insert_link South Africa South Africa’s Public Works Minister Reveals 338 Hijacked Government Buildings Nationwide S.A Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean MacPherson has revealed that 338 government-owned buildings have been hijacked nationwide. These properties have been illegally occupied, impacting government operations and public services. Recently, one building in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, was successfully reclaimed. In a media briefing, MacPherson said the department is working to reclaim these buildings, prevent further hijackings, and protect state assets: todayAugust 29, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa Uncertainty Surrounds ActionSA’s Position Ahead of No Confidence Vote Against Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink In S.A, the ANC’s motion of no confidence against Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink will be on council's agenda this week, with the vote scheduled for today. Uncertainty remains about ActionSA’s stance, whether they will align with the ANC or stay with the DA-led coalition. Brink has stressed the importance of stable governance in the city: todayAugust 29, 2024 7
insert_link South Africa S.A President Calls for Stronger Government-Business Partnership to Drive Inclusive Growth South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of strengthening government-business partnerships to drive inclusive growth. At the Business Unity South Africa annual general meeting, he highlighted the need for collaboration to create jobs, reduce poverty, and invest in technology and renewable energy. Ramaphosa also called for ongoing support in skills training and small business development to promote equitable prosperity and sustainable economic progress for all citizens. todayAugust 29, 2024 7
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s Limpopo Shuts Down Government Offices Over Safety Hazards The Department of Employment and Labour in Limpopo in South Africa has closed several government offices in Bela-Bela, Makhado, and Thohoyandou due to safety concerns, including structural risks and unsafe electrical installations. Teboho Thejane, the department’s spokesperson, announced that Makhado labour centre services will temporarily be available at the Makhado show grounds until next Friday. todayAugust 29, 2024 13
insert_link South Africa DA Urges Voters to Hold Underperforming Municipalities Accountable After Strong Audit Results in Western Cape The DA has urged voters to hold underperforming South African municipalities accountable in the next local government elections. This comes after the Auditor-General's report revealed that nearly 70-percent of Western Cape municipalities achieved clean audits for the 2022/2023 period. The DA’s, Dave Bryant commends the province for its strong governance, contrasting it with financial challenges in municipalities outside the province: todayAugust 28, 2024 9
insert_link South Africa South African Municipal Workers Union Demands Urgent Action on Municipal Financial Mismanagement The South African Municipal Workers Union is calling for urgent and decisive action to address the financial, governance, and service delivery challenges facing the country’s municipalities. This follows the release of the 2022-2023 Municipal Finance Management Act audit outcomes. Findings by Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke indicate that 110 municipalities collectively incurred 27.3-billion-rand in fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Samwu’s spokesperson, Papikie Mohale, says stronger measures must be put in place to […] todayAugust 28, 2024 12
insert_link South Africa Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse in South Africa is calling for urgent reforms in response to municipal financial management The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse in S.A has called for immediate reforms following a troubling Auditor-General’s report on municipal financial management. The report reveals widespread financial mismanagement, weak oversight, inadequate internal controls, deteriorating infrastructure, and poor service delivery across municipalities, with only 13 percent of municipalities achieving clean audits. OUTA’s Julius Kleynhans says tackling issues like poor project management and unauthorised spending is essential for restoring public trust and enhancing […] todayAugust 28, 2024 10
insert_link South Africa Solidarity Launches Platform to Address Skill Shortages in Critical Sectors Across S.A Trade union Solidarity in S.A says it has launched a new platform to address skill shortages by connecting skilled workers with government and private sector needs. The initiative aims to connect skilled professionals, focusing on critical areas like engineering, medicine, and information technology. Solidarity’s CEO, Dirk Hermann, says the platform, which builds on past successes, is free to use and designed to align skills with job opportunities for all qualified […] todayAugust 28, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s 2023-’24 Crime Report Reveals Sharp Increases in Street Robbery, Fraud, and Assault Statistics South Africa's 2023-'24 Victims of Crime Report has revealed significant rises in individual crimes over the past five years. Statistician-general Risenga Maluleke reported that 1.1-million people experienced street robbery, which is a seven-percent increase. Consumer fraud affected 700-thousand people, up 16-percent, while assault cases rose by 26-percent to 650-thousand. Maluleke also warns that hijacking and sexual assault saw substantial increases: todayAugust 28, 2024 9
