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IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Political stability essential for Durban's ambitious targets, says Mayor Xaba
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has called for political stability at an administrative level; otherwise, the city will not be able to achieve its targets. Image: Independent Media Archives eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has called for political stability at an administrative level; otherwise, the city will not be able to achieve its targets Xaba was unpacking the budget for the 2025/2026 financial year at a business breakfast held in Durban on Wednesday. The municipality has a R70 billion budget, which is made up of an operating budget of R63bn and a capital budget of R7bn. Xaba also spoke of the water and sanitation turnaround strategy, which has been adopted by the council and approved by the National Treasury. He said the electricity unit is also undergoing the same process, and will be followed by the Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit (CSW). 'The ultimate goal of these reforms is to have self-contained utilities that are able to render these basic services in the most effective and efficient manner,' Xaba said. Xaba, who had outlined multimillion-rand investments in the city, called for a collective effort from all stakeholders for the city to reach its targets. Addressing the guests and municipal management, and looking towards city manager Musa Mbhele, Xaba said: 'The city will not be able to achieve all of these things under the administration you lead, city manager (Musa Mbhele), there are upheavals.' Looking towards Mbhele, Xaba added: 'We need your team to cooperate with you to deliver on these achievements, and for me as the political head, it is to ensure that there is political stability in the city.' Xaba went on to say that politics and business are two sides of the same coin. He then used the French expression "tête-à-tête" which means "head to head", but in English, it refers to a private conversation between two people. During the previous budget consultations, businesses raised concerns about the unaffordability of tariffs as they exceed inflation, which negatively impacts the cost of doing business in the city and service delivery. Xaba said the consultative process was not just a box-ticking exercise, but a genuine effort to deliver a budget for all eThekwini residents. The tariff increases for the 2025/2026 financial year are as follows: Domestic water tariff: +13%, Water tariff for business: +14%. The average property rates: +5.9%. Domestic and business refuse removal: +9% Electricity: +12.72% Bishop Vusi Dube, of eThekwini Community Church (ECC), said the interfaith structures can play a role in the city with moral regeneration, which also seeks to address drug abuse and homelessness. Other speakers were concerned about community health centres, crime, undocumented people in the inner city, and water issues. Xaba acknowledged that a great deal must be done to revive the city centre and briefed guests about the implementation of the inner city regeneration programme. 'Through this bold initiative, we want to improve public safety, address the challenge of homelessness – eradicating bad buildings, upgrading public realms, patching potholes, and ensuring that streetlights are on.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Cradock Four inquest resumes after nearly 40 years of silence
The inquest into the deaths of activists Sicelo Mhlauli, Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe and Sparrow Mkhonto, known as the Cradock Four, has resumed for the third time. The four men were killed by Apartheid security forces in June 1985. Image: File picture: Benny Gool/Independent Media Archives More than 39 years after the murder of the Cradock Four and decades of unanswered questions, the third inquest into the deaths of the Cradock Four officially got under way at the Gqeberha High Court, in the Eastern Cape on Monday. The families of Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli are hoping this renewed legal process will finally bring closure and accountability for the brutal killings of the four anti-apartheid activists who were tortured in 1985. The family's legal representative, Howard Varney, said that the death of the four young men was meticulously planned by the Apartheid security branch. "According to autopsy reports, Mhlauli died from stab wounds; Calata died from stabbing in the heart; Mkhonto died from a gunshot wound to the head and (was) stabbed in the heart. Mhlauli's body was found with a missing hand. "It is quite apparent that before death, the four were brutally tortured and mutilated. The Apartheid police created a cover story saying they were killed by elements from the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO) in a factional dispute. We intend to demonstrate that the death of the Cradock Four was brought about by way of a calculated and a premeditated decision by the Apartheid regime. It was meticulously planned by the security branch in an official operation," he stated. 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 ✕ Advocate Tembela Ngukaitobi, who represents some of the Goniwe family members, said he is hopeful that the truth will eventually come out in the latest inquest. "There is a high possibility that the full truth will emerge and some level of closure for the families would put an end to psychological trauma," he said. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi attended the first day of the resumption of the inquest with departmental spokesperson, Terrence Manase indicating that 'this inquest forms part of ongoing efforts by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to address unresolved cases from the apartheid era and to advance justice and closure for affected families and communities". The inquest into the deaths of the four activists was previously halted due to funding challenges. Kubayi indicated that the state has in the past funded and supported multiple inquests and prosecutions, adding that a presidential Commission of Inquiry will determine whether anyone in government deliberately stalled these cases. 'It is worth to note that even now, President Cyril Ramaphosa has opened and appointed a commission to deal with the issues. I think we must allow for the commission to determine from where we are sitting that there hasn't been any deliberate delays in prosecuting or even bringing the cases that relates to apartheid crimes into court,' the minister said.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Mashatile defends financial secrecy amid calls for transparency
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says he will not disclose his financial interests publicly outside what Parliament has provided for. Image: Independent Media Archives Deputy President Paul Mashatile said on Thursday that he will not disclose his financial interests publicly except as required by Parliament for Members of Parliament. This comes after DA MP Nicholas Gotsell stated during a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces that ethical leadership required a person in a leadership position to avoid, even as much as a perception of impropriety, to maintain public confidence. 'If you agree with this statement, deputy president, will you provide this House with an undertaking to proactive transparency and voluntarily submit yourself to the Ethics Committee, publicly disclose your full financial interests?' Gotsell asked. In his response, Mashatile said he has been a Member of Parliament and legislator for many years, and it was the ANC that introduced the declaration of interest by MPs, MECs, and ministers. 'We do that all the time, so anybody who wants to know about my financial interests, what do I own, where do I live? It's all there in Parliament.' 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 ✕ Mashatile also said he had disclosed where he lived but had not told them how much he had in his bank account. 'Because Parliament did not say, I must go and declare those things somewhere publicly. They say I must declare them here.' He also said the declarations have a confidential section for an MP's spouse or family members, just as it was the case for ministers. 'Maybe if you want to know, you can go and ask the Speaker if you want to look at it,' he said. 'I don't know if they will allow you, but it's all there. So I can't then go out publicly and say, hey, this is how much I am worth. That's what I have, no, there's no need for that. I report to Parliament and the president, and that's it.' Initially, Mashatile was asked by MK Party's Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi about steps he was taking to maintain transparency and restore public trust in his office in response to allegations of corruption that have been brought against him by the DA, including claims of benefitting from nepotism and failing to declare certain properties. The deputy president said the allegations were exactly that: they were allegations. 'The most important thing when there are allegations is proof, right, and mainly through courts of law to ensure the authenticity of the allegations so that we can conclude if one is guilty or not.' Mashatile said he had subjected himself to the necessary processes and institutions such as the ANC Integrity Commission and Parliament's Ethics Committee. 'I will continue to subject myself to the relevant institutions as established through our own Constitution.'
