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Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola says the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will introduce a new Bill that will enable victims of gender-based violence (GBV) to apply for a protection order online.
While outlining the department's priorities during a virtual sitting of the National Assembly, the Minister said: “I am pleased that our Domestic Violence Bill will introduce modernisation in a radical form. If passed, our Domestic Violence Bill will make it possible for one to apply for a protection order online.
“This will be a leap forward in the fight against GBV and femicide.”
Minister Lamola added that this was the first of several reforms the department wanted to introduce.
“For instance, there is no reason why uncontested divorce applications and maintenance applications cannot be done online.”
Reiterating the department's commitment to fighting GBV, the Minister said the criminal justice system continues to place victims at the centre of its efforts.
“In the past financial year, we have unveiled 13 sexual offences courts across the country which are victim centric in nature.”
There are now four GBV-related laws – Criminal
Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, Judicial Matters Amendment Act, Recognition of Customary Marriages Amendment Act and Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act.
In addition, three Bills, which further seek to address GBV, have been submitted to Parliament.
“These will amend the National Register for Sex Offenders, the Domestic Violence Act and regulate bail conditions for people who are accused of committing a sexual offence.”
In the current financial year, the department will also introduce Femicide Watch, which is a special monitoring system to highlight and track violent crimes committed against women.
recovery,” he said.
Receiving the recommendations contained in the report of the Presidential Commission on 4IR, the President said digital transformation should be harnessed to change the way South Africans live, learn, work and govern.
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella NdabeniAbrahams and Deputy Chairperson of the Commission Professor Tshilidzi Marwala presented the report to the President recently.
The commission, which includes leaders from academia, business and civil society, combined research and stakeholder engagements to generate a comprehensive view of South Africa's current conditions as well as the prospects in the 4IR.
It deliberated on the opportunities that enable South Africa to craft a shared 4IR future, as well as the constraints
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) is set to conduct a trial to the first digital census to be conducted in the country.
“The Census 2021 Trial, scheduled to run from 10 August to 6 September 2020 in selected areas around the country will test online and telephonic data collection to prepare for remote data collection in the upcoming Census 2021,” said Stats SA.
Census 2021 is the first population count to introduce digital census taking through the use of online and telephonic data collection platforms, which will also allow respondents to complete the census questionnaire on their own.
Telephonic data collection provides for respondents to participate in the census with the assistance of a Stats SA call centre agent.
The increased use of cellphones and the current that are in place.This included international benchmarking which delivered insights into the possibilities for the competitive positioning of South Africa in the 4IR landscape globally.
The commission has made recommendations on the country's investment in human capital; artificial intelligence; advanced manufacturing and new materials; the provision of data to enable innovation; future industries and 4IR infrastructure. President Ramaphosa welcomed the report, which the commission will present to Cabinet before it is published.
The report will form the basis of a national discussion on how all sectors of society can contribute to a technologically enabled future that brings about greater economic and social inclusion, and enhances the competitiveness of the South African economy. technology-driven digital era will minimise the challenge of reaching hard to access communities, thus allowing more people to participate in the census.
Stats SA said participating in the Census 2021 Trial requires respondents to register through a platform that is available on Stats SA online and social media platforms.
Respondents may also contact Stats SA via its tollfree number 0800 110 248 for further assistance.
A census provides small area data on demographics, socio-economic and living conditions of the population.
It assists with forming the basis for active community participation in reviewing access to public services, among other issues.The government and different sectors of society use data collected via a census for policy formulation, decision-making and planning.