SASSA Grant Distribution Changes @KASIBCNEWS

SASSA Grant Distribution Changes @KASIBCNEWS

The DA is calling for immediate action from the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, and relevant stakeholders regarding the recent changes in the distribution of SASSA grants that are causing significant distress among beneficiaries, particularly older persons.

The phased withdrawal of cash distribution by Postbank and Post Offices has led to many SASSA grant recipients being turned away, as the transition from SASSA gold cards to the new Postbank black cards has not been effectively communicated. 

This lack of information has left vulnerable individuals uncertain about how to access their grants.

While the SASSA gold cards remain valid for use - even after their expiry until the end of the year - this critical detail seems to not have reached the staff at Post Offices or the beneficiaries who rely on these services. 

We are deeply concerned about the potential hardships this may cause, especially for those already facing financial challenges.

Moreover, the shift to participating retailers like Pick ’n Pay and Boxer stores presents additional barriers. Many SASSA beneficiaries find it difficult to travel to these locations, often incurring high transport costs that further strain their limited resources. The Post Office has traditionally been the most accessible option for grant distribution, and its removal exacerbates the challenges faced by our communities. 

The access to grants is already spread out over a few days after the end of the month, which beneficiaries have expressed their concerns about as it messes up their debit orders - so to be further inconvenienced in this manner is adding salt to the already festering financial wound.

We are taking action by formally writing to the Minister of Social Development and other key officials to ensure that:

Clear, timely communication is provided to both Post Office staff and SASSA beneficiaries about the validity of SASSA gold cards and the transition to Postbank black cards;

Appropriate measures are implemented to support grant recipients and ensure they are not turned away when seeking access to their funds; and Alternative solutions are explored to improve access to grant distribution points, particularly for those facing transportation challenges.

In the meantime, we encourage grant recipients to consider opening accounts with reputable banks to facilitate smoother transactions.

We urge the Minister to prioritise this issue and work towards a resolution that ensures all SASSA beneficiaries receive the support they need without unnecessary barriers

 

Joburg’s Cycling Awareness Ride @KASIBCNEWS

Joburg’s Cycling Awareness Ride @KASIBCNEWS

The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Transport and Pedal Power Association (PPA) are using October Transport Month to promote cycling safety on Joburg roads.

On Sunday 6 October 2024 the first City of Joburg, Safe Cycling Awareness Ride will take place at 08:00 from Metro Park Braamfontein, corner Mandela Bridge and Carr Street.

The 25km ride aims to highlight the importance of both cyclists and motorists being able to share the road safely, cyclists’ vulnerability to accidents including good behaviour and obeying the rules of the road.

As the number of cyclists continues to grow, it is crucial to ensure that both cyclists and motorists are aware of the best practices for sharing the road safely.

The Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero says, “We are committed to making Johannesburg a safer city for everyone. This campaign is a step towards ensuring that cyclists can enjoy their rides on the road and use our bicycle lanes without fear of accidents hence the call to action #CyclistLivesMatter so motorists should stay wider of the rider.”

Key Points of the Campaign:

1. Education and Awareness: The campaign will include educational programs in schools and community centres to teach the importance of road safety for cyclists. Informative materials will be distributed to highlight the rules of the road and safe cycling practices.

2. Infrastructure Improvements: The city is committed to improving cycling infrastructure, including the addition of more bike lanes and better signage to ensure that cyclists have safe and dedicated spaces to ride.

3. Community Engagement: Local cycling clubs and organizations will be involved in the campaign to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility. Events such as group rides and safety workshops will be organized to engage the public.

4. Enforcement: There will be increased enforcement of traffic laws to protect cyclists. 

This includes stricter penalties for dangerous driving behaviours that put cyclists at risk.

 

R.I.P Kwaito Star Siphiwe General GTZ” SibisSi @KASIBCNEWS

R.I.P Kwaito Star Siphiwe General GTZ” SibisSi @KASIBCNEWS

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mr. Matome Chiloane, has expressed sadness at the passing of Kwaito music star Siphiwe Sibisi (49), who died on Sunday after hospitalization and major surgery.

Siphiwe Sibisi, affectionately known as General GTZ, is the remaining member of the Kwaito Group Chiskop, which was formed in 1998. The group consisted of Mduduzi Tshabalala, also known as Mandoza, Sibusiso Thanjekwayo, known as SB Bless, Siphiwe Sibisi, known as General GTZ, and Sizwe Motaung, known as Lollipop. 

The group released two albums: "Akusheshi" in 1998 and "Relax" in 1999.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of musician General GTZ. His influence on the sound of kwaito was unique, and his contribution to his group Chiskop helped them achieve great success, placing them at the forefront of Kwaito."

