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South Africa's security crisis: Unimplemented commissions and political turmoil makes it a ticking time-bomb
South Africa's security crisis: Unimplemented commissions and political turmoil makes it a ticking time-bomb

IOL News

time2 days ago

  • Politics
  • IOL News

South Africa's security crisis: Unimplemented commissions and political turmoil makes it a ticking time-bomb

South Africa faces a critical juncture as unimplemented findings from state commissions raise alarms about the integrity of its security institutions. With recent accusations of corruption and potential political instability, the nation must confront its challenges head-on. Image: IOL Graphics South Africa finds itself at a perilous crossroads, with recent revelations casting doubt on the integrity of the nation's security institutions. A series of state commissions, established over the years to investigate scandals and security lapses, have painted a troubling picture: a ticking time bomb poised to destabilise the country further. Since the dawn of democracy, South Africa's parliamentary and judicial commissions have played a critical role in addressing public controversies. Yet, many of their findings remain unimplemented, raising questions about political will and institutional commitment to reform. Last week, in a shocking media briefing, KwaZulu-Natal's top police official, Lieutenant Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of being part of a criminal syndicate actively undermining efforts to combat crime. Mkhwanazi's allegations come amid persistent concerns over policing deficiencies, illegal border crossings, unchecked immigration, and organised crime-issues that threaten national security. This week in Cape Town, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni unveiled a redacted version of the country's National Security Strategy (NSS) and National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) documents for the current administration. She warned of 'one of the risks' being a potential coup d'état, asserting that measures are in place to mitigate such threats. 'The government has identified the risk of a coup d'état and taken steps to prevent it,' Ntshavheni declared. 'We have men and women in our defence and police services working tirelessly for the greater good of this country.' However, critics argue that these reassurances mask deeper systemic issues. Several commissions have previously highlighted alarming deficiencies within South Africa's security sector. 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 ✕ The Mufamadi Commission, officially known as the High-Level Review Panel on the State Security Agency, revealed a disturbing trend in the intelligence community: It has shifted towards a narrow, politically motivated security focus, diverging from constitutional principles. The panel recommended overhauling the intelligence framework, citing political malpractices, factionalism, and disregard for legal mandates. Similarly, the Farlam Commission, established after the Marikana massacre, recommended reforms in police crowd management, public order policing, and accountability measures. Yet, years later, many of these recommendations remain unimplemented. Dr Mpumelelo Breakfast, a political analyst, emphasised the importance of acting on these findings. 'If these recommendations had been implemented, they could have served as effective deterrents against corruption and insecurity,' he said. 'The public must stay vigilant and demand oversight to protect our resources and ensure accountability.' From a legal standpoint, commissions serve as vital platforms for issue ventilation beyond the scope of courts. Political analyst Dr Reneva Fourie stated, 'Commissions provide a broader remit than courts, allowing for purpose-built investigations. They are against political interference, especially for institutions like the National Prosecuting Authority.' However, Fourie cautioned that evidence gathered through commissions does not automatically become admissible in court, often requiring further judicial processes. She stressed their role in laying the groundwork for law enforcement investigations. A report published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in May 2024 echoed these sentiments, highlighting the quasi-judicial nature of commissions and their importance in safeguarding the rule of law amid political turbulence. On Thursday, the Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation sharply criticised Ntshavheni's recent remarks about coup risks, calling her statements 'deeply irresponsible and reckless.' The Foundation accused her of fear-mongering, especially in the context of President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent actions, including placing Minister Mchunu on leave amid allegations of political interference. 'Such claims without evidence are dangerous,' the Foundation stated. 'They exacerbate political tensions and threaten national stability.' As South Africa grapples with these complex security challenges, Fourie warned, 'Without decisive reform and genuine oversight, South Africa's security institutions risk becoming instruments of division rather than protection. The country's future depends on it.' IOL Politics

South Africans are safe, security cluster solid
South Africans are safe, security cluster solid

