Category: MIL-OSI

Posted on

eThekwini intensifies compliance inspections to curb hazardous risks

Source: Government of South Africa

eThekwini intensifies compliance inspections to curb hazardous risks

The eThekwini Municipality has intensified compliance inspections across the city to ensure that people living and working near hazardous operations remain safe and protected.

The municipality’s Fire Services Directorate and Environmental Health Division has ramped up enforcement through unannounced inspections, targeting high-risk facilities such as factories, major hazard installations and national key points.

The move comes amid growing concern over environmental and industrial risks, with authorities focusing on early intervention to prevent incidents before they impact residents.

The Fire Services Directorate, which operates a 24-hour emergency response service, is conducting proactive inspections to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and emergency preparedness standards.

Its Emergency Planning Division is responsible for verifying that high-risk facilities maintain updated emergency response plans, clearly marked evacuation routes and functional fire safety equipment.

Fire Services Director Enock Mchunu said the inspections are aimed at identifying and addressing risks before they escalate.

“Community safety is our top priority. We are on the ground every day, proactively inspecting high-risk facilities, identifying unsafe conditions, and requiring immediate corrections before they pose a threat,” Mchunu said.

He warned that companies ignoring safety rules face severe penalties, including fines, shutdowns, or court orders where necessary.

The Environmental Health Division is conducting parallel inspections to ensure that environmental conditions do not pose risks to public health.

Guided by the National Health Act and Environmental Health Norms and Standards, practitioners follow a risk-based inspection model to target sectors such as high-risk industries, schools, food establishments, and public facilities, particularly those located near residential areas.

Inspection areas include chemical safety, water quality, pollution control, waste management, and monitoring of hazardous premises.

The municipality said common issues identified during inspections include outdated risk assessments, poor evacuation signage, expired fire equipment, and other hazardous conditions.

Depending on the severity of violations, officials may issue compliance notices, fines, prosecution directives, or order immediate closures.

Serious violations may lead to suspended permits or facility shutdowns.

Environmental Health Senior Manager Phumzile Vezi said compliance with safety and environmental regulations is not optional.

“Companies operating near communities must adopt strong safety standards and meet environmental laws. Our teams will continue to inspect, enforce, and re-inspect until risks are fully mitigated,” Vezi said.

The municipality said Fire Services and Environmental Health teams are working in a coordinated manner to ensure early detection of risks, rapid intervention, and continuous monitoring.

Follow-up inspections are scheduled based on risk levels, ranging from immediate revisits to intervals of 30, 60 and 90 days, and will continue until full compliance is achieved. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

65 views

Posted on

Hlabisa reaffirms DDM as key to coordinated service delivery

Source: Government of South Africa

Hlabisa reaffirms DDM as key to coordinated service delivery

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has reaffirmed the District Development Model (DDM) as a central pillar of South Africa’s development strategy.

“The DDM acts as the primary operational framework to bridge the gap between planning and service delivery across all 44 districts and eight metropolitan areas,” Hlabisa said in a statement on Tuesday.

He stressed that the model’s core purpose is intergovernmental alignment and does not replace municipal authority.

Under the framework developed by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, municipalities retain their constitutional powers to plan and govern, while the district “One Plan” integrates existing plans from municipalities, provinces, and national departments.

The model aims to avoid duplication, reduce competition for resources and address fragmented infrastructure planning.

“The DDM does not substitute municipal planning but aligns different spheres of government around shared priorities. Chapter 3 of the Constitution obliges all spheres of government to coordinate and integrate plans and programmes,” Hlabisa said.

The DDM operationalises this constitutional principle by bringing together national departments, provinces and municipalities; aligning budgets and infrastructure investment, and spatial planning; and creating joint accountability for development outcomes.

Breaking the pattern of “operating in silos”

Hlabisa said fragmented planning has long undermined effective governance in South Africa, with departments and spheres of government often “operating in silos.”

Since its launch in 2019, the Minister said the DDM has been a game-changer, breaking the pattern and focusing intentionally on integrating planning, budgeting, and implementation.

“With this level of coordination and collaboration, the DDM contributes positively to the realisation of a capable and ethical developmental state,” he said.

The Minister added that the model also supports equity across districts and metros spaces by reducing uneven development between municipalities.

He noted that financially stronger metros and municipalities often have stronger planning capacity and revenue bases, whereas many rural municipalities struggle with limited technical expertise, weak infrastructure planning, and poor coordination with national departments.

“The DDM allows national and provincial governments to strategically channel resources into districts and metros where capacity is weaker, [thereby] improving local and national spatial equity,” Hlabisa said.

