Gogo Matlape Born 4th December 1918 @KASIBCNEWS  Gauteng Social Development MEC, Faith Mazibuko, urged young people to take a leaf from the book of a centenarian, Gogo Makhopokoane Jermina Matlepe, who was born on the 4th of December 1918 in Steenros, Free State. Gogo Matlape was celebrated by the community at her home in Kokosi. She was blessed with 11 children (5 girls and 6 boys). Mazibuko joined 93 older persons between 80 and 100 at Gogo home to celebrate her life and share his secret to longevity (reaching 105 years).  "To have an old person living for so many years is priceless. We opted to come join this celebration of Mama and thank her family for having taken care of her for so many years. We joined this celebration too precisely because we wanted to dig deeper into her well of wisdom and know her secret to long life," she said. Mazibuko said young people should follow Gogo Matlape footsteps and learn how to be responsible. citizens in the county. Mazibuko handed ov...

MMC GWAMANDA PLACED ON SPECIAL LEAVE @KASIBCNEWS  This morning, Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero met with MMC for Community Development, Cllr Kabelo Gwamanda, to address the reported allegations of fraud that have surfaced in the public domain. "The severity of these allegations demands a proactive response to protect the integrity of the Office of the Executive Mayor," said Mayor Morero. "In line with the City's commitment to integrity, good governance, and accountability, I have decided to place MMC Gwamanda on special leave, effective immediately, and relieve him of all his executive duties."  The residents of Johannesburg are hereby informed that the allegations will be referred to the Speaker of Council, who will handle the matter according to the legislated processes and rules of the council.  The Executive Mayor believes that both administrative and political leadership must uphold their oath of office, guided by the code of conduct and ethics, in serving...

  Abduction Case of 6-year-old Eva Tembo @KASIBCNEWS The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is outraged at the disgraceful way the abduction case of 6-year-old Eva Tembo was handled. The sheer incompetence, negligence, and blatant privilege granted to the abductor, Carlos Rebelo, is an insult to justice, the safety of children, and the dignity of Eva’s family.  In a shocking act of lawlessness, Eva Tembo was abducted in July by her mother’s employer, Carlos Rebelo. After securing custody of Eva in June 2024, Rebelo defied the law by refusing to return her once the custody order was reversed on July 12th. Instead of complying, he abducted the child and vanished, leaving her family scrambling to find her. It is only yesterday that Rebelo finally returned the child to his lawyer’s offices and eventually the child was reunited with her parents. Firstly, it is not clear how an unrelated, old man like Rebelo gained custody of a child that wasn’t his. This man had no blood relation to E...

Unconstitutional Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act @KASIBCNEWS Constitutional Court Ruling Exposes Government and Parliament’s Failure to Implement Policy The Taaibosch Kei Korana Royal House and Gauteng Housing Crisis Committee, (GHCC) welcomes the recent Constitutional Court ruling on the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, which highlights the continued failure of government and Parliament to implement policy in line with democratic principles.  The Court’s decision, which declares the Act unconstitutional due to a lack of public participation, demonstrates a systemic problem in South Africa’s legislative process. In this unanimous judgment, the Constitutional Court reaffirmed the critical importance of meaningful public participation, calling out Parliament’s “overwhelming failure” to ensure the people’s voices were adequately heard in shaping policies that affect millions of South Africans, particularly marginalized communities. The ruling gave Parliament 24 months ...

ALL SYSTEMS GO MATRIC CLASS EXAMS 2024 @KASIBCNEWS  With just hours to go before the first paper in the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations is written, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says the department is ready to administer the examinations. The examinations are set to run from 21 October to 27 November. Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, Gwarube said these exams are not only a critical milestone for the learners involved, but they also represent the cumulative efforts of the nation’s education system, schools, communities, and the Department of Basic Education (DBE). “With just hours to go before the first paper is written, I proudly announce that we are ready to administer the 2024 NSC exams - holding ourselves to best-in-class integrity, security, and efficiency standards. “Outside of the National and Local Government elections, I have yet to learn any other logistical project of the magnitude of the National Senior Certificate Examinations,” Gwarube sa...

  SPAZA SHOPS POISON SCHOOL KIDS @KASIBCNEWS The Department of Health has rebuffed claims that government is neglecting the issue of children dying from suspected food poisoning. According to the department, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is currently treating the recent spate of deaths as a national security threat.  “These increasing incidents in black communities have led to an unfortunate and unsubstantiated perception that authorities are turning a blind eye to this crisis, and seem not to care about what’s happening to citizens.  "Contrary to these beliefs and perceptions, this is what various authorities have been engaged in,” a statement from the department read.  Those affected have concluded that these sudden deaths, especially among school children, were because of food poisoning emanating from foodstuff, particularly snacks, sold by foreign-owned spaza shops. The Health Department said NATJOINTS, which is the nationa...