The Citizen

time4 days ago

  • Politics
  • The Citizen

South Africans are safe, security cluster solid

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has assured South Africans that the country is secure and the security cluster remains solid and functional. Ntshavheni made these remarks during a media briefing in Cape Town yesterday, where she released the redacted version of the National Security Strategy (NSS) and the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) for the sixth administration. Responding to media questions on national security risks, Ntshavheni revealed that government had identified, among others, the threat of a coup d'état but emphasised that no such attempt had materialised. Oxford defines a coup d'état as: 'A​ sudden change of government that is illegal and often violent.' 'We have listed the risks and remember a risk does not necessarily materialise… You need to identify it and mitigate against it. One of the risks is the risk of coup d'état. We have identified it and put measures to mitigate against it. 'That's why we say to South Africans, there's not been anyone attempting to do a coup in South Africa. In the last few days or in the last few weeks, there's not been anyone. Not that there are not people planning – they are – but we are continuously monitoring them and making sure that we deal with those,' she said. Reinforcing this message, Ntshavheni added that the security cluster is solid and capable of doing its work. 'The security cluster is solid, it is able to do its work. There are men and women in various capacities who continue to work as patriots for the protection of this country, and there are men and women in the intelligence services or intelligence community who continue to work to make sure this country is safe. There are men and women in the defence and police services who work for the greater benefit of this country,' she said. Ntshavheni added that government is taking a transparent and proactive approach to national security, noting that releasing the NSS and NIE would allow public engagement and strengthen accountability. 'So, any matters or challenges that confront us, we are a resilient nation. We've always found solutions, we've always been able to deal with challenges and we've addressed them,' she said. She added that the president has taken decisive action by establishing a commission of inquiry with expedited timelines and a clear mandate to report findings to Parliament and the judiciary – further underscoring government's commitment to transparency and swift action. 'That must give South Africans the comfort that their security is a priority for this government,' Ntshavheni said. She emphasised that releasing the public version of the National Security Strategy would empower citizens to understand government's policy and strategic focus. 'So other countries release the strategies. It will help South Africans to understand what we are focusing on at the policy and strategy level and how they can also help. We have not given you the full strategy. We have given you what we call the public version of the strategy because the others that are sensitive are for our implementation and other agencies that we work with. But it's important that South Africans understand our mandate and what we are focusing on,' she said. This strategy, she explained, guides the work of the State Security Agency and the broader intelligence community. 'You must hold us accountable – to say what you have set yourself as the pillars of the strategy, what is the progress you are making, including what we call the national intelligence estimates and priorities,' she said. She further indicated that the department is open to discussions about national security progress and challenges – both at domestic and foreign levels. No threats to G20 delegates Addressing concerns about the safety of G20 delegates as South Africa prepares to host key events ahead of the G20 summit later this year, Ntshavheni assured that there are no threats to delegates. 'We do threat assessments for all meetings. It doesn't matter if it's a Sherpa meeting or a ministerial meeting. We do threat assessments in time and we mitigate. There have not been any threats coming out in South Africa. The safety and security of the delegates of the G20 is guaranteed,' she said. Ntshavheni referenced South Africa's successful hosting of other high-level events in the past, including the Brics Summit, to affirm the country's capability to provide secure environments for global engagements. 'It is not the first important meeting that this country has hosted. We have hosted the Brics Summit with high-profile delegates who are mostly at risk, and everybody was safe in this country,' Ntshavheni said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Spain's Extremadura is still offering digital nomads €10,000 to move there
Spain's Extremadura is still offering digital nomads €10,000 to move there