Addressing concerns about the model’s impact on municipal autonomy, Hlabisa said coordination is a constitutional requirement that does not threaten local governance.

While some stakeholders have argued that the DDM and the 2024 gazetted “DDM regulations’ are unconstitutional, the Minister said legal opinions obtained by CoGTA disagreed. 

“In fact, throughout the intergovernmental dispute processes, especially by both the Western Cape Provincial Government and the City of Cape Town, the intent and objective of the DDM were appreciated and welcomed as a practical approach towards ensuring improved intergovernmental coordination on long-term planning and implementation.

“The concerns raised were more on procedural and technical uncertainties relating to the institutionalisation and implementation of the DDM and how these were outlined in the ‘2024 DDM regulations’, especially on matters relating to the coordination of the DDM across the three spheres of government,” the Minister said.

He added that proposed amendments to the 2024 DDM regulations, currently open for public comment, aim to improve the framework, especially on the roles and responsibilities of intergovernmental stakeholders, and the relationship between “One Plans” and other legislated development plans.

These amendments are aligned with existing planning legislation, including the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) and the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act of 2000, and the attainment of the objectives underpinning Cooperative Government as determined by Chapter 3 of the Constitution,” Hlabisa said.

Hlabisa said all 44 districts and eight metropolitan municipalities are deeply integrated into national priorities, including economic growth, housing delivery, transport systems, and climate resilience.

“These priorities will be best achieved not through working in isolation, but require coordinated action across all spheres of government, which is precisely what the DDM seeks to achieve,” the Minister said.

He reiterated that the model’s fundamental objective is to ensure that all spheres of government work together to deliver integrated development for the people of South Africa.

Looking ahead, Hlabisa said the outcomes of intergovernmental dispute processes and the proposed regulatory amendments reinforce the DDM as a practical mechanism, aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP), aimed at improving and sustaining intergovernmental coordination and cooperation across the broader government planning environment.

The Minister called for a comprehensive government and society approach to fully institutionalise the DDM nationwide, ensuring that every municipality works for the benefit of the people.

“It is only this game changer that we will be able to turn things around and together.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

0 views

Posted on

Chevron’s Local Engagement Strategy in Africa Sets the Standard for International Oil Companies (IOC) Operating on the Continent

Source: APO – Report:

.

As global energy companies expand local engagement reporting frameworks, a central question remains: how closely do sustainability commitments align with on-the-ground impact? For IOCs operating in Africa, the answer increasingly depends on whether local engagement principles translate into local economic participation, infrastructure development and technology transfer. For Chevron, one of the continent’s longest-standing operators, that balance is particularly visible across its operations in Nigeria, Angola and the wider region.

Chevron’s sustainability reporting highlights community investment, environmental protection and workforce development. In Angola – where the company has operated for nearly 70 years through its subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Company – more than 90% of the workforce is Angolan, reflecting long-term efforts to localize employment and technical expertise. Over the years, Chevron and its partners have invested more than $250 million in social and community development programs across the country, supporting healthcare, education and economic initiatives.

Similarly, in Nigeria, Chevron has made local supply chains a central pillar of its local engagement commitments. Over the past decade, Chevron has spent an estimated $1 billion annually on Nigerian suppliers and service providers, directing more than $10 billion to domestic contractors and businesses. The spending supports Nigeria’s local content framework while helping build indigenous capacity across engineering, logistics and oilfield services.

Across Africa, however, local engagement reporting by IOCs is often criticized for emphasizing corporate social responsibility projects rather than deeper economic integration. While community investment and environmental initiatives remain important, African policymakers increasingly prioritize local participation in project development, procurement and energy infrastructure.

Chevron’s project portfolio illustrates both the opportunities and the challenges of bridging this gap. In Angola, the Sanha Lean Gas Connection Project – linking offshore gas fields in Blocks 0 and 14 to the Angola LNG facility – demonstrates how major energy infrastructure can contribute to domestic value creation. The project allows associated gas to be monetized rather than flared while strengthening Angola’s gas value chain and supporting long-term energy security.

Beyond Angola, Chevron continues to expand its footprint across the continent. The company maintains active exploration programs in Nigeria, holds stakes in producing assets in Equatorial Guinea and is evaluating offshore opportunities in markets such as Namibia and Algeria. As African countries look to expand oil and gas development while building stronger domestic industries, pressure is growing on international operators to ensure local engagement commitments translate into tangible economic impact.

This growing focus on implementation is one reason industry platforms are playing a larger role in shaping the conversation.

