Category: Reportage

Source: South Africa News Agency

The two drivers, whose vehciles were loaded with mandrax tablets worth nearly R3.3 million, are expected to appear before the Kraaifontein Magistrate’s Court today.

The two were arrested on Saturday in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, in an intelligence-driven operation by the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) and Crime Intelligence.

The Hawks led team spotted the truck off-loading boxes onto a private vehicle in Acacia street, Kraaifontein Industrial Area.

Upon conducting a search, Hawks spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase said they found 73 packets, each containing 1000 Mandrax tablets. The two suspects aged 26 and 53 were arrested.  

Nkwalase said the preliminary investigation revealed that the drugs were in transit from Gauteng to Cape Town. 

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, three suspects were arrested by the Hawks in partnership with Crime Intelligence, K9 unit as well as the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries last Thursday for possession and transporting illegally poached abalone.

The multi-disciplinary team swiftly acted on the information and intercepted two vehicles at Klapmuts headed towards Paarl on the R44 near the N1, transporting the abalone.

During a search of the vehicle, members managed to confiscate almost 1011.8 kg of poached abalone worth over R1.5 million.

The two vehicles have also been seized pending further investigations.

The trio will also appear at the Paarl Magistrate court today. – SAnews.gov.za  

Source: South Africa News Agency

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has called on the international community not to panic over the Parliamentary process on land reform.

“There is no need to panic or be alarmist,” said Minister Sisulu in a statement on Sunday, reacting to a number of international organizations and individuals commenting on the parliamentary processes.

Last week’s resolution by Members of Parliament to assign the Constitutional Review Committee to review Section 25 of the Constitution, which speaks to allowing land expropriation without compensation and the right of property ownership was passed.

Section 25(2) of the Constitution currently states that property may be expropriated only in terms of law of general application for a public purpose or in the public interest, and subject to compensation.

Section 25(3) makes clear that the amount of the compensation and the time and manner of payment must be just and equitable, reflecting an equitable balance between the public interest and the interests of those affected, having regard to all relevant circumstances, in the current use of the property; the history of the acquisition and use of the property; the market value of the property; the extent of direct state investment and subsidy in the acquisition and beneficial capital improvement of the property.

The resolution has now be referred to the Constitutional Review Committee, which must report back to Parliament by 30 August.

Minister Sisulu said the matter is being handled properly for the benefit of all South Africans and that the views and concerns of all South African stakeholders will be considered during the Parliamentary processes.

The Minister added that Parliament will take a decision for the benefit of all South Africans.

“There is a parliamentary process underway and all stakeholders, domestic and international, must respect that process and also take advantage of that process to make their input. The President remains committed to engaging all stakeholders during this process.

“The international community played an important role in the fight against apartheid and all its repressive and discriminatory policies. We invite members of the international community to continue supporting our efforts to reverse the legacy of apartheid,” Minister Sisulu added. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Department of Trade and Industry is engaging the United States on its decision to impose a global tariff of 25% on imports of steel and of 10% on imports of aluminium.

“The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) is fully engaged with the matter and has undertaken discussions with the United States in a number of forums,” said the department on Friday.

This as US President Donald Trump held a listening session with representatives from large steel and aluminium companies on Thursday. At the session, President Trump heard concerns relating to imports of steel and aluminium raised by US companies.

During the question and answer session, the President announced the decision to impose a global tariff of 25% on imports of steel and of 10% on imports of aluminium.

The duties will be applicable to all importers into the US market. This as the White House or the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and Commerce Department are yet to release an official statement on the duties or how the duties would be implemented.

In its reaction to the decision, the dti is meeting with South African companies that have export interests in the US to ascertain the possible impact of the proposed measures.

“The dti is also assessing the compatibility of the proposed measures with the rules of the World Trade Organisation,” it said.

SA steel exports

South Africa’s exports to the US of steel amounted to US$950 million in 2017 and accounted for 1.4% of the US’ global imports.

In the case of aluminium, South African exports were US$375 million in 2017, accounting for 1.6% of U.S. imports from all global suppliers.

