4th Joint Cooperation Commission South Africa and Netherlands @KASIBCNEWS

4th Joint Cooperation Commission South Africa and Netherlands @KASIBCNEWS

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Ronald Lamola, has arrived in The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands, to co-chair the 4th biennial Joint Cooperation Commission (JCC) alongside  Mr. Caspar Veldkamp, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. 

This high-level dialogue underscores the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared values and a commitment to advancing mutual priorities across strategic sectors.  

The JCC serves as a cornerstone of bilateral relations, fostering collaboration in areas critical to sustainable development and inclusive growth. Key focal points of this year’s discussions include advancing cooperation in agriculture, water and waste management, and energy security, reflecting both nations’ dedication to climate resilience and food sustainability. 

Cyber-security, innovations in digitalisation, trade and investment, and higher education, science, and innovation will also feature prominently, highlighting the role of technology and knowledge exchange in driving economic progress.  

Further, the Commission will deepen partnerships in arts and culture to strengthen people-to-people ties. Environmental stewardship remains a shared priority, with joint initiatives aimed at protecting ecosystems and advancing green transitions.  

Minister Lamola emphasised the importance of the JCC as a platform to deepen South Africa’s engagement with the Netherlands, stating, “Our collaboration transcends traditional diplomacy, embracing pragmatic solutions to global challenges. By aligning our expertise in these pivotal sectors, we reaffirm our commitment to a future marked by equity, innovation, and shared prosperity.”

The outcomes of the JCC are expected to yield actionable frameworks to enhance bilateral cooperation, reinforcing the robust ties between South Africa and the Netherlands. Both nations remain steadfast in their resolve to leverage this partnership for the benefit of their citizens.

GBV ATTACK IN NDWENDWE #KASIBCNEWS

GBV ATTACK IN NDWENDWE #KASIBCNEWS

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Women’s Brigade in KwaZulu-Natal is outraged and deeply saddened by the vile act of gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrated against Ms Sindi Gumede, a dedicated volunteer and member of the IFP in Ward 12 of the Ndwedwe Constituency.

According to a report, last week Thursday on 8 May 2025, Ms Gumede was kidnapped, physically assaulted, and repeatedly raped by Mr. Sifiso Nkwanyana, her alleged former lover and the father of her child. The incident took place in the Ndwedwe area, after Nkwanyana collected Ms Gumede under pretenses in Verulam, claiming to take her home. Instead, Nkwanyana forcefully locked Ms Gumede at his residence, subjected her to prolonged abuse overnight, and violated her bodily autonomy in the most horrific manner.

Ms Gumede displayed immense courage by escaping her captor and reporting the matter to Tongaat Police Station, where a case was opened under *CAS 79/5/2025.* As the IFPWB, we commend the swift arrest of the perpetrator on Wednesday (14 May 2025) by Ndwedwe Police.

However, it is with grave concern that we note the continued harassment Ms Gumede is experiencing from the suspect’s family and associates. She has received multiple intimidating phone calls pressuring her to withdraw the case, with some escalating to outright threats. This pattern of secondary victimisation is unacceptable and underscores the broader systemic failure in protecting survivors of gender-based violence.

The IFPWB today attended the case of Ms Ayabonga Mjilo, who was a victim of GBV and was found buried by the suspect in December 2024. The case has been postponed to 23 June 2025. The investigation has been completed, and the matter will be transferred to the High Court following this appearance.

The case involving Ms Sindi Gumede sat today and was postponed to 21 May 2025 at the iNdwedwe Magistrate’s Court. The accused is facing charges of rape, assault, and kidnapping.

The IFP Women’s Brigade Demands:

*Immediate Protection:* Law enforcement must act swiftly to provide protection for Ms Gumede against all forms of intimidation and further threats to her safety.

*Victim Support Services:* Ms Gumede must be granted access to comprehensive psychosocial counselling, and ongoing support as she navigates the justice process.

*Public Condemnation of GBV:* We call on all political parties, civil society, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders in Ndwedwe and KwaZulu-Natal to stand together in unequivocal condemnation of this despicable act and the culture of impunity that enables such violence.

As the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Honourable Thamsanqa Ntuli, noted today at the Legislature’s Worker’s Parliament in Dannhauser:

“It is no coincidence that in communities where young people are idle and disconnected from opportunity, we also witness higher levels of violent crime. In places where economic despair festers, so too do the conditions that fuel gender-based violence and abuse. 

The numbers may speak in percentages, but the reality is written on the bodies and in the lives of women and children who live in fear within their own homes.

And so we must understand this: gender-based violence is not only a crime of power; it is a symptom of powerlessness. A symptom of systems that have failed to give men meaningful work, of economies that have failed to offer women safety, and of societies that have failed to teach boys and girls the equal worth of every human being.”

As the IFPWB in the province, we echo these words and urge the government at all levels to invest in sustainable economic empowerment, community education, and targeted interventions that address the root causes of violence, not only its symptoms.

This case is not an isolated incident, it reflects the harsh reality faced by thousands of women across South Africa. 

The IFP Women’s Brigade reaffirms our unwavering commitment to eradicating gender-based violence in all its forms. We stand with Ms Sindi Gumede and every survivor who dares to seek justice. 

Furthermore, the IFPWB vows to stand with GBV victims irregardless of their political affiliation. We believe GBV affects everyone no matter the colour of your t-shirt.

*We will not be silent. We will not be intimidated. We will not rest until justice is served.*

Massacre 143 Palestinians @KASIBCNEWS

Massacre 143 Palestinians @KASIBCNEWS

South Africa condemns the killing of 143 Gazans by the Israel Defence Force on 15 May 2025, as Palestinians commemorated the 77th Anniversary of Nakba Day, which marks the beginning of the displacement of Palestinians in 1948.

The Head of UNICEF, Catherine Russell has said that the world should be shocked by the killing of 45 children in Israeli airstrikes in just two days, but it has been met with indifference. She has also noted that more than one million children in Gaza are at risk of starvation, and are being deprived of food, water, and medicine. 

South Africa’s assertion during its recent presentations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) during the hearings regarding the Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organisations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, were that Gaza has become a killing field and warned of the human-made famine in Gaza due to the deliberate blockade of humanitarian aid by the Israeli government.

As famine conditions worsen in Gaza, and the ceasefire efforts remain stalled, Israel’s complete blockade of aid into Gaza and its restrictions on humanitarian access contravene Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Israel’s persistent grave violations are part of a broader strategy to remove Palestinians from their land by subjecting them to starvation and making the Gaza Strip uninhabitable. 

South Africa reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire and for the resumption of a political process to end the occupation.

The international community must act decisively to hold Israel accountable for violations of international law, pertinently international humanitarian, and human rights law. This includes the implementation of effective measures to bring an end to the occupation, the ongoing policies and practices of collective punishment, and the illegal blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.

Furthermore, there must be an immediate halt to the practices of arbitrary and administrative detention, as well as to acts of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees, particularly children. These actions are in clear violation of international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, and international human rights norms/standards as enshrined  in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 

It is imperative that all Palestinian detainees held without due process be released, and that all victims - especially children - be provided with adequate compensation and rehabilitation, in accordance with international law and justice.

The credibility of the international order depends on the consistent application of international law and accountability for all violations, regardless of the perpetrator.

PASSING ANCWL DEPUTY PRESIDENT COMRADE LUNGI MNGANGA-GCABASHE @KASIBCNEWS

PASSING ANCWL DEPUTY PRESIDENT COMRADE LUNGI MNGANGA-GCABASHE @KASIBCNEWS

The ANC Women's League is disheartened with the passing of our Deputy President, Cde Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe after a short illness. Cde Lungi Gcabashe was a seasoned cadre who served our movement with resilience and dedication during the darkest days under the banner of the defiant United Democratic Front (UDF). 

Cde Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashewas a frontline battalion during the height of the State of Emergency in the Province of KwaZulu/Natal, in confrontation with the mighty Apartheid Security Forces, when the masses of our people declared "Freedom or Death". She cut her teeth in the National Women’s Organisation (NAWU), an affiliate of the UDF that carried the responsibility to champion the emancipation of women from an inherently patriarchal Apartheid State. 

At the dawn of our political dispensation, Cde Lungi was deployed to build structures of the movement in the Province of her birth, where she excelled in mobilising the motive forces under difficult political circumstances in KwaZulu-Natal. Cde Lungi Gcabashe served on the first Southern Natal Regional Executive Committee (REC) of the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL), and was elected to the first ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and its Provincial Working Committee (PWC) which was an amalgamation of three (3) regions of the former Natal Province, namely Southern, Northern and Midlands. She also served as the first ANCWL PEC of the Natal Province where she was designated a responsibility of being the Provincial Deputy Secretary. 

The demarcation of the Province of KwaZulu/Natal into eleven (11) regions saw Cde Lungi elected to become the first Regional Chairperson of the Ethekwini Region for two (2) consecutive terms. 

Cde Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe then went on to be elected as a Provincial Deputy Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League in KwaZulu/Natal and subsequently becoming the second Provincial Chairperson since the unbanning of the ANC. In May 2012 Cde Lungi Gcabashe was elected to the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and in the same year she was elevated to the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) 

This gentle giant was been deployed by the African National Congress to represent the people of KwaZulu/Natal in the provincial legislature where she stood her ground in defence of the pro-poor policies of our movement. 

Cde Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe took a brief sabbatical from the chambers of our legislatures and unearthed her prowess as a public policy administrator where she worked in various capacities as a civil servant.  

The ANC Women’s League through its branches deployed this solid revolutionary once again in July 2023 to serve a full five (5) year term as a Deputy President, immediately after our mother body, the ANC elected her to serve on the highest decision-making body in the 2022 ANC Conference. After the 2024 National General Elections, Cde Lungi was deployed to the Lower House of Parliament by her movement the ANC, to serve the people of South Africa. 