“Africa doesn’t need more sustainability reports sitting on shelves,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “What we need are partnerships that build industries, train African workers and keep more of the value from our resources on the continent. African Energy Week provides a platform for stakeholders not only to promote projects, but to ensure sustainability commitments translate into measurable outcomes.” Adding that Chevron is leading the way through its actions on the continent.

“We need partnerships that build industries, and that is exactly what Chevron is doing.”

As local engagement expectations continue to evolve, international operators like Chevron face increasing scrutiny over whether sustainability commitments translate into real economic participation. In Africa’s energy sector, the most meaningful local engagement metric may ultimately be local content – and the extent to which global companies help build lasting industries alongside their projects.

“Chevron’s training and development initiatives across Africa have significantly empowered local communities. Many individuals trained by Chevron have gone on to assume roles in public service, bringing enhanced capabilities and best practices to their work,” Ayuk states.

Furthermore, a substantial number of alumni have entered the private sector, successfully leading world-class companies, a testament to the valuable skills acquired during their time with Chevron.

“By fostering entrepreneurship, Chevron is inspiring many Africans to establish and manage their own businesses,” he concludes.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Posted on

La stratégie d’engagement local de Chevron en Afrique fait figure de référence pour les compagnies pétrolières internationales opérant sur le continent

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Alors que les entreprises énergétiques mondiales élargissent leurs cadres de reporting sur l’engagement local, une question centrale demeure : dans quelle mesure les engagements en matière de développement durable correspondent-ils à l’impact sur le terrain ? Pour les sociétés pétrolières internationales (SPI) opérant en Afrique, la réponse dépend de plus en plus de la capacité des principes d’engagement local à se traduire par une participation économique locale, le développement des infrastructures et le transfert de technologies. Pour Chevron, l’un des opérateurs les plus anciens du continent, cet équilibre est particulièrement visible dans l’ensemble de ses activités au Nigeria, en Angola et dans l’ensemble de la région.

Les rapports de développement durable de Chevron mettent en avant l’investissement communautaire, la protection de l’environnement et le développement de la main-d’œuvre. En Angola – où l’entreprise opère depuis près de 70 ans par l’intermédiaire de sa filiale Cabinda Gulf Oil Company – plus de 90 % de la main-d’œuvre est angolaise, ce qui reflète des efforts à long terme visant à localiser l’emploi et l’expertise technique. Au fil des ans, Chevron et ses partenaires ont investi plus de 250 millions de dollars dans des programmes de développement social et communautaire à travers le pays, soutenant des initiatives dans les domaines de la santé, de l’éducation et de l’économie.

De même, au Nigeria, Chevron a fait des chaînes d’approvisionnement locales un pilier central de ses engagements en matière d’engagement local. Au cours de la dernière décennie, Chevron a dépensé environ 1 milliard de dollars par an auprès de fournisseurs et de prestataires de services nigérians, allouant plus de 10 milliards de dollars à des entrepreneurs et des entreprises nationaux. Ces dépenses soutiennent le cadre de potentiel local du Nigeria tout en contribuant à renforcer les capacités locales dans les domaines de l’ingénierie, de la logistique et des services pétroliers.

À travers l’Afrique, cependant, les rapports sur l’engagement local des sociétés pétrolières internationales (IOC) sont souvent critiqués pour mettre l’accent sur les projets de responsabilité sociale des entreprises plutôt que sur une intégration économique plus profonde. Si les investissements communautaires et les initiatives environnementales restent importants, les décideurs politiques africains accordent de plus en plus la priorité à la participation locale dans le développement de projets, les marchés publics et les infrastructures énergétiques.

Le portefeuille de projets de Chevron illustre à la fois les opportunités et les défis liés au comblement de ce fossé. En Angola, le projet de raccordement gazier de Sanha Lean – reliant les gisements de gaz offshore des blocs 0 et 14 à l’installation Angola LNG – démontre comment les grandes infrastructures énergétiques peuvent contribuer à la création de valeur nationale. Le projet permet de monétiser le gaz associé plutôt que de le brûler à la torche, tout en renforçant la chaîne de valeur du gaz en Angola et en soutenant la sécurité énergétique à long terme.

Au-delà de l’Angola, Chevron continue d’étendre sa présence à travers le continent. La société mène des programmes d’exploration actifs au Nigeria, détient des participations dans des actifs de production en Guinée équatoriale et évalue des opportunités offshore sur des marchés tels que la Namibie et l’Algérie. Alors que les pays africains cherchent à développer leurs activités pétrolières et gazières tout en renforçant leurs industries nationales, la pression s’intensifie sur les opérateurs internationaux pour qu’ils veillent à ce que leurs engagements en matière d’implication locale se traduisent par un impact économique tangible.

