Latest news with #DepartmentofSocialDevelopment
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Bring hope to Rheinhardt's fight against brain cancer
Rheinhardt Engelbrecht – a loving, kind friend, husband, brother and father – had a life-altering turn of events in March this year. At the age of 31, he was diagnosed with an Ependymoma stage 3 after doctors found a tumour in his brain. Despite undergoing surgery to remove the tumour, the biopsy confirmed its malignant nature. Rheinhardt is now undergoing chemotherapy while working diligently to regain his strength, balance and co-ordination on his right side. He will be unable to work for a few months to fully heal, and anyone willing to assist in easing his financial burden will be greatly appreciated. Rheinhardt's friends and family have set up a 'Backabuddy' page where people can contribute to help him with the costs: In an effort to raise funds for Rheinhardt's medical bills, Elize Tschirpig and a few local bakers organised a cupcake sale at the Paddadam Winter Market on Saturday. The event was a resounding success, with the bakers contributing over R2000. Given Elize's dedication, it's clear that this is just the beginning of their efforts to support Rheinhardt. ALSO READ: Department of Social Development plants seeds of hope The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Social Development Department still probing adviser's alleged 'double-dipping'
Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe's adviser, Ngaoko Kgatla, faces charges of gross misconduct, having been in contravention of Section 30(1) of the Public Service Act by working or offering services to two government departments. Image: Supplied THE Department of Social Development (DSD) has yet to conclude its investigation into allegations that Minister Sisishi Tolashe's advisor, Ngaoko Kgatlaadviser, has been drawing two salaries from two government departments. Kgatla faces charges of gross misconduct, having allegedly been in contravention of Section 30(1) of the Public Service Act by working or offering services to two departments. Kgatla, who has been appointed as adviser for less than a year, was reportedly charged with three counts of gross misconduct; however, the department has refuted claims about its inaction against Kgatla following a recent media report. Kgatla's alleged double-dipping is currently being investigated, the Department of Social Development confirmed. In a statement, the department's spokesperson Bathembu Futshane said they rejected the report by a weekend publication on Sunday, and denied that Kgatla was shielded from disciplinary action. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'We wish to put it on record that the department received the referral of the matter from the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities to the special adviser to the Minister of Social Development. The department, after receiving the document, referred it back to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, and put charges as it is according to law. 'Reports in the media that the official was 'shielded' by the minister and that the department did not act on the matter are inaccurate and we reject them. Charges were put to the official, who requested time to exercise his right of reply, which was granted. 'The official submitted a detailed response to the charges, and the department has initiated the processes required to bring this matter to a finality,' said Futshane. Further enquiries to the DSD were not answered by deadline. Attempts to get a comment from Kgatla were also unsuccessful. Cape Times
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Social Development Department still probing adviser's alleged 'double-dipping'
Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe's adviser, Ngaoko Kgatla, faces charges of gross misconduct, having been in contravention of Section 30(1) of the Public Service Act by working or offering services to two government departments. Image: Supplied THE Department of Social Development (DSD) has yet to conclude its investigation into allegations that Minister Sisishi Tolashe's advisor, Ngaoko Kgatlaadviser, has been drawing two salaries from two government departments. Kgatla faces charges of gross misconduct, having allegedly been in contravention of Section 30(1) of the Public Service Act by working or offering services to two departments. Kgatla, who has been appointed as adviser for less than a year, was reportedly charged with three counts of gross misconduct; however, the department has refuted claims about its inaction against Kgatla following a recent media report. Kgatla's alleged double-dipping is currently being investigated, the Department of Social Development confirmed. In a statement, the department's spokesperson Bathembu Futshane said they rejected the report by a weekend publication on Sunday, and denied that Kgatla was shielded from disciplinary action. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'We wish to put it on record that the department received the referral of the matter from the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities to the special adviser to the Minister of Social Development. The department, after receiving the document, referred it back to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, and put charges as it is according to law. 'Reports in the media that the official was 'shielded' by the minister and that the department did not act on the matter are inaccurate and we reject them. Charges were put to the official, who requested time to exercise his right of reply, which was granted. 'The official submitted a detailed response to the charges, and the department has initiated the processes required to bring this matter to a finality,' said Futshane. Further enquiries to the DSD were not answered by deadline. Attempts to get a comment from Kgatla were also unsuccessful. Cape Times
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Two men arrested for smuggling 10 children into SA from Lesotho after tipoff
