BUS ACCIDENT AFTER YOUTH DAY RALLY IN UMLAZI @KASIBC_NEWS

BUS ACCIDENT AFTER YOUTH DAY RALLY IN UMLAZI @KASIBC_NEWS

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is saddened by the tragic passing of 12 people who lost their lives in a devastating accident along the R34 near Vryheid. The EFF has confirmed that the transportation was taking members home from our June 16 Rally in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal. 

The EFF sends it deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who have lost their lives. These Fighters lost their lives following a show of support for the revolution they belonged to and they must be remembered as heroes to whom we owe a great debt. 

These were committed Fighters, who had attended the rally to honour the courage of the Youth of 1976 and to continue the Struggle for Economic Freedom. They died in the line of duty, and their lives will never be forgotten. Many more have been injured and are receiving medical attention. 

The process of identifying the deceased is ongoing, and we are working with relevant authorities to ensure families are informed and supported. 

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We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and pray for healing to those injured. 

We will continue to honour the memory of the fallen with action and commitment to the struggle they believed in. 

May their Souls rest in Revolutionary Peace. 

SAPS 163 SUSPENDED OFFICERS CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION, THEFT , MURDER , SEXUAL HARASSMENT @KASIBC_NEWS

SAPS 163 SUSPENDED OFFICERS CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION,  THEFT , MURDER , SEXUAL HARASSMENT @KASIBC_NEWS

During the 2023/24 financial year, at total of 163 South African Police Service (SAPS) officers and officials were suspended after being charged with a plethora of serious allegations. 

These suspensions placed a financial burden of R8,287,050.34 on the SAPS Budget and the people of South Africa. This information was made available to RISE Mzansi in a reply to a written parliamentary question.

SAPS officers and officials, with ranks ranging from Administrative Clerk all the way to a Lieutenant-General, were charged with a number of serious offences, including but limited to robbery, corruption, extortion, sexual harassment, and kidnapping.

Moreover, in the same reply, the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, states that 16 SAPS officers and officials are currently under suspension, with ranks ranging from Administrative Clerk to that of Lieutenant-General. Once again, they face serious offences, including but not limited to, murder, business robbery, kidnapping, and the misuse of funds.

A full list of ranks and offences can be found in the attached reply.

While these officers and officials dwarf in comparison to the almost 200,000 employees of SAPS, it is still of deep concern that men and women who commit to maintaining the law find themselves on the wrong side of it. 

This only serves to further undermine trust in the SAPS, and their ability to combat crime and enforce the law.

One crooked police officer is one crooked police officer too many.

RISE will continue to probe cases of suspension within the SAPS and whether indeed, once found guilty of the offence, the officers and officials were relieved of their duties, and in the instance of a criminal offence if charges were laid against the officers and officials.

YOUTH-OWNED BUSINESSES BENEFITTING FROM KZN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND @KASIBC_NEWS

YOUTH-OWNED BUSINESSES BENEFITTING FROM KZN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND @KASIBC_NEWS

The Inkatha Freedom Party Youth Brigade in KwaZulu-Natal extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the youth-owned businesses across the province that are today, 16 June 2026, officially benefitting from the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Development Fund (Youth Fund).

As we mark this year’s Youth Day, we celebrate a milestone achievement by the 7th Administration under the leadership of the Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli. Through the Youth Fund, valued at R100 Million, approximately 100 youth-led enterprises are set to receive support that will not only expand their operations but will also contribute meaningfully to job creation across various sectors.

This is a commendable and practical step towards economic empowerment and youth development, aligned with the IFP’s long-standing belief in the principle of self-help and self-reliance – values consistently championed by our Founding President and President Emeritus, the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. He taught us that young people must not only seek opportunities but must also be empowered to create them.

The IFP Youth Brigade applauds Premier Ntuli and his entire executive for upholding these teachings and for making deliberate efforts to prioritise youth development. This administration continues to walk the talk, showing that empowering young people is not just a slogan but a measurable government commitment.

We also take this opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms the false and malicious claims made by some desperate political figures who have sought to discredit this initiative. Allegations that the Youth Fund only benefits members of the IFP Youth Brigade are not only baseless, but they also insult the intelligence and capability of the young entrepreneurs who were selected through a transparent and competitive process.

Such attempts to politicise a well-structured and impactful youth empowerment programme are disingenuous and should be rejected by all who care about the future of KwaZulu-Natal’s youth. Instead of criticising, any responsible and progressive leader should be commending Premier Ntuli’s government for delivering a programme that speaks directly to the needs and aspirations of the province’s young people.

As the IFP Youth Brigade in KwaZulu-Natal, we reaffirm our support for the Youth Fund and call for its expansion in future budget cycles so that more youth across all corners of the province can benefit. We further encourage the beneficiaries to make full use of this opportunity, to grow, innovate and become agents of change in their communities.

This is what the IFP stands for – youth empowerment, dignity through work, and leadership that delivers.

HONOURING THE HEROISM AND LEGACY OF THE 1976 GENERATION @KASIBC_NEWS

HONOURING THE HEROISM AND LEGACY OF THE 1976 GENERATION @KASIBC_NEWS

The African National Congress (ANC) joins millions of South Africans in commemorating Youth Day, a solemn and powerful day etched in the collective consciousness of our nation. 

On this day in 1976, the apartheid regime unleashed deadly force on unarmed students who were peacefully protesting against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction and the broader injustices of Bantu Education. June 16, 1976 remains indelible in the history of our liberation struggle, a day when a vicious regime declared war on school children who dared to dream of freedom. 

We Salute the militant and fearless Class of 1976, whose courage, defiance, and sacrifice altered the course of our history. Their bravery is a lasting reminder of the power of youth to drive profound political and social transformation. 

The ANC recognises that the history of our liberation struggle is incomplete without acknowledging the central role played by young people. They were not passive observers but leaders, organisers, and frontline combatants. 

From the formation of the ANC Youth League in 1944 to the defiant “Young Lions” of the 1980s who heeded Comrade President Oliver Tambo’s call to make apartheid ungovernable, young people have consistently earned their place in history through blood, tears, sweat, and the power of their ideas and innovations. 

As we honour the 1976 Generation, we also pay tribute to the gallant youth of the 1980s who continued the struggle under extreme conditions of state repression. Inspired by the Class of 1976, they rose to the challenge, confronting the Apartheid State with fearless resolve. 

We dare not forget their collective sacrifices and the vision for which they laid down their lives. 

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Today, we call on the youth of South Africa to carry forward this proud legacy. Just as previous generations fought against apartheid, today’s youth must lead the charge against the modern-day struggles of racism, patriarchy, corruption, crime, inequality, and the pandemic of gender-based violence. 

The current generation must once again occupy the front trenches in the fight for a just, equal, and inclusive society. 

This Youth Day also serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing plight faced by many young people in our country. Too many are unemployed, impoverished, and excluded from the mainstream of economic activity. 

The ANC recognises this crisis and recommits itself to addressing the socio-economic barriers that continue to limit the potential of our youth. We commend the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) for its continued role in championing the aspirations of young people. The Youth League must intensify its mobilisation efforts to ensure young people seize the opportunities created by the ANC-led Government of National Unity, including entrepreneurship support, education and training, and skills development. 

The ANCYL carries a responsibility to help cultivate a new generation of progressive activists, entrepreneurs, academics, engineers, scientists, innovators, and ethical leaders. The most meaningful tribute we can pay to the 1976 generation and all generations of young activists is to ensure that today’s youth continue to lead the reconstruction and transformation of our country. 

Their participation remains critical to building a better life for all. Let us honour the legacy of the 1976 youth not only in word, but through decisive and sustained action.

TARA MENTAL HOSPITAL 2.5BILLION SECURITY COST @KASIBC_NEWS

TARA MENTAL HOSPITAL 2.5BILLION SECURITY COST @KASIBC_NEWS

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has ordered a review of excessive hospital security following the DA exposure of ballooning costs.

She said this at a meeting last week of the Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee with the management of Tara Mental Hospital, where it was revealed that their new security contract includes 46 guards - far exceeding their assessed need for only 26 guards.

The MEC admitted the security review was triggered by my question in the Gauteng Legislature which revealed that total security costs had soared from R655 Million in 2022 to an astounding R2.54 Billion this year.

Tara Hospital now pays R14 Million a year for the new security contract, compared to R4.2 Million previously with 21 guards. Despite their internal assessment recommending 26 guards, they are forced to pay for 46 guards as determined by the Gauteng Health Department.

This means they are paying about R5 Million a year for 20 guards they do not need. They could better use this money to fill the vacancies for 13 professional nurses as the hospital cannot use 50 of its 137 beds because of staff shortages.

These unused beds are needed urgently as there is a long list of mental patients who desperately need to be admitted.

It is a clear example of excessive security costs squeezing out service delivery.

The DA in Gauteng will continue to hold the Health MEC accountable and will push for an end to rip-off security contracts so the budget goes to where it is most needed.

NGWATHE 12MILLION BRIDGE @KASIBC_NEWS

NGWATHE 12MILLION BRIDGE @KASIBC_NEWS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ngwathe will report the low-level bridge, describing it as another multimillion-rand failed project where lives have been lost to the HAWKS for further investigation.

The low-level bridge project commenced in 2021 and is still ongoing. Despite numerous complaints and fatal accidents, the municipality has not issued a single response. Some people have also lost their lives when this bridge was supposed to be built as a mainstream flow through this area.

Over the years, some people were swept away by the stream as they tried to cross over to Sandersville or town.

The project has incurred R11,946,918.01 thus far. 

This was learnt at last week’s council sitting when various reports on current projects in the municipality were made available.

I raised the question of why the contractor was paid, as basically, no work was being done on this project. 

The Executive Mayor indicated, “There is currently an investigation regarding this project.”

We are not happy at all, as various letters were sent to the municipality, questioning the slow progress of this project.

This cannot be. So much money is spent for nothing. This low-level bridge is needed in the community, as residents can’t move from one area to the other during rainy seasons.

The project has now been extended to be completed in 2027. This is a significant concern, as only R4,533,837.38 remains of the initial R16,480,754.39 budgeted for this project. Where will the money come from? This sounds unrealistic.

This is unacceptable and cannot be left as it is.

Someone needs to account for why the contractor was paid when no work was done.

BHAMBANANA ABATTOIR ADA CASH INJECTION @KASIBC_NEWS

BHAMBANANA ABATTOIR ADA CASH INJECTION @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Bhambanana Abattoir project - a facility meant to uplift livestock farmers within uMkhanyakude District – may yet become a beacon of hope after years of failure following a recent cash injection of R6.1million by the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA).

Further steps in the right direction include the involvement of the National Agricultural Marketing Council and the Red Meat Abattoir Association in developing a business plan and infrastructure assessment.

Bhambanana Abbatoir has, for many years, been a major concern for the DA. A facility that was meant to provide support instead became a symbol of government inefficiency and poor planning. 

Initiated in 2012 and constructed at a cost of R82.9million, the abattoir was envisioned as a solution to the economic devastation caused by the 2011 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.

The facility was meant to provide a safe, regulated space for livestock slaughter, enabling trade in meat rather than live animals. However, due to glaring structural defects and non-compliance with national meat safety regulations, the facility has remained non-operational for nearly a decade.

The DA has consistently called for accountability in infrastructure spending and the Bhambanana Abattoir is a textbook case of how poor oversight and lack of technical due diligence can derail a well-intentioned project. The absence of basic operational features, including proper slaughter line height, sterilization points and adequate washing facilities, has rendered the facility unusable until now.

The DA strongly supports the proposal for a public-private partnership (PPP) model to operationalise the facility. By involving local livestock associations, traditional authorities and private sector operators, we can ensure that the abattoir becomes a sustainable economic hub. This model will not only create jobs but also empower local farmers, improve food safety, and stimulate the rural economy of Northern KwaZulu-Natal 

The DA urges KZN’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to fast-track the handover processes, resolve outstanding utility and land issues and ensure full transparency in the appointment of operational partners.

The people of uMkhanyakude deserve better. As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will continue to monitor this project closely to ensure that public funds are used effectively and that the Bhambanana Abattoir finally delivers on its promise.