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Sharjah 24
6 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Municipality teams crack down on illegal water sales
Continuous monitoring for public health His Excellency Obaid Saeed Al-Tunji, Director General of Sharjah Municipality, confirmed that the municipality continuously works around the clock to monitor negative behaviors and practices that adversely affect individual and community health. Legal and administrative actions are taken against anyone attempting to deceive the public or cause harm, whether physical or moral, by engaging in activities that violate laws, regulations, customs, and traditions, while trying to earn money unlawfully. Inspection operations lead to discovery Al Tuniji explained that the operation was part of inspection rounds across various areas, where vehicles were spotted carrying and loading large amounts of packaged water from a residence. The relevant teams coordinated and raided the site, apprehending the individual inside. During the inspection, large quantities of boxes and plastic containers prepared for filling were seized, equipped with labels claiming the water was Zamzam, filled under unsanitary conditions, promoted via social media, and sold to the public. Investigation and legal action The Director General highlighted that during monitoring and inspection, financial invoices from a licensed company, R.T. for Mineral Water Trading, were found. The individual operating the activity was exploiting the company to deceive people by selling tank water as Zamzam and issuing invoices in the name of the licensed company. Consequently, the municipality contacted the Department of Economic Development, which promptly closed the establishment. Coordination was also made with the Sharjah Police General Command to refer the individual for investigation and take the necessary legal actions. Encouraging public caution His Excellency Obaid Saeed Al-Tuniji pointed out that the inspection teams provided the necessary personnel, equipment, and vehicles to confiscate the seized goods completely and handle them according to the established procedures, as well as to close the residence. The Sharjah Municipality urges the public not to engage with any unlicensed food establishments and to avoid purchasing products through social media platforms unless they verify their source and licensing from the relevant authorities in the emirate. For any observations or reports, the public can contact the call center at 993.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Unlocking job opportunities: KZN's cannabis processing facility initiative
The KwaZulu-Natal government is launching a Shared Cannabis Processing Facility to boost opportunities in the sector. Image: Pexels With grim employment statistics released yesterday, a new cannabis initiative in KwaZulu-Natal aims to unlock job opportunities, especially in rural parts of the province. The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) has recently detailed its plans for the sector, including a partnership aimed at piloting a Shared Cannabis Processing Facility. This project is critical, with at least one municipality, the Okhahlamba (Bergville) Municipality, hinging its hopes on it to address unemployment and boost the municipality's budget. The central focus of the project is processing cannabis into various products. Addressing unemployment needs urgent attention as Statistics South Africa's latest quarterly labour force survey, which was released yesterday, indicated that the unemployment rate has increased by one percentage point from 31.9% in the last quarter of last year to 32.9% this year. 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 ✕ Musa Zondi, the MEC for Edtea, stated that the industry presents an opportunity to enhance the rural economy. Edtea's rural economy strategy includes the formalisation and expansion of the cannabis and hemp sector, not as a side project, but as part of a centrally focused legitimate industrial activity. 'In this regard, we are piloting a Shared Cannabis Processing Facility in Bergville, in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). This initiative will support oil and fibre production and incubate small growers, ensuring traditional producers enter the value chain meaningfully,' Zondi remarked recently. Okhahlamba mayor Vikizitha Mlotshwa expressed pride in their cannabis growing operation, stating it is 'excellent' and unique compared to other parts of the country. He mentioned that they have identified a facility in the area that could be used as a processing site. They have received one machine needed to process cannabis into other products and are waiting for an expert to service and assemble the machine while they work on acquiring a larger machine to process bigger volumes. 'We have received support from Edtea and other organisations. We hope to raise up to R10 million in funding in the coming months to invest in the project,' he said. 'This project started slowly; we planted, harvested, and then hosted an exhibition where many government officials came to see our progress. Edtea was one of the departments that were impressed with what they saw and committed to investing. Other entities have pledged about R5 million already.' He explained that the aim is to have the capacity to process their products. 