Hammanskraal Health Crisis

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

Hammanskraal Health Crisis

Since Friday’s reports that typhoid has broken out in Hammanskraal, Mayor Moya has been silent on the serious health risk that this poses.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the statement by the City of Tshwane that no Typhoid related bacteria have been detected in routine tests, but it is important that this data be released to the public or at least be given to independent water experts. We need second party verification.

Moya’s silence on the matter does nothing but undermine trust in the City’s ability to effectively manage the situation.

Although the City’s statement makes reference to safety protocols related to treated water, additional reassurance is needed that the same applies to water supplied by water tanker contractors. Especially as the City, and in particular Hammanskraal, relies heavily on water tankers.

We do not want to cause unnecessary alarm, but it is essential that the City and its political leadership are prepared for different scenarios, especially in light of the 2023 Cholera outbreak.

The typhoid outbreak confirms the importance and the urgency of infrastructure-based solutions that removes the need for water tankering which has become one of the biggest operational expenses in Tshwane under the ANC/EFF/ActionSA coalition.

If Tshwane wants to ensure that residents stay calm, healthy, and informed, they need to talk to them. The radio silence, and the accompanying silence on the front of proper water testing and second party verification only serves to alarm.

The DA has discovered that Nasiphi Moya is currently abroad in Brazil on business unrelated to the nuts and bolts of service delivery. While a Typhoid crisis rages, she needs to be here, talking to residents.

Today, we once more call on Moya to break her silence, and communicate with Hammanskraal residents. They, and the public at large, deserve to know the results of routine tests taken by the Tshwane Department of Water and Sanitation for second party verification.

Tshwane, and importantly, the people of Hammanskraal, cannot afford another health crisis.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

Umlazi Murderer Sentenced to Five Terms of Life Imprisonment

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

Umlazi Murderer Sentenced to Five Terms of Life Imprisonment

DURBAN - The Durban High Court has on Friday, 31 October 2025, sentenced 30-year-old Sphamandla “Chillies” Gumede to five terms of life imprisonment plus 40 years in prison after he was found guilty for the murder of five people, attempted murder and robbery which he committed in Umlazi in November 2023.

Just after midnight on 13 November 2023, six people were shot at Uganda informal settlement in Umlazi. Five of them died and one survived with gunshot wounds. 

The Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit detectives attended to the crime scene and took over the investigations. Shrewd investigative work unmasked the identity of the suspect, and with efforts of finding him proving insufficient, dedicated investigators connected the dots and found that the man they were looking for was in Qalakabosha Prison following his arrest on a different case of murder which he had committed in Eshowe. 

The suspect was duly charged for the murder of five people, one count of attempted murder and two counts of robbery.

Police detectives successfully opposed his bail application and he was kept behind bars until the day of his sentencing.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

SAPS and PSIRA R667 Million Irregular Spending

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

SAPS and PSIRA R667 Million Irregular Spending

SAPS and PSIRA recorded over R667 million in irregular spending, showing severe governance and accountability failures.

SAPS has R2.5 billion in unresolved irregular expenditure, with weak oversight endangering public safety.

The DA demands urgent action to enforce accountability and restore trust in policing and oversight.

The Auditor-General’s report presented in the Police Portfolio Committee this morning exposes the shocking reality that SAPS and PSIRA are operating with a complete absence of consequence management.

Together, the two entities account for over R667 million in irregular spending in 2024/25, which includes R184 million identified this financial year, but relating to the prior year. Further, SAPS alone is sitting on R2.5 billion in unresolved irregular expenditure.

The same audit findings keep repeating, oversight is weak, and governance failures are persistent, eroding public confidence in policing and its oversight.

SAPS is in a state of near-collapse. Mismanagement here is not an abstract concept. It affects the safety and security of South Africans every single day. Delayed crime statistics, poorly functioning forensic labs, malfunctioning digital systems, and unchecked tender irregularities directly put people at risk.

Public trust is further shaken by revelations in the Madlanga Commission and the Ad Hoc committee, which show systemic leadership failures at the top.

