Latest news with #BladeNzimande
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Blade Nzimande urges caution and due process in response to Mkhwanazi's serious allegations
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande says serious allegations made by the KZN Police Commissioner must be fully investigated, urging South Africans to avoid political grandstanding and allow due process to reveal the truth. Image: Picture: Siyasanga Mbambani / GCIS Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, says allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi must be taken seriously, especially given his seniority in the South African Police Service, but cautions against political opportunism and urges the public to allow due process to unfold. This comes after Mkhwananzi accused Mchunu of interfering in police operations and maintaining contact with criminal syndicates, aiming to undermine the Political Killings Task Team. He alleged that Mchunu, without authorisation from the national or provincial leadership, ordered the disbandment of the unit in March 2025 and the withdrawal of 121 active dockets - many linked to politically motivated assassinations. 'These dockets have been sitting idle at head office ever since,' Mkhwanazi said. In an interview on Newzroom Afrika, Nzimande made it clear that the seriousness of the allegations warrants a credible response from government and the judiciary: "My own stance really is that the president has issued a statement and made an indication that he takes this matter very seriously. I agree with that, that allegations of this nature are very serious. They need to be taken up." President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on Sunday evening. Nzimande says South Africans should wait to hear how the president intends to handle the matter. "We are hoping that out of that he will come up with a way of actually getting into the depth of this matter and leaving no stone unturned. ''We hope that the president is actually going to come up with mechanisms that are going to get into the bottom of this matter and avoid grandstanding as some political parties are doing, behaving as if all these things have been proven or not." On allegations involving Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who initially denied any association with controversial figure Oupa 'Brown' Mogotsi, only to later admit he knew him, Nzimande said: "I think we need to be cautious on how we treat these things. I don't want a situation now, in the light of these allegations, to act as if conclusively Minister Senzo Mchunu has told a lie, we don't know. That actually needs to be proven itself." He added: "Yes, this thing, we must get into the bottom of them. ''But let's allow due process to actually go into this. Because maybe the good thing about what the provincial commissioner of the police has done in KZN is to raise these things, which then gives an opportunity for one to actually go right into it." Nzimande also reflected on historical abuses of state institutions, noting this might be an opportunity to uncover deep-seated problems across the security cluster. Some of these problems are not new, for instance. We know that in the past, organs of the state have been abused in many ways. The police, in the intelligence in the past, it was being used also even to fight internal party political battles in the ANC and the alliance. ''Maybe this is an opportunity then for the president to provide a way forward that will make us to go into the bottom of those things so that the police, the judiciary, everybody is able to do what is supposed to be done." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading He also addressed allegations involving the judiciary itself. "Some of the allegations is that some of the judges and some of the magistrates are possibly bought to be able to act in a particular way. This is an opportunity to go to the bottom of this matter. That's my view." Nzimande urged media and society to avoid sensationalism and let legal processes unfold. "All what I'm saying, it's important that the media as well, we allow due process to take its course." Reflecting on his own past surveillance during the Fees Must Fall protests, he added: "I myself have been a victim in the past of being listened to by intelligence agencies, being followed up as to where one goes and so on with a view of actually trying to discredit. I know this very well... But what came out of that in the end? Nothing came out of that." When asked whether he had counselled Mchunu, Nzimande said: "No. We are colleagues, you know, we come and attend similar meetings, you know, and so on. We haven't, I haven't on my side, you know, because what do I say? Do I say, hey, what is actually going on? He has himself actually said publicly that at an appropriate time he will be able to answer this, and I hope he does." "These allegations are very serious. But what is the best way of dealing with them? We shouldn't be tempted and say we choose the juicy part. The minister may have done this or has actually not done stance is that let's give due process to actually get to the bottom of this." The DA, uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK), and the EFF on have since lodged criminal complaints against Mchunu, accusing him of misleading Parliament and being linked to individuals allegedly involved in the capture of the SAPS. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL Politics