Cette attention croissante portée à la mise en œuvre est l’une des raisons pour lesquelles les plateformes sectorielles jouent un rôle plus important dans l’orientation du débat.

« L’Afrique n’a pas besoin de nouveaux rapports de développement durable qui restent sur les étagères », déclare NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de la Chambre africaine de l’énergie. « Ce dont nous avons besoin, ce sont des partenariats qui développent les industries, forment les travailleurs africains et permettent de conserver une plus grande partie de la valeur de nos ressources sur le continent. L’African Energy Week offre aux parties prenantes une plateforme non seulement pour promouvoir des projets, mais aussi pour garantir que les engagements en matière de développement durable se traduisent par des résultats mesurables. » Il ajoute que Chevron montre la voie grâce à ses actions sur le continent.

« Nous avons besoin de partenariats qui développent les industries, et c’est exactement ce que fait Chevron. »

Alors que les attentes en matière d’engagement local continuent d’évoluer, les opérateurs internationaux comme Chevron font l’objet d’une surveillance accrue quant à la question de savoir si leurs engagements en matière de durabilité se traduisent par une réelle participation économique. Dans le secteur énergétique africain, l’indicateur d’engagement le plus significatif pourrait bien être, en fin de compte, le potentiel local – et la mesure dans laquelle les entreprises mondiales contribuent à développer des industries durables parallèlement à leurs projets.

« Les initiatives de formation et de développement de Chevron à travers l’Afrique ont considérablement autonomisé les communautés locales. De nombreuses personnes formées par Chevron ont ensuite occupé des postes dans la fonction publique, apportant à leur travail des compétences renforcées et des bonnes pratiques », déclare M. Ayuk.

En outre, un nombre important d’anciens stagiaires ont intégré le secteur privé, où ils dirigent avec succès des entreprises de classe mondiale, ce qui témoigne des précieuses compétences acquises pendant leur passage chez Chevron.

« En encourageant l’esprit d’entreprise, Chevron incite de nombreux Africains à créer et à gérer leur propre entreprise », conclut-il.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

Posted on

A estratégia de envolvimento local da Chevron em África é considerada um modelo a seguir para as empresas petrolíferas internacionais que operam no continente

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Baixar .tipo

À medida que as empresas energéticas globais ampliam os seus quadros de reporte sobre o envolvimento local, permanece uma questão central: em que medida os compromissos de sustentabilidade se alinham com o impacto no terreno? Para as empresas petrolíferas internacionais (IOC) que operam em África, a resposta depende cada vez mais da forma como os princípios de envolvimento local se traduzem em participação económica local, desenvolvimento de infraestruturas e transferência de tecnologia. Para a Chevron, uma das operadoras mais antigas do continente, esse equilíbrio é particularmente visível nas suas operações na Nigéria, em Angola e na região em geral.

Os relatórios de sustentabilidade da Chevron destacam o investimento na comunidade, a proteção ambiental e o desenvolvimento da força de trabalho. Em Angola – onde a empresa opera há quase 70 anos através da sua subsidiária Cabinda Gulf Oil Company – mais de 90% da força de trabalho é angolana, refletindo esforços de longo prazo para localizar o emprego e os conhecimentos técnicos. Ao longo dos anos, a Chevron e os seus parceiros investiram mais de 250 milhões de dólares em programas de desenvolvimento social e comunitário em todo o país, apoiando iniciativas nas áreas da saúde, educação e economia.

Da mesma forma, na Nigéria, a Chevron fez das cadeias de abastecimento locais um pilar central dos seus compromissos de envolvimento local. Na última década, a Chevron gastou cerca de mil milhões de dólares anualmente em fornecedores e prestadores de serviços nigerianos, canalizando mais de 10 mil milhões de dólares para empreiteiros e empresas nacionais. Esses gastos apoiam o quadro de conteúdo local da Nigéria, ao mesmo tempo que ajudam a desenvolver a capacidade local nas áreas de engenharia, logística e serviços de campos petrolíferos.

Em toda a África, no entanto, os relatórios de envolvimento local das IOCs são frequentemente criticados por enfatizarem projetos de responsabilidade social corporativa em vez de uma integração económica mais profunda. Embora o investimento comunitário e as iniciativas ambientais continuem a ser importantes, os decisores políticos africanos dão cada vez mais prioridade à participação local no desenvolvimento de projetos, nas aquisições e nas infraestruturas energéticas.

