Latest news with #JCPS
The South African
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Crime stats: Rape and commercial crime remain a concern
While the latest statistics has shown a significant progress in crime fighting, with a decrease in most major crime categories recorded in the fourth quarter of the previous financial year, sexual offences and commercial crime remain a concern. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu presented the quarterly crime statistics, covering the period from 1 January to 31 March 2025, which reflect both encouraging improvements and areas requiring intensified efforts. The report showed reductions across multiple crime categories. However, sexual offences, including rape and contact sexual offences, as well as commercial crimes, recorded increases during the quarter. The country's four most crime-affected provinces, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape, contributed the majority of murder cases nationwide. Among the 30 police stations with the highest murder rates, include 13 registered lower incidents, while two stations recorded no change. The report also saw the murder of 22 police officers, including six killed while on duty and 16 off duty. Of these, Gauteng alone recorded 10 of these cases. 'This is not just a loss to the SAPS but to the entire nation. An attack on a police officer is an attack on the state, and those responsible will face the full might of the law,' Mchunu warned. In a bid to combat ongoing increase in sexual offences, Mchunu reported that the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS), has launched a 90-day Gender – Based Violence and Femicide blitz (GBV+F blitz), which commended on 1 May 2025. Mchunu said the initiative includes the revival of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF, which is tasked with coordinating government interventions, resolving systemic bottlenecks, and ensuring measurable progress. He said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Nat Joints) is leading frontline safety and protection efforts. The statistics showed an increase in reported rape cases, with Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal contributing 19.1% and 19.9% respectively to the national total. However, five provinces, including Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, and Western Cape, recorded declines in rape cases. 'While GBVF affects all genders, women remain disproportionately affected by rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (assault GBH), and murder,' Mchunu noted. According to the report, firearms remain the most frequently used instruments in the commission of murder, followed by knives. A total of 4 023 cases involving illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, were recorded during the quarter under review, a 2.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Mchunu commended Operation Shanela for its ongoing success in delivering the results, which led to the seizure of 128 illegal firearms, and 82 arrest in just the past week. 'One of our stated priorities, is the eradication of illegal firearms and the tightening of control over legally owned firearms,' Mchunu said. The country has also recorded 4.7% increases in commercial crimes, with 1 581 counts recorded in the fourth quarter. Gauteng and Western Cape recorded the seven highest numbers, with 12 074 cases reported in Gauteng, while 7 244 reported in Western Cape. Mchunu commended the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) for their continued efforts, which led to 656 suspects appeared in court, including 364 linked to from serious organised crime, 220 from serious commercial crime, and 72 from serious corruption. 'We urge the DPCI to remain steadfast in executing their constitutional mandate,' Mchunu said. The report revealed an 8,9% decrease in stock-theft crime, which the Minister described as a serious threat to the agricultural sector and rural livelihoods. 'Stock-theft is one of the priority crimes for the police, as it not only threatens the financial stability of the country's agricultural sector but undermines the livelihoods of countless families who depend on livestock for their sustenance and economic well-being. 'Back in March, we convened a stakeholder engagement in the Free State – this was well attended by various stakeholders from the Free State, KZN, Limpopo and Eastern Cape. The focus of the engagement was to engage those largely affected by stock-theft on the measures employed by the SAPS and to engage on what can be done in strengthening those measures,' the Minister said. He said the engagement was successful, and the department has full confidence in the various Stock Theft Units throughout the country. Mchunu also highlighted that the police recently recovered stolen livestock in Qumbu, Matatiele, Maclear and Tsolo, during their operations. The recovered livestock included 231 cattle to the value of R2.7 million, 81 sheep worth over R160 000, and 78 goats worth over R150 000. 'We commend the various teams for this, and we urge them to remain vigilant and to continue in their efforts to fight stock theft,' Mchunu said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
SA government X account suspended after 'violating rules'
The @RSA_JCPS account was suspended after government posted a press release about an investigation into an influential, right-wing X account. Government's X account (formally Twitter) @RSA_JCPS, South African Justice, Crime Prevention & Security', has been suspended. Trying to access the X account showed 'account suspended.' 'X suspends an account that violates our rules,' the post said. Suspension It is believed that the @RSA_JCPS account was suspended after the government posted a press release about an investigation into an influential, right-wing X account that has been posting racist tropes that have reinforced misinformation about the country. The press release said it had taken note of the reports claiming to have uncovered the identity of a 46-year-old former farmer behind the social media account 'Boer' (@twatterbaas) on X. The account is accused of spreading racist views, hate speech and false information. The account is thought to have influenced US President Donald Trump and his South African-born billionaire donor, Elon Musk. ALSO READ: Racist misinformation spread by Twatterbaas about SA condemned 'Racism' Acting Government Communication and Information Systems spokesperson Terry Vandayar said they have taken note of the reports about 'Boer'. 'Appreciating that law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate incidents of misinformation, the government strongly condemns deliberate acts of misinformation and promotion of racial hatred. The Citizen contacted the Government Communication Information System (GCIS) for comment, which will be included in the story once it is received. AfriForum On Thursday, AfriForum's CEO shared his sentiments about the account being suspended. The @Government ZA X account, titled 'South African Justice, Crime Prevention & Security', has been suspended for violating the platform's rules. This follows the South African government's use of the account to threaten an X user, who had criticised the government, with criminal charges. 'While the government may get away with such threats against its opponents within South Africa, the international community, and Elon Musk's X platform, frowns upon these oppressive tactics. This comes as the South African government appears to be continuing its investigation of high treason against Afriforum for engaging with Donald Trump's administration in the US,' Kriel posted on X. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa to meet Trump face-to-face to resolve diplomatic fallout It was News24 which unmasked the 'Boer' account, which prompted Kriel to ask: 'I wonder if @News24 's X account might also be in violation of the platform's rules?' The @GovernmentZA X account, titled 'South African Justice, Crime Prevention & Security', has been suspended for violating the platform's rules. This follows the South African government's use of the account to threaten an X user, who had criticized the government, with criminal… — Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) April 30, 2025 Meeting Trump administration In February, Afrikaner lobby groups Solidarity and AfriForum handed over the 'Washington Memorandum', asking the United States to provide humanitarian assistance for Afrikaner development. The organisations under the Solidarity Movement claimed to have met with senior representatives of the Donald Trump administration at the White House. While Trump has halted funding to South Africa by signing an executive order against the country, alleging human rights issues in response to the government's land policy, the Solidarity Movement wants the US to provide aid to a development fund to assist with community infrastructure protecting Afrikaners. Their visit has raised eyebrows, with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, confirming that it was investigating four case dockets of high treason linked to claims of a white genocide against farmers in the country. Treason While Hawks boss General Godfrey Lebeya did not disclose the names of the organisations being investigated, it is believed they include Solidarity and AfriForum. This follows uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party recently laying criminal charges of treason against AfriForum, accusing the lobby group of economic sabotage. Why X suspends accounts? According to X, it suspends accounts if they are 'spammy, or just plain fake, and they introduce security risks for X and for everyone using X'. 'If we suspect an account has been hacked or compromised, we may suspend it until it can be secured and restored to the account owner in order to reduce potentially malicious activity caused by the compromise. 'We may suspend an account if it has been reported to us as violating our X Rules surrounding abuse. When an account engages in abusive behaviour, like sending threats to others or impersonating other accounts, we may suspend it temporarily or, in some cases, permanently,' the rules state. ALSO READ: Musk takes fresh 'genocide' swipe at Malema Trump takes aim at SA Since the start of his second term, Trump has singled South Africa out for criticism. The US president cut financial aid to South Africa, citing the country taking Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and 'strengthening ties with Iran, which supports terrorism globally'. Trump said 'terrible things' were happening in the country after the passing of the Expropriation Act, which he believes is pushing Afrikaans farmers out of the country. The US president has since offered them refuge in his country with an expedited pathway to US citizenship. Farmers According to Trump, 'any farmer' who is 'seeking to flee South Africa for reasons of safety' can now apply to become a US citizen, rather than a refugee. In March, President Cyril Ramaphosa's national security adviser Dr Sydney Mufamadi said AfriForum and trade union Solidarity went to the United States to 'gossip about their own country'. Asked if South Africa's democratisation and nation-building project is being put 'at risk' by AfriForum and Solidarity's visits to Washington, Mufamadi said the organisations did not go to the US for 'shopping.'
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ivy Tech hires Louisville superintendent as its new president
Ivy Tech Community College has hired the superintendent of Kentucky's largest K-12 school district as its new president. Marty Pollio, set to retire as the superintendent of Louisville-based Jefferson County Public Schools, will start his role as president of Indiana's statewide Ivy Tech system July 1. He replaces Sue Ellspermann, Ivy Tech's ninth president and a former lieutenant governor, who is retiring at the end of June. Pollio's appointment and three-year contract was approved by the college's board Wednesday afternoon. "I'm excited to get into postsecondary," Pollio, who has worked for JCPS for 30 years, told Louisville's Courier Journal. "I've done a lot of work on workforce development — between being a principal and doing this — so I think it's a good next step for me." Ivy Tech has 45 locations across Indiana, with its central office located in Indianapolis. The school, which grants associate degrees, collectively has more than 175,000 students — a good chunk of whom are high school students enrolled in dual credit courses. Pollio said his goal will be to continue to grow the college's dual credit program and to "really align the work being done at Ivy Tech with the workforce in Indiana and even Kentucky." In order to do that, Pollio pointed to JCPS' Academies of Louisville program, indicating he'd like to take that model into K-12 schools across Indiana. JCPS launched the model in 2017. The wide-range of academy programs gives high school students career-themed lessons and, in some cases, allows them to earn industry certifications before graduation. This could be helpful to Ivy Tech's goal of combatting the state's workforce shortage in response to a recent report from the college that noted Indiana's decline in skilled talent, particularly in the advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, health care, and technology fields. Pollio announced he'd be retiring from JCPS in September. Having spent the last seven years as superintendent, he is one of the longest-tenured superintendents of any large urban district in the country, according to the Council for Great City Schools. When he received a call about Ivy Tech, he said he wasn't sure about going into postsecondary education, but "the more I started looking at the opportunity and the impact that I can have on both kids and adults alike, it really piqued my interest." Other aspects of Pollio's lasting impact on JCPS include the district's new strategic plan, coined "Future State." That plan included expanding school choice for families through the district's new student assignment plan — though JCPS' decision to end magnet transportation for most students has drawn criticism among those who previously supported the new assignment plan. Under Pollio's leadership, the district has also launched numerous large capital improvement projects, increased access to technology, increased funding for some schools serving high-needs populations, created an internal police department, and aligned reading and math curriculums across all K-8 schools. "As a superintendent, it would have been easier to keep the status quo. Change is very hard," Pollio wrote in his retirement announcement. "But I am extremely proud that we made the decision to make the most substantial changes in the history of JCPS despite many challenges. I truly believe that these changes will result in decades of improved outcomes for our students." The district is still looking for a replacement for Pollio. Last week, six candidates were identified as finalists from a pool of 34 applicants. Krista Johnson covers education and children for The Courier Journal. Have story ideas or questions? Contact her at kjohnson3@ and subscribe to her newsletter. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Ivy Tech's new president: Marty Pollio, Louisville superintendent
Indianapolis Star
30-04-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Ivy Tech hires Louisville superintendent as its new president
Ivy Tech Community College has hired the superintendent of Kentucky's largest K-12 school district as its new president. Marty Pollio, set to retire as the superintendent of Louisville-based Jefferson County Public Schools, will start his role as president of Indiana's statewide Ivy Tech system July 1. He replaces Sue Ellspermann, Ivy Tech's ninth president and a former lieutenant governor, who is retiring at the end of June. Pollio's appointment and three-year contract was approved by the college's board Wednesday afternoon. "I'm excited to get into postsecondary," Pollio, who has worked for JCPS for 30 years, told Louisville's Courier Journal. "I've done a lot of work on workforce development — between being a principal and doing this — so I think it's a good next step for me." Ivy Tech has 45 locations across Indiana, with its central office located in Indianapolis. The school, which grants associate degrees, collectively has more than 175,000 students — a good chunk of whom are high school students enrolled in dual credit courses. Pollio said his goal will be to continue to grow the college's dual credit program and to "really align the work being done at Ivy Tech with the workforce in Indiana and even Kentucky." In order to do that, Pollio pointed to JCPS' Academies of Louisville program, indicating he'd like to take that model into K-12 schools across Indiana. JCPS launched the model in 2017. The wide-range of academy programs gives high school students career-themed lessons and, in some cases, allows them to earn industry certifications before graduation. This could be helpful to Ivy Tech's goal of combatting the state's workforce shortage in response to a recent report from the college that noted Indiana's decline in skilled talent, particularly in the advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, health care, and technology fields. Pollio announced he'd be retiring from JCPS in September. Having spent the last seven years as superintendent, he is one of the longest-tenured superintendents of any large urban district in the country, according to the Council for Great City Schools. When he received a call about Ivy Tech, he said he wasn't sure about going into postsecondary education, but "the more I started looking at the opportunity and the impact that I can have on both kids and adults alike, it really piqued my interest." Other aspects of Pollio's lasting impact on JCPS include the district's new strategic plan, coined "Future State." That plan included expanding school choice for families through the district's new student assignment plan — though JCPS' decision to end magnet transportation for most students has drawn criticism among those who previously supported the new assignment plan. Under Pollio's leadership, the district has also launched numerous large capital improvement projects, increased access to technology, increased funding for some schools serving high-needs populations, created an internal police department, and aligned reading and math curriculums across all K-8 schools. "As a superintendent, it would have been easier to keep the status quo. Change is very hard," Pollio wrote in his retirement announcement. "But I am extremely proud that we made the decision to make the most substantial changes in the history of JCPS despite many challenges. I truly believe that these changes will result in decades of improved outcomes for our students." The district is still looking for a replacement for Pollio. Last week, six candidates were identified as finalists from a pool of 34 applicants.
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
'Domestic abuse is not entertainment': Government slams 'Isencane Lengane'
Moja Love has responded to the backlash... South Africa's Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS), along with advocacy groups and concerned viewers, has criticised Moja Love's reality show Isencane Lengane for allegedly showcasing domestic abuse. The backlash follows a recent episode, on 20 April, of Isencane Lengane that sparked public outrage, leading to growing calls for the show's cancellation. In the episode of the show that follows a young married teenage couple, Thando Msomi and Siyacela Dlamuka, Siyacela threatened to beat Thando with a sjambok during a heated argument. JCPS condemned the channel, saying airing content that portrays domestic abuse under the guise of entertainment is dangerous. 'Media platforms have a moral and social responsibility to promote content that upholds the dignity, safety, and rights of all individuals. 'Broadcasting acts of domestic abuse or violence in any form — whether under the guise of reality television or entertainment — is a gross violation of this responsibility. It sends a dangerous message that violence can be exploited for public spectacle,' the statement reads. [DOMESTIC ABUSE AND GBV ARE NOT ENTERTAINMENT!] Media platforms have a moral and social responsibility to promote content that upholds the dignity, safety, and rights of all individuals. Broadcasting acts of domestic abuse or violence in any form — whether under the guise of… — South African Justice, Crime Prevention & Security (@RSA_JCPS) April 22, 2025 Activist group Women for Change also slammed Isencane Lengane, accusing the channel of normalising and trivialising gender-based violence. 'By broadcasting such abuse without adequate intervention and accountability, Moja Love is normalising and trivialising gender-based violence, sending the harmful message that abuse is acceptable if it brings in viewers. 'In a country where women and children are raped, beaten, and killed every day, this kind of programming is not only tone-deaf — it is a betrayal of every victim and survivor.' ALSO READ: Moja Love didn't want to 'throw Xolani Khumalo under the bus' as 'Sizok'thola' host returns Moja Love responds to 'Isencane Lengane' backlash Responding to The Citizen's media enquiry, Moja Love said that complaints have been lodged with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) and are being handled by the channel's legal department. 'It is important to mention that the show is a reality series that showcases real-life stories and embraces various cultural aspects of the lives of the main cast. 'The channel does not condone any acts of violence and/or intimidation,' the channel added. Moja Love further cited a 2023 BCCSA Tribunal ruling, which found that the show had not violated any broadcasting codes in a previous case. The tribunal reviewed an episode aired on 22 January 2023, in which the channel was accused of airing gender-based violence without critique. According to the judgment, the BCCSA found no breach of Clause 10 of the Code of Conduct, stating that there was no incitement to violence or advocacy of gender-based hatred. NOW READ: Dr Brian addresses 'malicious' rumours about his breakup with Minnie Dlamini
