SANDF SOLDIERS GUNNED DOWN IN DRC @KASIBCNEWS

SANDF SOLDIERS GUNNED DOWN IN DRC @KASIBCNEWS  

Today’s Joint Portfolio Committee meeting on Defence was a crucial moment for the government to be held accountable for the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where our troops are once again caught in the crossfire of a foreign conflict.

The meeting saw MPs from the DA push the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, and the chiefs of the defence force for clarity on key questions.

The DA’s MPs demanded to know where the advice for the SANDF deployment came from, who gave that advice, and what oversight measures were in place to ensure the safety and readiness of our troops. Additionally, they asked where the counterintelligence operations were, given the precise coordination and mortar fire of M23 rebels—indicating that the attack was meticulously planned over a number of weeks. Instead of providing the answers South Africans deserve, the Minister and President continue to stonewall and delay accountability. This lack of transparency has only fuelled the growing fears of the public and the families of our soldiers.

The situation in the DRC continues to deteriorate. New reports of South African soldiers being captured by M23 rebels, along with the tragic deaths and injuries of more South African troops, underline the dire state of this operation. The M23 group now controls critical airspace and has encircled SANDF operation bases in Goma. Evacuation efforts have thus become even more perilous.

The DA has repeatedly called for the immediate withdrawal of our troops from the DRC, and we will continue to do so. Our soldiers are being sent into an unwinnable situation with inadequate support, and the people of South Africa deserve answers. More than that, they deserve action. Legacy reports from 2015 up to 2024 explicitly detail that the SANDF is in no position to undertake any peace or offensive mission, given its dire state of affairs.

We also note the lack of meaningful action on the part of the Minister of Defence. At this point, it is crystal clear that neither the President nor the Minister is capable of providing the leadership our troops need and deserve. In fact, the DA is also calling for Minister Motshekga to be fired. She has completely failed to account to this committee, remaining evasive, grandstanding, and arrogantly dismissing the concerns of MPs and the public alike.

Minister Motshekga, in her attempts to spin herself out of accountability, exposed her lack of understanding of the situation facing the SANDF soldiers trapped in the eastern DRC. By claiming that our soldiers have received enough firepower to defend themselves, despite contradictory reports on the number of deceased and wounded, she either misleads the public or reflects the poor advice given to her by her advising generals. Furthermore, her attempt to describe the SANDF deployment as a peacekeeping mission is a deliberate attempt to pacify the nation, as the orders for the SAMIDRC forces are clear—to support the FARDC in neutralising “illegal armed and negative forces,” including hunting down, killing, and disarming them. This is far from a peacekeeping effort.

The Minister also failed to respond to critical questions regarding the situation on the ground. She did not address concerns about our soldiers being surrounded by M23 rebels and having their movements controlled, nor did she respond to questions about whether there is any viable land or air logistical access to our forces.

The DA strongly reiterates our call for the immediate withdrawal of South African troops from the DRC. The families of those who have already made the ultimate sacrifice deserve closure, and our remaining soldiers need to be brought home before more lives are lost in a conflict that does not serve South Africa’s interests.

JOBURG LIBRARIES OPEN FOR STUDY @KASIBCNEWS

December holidays are over, and students are heading back to school, technical colleges, and universities. While many are already hitting the books, a surprising number are turning to their local libraries for a quiet place to study, reliable resources, and a supportive learning environment.

Zilondle Nkosi, a third-year engineering student, was spotted at Florida Library even before classes resumed. "I'm revising some key concepts," she explained. "Engineering is tough, and I need a solid understanding." She added that the library’s peaceful atmosphere helps her concentrate, free from the distractions of home.

Tyron Malan shares the sentiment. "The library is the perfect place to focus," he said. "It’s peaceful, and you can really get into your studies. I love being surrounded by books and like-minded people – it’s inspiring."

City of Johannesburg Libraries are rolling out the red carpet for students with eye-catching back-to-school displays. These vibrant showcases, a testament to the library staff’s dedication to education, feature engaging book arrangements, stationery resources, and warm welcome messages. While each branch has its own unique touch, the goal remains the same: to ignite a love for learning and equip students with the tools they need for a successful academic year.

“After the school holidays, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in the number of people visiting our libraries,” said Sapna Ragunanan, Assistant Director of Region G Libraries. “We’re running programmes on how to use the library and our digital resources. In addition to regular members, we’re welcoming many schoolchildren, some accompanied by their teachers, which is fantastic.”

Libraries are also stepping up to support students beyond providing books and study spaces. “In our communities, there are students who need assistance,” Ragunanan added. “We’re helping them check on their admissions and apply for student funding.”

It is clear that libraries are more than just book repositories—they are dynamic learning spaces that inspire academic excellence. This aligns with the City’s Library and Information Services’ mission to promote lifelong learning.

“The library is my second home,” said Oteng Sekgoleo, a matric student. “The staff are always ready to guide me in the right direction, and the atmosphere is perfect for studying. There are no distractions, and everyone here is focused. I’m making the most of this space early in the year because I’m determined to excel in my matric exams. Spending time here, surrounded by resources and support, gives me the best chance of achieving top marks.”

