General Valuation Roll 2023

Every year we see municipal rates and service charges increase but it is questionable whether service delivery matches the charges. In 2021, the City of Ekurhuleni pushed property rates up by as high as 2615% on some properties, making it completely unaffordable for residents. This is a common occurrence throughout South Africa and OUTA believes that it needs to stop. 

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Ekurhuleni Valuation Roll

OUTA has been alerted to concerning escalations in municipal property evaluations from concerned Ekurhuleni residents. These escalations will significantly increase Ekurhuleni residents monthly rates bills. Some residents have noted that their rates bill will increase by more than R2000 per month.

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Private prosecution

The state's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is the only institution legally authorised to bring a criminal prosecution. If the NPA formally declines to prosecute, a person directly affected by the crime may bring a private prosecution, but under the current law an organisation or entity may not.

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National Lottery Commission

OUTA has been investigating the misuse of Lotto funds by the National Lotteries Commission.

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USAASA

The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) project focuses on the provision of set-top boxes to qualifying households as part of the broadcasting digital migration program (BDM).

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Removing Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane as the Public Protector

Since 2018, OUTA campaigned for the removal of Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane as the Public Protector, due to incompetence. This included petitioning parliament for an inquiry, supported by submissions detailing problems with Mkhwebane. In September 2023, after a parliamentary inquiry and a vote by the National Assembly, the President removed Mkhwebane from her position.

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NRCS project

OUTA aims to encourage improvement in the efficacy and efficiency of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), which is a state-owned agency of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The NRCS is responsible for the development and enforcement of compulsory specifications and technical regulations.

OUTA’s involvement follows high levels of dissatisfaction and concern among industries and business over the efficacy of the framework and its implementation.

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SASSA social grant debacle

Outa is challenging the CPS because of misuse of beneficiary personal information to market products that are no related to grants; such as selling airtime and funeral policies; and corruption. Former Minister of Social Development and the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) appears to have misrepresented many facts in order to keep the SASSA/CPS contract going. She created and appointed work streams to prepare SASSA to take over grant payments.

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SASSA wasteful expenditure, corruption and tender irregularities: Public Protector upholds OUTA complaint

In 2017 and 2018, OUTA submitted complaints to authorities about two huge contracts awarded by the state agency the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). There was no action until, in October 2022, the Acting Public Protector ordered the Hawks to investigate and SASSA to take action against 11 implicated officials.

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SABC COO – Hlaudi Motsoeneng Tender Irregularities and Corruption

With SABC’s declining financial woes, OUTA is concerned that the abuse by SABC executives of state funds for personal benefit is unacceptable and culprits like James Aguma and Faith Muthambi – who ratified Hlaudi’s appointment –  need to be held accountable and repay funds illegitimately gained.

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