THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FREEDOM CHARTER AND 39TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUTH UPRISING @KASIBC_NEWS

THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FREEDOM CHARTER AND 39TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUTH UPRISING @KASIBC_NEWS 

The African National Congress this month commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter, adopted by the Congress of the People on 26 June 1955 in Kliptown, and pays tribute to the youth who took part in the 1976 Uprising, who rose in defiance on 16 June to confront the brutality of apartheid and demand justice in education and our nation. 

This is a sacred time of remembrance, reflection, and renewal, as we draw strength from the vision of those who came before us and recommit ourselves to the urgent tasks of today. We do not mark this month out of routine, nor do we merely look back. As President Oliver Reginald Tambo declared in 1980 during The Year of the Charter, we are called to rise to the occasion and to renew our pledge of dedication to the future it visualises. That future is not abstract. It is the daily struggle for a society in which The People Shall Govern, where The Doors of Learning and Culture Shall Be Open to All, and where There Shall Be Work and Security. 

That future is owed to our young people today, who are not only inheritors of a proud tradition of struggle, but also the builders of a new era. June 2025 is therefore not a commemoration of dates but a living call to conscience. It is a rallying cry to forge a just society where the promises of the Freedom Charter become lived realities for the youth, for women, for workers, and for those who have long been excluded from the full fruits of democracy. 

The Charter must not remain ink on paper or etched only in memory. It must be a tool of mobilisation, of education, and of transformation. 

This June is both Freedom Charter Month and Youth Month. The ANC reaffirms that the Charter is the soul of our democracy and a revolutionary programme that remains as relevant in 2025 as it was in 1955. Its ten clauses are the moral compass of our Constitution and our transformation agenda. In every community and ward, the ANC calls on branches, leagues and alliance partners to take up this campaign and use the Charter to illuminate our work in the fight against youth unemployment, gender-based violence, and the crisis of political trust and participation. 

The theme for Youth Month 2025, “Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation,” speaks directly to the demands of our time. It calls on all of us to act with intention, urgency, and clarity. Young people are not just the future; they are the present. They are calling for pathways into the economy, for dignity in work, for access to quality education, and for the right to shape decisions that affect their lives. 

The Charter’s call that “the people shall share in the country’s wealth” cannot be postponed. It must be realised through concrete investment in skills, industries, infrastructure, and public innovation. This month must also be a space of community activism and involvement in the fight against the scourge of violence against women and children. 

The brutal murder of Olorato Kganyago, and the many women, children, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who continue to face violence and indignity, require from us not words but resolute action. The Charter tells us that all shall be equal before the law and this is not negotiable. GBVF is not a women’s issue; it is a national crisis. It is a direct threat to the democratic promise, and as a society we must uproot it at its core. 

Let this month be a turning point. Let us build spaces of safety and love, of positive masculinities, of respect and equality. We call on the youth of 2025 to be the generation that ends the scourge of violence and reclaims the streets, homes, schools, and workplaces for dignity and peace. As the ANC commemorates 40 years since the founding of COSATU later this year, and reflects on the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, let us remember that none of these milestones are detached from the Charter. 

The struggles of workers, of women, of the disabled and the poor are all stitched together by that historic document, the Freedom Charter, which spoke not just of political rights, but of land, of housing, of healthcare, of education, of economy, of peace and friendship. Let June be the month in which the Charter speaks again, not only in lectures and posters, but in the voice of the unemployed graduate, in the demands of the township girl who insists on walking safely, in the call of the informal worker seeking recognition, and in the dignity of the child learning in their mother tongue. 

Let it speak in our policies, in our meetings, in our communities and in our streets. The ANC makes a rallying call to all sectors of society to rise to the occasion in affirming the hopes of 1955 and confronting the challenges of 2025 with unity, purpose and conviction. Let us make this Freedom Charter Month and Youth Month a living campaign of renewal. 

Let us honour the sacrifices of the youth of 1976 not through ceremony alone, but through action that transforms lives and upholds the values they fought for. In the coming days, the ANC will announce a series of programmes forming part of the official commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter. All power to the people. 

