Author: Motlhaping Modise
The South African Police Service (SAPS) operation known as “Vala Umgodi,” aimed at combating illegal mining activities within the country, continues to demonstrate significant success in the North West’s mining areas of Bojanala Platinum and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. Provincial authorities reported the arrest of approximately six illegal miners, who are also undocumented foreign nationals, on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at Hartbeespoort Dam for engaging in illegal mining and violating Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002. Colonel Adéle Myburgh, spokesperson for the North West police, indicated that the individuals apprehended are all males aged between 28 and…
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has unveiled an audacious vision for 2025 that is both straightforward and fundamentally ideological. The union aims to unify all working-class formations and foster partnerships with progressive political parties to tackle the pressing challenges facing workers in today’s tumultuous socio-economic landscape. As the union anticipates a challenging year ahead, its leadership has acknowledged the formidable battles that lie ahead. “2024 has been characterised by a job loss bloodbath rooted in the Covid-19 era, alongside rolling blackouts stemming from a chaotic, unplanned transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and the…
Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has described Eskom’s synchronisation of Unit 2 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in Cape Town to the national grid, as “a significant achievement that marks a crucial milestone in the country’s commitment to ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy future.” This as the power utility announced on Wednesday that the synchronisation follows an extensive Long-Term Operation programme designed to extend the unit’s operational lifespan by an additional 20 years and will contribute a further much needed 930MW into the grid.“These enhancements not only ensure the safety and efficiency of our energy infrastructure…
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has condemned the behaviour on an unruly passenger aboard a FlySafair flight last Thursday.This after several videos went viral on social media, showing a female passenger, in a heated altercation with crew members and passengers on a flight from Durban to Cape Town. It has since been established that the passenger is an employee of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).SACCA said it has received a full report from FlySafair regarding the incident and has referred it to the law enforcement for further investigations.The Authority’s Director of Civil Aviation, Poppy Khoza, condemned the…
The Department of Health has warned the public about the rising cases of rubella, commonly known as measles. This after the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) announced that a total number of 10 137 positive cases of rubella have been identified in the country between January and November 2024, which is higher than cases recorded last year. Rubella is a highly contagious but vaccine-preventable disease. The disease spreads from person to person through droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person.The Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said most cases were recorded in Gauteng and Western Cape. “Majority…
The Central Drug Authority (CDA) has noted with concern the rejection of the proposed trading hours regulations aimed at curbing the harmful effects of alcohol abuse in Limpopo. This after the Limpopo Liquor Traders Association, which rejected the proposal, said the envisaged regulations will have a financial impact on their member’s businesses. CDA’s Deputy Chairperson Nomcebo Dlamini said it is indisputable that the liquor industry contributes immensely to the province’s economic activity. “It is equally imperative to address the devastating social and health consequences linked to alcohol misuse. The proposed regulation of trading hours is not a punitive measure against…
The Administrator of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Freeman Nomvalo says the institution isn’t out of the woods yet, eight months after being at the helm of the scheme. Nomvalo was delivering an opening address at the Student Accommodation Workshop held in Durban, KwaZulu Natal.He gave a brief background about the institution’s performance following his appointment to stabilize it. “NSFAS has faced challenges, including unpaid loans from graduates, reduced funding for current students, and an ongoing corruption crisis. “These issues hamper NSFAS’s ability to provide essential financial support, underscoring the need for immediate reforms and strategic interventions,” said…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the much-anticipated National Dialogue will be held early next year. Ramaphosa made the announcement during his address to the Reconciliation Day celebrations held in Vredendal North sports grounds, in the Western Cape.He said the National Dialogue will enable a conversation among citizens on shaping the country’s future developmental path. “The National Dialogue will seek to build on the achievements of 30 years of democracy. The National Dialogue will give us an opportunity to address the challenges we have been facing for the past 15 years of low growth and unemployment, poverty and hunger, poor…
Today marks a crucial deadline for South African electricity consumers, especially the estimated 2.1 million so-called “zero buyers” who have been buying electricity without proper accounts. Eskom has issued an urgent plea for these customers to visit its service centres and regularise their accounts by the end of business today.Daphne Mokoena, an Eskom spokesperson, confirmed that customers who act within this grace period will not incur additional charges. They will receive immediate repairs or replacements for faulty meters and have their electricity supply restored. “Eskom urges customers to act promptly to avoid penalties and service disruptions,” Mokoena advised.The backdrop to…
The Bojanala Platinum District Municipality in the North West said it takes pride in being the only district amongst the four in the province to receive an unqualified audit opinion outcome from the Auditor General of South African for the financial year 2023/24. This was revealed during a media briefing held by the municipality’s senior management led by the Executive Mayor, Suzan Ntangeni and the Acting Municipal Manager Dr. Auchalie Mothopi, in Rustenburg to outline the municipality’s achievements and future plans.The briefing focused on the Unqualified Audit Outcome (2023/24), Poverty Alleviation Programme launched in the district, District Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated…