DOD ( Department of Defence  ) Myriad Crises @KASIBCNEWS

The DA congratulates Major General Lancelot Mathebula on his appointment as Deputy Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), effective 1 January 2025. Maj Genl Mathebula is currently the project leader of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Space Command and has 24 years’ service in the Force. His experience, coupled with that of the SAAF Chief, will bring a valuable balance to the Force leadership.

The Department of Defence (DoD) is in a state of crisis and strong leadership is required across the board to address it. Over the past years the Department has consistently been one of the Auditor-General’s biggest financial offenders. Its report for 2023/24 highlighted rampant unauthorised expenditure in the Department to the sum of R3,4 billion. Irregular expenditure amounted to R338 million and fruitless and wasteful expenditure increased drastically from R2,569 million in 2022/23 to R51 million in 2023/24. Whilst a large chunk of the expenses relate to personnel costs, more worrying items are, for example, the fruitless and wasteful expenses incurred in respect of Project Thusano, also known as the Cuban training programme.

The DA calls on Major General Mathebula to focus his attention on increasing the operational capacity of the South African Air Force by practicing austerity, directing all available funds towards increasing aircraft availability and ensuring that the SAAF executes its primary mandate to ensure the safety and security of the South African airspace, which includes enabling more flying hours for air force officers and procuring proper weapons for combat. This can only be done when persons in leadership positions show true leadership by respecting the severity of the SANDF crisis.

Despite recent improvements, the SAAF's fighter capacity maintains a very limited capability. The Rooivalk fleet is in urgent need of attention, including the recommissioning of the aircraft that recently returned from the DRC. Similarly, the SAAF lacks a proper medium airlift capability with the current C-130BZ Hercules fleet largely grounded and only ad hoc aircraft availability.

Yet, despite the SAAF’s incapability to defending South Africa’s skies, it was reported in September that Air Force Chief Lt General Wiseman Mbambo acquired two Audi Q7 vehicles – complete with blue lights – at a cost of nearly R3 million. The vehicles were purchased for Lt Genl Mbambo’s exclusive use, the second one supposedly for security reasons. Government’s handbook for executive officials – including ministers – prescribes that an official vehicle should not cost more than R700 000.00. It was further reported that Major General David Nyangasya, Mbambo’s junior in seniority and rank, has also recently acquired a second Audi Q7 to compliment his official vehicle – an Audi Q7. Until the end of August, he was the general officer commanding the works formation.

Apart from the wasteful expense of luxury vehicles, the Air Force band participated in the Spasskaya International Military Music Festival in Russia for a week at the end of August at a cost of almost R15 million.

The DA has raised its concern about the state of the SANDF with Minister Angie Motshekga on several occasions over the past months since President Cyril Ramaphosa moved her from the Basic Education portfolio to lead the Department of Defence. Whilst the Minister recently confirmed in writing that the South African Navy is in crisis, several parliamentary questions posed to her remain unanswered. The DA will write to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces to request her intervention in the matter once the new Parliamentary term starts.

One of the questions which remain unanswered was submitted on 10 October 2024 and requested the Minister to provide the exact information relating to the cost of Lt Genl Mbambo’s official vehicles; the cost of the modification thereof; the procurement process and information regarding the authorisers in the procurement process.

POSITIVE SOLUTIONS CWP ( COMMUNITY WORK PROGRAMME ) @KASIBCNEWS 

The African National Congress (ANC) notes the government’s decision to terminate the contracts of Community Work Programme (CWP) participants aged 55 and older by 31 January 2025. While this decision forms part of efforts to reimagine the programme in alignment with the priorities of the 7th Administration, the ANC recognizes the potential socio-economic challenges it may create for those affected. 

The CWP has long been a cornerstone of government’s efforts to address unemployment and poverty by providing a vital safety net for unemployed South Africans of working age. It has offered a bridge to opportunity, enabling participants to sustain their livelihoods while actively seeking permanent employment. 

The ANC emphasizes the importance of ensuring that no beneficiary is left without meaningful support during this transition. The party welcomes government’s commitment to reimagine and enhance the programme but stresses the need for a solution that safeguards the livelihoods of current participants, particularly those aged 55 and older. 

The government should find a solution that will not disadvantage over 65000 beneficiaries of the programme. The ANC is encouraged by government’s willingness to engage further with stakeholders and communities to develop sustainable solutions. This reimagination process must prioritize efforts to reduce poverty, unemployment, and inequality, ensuring that the CWP remains an effective instrument for socio-economic upliftment. 

