Latest news with #R489
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
SIU recovers R6 billion through investigations but remains underfunded
The SIU clawed back R6.6 billion over the past six years while maintaining operational costs of R5.2 billion. The portfolio committee on justice and constitutional development has expressed serious concerns about the severe underfunding plaguing two of South Africa's most crucial law enforcement and legal assistance entities. It warned that budget constraints are undermining their ability to serve the public effectively. During Tuesday's parliamentary session, committee members received troubling briefings from both the Special Investigating Unit and Legal Aid SA regarding their annual performance plans and budgets for the 2025-26 financial year, revealing a funding crisis that threatens the very foundations of these institutions' operations. SIU faces mounting pressure despite strong recovery record The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been operating under increasingly strained circumstances, with demand for its anti-corruption services skyrocketing while resources remain stagnant. The committee, during the meeting, heard that over the past nine years, proclamations requiring SIU intervention surged by 52%. These figures are contradictory to the unit's staff complement, which grew by a mere 6.5% during the same period. However, the committee's media officer, Rajaa Azzakani said despite these constraints, the SIU has demonstrated effectiveness in recovering funds for the state. The unit informed the committee that it had clawed back R6.6 billion in the past six years while maintaining operational costs of R5.2 billion. However, this success story is overshadowed by declining grant funding that threatens future operations. 'SIU's grant income in 2025-26 is R459 860 000, with R481 157 000 estimated for 2026-27, less than R489 839 000 it received in 2023-24, despite the SIU having grown and recovered more funds for the government,' said Azzakani. This reduction comes at a time when the SIU has expanded its operations and increased its recovery rates for government coffers. Committee Chairperson Xola Nqola acknowledged the critical nature of the situation, stating: 'Both have suffered from underfunding or budget cuts. 'The committee will engage with all necessary to see how we better finance entities that are doing excellent and important work, but whose work is being hampered due to funding constraints.' ALSO READ: SIU blocks R3.3 million pension payout of former Gauteng HOD Outstanding debts hamper operations The SIU's financial challenges are compounded by a staggering R1.2 billion in outstanding invoices as of March 2025. Provincial government departments account for the largest portion of this debt, owing R358.3 million or 30% of the total. 'Meanwhile, public entities owed the SIU 29% or R358 200 000, while national government departments owe 23% or R275 817 000,' Azzakani added. To address this debt crisis, the SIU has launched Project Khokhela, a targeted debt recovery initiative, 'with the aim of instituting a targeted approach to debt recovery'. The unit issued formal demand letters to the top 20 state institutions with the longest outstanding debts, with ministers' offices assisting in the distribution process. It further stated that the SIU expressed optimism that settlements will be reached in the coming months. Expansion plans threatened by resource constraints The SIU's ambitious plans to expand its workforce to meet growing demands face significant obstacles due to funding limitations. The unit estimated that it needs at least 1 000 officials to handle incoming work from increased proclamations, with the Estimates of National Expenditure budgeting for 1,100 officials. However, without an additional R250 million annually, the SIU lacks the resources to fund this essential growth. The unit is also developing a permanent structure for lifestyle audits, including the procurement of comprehensive analytical tools aimed at enhancing fraud and corruption prevention and detection capabilities. This initiative represents a shift toward making lifestyle audits a cornerstone of risk management strategies. ALSO READ: 'War on Leaks' programme: SIU reveals R2.2bn budget balloons to over R4bn Funding model requires urgent overhaul SIU officials emphasised that the organisation's financial stability hinges on a complete revision of its funding model to accommodate the increasing number of proclamations. Securing additional funding from the national treasury and amending the SIU Act in consultation with the Minister of Finance have been identified as crucial steps for ensuring long-term sustainability. Nqola supported this position, declaring: 'To strengthen the SIU, we must solidify the SIU Act. We need to establish with the department how far is this process.' Legal Aid SA struggles with severe budget cuts Legal Aid SA faces its own funding nightmare, grappling with a devastating R239 million budget reduction for the 2025/26 financial year. The organisation's operational flexibility is severely limited, as salaries and related costs consume 80 percent of the budget, leaving cost containment measures to target only the remaining 20% allocated to operations. The organisation has been forced to implement staff rationalisation plans, including position freezes and delayed recruitment, to manage employee costs. However, these measures directly impact service delivery to clients and reduce operational capacity, ultimately limiting the number of people the entity can assist. ALSO READ: SIU and Transnet freeze R20 million in luxury assets amid fraud probe Rental costs add to financial pressure Legal Aid SA's financial woes are exacerbated by office accommodation leasing costs, where rental escalation rates consistently outpace the modest increases in budget allocations. This creates an unsustainable situation where fixed costs consume an ever-growing portion of the available budget. According to Legal Aid SA representatives, despite ongoing cost-cutting efforts, opportunities for additional savings have been largely exhausted. The organisation stressed the importance of aligning organisational targets with available resources to ensure it can meet service demands without overextending its capacity. Justice committee chair commits to advocacy Nqola emphasised the committee's recognition of Legal Aid SA's vital role in ensuring access to justice for vulnerable populations. 'Therefore, the committee should do everything in its power to ensure that they are better funded, as it speaks directly to the services they are able to render to those who cannot afford to pay for legal services,' he stated. WATCH: Justice Committee briefed by Legal Aid and SIU READ NEXT: Lottery corruption: SIU granted order against pension of former NLC official
TimesLIVE
03-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
SAFA has an opening for a coach education manager
TL homepage teaser until 9am on June 4; TL > ST > Business until same time on June 9. The South African Football Association (Safa), SA's football governing body and a member of the world football governing body Fifa, is committed to the creation of a nonracial, nonsexist and nondiscriminatory world football arena, and subscribes to 'fair play'. Safa, an equal opportunities employer that takes pride in its human resources, has an opening for a: Coach education manager Reports to: Technical director Employment term: Five-year fixed-term contract Location: SAFA House, Nasrec, Johannesburg Job purpose: The purpose of this position is to co-ordinate, implement, monitor and provide feedback on matters pertaining to coach education and fundraising efforts, building a positive brand and reputation through the promotion of Safa's vision and mission. The incumbent will develop, implement and monitor systems and procedures necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the coach and education functions. Remuneration: R425,595 to R489,435 (total cost to company) Occupational level: 7 Minimum educational requirements: Matric or equivalent. University degree, three-year diploma or equivalent tertiary qualification in sport management or sports science. Safa/Fifa coach educator. Safa Pro License Coaching qualification. Experience: Two to three years in a similar environment (for example club, league and/or federation). Core skills and attributes: Communication (written and verbal). Leadership. Mentorship. Project management. Conflict management. Ability to work independently. Networking. Presentation. Negotiation. Professionalism. Problem-solving. Organised. Multitasking. Microsoft Office (Excel, Power Point, Word and Outlook). Responsibilities: Liaise with the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Fifa and South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) in respect of standards and all developments relating to coach education. Provide policies and procedures for the coach education department. Revise, update and maintain Safa's existing coaching manuals in line with the Caf Convention. Assist with talent identification policies. Develop a youth coaching programme for coaches and educators. Draw up technical programmes for the coach education department and budgets. Oversee the implementation of coaching courses and workshops. Moderate examination scripts for coaching courses. Develop technical memoranda on coaching education. Provide administration support to all national team coaches. Ensure all provinces know procedures and processes for conducting coaching courses. Regular communication with provinces and regions. Appointment of coach educators for all courses and workshops. Assist in raising funds for coaching education through writing and submission of funding proposals (for example Fifa funds, Lotto, government, and so on). Liaise and build relations with provinces and regions regarding coaching programmes and courses. Emphasise the importance of grassroots programmes in provinces (regions and LFAs). Implement more coaching courses and workshops for women at all levels. Co-ordinate and hold local and international seminars. Knowledge and competencies: Organisational understanding and delivery of Safa coaching education objectives. Strategic planning, organising and directing. Project and programme management. Budget optimisation/financial acumen. Compiling sponsorship and funding proposals/soliciting new funding opportunities. Competence to build and effectively manage interpersonal relationships at all levels of Safa and externally. Well-organised with excellent time-management skills. Handles highly confidential information in an honest and trustworthy way. Quality and risk management. Excellent report-writing skills. Demonstrable ethical leadership of self, team and business. Proven ability to work independently and with a project-based approach. A collaborator who is team-focused and works with respect for colleagues. Proven ability to thrive in consultative, collaborative environments and manage multiple stakeholders effectively. A natural networker who can develop and create value through relationship management. A service-oriented and client-focused attitude. Ability to mentor, train and develop people and to also lead and inspire for today and tomorrow. A curious and critical thinker who identifies new opportunities. Hard-working and determined to overcome barriers to success. Resilient, coupled with the drive to overcome challenges and achieve results. Driver's licence. Flexibility towards working hours and travelling. Applications: Closing date: June 13 2025
TimesLIVE
15-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Tiny creatures are big business: Smuggled ants worth R4,163 each on black market
While much of the world's attention is focused on the poaching of charismatic megafauna like elephants, pangolins and rhinos, a quieter, less visible crisis is unfolding beneath our feet, one involving some of the smallest animals on the planet — invertebrates. Earlier this year, two Belgian teenagers were apprehended in Kenya with 5,000 ants in their possession. They were given a choice of paying a fine of $7,700 (R139,372) or serving a minimum 12-month prison sentence under Kenya's wildlife conservation laws. Senior lecturer in invertebrate biology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Caswell Munyai said the global trafficking of ants, spiders, scorpions and other invertebrates, or smuggling, is complex and diverse. 'Besides being traded for food, most invertebrates are targeted for their use in traditional medicine. Also there has been a growing demand for trading arthropods targeted for the pet trade,' said Munyai. According to Ant Authority, queen ants can cost between $20 (R362) and $60 (R1,086), depending on species and season. Rare species like the jumper jack or bull ant queens go for up to $230 (R4,163) and $120 (R2 172) respectively. Though common pavement ants might only sell for about $27 (R489), the more exotic species, especially those from the Global South, are a hot commodity on online marketplaces, which is often illegal. 'Some of the most trafficked or well-known invertebrates involved in trading between global markets are those in the phylum mollusca, which includes snails, mussels, octopus and arthropods, such as insects, spiders,' said Munyai. 'For mollusca, they are heavily trafficked due to the high demand for seafood and their shells, which are probably used in jewellery and decorative items.' Munyai said when it comes to arthropods, ants, spiders, stick insects and scorpions are particularly targeted. 'There has been a spike in the past decade or two, particularly involving arthropods being trafficked from countries in the Global South and sold in developed countries.' While the motivations are diverse, some are collected for use in exotic food dishes or traditional medicine while others are sold in pet shops or online and destined for formicariums in homes far removed from their native habitats, he said. Beyond the legal and ethical concerns, the ecological consequences of invertebrate trafficking are immense. 'Despite the obvious impact related to the disruption of the natural balance of the ecosystem where these species occur, the trade has cascading negative effects. It affects food chains, species interactions and even ecosystem service provisioning and functioning,' said Munyai. A recent case that illustrates the problem starkly is that of an attempt to smuggle the African Harvester Ant out of Kenya last month. Munyai said this species plays a critical role in seed dispersal, helping maintain the health of native ecosystems, and that removing such a species disrupts not only plant regeneration but also the food web. 'Spiders and scorpions that are being trafficked out of their native ecosystems have important predatory roles. They help manage pest populations which, if left unmanaged, pose serious problems to agriculture and ecosystems.' Munyai said there can be consequences long after these creatures are sold. 'Some of these, unfortunately, become serious pests (alien invasive species). This happens when the owners or those who initially bought them no longer want them, or when they escape into the wild.' Munyai says enforcement remains patchy. 'On paper, there are good wildlife protection laws here in South Africa and globally. But on the ground, quite a lot is happening unchecked. Most conservation attention still goes to 'charismatic' wildlife. Very few cases are reported for things like ants. That's why the Kenyan case caught so much attention — people were shocked,' Munyai said. Despite comprising 95-97% of all known animal species, invertebrates remain vastly understudied and underfunded in conservation. 'These little things run the world. They are everywhere, from our intestines to our houses, and our fields, playing roles in pollination, pest control and nutrient cycling. Yet very little to nothing is known about the distribution patterns of our invertebrate biodiversity,' said Munyai. According to Munyai, funding for invertebrate research pales in comparison to that for vertebrates. Conservation planning often prioritises larger animals, leaving invertebrates as an afterthought. 'We need more studies on the distribution and ecology of invertebrates. We need to increase public awareness and interest in these animals, which I hope will increase the general concern for their conservation,' said Munyai. The recent spike in attention to the trafficking of invertebrates may be the start of a turning point. But Munyai is cautious. 'This is happening under our noses. If you look at some of our pet shops, you will know. We really need to look into what is leaving through our ports — by sea, land, or air,' he warned. 'By the time we realise this, it may be too late.'
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Labour Court ruling sparks controversy over wage increases for Tshwane municipal workers
South African Municipal Workers Union members who previously embarked on march to demand that the City of Tshwane honour the historical wage agreement, which includes wage increases of 3,5% and 5,4% from 2021 and 2023, respectively. Image: Oupa Mokoena/ Independent Media Municipal workers' labour unions have expressed disappointment over a May 9 Labour Court ruling that exempted the City of Tshwane from implementing a 5,4% wage increase for the 2023/2024 financial year. The court also ruled that the City's exemption application regarding the 3,5% wage increase for the 2021/2022 financial year should be reconsidered by a different exemption panellist, to be appointed by the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC). The City approached the court two years ago after its application for exemption from a wage agreement with the unions was rejected by the bargaining council. The City argued in one of its applications that implementing the wage agreement, without an exemption, would require it to spend R489 million on increases, violating the Municipal Finance Management Act. Reacting to the ruling, the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu), General Secretary, Dumisane Magagula, said: 'This judgment represents a deeply troubling intervention by the courts in the collective bargaining process, with far-reaching consequences for workers' rights.' The union claims the ruling is not a neutral legal decision, but rather a judicial endorsement of austerity, contributing to a concerning trend of courts interfering with collective bargaining, undermining worker protections, and weakening unions' ability to represent members effectively. Samwu also said the Labour Court's decision to override SALGBC's authority is 'a direct attack on the autonomy of collective bargaining". "By substituting the SALGBC's 2023 ruling with its own determination, the court has overstepped its role, improperly venturing into the evaluation of complex financial evidence and affordability criteria, a terrain rightfully reserved for bargaining councils with their specific expertise in labour relations within the sector,' the union said. On the other hand, the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu), said it is preparing an action plan, which includes consulting with its legal team to explore all available options such as potential appeals. 'While the outcome is certainly not what we anticipated, our resolve remains firm. We are currently analysing the full implications of the judgment to determine the most strategic course of action to protect our members' rights and interests,' the union said. The union further said the ruling directly impacts workers' livelihoods, citing that the cost of living increases in 2021 and 2023 already put significant financial strain on Tshwane's municipal workers. Imatu is demanding transparency and accountability, arguing that the City cannot claim financial stability to the public while citing financial distress to justify not paying its workforce. 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 ✕ 'In April 2025, during her State of the Capital Address, Tshwane Executive Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya announced that the City's cash reserves are projected to reach R2,86 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. This projection was presented as a significant milestone towards financial stability,' the union said. Tshwane's Samwu regional secretary, Donald Monakhisi, recently said with the City's reported R2,86 billion in cash reserves, there is no justification for delaying the implementation of outstanding salary increases. Former Mayor Cilliers Brink, under whose administration the City applied for the exemption from the wage increase, said the council's decision was difficult but necessary for the city's financial rescue mission, which is ongoing, and to improve service delivery and value for residents. Grandi Theunissen, a Freedom Front Plus councillor, said: 'The ruling affirms the Freedom Front Plus's responsible and principled actions in the previous administration. The party also defended the case to the end along with some of its coalition partners.'