A carteira de projetos da Chevron ilustra tanto as oportunidades como os desafios de colmatar esta lacuna. Em Angola, o Projeto de Ligação de Gás de Sanha Lean – que liga os campos de gás offshore nos Blocos 0 e 14 às instalações da Angola LNG – demonstra como as grandes infraestruturas energéticas podem contribuir para a criação de valor a nível nacional. O projeto permite que o gás associado seja monetizado em vez de queimado, reforçando simultaneamente a cadeia de valor do gás de Angola e apoiando a segurança energética a longo prazo.

Para além de Angola, a Chevron continua a expandir a sua presença em todo o continente. A empresa mantém programas de exploração ativos na Nigéria, detém participações em ativos de produção na Guiné Equatorial e está a avaliar oportunidades offshore em mercados como a Namíbia e a Argélia. À medida que os países africanos procuram expandir o desenvolvimento do petróleo e do gás, construindo simultaneamente indústrias nacionais mais fortes, cresce a pressão sobre os operadores internacionais para garantir que os compromissos de envolvimento local se traduzam num impacto económico tangível.

Este foco crescente na implementação é uma das razões pelas quais as plataformas do setor estão a desempenhar um papel mais importante na definição do debate.

«África não precisa de mais relatórios de sustentabilidade a ganhar pó nas prateleiras», afirma NJ Ayuk, Presidente Executivo da Câmara Africana de Energia. «O que precisamos são de parcerias que construam indústrias, formem trabalhadores africanos e mantenham uma maior parte do valor dos nossos recursos no continente. A African Energy Week proporciona uma plataforma para que as partes interessadas não só promovam projetos, mas também garantam que os compromissos de sustentabilidade se traduzam em resultados mensuráveis.» Acrescentando que a Chevron está a liderar o caminho através das suas ações no continente.

«Precisamos de parcerias que construam indústrias, e é exatamente isso que a Chevron está a fazer.»

À medida que as expectativas de envolvimento local continuam a evoluir, operadores internacionais como a Chevron enfrentam um escrutínio crescente sobre se os compromissos de sustentabilidade se traduzem em participação económica real. No setor energético africano, o indicador de envolvimento mais significativo pode, em última análise, ser o conteúdo local – e a medida em que as empresas globais ajudam a construir indústrias duradouras a par dos seus projetos.

“As iniciativas de formação e desenvolvimento da Chevron em toda a África capacitaram significativamente as comunidades locais. Muitas pessoas formadas pela Chevron passaram a assumir funções na função pública, trazendo capacidades reforçadas e melhores práticas para o seu trabalho», afirma Ayuk.

Além disso, um número substancial de ex-formandos ingressou no setor privado, liderando com sucesso empresas de classe mundial, o que atesta as valiosas competências adquiridas durante o seu tempo na Chevron.

«Ao fomentar o empreendedorismo, a Chevron está a inspirar muitos africanos a criar e gerir os seus próprios negócios», conclui.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

Posted on

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for five provinces

Source: Government of South Africa

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for five provinces

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms in the Northern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga on Wednesday.

“A surface trough, supported by a slow-moving upper trough, will result in severe thunderstorms in the Karoo Hoogland District (Northern Cape), leading to localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges, large amounts of small hail and localised damage to infrastructure,” the weather service said.

Slow moving storms may cause heavy downpours and strong winds.

Severe thunderstorms are expected over the western and central parts of Limpopo, Gauteng as well as the Lowveld of Mpumalanga. 

These storms may result in localised flooding of low-lying areas (including bridges and roads) and damage to infrastructure and settlements due to strong, damaging winds.

These weather conditions may cause damage to infrastructure, settlements (informal), property, vehicles, livelihood and livestock. 

There is a possibility of disruption to municipal and other essential services (education, health, communication and power supply). 

In addition, isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers are expected over KwaZulu-Natal

Some of these thunderstorms are expected to become severe in the province, except for the uMkhanyakude District Municipality, eThekwini District Municipality, uMfolozi Local Municipality, uMhlathuze Local Municipality, Mandeni Local Municipality, KwaDukuza Local Municipality and Ndwedwe Local Municipality.

The thunderstorms may be accompanied by heavy downpours, damaging winds, excessive lightning and hail, resulting in minor impacts.

The weather conditions may have the following impacts:

  • Localised damage to infrastructure and settlements.
  • Localised flooding of susceptible roads and bridges.
  • Minor motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and poor visibility.
  • Difficult driving conditions on dirt and slippery roads.
  • Large amounts of small hail/ large hail over an open area.
  • Lightning resulting in localised fire incidents.
  • Localised injuries due to flying debris.