The Eastern Cape Police confirmed on Monday that they had arrested two Lesotho nationals after they were caught smuggling ten children, some as young as four, into South Africa (SA). The suspects are due to appear in court on Tuesday, 17 June. The police in Matatiele arrested two male suspects (aged 40 and 20) on Saturday for human trafficking and illegal immigration involving 10 children. The arrests followed a swift response to a tipoff received by the police about an adult male with 10 children who was seen near a fuel station in Matatiele. Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said that when confronted by the police, the 40-year-old suspect — a Lesotho national without valid documentation — claimed he was transporting the children to their mothers in Pietermaritzburg. 'However, the children contradicted this, stating they did not know the man, and that he had taken them from Qacha's Nek, Lesotho, under false pretences of reuniting them with their mothers. They confirmed illegal entry into South Africa via an unofficial crossing near Paqama,' she said. She added that the children were between the ages of four and 14. Qacha's Nek, about 35km from Matatiele, is the closest legal border crossing between SA and Lesotho. But the Paqama Crossing is a well-known illegal crossing point into SA, and is close by. 'Cases of Human Trafficking (Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act) and Illegal Immigration (Immigration Act) were registered. Both suspects are in custody and will appear before the Matatiele Magistrate's Court soon,' Gantana added. Children in 'safe location' She added that the 10 children had been placed in a safe location by the Department of Social Development and are receiving care. 'The investigation continues to uncover the full extent of the trafficking operation,' she said. Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, commended the vigilant person who tipped off the police. 'This intervention potentially saved these children from further harm,' he said. Matatiele recently made headlines when a seven-year old, nicknamed Cwecwe, was brutally raped in the town. The attack on Cwecwe and the subsequent outcry when nobody was arrested led to protests countrywide calling for justice for the young child. Raymond Mayekisa, representing a child protection NGO in Matatiele, said it looked like all the children were from Lesotho, but indicated that they would help where they could to reunite them with their families. The US Department of State's annual report into the fight against human trafficking last year stated that the country 'does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so'. In 2024, four cases of human trafficking were brought in Lesotho, and 14 others were still ongoing. Lesotho's government formally launched the Bi-National Commission of Cooperation (BNC) with SA in 2024 to increase law enforcement coordination to combat trafficking crimes. Describing Lesotho's Trafficking Profile, the report states as follows: 'As reported over the past five years, human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Lesotho, and traffickers exploit victims from Lesotho abroad. Limited economic opportunities, exacerbated by the [Covid19] pandemic and inflation, resulted in vulnerable populations — including women and orphaned children, enticed by traffickers with false promises of legitimate employment or educational opportunities — to migrate from rural into urban areas and to SA or the Middle East. 'Traffickers, including in religious institutions, fraudulently advertise scholarships or lucrative jobs in hospitality on social media to recruit victims into forced labour and sex trafficking, increasingly in the Middle East. Traffickers in Lesotho 'In Lesotho, traffickers exploit Basotho children, especially orphans, in forced labour in domestic servitude and animal herding and in sex trafficking. Young girls employed in domestic work in exchange for room and board are vulnerable to forced labour and abuse. In previous years, there were anecdotal reports that 'workshop masters' forced children to produce and sell arts and crafts in market vending. 'There were reports of sexual harassment in Taiwan, People's Republic of China (PRC), and South Asian-owned textile factories in Lesotho, including widespread reports managers and supervisors coerced female workers into sexual relationships in exchange for maintaining employment, receiving better working conditions, and avoiding further harassment. Pandemic-induced layoffs increased vulnerabilities of the predominantly female textile workforce, resulting in some engaging in commercial sex,' the report continued. hardship and hunger in the area. DM
IOL News
10-06-2025
- IOL News
Search for missing 24-year-old Rawsonville woman ends in tragedy
A body believed to be that of 24-year-old Jolene van Wyk, who was swept away in a stream during heavy rainfall, has been found in Rawsonville. Image: Supplied A body, believed to be that of a 24-year-old farm worker who was swept away in a stream while attempting to cross it following heavy rainfall in Rawsonville in the Breede River Municipality, has been found. According to police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, the woman, identified as Jolene van Wyk, attempted to cross the river in Slanghoek with her 19-year-old sister when she was swept away on Saturday. 'The search for the missing 24-year-old Jolene van Wyk of Rawsonville who was swept down river at a low water bridge in Slanghoek on June 7 at about 2.15pm resumed (yesterday) morning. Jolene van Wyk, was swept away while crossing a river in Rawsonville on Saturday. Image: Billy Claasen Facebook Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "Worcester opened a missing person report. 'Information suggests that the missing person and her sister crossed the river via the low water bridge as they were walking from Rawsonville towards the Breerivier side when a strong stream swept them off their feet following heavy rainfall in the area the previous day. 'The younger sister managed to reach safety, but her sister was swept away by the strong and rough stream. 'Emergency personnel and police were dispatched to the scene, but rough conditions hampered their efforts." Police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed that the search was called off on Monday afternoon after the body of the woman was found. "The search continued, and at 4.15pm, the body that matched the description of the missing person, was found approximately 2 km from where she was swept away. The formal identification is arranged for tomorrow (Tuesday) morning," he said. "Members of Department of Social Development was spoken to who arranged counselling for the family members." Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation executive director, Billy Claasen, said the family also suffered a tragedy after the woman's mother died a few months ago. He said he was concerned about the delay of the K9 unit during the search for Van Wyk. 'The police and emergency services have been on scene since (Sunday) and have resumed the search again. "However, they temporarily cancelled it at 11am because the water was still very high. 'I spoke to the father and the sister. It is also exactly four months ago that they lost their mother. "The sister is severely traumatised and can hardly speak. 'I have now regular (contact) with social services that they send counselors out to the farm. 'I also want to know why the police's special dog wasn't there yet and why the special drone wasn't flown. They mentioned to me that the drone couldn't fly yesterday because of too much rain. 'It looks like our people's lives are not important enough. On Monday night Claasen confirmed with Cape Argus that van Wyk's body was retrieved 2km down the river. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