“It is clear that South African exports do not impose a threat to US industry and jobs. South African exports are in some cases used as inputs into further processes in the US manufacturing sector thus contributing to US jobs and production,” said the department.

In addition, the department will brief the media on the matter soon. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

The 33 alleged illegal gold miners arrested at Ellerton rehabilitated mine at Nhlaniki village, outside Giyani, are expected to appear in court this morning.

The illegal miners were arrested during a multi-disciplinary operation led by the Hawks working with the Department for Mineral Resource (DMR), Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Public Order Police, the Air Wing and Local Criminal Record Centre, on Friday.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said the multi-disciplinary operation ensued following an outcry by the local community about the alleged illegal mining from the Ellerton mine that was closed in 2016.

“The team swooped on the abandoned mine and seized gold-bearing material, five vehicles and several mining types of equipment, including two generators, mining drill machines, camping tents, industrial hammers and a sieve valued at about R500 000,” Maluleke said on Monday.

Maluleke said they are still in a process of asserting the suspect’s correct identity.

Across South Africa, mining towns are under siege from illicit syndicates.

Employing thousands of desperate jobseekers‚ these syndicates known as the Zama-Zama’s ‚ who earn billions of rand annually through the illegal sale of precious metals and diamonds‚ are in fierce competition with global mining giants.

According to the Chamber of Mines, about 70% of all arrested illegal miners are undocumented foreign nationals and predominately from Lesotho.

The annual commercial value of illegal mining and illicit dealings in precious metals and diamonds is estimated to be over R7 billion, according to the organisation.

The Hawks have promised to continue with the operations to prevent the looting of mineral resources from Giyani, and from other districts in the province.

Meanwhile in Durban, two South African Revenue Services’ customs officials are also expected to appear at the Durban Magistrate Court today on charges of corruption.

The suspects were arrested in a sting operation after they allegedly demanded a R200 000 bribe from a businessman in order to evade tax obligations. 

The matter was reported to the Hawks and an undercover operation was conducted.

They were caught red-handed after receiving cash from the complainant. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has issued a recall of all products from the Enterprise and Rainbow Chicken Limited companies, which have been found to have traces of Listeria.

“Given the findings of Listeria, it is clear that there has been a drop in the quality controls at these facilities. They have, as of this morning, been issued with safety recall notices according to Section 60(2) of the Consumer Protection Act,” said dti Director General Lionel October.

Results which came in at midnight confirmed that polony from the Enterprise facility was the cause of the current Listeriosis outbreak, prompting Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to call an urgent press briefing.

While RCL Foods tested positive for Listeria, its samples did not test positive for the strain ST6, which is the cause of the outbreak. Nonetheless, it will also be pulled from the shelves as it poses a health risk.

“Such contamination of ready-to-eat processed meat products constitutes a health risk. Also, over 10% of environmental samples collected by the EHPs at this facility have tested positive for L. monocytogenes,” said Minister Motsoaledi.

The safety recall notices require that an investigation be conducted and a recall programme be carried out on any terms required by the National Consumer Commission (NCC).

“The safety recall will affect the manufacturers’ entire distribution networks, both domestic and international,” said the Health Minister.

In addition to the recall, RCL Foods, which exports some of its products, has been slapped with a suspension of its export registration number until further notice.

While the Minister confirmed that polony was the definite culprit, he called on the public to avoid all processed meat products.

“While we know that polony is definitely implicated, there is a risk of cross-contamination of other ready-to-eat processed meat products, either at production, distribution or retail. We advise members of the public to avoid all processed meat products that are sold as ready-to-eat,” said Minister Motsoaledi.

NCC Deputy Commissioner Thezi Mabuza said the Commission will prepare a recall strategy in conjunction with the manufacturers and make further announcements to the public in due course. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Polony from the Enterprise factory in Polokwane, Limpopo, has been fingered as the culprit behind the Listeriosis outbreak in the country.

“The source of the present outbreak can be confirmed to be the Enterprise food production facility in Polokwane,” said Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi on Sunday.

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), together with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), and officials from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) had visited the food production site in Polokwane.

Results from this factory became available at midnight, prompting the Health Minister to hold an urgent media briefing in which he informed the public to avoid all processed meat products immediately.

