Committee welcomes approval of TERS funding for Post Office

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Picture: Post Office

By REGINALD KANYANE

8 May 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Sangoni Diko has described the approval of six months of income support to beleaguered South African Post Office workers as “a much-needed lifeline that the state is both morally and duty-bound to extend”. Diko said the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) is aimed at minimising job losses in companies facing distress by providing up to 75% of employees’ salaries capped at R241 110 for a period of 12 months.

She further said the scheme is administered by the Department of Labour and Employment through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

“The R381 297 863.83 wage subsidy for nearly 6 000 SAPO employees over a six-month period signals an important milestone in the ongoing work to rescue, resuscitate and ultimately future-proof the Post Office. The subsidy is expected to reduce the SAPO’s cost burden and forms part of the building blocks towards the completion of the business rescue process.

“We have noted that beyond financial, employee and operational distress, to qualify for TERS funding, applicants must present a viable turnaround strategy for the company to the Adjudication Committee that in the opinion of the committee have reasonable prospects of success,” said Diko.

She said they have called on the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and SAPO to use the reduction of the entity’s cost burden to catalyse digitalisation, accelerate the development and implementation of a comprehensive partnership strategy and consider opportunities for reinvestment into the entity’s assets and infrastructure. Diko added that this step is steadily moving them towards the end of the business rescue process, thereby presenting an opportunity for the department to accelerate the process of developing a comprehensive partnerships strategy for SAPO’s revenue generating streams.

“While the TERS funding is substantially less than the R3.8bn the business rescue practitioners had sought to return SAPO to full solvency and liquidity, this reprieve presents strategic choices for consideration by the department on how to reengineer our country’s designated postal operator.

“We commend the Department of Employment and Labour for its commitment to safeguarding jobs and creating opportunities for training and further development of SAPO employees in line with its mandate. The SAPO and many other state-owned entities cannot survive and be viable without the active and intentional support of the rest of the government,” she said.

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Mokgosi to deliver eulogy at a funeral of former SANDF soldier, Rantao  

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Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

8 May 2025- The North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi will on Saturday, deliver the eulogy at the Special Provincial Official Funeral of the late Colonel of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and former Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress Veterans League (ANCVL) in the North West, Ntwagae Simon Rantao.

The official funeral will take place at Ratsara Section, Dinokona village in Zeerust, at 7am.

Mokgsi said, His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category Two for Rantao and has instructed that the National Flag fly at half-mast in the province on the day of the funeral in his honour. He said Rantao passed away on 29 April 2025, at the age 75, after a long illness.

“He was part of the earliest members and soldiers of the Luthuli Detachment following the formation of the ANC’s military wing on 16 December 1961. Rantao was one of the few remaining luminaries of the country’s liberation course whose humility and selflessness invigorated ethical leadership and served as a moral guide on the government’s continued efforts to create a better life for all,” said Mokgosi.

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Committee warns NSFAS over cancellation of student unaccredited accommodation

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Picture: NWU students arriving for the new academic calendar/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

8 May 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has expressed concern about the cancellation of student accommodation agreements with unaccredited providers, warning that mid-term disruptions unfairly affect students. The committee was briefed by the newly appointed board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for an update on student appeals, funding decisions for the 2025 academic year, the disbursement of allowances, student accommodation and other related matters.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Tebogo Letsie said they fully support the cancellation of unaccredited accommodation and as the committee, they concur on that point. Letsie said, however, when cancellations happen during the academic term or trimester, it creates serious challenges.

“Students are left stranded, unable to graduate, and burdened with debt for decisions they had no control over. We must urgently move toward ensuring that all accommodation is accredited.

“The committee also highlighted that in the 2024 financial year, NSFAS’s mid-year defunding of students caused significant disruptions. Institutions, having already budgeted for registered students, were left financially exposed, triggering a chain reaction of financial instability,” he said.

Letsie further said members of the committee stressed that NSFAS’s operational shortcomings are exacerbating student debt levels and jeopardising students’ academic success. He added that, the committee said the timing of NSFAS decisions, often at critical academic periods, was concerning.

“Lastly, the committee emphasised the urgent need to strengthen communication between NSFAS, higher education institutions and students, noting that delays and miscommunication in funding decisions continue to unfairly prejudice students,” he added.

