DA FEDEX REJECTS LAND EXPROPRIATION @KASIBC_NEWS

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 by a court of law, in cases of expropriation in terms of the Constitution;

(3) Rejects the notion of ‘nil compensation’ as established by the Expropriation Act, 2024 as well as the limitations placed by the Act on rights of private property owners in contesting the terms of expropriation in court; and

(4) Supports the existing efforts of the DA to take the Expropriation Act, 2024 on judicial review and explore every other opportunity to render the Act less of a risk to private property rights.

The DA continues in our court case challenging the constitutionality of the Expropriation Act in the High Court.

The DA will continue to fight against expropriation without compensation, in every way that we can.

Note to Editors:

The DA Federal Council is a 149 member body, constituted of the party’s national leadership, as well as representatives of:

• the DA in all nine provinces,
• the ancillary bodies of the DA,
• DA public representatives of all three spheres of government, and
• non-public representative members of the DA.

WESTERN CAPE WAR ZONE @KASIBC_NEWS

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 low, and illegal firearms continue to pour into our neighbourhoods.

Despite these challenges, local interventions such as the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) have made a measurable impact - even while operating beyond their official mandate. Since inception 2020 up to 16 February 2025:
• 745 firearms, including zip guns, have been confiscated
• 40,065 arrests have been made
• Drugs worth over R10 million have been removed from our streets

These efforts highlight the dedication and capability of local and provincial authorities. But without structural reform and a shift in policing powers, we are fighting this war with one hand tied behind our backs.

Thomas Walters, MPP said: “National government must allow capable provincial local governments - such as the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government to assume a greater role in gang investigations, forensics, and intelligence.

In the interim, I will write to the National Minister of Police to request that SAPS prioritises the Western Cape in its national resourcing strategy. Our police stations are undermanned and outgunned, and we are placing our brave officers in a position where they do not have the support that they require to fulfil SAPS’ mandate and keep communities safe.

We will request a clear action plan from SAPS within 90 days, detailing how additional resources will be allocated, with timelines for implementation. I will also, upon receipt of such a plan, invite SAPS to present the plan to the Standing Committee on Police Oversight and Community Safety, so that it can be properly interrogated by the representatives of the people of the Western Cape.”

Anyone with information that can lead to arrests is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously

Disclosure of qualifications of North West Government officials @KASIBC_NEWS

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 100(10) of the Constitution, leading to the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) to assess provincial departments. Despite these measures, the province continues to regress, with the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey confirming a staggering 56% unemployment rate - the highest in the country. This alarming figure underscores the dire consequences of placing unqualified cadres in critical government roles.

While Premier Mokgosi’s office has dismissed the PSC’s findings, claiming that all senior managers meet minimum requirements and attributed the discrepancies in the report to “data inaccuracies", the DA maintains that only an independent, verifiable audit can restore public trust.

In the report requested by the DA, the Premier must provide a detailed breakdown of each employee’s academic and professional credentials, their dates of appointment and the qualifications they possessed at the time of appointment. Additionally, the DA will require copies of the original vacancy advertisements to assess whether the stated requirements align with the appointments made.

The DA remains committed to exposing maladministration and ensuring that those entrusted with public service are fully qualified to fulfil their mandates.

The people of North West deserve a government led by competent, ethical officials who prioritise service delivery over political patronage.

RIVERLEA HIGH SCHOOL FIRE INCIDENT, AND SCHOOLS OF SPECIALISATION FUNDING @KASIBC_NEWS

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. 

The implicated teacher denied any involvement, and with no further cooperation from the complainant, the matter was closed due to a lack of evidence. 

There were also concerns that parents were being forced to pay a R450 annual contribution to receive learner report cards. 

The Department received no formal complaints in this regard. Upon inquiry, it was confirmed that the contribution was a voluntary donation, agreed upon at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), with allowances for parents to contribute what they could afford. This practice is aligned with Section 37(1) of the South African Schools Act, 1996, which allows School Governing Bodies (SGB) to supplement state-provided resources. Furthermore, complaints about the SGB’s access to financial records were taken seriously. 

