KASI BC AFRICA

EMPOWER YOUTH THROUGH AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES @KASIBC_NEWS  The Gauteng Department of Economic Development, in collaboration with the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), hosted a successful Youth Stakeholder Engagement on Friday, 30 May 2025, at the AIDC facility in Tshwane.  The event brought together youth, industry leaders, civil society, labour, and government stakeholders to deliberate on the critical role of young people in shaping the future of South Africa’s automotive industry. MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the centrality of the automotive industry in driving economic growth, innovation, and job creation in Gauteng and South Africa.  He applauded the sector’s resilience in the face of global and local economic challenges, citing the recent Automotive Business Council report, which revealed a significant 11.9% year-on-year growth in vehicle sales for April 2025. “The automoti...

MOTION TO ADDRESS FEMICIDE CRISIS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF GBV DESKS IN CLINICS   @KASIBC_NEWS  The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the unanimous adoption by the National Assembly, on 29 May 2025, of our Motion Without Notice addressing the femicide crisis and police responsiveness in South Africa.  This motion, tabled by the EFF, was born out of deep anguish over the brutal murder of Olorato Mongale, whose lifeless body was discovered in Lombardy West, Johannesburg, following a date with a known acquaintance. Her tragic death is yet another painful reminder of the growing epidemic of femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) that continues to devastate families and communities across the country.  The EFF notes, with grave concern, that the South African Medical Research Council reports 60.1% of female homicides in South Africa are committed by intimate partners, and that three women are killed every day by their partners. Despite numerous legislative refor...

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of Wednesday, 28 May 2025 @KASIBC_NEWS  A. ISSUES IN THE ENVIRONMENT  1. International 1.1 SA-US Relations  1.1.1 Cabinet welcomed the reset of strategic relationships between South Africa (SA) and the United States (US) during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s working visit to the United States of America.  1.1.2 The SA and US teams will finalise the details of the trade deal between the SA and US. Safe to emphasise that the objectives that SA had set for the trip have been met.  1.1.3 Cabinet looks forward to the continued participation of the US administration in the G20, including the possible attendance of President Trump to the G20 Leaders Summit.  1.2 South Africa – France Relations  1.2.1 Cabinet welcomed the working visit by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, which served to strengthened relations between South Africa and France.  The Deputy President and the SA delegation also attended the SA-France I...

THE PERSECUTION AND ILLEGAL SUSPENSION OF RAF CEO MR COLLINS LETSOALO @KASIBC_NEWS  The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns, in the strongest terms, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Board placing their Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Collins Letsoalo, on special leave.  According to the Board, this is a “precautionary” measure pending the investigation of allegations of corruption, and yet the circumstances show that this is merely a witch hunt designed to tarnish Letsoalo’s reputation for his stellar work in uncovering the rot within the RAF. According to the RAF Board, in their submission to Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA),  Letsoalo has been placed on "special leave", a leave he has not applied for nor consented to.  This action taken without procedural fairness, reveals the orchestrated attempt to create a public perception of wrongdoing where none has been proven. Even more disturbing is the revelation that the preliminary report on these allegations...

THE UPSURGE OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE @KASIBC_NEWS  The ANC Women's League is deeply concerned with the highest rate in which violence is meted out against women, where men both in spousal and non-spousal relationships prey on women like vultures with no regard for human life. South Africa has steadily become a murder site which has been defined by the Gender and Health Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), in its twenty (20) year study, as an extreme form of Gender Based Violence.    The four (4) surveys of the SAMRC have used the same methodology and definition of femicide over a period of twenty (20) years since 1999, in which they concluded that four women were killed by intimate partners every day, and the trend only decreased to three (3) women in the third survey of 2009.   However, the fourth study which coincided with the first year of COVID19, saw a small but significant increase in the murder of women by inti...

ICT POLICY REFORMS AND COMMITS TO DEFENDING TRANSFORMATION AND ECONOMIC INCLUSION @KASIBC_NEWS  The African National Congress (ANC) notes the recent publication of draft policy directives in the ICT sector, particularly those relating to the licensing of Individual Electronic Communications Network Licences (IECNLs) and the proposed Equity Equivalent Programme (EEP). These developments mark an important phase in shaping a digital future that must be inclusive, transformative, and people-centred.  The ANC will actively participate in the forthcoming consultative processes to ensure that the transformation agenda is upheld and that the economic inclusion of historically disadvantaged communities is comprehensive, meaningful, and irreversible.  These engagements will be guided by the principles set out in the Freedom Charter, the ANC Election Manifesto, and the 55th National Conference Resolutions. We further note that these are not new ideas, they are part of a consistent A...

COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS @KASIBC_NEWS  Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Angie Motshekga, joins the international community in commemorating the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. This event is observed annually on the 29th of May to honour the extraordinary contributions of UN Peacekeepers (commonly known as “Blue Helmets’) in promoting global peace and security.  The United Nations marks the 77th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping under the theme: “Reviewing and Adapting UN Peacekeeping to Meet the Needs of the 21st Century.” It resonates deeply with us as South Africans, as it reflects not only the evolving global peace and security landscape, but also our own national journey of transition from conflict to democracy, which is built on principles of peace, reconciliation, and inclusive development.  The Minister stated that “South Africa remains deeply committed to the ideals and objectives of United ...

BBBEE LEGISLATION FOR ELON MUSK’S STARLINK @KASIBC_NEWS  The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is pleased with proceedings of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies meeting, wherein majority of political parties expressed their displeasure and rejection of the attempted work around of the Electronic Communications Act and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act by Minister Solly Malatsi, in order to accommodate Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite company.  Today, on the 27th of May 2025 Minister Malatsi appeared before the committee to account for the gazetting of his Ministerial Policy Directive, wherein he expresses his intention to “align” the Electronic Communications Act and ICT Sector Code, in order to allow foreign telecommunications entities to operate in South Africa without complying to licensing laws that require 30% local ownership by previously disadvantaged groups, and instead, pursue presence in our country using Equity Equiv...

