CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAOS @KASIBCNEWS

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAOS @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes the recent chaos at Cape Town International Airport which paralysed flights, left passengers stranded, and triggered a cascade of disruptions at airports across the country. This can only be characterised as a national embarrassment that warrants urgent action and accountability.  

The chaos is said to be as a result of a fuel pump failure whose ripple effects were felt nationwide, with grounded flights and widespread delays at other airports, demonstrating how a single point of failure in our aviation system can spiral into national chaos.  Passengers at Cape Town International Airport missed connecting flights, incurred financial losses, and endured immeasurable personal disruptions due to airlines unable to operate as a result of this catastrophic mismanagement.  

This incident is more than an operational inconvenience—it is a stark security risk. That such a large-scale disruption occurred highlights how unprepared the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and other aviation authorities are to respond to crises. Moreover, it comes on the heels of a series of aviation failures, marked by relentless cancellations and delays at East London Airport, ongoing legal battles between airlines, the courts, and the department over non-compliance, and recurring technical failures that have grounded airlines and exposed systemic incompetence.  

This fiasco, therefore, highlights the glaring vulnerabilities in South African aviation and exposes the inadequacy of SACAA to manage and prevent such crises. A breakdown in the airport’s ability to facilitate essential operations represents a broader pattern of systemic failure that calls into question the leadership and governance of SACAA and the Department of Transport.   

As South Africans we demand answers, and accountability must be swift and transparent. SACAA owes it to the public to release a comprehensive report on this incident and its ripple effects, as well as an immediate plan of action to restore trust and ensure operational continuity. This shameful lack of preparedness must be addressed before it leads to a more severe catastrophe.   

As the EFF, we will not stand by while mismanagement and incompetence in the aviation sector threatens the economic and personal well-being of South Africans. This latest incident must be the last. Any further failures will signal not only the clumsiness of SACAA but also the failure of leadership in the Department of Transport.  

The EFF demands decisive and immediate measures to professionalise operations, upgrade infrastructure, and ensure that South African aviation can compete on the global stage without compromising passenger safety and national security. 

LAND EXPROPRIATION @KASIBCNEWS

LAND EXPROPRIATION @KASIBCNEWS

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes the decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa today to assent to the Expropriation Bill, thereby passing it into law. The EFF opposed the Expropriation Bill in Parliament, citing that it provides no radical departure from the past, and that it merely aligns the country’s expropriation laws with the 1996 Constitution. 

Previously, expropriation was governed in terms of the Expropriation Act of 1976. Primarily, we opposed the Act because it provides a legislative mechanism for the implementation of Section 25 subsections 2 and 3 of the Constitution, which provide that property (land) may be expropriated in terms of a law of general application for a public purpose or in the public interest. 

More importantly, Section 25 (2)(b) of the Constitution provides that expropriation can only be done subject to compensation, the amount of which must be decided by the parties concerned or by courts. Section 25 (3) of the Constitution sets out factors which must be taken into consideration when calculating compensation for expropriation. 

Those who conceptualised the Expropriation Act are of the view that the factors listed in Section 25(3) of the Constitution can be creatively interpreted to mean that in some instances, compensation for expropriation could be nil. This is a very wild hypothesis, rooted in some utopian understanding of the Constitution. 

In at least one instance where this judicial adventurism was attempted by the Land Claims Court in the matter of Uys & another v Msiza & others (1222/2016) [2017] ZASCA, in terms of which the Land Claim Court reduced an amount that was to be payable to the owner from R1.8 million to R1.5 million, the Supreme Court of Appeals (SCA) upheld an appeal against that judgement.

 The SCA relied heavily on the provisions of Section 25(3) of the Constitution, and found that there was no justifiable reasons for the decision taken by the Land Claims Court. 

The Constitutional framework remains the same, expropriation in South Africa is compensation-centric, and this is rooted in the Constitution. The new Expropriation Act seeks to legislate the legal absurdity that was rejected by the Supreme Court of Appeals.

 It provides that there are instances in which compensation for expropriated property could be calculated to nil, which in their view equals expropriation without compensation. 

 The Act then provides a closed list of instances in which compensation for expropriation could be calculated to mean nil compensation. These instances include cases where land is held for speculation purposes, abandoned land, land that poses health hazards, and so forth. Even if it were true that these categories of land could be expropriated at nil compensation, this would not change the structure and nature of landholding in South Africa, because it would basically mean that only land that is of little value could be expropriated without compensation. 

Those who own the categories of land listed in the Act as subject to nil compensation still enjoy constitutional protections as outlined in Section 25 of the Constitution, and they would be able to challenge this sort of expropriation in court, and win. The Expropriation Act is, therefore, a legislative cop-out by the African National Congress (ANC), and only used to fool our people into believing that the party is doing something to address the almost tyrannical neglect of the land question in this country. 

It will not assist in resolving the tragedy of land restitution in this country, which has hollowed out State coffers for compensation to white settlers who illegitimately own our land. The only democratic mechanism through which the land question can be resolved is in amending the entirety of Section 25 of the Constitution. 

This must include provisions for State custodianship of the land, a mere Act of Parliament cannot override the constitution. 

We, therefore reject this Act, and we will soon table a new set of legislative proposals in Parliament to resolve the land crisis in this country. 

MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY STATISTICS #KASIBCEVENTS 

The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Gwede Mantashe (MP) will on Thursday, 23 January 2025 release the Mine Health and Safety statistics for the 2024 calendar year.

Following the 2024 Mine Occupational Health and Safety Tripartite Summit which aimed to achieve “Zero harm in our lifetime”, the Minister will be releasing the statistics and performance of the mining industry in terms of fatalities, injuries and occupational diseases.

The Department remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of mineworkers by enforcing the Mine Health and Safety Act and fostering cooperation with all stakeholders for the long-term sustainability of the sector.

The Minister will be joined by the Deputy Minister, Director-General, Chief Inspector of Mines, Organised Business, Organised Labour, and Professional Associations.

Members of the media are invited to cover the official release of the statistics scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, 23 January 2025
Time: 13:45 for 14h00
Venue: GCIS, Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 cnr Francis Baard and Festival Streets, Hatfield, Pretoria

GAUTENG WORKSHOP ON NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES @KASIBCEVENTS 

GAUTENG MEC FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS TO LEAD WORKSHOP ON NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES 

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Ms. Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, will on Thursday, 23 January 2025, lead a workshop on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. 

The workshop, themed “Unite. Act. Eliminate NTDs,” will bring together health workers, experts, and stakeholders to strengthen efforts to combat NTDs, which disproportionately affect marginalised and vulnerable populations in Gauteng.  It will focus on raising awareness about the diseases, sharing insights on the province’s progress, and aligning strategies with the World Health Organization’s roadmap and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Key activities of the day will include presentations on the state of NTDs in Gauteng, including Schistosomiasis, Rabies, and Leprosy, along with expert discussions on challenges, innovative solutions, and integrating NTD programs into primary healthcare. 

Stakeholder engagement will also emphasize partnerships and public health education. Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the event as follows:  

Date: Thursday, 23 January 2025 
Time: 09:00 am 
Venue: Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg 

MOVIES MADE IN KIMBERLEY @KASIBCNEWS

MOVIES MADE IN KIMBERLEY @KASIBCNEWS 

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is thrilled to announce that an exciting new film is set to begin production in the heart of the Northern Cape Province, Kimberley. This cinematic venture is poised to bring significant exposure to the region while addressing pressing social issues through a gripping narrative that promises to captivate audiences worldwide.

This up-and-coming film, with its compelling themes and unexpected plot twists, is not only a creative milestone but also a platform for exploring the social challenges faced by communities. The Department is proud to support a project that reflects the resilience, depth, and vibrancy of South African storytelling. The movie, Poachers Moon written by Mr Tom Datnow tells the story of a bond between two friends with different racial and economic backgrounds during apartheid South Africa.

The production is expected to have a profound economic and cultural impact on the province. Local businesses, from hospitality to logistics, stand to benefit immensely from the influx of cast, crew, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the project will create temporary job opportunities for local artists and highlight Kimberley’s unique landscapes and heritage as a prime filming destination.

The Department remains committed to supporting creative industries that not only entertain but also educate and inspire. This film stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in bringing attention to vital social issues and fostering cultural pride. 

Filming is set to commence on January 20, 2025, with further updates to be provided as production progresses. The Department encourages the community to embrace this exciting development and extend their warm hospitality to the visiting filmmakers.

AMAKHOSI ASSISTANCE WITH SPAZA SHOPS BYLAWS @KASIBCNEWS

AMAKHOSI ASSISTANCE WITH SPAZA SHOPS BYLAWS @KASIBCNEWS 

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa earlier today, engaged with Amakhosi on pressing matters of the sector at the two-day KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Strategic Workshop.