“While we know that polony is definitely implicated, there is a risk of cross-contamination of other ready-to-eat processed meat products, either at production, distribution or retail. We advise members of the public to avoid all processed meat products that are sold as ready-to-eat,” said the Minister.

Processed meat products such as polony, viennas, russians, frankfurters, sausages and cold meat products were listed as no go zones by the Minister.

The cause of the outbreak strain ST6 was confirmed in 16 environmental samples collected from the Enterprise facility.

In addition to the Polokwane facility, another Enterprise facility located in Germiston, Gauteng, tested positive for Listeria but it is yet to be confirmed if it is the same ST6 strain.

While another facility, known as the Rainbow Chicken Limited (RCL), tested positive for Listeria, samples from this facility are not same strain that is causing the outbreak.

“Such contamination of ready-to-eat processed meat products constitutes a health risk. Also, over 10% of environmental samples collected by the EHPs at this facility have tested positive for L. monocytogenes,” said the Minister.

With this in mind, the Health Department issued a recall of these cold meat products for Enterprise and RCL.

“The National Consumer Commission has, in terms of Section 60(2) of the Consumer Protection Act, this morning issued manufacturers concerned with safety recall notices,” said Minister Motsoaledi.  

Compliance notices will also be issued to facilities in terms of the National Health Act.

The Health Minister reiterated his call for high risk people such as pregnant women, very young infants, elderly persons and anyone with a weakened immune system due to HIV and cancer to completely avoid all processed meats. 

Food safety rules 

Members of the public have been reminded that now is not the time to slack on their food safety precautions but rather a time to strengthen those habits.

“The recall of these products does not mean that members of the public must now relax and stop following food safety rules,” said Minister Motsoaledi.

The food safety rules include:

• Wash your hands before handling food or when coming back from the bathroom.
• Cook food thoroughly.
• Separate raw food from cooked food.
• Store food at an appropriate temperature.
• Wash uncooked food with clean running water.
• Only use pasteurized or boiled milk products.
   

World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, Rufaro Chitaro confirmed that the Australian Listeriosis outbreak was caused by a different strain from the South African one.

“Australia has since last month seen 15 cases of Listeriosis, resulting in three fatalities caused by what is known as a rock melon. There is no evidence that these melons are exported to South Africa. The Australian strain is caused by ST240,” said Chitaro.

Gauteng is still leading the pack with the number of Listeriosis cases at 60%, followed by 13% in the Western Cape and 7% in KwaZulu-Natal and others sporadically spread out across the country.

NICD Head Juno Thomas said the public can use bleach to disinfect and thoroughly clean their fridges to avoid contamination.

Members of the public can visit the National Health Laboratory Services and Health Department websites on how to effectively clean their homes. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has tasked his Director General with assisting community members, who were part of the Mancoba Seven Angels Ministry in Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape, to get identity documents.

“I have given an instruction to the Provincial Manager for Home Affairs in the Eastern Cape, through the Director General, to visit the area and conduct an audit to determine the extent to which these vulnerable members of society have been affected, with a view, of course, to begin the process of documenting them to ensure that they reflect on the National Population Register,” said Minister Gigaba.

The controversial ministry is at the centre of the police massacre in the Ngcobo area, as some of its members are alleged to have ambushed and killed five police officers and an off duty soldier at a police station.

According to the police, members of the Mancoba ministry were forbidden to have identity documents, while children were not allowed to have birth certificates and prohibited from attending school.

“Section 20 of the Constitution states that no citizen may be deprived of citizenship while Section 28 (1) (a) guarantees the right to a name and a nationality for every child from birth. To this end, without a birth certificate, any individual’s nationality cannot be affirmed, thus rendering them stateless,” said Minister Gigaba.

He expressed his dismay at the disregard of the law by those implicated and has declared that government will not watch on the sidelines while people’s constitutional rights are being trampled on.

“Of particular concern to me is the exploitation of children and women whose rights have been blatantly disregarded by being denied their basic right, their sense of belonging, their birth right to identity. No individual has the authority to deny any citizen of our Republic their constitutional right to identity through the imposition of their irrational beliefs,” said the Minister. – SAnews.gov.za