Employment Equity Amendment Act @KASIBCNEWS

Employment Equity Amendment Act @KASIBCNEWS 

The Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth, is pleased to announce that the Employment Equity Amendment Act, aimed at reducing the regulatory burden for small employers to allow them to focus on job creation, will come into effect on 1 January 2025. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the proclamation notice giving effect to the start date of implementation of the Employment Equity (EE) Amendment Act, No. 4 of 2022. 

In terms of the notice gazetted on 28 November 2024, small businesses that employ less than 50 employees are no longer bound to comply with Chapter III of the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (EEA) for example, in relation to the submission of their EE reports starting from 2025 EE Reporting period. In terms of the 2024 EE report submission, which closes on 15 January 2025, employers must use the current legislation (EEA) to comply with the reporting requirements as per section 21 of the EEA.

The latest EE amendments draw their genesis in 2019 when the Department and Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) initiated sector engagements with the intention of the setting of sector EE targets to give workplace transformation impetus. 

The main objectives of the Employment Equity Amendment legislation are as follows: 
• To reduce the regulatory burden for small employers (employers employing between 1 to 49 employees) – will be excluded from complying with the provisions of Chapter III of the EE Act;
• To empower the Minister to regulate the sector specific numerical EE targets;
• To promulgate Section 53; and
• To strengthen compliance, including the issuing of EE compliance certificates.Minister Meth is positive that the regulatory flexibility will enable small businesses to now focus on growing their businesses and create jobs.


“In the next 2025 EE reporting cycle starting on 1 September 2025, employers will have to use the published EE amended legislation to submit their EE reports. We are excited by the latest developments that small businesses will no longer have to go around spending their money on consultancy fees to source legal assistance to develop EE plans and submission of EE Reports. We hope that the new amendments to Employment Equity, will impact positively on job creation and the unemployment rate,” said Minister Meth. 

The EE Amendment Bill was assented into law on 6 April 2023 by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The new legislation will allow employers to comply with their own set annual EE targets towards the achievement of the five-year sector EE targets. 

BY-LAW INSPECTION AT MZI CARWASH IN NEWTOWN @KASIBCNEWS 

The Office of Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg conducted a by-law inspection at Mzi Carwash in Newtown, Johannesburg, today. The inspection followed complaints from residents in the area and was also part of the City's ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with its by-laws and to maintain a safe and healthy environment for residents and visitors. 

During the inspection, the team comprising JMPD, Building Control, Town Planning, and EMS checked for compliance with various by-laws, including those related to health and safety, waste management, and zoning. The inspection found several areas of non compliance which include inadequate waste management practices, non-compliance with health and safety regulations, and several illegal unauthorized structures and zoning non-compliance. A 14-day notice has been issued to the property occupants to submit building plans and other related documents. 

Secondly building control, EMS, and Town planning will submit the reports in the next 5 days that will be submitted to Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) to review the lease for the tenants who are currently occupying the property. Additionally, during the inspection of the property, JMPD Officers also intercepted a motor vehicle that was involved in the commission of a crime, and an arrest was made. 

In closing the Public Safety MMC Cllr Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku.said “We take by-law enforcement seriously and we will continue to conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance. We also urge all businesses and residents to work with the City to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for everyone” The City will work with the management of Mzi Carwash to address these issues and ensure compliance with the relevant by-laws. 

ANC WELCOMES BY-ELECTION RESULTS @KASIBCNEWS

The African National Congress (ANC) acknowledges the outcomes of the December 4th by-elections as an important step forward for our movement. While these results reflect continued trust from the people, they also serve as a reminder that we are not out of the woods yet. 

The journey of rebuilding and renewing our movement, and delivering on the needs of our people, requires intensified effort and collective commitment. In Thabazimbi, Limpopo, we secured 10 wards, reflective of the support the ANC enjoys though much more could have been achieved. A significant victory in the Northern Cape saw the ANC reclaim a ward previously held by the Democratic Alliance (DA), signaling growing confidence in the ANC’s transformative agenda. 

