tame TIMES I WITH THE COMMUNITY
Plan For Independent Control Over Electricity
01 June 2021 Volume 09, 23 May 2017, Week 21
A new form of municipal administration, with independent control over electricity and other service charges, may soon be on the cards for failed municipalities.
This is if business organisation Sakeliga is successful with a new litigation strategy to try to save local economies from municipal implosion. In papers served on two municipalities in the North West, as well as the Ministry of Finance and others, Sakeliga is asking the court for far-reaching interventions that have never been applied at municipal level. They aim to turn to the North West Division of the High Court on an urgent basis on July 15. The interventions revolve around the establishment of a so-called “special master” to take control of electricity and water fees. This is in addition to compulsory administration, and compulsory interventions by the National Treasury’s “Municipal Finance Recovery Service. They are also asking the court to order that the special master compile evidence of corruption and related matters and report on it to the court. Piet le Roux, chief executive of Sakeliga, said this case was new as it moved beyond temporary solutions. It seeks to prevent access by incompetent or corrupt municipal officials to water and electricity payments and to aim for a long-term solution.
www.tametimes.co.za Tel: 011 862 8500 I www.tametimes.co.za
To this end, Sakeliga is requesting the court to appoint a special master – such as independent auditors – to take control of water and electricity payments. The special master may then make payments directly to Eskom and water suppliers, as well as for maintenance of electricity and water infrastructure. Only a remaining portion will be made available to the municipality and the administration team. “The purpose of the court case is to save local economies by providing a structural solution which will require control over the flow of money. “After years of failure at all levels of government to intervene as they should have, we are now asking the court to order that the Special Master take control of the most important financial matters – those regarding water and electricity – until such time as National Treasury’s financial recovery plan has been properly implemented,” Le Roux said. He said the failure at local level is a result of a collapse of management and control at all levels of government up to Cabinet. Le Roux said if they simply continue obtaining interdicts banning service interruptions by Eskom and water boards, then Eskom and those water boards would collapse financially, taking the whole fiscus with them. “On the other hand, if we allow electricity and water to be cut off or interrupted, then it heralds the end of that local economy,” he said.
“Property values would fall to zero and whole populations would migrate to the metros, which only shifts the pressure and destabilises the larger centres.” Le Roux said the only solution for local economic recovery is that services must be rendered and payments for those services must reach the correct destinations. Sedibeng Water has, meanwhile, provided an undertaking to Sakeliga that it will withdraw its instruction to employees to halt water-related services in the North West. Sakeliga will thus no longer proceed
NuDebt is a thriving, preferred debt collection and payment solutions company in South Africa. WE STRIVE TO WORK HARDER AND SMARTER
Tel: 011 724 5702 | Fax: 086 688 2002 | info@nudebt.co.za
Tell: 011 862 8500 - Fax: 086 241 5648
with its urgent application to interdict Sedibeng from cutting the water supplies, but rather try to find a lasting solution. Sedibeng’s undertaking means that bulk water supply in towns such as Mahikeng, Lichtenburg and others will be continued for the time being. Last week Sedibeng Water instructed its employees in several municipalities in the North West that supply and maintenance services by Sedibeng Water should be discontinued from the start of this week due to non-payment by the local municipalities.
01 June 2021
‘We Can’t Help You’:
Shock As Gauteng Cops Ignore GBV Victim
“
“
One of the officers threatens the woman, and tells her ‘not to bore them’. Another claims they cannot help her, as the alleged assault ‘took place at a drinking establishment’.
A woman from Atteridgeville, Pretoria has exposed the sheer contempt that a group of police officers showed towards her last week, after she went to report a case of GBV at her local station. Lethabo Nontuthuko was so shocked by the cops’ refusal to help, she ended up filming the confrontation – and it’s a terrible look for the Gauteng SAPS. The video only caught part of the dismal response, but it’s still a clip full of shockers from these law enforcement officials.
POOLS
Your clients are seeing this. When they could be seeing your advert.
Book your advertising space Bo Call 011 862 8500.
As a collective, they fall way short of the standards we should be setting for the police forces of South Africa. One of the officers threatens the woman, and tells her ‘not to bore them’. Another claims they cannot help her, as the alleged assault ‘took place at a drinking establishment’. Sadly, a female officer on duty shows no empathy and refuses to name her obstructive colleagues. Nontuthuko described her ordeal on social media, and explained that she was ‘harassed by a bouncer at a nearby
bar. However, there was a reluctance to believe her story – and the officers seemed more bothered about their coffee. “I was harassed by a bouncer from a popular establishment. I went to ask for help from our beloved cops… did they help me? no. the guy said he won’t help me. he further said he can’t speak to me because he doesn’t want to talk english.” “I then asked the lady, what’s this guy’s name? she then said to me ‘nna osang bora’. a whole woman didn’t even wanna hear what i had to say. they went on to have their coffee as usual – is this what our country has come to?” INVESTIGATION ‘NOW A TOP PRIORITY FOR SAPS The victim has since confirmed that she is now ‘receiving all the necessary support’, and a police investigation into the matter has since been launched. We understand that the probe has been prioritised by Gauteng SAPS. Nontuthuko, meanwhile, has been putting the cynics of social media right back in their place: “Some of you will have went on about how ‘drunk people misuse state resources’. Does being under the influence mean you are not supposed to get assisted if you are victimized? Also, having been at a club doesn’t mean one was drinking. This is me standing up for myself and other women. I will not be silenced! I will fight this till the bitter end.”
Tax Blow For Parents Of Children With Special Needs Debbie Muir worries that her fiveyear-old daughter, Immy, who has autism, will have to move schools next year if an amendment proposed by SARS is passed. Public comment on the draft amendments ended on Monday. According to the draft, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will no longer be considering school fees “relief” as a medical expense, since “school fees are not in consequence of a disability, but in consequence of education”. But for many parents like Muir, education for a child with special needs is a lot more costly than conventional schools. An online petition was started to raise awareness about SARS’ proposed amendments which had almost 12,000 signatures at the time of writing. In a statement, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) said that SARS’ separation of education and disability costs was “over-simplistic”. “Saica is of the view that the matter deals with the most vulnerable persons in society and that more and not less support is needed, especially given the significant reduction in financial support for public special needs schools for over a decade,” the statement read. The organisation also said that the administrative burden the changes will place on schools and parents is “unreasonable”. Read the full story at: www.tametimes.co.za
ELECTRICAL
VISIT THE tame TIMES FACEBOOK SITE AND SEND US YOUR NEWS, VIEWS,
AND OPINIONS.
01 June 2021
Is your Crèche/ ECD Centre Registered? The Gauteng Department of Social Development urges you to register your crèche/ Early Childhood Development as running an unregistered Crèche is illegal. Parents must ensure that the crèche/ECD is registered by checking at their nearest Social Development Office.
PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW WHEN APPLYING FOR REGISTRATION STEP 1: HOW TO REGISTER YOUR ECD CENTER/ CRECHE/ PRE-SCHOOL? Any person intending to establish an ECD centre must contact nearest Municipal offices to apply for a health certificate/ permit to operate an ECD centre
STEP 2: WHEN IN RECEIPT OF HEALTH CERTIFICATE/ PERMIT
Contact your nearest Regional Department of Social Development where the following will be discussed by the Intake officer: • Registration requirements • Legislative mandates • Registration procedures • Norms and standards • Registration documents • Monitoring processes The Social Worker or a person authorized by Gauteng Department of Social Development will provide the applicant with requirements for registration and relevant documents to be completed: • Application form (form 11 & 16) • Annexure A form (details and qualifications of staff members) • Annexure B & C form (menus for different age groups) • Form 29 (to be completed by the manager of the center) • Applicant to apply for emergency certificate (evacuation plan) • Lease agreement if applicant is leasing the building • Organizational profile • Approved building plan Incomplete documents will not be accepted and will also delay the registration process to begin. If all documents required for registration are submitted, they will enable the evaluation process for registration to begin.
STEP 3
When all documents are properly completed and all documents listed in step 2 have been submitted, the Social Worker or any person employed and authorised by the Gauteng Department of Social Development will: • File will be allocated to a Social Worker to manage the process further • Conduct a site visit (assessment of the center, general care of children, administrative systems and financial systems) • Complete an inspection form • Make a decision on the type of registration certificate to be issued • Issue registration certificates for Partial Care Services and ECD programme. The certificates to be signed by the Regional Director • Full registration certificate will last the period of 5 years • Conditional registration certificate will vary from 6 month to 1 year
How long does the registration process take?
In terms of Section 82 (1)(a) of the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005 consideration for registration should be made within six month of the receipt of the application documents.
How much will cost the applicant to apply for the registration of Partial Care & ECD programme? • Assistance provided by the officials employed by the Gauteng Department of Social Development is free • Registration documents and forms issued by the Department of Social Development are free • No fee for the issuing of the registration certificate • Registration as a Partial Care & ECD programme does not automatically guarantee funding • Registration of Partial Care & ECD programme is to comply with the legislation (Children’s Act 38 of 2005
• Site visits will be conducted to assess compliance with conditions for registration and norms and standards • Partial Care & ECD monitoring forms to be completed by the authorized person
What are the benefits for registration?
• The benefits are in two-fold that is to protect children as well as the management of the ECD center • The ECD center will be operating legally and in compliance to norms and standards • The ECD center may qualify for a subsidy • The ECD center can benefit from free capacity building programme and other programmes conducted by the officials employed by the Gauteng Department of Social Development • Practitioners employed in the registered ECD centers can be trained on NQF level 4 free of charge through Gauteng Department of Education
What are the implications if the ECD centre is not registered? • The center will be contravening the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 by operating illegally • Notice of enforcement can be issued to such ECD center • The Department of Social Development may approach High Court to enforce the operator to cease operation • The ECD center is compromising the care and safety of children
How should parents/ caregivers identify a suitable ECD center for their children?
• Parents/ caregiver should ensure that they enroll their children in a safe and secure ECD center where the child’s best interest is paramount • Parents/ caregivers should verify if the ECD is registered with the Department of Social Development (registration certificate with Gauteng logo is displayed) • Parents/ caregivers should enroll their children in an ECD that will provide the best possible stimulation programme and curriculum to ensure that the child is ready for a primary school at an appropriate age • Parents/ care givers should ensure that the curriculum offered by the ECD is recognized by the Department of Education (National Curriculum Framework, Montessori etc.), teachers or practitioners has relevant qualifications, children are provided with suitable nutrition that matches the needs of their children • Parents/ caregivers should honor commitments by paying the agreed upon fees for their children • Parents/ care givers should be part of the ECD, assist where ever possible (fundraising activities etc.) • Parents/caregivers are the “child’s first teacher” therefore, parents/caregivers’ involvement in all areas of their children’s life is critical for their children’s development
Requirements for registration of Partial Care ECD Centre
• Application form (obtainable from the Regional Department of Social Development (FORM11) • Business plan/ organizational profile • Qualifications/ skills and experience of the applicant • Description of the content of the programme to be offered • Constitution of the organization • Approved copy of the building plan • Emergency plan • Health permit/ certificate • Clearance certificate (Form 29) • Weekly menu • Contract with the owner of the building/ lease, if the building is not owned by the applicant
Requirements for registration of ECD programme • Application form (Regional Department of Social Development FORM 16) • Staff composition • Implementation plan of the programme • Clearance certificate (FORM 29) • Organizational profile • Menu (in case the organization provide food) • Professional Drivers Permit (Mobile ECD unit/Toy Library)
is maintained
Call the COVID-19 Hotline: 0800 029 999 | Web: www.sacoronavirus.co.za Send ‘hi’ on Whatsapp to COVID-19 Connect: 060 012 3456
MTN renews Springboks 01 June 2021
sponsorship deal After a disastrous 2020 where over R1.2 billion had to be cut from the local rugby fraternity’s expenses, SA Rugby would’ve breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday as MTN renewed their sponsorship of the world champion Springboks.
In addition, the telecommunications operator will also be the principal partner of the upcoming series between the Boks and the British and Irish Lions, which starts next month. The Covid-19 pandemic made 2020 a year to forget for the rugby world, with the original Super Rugby tournament having to be cancelled in late March. The Springboks were also unable to play a single Test as a result of the coronavirus, which was a huge blow to the finances of not only SA Rugby, but every sphere of domestic rugby. Even the youth weeks and Varsity Cup tournament was affected, with players, coaches and other staff taking significant salary cuts of up to 43 percent as well. But things are looking up in 2021, with the Boks set to play their first Test since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final when they host Georgia on July 2. MTN got on board with the Boks as a headline sponsor in 2017, and they have extended their latest deal to 2025. “Confirming the renewal of our partnership with MTN is massive for SA Rugby, and we are thrilled to continue on this road with them,” chief executive Jurie Roux said in a statement on Wednesday. “When we named MTN as our new headline sponsor four years ago, we realised that it represented a pivotal moment for SA Rugby, and that welcoming a company of MTN’s size and reach was a significant moment for the sport.