Meanwhile, the weather report for Wednesday shows partly cloudy and warm to cool conditions are expected, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers except over the extreme western parts from the afternoon. 

It will be cloudy in places in the east. –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle

82 views

Posted on

Probe into PRASA contract irregularities continues

Source: Government of South Africa

Probe into PRASA contract irregularities continues

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has provided an update on an independent forensic investigation into irregularities in seven contracts awarded for the refurbishment and extension of the service life of the agency’s legacy rolling stock fleet.

The investigation by Webber Wentzel Attorneys was commissioned to probe the General Overhaul (GO) Programme contracts signed in 2022.

The programme was launched as a strategic bridging solution to maintain commuter rail services during the transition from the legacy yellow fleet of trains to the new Gibela Electric Multiple Units (EMUs). 

Its purpose was to ensure a safe and uninterrupted transition from old to new rolling stock. 

“In April 2024, PRASA received a written complaint from a GO contractor alleging irregularities in how the programme was being administered.

“Rather than dismissing the complaint or handling it internally, together with project management concerns, we acted decisively: within one month of receiving the complaint, PRASA formally engaged Webber Wentzel Attorneys to conduct an independent investigation,” the agency said on Tuesday in a statement.

On 29 November 2024, Webber Wentzel presented its preliminary findings to the PRASA Group CEO. 

This was presented as a ‘Draft Report’, which is standard practice for a forensic investigation. 

A draft was provided to allow PRASA to review its contents, verify factual accuracy, and enable affected parties to respond before findings are finalised.

PRASA’s current position on the GO Programme is as follows:

  • Payments to contractors implicated in overcharging have been frozen pending the outcome of the invoice review.
  • Contractors against whom material breach has been established are being formally terminated — some are no longer part of the programme, and two are currently on 30-day notice.
  • Strengthened financial management and internal control systems are being implemented for the GO Programme.

“PRASA has instructed specialist legal counsel to pursue the civil recovery of funds overpaid to contractors. Independent expert analysis has confirmed significant overcharging across multiple contractors, with the full quantum of recoverable funds still being quantified as part of the ongoing civil and disciplinary processes.”

The disciplinary and criminal proceedings that are a prerequisite for formal recovery action are actively progressing.

Formal disciplinary proceedings — including charges of bribery, corruption, fraud, financial misconduct and policy violations — were instituted against the implicated employees before they departed from the organisation. 

“In both cases, the employees concerned chose to resign after disciplinary processes had been formally initiated. Additional disciplinary proceedings affecting other employees are underway. Resignation does not constitute exoneration, nor does it extinguish liability — criminal, civil or otherwise.

“The referral of implicated individuals’ conduct to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), and the pursuit of civil recovery proceedings, are not contingent on continued employment status. These processes are active and ongoing,” PRASA said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nosihle

70 views

Posted on

Media an important cog in electoral democracy

Source: Government of South Africa

Media an important cog in electoral democracy

As the country moves towards the Local Government Elections (LGE), the Independent Electoral Commission has emphasised the important role played by media in safeguarding electoral democracy.

This as the Commission concluded its latest Elections Training Workshop for Journalists in Polokwane, Limpopo, on Tuesday.

IEC Limpopo Provincial Electoral Officer, Nkaro Mateta, emphasised the important role played by the media in safeguarding electoral democracy and in the free flow of credible and accurate information about political parties, candidates, voting station operations and electoral regulations.

“In a rapidly evolving information environment, this responsibility has become even more significant. Journalists are required not only to report on events but also to navigate an increasingly complex digital ecosystem where misinformation and disinformation can spread rapidly and undermine public confidence in democratic institutions,” said Mateta, adding that this work was an essential prerequisite for free and fair elections.

The Polokwane session brought together over 90 journalists from community, regional and national media platforms across Limpopo. 

The participants engaged robustly on key issues, including imminent changes in the local government sector, the impact of misinformation and disinformation in the electoral environment, and strategies for verifying false and misleading claims, images and videos that often circulate during election periods.

The countrywide workshops are held in partnership with the South African National Editors Forum (Sanef), the South African Local Government Association (Salga), Africa Check and Moxii Africa. 

The first workshop was held in Durban on 10 March 2026 and the next one is scheduled for 25 March 2026 in Mahikeng, North West.

Last week, the Commission called on all South Africans eligible to vote to register for the Local Government Elections where they live.

“In a Local Government Election, there is no legal facility to vote outside of the voting station of registration. This is a necessary requirement as it ensures that voters vote in a ward election that has a relationship with their place of ordinary residence,” said the Commission at a media briefing on Tuesday.

