SABC REMOVES AFIKAANS @KASIBCNEWS

SABC REMOVES AFIKAANS @KASIBCNEWS 

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) appears to think it can suddenly stop airing the Afrikaans news bulletin without giving any notice or justification.

The sudden disappearance of the Afrikaans news bulletin this past weekend, without any communication from the SABC on the reasons behind this decision, is troubling.

The DA demands that the SABC provide immediate clarification on why this essential service has been halted. It is crucial that we understand whether this is a permanent change, a once-off incident, or something else entirely.

We will write to the SABC to request urgent answers regarding this matter, and we call on the SABC to restore the Afrikaans news bulletin as soon as possible, ensuring that all South Africans, regardless of language preference, continue to receive reliable and timely news.

For many South Africans, the SABC Nuus on SABC2, which has a devoted audience of over 300 000, has been an essential source of news and information. All of these viewers must pay for their TV licenses, and it is completely unacceptable that the SABC would show such indifference to such a large segment of the population. As the public broadcaster the SABC has a duty to serve all language communities.

The DA will hold the SABC accountable and will not tolerate such a lack of transparency in our pubic broadcaster.

DA eis antwoorde terwyl SABC Afrikaanse nuusbulletin skielik stop sonder kennisgewing of regverdiging

Die SABC dink blykbaar hy kan skielik ophou om die Afrikaanse nuusbulletin uit te saai sonder om enige kennisgewing of regverdiging te gee.

Die skielike verdwyning van die Afrikaanse nuusbulletin die afgelope naweek, sonder enige kommunikasie van die SABC oor die redes agter hierdie besluit, is kommerwekkend.

Die DA eis dat die SABC onmiddellike verduideliking gee oor hoekom dié noodsaaklike diens gestaak is. Dit is van kardinale belang dat ons verstaan ​​of dit 'n permanente verandering, 'n eenmalige voorval of iets heeltemal anders is.

Ons sal aan die SABC skryf om dringende antwoorde rakende hierdie aangeleentheid aan te vra, en ons doen 'n beroep op die SABC om die Afrikaanse nuusbulletin so gou moontlik te herstel, om te verseker dat alle Suid-Afrikaners, ongeag taalvoorkeur, steeds betroubare en tydige nuus ontvang.

Vir baie Suid-Afrikaners was die SABC Nuus op SABC2, wat 'n toegewyde gehoor van meer as 300 000 het, 'n noodsaaklike bron van nuus en inligting. Al hierdie kykers moet vir hul TV-lisensies betaal, en dit is heeltemal onaanvaarbaar dat die SABC sulke onverskilligheid teenoor so 'n groot segment van die bevolking sal toon. As die openbare uitsaaier het die SABC 'n plig om alle taalgemeenskappe te dien.

Die DA sal die SABC verantwoordbaar hou en sal nie so 'n gebrek aan deursigtigheid in ons openbare uitsaaier duld nie.

TSHIRT CONTRACT R2.5MILLION @KASIBCNEWS 

The Democratic Alliance will be asking hard questions about the Gauteng Health Department’s award of a R2.5 million contract to the company of an ANC branch member who is apparently a friend of Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

Ms Nhlake Pricilla Mothobuka owns Modjadji Creations, which was awarded the three-year contract in November last year for nearly 8 500 golf shirts at R280 each.

The suspicious thing is that the company was deregistered by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) in March 2023, but it returned to trading shortly before submitting a bid for this deal.

Social media posts indicate that Mothobuka is a close friend of the MEC, but she denies this even though there are photos of her socialising with Nkomo-Ralehoko at ANC events.

I will be asking official questions about the bid process for this contract, and how much has already been paid to company.

This department is notorious for corruption, including the R800 million fishy contracts at the Tembisa Hospital that murdered whistle-blower Babita Deokaran tried to stop,

The DA in Gauteng will continue to push for a thorough overhaul of the department, including the dismissal of the MEC and the Head of Department Lesiba Malotana, who the SIU is investigating for allegedly sharing in more than R10 million bribes to influence the award of two contracts.

How much longer will Premier Lesufi turn a blind eye to this appalling mismanagement which hurts patients in our hospitals.

 

Scammers Gauteng Panic Button App @KASIBCNEWS

It has come to the attention of the Gauteng Department of e-Government that there are individuals misleading the public by charging them a certain fee in downloading the free Government’s e-Panic Button.  

The scammers or thieves move around our townships and claim to be working for the department of e-Government and solicit money from people to help them download the Gauteng panic button app. So far, we have learnt of these scammers to be around the township of Mamelodi in Tshwane. 

The department would therefore like to caution Gauteng residents not to pay any fee to anyone claiming to be assisting them to download the Gauteng e-panic button app. The Gauteng e-Panic Button app is a free service provided by the Gauteng Provincial Government to help ensure the safety and security of its residents. There is no fee charged to download the app, and any claims suggesting otherwise are fraudulent.

