Former Vuma FM presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma leads anti-illegal immigration march in Maritzburg
Members of the movement, which aims to raise awareness about the effect of illegal immigration in South Africa, gathered outside the Pietermaritzburg high court to demand justice for a child allegedly raped by an illegal immigrant.
On Tuesday she took to social media, urging locals to support the cause. 'As March and March we are at PMB court to ask for justice for this victim, a nine-year-old who was [allegedly] raped by an illegal immigrant. If you are in PMB please JOIN US. #NoToIllegalImmigrants.'
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Jacinta says they note the Pietermaritzburg high court withdrawing the rape charge against the accused. They've instructed their attorneys to study the ruling and advise on how they can protect the rights of the minor child.
'We are deeply concerned that in most cases when such charges are withdrawn, it is due to failure by the state to properly investigate and come up with evidence that will result in a successful prosecution. Even now we don't know how many more children are at risk with so many illegal immigrants roaming our streets', she said.
Jacinta has previously spoken out against what she describes as the unfair advantage foreigners have over South Africans in the job market, saying, 'foreigners take jobs intended for South Africans and often seem to enjoy more rights than citizens'.
The protest in Pietermaritzburg is part of a campaign by the March and March movement, which continues to spark debate about immigration, crime and South African identity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
5 minutes ago
- The South African
DIRCO, defence ministry angered by SANDF general's visit to Iran
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Ministry of Defence have distanced themselves from South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya's pledge to Iran. Maphwanya reportedly pledged solidarity with Iran when he met with Major General Amir Hatami, Chief of Staff of Iran's Army, and other senior members in Tehran this week. According to Jewish publication The Algemeiner , during a joint media briefing, Maphwanya called for deeper ties between Iran and South Africa, especially in defence cooperation, affirming that South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran have common goals. 'We always stand alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world,' he was quoted as saying. Likewise, Hatami reportedly said that both countries share a strong commitment to opposing 'colonialism and global arrogance,' with South Africa playing a significant role in Iran's foreign policy priorities. In response, DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said it is crucial to clarify that the implementation of South Africa's foreign policy is a function of the Presidency, supported by DIRCO. Phiri said, consequently, any statements made by an individual or a department other than those responsible for foreign policy should not be misinterpreted as the official position of the South African Government. 'The remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not represent the government's official foreign policy stance. 'In response to this matter, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ronald Lamola will be seeking further clarification,' he said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
36 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Provinces surrender R923m in unspent funds
Gauteng's R465.4 million surrender dwarfed other provinces, representing nearly half of all surrendered funds. South African provinces surrendered R923 million in unspent conditional grant funds during the 2023-24 financial year, according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The surrendered amount represents funds that provinces were unable to utilise within the allocated timeframe across critical sectors, including health, education, and human settlements. Gauteng province recorded the highest surrender at R465.4 million, while KwaZulu-Natal was the only province that did not surrender any funds. Provincial breakdown reveals disparities The provincial breakdown, revealed in a parliamentary response to DA MP Wendy Alexander, shows stark differences in spending capacity across South Africa's nine provinces. Gauteng's R465.4 million surrender dwarfed other provinces, representing nearly half of all surrendered funds. The Western Cape surrendered R224.4 million, making it the second-highest contributor to unspent funds. Limpopo followed with R68.6 million, while the North West province surrendered R66.6 million. The Eastern Cape surrendered R62.7 million, while the Free State's unspent amount totalled R19.3 million. Mpumalanga surrendered R10.5 million, and the Northern Cape recorded the smallest surrender at R5.6 million. ALSO READ: Here's how much National Treasury has spent on consultants in two years Human settlements sector records highest underspending According to information provided by Godongwana, analysis by sector revealed that human settlements experienced the most significant underspending, surrendering R409.1 million of allocated funds. This represented nearly 45% of all surrendered provincial grant money. Health sector underspending reached R193.3 million, while roads and transport surrendered R155.9 million. The education sector returned R92.3 million in unspent funds. Sports, arts and culture surrendered R32.7 million, while agriculture returned R24.4 million. The public works sector recorded the smallest surrender at R15.5 million. ALSO READ: Godongwana hits back at Reserve Bank's 3% inflation target Systemic challenges behind underspending Godongwana outlined specific challenges that prevented provinces from utilising allocated funds across different sectors. Human settlements faced particularly severe constraints that hindered project delivery. 