The Commission announced that a national voter registration weekend will take place on 20 and 21 June 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

71 views

Posted on

Cassava scales African Artificial Intelligence (AI) Infrastructure with NVIDIA-Powered AI Factories to accelerate sovereign data capabilities

Source: APO – Report:

Cassava Technologies (https://www.CassavaTechnologies.com), a global technology leader of African heritage, is deploying its AI Factory, powered by NVIDIA AI platform, in South Africa, with plans to scale to Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco.

“For Cassava, building Africa’s AI ecosystem is an act of empowerment, not just a technological milestone. As the continent’s first NVIDIA Cloud Partner, we are ensuring that African businesses aren’t just consumers of global tech—they are the architects of it,” said Ahmed El Beheiry, Group COO and Group Chief Technology & AI Officer, Cassava Technologies. “Our goal is to give Africa the infrastructure to write its own future, using its own languages – starting with Swahili, then expanding to languages such as Zulu and Afrikaans to better serve local users and markets – and data to build a digital legacy on its own terms”.

With the launch of Cassava AI Multi-Model Exchange (CAIMEx) (http://apo-opa.co/4rznn3n) in 2025, Cassava designed a first-of-its-kind platform to make the world’s leading AI tools and large language models (LLMs) easily accessible to African developers can tap into CAIMEx to build, fine-tune, and deploy AI applications using Cassava’s integrated tool, powered with NVIDIA Blueprints, Models, and NIM microservices. The company recently launched Cassava Autonomous Network (http://apo-opa.co/3PI1128), a blueprint that runs on the CAIMEx platform and is designed to significantly improve network performance across Africa, and is available for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to leverage.

The localised deployment of high-performance computing marks a turning point for the continent. By offering GPUaaS, AIaaS/APIs, Cassava is removing traditional barriers to entry, providing access to local compute. With this first milestone, Cassava will ensure that Africa has its own production of intelligence – sovereign AI factories keep intelligence securely within borders, tune models to local languages and cultures, and cultivate local jobs, startups, and economic growth.

This offering is enabling African enterprises and governments to innovate independently. This democratisation of technology empowers African organisations across the public sector, telecom, financial services, insurance, healthcare, mining, oil and gas, and retail not only to keep pace with the global AI race, but also to lead it.

Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader company of African heritage, is transforming Africa’s role in the global AI landscape from a passive participant into a primary creator. By providing world-class compute capacity, the company is fulfilling its core mission: building a digitally inclusive future where every African has the tools to innovate and succeed.

Positive input from partners and customers on the launch of the Cassava AI Factory

“Africa is poised to leapfrog traditional infrastructure, and with this sovereign AI cloud, Cassava is delivering the ultimate engine for digital transformation, allowing businesses and governments to harness powerful AI use cases while ensuring that data stays on the continent,” said Haseeb Budhani, CEO of Rafay Systems. “This isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about democratising innovation, fostering local talent, and building trusted, resilient AI ecosystems that drive real economic growth across the continent, putting African enterprises in control of their destiny.”

“The launch of the first Cassava AI Factory in the country and its expansion across the continent is a major milestone toward Africa’s digital sovereignty. Keeping data within African borders enables us to develop specialised models for healthcare, energy, and agriculture tailored to our unique contexts. The Cassava AI Factory in South Africa enables the CSIR to extend partnership with industry to accelerate the uptake of artificial intelligence within the broader South African research communities,” said Dr H. Sithole, Center Manager of National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure (NICIS) at the CSIR.

“Zindi is thrilled to partner with Cassava Technologies to unlock AI compute in Africa, ensuring that the continent’s data does not have to leave its shores. Through Cassava AI Factory, powered by NVIDIA accelerated computing platforms, Cassava is helping the Zindi developer community build best-of-breed AI solutions to their own local problems. Our joint efforts to nurture talent will do more than just expose innovation; we are investing in the next generation of AI talent and creating the high-tech skills and jobs that will position Africa to lead in the global AI race,” said Celina Lee, Zindi CEO and Co-Founder.

– on behalf of Cassava Technologies.

About Cassava Technologies:
Cassava Technologies is a global technology leader of African heritage, providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure that enables digital transformation. Headquartered in the UK, Cassava has a presence across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America. Through its business units, namely, Cassava AI, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid C2, Africa Data Centres, and Sasai Fintech, the company provides its customers with products and services in 94 countries. These solutions drive the company’s ambition of establishing itself as a leading global technology company of African heritage. https://www.CassavaTechnologies.com

Media files

.

Posted on

Human Resources (HR) Holds the Keys to an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Ready Organisation

Source: APO – Report:

Artificial intelligence can create enormous advantages for organisations and has become an important competitive consideration. But during 2025, AI hype started showing cracks as many companies reported failed pilots and underwhelming results.

Yet, the organisations that got it right experienced incredible improvements to their productivity. Their secret? Focus on people.

“Technology always depends on how people use it, and that remains true with artificial intelligence. But what many don’t realise is how much more it matters. Most AI projects fail because there isn’t enough human input and enablement,” says Heinrich Swanepoel, Head of Business Development at Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace.

Why people matter for AI

AI isn’t taking many jobs from people. Even though there is a parallel trend between AI hype and workforce reductions, AI is often a scapegoat for other factors causing layoffs, such as economic strain and over-hiring. In fact, less than 5% of job cuts in the US since 2023 are directly because of AI (https://apo-opa.co/4lxwW14).

Casting AI against humans creates a skewed perspective that one should replace the other, which is often a fallacy that leads to expensive rehires (https://apo-opa.co/4cOonwJ). It also blinds leaders to the fact that successful AI stems from empowering and upskilling people. Overlook human capital, and you undermine AI’s true potential.

Digital progress hinges on the hierarchy of ‘people, process, and technology’. AI adoption leans even more heavily into the realm of people than other technologies, and its success depends heavily on HR involvement.

“AI isn’t an IT transformation. It’s an organisational redesign that HR must drive if businesses are to unlock AI’s full strategic potential,” wrote EY’s AI Client Strategy Leader, Catriona Campbell, in a Linkedin post (https://apo-opa.co/4bv1JY1). “The organisations that build solid foundations will create smarter systems and stronger, more adaptive workforces.”

What makes AI work in businesses?

The most successful AI projects currently focus on improving the responsibilities of high-value individuals. For example, using AI to automate aspects of Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-fraud verification is helping save considerable time. In those cases, technical teams find it easy to liaise directly with the affected professionals and use their input.

But when AI adoption needs to be more widespread—for example, to help service agents quickly grasp a customer’s context; aid managers with reliable meeting summaries and actions; and give salespeople more time with prospects—the wheels come off. Deployment strategies underestimate the scope of AI’s impact, leading to poor adoption and major skill gaps. Employees know this, with over half saying that enhanced training should be the top priority to improve AI outcomes (https://apo-opa.co/4cUTVRB).

An AI strategy also fails when it doesn’t resonate with a company’s people and processes. That context should come from HR, the custodian of workforce strategy and talent management.

“Without understanding your workforce, you’ll be applying AI in the dark and hoping something sticks. But with that understanding, you’ll know where to target your efforts. That is especially important at the start of AI adoption when you need some wins to prove the investment is worthwhile,” says Swanepoel.

Enabling HR to enable AI

Successful AI projects reveal several tactics that support the human-centric approach:

  • Provide HR with modern human resource platform software that improves data-gathering, process design, and visibility for planning and measurement.
  • Develop continuous HR insights over annual reviews, giving companies more movement space and flexibility around AI strategies.
  • Conduct a skills audit to highlight how different people and departments could benefit from AI services.
  • Support AI skills development, specifically general AI literacy, policies, and a culture of safety where employees can question and confidently own AI output.
  • Measure where AI adds value, how it affects people, and what the balance should be between people and AI in a specific process or situation.

These answers will also inform other considerations such as AI governance, technical investments, and finding clear value in a sea of hype. It all starts with understanding your workforce: who they are, what they do, and what AI can do for them.

“AI is about people. It either works with them or replaces something they do. In either case, the path to AI success starts by understanding your people and empowering HR to give you that understanding,” says Swanepoel. “If your HR people cannot do this because they have old systems and outdated processes, most of your AI efforts are on shaky ground. But focus on your people, and your AI vision will become much clearer.”

– on behalf of Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace.

For media queries please contact:
Talitha Utton
talitha@innocomm.co.za

About Deel Local Payroll:
Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace, revolutionises payroll management. It offers online, multi-country payroll and HR management for businesses from start-ups through to enterprise in over 40 African countries, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Brazil.

Cloud-native, Deel Local Payroll, is scalable, configurable, highly secure, and easy-to-use—delivering anytime, anywhere access. It features payroll automation, self-service features, automatic legislation and feature updates, customised reporting, and more.

Since 2024, Deel Local Payroll has been part of Deel, operating as an independent subsidiary, serving its customers through the PaySpace platform.

Media files

.