Day: April 23, 2023

The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has called on the public to comment on the draft legislative amendments to give effect to the two renewable energy tax incentives, announced in the 2023 Budget.

The proposals, which were published on Friday, assist in partially addressing the country’s energy crisis and encourage private investment into expanding electricity generation.

“This initial batch of the 2023 draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB) covers these two specific tax amendments, and are urgent, due to the proposed early effective dates for implementation, and to enhance certainty for individuals and businesses that would like to immediately invest in renewable energy.

“The publication of the initial batch of the 2023 draft TLAB enables an early, and additional, public comment process, that will enable the more detailed second round process of public comment when these provisions are incorporated in the more comprehensive 2023 draft TLAB in July 2023,” National Treasury said.

This initial batch of the 2023 draft TLAB is intended to solicit comments on the following two specific and urgent amendments and serves as notice to taxpayers for earlier effective dates of the proposed amendments.

Expansion of the renewable energy tax incentive

Under the enhanced renewable energy tax incentive, taxpayers who are conducting businesses will be able to claim a 125 percent tax deduction (in the first year) for qualifying capital expenditure in respect of all renewable energy projects, with no threshold on generation capacity.

The enhanced incentive will be available for a period of two years and apply to investments in renewable energy projects brought into use for the first time on or after 1 March 2023 and before 1 March 2025.

Rooftop solar tax incentive

With respect to the rooftop solar tax incentive, individuals will be able to receive a tax rebate to the value of 25 per cent of the cost of any new and unused solar PV panels, up to a maximum of R15 000.

“The rooftop solar tax incentive will be available for a period of one year and will apply to new and unused solar PV panels that are acquired by the individual and brought into use for the first time on or after 1 March 2023 and before 1 March 2024.

“The draft legislation and the accompanying draft explanatory memorandum containing a comprehensive description of the proposed amendments can be found on the National Treasury (www.treasury.gov.za) and SARS (www.sars.gov.za) websites,” National Treasury said.

Due date for public comments

Written comments can be forwarded to the National Treasury’s tax policy depository at 2022AnnexCProp@treasury.gov.za and SARS at acollins@sars.gov.za by the close of business on 15 May 2023.

Public comments may include proposals by body corporates on how the rooftop solar incentive could be applied to members of the body corporate if a body corporate were to install solar PV panels for members’ benefit.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the North West are offering a reward of up to R100 000 for any information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the murder of a retired police officer.

Fifty-three year old retired Warrant Officer Johannes Butiki Shaba was attacked and fatally shot by four attackers in May last year in Unit 5, Mogwase, whilst accompanying his 57-year-old friend.

“The friend was visiting a tenant, whilst Shaba remained in the vehicle; a Toyota Hilux Legend 50 bakkie. Upon returning to his vehicle, the victim’s friend was confronted by a suspect, who demanded his vehicle key.

“The suspect then started to assault him and Shaba came to his aid, but was shot twice by the suspects, who fled the scene in the hijacked bakkie. During the incident, a 9mm Norinco pistol and cellular phone were stolen,” the office of the Provincial Commissioner in North West said on Sunday.

Shaba was rushed to a local health centre, where he passed on the same night. The vehicle was later found abandoned at Thekwane, close to Rustenburg.

Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena has urged the community to come forward with information that will ensure that these ruthless criminals are brought to book to face the full might of the law.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the Investigating Officer, Captain Lesego Mosimane of Mogwase Detectives on cell: 082 416 3083.

Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the MySAPSApp from your smart phone or call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop on ?08600 10111.?

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform said it has received an additional list of over 160 schools that require water, especially in the Kavango East, Zambezi, Omusati, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Kavango West and Kunene regions.

Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, said this in a statement read on his behalf at the event recognizing the Open Defecation Free Status of sections of the Samora Machel and Moses //Garoeb constituencies in Windhoek on Saturday.

“My ministry has been mandated to provide access to portable water to rural communities and resettlement farmers and contribute towards the provision of improved sanitation services to all beneficiaries of its programmes and projects,” Schlettwein is quoted as saying.

He said with regard to sanitation coordination, the country is not doing so well, thus, the ministry has embarked on practical efforts aimed at scaling up construction of sanitation facilities countrywide.

Schlettwein explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry collaborated with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture to connect over 200 schools to water sources across the country.

However, the ministry recently received an additional list of over 160 schools that require water.

“The ministry has begun to address this request. Through the Namibia Water Sector Support Program, we will construct sanitation facilities at 56 schools, 15 clinics across the country and public places respectively,” he noted.

The key targets for 2023 are,the establishment of a reliable early warning system, commencement of the bidding process for Oshakati Treatment Plant, Ohangwena Wellfield, Ruacana South Water Supply Scheme (WSS), Katima-Kongola WSS, and Iitapa – Okeeholongo WSS, he said.

Other key targets include the drilling of boreholes for crocodile prone villages along the rivers, finalization of negotiations with Angola on the commissioning of Caluegue pumpstation, the finalisation of negotiations with South Africa on the Orange River and the desire by Namibia to construct a dam at Vioolsdrift.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongwela-Amadhila, on Sunday afternoon survived a road accident involving three vehicles on the B1 road outside Otjiwarongo.

The premier’s official luxury black Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Sport Utility Vehicle allegedly rolled twice before coming to halt at approximately 170 metres from where a side-swipe collision had occurred.

Namibian Police Force’s Otjozondjupa Regional Commander, Commissioner Heinrich Tjiveze in an interview with Nampa at the accident scene confirmed the collision saying the accident occurred at about 15 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo on the B1 road, without providing further details.

However, two police officers who arrived on the scene earlier told this news agency on condition of anonymity that the prime minister was taken to Windhoek in a stable condition.

It is alleged that her official vehicle bumped into the rear right side of a 16-seater bus which was transporting four officials of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).

The ECN officials, including the 44-year-old male driver, also survived the accident.

The prime minister’s motorcade was travelling from the direction of Otjiwarongo towards Okahandja, while the other two vehicles which were headed in the opposite.

The constable police officers further stated that a third vehicle which was involved was being operated by tourists and they also survived the accident.

Police investigations in the matter continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has restated its commitment towards evacuating stranded Nigerians in Sudan.

The Director-General of the agency, Mr Mustapha Ahmed stated this in a statement issued by the Head of its Press Unit, Mr Manzo Ezekiel on Saturday in Abuja.

NEMA, he said, has set up a committee which was already working on all possible options of ensuring the safe return of Nigerians from the conflict-ridden Sudan, especially students in its various universities.

He said the committee comprised of professional emergency responders, search and rescue experts, who would constantly evaluate the situation and recommend the safest approach for the evacuation.

“It has become necessary to inform the public that NEMA is in constant communication with all relevant partners including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and security agencies.

“While seeking for an appropriate window of opportunity to evacuate all stranded Nigerians back home in a safe and dignified manner.

“The current emergency situation in Sudan is very complex with fighting between waring factions going on and all airports and land boarders closed,” he said.

He assured Nigerians that NEMA was working assiduously with all its partners, and is constantly compiling updated information on the situation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that clashes erupted amid an apparent power struggle between the two main factions of Sudan’s military regime.

The Sudanese armed forces are broadly loyal to Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the country’s de facto ruler, while the para militaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a collection of militia, follow the former warlord Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.

The power struggle has its roots in the years before a 2019 uprising that ousted the dictatorial ruler Omar Al-Bashir, who built up formidable security forces that he deliberately set against one another.

When an effort to transition to a democratic civilian-led government faltered after Bashir’s fall, an eventual showdown appeared inevitable, with diplomats in Khartoum warning in early 2022 that they feared such an outbreak of violence.

In recent weeks, tensions have risen further.

The UN said no fewer than 180 people have been killed and another 1,800 injured in three days of fighting between the rival factions in Sudan.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has approved a comprehensive climate change agenda to address emerging concerns about climate change and its impact on the state.

The approval is contained in a statement by Malam Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to the governor, on Saturday in Osogbo.

According to the statement, the climate agenda is part of the state government’s efforts to mark the World Earth Day.

The statement noted that the new agenda included the making of a climate change and adaptation policy for state.

It also included the creation of the state climate advisory board, the establishment of climate tracking research unit at the state University and the development of annual state energy report.

The statement added that the hosting of a post COP 27 conference for sub-national entities in Nigeria is also part of the agenda.

The 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Paris Agreement (COP 27), was held from Nov. 6 to Nov. 20, 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

A decision was made at the conference to establish and operationalise a loss and damage fund.

The statement quoted Adeleke as saying that the approval of the climate programme was in fulfillment of his election promises to address the threatening environmental crises facing Osun and the world at large.

“I take note of global climate crises and I believe we cannot leave the issue to the Federal Government alone.

“States must take active part in the movement to save the planet from imminent extinction. Our climate agenda is all inclusive,” he said.

According to the statement, Adeleke, on the Earth Day, directed the announcement of the climate agenda to reconfirm his administration’s resolve to make Osun the most climate friendly state in Nigeria.

“Our administration will invest in making Osun a truly green economy by mainstreaming climate matters in health, education, infrastructure, finance, mining, technology as well as gender and youth matters.

“Our state will become truly resilient and emerge as a strong partner in the climate adaptability movement,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Earth Day is being celebrated yearly on April 22, to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria