ASSOCIATION NEWS
News snippets from around the world Dlamini-Zuma extends National State of Disaster until May 15 Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana DlaminiZuma has Gazetted the extension of the National State of Disaster on Covid-19 until 15 May. The decision to extend the state of national disaster follows consultations and cabinet approval. The extension takes into account the need to continue augmenting the existing legislation and contingency arrangements undertaken by organs of state to mitigate against the impact of the disaster on lives and livelihoods. South Africa went into Covid-19-imposed lockdown more than a year ago, as a measure to curb the spread of the virus. The country is now under Alert Level 1 of the Covid-19 lockdown. (Source: www.sabcnews.com/)
SA Health minster, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has launched the Electronic Vaccination Data System for the second phase of the vaccine rollout, expected to begin in May. The system is now open for people over the age of 60 to register, among others. You need your ID and medical aid card – where applicable – as well as a cell phone number and address. You will be notified by SMS when you are able to go to your
selected vaccination centre. South Africa’s vaccination task team is confident that 67% of the population will be vaccinated within the current timeframe, with the best-case scenario achieving the goal by December 2021 (Source: businesstech.co.za)
FBI reports a 69% increase in internet crime in 2020 According to new data from the FBI‘s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) annual report on internet crime, there was a sharp increase of cybercrime last year. The 2020 Internet Crime Report found that there were 791,790 complaints of suspected Internet crime, an increase of more than 300,000 complaints, a 69% jump, from 2019. The good news is that about 82% of the crimes attempted proved to be fruitless – but the grey cloud to that silver lining is that the reported losses from the “successful” crimes exceeded $4.2 billion. Last year’s surge also came as many depended on technology during the pandemic. (Source: news.clearancejobs.com)
Another legal setback for Jacob Zuma as SCA dismisses appeal over state funding in corruption trial The legal woes of former president Jacob Zuma have increased after he lost an
appeal to set aside a North Gauteng High Court ruling that stripped him of state funding for his upcoming corruption trial that emanates from the arms deal of the late 1990s. In a ruling sent out electronically to all parties involved, on Tuesday morning, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled that Zuma should pay back the R15.3 million the state used on him to fight off his corruption trial, which returns to court in May. (Source: www.iol.co.za)
President Ramaphosa announces Military Command Council appointments Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced appointments to the Military Command Council (MCC). The announcement of new army chiefs follows the retirement of a number of generals. The Military Command Council is the highest decision-making body in the SANDF, comprised of Chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Military Health Services, Defence Intelligence and Joint Operations. The MCC directs the work of the entire SANDF. (Source: www.sabcnews.com)
Eskom’s two biggest labour unions demand 15% wage increases The two biggest unions representing workers at Eskom are seeking 15% wage increases, adding to the woes confronting the loss-making South African power utility. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the National Union of Mineworkers tabled their demands at a preparatory meeting on Friday and pay talks will resume on 2 May, Eskom spokesman Sikonathi Mantshantsha said by phone. Solidarity, a smaller union, wants 9.5% increases for its members, it said by text message. South Africa’s consumer inflation rate is currently 2.9%. (Source: www.moneyweb.co.za)
8
SECURITY FOCUS AFRICA APRIL 2021
securityfocusafrica.com