Moreover, in KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC achieved notable growth in a historically Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) ward, increasing its votes from 659 in 2021 and 211 on 29 May, to 914 votes in the latest by-election. These gains highlight the progress made in challenging spaces, even as we recognize the work still needed to solidify our support base. 

We do not take these results lightly. They come with a clear message: we must redouble our efforts to tackle corruption, improve basic service delivery, and rebuild trust in communities that have felt neglected. 

The ANC remains committed to confronting its shortcomings and ensuring that we deliver on the mandate entrusted to us by the people. The ANC extends its gratitude to the voters for their continued support and to our volunteers for their tireless dedication to the campaign. Your hard work is a testament to the resilience and strength of the ANC on the ground. As we move forward, the ANC calls on all its members, supporters, and structures to intensify efforts in rebuilding our movement and addressing the challenges that persist.

Together, we can and must deliver on the aspirations of South Africans and build a better future for all. 

JMPD MISCONDUCT @KASIBCNEWS 

The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Councillor Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, has responded swiftly to alarming footage circulating on social media, allegedly showing misconduct by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers. 

This incident raises serious concerns about the misuse of state resources and the violation of public trust, which this administration will not tolerate. The MMC has directed JMPD Acting Chief Mr. Patrick Jaca and Acting HOD Ms. Vicky Manyathi to lead an immediate investigation into the matter. Suspension notices have already been issued to the officers implicated in the footage, and the JMPD Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an independent investigation to ensure full accountability and transparency. 

 This administration remains committed to ethical governance and will not allow the actions of a few to undermine the integrity of the JMPD or the trust the public places in law enforcement. Any breach of professional conduct will be met with the strongest disciplinary measures. Speaking on the matter, MMC Dr. Tshwaku emphasized: "The behavior displayed in this footage is not only unacceptable but also a betrayal of the values we uphold. This administration is dedicated to rooting out misconduct and protecting the dignity of our law enforcement agencies. We will ensure justice is served and take steps to prevent future incidents." 

The Department of Public Safety is determined to rebuild public confidence through decisive leadership and unwavering adherence to ethical standards. As the investigation unfolds, the public will be kept informed of all developments, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability. 

The MMC and the City of Johannesburg remain resolute in their vision for a law enforcement agency that is trusted, ethical, and driven by service to the community. 

There is no room for misconduct in the JMPD, and those who tarnish the badge will be held fully accountable. 

THE VICTORY OF SWAPO AND THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT IN NAMIBIA @KASIBCNEWS

The ANC Women's League celebrates the affirmation of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) by millions of Namibians as their only hope towards the attainment of a National Democratic Society. SWAPO is one of the most decorated liberation movements in Africa in both combat and as leader of the Namibian society. Its perseverance in the battlefield saw the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) fighting alongside our people's Umkhonto WeSizwe, in so many battles for the decolonisation of Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, we doff our hats for the African majority who have affirmed the progressive forces to proceed with the full liberation of the African majority, and denounce the steady push for the second colonisation of the African continent. 

The gradual deposition of liberation movements is a well-orchestrated counter-revolutionary agenda that is hellbent on discrediting the advancement of the National Democratic Revolution across the African continent. 

The ANC Women's League ululates in salutation for the significant victory attained by SWAPO in this election particularly under the candidacy of a woman. Comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is a seasoned cadre who served the people of Namibia throughout the years of South Africa's Colonisation of a Special Type and thus towers as a woman of stature who is ready for the highest office. She has come full circle as a member of the Central Committee and Politburo of SWAPO, a President of the Namibian National Women's Organisation (NANAWO), a servant of the Namibian people through various ministerial positions, and the first female Vice President of Namibia. Comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's ascendancy to the highest office in the country of Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo and Sam Nujoma, is testimony that with perseverance and a resilient spirit, women can reach greater heights, and as former Malawi President Joyce Banda proclaimed "the seeds of success in every nation on earth are best planted in women..." Congratulations Madam President. Malibongwee!!!

