Cyber Bullying and sexting are two of the new concepts that are affecting many young children and learners. The sharing of explicit content, nude/semi-nude photographs, videos and messages portraying sexual behaviour has become a popular trend amongst youth.

What is cyber bullying?
Cyber bullying is harassment that takes place through the use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, computers or tablets
on social media sites, via text or instant messaging and chat. It occurs in the form of mean or hurtful messages, embarrassing or explicit photographs, videos or emails are shared or posted on these platforms and causes harm to others.

What is Sexting?
Sexting is when nude or semi-nude photos or videos and sexually suggestive messages are sent via mobile phone through texting or chat. These types of messages may be classified as child pornography especially where minors are involved.

Did you know there are legal consequenceS if you are involved in cyber bullying and Sexting?
Section 19 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters ) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act 32 of 2007) states that any person exposing, displaying, or causing exposure or display, of child pornography to a child is guilty of the offence of
exposing or displaying or causing the exposure or display, of child pornography or pornography to a child.

If you are found guilty of sharing explicit content, you may be criminally charged With the following offences:
Crimen injuria: This is the intent to violate the dignity and or privacy of another person.
Assault: This is an intentional act which causes harm to another person’s bodily integrity.
Criminal Defamation: This is intentionally causing harm or hate speech that seriously impacts or injures a person’s reputation. This can be done verbally or in writing.
Extortion: This is when a person intentionally obtains information such as videos, images etc which is used to pressure others into doing something or even paying for the information not to be leaked.

Play your Part to Stop cyber bullying and Sexting
• Parents are urged to play a role and be aware of the type of technologies and social media platforms that are used by children and to monitor the type of content that is shared on these platforms.
• Let’s stop cyber bullying and sexting! Report anyone who is a suspected perpetrator of cyber bullying and sexting.

Where to Seek help or report cyber bullying and Sexting?
• Call Childline on 080 005 5555
• Call lifeline on 011 728 1347
• Report a case to the south african Police services 10111 or 086 001 0111

On the 13th August 2015, the municipality was alerted to the collapsed building at the corner of Ayliff and Paterson Street which ended with fatal injuries. We have been made aware that 1 person died from injuries whilst others had sustained injuries. Notably on this day, Newcastle was experiencing strong winds, which could have partially attributed to the collapse of the building. However, an internal investigation is being carried out by the department of Development Planning and Human Settlements to determine precisely matters that gave rise to this tragedy. Nonetheless, our preliminary report on the status of construction underway revealed the following aspects:

1. The building construction commenced without the approved building plans as such the foundation was not inspected and approved by Building Inspectors;
2. the time (10 April 2015) when the owner of the property was ordered to cease construction the foundation of the building was already casted;
3. Building plans were submitted on the 15th April 2015 and finally approved on 20 April 2015;
4. As part of the approved plans, the owner was advised to appoint an engineer given the type of construction to ensure;
5. As such DESK 22 was appointed as the consulting Engineer on the project and Roofman, the builder;
6. The Engineer’s designs/ drawings differ materially from the architectural drawings approved by the municipality in the following areas:
6.1 The structural walls are constructed out of 190mm hollow core blocks instead of the approved 230mm bricks. It is expected that the strengths of these walls will differ;
6.2 Centre of the Gable walls contains a 460 X 460 width without stanchion contrary to the approved plans showing the centre with stanchion lateral support width enclosed in the brick pier;
6.3 The structure is made out of portal frame with castellated beams as opposed to the Council approved mono-pitch steel truss construction;
6.4 The brickforce visible from the collapsed wall appeared to be less than the minimum requirement;

At this stage a letter has been written to the owner of the premises (Mr Singh) to furnish the municipality with detailed report articulating issues that gave rise to the structural failure of the South eastern wall and validation that the remaining walls and castellated roof is sound safe for human occupation. Attempts to reach the engineer have been in vein. It is understood that other institutions are involved on this matter such as SAPS and Department of Labour.

