Category: MIL-OSI

Source: South Africa News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sorrow over the recent floods in the Eastern Cape, which have claimed the lives of nearly 80 people. 

In response to the devastating situation in Mthatha this week, government officials, including the President, key Ministers, the Premier, and local government representatives, visited the area to offer support and assess the damage. 

The disaster has caused significant loss of life and widespread destruction of infrastructure.

“Many people have tragically died, especially young children whose school transport was swept away by the floods. I was informed that one child has still not been accounted for,” he told the community. 

The President shared a story about a local woman who lost her mother and children, one of whom is still missing.

“We sympathise with you because losing a parent or child is one of the most painful experiences one can endure. I also came here because we are not accustomed to losing so many people all at once.” 

The country’s commander-in-chief emphasised the severity of the situation, noting that while the impact has been tragic, quick response teams prevented an even worse outcome. 

“We are very, very disturbed that so many people have passed away, but it could have been much worse. The response teams acted quickly.” 

The President announced that the deceased individuals have been taken to a mortuary and that the forensic team have acted quickly to perform autopsies, ensuring that their loved ones can receive their remains and prepare for memorial services as well as burials.

“And my thanks also go to the Premier, his MECs, to the Mayors, as well as all other officials. This is a catastrophic disaster for us, which is caused by climate change.” 

The floods have caused widespread destruction to homes, government facilities, roads, hospitals, and schools, highlighting the urgent need to tackle climate change.

“There shouldn’t be any floods during winter. In the Eastern Cape, we expect cold weather and snow during this season. However, the occurrence of floods highlights the severity of the climate change issue we are facing. The same flooding issues are also happening in KwaZulu-Natal.” 

He highlighted that this is becoming a new reality for South Africa, with both Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal experiencing recurring annual disasters. 

“The Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are now prone to continuous annual disasters that are causing a lot of pain and suffering amongst our people, where a number of people are dying.”

Government officials pledged continued support to the affected communities, promising to assist families in their time of grief. 

“We will continue to give you the support and the assistance that is required, so that your sorrow must not deepen beyond what you are experiencing now; this we will do; because it’s our responsibility as government, and that is why I also came.” 

He also extended his condolences to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, who are facing significant challenges due to climate change. 

The President expressed his gratitude to the Gift of the Givers, as well as other organisations and religious leaders, for their support and for comforting grieving families during this difficult time.

Government also announced that mourning is being considered to remember those who lost their lives in this catastrophic event. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: South Africa News Agency

Strengthening economic and trade relations will be at the core of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s working visit to Russia.

According to the Deputy President’s Office, the trip will focus on enhancing cooperation in key sectors, including agriculture, automotive, energy, and mining, as well as collaboration in science and technology.

The working visit set for 17-21 June in Moscow and St. Petersburg, will involve high-level engagements and activities focused on economic diplomacy.

In Moscow, Deputy President Mashatile will meet with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to discuss cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, and energy.

The Deputy President will meet with several high-ranking officials, including President Vladimir Putin, Valentina Matvienko, the Chairman of the Russian Federation Council, and Vyacheslav Volodin, the current Chairman of the State Duma, which is the lower house of the Russian Parliament.

While in Moscow, the Deputy President will lay a wreath at the memorial site honouring South Africa’s liberation heroes, John Beaver (JB) Marks and Moses Kotane. 

Following this, he will participate in the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF2025).

This year’s forum will be held from 19 to 21 June,  under the theme: “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World.”

The Deputy President will take part in the plenary session of SPIEF2025 while he has also received an invitation to speak at the Russia-Africa Business Dialogue.

In addition, he is scheduled to deliver a public lecture at St. Petersburg State University on the topic: “South Africa’s G20 Presidency in a Rapidly Changing Geopolitical Environment.”

He will address attendees at the opening of the South African Trade and Investment Seminar.

“The St. Petersburg leg of the visit is expected to leverage on promoting South Africa’s trade relations and South Africa as an investment destination.” 