Cde Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe leaves our movement and this world at the height of her sterling work in the National Assembly as a Member of Parliament serving as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism. Cde Lungi Gcabashe was a fearless and an uncompromising human rights activist who expressed her views without any fear of contradiction, and true to her conviction of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society. 

The ANC Women’s League and the broader Mass Democratic Movement is poorer without this colossal woman who was fearless in combat and her resilience never in depletion. 

We send our deepest condolences to her family, and may her revolutionary soul rest in eternal peace.  

ISRAEL LATEST ATTACKS ON GAZA @KASIBCNEWS

ISRAEL LATEST ATTACKS ON GAZA @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) unequivocally condemns the latest mass killings of Palestinians by the apartheid state of Israel, which on 15 May 2025 massacred over 140 innocent people, including 45 children, in Gaza and continued its systematic campaign of destruction against hospitals, clinics, and vital infrastructure in Gaza. 

This latest attack coincided with the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, the catastrophic expulsion of over 700,000 Palestinians from their land in 1948 to make way for the colonial creation of Israel. 

That this bloodshed occurred on Nakba Day is not accidental, it is part of the sustained and deliberate cruelty that has become a hallmark of the Zionist state. 

To murder Palestinians in their sleep on the very day that marks their historical dispossession is to rub salt into generations of open wounds.  This is the real genocide — the deliberate annihilation of a people through mass killings, starvation, the denial of humanitarian aid, and the decimation of every means of survival. 

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have now been slaughtered in Israel’s brutal and illegal assault, with the full backing of the United States and its allies. 

The EFF calls on the international community to stop entertaining the double standards of Western imperialist powers. While the United States tries to distract the world with politically motivated unfounded accusations of a white genocide against South Africa — the very country that has led the charge against Israeli war crimes at the International Court of Justice — it is actively arming and funding the real genocide in Gaza. 

We, therefore, reject with contempt this attempt to divert global attention away from the suffering of the Palestinian people through “refugee” programmes for white supremacists. The billions in military aid sent by the US government to Israel are not for “defence”; they are bullets for the bodies of Palestinian children, missiles for hospitals, and tanks for refugee camps. 

In light of this, the EFF reaffirms its call for the complete isolation of Israel. All diplomatic, economic, cultural, and sporting ties must be severed until the apartheid regime is dismantled and justice is restored to the people of Palestine. 

We further reiterate our call for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from South Africa and the closure of the Israeli embassy. As South Africa, a nation born of struggle and international solidarity, we refuse to be silent. Palestine will be free in our lifetime. 

MURDER JMPD OFFICER WHILST ON DUTY @KASIBCNEWS

MURDER JMPD OFFICER WHILST ON DUTY @KASIBCNEWS

The Public Safety MMC in the City of Johannesburg Councillor Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku welcomes the successful arrest of three suspects involved in the murder of JMPD Officer Matome Mokoena, as well as other serious crimes such as possession of illegal firearms, possession of state firearm, house robbery, and murder. 

The suspects were apprehended by the JMPD TRU and K9 unit on May 16, 2025, at around 04:00 in Vlakfontein. The operation was informed by crime intelligence, and the TRU unit responded promptly to track down the suspects. 

The suspects have been detained at Johannesburg central police station.  "We commend the JMPD TRU and K9 units and crime intelligence for their exceptional work in bringing these suspects to justice. Their dedication to keeping our communities safe is truly commendable", Said MMC Dr Tshwaku.  

The Public Safety Department will continue to support law enforcement agencies in their efforts to combat crime and ensure justice is served for victims and their families. 

We will ensure that the case is followed up to make sure that these perpetrators are locked up.   

R.I.P 155 CHILDREN @KASIBCNEWS 

The DA is devastated to learn that 155 children across our country under age 5 have died in public health facilities with moderate (MAM) or severe acute malnutrition (SAM) as an underlying condition since January 2025. 

The majority of children affected were in Limpopo (32), Gauteng (30), and KwaZulu-Natal (29)

This has been revealed by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, in answer to a written parliamentary question by the DA.

Last year a staggering rise in malnutrition cases was revealed: severe acute malnutrition in children younger than five has risen by 26% over the past five years.

This is a serious and growing tragedy across South Africa, correlating with a legacy of increasing unemployment and increasing cost of living.

The DA believes that the solution is a cross-cutting intervention, because both the Departments of Health and Social Development must work together to address this.

The Department of Social Development must ensure that mothers, fathers and carers receiving the Child Care grant are assisted and thoroughly informed on the best and most nutritious foodstuffs that the grant should buy every month. 

This is not a passive obligation, but one that the Social Development Department and SASSA must do actively for all mothers, fathers and carers who struggle to nourish their children in trying economic circumstances.

The Department of Health must address childhood malnutrition deaths with vastly enhanced public information campaigns on the signs of malnutrition and clear direction on seeking treatment before it is too late. 

This must be stopped with greatly improved public information campaigns that reach millions of mothers and carers.

With more than a quarter (28.8%) of South Africa’s children under five being stunted and the number of children still succumbing because of limited access to nutritious food, it is clear that the Departments of Health and Social Development must review and strengthen the effectiveness of interventions.