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and all those who loved and enjoyed his music. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musicians, and his name will remain engraved in the annals of our music catalogue. May his soul rest in eternal peace," says MEC Matome Chiloane.

Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation will visit the bereaved family to offer condolences.

Details of the visit:

Date: Thursday, 03 October 2024

Time: 10h00

Venue: 199 Mangali Street, Jabulani, Soweto, near Ekuphumeleleni Primary School

 

GAUTENG SCOPA FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ISSUES @KASIBCNEWS

GAUTENG SCOPA FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ISSUES @KASIBCNEWS 

Yesterday (Tuesday, 01 October 2024), the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), chaired by Honourable John Moodey, convened for its annual breakaway session to review critical audit outcomes and public financial management practices within the Gauteng Provincial Government. 

The session focused on ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective oversight of government expenditure, with presentations from several key stakeholders.

The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) presented audit findings for the 2023/24 financial year, revealing significant levels of irregular expenditure across departments such as Human Settlements, Health and Wellness; and Roads and Transport. 

Human Settlements alone recorded R3.919 billion in irregular expenditure, much of it due to non-compliance with procurement regulations and weak internal controls. 

The Committee expressed concern over unfinished housing projects, which continue to burden the department and delay access to adequate housing for many residents.

SCOPA also highlighted infrastructure delays, particularly in healthcare and education.

Projects like the Mayibuye Clinic remain incomplete, while essential services are disrupted due to poor project management and planning.

A key focus of yesterday’s session was the ongoing fight against corruption. 

The Premier’s Forensic Audit revealed a pattern of procurement irregularities and maladministration across various departments. SCOPA stressed the importance of swift action to recover misappropriated funds and implement consequence management to hold officials accountable.

The Office of the Premier additionally briefed SCOPA on the implementation of lifestyle audits, extending beyond MECs to include senior management and supply chain management (SCM) staff across provincial departments. 

SCOPA welcomed this initiative as a critical step towards promoting transparency and ethical governance.

SCOPA’s oversight will focus on monitoring delayed infrastructure projects, particularly in healthcare and housing, to ensure timely completion. Additionally, SCOPA will continue to support the Premier’s Office in rolling out lifestyle audits to senior management and SCM staff as part of its commitment to fighting corruption and promoting accountability.

SCOPA reaffirms its dedication to ensuring transparent public financial management and effective use of public funds for the benefit of all Gauteng residents. 

working on recommendations to individual government departments and entities, aimed at ensuring accountable and transparent service delivery in the province. 

The Committee is working on recommendations to individual government departments and entities, aimed at ensuring accountable and transparent service delivery in the province. 

 

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON EFF LEADER IN GAUTENG @KASIBCNEWS

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON EFF LEADER IN GAUTENG @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly condemns the attempted assassination of our Gauteng Chairperson, Commissar Nkululeko Dunga, which took place in the early hours of this morning. This attack on his life occurred at his home, where his family, including his partner, two children and elderly grandmother, were present.

At approximately 12am, suspicious footsteps were heard on the roof, prompting Commissar Dunga’s son to request a security check. By 2am, security personnel, while conducting his rounds, were ambushed and shot at by armed intruders who had positioned themselves on the roof. 

The security guard returned fire, engaging with at least three shooters before eight heavily armed assailants fled the scene by jumping over the wall. For two hours, these men lay in wait, ready to carry out what was clearly a coordinated and premeditated attempt on the life of a revolutionary leader.

Fortunately, no one’s life was taken in this terrifying ordeal, but the gravity of this ambush cannot be understated. This was a deliberate, well-planned attempt on the life of one of our most prominent leaders in the Gauteng Province. 

The police responded professionally, arriving promptly to investigate the scene, and remained active from until 10 am. Bullet holes were identified, forensic teams gathered evidence, and fingerprints were collected.

While we commend the police for their diligence in this case, it is imperative to

acknowledge the broader context of escalating political violence and lawlessness in South Africa. This assassination attempt on Commissar Dunga is part of a disturbing

and growing trend of violence targeting political figures and whistleblowers across the country. 

The rising lawlessness and the ease with which guns for hire are deployed in

these attacks reflect the state’s failure to protect its citizens. With the murders of

whistleblower Babita Deokoran and former West Rand District Muncipality Refentse

Mangope, political violence is becoming alarmingly normalised.

The EFF calls for an urgent and thorough investigation into this attempted

assassination. A case has been opened at Mondeor Police Station under case number

35/10/2024, and we demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice swiftly. 

The EFF will not be intimidated. We stand firmly behind our Gauteng Chairperson, his

family, and every fighter who continues to speak truth to power in the face of grave danger.

