South Africa Nov. 11 PM Digest: R79 Million Disaster Centre Opens in Eastern Cape; 4,129 Counterfeit Items Seized in Gauteng
The South African Government News Agency (SAnews) PM edition on November 11 rounded up a series of government developments: a R79 million disaster management centre officially opened in the O.R. Tambo District of the Eastern Cape; Gauteng police seized 4,129 counterfeit and illicit items in two operations; the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation proposed a cross-sector innovation pact; and the City of Cape Town urged residents to use water sparingly.
The O.R. Tambo District Municipality opened the Disaster Management Centre at Megacom in Libode, within the Nyandeni Local Municipality, with District Mayor Mesuli Ngqondwana officiating. The centre will monitor weather patterns, help identify hazardous conditions and coordinate responses to floods, severe weather events and fires, bringing disaster management services closer to communities. Ngqondwana also handed over seven new bakkies to disaster management personnel to strengthen the centre's operational capacity. He said the facility's success would depend not only on its infrastructure but also on the efficiency of its internal systems and the commitment of its personnel, describing it as the "pride and jewel" of Nyandeni and the district. The district is frequently affected by extreme weather and climate-related disasters, and he recalled the loss of lives in a tragedy the previous year.
On policing, the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS), together with a brand protector, raided five shops in Meyerton, in the Sedibeng District, on November 6, seizing 274 counterfeit items valued at R61,790. On November 9 the unit, joined by the Department of Agriculture, conducted a similar operation at five shops in Alberton, in the Ekurhuleni District. Combined, the two operations seized 4,129 counterfeit and illicit items with an estimated value of R171,085, including consumer products, clothing, toys, phone accessories, illicit pharmaceuticals and honey. SAPS Gauteng spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko urged the public to report businesses suspected of trading in counterfeit or illicit goods.
On science policy, speaking at the presidential engagement with university vice-chancellors and national science councils hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa on November 10, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande proposed a science, technology and innovation pact between government, universities, science councils and industry, with clear responsibilities and named institutional leads, agreed contributions and milestones, and arrangements for intellectual property, publication and access to research facilities. He said his ministry is exploring the establishment of science and technology parks in each of South Africa's special economic zones.
In addition, the City of Cape Town urged residents and businesses to use water sparingly, and the eThekwini Municipality removed unlawfully erected structures from the dunes at Durban's South Beach.
Source: South African Government News Agency (SAnews
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：东开普省 Libode 新启用的 O.R. Tambo 区灾害管理中心。南非政府新闻署（SAnews）。 / Photo: The newly opened O.R. Tambo District Disaster Management Centre in Libode, Eastern Cape. SAnews.
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