The KZN Workshop of Amakhosi was organised by the MEC of CoGTA, Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi and also attended by Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli.

Opening his address, Minister Hlabisa acknowledged the diverse representation reflected by intergenerationality and women participation in the workshop. The Minister further undertook to meet with the KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders before the end of February 2025.

Efforts are actively underway at the national level to address key issues raised by Amakhosi, including their safety and security. The National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders is consistently apprised on these matters, ensuring that the concerns of Amakhosi are prioritized. Notably, engagements with the Minister of Finance have resulted in a commitment to reassess the budget framework for traditional leadership, paving the way for meaningful improvements.

Deliberations at the workshop were anchored on two main processes currently underway namely, the constitution/reconstitution of Traditional Councils, and the streamlining of inputs into the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill (TKLB) aimed at cultivating developmental institutions of traditional leadership/Amakhosi, respectively.

The workshop provided invaluable contributions to both processes under discussion. Regarding the establishment or reestablishment of Traditional Councils (TCs), key challenges highlighted included the mapping of areas of jurisdiction and the compensation of council members. Inputs on the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill (TKLB) focused on critical issues such as the recognition of Headmen and Headwomen, as well as the powers and functions of Amakhosi

On the matter of powers and functions of Traditional Leaders/Amakhosi, Minister Hlabisa indicated that they will be subjected to review as part of the broader public consultation processes of TKLB. Furthermore, the Minister remarked that amendments to the current nullified Act will be prudent to fast-tracking the promulgation of the Bill.

In relation to the TCs, Minister indicated that the permissible provisions for extension of the period for the constitution/reconstitution of Traditional Councils have lapsed, however this period can be profitably utilized by Amakhosi to map areas of their jurisdiction.

Moreover, the Forum of Kings was successfully launched last year, marking a significant step towards adequately addressing matters that affect Kingships, and equally, the launch of the Forum for Queens is scheduled for March 2025.

This important workshop strategically contributes to the ongoing work undertaken by Minister Hlabisa to restore the dignity of the institution of traditional leadership as a pillar of hope in society, especially traditional communities. The approach to realising this noble commitment is anchored on the following principles:
1. meaningful engagements targeting traditional leaders across the country;
2. enhanced support to traditional leaders and structures;
3. strengthened capacity for the institution of traditional leadership; and
4. sustained mutual collaboration between government and traditional leaders to advance development and service delivery in traditional communities.

Additionally, Minister implored Amakhosi to assist government in the regularisation of Spaza shops in areas of traditional leadership, by ensuring compliance with the requirements of registration of small businesses to safeguard township and village economies within the 28 February deadline.

SASSA SERVICES UPGRADES @KASIBCNEWS 

Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe pledged her support and commitment to improving SASSA services as she addressed SASSA senior managers at a strategic planning session in Cape Town on Tuesday, 21 January 2025.

 Minister Tolashe expressed her heartfelt congratulations to the many social grant beneficiaries who excelled in the 2024 matric exams. Of the 724 156 full time learners who registered for the National Senior Certificate (NSC), 572 338 are social grant beneficiaries, representing 81% of the registered pupils in the education sector. These learners achieved a commendable pass rate of 86%. “This indicates that the investment government is making in the lives of poor and vulnerable children is yielding positive impacts, in breaking intergenerational poverty”, said Minister Tolashe. 

Reflecting on recent achievements, the Minister highlighted key milestones and ongoing priorities. She committed to urgently addressing the issue of permanent leadership appointments and the shortage of personnel at most local offices. 

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the need for community-based engagements and outreach activities. “Our community is waiting for our immense intensification of community outreach where we prioritize underserved areas to bring services closer to our people”, she reiterated. 

With regards to SASSA systems Minister Tolashe urged management to prioritize improving and modernizing systems to improve accessibility, queue management and prevent fraud. In addition, the Minister has requested SASSA Acting CEO, Themba Matlou to provide a plan that seeks to resolve the challenges of payment channels in rural areas by providing an alternative solution for payments. 

“We commit ourselves to work with you as Minister and Deputy Minister of Social Development, we are available at all times to address the challenges together. We all need to be solution-driven in our course to make changes to the lives of our people through concerted efforts”, she concluded.