The ANC calls for a strengthened approach to the programme that aligns with emerging economic sectors while maintaining its critical focus on community development. We urge the government to explore reskilling and upskilling opportunities for affected participants, providing them with access to alternative avenues for economic inclusion. 

The ANC remains unwavering in its commitment to initiatives that uplift communities and protect the most vulnerable. 

We urge all stakeholders to continue working together to ensure that the CWP continues to serve as a beacon of empowerment and hope for millions of South Africans. 

THE PASSING OF EXPECTANT MOTHER AT WESTBURY CLINIC @KASIBCNEWS

 In the wake of an incident that ended with the passing of a 32-year-old expectant mother, Miriam Singh, within an hour of being admitted at the Westbury Clinic Midwifery Obstetric Unit (MOU) on Sunday, 29 December 2024, early in the morning,    the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) instituted an investigation on Monday, 30 December to establish facts around this case. 

The Department has since received the outcome of the internal investigation which was also subjected to expert review by leading specialists in obstetrics/gynaecology and surgery from Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. 

The internal report found that the correct protocols were followed by the healthcare workers in attendance. The postmortem report has revealed that the patient had a serious underlying condition which contributed to the deterioration of their condition within a short space of time after presenting at our health facility. Given the doctor patient confidentiality the department is unable to expatiate further the actual medical condition of the patient. 

 The investigating officer from the South African Police Service earlier today handed over the postmortem report to the Singh family. Having said this, the GDoH has noted with disappointment the malicious allegations which were prematurely made  on public platforms by various interested parties which were not based on any    clinical fact but hearsay. 

This is not only irresponsible behaviour it is also unethical and unfortunately compounds the pain experienced by the grieving family as they now have to contend with misinformation from about the condition     of their loved one which can make it even harder to accept clinical facts. 

The Department extends the deepest condolences to the Singh family for the sudden loss and will continue to avail counselling services and redress as and  when the family is available. 

ESKOM LOADSHEDDING SUSPENDED @KASIBCNEWS 

Loadshedding remains suspended for over nine months, resulting in year-on-year diesel savings of R16.20 billion

Eskom has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to providing reliable electricity to South Africa. As of today, Eskom has successfully completed over nine months (275 consecutive days) without implementing loadshedding since 26 March 2024. This achievement underscores Eskom’s dedication to addressing the country’s energy challenges through its investment in the Generation Recovery Plan and enhanced maintenance protocols.

Eskom continues to utilise the December summer break to increase planned maintenance activities to further improve the reliability of its generation fleet as many industries have shut down for this period, with maintenance averaging at ~8 000MW.

The recovery plan significantly improved operational performance, particularly by reducing unplanned outages by ~8.1% compared to the same period last year. Additionally, there was a year-on-year diesel savings of R16.20 billion, which is about 65.1% less than the R24.89 billion spent during the same period last year. Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.

In August, Eskom shared its summer outlook for the period from 01 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, predicting a likely scenario of a loadshedding-free summer, including the festive season, due to structural generation improvements. This outlook remains unchanged. Our year-to-date unplanned outages average is 11 900MW, which is 1 100MW less than our 2024 summer base case of 13 000MW.

Over the past week, the average total unplanned outages have been at 11 438MW, an improvement from the 13 980MW recorded during the same period last year, representing a reduction of 2 542MW. Today’s unplanned outages are at 11 154MW, which is 1 846MW lower than the summer 2024 base case.

Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) averaged 56.23% over the past week due to increased planned maintenance, with top-performing stations — including all peaking stations — achieving an average EAF of 70% and above. Five other power stations recorded EAFs above 60%. The year-to-date EAF is at 62.37%.

With an available generation capacity of 26 906MW and a peak demand forecast of 22 474MW for tonight, Eskom remains on track to meet electricity demand. Four units with a combined capacity of 1 735MW are on cold reserve. By Monday evening, an additional 2 950MW is expected to return online.

Key Performance Highlights:

Reduction in unplanned outages:

• The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) is at 24.92% for the financial year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 26 December 2024), improving from 32.97% in the corresponding period last year.

• This reduction in UCLF represents a ~8.1% improvement compared to the same period last year.

Ongoing Planned Maintenance:

Ongoing planned maintenance at 7 979MW, is aligned with our summer maintenance strategy to further improve the reliability of the stations in preparation for winter 2025 and beyond.

Sustained Energy Availability Factor (EAF) improvement:

• The year-to-date (01 April 2024 to 26 December 2024) EAF is at 62.37%, a significant improvement of ~7.0% compared to the same period last year (55.35%).

• The weekly EAF slightly reduced from 57.0% at the beginning of the financial year to 56.27% from 23 to 26 December 2024, mainly due to an increase in planned maintenance.

Continued strategic utilisation of Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs):

Our strategic use of peaking stations, including pumped storage and OCGTs, remains key in managing electricity demand during peak times, particularly during evening peaks (17:00 to 22:00).

• Eskom’s expenditure on OCGTs between 01 April and 26 December 2024 was about R8.69 billion having generated 1 379.03GWh, approximately 65.1% (R16.20 billion) less than the R24.89 billion spent last year over the same period for 3 981.89GWh.

• The OCGT load factor for 01 April to 26 December 2024 stabilised at 6.23%, compared to last year’s figure of 18.00%.

• The OCGT load factor for 01 December to 26 December 2024 was 15.51%, significantly higher than the 4.84% for the same period last year but this is seen as temporary given the current improvement.

• Diesel usage remains below the year-to-date budget.

‘Save Your Transformers, Save Lives’ campaign

While loadshedding remains suspended, Eskom continues to face network overloading issues in certain local areas due to illegal connections, vandalism, meter tampering, unauthorised network operations, theft of network equipment, and purchasing electricity from unlicensed vendors.

To prevent public safety hazards and the risk of network overloading, which can lead to load reduction measures and extended unplanned power outages, Eskom strongly urges customers to avoid illegal connections. Such actions can negatively impact the entire local community and result in hefty remedial fines.

It is also essential for customers to purchase electricity only from authorised vendors. For a list of Eskom-accredited electricity vending outlets across the country, visit:

https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024123Vending-outlets.xlsx

Eskom urges the public to help protect the integrity of the power network by reporting any illegal activities to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.

Eskom will provide an update on Friday, 03 January 2025, or promptly communicate any significant changes as soon as they occur.

Western Cape Fire Disaster at Informal Settlements @KASIBCNEWS 

Ministry of Human Settlements concludes a successful government intervention in the Western Cape fire disaster affected informal settlements

Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, Deputy Minister Tandi Mahambehlala, joined by the Deputy Minister in Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli and the Western Cape Provincial Government, the City of Cape Town and relevant stakeholders, concluded a successful government intervention programme in ensuring that the families of the Siyahlala, Zulwini and Ekuphumuleni in the Du Noon informal settlement, City of Cape Town who were displaced by the recent fire disasters on 18 December 2024 and Christmas Eve received the necessary government interventions to assist them to rebuild their homes and reunite with their families before the new years.

In line with the National Department of Human Settlement’s Emergency Housing Guidelines, Minister Simelane deployed teams to the various informal settlements affected by the fires to do beneficiary verifications and provide detailed reports of affected households before sending in the materials for people to rebuild their structures.

Today, the teams working under the leadership of the Ministry of Human Settlements and the MMC responsible for Human Settlements in the City of Cape Town, and Emergency Housing Officials handed over more than 290 fire kits to affected households, with Du Noon receiving about 188 in the three different settlements, 59 by Wag 'n Bitjie informal settlement in Nomzamo, Strand, 44 in Kosovo and tomorrow morning the team will be in Masiphumelele to handover to the 87 households affected by the fire disasters recently.

Minister Simelane and Deputy Minister Mahambehlala have made a clarion call to communities to work together with government in ensuring that fire disasters are prevented and mitigated before they occur.

The team (Emergency Housing Officials), working together with the City of Cape Town, is currently concluding an assessment of over 500 reported shacks to have being affected by the recent fires in Langa township, a similar government intervention led by the Department of Human Settlements and its Stakeholders to assist the displaced communities will also take place in these affected areas.

“I want to urge our communities to work together with all spheres of government in line with the spirit of the District Development Model, and in its efforts of finding a suitable and habitable human settlements away from municipal servitudes, flood-prone and areas susceptible to fire disasters”, remarked Minister Simelane.

Media Enquiries: Tsekiso Machike, Spokesperson to the Minister