PSIRA is no better. Ongoing financial misstatements, overspending, reliance on external contractors, and weak internal audit functions make it clear that governance and accountability at this regulator are dangerously inadequate.

The Democratic Alliance demands immediate action:

• Fill the long-vacant SAPS Internal Audit post and enforce accountability at every level;
• Conduct lifestyle and skills audits for all SAPS senior management;
• Introduce Treasury-aligned tender reforms with strict due diligence;
• Fast-track digitisation of crime and forensic systems to produce accurate, timely data;
• PSIRA must implement an in-house billing system and fix internal controls immediately; and
• All unresolved irregular expenditure cases must be submitted for disciplinary or condonation action.

Repeated failure to act on audit findings is unacceptable. Every day that mismanagement continues, the safety of South Africans, the integrity of policing, and trust in law enforcement are further undermined.

The DA will hold both entities fully accountable and ensure these actions are implemented immediately. South Africans deserve a police service and oversight system that is competent, accountable, and deserving of public trust.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

Successful Tswa Daar Campaign

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

Successful Tswa Daar Campaign 

The Gauteng Department of Social Development has noted a number of selfdischarged individuals who participated in the recent Tswa Daar anti-substance abuse campaign on October 27, 2025. The Tswa Daar campaign was a significant success, with numerous individuals benefiting from the assessments, referrals, and support services provided. While we acknowledge that some participants chose to discharge themselves, we strongly urge them to stay the course. Self-discharges, relapse and re-admissions are some of the difficulties and challenges the Department faces in combatting substance abuse. In some instances, we have admitted some users for up to three times. 

The journey to recovery requires courage, determination and strong willpower. We remain at the disposal of substance users to assist. It is important to note that all admissions to the Tswa Daar campaign were voluntary, and participants were free to leave treatment at any time, hence there were some self-discharges. 

We cannot force individuals to remain in treatment against their will. The second form of discharges are on medical grounds. Some substance users defaulted on their chronic medication which put their lives at risk. These substance users were discharged to go and report in their local primary health care facilities to be medically assessed and be provided with their chronic medication. Social workers will work with them to ensure that they are readmitted in treatment centres again. 

We are proud of the work done by our team and the positive impact of the Tswa Daar campaign on countless lives. 

The Tswa Daar campaign was a resounding success, mobilizing communities and providing a critical, compassionate gateway to recovery for numerous individuals struggling with substance abuse.  

The campaign's primary achievement was its ability to reach those in need and offer them immediate access to professional help and a voluntary path to rehabilitation. The Gauteng Provincial Government remains committed to combating substance abuse and providing essential services to those in need. We will continue to work tirelessly to address this critical issue and appreciate the support of our stakeholders and the public. 

Those that still want to be assisted, with either outpatient or admissions to treatment centres, they should visit offices of the Gauteng Department of Social Development to register. Admissions will be based on availability of beds. 

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

Life Sentence handed down to 22-year-old Lebogang Joseph Van Wyk

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

Life Sentence handed down to 22-year-old Lebogang Joseph Van Wyk

KIMBERLEY - The management of the South African Police Service in the Northern Cape welcomes the life sentence handed down to 22-year-old Lebogang Joseph Van Wyk by the Kimberley Regional Court for charges of rape and robbery.

The incident occurred on Saturday, 08 August 2020, at approximately 02:10, when the 20-year-old victim was attacked by an unknown male while walking home alone.

The accused dragged the victim behind the Kimberley Correctional Services premises, where he demanded her cellphone and took her handbag. He then sexually assaulted her before fleeing the scene.

The traumatised victim immediately reported the incident at the Kimberley Correctional Services control room, after which the police were notified and she was taken to hospital for medical examination.

The following day, 09 August 2020, the victim accompanied police to the crime scene, where her cellphone was recovered. Subsequent forensic investigations positively linked the accused to the crime scene, leading to his arrest on 19 January 2021. 

Bail was successfully opposed, and he remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.

On Thursday, 30 October 2025, the Kimberley Regional Court convicted and sentenced Lebogang Joseph Van Wyk (22) as follows:

Count 1: Rape – Life imprisonment

Count 2: Common Robbery – 15 years’ imprisonment

The accused was further declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his name will be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended Detective Sergeant Shaun Boer of the Kimberley Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, as well as Advocate Shareen Links of the National Prosecuting Authority, for their dedication and teamwork that ensured justice for the victim.

Lieutenant General Otola reaffirmed the SAPS’s commitment to eradicating gender-based violence and urged community members to prioritise their personal safety.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA’S TRADE SURPLUS IS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE AND A SIGN OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

SOUTH AFRICA’S TRADE SURPLUS IS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE AND A SIGN OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY  

The South African Government has achieved a major milestone, a R21.7 billion trade surplus for September 2025, as reported by SARS. This is more than a number; it’s a signal that our economy is turning a corner and beginning to lift all South Africans. Exports rose to R186.4 billion, while imports fell to R164.6 billion, driven by stronger performance in gold, platinum, and vehicle exports. 

This success reflects the impact of the ANC-led government’s 10-Point Economic Plan, championed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. A growing trade surplus means more jobs in factories, mines, and industries and more funds for homes, schools, clinics, and services. It is a sign of resilience, stability, and the tangible return of the ANC’s commitment to a better life for all. 

This progress strengthens the rand, helps fight inflation, and attracts investment. We call on the private sector to continue partnering with government to sustain this growth and ensure that our economy’s momentum benefits every citizen. 

The ANC’s economic plan is working to: • Create jobs • Reduce the cost of living • Drive investment in infrastructure and services • Build confidence for local and global investors 

This is not a moment for division but shared optimism. Together, we are building a more inclusive, prosperous, and united South Africa. 

The future is being built today, a future full of promise for all. 

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

High Court Exposes NERSA

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

High Court Exposes NERSA 

The DA wants Parliament to reprimand NERSA after the court ruled its tariff process unconstitutional.

The judgment confirms NERSA’s ongoing failures and disregard for lawful pricing.

The DA will monitor compliance to ensure fair and transparent electricity costs.

The Democratic Alliance has written to Parliament’s Electricity Committee calling for a serious reprimand of NERSA’s leadership for its ongoing delinquent conduct, highlighted most recently by its significant court loss on Friday.

As South Africans are burdened by obscene electricity price increases, the agency meant to protect electricity consumers against price-gouging, is failing dismally in its legal mandate.

That the Gauteng High Court had to declare the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (NERSA) process for approving 2025/26 municipal electricity tariffs as constitutionally invalid, is extremely embarrassing for NERSA.

The Court has ordered NERSA to comply with new strict timelines when it considers next year’s electricity pricing tariffs – and DA welcomes that this new model is based on the DA-led City of Cape Town’s proposal forcing NERSA to publish key aspects for public comment by 30 March annually. The public must be given a proper opportunity to play a role in electricity tariffs, so that they cannot be imposed by NERSA on silenced residents.

This ruling is a damning indictment of NERSA, confirming what the DA has long warned: NERSA is failing to act in the interests of South Africans – it goes from mistake to mistake, and failure to failure. NERSA has been repeatedly ordered to ensure tariffs are based on actual, efficient cost-of-supply, as required by the Electricity Regulation Act. Instead of complying, NERSA has simply invented new, equally unlawful "benchmarking" and "assumption" methods to avoid its legal duty.

We still do not have answers on the R54-billion “mistake” NERSA made in the calculation of this year’s tariffs, and now their public consultation process on the cost of supply has also been declared unconstitutional.

Now is the time for Parliament to step in, and enforce accountability.

The DA will closely monitor NERSA's compliance with this order and continue to fight to ensure that South Africans pay a fair, legal, and transparent price for electricity and not a cent more.

We cannot allow electricity prices to continue to rise, as NERSA bungles the legal process to set the annual tariffs.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA