President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 01 October 2019, officiate the launch of the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (HSACF) at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. 

The Forum is a collaboration among various stakeholders in the fight against fraud and corruption in the health sector who will together to prevent, detect and prosecute fraud and corruption. 

The Forum was established following the historic signing of the Presidential Health Summit 2018 Compact which mandated government and social partners to work together to reform the healthcare system. 

The health sector - public and private - is vulnerable to fraud and corruption because of large and varied numbers of transactions on goods and services in terms of fraudulent orders, tender irregularities, fiscal dumping by government departments through non-governmental organisations, bribery, over-pricing, poor governance, transfer of liabilities to the state, and bogus and fraudulent qualifications.

The Presidential Health 2018 Compact also directed that a whistle-blowing policy be developed to ensure the ease of reporting to relevant authorities and that political interference should also be considered as a corrupt activity. 

As South Africa prepares to implement universal health coverage through the National Health Insurance Bill, proactive measures through the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum will serve as a deterrent to ensure the appropriate standards of governance and accountability leading to the full roll-out of NHI. 

At the Launch of the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, the following stakeholders will sign terms of reference outlining the mutual support and cooperation they will lend towards the fight against fraud and corrupt practices in the healthcare sector: the Special Investigating Unit, the National Department of Health, the Council for Medical Schemes, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Health Funders Association, the Health Professions Council of South Africa, Corruption Watch, the National Prosecutions Authority, Section 27 and the board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa.

At the end of the launch event, Forum stakeholders will have a question-and-answer session with media representatives.

The launch of the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum is as follows:
Date: 01 October 2019 
Time: 10:00 (Media to arrive at 09:00) 
Venue: Union Buildings, Tshwane 

Members of the media should send their details including ID/passport number not later than 30 September 2019 at 15h00 to Khutjo Sebata on khutjo@presidency.gov.za or 079 898 4621. 


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707 

Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will host the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Mr Muhammadu Buhari, for a State Visit on Thursday, 03 October 2019. 

This will be first incoming State Visit to be hosted by South Africa under the sixth administration.

South Africa and Nigeria share sound political, economic and social relations that were formally established in 1994, immediately after South Africa’s first democratic elections. 

Formal relations have been conducted through a Bi-National Commission (BNC), established in 1999 as a structured bilateral mechanism to provide for political, economic, social, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation.

The State Visit will also mark the 20th anniversary of the BNC which was elevated in 2016 to be presided over at Heads of State level.

The BNC has over the years recorded remarkable achievements, and provides a useful platform for enhancing bilateral relations, notably on the economic front.

There are more than thirty (30) agreements which have been negotiated and signed since the establishment of the BNC, and which are at different stages of implementation. These include the Bilateral Trade Agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Economic and Technical Cooperation and an Agreement on Cooperation in Defence.

There is a significant footprint of South African companies currently doing business in Nigeria in various sectors, mainly in telecommunications, banking, retail, hospitality, mining, tourism, agriculture and construction and tourism. 

The total value of trade between South Africa and Nigeria amounted to R50.8 billion in 2018. The major South African products exported to Nigeria include machinery and mechanical appliances; mineral products, and chemical Products.

Major products imported from Nigeria include mineral products, products of the chemicals or allied industries, base metals & articles, plastics & articles (rubber), vegetable products, machinery & mechanical appliances, etc.

One of the main features of the visit will be a Joint Business Forum with a focus on trade and investment.

The State Visit will not only provide an opportunity for the two Presidents to strengthen and deepen political, economic, social and cultural relations between the two countries, but will also create space for deliberations on issues of mutual interest and concern pertaining to the continent and global governance.

President Ramaphosa will be supported by the Ministers of International Relations & Cooperation; Defence & Military Veterans; Minerals & Energy; Trade & Industry; Police; State Security and Home Affairs.

Media is invited as follows:

Welcome Ceremony
Venue: Amphitheater, Union Buildings, Pretoria
Time: 08:00

Media briefing 
Venue: Media Centre, Union Buildings, Pretoria
Time: 12:00

South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum
Venue: Hall 5, Gallagher Convention Centre
Time: 15:00

Media interested in covering the State Visit are requested to send their details (names and surname, ID or passport number and media house) to Tsakane Khambane on 082 084 5566 or tsakane@presidency.gov.za by no later than 16:00 on Tuesday, 1 October 2019


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidency has tabled its annual report for 2018/19 in Parliament.