330 SUSPECTS ARRESTED DURING WEEKEND OPERATIONS @KASIBC_NEWS

330 SUSPECTS ARRESTED DURING WEEKEND OPERATIONS @KASIBC_NEWS 

Gauteng Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) are working tirelessly to ensure that criminals are brought to book. In past weekend, the Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP), Gauteng Traffic Wardens (GTWs), South African Police Service (SAPS) working with other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) arrested more than 330 suspects during High Density Operations and Operation Shanela which took place from Friday, 30 May 2025 to Sunday, 01 June 2025, across all five regions in Gauteng. 

The City of Ekurhuleni recorded a total of 69 arrests within Etwatwa, Tembisa, Benoni, Springs, Boksburg, Benoni, Tokoza, Dunnotar, Norkem Park, Duduza, Primrose and Zonkizizwe amongst others. Noting that, 15 suspects were arrested for drinking and driving, 14 for possession of drugs and 05 for selling liquor without a license. 

In total, 944 people and 416 cars were searched in the city. In the City of Tshwane, officials arrested 96 suspects in Mabopane, Akasia, Mamelodi, Sunnyside and Olievenhoutbosch. Amongst those arrests, 38 suspects were apprehended for public drinking, 17 for drinking and driving, 10 for contravening the immigration act and 08 for theft. 642 people and 284 vehicles were searched in the city. 80 suspects were apprehended in the Sedibeng District Municipality for cases which include 28 suspects for drinking and driving, 24 suspects for contravention of the immigration act and 19 suspects for possession of drugs. 1198 people and 450 vehicles were searched, while the operations took place in Sebokeng, Orange Farm, Evaton, Vanderbijil Park, Boipatong and the Barrage.  In the West Rand District Municipality, 67 suspects were arrested in Mohlakeng and Westonaria, 40 of those emanated from Operation Shanela. 

LISTEN HERE @KASIBC_AUDIO

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ecCgWc6xenNnLG58rMz-ROb32bxsl7sJ/view?usp=drivesdk

Suspects were arrested for cases which include possession of suspected stolen property, contravention of the immigration act, drunk driving and assault GBH amongst others. 999 people and 532 vehicles were searched in the municipality.  Law enforcement agencies in the City of Johannesburg arrested 18 suspects for cases possession of drugs and contravention of the immigration act. 500 people and 160 vehicles were searched, and one vehicle was recovered during the operations. 

The operations targeted Dobsonville, Doornkop, Protea Glen, Naledi and Ennerdale. “The Department commends the law enforcement officials for their continued efforts in collaborating and making these arrests. Drinking and driving, public drinking, possession of drugs and dealing in drugs are a sore thorn that officials are continuously dealing with decisively,” said Gauteng Department of Community Safety Spokesperson, Mr Ofentse Morwane. 

DR DEATH, DR WOUTER BASSON JUDGEMENT DAY @KASIBC_NEWS

DR DEATH, DR WOUTER BASSON JUDGEMENT DAY @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the decision by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to proceed with disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Wouter Basson, infamously known as “Dr. Death” due to his egregious involvement in chemical and biological warfare programs under the apartheid regime. 

This development follows a response to a question for written reply placed by the EFF in the National Assembly, where the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, confirmed that the HPCSA will pursue disciplinary action against Dr. Basson for medical malpractice. This action comes after an earlier attempt to bring disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Basson was derailed due to procedural irregularities. 

The EFF commends the Medical and Dental Professions Board for rectifying these shortcomings and ensuring that the disciplinary process is now on track. Dr. Basson’s legal team has indicated, through his attorneys, that he intends to oppose the disciplinary hearing. However, the EFF remains resolute that justice must prevail, and those responsible for heinous acts, particularly those committed under the guise of medical practice, must face the full consequences of their actions. 

Dr. Wouter Basson’s involvement in the apartheid regime’s chemical and biological warfare program, known as Project Coast, represents one of the darkest chapters in South Africa’s medical and political history. 

His actions, which included the development and use of chemical agents to harm and kill anti-apartheid activists, constitute a gross violation of medical ethics and human rights. 

These acts were not only a betrayal of the Hippocratic Oath but also a crime against humanity. The fact that Dr. Basson has continued to practice as a cardiologist in Cape Town, with no significant repercussions for his past, is an affront to justice and an insult to the victims of his atrocities. 

The EFF insists that Dr. Basson must be immediately suspended from practicing medicine pending the outcome of the HPCSA’s disciplinary proceedings. Allowing him to continue treating patients while these serious allegations remain unresolved undermines public trust in the medical profession and the regulatory bodies tasked with upholding its integrity. 

The HPCSA has a moral and legal obligation to protect the public from practitioners who have demonstrated a flagrant disregard for ethical standards. Suspension is the bare minimum to ensure that no further harm is caused while the disciplinary process unfolds. 

The EFF is outraged that, to date, Dr. Basson has faced no meaningful consequences for his actions. His ability to evade accountability for so long is a stark reminder of the systemic failures that continue to shield perpetrators of apartheid-era crimes. The medical profession, which is built on the principles of saving lives and alleviating suffering, cannot allow individuals like Dr. Basson to tarnish its reputation. His continued practice as a cardiologist is not only a miscarriage of justice but also a betrayal of the values that the healthcare profession holds dear. 

The EFF will not rest until Dr. Basson is held fully accountable. Beyond the disciplinary proceedings, we believe that he ought to face criminal charges and imprisonment for the terrible crimes he committed during the apartheid era. The HPCSA’s actions, while a step in the right direction, are insufficient on their own. The broader justice system must act decisively to ensure that those who orchestrated and executed atrocities under apartheid are brought to book. 

Dr. Basson’s case is a litmus test for South Africa’s commitment to justice, reconciliation, and the eradication of impunity. We call on the HPCSA to expedite the disciplinary process and ensure that it is conducted with transparency, fairness, and urgency. 

The public deserves to know that the institutions tasked with regulating the medical profession are unwavering in their commitment to upholding ethical standards. Furthermore, we urge the South African government to revisit the broader issue of accountability for apartheid-era crimes, particularly those committed under the pretext of scientific or medical work. 

The victims of Project Coast and their families deserve justice, and the nation deserves closure. The EFF stands firm in its pursuit of justice for all South Africans. We will continue to monitor the progress of Dr. Basson’s disciplinary hearing and advocate for his suspension and eventual removal from the medical profession. 

We also call on all South Africans to join us in demanding accountability for those who have committed crimes against humanity, ensuring that our country moves forward as a just and equitable society. The struggle for justice is far from over. 

The EFF will not waver in its commitment to ensuring that those who have violated the dignity and rights of our people face the consequences of their actions. Dr. Wouter Basson must be held accountable, and his suspension is the first step toward achieving this goal. 

POLLSMOOR PRISONERS AWOL @KASIBC_NEWS

POLLSMOOR PRISONERS AWOL @KASIBC_NEWS 

The DA rejects the statement by Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald, who continues to deny his department’s role in the disappearance of three convicted criminals from custody. It is clear the Minister is being misled by officials desperate to cover up a shocking administrative failure that endangered public safety.

The three men—convicted of murder, rape, and robbery—were remanded to Pollsmoor Juvenile Centre by order of the Western Cape High Court after attacking a child youth care worker last year. One, Xolani du Preez, was re-arrested in April for robbery. A second, Mikyle Mentoor, was apprehended this week after whistle-blowers and the community responded to DA pressure. A third, a convicted rapist, remains unaccounted for.

The Minister’s attempt to shift blame to the Western Cape Department of Social Development is misleading. That department has no role in custodial decisions, warrants, or the implementation of court orders. Those responsibilities fall squarely on Correctional Services and the courts—as clearly set out in the court order.

The DA uncovered this scandal during an unannounced oversight visit to Pollsmoor two weeks ago, which revealed that two of the three criminals were no longer in custody. This directly contradicts the Minister’s written assurance to Parliament on 12 May that all three remained detained.

