Category: MIL-OSI

As part of ongoing flood relief efforts, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor Babalwa Lobishe has visited displaced families at the Phase 1 Informal Settlement and Anovuyo Shelter in Wells Estate.

“Relief assistance, including blankets and mattresses were provided to affected residents. The municipality continues to work with all spheres of government to support communities impacted by the severe weather conditions,” the municipality said in a statement on Sunday.

The municipality has been hit by adverse weather conditions in recent days.

The Mayor was accompanied by MMC for Human Settlements, Thembinkosi Mafana, Disaster Management officials, and representatives from the provincial government.

READ | Nelson Mandela activates Operations Centre amid rainy weather

Meanwhile, Lobishe expressed  gratitude to all Disaster Management teams, emergency personnel, and municipal technical teams who worked around the clock during the recent flood disaster and severe weather conditions experienced across the metro.

“We acknowledge the outstanding efforts of local and provincial Disaster Management teams, Fire and Emergency Services, Rescue Services, Law Enforcement, Traffic Services, Human Settlements teams, electricity, water, sanitation, roads and stormwater teams, as well as frontline municipal workers who responded under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions,” she said.

The Mayor said the courage, professionalism, sacrifice, and commitment shown by the teams helped save lives, supported displaced residents, and restored critical services to affected communities.

“Your dedication during this challenging time reflects the true spirit of service and compassion that continues to strengthen Nelson Mandela Bay,” Lobishe said.

The municipality continues to work with all spheres of government to support communities impacted by the severe weather conditions. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Four people have been rescued from the scene of a building collapse in Durban on Saturday, the KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department said.

“To date, four people have been successfully extricated and have received medical attention. The department wishes all who are affected a speedy recovery,” the provincial department said.

The four were rescued after the provincial Disaster Management Centre dispatched disaster management teams to the scene of the building collapse.

“Further details will be communicated as information becomes available,” said the department.
It further advised the public to steer clear of the affected area in Union Lane. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy President Paul Mashatile will deliver a keynote address at the Inaugural King Hintsa Annual Salutation and 191st Anniversary Commemoration of Kumkani Hintsa kaKhawuta.

“The memory of His Majesty King Hintsa, Aah Zanzolo!, will now be commemorated on an annual basis, in a comprehensive programme of memorialisation, bringing together an estimated 5 000 invited guests, including Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, COGTA [Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs] Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, other Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Inter-Faith Leadership, Leaders of Political Parties, members of academia, business, and community as well as media,” the Presidency said on Sunday.

Tuesday’s commemoration will take place at Gcuwa, in the Mnquma Local Municipality, Amathole District, in the Eastern Cape.

His Majesty King Ahlangene Sigcawu of the Xhosa Kingdom, Aah Vulikhaya!, extended the invitation to the Deputy President. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has met with the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Dada Morero, to discuss serious concerns the National Treasury has raised regarding the City’s finances.

“These concerns relate to financial sustainability and compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (MFMA) by the metropolitan municipality. 

“In terms of its constitutional and statutory mandate, National Treasury exercises oversight over the financial affairs of municipalities and is obligated to act where it observes material risks to fiscal sustainability and compliance with the legislative framework governing public finances,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

The meeting was part of the natural and regular oversight and engagement activities undertaken by the Minister and the National Treasury, and follows a confidential letter recently leaked to the media that Godongwana had sent to Mayor Morero, calling for the engagement.

“The meeting on Friday between Minister Godongwana and Mayor Morero, and their respective teams of officials and technical experts, was robust and productive.

The engagements are ongoing and are being treated with the urgency that they merit, and while Minister Godongwana fully accepts the public interest in the matters, it would not be appropriate to detail the full scope of those discussions at this time,” said the Ministry.

The Minister has assured residents of Johannesburg that the National Treasury continues to pursue a constructive resolution to the issues that are in the interests of service delivery and financial sustainability.

Describing the meeting as “productive,” Godongwana said Mayor Morero has agreed that he and his officials must go back and consider some serious remedial actions to address the issues raised.

“They will soon submit a formal report to the Treasury in response to the letter that I sent,” said Godongwana. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Sixteen people have been arrested, and counterfeit goods worth more than R17 million were seized in recent police operations.

Spearheaded by the National and Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Units, multidisciplinary teams carried out 33 takedown operations across the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape.

“These operations resulted in the seizure of large quantities of counterfeit and illicit goods, including branded clothing, sports apparel, cellphone accessories, toys, pharmaceuticals, consumables, as well as counterfeit liquor and cigarettes,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement on Saturday.

Police arrested 16 suspects in total, of whom nine were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act, five for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act, and two for contravening the Liquor Act.

The police further urged community members to think twice before purchasing counterfeit and illicit goods. 

