DOD ( Department of Defence  ) Myriad Crises @KASIBCNEWS  The DA congratulates Major General Lancelot Mathebula on his appointment as Deputy Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), effective 1 January 2025. Maj Genl Mathebula is currently the project leader of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Space Command and has 24 years’ service in the Force. His experience, coupled with that of the SAAF Chief, will bring a valuable balance to the Force leadership. The Department of Defence (DoD) is in a state of crisis and strong leadership is required across the board to address it. Over the past years the Department has consistently been one of the Auditor-General’s biggest financial offenders. Its report for 2023/24 highlighted rampant unauthorised expenditure in the Department to the sum of R3,4 billion. Irregular expenditure amounted to R338 million and fruitless and wasteful expenditure increased drastically from R2,569 million in 2022/23 to R51 million in 2023/...

POSITIVE SOLUTIONS CWP ( COMMUNITY WORK PROGRAMME ) @KASIBCNEWS  The African National Congress (ANC) notes the government’s decision to terminate the contracts of Community Work Programme (CWP) participants aged 55 and older by 31 January 2025. While this decision forms part of efforts to reimagine the programme in alignment with the priorities of the 7th Administration, the ANC recognizes the potential socio-economic challenges it may create for those affected.  The CWP has long been a cornerstone of government’s efforts to address unemployment and poverty by providing a vital safety net for unemployed South Africans of working age. It has offered a bridge to opportunity, enabling participants to sustain their livelihoods while actively seeking permanent employment.  The ANC emphasizes the importance of ensuring that no beneficiary is left without meaningful support during this transition. The party welcomes government’s commitment to reimagine and enhance the programme ...

THE PASSING OF EXPECTANT MOTHER AT WESTBURY CLINIC @KASIBCNEWS  In the wake of an incident that ended with the passing of a 32-year-old expectant mother, Miriam Singh, within an hour of being admitted at the Westbury Clinic Midwifery Obstetric Unit (MOU) on Sunday, 29 December 2024, early in the morning,    the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) instituted an investigation on Monday, 30 December to establish facts around this case.  The Department has since received the outcome of the internal investigation which was also subjected to expert review by leading specialists in obstetrics/gynaecology and surgery from Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.  The internal report found that the correct protocols were followed by the healthcare workers in attendance. The postmortem report has revealed that the patient had a serious underlying condition which contributed to the deterioration of their condition within a short space of time after presenting at ...

ESKOM LOADSHEDDING SUSPENDED @KASIBCNEWS  Loadshedding remains suspended for over nine months, resulting in year-on-year diesel savings of R16.20 billion Eskom has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to providing reliable electricity to South Africa. As of today, Eskom has successfully completed over nine months (275 consecutive days) without implementing loadshedding since 26 March 2024. This achievement underscores Eskom’s dedication to addressing the country’s energy challenges through its investment in the Generation Recovery Plan and enhanced maintenance protocols. Eskom continues to utilise the December summer break to increase planned maintenance activities to further improve the reliability of its generation fleet as many industries have shut down for this period, with maintenance averaging at ~8 000MW. The recovery plan significantly improved operational performance, particularly by reducing unplanned outages by ~8.1% compared to the same period last year. Ad...

Western Cape Fire Disaster at Informal Settlements @KASIBCNEWS  Ministry of Human Settlements concludes a successful government intervention in the Western Cape fire disaster affected informal settlements Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, Deputy Minister Tandi Mahambehlala, joined by the Deputy Minister in Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli and the Western Cape Provincial Government, the City of Cape Town and relevant stakeholders, concluded a successful government intervention programme in ensuring that the families of the Siyahlala, Zulwini and Ekuphumuleni in the Du Noon informal settlement, City of Cape Town who were displaced by the recent fire disasters on 18 December 2024 and Christmas Eve received the necessary government interventions to assist them to rebuild their homes and reunite with their families before the new years. In line with the National Department of Human Settlement’s Emergency Housing Guidelines, Minister Simelane deployed teams to the various informa...

