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IOL News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Gogta under fire for defying court order
The blame now falls squarely on the leadership of the Department. Minister V.K. Hlabisa. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is under fire for defying a court order to pay over R9 million to the Insika Foundation, one of its former implementing agents in the Community Work Programme (CWP).Legal experts now say that key department leaders — including Minister V.K. Hlabisa, Director-General Mbulelo Ntshangama, Deputy Director-General Pankie Matomela, and CWP Finance Authority Mawande Skenjana are complicit in contempt of court. Despite a binding High Court ruling and a failed appeal attempt, the Department has refused to pay the money owed, effectively collapsing the Insika Foundation and severely disrupting a programme that supports thousands of vulnerable South Africans. Court Victory, Government Defiance Insika Foundation approached the Gauteng Division of the High Court in 2024, seeking a 'mandamus' — a court order compelling COGTA to pay R9,291,633.42 for services delivered in April 2024. The Court granted the order on 12 July 2024. COGTA then tried to appeal but was dismissed with costs on 5 November 2024. The Court's ruling was clear: the Department must pay Insika with interest and attorney-client scale legal fees. Yet, the Department, led by DG Mbulelo Ntshangama, has refused to comply. Despite follow-ups and official correspondence to the Minister and his team, Insika has received no payment and no communication. This non-compliance puts COGTA in direct contempt of court, a serious legal offence that undermines the rule of law. Minister and Top Officials Now Complicit The blame now falls squarely on the leadership of the Department. Minister V.K. Hlabisa – Politically responsible and repeatedly warned about the Department's legal defiance. DG Mbulelo Ntshangama – The accounting officer, legally obligated to ensure compliance with court orders and fiscal responsibility, DDG Pankie Matomela – Head of the Community Work Programme, responsible for oversight and implementation and Mawande Skenjana** – CWP Finance Authority, tasked with ensuring payment processing and financial accountability. 'These officials are not just negligent — they are actively violating a court order,' said constitutional law analyst Adv. Thando Lekganyane. 'This opens them up to personal liability and possible criminal charges.' Collapse of Insika Foundation and CWP Fallout The Department's unlawful refusal to pay has financially destroyed the Insika Foundation, a non-profit that delivered critical community work services for COGTA. Unable to pay staff or continue operations, the organisation has shut down its work, leaving thousands of CWP participants unpaid, unsupported, and in crisis. 'We've followed the law. We won in court. Yet the government is treating us like criminals,' said Insika CEO Ziphozethu Busisiwe Matheniwa. 'Their refusal to pay has collapsed our business and left entire communities abandoned.' This isn't an isolated incident. Insika's experience reflects a broader pattern where small contractors and non-profits collapse after doing legitimate business with the government, only to be ignored or financially strangled when payment is due. CWP in Freefall: Chaos and Confusion Following the collapse of service providers like Insika, COGTA opted to 'insource' the CWP instead of renewing contracts. But internal documents show the Department was unprepared. Contracts with financial administrators and site management staff are set to expire in March 2025, with no clear plan for extension, recruitment, or budget allocation. Although the Department has requested contract extensions through DDG Matomela and Finance Authority Skenjana, delays and dysfunction persist. There is no operational clarity, and site-level staff have reported missed payments, poor communication, and a total lack of support. Legal Action Looms Insika has now signalled its intention to pursue further legal relief, including a Personal costs order for failure to comply with court rulings and a formal complaint to Parliament and the Public Protector. 'This isn't just about money anymore,' said Matheniwa. 'It's about the government's duty to respect the law — and the people who serve the country.' A Government Breaking Its Own Laws As communities go without support and legitimate service providers collapse, the silence from COGTA's leadership is deafening. For Insika Foundation and the thousands of CWP participants depending on this programme, the damage is already done. And unless the Department reverses course, the constitutional crisis may only deepen.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Building for tomorrow: addressing climate change in South Africa's construction landscape
Climate change impacts vulnerable areas like townships as poor infrastructure turns delays into costly, sometimes indefinite setbacks. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has warned that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. On Tuesday afternoon, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Yellow Level 2 Warning for Disruptive rainfall resulting in localised flooding of susceptible formal/ informal settlements or roads, low-lying areas and/or bridges, slippery roads leading to minor vehicle accidents, and difficulty driving conditions on dirt roads along the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. In construction alone, adverse weather delays are said to delay 45% of construction projects globally, costing billions each year, according to Research Gate. In South Africa, the industry faces mounting pressure to adapt, not just through resilient materials and design, but smarter labour practices. The Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC) believes that collective bargaining can help to keep construction safe, viable, and economically sustainable. "Climate change is impacting our industry now," says Danie Hattingh, business spokesperson for the BIBC. In the first six months of 2024, natural disasters cost Africa US$ 0.5bn (approximately R9 billion). "From floods that damage transport infrastructure to droughts that halt water-dependent operations, the construction sector is exposed on multiple fronts," Hattingh said. Weather disruptions impact every phase of construction, from damaged ports and rail lines to delayed supply chains. In vulnerable areas like townships, poor infrastructure turns delays into costly, sometimes indefinite setbacks. For workers, these disruptions translate into safety risks and potential job insecurity. "Our Collective Agreement acknowledges the reality of these challenges," says Hattingh. "It includes provisions that allow contractors to temporarily lay off workers when weather or material delays make it impossible to continue safely. This gives both parties a framework to manage disruptions without dismantling the entire project team." Some regions and project types are said to be more exposed than others. Low-lying coastal developments are vulnerable to rising sea levels and flooding, while inland projects are often constrained by water and energy shortages. Sites in areas lacking proper drainage or stormwater management infrastructure were said to be particularly prone to disruption. Hattingh said the consequences of failing to adapt are severe. "If the industry doesn't embrace climate-resilient practices, we'll see more failed projects, higher insurance premiums, and growing reputational and regulatory risk. Clients and investors are already scrutinising construction firms through an environmental lens." The BIBC said forward-thinking design and material innovation are emerging as critical tools in the industry's climate response. It said passive design strategies (such as optimising building orientation, increasing ventilation, and incorporating shading) help to reduce dependence on energy-intensive cooling systems. "It added that in flood-prone regions, elevated structures and permeable surfaces are mitigating water damage and reducing surface runoff, while non-combustible materials and buffer zones help to mitigate fire spread in high-risk fire regions. 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 ✕ According to the council, technology is also playing a role, helping construction happen quicker and in smarter ways and not just with the building itself but throughout the whole process. It said modular and prefabricated structures reduce waste and allow for rapid reconstruction after extreme events. Renewable energy technologies, including solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, offered off-grid resilience and water security, it said. "These aren't just aesthetic upgrades, they're economic imperatives," says Hattingh. "By integrating sustainable design into their projects, it promotes economic inclusion, job creation in green technologies, and compliance with international sustainability goals such as the UN's SDGs and the Paris Agreement." BIBC said adapting to climate realities does come at a cost, but the cost of doing nothing is far higher. It said firms that continue using traditional materials and processes face escalating operational expenses, insurance liabilities, and reputational damage. Unfit buildings may become uninsurable, energy-inefficient, or even dangerous to occupants. Fortunately, sustainability and profitability were mutually exclusive. Certifications like those offered by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) are helping firms unlock tax incentives, enhance resale values, and demonstrate leadership. "We're seeing more businesses embrace this shift, not just to reduce risk, but to remain competitive," Hattingh notes. In addition, green-certified buildings often command higher rental or resale values, particularly in the commercial sector. Historically, the industry could plan around fairly predictable seasonal weather. That is no longer the case. "We're witnessing increasingly erratic weather patterns, with devastating consequences," says Hattingh. "You can't always foresee a flood that will wipe out access to a building site or a heatwave that makes work conditions unsafe." This unpredictability directly impacts workers across all provinces. High and low temperature extremes can compromise material performance and endanger crews, making it difficult to schedule projects or maintain consistent employment. While the BIBC's collective agreement provisions offer some protection through structured layoffs and reinstatements, it said the long-term solution lies in creating more stable, resilient working conditions through planning, technology, and investment in climate-proof construction. Ultimately, the benefits of climate adaptation extend far beyond compliance; they shape the kind of society they are building. More durable structures mean safer communities. Smarter building systems reduce the environmental footprint. Inclusive green technologies create jobs, drive innovation and build resilience. "The construction industry doesn't just respond to climate change, it shapes how we live with it," says Hattingh. "We encourage industry leaders, contractors, and stakeholders to collaborate on how collective agreements can support greener, safer, and more resilient building practices. Together, we can build a future that withstands both environmental and economic pressures." The UN's latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report predicts more frequent extreme weather with rising financial costs, posing a serious threat to South Africa's already climate-vulnerable, semi-arid regions. Meanwhile, drought that