President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the 25th commemoration of Human Rights Day tomorrow, Thursday, 21 March 2019.

The national event will take place at the George Thabe Sports Ground in Sharpeville, Vereeniging, Gauteng, under the theme “The Year of Indigenous Languages: Promoting and Deepening a Human Rights Culture”. 
 
Human Rights Day has its origins in the events that unfolded at Sharpeville and at Langa in the Western Cape on 21 March 1960, when apartheid security forces cracked down on peaceful marches that opposed pass laws that had been imposed on black South Africans.
 
On that day, an anti-pass march at the Sharpeville police station came to a brutal end with the mass killing of peaceful protesters. Later that day, in   Langa, police baton-charged and fired teargas at the gathered protesters, shooting three and injuring several others.
 
The Sharpeville Massacre, as the event has become known, signalled the start of armed resistance in South Africa and prompted worldwide condemnation of South Africa's apartheid policies. 

Since the advent of democratic governance in South Africa 25 years ago, Human Rights Month has been leveraged as a vehicle to foster social cohesion, nation building, national identity, socio-economic development and to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all related intolerances.
 
The objective of Human Rights Day 2019 is to amplify efforts to preserve, promote and revitalise endangered languages, to affirm that South Africa is committed to human rights for all, and to emphasise that the Bill of Rights promotes linguistic diversity and encourages respect for all language rights.
 
Media Programme is as follows:

Part 1

Wreath-laying Ceremony
Time: 09h50
Venue: Sharpeville Memorial Site

Part 2

Keynote Address by President Ramaphosa
Time: 11h30                          
Venue: George Thabe Sports Ground

RSVP: Nangamso Gxaba - 072 321 6355

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has intensified government’s campaign against corruption and state capture with a proclamation establishing an Investigating Directorate in the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions to address allegations emerging from current and recent commissions of inquiry, and corruption-related crimes in general.

President Ramaphosa has proclaimed the establishment of the Investigating Directorate in terms of Section 7(1) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act No.32 of 1998). This has been done on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, the  Minister of Police and the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

The new directorate will investigate common law offences including fraud, forgery, uttering, theft and any offence involving dishonesty.

The directorate will also attend to statutory offences including but not limited to contraventions of:

• The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 6 of 2000;
• The Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1988;
• The Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act 33 of 2004;
• The Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999;
• The Municipal Management Act 56 of 2003;
• The Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001; and
• Any other statutory offence involving dishonesty.

In addition, the directorate will investigate any unlawful activities relating to serious, high profile or complex corruption including but not limited to offences or criminal or unlawful activities arising from the following commissions and inquiries:

• The Zondo Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State promulgated under presidential proclamation No. 3 of 2018 in Government Gazette No. 41403, 25 January 2018;

• The Nugent Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) established by presidential proclamation No 17 of 2018 published in Government Gazette No. 41562 constituted on 24 May 2018;

• The Mpati Commission of Inquiry into Allegations for Impropriety regarding the Public Investment Corporation established by presidential proclamation No. 30 of 2018, as published in Government Gazette No. 41979 of 17 October 2018; and

• any other serious, high profile or complex corruption case referred to the new directorate by the National Director, in  accordance with Section 28(1)(b) of the NPA Act.


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed the Minister of Transport, Dr Blade Nzimande, to urgently resolve the challenges plaguing commuter rail agency, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).

The President held a meeting with Minister Nzimande at Tuynhuys in Cape Town on Tuesday 19 March 2019 following the President’s first-hand experience of the difficulties regularly experienced by commuters when the President boarded a train from Mabopane to the Tshwane CBD earlier   this week.

Among the challenges raised at the meeting was the deterioration of infrastructure and unacceptable delays of train services, which often result in commuters arriving late for work, school and other commitments. Passenger and driver safety also received attention.

The President stressed the need for a safe, reliable and integrated public transport system to support the country’s economic development aspirations. 

While appreciating that Prasa is currently implementing one of the largest urban rail modernisation programmes in the world, the agency’s failure to implement its turnaround plans and, in the process, pay due attention to critical rail operational functions, is a cause for concern. 

The President has directed immediate action to strengthen governance by stabilising the leadership cohort at Board level and filling critical vacancies, including that of the Group Chief Executive Officer. 

