Latest news with #R30m
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
‘Looting using matric papers': Why did NW printing job price jump by around R100m?
The job has reportedly never cost more than R30m, but is now apparently being done for R128m a year, for five years. There are concerns of possible 'looting' and corruption within the North West education department after it signed a new matric paper printing job that costs four times what it did last year. The department reportedly spent just over R28 million last year to print its question papers, but has now appointed a new provider for the services, Lebone Altron DSV Consortium. That provider, according to a City Press insider, is charging R128 million a year for the service. The department has disputed the amount, but revealed the actual amount is over R100 million. It justified the cost by saying it included not only printing but also other logistics like storage and distribution. Still, insiders insist that these other services were included in the previous deal at a fraction of the price. They smell a rat and claim there is 'a lot of looting using the printing of matric question papers'. 'The material used for printing the question papers is normal, which is found in any printing company. We do not use any special materials, but the money [the department is going to pay] is too much,' said a source. Why don't they use government printers? According to the national education department, eight of the nine provinces, including the North West, have stopped using the Government's Printing Works (GPW) to print their matric papers amid security concerns. 'The GPW in its current structure lacks the capacity to print secure question papers for all nine provincial education departments. This capacity can be extended with time, but the reality is that it is also a major risk for all national question papers to be printed at one venue in the country,' the department said previously. 'Another important factor is that provincial education departments (PED) prefer to have in-house printing facilities, which allows them to manage the process more closely. Hence, printing in Pretoria at GPW is not the most convenient arrangement for most PEDs.' And while leaks have reportedly reduced, the cost of printing, now in private hands, has risen. ALSO READ: Hawks make major breakthrough in matric results 'breach' – One detained Last year, it was reported that the cost more than tripled from less than R1 billion to R3.6 billion. The national education department later clarified that this R3.6 billion included setting the papers, moderation, printing, transport, security, marking and allowances for markers, maintenance of systems, and printing and distribution of statement of results. 'The estimated cost for just the printing and packing of question papers for all candidates writing the October/November examination is R220 million, and this is a fraction of the R3.6 billion quoted,' the department explained. NOW READ: WATCH: Matric results for just R100? Outcry over 'leak' of marks
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Region B CRUM continues with service delivery campaign around Randburg
The City of Johannesburg department of Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region B continues with its high impact services delivery campaign in Wards 98 and 99. Read more: Randburg Service Delivery Centre collection drive aims to recover over R30m by disconnecting City Power customers who aren't paying CRUM, with various other city departments, such as: Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA), social development, building control, environmental health, and others, took over Windsor East, fixing potholes, cleaning, and checking some of the buildings. The Windsor area has been left behind, battling with numerous challenges. During the campaign, roads in the area got painted and signs were installed. Illegal operating schools were visited, and notices were issued. Old buildings were cleaned and social development profiled homeless individuals, making efforts in linking them to shelters, and facilitating reunification with families where possible. Among other findings, were creches and day cares that are operating without registrations, and not in suitable buildings. An illegal school, which comprises a primary and high school, was found in one of the complexes in Windsor East. They were issued a notice by Environmental Health Services for non-compliance with the school health regulation. Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs welcomed the campaign. 'As a councillor, I serve as the voice of my community. The challenges my residents face are regularly raised on the platforms available to me, namely in regional ward councillor forums and committees. When these long-standing concerns are finally acknowledged, through interventions like the high impact service delivery initiative, it is welcomed.' She further stated that these measures are temporary, but they are a step in the right direction, and a sign that persistent advocacy can lead to action. 'This is not a sustainable method for service delivery. Sustainability lies in two critical areas: Residents taking ownership of their environment, and the municipality implementing a structured, long-term maintenance plan. Also read: Fontainebleau resident hopes for better service delivery 'Operations like this play an important role in highlighting and recording ongoing service delivery challenges. They also serve to educate the public on the scale of the municipal issues faced.' This is the third week of the campaign, and the second week spent fixing some of the challenges around the Randburg area. Region B CRUM director Sello Lemao explained that this campaign means that they will be doing things differently. 'This programme, was actually started in Region F. If you were to go there, you would have seen that there's a lot that has been done. From bad buildings, to all those illegalities in that city. My region has been neglected a bit and has many challenges, especially when it comes to service delivery.' He added that Region B is where there are high-rate payers and most of the amenities, or facilities, of the City of Johannesburg. 'The city has been decaying and not been doing well in service delivery. It is time the city also focuses on this region. I have to bring up resources, and focus on this region in different wards weekly. We need to see sustainable service delivery.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Resident concerned about lack of service delivery At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Round Tablers express gratitude for Parys' hospitality
Almost 500 registered Tablers from 14 areas including Namibia, their spouses, and international delegates, attended the Association of Round Table Southern Africa's (ARTSA) National AGM over the past week in Parys. ARTSA was hosted by the STNOFS area, formerly known as the Southern Transvaal Northern Orange Free State area. The theme for this year was Wild West. The opening of the event started on Thursday evening with a cowboy-themed party including bull rides and country dancing. Official conferences started on Friday morning, handling the business end of the conference, where the Tablers could wrap up the year-end of financials and branding strategies. On Friday evening, the yearly Food Tables competition was held, where each province cooks food that represents their province. At Saturday's AGM, each area chairperson gave a report from the year past, and National President Antonie Smit finished his year. The end of the week's ARTSA was the gala evening where various awards were handed out and Vos Botha, incoming 2025/2026 president, and his new council took over the reins for the upcoming year. The STNOFS area gave a warm heartfelt thank you not only to the excellent staff at Stonehenge, but to all the lodges, guest houses, and the Parys community for hosting the 450-plus Round Tablers, wives, kids, and 60 internationals the past week. They also had a special word of thanks for the assistance given where needed during the flood situation, moving quickly and efficiently those accommodated at Sunwa to other venues. Round Table is a nonprofit charity organisation that collected just over R30m as a collective for their communities around Southern Africa in the last year. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
