Latest news with #Cabinet-approved
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Call to extend driver's license validity
South Africans have complained about the slow pace at which driver's license cards are being issued. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) executive director advocate Stefanie Fick has written to Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy to consider extending the validity for all licence cards to 10 years and waive fines and temporary licences for those whose new licence cards are stuck in the backlog. This comes after the Department of Transport reported a backlog of 690 000 driving licence cards, arising from the breakdown earlier this year of the sole card-printing machine. Outa CEO Wayne Duvenhage said after months of delay, the department had finally filed papers in the High Court in Pretoria aimed at overturning the R898 million contracts awarded to Idemia South Africa to supply a new driving licence card machine. Duvenhage said the auditor-general took their concerns seriously: 'We commend Minister Creecy for acting on them. This is how civil society, oversight institutions and public representatives should work together to tackle maladministration.' He added: 'In early September last year, Outa exposed procurement irregularities in this contract and submitted a detailed report to Creecy, who passed it on to the auditor-general of South Africa and asked for further investigation. That request was accompanied by Outa's detailed report outlining allegations of procurement irregularities.' ALSO READ: 'Self-destructing' number plates for Gauteng? Here's what to know Duvenhage said the court papers outline multiple flaws in the contract, including a nearly R400 million cost escalation, from the original Cabinet-approved budget of R486.385 million to the signed contract of R898.597 million. Also contributing was the use of outdated pricing, omission of printing material costs, evaluation errors in scoring, machine assessments and bidder non-compliance and weak documentation. AfriForum also wanted Creecy's to issue temporary licences free of charge to motorists who renew their licences on time, amid the backlog in the issuing of driving licence cards. Spokesperson Louis Boshoff said the department had ignored workable solutions, such as extending the validity period of licence cards. – [email protected] NOW READ: RAF CEO placed on special leave with full pay, as MPs grill fund
Arabian Post
11-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
UAE Hits Milestone with EU Delisting From High‑Risk Financial Watchlist
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai European Parliament approved the removal of the United Arab Emirates from its 'high-risk third countries' list for money laundering and terrorist financing, a decision aligned with its earlier removal by the Financial Action Task Force in February 2024 and marking a pivotal regulatory victory. This shift reduces the compliance burden on trade and financial flows, enhancing Abu Dhabi's ambitions to deepen ties with Brussels and attract global investors. Parliament's vote endorsed the European Commission's update to the list, which also saw the UAE's delisting alongside jurisdictions like Gibraltar, Barbados and Panama, while new entries such as Monaco and Kenya were added. The move followed intense technical dialogue between Emirati authorities and EU institutions, satisfying the bloc's concerns with enhanced cooperation on financial intelligence sharing and asset recovery. ADVERTISEMENT Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, the Minister of State for Financial Affairs, described the decision as a 'strategic milestone' that underscores global recognition of the UAE's robust framework. He emphasised that this represents a shift toward positioning the UAE as a transparent, resilient and globally trusted financial centre – a foundation for attracting sustained investment. These reforms follow a sweeping crackdown on non-compliance, with over AED 339 million in fines levied by the Central Bank on exchange houses, banks and insurers. The fines were part of a wider national strategy enacted under Federal Decree‑Law 20/2018 and its amendments, stretching regulatory oversight to real estate, precious metals, auditing and digital asset sectors. Hamid Saif Al Zaabi, Secretary‑General of the National Anti‑Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Committee, told WAM that the EU's removal affirms successful system‑wide integration across public and private sectors. He described the outcome as the result of a sustained national strategy dating back to 2014, supported by Cabinet-approved action plans and ongoing capacity‑building initiatives. Despite commendations for its progress, Transparency International cautioned that delisting should not be interpreted as full clearance. The organisation noted persistent challenges in real estate safeguards and oversight of politically exposed persons, calling for ongoing vigilance and structured dialogue. Financial experts note that removal from the EU's list could yield significant economic dividends. The International Monetary Fund estimates capital inflows may surge by as much as 7.6 per cent of GDP, with foreign direct investment potentially rising by around 3 per cent. Gulf region analysts view delisting as unlocking smoother trade with Europe across sectors such as renewable energy, fintech and digital infrastructure. Diplomatic messaging framed the delisting as a mutual strategic victory. UAE Minister Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh called it 'independent recognition' of Abu Dhabi's dedication to high international standards. EU Ambassador to the UAE Lucie Berger described it as deepening trust and advancing a shared commitment to economic safeguard and global security. Simultaneously, EU trade officials suggested that the move removes political and regulatory barriers ahead of ongoing free trade agreement negotiations with the UAE. While the FATF had cleared the UAE in early 2024, the EU's delayed action mirrored its own rigorous oversight cycle. In March 2023, the EU flagged the UAE for strategic deficiencies before launching a renewed process that incorporated enhanced inter-agency cooperation and legal reform. Next on the UAE's reform agenda is ensuring resilience in emerging risk domains such as cryptocurrency laundering and cross-border terror financing. Analysts emphasise that maintaining international trust will require sustained enforcement, legislative updates scheduled for later this year and deeper public–private collaboration.
