BY-LAW INSPECTION AT MZI CARWASH IN NEWTOWN @KASIBCNEWS 

The Office of Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg conducted a by-law inspection at Mzi Carwash in Newtown, Johannesburg, today. The inspection followed complaints from residents in the area and was also part of the City's ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with its by-laws and to maintain a safe and healthy environment for residents and visitors. 

During the inspection, the team comprising JMPD, Building Control, Town Planning, and EMS checked for compliance with various by-laws, including those related to health and safety, waste management, and zoning. The inspection found several areas of non compliance which include inadequate waste management practices, non-compliance with health and safety regulations, and several illegal unauthorized structures and zoning non-compliance. A 14-day notice has been issued to the property occupants to submit building plans and other related documents. 

Secondly building control, EMS, and Town planning will submit the reports in the next 5 days that will be submitted to Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) to review the lease for the tenants who are currently occupying the property. Additionally, during the inspection of the property, JMPD Officers also intercepted a motor vehicle that was involved in the commission of a crime, and an arrest was made. 

In closing the Public Safety MMC Cllr Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku.said “We take by-law enforcement seriously and we will continue to conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance. We also urge all businesses and residents to work with the City to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for everyone” The City will work with the management of Mzi Carwash to address these issues and ensure compliance with the relevant by-laws. 

ANC WELCOMES BY-ELECTION RESULTS @KASIBCNEWS

The African National Congress (ANC) acknowledges the outcomes of the December 4th by-elections as an important step forward for our movement. While these results reflect continued trust from the people, they also serve as a reminder that we are not out of the woods yet. 

The journey of rebuilding and renewing our movement, and delivering on the needs of our people, requires intensified effort and collective commitment. In Thabazimbi, Limpopo, we secured 10 wards, reflective of the support the ANC enjoys though much more could have been achieved. A significant victory in the Northern Cape saw the ANC reclaim a ward previously held by the Democratic Alliance (DA), signaling growing confidence in the ANC’s transformative agenda. 

Moreover, in KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC achieved notable growth in a historically Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) ward, increasing its votes from 659 in 2021 and 211 on 29 May, to 914 votes in the latest by-election. These gains highlight the progress made in challenging spaces, even as we recognize the work still needed to solidify our support base. 

We do not take these results lightly. They come with a clear message: we must redouble our efforts to tackle corruption, improve basic service delivery, and rebuild trust in communities that have felt neglected. 

The ANC remains committed to confronting its shortcomings and ensuring that we deliver on the mandate entrusted to us by the people. The ANC extends its gratitude to the voters for their continued support and to our volunteers for their tireless dedication to the campaign. Your hard work is a testament to the resilience and strength of the ANC on the ground. As we move forward, the ANC calls on all its members, supporters, and structures to intensify efforts in rebuilding our movement and addressing the challenges that persist.

Together, we can and must deliver on the aspirations of South Africans and build a better future for all. 

JMPD MISCONDUCT @KASIBCNEWS 

The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Councillor Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, has responded swiftly to alarming footage circulating on social media, allegedly showing misconduct by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers. 

This incident raises serious concerns about the misuse of state resources and the violation of public trust, which this administration will not tolerate. The MMC has directed JMPD Acting Chief Mr. Patrick Jaca and Acting HOD Ms. Vicky Manyathi to lead an immediate investigation into the matter. Suspension notices have already been issued to the officers implicated in the footage, and the JMPD Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an independent investigation to ensure full accountability and transparency. 

 This administration remains committed to ethical governance and will not allow the actions of a few to undermine the integrity of the JMPD or the trust the public places in law enforcement. Any breach of professional conduct will be met with the strongest disciplinary measures. Speaking on the matter, MMC Dr. Tshwaku emphasized: "The behavior displayed in this footage is not only unacceptable but also a betrayal of the values we uphold. This administration is dedicated to rooting out misconduct and protecting the dignity of our law enforcement agencies. We will ensure justice is served and take steps to prevent future incidents." 