has been intensified by global warming and compounded by human action, has taken a devastating toll on wildlife across Africa and the Amazon between 2023 and 2025. According to a sobering new United Nations report, animal populations are being ravaged not just by thirst and starvation, but by human intervention as fragile ecosystems buckle under climatic stress. The Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023–2025 report - released in July by the US National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, with backing from the International Drought Resilience Alliance - catalogues the mass deaths of wild animals as both a direct and indirect consequence of prolonged drought. From East Africa to the edges of the Amazon, the line between ecological collapse and human survival is becoming dangerously thin. El Niño's re-emergence in 2023 brought a global spike in temperatures. This climatic event, part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system, is strongly linked to the spike in extreme droughts recorded over the past two years. In southern and eastern Africa, already brittle ecological balances gave way. Elephants starved in their hundreds, predators strayed into human settlements, and communities responded with lethal force. 'Human-animal interactions are becoming more complex due to climate change, but we must remember that we've fundamentally altered animals' natural migrations,' says Dr Henno Havenga of the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management at North-West University, offering a broader ecological context. 'Droughts have always occurred, but in the meantime, we've put up fences at every turn. Where elephants once migrated thousands of kilometres in search of food and water, they are now trapped in fixed reserves.' The environmental scientists said in a continent where ecological, climatic and economic stresses now collide with deadly regularity, the cost of doing nothing may prove fatal, not only to Africa's iconic wildlife, but to the human communities that have lived alongside them for generations. Independent Media Property
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Tshwane shuts down workers' protest at last minute
Tshwane workers were stopped from picketing despite having permission under the Gatherings Act, triggering outrage. A group of municipal workers pledged they would return to the picket line after the City of Tshwane scuppered their plans yesterday. Themba Nkabinde, leader of the Concerned Tshwane Workers Forum, said they were not giving up. The workers were heading to picket outside the Tshwane House when they were stopped by the head of human resources, who informed them that employees of the city have to follow certain procedures to picket. Tshwane workers stopped from picketing The group did get permission under the Gatherings Act, but were informed the picket had not been approved by the city. Apparently, the workers had to get additional permission to picket or march because they were city workers. Nkabinde said they also received the bad news that the promised 5.4% increase owed to workers was not going to be realised. ALSO READ: Mandela Day marches: Avoid these streets in Tshwane as traffic congestion expected He noted that while the city claimed they had no money, the auditor-general found R4.5 billion wasteful expenditure and R5 billion unauthorised expenditure and 'that's R9 billion wasted while the city claims it has no money for workers'. Nkabinde said there was also the matter of 182 employees who were dismissed after the municipal strike in 2021. Sekete Mokobane, deputy convenor for the Concerned Tshwane Workers Forum, said the city should reinstate the dismissed workers. Reinstate dismissed workers – Concerned Tshwane Workers Forum He said the workers had to go back to the drawing board and reapply to picket. South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) regional secretary Donald Monakisi said the union had not changed its position that the 3.5% salary increase, owed to workers since 2021, must be honoured. 'The delay in payment has imposed significant financial strain on municipal workers,' he said. ALSO READ: Pretoria residents left without water after maintenance failures 'Samwu's legal team is preparing for the exemption hearing.'
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Criticism mounts as minister neglects fishing communities
Deputy Minister Narend Singh defended the Department's plans, including R2.8bn for ecosystem restoration and 70 000 new work opportunities, but the legislators slammed the lack of tangible progress for struggling coastal communities. Image: File/Independent Newspapers THE Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) was subjected to sharp criticism from Parliament's National Council of Provinces (NCOP) over its handling of small-scale fisheries, inadequate ocean patrols, and delays in issuing fishing permits — even as it unveiled a R9 billion budget aimed at climate resilience and job creation. Deputy Minister Narend Singh defended the Department's plans, including R2.8bn for ecosystem restoration and 70 000 new work opportunities, but the legislators slammed the lack of tangible progress for struggling coastal communities. The Department's flagship 'Fishing for Freedom' programme, designed to empower small-scale fishers, came under fire after MPs accused officials of sidelining Parliament and failing to address grievances in Saldanha Bay. 'The Committee visited small-scale fisheries in Saldanha Bay to hear their concerns, but the Department went there without informing us,' the PA's Bino Farmer said. 