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How technology can combat South Africa's crime crisis
Professor Johan Burger supports the idea of bringing technology, such as drones, to fight crime. Image: Independent Media Archives Hot on the heels of the release of the quarterly crime stats, which showed a drop in the murder rate, crime experts are debating how technology can be used to put a further dent in the crime rate. This debate has heated up following President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with US President Donald Trump, where South Africa's crime scourge was paraded for the whole world to see. In the international media briefing, attended by Ramaphosa, Trump, government officials on both sides and South African golfers, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen as well as billionaires Johan Rupert and Elon Musk, the crime situation in the country was put in the international spotlight. Rupert pleaded with Trump to assist the country with technology to bring crime under control. He went as far as to say that US-based Musk's Starlink, which is a satellite constellation system designed to provide internet coverage, could also help South Africa deal with the problem. The former chief executive officer of the Institute for Security Studies, Professor Johan Burger said this week technology is important in preventing and combating crime, but also said job creation was most important. Burger made an example of drones, which are fitted with a crime detection system, saying they could reach places where police could find it difficult to go with vehicles or on foot. 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 ✕ 'If there are no access roads, the drones go and identify where there are firearms. The system can pick up where the shooting took place and immediately relay that information back to the operation rooms,' he said. He also made another example of the Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2), the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, which he said had already made an impact. 'It was an initiative between the police and business, and it uses advanced cameras with a special recognition system. 'It is very good to be used in rural areas and farming communities because those cameras are linked to the police's operation rooms, and police can immediately follow up whether it is a farm attack or stock theft, as they can identify where the thieves are fleeing using vehicles. 'These are just a few examples of how technology can help the police in terms of crime prevention and combating,' he said. In his media briefing when he released the crime stats, police minister Senzo Mchunu, said that for the fourth quarter there were only six attacks on rural communities. He said of the six, two farm owners were killed, two farm dwellers were killed, one farm dweller was killed, one farm employee was killed and two farm managers. He said the majority of those killed were black. Burger said South Africa needed more technology because 'the more technology you have, the better you can address the crime issues'. 'Yes, technology is certainly something that needs to be used in the fight against crime,' he said. When asked if Starlink can assist in the war, Burger said he knew it as a system that Musk's company wants to bring to South Africa to access the local market, but 'precisely how it works, I don't know, as I am not an expert in that area'. Ramaphosa and Congress of South African Trade Unions president Zingiswa Losi were more emphatic in saying US investment and job creation in South Africa would help bring down crime. Burger said employment opportunities and using technology were the remedy for the fight against crime. 'But we need to improve law enforcement capability much more than we have at this time, but at the same time, we need technology, although it can never replace law enforcement agents. 'We need boots on the ground and we need them better trained,' Burger said. Rupert told Trump that crime was not affecting white farmers only, but was across the board, and that the country needed technological help. 'We need Starlink at every little police station, we need drones.I got drones donated for the peace parks to stop elephant and rhino poaching, and his (Ramaphosa) predecessor stopped the importation because he said the United States would spy on us. 'We need your help to stop the awful killing,' said Rupert. Rupert said illegal immigrants and unemployment were the main causes of the crime, adding that if businesses were to leave, the country would experience more crime. 'If we don't get our economy to grow, the culture of dependency and lawlessness will increase,' he said. Political analyst Imraan Buccus said both technology and creating job opportunities were important in bringing down crime. 'I don't think it is one or the other. I think in a country as unequal as ours, with an unemployment bloodbath that affects especially young people, obviously, investment would help. 'We have a very low economic growth rate, and to have any chance to address the unemployment bloodbath, you need a growth rate of about 8%, 9%, or 10%. 'The investment would help, but I don't think it is one or the other, as technology or whatever is available can help to curb crime,' said Buccus. Free State Agriculture (FSA) Security risk analyst Dr Jane Buys welcomed the use of technology to fight crime. She said many farmers in the province were already using high-technology cameras and cellphones to protect themselves. 'However, load shedding has affected farmers badly because if there is no electricity, we don't have data, and cameras do not work. 'But we welcome the idea of bringing more technology into the fight against crime,' said Buys.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cloned - Can drones and job creation combat South Africa's crime crisis?
