Author: Agency

Both the heads of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) have vowed to work together to ensure that the architects and foot soldiers of State Capture are brought to book and face the full might of the law. This is according to a joint statement by the two bodies in the wake of the release of the final tranche of the State Capture Commission report by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. “The final Zondo report provides additional impetus for increased cooperation and urgency in execution of respective NPA/DPCI mandates. Important progress has already been made:…

The Special Tribunal has ruled that a R103 million Gauteng Health Department personal protective equipment (PPE) tender awarded to Zakheni Strategic Supplies is unlawful and invalid. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) successfully applied to the tribunal to have the tender set aside following investigations into how it was awarded. In her judgment, tribunal President Judge Lebogang Modiba ordered the company to pay back any profits derived from the tender. “The irregular manner in which the contract was awarded constitutes a material infraction to the constitutional values of fairness, transparency, equity, effectiveness and cost effectiveness. Therefore, it is just and equitable…

The World Bank has approved a €454.4 million (R7.6 billion) loan to South Africa for the country’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Project. Approved by the Bank’s Group Board of Executive Directors on Monday, the loan comes following a request by the Government of South Africa for assistance in financing vaccine procurement contracts. In a joint statement by the World Bank and the National Treasury, the entities said, specifically, this project will retroactively finance the procurement of 47 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by the GoSA. They said: “South Africa is the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, with the highest cumulative…

The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) says it is investigating a R225 million tender that was allegedly riddled with irregularities. This after weekend media reports revealed that three former employees of the OCJ, who were privy to the set-up of the tender, recently resigned from the OCJ in order to allegedly illegally benefit from the tender. “As stated to the Sunday Times, the OCJ is currently in the process of gathering all relevant information relating to the matter and is taking legal advice. At the appropriate time, the OCJ will inform the public on the matter. We can assure…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is ramping up efforts to address unemployment, specifically related to the youth. He was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter. Last week, Statistics South Africa revealed that at least 66.5% of youth are unemployed, despite an increase of some 370 000 new jobs created during the past quarter. The President acknowledged that as the country gears up to commemorate Youth Day honouring the young school children who stood up against the apartheid regime in 1976, the current generation faces challenges of their own. “Today, the youth of South Africa confront new struggles in their quest…

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has opened a first of its kind, smart Driving Licensing Testing Centre (DLTC) at the Gautrain Midrand station. The new pilot DLTC, which was built using alternative building materials, is completely off the grid, guaranteeing customers minimal disruptions and a quick, convenient service along the Gautrain line. “This state-of-the-art facility gives us an opportunity to efficiently deliver licences and other related services to the people. Working together with GMA and RTMC, in just over two months we have delivered this facility,” MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, said on Thursday.…

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Ronald Lamola says just over 250 people have been prosecuted and convicted of crimes related to tempering with essential infrastructure, like cable theft. He said this when he participated in a debate on the Presidency Budget Vote on Thursday. “This President is focused on building capable institutions. He has appointed the ID head, head of SAPS, the head of the defence force and the head of State Security. “In this sixth administration, prosecutions on matters which relate to the theft or tampering with essential infrastructures, like copper cables, have been prioritised. This crime has often…

Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, has commended the increasing use of the PotholeFixingGP app, which was launched two weeks ago. “Since its launch two weeks ago, we are pleased with the take up, seeing that more people are downloading and using the app. More than 4 000 people have so far downloaded the app and are putting it to use,” Mamabolo said. The Department of Roads and Transport partnered with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop the app to improve the condition of the provincial road network. The app offers users…

Government has offered much-needed short-term reprieve to motorists by extending the temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre. Initially, the Ministers of Finance and Mineral Resources and Energy had on 31 March 2022 jointly announced a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre from 6 April 2022 until 31 May 2022. This was to provide limited short term relief to households from rising fuel prices following the Russia/Ukraine conflict. On Tuesday, the two departments said relief was to be funded by a liquidation of a portion of the strategic crude oil reserves.…