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The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Committee slams poor enforcement of prison overcrowding laws
The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has expressed concern over the low success rate of legislation aimed at reducing overcrowding in the country's correctional facilities. This follows a briefing from the Department of Correctional Services on the implementation of Section 49G of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 and Section 62F of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. Both sections aim to ease pressure on the country's overburdened correctional system. Section 49G states that a remand detainee may not be held for more than two years without the matter being brought before the relevant court. The head of the remand detention centre must refer such a case to court at least three months before the two-year period lapses to give the court time to consider it. If the detainee remains in custody, further submissions must be made each year. Section 62F allows for the placement of awaiting-trial detainees under the supervision of a correctional official as a bail condition. During a briefing on Friday, the committee heard that the success rate under Section 49G for the 2022/23 financial year was just 1.25% of 12 283 court referrals nationally. The Eastern Cape and Western Cape recorded a 0% success rate. In 2023/24, the Eastern Cape again reported 0%. In 2024/25, only one of 142 court referrals was successful, while two were successful in the current financial year. 'The committee also heard that approximately 40% of the total sentenced offender population are serving sentences above 15 years, including life sentences. Lifers will typically remain incarcerated for longer periods and are sentenced or convicted of serious crimes. This means that bed spaces will not become readily available, which places more pressure on already overcrowded correctional facilities,' said committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
President to brief SA on KZN police commissioner's explosive claims
President to brief SA on KZN police commissioner's explosive claims President Cyril Ramaphosa will brief the nation on national security matters on Sunday, the Presidency has announced. 'President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Sunday, July 13, address the nation on developments arising from a public statement by KZN police commissioner [Lieutenant-General] Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that details allegations against senior political and South African Police Service leadership,' the Presidency said yesterday. Read more: Inquiry calls grow as police minister rejects claims of KZN syndicate ties Ramaphosa was attending a Brics summit in Brazil on Sunday, when Mkhwanazi outlined numerous allegations at a media briefing. 'The president undertook to attend to this development on his return from Brazil, in view of the implications for national security. 'President Ramaphosa has been seized with this matter in recent days and will, following various consultations, take the nation into his confidence at 19:00 on Sunday, July 13,' it said. The president's message will be broadcast and streamed on various platforms. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa pushes for talks as US imposes 30% tariff on SA imports
Ramaphosa pushes for talks as US imposes 30% tariff on SA imports President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the correspondence from United States (US) President Donald Trump on the unilateral imposition of a 30% trade tariff against South Africa. In a letter addressed to Ramaphosa yesterday, Trump announced that imports from South Africa would be subjected to new 30% tariffs taking effect from August 1. 'This 30% tariff is based on a particular interpretation of the balance of trade between South Africa and the United States. This contested interpretation forms part of the issues under consideration by the negotiating teams from South Africa and the United States. 'Accordingly, South Africa maintains that the 30% reciprocal tariff is not an accurate representation of available trade data,' the Presidency said in a statement. South Africa's interpretation of the available trade data shows that the average tariff on imported goods entering South Africa stands at 7.6%. The Presidency emphasised that 56% of goods enter South Africa at a 0% most-favoured-nation tariff, with 77% of US goods entering the South African market under the 0% duty. 'South Africa will continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States. We welcome the commitment by the US government that the 30% tariff is subject to modification following the conclusion of our negotiations,' the Presidency said. South Africa has continued to engage the United States, most recently at a meeting held on the sidelines of the US-Africa Summit on June 23 in Luanda. 'It was at this meeting that South Africa learned of a template with which the US wishes to engage sub-Saharan Africa on matters of trade. The South African negotiating team still awaits this template, however, President Ramaphosa has instructed the team to urgently engage with the US on the basis of the Framework Deal that South Africa submitted to the US on May 20. 'This framework deal addresses the issues initially raised by the US, including South Africa's supposed trade surplus, unfair trade practices and lack of reciprocity from the US. 'The president urges government trade negotiation teams and South African companies to accelerate their diversification efforts to promote better resilience in both global supply chains and the South African economy,' the Presidency said. Ramaphosa further noted that South Africa is among several countries to have received this communication yesterday. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Home Affairs extends office hours for school holiday ID applications
The Department of Home Affairs is extending its operating hours from today until July 21. In a statement issued earlier today, the department said the two-hour extension will see offices close at 18:00 instead of 16:00. 'The department is extending operating hours to assist learners who wish to apply for and collect their IDs during the school holidays. To ease pressure on its clients, Home Affairs has also introduced dedicated counters for collections in large offices that process Smart ID Cards and passports, where space allows,' said the department. It added that clients have the option to book application or collection appointments before visiting offices, using the Branch Appointment Booking System. The system is available on the Department of Home Affairs website ( through the link: The department also allows clients who may not have an opportunity to book appointments to visit as walk-ins. 'I would like to encourage all clients who have applied for their identification documents and have been waiting for three weeks or more to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents at their convenience,' said Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- The Citizen
Suspect arrested after 8 killed in Umlazi shooting
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has commended the arrest of a suspect in connection with the recent brutal mass murder that shocked the community of Umlazi. This follows the arrest of a 28-year-old man in connection with the murder of eight people on May 16 at the Zama informal settlement in U-section, Umlazi, south-west of Durban. The victims – six men and two women aged between 22 and 40 – were found lying in a pool of blood with multiple gunshot wounds. According to the police report, the incident took place when unknown armed men entered the informal settlement and opened fire. Eight victims died on the scene. The mass killing, which claimed multiple lives and left families shattered, drew national attention and widespread condemnation. Ntuli visited the affected area and called for a multi-agency response to restore peace and strengthen community policing. In a statement today, Ntuli hailed the arrest as a significant breakthrough. 'This arrest is a clear indication that our law enforcement agencies are capable, committed, and determined to restore safety and dignity in our communities. We commend the SAPS, the Hawks, and all intelligence-led operations that worked relentlessly around the clock to ensure this progress,' Ntuli said. Ntuli emphasised that the people of Umlazi and KZN at large deserve to live without fear, and 'no individual or group has the right to undermine the safety and security of our communities'. He added that the provincial government is intensifying its collaboration with the police and other safety structures to dismantle criminal syndicates, improve visibility in hotspots, and fast-track the installation of community-based crime prevention programmes. The premier also appealed to community members to work hand in hand with law enforcement agencies. 'Our fight against crime is a collective one. We urge residents to report any suspicious activities and to co-operate fully with ongoing investigations. It is only through unity and active citizenry that we can defeat crime and reclaim our communities.' As the case proceeds through the justice system, Ntuli assured that the provincial government will continue to provide the necessary psychosocial support to the victims' families and work to ensure that justice is served without delay. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
