Monthly Archives: May 2019

Ramaphosa announces new cabinet

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    Picture: South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa announced his most anticipated cabinet today. Ramaphosa said South Africans provided 6th administration with a clear mandate to accelerate inclusive economic growth, act with greater urgency to tackle poverty, improve government services, fight corruption and end state capture.

“If we are to give effect to this mandate, we need a capable, efficient and ethical government. Today, we are announcing some of the outcomes of the reconfiguration of national government.

“It is critical that the structure and size of the state is optimally suited to meet the needs of the people and ensure the most efficient allocation of public resources, ” he said.

Ramaphosa said he had combined a number of portfolios and reduced the number of ministers from 36 to 28. He further said this will promote greater coherence, better co-ordination and improved efficiency.

“The Trade and Industry is combined with Economic Development, while Higher Education and Training is combined with Science and Technology.

” We have also combined the Environmental Affairs with Forestry and Fisheries and Agriculture is combined with Land Reform and Rural Development. The Mineral Resources is combined with Energy, while Human Settlements is combined with Water and Sanitation,” said Ramaphosa.

He added that the Sports and Recreation is combined with Arts and Culture.

” We had already combined the portfolios of Communications and Telecommunications and Postal Services. We have also decided to add responsibility for infrastructure to the Public Works portfolio and to add responsibility for employment to the Labour portfolio.

“If, we are to make effective progress in building the South Africa that we all want, it is important that we deploy into positions of responsibility people who are committed, capable and hard-working, and who have integrity,” he said.
Ramaphosa said he decided to make the following appointments to the National Executive:
· The Deputy President is David Mabuza.
· The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is Thoko Didiza.
· The Deputy Ministers are Sdumo Dlamini and Mcebisi Skwatsha.
· The Minister of Basic Education is Angie Motshekga.
· The Deputy Minister is Dr Regina Mhaule.
· The Minister of Communications is Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
· The Deputy Minister is Pinky Kekana.
· The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
· The Deputy Ministers are Parks Tau and Obed Bapela.
· The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
· The Deputy Minister is Thabang Makwetla.
· The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries is Barbara Creecy.
· The Deputy Minister is Maggie Sotyu.
· The Minister of Employment and Labour is Thulas Nxesi.
· The Deputy Minister is Boitumelo Moloi.
· The Minister of Finance is Tito Mboweni.
· The Deputy Minister is Dr David Masondo.
· The Minister of Health is Dr Zwelini Mkhize.
· The Deputy Minister is Dr Joe Phaahla.
· The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology is Dr Blade Nzimande.
· The Deputy Minister is Buti Manamela.
· The Minister of Home Affairs is Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
· The Deputy Minister is Njabulo Nzuza.
· The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation is Lindiwe Sisulu.
· The Deputy Ministers are Pam Tshwete and David Mahlobo.
· The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is Dr Naledi Pandor.
· The Deputy Ministers are Alvin Botes and Candith Mashego-Dlamini.
· The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is Ronald Lamola.
· The Deputy Ministers are John Jeffery and Inkosi Phathekile Holomisa.
· The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy is Gwede Mantashe.
· The Deputy Minister is Bavelile Hlongwa.
· The Minister of Police is General Bheki Cele.
· The Deputy Minister is Cassel Mathale.
· The Minister in the Presidency is Jackson Mthembu.
· The Deputy Minister in the Presidency is Thembi Siweya.
· The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
· The Deputy Minister is Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize.
· The Minister of Public Enterprises is Pravin Gordhan.
· The Deputy Minister is Phumulo Masualle.
· The Minister of Public Service and Administration is Senzo Mchunu.
· The Deputy Minister is Sindy Chikunga.
· The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Patricia De Lille.
· The Deputy Minister is Noxolo Kiviet.
· The Minister of Small Business Development is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
· The Deputy Minister is Rosemary Capa.
· The Minister of Social Development is Lindiwe Zulu.
· The Deputy Minister is Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu.
· The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture is Nathi Mthethwa.
· The Deputy Minister is Nocawe Mafu.
· The Minister of State Security is Ayanda Dlodlo.
· The Deputy Minister is Zizi Kodwa.
· The Minister of Tourism is Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane.
· The Deputy Minister is Fish Mahlalela.
· The Minister of Trade and Industry is Ebrahim Patel.
· The Deputy Ministers are Fikile Majola and Nomalungelo Gina.
· The Minister of Transport is Fikile Mbalula.
· The Deputy Minister is Dikeledi Magadzi.
“These men and women we have appointed to the executive are drawn from all corners of our country. For the first time in the history of our country, half of all Ministers are women.

