MEC Shongwe sends condolences to the families of six people who died on a head on collision yesterday

MEC Shongwe sends condolences to the families of six people who died on a head on collision yesterday

By BRIAN KAJENGO

Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe sends condolences to the families of six people who died on Sunday 29 June 2014 in a vehicle collision on R546 Road between Evander and Standerton at about 17h00.

The crash involves a Nissan sedan which was travelling towards Standerton and an articulated truck travelling in the opposite direction.

Six people including the driver of the sedan died instantly when it collided head on with an Articulated Truck. One passenger, also from the sedan rushed to Evander Hospital and later to Witbank Hospital with serious injuries. The truck driver escaped with no injuries.

MEC Shongwe calls on passengers to promote safe driving habits by among others encouraging drivers not to overtake dangerously and also to observe all traffic regulations.

“Passengers too have a role to ensure that the vehicle they are travelling in is safe and that the driver is also fit.  

“When I was a taxi operator, we would experience a situation where passengers force a driver to drive fast. These tragic accidents will continue to steal the lives of innocent people if passengers fail to ensure safety of the vehicles they are travelling in,” concludes Shongwe.

EXPERTS ON FEASIBILITY STUDY OF RHINO HORN TRADE

PANEL OF EXPERTS INVITES STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AS IT EXPLORES RHINO HORN TRADE FEASIBILITY AS PART OF SOUTH AFRICA’S COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED APPROACH TO REDUCE RHINO POACHING

The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, invites stakeholders to register to participate in the process of the Panel of Experts investigating the feasibility of legalizing rhino horn trade.

The Department of Environmental Affairs was authorised by Cabinet in July 2013 to explore the feasibility of South Africa tabling a proposal for the legalization of commercial international trade in rhino horn at the 17^th Conference of Parties (CoP17) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2016.

    

The Panel of Experts established to assist the Inter-Ministerial Committee appointed by Cabinet to deliberate on the matters relating to a possible trade in rhino horn commenced its work in April 2014.  Mr Fundisile Mketeni, the Deputy Director-General, chairs the 10 member Panel: Biodiversity and Conservation and will report to the Inter-Ministerial Committee before the end of the year. 

The Cabinet-approved Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) comprises the Ministers of Environmental Affairs, International Relations and Cooperation, Trade and Industry, Finance, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Rural Development and Land Reform, Economic Development and Tourism, Safety and Security and Justice and Correctional Services. The Committee will provide guidance relating to preparations in respect of a trade proposal considered at CITES COP17.  The IMC will meet as soon as the Panel of Experts (PoE) has finalised a report for its consideration.

The PoE has met twice since its appointment to initiate its work and discuss the scope of work to done. 

Key areas of work undertaken by the Panel include:

·      Analysis of the current rhino situation and interventions to address illegal killing of rhino and illegal trade in rhino horn, with a focus on government initiatives;

·      Identification of new or additional interventions required to create an enabling environment for the sustainable utilization of natural resources and to strengthen the integrated approach of the government in addressing illegal killing and illegal trade;

·      The socio-economic impact of wildlife trafficking (illegal killing and illegal trade) for communities, game farms and private game reserves, conservation authorities and species conservation, and options relating to the establishment of alternative economies;

·      Special focus on community involvement and participation, especially the communities neighbouring protected areas with rhinos

·     The potential impact of various interventions and management scenarios on the conservation of the species, including range expansion;

·      Improve understanding of demand and supply; the anticipated changes if trade introduced; and the mechanisms to respond to that change;

·      Potential models/mechanisms for trade (strictly controlled trade, i.e. once-off sale of stockpiles; government to government trade or more open regulated trade; sources of specimens and specimens to be traded; the benefits and risks associated with the different options; regulatory and control mechanisms; traceability; enforcement measures and financial mechanisms to be considered);

·      The implications and risks for enforcement and security matters and mechanisms to mitigate (dynamics of wildlife crime and the key issues to be considered in terms of addressing current enforcement challenges and anticipated enforcement challenges);

·      Implications of the decisions relating to trade for other rhino range States as well as implications for consumer States; and

The work of the Panel has intensified as the number of rhino poached in South Africa since the start of 2014, now stands at 496.  The number of alleged poachers arrested since January 2014 is 141. 

