News | Page 54 of 119

Tragic Bus Crash Sparks Urgent Calls for Road Upgrades

The residents of Mmamatlakala village in Limpopo demand government action to widen the road after a devastating bus crash claims 45 lives, sparking widespread trauma and highlighting the need for emergency services.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Mokgweetsi Masisi visit the crash site, emphasizing the seriousness of the incident and the importance of collaborative efforts between countries to address safety concerns.
Government officials pledge to prioritize road safety initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and emergency response capabilities, while community-based programs aim to raise awareness and empower residents to prevent future tragedies.

Backlog of Claims: The Road Accident Fund is currently facing a significant backlog of 321,000 claims that need to be resolved.
Call for Documentation: Claimants who submitted their claims before April 2022 are urged to provide any outstanding documentation to the Compensation Fund to expedite the processing of their claims.
Submission Options: Claimants have various options for submitting their documents, including through the Fund’s website, regional offices, or by contacting the Fund’s helpline.

The Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has dissolved the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), aiming to enhance the efficiency of the student aid program.
The South African Students’ Congress (Sasco) sees this dissolution as a triumph for students relying on NSFAS funding, and they plan to protest against the Department of Higher Education’s continued use of service providers with invalid contracts for NSFAS allowance disbursement.
Sasco emphasizes the ongoing challenges in accessing NSFAS allowances, highlighting administrative inefficiencies and calling for transparency and accountability from both the Department of Higher Education and NSFAS.

The High Court in Polokwane, Limpopo, has sentenced five individuals to life imprisonment for the murder of Municipal Mayor Moses Maluleke, along with additional charges including conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of illegal firearms.
The judge emphasized the severity of the crime, highlighting the ongoing suffering of Maluleke’s son and declaring the perpetrators unfit to possess firearms.
The verdict has been welcomed by the Maluleke family and the Limpopo NPA, with hopes that it will serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. However, the family continues to call for the arrest of the mastermind behind the murder.

Moeletsi Sedi, a 40-year-old man in Rustenburg, was tragically mauled to death by dogs at his workplace, sparking outcry and demands for justice from his grieving family.
Family members allege that the dogs were intentionally released to harm Moeletsi by his employer, whom they hold responsible for his death.
Local citizen groups are calling for the dogs’ owner to be charged with murder, while police investigations are ongoing and the dogs have been seized by the SPCA.

Sibanye-Stillwater initiates Section 189 consultations for SA region restructuring under the Labour Relations Act.
The restructuring targets cost reduction, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability, affecting employees and contractors.
Strategic engagement with stakeholders, including exploring alternative measures, aims to mitigate job losses and enhance performance.

Lighthouse Properties p.l.c. in Malta offers shareholders a dividend choice between cash and Scrip Distribution.
Fractional entitlements are handled by rounding down to the nearest whole number, with tax implications considered.
Shareholders can optimize returns through tax planning, diversification, and strategic reinvestment of dividends.

Renergen Limited announces retirement of Mr. Luigi Matteucci and resignation of Ms. Skweyiya from the board.
CEO Stefano Marani expresses gratitude for contributions, highlighting the evolution of the Virginia Gas Project.
Implications include the need for succession planning, board diversity, and managing investor sentiment during transitions.

Kibo Energy PLC’s subsidiary, Mast Energy Developments PLC (MED), achieves successful completion of Pyebridge project ahead of schedule.
MED secures multiple Capacity Market contracts, ensuring steady income and financial stability for future developments.
MED progresses Hindlip Lane project, receives necessary approvals, and initiates discussions for project capex funding.

SERE’s property portfolio valued at €208.1 million, showing resilience despite a -1.0% valuation decrease in Q1 2024.
Office assets experienced mixed performance, with St Cloud, Paris, witnessing an increase in valuation due to income growth.
SERE maintains a strong financial position with a portfolio LTV of 33% gross and 24% net of cash.