SOWETO UPRISING AGAINST FOREIGNERS SPAZA SHOPS @KASIBCNEWS

 

SOWETO UPRISING AGAINST FOREIGNERS SPAZA SHOPS @KASIBCNEWS 

MEC MAILE CALLS FOR CALM IN SOWETO  MEC of Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile will visit Soweto this weekend to interact with spaza shop owners and informal traders.  MEC Maile has received disturbing reports to the effect that the residents of Naledi / Tladi, in Soweto, are destroying, shutting down and looting foreign-owned spaza shops .  "I will visit the affected areas (Soweto) this coming weekend to interact with spaza shop owners and informal traders", said MEC Maile.  MEC Maile has urged the community to remain calm and desist from taking the law into their own hands, in response to the tragedy that befell school learners who died after allegedly consuming contaminated snacks. 

"We don't want lawlessness in Gauteng and people should not take the law into their own hands. We will intensify the Qondis' Ishishini Lakho – Fix Your Business campaign, as a powerful instrument to crack down on non-complaint businesses across the province, especially in Townships ", continued MEC Maile.  The MEC launched the compliance campaign in Thembisa last month to encourage businesses to comply with consumer laws and regulations. 

This ongoing multi-stakeholder compliance campaign ensures that all possible areas of non-compliance are monitored and flagged in our communities. Compliance notices are issued and fines are levied against businesses that are found to be violating consumer laws and health regulations. MEC Maile has reaffirmed ANC-led provincial government of local unity will continue to support township-based SMMEs, as part of the government’s plan of transforming the ownership and control patterns of Gauteng's economy, and of restoring the dignity of our historically marginalised and excluded Black majority. 

LIMPOPO AND GAUTENG HIGHSPEED RAIL LINK @KASIBCNEWS

LIMPOPO AND GAUTENG HIGHSPEED RAIL LINK @KASIBCNEWS

The Limpopo and Gauteng Provincial Governments, led by Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi, convened a strategic meeting today to advance plans for the proposed high-speed rail network linking Limpopo and Gauteng. 

The meeting took place at the Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro in Mookgophong, Waterberg, on 09 October 2024. A key outcome of the meeting was the approval of the implementation protocol document by both Premiers, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development. 

The meeting also initiated the process for the nomination and appointment of a Joint Project Manager, confirmed the cost-sharing mechanism and proposed the budget for the prefeasibility study. Additionally, both provinces agreed to engage in joint consultations with the Ministries of Finance, Transport, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Trade, Industry and Competition, and the Presidency to secure buy-in for the project. 

A Political Oversight Committee will also be appointed to ensure effective governance and oversight. Premier Panyaza Lesufi emphasised the importance of collaboration, stating: “We are of the view that the economies of the two provinces are beginning to merge, and we must find ways of harnessing this growth. 

This is not a vision of one province; it is a joint vision that is driven from all angles. Together, we can create a seamless transport network that will benefit our citizens and businesses alike.” 

The Gauteng-Limpopo Rail Link Project is set to be incorporated into the Medium-Term Development Plan, marking a crucial step toward enhancing inter-provincial connectivity and economic collaboration. The high-speed train promises substantial commercial and economic benefits, including reduced travel times, improved trade routes, and accelerated regional development. 

It will position both Limpopo and Gauteng as pivotal economic hubs, facilitating seamless travel for businesses, commuters, and tourists. By making travel between cities more efficient and accessible, this project is expected to attract investment, open new markets, and support the growth of businesses across various sectors. 

Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba remarked: “This meeting is a pivotal moment, where we have reached consensus on key principles and practical steps. The realisation of this project will not only create jobs but will transform our cities with high-speed rail stations that will become dynamic hubs of economic activity, stimulating urban development, and increasing property values. 

We are committed to making this vision a reality for the benefit of all our people.” As part of the way forward, especially after meetings with national departments, the project managers will schedule meetings with stakeholders like traditional leaders, taxi industry and other critical stakeholders to make the project people centred. 

The delegation from both provinces included Members of the Executive Council, Directors General, Heads of Departments, Chief Executive Officers, and other senior government officials, all dedicated to the successful implementation of this transformative project. 

Chinese Nationals charged with Human Trafficking and Child Labour @KASIBCNEWS

Chinese Nationals charged with Human Trafficking and Child Labour @KASIBCNEWS 

The defence in the trial of seven Chinese nationals charged with human trafficking and child labour yesterday (4 October) closed its case after calling its last witness to take a stand.