“We have also included a significant number of young people. This is in fulfillment of our commitment to giving young people roles of responsibility in all sectors of society,” said Ramaphosa,” he added.

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Security Guards embark on wage protest

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Check out @moeraneb14’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/moeraneb14/status/1133613204201005056?s=09

Courtesy: http://www.sabc.co.za/moeraneb14

Health workers to demonstrate

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Union members across the Province intend on embarking on a mass demonstration from today in opposition to the offered contracts.

THOUSANDS of community health workers (CHWs) employed at clinics and hospitals across the Northern Cape are expected to embark on protest action today following a dispute with the provincial Department of Health regarding employment contracts.

Dozens of CHWs and representatives from the South African Liberating Public Sector Workers Union (Salipswu) and the National Public Service Workers Union (NPSWU) gathered at the department’s offices in Kimberley yesterday, where they indicated that they would be rejecting the employment contracts that were offered to them.

This comes after the CHWs received letters from the department last week, warning that failure to sign the contracts by May 28, 2019 would result in “non-payment at the end of May, 2019, and going forward”.

However, the CHWs say that the benefits contained in the employment contracts are less than what they were previously receiving.

“The new contracts indicate a maternity benefit of four months unpaid leave, while previously a four-month paid leave benefit was offered. Also, while we were previously offered a thirteenth cheque, this has also been removed,” they stated.

NPSWU representative Thapelo Thole said that the contracts were contradictory to previous resolutions taken at a national level.

“The provincial Department of Health is just doing what they want and they are now threatening workers with non-payment of salaries on Friday. However, they cannot just change the resolutions taken last year and should consult with the bargaining council if they want to do this,” Thole said.

He added that union members across the Province intend on embarking on a mass demonstration from today in opposition to the offered contracts.

The Northern Cape Department of Health spokesperson, Lulu Mxekezo, had by close of business yesterday not responded to a media enquiry regarding the matter.

Source: http://www.dfa.co.za

Ratlou mayor resigns 

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Picture: Former Ratlou Local Municipality mayor, Tebogo Modise (Courtesy of http://www.news24.com)

By REGINALD KANYANE

THE residents of Setlagole village and other neighbouring areas that fall under the Ratlou Local Municipality will soon have a new mayor. This comes after Tebogo Modise who was the mayor resigned. The municipality spokesperson, Lesego Metsi said Modise rendered her resignation yesterday after she was deployed as a member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Cape Town.

The municipality spokesperson, Lesego Metsi said Modise rendered her resignation yesterday after she was deployed as a member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Cape Town.

“Modise has relinquished her duties to join the 6th administration in parliament. She is amongst hundreds of members deployed by the ANC to serve at the National Assembly.

“Modise took reigns as the municipal mayor at the beginning of 2016 supplanting the former mayor, Victor Mance after he was removed from his mayoral position during the Maphumulo’s administration,” he said.
Modise served only two years in the current council. According to Metsi, Modise will be the first female politician from Ratlou to be deployed at the NCOP.

” Modise will serve under President Cyril Ramaphosa government for the five coming years and her departure will not hinder the smooth running of the municipality.

“Our people will continue to receive basic service delivery as always,” he said.
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Shootout success takes NWU to Varsity Hockey glory

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With a fervent home crowd and conditions against them, NWU coach Shaun Hulley’s team put in a monumental effort to take a superb victory.

A dream came true for NWU Hockey tonight (Monday, 20 May) as the ladies finally lifted the Varsity Hockey trophy title with a 2-1 win against Maties on penalties.

This after the match ended 0-0 after regulation time in Stellenbosch. With a fervent home crowd and conditions against them, NWU coach Shaun Hulley’s team put in a monumental effort to take a superb victory.

