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 to avoid using water bodies such as rivers, dams, quarries and water canals to try and cool off or carry out extramural activities such as swimming as they may pose life threatening risks. Parents are urged to keep children away from water bodies as it may endanger their lives.

The country has been experiencing varying weather patterns in various parts of the nine provinces including sporadic heavy rainfall to above normal hot temperatures leading to a decrease in surface water storage in dams due to increased water demand and evaporation rates in dams. The national surface water storage is currently at 75.9% of full supply capacity, a 0.6% decrease from the previous week.

Eastern Cape provincial surface water storage has declined from 85.6% to 84.4 this week, Free State from 73.5% to 72.8%, Gauteng from 84.4% to 84.3%, KwaZulu-Natal from 79.6% to 79.4%, Mpumalanga from 77.9% to 76.9%, Limpopo from 69.4% to 68.8%, and Western Cape from 93.2% to 92.7%.

Storage capacity in 10 out of the 14 country’s major Water Supply Systems (WSS) has shown slight decline by below 1% on average. The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) which consists of 14 dams has dropped from 72.2% to 71.5% this week. Last year at time, the water levels were sitting at 86.0%. The Vaal Dam, one of the country's largest dams in the IVRS, is at the lowest level of 28.2% of full supply capacity, when compared to other major dams in the country. 

In the Eastern Cape, Amathole WSS has dropped from 101.9% to 100.6% this week. The system has a total of six dams which serve Bhisho, Buffalo City and East London. Klipplaat WSS which serves Chris Hani District Municipality has also dropped from 96.3% to 95.9%. 

Meanwhile, Algoa and Butteworth Water Supply Systems have experienced an increase this week. Algoa which supplies Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Sarah Baartman District, Kouga Local Municipality and Gamtroos Irrigation, has slightly increased from 84.7% to 84.9%. Butterworth Water Supply System has increased from 95.5% to 97.3%.

Luvuvhu WSS in Limpopo, serving Thohoyandou has dropped from 88.3% to 87.8%, while Polokwane WSS has also declined from 79.3% to 78.8%.

In the Free State, Bloemfontein WSS which serves Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu has dropped from 75.4% to 75.1%.

Orange WSS which supplies Free State and Northern and Eastern Cape provinces has moved from 79.6% to 79.2%.

Crocodile West WSS which serves Tshwane in Gauteng and Rustenburg in North West, has dropped from 75.0% to 74.2%.

Crocodile East WSS serving Nelspruit, KaNyamazane, Matsulu, Malelane and Komatipoort in Mpumalanga is also down from 63.3% to 60.8% this week.

Although the dam levels are relatively high in the Western Cape, the Cape Town WSS has dropped from 97.2% to 96.3% this week.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the water supply systems have experienced an increase this week, with UMgeni slightly rising from 86.1% to 86.5% and uMhlathuze from 89.8% to 90.0%.

The North West province, a largely semi-arid region, has experienced a continuous decline of its surface water storage which is sitting at 56.7% this week, as compared to last week’s 57.6%. Last year at this time, the province’s water levels stood at 75.8%. The province has a total number of 28 dams, and 14 of them are below 50% mark and only one dam, Elands Dam in Swartruggens River is at a low level with 10%. 

Northern Cape province is the only province which has increased water levels by 1.8% this week. The province’s surface water storage is 66.9% this week, a dramatic increase from last week’s 65.1%.

The following district municipalities have surface water storage below 50%: Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in North-West has 30.8% this week. Mopani and Capricorn Districts in Limpopo are at 32% and 21.8% respectively. Sedibeng District in the Free State is at 29.6%. Parts of the districts have been experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions in the past 24 months as a result of persistent below-normal rainfall in these areas.

Although there is an expectation of isolated to scattered rainfall over parts of the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces this week, DWS has called on the citizens to continue to use water sparingly. 

It is predicted that wetter conditions over the interior of the country during the early and midsummer seasons may improve water levels, particularly in regions that receive most of the rainfall in the summer season.

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 reflects the growing trust the people in South Africa have in the EFF and our revolutionary vision for economic freedom and justice. We take pride in these results, as they reaffirm that, despite relentless attempts to predict our demise, the EFF remains a force and a clear choice for many South Africans. Our enduring presence in governance across numerous municipalities is a testament to the trust and confidence the people place in us. 

The EFF will, therefore, ensure that we serve all residents to the best of our ability, and remain a vibrant, present and reliable leadership that attends to all the needs of those we represent. The EFF is ready to deliver radical and meaningful change in Thabazimbi and Maquassi Hills, addressing poor service delivery and corruption.  

Employment Equity Amendment Act @KASIBCNEWS

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 the EEA.

The latest EE amendments draw their genesis in 2019 when the Department and Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) initiated sector engagements with the intention of the setting of sector EE targets to give workplace transformation impetus. 

The main objectives of the Employment Equity Amendment legislation are as follows: 
• To reduce the regulatory burden for small employers (employers employing between 1 to 49 employees) – will be excluded from complying with the provisions of Chapter III of the EE Act;
• To empower the Minister to regulate the sector specific numerical EE targets;
• To promulgate Section 53; and
• To strengthen compliance, including the issuing of EE compliance certificates.Minister Meth is positive that the regulatory flexibility will enable small businesses to now focus on growing their businesses and create jobs.


“In the next 2025 EE reporting cycle starting on 1 September 2025, employers will have to use the published EE amended legislation to submit their EE reports. We are excited by the latest developments that small businesses will no longer have to go around spending their money on consultancy fees to source legal assistance to develop EE plans and submission of EE Reports. We hope that the new amendments to Employment Equity, will impact positively on job creation and the unemployment rate,” said Minister Meth. 

The EE Amendment Bill was assented into law on 6 April 2023 by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The new legislation will allow employers to comply with their own set annual EE targets towards the achievement of the five-year sector EE targets. 

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 documents. 

Secondly building control, EMS, and Town planning will submit the reports in the next 5 days that will be submitted to Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) to review the lease for the tenants who are currently occupying the property. Additionally, during the inspection of the property, JMPD Officers also intercepted a motor vehicle that was involved in the commission of a crime, and an arrest was made. 

In closing the Public Safety MMC Cllr Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku.said “We take by-law enforcement seriously and we will continue to conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance. We also urge all businesses and residents to work with the City to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for everyone” The City will work with the management of Mzi Carwash to address these issues and ensure compliance with the relevant by-laws. 

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. These gains highlight the progress made in challenging spaces, even as we recognize the work still needed to solidify our support base. 

We do not take these results lightly. They come with a clear message: we must redouble our efforts to tackle corruption, improve basic service delivery, and rebuild trust in communities that have felt neglected. 

The ANC remains committed to confronting its shortcomings and ensuring that we deliver on the mandate entrusted to us by the people. The ANC extends its gratitude to the voters for their continued support and to our volunteers for their tireless dedication to the campaign. Your hard work is a testament to the resilience and strength of the ANC on the ground. As we move forward, the ANC calls on all its members, supporters, and structures to intensify efforts in rebuilding our movement and addressing the challenges that persist.

Together, we can and must deliver on the aspirations of South Africans and build a better future for all.