South Africa's Basic Education Department Urges Class of 2026 to Finish Exams with Integrity; 10 New Gauteng Consumer Court Members Sworn In
South Africa's Department of Basic Education said on November 15 that, with the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations approaching their conclusion, the Class of 2026 should stay focused and finish with integrity. The examinations began nationwide on October 13 and are due to conclude on November 26. Marking centres are scheduled to become operational between November 26 and 28, with marking expected to commence on December 1.
The department also urged provincial education departments, examination centres and candidates to remain vigilant against disruptive weather, including excessive heat, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, with particular attention to hot areas in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and the Northern Cape, and said centres must ensure ventilation, safe drinking water and sanitation. It expressed concern over persistent absenteeism among registered candidates, particularly part-time candidates, and appealed to all candidates to attend their scheduled examinations. It reminded candidates that the examination pledge requires honesty, fairness and integrity, and that dishonesty, unauthorised assistance or prohibited materials undermine the credibility of the qualification.
In Gauteng, 10 new members of the Gauteng Consumer Affairs Court were sworn in on Friday in Sandton for a three-year term, welcomed by MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, Gauteng's MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development. The members include Fhedzisani Pandelani, Professor Jacolien Barnard, the alternate chairperson, Zandile Mpungose and Advocate Matsobane Mello. The court, an administrative tribunal established in 2000 under the Consumer Affairs (Unfair Business Practices) Act 7 of 1996, adjudicates consumer complaints and disputes and provides its services free of charge. Motlatjo Moholwa, Head of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, noted that consumer activity accounts for about 66 percent of South Africa's gross domestic product.
The South African Police Service said three men were arrested on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping after a man travelled from Springs to Winterveldt, north of Pretoria, on November 12 to buy a grey Suzuki Swift advertised on Facebook Marketplace for R20,000 and was allegedly robbed and kidnapped on arrival. The victim reported the matter the following day. At about 2 p.m. on November 13, members of the Online Task Team attached to Loate SAPS, on proactive patrol, accompanied the victim to the location, where he identified a group of about five men beside a tuck shop. Police arrested three suspects, aged 18 and 19, while two others fled. The investigation is ongoing. Tshwane District Commissioner Major General Samuel Thine cautioned the public to verify sellers and advertisements, meet in safe public places, preferably at police stations, and avoid attending alone or carrying large amounts of cash.
The two-day Continental Trade and Transport Conference, organised by the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA), opens on November 16 at the Indaba Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre in Fourways, Johannesburg, with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy expected to deliver the opening address. The Department of Transport said the conference will bring together stakeholders from the transport, trade and logistics sectors to identify practical solutions, strengthen partnerships and advance Africa's trade and transport agenda.
Separately, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said a 54-year-old woman was served with a summons on Saturday over an alleged fraudulent claim to the Road Accident Fund (RAF) valued at more than R1.1 million. The claim, lodged through a law firm on February 18, 2022, was based on an alleged pedestrian-vehicle collision on December 25, 2020, at about 6 p.m. in Tyinira Street, Motherwell. Investigations established that the alleged accident did not occur as reported. The RAF rejected the claim and referred the matter to the Hawks. The woman is scheduled to appear before the Gqeberha New Law Courts on December 9 for her first court appearance.
The SAnews edition also carried features on the importance of every vote in local government elections and on food security.
(Source: SAnews)
Source: SAnews
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：法槌与天平。南非政府新闻署官方图，媒体可免费使用并注明出处。 / Photo: Gavel and scales of justice. Official SAnews image, free for media use with credit to SAnews.
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