'Unfilled vacancies, such as planners, engineers and project managers, led to projects not being delivered on time, resulting in the under expenditure, and subsequent surrender of funds,' Godongwana explained regarding human settlements underspending. Meanwhile, the health sector encountered procurement delays that significantly impacted spending capacity. 'Delays in procurement on the National Tertiary Services grant. A large part of health technology is imported,' the minister noted. ALSO READ: 'Barrelling towards collapse': Concerns mount as Godongwana gives Morero deadline to fix Joburg's finances Education and infrastructure sectors face implementation delays The education sector underspending stemmed from procurement and staffing challenges that delayed programme implementation. 'Delays in the procurement of laptops for officials and the non-appointment of personnel under the School Nutrition Programme' contributed to the R92.3 million surrender, according to Godongwana. Public works struggled with employment programme timelines that affected the utilisation of funds. 'Contracts of EPWP workers not finalised on time, hence unspent funds were surrendered and not rolled over,' the minister stated. Transport sector challenges included legal obstacles and contractor performance issues. 'Delays in project completion due to legal action that halted implementation, and poor contractor performance, which resulted in the project not being completed,' Godongwana explained. ALSO READ: Macpherson suspends all EPWP funds to municipality Agriculture sector hampered by community unrest The agriculture sector's R24.4 million surrender resulted from external disruptions. 'Projects not completed due to community unrest, and planned training of farmers not completed on time' prevented full fund utilisation, the minister revealed. Bus subsidy allocations within the transport sector also contributed to underspending due to contracting delays. 'Regarding bus subsidies, some contracts were only finalised in the 2nd quarter, resulting in the funds being unspent,' Godongwana noted. National Treasury response and oversight measures According to Godongwana, the National Treasury has implemented regular engagement mechanisms to address provincial underspending challenges. These interventions aim to improve grant performance across all sectors and provinces. 'The National Treasury regularly engages with departments responsible for administering conditional grants,' Godongwana stated. The treasury's approach includes active participation in sector-specific review processes. 'The National Treasury officials frequently participate in sectoral meetings where grant performance is reviewed,' the minister explained. He said the treasury provides ongoing support to enhance implementation capacity. 'During these engagements, issues of non-performance are raised with both provincial and national departments and the National Treasury provides guidance to support improved implementation,' Godongwana stated. READ NEXT: R279 million budgeted for National Treasury's building rentals and parking spaces
Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Eyewitness News
Activists gather outside St George's Cathedral to honour journalists killed in Gaza
CAPE TOWN - A vigil is being held outside St George's Cathedral to honour the journalists who have been killed in Gaza. Journalists and activists have gathered outside the Church to show solidarity and to remember the media workers killed since October 7, 2023. According to the International Federation of Journalists, more than 270 journalists and media workers have been killed since the beginning of the conflict. Activists and journalists made their way to the steps of St George's Cathedral. Palestinian flags and posters are being held high by those who have come to pay their respects to the journalists who have lost their lives in the conflict. Some motorists showed support by hooting as they drove passed the oldest cathedral in Southern Africa. Demonstrators also chanted on the steps of the cathedral, calling for more to be done for the people of Palestine The chairperson from the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, Usuf Chikte, said they are also strongly opposed to what he said is the deliberate starvation and killing of Palestinians and journalists. "And we are standing here in defence of humanity to oppose the killings and the starvation and the displacement of the Palestinians by Israel.' Demonstrators are calling for justice for the journalists who have lost their lives and for accountability from media companies. They said they have not been impartial in reporting on the conflict. This past Sunday, five journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Award-winning South African cartoonist, Jonathan Shapiro, was also in attendance and said he has been critical of the conflict in the Middle East for decades. 'I've been doing cartoons in support of Palestinians and condemning Israel for decades, actually, but of course in the last couple of years, since things have increased in their trusties and their ferocity and the genocide has become so apparent, I've done tougher and tougher cartoons, and I will keep doing them.' Freedom of Palestine demonstrators are also calling for intervention in war-torn Congo and Sudan.
