On August 29, 2023, a joint operation conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), and private security officers resulted in the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of stolen goods in Gauteng. The operation was a remarkable display of diligence and collaboration among the law enforcement agencies.
South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, has recently introduced the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill in parliament. This significant move follows the approval of the bill by the cabinet on 14 August 2023, with adjustments made for future ad hoc investigative directorates. The purpose of this amendment is to strengthen South Africa’s anticorruption law enforcement strategy, particularly in response to the recommendations made by the State Capture Commission.
South Africa is a country rich in diversity and cultural experiences that has seen a steady increase in tourism over the years. To ensure the safety of tourists, the government and private sector have collaborated to establish the National Tourism Safety Forum. This forum includes members from various tourism sector bodies, the Department of Tourism, the South African Police, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the Department of Transport.
Plettenberg Bay, a picturesque coastal town, is undergoing a significant transformation with the implementation of several infrastructure projects. On August 28th, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, MEC of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers, Executive Mayor Dave Swart, and Ward Councillor Claude Terblanche gathered to commemorate the groundbreaking Ebenhaeser housing project’s progress.
In recent weeks, fraudulent health officials have been targeting unsuspecting business owners in an attempt to defraud them. While these tactics are not new, a lack of awareness can lead to significant financial losses. Therefore, the City urges everyone, particularly business owners, to take precautions against these scammers.
Cape Town has announced an extension of the deadline for pensioner support applications from 31 August 2023 to 30 November 2023. The extension aims to provide ample time for pensioners aged 60 and above, as well as individuals receiving social grants or a pension of no more than R22,000 per month, to seek assistance from the City.
As security concerns continue to rise, the need for capable and competent leaders in law enforcement has become paramount. To address this need, the United Kingdom’s College of Policing has recently introduced an innovative and transformative policing course, the Police Leadership Workshop.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has launched an Integrated Community Registration Outreach Program (ICROP) to provide essential social security services to underprivileged residents of Leslie Township in the Govern Mbeki Local Municipality, Mpumalanga. ### Challenges of Leslie Township
Cape Town, one of South Africa’s busiest cities, is undergoing a groundbreaking infrastructure project that promises to revolutionize transportation. The Sky Circle Project, a unique undertaking, involves building an elevated traffic circle at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) in Lansdowne. The primary objective of the project is to enhance traffic flow and public transportation by segregating MyCiTi buses from general traffic. With a quarter of the project already completed, commuters can expect new traffic arrangements and contraflow systems.
The North West Office of the Premier is collaborating with the National AntiCorruption Advisory Council (NACAC) to host a Provincial AntiCorruption Roadshow in Matlosana Local Municipality. This initiative is part of the South African government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency.
The National Treasury of South Africa has recently released the fourth quarter local government revenue and expenditure report for the financial year 2022/23. This report is a crucial source of information for understanding the performance of municipalities and the challenges they have faced throughout the year.
In 2023, Western Cape’s MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, launched Tourism Month in Plettenberg Bay. The event highlighted the significance of the tourism and hospitality industries in the region, which generate R15.5 billion in revenue and support 174,000 direct jobs, according to 2019 data.
Cape Town has long been grappling with power outages that have impeded the city’s growth and development. However, a hydroelectric facility has emerged as a gamechanger in Cape Town’s energy landscape. The Steenbras Hydro Pump Station, located near the Steenbras Dam, is a pump storage facility that plays a crucial role in Cape Town’s energy infrastructure, providing a reliable power supply to its residents and alleviating the strain on the energy grid.
Suppliers in the correctional services sector have been encountering a growing issue of fraudulent purchasing orders. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has issued a warning to their suppliers to exercise caution when dealing with purchasing orders. ### Deceptive Tactics Employed by Scammers
The City of Cape Town, in collaboration with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and the Housing Development Agency (HDA), is actively working to relocate unlawful occupants along the central line. As the independent planning authority, the City’s impartial role is to oversee the application process under the Municipal Planning ByLaw and provide basic services for the project.
In August 2023, the Council approved the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City’s Economic Growth Directorate’s Enterprise and Investment Department and Khulisa Social Solutions. This agreement secures funding for the Presidential Employment Programme (PEP): Central Business District (CBD) Regeneration Project for the 2023/2024 financial year.