The President has also called for practical and urgent action to bridge the gap between the turnaround strategies developed and their day-to-day implementation. He directed that a capable and skilled team of specialists should be established to conduct due diligence on the rail network to determine the extent of challenges.

Urgent action is required to accelerate the implementation of the R172 billion modernisation programme meant to eliminate challenges occasioned by aged infrastructure. 

Minister Nzimande is expected to make announcements in due course on the delivery of these commitments and other actions to be undertaken to restore service performance at Prasa.

The President has further welcomed the imminent introduction of 24 new train sets in Gauteng to augment the 18 new sets delivered last year, emphasising that this intervention will go a long way to improve train availability and performance.

The increase in rolling stock availability from 160 to 260 sets during the current financial year is expected to alleviate the burden in other parts of the country.

President Ramaphosa accepts that there are longstanding challenges at Prasa that will require substantial resources and several years to address, but believes there are immediate steps that can and will be taken to increase efficiency and improve the daily experiences of commuters.

President Ramaphosa said: “There is no reason why commuters should have to endure frequent delays or feel unsafe on our trains. This is a problem that we can work together to solve.”


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

Issued by:The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be handing over title deeds to more than 50 households of Ebenhaeser, Beeswater in the Western Cape Province, this Saturday, 23 March 2019.

Taking place under the theme “Restoring dignity through land reform” the settling and finalising of land claims is part of the Land Reform programme which is part of the transformative principles of our Constitution.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to hand over title deeds for the  3990 hectares of 178 Vanrhynsdorp Beeswater commercial farmland. The beneficiaries are the direct descendants of the Griqua Community that  established themselves on the Farm since 1926.

The community entered into a lease agreement with the then landowner in 1938-1940 but due to racial laws and practices, did not have the necessary permit to purchase the land.  The community of Beeswater was forcibly removed from an undivided portion of the remainder Farm Vanrhysdorp, situated on the Western side of the Zoutrivier in 1960. The community was eventually relocated to the Coloured Area of Vredendal in 1981.

The Beeswater Communal Property Association have indicated their desire to resuscitate livestock and or game farming, possible agricultural activities as the first claim settled in the Western Cape to direct descendants of the indigenous Khoi community a cultural village and ultimately to resettle their community to the land that is rich in cultural history.

Earlier this month the President officiated over the Gauteng Land Restitution Ceremony in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria. The ceremony marked the successful claims by 10 Gauteng communities who were presented with title deeds and financial compensation.

The Western Cape (Ebenhaeser) Presidential Handover Ceremony is scheduled to take place as follows:
Date: Saturday, 23 March 2019
Time: 10H00
Venue: Ebenhaeser, Matzikama Local Municipality, West Coast District

Media who intend covering the event should liaise with Tsakane Khambane on 082 084 5566


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing away of Princess Irene Thandekile Buthelezi, the spouse of Inkatha Freedom Party President Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

The President’s thoughts and prayers are with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and children Prince Nthuthukoyezwe Zuzifa, Princess Phumzile Nokuphiwa  and Princess Sibuyiselwe Angela, as well the family’s many grandchildren.

Following a long illness, Princess Irene Buthelezi passed away at KwaPhindangene, KwaZulu-Natal, early on Monday 25 March 2019. She was 89 years of age.

President Ramaphosa has also extended his condolences to the Inkatha Freedom
Party by whom Princess Irene was held in the highest esteem.

President Ramaphosa said: “On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, I offer Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi my deep sympathy at the loss of a partner, soul mate, confidante and advisor of many decades’ standing. The loss of one so close and special at this late stage in life is a great sadness.

“It is my wish that Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and his family will reflect with fondness and pride on the many years during which Princess Irene Buthelezi served as a tower of strength to her family and community”. 


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 26 March 2019, deliver his welcome address at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Solidarity Conference with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic or Western Sahara.

The conference follows a decision taken at the 37th Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government, held in Pretoria in 2017 to convene the Solidarity Conference with Western Sahara. It will be officially opened by the Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency Dr Hage G. Geingob, President of   the Republic of Namibia.