 

Prisoners Electric Shocking by Wardress @KASIBCNEWS

Prisoners Electric Shocking by Wardress @KASIBCNEWS 

SAPOHR is Angered, Shocked and Outraged about the death of a Female Prisoner at Jhb a Female Prison, through Electric Shocking by Wardress

The South African PRISONERS ORGANISATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (SAPOHR), is fuming after we learned of the sudden death of Female Prisoner, /Revo/ the .late Ayanda Jandisa Mkhize at the hands of those who were entrusted with the official duties to safe guard her protect and keep her , at Jhb Female Prison, whilst she serve her duties to the community she violated, says Golden Miles Bhudu, National spokesperson of SAPOHR

SAPOHR was contacted by a family member an hour ago via a Whats-Up note (find attached),and was informed of this tragic incident, where the late Ms. Ayanda Jandisa Mkhize, who was found with a cellular phone during a random strip search, and was isolated from the rest of her fellow inmates, taken to an isolated spot and shocked with Electric Wires as a form of torture to confess where, and how and who smuggled the cell phone for her into the Prison. 

This happened according to the VOICE NOTE, that she was the ONLY one that had to go through that ordeal that cost her, her ONLY LIFE 

After the torture the late fell critically ill whereas she was as FIT as a FIDDLE.

After a few days she had to be rushed to BARA Hospital and was not admitted regardless of symptoms of a gravely ill person.

A few days later she was was carried out of the communal cell with a stretcher and rushed to BARA, again, where she succumbed.

We are further informed that that fellow inmates informed the family, and the late Mothers sister, went to BARA Hospital and was met with the sad news that Ms. Ayanda Jandisa Mkhize passed on 

SAPOHR is furthermore informed that the JHB PRISON haven't until now, as I release this statement official informed the BEREAVED FAMILY, and that the Staff at BARA, has also not COOPERATED, and instead sent her from pillar to post.

 SAPOHR has advised the kin to report this tragic incident, first thing on the morning to the nearest Police station to BARA Hospital.BLIKSEM 

SAPOHR has sent the attached Voice Note rival, from the office of the Min & Dep. Min. Nat, Reg.Area Commissioner, JICS, SAHRC, the office of the RSA President via its Spokesperson Vincent Magwana.

We had called on the Min. PJ Groenewald' his Deputy Lindiwe Nhsalininhsali and the Nat. Commissioner to immediately intervene by calling the Area Commissioner of JHB, Mr. Lucky Mathiba, to confirm or deny the allegations.

This will only confirm that the Minister and his colleagues aren't going to be regarded as "MEDEPLIGTIGES - ACCOMPLICE'S

SAPOHR demands that those culprits be immediately rounded up, arrested, charged, and brought Infront of our Courts so that they bring their side of the story and if found guilty be sentence to Prison terms that will suit the Crime and sent to Prison so that they can also taste a bit of their OWN MEDICINE

 

Tswaing Municipality placed under Section 139(5) Provincial Administration @KASIBCNEWS

Tswaing Municipality placed under Section 139(5) Provincial Administration @KASIBCNEWS 

The ANC-run Tswaing Municipality completely disregards being placed under Section 139(5) Provincial Administration for a financial recovery process since August 2021.

The intervention was to restore good financial management and governance practices towards improving service delivery to residents; however, continuous cadre deployment and a complete indifference to due processes further contribute to the financial distress and imminent collapse of the municipality.

During a council meeting held yesterday in Tswaing Local Municipality, ANC councillors once again abused their majority by appointing former ANC Speaker and current Acting Corporate Services Director, Mr. Boorman Phutiagae, as the new acting Municipal Manager (MM), despite objections raised by DA Councillors.

Mr. Phutiagae will be the fourth acting MM in Tswaing since the appointed MM, Mr. Deon Mere, was suspended in April 2024, pending an investigation into his qualifications.

Thabo Meerken was then appointed as acting MM; however, Mr. Meerken resigned from the position within two weeks of his appointment.

Despite strong opposition from the DA, the ANC councillors appointed Mr. Mogale Morwe as acting MM, again, without verifying his qualifications.

In June 2024, the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr. Oageng Molapisi, appointed Mr. FT Mabokela, whose three-month acting period came to an end on 17 September 2024.

On 13 September 2024, the Mayor, Mrs. Norah Mahlangu, wrote to MEC Molapisi, requesting him to appoint a new acting MM to Tswaing, but, the MEC never responded, leaving Tswaing without a MM.

The DA is deeply concerned about the total disregard for due process. The impending collapse of Tswaing Municipality lies totally at the feet of the ANC councillors, the Speaker, the Mayor, and the MEC of COGTA.

We will write to the DA Spokesperson on COGTA in the North West Provincial Legislature, Mr. CJ Steyl, requesting him to put pressure on the MEC to release the secondment of the acting MM in Tswaing.

 The DA will not stand by watching while the residents of Tswaing suffer even further under the ANC cadre deployment strategy