GAUTENG NPOS FUNDING PROCESS @KASIBCNEWS  NPOS URGED TO SUBMIT SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS FOR QUARTER 3 & 4 FOR FUNDING BY 31 OCTOBER 2024  The Gauteng Department of Social Development calls on all Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) who have received Service Level Agreements (SLAs) from the Department for quarters 3 and 4 NPO funding to submit signed SLAs by Thursday, 31 October 2024. Late submissions will delay the processing of payments by the Department.  Since the beginning of the October, the Department has received 1,774 business plans for funding across various programs aligned with its mandate. Out of these 1 774 business plans, 1 570 SLAs have been generated and distributed to NPOs for signing, and 1 228 signed SLAs have been received back from NPOs. Of these, 1 204 SLAs have been generated into contracts on the system for payment. Payment runs occur daily, and as of today, October 17th, 1 204, SLAs have been paid.   This is a crucial opportunity for NP...

SRD (Social Relief of Distress) Grant Fraud @KASIBCNEWS The Democratic Alliance (DA) will today write to the Chairperson of the Social Development Portfolio Committee, Bridget Masango MP, requesting her to summon SASSA to the Committee meeting next week Wednesday to account for the shocking allegations of large-scale fraud within the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant system. This follows the recent revelations by two Stellenbosch University computer science students who uncovered serious vulnerabilities in SASSA’s systems, which have been exploited to defraud some of the most vulnerable members of our society. It is deeply concerning that a system meant to provide critical relief has been so badly compromised. The DA will demand that SASSA explain how this was allowed to happen, who is responsible, and what immediate steps will be taken to prevent further abuse. Simply admitting to "incidents of fraud" is not enough – this appears to be a coordinated effort, and SASSA mus...

Special Provincial Funeral  Pastor Ray McCauley @KASIBCNEWS Special Provincial Funeral for Pastor Ray McCauley of the Rhema Bible Church  President Cyril Ramaphosa has designated the funeral of Pastor Ray McCauley as a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2.  This follows Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s request that the President honour the life of the pioneering religious leader, social reformer, and founder of Rhema Bible Church.  Pastor McCauley passed away on 8 October 2024, and will be laid to rest this coming Saturday, 19 October 2024 at Rhema Bible Church North at 8:00 AM.  Pioneering Pastor Ray McCauley established the Rhema Bible Church in the late 1970s, spreading the gospel of racial integration even at the height of apartheid.  He went on to plant more than 500 churches worldwide and see more than 10 000 Bible school graduates from Rhema Bible School.  “We will remember Pastor Ray McCauley as an outstanding citizen of our country and a con...

  Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi Versus AfriForum @KASIBCNEWS  Premier Lesufi strongly refutes AfriForum allegations as baseless and misleading Premier Panyaza Lesufi has strongly refuted allegations levelled against him of “covering up corruption, money laundering and fraud” within the Gauteng Provincial Government. The claims were made by AfriForum and allege that Premier Lesufi is a central figure in the cover-up of rampant corruption, money laundering, and fraud in the Gauteng Provincial Government.  The allegation is centred around the investigations of the 13 officials from the Department of Social Development who are implicated in forensic investigations.  “The officials were placed on special leave on allegations of misconduct between November 2023 and January 2024 to avoid them from tempering with the investigation and intimidating witnesses. However, the officials were reinstated in August 2024 as they had not been officially charged. However, the investig...

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ANC 100DAYS GNU @KASIBCNEWS  Leadership of the African National Congress, Leadership of the Alliance and broader democratic movement, Comrades, Friends, Fellow South Africans, One hundred days have passed since the members of the Government of National Unity were sworn into office.  The establishment of the GNU was a historic occasion, bringing together into one administration parties from across the political spectrum. As we mark this milestone, we reflect on the progress that has been made since South Africans went to the polls on the 29th of May this year.  We reflect on the work that has been done to implement the mandate from the people for transformation, inclusive growth and jobs.  On this occasion, we commend the people of South Africa for turning out in their millions to vote in conditions of peace, fairness and stability. The elections results sent a clear message to the ANC and the nation.  The results showed that, while acknowledg...