Mpumalanga Dams record another drop @KASIBCNEWS

Mpumalanga Dams record another drop @KASIBCNEWS

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) calls on the public to use the available water wisely and sparingly, as dam levels in Mpumalanga record a marginal decrease from last week’s 86.0% to 85.1% in the current. 

A weekly status of dam levels report issued by the Department also shows a decrease in the Water Management Areas (WMA). The Olifants WMA dropped from 78.0% to 77.0% and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dropped from 87.5% to 87.0%. In terms of the districts, Ehlanzeni dropped from 86.5% to 85.4%, Gert Sibande dropped from 83.9% to 83.4%, and Nkangala dropped from 89.1% to 87.7%. 

The department notes that there are no improvements recorded in most dams across the province, with only a few dams remaining unchanged and the majority recording declines.

The listed dams which recorded declines in water levels in Ehlanzeni District and the Lowveld include Blyderivierpoort from 79.0% to 76.6%, Buffelskloof from 66.7% to 63.6%, Witklip from 83.8% to 82.1%, Kwena from 82.1% to 79.9%, Da Gama from 89.6% to 87.8%, Inyaka from 89.9% to 88.7%, and Ohrigstad from 35.0% to 29.9%.

The dams that remained unchanged in the Lowveld include Driekoppies Dam at 92.7%, Longmere at 91.1%, Klipkopjes at 85.4%, and Primkop at 50.8%.

In Gert Sibande District, Grootdraai Dam dropped from 77.1% to 76.0%, Nooitgedacht from 79.8% to 79.2%, Vygeboom from 98.1% to 96.9%, and Westoe from 36.4% to 36.0%. 

All the listed dams in the Nkangala District continue to decrease in water volumes with Witbank Dam further dropping from 92.5% to 91.0%, Middelburg Dam from 85.4% to 84.3%, Loskop Dam from 90.2% to 88.5%, and Rhenosterkop Dam from 86.1% to 85.5%.

The department urges residents to fix and report water leaks, while using water sparingly. 

 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile undertakes working visit to Ireland @KASIBCNEWS

Deputy President Paul Mashatile undertakes working visit to Ireland @KASIBCNEWS

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on 27 – 28 September 2024, undertake a working visit to Ireland. The visit is aimed at reinforcing South Africa’s historic and warm bilateral relations with Ireland.

Upon arrival in Ireland, the Deputy President will meet his Irish counterpart, Prime Minister Simon Harris, to reaffirm the strong political and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

South Africa and Ireland established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago. Political and economic relations between South Africa and Ireland encompass a broad spectrum of cooperation, such as trade and investment, education, science and innovation and gender equality. Ireland’s developmental programmes have greatly assisted many initiatives in South Africa since 1994, and the partnership continues to this day.

During the visit, the Deputy President will participate in the South Africa-Ireland Trade and Investment Round Table with Irish companies that are already invested in or intend to invest in South Africa, he is expected to deliver remarks at the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering connections between the South Africa and Irish tech ecosystems.

The Deputy President will be accompanied to Ireland by the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Andrew Whitfield.

The Deputy President will then proceed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain (UK) from 29 September – 04 October 2024. The visit will focus on showcasing South Africa as an investment destination of choice and strive to identify and create new trade opportunities for South African businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.

The UK is one of South Africa’s most significant bilateral partners in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in trade, investment, skills development, science, innovation, the Just Energy Transition and tourism, among others.

The Deputy President will engage selected investors and trade partners invited in cooperation with economic partners in the UK, and deliver a lecture at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University in London, focusing on South Africa’s forthcoming Presidency of the G20.

The Deputy President will also pay a courtesy call on the Duke of Edinburgh, and meet the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Ms Angela Rayner.

The Deputy President will be accompanied to the United Kingdom by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola; the Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Maropene Ramokgopa; the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson; the Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni Abrahams; the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ms Rosemary Capa; the Deputy Minister Finance, Mr David Masondo; the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mr Kenneth Morolong and the Deputy Minister Trade Industry and Competition, Mr Andrew Whitfield.

 

Urgent Court Interdict against John Hlophe @KASIBCNEWS

Urgent Court Interdict against Jon Hlophe @KASIBCNEWS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the Western Cape High Court’s decision to grant an urgent interdict preventing Dr. John Hlophe from taking up his seat on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). This is a landmark victory for the DA and for the integrity of South Africa’s judiciary.

The court's decision affirms our position and strengthens the fight to maintain the highest standards of integrity within our judiciary. An impeached judge, found guilty of gross misconduct, should not hold a position on the JSC, a body entrusted with the responsibility of selecting judges and upholding the highest standards of judicial integrity.

