Author: Gugu Lourie

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) has questioned the commitment of the South African Post Office (Sapo) chair after he failed to appear at a key hearing. By Duncan Alfreds, NewsAgency Sapo chair Dr Simosezwe Lushaba failed to appear before the committee on Tuesday after the Post Office posted a R1.5bn loss for the 2015 financial year. Lushaba also failed to show up at a recent telecommunications and postal services parliamentary hearing. “He shows no commitment; he doesn’t understand the expenditures that we need to answer for and the corruption that has run deep into the Post Office, he has…

MTN SA Foundation empowers centre for disable people with information and communication technology tools. As part of its strategic focus in working with government and civil society organisations to help advance the standard and quality of education in previously disadvantaged communities, MTN SA Foundation has donated a computer laboratory for children and elderly persons with physical and mental disabilities of the Oasis Skills Development Centre in Kalahari town, Upington, Northern Cape Province. The centre received a computer laboratory with 24 months free access to the internet. This boasts hardware and software for people with special needs. The older persons…

 Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) has slammed the South African Post Office (Sapo) for the absence of its chairperson at a key meeting into the financial viability of the state-owned entity. By Duncan Alfreds, NewsAgency Sapo chair Dr Simosezwe Lushaba on Tuesday missed a hearing into the financial affairs at the Post Office. Sapo last month reported a R1.5bn loss for the 2015 financial year. “We are going to call them back and insist that the minister should also come just to demonstrate the fact that public funds management and administration should be taken seriously,” an angry Scopa chair…

The South African Government spends R3.2 billion in 2015 on fixed line  telephone and cellular services, according to the country’s Treasury on its latest report. By Staff Writer The Government under President Jacob Zuma spends R800 million on mobile communications and R2.2 billion on fixed line. This was contained in the progress report on the work of the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer  (OCPO) of the National Treasury, which stated that procurement of goods, services and works over the next three years will amount to R1.5 trillion across all spheres of government “Together, national and provincial government spends approximately R3.2…

South African-based biometrics firm Ideco will travel to the US next week for the global launch of its new all-in-one mobile biometrics unit, which it expects to take the identification world by storm. By Staff Writer  The unit, dubbed BIMS – Biometric Identity Management System – and its supporting system were designed and built in South Africa at a cost of over R20-million in R&D and two and a half years of man hours by a team of skilled software and firmware developers and engineers. BIMS will be unveiled for the first time at the connectID 2016 conference and expo…

Hawkers selling chameleons, tortoises and snakes on street corners were becoming more advanced even accepting payment via e-wallet and EFT, the NSPCA has said.  By Naledi Shange, NewsAgency While the traders mostly targeted tourists travelling on the road from Sun City, the illegal trade was now mushrooming in other parts of the North West as well as in Krugersdorp, on the West Rand. NSPCA spokesperson, Isabel Wenzel, pleaded with the public to stop buying the animals from hawkers, adding that this would be the only way to kill their business. “The traders stand alongside the roads and pretend to be selling…

2016 sees the BMW Group celebrate its centenary under the motto THE NEXT 100 YEARS. Throughout its history, the company’s image has been defined by a future focus and pioneering action – all made possible by its extraordinary team of employees, who share a fascination for mobility which is integral to all our lives. “At the BMW Group, we are always on a quest for the best solution. It’s part of our DNA,” said Harald Krüger, Chairman of BMW AG, at the Centenary Event in Munich on Monday. “It’s also the spirit of our collaborations, a recurring theme that permeates…

Telkom on Monday announced it will offer Samsung S7 and S7 Edge from 11 March 2016. A Samsung Galaxy S7 Black 32GB will be available from a starting price of R559 per month for 24 months  and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Black 32GB at R629 on SmartPlan 50 plan. By Staff Writer Telkom said in a statement that customers who purchase one of these new devices on Telkom’s network will have access to technology that provides faster download and upload speeds The Samsung S7 and S7 Edge are available on the following Telkom deals: Device SmartPlan 50 SmartPlan 100 SmartPlan 250 Unlimited…

In a first for the continent, customers can now securely and conveniently purchase movies, TV shows and other video content direct from the Google Play Store using any Android device and charge it directly to their Telkom mobile bill or airtime. By Staff Writer Telkom on Monday announced that the company now offers Direct Carrier Billing for content purchases on the Google Play store. Direct Carrier Billing is an integrated billing service for Android smartphone and tablet customers in South Africa. The Google Play Store offers thousands of movies and TV shows for direct download onto any Android device.…

The case against the man who allegedly circulated an email claiming high ranking officials and politicians wanted to assassinate President Jacob Zuma, has been postponed to allow him to get a bed at Weskoppies. By Karabo Ngoepe, NewsAgency Ernest Nkosi, 26, is said to be the person behind the email which claimed that Zuma’s life was in danger. He allegedly sent the emails to the police minister’s spokesperson, the Gauteng government’s spokesperson, the Crime Intelligence Divisional Commissioner, as well as car dealership BMW South Africa. The case was postponed to March 28 in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. At the time of…