VISIT
US
ONLINE WWW.
TAMETIMES .CO.ZA
READ THE PAPER
ONLINE “They have been a wonderfully supportive partner during a time of regeneration for the Springboks and the wider South African rugby fraternity, and have stuck with us through the pandemic. We are excited to continue to have MTN by our side. “For MTN, it was never only about having their logo on the front of the Springboks’ jerseys. They wanted a powerful partnership and that is exactly what we have established in the last four years. “When they came on board, rugby was in a precarious position, but they understood where we were headed and what we wanted to achieve, to inspire the nation, and as one of South Africa’s success stories in the last three decades, MTN fully supported us in that.” MTN added that supporters will also benefit from the sponsorship through a number of prizes and competitions, with an opportunity to win R100 000 every week. “We found it fitting to continue to back the Springboks following a very successful
period during which they became the world champions, warming the hearts of our nation,” said Mapula Bodibe, the chief consumer officer for MTN SA. “MTN has been a long-time supporter of South African sport, and the renewal of our sponsorship of the Springboks further entrenches our position as an ardent supporter of South Africa’s sporting ambitions. “Sports fans have had to endure a frustrating year. Teams and their supporters were left with very little to cheer about due to COVID-19, but we are finally getting to the stage where our team is preparing to take to the field again and unite our nation as only they can. “We are delighted to renew our headline sponsorship just ahead of the important Lions tour in July, providing the Springboks and South African rugby with the necessary support to grow well into the future, while also offering our fans great digital platforms to enjoy their love of the game, especially as they can’t be in the stadiums.”
Bulls Honour Springbok Legend Frik Du Preez SEND US
Frik du Preez, Northern Transvaal legend and SA’s Player of the 20th century, was honoured on Monday by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union when the Northern Pavilion at Loftus Versfeld was named after the former Springbok lock. ‘Oom’ Frik, who spent most of his career
at lock or on the flanks, was born on 28 November 1935 and represented Northern Transvaal and the Springboks. He represented Springboks on 87 occasions and scored a total of 87 points while in the green jersey. Du Preez made his Test debut for the Springboks on 7 January 1961 on the flank against a powerful English team at Twickenham. He played his last test on 7 August 1971 at the age of 35, wearing the No 4 jersey, against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He was an excellent all-round footballer that often left crowds and opposition in awe of his skills. The rugby history books record one of his most memorable moments as “DIE DAG WAT FRIK DU PREEZ GEDROP, GEPLACE EN GESCORE HET”… which describes the 1969 Currie Cup final
between Northern Transvaal and Western Province. ‘Oom’ Frik put in a masterful performance that is still talked about today. The legendary lock managed to score in every manner when he kicked a penalty and a drop goal, before scoring a try and converting it. Northern Transvaal won the match 2813. Although he was not particularly tall standing at 1.89m, he was a tower of strength in the lineout. In addition he had a fantastic turn of speed and fine running skills with ball in hand, as he showed in the try he scored against the British & Irish Lions in 1968. According to Willem Strauss, president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, honouring ‘Oom’ Frik further enhances the strategy to keep their values,
YOUR NEWS VIEWS
traditions, and history strong. This also includes bringing back the light blue jersey, the Daisy and making the Carlton League strong again. “Oom Frik is an all-time legend and thanks to him, the players before him and those that followed, Loftus Versfeld and the Bulls became iconic in the world of rugby.” Frik du Preez said that the accolade was a tremendous honour for him and he thanked the BBRU for honouring him in this way. “I see this as a tribute to all former Northern Transvaal and Bulls players. Rugby is a team sport, and without my teammates, I would not have been able to achieve the success I did.” Renaming the North Pavilion after Frik du Preez forms part of the upgrading of the pavilion which will also include a Bulls museum.
& STORIES