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“gOVErnMEnT DOing EVErYThing TO ensure social grants are paid” - pres. Zuma
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VOL.4 #10
17-24 MARCH 2017
nEW SPringS MALL OPEnS in BULLETS! TWO people are critically injured after multiple shootings that took place at the official opening of the Springs Mall today, March 16. Police have arrested two suspects and more are on the loose. According to City of ekurhuleni emergency spokesperson, William Ntladi, Fire fighters and paramedics promptly responded to the scene after receiving the call to render pre-hospital medical treatments to the casualties. Though excess to the Shopping Mall was a difficult, they managed to bypass high traffic volume and shoppers to help the injured.
PReSIDeNT Jacob Zuma says government regrets the manner in which the social grants issue has unfolded. he said government will do all it can to ensure that the current challenges do not happen again. The President was answering questions from Members of Parliament in the National Assembly on Thursday, March 16. “We deeply regret the current situation as government. We will ensure that there is never again any apprehension with regards to the payments of social grants to our people,” he said. The President said this after Cabinet set up a task team to resolve the current social grants impasse after the current contract for the payment of grants between the South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) was outlawed by a 2014 court ruling. The contract is set to expire at the end of the month and on Wednesday, the full bench of the Constitution Court sat to question legal teams from both government and CPS as a
push is made to find a solution to ensure that social grants recipients get their money beyond March 31. Government working tirelessly to ensure social grants are paid The President said social grants are one of the most effective poverty alleviation mechanisms. he said social grants remain one of the key achievements of the country and government in providing a social security net. “We appreciate the fact that even political parties, who have been critical of social grants over the years, have now realised the important role of the grants in the fight against poverty. “Government is doing everything possible to ensure that there are no interruptions to the normal process of paying social grants to beneficiaries at the end of this month. “We want to give an assurance to the people that receive social grants that we are doing everything in our power [to ensure that the payment of social grants] is not disrupted. “Old people, children and those that are
disabled will get their money at the end of the month. Lessons will be learnt from the current unfortunate episode to ensure that there is no recurrence,” he said. The President said he would not go into detail, as the Constitutional Court is currently seized with this matter. “As government, we will ensure that a sustainable payment solution is found, which is compliant with our black economic empowerment and all our laws. “The solution must also help us to ensure that fraud and corruption do not take place in the social grant payment system. Government saves about R1 billion annually in the social grant system currently through our effective anti-fraud measures in the department of Social Development, which is a great achievement,” he said. On a question of what actions he would take against Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini over the current social grant challenges, the President said: “Actions against Ministers is the prerogative of the President.” – SAnews.gov.za
“On assessment, a total of five patients were accounted for of which two are members of the South African Police Services. One officer sustained gunshot wound on the shoulder and was airlifted to Union hospital for further medical care while the other member sustained gunshot wound on the hand,“ said Ntladi in a statement. “The third patient, member of the public, sustained gunshot wounds on her lower abdominal region and was in a serious but stable condition. She was road transported by ambulance to Far east Rand hospital for further medical care.” According to eyewitnesses; the third patient, member of the public, sustained gunshot wounds on her lower abdominal region and was in a serious but stable conditions. She was road transported by ambulance to Far east Rand hospital for further medical care. Two other patients with minor injuries were privately transported to hospital prior arrival of emergency services. As per information on scene, one of the two patients was pregnant and felt to the floor while trying to escape during the shooting.
DISTRIBUTED IN: • SEDIBENG DISTRICT (LESEDI, MIDVAAL AND EMFULENI MUNICIPALITES) • CITY OF EKURHULENI • DIPALESENG MUNICIPALITY (BALFOUR) • CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Read eMapepeza on www.issuu.com/mapepeza
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