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IOL News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Driving licence printing machine fixed but huge backlogs remain
The Department of Transport has repaired the driving licence card printing machine after months of downtime, but a significant backlog of unprinted cards remains. Image: File Millions have been spent on repairing and maintaining the driving licence card printing machine. The Department of Transport announced earlier last month that the driving licence printing machine was fixed and operations have resumed. The machine had been inoperative since February 5, resulting in a backlog of 747,748 unprinted cards. To reduce the backlog, the Department of Transport's Driving Licence Card Agency extended the working hours of its staff members. In light of this, in a parliamentary question and reply, Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi asked Transport Minister Barbara Creecy about the number of times the machine broke down and how much it cost to repair it. 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 ✕ Zibi then asked how many employees it takes to operate the machine and how much overtime pay has been paid to employees due to lost printing time because of machine breakdowns. Zibi also asked Creecy if there was progress in acquiring a new card machine. Creecy said the backlog of driving licences as of May 15 was estimated at 733,000 cards. Creecy revealed the machine's major breakdowns in the past financial year are as follows: 2022/23 - 26 working days 2023/24 - 48 working days 2024/25 - 17 working days 2025/26 - 38 working days Over the same period, repairs and maintenance costs: 2022/23 - R9,267,862,33 2023/24 - R1,651,772,57 2024/25 - R544,747,64 2025/26 - R624,988,10 (to date) Overtime payment, over the last few financial years, has been: 2022/23 - R1,435,376,79 2023/24 - R1,608,102,52 2024/25 - R1,351,473,78 2025/26 - R0,00 Creecy said it takes four people to operate the machine. About progress made with the process to acquire a new driving licence card printing machine, Creecy said: 'The Minister has directed that a declaratory order be sought from a competent court on the tender to acquire a new machine, in order to ensure that no further irregular expenditure occurs.'
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
‘We pay too much': Public funds wasted on inflated government costs, says Zibi
The Scopa chair called for stricter financial discipline, and proposed benchmarks to curb excessive spending. Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi has criticised the government for wasting public funds by overpaying for goods and services, and failing to hold officials accountable for wasteful spending. His comments came during a media briefing by parliament's finance cluster on Thursday, a day after South Africa's third national budget was tabled. The latest fiscal plan outlined R68 billion in spending cuts over the next three years. The reductions aim to address revenue losses caused by the government's decision not to increase the value-added tax (VAT) rate. 'Pro-poor' budget During Thursday's briefing, Joe Maswanganyi, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance, described the 2025/2026 budget as 'pro-poor'. 'The budget, we believe, will bring inclusive growth even under constrained conditions,' he said. 'The budget contains hard choices, but it protects the vulnerable and positions our economy for stability and reforms.' ALSO READ: Pressure on Sars to prevent tax increases in 2026 Maswanganyi also praised the R7.5 billion allocated to the South African Revenue Service (Sars), aimed at boosting revenue collection. 'This reinforces fairness in our tax system, ensuring that all citizens and companies, especially the wealthy, pay what they owe.' However, he raised a red flag over the country's debt costs, pointing out that South Africa spends R1.2 billion per day on servicing debt. 'That needs to be addressed.' Watch the briefing below: Budget should prioritise solving real problems Zibi, the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), spoke of the positive elements in the budget process, especially the growing engagement of South Africans. 'Taxpayers finally said, 'No more money. We make do with what we already give you'. 'This is a very good thing because people can now appreciate that the government, and that means taxpayers themselves, do not have limitless resources. READ MORE: Sensible or underwhelming? Economists react to Godongwana's Budget 3.0 'Money does not fall from trees. So you cannot commit to do everything, pay for everything, and not have problems thereafter.' He argued that the controversy over VAT had detracted from the real purpose of a national budget, which is setting expenditure priorities. 'Budgets are meant to solve problems. The debate around budgets is supposed to be about the order of those priorities and whether these allocations are sufficient or to be spent in an efficient manner.' Government wasting money Zibi highlighted flaws in how the government allocates and manages expenditure, pointing out that over R820 billion is spent on salaries, R440 billion on social grants, and R424 billion on debt servicing. The Rise Mzansi leader criticised government inefficiency and overspending, particularly in the procurement of goods and services. 'We pay too much because some of them are poorly conceived, poorly planned, poorly managed and often there is corruption.' READ MORE: Budget 3.0: not austerity budget, but a redistributive budget He called for expenditure reviews to ensure that 'every rent goes as far as possible' and also questioned whether the government remains fit for purpose. 'Do we have the right number of civil servants doing the kind of work that needs to be done? Or are we trying to fit a square into a circle?' Zibi called for stricter financial discipline and proposed the introduction of benchmarks to curb excessive spending. 