Professor Johan Burger supports the idea of bringing technology, such as drones, to fight crime. Image: Independent Media Archives While South Africa needs more boots on the ground and well-trained and equipped police officers in the fight against crime, technology such as drones will come in handy, said independent crime expert Professor Johan Burger. The former chief executive officer of the Institute for Security Studies weighed in on the importance of technology in preventing and combating crime, but also said job creation was most important. This followed a heated debate during President Donald Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa's media briefing at the United States White House on Wednesday evening. The briefing, which was followed by a closed-door meeting between the two leaders, ended with a focus on the issue of crime in South Africa and the killing of Afrikaner farmer owners, which Ramaphosa and some in his team said was affecting everyone in the country, irrespective of race. 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 ✕ During the briefing, South African wealthy businessman Johann Rupert pleaded with Trump to assist the country with technology to bring crime under control. He went as far as to say that US-based South African businessman Elon Musk's Starlink, which is a satellite constellation system designed to provide internet coverage, would also help South Africa deal with the problem. Burger made an example of drones, which are fitted with a crime detection system, saying they could reach places where police could find it difficult to go with vehicles or on foot. 'If there are no access roads, the drones go and identify where there are firearms. 'The system can pick up where the shooting took place and immediately relay that information back to the operation rooms,' he said. He also made another example of the Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2), the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, which he said had already made an impact. 'It was an initiative between the police and business, and it uses advanced cameras with a special recognition system. 'It is very good to be used in rural areas and farming communities because those cameras are linked to the police's operation rooms, and police can immediately follow up whether it is a farm attack or stock theft, as they can identify where the thieves are fleeing using vehicles. 'These are just a few examples of how technology can help the police in terms of crime prevention and combating,' he said. Burger said South Africa needed more technology because 'the more technology you have, the better you can address the crime issues'. 'Yes, technology is certainly something that needs to be used in the fight against crime,' he said. When asked if Starlink can assist in the war, Burger said he knew it as a system that Musk's company wants to bring to South Africa to access the local market, but 'precisely how it works, I don't know, as I am not an expert in that area'. Ramaphosa and Congress of South African Trade Unions president Zingiswa Losi were more emphatic in saying US investment and job creation in South Africa would help bring down crime. Burger said employment opportunities and using technology were the remedy for the fight against crime. 'But we need to improve law enforcement capability much more than we have at this time, but at the same time, we need technology, although it can never replace law enforcement agents. 'We need boots on the ground and we need them better trained,' Burger said. Rupert told Trump that crime was not affecting white farmers only, but was across the board, and that the country needed technological help. 'We need Starlink at every little police station, we need drones. 'I got drones donated for the peace parks to stop elephant and rhino poaching, and his predecessor stopped the importation because he said the United States would spy on us. 'We need your help to stop the awful killing,' said Rupert. Rupert said illegal immigrants and unemployment were the main causes of the crime, adding that if businesses were to leave, the country would experience more crime. 'If we don't get our economy to grow, the culture of dependency and lawlessness will increase,' he said. Political analyst Imraan Buccus said both technology and creating job opportunities were important in bringing down crime. 'I don't think it is one or the other. I think in a country as unequal as ours, with an unemployment bloodbath that affects especially young people, obviously, investment would help. 'We have a very low economic growth rate, and to have any chance to address the unemployment bloodbath, you need a growth rate of about 8%, 9%, or 10%. 'The investment would help, but I don't think it is one or the other, as technology or whatever is available can help to curb crime,' said Buccus. Free State Agriculture (FSA) Security risk analyst Dr Jane Buys welcomed the use of technology to fight crime. She said many farmers in the province were already using high-technology cameras and cellphones to protect themselves. 'However, load shedding has affected farmers badly because if there is no electricity, we don't have data, and cameras do not work. 'But we welcome the idea of bringing more technology into the fight against crime,' said Buys. University of KwaZulu-Natal political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said that although South Africa needs every mechanism to deal with 'out of control crime', he was not sure if choosing Starlink to help with this, without putting on a tender for other companies to bid, would be a good idea. 'It is a good idea to have something that would help fight crime, as we know that crime is out of control in South Africa. 'Having Starlink, I am not sure about that. Maybe we need to put a tender out and see if there can be another company that might compete with Starlink. 'But I think at this point, there is not much competition and therefore we don't have much of a choice but to have Starlink,' said Ndlovu.