The SADC Solidarity Conference with Western Sahara seeks, among other things, to reaffirm the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-  determination in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and applicable documents of the Organisation of the African Unity  (OAU) and African Union (AU) as well as champion the implementation of the UN resolutions and OAU and AU decisions to allow the people of Western Sahara to exercise their right to self-determination.

At the end of the conference the SADC Heads of State and Government and participating Heads of State and Government from other regions as well as political party formations and other organizations are expected to issue a Declaration on Western Sahara.

The SADC Solidarity Conference with Western Sahara will also be attended by the former presidents and international organizations.

The conference is preceded by a one day meeting of the SADC Ministers and Ministers from other participating countries and regions as well civil society organizations and political party formations currently taking place in Pretoria.

Details are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 26 March 2019
Time: 09h00 (Media to arrive at 08h00)
Venue: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), OR Tambo Building,  460 Soutpansberg Rd, Rietondale, Pretoria

NOTE: Only accredited media will be allowed access into DIRCO Building


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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 28 March 2019, deliver the keynote address at the Presidential launch of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Declaration.  

The launch event, at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Oakdene South, Johannesburg, coincides with the official opening of this new court.

The Declaration is one of the outcomes of the National Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Summit which was held in November 2018. 

The Summit was a response to a national concern and it provided a basis for a coordinated national response to the scourge.

The Summit was jointly hosted by government, civil society and other role players in an effort to combat gender-based violence and femicide. 

Booysens Magistrate’s Court offers a range of services and is fully equipped to support victims of gender-based violence and femicide. Services include:

• A fully fledged Sexual Offences Court 
• Family Law services such as maintenance, domestic violence, harassment and Children’s Court matters 
• Small Claims Court services 
• Civil and Criminal Court services – Regional and District 

The new facility will play a key role in alleviating the demand for services at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court.

MEDIA DETAILS

Date: Thursday, 28 March 2019
Time: 10h00
Venue: Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Oakdene South, cnr Amanda and Rifle Range Road, Gillview, Johannesburg

RSVP AND MEDIA ACCREDITATION DETAILS

Members of the media wishing to cover the event are invited to apply for accreditation by completing the attached template and email to Vphala@justice.gov.za. The deadline for submission of applications is strictly before 11h30 on 26 March 2019. 

For more information on accreditation contact: Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707 or Victor Mateane Phala on 012 315 1817/ 084 438 5162.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707, or Phumla Williams on 0835010139

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Thursday, 28 March 2019, launch the Business Leadership South Africa Connect and SA SME CEO Fund Circle in Johannesburg. 
 
Business Leadership South Africa Connect is an online trading platform which will link registered small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) access to supply chain opportunities of large South African corporations that have an integrated global footprint. 
 
The online portal will promote supplier diversity and the inclusion of black suppliers in the value chain.
 
This initiative will create market opportunities for black-owned SMMEs through linkages and networking between large firms and SMMEs. It will also  support emerging enterprises with access to enterprise and supplier development.
 
This programme of broadening economic participation forms part of BLSA’s #BusinessBelieveInSouthAfrica campaign. One of the commitments under this campaign is support for small businesses.
 
The BLSA campaign supports government efforts, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to broaden economic participation and dilute the concentration of the South African economy in which a relatively small number of enterprises dominate all levels of supply chains and limit choices for consumers.
 
In February 2019 President Ramaphosa signed into law the Competition Amendment Bill which constitutes a boost for SMEs, economic inclusion and is intended to open the economy to fresh investment and innovation.
 
At this week’s event President Ramaphosa will concurrently launch the SA SME Fund CEO Circle which aims to finance and scale up black SMMEs.
 
The fund was set up under the auspices of the CEO Initiative in 2016 to stimulate growth and investment drawn from the expertise of South Africa’s top business leaders. 
 
Fifty of South Africa’s largest companies have collectively invested R1,4 billion in capital in the SA SME Fund which is mandated to invest the bulk of its funding into black emerging  businesses. 
 
President Ramaphosa has urged all social partners across the public and private spheres to collaborate on finding long term sustainable solutions to combat and reduce inequality, poverty and unemployment, and to secure and create inclusive growth to build a prosperous South Africa.
 
