insert_link South Africa Severe Weather Prompts South Africa’s Drakenstein Municipality’s Disaster Management Response The Drakenstein Municipality in South Africa has activated a comprehensive disaster management action plan in response to severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, affecting the municipal area since yesterday. Over 30 houses have lost their roofs, with some experiencing structural damage. Electricity outages are widespread due to strong winds damaging infrastructure. Mayor Stephen Korabie underscores the priority of ensuring the safety of residents and infrastructure. todayApril 8, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa Western Cape Government Orders Closure of Public Schools in Affected Areas Due to Severe Weather Damage In response to reports of damage caused by high winds over the weekend, the Western Cape government has announced the closure of all public schools in the Cape Winelands, Overberg, and Helderberg areas today. Education MEC David Maynier stated that the decision was made following reports of school damage and that the department's infrastructure team is currently assessing the extent of the damage. todayApril 8, 2024 16
insert_link South Africa Western Cape Premier Alerts Emergency Services Amid Severe Weather Warning Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has announced that all disaster management and emergency services are on high alert following a level nine warning issued by the South African Weather Service for damaging winds and rain across the province. Strong winds have already caused damage and exacerbated fires, particularly in the Cape Winelands, although most have been contained. Winde emphasized that protecting lives is the top priority, followed by safeguarding critical […] todayApril 8, 2024 12
insert_link South Africa South African Police Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Crime South African Police Minister Bheki Cele has reiterated the commitment of law enforcement to eliminate criminal activities impacting communities. Speaking about Operation Shanela, Cele praised police efforts in combating crime through decisive action, emphasizing the unacceptable levels of criminality. He affirmed the ministry's ongoing support to intercept armed gangs in hotspot regions like KwaZulu-Natal, aiming to foster safer communities through police intervention. todayApril 8, 2024 29
insert_link Environment South Africa’s crucial water supplies from Lesotho: what the six-month shutdown means for industry, farming and residents By Ifedotun Aina, University of Cape Town The main water supply to South Africa’s economic hub, greater Johannesburg in the Gauteng province, and to the country’s breadbasket in the Free State, is scheduled to be cut off for six months. Maintenance work on the 37 kilometre Lesotho Highlands Water Project tunnel is due to begin in October 2024. Ifedotun Victor Aina, a senior researcher at the Water and […] todayApril 5, 2024 27
insert_link South Africa ActionSA in Mpumalanga Files Case Against uMkhonto weSizwe Party for Electoral Law Violations ActionSA in Mpumalanga has taken legal action against the uMkhonto weSizwe party for allegedly breaching electoral laws by vandalizing ActionSA election posters in Mbombela. Thoko Mashiane, the provincial premier candidate for ActionSA, condemned these actions as deliberate acts of lawlessness that undermine democratic principles and fair campaigning. todayApril 5, 2024 12
insert_link South Africa South African Department of Home Affairs Extends Saturday Hours for Election-Related Services Starting tomorrow until the 25th of next month, the South African Department of Home Affairs will extend its office hours on Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM. This initiative aims to facilitate various election-related services, including identity document collection, processing of new applications, and issuance of temporary identity certificates. According to department spokesperson Siya Qoza, offices will also address challenges related to duplicates, amendments, rectifications, and cases requiring supporting […] todayApril 5, 2024 30
insert_link South Africa SA union Numsa Petitions Labour Court to Validate Strike Action Against Road Accident Fund South Africa's Metalworkers' Union, Numsa, has lodged a request with the Labour Court seeking legal recognition for its strike action against the Road Accident Fund. This comes as a response to an interim order granted to the fund last month, which aimed to halt the strike and thwart a planned march to the Department of Transport offices. Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, Numsa's spokesperson, asserts in court documents that the fund's classification under […] todayApril 5, 2024 22
insert_link South Africa South African Union Expresses Concern Over Persistent Corruption Crisis in SA The South African union federation, Saftu, expresses deep concern over the escalating corruption crisis, citing the recent Corruption Perception Index report. According to the latest findings, corruption levels have remained alarmingly high for 12 consecutive years, with over two-thousand complaints lodged last year alone across various sectors including mining, policing, and business. Saftu spokesperson Trevor Shaku highlights the pervasive nature of corruption, ranging from illicit mining activities to bribery within […] todayApril 5, 2024 23