With their welcoming atmosphere, dedicated staff, and wealth of resources, Joburg Libraries are proving to be invaluable partners in students’ academic journeys—ensuring they start the year on the right page.

2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS @KASIBCNEWS

2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS  @KASIBCNEWS 

The DA’s Federal Council met yesterday, 27 January, to finalise our Candidate Nomination Regulations in preparation for the upcoming local government elections.

This is the culmination of a six-month process during which DA provincial and regional structures submitted proposals to improve and streamline the party’s candidate nomination regulations, following the general election last May.

The DA Federal Council also adopted new Candidate Nomination Regulations, ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections.

With the revised regulations, the DA today announces that applications will officially open on 01 February 2025, for aspirant candidates who share the DA’s values and are committed to serving their community.

We are looking for skilled South Africans who have an interest in rescuing the towns and cities in which they live, from mismanagement and decay, and who are committed to undertaking the responsibility of the critical work of a Local Government Councillor.

Local governments across the country, governed by parties other than the DA, face a dire crisis of collapsing services, financial mismanagement and decay. It is possible to rescue these municipalities with hardworking, committed councillors part of a new local government led by a party with tested policies and track-record.

This year, for the first time and in parallel to the general Candidate Application process, the DA will also be running a programme for 77 aspirant individuals who were invited to join a year-long in-depth course to prepare them to compete in the candidate nomination process. We call this the “Catalyst Programme” and its participants were selected and invited in September 2024.

The calibre of our candidates will be decisive in our ability to rescue local governments across South Africa.

The next step in the DA’s Election preparations ahead of the upcoming Local Government Election will be the selection of mayoral candidates for strategic Metros across the country.

We will open applications for aspirant Mayoral Candidates on 01 March 2025. Unlike many other parties, the DA selects and runs Mayoral Candidates seriously, where we are convinced that we have a serious chance of winning, or forming a new local government.

The DA is a growing party, and we aim to be the biggest party in Metro municipalities in South Africa after the upcoming elections. This will enable us to do the difficult but crucial work of stopping the rot and pulling South Africa’s towns and cities back from the brink.

It is crucial for voters to realise that their choice of municipal councillors fundamentally affects the way they live and that capable candidates are the key to securing the future of all citizens.

KASIBCAFRICA 

Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. It covers about 30.3 million square kilometers (11.7 million square miles), including adjacent islands, and accounts for about 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area. With a population of over 1.3 billion people as of 2021, it accounts for about 16% of the world's human population.

### Key Facts about Africa:

1. **Geography**: Africa is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Southern Ocean to the south. It is home to diverse landscapes, including deserts (e.g., the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world), savannas, rainforests, mountains (e.g., Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa), and rivers (e.g., the Nile, the longest river in the world).

2. **Countries**: Africa comprises 54 recognized sovereign states, including Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, and Ethiopia. It also includes several territories and dependencies.

3. **Languages**: There are over 2,000 languages spoken in Africa, making it the most linguistically diverse continent. Major language families include Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, and Khoisan. Arabic, Swahili, Hausa, and Amharic are among the most widely spoken languages.

4. **Culture**: Africa is known for its rich cultural heritage, including music, art, literature, and traditions. It is the birthplace of many influential cultural movements, such as Afrobeat, and has a long history of storytelling and oral traditions.

5. **History**: Africa is often referred to as the "cradle of humankind" because it is believed to be the birthplace of early human ancestors. It has a complex history, including ancient civilizations like Egypt, Nubia, and Axum, as well as the impacts of colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, and the struggle for independence in the 20th century.

6. **Economy**: Africa has a diverse range of economies, from resource-rich nations (e.g., oil in Nigeria, diamonds in Botswana) to agricultural economies. However, many countries face challenges such as poverty, inequality, and political instability.

7. **Biodiversity**: Africa is home to some of the world's most iconic wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, and rhinoceroses. It has numerous national parks and conservation areas, such as the Serengeti and Kruger National Park.

8. **Challenges**: Africa faces significant challenges, including poverty, health crises (e.g., HIV/AIDS, malaria), political instability, and climate change. However, it also has a young and rapidly growing population, which presents opportunities for economic growth and development.

Africa is a continent of immense diversity, resilience, and potential, playing a crucial role in global history, culture, and geopolitics.

#MAKEKASIGREAT 

PHUMELELA MUNICIPALITY @KASIBCNEWS

The DA demands that the MEC of Health, Mr Monyatso Mahlatsi, provide an urgent indication of when the department will fill vacant positions and reintroduce the mobile clinic services in Phumelela. 

This after the department’s decision to discontinue mobile clinics in Phumelela Municipality, which will be detrimental to rural and isolated communities in the district.

The Department initially had two mobile clinics serving the community and surrounding towns of Warden and Vrede that helped to alleviate some of the strain on the local clinic.