Local Spain

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • Local Spain

Spain's Extremadura is still offering digital nomads €10,000 to move there

While many areas in Spain are suffering from overtourism and locals are complaining about foreign remote workers driving up rental prices and cost of living in general, there are still some areas of the country which are actively trying to attract digital nomads. One of these is Extremadura, one of the least populated regions in the country. It lies to the west of Spain, boarding Portugal, Andalusia to the south and Castilla y León​​ to the north. In fact, the local government has a plan in in place to try and draw in more people and reverse the effects of depopulation, which is scheduled to continue all the way until 2030. In August 2024, The Local Spain broke the news in English that Extremadura was offering up to €15,000 for digital nomads to move there, which led to a lot of international coverage from Fox News, New York Post, CNBC, The Sun, Forbes and other media outlets overseas. Almost a year after the initial report, we can confirm that Extremadura is continuing to give grants of up to €10,000 to those who move to the region. To date the government has received 470 applications and already 195 of those have been approved. Given the high demand, Extremadura's regional government have also said they expand the aid by €1 million. Applications are currently open until October 8th 2025, so if you want to benefit and think Extremadura would be a good place for you, then you only have a few months left to apply. The aid is specifically aimed at highly qualified professionals in technological sectors who can work remotely or are self-employed. This makes it ideal for digital nomads and remote workers from abroad too. It's available to those who are already legally living in Spain and want to move from other regions, as well as those moving from abroad. Keep in mind, however, if you're from a non-EU country and want to move from abroad, you will first need to apply for Spain's digital nomad visa and meet all the requirements for that. Once you have been granted the visa and you have your TIE residency card, then you can apply for aid. The requirements to apply for the €10,000 grant are as follows: Workers must carry out all their professional activity remotely and "through the exclusive use of media and IT systems, telematics and information fields", in other words fully online. You must keep your remote job and continue to live in Extremadura for at least two years following the application. You must have been living outside of Extremadura for at least six months before you apply. Foreigners must be living here legally and already have a NIE - foreign identity number as well as their green EU certificate or their non-EU TIE residency card. Will I get the full €10,000? That depends. You will receive the full amount if you are under the age of 30, female or move to a town with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. All other people who qualify and do not fall into those categories will receive €8,000. The grant is paid as single payment, once your application has been successful and you can provide proof registration in Extremadura. Why should I consider Extremadura? Filled with natural parks and meadows of holm and cork oaks, Extremadura is a great region for those who love the outdoors with lots of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and climbing. It's also ideal for history buffs with several historic cities including Mérida with its countless ancient Roman sites and UNESCO World Heritage Cáceres with its mix of architectural styles and old stone walls. It's not just what Extremadura has that can be attractive, however, it also has a much lower cost of living than many other regions in Spain. With skyrocketing rents, house prices and general costs in Spain's big cities, many will be looking at where their money can go further. For example, according to cost of living comparison site Expatistan living in Cáceres is 46 percent less than in Barcelona and 37 percent less than Madrid. How to apply Your application must be submitted electronically via the Extremadura General Electronic Access Point. In order to apply you must have a digital certificate or electronic Spanish ID card so that you can identify yourself online. You will also need to provide: An official document issued by your country or other region in Spain to show where you've been living. A certificate from the company you work for which authorises you to work in Extremadura or remotely in Spain. If you are self-employed, a document(s) that proves the terms and conditions in which you will carry out your professional activity remotely. If you are moving from another region in Spain, you will need: An original report, issued by the General Treasury of Social Security, showing you are up to date with any payments. A document that certifies you are up to date with your tax obligations with the State Treasury. A certificate that proves you don't have any debts with the Treasury of Extremadura. All documents must be officially translated if they're not already in Spanish. Processing of the application takes a total of three months.

South Africa's National Security: Ntshavheni identifies coup d'état risks
South Africa's National Security: Ntshavheni identifies coup d'état risks

IOL News

time4 days ago

  • Politics
  • IOL News

South Africa's National Security: Ntshavheni identifies coup d'état risks

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said national intelligence identified coups as one of the risks and put measures to mitigate against it Image: Presidency Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo named coup d'état as one of the risks the national intelligence had identified and take action against. Ntshavheni made the revelation when she was responding to the media when asked about the risks they had identified when she released the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) and redacted National Security Strategy (NSS) for the sixth administration. In her response, she initially said they had listed the risks to the national security in the documents, but indicated that the risk did not necessarily materialise. 'You need to identify and mitigate against it. One of the risks is the risk of coup d'état. We have identified it and put measures to mitigate against it.' Ntshavheni also said they could assure South Africans that there was not anyone attempting to do a coup d'état in South Africa in the last few day or weeks. 'There has not been anyone attempting to do a coup in South Africa. We say that, not that there are no people planning. There are, but we continuously monitor them and make sure we deal with those.' She stated that the intelligence agencies were not the ones making arrests and that those making the arrests don't say it was intelligence driven. 'We rely on law enforcement agencies to make the arrests. We would have made the spade work,' Ntshavheni said. The minister was making the comments at a media briefing after tabling the budget vote of the State Security Agency (SAA) in the national Assembly. She had undertaken to make public the NIE and redacted National Security for the period between 2019 and 2024. Ntshavheni described the release of the two documents as 'a historic milestone in our democratic journey, one which speaks directly to the principles of national security, constitutional accountability, transparency, and national resilience'. 'The national security considerations dictate that we cannot release the current version of NIE and National Intelligence Priorities (NIS). Hence, we are publishing the NIE covering the period of the sixth Administration.' She explained that release of the documents was to help South Africans understand the mandate of the state security. She explained this work guides the work of SSA, adding that they wanted a conversation into the priorities on national security as it related to domestic and foreign matters set for the country. Outlining the NIE, Ntshavheni said it provided a consolidated, evidence-based assessment of the strategic threats, risks, and opportunities facing the nation. 'It is the product of collaborative inputs from across the national intelligence community under the tutelage of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) as per the provisions of the National Strategic Act 1994 (Act 39 of 1994), and other strategic partners. It seeks to ensure that our national response to complex security issues, from illegal migration, espionage, cyber threats and transnational organised crime to climate security as well as domestic instability among others, is informed, proactive, and coordinated.' She also said the 2019–2024 National Intelligence Priorities were fully integrated with the priorities of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework with domestic intelligence priorities being to investigate threats to South Africa's sovereign economic and business capacity and capabilities emanating from both domestic and foreign actors and events, among other things. It also investigated activities related to terror financing that are characterised by vulnerabilities in the border security environment, exploitation of the cash economy, abuse of remittances, as well as the challenges presented by the new financial technologies and investigation and of syndicated criminal activities, including drug smuggling as well as human smuggling and trafficking. Ntshavheni said the National Security Strategy, endorsed by the Cabinet on 13 March 2024, outlined a whole-of-government, and with its publication, the whole-of-society approach to national security, by embedding intelligence at the core of strategic foresight, resilience-building, and crisis prevention. 'We should not be measured by the number of crises we managed but be measured by the number of crises not taken place. In the period between 2019 and 2024, outside July 2021 unrest, there have not been disruptive threats to the country,' she said, adding the exception was climate change. 'We have been working to give advice on the best mechanisms on areas affected by climate change to prevent future loss of lives.' She insisted that the National Security Strategy was grounded in the principle that national security was inseparable from human security, economic stability, democratic governance, social justice and above all national interest. Ntshaveni also said the release of the NIE, NIPs, and NSS was her commitment to building a modern, ethical, and professional intelligence capability, guided by law, oversight, and strategic foresight. 'This is part of our commitment to transform the sector to serve the Constitution, not partisan interests … Our national security response must be anticipatory, inclusive, and adaptive.' [email protected]

New study finds how 'chutki bhar namak' is raising the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart and kidney diseases in India
New study finds how 'chutki bhar namak' is raising the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart and kidney diseases in India

Economic Times

time6 days ago

  • Health
  • Economic Times

New study finds how 'chutki bhar namak' is raising the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart and kidney diseases in India

Synopsis A recent study by ICMR-NIE reveals that Indians consume excessive salt, increasing the risk of hypertension and related diseases. To combat this, researchers have initiated a three-year project in Punjab and Telangana, promoting low-sodium salt substitutes and structured counseling to reduce salt intake and lower blood pressure levels, particularly among those with hypertension. Agencies Salt intake India People in India are consuming more salt than recommended, increasing their chances of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems. This was revealed by scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE). They have started a study to reduce salt intake in communities and are promoting the use of low-sodium salt substitutes, a TOI report World Health Organisation advises eating less than 5 grams of salt per person per day. But according to research cited by the NIE scientists, people in urban India eat around 9.2 grams a day, and even in rural areas, the average is about 5.6 grams, both above the recommended limit. Dr Sharan Murali, senior scientist at NIE and the study's lead researcher, said replacing regular salt with low-sodium salt substitutes could help bring down blood pressure and improve heart health.'Lesser sodium consumption helps reduce blood pressure and improves overall heart health, making low-sodium alternatives a meaningful switch, especially for those with hypertension,' Dr Murali said.'Just switching to low-sodium salt can lower blood pressure by 7/4 mmHg on average, a small change with a big impact,' he added. To address the issue, NIE has started a three-year project in Punjab and Telangana. The aim is to measure how structured salt reduction counselling can help people with high blood pressure reduce both their salt intake and blood pressure Ganesh Kumar, another senior scientist at NIE who is involved in the study, confirmed the purpose of the project.

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