Latest news with #R1.5
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Health
- Eyewitness News
CoCT commits R1.5 billion to sewerage upgrades amid health concerns
CAPE TOWN - Several sewerage infrastructure upgrades are being planned throughout Cape Town amid ongoing concerns about flooding, sewer overflows and adequate sanitation. The City of Cape Town has allocated R1.5 billion of its R4.9 billion water and sanitation budget to upgrade Cape Town's ailing sewerage network. City Mayco member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien said he's excited about the sewerage upgrades being planned for Cape Town. READ: City of Cape Town urged to act fast on sewerage upgrades to prevent disease outbreaks "This means more pipes, more pipes replacements, it means more pump stations replacements, more proactive mechanisms put in place to make sure our network works as it should work." Associate Professor for Epidemiology at UCT Dvora Davey said the upgrades are overdue. "When we see a community where there's open faecal matter in the street, in the park, in people's homes, the sewerage system has failed and it's been failing now for the past decade." Davey said sewage-contaminated water can transmit a variety of diseases, and an urgent solution is needed to avoid a public health emergency.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
National Dialogue or national crisis? You choose
. Lorenzo Davids is the Executive Director of Urban Issues Consulting. Image: Supplied Let me begin again. We need a national dialogue. We need Helen Zille to be the DA leader inside the GNU. My comrade friends have castigated me for the latter. And about the former, I have heard media shows informing their listeners that South Africa doesn't need a national dialogue "because we know what people need." If there has ever been an insight into the psyche of untransformed power in South Africa, these two moments are it. Since the dawn of colonialism, those with power have always made it their business to make the misery of people the cost of doing business. In 2021, 'Unite 4 Mzanzi' and Stellenbosch University's Centre for Complex Systems in Transition estimated that South Africa lost about R1.5 trillion to corruption between 2014 and 2019. Others, such as Corruption Watch, report that we lost approximately R650 billion over the past 30 years since 1994. Imagine, for a moment, being black and born in 1960. You experienced the worst of Apartheid for 34 years. Then you experience the worst of the ANC government and its coalition partners for another 30 years. You are now 64. You still don't have an education, a house or any wealth for your future. You still live in a shack. At 64, you are still unemployed. But you are told you can't speak. You will be asked to vote for these destroyers of dreams till the day you die. Helen Zille is the most competent government administrator to get the public service to work. I don't agree with her on several policy issues. I have condemned her colonial statements. But I know that she has a mind that is focused on fixing things. The comrades find that hard to accept. They are content with poor people becoming the cost of them maintaining their political power and opulent benefits. The Police Minister announced on Friday that eighteen people were killed in Cape Town between June 22 and July 4. There was nothing in the news bulletins that conveyed crisis or concern. Because those in power and those behind microphones tell us they know what people need. The black voice has been silenced by those who believe they know what black youth need. Or what mothers with drug addicted sons need. I gave a hitchhiking grandmother a ride once from Swellendam to Barrydale. She was with her two grandchildren. We spoke politics. She told me, 'The politicians only want my vote, but not my voice.' The same mistake is being made by the politicians and media commentators today. The ANC fakes listening to people's voices. The DA has withdrawn from the national dialogue. The neuropathways of the brain that do these things tend to say 'these people just need more police. There, fixed it.' 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ As the votes become less, the voices will become louder. We either let the people talk now, or we will hear them scream at us amidst the flames that will burn our democracy to the ground. If eighteen people were violently killed in any city, its leaders would have reflected. Three people died in the Boston Marathon bombings. Six people died in the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing. Both events made world news for days. Eighteen people died violently in Cape Town over a few days, and already, the media has moved on. As politicians and media commentators, we often assume that we know what people need. But we make a grave error: We fail to value our opposition. We castigate them to eternal damnation, when perhaps in them is part of what we need to fix our future. We have hogged the microphone or column space for so long and fail to give others a chance to speak. Our blind spots are exposing our shallowness at a time when we need to make room for each other. Perhaps they have something we don't know we need. Cape Argus
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- The Citizen
Minister Meth hails arrests in R1.5m UIF fraud bust
Labour minister praises police after arrests in UIF fraud scheme involving fake companies and stolen identities. Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth. Picture: Department of Employment and Labour Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has welcomed the arrest of a Labour department manager and several others in a major Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraud takedown across the Free State and Gauteng. The authorities uncovered a syndicate using fake companies and stolen identities to defraud the fund. Police in the Free State launched a takedown operation on Thursday in Bloemfontein, Bethlehem and Gauteng, following a detailed Crime Intelligence probe into fraud and corruption at the Department of Labour. Syndicate to defraud UIF Free State police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said the starting point was at the Labour House in the Bloemfontein CBD, where one person of interest was arrested. Makhele said this comes following months of painstaking research into a complex fraud involving false claims for funds from the UIF. ALSO READ: Free State police close in on UIF fraud suspects 'It is alleged that the masterminds behind this operation recruited unsuspecting individuals and used their personal information to register fictitious companies, which in turn submitted false claims to the Department of Labour,' Makhele said. 'The fraudulently obtained funds would then be shared among the recruiter (or runner), in some cases even the person whose identity was used.' Estimated R1.5 million lost According to estimates, the department may have lost more than R1.5 million. Police arrested a 42-year-old office manager at Labour House in Bloemfontein, marking the key breakthrough in Thursday's operation. He is thought to have played a significant part in facilitating the illegal operation, which spanned the provinces of Gauteng and the Free State. The minister condemned the actions, saying the department was appalled by the betrayal of public trust by individuals who sought to enrich themselves through criminal conduct. ALSO READ: UIF boosts Ters budget to R2.4 billion to save jobs and businesses 'Such acts not only undermine our systems but also rob deserving South Africans of support during times of need,' Meth said. Makhele said the operation only marks the beginning. Arrests continued in various towns across the Free State and at identified locations in Gauteng. He said the operation is expected to result in the arrest of approximately 20 suspects. Internal investigations and disciplinary action The minister confirmed that the department is fully cooperating with the police and other law enforcement agencies. Meth said officials will launch internal investigations and disciplinary action against implicated employees. 'We commend Saps [South African Police Service] for its professionalism, and we will leave no stone unturned in dealing with fraud and corruption in the department, its funds and entities,' she said. ALSO READ: UIF commissioner Teboho Maruping challenges suspension amid disciplinary processes over R5bn Thuja deal 'The department is reviewing its internal controls and will intensify risk management, fraud prevention and system audit processes across all its operating environments.' Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, the Saps' Free State provincial commissioner, praised the team for their commitment and precise operation execution. Motswenyane said it's essential that those who take advantage of government systems for their own financial gain be held responsible for their conduct. Take advantage of government systems 'I applaud our investigators for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to justice. This case serves as a warning that crime does not pay and that we will continue to dismantle criminal networks wherever they exist,' said Motswenyane. The suspects are scheduled to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. Investigations are ongoing, and more arrests are imminent. ALSO READ: Call for intervention in 'horror show' at Compensation Fund and UIF 'Let this be a strong warning: unethical conduct will not be tolerated. We will ensure accountability and transparency in our operations. Crime will not go unpunished,' Meth said.
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- The Citizen
Free State police close in on UIF fraud suspects
Police anticipate arresting as many as 20 suspects in connection with fraudulent UIF payouts. Free State police on Thursday arrested a Bloemfontein Labour House office manager who is believed to be a key role player in facilitating an operation involving fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payments. The 42-year-old's arrest follows an intense investigation by Crime Intelligence into allegations of fraud and corruption within the Department of Labour. It forms part of a takedown operation executed in Bloemfontein, Bethlehem and in Gauteng. Intense multi-unit operation Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said members of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit acted on intelligence-driven information, supported by Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team, Public Order Police, and the Mounted Unit. 'The starting point was at the Labour House in the Bloemfontein CBD where the arrest of one of the first persons of interest took place,' Makhele said in a statement. 'A sophisticated scam' 'This comes after months of meticulous investigation into a sophisticated scam involving the fraudulent claims of [UIF] payments,' he added. Makhele said the masterminds behind criminal activity allegedly recruited unsuspecting individuals and used their personal information to register fictitious companies. These companies then allegedly submitted false claims to the Department of Labour. The fraudulently obtained funds were shared among the recruiters – or runners – and, in some cases, with the person whose identity was used in the company registration. ALSO READ: UIF commissioner Teboho Maruping challenges suspension amid disciplinary processes over R5bn Thuja deal 'As estimated, the department might have suffered a loss on more than R1.5 million,' Makhele shared. Ongoing operation in the Free State and Gauteng He said the takedown operation, which began early on Thursday morning, marks only the beginning as arrests continue in various towns across the Free State and at identified locations in Gauteng. Police expect to arrest 20 suspects through the operation. Once arrested, the suspects are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on 8 July 2025. Crime doesn't pay Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane said the case serves as a warning that crime does not pay. She said police will continue to dismantle criminal networks wherever they exist. 'It is high time that those who exploit government systems for personal enrichment are held accountable for their actions,' Motswenyane said. 'I applaud our investigators for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to justice.' NOW READ: UIF boosts Ters budget to R2.4 billion to save jobs and businesses
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town's 2025/2026 budget faces backlash from residents and civic groups
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis Image: Supplied Cape Town's newly adopted 2025/2026 'Invested in Hope' budget has been met with strong criticism from civic organisations and residents, who warn that the latest increases could disproportionately burden low- and middle-income households. Sandra Dickson, chairperson of STOP COCT, said the City had 'bluntly ignored' key objections raised during public participation. 'STOP COCT is deeply disappointed with the Mayor's flat refusal to address the homeowners' real concerns which is the rejection of the introduction of the Fixed Charges, the link to property values and the above inflation increases,' she said. 'If one look at the increase in total municipal accounts, it is only properties up to the R1.5 million mark that will receive increases resembling the current inflation rate. From R1.5 million properties upwards, the total increase is double inflation and above R3 million the increase is in double digits.' STOP COCT flagged the 7.96% increase in the rate-in-rand, along with multiple new fixed charges. 'This is exacerbated by the 38% increase in the fixed charge for electricity for the Home User category and the new fixed charge of R59.90 for the Domestic category. The new sanitation fixed charge and the new Cleaning Charge brings the total of new fixed charges on a municipal bill for a property of R1.5 million to almost R300 per month with no additional services provided by the City.' Despite submitting objections through their members, Dickson said residents were ignored. 'The general objection was against the 4 fixed charges and the link to property values. This is still intact in the approved Budget. Therefore the City bluntly ignored our objections.' She confirmed that STOP COCT, along with SA1STForum, is exploring legal action. 'SA1STForum and STOP COCT is currently busy with fundraising to pay for legal council to challenge aspects of this Budget in court. Afriforum indicated that they are looking to launch legal action as well.' Bas Zuidberg, interim chairperson of the Cape Town Civic and Ratepayers Association (CTCRA), said while the City appeared to make some concessions, they were largely cosmetic. 'While CTCRA was initially pleased that the City appeared to have listened to the thousands of comments and announced relief measures in their updated budget, our conclusion is that these measures do not address our fundamental points of dissent.' 'As CTCRA we are also of the opinion that every homeowner should pay for their utility connections out of principle, however small the contribution, since 'what is not paid for is not valued'. These three measures could have avoided the need to tie the fixed charges to property values, something which we reject as unfair, disproportionate, and potentially illegal.' He added, 'Commercial properties were exonerated from this cleaning charge for an additional year, which feels very unfair. Why did they get this extension and not the residential properties? We have not heard any argument for this that make sense.' The City of Cape Town has been criticised by civil organisations over their budget plans Image: Unsplash CTCRA was actively involved in public participation, helping mobilise more than 50 ratepayers' associations. 'It feels particularly frustrating to hear City say that they listened to the public and amended the budget accordingly, because that is clearly not the case. If they had truly listened they would not have tabled the budget in this form.' Zuidberg said CTCRA is consulting with other civic groups about legal options. 'The fury amongst the ratepayers is pronounced and people are actively encouraging us to mount a legal challenge, but this is not a venture to be taken lightly.' He called on residents to take civic action. 'Members of the public who are angry at this budget should write to their ward councillors, the party leadership they vote for and the Mayor.' 'CTCRA still believes this budget can be undone and we remain open to constructive dialogue with all stakeholders to back up this belief. It is never too late to fix a mistake, because that is what we believe this budget to be.' The City of Cape Town has defended its budget amid public outcry, emphasising that it balances long-term infrastructure investment with social support. It explained the R40 billion, three-year infrastructure plan includes major upgrades to transport, water, sanitation, policing, and informal settlements. According to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, the budget 'asks a little more of those who can afford it' while safeguarding essential services for vulnerable households. Key relief measures include increased rebates for pensioners, expanded debt write-off schemes, and revised fixed charges that, according to the City, reduce costs for 200,000 homes under R2.5 million in value. The Mayor insists the fixed charges linked to property value are a fair way to ensure wealthier households contribute proportionately more, maintaining cross-subsidisation.
