The South African Department of Defence has provided clarity regarding the official visit of General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Initially slated for 2024, the visit has been postponed to 2025, following a decision from Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. The Minister granted authority for General Maphwanya to honour an invitation from Iranian officials, a move that underscores the importance of international military relations.
In a statement following the General’s recent return, the Defence Department confirmed that Minister and General Maphwanya hold a thorough discussion about the visit, highlighting the public's keen interest in the exchanges that took place in Iran.
During the visit, General Maphwanya engaged in bilateral discussions with Iranian military leaders on various topics of mutual concern. A key statement was issued by Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, regarding the discussions held.
However, it was noted that General Maphwanya did not engage with the media in either Iran or South Africa, emphasising his commitment to respecting the confidentiality surrounding the discussions between the two armed forces.
Upon his return, the General provided a detailed report to the Minister, who expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of their engagement.
The Department of Defence will not be commenting further on the matter.
*This article was first published by IOL News
A family was left shocked when they found out that the fresh meat they were planning to cook was instead a foetus.
Image: File
A Wesbank family was left traumatised after discovering that what they thought was fresh meat was instead a foetus.
The incident happened on Monday night in Wesbank, Cape Town.
Natalie Walton said a man had given her sister the meat, telling her it was chicken.
“She didn’t give him money, but instead said she was going to braai the meat and then share it with him. She started the fire, and when she was going to spice the meat, she opened the plastic bag and found the foetus. She was so shocked, she ran out of her house and called the neighbour and the police,” Walton said.
She described the foetus as a premature baby girl.
“What the guy told us is that he was in Mfuleni, and then a woman handed him the plastic bag and said it was chicken, and then gave him bread. When he arrived in Wesbank, he attempted to sell it to a woman, but as she didn’t have any money, he gave the meat to my sister.
“My sister is very traumatised and even asked the police if she could go for counselling because of what she saw. The police arrived, and then on Tuesday morning, they asked the man who sold us the chicken to take them to where he got the plastic bag from. I’m not sure if anyone was arrested for that,” she said.
Police confirmed the discovery.
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: “Mfuleni police registered an inquest case following the discovery of a foetus on Monday at about 5.55pm. According to reports, it was discovered in a plastic bag by an adult male in Appleby Road in Wesbank, looking for scrap.
“He immediately reported the discovery to the police, who responded, and the foetus was handed to Forensic Pathology Services for analysis and to determine possible origin. The investigation continues, no arrest yet.”
Anyone with information has been requested to contact investigating officer Detective Sergeant Vuyelwa Tshetsha on 021 909 9670, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app anonymously.
*This article was first published by IOL News
The Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Seiso Mohai, has expressed satisfaction with the progress made in addressing the flood disaster in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
He and his team conducted an oversight visit in the area to assess the extent of the damage to infrastructure and basic services.
They visited one of the mass care centres, the Thornhill Water Treatment Works and Maydene Farm construction site.
Over 100 people were left dead by the floods, while over 1000 were left displaced.
Mohai says despite his satisfaction with the progress made in dealing with the matter, the situation at the centre is cause for concern.
He says, “Obviously, we will never wish anybody to stay in a community hall because that facility is not meant for people to sleep in it in the first place and very basic issues that affect the human dignity gets compromised easily, but we believe that they will soon be out of that condition, be in dignified units as progress is being made.”
Water infrastructure
The devastating floods caused huge damage to water infrastructure, leaving communities without water for over two weeks, but that has since been resolved.
Mohai says they will work with provincial and local leaders to ensure that the issues are prioritised.
He says, “We will be dealing with those matters of detail outside of the normal environment, also to engage even with entities or state entities like Eskom to look into areas where services were disconnected and services have got to be regularised the same way as we have visited the water plant.”
Mohai says, “We have seen how that infrastructure impacted in the supply of other communities, so those are priority areas that we are going to be dealing with and ensure that of course, also in the long term, the people’s lives are adjusted.”
Construction is underway at Maydene Farm, where the displaced victims of the floods will be temporarily sheltered.
The Province’s Human Settlement MEC Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi says she is also satisfied with the progress made.
Mani-Lusithi says, “We’re really encouraged by the progress and the speed in which the contractors are moving. We have given them a target that by Friday, we should have finished 100, we already have 25 in one day, so by Monday, we should be moving the first group of families into their homes.”
The Department aims to move all the displaced flood victims to the temporary structures by the end of September.
*This article was first published by SABC NEWS
Magistrates are demanding a salary increase, saying they earn less than Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, and mayors.
The Association of Regional Magistrates has approached the South Gauteng High Court, to push for the increase, but their legal bid was dealt a setback when the Presidency filed papers at the eleventh hour.
The matter was subsequently struck off the roll.
President of the association Magistrate Ian Cox, says the 34% increase is not a ‘thumb suck’, but rather based on recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Commission (IRC).