The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa.   Since January 2014, 321 rhino poached in the Park. 

The number of rhino poached in Limpopo this year has raised to 51, while 47 rhino poached in KwaZulu-Natal, 35 in North West and 24 in Mpumalanga. 

The Panel will co-opt experts as the need arises and will engage with various stakeholders during the process.  Stakeholders invited to indicate whether they would like to make representations to the panel, and on what subject matter. The inputs considered by the Panel in formulating recommendations to the South African government on an appropriate position on the legalisation of rhino horn trade. 

The Panel will consider the requests received and invite organisations or individuals to present information to it for consideration. The schedule of engagements/workshops made available in due course.

·         interested stakeholders and organisations can register their interest to participate with Mr Mpho Tjiane of the Department of Environmental Affairs through e-mail:mtjiane@environment.gov.za

·         Stakeholders requiring information about the work of the Panel may contact Mr Tjiane at mtjiane@environment.gov.za

·         All media requests must be directed in writing to either  Albi Modise at amodise@environment.gov.za or  Eleanor Momberg at emomberg@environment.gov.za

To access the template to be completed by organisations / individuals that would like to register, click on:

https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/stakeholder_registration_form.pdf

• South Africans and members of the international community are encouraged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.
  

RADICAL ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IS KEY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, MINISTER DAVIES

RADICAL ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IS KEY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, MINISTER DAVIES

 By BRIAN KAJENGO

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies says Radical Economic Transformation in South Africa must mean radical transformation on a number of levels such as productive structures of the economy.

“Radical Economic Transformation must mean radical transformation of production relations; less conflict, characterised by more equitable benefit-sharing and by less inequality. It must mean placing job creation at the heart of work programmes and promoting a more inclusive job-rich pattern of growth,” he said.

Minister Davies added that only radical economic change that has these characteristics will be capable of pushing back the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

“Nothing less will make the grade. If we want 5% economic growth, we have to bring about radical change at all of the levels. Our vision and our broad directive compass being the National Development Plan. But within that, we recognise the New Growth Path, the infrastructure programme and the Industrial Policy Action Plan as key components and drivers of taking us where we want to go,” he stated.

Minister Davies highlighted that beneficiation and localisation will add value in the economy and contribute towards the country achieving 5% economic growth.

“Government will use Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to drive platinum beneficiation and there will be two SEZs that will be based on the beneficiation of platinum. These would do jewellery, catalytic converters and, very excitingly and very importantly, fuel-cell technology around small power stations. Partners and potential foreign investors identified already. They need reliable, available quantities of platinum at a sufficiently attractive discount price to support that activity. That's where beneficiation comes in.,” indicated Minister Davies.

According to Minister Davies, government will reconvene the Inter-Departmental Task Team (IDTT) on Iron Ore and Steel to exhilarate mineral beneficiation.

“We were stuck in the last five years on the issue of Iron Ore and Steel because of the court cases. Those court cases have run their course, and we are now going to reconvene the IDTT with the intention of ensuring that a proportion of the iron ore that produced in South Africa made available at a discounted price to support steel manufacturers who are prepared to price that steel in the bottom quartile of world prices

Minister Davies alluded that the Mineral Beneficiation Action Plan identified as a distinct piece of work; and integrated into the Industrial Policy Action Plan. He reiterated that South Africa is on a journey where radical transformations are absolutely critical and essential. 

PREMIER DAVID MABUZA PROMISES 78 000 JOBS FOR UNEMPLOYED YOUTH

PREMIER DAVID MABUZA PROMISES 78 000 JOBS FOR UNEMPLOYED YOUTH

BY BRIAN KAJENGO

Initially they are to Department in Mpumalanga that seemed be failing service delivery when comes to job creation in the Province.

Mpumalanga has two viable industries that could be sustainable for job creation. If you look at the biodiversity in the province, Tourism will be the yard stick to job creation, the varsity land that are unutilized Agriculture comes second.  

There is a lot to be done in the province to create employment in the province.

If the Premier would like to be successful to what he planned he has to engage with researchers to identify the gaps to be closed.

Radical socio-economic is not a big issue if most of Mabuza’s subordinates put hands together on one deck to push the province forward.

The Mpumalanga Economic Growth and Development Path which DD Mabuza banks on has a lot to do. The most important thing for Mabuza to fulfil what ever he promises is to make his subordinates proactive.   

Sustainable projects had to be formed by community members with little bit influences of politic to benefit the community.

“A point to not Mr. Premier, Please identify dedicated people to mentor the youth so that they can start sustainable projects. e.g recycling projects, environmental initiatives, tourism initiatives, such as cultural villages, and cultural activities especially along R40.”

Let the initiative NYDA youth fund reach many young people out there in order to create employment and alleviate poverty.   

The Premier’s target of 78 000 work opportunities be achieved if some of the points identified by Bvunzamutupo News.

Premier DD Mabuza said, “We will continue to prioritize agriculture and forestry; mining; manufacturing; tourism and ICT (Information and Communications Technology).”     

Mabuza said his government would  prioritizes the improvement and expansion of the road network in strategic towns that have shown rapid growth recently, namely, Mbombela, Emalahleni, Ermelo, Middleburg, Mashishing and Secunda.

Mpumalanga Premier’s state of address this year received much attention, especially from the opposition parties.

Bvunzamutupo News feels that the provinces should have more researchers and analyst to assist development in the provinces.

Lets these projects benefit the poor communities than more of the government officials.

DA Mpumalanga said, “We welcome premier Mabuza’s inclination to adopt DA policy proposals as workable government strategies, in particular the following;

The decentralisation of the department of health’s decision making powers to hospital CEO’s, allowing them to have control over what takes place in their respective hospitals and to be held accountable for it.”

The DA welcomes the premier’s commitment to infrastructure development especially in the health, education, local government, roads and water sectors. When implemented well, infrastructure development and government spending are the keys to stimulating provincial economies.

You can send you comment to bvunzamutupo@gmail.com 

Mpumalanga recovers 16 m and launches second Consumer Court

Mpumalanga recovers 16 m and launches second Consumer Court

By BRIAN KAJENGO

Bethal – The Mpumalanga Consumer Court has recovered over R16, 6 million on behalf of consumers from unscrupulous business operators in the last three years.

This was revealed by the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Mr SE Kholwane at the swearing in of 15 Consumer Court Members in Bethal today.

“As a Province, we continue to be inundated by complaints from consumers who are suffering serious losses at the hands of unscrupulous business people. To signify the gravity of this matter, the Department has investigated 2027 lodged consumer cases and resolved 2093 between April 2013 and March 2014. In the process, we have recovered about R5.2 Million on behalf of consumers during the same period.

 We can also report that through the work of the Consumer Court, we have managed to recover over R6.3 million after resolving 1974 cases in the 2011/2012 financial year, and a further R5.1 million after resolving 1810 cases in the 2012/2013 financial year”, said Kholwane.

The Mpumalanga Consumer Court was established in 2009 with only one court serving three Districts Municipalities (Ehlanzeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande).  The court was able to conduct its work through the cooperation of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Nelspruit and the Bethal magistrate court were used as the sitting venues of the Consumer Court.

In an effort to demonstrate government commitment in defending and accelerating the rate of resolving consumer complaints, the Mpumalanga government recently approved the establishment of the second Consumer Court which will service the Nkangala and Gert Sibande District Municipalities

The two Consumer Courts will be composed of 15 members, with eight (8) members serving the Ehlanzeni District Municipality and the other seven (7) members focusing on consumer complaints in both Nkangala and Gert Sibande Municipality District.

During the swearing-in ceremony of the new members of the two Courts, MEC Kholwane urged them to be mindful of striking a balance between government’s responsibility to develop, and grow business and protecting vulnerable consumers.

“We hope you will be able to strike a balance, having in mind that whilst it is our responsibility to develop and grow businesses, this should not happen at the expense of vulnerable consumers,” urged MEC Kholwane.

The MEC also emphasised that the Department of Economic Development and Tourism will continue with consumer awareness programmes to empower and make consumers aware of their responsibility towards their Protected Consumer Rights. He further said that the government will continue to strengthen and support the Office of the Consumer Protector to resolve consumer complaints more expeditiously.