In the trial the defence closed its case after having only called accused number one to testify.

Amil Thousaad (27), a Malawian national who took a brief stand in Gauteng Division of the High Court (Johannesburg) as a defence witness on Wednesday continued with his testimony yesterday. On Wednesday proceedings had to be brought to a halt after Thousaad took an oath and told the Court that he was comfortable in testifying in English.

No sooner had he taken the stand he was battling to give testimony and Court decided to enlist the services of a Chichewe interpreter. Thousaad continued on his testimony on his association with the Chinese, whom he said he had been working for since 2018, when he arrived in South Africa.

Trousaad was testifying in the Chinese trial of: Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian. The accused are facing schedule six offences.

The Chinese are facing counts of human trafficking, contravention of Immigration Act, kidnapping, pointing a firearm, debt bondage, benefitting from the services of a victim of trafficking, conduct that facilitates trafficking, illegally assisting person(s) to remain in South Africa, and failure to comply with duties of an employer.

The seven were arrested on 12 November 2019 in a joint operation carried out at their premises of a company called Beautiful City Pty Ltd based at Village Deep in Johannesburg. 

The joint inspection blitz was carried out by the Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch together with the South African Police Service (SAPS)/ Hawks Unit and the Department of Home Affairs.

The joint operation uncovered illegal immigrants some of whom were minors working under horror conditions and kept in the locked premises of a factory called Beautiful City. The factory produced cotton fibre sheets.

Thousaad had told the Court that he first worked in a Chinese factory located at Croesus in Johannesburg and later joined Beautiful City when it started operations in Faraday. He explained operations of the factory and that of his role working as a “machine fixer” and also doing menial tasks.

He also testified that on the day of joint inspection blitz he was out at the factory shop only to come back and the premises were full of police and other government officials.

Prosecutor, Valencia Dube accused Thousaad of dishonesty and giving testimony full of hearsay. She said Thousaad was a “chameleon” who constantly changes his testimony to suit the situation.

Five of the accused are out on bail and the other two (accused number two and seven) are in custody for violating their bail conditions – by trying to skip the country.

Both the State and the defence have concluded their cases. The matter has been postponed to 20 November 2024 for closing arguments.

Nigeria Dumps Oil Trade in US Dollars @KASIBCNEWS

 

Nigeria Dumps Oil Trade in US Dollars @KASIBCNEWS 

The Nigeria’s official shift to conducting crude oil and refined petroleum product sales in Naira as of October 1, 2024.

 This move aligns with a directive from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), announced by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. 

The initiative aims to boost transparency, self-sufficiency, and stability in Nigeria’s economy. 

The decision was supported by key stakeholders, including prominent figures in government and industry. 

This is seen as a bold strategic step by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

TERS Budget from R400Million to R2.4Billion @KASIBCNEWS

TERS Budget from R400Million to R2.4Billion @KASIBCNEWS 

The Department of Employment and Labour has announced an increase in the budget for its Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) from R400 million to R2.4 billion, for the current financial year. This significant boost aims to assist companies in distress and prevent employee layoffs amid unstable economic conditions, as revealed by Minister Nomakhosazana Meth.

About TERS

TERS is an intervention by the Department of Employment and Labour that provides financial assistance to companies in distress for up to 12 months. The scheme enables employers to retain employees by covering their salaries while the company focuses on implementing a turnaround strategy to remain operational. During this period, employers are only required to cover employee social costs such as provident fund and medical aid contributions.

Productivity SA, an entity under the Department, offers turnaround strategy solutions to companies in distress. Minister Meth urged companies experiencing financial challenges to participate in the scheme as soon as they notice signs of distress.

"The nature and degree of distress will be objectively measured through indicators, including but not limited to a decline in revenue. The application process for TERS begins at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and is entirely free of charge. 

There are no application, initiation, or administration fees required," says Minister Meth.

A single adjudication committee administered by the CCMA evaluates all TERS applications for eligibility using a combination of indicators.

Rationale for the Budget Increase

Recent economic challenges have led to significant job losses across various sectors. During the 2023/2024 financial year, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) reported that out of 38,428 employees who were likely to be retrenched, a total of 14,887 jobs (39%) were saved through various interventions. However, actual retrenchments amounted to 22,554. 

The alarming number of job losses, particularly in key industries, necessitated an adjustment in our budget to enhance TERS.

“The increase in the TERS budget is a proactive response to volatile economic trends that threaten the livelihoods of impoverished workers and the sustainability of businesses. Our goal is to preserve jobs and support companies facing financial difficulties.

“Furthermore, the increase in the scheme's capacity, aims to reduce the risk of further retrenchments and support economic stability,” says Minister Meth.

The highest number of job losses were recorded in the following sectors:
Mining: 5,153 job losses
Manufacturing: 2,125 job losses
Telecommunications: 1,680 job losses

Impact on Key Industries

Since its inception, TERS has been instrumental in supporting a wide range of industries severely impacted by economic challenges. The following sectors have notably benefited from the scheme:

Hospitality and Tourism: Hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies affected by decreased tourism.

Manufacturing: Factories experiencing reduced demand and supply chain disruptions.

Retail: Non-essential retail businesses facing reduced consumer spending.

Transportation: Bus services, and logistics companies dealing with decreased operations.

Statistical Highlights

Job Preservation: TERS has facilitated the retention of hundreds of thousands of jobs by providing salary support to employees who might otherwise have been laid off.

Economic Stability: TERS continues to play a significant role in stabilising the economy during turbulent times, ensuring a quicker path to recovery by alleviating the financial burden on companies.

Application Requirements

Employers seeking to participate in the TERS scheme will be required to provide documentary evidence for evaluation:

Audited Annual Financial Statements for the past two financial years.

Independently Reviewed Annual Financial Statements for companies not legally required to be audited, covering the past two financial years. 

Independently Reviewed Management Accounts with comparative figures if the latest financial statements are older than three months.

Termination of Contract and Bank Statement for individual applicants.

Business Case outlining the triggers for distress and proposed remedial actions.

Police on manhunt for Qumbu killers @KASIBCNEWS

Police on manhunt for  Qumbu killers @KASIBCNEWS 

The Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene strongly condemns the senseless and a brutal ambush of community patrollers, where six people were fatally shot, and four were injured at the Lugongozo Junior Secondary School in Tina Falls near Qumbu last night.

It is alleged that on Sunday, 6 October 2024 around 22:45, a group of at least eight (08) men, who were armed with rifles and handguns opened fire to a group of community patrollers. 

Six people succumbed to their injuries, and four victims were rushed to the nearest hospital. It is said that the patrollers were at a local school, and were preparing for their evening patrols when they were attacked. 

The suspects (unknown) are still at large, and a motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage. 

Police are urging anyone with information that could assist our investigating team to contact a team leader on 082 301 7762. The information may also be shared via Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.

Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said, “We have mobilised maximum resources, and we are concerned that those who are working and assisting the police are being targeted and attacked. 

We will do our best to ensure that those who were behind this mass shooting are apprehended. As the Service, we condemn this incident, and we also extend our condolences to the families of the deceased persons. 

We would also like to wish those who are injured a speedy recovery, concluded Lt Gen Mene.

Soweto School Learners Poisoned @KASIBCNEWS

Soweto School Learners Poisoned @KASIBCNEWS

MEC CHILOANE SADDENED BY DEATH OF FOUR LEARNERS IN SOWETO 

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation, Mr. Matome Chiloane, wishes to express his deep sadness over the tragic passing of four learners, three from Karabo Primary School and one from Khauhelo Primary School, both located in Soweto. These learners allegedly died on Sunday, 6 October 2024, after consuming food that is suspected to have been poisoned.

According to information at our disposal, a Grade 1 boy (age 7), a Grade 2 girl (age 8), and a Grade 3 boy (age 9) from Karabo Primary School sadly passed away on Sunday after allegedly consuming food suspected to have contained poison. Additionally, a Grade 1 boy learner from the school remains in ICU at a local medical facility after also having consumed the food.

In a separate incident, an 8-year-old Grade 2 boy from Khauhelo Primary School also passed away on Sunday after allegedly consuming snacks purchased from a spaza shop in Naledi.

Police are currently investigating circumstances surrounding these tragic incidents. 

The GDE, together with the affected schools, has activated the necessary support structures to provide psycho-social counseling to affected learners, educators, and family members. 

“We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and school communities affected by these tragic incidents. The safety and well-being of our learners remain our top priority, and we urge parents, guardians, and communities to exercise caution regarding the food consumed by children,” said MEC Chiloane.