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Recall of lithium-ion batteries of Santa Cruz Heckler 9 ebikes and Tissue Box Toy

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Picture: Tissues

By OBAKENG MAJE

8 May 2025- The National Consumer Commission (NCC) said it provides information on the recall of the lithium-ion batteries of Santa Cruz Heckler 9 ebikes and the Tissue Box Toy sold with the Fisher-Price 3-in-1 SnugaPuppy Activity Centers, as notified by the suppliers. The NCC said Mattel South Africa notified it that they are recalling the Tissue Box Toy due to a defective component cover coming apart, making the internal support brackets (small parts) accessible.

The NCC spokesperson, Phetho Ntaba said the detachable tissue box toy can come apart, exposing the support brackets. Ntaba said this poses a choking hazard to young children.

“This product was made available for sale nationally from 2023 to 2025 at the following suppliers: Amazon Com Ser (SA) Pty Ltd, Lilliput Novelties (Pty) Ltd, OneDayOnly Offers (Pty) Ltd, Loot Online (Pty) Ltd, Takealot Online (Pty) Ltd, Toy Kingdom (Pty) Ltd, and Amic Trading (Pty) Ltd (Toys R Us).

“The tissue box toy is on the table’s underside, near the Fisher-Price logo. It is white with red decorations and has “tissues” made of sensory cloth. On one side, it has a black and white wiggly striped pattern and on the other, a yellow/green pattern with raised spots,” she said.

Ntaba further said consumers are urged to immediately stop using the recalled tissue box toy, remove it from the activity center, and keep it away from young children. She added that consumers should contact Fisher-Price to return the tissue toy box in exchange for a refund for the toy only.

“The supplier, Santa Cruz Bicycles, LLC, informed the NCC that they are recalling the interchangeable 720w lithium-ion batteries of the Santa Cruz Heckler 9 ebikes. The interchangeable 720w lithium-ion battery resides inside a black case under the frame. According to the supplier, their investigation and testing revealed that a small number of batteries supplied to certain Heckler ebikes may be at an increased risk of an electrical short circuit.

“In such cases, this may pose a fire hazard, resulting in a risk of injury or property damage. The affected Santa Cruz Heckler 9 ebikes were made available from February 2022 to April 2025 and were sold nationally. Consumers are urged to stop using the e-bikes immediately and disconnect the battery from the Heckler 9 e-bike and charger,” said Ntaba.

She said they should contact Santa Cruz Bicycle if they have sold or gifted it to anyone and forward this information. Ntaba said consumers are encouraged to check whether their battery is affected by visiting the Santa Cruz Bicycles recall page: (https://santacruzbicycles.com/pages/recall-heckler-9-lithium-ion-battery).

“If affected, they can register to receive a replacement battery at no extra cost,” she said.

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Thuntsa Lerole campaign heading to Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality

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Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi

By REGINALD KANYANE

8 May 2025- The North West Provincial Government’s Accelerated Service Delivery Programme – Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded is this week being rolled out in Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality, targeting areas such as Swartruggens, Derby, Redirile and Senthumole section in Koster. The weeklong service delivery programme will culminate in the provision of on-site social services at Reagile Community Hall in Koster on Friday, including visits to identified infrastructure projects and a community feedback session, led by the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi.

Mokgosi will be joined by Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and District and local mayors.

The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said in an endeavour to empower local farmers and enhance food production capacity, a Shadenet tunnel will be handed over to Onalerona Community Centre, while Veteran Poultry Package comprising one 3-tier layer cage, layer mash feed and 120 point-of-lay chickens, as well as a Veteran Goats Package including ten (10) Boer Goat Does and one Boer Goat Buck, will be handed over to beneficiaries. Setswambung said, in addition, a 10-hectare centre pivot will be handed over to a farmer at Koornfontein.

“Mokgosi’s entourage will also embark on a site-inspection visit to the new Mphe Bana 2 Secondary School construction project in Reagile, along with an oversight visit to the special maintenance section of Roads P4/2, including Koster Town and sections of Road P34/2.

“Road safety will be improved through the patching of potholes while grass cutting will be undertaken at identified roads. High-mast and streetlight repairs will also be carried out across Reagile to enhance night-time safety. Furthermore, intensified litter picking and waste collection programme will target illegal dumping sites with the launch of clean cities campaign,” he said.

Setswambung further said in response to the needs of the community, sanitary towels will be issued to learners at Mphe Bana Secondary School to support hygiene and dignity. He added that, food parcels will also be distributed to needy families as part of the ongoing community relief efforts.

