Latest news with #PublicFinanceManagementAct
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Acsa ramps up security after hand grenades bypass OR Tambo screening
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) says it is taking decisive action after a serious security breach at OR Tambo International Airport that saw two training hand grenades bypass security screening and arrive in Ethiopia. The incident came to light after Ethiopian Airlines discovered the devices during baggage screening at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. The passenger had departed from OR Tambo, raising red flags about security lapses at South Africa's busiest airport. 'Acsa was formally notified of the incident by Ethiopian Airlines, in line with international aviation protocols, after the items were detected during reverse baggage screening upon arrival,' said Acsa in a statement on Thursday. 'In accordance with national regulatory procedures, Acsa subsequently reported the matter to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).' The grenades had made it through the hold baggage screening (HBS) area, which Acsa says is operated by Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS), a third-party entity controlled by airline associations. 'ACS claims that the responsibility for HBS rests with the airlines. Acsa's position, which is also shared by SACAA, is that Acsa, as the licensed aerodrome operator, is responsible for conducting HBS services on behalf of the state,' Acsa said. Acsa says it has terminated ACS's services, citing legal and contractual irregularities. 'ACS has no legal basis or contract to carry out HBS services. Moreover, ACS is operating contrary to public procurement legislation.' Acsa said the matter has been reported to the Hawks, the Special Investigating Unit and the auditor-general. It said ACS had accepted responsibility for the breach and taken disciplinary action against the employee involved. Acsa also revealed that ACS has been operating without a formal contract since it took over HBS services in 1998 under what Acsa termed 'questionable circumstances'. 'ACS operates on an evergreen basis with no contract and is not an entity recognised in any civil aviation legislation. Its operations are contrary to the constitution, the Public Finance Management Act, National Key Points Act, the ACSA Act, and the Civil Aviation Act and regulations,' said the airport operator. Despite Acsa's efforts to take over the HBS service directly and issue a tender for equipment, ACS obtained a court interdict blocking the move pending a judicial review of Acsa's decision. Acsa has since been granted leave to appeal but a date for the hearing is yet to be determined. In the meantime, Acsa says it has ramped up security measures in partnership with various state and law enforcement agencies, including the State Security Agency. police crime intelligence, Border Management Agency and Ekurhuleni Metro Police. 'These include increased surveillance across critical zones, joint planning and oversight forums and ongoing training to mitigate the risk of recurrence,' the company said. 'Acsa reiterates its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all passengers and airport users. We continue to work closely with all relevant airlines and authorities to resolve operational risks and safeguard the integrity of South Africa's national aviation infrastructure,' they said.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka denies involvement in NSNP tender irregularities
KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka says complaints about the NSNP tender are being handled by relevant authorities and that the law will take its course if any wrongdoing is found. Image: Supplied KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has addressed the allegations surrounding irregularities in the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) tender process, amid calls for his resignation by the MK party and concerns by the Democratic Alliance in the province. This follows allegations from the NSNP that the R2.9-billion tender process was manipulated for political gain. In an interview with Newzroom Africa, Hlomuka acknowledged receiving complaints from various parties but emphasised that the accounting officer and relevant authorities are handling the procurement processes. 'We're receiving several complaints from various service providers, stakeholders, and other political parties. However, as an MEC in the Department of Education, having received those complaints, I also engaged the MEC for Finance in the province to look into the matter,' Hlomuka said. He added, 'If there are people who are fingered in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), I think the law will take its course.' Addressing direct allegations that he registered a company involved in SNP tenders, Hlomuka clarified, "In 2015, I opened the company and I've been participating in several government and private services, but currently I don't own any company." He denied any current involvement, saying, "I am no longer part of the company. Hence, I'm not aware of its activities. If it has received any tenders, that information will come out in the investigation,'' he said. He denied any current involvement with the tender and stated he had not received any official report linking him to irregularities. When asked about calls for his resignation by the MK party by July 26, Hlomuka said, 'I was appointed by the premier of KwaZulu-Natal. If there's a need to resign for whatever reason, we'll wait for that advice from the premier who appointed me.' Hlomuka highlighted that as MEC, he does not manage the tender processes directly and that any complaints must follow official channels. 'We are told that the process is at the appeal stage, and those who feel unfairly treated must lodge their appeals. The MEC for finance has already indicated he is waiting for those appeals.' He urged patience as investigations continue, saying, 'Let's wait for the process, the investigation will tell us if that company has been awarded before or not.' In response to the allegations surrounding the NSNP tender process and related issues, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal expressed concern about the widespread accusations circulating on social media platforms against its members. ANC KZN spokesperson Fanle Sibisi said, 'The ANC has noted with concern the widespread allegations of wrongdoing circulating on various social media platforms, levelled against its deployees.' Regarding the specific allegations of corruption against Hlomuka and Thanduxolo Sabelo, Sibisi said, 'We understand that this process is at an appeal stage where those who have made bids and seek to appeal must forward their appeals to the Treasury Department. The ANC has full confidence that the provincial government has adequate capacity to handle appeals in a just and transparent manner.' He urged patience and trust in due process: 'We call on the concerned role-players and the general public to allow this process to run its course.' On allegations involving Councillor Lungile Mthembu of Mandeni Local Municipality alleged to have solicited a bribe, Sibisi confirmed, 'The ANC has instructed the leadership of the General Gizenga Region to institute an investigation into this allegation and to bring a report to the provincial office of the ANC for further processing.' 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 ✕ However, Sibisi cautioned against what he described as a broader campaign to undermine the ANC's integrity. 'There seems to be a concerted campaign to impugn the integrity of the ANC and its leaders. This campaign, advanced by faceless individuals, not only defames these comrades but has the potential to cause instability.' He highlighted previous examples, stating, 'The case of the non-renewal of Ms Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's contract is a practical example of how the names of both the concerned ANC leader and the ANC itself can be dragged through the mud based on baseless allegations.' 'The ANC firmly opposes any acts of criminality, especially when they involve public finances. However, we believe that the threshold for damaging someone's character through public allegations is unacceptably low. We must all recognise our responsibility to uphold the principles of our Constitution, which includes respecting individuals' rights to dignity, said ANC KZN Coordinator, Michael Mabuyakhulu. 'The ANC remains steadfast in its mission to build a better South Africa where all people, regardless of background or affiliation, are treated with dignity. We urge members of the media, the public, and social commentators to act responsibly, verify facts, and resist being drawn into campaigns that seek to sow confusion and division,'' said Sibisi. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Administrative, governance crisis could be averted when NA votes on Appropriation Bill: Analyst
DURBAN - Some political analysts believe an administrative and governance crisis could be averted on Wednesday when the National Assembly votes on the Appropriation Bill. The House sitting comes amid political infighting in the Government of National Unity (GNU), with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and African National Congress (ANC) still not on the same page on some issues not related to fiscal policy. ALSO READ: - Budget 2025: MK Party says it won't support Appropriation Bill - Budget 2025 expected to be settled when Parly sits to vote for Appropriation Bill The DA previously threatened to withhold crucial votes for the departments headed by ministers implicated in corruption, including Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane and Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane. Every department's vote must be passed for the bill to pass. Political scientist and lecturer in the Department of Political Studies at Walter Sisulu University, Mbasa Mvenene, said the DA will have to pick the lesser of two evils. 'If they decide to stick to their guns, they'll be accused of putting political optics over public interest. If they decide to prioritise public interests, then they'll be in hot water with their supporters.' Mvenene said the budget process, since the initial budget speech earlier in 2025, has exposed just how fragile the GNU really is. 'The relationship between the DA and the ANC is one that is toxic and one that is transactional. It now seems like they [the DA] are being treated more like a side chick than a partner in a marriage.' Although the worst-case scenario seems less likely now, if the National Assembly doesn't agree, the Public Finance Management Act allows the government to continue spending up to 45% of the previous year's budget to keep services running, but only for the first four months of the financial year. However, no new programmes or changes to allocations can be made until the new budget is approved.