According to Cox, the commission is the one that makes recommendations to the President regarding the determination of their salaries.
“This is not an annual cost-of-living adjustment. It is a correction of the wrongs of the past 10 to 15 years, where we’ve been receiving sub-inflation increases of up to 2%,” Cox explains.
When the matter went to court on Monday, it was found that the President had referred the recommendation back to the IRC for reconsideration.
Cox says the association asked for the matter to be removed from the roll, and costs were awarded due to the manner in which the President's legal team litigated the matter.
He says they still have the option of returning to court should the President's legal representatives not act within a reasonable time to get some relief.
*This article was first published by eNCA
The president's acted on a resolution taken by the National Assembly in May after a revision of the limit and the threshold for declaring donations by Parliament’s home affairs committee.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially raised the limit for private donations to political parties to R30 million a year.
He's acted on a resolution taken by the National Assembly in May after a revision of the limit and the threshold for declaring donations by Parliament’s home affairs committee.
Like the donation limit, the declaration threshold has also been doubled to R200,000.
After removing the R15 million donation limit private donors could make to political parties and independent candidates just before last year's May elections, the Western Cape High Court forced Parliament to reinstate the limit in August last year and for political parties to backdate their declarations to the Electoral Commission until a new limit was set.
The original limits were set in 2018 when the National Assembly passed the Political Party Funding Act.
In a proclamation published in the government gazette, President Ramaphosa has now determined the new donation limit to be R30 million.
All donations more than R200,000 will now also have to be declared.
Speaking in the Western Cape last week, the IEC's manager for political funding, George Mahlangu said no party would be off the hook in declaring its donations, and even if below the declaration threshold, parties are expected to record these in their annual financial statements.
*This article was first published by EWN News
High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to India, Professor Anil Sooklal says Indian business is keen on investing in South Africa.
Trade, Industry, and Competition minister, Parks Tau, is set to lead a delegation to Mumbai and Delhi from August 25 to 29, at the invitation of Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal.
The visit's objective is to strengthen trade relations and deepen economic ties between South Africa and India, while also exploring new markets.
Tau is also scheduled to attend and speak at the 20th India-Africa Conclave.
South Africa's economy is under severe pressure due to a 30% US tariff on its exports and existing domestic protectionism, stifling competition and this dual challenge puts jobs, economic growth, and investment at risk. However, Tau and the Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen recently indicated that they are exploring alternative trade partners to mitigate these impacts.
According to the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, the relationship with India is not so much about alternatives but also to diversify, so the nation does not rely on one or two trade partners.
He said this diversification was crucial, especially in light of the recent tariff hikes imposed by the US on South African exports.
Sooklal emphasised that "India can ease the US tariff saga" and that Indian businesses are keen on investing in South Africa, seeing it as an entry point to sub-Saharan Africa.
India is currently South Africa's fourth-largest trading partner and fourth-largest consumer market. With India expected to become the second-largest consumer market by 2030, the potential for trade growth between the two countries is significant.
Sooklal noted that "trade with India can only grow," and the visit would provide an opportunity for South African businesses to tap into the Indian economy.
During the visit, Tau and his delegation will focus on several key sectors, including exploring opportunities for collaboration and investment in the mining and minerals sector while strengthening ties in manufacturing, particularly in areas like automotive and pharmaceuticals.
Sooklal said the minister would also identify opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector, enhancing trade and investment in agriculture, promoting tourism between South Africa and India and collaborating on pharmaceutical production and trade.
Tau will participate in the 20th edition of the India-Africa Conclave, where he will be a speaker at the opening plenary.
The conclave provides a platform for Africa and India to engage on trade and economic issues, with over 30 countries confirmed to attend.
Sooklal highlighted that the conclave is a "well-established forum" that will facilitate interaction between South African and Indian businesses.
During the visit, Tau will also hold bilateral meetings with Indian businesses to further strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
“These meetings will provide opportunities for South African companies to explore new markets and partnerships in India…The visit is expected to yield significant economic benefits for South Africa.
“Indian businesses have already invested heavily in South Africa, with companies like Vedanta, Zinc International and Pepsico operating in the country. Pepsico South Africa now has five factories, while Mahindra South Africa recently inaugurated a new vehicle assembly facility in KwaZulu-Natal…Vedanta employs over 6,000 people,” Sooklal said.
"Minister Tau's visit to India is a strategic move to strengthen trade relations between South Africa and India, exploring new markets and deepening economic ties. With India poised to become an increasingly important player in the global economy, this visit is timely and crucial for South Africa's economic growth and development," said Sooklal.
DTIC spokesperson Kaamil Alli did not respond to questions as to who Tau would be taking to India as part of his delegation.
Last week, a press briefing on the US tariff hikes confirmed that South Africa plans to diversify its trade agreements beyond the United States.
*This article was first published by IOL News
