Latest news with #PortfolioCommittee
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Dear Mr President, it is time to fire Minister Nkabane with immediate effect
The past weeks have revealed a series of lies to Parliament by Minister Nobuhle Nkabane. Dear Mr. President, The past weeks have revealed a series of lies to Parliament by Minister Nobuhle Nkabane. She has used a strategy of lying to Parliament to try and cover up her tracks, after she made a brazen ANC cadre deployment appointment to the boards of the Sectoral Education and Training Authorities. South Africans were rightfully outraged about this. Once exposed, and once public pressure mounted, Minister Nkabane made an effective admission to her infringements by withdrawing the appointments. Her ANC cadre deployment had been exposed, roundly criticised, and she had to admit defeat. What followed was a series of lies. Her first lie to Parliament, to underplay her involvement, was that an 'independent panel' had chosen the successful ANC cadres, deflecting attention from her. But the vague and evasive explanation demanded details, names and identities. Minister Nkabane was put on notice to come clean to Parliament and declare to the Portfolio Committee about who sat on this 'independent panel', and in her reply, Minister Nkabane once again lied. For a second time, she lied to Parliament. Minister Nkabane abused the name of a senior legal expert, Advocate Terry Motau, claiming that he chaired her 'independent panel.' Adv. Motau exposed that Minister Nkabane was not telling the truth, and since then, Nkabane has publicly declared that she was wrong about Motau. The other panel members were absolutely not 'independent' either - some are on the payroll of her Department, and two are even political appointments, including a Chief of Staff, in the office of the ANC Minister. And worse, Minister Nkabane continues to hide the name of one member of the panel - what she has to hide with this one name is now of the highest suspicion. Mr. President, you have a lying Minister in your Cabinet, who has been caught red-handed. It is time for you to Fire Minister Nobuhle Nkabane with immediate effect, and to replace her with a Minister committed to making Higher Education work, not committed to making work for ANC insiders. Yours in public service, Karabo Khakhau, MP
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Employment and Labour Committee Welcomes Presentations on 2025-2030 Strategic and 2025/26 Annual Performance Plans of the Compensation Fund and Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)
The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour has welcomed presentations on the 2025-2030 strategic plans, 2025/26 annual performance plans and budget estimates of the Compensation Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The Compensation Fund and UIF are entities of the Department of Employment and Labour. The committee encouraged them to work in a coordinated manner together with sister entities within the portfolio, such as the Supported Employment Enterprises. The committee believes that there is a minimal impact when the department and its entities work in silos on skills training and programmes to empower people living with disabilities. The committee has directed the UIF to put measures in place to monitor and evaluate the impact made through its Labour Activation Programme. This programme is the department's initiative to minimise unemployment and stimulate job creation through skills development and financial assistance to employers and employees through the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS); it is implemented through the UIF. The committee has encouraged the Compensation Fund and UIF to strengthen their ICT infrastructure to improve the turnaround time on benefit payments and minimise queues at service centres. Having been briefed on the 2025-2030 strategic plans, 2025/26 annual performance plans and the medium-term expenditure framework of the department and its entities, the committee will now meet on Friday, 27 June 2025, to consider its 2025 budget vote report. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: Committee Urges South African Police Service (SAPS) to Prioritise Training to Ensure that all Stations Respond Adequately in Missing Children Cases
The Portfolio Committee on Police has reiterated its concern that some South African police stations continue to ignore the National Commissioner's directive that police must respond immediately in cases of missing persons. The committee held a follow-up meeting with the SAPS and Women Empowerment Platform on violence against children regarding the matter of Jayden Lee Meek and other missing children. 'What came out of all the cases of missing children is the lethargy that the SAPS at police stations have generally responded when the case is reported. If the SAPS adhered to the directive that there is no waiting time to respond, many of these children could have been found alive,' said Mr Ian Cameron. The committee reiterated that no 24- or 48-hour rule precludes members of the public from opening a missing person's report. A missing person report must be opened and investigated immediately. An insistence to prevent the opening of a missing person report is irresponsible and runs counter to the directive issued by the National Commissioner of the SAPS. 'The committee has also emphasised that in a case where an officer refuses to open a case they can be reported. The committee also emphasised the communication shortcomings from the SAPS in keeping families updated on the progress of the case. According to the committee, continuous updates are necessary to assure communities and families that the SAPS is continuously investigating and that justice will be attained. It is important that SAPS also follow every lead to ensure justice. It is unacceptable that some cases are closed as undetected. For example, the case of Mia Botha has been ongoing for over 1 000 days, and there has not been tangible progress. The importance of the police K9 unit was also highlighted as an intervention that could have assisted the search in the Jayden Lee Meek and other similar cases. It remains unacceptable that the K9 unit in the SAPS remains severely underfunded and under-resourced. 'The continued disregard of this critical capability in the SAPS is illogical and undermines the police's ability to undertake effective search and rescue missions, 'Mr Cameron emphasised. Despite these concerns, the committee welcomed the active participation of civil society, such as the Women Empowerment Platform on violence against children. The contributions by civil society in finding solutions to the high crime rate must be encouraged. 'We reiterate the call that combating crime requires a whole-of-society approach if it is to be successful. The SAPS alone cannot effectively fight crime,' Mr Cameron said. Meanwhile, the Chairperson reiterated the committee's apologies for the miscommunication that resulted in erroneous reporting following the meeting held on 11 June 2025. The committee emphasised that there was no clarity that the meeting will be virtual and that representatives of the Women Empowerment Platform had planned to travel to Parliament and to hand over a memorandum. The committee reiterate its agreement with the Women Empowerment Platform that cases of violence against children must be investigated to ensure justice. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Grant recipients face frustrating challenges with SASSA's in-person verification process
