Government

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Board of Control has placed its Group CEO Zolani Matthews on precautionary suspension to investigate an alleged sensitive matter of security breach and other contractual obligations associated with his employment contract. “By consensus, the Board resolved that Matthews should be placed on precautionary suspension to allow detailed probing of the matter at hand to be concluded in his absence,” Chairperson of PRASA Board Leonard Ramatlakane said … [Read more...] about PRASA places Group CEO on precautionary suspension

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has called for enhanced collaborative efforts towards water sustainability across the globe.Mahlobo made a call during the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) Water Ministers’ virtual meeting held on Thursday. Speaking on behalf of Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, Mahlobo said the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed inequality which still exists in many parts of the world, and implored BRICS member states … [Read more...] about BRICS members called to enhance efforts towards water sustainability

South Africa has recorded a steady increase in the number of influenza cases from 23 August, with a sharp growth in the week starting 1 November 2021.The data shows that the total number of influenza cases detected by the syndromic sentinel surveillance programmes conducted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has jumped from 68 to 226 during this period. According to the NICD, this includes influenza-like illness (ILI) and hospitalised cases of pneumonia. The statement … [Read more...] about SA records increase in flu cases

The Department of Employment and Labour is revamping its Labour Activation Programme (LAP) to deepen its impact in job creation initiatives and help integrate the unemployed into the labour market. Speaking during his opening address at the departmental LAP’s three-day workshop on Tuesday, the Director-General, Thobile Lamati, said the goal of the revamp is to shorten the response time and make impact immediate. The workshop, held at Saint George Hotel in Irene, is being attended by senior … [Read more...] about Employment and Labour revamp LAP

Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke has called on auditors and accounting professionals to monitor public finance in order to ensure that wasteful expenditure that does not benefit the public is highlighted.“I believe we ought to build that data and we need to start by restoring trust in our country. We, therefore, need to act in the public interest and we need not abandon our golden goal of living up to that noble aspiration. We need to live up to the expectation that society has on us,” … [Read more...] about Auditors urged to act in the best interest of the public

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has denied a report that it has sent a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa allegedly informing him about allegations that former Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko received at least R1 million from controversial communications company Digital Vibes.This is allegedly related to the R150 million COVID-19 and National Health Insurance communications tender that the company received which the SIU found to have been allegedly fraudulently and irregularly … [Read more...] about SIU dismisses Diko allegations

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has commenced payments to the Workers Affected By Unrest (WABU) Relief Scheme and has so far disbursed R6.4 million to 1 402 workers that were affected by the July 2021 unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.In a statement on Monday, the department said the payments were made from applications received from 10 employers whose applications were tested against stringent criteria which involves checking if workers have been registered and declared with the UIF, … [Read more...] about UIF disburses R6.4m to workers affected by July unrest

The Green Hydrogen Export Special Economic Zone to be developed in the Northern Cape, with SASOL as an anchor investor, is expected to economically benefit the previously marginalised sectors in a province that is one of the poorest in terms of demographics.“The intention is to have a dedicated green grid, electrolizer park and green hydrogen related Special Economic Zone to manufacture green hydrogen industry related goods and services in the Northern Cape,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and … [Read more...] about Economically improving the lives of the previously marganalised

Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola, says the department is pursuing disciplinary action against alleged errant officials “without fear or favour”.He was speaking during an appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on Tuesday. Lamola said the department is investigating and concluding disciplinary processes against those senior managers who committed what he described as “atrocities” in the department. “When honourable members in unison … [Read more...] about Lamola talks tough on errant officials

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged individual non-provisional taxpayers to file their income tax returns on or before the deadline of 23 November 2021.In a statement, the revenue collector warned that penalties would be levied on taxpayers who fail to submit their income tax returns by this deadline. SARS “Taxpayers must note that according to changes in legislation, SARS will levy penalties from 1 December 2021 where one of more returns are outstanding. “Before the change in the … [Read more...] about Taxpayers reminded to file returns ahead of deadline