'We want to produce about 400 products from cannabis, ranging from bath soap to lotion. We do not want to sell our product as raw material, as it yields little profit. Currently, we harvest and sell at low prices to someone who then makes real products and sells those for substantial profits.' The mayor noted that if the project works as anticipated, it could be a windfall for the youth and the municipality. 'Currently, we are facing youth unemployment close to 35%. If we launch this well, we could create jobs and reduce this to around 10%.' 'This could also be a significant boost for the municipality. We currently have a budget of R266 million, and with this project, our projections show that this could grow to nearly a billion due to the value chain that will be created,' he added. The project has been welcomed by Edtea committee members. Hannah Lidgett, DA MPL and spokesperson on Edtea, expressed support for the proposal, stating that the industry has immense potential. 'The hemp and cannabis sector could be a significant source of revenue and job creation in KZN. The shared cannabis processing facility is a fantastic project, but it must get off the ground as soon as possible. It is a step in the right direction, but we could create far more opportunities,' she said. 'The government needs to provide the support and enabling regulatory environment to allow this sector to grow. Many communities, especially in rural areas, could benefit. However, we need a comprehensive plan. I have submitted written questions to Edtea requesting whether the department has conducted research into the sector and the potential revenue and jobs it could create, as well as the plan to develop this sector given its enormous potential,' she stated. Chairperson of the Edtea committee, Mafika Mndebele, remarked that the announcement by the MEC to establish a shared cannabis processing facility in Bergville is a bold and progressive step toward unlocking the full economic potential of the rural economy. 'This initiative is not just about industrialisation—it's about localisation, beneficiation, and empowerment. Cannabis has long been part of traditional livelihoods in many rural areas. By formalising and processing it locally, we create a sustainable value chain that ensures communities are not just producers but participants in the entire economic ecosystem—from cultivation to commercial products.' 'The shared nature of the facility also promotes inclusive participation by cooperatives, small farmers, and youth-led enterprises—creating jobs, stimulating entrepreneurship, and contributing to local revenue,' he added. 'As the Committee, we will ensure there is strong oversight to avoid gatekeeping and ensure that this project becomes a model of rural industrial development, with broad-based participation and tangible benefits for the people of Bergville and the province at large," the chairperson concluded. THE MERCURY
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Community leaders outraged by the closure of Mobeni Heights Crematorium
THE closure of the Mobeni Heights Crematorium yet again, has sparked outrage among community leaders in Chatsworth and funeral service providers. They have accused the eThekwini Municipality of 'gross apathy' for not managing the facility properly. On Monday, funeral service providers were notified by the manager at the crematorium that the facility had been shut-down after the municipality had allegedly failed to renew the Air Emission Licence (AEL). eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, said the closure of the crematorium was due to the poor performance of the furnace. This, she said, was attributed to the control unit malfunctioning. It impacted on the facility's ability to cremate within the parameters of the AEL, and the closure was enforced despite the AEL being valid until January 31, 2026, she added. Sisilana said the crematorium would be reopened once the proposed upgrade was completed and compliant with all legislative requirements. 'The upgrade of the crematorium is funded in the 2025/2026 financial year and would focus on the replacement of the furnace and a building upgrade of the 'pyramid' portion of the facility. Any changes would require permission from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and final approval by other role players,' she added. She said the crematorium had two furnaces, both of which were not operational. 'The upgrade would replace the oldest furnace with a locally manufactured and maintained unit. The new unit will comply with the latest legislation required to operate a crematorium. 'The second furnace that was commissioned in 2021 would undergo a refurbishment, including the control unit to latest industrial standards and norms to be fully compliant with all legislative requirements,' Sisilana added. Rocky Naidoo, chairperson of the Chatsworth and District Civic Federation, said they would challenge the municipality in court if it did not find a solution to get the facility up and running again. He said every year, the crematorium was faced with different issues, including broken incinerators and furnaces which did not work. 'The municipality is messing around with the community they were tasked to serve. Last year, we were told that the budget was approved for the 2024/5 period and that the facility would be fully operational. We were assured by Tim Arbuckle, the head of crematoriums for the municipality, that the incinerators would be operational within that period. 'But they are dragging their feet. The incinerators have not been working efficiently for well over 10 years. The communities are deprived of a valuable much needed service. You cannot have a citation where we encourage people to cremate their loved ones in view of the shortage of burial space, but not have the services,' he added. Naidoo said the community was paying the price for the lack of service delivery from the city. 'We believe that the service delivery is non-existent in predominantly Indian areas like Chatsworth. This is evident in the lack of response for the ongoing issues the community faces. 'We hope that we are not going to hear the same excuses, that the money will come from the budget in the 2025/26 period next year. The crematorium will become a rusting relic if left to the municipality,' Naidoo added. Clive Moodley, President of the Progressive Funeral Practitioners Association (Profpa), said for years the municipality had proven they were unable to properly manage the crematorium. 'This is just another show of negligence by the city. We have made a number of proposals to them, including for the crematorium to be privatised so that the facility could be refurbished. But they do not want to do that or fix it.' Moodley said an air emission certificate not being renewed was an indication that the city did not have their operations under control. 'How can they fail to renew a licence for a facility that is already in dire need of repairs? This shows that they do not care about the people. We will join the civic association to take the municipality to court if they do not prioritise the crematorium repairs,' he said. Lenny Reddy, from Wyebank Funeral Services, said: 'Families are facing significant delays in arranging funerals and there is great uncertainty with this latest closure. This causes emotional distress and financial hardship for those affected by death. I urge the relevant authorities to provide interim solutions or emergency funds to address the crematorium's closure. We too will join the civic association to hold the city accountable.' THE POST
IOL News
05-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN's informal economy masterplan aims to empower township businesses
The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has finalised the KZN Informal Economy Masterplan, which aims to boost the informal or township economy. The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has finalised the KZN Informal Economy Masterplan, which aims to boost the informal or township economy. Speaking recently while tabling his budget for the 2025 financial year, MEC Musa Zondi said, 'We have always recognised the pivotal role that the township and rural economy plays in the broader economic development strategy of KwaZulu-Natal. 'We are pleased to announce that we have finalised the KZN Informal Economy Masterplan: a blueprint to formalise, support, and elevate informal businesses through licensing systems, compliance support, and investment in shared infrastructure.'
IOL News
29-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN Tourism MEC says Drakensberg cable car project being fast-tracked after lengthy delays
The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) says it is doing all it can to fast-track the Drakensberg cable car project. The project has been on the cards for several years but is yet to get off the ground. Edtea MEC Musa Zondi said: "While we understand the delays that have been experienced with respect to the much-anticipated Cable Car Project, which is to be located strategically in Okhahlamba - in the majestic Drakensberg, we are doing everything in our power to fast-track the take-off for this project without further delays." Zondi was addressing members of the Legislature while tabling his budget recently. He said, "This is not a standard domestic tourism development; it is a cross-border initiative involving two countries (South Africa and Lesotho) and two provinces (KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State). Understandably, this has made coordination complex and, at times, slow." "But we are making progress. We are not working in isolation as KwaZulu-Natal or South Africa. Rather, we will be actively engaging our counterparts to move toward a shared agreement and coordinated implementation. We realise that it has not been easy, but we hope to find each other, and we in KwaZulu-Natal are committed to seeing this iconic, job-creating and destination-defining project through." During the presentation, the MEC also spoke of the need to boost other tourist sites. He said, "Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is one of KwaZulu-Natal's jewels and strategic assets. We are committed to rebuilding it through financial injection and restructuring, strategic leadership, integration into the biodiversity economy, and alignment with ecotourism objectives." THE MERCURY