'We need to set benchmarks where the government does not spend more than 100% of planned project spend, and staff are incentivised for projects that are completed on time and within budget. 'We cannot have civil and construction projects lasting double or triple the time, at double or triple the cost that was initially planned. That is not value for money.' Budget expenditure review Zibi further recommended 'centralising' project management to improve oversight and reduce inefficiencies. 'Consulting engineers, we've learned, are a massive weakness, failing to ensure that the work is of the right quality, payments are only made when the work is done, and when those payments are made, they're in line with what we should be paying. 'Fighting corruption is a priority to the minister reaffirmed yesterday.' Zibi added that both National Treasury and the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) have done work in recent years to better understand public expenditure patterns. He revealed that he has invited Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for further engagements on the matter. 'We will look at exploring a joint sitting between the finance committees where he will lay out for two days, the areas where the government since 2013-2014 has been spending money, where that expenditure has been efficient, whether that expenditure has not been efficient, and what some of the critical interventions that can be made are.' NOW READ: Godongwana cuts zero-rated food basket in Budget 3.0
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Government settles land claims worth over R200 million since start of 2024/25 financial year
According to Rise Mzansi, expropriation should be properly applied in cases of public housing and rural development. Rise Mzansi leadership is seen at the launch of the party, 19 April 2023, at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. The party is led by Songezo Zibi. Noticeable faces among the leadership are former Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament Makashule Gana and apartheid activist Ishmael Mkhabela. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen The South African government has spent more R217 164 192 on land claims in the 2024/2025 financial year. This land was privately owned by individuals and private companies; the claims were largely submitted by black people. This information was recently revealed in a parliamentary reply to questions directed to the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Affairs. Rise Mzani, chief whip of Makashule Gana, recently told The Citizen that this amount of money was paid for 287 claims. He said that of these claims, 14 farms were considered productive at the time of settlement. During the 2024/2025 financial year, the land reform and rural development department budgeted R466 million to acquire and allocate 46 767 hectares of land for redistribution through the proactive acquisition of strategically located land and also for security tenure purposes. 'This information once again pours water over the misinformation and disinformation around the Expropriation Act,' said Gana. Gana said Afrikaner farmers who had applied for asylum in the United States (US) were spreading false information about land confiscation by the South African government. 'Peddling lies on land' The first group of Afrikaners landed in Washington this week. Gana accused some Afrikaners of peddling lies and division. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa to meet Trump, says 49 Afrikaners headed to US are not 'refugees' 'They falsely claimed that the government has in the past and will arbitrarily and illegally start a process of grabbing land, particularly farming property. 'Thus far, not a single iota of proof has been produced to support this false claim,' he said. Is the Expropriation Act in full use? Gana said the party had even questioned Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson about the amount of land expropriated using the Expropriation Act. Macpherson is the custodian of the Expropriation Act. 'He stated that between 2014 and 2024, the department has not expropriated a single portion of land, despite already having the legal authority to do so,' he said. According to Gana, the minister of Land and Rural Development, had also confirmed that 16,696 beneficiaries elected monetary compensation over taking ownership of the land being claimed. 'This in itself requires further inquiry around the reasons so we can better understand the psychology around and processing of land claims,' he said. Gana said, while his party believe that the Expropriation Act should be implemented, he does not believe that it should be used maliciously. 'Government should follow the provisions of the constitution, implement the Expropriation Act and have the political will to do so.' At the same time, he said the lies being peddled about the Expropriation Act have the potential to create a diplomatic crisis for South Africa and other countries, such as the US. 'Rise Mzansi hopes that with accurate information on expropriation and land reform in the public domain, it will aid with positively resetting relations between Pretoria and Washington. 'Moreover, we hope that those who have subscribed to the misinformation and disinformation campaigns now see the truth,' he said. Why is Trump not listening? Meanwhile, Gana took a jab at US President Donald Trump for failing to listen to the South African authorities about the situation with land in the country. 'He listens to the wrong people. It is deliberate from certain sections of society that have never supported our transition to democracy. NOW READ: Afrikaners who accepted Trump refugee offer 'know there's no persecution in SA'
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Are gambling advertisements putting minors at risk?