This as: 
•    Counterfeit and illicit goods pose serious risks to consumers, legitimate businesses, and the country’s economy.
•    These products are often manufactured and distributed outside regulated systems, with no regard for quality standards, safety, or lawful trade practices.
•    Legitimate manufacturers and retailers lose market share to illegal traders, leading to reduced production and job losses.
•    Counterfeit goods infringe on the intellectual property rights of legitimate brand owners.

“The SAPS extends its sincere appreciation to all participating departments, various law enforcement agencies, and key stakeholders for their continued collaboration and commitment to combating the illegal trade in counterfeit, contraband, and illicit goods,” said the police. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has expressed deep concern over the escalating mental health crisis affecting men and boys across South Africa.

In a statement on Sunday, the Minister called for urgent societal, institutional, and community-based interventions to tackle what she described as “a silent national emergency.” 

Chikunga observed that most men continue to suffer in silence due to damaging social norms that discourage emotional vulnerability, help-seeking behaviour, and open discussions about mental health challenges. 

“Too many men are carrying emotional pain in silence. Depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, and social isolation are affecting men across all age groups, communities, and economic backgrounds. We must break the stigma that says men must suffer quietly,” she said.

She further pointed out that economic hardship, unemployment, social pressures, family breakdown, violence, substance abuse, and unresolved trauma continue to impose enormous psychological strain on men, especially young men.

These challenges are further exacerbated by limited access to mental health services, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Untreated mental health conditions among men have broader societal implications, including increased substance dependency, family instability, violence, crime, and suicide, she warned.

“Mental health is not a weakness. Seeking help is not a sign of failure. We need to create safe spaces where men and boys can speak openly, heal, and access support without fear of judgment,” the Minister said. 

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) is urging all sectors of society, including families, faith-based organisations, schools, workplaces, civil society, traditional leaders, media practitioners, and government institutions, to collaborate in promoting positive masculinity, emotional well-being, and awareness of mental health issues among men and boys. 

The Minister also called on employers and educational institutions to bolster psychosocial support systems and ensure that mental health services are accessible, affordable, and inclusive. 

Importantly, the Minister emphasised that addressing men’s mental health must also help foster safer families and communities rooted in dignity, equality, accountability, and non-violence. 

“A society that ignores the emotional well-being of men risks deepening cycles of pain, violence, and hopelessness. Healing our nation calls for caring for the mental well-being of everyone — women, men, youth, and persons with disabilities alike,” the Minister said. 

The DWYPD said it remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote mental wellness, social cohesion, and human dignity for all South Africans. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the two life sentences handed down by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to Muthi Lazarus Ratlhogo, a general worker at a primary school in Mamelodi West in Pretoria.

This is after Ratlhogo was convicted of two counts of rape of a seven-year-old learner. The court further ordered that his name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

“Ratlhogo worked as a gardener at the school. On 09 July 2019, shortly after the victim was dropped off at school with her brother and before other learners had arrived, Ratlhogo called the child to the school storeroom.  

“He locked the door, placed two small chairs together, instructed her to lie down and raped her. He warned the child not to tell anyone,” said the NPA in a statement on Friday.

On 11 July 2019, during break time, Ratlhogo again called the minor victim, took her to the storeroom and raped her for the second time. That same evening, the child’s mother noticed she was limping and walking with difficulty. 

“Upon questioning, the child broke down and disclosed that the school gardener had raped her. The matter was immediately reported to the police, and Ratlhogo was arrested the following day, 12 July 2019,” the NPA said. 

The minor victim was taken to the NPA’s Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) in Mamelodi, where she received comprehensive support, including medical, psychological and legal assistance.

In court, Ratlhogo pleaded not guilty and denied the offences. However, the State Prosecutor, Mpho Monyane, presented strong evidence, including the testimony of the child and her mother, which proved the State’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“During sentencing proceedings, Ratlhogo pleaded for leniency because of his age and that he is taking chronic medication. Prosecutor Monyane, however, argued for two life sentences, emphasising the seriousness of the offences, the gross breach of trust and the fact that Ratlhogo showed no remorse,” the NPA said.

She highlighted that as a school employee, he was in a position of trust and was expected to protect learners, yet he violated a child twice and stole her innocence.

Magistrate Mthimunye agreed with the State and found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. He noted Ratlhogo’s lack of remorse and imposed two life sentences.

The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Marika Jansen van Vuuren, commended the dedication of Prosecutor Mpho Monyane, Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Maloma, and Case Manager at the Mamelodi TCC, Advocate Linda van Schalkwyk, for their role in securing the conviction and sentence. 

She reiterated that combating gender-based violence remains a top priority for the NPA. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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