The Department of Public Safety is determined to rebuild public confidence through decisive leadership and unwavering adherence to ethical standards. As the investigation unfolds, the public will be kept informed of all developments, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability. 

The MMC and the City of Johannesburg remain resolute in their vision for a law enforcement agency that is trusted, ethical, and driven by service to the community. 

There is no room for misconduct in the JMPD, and those who tarnish the badge will be held fully accountable. 

THE VICTORY OF SWAPO AND THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT IN NAMIBIA @KASIBCNEWS

The ANC Women's League celebrates the affirmation of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) by millions of Namibians as their only hope towards the attainment of a National Democratic Society. SWAPO is one of the most decorated liberation movements in Africa in both combat and as leader of the Namibian society. Its perseverance in the battlefield saw the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) fighting alongside our people's Umkhonto WeSizwe, in so many battles for the decolonisation of Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, we doff our hats for the African majority who have affirmed the progressive forces to proceed with the full liberation of the African majority, and denounce the steady push for the second colonisation of the African continent. 

The gradual deposition of liberation movements is a well-orchestrated counter-revolutionary agenda that is hellbent on discrediting the advancement of the National Democratic Revolution across the African continent. 

The ANC Women's League ululates in salutation for the significant victory attained by SWAPO in this election particularly under the candidacy of a woman. Comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is a seasoned cadre who served the people of Namibia throughout the years of South Africa's Colonisation of a Special Type and thus towers as a woman of stature who is ready for the highest office. She has come full circle as a member of the Central Committee and Politburo of SWAPO, a President of the Namibian National Women's Organisation (NANAWO), a servant of the Namibian people through various ministerial positions, and the first female Vice President of Namibia. Comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's ascendancy to the highest office in the country of Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo and Sam Nujoma, is testimony that with perseverance and a resilient spirit, women can reach greater heights, and as former Malawi President Joyce Banda proclaimed "the seeds of success in every nation on earth are best planted in women..." Congratulations Madam President. Malibongwee!!!

THE BASIC EDUCATION LAWS AMENDMENT ACT (BELA) @KASIBCNEWS 

The ANC welcomes the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act of 2024 as a milestone in transforming South Africa's education system. This Act, which builds on the achievements of post-1994 reforms, addresses critical areas such as early childhood education, recognition of Sign Language as an official language in schools, curriculum development, admissions and language policies, and the regulation of special education schools. It also tackles issues of governance, learner discipline, and procurement of learning materials, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable education framework. Sections 4 and 5 of the BELA Act are particularly significant, as they clarify the roles of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and Provincial Heads of Department regarding admission and language policies. These clauses address historical inequalities where language and admission policies were misused to exclude black learners.

The ANC is resolute in ensuring no child is discriminated against based on language or any other grounds. The Act strengthens multilingualism in education, advancing the constitutional vision of unity in diversity and addressing the marginalization of indigenous African languages. Despite the extensive consultations and democratic processes that shaped BELA, some groups have opposed sections 4 and 5, fearing the erosion of Afrikaans-medium schools. The ANC acknowledges these concerns but rejects any attempt to use these debates to defend white privilege or reverse transformation. The Afrikaner organizations’ protest on 5 November 2024 revealed underlying motives rooted in exclusion and resistance to change. The ANC reaffirms its call for the President to proclaim BELA in its entirety and supports measures to strengthen norms, standards, and regulations on admissions and language policies. 

The Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) should actively promote mother-tongue education, and the convening of a national conference on advancing multilingualism in schools and higher education is essential, protecting all official languages, in particular indigenous African languages, given the discrimination they faced under apartheid. 

We remind the Minister of Basic Education to respect the authority of Parliament on law making-processes and the authority of the President as Head of the National Executive, with primary responsibility to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic as well as to promote the unity of the nation and that which will advance it. 

The ANC remains steadfast in its commitment to quality education for all, as envisioned in the Freedom Charter. Ensuring equal access for all learners, regardless of race, language, or economic status, is central to building a united, non-racial, and equitable South Africa.