WeeklySA_AdminIN PARLIAMENT THIS WEEK
OIL, GAS EXPLORATION KEY – MANTASHE
Minerals and Petroleum Minister Gwede Mantashe, says gas and oil exploration is critical for the future of South Africa’s economy.
The Minister was speaking during a debate on the Opening of Parliament Address held in Cape Town.
“Our country is endowed with petroleum deposits that are not yet exploited. We appeal to South Africans to appreciate that our quest for exploration of oil and gas deposits is not a nice to have.
“It is important to turnaround the composition of our economy and therefore, that will translate into growth of the economy,” he said.
Mantashe bemoaned what he called “foreign-funded NGOs that block exploration of gas and oil”.
“That is blocking economic development and we must confront it and deal with it. That doesn’t mean we are not serious about responsible mining and exploration. We must accept, unreservedly, the need for mining and exploration that is conscious in preserving the environment while accelerating development,” he said.
The Minister said as development and growth takes place, empowerment should not be put on the back burner. – SAnews.gov.za
MASSIVE POLICE BUDGET TO TARGET CRIME
Newly appointed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu tabled a R113 597 billion budget to help strengthen police’s specialised crime detection capabilities and effectively address corruption, cyber, organised and commercial crimes in the country. His maiden budget before the National Assembly this week included a total of R370 557 million allocated to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and R155 964 million to the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service for the 2024-25 financial year.
‘’ This budget represents our unwavering dedication to building a safer South Africa. With your support , we will continue to enhance the capacity and capabilities of the SAPS, modernise our operations and work collaboratively with communities and stakeholders to combat crime and ensure the safety and security of all South Africans.’’
Increasing efforts to identify and neutralise gangs and criminal groups involved in drug-related crimes, was also vital for restoring safety and order in affected communities, said Mchunu..
Mchunu promised to enhance police visibility, train another 10 000 police officers this financial year, to improve community responsiveness, detection rate, crime intelligence capability and to build public confidence in the police service. – Monk Nkomo
HOME AFFAIRS TAKES AIM AT CORRUPTION
Corruption was the enemy of dignity that posed an existential threat to the vision for a dignified Department of Home Affairs that powered economic growth, Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber said this week.
Theft, fraud and other forms of maladministration also devalued South Africa’s official documents, Schreiber said during his maiden Budget vote speech in the National Assembly.
Investigations by the Special Investigation Unit were ongoing following the exposure of criminal syndicates by the Lubisi Report within the Department of Home Affairs involved in fraudulent issuance of permits and visas and other documents.
‘’I urge the Unit to prioritise these investigations, including the ones identified in the Lubisi Report. In cases where implicated persons resigned from the Department, the long arm of the law must follow them.
He noted that a Pakistani national, Arfan Ahmed, was last month convicted for bribing Home Affairs officials at the Krugersdorp office to the tune of R45 000. He was sentenced to a term of eight years in prison and was facing additional charges. So far, six officials were also convicted and sentenced to a combined 70 years’ imprisonment. – Monk Nkomo
‘ALARMING RISE IN
KIDNAPPNGS’
Corrupt police officers must be immediately relieved of their duties and tough measures may need to be taken to reduce crime levels which had now reached alarming proportions throughout the country, according to new Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Addressing the first briefing this week as the new incumbent since assumption of office, Mchunu lamented the intolerable levels of violent crimes which had made the country unsafe for its citizens.
The current leading crimes in the country were contact crimes such as murders and rape as well as hijackings and kidnappings for ransom payments. The killing of women and children also continued to be cause for serious concern and warranted intensive action from law enforcement agencies.
‘’ The crime levels in the country are on the increase and are intolerable. We need to act decisively and bring this under control. The levels and type of crimes differ from one province to the other. We need to take this into account as we implement the integrated National Crime Prevention Strategy. We are honoured and humbled to have been given the enormous responsibility of ensuring that South Africans are safe and feel safer’’, Mchunu said. – Monk Nkomo