Portfolio Committee chairperson Bridget Masango said social grant recipients, especially in rural areas, are facing significant challenges due to SASSA's new in-person verification process. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The in-person verification process that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has implemented is frustrating social grant recipients, particularly those in rural areas. This is according to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango who said the stringent new conditions imposed by National Treasury on SASSA's 2025/26 budget were having severe consequences for millions of vulnerable South Africans. 'Today, we address an issue that affects nearly half of our population,' said Masango, referring to conditions that include biometric authentication for flagged beneficiaries, cross-verification with SARS and other state databases, and quarterly reporting of suspended or cancelled grants. 'Treasury argues these steps are essential to combat fraud and ensure value for money, and failure to comply by SASSA may result in grant funding being withheld, a deeply concerning possibility for millions who rely on this support,' she said. Masango said while the committee supports fraud prevention, the current approach is causing 'delays, confusion, and deep distress among beneficiaries.' 'The requirement for in-person verification is disproportionately disadvantaging rural communities and elderly caregivers who simply cannot afford to travel. Transport costs can reach up to R150 or more per trip, an unaffordable amount for some beneficiaries,' she added. 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. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ Masango said the committee has been 'flooded with WhatsApp messages, SMSs, calls and emails from desperate individuals and organisations that represent communities, who are unable to verify themselves. People are being excluded from the system and all of this, as far as we can see, is in the name of saving money.' Although SASSA defended the verification process as necessary to prevent fraud and ensure accurate targeting, Masango cautioned that 'it cannot happen without balancing accessibility with fairness.' To improve oversight, she said: 'SASSA will now submit quarterly reports directly to the committee, in addition to National Treasury.' She welcomed the R1.6 billion increase in grant funding for above-inflation increases and noted efforts to combat fraud, including biometric rollouts, self-service kiosks, and digital upgrades. However, she stressed: 'No cost-saving measure should come at the expense of basic dignity or leave the poor out in the cold.' Masango also raised concerns about the growing substance abuse crisis, particularly the underfunding of the Central Drug Authority (CDA). 'How can the CDA fight a national war with no weapons? No money, no independence, no enforcement authority and still be expected to lead the charge?' Calling the CDA 'unfit for purpose,' Masango urged the Department of Social Development to amend the Substance Abuse Act. 'Substance abuse must now be treated with the same urgency as gender-based violence, as both are destroying lives, families, and the nation's social fabric,' she said. THE MERCURY
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
KZN premier summoned to appear before portfolio committee
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli has been summoned to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Office of the Premier, Community Safety and Liaison to give clarity on allegations that the youth manager in his office threatened to physically harm the former director general, Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize. Portfolio Committee chair Mbali Frazer alleges that Mkhize's crime was to refuse to sign off an appointment letter related to the R100-million Youth Fund. ALSO READ: Embattled KZN director-general resigns 'We believe it will be an abdication of our responsibility not to allow the premier of the province to address these serious allegations in an appropriate platform,' said Frazer. 'We have written a letter to him requesting him to appear before the committee. As the committee responsible for playing an oversight role over the executive, we believe such allegations warrant our attention. 'The Office of the Premier has a critical role to play in terms of the co-ordination of the work of provincial government departments on service delivery. The destabilisation of the Office of the Premier in any form, including threats to physically harm a senior female civil servant, should be viewed in a serious light by all leaders of society across all political affiliations,' she said. The ANC Youth League strongly condemns the actions of Premier Thami Ntuli for allegedly shielding perpetrators of violence, particularly gender-based violence (GBV), within his administration. ANCYL KZN Provincial Secretary Lulama Mabude said they are appalled by these allegations. 'We fully support the Youth Fund initiative established by the former ANC premier, Numusa Dube-Ncube, to empower young people to thrive in business and contribute meaningfully to the economy. 'However, we categorically reject the misuse of these funds to benefit non-compliant applicants or those selected based on political affiliation. 'We demand an immediate halt to this process and call for a transparent, merit-based review to ensure funds serve their intended purpose of uplifting KZN's youth,' said Mabude. She added that the youth manager in question is alleged to have pressured Mkhize to approve these funds to benefit his political allies and associates, undermining the integrity of the Youth Fund. 'We will not tolerate government officials perpetuating GBV and escaping accountability. 'South African women and youth live in constant fear due to harassment and abuse, and the premier's office has failed to address these serious allegations,' said Mabude. Attempts to obtain comment from the Office of the Premier were unsuccessful at the time of going to print. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