The report reflects on a year in which South Africa embarked on a process of renewal through the fight against corruption and poor governance, a vigorous drive to increase domestic and international investment in the economy, and the development of social compacts on health and gender- based violence, among other highlights.

During the financial year under review, the Presidency achieved an unqualified audit and and is currently in the process of addressing deficiencies in  areas of supply chain management, internal controls and consequence management identified by the Auditor-General.

The Presidency has paid attention to the Auditor-General’s observations regarding irregular expenditure and has adopted a framework for effecting consequences in instances where officials are proved to be at fault.

The Presidency exists to service the President and Deputy President in the execution of their constitutional responsibilities and duties. 

The 2018/19 financial year commenced a month after the election of President Ramaphosa as Head of State and the appointment of a new National Executive.

In addition, government dedicated the calendar year 2018 to mark the centenary of Founding President Nelson Mandela and Ms Albertina Sisulu. The year was also marked by the passing away of Struggle stalwart Ms Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

The annual report highlights how, working together with partners in organised business, labour, civil society and in communities, government focused on its efforts to reignite growth and creating jobs while removing constraints to inclusive growth and greater levels of investment. 

During 2018, interventions in the economy included the hosting of a Presidential Jobs Summit, the inaugural South Africa Investment Conference, the launch of the Youth Employment Service, the implementation of the National Minimum Wage and the implementation of an economic stimulus and recovery plan.

In the social sector, Presidential summits on gender-based violence and femicide as well as health gave effect to President Ramaphosa’s call for social compacts that bring together government and social partners in addressing critical challenges in society and developing inclusive initiatives for moving the country forward.

During the financial year under review, Deputy President David Mabuza played a significant role in South Africa’s programme of international relations with a focus on strengthening South Africa’s political and economic relations globally. These engagements created opportunities for South African exporters and importers and provided educational opportunities for young South Africans to be exposed to global practices and gain experience.

In his role as Chair of the South African National AIDS Council, Deputy President Mabuza provided leadership to the nation’s continued fight against HIV and AIDS. The Deputy President also chaired the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform which processed the report of developed by a Presidential advisory panel on land reform.

During the same period, President Ramaphosa instituted four commissions of inquiry to investigate, variously, governance, corruption, the abuse of state resources, integrity and probity of key state institutions.

These included the Zondo Commission of Inquiry Into State Capture and inquiries into the Public Investment Corporation, the South African Revenue Service and the State Security Agency. 

The year under review also saw action towards reforming, repositioning and revitalising SOEs in order for them to be self-sufficient and fulfill their role in developing the country.

At the apex of government, the Presidency remains committed to providing leadership within government and forging partnerships and compacts between government and social partners as enablers for growing the South Africa we want.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa and First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe will receive a courtesy call from Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Wednesday 02 October 2019, at the official residence, Mahlamba Ndlopfu, in Pretoria.
 
Following this engagement, the President will travel to Johannesburg for the 40th anniversary celebration of the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg.
 
The meeting between the President, First Lady Dr Motsepe, and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, follows a courtesy call paid by President  Ramaphosa on Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace during the President’s Working Visit to London in April 2018, where he participated in the  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
 
South Africa and the United Kingdom enjoy strong bilateral relations, covering a range of areas of cooperation linked to the two governments’ respective priorities.
 
The UK was South Africa’s sixth largest global trading partner in 2017, with total trade at R79,5 billion. The UK also remains the key source of long-haul tourism to South Africa.
 
A pool arrangement is in place for media wishing to cover the courtesy call which will take place at 16h00.
 
Following the royal courtesy call, President Ramaphosa will join the 40th anniversary celebration of the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg where he will deliver an address at 19h00 tomorrow, Wednesday, 2 October 2019.
 
Communities of faith have an important role to play in social cohesion and the creation of safe communities, which rank among the priorities of the sixth administration of government.
 
Media are requested to arrive at Rhema Bible Church by 18h00.
 
Details for the 40th anniversary event are as follows:
 
Venue: Rhema Bible Church North, Hans Schoeman St, Bromhof, Randburg
RSVP: Pastor Giet Khosa on 082 886 4845 / 011 796 4282 or Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Ramaphosa has signed various Bills into law that will enable property deeds to be processed electronically; enhance the ease of business in the real estate industry and brings online games, films and publications into the ambit of the Film and Publication Board.
 