According to the Deputy President’s Office, this trip will be his first visit to Russia since he took office under the seventh administration. 

He will be accompanied by a delegation of Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are part of the Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development Cabinet Cluster. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has called for a more urgent, coordinated, and victim-centred national response to the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the country. 

“This initiative is an urgent call for a more coordinated, victim-centered, and accountable approach to combating GBVF and ensuring justice and protection for women and children,” the Minister said. 

She was delivering opening remarks at a roundtable discussion at the Atteridgeville Community Hall in Pretoria on Friday, focusing on the implementation and progress made in the National Strategic Plan as well as evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of services provided to GBVF victims.  

The engagement, convened during Youth Month, comes as South Africa grapples with the devastating consequences of recent disasters and ongoing gender-based crimes that continue to claim the lives of women and children.

The Minister took a moment to send her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the floods in the Eastern Cape this week. 

“Today, we are gathered here once again, saddened by the news as our country is devastated by the disaster that took the lives of young and elder people. To all those who have lost their lives, we are sending deepest condolences to their families and those who might be hospitalised we wish them a speedy recovery. 

“To those who have been affected; some in having lost their shelters; may our government agilely working with the relevant partners, work towards their settlement. This has also impacted negatively on the attendance of some Ministers who were supposed to be with us today,” she said. 

The roundtable is a response to widespread public protests and marches demanding justice for victims of GBVF. 

According to the Minister, the public outcry triggered the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) to propose an urgent engagement.

She highlighted the need to reflect on and address the challenges of existing legislation, including the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, which has yet to fully bridge service gaps or ensure trauma-informed support for survivors.

“Gender-based violence and femicide remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations affecting women and children in South Africa. 

“Hence today we must deal with all existing legislation and national strategies, including the National Strategic Plan on GBVF as victims continue to experience delays in accessing justice, poor service integration, and a lack of trauma-informed support. “Today we gather here to gain insights and brainstorm on ways to respond to the cry out there,” she said. 

Tolashe said the roundtable must serve as a platform to develop practical, community-driven and institutionally supported solutions.

“We need to respond in a collective national way to address institutional inefficiencies and restore public confidence,” the minister said.

A Cry for Shelter Services

One of the key voices at the roundtable, Dr Zubeda Dangor, Head of the National Shelter Movement of South Africa, painted a dire picture of the state of shelters in the country – particularly in Gauteng.

“Women’s shelters play an essential role in the fight against GBV, offering women and children safe accommodation, support, and training as they attempt to leave their abusers,” Dangor told SAnews.

Representing more than 100 affiliated shelters, Dangor called on government to urgently address the chronic underfunding of shelter services. 

“Currently in Gauteng, only 10 out of 23 shelters are funded. Now, the government is closing down some of the shelters or not supporting them, while starting new ones. Yes, it is good to open new ones since they are needed, however, the ones that are functioning need support as well,” she said. 

She emphasised that shelter helplines now have no place to refer victims to, placing them at risk of returning to dangerous environments. 

“We are appealing and hoping to engage government further,” she said. 

Background

The roundtable reaffirmed the urgent need for collaboration between government, civil society, and communities, to safeguard the rights and lives of South Africa’s women and children.

The South African government, through the Justice, Crime Prevention and Social Cluster (JCPS Cluster) established the 90-Day Accelerated Programme on Gender Based Violence and Femicide to focus and accelerate efforts to end the scourge of gender based violence. 

The 90- Day Accelerated Programme is co-chaired by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the Department of Social Development, respectively. 

The implementation of the programme is convened through the NatJoints. 

Six workstreams were established to focus on key areas of the response to gender-based violence and femicide, with targeted deliverables for each workstream. 

One of the targeted deliverables was to convene a roundtable to focus on GBVF.

The roundtable convened national leaders, state departments, and civil society stakeholders to directly respond to these petitions, assess current gaps, and define a clear, actionable pathway to improve services and ensure justice for GBVF victims and survivors. – SAnews.gov.za