KWAZULU-NATAL REGIONS TOP MATRIC EXAMINATION @KASIBCNEWS

KWAZULU-NATAL REGIONS TOP MATRIC EXAMINATION @KASIBCNEWS

MEMBERS of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature (MPLs) have heaped praises on the Umkhanyakude District for moving from being the worst performing education district to become one of South Africa’s top performing regions during final matric examinations.

Speaking during the first visit to Umkhanyakude since the district was announced as the top-performing district, MPLs described the region’s meteoric rise as a remarkable achievement that should be emulated. UMkhanyakude achieved an overall matric pass rate of 92.8%.

“Not so long ago, this district was number 75 out of 75 districts in the country. Today it is number three in the entire country, and it is also number one in the province. This shows that the district has a well-oiled strategy which is producing handsome dividends,” said MPL Celiwe Madlopha.

She said the legislature had contributed immensely to KwaZulu-Natal’s education stellar performance by providing effective oversight and identifying barriers to effective learning and teaching.

“Members of the legislature are visiting four schools in Umkhanyakude District today and tomorrow as part of the legislature’s School Functionality Monitoring Programme (SFMP). We are, among other things, monitoring infrastructure challenges that our schools face, the delivery of learner support material, the start of lessons, safety and security. 

The SFMP is our flagship programme that has helped to resolve many challenges in our schools. We appreciate the support we continue to receive from the provincial Executive and the schools governing bodies as we play our oversight role."

A comprehensive report will be compiled after today and tomorrow’s school visits and it will be presented in the House for adoption and implementation.

LIMPOPO SCHOOLS BLACK CHILD ON THE STREETS @KASIBCNEWS

LIMPOPO SCHOOLS BLACK CHILD ON THE STREETS @KASIBCNEWS

The Limpopo Education Department is working around the clock to ease the backlog of learners who are yet to be placed. The Province has just over 1 600 learners that are yet to be placed in the four hotspot circuits; Pietersburg, Mokopane, Tzaneen and Lephalale. Majority of the applicants were not admitted last year because their applications did not meet the set criteria, but they were afforded a chance to appeal.

The Department is currently processing appeals and late applications received early this year when schools re-opened. All qualifying unplaced learners will be allocated space on or before 29th January 2025 when the headcount exercise and other logistics are finalised. Pietersburg Circuit in Polokwane has the highest number of unplaced learners for grade R,1 and 8. 33 661 learners were placed across all grades in the circuit and the remaining 816 will be processed and placed accordingly.

Parents and guardians are urged to exercise patience and allow the department to finalise the admission process. The department wishes to assure parents that all qualifying learners will be admitted within the circuits where they reside and Transport will be provided for those who will be allocated spaces outside the 5 kilometres radius.

The Department has also noted that some parents are still submitting falsified documents and fraudulent addresses to secure space for their children who are not from the feeder zones. The Department has warned parents and caregivers to desist from falsifying documents as this is a criminal act, fraudulent and can result in cases being opened with the police. Parents are cautioned not to embark on a forceful admissions of their children.

PHALABORWA CORRUPTION @KASIBCNEWS

The DA in Limpopo is deeply concerned about the ongoing corruption and malfeasant governance, committed with impunity, that has brought Phalaborwa—once a thriving town with proud residents—to its knees.

The town’s infrastructure is in a state of severe decay. Most roads are riddled with potholes that worsen and multiply with every rainfall. Residents are forced to endure raw sewage running through their properties and down the streets. Raw sewage flows into and pollutes the Kruger National Park. Many residents have not had a reliable water supply in years and suffer. Frequent electricity outages worsen when summer rains seep into overly-patched cables that need replacement and no ring mains remain for alternative supply. The town’s economy suffers.

Corruption and malfeasant governance have hollowed out the municipality, rendering it impotent and incapable of taking corrective action. Mayor Malatji has openly admitted in public meetings that the Ba-Phalaborwa municipality lacks the resources to fix the damage that the ANC-led administration has allowed to fester and collapse.

Yet, no one has been held accountable by the ANC-dominated municipality or faced any consequences. In fact, it appears that ANC cadres are being protected, with their misdemeanours swept under the carpet of impunity.

A prime example is the reported imminent prosecution of the municipality’s former Municipal Manager, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who now serves as Minister in the Presidency. The corrupt actions for which she now faces prosecution were committed over a decade ago, yet during this time, the municipality took no action against her.

It was only after the Polokwane High Court  referred an incident of a ‘clear contravention of the provisions of the MFMA by officials of the municipality’ to the NPA, in a case where the municipality sought to revoke a tender, that Ntshavheni was finally brought under scrutiny and is now facing her day of reckoning.

Ntshavheni‘s reign as Municipal Manager was and she should be held accountable for the damage and malfeasance wrought upon the municipality and the community – apart from the matter at hand.

It is clear to the DA in Limpopo, and to the court, that the ANC-led municipality had no intention of holding their cadre accountable. In fact, they were intent on protecting her malfeasance and corrupt actions. As Judge Gerrit Muller remarked in the application to set aside the tender, he had the distinct impression that "officials were being protected to the detriment of the public" and that "the impact of corrupt activities is so devastating and repugnant that the courts should do all in their power to ensure that nobody should benefit from those activities, much less those in powerful positions."

Sadly, Ntshavheni’s impending prosecution is a rare victory for the public and the town of Phalaborwa. As the DA in Limpopo, we agree with the Judge’s assertion that "little, if anything, has been done in Limpopo, in particular, to prosecute corrupt officials and others who benefit from corrupt activities."

As the DA in Limpopo we reiterate the call from our national colleague, Dianne Kohler Barnard, MP, that  no Minister who is accused of corruption should retain their seat in Cabinet.

When Ntshavheni stands in the dock and faces judgment, so too will the ANC.

WESTERN CAPE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MURDER @KASIBCNEWS

WESTERN CAPE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MURDER  @KASIBCNEWS

The DA Western Cape strongly condemns the murder of the principal of Ekuthuleni Primary School, which took place outside the school in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein. We call on the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) to act swiftly and bring those responsible to book, and urge members of the community who have any information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators, to come forward.

It is reported that another person was wounded in the attack and we wish her a full and speedy recovery. Our sincere condolences go out to the principal’s family, friends and the school community.

This heinous act marks a terrifying start to the new school year for pupils, teachers and parents of Ekuthuleni Primary. It issues an unwanted wave of fear and grief among the education fraternity.

Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education, David Maynier, said: "Our district team is on the ground at the school to offer support to the staff and learners today and in the coming days."

The safety of our pupils and educators must be a top priority for SAPS and for every community in our country. The DA will monitor the situation closely with the hope that the principal’s loved ones receive the justice they deserve.

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SUSPECT NO2 ARRESTED @KASIBCNEWS

Police arrest girlfriend of Midrand child pornography suspect following intensive investigation

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested a 25-year-old woman, a web designer by profession, in Houghton on Thursday, 23 January 2025. She faces charges of possession of child pornography and money laundering.

This arrest follows the takedown of her 35-year-old boyfriend, who was apprehended last week during a joint operation conducted by the national and Gauteng provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Units in Midrand.

An intensive investigation by the SECI Units uncovered evidence linking the woman to criminal activities, including the possession of an estimated 10 million child pornography images and videos. These materials were discovered on various electronic devices seized during an operation on Friday, 17 January 2025.

The suspect is set to appear before the Randburg Magistrates' Court on Monday, 27 January 2025.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.