The fifteen (15) members of the two (2) Consumers are as follows:

Ehlanzeni District Municipality

1.        Professor J Maseko   - Chairperson

2.    Mr B.L Matsane            - Alternative Chairperson

      3.    Mrs Swart                    _ Member                              

     4.     Ms Te Mawelela           - Member

     5.     Ms NB Mabuza             - Member

Alternative Members

1.       Ms L Mcitwa –  Mahlangu

2.       Mr. DE Mashego

3.       Mr. VRS Nkosi 

Nkangala / Gert Sibande District Municipality

1.       Ms N R Shabangu – Chairperson

2.       Judge  JM Matsebula – Alternative Chairperson

3.       Ms  SP Mkhatshwa – Member

4.       Mr Z.V Msibi – Member

5.       Ms S Lebasa – Member

 Alternative Members

1.       Ms MS Nkgadima

Mr. T. N M  Nkomo

TRUCK DRIVER SENTENCED

TRUCK DRIVER SENTENCED

Nelspruit – A 32-year-old truck driver, George Mandlazi appeared before Judge Nomsa Khumalo at the Gauteng Circuit of the High Court in Nelspruit on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to 24 counts of culpable homicide for sentencing.

On the day of the accident, Mandlazi was on duty on his way to Tulloh Farm carrying 47 seasonal fruit pickers on 13 July 2012, when the truck he was driving collided with a train.

Twenty four (24) people died horrifically and the rest sustained serious and slightly injuries after Mandlazi failed to stop and collided with the train. He was arrested and granted a R3 000 bail after he appeared several times before the court until his sentencing yesterday.

Judge Khumalo has sentenced Mandlazi to 10 years imprisonment of which three years was suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty on similar crime.

He was also sentenced to three years imprisonment for reckless and negligent driving which will run concurrently with the culpable homicide sentence. The court further suspended Mandlazi’s drivers license for a year and declared him unfit to possess a firearm. 

CITIZENS MUST RESPECT THE LAW OF THE COUNTRY

CITIZENS MUST RESPECT THE LAW OF THE COUNTRY

 By BRIAN KAJENGO

Nelspruit – the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Meshack Nogwanya pleads with the community of Mpumalanga to adhere to the prescripts of the law regarding where and how land can be occupied as a residential area.

“More often we see community members being forcefully relocated from one area to another due to unlawful occupation. It is worrying that people occupy land illegally and the next thing they start demanding basic services from authorities and if they do not receive such services, they resort to violent protests. As the police we are obliged to enforce the law and to maintain order.” He said.

To abate confrontations between the police and the community, we therefore request the community not to occupy any land illegally.

Ngomane signed a Memorandum of Understanding with other stakeholders that talks to the subject of land invasion.

The MOU is strengthens obligations wherein the Province undertake to investigate cases reported by traditional council or duly authorised representatives with respect to illegal demarcations and/or selling of land and stands. We also undertake to ensure law enforcement against any person subsequently found camping or involved in similar illegal activity.

“As SAPS we will assist with the process of combating unlawful land invasion. We will ensure that we assist with the enforcement of court orders sought by Traditional Leaders and the municipalities regarding land invasion”, said General Nogwanya.

ILLEGAL INITIATION SCHOOLS MUST BE BARRED

ILLEGAL INITIATION SCHOOLS MUST BE BARRED

by BRIAN KAJENGO

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga SAPS, Major General Meshack Nogwanya issued a stern warning regarding incorrect practices in the initiation schools.

The warning come in support of the House of Traditional Leaders and in the light of complaints received through Ingoma Forum about some initiation schools operating illegally.

The death of initiates last year caused pandemonium and acrimony within the province. Grieving families remain with unanswered questions on how they beloved children died.

“The practices of operating initiations schools without following proper procedures and processes is unacceptable and may result into prosecution and to the extreme it may lead to loss of life”, said General Nogwanya.

Nogwanya further reminded the initiation school owners that they must not forget the barbaric instances in which 30 initiates died in Mpumalanga. As a result of this, the National Director of Public Prosecution has ruled that 23 of these deaths allegedly occurred negligently and the suspected perpetrators will be prosecuted.

The initiation schools owners charged with negligent.

The police in Mpumalanga are currently investigating four new cases of deaths that took place at initiation schools in the province.

“These incidents cause a painful grief to families and as law enforcement agency it is within our responsibility to probe these issues. As the police we do respect the culture of individuals as enshrined in the Constitution. However the lives of individuals are more important than a culture. Cultural practices should be done within the constraints of the law”, General Nogwanya explained.