THE BASIC EDUCATION LAWS AMENDMENT ACT (BELA) @KASIBCNEWS 

The ANC welcomes the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act of 2024 as a milestone in transforming South Africa's education system. This Act, which builds on the achievements of post-1994 reforms, addresses critical areas such as early childhood education, recognition of Sign Language as an official language in schools, curriculum development, admissions and language policies, and the regulation of special education schools. It also tackles issues of governance, learner discipline, and procurement of learning materials, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable education framework. Sections 4 and 5 of the BELA Act are particularly significant, as they clarify the roles of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and Provincial Heads of Department regarding admission and language policies. These clauses address historical inequalities where language and admission policies were misused to exclude black learners.

The ANC is resolute in ensuring no child is discriminated against based on language or any other grounds. The Act strengthens multilingualism in education, advancing the constitutional vision of unity in diversity and addressing the marginalization of indigenous African languages. Despite the extensive consultations and democratic processes that shaped BELA, some groups have opposed sections 4 and 5, fearing the erosion of Afrikaans-medium schools. The ANC acknowledges these concerns but rejects any attempt to use these debates to defend white privilege or reverse transformation. The Afrikaner organizations’ protest on 5 November 2024 revealed underlying motives rooted in exclusion and resistance to change. The ANC reaffirms its call for the President to proclaim BELA in its entirety and supports measures to strengthen norms, standards, and regulations on admissions and language policies. 

The Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) should actively promote mother-tongue education, and the convening of a national conference on advancing multilingualism in schools and higher education is essential, protecting all official languages, in particular indigenous African languages, given the discrimination they faced under apartheid. 

We remind the Minister of Basic Education to respect the authority of Parliament on law making-processes and the authority of the President as Head of the National Executive, with primary responsibility to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic as well as to promote the unity of the nation and that which will advance it. 

The ANC remains steadfast in its commitment to quality education for all, as envisioned in the Freedom Charter. Ensuring equal access for all learners, regardless of race, language, or economic status, is central to building a united, non-racial, and equitable South Africa. 

Cabinet Reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa @KASIBCNEWS

Cabinet Reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the recent cabinet reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa as yet another pointless exercise that will do nothing to address the suffering of the people of South Africa. This unnecessary musical chairs of corrupt and incompetent ministers and deputy ministers is a blatant misdirection of resources that could be used to deliver basic services such as water, sanitation, healthcare, and education. President Ramaphosa’s reshuffle, announced on Tuesday, saw Thembi Simelane moved to the Department of Human Settlements as Minister, while Mamoloko Kubayi was shifted to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development. Phumzile Mgcina, formerly the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, has been appointed Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, while Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, who previously served as Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour. Instead of addressing the real crises facing our people—African children still dying in pit toilets, communities poisoned by contaminated water, and millions suffering without proper healthcare—the DA-ANC coalition government prioritises rewarding its cronies with cushy positions. 

The only cabinet reshuffle that will bring any meaningful change to the lives of our people is the removal of this bloated and corrupt government, which continues to rob the people of South Africa to sustain the lavish lifestyles of a few political elites. The appointment of individuals with dark clouds hanging over them, such as Thembi Simelane, despite unresolved allegations of corruption linked to VBS Bank, is a clear indication that this reshuffle is not about service delivery or good governance. 

The DA ANC government continues to recycle compromised leaders, using these reshuffles to shield corrupt officials and create an illusion of accountability. It is shameful that Simelane's questionable personal loan and connections to looted funds have not disqualified her from leadership. This government has no moral compass. The people of South Africa are subjected to constant betrayals, while those accused of plundering public resources are rewarded with new roles. 

Finally, the EFF reiterates that deputy ministerial positions serve no purpose other than to reward political loyalty and secure salaries for the connected elite. The time has come to shuffle the DA-ANC coalition out of power and pursue economic freedom in our lifetime.