The Department thus conducted financial management and governance training on 1 April 2025, followed by a capacitation workshop by the National Department of Basic Education on 12 April 2025. After these interventions, all SGB members were granted access to the school’s financial statements, and communication structures were strengthened. 

In terms of academic performance and governance, the Department acknowledges the drop in the school’s matric pass rate from 98% in 2020 to 86% in 2024. Interventions have been implemented, including the establishment of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), teacher training in key subjects, curriculum support from subject advisors, and continued development through the Provincial Just-in-Time (JIT) training programme. Learners are also supported through Saturday and holiday programmes under the Secondary School Intervention Programme (SSIP), including residential camps for learners to enhance performance. Staffing concerns have also been addressed. 

The school currently has two vacant Departmental Head (DH)posts and one vacant Deputy Principal post. The DH posts were advertised in Vacancy Circular 2 of 2025, with an anticipated start date of 1 August 2025. The Deputy Principal post will be advertised mid-year. The Department has also verified the qualifications of the school principal, found them to be valid, and confirms that no disciplinary action was necessary. Regarding allegations of death threats against staff members, the Department temporarily accommodated affected staff at the District Office from late 2024. 

However, due to a lack of supporting evidence, the educators were instructed to return to school in 2025. Riverlea High School Fire Incident The GDE confirms that Riverlea High School experienced significant infrastructure damage due to a fire that broke out at the school on 27 April 2025. 

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) forensic unit. Supply Chain Management processes are still underway to reconstruct the school. However, to ensure minimal disruption to teaching and learning, four mobile classrooms were delivered to the school on 2 May 2025. Repairs are planned for completion during the 2025/26 financial year, with an estimated cost of around R2.5 million. As no repairs have begun, there are no expenditures to report at this time. 

The Department has implemented fire safety measures at the school. Fire blankets were delivered on 13 May 2025, and learners and staff have received basic firefighting training. 

The school has been equipped with first aid kits, and monthly checks ensure the availability of medical supplies. The school currently has limited fire safety infrastructure, with no fire alarm system due to financial constraints. The last fire safety inspection was not recorded prior to the incident, but plans are in place to collaborate with the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services in the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year for awareness and preparedness training for the School Safety Committee. Firefighting equipment was last serviced in May 2024 and is scheduled for its next service at the end of May 2025. 

LISTEN HERE @KASIBC_AUDIO 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-xJgBXlEWvD_QdYKLFc45mb_OC6gAzO/view?usp=drivesdk

Maintenance remains a priority item at the school. Funding for Schools of Specialisation The GDE reduced funding to Schools of Specialisation (SoS), Due to broader budget constraints across sector. Despite this, the available budget will continue to support specialised subjects and prioritised needs in alignment with the business plans of these schools. As more schools are designated as SoS, resources must be spread more widely. In accordance with Section 36(1) of the South African Schools Act, 1996, SGBs are encouraged to supplement state funding to enhance educational quality. 

It is important to note that the Department continues to pay salaries for all state-employed educators and supports infrastructure costs, excluding minor maintenance at all SoS. Equipment purchases are to be made using allocated funds or sponsorships. In cases where SGBs employ additional educators for specialisation subjects, funds from the school’s allocation or private fundraising efforts are used. The Department does not maintain direct records of external sponsorships or donor funding for SoS, as public schools are juristic persons in terms of Section 15 of the South African Schools Act. 

This legal status grants schools the autonomy to enter into contracts, raise funds, and manage their own budgets under the governance of their SGBs. As such, while all Schools of Specialisation are expected to secure external sponsorships, the specifics of funding partners, amounts, or shortfalls fall within the remit of individual schools and their SGBs. Importantly, the Department affirms that there are no funding shortfalls for SoS, as all budgets and business plans are aligned. Any additional needs are to be addressed through the schools’ own fundraising initiatives. 

The Gauteng Department of Education remains resolute in its mission to provide quality, inclusive, and responsive education to all learners in the province. 

These issues are being attended to with the necessary diligence, and the Department continues to work collaboratively with school communities, School Governing Bodies, and relevant stakeholders to ensure accountability and improved outcomes across the system.