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Alumnus earns top national honour for police communication

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Picture: SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe

By PHENYO MOKGOTHU

8 May 2025- North West University (NWU) graduate, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has been named the 2024 Spokesperson of the Year by the National Press Club, recognising her work in national police communication during a year of major public events. The announcement was made during the National Press Club’s awards ceremony in Pretoria on 25 April 2025. Mathe, who is the national spokesperson of the South African Police Service (SAPS), was honoured for leading the police service’s public communication during events such as the 2024 national and provincial elections, the presidential inauguration, the opening of parliament and the illegal mining incident in Stilfontein.

“It is an honour to be recognised in this way. I dedicate this award to the men and women in blue who serve South Africans every day,” she said.

Mathe further said her academic background helped to prepare her for a demanding career in public service.

“The communication principles I learned at the NWU continue to guide me. The qualification I earned early in my career set me apart in job interviews and gave me a strong foundation,” she said.

Mathe obtained her BA Hons in Communication at the NWU in 2013.

Reflecting on her career, she encouraged students to prioritise education.

“It really does pay off in the long run.”

The NWU is one of the sponsors of the National Press Club awards held annually to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to communication in the public space.

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Picture: SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe/Supplied 

SAFA welcomes Motsoagae’s appointment

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Picture: Nelisiwe Motsoagae

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

8 May 2025 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) is proud to announce the appointment of Nelisiwe Motsoagae as the new HPC Girls’ Academy Administrator. SAFA CEO, Lydia Monyepao said Motsoagae brings with her a wealth of experience in finance, administration, coaching, and sport education skills that will prove invaluable in her new role.

Monyepao said her dynamic career has included roles such as Club Development Coordinator at the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Team Manager of the Springs Home Sweepers, and coach for various girls’ teams. She has also served in diverse capacities such as Technical Coordinator, Media Liaison Officer, Accreditation Officer, Safeguarding Officer, and Course Coordinator.

“Motsoagae’s wide-ranging experience and dedication to youth and women’s football development makes her an excellent addition to the team, bringing versatile sports professionalism with over nine years of experience to bolster women’s football development.

“SAFA wishes Motsoagae every success in this exciting new chapter and looks forward to her impact on the future stars of South African football,” she said.

Meanwhile, Motseagae said: “I’m grateful to SAFA for trusting me with such an important role in the development of women’s football,” she said. “I see this appointment as a stepping stone towards making a meaningful impact in the high-performance space, particularly player pathways and development. My goal is to contribute towards building a strong pipeline of future stars for the national team.

“The Technical department is not new to me as it is the same thing I was doing in the region, your coaching education as well as talent identification and player development pathways. I am looking forward to the challenge and I know that it will not be an easy one.”

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Mdaka showers praise on Amajita after demolition of Sierra Leone

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Picture: South African U20 men’s national team/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

8 May 2025 – South African U20 men’s national team coach, Raymond Mdaka has showered his players with praise after their demolition of Sierra Leone in an U20 Africa Cup of Nations group match played at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt on Tuesday night. Amajita, as the SA U20 men’s national team is known, beat Sierra Leone 4-1 through goals from Jody Ahshene, Neo Rapoo and a brace from Thabang Mahlangu.

The win lifted the South Africans to second place behind Group A leaders Sierra Leone, who retained the lead despite the defeat.

Mdaka had predicted a tough match ahead of this meeting and was pleased by the dominance displayed by his players against the group leaders.

“In our game against Sierra Leone, we knew that it was going to be difficult because it looked like they had already qualified (for the next round of the tournament). But credit to our boys (because) they played with character. We were tactically disciplined, we created a number of chances, and we were able to finish those chances. We will see where things go in the next game.

“Amajita face COSAFA neighbours Zambia in their next group game on Friday, 9 May 2025,” he said.

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Police brutality under scrutiny in Northern Cape

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Picture: Police brutality under scrutiny

By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 May 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it welcomes the swift action taken by Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General, Koliswa Otola, in reporting an alleged incident of police brutality against a group of teenagers in Kimberley over the weekend to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). This comes after the DA reported the matter to Otola.

The DA’s Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, Fawzia Rhoda said according to the group of friends, they were followed in a marked SAPS vehicle and threatened by officials, who used foul language and physical violence to scare them.

