South Africa

The Department of Water and Sanitation has allocated R18 million to JS Moroka Local Municipality to address water shortages in Mpumalanga.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says R850 million has been set aside to support beneficiation initiatives by science councils.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia De Lille says a decision has been taken to open up tender processes to members of the public in a bid to curb corruption.

Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza says ever since the department started digitizing the identity applications process, some 13 million smart ID cards have been issued.

The opening of the National Lotteries Commission offices in Mahikeng will go a long way in changing the lives of residents, says North West Premier Job Mokgoro.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi says indications are that there is a high compliance rate by employers in implementing the recently introduced National Minimum Wage.

The Gauteng Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has expressed concern at the alleged use of excessive force by Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers.

Science and Technology Minister Dr Blade Nzimande says progress has been made towards the establishment of a five-year R5 billion SMME fund aimed at helping innovators commercialise their products.

Reading comprehension in the first years of school will take top priority for the Basic Education Department (DBE) in the short to medium term.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says the soon to be introduced expropriation legislation will go a long way in easing the pressures of the housing backlog by availing more land for development.

The Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture says the good performance that Bafana Bafana put up against Egypt should be a launch pad for the Nigerian game.

The Gauteng Education Department says it accepts the community’s position that it did not torch the local Katlehong Primary School.

South Africa must not be relegated to catching up to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) but must be part of the innovators, says Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.

Processes to re-establish the North West Provincial Council on AIDS (PCA) before the end of the year are ongoing, said the North West Department of Health.

The Portfolio Committee on Police has urged the public to come forward with information that might lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the perpetrators of the Philippi murders.