TimesLIVE
21-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
We're not responsible for SANDF budget cuts: National Treasury
The National Treasury says it is not responsible for any budget challenges experienced by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The Treasury said it was concerned by remarks made by the head of the navy, Adm Monde Lobese, who accused it of compromising national security by not providing the defence force with resources. Lobese made the comments during a joint standing committee on defence meeting in parliament on Friday. In response, the Treasury said in line with the constitution, withdrawing funds from the National Revenue Fund can only be done through an act of parliament. 'Final approval is by parliament and the National Treasury is then entrusted to ensure the implementation of parliament's decisions. It is therefore incorrect to suggest the National Treasury is responsible for budget challenges experienced by the SANDF,' it said. Lobese told the committee it needs to take a stand against what he called the 'sabotage' of the defence force due to years of defunding. 'National Treasury for a change needs to be patriotic in how they address the funding of the SANDF. National Treasury can't be allowed to be a super department,' he said. However, the Treasury said in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, the Treasury is responsible for managing the budget process and exercising control over the implementation of the national budget. According to the Treasury, the 2025/2026 proposed defence allocation of R57.2bn in the Appropriation Bill was informed by the government's broader fiscal strategy, which aimed to stabilise public finances, reduce debt service costs and create space to invest in critical infrastructure and frontline services in support of higher growth. 'In this constrained fiscal environment, the department of defence has been allocated an additional R4.3bn over the 2025 medium-term expenditure framework to support priority needs — most notably, the orderly and safe withdrawal of troops and mission equipment from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with other essential operational requirements.' TimesLIVE previously reported that defence and military veterans minister Angie Motshekga said better funding could have allowed the defence force to handle the repatriation of troops deployed to the eastern DRC as part of the Sadc Mission in the DRC, avoiding trauma and logistical chaos.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Private investigator unpacks politics with coffee, clowns and conspiracies
When Mbaks storms in with a secret mission, Falcon realises this job might need more than just Buffelsfontein and sarcasm. I hear the click-click of the sequinned high-heels on the parquet floor long before Gloria's ample prow heaves into view as she turns into my office. She is carrying my coffee, in a plain white mug with a DA logo on it. Am I a DA supporter? Hell no! They ask too many questions and demand too much in the way of results… but it's nice to see people's eyebrows shoot up when they spy the mug. If nothing else, it's a conversation starter – even with those people who would rather chew glass than utter the word 'DA'… My coffee is just the way I like it: strong, sweet and black. Like my women, I had told Gloria, shortly after I hired her… mainly to put her at ease that my taste doesn't run to big-bosomed meisies from the platteland. ALSO READ: Mkhwanazi plays by his own rules Gloria is not the sort of name you'd expect from a girl from the Free State, but she explained that Laura Branigan's song Gloria was playing in the maternity ward in the Bothaville hospital as she popped out, one bright morning in the 1980s… My name is Dick, by the way. Dick Falcon. My friends called me 'Maltese' after the book. I've never read it – books are for losers – but I am a private investigator. And, like all private investigators, I like a bit of the strong stuff. Nah – not bourbon… this is Sandton, not New Orleans, after all. I add a little slug of Buffelsfontein Brandewyn into the brew. I find it helps me cope with some of the clowns I deal with on a daily basis. Besides, I like being a rowwe bliksem (rough bugger) as they say in their ads. Talking about clowns, I hear a commotion in the hallway outside and then a man with a false orange beard, sunglasses and a blonde wig under a MAGA cap bursts into the office. ALSO READ: If it ain't broke, break it anyway Behind him, also in sunglasses and clearly packing heat, are the heavies in black suits. 'Morning, Mbaks!' I shout, 'How the hell are you?' He is taken aback: 'Wow! How do you know who I am? I am disguised.' 'I'm an investigator, after all, comrade, and I see things others don't.' I don't have the heart to tell him that the sirens, blue lights and 17 BMW X5s clogging the street below were a small hint. ALSO READ: DA threatens to exit GNU over Whitfield's firing 'We have a problem,' he says, coming straight to the point. 'That's what I'm here for,' I reply, thinking about the fat tender I had landed for investigative services for the ANC, paid for out of a secret state security slush fund. It had only cost me one Maserati and a small deposit on a house in Zimbali… but I was quite surprised that, after all these years, they still didn't know how to game the Public Finance Management Act. Clearly missing the Guptas… 'There are people plotting a coop,' he says. 'Must be stool pigeons,' I reply but the quip, like the birds, flies over his head. I look at him in the sunglasses: 'Why would anyone want to overthrow a glorious revolutionary movement?' ALSO READ: 'It's time to eat, comrades!': When the struggle becomes a buffet for the powerful Sarcasm is not Mbaks' strength, so he continues: 'We think Mkhwanazi is an agent of the imperialist powers…' He looks at me (I think, but I'm not sure): 'You must take care of him for us…' I think about the Smith and Wesson .38 revolver in my bottom desk drawer. Six slugs up against the KZN cop's trained special task force operators with their body armour and assault rifles? I don't think so. There is only one option: time to say so long and thanks for all the fish (from another book I've never read)… and a quick exit stage left to my villa in Mauritius. 'Anyone for a cup of coffee?' NOW READ: It's all a load of Blue Bull