Daily Maverick
05-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Private sector signals big appetite for transforming SA's logistics landscape
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy's quest to revitalise South Africa's ailing logistics sector through private sector participation has gained significant traction, with the request for information generating substantial industry interest and setting the stage for major reforms. The Department of Transport's request for information (RFI), which closed on 30 May after an extension due to 'overwhelming interest', received 162 formal responses across three critical freight corridors. The RFI portal alone registered 11,600 visits, signalling a big private sector appetite for participation in South Africa's struggling rail and port infrastructure. Judging by the response breakdown, there's strong interest across all key economic corridors: 51 responses for the iron ore and manganese corridor stretching from the Northern Cape to Saldanha and Nelson Mandela Bay, 48 responses for the coal and chrome corridor linking Limpopo and Mpumalanga to Richards Bay, and 63 responses for the container and automotive intermodal corridor connecting Gauteng to Durban, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. Creecy, who launched the RFI in March, has been clear about the government's intentions: attract private investment and expertise to bring South Africa's logistics infrastructure to world-class standards while maintaining public ownership of strategic assets. Public ownership with private custodians 'Strategic infrastructure such as rail lines and ports will remain in public ownership, as assets belonging to South African people,' she said, establishing this principle as foundational to the reform process. The minister's approach acknowledges the reality facing state-owned logistics giant Transnet — limited state resources and massive infrastructure backlogs have severely hampered the entity's ability to fulfil its mandate. The solution, according to Creecy's vision, lies in leveraging private capital and expertise while preserving state control over core infrastructure assets. Five pillars of reform The private sector participation process will be guided by five key principles that reflect broader national objectives. Reforming Transnet in accordance with the Cabinet-approved roadmap for freight logistics. This includes the unbundling of Transnet, separating the infrastructure manager from operations, to introduce open access to the freight rail network. Ensuring a just transition with maximum job retention. This highlights the department's commitment to mitigating potential negative impacts on employment during the reform process. Safeguarding state ownership of immovable assets. As mentioned, rail lines and ports will remain in public ownership. Promoting localisation and industrialisation. This aims to develop economic benefits and growth through the private sector participation projects. Supporting Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment and gender equality. This underscores the commitment to inclusive economic development and transformation within the sector. Under Creecy's leadership, the department has moved swiftly to realise this vision, establishing an interim Private Sector Participation Unit and finalising an agreement with the Development Bank of Southern Africa to host a permanent unit for managing the process. Timeline for transformation The RFI was, of course, just the opening phase gambit of reform. Requests for proposals (RFPs) for freight rail and port projects are expected by August, with the minister projecting 18 to 24 months to reach financial close on these RFPs. The endgame reform agenda is about more than freight logistics. A second RFI batch focusing on passenger rail initiatives will be released in July, covering operational areas including signalling, depots, rolling stock and high-speed rail corridors. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) is expected to issue RFPs in October. Creecy has also outlined immediate intervention measures. Independent technical assessments have been completed for the export coal rail network and iron ore corridor, with various funding sources available for immediate rehabilitation efforts, including Transnet's current budget, the National Treasury's budget facility for infrastructure, and private investment through existing customer agreements. A great privatisation? New regulations now allow collaborations between Transnet and private sector operators for short-term interventions to repair and upgrade infrastructure, a convenient bridge while longer-term private sector participation arrangements are finalised. The strong response to the RFI shows significant private sector confidence in South Africa's logistics potential, despite years of operational challenges at Transnet that have constrained economic growth. With all submitted information being treated with strict confidentiality and used exclusively to inform PSP project development, the stage appears set for a fundamental transformation of SA's logistics landscape. DM
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Police Minister defends SAPS VIP protection
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu says the SAPS is doing well in providing security services to designated VIPs. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has expressed confidence in the police's VIP protection services unit's performance, saying it was doing its job very well. Responding to a question in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, Mchunu said SAPS has not received any complaints from the high-profile political figures who are protected by the VIP protection services unit. 'If you take any threat or any incident targeting VIPs or anyone provided with security, we have not received any complaint that the services rendered to them were inadequate. We are satisfied that SAPS are doing their job. 'They are doing well in that aspect of providing VIP services to designated VIPs. I am satisfied, but indicate it is trickling to us that the demand that is being made on SAPS on this matter needs to always be under control by the national commissioner and all of us so that we don't find ourselves in a problem in this regard,' said Mchunu. Asked about the recent attack on the convoy of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, the minister said national commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed that the incident had allegedly happened as reported in the media and that the matter was under investigation. 'The national commissioner will, at the right time, make good of that statement. We are encouraging him to finalise that report and make it public,' he said about the investigation into the shooting at Mashatile's convoy. Mashatile's convoy was shot at when he was returning from an ANC national executive committee meeting last month. Asked about the steps he was taking to ensure that incidents involving the alleged hit on Mashatile's convoy are not used to justify further escalation of costs of the VIP protection at public expense, Mchunu said the protection of VIPs was regulated by a Cabinet-approved policy and risk management system protection package. 'The policy specifies that the provision of VIP is based on risk determination. Threat assessment will determine security measures for VIPs,' he said. On whether an incident could lead to an automatic increase in security for a VIP, Mchunu said: 'We are saying let's assess first and a decision gets taken accordingly.' He asked that there be a separation of matters when he was probed on whether he could justify the millions spent on VIP 'security bullies' who fail in their jobs while ordinary South Africans wait for months for DNA results. 'As much as one family can be seen to be wasting food and even throwing it away, when the next door is having problems. I do want to separate things, security-related, and the need for money to do other things.' Before taking any action to provide protection for VIPs, Mchunu insisted that an evaluation be conducted and that the measures to be implemented be carefully considered in light of the security risk assessment. 'We need to focus on what we are indicating as criteria for any security, including increase or decrease,' he said. Asked if there was success in disciplining VIP protection members who were found to be on the wrong side of the law in the last five years, the minister said he was not in a position to tabulate the list of successes but can confirm whenever there was an allegation of misconduct, action was taken against affected members. 'These do happen from time to time. The measures taken against members are in accordance with the regulation and follow procedures that are prescribed,' Mchunu said. Cape Times
Hi Dubai
02-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE's Public Debt Policy Boosts Investor Confidence, Separate from Budget Financing: Ministry of Finance
The UAE's public debt strategy is aimed at strengthening investor confidence and fostering financial market development—not funding government spending—according to Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance. Speaking at the second annual Financial Media Forum in Dubai, Al Khoori emphasised that recent bond issuances, including dollar- and dirham-denominated instruments, are not linked to budget financing. Instead, he said, they are part of a broader plan to build a robust Dirham-denominated yield curve and support the country's long-term financial infrastructure. 'The proceeds from these issuances are strategically invested in financial assets that match the bonds' profiles,' Al Khoori noted, adding that this approach ensures fiscal stability and policy sustainability. He confirmed that none of the funds raised have been used to support the general budget. Al Khoori also addressed concerns over fluctuating global oil prices, calling the recent volatility temporary. He noted that prices have since returned to early-year levels and reiterated the UAE's readiness to manage such challenges through prudent financial reserve allocations. This proactive fiscal management, he said, has enabled the country to maintain a balanced budget and post consistent surpluses in recent periods. Regarding future bond activity, Al Khoori confirmed that all Cabinet-approved dollar-denominated bond issuances have been executed, with any new offerings to be announced following the required legislative processes. News Source: Emirates News Agency