That false assurance is now the lie the Minister is trying to cover up.

It took Minister Groenewald two weeks to respond to DA questions and begin what he calls a “preliminary investigation.” In reality, such an investigation should have concluded within 48 hours of discovering that high-risk offenders had vanished. Even more concerning is that SAPS has reportedly still not been informed of the missing rapist, and there is no confirmation that the victims have been notified.

Both the Ministers of Correctional Services and Justice were cited as respondents in the High Court application ordering the detention of these individuals. The court papers made it clear that they were convicted criminals and outlined the legal mechanisms for their continued custody. The DA has now submitted parliamentary questions to the Minister of Justice to determine why these measures were not implemented.

Had the DA not intervened, the public would still be unaware that two violent offenders were missing. The Minister insists it is “inaccurate” to say the men were missing—but that is exactly what they were, and one remains so.

The DA has written again to the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice to demand urgent appearances by both Ministers. The officials who misled Parliament on 12 May must be removed from any internal investigations due to a clear conflict of interest.

No amount of spin can hide the truth: government departments failed, the Minister misled Parliament, and public safety was never prioritised. The DA will continue pushing for full accountability and a correctional system that the public can trust.

CORRUPTION GELVANDALE POOL UPGRADES @KASIBC_NEWS

CORRUPTION GELVANDALE POOL UPGRADES @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for parliamentary scrutiny into alleged corruption surrounding the R7 million government-funded upgrade of the Gelvandale Swimming Pool in Gqeberha.

This project was funded by the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, headed up by Patriotic Alliance (PA) president, Minister Gayton McKenzie.

Serious irregularities arose as the project started in secrecy without following the processes required when embarking on a publicly funded capital project. The contractor did not report to the ward councillor who would ordinarily introduce the contractor to the local SMME formation for local businesses to benefit. 

The contractor is from Johannesburg and previously stated, in front of several DA councillors, that he is a PA member in good standing and therefore he can do as he pleases and nothing can happen to him.

On Friday, 30 May 2025, we were joined by DA National Spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture, Joe McGluwa MP, and DA National Deputy Spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture, Liam Jacobs MP, and conducted an oversight inspection at the pool and believe the upgrades that were completed could not have cost more than R2 million.

Six shutdown valves were purchased. Additionally, roof sheets were replaced, plumbing in the toilets was redone, partial tiling was completed in the toilets and office and benches were tiled. New stainless-steel railings and handles were also installed at the diving pool.

However, some key renovations were never attended to. These include:

All three pools in the complex are still leaking.

The pool coping was not repaired. Pool coping refers to the material or edging that surrounds a swimming pool. If the pool coping is uneven and damaged, it can pose a serious safety hazard.

The window frames of buildings were supposed to be replaced with aluminium ones; however, the old frames were simply painted over.

The pool was never officially signed off by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture after upgrades were completed. Therefore, it was illegal for the facility to open to the public. The pool and its facilities also lack a maintenance plan.

The DA will write to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture requesting an urgent investigation.

Some of the questions we will raise for scrutiny in parliament, include:

What process was followed in the appointment of the contractor?

What are the official details of the appointed contractor?

How much was paid over to the contract and from what budget was the project funded?

What was the scope of the work of what was required to restore the swimming pool?

What process was followed in selecting SMMEs?

This overspending and unwillingness to account lends significant credence to serious allegations that the PA has channelled millions of rand from this project into its election campaign in Nelson Mandela Bay. It also explains the secrecy surrounding the scope of work, exact expenditure, and whether required processes for public capital projects were followed.

The DA has never stopped fighting to ensure that all pools in the metro are open to all communities, but this cannot come at the cost of alleged corruption, nepotism, and cheap electioneering.

EMPOWER YOUTH THROUGH AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES @KASIBC_NEWS

EMPOWER YOUTH THROUGH AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Gauteng Department of Economic Development, in collaboration with the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), hosted a successful Youth Stakeholder Engagement on Friday, 30 May 2025, at the AIDC facility in Tshwane. 