Gauteng MEC for e-Government Bonginkosi Dhlamini urged Gauteng residents to stay vigilant about this matter. “We urge all Gauteng residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the Gauteng Panic Button app. We would appreciate your cooperation, as we work tirelessly to ensure that the Gauteng e-Panic Button continues to serve the people of Gauteng without charge”, says MEC Dhlamini.

MEC also insists that appropriate action will be taken to people committing this fraud as it is a criminal offence to commit fraud, scam or steal. 

It is easy to download the Gauteng e-Panic Button App. Residents can download the app on their smart phones which can be found on Google Play or the App Store titled “Gauteng Panic Button”.

PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICA GROUP AT THE 150TH INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU) @KASIBCNEWS

PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICA GROUP AT THE 150TH INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU) @KASIBCNEWS 

The African National Congress (ANC) congratulates our Speaker of National Assembly, Cde Thoko Didiza on her election as the President of the Africa Group at the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

This prestigious election stands as a testament to her exemplary leadership, dedication to democracy and unwavering commitment to the ideals of peace, development and cooperation on the African continent.

As the President of the Africa Group, Cde Thoko will play a crucial role in amplifying the voices of African nations, addressing pressing issues such as economic development, climate change, gender equality and equitable economic growth amongst other issues.

We are hopeful that her leadership will inspire fellow parliamentarians across the continent  and reshape the narrative of representation of women in politics. Cde Thoko embodies the spirit of the ANC's ongoing commitment to gender equality, empowering women and fostering their participation in all facets of society.

The ANC is proud of Cde Thoko’s achievement and confident that she will continue to champion the interests of Africa on the global stage, ensuring that our continent’s aspirations are prioritized in international discussions.

We believe that her leadership will facilitate greater collaboration between African nations and promote innovative solutions to the myriad challenges we face as Africa.

We look forward to her effective leadership and the positive impact she will have in harmonizing the voices of the African Group within the IPU.

May she continue to lead with integrity, wisdom, and a firm commitment to the principles of democracy and unity.

#MAKEKASIGREAT

FRAUD AND CORRUPTION IN MATLOSANA @KASIBCNEWS

Fraud and corruption continue to thrive unabated under the current leadership, it has exacerbated since the arrival of the two Provincial Executive Representatives (PER). The PER is a team that is voluntarily appointed to assist and give advice on financial decision-making. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Matlosana has reported unauthorized payments made to MAXPROF to the Hawks for investigation.

During the Ordinary Meeting held on the 31st of March 2025, the DA was amazed by the presentation made by the PER, when they claimed achievements since assuming their responsibility in the municipality in January 2024, specifically claiming to have curbed 3 prohibited types of expenditure. This is a misrepresentation, as the latest Annual Report and various Financial Reports demonstrate a municipality in “autopilot” mode.

The DA queried a payment to the amount of R 3 496 835.92 to MAXPROF for completing a VAT 201 form that is system generated, dated 6 September 2024. The service provider’s 36-month legal contract had lapsed on the 20th of June 2023, with the unlawful emergency “12 months extension” also having run out on the 23rd of June 2024. MAXPROF did not have any valid legal contract with the municipality from the 24th of June 2024 to date. This has raised concerns among the DA due to the impunity of criminal and fraudulent conduct by the municipal officials in collusion with this service provider.

It was clear that the DA was ahead when the Executive Mayor, Fikile Mahlope, requested the Council Speaker, Stella Mondlane-Ngwenya, not to allow discussion for the item in question and reprimanded the DA for planning to report the specific item to the media.
Upon further investigation, the DA discovered that MAXPROF performed another VAT recovery in December 2024, still without a valid contract. MAXPROF has submitted another invoice for the amount of R4 150 574.62. This particular invoice from January 2025 remains unpaid because the municipal officials are aware that the Hawks are investigating this contract.

The officials have committed fraud in terms of Regulation 36, which was submitted and reported late to the council. This includes the report covering the period June to August 2024, which was received as part of the MFMA Section 52(d) and 72 Reports and tabled in January 2025.

The Maine report tabled in council a month ago revealed that duplicate payments to the amount of R 292 million were made between 1 July 2023 and 31 March 2024.

The DA continues to fight the abuse of using the Municipal Finance Management Act Regulation 36 as a vehicle to loot the municipality under the pretext of an emergency. The DA will hold top political leadership and management in the municipality accountable for benefiting substantially from this corruption, when the residents can barely afford to pay for services.

FF+DA STELLENBOSCH BY-ELECTION @KASIBCNEWS

The DA in the Western Cape is excited to announce our Ward 9 Stellenbosch by-election candidate, Isabelle De Taillefer. 

Moving over from the FF+, Councillor De Taillefer believes her values are aligned to the DA and sees the party as the only ideal vehicle to action her passion to serve.

She says: “I am very excited to be the DA candidate for Ward 9. It is not only the beautiful historic heart of Stellenbosch and the Winelands, but it also still guards the earliest memories and exudes the pristine energy that attract people from all over the world. Serving all who live, work, and invest in it, as well as helping to keep it a crucial tourist magnet, will be the honour of a lifetime.

