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Police question truck drivers accused of blocking the N3 amid protest
4 December 2021, 7:22 AM

Several truck drivers who have been blockading the N3 near Van Reenen, in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), have been taken in for questioning.

Their trucks were found parked across both lanes of the N3.

The N-3 Toll Concession says police have started moving the trucks that caused major traffic backlogs in the area on Friday.

The operation was expected to continue throughout the night.

The South African Cargo Transport Drivers Association claim that the protest action is against the employment of foreign drivers.

Police Spokesperson, Jay Naicker says additional police officers have been deployed to the area.

“In the early hours of this morning, police were informed of the blockade and responded to the scene. Police officers found the trucks had been abandoned by the drivers who removed the keys before they left. Police were able to locate the keys for the vehicles. The trucks were removed and traffic was able to move although very slowly. We urge motorists to avoid the area until traffic is flowing smoothly. Additional police officers have been deployed to the area to ensure no further blockades on the route,” said Naicker on Friday.

N3 truck blockade l Motorists diverted to alternative routes

The South African Cargo Transport Drivers Association (SACTDA) claims that truck drivers who have blocked the N3 at Van Reenen’s Pass between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are protesting against the employment of foreign drivers.

Trucks closed off the highway in both directions since the early hours of Friday morning, forcing a lengthy traffic backlog.

The organisation says their members resorted to the action after their concerns went unheard.

President of the South African Cargo Transport Drivers Association, Daniel Mofokeng, accused the government of doing nothing about the high unemployment rate.

“Who is actually causing the high unemployment rate? It is these foreigners and now the government is also standing on their sides whereas we are raising genuine issues. These people are even driving without valid permits and licences and our government is doing nothing about that. You know how many positions have been declared redundant because of the foreigners because once a foreigner has been employed they can multi-task, my brother. Now we don’t have people as assistants, that is what is happening there in the KZN area. These people are getting many and many in the industry.”

 

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Absa removes Sipho Pityana from board with immediate effect
24 November 2021, 12:00 PM

The Absa Board has removed businessman, Sipho Pityana, as a Director with immediate effect.

According to a statement from the Absa Group, their decision to remove him is due to his alleged recent conduct, which amounts to dereliction of duty.

It says that Pityana had pursued his own personal interests to the detriment of the bank – causing sustained and irresoluble conflict.

ABSA Board fires Sipho Pityana with immediate effect

Last month, Pityana instituted legal action against both Absa and the South African Reserve Bank for allegedly blocking his appointment to the chairmanship position at Absa.

n a statement, Absa did not provide reasons for its decision to demote Pityana.

A female employee at AngloGold Ashanti where Pityana served as the Chairperson of the Board has accused him of sexual harassment, which he has vehemently denied.

In terms of the law, shareholders can only remove a Board member through a vote during an annual general meeting.

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Bathabile Dlamini pleads ‘not guilty’ to perjury charges relating to her role in the 2017 social grant crisis
24 November 2021, 10:21 AM

Former Minister, Bathabile Dlamini has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the perjury charges against her. Dlamini is on Wednesday appearing in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on charges of perjury related to her testimony at an inquiry established by the Constitutional Court into her role in the 2017 social grant crisis.

The inquiry, headed by Judge Bernard Ngoepe, investigated whether Dlamini should be held personally liable for the costs of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) debacle.

The judge found that Dlamini had been evasive when questions were put to her during the inquiry.

This as  Cash Paymaster Services’ (CPS) contract with Sassa to distribute the grants had expired and was renewed on several occasions.

Dlamini was accused of not properly presiding over the matter and failing to ensure that Sassa was better equipped to take over the issuing of payments to grant recipients.

Former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini faces perjury charges

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SANEF concerned by the lack of consistent engagement by the Presidency
21 November 2021, 1:37 PM

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) says President Cyril Ramaphosa has failed to take questions this year following his updates on COVID 19 – despite his acknowledgement of the SANEF request earlier in the year.

SANEF has made the comments in a statement following their last meeting of the year.

The editors’ body says it is concerned by the lack of consistent engagement by the Presidency.

It says there was also a promise to engage with the media in July following the looting and violence,  but this never happened.

“In a country dealing with multiple crises including a deadly pandemic, a struggling economy, policy uncertainty, unanswered questions around the recent looting, South Africans deserve to hear about these and many other issues from the head of state,” notes SANEF in a statement.

SANEF has urged the Presidency to consider reinstituting the cabinet indaba – where the media could interact with the top level of the executive. The last Indaba was held in 2015.

 

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Tourism
South Africans get free access to national parks during SANParks Week
21 November 2021, 12:30 PM

South Africans will have free access to all the country’s national parks from Monday until Friday as part of the annual South African National Parks (SANParks) Week initiative.

The initiative has been running for 16 years and over the years more than 600 000 people have made use of the opportunity. This year, the focus will be on resuscitating the ailing tourism industry that suffered devastating losses due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

The launch is being held at the Addo National Elephant Park, in the Eastern Cape,  on Sunday.

SANParks Board Chairperson, Pam Yako, has encouraged South Africans to visit the parks and enjoy their hospitality.

” We are starting to see signs of recovery. Tourism is not just about international tourism, but also domestic tourism. We need more Sans to come out to our parks. So come out! This week is all about that. You just need your South African ID book, then you arrive. The entrance is free, but if you want to stay you can enjoy our hospitality. We are running specials on our website,” says Yako.

 

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