Day: April 21, 2023

Minister of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has expressed her deep sadness over the killing of two children, Nqobile Zulu and Tshiamo Rabanye, in Soweto.

Their mutilated bodies were found on Thursday morning after they went missing on Wednesday night.

“The Minister condemns the gruesome murders of these children in the strongest possible terms.

“As the country has witnessed previously, law enforcement agencies deal swiftly with cases involving children, and the Minister is confident that SAPS will do all within its power to find the perpetrators and ensure that justice is served. The involvement of the community policing forum and residents of the area working closely with the SAPS in the search of the boys is welcomed,” said the department in a statement.

The Minister said the uncalled for tragedy comes at a time where South Africans are commemorating and celebrating their freedom.

“Children are the most vulnerable in society and we must protect them from unspeakable crimes. Families, communities and individuals must implement measures that safeguard children from such kind of abuses. We all have a responsibility to raise awareness on the importance of protecting children,” said Dlamini Zuma.

The Minister said the South African Constitution has the highest regard for children, their protection and non-violation of their rights.

Protecting children from violence, exploitation and abuse is not only a basic value but also an obligation clearly set out in Article 28 of the South African Constitution.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Businessman, renowned lawyer and anti-apartheid student activist Tiego Moseneke has died in a car accident.

“On the morning of the 20th of April, we woke up to the tragic news that our brother and comrade Tiego Moseneke had passed on. It was the most devastating and depressing news to receive,” Deputy President Paul Mashatile said in a statement on Friday.

The Deputy President, who described Moseneke as his friend, has since expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Moseneke family, in particular, his wife and children.

“Please be comforted in this difficult period. We feel and share your painful loss.”

According to reports, he was the brother of former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke.

Describing him as a brave freedom fighter, Deputy President recognised the multiple roles he played in my life as a brother, comrade, and advisor in so many ways.

“I have known Tiego for more than 30 years. We served together in the Transvaal UDF and the PWV Executive Committee of the ANC.

“I have grown to respect his intelligence and his political and business acumen.

“When I was approached by several comrades to avail myself to serve as Deputy President of the African National Congress, Tiego and a few other friends constituted a team that provided wise counsel to me.”

The guidance he received, he explained, was immeasurable.

“I will remain forever grateful for what Tiego and others did.

“His overall contribution to society as an activist, lawyer, and businessman will leave a lasting legacy that would benefit generations to come.”

In addition, he said they have lost a “measured” man with a lucid mind who remained an activist until his last day.

“Once again, to the Moseneke family, dudugetsang (be comforted).

“The avoid occasioned by Tiego’s departure will be filled by the beautiful memories of the precious time you shared with him as a son, brother, father, and husband.”

The Deputy President vowed to continue to reminisce about the time they shared with him in prison, in the trenches, underground as well as post-1994.

“May the Lord console you. Be assured of our support every step of the way.”

Tiego was the founder and controlling shareholder of Encha Group.

He previously founded New Diamond Corporation which partnered with De Beers in diamond mining and exploration; New Platinum Corporation which was also sold to Jubilee Platinum.

He also founded the law firm Moseneke & Partners which was ranked seventh in the reputable Ernst & Young Mergers and Acquisitions tables in 1997 and 1998.

He co-authored the Moseneke Report on Privatisation.

He also served on the Council of the University of Witwatersrand and the Wildlife Society.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Angolan Ombudswoman Florbela Rocha Araújo has called on the Government officials to find a solution to the problems related to conflicts resulting from the expropriation of land, both for construction of homes and other social infrastructures.

Florbela Araújo made the appeal on Friday in the south-west Namibe province at the end of her visit to the local University.

She stressed that every Angolan citizen has the right to land, because when it is occupied, the State should compensate those who built on it.

This compensation, according to the Ombudswoman, should be fair so that no one detects prejudice, thus avoiding problems between the parties involved.

The official said that her visit to Namibe is part of the programme with her Zambian counterpart, in order to strengthen cooperation ties and share experiences.

She also said that the Zambian Ombudswoman came in search of experiences, especially in the Namibe province, where the Ombudsman Office has played, with dynamism, its role in seeking solutions to the problems of citizens.

“The Zambian Ombudswoman also showed interest in visiting the University of Namibe to learn how it operates and the quality of the marine resources laboratories,” she said.

According to her, it is to this purpose, the Zambians have expressed interest in sending staff to Namibe for training in navigation and marine resources, while Angola plans to send students to attend human rights courses in neighbouring country.

In addition to the complaints and resolving citizens’ rights, the Ombudsman Office has also been working on prevention.

In 2022, the institution received over 4,500 complaints from across the country.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Governor Abdulswamad Nassir is appealing to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to accept staggered payment of tax from the Sh.3billion grant from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the intelligence transport system project to kick off. The grant from JICA will enable Mombasa to implement an intelligence transport system that is aimed to alleviate traffic congestion by introducing a coordinated traffic signal control system including traffic sensors and conducting intersection improvement. Nassir noted that Mombasa is a beehive of activities and needs proper management of its traffic flow. ‘We need to plan now so that tomorrow we don’t create bottle necks,” he said in Liwatoni during the handing over of patrol boats donated by Japan presided by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. ‘When the grants came through fortunately or unfortunately there is an element of tax that needs to be paid,’ he said adding that their request to the national government didn’t bear fruit. ‘The law only stipulates that the National Government has to chip in and pay for that amount to KRA and budget for that,” explained the Governor. The Governor added because of the project’s impact they have accepted to take responsibility for the tax. ‘The only thing that we would request considering that this is a grant that has been provided, KRA (should) accept that we pay over in a staggered period,” appealed the governor, adding that he has cleared all tax arrears with KRA.

Source: Kenya News Agency