“Ek het groot respek vir Burgemeester Jeremy Fasser en Onder-Burgemeester Mynard Slabbert en ondersteun hulle visie vir Stellenbosch heelhartig. In my tyd op die Munisipale Raad het ek goeie vriende gemaak onder die DA Raadslede wat my altyd onbaatsugtig met raad en daad ondersteun het om die beste te kan lewer vir al ons mense, so dis met vrymoedigheid wat ek die skuif maak na die koukus van die Demokratiese Alliansie.”

DA Stellenbosch Constituency Head Leon Schreiber says having a by-election candidate with strong local knowledge and ties to the community is great asset.

“Raadslid De Taillefer se besluit om by die DA aan te sluit is deel van ‘n groter patroon in Stellenbosch waar al hoe meer mense besef dat slegs die DA die waardes en grootte het om ‘n tasbare verskil te maak in ons gemeenskap en land. Eerder as om haar ervaring en kennis te vermors by ‘n irrelevante klein party, kan sy dit nou betekenisvol aanwend tot voordeel van die inwoners van wyk 9 asook die groter Stellenbosch.”

The Ward 9 by-election takes place on 14 May. If residents want excellent service delivery to continue, we encourage them to vote DA!

The joining of Cllr De Taillefer is another step in the process of preparing the party for the 2026 elections.

We need leaders from all walks of life to join the only non-racial party with a proven track record in service delivery to step up. In the Western Cape, like in Stellenbosch, we govern well and we need to continuously build on that brand.

Our applications for candidates across the Province are open and we call on all individuals who share our values, that are fighting for the poor and believe in effective governance to join our cause.

MINISTER ABRUPT, IRREGULAR, AND PARTISAN APPOINTMENTS @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly condemns the blatant and irregular appointments being forced through by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson to senior positions in government, while there is looming doubt over the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) continued stay in the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU). In a desperate attempt to entrench political patronage in senior positions before the speculated exit of the DA from government, Macpherson has embarked on a mission to appoint unqualified individuals who are aligned to the DA into key roles without due process.

The Minister is abusing the newly issued circular from the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), which removes the requirement for consultation with the Minister of Public Service and Administration on contract appointments.

This reckless manoeuvre is being exploited to sideline transparent recruitment processes and impose hand-picked allies into critical government positions. 

The following appointments are at the centre of this unlawful interference: 

1. Sean Cox- Currently irregularly appointed through the DBSA as Chief Director of Stakeholder Management in the DG’s office. The Minister is now pressuring HR to immediately appoint him on a 12-month contract as Chief Director in the DG’s office, despite his lack of qualifications for the position. Sean Cox is a former official on the DA-led Tshwane administration under Mayor Cilliers Brink and is therefore being awarded for his political ties rather than competence. 

2. Michael Beyleveld- Currently the Minister’s Chief of Staff. The Minister is pressuring HR to appoint him as Chief Director of Intergovernmental Relations (IGR), bypassing all the proper recruitment procedures. 

3. James de Villiers- Currently serving as the Minister’s Media Liaison Officer. The Minster is now unlawfully manoeuvring to appoint him as Director of Communications for two years without any competitive process. 

4. Luke Albert- Presently a Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Minister. The Minister is attempting to place him as Deputy Director in the DG’s Office, and once again without following due process. 

These appointments expose the GNU’s true nature: a corrupt arrangement where political elites prioritise cronyism over merit. It is unacceptable that a critical department like Public Works, which is supposed to serve the people by ensuring infrastructure development and job creation, is being turned into a patronage network for DA-linked individuals. 

The EFF demands that all recruitment in the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure be conducted transparently, fairly and based on qualifications and merit. 

We will not allow the Minister to manipulate state institutions to benefit political allies while millions of South Africans remain unemployed and deprived of opportunities. We call on the Public Service Commission (PSC) to urgently intervene and stop this unlawful interference in the hiring process. 

If these irregular appointments proceed, the EFF will explore all legal and parliamentary avenues to hold the Minister accountable. 

Gauteng Health owes R225 Million @KASIBCNEWS

The Gauteng Health Department owes R225 million to municipalities, blaming money shortages, invoice problems, and the lack of Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

This shockingly high amount is revealed by Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

The largest amount owing is R160 million to Emfuleni Municipality for Cost of Employment and Goods and Services, as well as R14.9 million to the Midvaal Council. The department says this is because of the "unavailability of active Service Level Agreements" with the two municipalities.

Johannesburg Council is owed R21.6 million for water, waste removal and electricity. This is blamed on late submission of invoices by the council.

Ekurhuleni is owed R17.84 million for services, including R5.7 million by the Far East Rand Hospital, R5.4 million by Pholosong Hospital, and R4 million by Tambo Memorial Hospital due to "cash flow challenges".

A total of R5 million is owed to West Rand municipalities, and R6.11 million to the City of Tshwane.

The councils claim that the amounts owing is far higher, so these disputes also need to be resolved speedily.

The DA in Gauteng will continue to push for strict financial management to ensure all suppliers are paid in good time, preferably within 15 days as happens in the DA-run Western Cape.