BLACK GENOCIDE IN SOUTH AFRICA @KASIBC_NEWS  The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) expresses its deep anger at the tragic killing of three young Black learners in Dalton, KwaZulu-Natal, by a white farmer who allegedly ran them over with his vehicle. Not only is this a criminal act but it is also a true reflection of the deep-rooted, racist violence that continues to plague South Africa.  This heinous crime, which has devastated the families concerned and the larger community, has exposed the real violence in this country. It is the violence against a landless Black majority still subjected to the brutality of white landowners who view Black lives as disposable.  The incident in Dalton is not isolated. Across the country, we have witnessed multiple cases where white farmers have targeted Black people. In 2017, two white men in Mpumalanga were arrested for forcing a young Black man into a coffin and threatening to set it alight; in 2016, two white farmers in North West dragge...

STATUS OF SECURITY SERVICES IN MOGALE MUNICIPALITY @KASIBC_NEWS  The Executive Mayor, Lucky Sele, acknowledges recent developments regarding the provision of security services within Mogale City Local Municipality, a matter of significant operational importance that directly affects the safety of municipal employees as well as members of the public who rely on our facilities for service delivery. Legal Clarification and Draft Order (16 May 2025): In terms of the order dated 16 May 2025, it is important to clarify that neither Mabotwane Security Services CC nor Wenzile Phaphama Trading and Projects CC currently holds jurisdiction or legal authority to provide security services to Mogale City Local Municipality. Both entities have been prohibited from rendering services pending the outcome of the Judicial Review initiated by the applicant.  This legal position is binding and will remain in force until such time that the court concludes the review process and makes a final ruling...

DA FEDEX REJECTS LAND EXPROPRIATION @KASIBC_NEWS  The Democratic Alliance Federal Council, the highest policy and decision-making body in the DA between Federal Congresses, passed a motion to affirm the Party’s longstanding position against Expropriation of Property Without Compensation. The Federal Council unanimously approved the motion which confirms our support for Section 25 of the Constitution, and the well-established DA position that just and equitable compensation adjudicated by a court of law must be paid for any expropriation. The motion which the DA Federal Council passed unanimously reads as follows: Acknowledging that secure private property rights under the rule of law are essential to fixed investment, economic growth, job creation, and better living standards for the people of South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA): (1) Supports section 25 of The Constitution of South Africa. (2) Asserts our support that compensation must be just and equitable, as adjudicated b...

WESTERN CAPE WAR ZONE @KASIBC_NEWS  The Democratic Alliance(DA) in the Western Cape calls for the immediate devolution of SAPS policing powers to competent local authorities. Localised control of police resources, crime intelligence, and operational command will ensure a better, faster, and more accountable response to the unique challenges faced by our province. The devastating surge in violence across the Cape Flats this past weekend has once again underlined the urgent need for a fundamental shift in how gang violence is tackled in our communities. Between Friday, 23 May, and Sunday, 25 May 2025, there were a confirmed: • 26 murders • 58 attempted murders • 84 confirmed gang-related incidents • 27 separate shooting incidents where no injuries were reported These figures constitute an emergency, and demonstrate that the unique safety challenges in the Western Cape require a tailored response. While these brazen acts of violence occur almost daily, conviction rates remain dismally...

Disclosure of qualifications of North West Government officials @KASIBC_NEWS  The DA has written to the North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi demanding a full disclosure of the qualifications of all staff members in his office. This after the Public Service Commission (PSC) reported that 36% of personnel in the Premier’s Office are unqualified for their positions. It was further revealed that 9% of senior managers across the provinces' 12 departments lack the necessary qualifications for their roles. The DA has long emphasised the need for transparency in government appointments, particularly in the North West, which remains South Africa’s most underperforming province due to rampant unemployment, economic decline, and systemic governance failures. The DA previously demanded vetting reports on all NW senior managers but received no response. The severity of the ongoing crisis in the North West Province prompted national government to intervene in 2018 under sections 100(1) and 10...

RIVERLEA HIGH SCHOOL FIRE INCIDENT, AND SCHOOLS OF SPECIALISATION FUNDING @KASIBC_NEWS  The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) wishes to address a series of matters concerning Unity Secondary School in Daveyton, the fire incident at Riverlea High School, and recent concerns related to the resourcing and sustainability of Schools of Specialisation (SoS) across the province.  The Department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and continued engagement with stakeholders to ensure the delivery of quality education and safe learning environments throughout Gauteng. Unity Secondary School, Daveyton  The Department wishes to acknowledge concerning allegations that teaching posts were being sold at the Unity Secondary School in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni. This follows a complaint that was received in November 2024 from an applicant who claimed to have been asked to deposit about R17 000 into the bank account of a certain teacher in exchange for a job at the said school...

TERMINATION OF SILAPHA WELLNESS PROGRAMME @KASIBC_NEWS  Following an investigation and directive from the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has terminated the Silapha Wellness Intervention Programme.   The Programme was a three-year project offered to artists and sports people intended to assist them to access resources such as wellness counselling (including mental health, financial well-being, grief support, and performance anxiety), educational resources and assessments to help them identify their specific support needs on the wellness engagement platform, and 24/7 professional counselling services via a confidential call centre.  The service provider was awarded a tender of R18,297,360 for three years and the department was paying a sum of R507,120.01 to the service provider each month. With serious questions raised about where and how the bulk of the money was being spent, as well as concerns about th...