in renewable energy and the green economy over the next few years. 

As part of the broader global transition to a low-carbon economy, we must leverage the abundant natural resources that exist in our countries to promote green industrialisation. 

We should leverage each other’s capabilities in minerals processing. 

We must work together to ensure critical minerals are beneficiated at source. 

We call on business to support and involve themselves in these initiatives. 

Our development finance institutions can work together to support infrastructure development.

South Africa has embarked on a massive infrastructure investment drive that encompasses projects in electricity generation and transmission, bulk water supply, roads, railways, bridges and ports.

We need to explore how we can mobilise our respective capabilities and resources to develop social and economic infrastructure in our countries

The African Continental Free Trade Area, once fully implemented, will enable a massive growth in intra-African trade and investment. 

We must identify what products can be traded among ourselves that we are now importing from elsewhere.

Given the size of a common African market, we can build substantial industries – and integrated regional value chains – merely on the basis of what we sell to each other.

Many economies are reconfiguring their supply chains, but they are also reconfiguring their supply chains as well.

They are bringing them closer to home to promote economic resilience and address strategic vulnerabilities. 

We need to do the same. 

We encourage the private sector to identify opportunities for sourcing key inputs and products from each other to boost bilateral trade and industrial development.

Let me conclude by congratulating Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her reappointment as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. 

This provides continuity as we prepare for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, to be held in March 2026 in Cameroon. 

South Africa and Nigeria need to work closely to shape a strong developmental agenda that ensures better terms for integration of Africa in global trade.

South Africa and Nigeria seek the same things.

We seek a global economic order that is fair, inclusive and rules-based.

We seek to develop our people by expanding investment and trade ties with partner countries.

We see in the relationship between South Africa and Nigeria enormous opportunities to pursue these objectives together.

We invite businesses, state-owned companies, development finance institutions and others to be part of this exciting journey to build a prosperous Africa that meets the needs of all its people.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announces National Executive changes @KASIBCNEWS

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 Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. Ms Mgcina has been serving in the national executive as the Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment.

4. Ms Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala is appointed the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour. Ms Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has been serving in the national executive as the Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

The changes to the national executive are effective immediately. I would like to wish these members of the national executive well in their new positions.