The heroes for NWU were goalkeeper, Mischka Ellis who saved four attempts in the shootout, as well as Clarise Smit, who showed nerves of steel with a winnign penalty shot to take NWU into a 2-10 lead.

Kirsty Adams scored the other shootout goal for the NWU.

The first 15 minutes was a touch and go affair for both teams looked to break the deadlock early on. Both defences though held strong as Maties’ Stephanie Botha and NWU’s Jessica de Bryun-Smith showed their defensive skills.

NWU had a number of chances in the opening half with Courtney du Preez and Candice Silent going close with two good shots. Maties’ keeper, Kristen Block, was up to the task though with fine saves.

Du Preez was a constant menace on the left and used her pace and stick skills to keep the Maties defenders on their toes.

Source: http://www.potchefstroomherald.co.za

North West man arrested after police find explosives worth R129K in his bedroom

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A 49-year-old man arrested in connection with alleged dealing in and possession of explosives worth R129,000 will appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, North West police said.

Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the provincial organised crime unit arrested the man on Sunday in Jouberton near Klerksdorp.

“The suspect’s apprehension emanated from an investigation that began in September 2018. That was after information was received that the suspect was selling explosives.

“As part of investigation, two transactions were made with the suspect in 2018. The long arm of the law caught up with the suspect during the third transaction with the police,” Mokgwabone said.

“In the course of the arrest, the police found explosives worth R129,000 inside the suspect’s bedroom,” he said.

‌Explosives found at the house included blasting cartridges, shock tube assemblies and instantaneous electrical detonators.

– African News Agency (ANA)

ANC agrees on Thandi Modise for Speaker, Mokgoro for North West premier candidate

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Thandi Modise – the former National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson – will be the ANC’s candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly, the ruling party has announced.

Following a meeting of the party’s national executive committee (NEC) in Cape Town on Monday, secretary general Ace Magashule told journalists that Modise would be succeeding Baleka Mbete as the head of the national legislature.

Job Mokgoro will also be put forward to be the North West premier candidate, and return to the position he held towards the end of the previous term.

Lechesa Tsenoli will return as deputy speaker of the National Assembly, while Amos Masondo will be put forward for chairperson of the NCOP. Sylvia Lucas has been nominated for NCOP deputy chairperson.

Pemmy Majodina from the Eastern Cape takes over from Jackson Mthembu as the ANC’s chief whip, paving the way for a probable move to Cabinet for Mthembu.

Majodina is an NEC member and was a former ANCYL official. Dorris Dlakude will return to the position of deputy chief whip in the National Assembly.

Former Minister Nomvula Mokonyane will be the “chair of chairs”.

Seiso Joel Mohai will be chief whip and chair of caucus in the NCOP.

Source: http://www.news24.com

The introduction of a new system saw workers not being paid.

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JUST weeks before the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature reconvenes, the institution is embroiled in a pay debacle.

A cloud of smoke engulfed the entrance to the legislature building yesterday as staff protested and burnt tyres after a “system glitch” saw them not receiving their salaries for May.

National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) branch chairperson Ntsikelelo Tshandu said that this affected all full-time employees.

“We were informed on Tuesday by means of a letter that we would not receive our monthly salary on May 15 as a result of problems with the payroll system. This is totally unacceptable. We have been here for more than 10 years and this is the first time that this has ever happened. This smacks of poor management,” Tshandu said.

According to Tshandu, it is believed that the so-called system glitch was actually negligence on the part of the employer. “The payroll is normally done before month end. Why was it done two days before our pay date this time? It’s a clear indication that there is a serious management problem at the legislature.”

Tshandu also wanted to know why there was there no contingency plan to ensure that employees were paid on time. “This is carelessness and negligence of the highest order for a state institution.”

He said that the executive manager of human resources is also the acting supply chain manager. “This is the very reason why we call on management to ensure that there are competent people to do the work. At this point, we are calling for the removal of the executive manager of human resources.”

Tshandu pointed out that employees now risk losing their “good credit records” as a result of debit orders bouncing. “Who is going to take responsibility for that? Who is going to pay for the returned debit orders?”

Tshandu further stated that it was a “slap in members’ faces” that the legislature secretary, who is believed to be out of town, could not send a representative to address them.

