Latest news with #ArmandHough
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Public Works rejects 'untruthful narratives' on prison maintenance, reveals budget shortfall
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has responded to claims regarding the lack of maintenance for prison facilities, revealing a significant budget shortfall. Image: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has strongly rejected what it calls 'misrepresentations and untruthful narratives' presented to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, following widespread criticism over alleged failure to maintain prison infrastructure, including in KwaZulu-Natal. During a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services last week, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) revealed that it paid over R842 million to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) in the 2024/25 financial year for maintenance services, but claimed no work was done, prompting MPs to question whether the DCS had requested a refund. The MPs also raised concern about the worsening state of correctional facilities, including the closure of the kitchen at Westville Correctional Service Medium A in KZN as it needs refurbishment which will cost R12 million. However, DPWI spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said the department "rejects and takes serious exception to the misrepresentations and untruthful narratives presented before the DCS Portfolio Committee.' Mabaso expressed that the department was 'deeply concerned' about the information presented to the committee. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading DPWI Director-General Sifiso Mdakane disputed that R842 million had been received, stating that financial records showed the amount received from DCS for accommodation charges in 2024/25 was R672 million. 'It is unfortunate to learn of this through the media when recently, the ministers of the two departments met and resolved that the accounting officers must lead a task team to resolve all the matters including payments, budget and state of facilities,' Mdakane said. According to the DPWI, the DCS occupies 12,282 properties at a cost of R14.33 per square metre, while the approved finance model sets the cost at R53.60 per square metre — a shortfall of nearly R2 billion annually. 'The R14.33 per square metre basic user charge paid by the Department of Correctional Services is insufficient to cover any basic services related to property management, ownership, or custodianship as per the DPWI mandate,' Mabaso said. He added that more than R520 million of the R672 million received from DCS went to municipalities for property rates, with only R152 million spent on maintenance and repairs. 'In fact, over a period of four years, the DCS has paid the DPWI R2.6 billion while the DPWI has spent R4.4 billion to service the Department of Correctional Services,' said Mabaso. 'This translates to a staggering R1.8 billion budget shortfall.'
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
It's time to rethink corporate giving in Africa
Corporates, non-profits and government must work together in coordinated, transparent and scalable ways if we're serious about lasting change, the writer says. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Across Africa, well-meaning initiatives, designed in boardrooms, backed by big budgets and rolled out with fanfare, have long been positioned as a force for good. But what if, in trying to help, we're sometimes making things worse? In too many cases, CSI projects miss the mark: fostering dependence instead of empowerment, duplicating efforts already underway, or overlooking the very people they're meant to serve. As Africa reflects on transformation during Africa Month, it's time to ask harder questions about how and why, corporate giving can backfire. We've seen programmes that distribute food parcels without investing in food security, or those that introduce technology into schools without training teachers or ensuring the infrastructure exists to support it. These are not just inefficiencies, they are missed opportunities, and in some cases, they actively disempower communities. This is not to say that CSI is inherently flawed. But when it's not rooted in context, consultation and co-creation, it can do more harm than good. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ One of the most common missteps I've seen is designing projects for communities rather than with them. Too often, corporates decide what a school, clinic, or neighbourhood needs, without ever speaking to the school governing body, community leaders, or the people who live there. Even the best-resourced interventions can fall flat if they're out of step with local realities. In my view, there are five key principles that every CSI practitioner should treat as non-negotiable: research, consultation, co-creation, listening, and partnership. These may sound simple, but they require humility and a willingness to let go of control. Just because we have the resources doesn't mean we have all the answers. The result of bypassing this process is often what I call performative CSI: initiatives that look good in a press release but lack any meaningful or lasting impact. It's when we treat communities like passive recipients instead of equal partners. It's when we focus on meeting KPIs instead of solving real problems. And it's when we forget that behind every number in a dashboard is a person with dreams, struggles and potential. CSI in Africa must be about more than optics. We have a responsibility to confront the inequalities that still define too many lives, children who walk long distances to overcrowded schools, families without access to clinics, young people with no clear path to employment. Real impact means going beyond short-term gestures and investing in solutions that last. It means removing the everyday obstacles that chip away at people's dignity, potential and hope. That's why I believe we need to move toward collaborative, sector-wide approaches. The challenges we face, whether it's poverty, unemployment, education or access to healthcare – are too layered and too urgent for any one organisation to tackle alone. Corporates, non-profits and government must work together in coordinated, transparent and scalable ways if we're serious about lasting change. There are strong signs that the sector is beginning to shift. According to the Next Generation trends and insights research report 2025/2026 on the social, solidarity and impact economies of South Africa, future transformation should focus on improving sector effectiveness, strengthening local organisations, reducing duplication, and encouraging more sustainable, locally driven solutions. This includes enabling organisations to generate their own income and diversify funding models, ensuring they're not entirely reliant on donor capital. We also need to build the next generation of leaders: individuals and institutions who are equipped to respond to the rapidly evolving social and economic realities of our continent. Africa's problems are unique, and our solutions must be too. This Africa Month, I want to challenge my peers across the CSI and development space to ask harder questions. Not just 'how much did we give?' or 'how many people did we reach?' but rather, 'who did we speak to?' and 'what changed?' and also 'what do the communities themselves say they need next?' Show up with open ears and open minds, not just open wallets. The stakes are too high for us to get this wrong. If we want to be part of the solution, we must be willing to rethink the way we give – and, more importantly, the way we listen. Tshego Bokaba is the CSI manager at the Momentum Group Foundation. Tshego Bokaba, CSI manager at the Momentum Group Foundation. Image: Supplied.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Detective shortages in South Africa: a looming national crisis for crime investigations
Ian Cameron confirmed , Limpopo and Northern Cape had the highest shortages of detectives, with a reported 38% shortage. This is followed by the Western Cape and Free State at 35.5% and 33%, respectively. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers South Africa's investigative ability is facing a serious crisis with 1,9 million case dockets and detectives sitting with 300 to 500 dockets each. On top of it is a growing concern about the experience of detectives with more and more younger police officers absorbed into the detective services. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, described the current backlog as untenable. Mchunu said the shortage of detectives is hampering the timely investigation of cases, which in turn affects the prosecution process. 'The shortage of detectives causes serious backlogs in respect of the investigation of cases and processing of cases for prosecution." "The minister has reported on previous occasions that there is a backlog of 1.9 million case dockets within the South African Police Service, which is untenable,' the police ministry shared. Only 15.1% of SAPS members are currently deployed in detective roles—far below the 20% target…a figure revealed in a November 2024 police briefing, which laid bare the extent of the shortage. Of the 20,376 officers recruited over the past two years, just 3,142 were assigned to detective services. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Johan Burger, a police expert from the Institute for Security Studies, said there are not enough detectives to deal with the growing crime levels. "And I'm talking about serious and violent crimes. The other problem is with the effectiveness of the detectives who don't have enough training.' He said while crime rates are soaring, the number of trained detectives has almost halved since 2016, just when serious and violent crimes began to spike. At that time the number of detectives dwindled to 40%, he said. He said a concerted drive to rehire experienced detectives who had left the service failed because the core problems; poor conditions, low morale, and lack of incentives remain unresolved. Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police said there are detectives handling 300 to 500 dockets each. "It's physically impossible. They're expected to investigate, update dockets weekly, go to court, work with prosecutors, and attend post-mortems—no one can manage that workload, ' he said. Referring to the provincial breakdown on detective shortage, Cameron said Limpopo and the Northern Cape had the highest shortages of detectives, with a reported 38% shortage. This is followed by the Western Cape and Free State at 35.5% and 33%, respectively. He said the lack of mentoring is also a concern. 'New detectives are thrown in the deep end, especially in stations like Delft or Manenberg. There's no time for proper training. It's a nightmare.' Cameron suggested that uniformed officers assist with minor case elements to ease the burden on detectives. Such is the lack of faith in the police's ability to properly investigate crime that some have turned to private investigators. Private Investigator, and founder of Uniq Investigations, Desmond Finnis, said there is a growing demand for private investigative services due to unresolved or poorly handled police work. 'They often feel their rights have been violated or that a proper investigation was never conducted.' Finnis also pointed out that they often work on cases such as cybercrime, culpable homicide, and domestic violence involving the rape of minors—cases he said should have been properly handled by police detectives. 'Unfortunately, in South Africa, many detectives lack sufficient training and experience. A constable with only 12 months of visible policing experience may be promoted without even knowing how to complete a docket for court. Detectives often arrest suspects without proper preliminary investigation, and this then spills into the court system, where the NPA is then wrongly blamed for poor outcomes, but it all starts with the investigation. The slogan should be 'investigate to arrest,' not 'arrest to investigate.' Finnis himself was a victim to a botched investigation, when the detective on duty failed to collect evidence, gather witness statements and draw blood, at the scene where Finnis' ex-wife Yolande Geduld, 51, his son-in-law Kurt-Lee Carolus, 30, and his four-year-old granddaughter Tara-Lee Carolus, from Strand, died when a bakkie rammed into their Peugeot 306 after it broke down on Baden Powell Road in 2021. "The Monday when the detective came to the scene, he was reeking of alcohol. He didn't know who I was, but I observed everything, asked questions. He failed to do a lot. I then ended up investigating the case myself and he was dismissed from the force and the driver was sentenced." 'Improvements are needed in investigative training, use of forensic technology, and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure better outcomes and justice for victims,' said Finnis. Specialist investigator and crime expert Mike Bolhuis, known for his work in serious violent, economic, and cybercrimes, said he anticipates that the detective capacity will remain a huge problem for years. ''The detective-to-case workload is unmanageable. Some detectives handle 300 to 500 dockets, which is simply undoable. The public is aware and tends to rely on the few capable officers, increasing their load further.' "It's no use the police say, 'yes, give us information, be informants, expose the crime, bring us the criminals', and then there is a problem in communication and they don't want to take it, investigate it and even don't want to assist or there's an attitude problem. We've seen this many times," said Bolhuis. Bolhuis also highlighted a shortage of officers, a lack of specialized units, and poor technological capacity. 'He warned of extreme misplacement of personnel, comparing it to asking a painter to fix a diesel engine. 'Unless an officer is fit, committed, trained, and focused solely on justice, we don't have a police force—we just have people doing jobs they are not cut out for,' said Bolhuis.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
NHI regulations face opposition from Western Cape Government amid digital service expansion
Premier Alan Winde highlights the role of innovation and data-driven solutions in strengthening service delivery for vulnerable communities in the Western Cape. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers. The Western Cape Cabinet has reaffirmed its opposition to the draft regulations of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, warning that the proposed governance arrangements threaten to destabilize the provincial health system. 'The provisions of the act, in its current form, undermine the aim of universal healthcare, particularly in the Western Cape,' said Premier Alan Winde. The Cabinet maintains that the regulations are premature, invalid, and would have a 'significant and detrimental impact on all provinces and service delivery.' The province's objections mirror long-standing concerns raised during public participation, which the national Department of Health has allegedly failed to address. In contrast to its resistance on the NHI front, the provincial government is moving forward with key innovations in social services. Cabinet approved the expansion of the Social Work Integrated Management System (SWIMS) application across government departments. Launched in April 2024 and already used by over 1,000 social workers, the SWIMS app digitises social service case files and significantly reduces paperwork. Premier Winde described the system as transformative. 'Across our departments, we must explore ways to improve services. Our embrace of innovation, technology, and reliance on data and evidence strengthens our ability to boost service delivery, in the case of expanding SWIMS, to the most vulnerable in our province.' Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Jaco Londt, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the app's reach in rural areas. 'If SWIMS is utilised by other social service professionals in government and the NGO space, not only will staff benefit, but it will strengthen our case monitoring systems, we want to mitigate the risk of cases slipping through the cracks.