'These fishers can't live and fish sustainably because they don't have rights — they're forced into poaching. The system is biased toward big business.' Small-scale fishing cooperatives, a critical lifeline for coastal towns, remain in limbo. While the DFFE pledged support for 15 cooperatives this year (out of a five-year target of 50), MPs highlighted bureaucratic delays. The MK Party's Seeng Mokoena demanded answers: 'Why are KZN fishers waiting endlessly for permits while infrastructure crumbles?' 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 ✕ Ad loading The legislators blasted the Department's target of just four patrols in South Africa's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) this year, warning it leaves the country vulnerable to illegal fishing by foreign vessels. 'Four patrols? That's a joke,' asked the DA's Nicolaas Pienaar. 'Chinese trawlers are pillaging our waters, and budget constraints aren't an excuse.' The Department's own data shows a five-year goal of 20 patrols, but with only four planned for 2025/26, critics say enforcement is critically underfunded. Despite the DFFE's pledge to create nearly 70 000 jobs through environmental programmes, MPs questioned the feasibility. 'How many jobs have actually been created so far?' wondered the DA's Sonja Boshoff, referencing the Department's 2030 target of 1 million jobs. A R100 million youth graduate programme aims to place 4 000 young people in environmental roles, but the FF+'s Hendrik Van den Berg remained sceptical: 'Are these just temporary EPWP jobs, or real, sustainable employment?' The Department's Climate Change Act implementation faces funding shortfalls, while reliance on international donors raises concerns. Deputy Minister Singh admitted: 'Funding is a challenge,' but highlighted expected support from Germany, Italy, and the Global Environment Facility after the US withdrawal. However, the EFF's Meisie Kennedy warned: 'Most municipalities can't manage waste. What's the plan to stop hazardous pollution?' The Department's own targets include 29 municipal clean-up campaigns and 54 000 tons of waste tires processed, but oversight remains weak. Meanwhile, plans to add 100 000 hectares to conservation estates and publish an Elephant Conservation Strategy were met with cautious optimism. In response, Deputy Minister Singh acknowledged frustrations but blamed scheduling conflicts for poor communication with Parliament. 'We'll engage directly with Saldanha Bay's fishers,' he said, adding that recruiting youth into cooperatives was a priority. On climate funding, he confirmed R45 million was allocated for G20 meetings, crucial for securing international investment. 'The people we meet at the G20 are the movers and shakers,' he said. With a clean audit but mounting scrutiny, the DFFE's five-year plan hinges on execution. As Farmer said: 'Officials are the problem.' For now, South Africa's oceans, fisheries, and environmental future hang in the balance, caught between bold promises and the harsh reality of implementation failures. Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SASSA under fire over grant review process amid complaints from beneficiaries
Civil society group Black Sash has condemned SASSA for "failing" thousands of social grant recipients Image: File Civil society group Black Sash has condemned SASSA for failing thousands of social grant recipients, saying many have had their payments delayed without a clear explanation or proper notice. The watchdog has also called for a pause in the ongoing review process, citing widespread confusion and distress among beneficiaries. "Despite the CEO's claim that no grants have been suspended, we are witnessing a surge in complaints from beneficiaries who have been cut off without a clear explanation or notification. "Our Community Monitoring teams, based across the country and our national Helpline have been overwhelmed with distress calls from elderly persons, people with disabilities and caregivers, many of whom only discovered their grants had been 'flagged' when their money failed to appear" The advocacy group also argued that the situation was further exacerbated by the impact of bank verification checks on Older Persons' grants, which also impacted grant payment delays and added to the fear, confusion, and queues at SASSA local offices. Black Sash's message was in response to SASSA' CEO, Themba Matlou, who, during a press briefing on Monday, defended the agency's review process as necessary for verifying eligibility and combating fraud. "SASSA would like to categorically state that no social grant payments have been suspended or halted. All approved grants remain valid, andpayments continue to be processed. Any beneficiary with an active andvalid grant remains entitled to receive their payment," Matlou said. "This year, we have only introduced and implemented a 4th payment date to our payment schedule, where beneficiaries targeted for a review are paid on the 4th day". Matlou added that this "would ensure that they receive their payment after the necessary review, without prejudicing the general payment cycle for others,". In an interview on 702 on Monday, SASSA's Executive Manager for Grants Administration, Brenton van Vrede, provided further clarity on what constitutes 'additional income' and how beneficiaries are selected for review. He explained that only formal incomes, such as salaries, rental income, or court-ordered maintenance, count towards the means test. 'Maintenance is considered as income, but most people don't formalise that arrangement. So, it wouldn't be considered additional income unless there's a maintenance agreement.' Regarding income thresholds, Van Vrede specified: 'The means test threshold for the child support grant is R5,600, and the old age grant is almost R9,000, R8,990.' He added that rental income or any other income pushing beneficiaries over these limits could result in ineligibility for grants. 'If that rental income takes them over the threshold, then they won't qualify for the grant.' IOL News [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
