Latest news with #KhumbudzoNtshaveni
Eyewitness News
17-06-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Women on Farms Project welcomes ban on terbufos
Thandoluhle Ngcobo 17 June 2025 | 16:52 Terbufos Khumbudzo Ntshavheni Black granules purchased in Tembisa that were sent for testing came back positive for terbufos. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News JOHANNESBURG - The Women on Farms Project says Cabinet's decision to ban terbufos is a victory that will transform farming practices, prioritising lives over profit. Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshaveni made the announcement last week during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Parliament. Terbufos made headlines last year after it was linked to the passing of six children from Naledi in Soweto. The children died after consuming snacks bought from spaza shops. EXPLAINER: What you need to know about terbufos Women on Farms Project has welcomed the announcement to ban the hazardous pesticide, terbufos. Addressing the media after a post-Cabinet briefing last week, Ntshaveno said, 'Cabinet has approved the ban of import of terbufos in South Africa.' The highly hazardous organophosphate insecticide is primarily used in agriculture to control insects and nematodes in the soil. However, due to its toxicity, it's also a major cause of pesticide poisoning, especially in informal markets where it's sold as a "street pesticide" without proper labelling or warnings. While the announcement has been well received, Women on Farms says the struggle continues as there are still many other similar hazardous agrochemicals that must be banned. Spokesperson Kara Mackay explained, 'We endorse the South African Human Rights Commission's proposal to establish a multi-sectoral task team with a six-month mandate to identify viable, effective alternatives to terbufos and other highly hazardous pesticides.' Mackay added that she hopes the announcement offers some solace to the families of the deceased children.
Eyewitness News
30-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Cabinet approves bill aimed at regulating movement and employment of foreign nationals
CAPE TOWN - Cabinet has approved the introduction of a new bill that seeks to limit the number of foreign nationals that can be employed in the country. At the same time, it also approved the National Labour Migration Policy White Paper, which introduces quotas on the total number of documented foreign nationals that can be employed in major sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, tourism, and construction. Providing an update on Cabinet decisions at parliament on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshaveni said the policy is aimed at achieving balance across the sectors, including addressing South Africans' expectations for job prospects amid rising unemployment. "The policy complements other interventions such as the enforcement of a list of sectors where foreign nationals cannot be allocated business visas and amendments to the National Small Enterprise Act, 1996, which limits foreign nationals establishing Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, and trading in some sectors of the economy." ALSO READ:- DA argues that employment targets set by labour minister could lead to employers firing employees who don't meet quotas Cabinet has also given the thumbs up to the tabling of the Employment Services Amendment Bill in Parliament, which provides a policy framework and the legal basis to regulate the employment of foreign nationals in business. It will also tighten the screws on labour brokers to prevent exploitation through the employment of undocumented foreign nationals. According to the bill, the employment minister will have the power to set quotas for the employment of foreign nationals. "Cabinet directed the Minister of Employment and Labour to speedily finalise the mapping, through consultations, of what constitutes scarce and critical skills in order to develop a domestic skills base to improve absorption of more unemployed South Africans."