The event brought together youth, industry leaders, civil society, labour, and government stakeholders to deliberate on the critical role of young people in shaping the future of South Africa’s automotive industry. MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the centrality of the automotive industry in driving economic growth, innovation, and job creation in Gauteng and South Africa. 

He applauded the sector’s resilience in the face of global and local economic challenges, citing the recent Automotive Business Council report, which revealed a significant 11.9% year-on-year growth in vehicle sales for April 2025. “The automotive industry is one of South Africa’s industrial policy success stories and it is central to our reindustrialisation strategy,” said MEC Maile. 

“We must ensure young people are not left behind, but rather positioned at the forefront of this sector’s ongoing transformation.” The MEC also highlighted the strategic importance of the Tshwane Automotive City (TAC), spearheaded by the AIDC, as a game-changing project that integrates logistics, production, and skills development into a cohesive and competitive ecosystem. 

This model, he explained, creates jobs while also enhancing South Africa’s export performance and regional trade. “Young people must not see this industry as closed off. We need their energy, creativity, and skills to help us transition into green automotive technologies and digital innovation. 

The future of this sector depends on how well we equip and include them,” said Maile. The AIDC, an implementing agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, has made significant strides in youth development. Its programmes focus on equipping young South Africans with relevant technical skills through apprenticeships, learnerships, and advanced manufacturing training. The AIDC is also promoting township-based economic inclusion through its innovative Township 

Automotive Hub model, which supports small businesses and informal mechanics with infrastructure, training, and access to markets. Speaking at the engagement, AIDC CEO Mr Andile Africa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to youth empowerment. “The AIDC believes that investing in the youth is investing in the sustainability of the sector. Our training facilities and enterprise development programmes are designed to provide young people with the tools they need to succeed, not just as employees, but also as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.” MEC Maile encouraged youth to take advantage of bursaries, training programmes, and mentorship opportunities available within the sector. He also called on the private sector to strengthen partnerships with government and civil society in tackling youth unemployment and ensuring inclusive growth. 

As South Africa prepares for a just transition towards electric mobility, green manufacturing, and smart technologies, Gauteng is positioning itself as a continental leader in this new era. 

Today’s engagement underscored the importance of collective action in unlocking the full potential of the youth and ensuring that the automotive sector remains a key contributor to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. 

MOTION TO ADDRESS FEMICIDE CRISIS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF GBV DESKS IN CLINICS @KASIBC_NEWS

MOTION TO ADDRESS FEMICIDE CRISIS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF GBV DESKS IN CLINICS   @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the unanimous adoption by the National Assembly, on 29 May 2025, of our Motion Without Notice addressing the femicide crisis and police responsiveness in South Africa. 

This motion, tabled by the EFF, was born out of deep anguish over the brutal murder of Olorato Mongale, whose lifeless body was discovered in Lombardy West, Johannesburg, following a date with a known acquaintance. Her tragic death is yet another painful reminder of the growing epidemic of femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) that continues to devastate families and communities across the country. 

The EFF notes, with grave concern, that the South African Medical Research Council reports 60.1% of female homicides in South Africa are committed by intimate partners, and that three women are killed every day by their partners. Despite numerous legislative reforms following the 2018 Presidential Summit on GBV and Femicide, conviction rates remain alarmingly low, and police responsiveness continues to be wholly inadequate. 

Most police stations still lack trained personnel and dedicated GBV desks, leaving survivors without meaningful support or access to justice. The adopted motion rightly resolves that the Portfolio Committee on Police must conduct urgent public hearings and table a report to the National Assembly on the need to establish GBV desks at every police station, hospital, and clinic in the country. 

The EFF extends heartfelt condolences to the Mongale family and to all victims of GBV and femicide. We remain committed to the fight against gender-based violence and will continue to champion the rights and safety of women and children in every corner of our society. 

The time for symbolic gestures has passed and what is needed now is decisive, accountable, and compassionate action.