The DA recently conducted oversight in the area and discovered that the two mobile vehicles that were initially used to serve as mobile clinics have since been parked at the Vrede hospital and were no longer being used to service these communities. Residents informed the DA that out of the six nurses allocated to operate the mobiles, only one of them was left in service following the termination of the contracts of the other five nurses.

Compounding the situation is that community clinics in both Vrede and Warden areas that used to operate 24/7 now only operate between 8 and 16 hours a day. Some patients are forced to start queuing from 05:30 in the morning without the guarantee of being assisted.

The Department of Health cites budgetary constraints for the non-filling of vacancies and that the Department is making use of staff that was appointed on funding obtained from the national treasury during the COVID-19 period.

Upon further investigation, the community members in the area described a very disturbing situation of the distances people have to travel to receive healthcare, they indicated that:

- Community members who reside around Rosedelly farms travel 45 kilometres to fetch medication at the nearest clinic in town.

- Residents who stay at Cronje Boerdery travel 21 kilometres to reach the clinic.

- Residents who stay at Ascent farms travel 32 kilometres and

- Residents who stay at Roadside farms travel at least 32 kilometres to reach the clinic in town.

The suffering of residents in the Phumelela municipality and the surrounding communities is unconstitutional, and people deserve a government that prioritises their health and well-being.

NDWEDWE MUNICIPALITY @KASIBCNEWS

NDWEDWE MUNICIPALITY @KASIBCNEWS 

The Democratic Alliance in Ndwedwe Municipality is deeply alarmed and outraged by the rising levels of crime plaguing our communities, particularly the recent spate of violent incidents in the Noodsberg Ekho area.

On Saturday, 13 January 2025, two men, Mr. Sihle Dlamini and Mr. Nkosi Magwaza, were brutally gunned down by unknown assailants outside Ngcobo Shop at around midnight. This tragedy marks yet another senseless loss of life in our municipality.

Shockingly, just weeks prior, on 1 January 2025, Mr. Pius Chiyi was shot while celebrating New Year’s Day at his home. Thankfully, he survived the attack but continues to endure medical treatment.

These incidents are not isolated. Reports of firearm-related violence in Ndwedwe have become disturbingly frequent. Gunshots echo through our rural communities almost daily, creating an environment of fear and instability.

As the DA, we propose the following measures to address the root causes of crime in rural areas like Ndwedwe:

1. Increased SAPS Resources:
Advocate for additional police officers and vehicles to improve response times and visibility in rural areas.

2. Community Safety Forums:
Partner with community leaders to establish safety forums that encourage residents to report suspicious activities and work collaboratively with SAPS.

3.Enforcement of Liquor Regulations:
Push for stricter monitoring of liquor outlets to ensure compliance with trading regulations and reduce alcohol-related incidents.

4. Youth Engagement Programs:
Invest in initiatives that provide employment, education, and recreational opportunities to steer young people away from criminal activities.

5. Gun Control Enforcement:
Work with provincial authorities to crack down on illegal firearm ownership and trafficking in rural communities.

Crime has devastating effects on rural communities. It robs families of their loved ones, creates an atmosphere of fear, disrupts economic activities, and erodes trust in law enforcement and government. Residents of Ndwedwe should not have to live in constant fear, nor should they feel abandoned by the authorities tasked with protecting them.

We call on law enforcement agencies, particularly SAPS, to prioritize the investigation of these heinous crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The DA remains committed to creating safe and thriving communities in Ndwedwe. We will continue to hold the local government and law enforcement accountable to ensure that no family must mourn the loss of a loved one due to preventable violence.

Let us stand together to demand swift action and justice for all victims of crime in Ndwedwe.

MANGAUNG METRO R2.5MILLION @KASIBCNEWS

SALGBC Slapped Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality With Staggering R2.5 Million Retrospective Payment Award of 13 Unfairly Dismissed Etsose Batjha Project Employees. 

Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats Cllr Lucky Mongale warned the City's Council and Residents against the misinformed Etsose Batjha Project (EBP) report that was prepared by inept Corporate Services HOD: Mokete Duma and Pule Molalenyane's Pawn & City Manager Sello More for MK CREDENTIALIST Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi to table in Council. 

Unfortunately, the dunderheads ANC, ATM & AIC Mangaung council caucus led by Ward 28 Cllr & Council Whip Vumile Nikelo voted for the report as tabled in December, 14 2023. That vote has now caused Mangaung Metro R 2 504 675.00 in retrospective payments of the 13 EBP for the period between February 2024 to January 2025. SALGBC Commissioner Jana Dell agreed with Cllr Lucky Mongale that the City has somehow created the reasonable & legitimate expectation for the 13 employees to be permanently employed after a 2 year skills development programme failed and saw them being in the employ of the City for 13 years. 

However, it is expected of Sello More, Mokete Duma and Gregory Nthatisi to review this outcome with the Labour Court not because they have a case to win but to frustrate those 13 employees out of everyday meals. It is a known fact that the three (3) have no regard for Sound Governance and would stop at nothing to fight their political opponents including using Municipal resources.