This ruling is a major step in safeguarding the independence and credibility of our judicial system. Allowing Dr. Hlophe, who was impeached after a long and contentious legal process, to influence the selection of future judges would have severely damaged public trust in our judiciary and compromised the principles that uphold our democracy.

Today’s ruling is a clear victory for all South Africans who believe in an impartial and ethical judiciary. It underscores that those tasked with overseeing and selecting our judges must be held to the highest standards of conduct. We remain committed to upholding the rule of law and defending the values enshrined in our Constitution.

The DA will continue in its fight to ensure that our judiciary remains independent, transparent, and free from political interference.

 

R1-billion New Driver’s Licence printing machines @KASIBCNEWS

R1-billion New Driver’s Licence printing machines @KASIBCNEWS 

In response to a RISE Mzansi parliamentary question, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has stated that the current driver’s licence production machines have reached the end of their lifespan, meaning that three new machines, totalling a cost of R1,003,223,784 need to be procured. Each machine costs R334,407,928.

RISE Mzansi is calling on the Minister of Transport to take the nation into her confidence and to be transparent, without interfering in the work of the bidding committee, by providing an update to South Africans on how far the process is, as the last update on this matter was given more than 3months ago on 10 June 2024.

In light of the current machines reaching their lifespan, RISE Mzansi can further disclose that between 2019/20 and 2023/24 R21,091,201,32 was spent maintaining the current equipment, with R870,000 budgeted for the current financial year.

What is vital with the new procurement is that the equipment is serviced and maintained locally so there are no delays in ensuring that South African drivers are able to obtain their driving permits without delays.

 

GAUTENG HEALTH JOURNEY CLEAN AUDIT

GAUTENG HEALTH JOURNEY CLEAN AUDIT @KASIBCNEWS

SERVICE DELIVERY 

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is committed to ongoing reforms to strengthen governance, procurement processes and service delivery in its journey towards a clean audit outcome. 

These reforms continue to be be implemented in the current financial year  (2024/25) in order to address audit findings and improve operational efficiency within the GDoH. They include comprehensive improvements in procurement systems and processes, contract and asset management, with the main focus being on enhancing compliance, reducing irregular expenditure, and addressing service delivery concerns, particularly in critical areas such as medical and  mental health services and food supply at facilites.

While the GDoH has maintained an unqualified audit opinion with findings in the  2023/24 reporting cycle, it is important to contexualise the position of the Department in regard to the audit outcome and various announcements that have been made regarding its overall performance.

The overall audit outcomes highlight improvements on financial statements in  which the number of areas where adjustment was required has improved from 7 in 2019 to only 4 in the 2023/24 reporting cycle. These include Movable Tangible  Capital Assets, Assets Under Investigation, Contingent Liabilities and Accrued  Departmental Revenue. Considering that assets have been grouped together, this makes it only three areas. 

To ensure compliance in these areas, the Department is conducting asset verification across all its entities while also looking at ways to address system challenges such as reviewing of applicable policies and standard operating procedures.

In the case of contingent liabilities, the Department has made significant progress  which has seen a decrease in the rand value of the medico-legal claims from R18 billion to R13.2 billion (a reduction of approximately R4,8 billion) owing to various  interventions such as mediation, administrative archiving and public healthcare  defense. It is important to clarify that contingent liability does not constitute actual  payments of finalised cases but the amount that signify potential legal exposure based on submitted claims which are still to be verified.

It should be noted that the overall audit outcome for performance reporting  highlights an improvement on Health Facilities Management and identified material findings which were subsequently corrected by management leading to  an unqualified audit opinion. The material findings were as a result of non-adherence to the processes on how data should be collated and reported in the annual performance report. 

Amongst other key interventions that have been implemented in the GDoH’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) includes the introduction of compliance and  oversight where all procurement between R500,000 and R1 million is vetted by the Gauteng Provincial Treasury before any purchase orders are created. This  oversight ensures that all procurement actions are transparent and meet  regulatory and legal requirements.

The GDoH’s SCM Policy has also undergone a thorough review, resulting in the  introduction of stricter procedures to align with Treasury regulations. There has 

also been the introduction of Quotation Adjudication Committees across all  health institutions to review procurement activities between R2 001 and R1 million to ensure no procedural missteps. This is vital in preventing irregular expenditures and ensuring compliance across all institutions.

To address contract management, several important contracts have been finalised, addressing longstanding challenges with extended contract  management, which previously led to irregular expenditures. Key contracts  include for services including physical security, waste removal, radiation oncology services, food supply, mental health services, and medical equipment.

 

Gauteng Health Department paid R3.9 million to absent Cuban Doctors

 Gauteng Health Department paid R3.9 million to absent Cuban Doctors @KASIBCNEWS

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has disclosed in a written reply to my questions that R3.9 million was paid to 7 Cuban doctors who had left South Africa to go back to Cuba.

This expensive bungle happened as 28 Cuban doctors were hired on a one-year contract to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic, but the contracts for seven of them were irregularly extended for another year.

Instead of their contracts terminating on 14 May 2021, they continued to receive salaries without working until May 2022.

According to the MEC: "The officials who extended the contracts allege to have not been aware that the Cuban Healthcare Workers were no longer in the country."

This oversight has been flagged by the Auditor General as a "Material Irregularity".

An investigation has led to the recovery of R1.2 million, and disciplinary charges have been laid against the responsible officials.

The Cuban government has also been contacted to recover the outstanding money.

It boggles the mind that seven foreign doctors were paid for an entire year when they were not even in the country.

It is also outrageous that R2.7 million is still not recovered more than two years after this wasteful expenditure, and the officials concerned have not yet been disciplined.

It's yet another example of deep incompetence and possible corruption in this department.

As in the DA-run Western Cape Health Department, the DA in Gauteng believes there is no reason to hire Cuban doctors when so many local doctors are unemployed.

The priority should always be the best use of the available budget to provide quality healthcare.

REPATRIATION OF EXILED LIBERATION FIGHTERS

REPATRIATION OF EXILED LIBERATION FIGHTERS @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the long-awaited repatriation of our brave liberation fighters who laid down their lives in the struggle against apartheid. The beginning of the return of 49 comrades from Zimbabwe and Zambia, who died in exile, is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in pursuit of our freedom. We express our deep gratitude to the Zimbabwean and Zambian governments, whose support during our shared struggle for liberation will never be forgotten. 

Together with our comrades across borders, we fought against colonialism and apartheid, standing side by side in the battle for justice and dignity. Their solidarity was crucial then, and today’s repatriation reflects the enduring bonds between our peoples. Many of these freedom fighters were forced into exile to continue the struggle from beyond our borders when the apartheid regime intensified its oppression. Unable to fight openly within South Africa, these comrades found refuge in countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. From there, they organised military campaigns, trained new cadres, and built pan-African solidarity for the anti-apartheid movement. Exile was not just a physical departure from home, but a continuation of the struggle in different terrains, and it contributed enormously to the eventual downfall of apartheid. 

The solidarity and support they garnered from the African community strengthened the fight for our freedom. Their sacrifices in exile, often living under harsh conditions far from their families, are a vital part of the story of how South Africans, both inside and outside the country, united to bring down a brutal regime.
However, this moment is also a painful reminder of the freedoms that the ANC-led government has recklessly squandered over the last three decades. While this repatriation brings long-overdue closure to many families, it is a stark symbol of the ANC’s neglect—only now, as we mark 30 years of democracy, are these heroes being honoured with the respect they deserve. The ANC has failed to prioritise the dignity of our fallen comrades, waiting until now to remember the sacrifices of those who once stood shoulder to shoulder with them. Furthermore, this repatriation calls attention to the many unresolved atrocities committed under apartheid, where justice has yet to be served. From the murders of activists such as Nokuthula Simelane, the Cradock Four, and the hundreds of disappearances and killings orchestrated by the apartheid regime, many of these cases remain unsolved. 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), while initially seen as a vehicle for healing, has proven ineffective in delivering justice for these crimes. The TRC’s failure to hold key apartheid perpetrators accountable has left many families without the closure they deserve, and the ANC has done little to advance these cases since. True reconciliation cannot be achieved without justice, and the lack of meaningful follow-through on TRC recommendations reflects the government’s abandonment of the liberation ideals it once championed. Let it also be known that by forming an unholy alliance with the DA, the very descendants of apartheid architects, the ANC is spitting in the faces of these fallen freedom fighters. Joining hands with those who once upheld the system of oppression is a betrayal of the blood spilled for our liberation. As the EFF, we stand in solidarity with the families of these fighters and honour their legacy. We call for this process of repatriation to be expedited, so that every freedom fighter, regardless of their political affiliation, is finally brought home. We must not allow their memories to be tarnished by delay or neglect. 

We must also not forget that over 1,000 of our freedom fighters remain buried across the world, from Africa to Europe and the Americas. The EFF will continue to encourage that all of these fallen heroes be brought home, to their final resting place, where they can be honoured with the dignity and respect they deserve. Let this be a reminder to all South Africans of the ongoing fight for true economic freedom, which remains incomplete as long as the ideals for which these heroes fought continue to be undermined.