He added that yesterday’s protest action did not affect operations at the legislature.

A group of approximately 40 protesters set tyres alight yesterday, sending huge plumes of smoke into the air and making it impossible to enter the legislature grounds.

The Northern Cape Provincial Legislature (NCPL) said yesterday that the glitch in the paying of staff was due to the implementation of a new pay system.

The acting executive manager for committees research, information services, public education and communications, Nathalia Borchard, said in a statement yesterday that the system errors experienced by the legislature had to do with the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system which was imposed as a legislative requirement.

“In brief, this system change was a migration from BAS and Persal systems to an ERP system. All efforts to avoid the current system errors or to at least resolve them were rendered difficult due to the fact that NCPL employees have not worked from the NCPL premises since April 8, 2019 due to safety concerns.

“The system consultants are however hard at work to resolve the system errors but there are no staff to check and capture payroll issues since they are outside the premises and some were not allowed to enter the premises today (yesterday).”

Borchard added that protesting workers had adversely affected the normal operations of the NCPL.

She went on to say that management is continuing the engagements with systems controllers in an attempt to ensure that all salaries are processed as soon as possible.

“The NCPL cannot give an indication of when employees will be paid as this is dependent on having the requisite personnel in office in order to execute the work related to payroll.”

She said that given the serious nature of the inconvenience caused by these system errors, management has made a commitment to engage with employee representatives in order to find an amicable solution to the problems associated with financial loss suffered by the employees.

Source: http://www.dfa.co.za

Mkhwebane orders North West municipality to reinstate whistleblower

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Public protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has ordered Matlosana Local Municipality in North West to reinstate a whistleblower and to put in place a policy to protect whistleblowers.

Mkhwebane found that the municipality suspended Mpho Seero, the chief audit executive, in retaliation for blowing the whistle on what he considered to be irregular and unauthorised expenditure at the municipality.

Mkhwebane instituted an investigation after Seero alleged that the former acting municipal manager, Sipho Mabuda, improperly suspended him following Seero’s submission of a protected disclosure to the municipal council.

The disclosure involved what Seero considered to be irregular procurement activities involving irregular expenditure of R32 442 930. 39 between 2003 and 2013 for fuel at a local petrol station, unauthorised expenditure of R160 662 953.11 and irregular expenditure of R 21 802 287.38 on municipal infrastructure grant (MIG) projects. He also believed Supply Chain Management regulation 36 had been misused.

Regulation 36 allows for money to be released in cases of emergency, which means normal processes don’t have to be adhered to as time is considered limited (for example clean-up operations after flood damage).
On the fuel matter, council had appointed Seero to lead an investigation involving irregular expenditure at a local petrol station. Seero found that vehicles not listed in the municipal fleet were filled with petrol or diesel more than once a day. He also found that there was no service agreement between the municipality and the petrol station.
Following her investigation, the public protector found that Seero’s suspension was unreasonable, unfair and could justifiably be seen as an exercise by Mabuda to remove Seero, who had accused Mabuda of being involved in the corrupt activities.
Mkhwebane directed the current municipal manager to ensure that Seero was reinstated to his position within 30 days of the date on the final report, which was May 13.
The municipal manager was also to ensure that the public protector’s report was tabled before council and had to write a letter on behalf of the municipality apologising to Seero for the prejudice he experienced.
The municipal manager also had to ensure that a policy dealing with protected disclosures in the workplace was developed to create “a culture of openness and accountability without fear of reprisals or occupational detriment,” within 90 working days.
African News Agency (ANA)

North West municipality placed under administration

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The running of the JB Marks municipality, which has been at the centre of corruption allegations, will be taken over by the provincial government.

North West provincial government has confirmed that the JB Marks municipality has been placed under administration following a decision from the province’s executive committee, News24 reports.

The JB Marks municipality was formed following a merger of the Tlokwe and Ventersdorp municipalities, which caused protests – one of which saw the Ventersdorp municipal traffic building torched – and was opposed by Ventersdorp residents.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) legally opposed the merger in the high court in Pretoria.

The municipality has been plagued by corruption allegations which saw it undergo a complete shut down at the end of last year, over issues including its failure to deliver on a N14 development project promised to them since 2006.