Rhoda said one official allegedly used his firearm to inflict bodily harm on an underage girl from the group before continuing the assault with pepper spray after she exercised her right to record the ordeal. She said the footage has been viewed by the DA and submitted as evidence.

“Another SAPS official is also accused of acting violently and striking the driver of the vehicle for allegedly speeding. This is despite the driver’s cooperation with the officer’s demands that his blood- alcohol level be tested.

“The DA is gravely concerned that the police officials are accused of exposing their official firearms without adequate justification, behaving violently and unprofessionally and driving off without taking the driver for alcohol testing, after one of the teenager’s guardians insisted on speaking to them,” said Rhoda.

She said this case has arisen not long after media reports about Roodepan Police Station’s investigation into a kidnapping case of a 14-year-old boy, whose home was allegedly invaded by police officers ahead of his arrest and placement in a holding cell with an adult for over two hours. Rhoda said intimidation and unlawful behaviour by SAPS officials has no place in the Northern Cape, already marred by increasing levels of violent crime.

“The DA will keep a close eye on the IPID investigation and continue to provide support to the affected teenagers and their families. Those meant to enforce safety in our communities must not be allowed to serve as the perpetrators of violence,” she said.

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Conventional policing futile in unconventional environment

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SAPS members during parade/Generic

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 May 2025- The Portfolio Committee on Police said it is of the view that the South African Police Service’s continued use of conventional methods to combat gang violence is not assisting to achieve success, as communities struggle under the strain of organised crime. Today, the committee received a petition from Yusuf Cassim, a member of the Eastern Cape Legislature on the ongoing gang violence in the northern areas of Nelson Mandela Bay.
 

The Chairperson of the Committee, Ian Cameron said they have noted that the SAPS continues to adopt a nonchalant approach to the scourge of gang violence, despite the concerning fear that communities must contend with daily. Cameron said, also, the impact of gang murders on the high murder rate is not taken as a priority.

“Furthermore, although the police have committed to a data-centric approach to policing, the continued under-resourcing of police stations with high crime rates and the complete disregard of the Anti-Gang Unit continues to inhibit the unit’s ability to meaningfully target and arrest gang leaders to achieve the objective of dismantling these gangs.
 

“While the committee is cognisant of the socio-economic factors that encourage gang affiliation in these areas and which require a collaborative approach from various stakeholders, the committee remains concerned about the unwillingness of SAPS to implement intelligence operations intended to infiltrate and disrupt gangs,” he said.

Cameron further said the SAPS must also consider using technological advances as force multipliers in the fight against gang violence. He added that the committee highlighted that the challenges faced in the northern areas of Nelson Mandela Bay are similar to those in areas of the Cape Flats in Cape Town and Eldorado Park in Johannesburg.

“This requires urgent action and intervention. The approach adopted by SAPS is not showing signs of success and a change of course is necessary to ensure that we rid our streets of gangs and the associated violence they bring.

“The committee received a petition from Fokus Group, a group of former members and widows of SAPS members who have struggled to get compensation for occupational injuries sustained while on duty. The committee was disappointed by the weak and uncaring response from SAPS,” said Cameron.

He said it is unacceptable that although members have been injured on duty, the process is cumbersome and that the SAPS is seemingly unwilling to assist its members to apply and benefit from the Compensation Fund. Cameron said the committee is of the view that while the delays might be on the part of the Department of Labour, SAPS should be doing more to engage its sister department to expedite its processes.

“It is unacceptable that the SAPS have just passed the buck to the Department of Employment and Labour without accepting its administrative shortcomings and lack of adequate support. The committee considers it inhumane that a beneficiary has had to wait for over 30 years to access the benefits they are entitled to.

“Unfortunately, the responses given to the committee by SAPS leave much to be desired. The non-responses are unaware of the plight of former police officers who were injured on duty. The South African Police must do more to support its members in accessing benefits from the Compensation Fund,” he said.  

Cameron said similarly, the committee is concerned that while the SAPS gave a glossy presentation, the realities on the ground are grim for members who are injured on duty. He said, for example, a member of the SAPS in the Western Cape who was paralysed while on duty has had to stop physiotherapy sessions due to SAPS’s non-payment for over 20 appointments.

“The committee is concerned that the bureaucratic mess leaves members of SAPS and their families vulnerable. For its part, the committee resolved that it will engage with the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour to plan a joint meeting, where the petition and general injury-on-duty claims will be the main area of focus,” said Cameron.

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