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IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Gwede Mantashe: I'm not giving Mozambicans, Basotho and Zimbabweans artisanal mining licences
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe. Image: Itumeleng English Independent Newspapers Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has denounced the scourge of illegal mining across South Africa, which he said is dominated by foreign nationals. IOL reported on Tuesday that as 494 illegal miners who were arrested after resurfacing in Mpumalanga appeared before the Barberton Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga, an additional 24 also surfaced at the Sheba Mine. The suspects, who appeared in groups of 50 in the dock, face charges of trespassing, possession of gold-bearing materials, and the contravention of the Immigration Act. The arrests stem as a result of the South African Police Service's (SAPS) national Operation Vala Umgodi, which tackles the scourge of illegal mining within the borders of South Africa. The suspects arrested in Mpumalanga are foreign nationals from eSwatini and Mozambique, and include minors. On Wednesday, Mantashe clarified that his department has started the process of issuing licences to artisanal and small-scale miners. However, the minister pointed out that these are not illegal miners colloquially referred to as zama-zamas. 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 'We have started the programme of artisanal and small-scale miners. We have issued the first 21 licences and we are going to be systematic about it. This is not formalising illegal mining. It's actually giving opportunity to entrepreneurs who want to enter into mining, and we are going to continue doing that. The minister said it would be 'a fatal mistake' to counterpose artisanal mining to illegal mining. 'If you look into illegal mining, it is not dominated by South African citizens. It is mainly dominated by citizens from neighbouring countries; therefore it means it's an issue of external forces attacking South Africa's economy. That should be dealt with separately from artisanal mining,' said Mantashe, who is also chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC). 'I am not going to give artisanal mining licences to Mozambicans, Lesotho citizens or Zimbabweans who dominate this space. I am going to give those licences to South Africans who want to be entrepreneurs in mining." Earlier this year, Mantashe called for a stronger and more focused approach to combat illegal mining, emphasising its harmful impact on the economy and its criminal nature. During a visit to the Stilfontein mine in North West this week, Mantashe joined a delegation of ministers, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, to monitor an operation to bring illegal miners to the surface.
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
City Power's free electricity drive brings relief to struggling households
Mayor of Johannesburg Dada Morero. Image: Itumeleng English Independent Newspapers Mayor of Johannesburg Dada Morero says Johannesburg has taken significant strides to address energy inequality through its innovative Free Basic Electricity programme. Since its launch on 17 June, the initiative has offered a lifeline to low‑income households, with more than 650 homes already registered to receive 50 kilowatt‑hours of electricity each month at no cost. This drive is not merely about power distribution; it is a declaration of dignity, says Morero. 'Electricity should not be a luxury for the few. It is a necessity for everyone,' he told community members at a recent briefing. 'Our government must ensure that even those with the least still have access to the basics.' The programme is aimed at households earning under R7 500 per month, including pensioners, unemployed families, child‑headed households, and recipients of social grants. Morero sees the Free Basic Electricity initiative as a cornerstone of a broader vision to reform infrastructure and energy access within the city. His administration has also pledged to eliminate load shedding in Johannesburg within two years by forging partnerships with private energy suppliers and investing in alternative sources of power. These efforts are complemented by campaigns to encourage energy efficiency and smarter consumption among ratepayers. Morero said he draws on personal experience to understand the challenges faced by under‑resourced communities. He believes that inclusive governance must start with practical measures that immediately improve people's lives. 'This is a step toward narrowing the gap between the privileged and the poor,' he said. 'It is a signal that this city cares, and that help is not just promised, but delivered.' City Power's CEO, Tshifularo Mashava, emphasises that this initiative delivers more than just electricity units. 'This is about dignity,' she said. 'It is about making sure a child has light to study by and families can prepare meals and heat water. We are talking about the basic right to live in a safe and warm environment.' By guaranteeing a steady supply of 50 kilowatt‑hours per month, families can rely on enough power for essential tasks, reducing their dependence on dangerous alternatives such as open flames. Moreover, beneficiaries are exempt from the R230 monthly electricity surcharge introduced in July. For households already under pressure from the rising cost of living, this exemption provides vital breathing space that could make a significant difference in their ability to afford food, transport, or school supplies. To qualify, applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents, legally occupy their property, and provide proof of identity, residence, income, and a municipal account. While the registration target ends on 31 July, Mashava warns residents not to wait. 'We have the teams, the systems, and the capacity. Now we need the public to step forward. We do not want anyone who qualifies to miss this opportunity.' City Power has deployed dedicated outreach teams throughout all seven regions of Johannesburg. These officers go door to door, helping residents complete forms, gather necessary documents, and resolve issues that might prevent them from qualifying. In many cases, faulty or unregistered electricity meters have posed a barrier. City Power has responded by offering free meter replacements and repairs for those willing to regularise their connections—no fines, no penalties. This approach reflects Morero's philosophy of service delivery with compassion. By easing technical and administrative burdens, the administration aims to bring as many households as possible into the programme, ensuring alignment with its goal of reducing energy inequality. Beyond immediate relief, the Free Basic Electricity programme is part of a longer‑term vision. Morero's office is addressing systemic issues such as outdated infrastructure and unequal spatial development. Load shedding remains a challenge across South Africa, and Johannesburg is no exception. The city's strategy involves partnerships with independent power producers and investment in renewable energy projects, especially solar solutions for public facilities and social housing. At the same time, the administration is working on revenue optimisation through improved billing and financial management, using the funds to reinvest in infrastructure upgrades. Morero's finance planning includes achieving a revenue collection threshold of over 90% for rates and services. This generates more resources for technological innovation and citywide service delivery. Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many beneficiaries reporting immediate improvements in daily life. Grandmothers like 72‑year‑old Phindile Mokoena from Soweto said the free electricity allowed her to boil water and keep warm in winter without worrying about her small pension. Similarly, teachers working from home have praised the scheme for providing reliable lighting to prepare lessons and support children's remote learning needs. Still, gaps remain. City Power and Morero's office recognise these shortfalls and are intensifying efforts to register the hard‑to‑reach, including residents in informal settlements and those facing language or documentation barriers. As the 31 July deadline approaches, the administration is pushing hard to ensure no eligible household misses out. City Power encourages residents to visit service centres or apply online. With strong political will, a compassionate approach, and an efficient system, the Free Basic Electricity programme could become a model for other cities grappling with energy poverty.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ActionSA calls for urgent intervention in Emfuleni municipality crisis
ActionSA is demanding that the Gauteng Premier place Emfuleni Local Municipality under mandatory administration due to years of financial mismanagement and service delivery failures that have led to a crisis. Image: Itumeleng English Independent Newspapers ActionSA has ramped up pressure on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo, demanding that Emfuleni Local Municipality be placed under mandatory administration. The party said years of financial mismanagement, collapsing infrastructure, and failed service delivery have pushed the municipality beyond the point of recovery without urgent national intervention. "It is now imperative that the Gauteng Provincial Government invoke Section 139(5) of the Constitution and place Emfuleni Local Municipality under mandatory administration, with the full oversight of National Treasury." ActionSA Gauteng provincial chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni MPL, has criticised the ongoing oversight failures in Emfuleni, warning that years of ineffective and incomplete interventions under Section 139(1)(b) have allowed the municipality to slide into what he described as a 'full-blown crisis.' Ngobeni stressed that Emfuleni's dire financial state is undeniable, citing the municipality's R7.1 billion debt to Eskom and mounting arrears with Rand Water as key indicators of its insolvency. He added that massive service delivery failures, including 62% water losses and 22% electricity losses — amounting to over R750 million in annual lost revenue — have left basic services out of reach for many residents. 'Ongoing sewer spillages, neglected infrastructure, and collapsed waste management systems have turned essential services into a luxury most communities can no longer count on,' Ngobeni added. Ngobeni further pointed to the ongoing sanitation crisis at the Ramaphosa informal settlement as a glaring example of Emfuleni's collapse. 'The fact that portable toilets have gone unserviced for more than four months is not just unacceptable — it should be the final straw…this level of neglect underscores why urgent intervention through Section 139(5) is no longer optional but absolutely necessary. 'Despite Premier Lesufi's belated instruction to the Gauteng Human Settlements Department to resolve the matter, it is clear that without intentional, decisive provincial intervention, residents will continue to suffer. Emfuleni's failure to provide basic sanitation is not confined to one settlement – it is a systemic, recurring feature of a municipality in collapse,' he said. Previously placed under administration due to chronic service delivery failures, Emfuleni Local Municipality remains in disarray. Ngobeni has slammed the earlier Section 139(1)(b) intervention, terminated in 2022, as a 'disastrous failure.' The party argued that the measure merely offered a façade of oversight while allowing Emfuleni's political leadership to retain control over the budget and continue with unchecked, irresponsible spending. "The situation has now escalated beyond discretionary oversight. ActionSA, therefore, supports the immediate implementation of a financial recovery plan in terms of Section 139(5), which would transfer financial control to National Treasury and impose mandatory reforms," he said. Ngobeni stated that ActionSA has formally submitted a proposal to the Gauteng Legislature's COGTA Committee, urging the Portfolio Committee and Premier Panyaza Lesufi to act swiftly. He said the municipality's dire financial state requires immediate fiscal control by the National Treasury to enforce a funded and credible budget capable of addressing years of financial mismanagement. 'An immediate fiscal control by National Treasury to enforce a funded and credible budget, aggressive debt recovery aligned with Eskom's debt relief framework, and prioritised infrastructure restoration in water, electricity, and sanitation,' said Ngobeni. He further added that stabilising the municipality's leadership is also crucial to turning things around. 'Appointing a permanent Municipal Manager and Chief Financial Officer without delay is vital to restoring governance and accountability in Emfuleni.' ActionSA is not the only political party placing pressure on the embattled Emfuleni Local Municipality. As previously reported by The Star, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has also taken decisive action by referring the municipality to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The DA is calling for a full investigation, citing long-standing and severe service delivery failures. According to the party, these failures have subjected residents to inhumane living conditions, effectively violating their constitutional rights to basic services such as clean water, adequate sanitation, and a safe and healthy environment. The Star [email protected] ActionSA is demanding that the Gauteng Premier place Emfuleni Local Municipality under mandatory administration due to years of financial mismanagement and service delivery failures that have led to a crisis. Image: File