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Nzimande to table report to Cabinet on impact of US withdrawal of health funding
CAPE TOWN - Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande said that the country had learnt the hard way not to rely so heavily on global partners for its scientific needs. He said that he would soon table before Cabinet a report on the impact of the withdrawal of health funding from the United States. Delivering his budget vote address in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Nzimande reflected on how unilateralism could affect the sector. In January, US President Donald Trump announced that he was pulling the plug on years of aid to South Africa and other nations for their HIV/AIDS treatment programmes. Minister Blade Nzimande said that in line with the country's foreign policy of multilateralism, his department was also looking to diversify its international partners to include countries from blocs such as BRICS, the European Union and the G20, as well as other developing nations of the global south. Nzimande said that one of his key focuses was to ensure a sovereign science and technology innovation system. "To depend on one polar of the world for our science system is a disaster, because if some people decide, because they are powerful, to withdraw partnerships and change, our system must not be left wanting." Nzimande said that South Africa must not only challenge genocide in Palestine in the International Court of Justice, but also develop partnerships with Palestinian researchers. "We must have collaboration with Palestine, so that the civilisation of the Palestinians is saved and is not destroyed by the kinds of destruction wrought upon by those great people by the Israeli apartheid regime." Nzimande said that the country would use its position as chair of the G20 to advance its priorities in science, technology, and innovation.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Science
- Zawya
Minister Blade Nzimande receives Cuban Ambassador to South Africa for a courtesy visit
Yesterday, 2 July, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, received Her Excellency, Mrs. Esther Armenteros, Cuban Ambassador to South Africa for a courtesy visit. Over the past three decades, South Africa's collaboration with Cuba evolved significantly in critical areas of human development such as public health, water resource management, and education. Last year, South Africa and Cuba celebrated 30 years of Diplomatic relations. In the area of science, South Africa-Cuba co-operation goes back to 2001, when the first science, technology and innovation agreement was signed. Flowing from this, between 2005 and 2007, South Africa invested more than 44 million rands in joint biotechnology and nanotechnology projects with Cuba, focusing on critical areas such as the development of cholera vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and pre-clinical drug development, which included interventions against the Human Papilloma Virus. These early joint projects brought together South African research facilities such as Mintek, iThemba Labs, and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, laying the groundwork for future cooperation in nuclear medicine and diagnostic technology. Further to this, in 2015, a technical delegation from South Africa visited Cuba to study Cuba's world-class biotechnology ecosystem. In April this year, Minister Nzimande undertook a comprehensive visit to Cuba, whose key outcome was the signing of a Statement of Intent to renew the existing science, technology, and innovation agreement between Cuba and South Africa and to expand the areas of cooperation. A further commitment was made by Minister Nzimande and his counterpart, Cuba's Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Mr. Armando Rodríguez Batista to ensure that the revival of the existing STI agreement is concluded by the end of this year. Emphasising the importance of SA-Cuba STI cooperation, Minister Nzimande stated that 'South Africa and Cuba share a commitment to use scientific knowledge to resolve their development challenges and to respond to the grand challenges of energy security, climate change and the urgent need to diversify our economies.' 'Cuba has unparalleled expertise in such areas as healthcare, biotechnology, and education with South Africa's strengths in mining, renewable energy, astronomy and space sciences research and innovation. This provides a firm basis for continued cooperation and the development of sustainable solutions for both countries,' added the Minister. Cooperation between South Africa and Cuba is also driven by a shared commitment to such values as peace, justice, multi-lateralism, the equitable development of all nations and a commitment to building a more just and humane world, through science. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Republic of South Africa.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
SA's MeerKAT telescope joins forces with European VLBI Network
This is a new chapter for high-resolution radio astronomy, enabling scientists to study the universe in greater detail than ever before. FILE: Part of the ensemble of dishes forming South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope is seen in Carnarvon on July 16, 2016. Picture: Mujahid Safodien/ AFP South Africa's MeerKAT telescope has joined forces with the European VLBI Network (EVN), one of the world's most sensitive and advanced very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) systems. Their partnership sets a new standard for global collaboration and significantly enhances both resolution and sensitivity, opening new avenues for scientific exploration and a new era of radio astronomy. Space exploration It is also a new chapter for high-resolution radio astronomy, enabling scientists to study the universe in greater detail than ever before. The collaboration has already delivered impressive results, with EVN researchers capturing enhanced images of energetic plasma jets from the supermassive black hole J0123+3044. This sets the stage for a new wave of scientific breakthroughs in understanding cosmic phenomena. 'Proud moment' Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande said the achievement is a proud moment for South African science and a powerful demonstration of what international collaboration can accomplish. 'Integrating MeerKAT into the EVN marks a giant leap for precision radio astronomy and lays vital groundwork for the future Square Kilometre Array (SKA)-VLBI era'. The Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE), headquartered in the Netherlands, coordinated the EVN's participation and played a central role in data processing and image development, working closely with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory's (SARAO) engineering and science teams to ensure the mission's success. ALSO READ: Anyone out there? Astronomers find signs of life on distant planet Universe exploration Reflecting on MeerKAT's remarkable capabilities and its collaborative observations with the EVN, SARAO Managing Director Pontsho Maruping said the telescope has been highly successful in its mission to explore the radio sky with unprecedented detail, capturing images of some of the universe's largest-scale structures. 'At the same time, we strongly emphasise collaborating with other instruments as we continue to develop MeerKAT's scientific capabilities before its eventual integration into the SKA-Mid telescope'. 'Great achievement' Jive Council Chair Jessica Dempsey applauded the 'great' achievement by the SARAO team. 'This collaboration not only showcases the power of international partnerships in radio astronomy but also paves the way for transformative scientific discoveries through cutting-edge technological innovation.' The achievement is not just a technological milestone; it is also a powerful example of global scientific unity, with South Africa proudly at the forefront of the world's expanding window on the universe. ALSO READ: SA takes giant leap with Prime telescope to enhance exoplanet discovery [VIDEO]
Business Mayor
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Mayor
Research heavyweights join Nzimande's working group
Professor Blade Nzimande, minister of science, technology and innovation. A 12-person working group will determine the implications of the US withdrawal of funding for key public research and innovation projects in South Africa. Professor Blade Nzimande, minister of science, technology and innovation, appointed the team this week. The move follows US president Donald Trump's decision to halt US funding to SA, amid allegations of a 'white genocide' and that Afrikaner farmers are being deliberately targeted and killed. In February, all US state departments were ordered to suspend aid to SA. The North American nation reportedly allocated nearly $440 million (R7.8 billion) in assistance to SA in 2023. In a statement, the department says the working group on science, technology and innovation (STI) funding will also analyse the current geopolitical risks related to STI and how SA should position itself to deal with the current situation. Additionally, it will propose policy and strategic responses to enhance the long-term security and sustainability of the STI system and the role of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. 'The working group is expected to provide the minister with its first draft report within four weeks after assumption of the task, and the final report to the minister is expected on 30 June,' it says. The working group comprises: Dr Derrick Swartz: Nelson Mandela University – working group chairperson. Professor Ari Sitas, acting director of the Institute of African Alternatives in Cape Town. Professor Sarah Mosoetsa, CEO of the Human Sciences Research Council. Dr Mlungisi Cele, CEO of the National Advisory Council on Innovation, Professor Francis Petersen, chair of Universities South Africa. Professor Thokozani Majozi, president and chair: Academy of Science of South Africa. Professor Sibusiso Moyo, deputy vice-chancellor for research at Stellenbosch University. Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, CEO, South African Medical Research Council. Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO, National Research Foundation Professor Sibongile Muthwa, vice-chancellor of Nelson Mandela University SA. Professor Xolisa Mtose, vice-chancellor of the University of Zululand. Dr Thulani Dlamini, CEO of the Council for Industrial and Scientific Research.
