Author: Motlhaping Modise
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has issued an urgent plea for a collaborative meeting involving key stakeholders, including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), and ArcelorMittal South Africa, to avert a looming crisis that threatens to displace thousands of workers in Newcastle. The call follows ArcelorMittal’s alarming announcement that it intends to wind down its long steel mill operations this month, a decision that could result in 3,500 direct and indirect job losses. As sub-Saharan Africa’s largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal South Africa’s potential job cuts are a significant blow not…
The ongoing torrential rains that have lashed several areas of the North West Province over the weekend have necessitated urgent state intervention, particularly in healthcare facilities. In a proactive move, Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi is set to visit three hospitals impacted by the floods tomorrow. The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 Warning due to the prediction of disruptive rainfall, which could lead to localised flooding and significant damage to vital infrastructure—including bridges and low-lying areas. These weather conditions have not only affected the North West but have also placed the neighbouring province of Limpopo…
The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department has urged communities to remain alert following a Yellow Level 5 warning issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for disruptive rain, forecast for today, Sunday, 05 January 2025. The disruptive rain is expected to persist until tomorrow, Monday, 06 January 2025. Acting Public Information and Liaison officer Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni says the City’s Emergency Services Department team is on standby to respond to any call. “The impact of disruptive rain, which may be accompanied by widespread showers and thundershowers may include elevated risk of localised flooding, especially of susceptible low-lying areas,…
Authorities in Tshwane are still investigating the cause of a fire that engulfed the Phelindaba Brewery near Atteridgeville, in Pretoria West in the early hours of this morning. The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department says it immediately dispatched firefighting resources from nearby several fire stations (Central Fire Station, Philip Nel Park Fire Station, Atteridgeville Fire Station, Rosslyn Fire Station, Silverton Fire Station and Wonderboom Fire Station) to the scene.These included two fire engines, a ladder, two water tankers, a mobile command unit, a district commander’s unit and a video unit.The City’s Acting Public Information and Liaison officer Lindsay Zwelithini…
The North West leadership of the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has denied rumours that they are unable to access their provincial offices in Mahikeng because they have not paid rent for up to four months. Social media platforms have been circulating claims that the party is bankrupt and unable to cover the rent for its Mahikeng-based North West Provincial offices. Tebogo Ramashilabele, the provincial convenor of the MK Party, told Newsnote that the offices had been closed earlier in December for the holidays. “We closed offices on the 13th of December 2024, when we were preparing to attend the Party’s first…
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…