Dear Fellow South African @KASIBCNEWS By President Cyril Ramaphosa We are nearing the end of another year, marked by both triumphs and struggles.   We celebrated thirty years since the birth of our democratic nation. We reflected on the considerable progress we have made in building a constitutional order anchored on freedom, equality and human rights for all.   We held our seventh successful, free and fair general elections since 1994. It was a landmark poll, with an unprecedented 70 political parties contesting. The election was a credit to the Independent Electoral Commission, which acquitted itself with distinction, the political parties who campaigned in a spirit of respect and tolerance, and to all South Africans who exercised their right to vote.   Our democracy has evolved and matured. We have a Government of National Unity comprised of 10 political parties from across the political spectrum. They have agreed on three strategic priorities for this ...

  Reconciliation Day: Reflecting on the past, building a united future @KASIBCNEWS By Nomonde Mnukwa The act of forgiveness and reconciliation has been central to the story of South Africa since 1994. Reconciliation Day came into effect in 1994 and was intended to help build a united and prosperous South Africa. This day and in subsequent years, Reconciliation Month has become synonymous with our drive to nurture and entrench new values in our society. The annual commemoration of Reconciliation Day allows us to reflect on the many positive strides we have made since 1994, while acknowledging that much work remains. Even now 30 years into democracy the lives of many continue to be shaped by the circumstances of their birth. We cannot accept this reality as a nation, and we must therefore all do more to address the untold damage wrought by apartheid and colonialism. If we don’t act and find ways to work together our future will continue to be shaped by our ugly past. National Recon...

  Festive Season Road Safety 2024 @KASIBCNEWS  By Dr Ntombi Nala The end of the year is a special time, characterised by family and festive celebrations that are eagerly anticipated by everyone. During this period, many people travel far and wide to spend their holidays with family and friends. The festive season is unfortunately also a time when many incidents and accidents occur on the roads as a result of higher than usual traffic volumes that accompany the holiday season. To prevent incidents and ensure safety is prioritised on our roads, the Department of Transport recently launched its National Safer Festive Season Operations. This 46-day campaign starting from 1 December 2024 to middle January 2025, aims to ensure increased police visibility across the country during the festive period, especially in high-risk zones. The launch of the road safety campaign coincided with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR). WDR acknowledges the millions of in...

PUBLIC SAFETY’S DECISIVE ACTION AGAINST CRIME AND OFFICER ACCOUNTABILITY @KASIBCNEWS  The MMC for Public Safety Dr, Mgcini Tshwaku is deeply outraged by the reckless criminal acts on the N1 North between the Soweto Highway and Maraisburg Off-ramps and the N1 South between Maraisburg and Rand Show Road Off-ramps. The deliberate placement of rocks on these routes has caused multiple accidents, jeopardizing the lives of innocent motorists. This is an attack on the safety and dignity of our residents.  We have directed the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS) act to decisively root out these criminal elements. Joint operations are underway across our freeways and highways, ensuring no road user is vulnerable. During this festive season, we prioritize the safety of every citizen and visitor traveling through Johannesburg.   Equally troubling are reports alleging that JMPD officers failed to assist a motori...

NATSJOINTS Illegal Miners in Stilfontein @KASIBCNEWS NATSJOINTS Clarifying the Situation of Illegal Miners in Stilfontein Recent developments have seen a number of illegal miners, known as Zama Zamas,  voluntarily emerging from the disused mine shafts in Stilfontein. This trend indicates that these individuals have the capability to exit the underground tunnels independently. Their delayed emergence appears to be a tactic to evade arrest by law enforcement agencies. | Addressing Misinformation Contrary to claims that food underground ran out months ago, evidence suggests that the miners have had access to supplies until recently.  Assertions that aid sent down is shared equally among miners are unverified. Government has not sanctioned any official aid deliveries to individuals engaged in illegal activities.  Reports indicate that any supplies reaching the miners are controlled by underground syndicates, often leading to unequal distribution and exploitation. The notion t...