Details of the launch of the BLSA Connect and SA SME CEO Fund Circle are as follows:

Date: Tursday, 28 March 2019
Time: 08:00 (Media to arrive at 07:00)
Venue: 1 Discovery Place, Cnr Rivonia Rd & Katherine Street, Sandton, Johannesburg
 
Members of the media can liaise with Khutjo Sebata on 079 898 4621 to cover the Joint Launch 
 

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

The Presidency has noted several media reports and commentary on testimony before the Zondo Commission yesterday that conflate a number of separate issues.

President Cyril Ramaphosa first explained the matter in his letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly on 15 November 2018. He also provided the Public Protector with a statement on the matter, which is available on the Presidency website.

Mr Andile Ramaphosa has subsequently also made public details on his business relationship with African Global Operations.

In summary, these are the facts available to the Presidency:

- In April 2017, Blue Crane Capital, a company owned by Mr Andile Ramaphosa, began discussions with African Global Operations (AGO) to explore possible business opportunities in certain East African countries.

- In December 2017, an advisory mandate was signed between Blue Crane Capital and AGO, and in January 2018 an Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy.

- According to information made public by Blue Crane, the contract stipulated a monthly retainer of R150 000, which was later increased to R230 000. By the time  Blue Crane terminated the contract in January 2019, following revelations at the Zondo Commission, AGO had paid Blue Crane around R2 million for work done in fulfilment of the contract.

- President Ramaphosa was made aware of the business relationship between his son’s business and AGO in September 2018 after he was informed about a rumour that Mr Andile Ramaphosa had received a payment of R500 000 from AGO. Mr Andile Ramaphosa explained to the President the nature of the business and showed him a copy of the contract.

- It was on the basis of this information that the President replied to a question from the Mr Mmusi Maimane in the National Assembly on 6 November 2018. The President had assumed that the payment referred to by Mr Maimane was related to this business contract.

- However, as the President was subsequently made aware, the payment of R500 000 had been a donation by Mr Gavin Watson of AGO to the CR17 campaign through an attorney trust account that was used for the purposes of fundraising for the political campaign.

- Having established the facts of the matter, the President wrote to the Speaker of the National Assembly on 15 November 2018 to provide the correct information.

- The donation of R500 000 to the CR17 campaign by Mr Watson was distinct from, and unrelated to, the contract between Blue Crane and AGO.

- The donation from Mr Watson was sought and obtained by the CR17 campaign without the President’s knowledge. This followed a decision by the campaign managers that the President should not be provided with the identity of donors or amounts pledged.

- The President has subsequently been informed that, following revelations at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, the former CR17 campaign managers took a decision to return the donation. The funds amounting to R500 000, have been placed in an attorney’s trust account until allegations against Mr Watson and AGO have been clarified.

The Presidency understands that the testimony before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry needs to be fully investigated and corroborated.

In line with previous statements to this effect, the President has once again reiterated his commitment to appear before the Commission. This gesture also serves to encourage other South Africans to answer the call by Deputy Chief Justice Zondo for witnesses to step forward and assist the Commission in its hearing of evidence.

The letter of 14 November 2018 from the President to National Assembly Speaker Ms Baleka Mbete is available on the Presidency website at http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/press-statements/president-clarifies-response-parliamentary-question. 

The President’s statement to the Public Protector dated 1 February 2019 is available at http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/content/statement-president-cyril-ramamphosa-public-protector.


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

President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Monday 01 April 2019, depart from Pretoria to undertake a Working Visit to the Republic of Equitorial Guinea.

The visit will enable President Ramaphosa and President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equitorial Guinea to reflect on bilateral relations as well as issues of interest and concern on the continent and globally. In 2018 South Africa and the Republic of Equitorial Guinea marked 25 years since the   formalisation of diplomatic relations.

Bilateral cooperation has spanned health, trade, manufacturing, infrastructure, industrial, as well as education and training.

President Ramaphosa will hold discussions with President Nguema tomorrow, Tuesday 02 April 2019. The President is accompanied on this visit by  Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and Minister for State Security Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba.

Deputy President David Mabuza will be acting President for the duration of President Ramaphosa’s outgoing visit.

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

Issued by: The Presidency Pretoria