The Mayor of Newcastle Cllr Afzul Rehman on Behalf of Newcastle Municipality would like to extend his condolences to the family of the life lost and a speedy recovery to those injured. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the families during this difficult.

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Mduduzi Manana, has encouraged learners to apply at institutions of higher learning for the 2016 academic year now.

September is the cut-off deadline for many institutions of higher learning.

The Deputy Minister said this on Tuesday as he rolled out the 2015 Apply Now/Khetha Career Guidance Campaign at three schools in Bergville, in KwaZulu-Natal.

The campaign is aimed at encouraging learners to apply on time for admission to post-school institutions to avoid the last minute rush at the beginning of each academic year. The campaign runs from March to September each year.

“The campaign was initiated by the department, following the unfortunate incident that happened at the University of Johannesburg in 2012, where a mother died in a stampede whilst accompanying her child to submit a late application.

“The career guidance component of the campaign seeks to inform learners about career choices available within the post-school education and training (PSET) sector,” the Ministry said.

Among the learners who attended the event was Silindile Kubheka. The 18-year-old is President of the Learner Representative Council at Mhlawazini High School.

She encouraged learners to heed the call and apply on time. “We promise to obtain above 80% pass for matric so we can benefit fully on the opportunities shared by the Honourable Deputy Minister,” said Kubheka.

The Deputy Minister encouraged learners to consider Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges as an alternative to university education because the skills needs of the country necessitate a massive production of artisans from TVET colleges.

He also promoted the 100 occupations in high demand list that was released by the Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande in 2014.

This will assist learners to make informed career choices to avoid a situation where they too join a cohort of unemployed and unemployable graduates, said the Ministry.

The department is currently running a career development services centre to assist learners with career advice.

Deputy Minister Manana encouraged learners to use their cell phones to reach the centre by sending an SMS or a “Please Call Me” to 072 204 5056. – SAnews.gov.za

Government values the swift process by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) in reviewing the selective reopener for the third multi-year price determination for the period 1 July 2015 to 31 March 2016 that was submitted by Eskom.

As a selective reopener application, it was specifically to fund only the higher usages of the Open Cycle Gas Turbines and cover the cost of buying capacity from the short-term power purchase programme. Eskom is in the process of preparing for its full application to Nersa with regard to the Third Multi-Year Electricity Price Determination which will be submitted before the end of July 2015.

By ensuring that the requirements which are needed for our energy sector are promptly addressed it allows us to stabilise our electricity network and move South Africa forward.

Government appreciates the work of NERSA which is a product of our democratic dispensation. It ensures that there are checks and balances within the country’s energy sector.

It is mandated as the country’s independent single regulator and created under National Energy Regulator Act to protect the both interest of energy producers and consumers.

This is part of our commitment as an open, transparent and democratic society that we had envisioned at the start of democracy. It keeps South Africans informed and allows them to play an active role in the direction of the country.

Regulators and governance institutions established since 1994 ensure management of key sectors to meet the country’s needs and citizens have a say on matters that affect them.

In May 2015 NERSA had begun to process the Eskom application. This included a period of written comments from stakeholders which ended on 15 June 2015 and public hearings that were held on 23 and 24 June 2015.

NERSA afforded everyone, stakeholders and members of the public alike with an opportunity to participate in the public hearings. These were open meetings between officials and citizens, during which citizens offered their comments and views on application.

These interactions reflects the power of our democracy at work as more than 250 submissions had been made by members of the public and civil society organisations.

In keeping with our democratic principles, the views and interests of all stakeholders are incorporated into NERSA’s decisions. In assessing the Eskom application, NERSA would also consider all other possible funding options such as raising additional debt.

The Eskom application has been extensively discussed by the War-room on Energy and is one of a number of options that are being considered to ensure the continued supply of electricity and address Eskom’s financial stability.

Government appreciates the speedy conclusion of the process and thanks all South Africans for their input. As a people-led Government, we care about what citizens think and feel about the policies and programmes that we have put in place to address priorities as mandated by South Africans. We need to work together to move South Africa forward.