Author: Larson Thebe
Service delivery, local government challenges, and poor economic growth, are expected to top the agenda, when President Cyril Ramaphosa lead an engagement between the National Executive and the Provincial Executive of North West at the Municipal Chambers of the Rustenburg Civic Centre today. Ramaphosa will meet with North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and members of the Provincial Government Executive to strengthen cooperation between national and provincial structures. According to the presidency, the engagement, held under the theme: “A Nation that Works for All”, forms part of a series of provincial engagements, aimed at enhancing intergovernmental coordination and improving service delivery…
Five children have been killed, and 11 others injured after a minibus taxi veered off the road and crashed into the pre-school in Imbali township, KwaZulu-Natal. According to authorities, the learners were being transported from Ward 10 to high and primary schools in Ward 15. “Fortunately, out of 49 children attending the pre-school, only five witnessed the accident. They all survived. We are saddened by the death of five learners,” said the provincial Transport MEC Siboniso Duma. Duma said he’s working with other MECs and Mayors to accelerate interventions. “A team from the office is also interacting with teachers from…
The mayors of Johannesburg and Tshwane have voiced their concerns about the growing inadequacies in local and provincial governance, reiterating the urgent need for more resources ahead of the Urban 20 summit they are co-hosting this weekend. Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya addressed the media, highlighting their commitment to ensuring that cities can better meet the needs of their communities. Adding weight to this call, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi emphasised the need for urgent reforms during a seminar on the future of regional and local government. Lesufi noted that external factors, including climate change and budgetary…
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape will reopen the inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko on Friday, marking exactly 48 years since his tragic demise. Biko, the founder and leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, was a prominent figure in the fight against the apartheid regime in South Africa. The decision to reinvestigate Biko’s death comes after the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development approved a request from the National Director of Public Prosecutions, a move that has garnered the support of Biko’s family legal representatives. As stated by NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali,…
In a bid to reverse years of governance failures and financial mismanagement, the Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has expressed renewed optimism for the troubled Ditsobotla Local Municipality. The Lichtenburg-based council was placed under administration for the ninth time recently, a decision prompted by its ongoing inability to deliver essential services to residents.During a visit to the municipality, Hlabisa was accompanied by Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and a host of other Members of the Executive Council (MECs), as they introduced the newly appointed National Cabinet Representative, Kopung Ralikontsane, to the council in accordance with section 139(7) of the Constitution. “All executive…
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has sent a stern warning to criminals found guilty of killing police officers, adding that they will face the full might of the law for attacking the country’s men and women in blue. Mashatile was delivering a keynote address at the SAPS Commemoration Day in Pretoria, on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The event was attended by the acting Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, senior police top brass and the officer’s family members. “We are intensifying efforts to ensure your safety and to equip you adequately for the fight against crime. We are resourcing specialised units,…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a dire health situation in Gaza, as Israeli bombardment continues in the area, as part of Israel’s military incursion. The organisation says this has led to an even worse humanitarian disaster, endangering water and sanitation facilities for nearly one million people, many of whom are already facing extreme food deprivation. WHO’s Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the situation is exacerbated by famine which was declared in parts of Gaza two weeks ago. Ghebreyesus highlighted that since the conflict began in October 2023, at least 370 people have died from malnutrition in…
A devastating road accident on the N4 near Kroondal, outside Rustenburg, has claimed the lives of four individuals and left several others injured. The collision involved three vehicles: a diesel tanker, a cash in transit van, and a Nissan NP 200 bakkie. The scene of the accident remains chaotic as first responders tend to those affected. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, emergency services including the South African Police Service (SAPS), Local and Provincial Traffic, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Fire & Disaster Management officials are currently on-site. “SAPS members in Rustenburg are actively attending to the accident scene,”…
The Department of Defence has postponed the joint naval exercise between South Africa, Russia, and China, which was planned for November. According to the department, the reason for the postponement is that the exercise coincides with the G20 Summit that will be held in Johannesburg in November. This is the third iteration of the exercise, which takes place every two years between the BRICS partners, and China was supposed to host this year’s exercise. “In consultation with the Presidency and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the Department of Defence is engaging its counterparts in the People’s Republic…
In a bid to enhance the standard of local football and officiating, the Department of Sport has allocated R82 million from its current budget specifically for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) project in the Betway Premiership. The department said the move is a significant progress in the procurement and implementation of the VAR system for local football, in close collaboration with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL). “This initiative aims to enhance the integrity, fairness, and overall quality of domestic competitions by addressing ongoing concerns over refereeing decisions that have led to fan dissatisfaction,…