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau stated that the National Gambling Act prohibited the placing of gambling advertisement in the media primarily directed at persons under the age of 18. Image: Supplied Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said the National Gambling Board has found that several advertising and marketing practices by gambling operators did not fully comply with the framework of responsible gambling messaging and protecting minors. Tau said the review by the National Gambling Board found instances of inadequate display of responsible gambling warnings. 'This is done by a number of players, both on online platforms and in public advertisements. There is also exposure to minors,' he said. He was responding to oral questions sponsored by Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana on Friday, when he enquired whether the recent advertising and marketing campaigns by gambling and betting companies comply with the National Gambling Act. Gana also wanted to know whether he has found that the lack of National Gambling Policy Council meetings since March 2018 has contributed to the gambling crisis and lack of accountability in the gambling and betting sector. In his response, Tau stated that the National Gambling Act prohibited the placing of gambling advertisement in media primarily directed at persons under the age of 18. 'The board has noted that advertisements have been frequently aired during family viewing times, including during popular shows such as MasterChef and Junior MasterChef,' he said. 'Gambling advertising has been observed on radio streaming websites and platforms, such as YouTube, often without responsible gambling disclaimers. And there's the issue of sponsorship. 'The sponsorship of family-friendly programmes by major bookmakers increases the visibility and frequency of gambling advertisements during television content that is widely consumed by minors,' he said. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ According to Tau, the National Gambling Board has engaged with the provincial gambling boards on the said contraventions and intends to advise the National Gambling Policy Council at the next meeting. 'I have instructed the department to convene the National Gambling Policy Council without further delay so that there are coordinated efforts and evaluation on all the challenges,' he said. The National Gambling Policy Council, which is mandated to consult on the determination and establishment of the national gambling policy and laws, last held its meeting in March 2018. This takes place as the National Gambling Board has been without a board since September 2014. Tau said his department has initiated the process of appointing a board and a CEO to stabilise governance at the National Gambling Board. Asked about plans to regulate online gambling, Tau said there was an intention to regulate the space of online gambling. 'Of course, it is an environment in which different provinces have taken different approaches, and in certain instances, some of the provinces have promoted such online gambling practices. 'So it certainly is our intention to intervene in that regard, but also to ensure the implementation of rehabilitation of edits to gambling in a coordinated manner with the provinces.' Gana noted with concern that advertising by betting companies was seen even on the screens in the offices of the Department of Home Affairs. 'I don't know where the next stop is going to be. As the custodian of gambling in South Africa, the National Gambling Act, how does that make you feel when you see this gambling at the Home Affairs, gambling, I mean, advertising 24 hours a day? And what are you going to do about this to ensure that South Africans are protected from this proliferation of gambling and sports betting advertisements?' asked Gana. Tau said they were extremely concerned about the proliferation of advertisements for gambling in public places and in spaces that were accessible to underage children. 'Two things that need to happen and that's part of what we'll be discussing in the policy council. The first is about enhanced enforcement of existing regulations, a lot of which are within the purview of the provincial gambling board,' he said. 'We need to ensure that there is enhanced enforcement and coordination by the national government of the enforcement initiatives in the provinces. The second is an enhancement of the regulatory framework. 'So we do intend to review the regulations in line with the study that we have done, which indicates the gaps that have been identified among others in the study, but also by indicating the gaps that have been identified,' he said. Gana said their position was that the admission by Tau on flouting of advertising and marketing regulations by gambling operators was not enough. 'There have to be proper, clear regulations that are in line with the National Gambling Act that the minister must publish so that anyone who operates in that space must know what is the right way of advertising. 'That is why we have a petition that is currently on the go where we are asking South Africans to support our petition for the formulation of clear regulations insofar as gambling and sports betting advertising,' he said.
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- The Citizen
Online gambling and betting advertising is non-compliant with Gambling Act — minister
South Africans have noticed that gambling and betting advertising is getting very intrusive, but there are plans for better regulation. Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, has confirmed in parliament that the advertising for online gambling and betting does not comply with the National Gambling Act, but emphasised that a crack-down is coming. He was responding to a question from Makashule Gana, an MP for Rise Mzansi, whether the recent advertising and marketing campaigns of gambling and betting companies comply with the National Gambling Act and related regulations and policies. Tau said in his reply that the National Gambling Board reviewed recent gambling and betting advertising campaigns to see if they comply with the National Gambling Act and National Gambling Regulations. 'The findings indicate that a number of gambling operators' current advertising and marketing practices do not fully comply with the legislative and regulatory framework, particularly regarding responsible gambling messaging and protection of minors. ALSO READ: Did you know online gambling is illegal in SA? Here are plans to stop it Online gambling and betting skipping statutory warnings Tau said online gambling operators are contravening regulation 3(2) of the National Gambling Regulations about the inadequate display of responsible gambling warnings, which requires that any advertisement must include a clear and prominent statement warning against the dangers of addictive and compulsive gambling. In a video or television advertisement, this message must incorporate at a minimum the name, toll-free number and slogan of the National Responsible Gambling Programme, and it must be published in visual format so that each slogan appears in a legible and noticeable format for at least three seconds. 'The responsible gambling message was barely visible and appeared only briefly, which undermines the intent of the regulation.' ALSO READ: R1.1 trillion worth of online bets in a year: Does SA need to rein in digital gambling? Children exposed to online gambling and betting advertising He said online gambling operators also contravened regulation 3(1)(i)(i) of the National Gambling Regulations in these ways: Exposure to minors: prohibits placing gambling advertisements in media primarily directed at children under the age of eighteen, but the Board noticed that advertisements are frequently aired during family viewing times, including during popular shows, such as MasterChef and Junior MasterChef, as well as during sports matches where the audience is likely to include minors. Tau says this is contrary to the Act, which prohibits gambling for individuals under 18. Advertising during these time slots also increases the risk of normalising gambling behaviour among young viewers. Targeted online and streaming advertising: Tau said gambling advertisements were observed on radio streaming websites and platforms such as YouTube, often without responsible gambling disclaimers. These platforms do not adequately verify the age of users, allowing easy access to gambling content by minors. 'This raises serious concerns regarding the enticement of underage children to participate in gambling activities,' he said. Sponsorship and product placement: the sponsorship of family-friendly programmes by major bookmakers results in increased visibility and frequency of gambling advertisements during television content widely consumed by minors and families. Tau said this form of marketing bypasses regulatory intentions to protect vulnerable groups from gambling influence. Tau said the board engaged the provincial gambling boards about the contraventions and intends to advise the National Gambling Policy Council Meeting of the matter for resolution. 'Therefore, the department and the board will focus on implementing corrective measures in the next cycle.' ALSO READ: 'Let's make gambling safer': New bill targets unfair online gambling practices National Gambling Policy Council stepping up soon Gana also wanted to know whether Tau found that the lack of National Gambling Policy Council meetings since March 2018 contributed to the gambling crisis and lack of accountability in the gambling and betting sector. Tau said he will convene the National Gambling Policy Council soon. 'Gambling is a functional area of concurrent competence between national and provincial government in terms of the constitution, and therefore requires intergovernmental cooperation. 'The statutory mandate of the Council in terms of section 62 of the National Gambling Act includes consulting on the determination and establishment of the national gambling policy and laws, including the promotion of uniform national and provincial laws about gambling norms and standards, as well as any matter concerning gambling.' The Council enables provinces and national government to debate and deliberate on policy and ensure alignment of policy and enforcement interventions across the country. Tau said that with the gambling environment evolving, there has been a growth in the industry, which also paved the way for illegal activities, such as online gambling, to thrive. 'In addition, the inability to meet affects uniformity and harmonisation of gambling policy and legislation, which leads to fragmentation in the gambling regulation in the country.' NOW READ: WATCH: Women and pensioners among 'vulnerable' groups, says Gauteng Gambling Board