“It is disturbing that children as young as 16, due to pressure from their peers, often hand themselves in at the initiation schools without permission from parents. What aggravates the issue is that some initiation school owners do register them without consulting their parents. This practice must cease as it may lead to prosecution,” warned General Nogwanya.

“In Mpumalanga we have assembled a team of investigators that from time to time interact with the Ingoma Forum on related matters. The team is responsible to investigate the deaths that occurred at initiation schools and prepare dockets for decisions by prosecutors. We are proud with the team and the working relationship we have with the prosecution and the Ingoma Forum. This concerted effort has proved to be successful hence the 23 cases to be prosecuted”, concluded General Nogwanya. 

Premier Mabuza, on Friday you have to walk your election promises talk

Premier Mabuza, on Friday you have to walk your election promises talk

DA Mpumalanga expects the Premier to fulfil his promises and his surbonates to be proactive.

DA leader Anthony Bernadie says on Friday Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza will deliver the first State of the Province Address (SOPA) of his second term in office, and he will do so knowing that he carries the hopes and aspirations of millions of people of the province.

It is critical that this SOPA break from the tedious annual recital of rehashed national ANC policy, and delivers a sustainable plan of action to deal with the high rates of unemployment, slack economic growth, the scourge of corruption and the disastrous state of provincial and local government service delivery.

This is what DA expects while the announcements following the provincial executive lekgotla this past week may be a harbinger of a dramatic policy shift in the provincial ANC, the proof of its commitment to delivery will lie by carrying out the following:

·         The new boards of MEGA and MTPA must comprise suitably qualified individuals to provide knowledgeable leadership, and not well-connected ANC cadres only interested in lining their pockets; 

·         The health department curator must take definitive steps to address the shortcomings as identified in the Human Rights Commission investigation report, and provide quality health care to the people;

·         Take a definitive step in the fight against corruption by removing the head of the education department and firing the members of the bid adjudication committee implicated in the fraudulent school nutrition feeding scheme tender awards; and

·         Start proceedings to remove every municipal manager, chief financial officer and senior financial management staff in municipalities who do not comply with the National Treasury’s minimum competency regulations, and replacing them with suitably qualified individuals.

We have to see premier Mabuza take definitive steps to implement the National Development Plan at a provincial level, laying out clear strategies for job creation, economic growth, and improving the level of education in our schools.

Such steps should include an announcement to grow small and medium enterprises through the implementation of a youth wage subsidy, the commercialisation of provincial parks to increase tourism to the province, and the official announcement of the Moloto Rail Corridor and the development of industrial nodes along its route to stimulate job creation in a deeply impoverished area. 

Mpumalanga is at cross-roads, and decisive action is needed to halt the steady decline in living standards experienced by the province’s citizens.

The DA hopes that this Friday, a new dawn will break over Mpumalanga, bringing an end to poverty and despair.

MPUMALANGA COPS ARRESTED ONE OF THEIR OWN FOR RAPE

MPUMALANGA COPS ARRESTED ONE OF THEIR OWN FOR RAPE

 By BRIAN KAJENGO

Ermelo – The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Major General (Adv) Meshack Nogwanya has vowed that police officials who have an unpalatable and disgraceful behaviour are not welcomed in the service.

This came after a Warrant Officer (52), stationed at Ermelo Vehicle Identification Section (VIS), arrested yesterday morning for allegedly raping and impregnating a 17-year-old mentally ill teenager.

It’s alleged that the mother of the victim suspected that her child was pregnant and immediately took her to the clinic for check up. The clinic then confirmed the pregnancy and the victim pointed the Warrant Officer as the perpetrator. The matter then reported to the police and the suspect arrested.

Major General Nogwanya said, “I am impressed by the work done by our detectives in ensuring that the rights of women and children are protected in our province.

This clearly shows that we are committed to fight any form of crime without any fear of a person’s status. I still repeat that I will not tolerate any form of ill discipline by our members. All those who do not behave according to our prescripts will be dealt with accordingly”.

The suspect is appearing before the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court today facing a charge of rape.

Memorial Service for Mpumalanga bus accident victims to be held

Memorial Service for Mpumalanga bus accident victims to be held

 By BRIAN KAJENGO

Mpumalanga Government in collaboration with the community of Bushbuckridge and other stakeholders will hold a Memorial Service for the six of the victims of a bus accident that claimed eleven people.

The crash, which happened on 11 June 2014 on R40 Road towards Hazyview, occurred when a truck lost control and veered onto the oncoming traffic colliding with a bus and an SUV. All vehicles caught fire and as a result some of the victims sustained serious burns. Six people sustained serious injuries at the time.

The Memorial Service for the six take place at Word of Life Church in Shatale, Bushbuckridge on Thursday 26 June 2014 at 12h00.

Meanwhile the Funeral Service for the six will be held at the same venue on Saturday, 28 June 2014 from 07h00. Another victim who passed on while at Robs Ferreira in Mbombela will also be buried on Saturday in Mozambique.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 5TH LEGISLATURE AND DELIVERY OF THE STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS

THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 5^TH LEGISLATURE AND DELIVERY OF THE STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS

Preparations for the official opening of the 5^th Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature and the delivery of the State of the Province Address are at an advance stage.  This sitting will held on 27 June 2014 at 10am.

The First Session of 5^th Legislature  is expected to be attended by former Speakers, former Premier’s , former Secretaries to the Legislature, Members of Parliament representing Mpumalanga Province, NCOP Members from the province, representatives from chapter 9 institutions  and other dignitaries from around the country.

The honourable Premier of the Mpumalanga Province Mr DD Mabuza will deliver his State of Province; this will be his first state of the province address in his second term. The Premier will outline his plans for the province for the next five years.

Due to the limited space at the venue, members of the public are encouraged to follow the live proceedings on Ligwalagwala FM, Ikwekwezi FM, and all Provincial Community Radio Stations and on DSTV channel 319.

The Legislature has also arranged for the public viewing centres in Nkangala, Steve Tshwete Municipality at KwaZamokuhle- Kingdom Dominion Embassy (DCC Church); Gert Sibande, Albert Luthuli Municipality at Father Charles Community Hall and Ehlanzeni, Mbombela Municipality at Manzini Community Hall.

The attendance of this event by media representatives for subsequent coverage will be highly appreciated.

Members of the media invited to a media briefing on 26 June 2014 at 16h00 in Committee Room 7 at the Legislature. Media accreditation done after the media briefing.

ACTING PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER IS ADAMANT ABOUT COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

ACTING PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER IS ADAMANT ABOUT COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.

By BRIAN KAJENGO 

Nelspruit– Tuesday 24 June 2014, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Adv) Meshack Nogwanya said he is adamant that community participation could assist in the fight against crime in the province.

He stressed that if the community could report all criminal activities witnessed, we would be able to arrest suspects without delay.

This comes after four people murdered yesterday in separate incidents in the province.

·        At Manyeveni trust in Kabokweni, a 46 years old man assaulted with an unknown object and later died in hospital.

·        At Jerusalem Trust in Masoyi a 40 years old man also beaten to death with an unknown object.

·        At Embalenhle Ext 20 an unknown African man was found dead on the street after been struck with an unknown object.

·        At White River, police are in pursuit of suspect(s) who fatally shot a Somali national during a house robbery last night, at Msholozi Village.  His neighbour discovered the deceased’s body in the early hours of this morning.

In all the incidents the suspects are unknown. The Acting Provincial Commissioner requests anyone with information that could lead to arrests of the suspects to contact their nearest police stations.

 “I am sure that if we can commit ourselves as community members to report these criminals, we can win the war against crime. These criminals are living with us in our communities and someone somewhere has seen them but decided to keep quite. It is only if we work together that the police can apprehend these criminals so that they sent to jail.” He said.

He went on to say these criminal incidents are tarnishing the beautiful name of our province. We however urge all citizens not to take the law into their own hands as vigilantism is a serious crime.

“The legal principle is to call the police to attend the scene as they (police) have vested powers from Section 205 (3) of the Constitution to prevent, combat and investigate crime,” Major General Nogwanya said.

Mpumalanga health department misleading HRC

Mpumalanga health department misleading HRC

The DA welcomes the decision of the Mpumalanga provincial executive to place the Department of Health under curatorship, and hopes that this will realign the department’s plans to address the shortcomings as identified by the Human Rights Commission (HRC).

In its submission to the HRC, the department presented its strategy to address the commission’s recommendations. However, its 2014/15 budget documents do not reflect the undertakings made, as:

·         It is unable to address the critically high vacancy rate among medical professionals, including the absorption of community service professionals, due to budget constraints;

·         Drug shortages will continue as budget for medical supplies and medicines reduced by 30% and 11% respectively;

·        The department decreased the budget for medical machinery and equipment by 43% due to increases in salaries and wages (177%), as well as goods and services (412%). This budget will continue to decrease to a paltry R6,6 million by the 2016/17 financial year; and

·         The infrastructure crisis will continue as the health facilities budget is due to decrease by 19% due to the department’s slow implementation. This trend will continue with further decreases projected for the future.

While the curatorship decision is an admission by premier DD Mabuza and his executive that health delivery is in crisis, it is clear that the department and former MEC Candith Mashego’s submission to the HRC was an attempt to pull the wool over the commission’s eyes.

To this end the DA will submit a detailed report to the HRC, highlighting the discrepancies in the department’s submission, and calls on the commission to interact with the curator and ask for a revised turnaround strategy with implementation deadlines to resubmit.

The DA will continue to interact with HRC, and hold the curator, the premier and new health MEC, Gillion Mashego to account.

Premier Mabuza gets overview of health situation in Mpumalanga

Premier Mabuza gets overview of health situation in Mpumalanga

By BRIAN KAJENGO

Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza on Monday, 23 June 2014 spent more than five hours interacting with the chief executive officers of the provincial hospitals in an effort to understand and get a clear overview of the entire health system.

After intensive discussions, the Premier conceded that indeed the situation at the hospitals was extremely bad and he has since called for a bold commitment from the chief executive officers to work hand-in-hand with him and the curator in changing the situation around immediately.

Mabuza received verbal reports from chief executive officers of all 33 provincial hospitals stating their challenges, which painted a negative picture in terms of the infrastructure, human resources, leadership and contract management in the health system.

The chief executive officers told the Premier that generally all hospitals had infrastructure problems, as some buildings were ageing and dilapidated. The infrastructure problems ranged from dysfunctional broilers and laundry machines to lack of life saving equipment.

While others complained about lack of enough accommodation for patients, some told the Premier about the leaking roofs and lack of proper theatre tables.

They said their budgets were not sufficient for their operations, grocery was running dry and some could not even pay their suppliers. They said linen had to be cleaned at faraway hospitals that had such equipment.

Many of the chief executive officers were employed on acting capacity and the workmanship at the hospitals was also terrible. Some hospitals had serious water shortages and at some hospitals patient safety was compromised, as there was lack of proper fencing.

In some instances, employees’ compensation had been exhausted due to staff shortages, as people worked overtime continuously. Some chief financial officers complained about the lack of transport for their referred patients.

“We now have a general feel of the situation. Indeed it is bad with lots of problems. We need a commitment from this leadership to work with us in turning the situation around.

“We are going to rework their entire budget structures. We must further intervene with immediate effect in terms of infrastructure. Each and every hospital must be given a minimum number of people in order to be functional.

“As the provincial government, we will work on some certain powers which we think should be delegated to the chief executive officers, however they must not abuse them. We want to ensure that they get certain delegations and they must be able to handle the finances,” said Mabuza.

He explained that before such powers were delegated to the chief executive officers, the provincial government would ensure that systems at the hospitals were strengthened. The Premier further urged the chief executive officers to ensure that health system was not collapsing by managing the hospitals as expected.

He said the good performing chief executive officers should be incentivized in order to motivate them.

“We cannot always be regarded as a bad province when it comes to the matters of health. We have men and women who are able to turn things around here. We must not allow the challenges to overcome us.

“We cannot afford to destroy the skill and talent we have in these men and women, we must protect our hard working individuals because they are our resource for our government.

“We need to treat each other as a family, we must love our beautiful province and its people, in that way, we will definitely go an extra mile in serving them with passion. There should be progress in the people’s lives, otherwise if we cannot work, we must simply just go to the graves,” said Mabuza.

He explained that he was going to change the tone and take stringent actions in changing the situation in the health system, as it was the government of the day that was regarded as failing the people.

He added that the provincial department of health would standardize and normalize the prices for consumables as different suppliers charged government different exorbitant amounts when supplying food at the hospitals.