By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed four new bills into law following long legislative processes in Parliament.
Ramaphosa assented to the Land Court Act, the Traditional Courts Act, the South African Postbank Limited Amendment Act, and the Repeal of the Transkei Penal Code.
This was confirmed by the presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya during a media briefing on Wednesday.
All four of these new bills have been passed through the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces before being sent to Ramaphosa’s table for his signature.
Lady R Investigative panel
Magwenya said the Presidency has noted the intention expressed by the official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, to challenge the appointment of Judge Phineas Mojapelo as the head of the investigative panel.
He said the President decided to appoint the independent panel after having “carefully considered the delicate balance that is needed between the public’s right to information and the State’s need to secure information, the disclosure of which may jeopardise our national security and/or international relations”.
Magwenya said: “Hence, the President decided to appoint an independent panel rather than a commission of inquiry, as provided for in terms of section 84(2)(f) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996.”
Magwenya emphasised that the President carefully considered his decision to appoint a judge to head the panel.
“Ramaphosa acted within the law in doing so and we are confident that this appointment will withstand scrutiny.
“In its politically motivated court action, the DA wants to undermine the country’s national interests, failing to appreciate the importance of resolving this matter in a manner that is credible and expeditious.
“The DA is failing to appreciate the damage this issue has caused to our economy and potentially, to very important diplomatic relations, which are now repaired as a result of the level of credibility attached to the panel and its work, the outcome of the investigation and the intensive amount of diplomatic work that has been conducted to date and is still being managed,” Magwenya said.
Special Olympics Team
Ramaphosa is expected to host the Special Olympics Team at the Union Buildings following the team’s success at the Special Olympics World Games that were held in Germany in June 2023.
The Special Olympics Team brought home a total of 49 medals – 22 gold, 20 silver and 7 bronze.
“The interaction with the Special Olympics Team is part of Ramaphosa’s ongoing commitment to encourage and celebrate excellence amongst South Africa’s sports women and men and the President’s recognition of the role of sports to unite our nation and forge social cohesion,” Magwenya said.
The President will host the team on the morning of 3 October 2023.
Later in the afternoon on the same day, President Ramaphosa will receive Letters of Credence from Heads of Mission-Designate at a credentials ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House.
Letters of Credence are official diplomatic documents presented to the President by Heads of Mission-designate to mark the beginning of their ambassadorship.
This ceremony is a platform where newly nominated diplomats from the continent and other parts of the globe outline relations between the two countries and their objectives for strengthening partnership.
Zoleka Mandela passing
Magwenya, has extended the Presidency’s sincerest condolences to the Mandela family on the passing of their grandchild, author and activist, Zoleka Mandela.
“As the Presidency, we add our sincerest condolences to the sympathies expressed by many individuals and organisations at the passing of Ms Zoleka Mandela.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Ms Mandela, who has passed away at an age that has deprived all of us of benefiting from the full potential of her charismatic and creative commitment to a diversity of social causes and campaigns,” Magwenya said.
The Presidency wished the family well in their preparations for remembering and taking leave of Zoleka.
Zoleka Mandela, the granddaughter of anti-apartheid heroes Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, died on Monday evening after a prolonged battle with cancer.
The 43-year-old, who lost her long battle with cancer, passed away on the eve of her grandmother’s birthday. The struggle stalwart would have turned 87 this year.
Western Cape floods
Ramaphosa has also expressed his sympathy to the people who have been affected by the recent floods in the Western Cape.
“The President would like to extend his sympathies to all the people who have been affected by the recent floods in the Western Cape. The President also expresses his condolences to those who have lost their loved ones during this disaster,” Magwenya said.
Magwenya said the President is grateful for the speedy response and hard work demonstrated by various disaster management teams, law enforcement agencies, NGOS and officials who have continued to work under testing conditions to ensure the safety of citizens.
The Western Cape government’s early estimations indicate nearly R1.4 billion in damages in the agricultural sector due to the weekend’s strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Ashia Petersen, of the provincial agriculture department, said the initial assessment of the flood damage was, at this stage, R1.4 billion.
“The area impacted most is the Cape Winelands. Only having assessed around 20% of the farms, the damage to infrastructure amounts to R250 million. The crop losses, which include mostly citrus and vineyards, amounts to R150 million,” she said.
The department’s breakdown of the initial estimates indicate that the Garden Route suffered R7 million in infrastructural damage, while crop losses amounted to R25 million.
The Overberg suffered R130 million in infrastructural damage and R30 million in crop losses.
Meanwhile, MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell said better weather was expected in the coming days, with a slight cold front expected on Friday, though it was not concerning.