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading In a further move to modernise public service delivery, Cabinet noted the implementation of a new Provincial Roads Delivery Model at the district level. The new model, developed by the Department of Infrastructure, is based on a comprehensive five-year review and aims to speed up and improve infrastructure projects across the province. Cabinet also approved the Growth for Jobs (G4J) 2025–2030 Implementation Plan, the next step in a strategic roadmap to stimulate economic growth. 'The G4J strategy is constantly evolving, requiring us to regularly revisit its key priority areas,' Premier Winde said. He acknowledged the volatility of global markets but expressed confidence in the province's ability to adapt and grow. Celebrating the success of the 2025 Premier's Cycle Tour, Winde thanked partners and provincial teams who helped deliver more than 300 bicycles to schools and neighbourhood watch groups in rural areas. 'The tour is a tangible demonstration of the 'power of the pedals' and the importance of partnerships,' he said, highlighting how bicycles can foster connectivity, promote road safety, and unlock economic opportunity. Finally, Premier Winde called for nominations for the 2025 Service Excellence Awards (SEA), which honour Western Cape Government staff who go above and beyond in their roles. 'Our staff are at the heart of our government's commitment to work as hard as we can every day for the residents of this province,' said Winde. The ceremony is scheduled for September 2025, and nominations close on June 30,2025. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
The VAT whiplash: why SA can't afford to ignore the real cost of policy uncertainty
This article explores the effects of proposed VAT increases on South African consumer behaviour, highlighting the fragility of financial resilience and the importance of real-time insights for lenders. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers When the South African Government floated the proposition of a 0.5% VAT increase earlier this year, only to cancel it at the eleventh hour, the economy may have avoided an official tax hike, but the damage had already been done. Even before the proposal could be tabled in the Budget Speech, the mere suggestion of higher VAT triggered a psychological and financial ripple effect. Consumer sentiment shifted almost instantly, with many fearing potential retail activity dips and increased credit card usage, with many South Africans, particularly in the middle-income group, looking to tighten their belts in anticipation of rising costs that never formally materialised. This moment offers a sobering reflection on the state of financial resilience in the country. It wasn't the implementation that sparked anxiety, but the uncertainty. The mere suggestion of a VAT increase was enough to trigger a reaction in households and ripple through lending institutions. This kind of market sensitivity underscores a deeper fragility: one where consumer confidence is worn thin, and policy signals - real or speculative - can tip the scale from financial coping to financial crisis. When policy uncertainty hits home While VAT hikes are not new in South Africa, the reaction to this latest proposal felt particularly acute. Wages have stagnated, unemployment remains high, and the cost of basic goods continues to climb. In this context, even a small increase in indirect tax feels like a direct threat. Consumers responded accordingly. Spending signalled a slowdown across various sectors, particularly in discretionary categories. This wasn't about affordability alone; it was largely about caution. And when spending slows but everyday costs remain, many turn to short-term solutions, namely credit. However, for lenders, these behavioural shifts are not just theoretical; they represent a real risk, particularly when they happen suddenly and at scale. The ability to understand and track how economic announcements shape credit behaviour, whether the announcements are confirmed or not, is now business-critical. The credit cushion is wearing thin Recent XDS studies paint a clear picture of how South Africans are managing the squeeze. Credit card utilisation has risen steadily, not just as a function of increased spending, but as a stopgap for essential purchases such as groceries, utilities, clothing, and fuel. Over the past five years, there has been a 13% rise in credit card utilisation, even as credit limits for new cards have dropped by 21%. This means many consumers are accessing more of their available credit, even with reduced ceilings, underscoring a growing dependence on revolving credit to cover essentials like food, fuel, and utilities. Notably, the average number of new credit cards issued per month has surged by 39% - a clear signal that households are turning to credit more frequently to buffer against economic uncertainty. For many middle-income households, credit is no longer a financial tool, but a survival mechanism. This trend isn't restricted to VAT announcements; it reflects a broader, more troubling reality: households are living closer to the financial edge, with fewer buffers in place. When a single policy proposal can stall retail spending and increase debt reliance, it becomes clear just how precarious the balance really is. And yet, most lending frameworks still rely on backward-looking data and quarterly trends. By the time changes in consumer behaviour are reflected in reports, the impact may have already been embedded in default rates and missed payments. It's a delayed response to a fast-moving problem.
