Latest news with #IMC
IOL News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Tackling rural crime: Agriculture minister unveils new strategies
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has unveiled key strategies to tackle rural crime in South Africa. Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers The escalating threat of rural crime in South Africa has necessitated a multi-faceted approach. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen revealed key initiatives the department is taking following a parliamentary question by the DA's Willie Aucamp. Aucamp's query concerned Steenhuisen's comments to US President Donald Trump and the steps he intended to take to address the crimes. In the White House, Steenhuisen said South Africa has a rural safety problem, and it requires more policing resources and a different strategy to deal with it. 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 Responding to the question, Steenhuisen said the department plays a supporting but essential role in addressing rural crime, particularly stock theft, within the broader framework of cooperative governance. 'While primary responsibility for crime prevention, including farm murders and stock theft, lies with the South African Police Service (SAPS), our department is actively involved in several key initiatives that contribute to prevention, detection, and deterrence,' Steenhuisen said. 1. Support to the Rural Safety Strategy via the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC): 'Our department is a participating member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Agriculture and Land Reform. This committee works closely with the SAPS to implement the Rural Safety Strategy, with a strong focus on the protection of farming communities,' Steenhuisen said. He said their role in the IMC includes coordinating with law enforcement on risk hotspot identification, supporting crime intelligence through data on livestock ownership and movement, and promoting integrated rural safety plans across the provinces. 2. Animal identification and traceability reforms: 'A core element of curbing stock theft is improving our ability to trace livestock and proving ownership,' Steenhuisen said. He said the department is: Finalising the Draft Regulations on Animal Identification (2025) for public comment in the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Promoting a decentralised animal identification system that enhances traceability, allows tracking at auctions and abattoirs, and empowers local enforcement. Introducing biometric and DNA-based technologies to strengthen traceability, including radio frequency identification tags, nose prints, and DNA profiling. Strengthening compliance with the Animal Identification Act (Act No. 6 of 2002) and Animal Improvement Act (Act No. 62 of 1998) through education and farmer support. 3. Farmer awareness campaigns: 'We are working jointly with provincial Departments of Agriculture, SAPS, and local municipalities to roll out national farmer engagements,' Steenhuisen said. These focus on raising awareness around the legal obligation for animal identification, training farmers on animal improvement and theft prevention, and mobilising rural communities to take a proactive role in joint safety planning and reporting of criminal activity. 4. Research and innovation: 'Our department has invested in research and development to explore innovative approaches for animal identification,' Steenhuisen said. He stated that work includes using DNA testing to create a genetic blueprint of individual animals, assessing new technologies for more secure identification and proof of ownership in court, and exploring ways to integrate identification systems with national sanitary controls and food safety protocols. 5. Legislative and institutional strengthening: 'We acknowledge several institutional and legislative challenges that impede the effective enforcement of stock theft laws,' Steenhuisen said. He added that these include the centralisation and duplication of animal identification marks, farmer resistance to branding animals, weak monitoring at auctions and abattoirs, and lack of control over informal livestock markets and animal movement across porous borders. These are addressed by advocating for improved monitoring and reporting mechanisms across the supply chain, collaborating with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to ensure successful prosecution of livestock-related crimes, and supporting proposals for enhanced regulatory oversight of livestock trade. 'Farm attacks and stock theft remain a serious threat to rural safety, food security, and investor confidence in our agricultural sector. While the Department of Agriculture is not the lead enforcement agency, we are actively leveraging our legislative mandate, technical capacity, and collaborative platforms to strengthen prevention mechanisms,' Steenhuisen said. 'As part of our engagements with international stakeholders, including the United States, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting farmers, ensuring agricultural sustainability, and addressing rural crime in all its forms.'
IOL News
19 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Ramaphosa not concerned by Steenhuisen's absence from National Dialogue meeting
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen. Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers THE Presidency has downplayed DA leader John Steenhuisen's absence from the inaugural meeting of Eminent Persons for the National Dialogue on Friday saying there was 'nothing much to read from it' considering the many other Ministerial duties that he and his other colleagues had. Steenhuisen, a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) appointed by Ramaphosa to prepare for the National Dialogue, had threatened to boycott the initiative over the president's decision to fire DA member Andrew Whitfield as Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister. Ramaphosa held his inaugural meeting with members of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings on Friday. Asked about Steenhuisen's absence, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Steenhuisen was not the only member of the IMC who was absent from the meeting. 'Other Ministers even left the meeting earlier. So, I would not read too much into his absence considering the many other Ministerial duties that he and his other colleagues have. Besides, there was no specific contribution that was expected from IMC Ministers. The meeting was solely for the President to brief the members of the EPG and to hear their perspectives on the National Dialogue and how they view their task,' said Magwenya. Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth, along with her Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Fiki Hlabisa counterpart, and Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, could also not attend the meeting while Social Development minister Sisisi Tolashe joined online. 'The President was delighted with the manner in which the meeting progressed. All the members of the Eminent Persons Group were highly enthused about the task ahead of guiding the National Dialogue and serving as its guarantors,' said Magwenya. GNU partner, GOOD's secretary-general Brett Herron said there should be consequences for any party that breaches the GNU Statement of Intent – which is our contract with each other,' Herron said. Policy analyst Nkosihulule Nyembezi said: 'The DA's sharpening differences are now a daily existential struggle (in the GNU) swinging between whether to submit a replacement to the dismissed deputy minister, participate in inter-ministerial meetings for the national dialogue or not. How much longer the DA can hold the line is in serious doubt as delays in deciding on such matters do not alter the general direction of travel in the GNU.'
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Football: FIFA, global player unions agree to mandatory rest periods
13 July 2025 14:55 (AGENCIES)FIFA and the players' unions Sunday reached a consensus on a mandatory 72-hour minimum gap between games, and a three-week period of rest in the closed season, world soccer's governing body agreement, secured during a meeting in New York between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and senior figures from global player unions, is viewed as a victory for football's player concerns of player burnout, players' groups had demanded action on player welfare following FIFA's decision to stage this summer's inaugural 32-team Club World Cup during the European offseason.A proposal for players' unions to participate in FIFA Council meetings when players' matters are addressed will also be a statement, FIFA said: "The meeting addressed key issues concerning player health (both men and women), a top priority given that it forms part of the occupational risk prevention framework established by the International Labour Organization (ILO)."FIFA and the player unions reviewed upcoming joint projects involving the world's football governing body and players' representative organisations, with a specific focus on player rest and recovery, as well as competitions within the context of the International Match Calendar (IMC)."There is a consensus that there must be at least 72 hours of rest between matches, and that players should have a rest period / holiday of at least 21 days at the end of each season."FIFA president Gianni Infantino has faced pressure from player unions over the expansion of the Club World Cup."This [rest] period should be managed individually by each club and the respective players also depending on their match calendars and taking into account applicable collective agreements. Furthermore, a rest day per week should also be planned, whilst being managed pragmatically," FIFA said. "In addition, it was discussed that player travel -- especially long-haul intercontinental trips -- and the climatic conditions under which matches are played, should be considered when defining policies for the upcoming IMC," the statement added. FIFPRO, the global footballers' union, and the players' unions of England and France filed a lawsuit against FIFA with the European Union in June 2024 alleging that it had abused its dominant position, and violated European competition by expanding its fixture calendar with the expansion of the FIFA World Cup and introduction of the Club World the eve of the Club World Cup in the United States, FIFPRO called for a mandatory four-week break at the end of each season. With the FIFA Club World Cup being introduced without consultation with player groups, FIFA and the players' unions have agreed on the need for a "balance to be struck" between the club and international calendar. "Regarding competitions, FIFA and the player unions agreed on the importance of striking the right balance between national team football and club football, on the one hand, and between domestic, continental, and global club competitions on the other hand," the FIFA statement a 72-hour period strictly could mean big adjustments to some game schedules and TV deals. FIFA didn't indicate how it would work in teams playing in the Europa League late Thursday evening routinely play domestic league games on the following Sunday. With a strict 72-hour break, they might have to wait until Monday to play again. FIFA added that a rest day per week should also be allowed and that travel demands as well as climate conditions, will also factor into future competition planning.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
IMC to ‘QuickSaaf' Waste On Demand
Indore: India's cleanest city, Indore, is set to rev olutionise its waste management model with the introduction of an on-demand waste collection facility, accessible through a dedicated mobile application. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This innovative service aims to bring a new level of convenience and efficiency to waste disposal. According to Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) additional commissioner Abhilash Mishra, the new facility will be offered via a specialised portal linked to the existing 311 app. "We already have a successful model with our 311 app to receive any complaint or request related to civic issues and ensure a quick response and prompt redressal," Mishra said. He added that the new on-demand waste collection service, initially named 'QuickSaaf', may be rebranded if deemed necessary after approval from the IMC Council. He added that the service will be best suited for bulk collection, events, C&D waste along with cleaning of big or perticular areas including waterbody periphery. To initiate a request, consumers will simply log in with their mobile number and OTP, then choose between a 'Cleaning' or 'Collection' option. The service is anticipated to launch within a month. The on-demand service will feature a transparent fee structure. For 'Cleaning' requests, charges will vary based on the area and nature of the cleaning required, including construction & demolition (C&D) waste or waterbody periphery cleaning. For the 'Collection' option, consumers will be charged based on the distance for pickup and transport of the waste. To facilitate accurate pricing and service provision, users will need to provide details such as the expected weight of the garbage, a description of the items, and upload accompanying photos or videos. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the 'pickup waste collection' category, consumers will also have the flexibility to select the appropriate vehicle type – either a dumper or a tipper – based on their specific requirements. They will also need to choose a preferred date, time slot, and pickup location. Once the online payment is completed, the application will be accepted, and the applicant will receive an online booking receipt for their order. IMC is well-equipped to process nearly all types of waste, including C&D, plastic, and green waste. For specialised materials like batteries, the civic body has empanelled private partners to ensure proper disposal. The charges for the service have been meticulously calculated, factoring in the workers and resources needed for cleaning, as well as vehicle fuel consumption, maintenance, and the cost of drivers and helpers for waste pickup and transport.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Kerala govt to once again seek Centre's nod for Global City project
Kochi: State govt will approach Centre once again, seeking approval for the proposed Global City project in Ayyampuzha. A recent meeting convened by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to hold discussions between officials of state govt and ministry of commerce and industry, which is yet to grant approval for Global City. Global City was proposed as one of the major components of Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (KBIC) project. Among the two nodes of KBIC, Industrial Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) in Palakkad was approved by Cabinet committee on economic affairs six months ago and state govt transferred 325.26 acres for the IMC. However, the other node, Global City, which was intended to span across 358 acres in Ayyampuzha, faced uncertainty as central govt placed it on the back burner, citing that the key elements of development planned in Ayyampuzha are primarily residential and real estate ventures, rather than industrial undertakings as defined by regulation. When Gift City was envisioned as part of the industrial corridor, central and state govts agreed to share the project cost equally. After being informed that Gift City was designated exclusively for Gujarat, the project was renamed Global City. Though chief minister sought approval, central govt stated that this project cannot be included as part of industrial corridor.