The President has signed the Overvaal Resorts Limited Repeal Bill of 2019; the Property Practitioners Bill of 2019; the Electronic Deeds Registration Systems Bill of 2019, and the Film and Publications Amendment Bill.
 
The Overvaal Resorts Limited Act Repeal Act repeals the Overvaal Resorts Limited Act of 1993, which established Overvaal Resorts Limited as a public  company that would manage public resorts on behalf of government. The name of the company, Overvaal Resorts Limited, was later changed to  Aventura Limited.
 
Cabinet took a decision in 2001 to dispose of the 14 Aventura resorts. Six unprofitable resorts were sold to different purchasers and eight were sold to Forever Resorts.
 
Difficulties were experienced in transferring the resorts to Forever Resorts as the new owner.
 
These difficulties were overcome by the eventual liquidation of Aventura, rendering the legislation that had established the original Overvaal Resorts Limited obsolete.
 
The Electronic Deeds Registration System Act provides for the development of an Electronic Deeds Registration System – also known as e-DRS – through which South Africa will take advantage of the benefits offered by internet access, e-commerce and global computerisation in the management of security of property title.
 
The new system will enable the electronic processing, preparation and lodgement of deeds and documents by conveyancers and the Registrar of Deeds.
 
It will also enable the registration of large volumes of deeds effectively; improved turn-around times for providing registered deeds and documents to clients; countrywide access to deeds registration services; enhanced accuracy of examination and registration; availability of information to the public, and security features including confidentiality, non-repudiation, integrity and availability.
 
This will greatly enhance security of title and the acquisition and disposal of fixed assets.
The property market in the country also stands to gain from the newly signed Property Practitioners Act of 2019 which repeals the 43-year-old Estate Agency Affairs Act of 1976 (Act 112 of 1976).
 
The Bill that the President has assented responds to the dynamic needs of the real estate industry and is aimed at improving the functioning of the property market which includes regulating the buying, selling and renting of land and buildings.
 
Among other innovations, the Act establishes a Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority and provides for the appointment of the Board of this regulatory authority.

The Act also puts in place better monitoring mechanisms, including requiring inspectors to obtain warrants to enter premises.
 
In the area of printed and audio-visual content, the Films and Publications Amendment Act provides for the establishment, composition and appointment of members of an Enforcement Committee that will, among other tasks, to regulate online distribution of films and games.
 
This extends – to online distributors - the compliance obligations of the Films and Publications Act and the compliance and monitoring functions of the Film and Publication Board to online distributors.
 
The Amended Act also revises the functions of compliance officers regarding entering and inspection of premises and facilities in which the business of the sale, hire or exhibition of films or games is being conducted.
 
The law further regulates the classification of publications, films and games and allows for the accreditation of independent commercial online distributors by the Film and Publication Board.
 
Through the Board, the law will regulate the creation, possession, production and distribution of films, games and certain publications with a view to protecting children from disturbing and harmful content.
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum under whose auspices government and civil society organisations will collaborate in preventing, detecting and prosecuting fraud and corruption in the health sector.

The forum was launched yesterday, Tuesday 01 October 2019, in a meeting at the Union Buildings in Pretoria where forum partners signed terms of agreement that will guide the forum under the chairship of the Special Investigating Unit.

Parties to the agreement are the Council for Medical Schemes, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Health Funders Association, the  Health Professions Council of South Africa, Corruption Watch, Section 27 and the Health Funders Association.

The forum is an outcome of the first Presidential health Summit which was held in October 2018 to examine concerns facing the health care system.

The Summit identified corruption as a challenge that undermined health care in the public and private sectors and took the form of, among other manifestations, fraudulent claims, pharmaceutical companies inflating prices and over-billing by service providers.

The Council for Medical Schemes estimates that the total cost of fraud in the South African private health care system amounts to around R22 billion a year.

At yesterday’s launch, partners received reports on progress being made in fraud and corruption investigations into the health sector.

The Special Investigating Unit is continuing its investigations into collusion between persons suing government hospitals for malpractice and certain state attorneys who either settle cases that have no merit, or deliberately lose cases.

Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development reported to the forum that work done by the Special Investigating Unit had already led to, among others, the arrest of an attorney in the Eastern Cape relating to fraudulent medico-legal claims estimated to total more than R100 million.

The SIU has successfully stopped a further R39 million payments to this attorney who is out on bail and identified another 13 matters to the value of R53 million in Gauteng relating to the same attorney.

Adv Andy Mothibi, Head of the Special Investigating Unit, reported that fraud, waste and abuse in health care totalled R39 billion a year with risk arising in supply chain processes, including medical products, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

Over-servicing and duplication in the provision of medical services also rendered health care vulnerable to fraud, corruption and waste.

Adv Mothibi said the SIU was investigating procurement and purchasing process irregularities, registration and accreditation irregularities, collusion, medico-legal fraudulent claims, over-servicing, over-pricing of services and products, and instances where health care workers or professionals in the public sector had not obtained permission to perform remunerative work in the private sector.

The SIU has adopted a focus on data analytics that will help with risk analysis and the prevention of fraud and corruption in entities or sub-sectors under investigation.

Adv Shamila Batohi, National Director of Public Prosecutions, highlighted a range of investigations underway by the Directorate the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks). Prosecution in these matters will be prioritised by the National Prosecuting Authority in terms of a memorandum of understanding between the NPA and the SIU which serves as chair of the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum.

The investigations involve the departments of health in KwaZulu-Natal, the Northern Cape, Free State, North West, Gauteng and Limpopo.

Adv Batohi said the NPA would use an additional budget allocation to recruit prosecutors in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit and to build capacity in the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

The President welcomed the Forum as a means to end the “stench of corruption” in the health sector.


Media enquiries:  Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 4 October 2019, visit the head office of the Department of Home Affairs in Tshwane to interact with Top Management and senior staff members.
 
The visit is in fulfilment of the President’s commitment in the 2018 State of the Nation Address to visit government departments and key state institutions as part of ensuring alignment in the work of government as well as promoting good governance and professionalism in the public               sector.
 
To this end, President Ramaphosa has visited the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Defence and Military Veterans;  International Relations and Cooperation and the State Security Agency.
 
Members of the media are invited as follows:
 
Date: Friday, 04 October 2019
Time: 11h00 (Media to arrive at 10h00)
Venue: Department of Home Affairs, Hallmark Building, Corner Johannes Ramokhoase and Thabo Sehume Streets, Tshwane
 
Members of the media wishing to attend are requested to send personal details including ID or passport numbers not later than 03 October 2019 at 12h00 to Shadi Baloyi on shadi@presidency.gov.za or 072 571 6415  and Thabo Mokgola on thabo.mokgola@dha.gov.za or on 060 962 4982 
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko: Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

1. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa; His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paid a State Visit to South Africa from 02 - 04 October 2019, and attended the inaugural session of the elevated Bi- National Commission (BNC), as part of continuing bilateral engagements aimed at strengthening and deepening cooperation between South Africa and Nigeria.

2. President Buhari was accompanied by a high level delegation comprising State Governors, Ministers, and Senior Government Officials.

3. The two Heads of State reviewed a wide range of bilateral, continental and global issues of common interest. They acknowledged the historical and  strategic relations that exist between the two countries, and the need to further strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation. 

4. The two Presidents noted with satisfaction the continued exchange of high level visits and meetings between the two countries. In this regard, they recalled the successful working visit of President Ramaphosa to Nigeria in July 2018, during which the two Heads of State reaffirmed their collective desire and commitment to enhance political, economic and social relations between the two countries.

5. The two Presidents appreciated the vast nature of the two countries’ bilateral cooperation which covers, amongst others; Trade and Investment, Energy, Mining, Defence and Security issues, Justice, Police, Immigration, Tourism, Environment, Education, transport as well as Science and Technology. In this regard, the two Presidents took note of the thirty two (32) signed Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and committed themselves to ensuring that those which are in force are fully implemented while those which are not yet in force are to be revived for implementation.

6. Both Presidents noted with great satisfaction the economic cooperation between the two Republics and welcomed the steps to increase trade volumes as well as private sector investments. They welcomed the important role of the Business Forum, which took place on the margins of the State Visit. The two leaders further welcomed the decision to establish a Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment. The inaugural meeting of the Council would be held not later than April 2020, in Abuja. The Council is expected to serve as a critical vehicle in facilitating and promoting private sector participation in the economies of both countries.

7. Both leaders took note of the significant footprint of South African businesses operating in Nigeria in sectors such as telecommunications, mining, aviation, banking and finance, retail, property, entertainment and fast foods industries. They also noted and welcomed the business activities of Nigeria’s small, micro and medium enterprises, as well as the investment of Dangote Sephaku Cement in South Africa.

8. President Ramaphosa used the opportunity of the meeting to brief President Buhari on the recent incidents of violence in South Africa affecting foreign nationals. He also alluded to the fact that these unfortunate incidents are not consistent with the values and principles underpinning South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

9. President Ramaphosa also dispelled the notion that incidents of violence affecting foreign nationals were targeted at Nigerian nationals, as other foreign nationals and indeed South Africans were affected as well. The President assured his counterpart that the South African Government was fully in control of the situation and several interventions including engagements with diplomatic community and émigré communities, security operations, policy and legislation reviews were underway.

10. Both Presidents strongly condemned the attacks against foreign nationals including Nigerians in South Africa and the reprisal actions against South Africans and their interests in Nigeria. They expressed strong commitment to take all necessary measures to stop a recurrence of these attacks which they said undermine the vision of a strong and prosperous Africa that the two countries have for the continent.

11. President Ramaphosa further stated that South Africa is an integral part of the African continent and, in this context advocates for a peaceful, vibrant and sustainable Africa, and that as Africans, we all have a shared commitment to foster peace and greater continental unity. He further said that we should never forget that our fellow Africans have contributed to developing our economy, and that of the region and similarly South Africans are helping to develop economies across the continent.

12. Both Presidents condemned these violent incidents and the destruction of property and reiterated their call for heightened law enforcement. They stressed the importance of high level engagements on this unfortunate phenomenon as demonstrated by the reciprocal dispatch of Special Envoys by both countries. In this regard, the two Presidents endorsed the establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism and directed the two Foreign Ministers to give practical expression to the Early Warning Mechanism to be used as a preventative and monitoring platform.

13. The two Presidents further endorsed the reestablishment of the Republic of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria consular Forum to meet twice a year.

14. At the Continental level, the two Presidents exchanged views on the current political, economic and security situation in their respective regions. They also expressed their grave concern on the ongoing instability in some of the countries on the Continent and strongly condemned the continued terrorist and extremist activities.

15. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together in pursuit of sustainable peace and economic development on the continent in the context of AU Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).

16. On the international front, President Ramaphosa seized the opportunity of the meeting to congratulate Nigeria as the current Chair of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In the same vein, President Buhari also congratulated South Africa as the President of United Nations Security Council for the month of October 2019 and as the upcoming chair of the African Union for the year 2020. They reiterated their call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

17. President Buhari expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation. He also took the opportunity to invite President Ramaphosa to pay a reciprocal visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a date to be jointly agreed and communicated through diplomatic channels.

18. In conclusion, the two Presidents reaffirmed the strategic relations that exist between the two sister Republics and committed themselves to working together to further enhance close political, economic and social cooperation in the interest of their people and the continent.

Done in Pretoria, South Africa, 03 October 2019

Issued by: The Presidency

President Cyril Ramaphosa, joined by the Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula will, on Saturday 05 October 2019, launch the October Transport Month campaign at an event on the N3 Highway Southbound at the Heidelberg Weighbridge in Gauteng.

The President will also unveil the revamped and Cabinet-approved Arrive Alive programme of the Department of Transport.

The new programme will place road safety in the national a spotlight through a 365 Days Road Safety Action Agenda to transform road user behaviour.

The Road Safety Action Agenda will mainstream road safety interventions through the daily activities of transport authorities, cultivate round-the-clock traffic law enforcement and discourage unsafe road user behaviour.

It is estimated that road accidents cost the economy R166 billion a year.

President Ramaphosa will also have an opportunity to proclaim the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act that he signed into law on 13 August 2019. 

The AARTO legislation ushers in a new regime in driver and road user behaviour for the country.  

At its full implementation, the AARTO Act will discourage bad and persuade good road user and road traffic behavior by providing a scheme for road traffic contraventions and facilitate the adjudication of road traffic infringements.

The President will give a keynote address during the official launch of the October Transport Month campaign to be attended by a contingent of traffic and law enforcement officers from all provinces, and key stakeholders including the private sector, transport industry, motorcycling associations, the religious and interfaith fraternity and relatives of people who lost their lives in road crashes.

President Ramaphosa will also be supported by Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Provincial MECs of Roads, Transport, Police, Community Safety and Public Works and senior government officials.

Details of the official launch of the October Transport Month campaign are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 05 October 2019
Time: 07:30 (for accreditation purposes)
Venue: N3 Highway Southbound, Heidelberg Weighbridge, Gauteng

RSVP: Takalani Mukwevho on 082 227 9308 / takalanim@gcis.gov.za or Tshegofatso Maake on 063 281 9453 / maaket@dot.gov.za

NB: Media accreditation for the event will be made available earlier at the venue. Members of the media are requested to arrive earlier for this purpose and produce their press cards, green bar-coded South African ID documents or passports.


Media enquiries:
Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707, and 
Collen Msibi, Head of Communications, Department of Transport on 082 414 5279

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Presidential Working Committee on the Jobs Summit, which held its monthly meeting today, Monday, 07 October 2019, noted substantial progress in reforming and modernising South Africa’s visa regime, issuing water use licences, releasing broadband spectrum, saving jobs in distressed firms and improving the certainty of electricity supply.

These were among the updates provided to government, labour, business and community at the second meeting of the Presidential Working Committee on the Jobs Summit.

The meetings of the Presidential Working Committee are meant to develop specific interventions that will enable greater job creation in specific sectors  and also provide detailed updates on a month-to-month basis on those interventions.

The Presidential Working Committee comprises senior leadership of the different NEDLAC constituencies.

The committee meets monthly to discuss transversal issues raised as impediments to faster growth and job creation, as well as the specifics of job retention and creation, assistance to distressed firms to stave off retrenchments, and training, among other interventions.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi reported that changes to South Africa’s visa regime to make the country more accessible for visitors, investors and people with skills that are critical to building the economy, were underway.

The Department of Home Affairs has lowered turnaround times for critical work skills visas, which are now issued within four weeks in 88,5 per cent of applications. Business and general work visas are issued within eight weeks in 98 per cent of applications.

In November, the Department of Home Affairs will embark on a pilot scheme for the issuing of e-visas, which applicants will be able to access online, eliminating the need for applicants to visit South African missions abroad. The department has also located visa services within the offices of various investment facilitation agencies around the country.

In addition, visa requirements have been simplified for countries such as China and India, which are key markets for tourism to South Africa. Recently, government also waived visas for travellers from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, New Zealand, Cuba, Ghana and Sao Tome and Principe.

The meeting received a report from ICASA on the process for the release of high-demand broadband spectrum, which is expected to be concluded in the first quarter of the 2021 financial year. Social partners urged the regulator to make every effort, within the legal prescripts, to fast-track the process of auctioning and allocating spectrum. It was agreed that this process should be run alongside other work to reduce the cost of data.

The Working Committee noted that deadlines for the issuing of water use licences had been significantly shortened. Government is working on ensuring that these licences are issued within 60 days for agriculture, 80 to 95 days for infrastructure projects from state-owned enterprises and municipalities, and 120 days for mining. Consultation is also ongoing with business to ensure that the conditions attached to licences are not too onerous or costly.

Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan reported that significant progress has been made in addressing operational challenges at Eskom, with the result that no load shedding has taken place in the country in the last 200 days.

The Minister indicated that Eskom was reinforcing management skills at power stations by returning effective power station managers to positions from which they had been removed, and through the appointment of operational engineers in spite of financial constraints.

The meeting was informed that the Special Paper on Eskom and the roadmap to ensure its sustainability into the future was close to finalisation and would be announced shortly. Social partners emphasised that both the Special Paper on Eskom and the Integrated Resource Plan were necessary so that long-term investment decisions can be made.

The meeting also received a report on progress towards the implementation of an export tax on scrap metal. It was agreed that this work should be concluded within the next four months.

The leaders of all social partners welcomed the progress that has been made, and endorsed the focus of the Presidential Working Committee on practical interventions that can be made within particular industries to promote growth and employment. 


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria