In a statement released on 21 September 2026, SAWIC & BE said it strongly condemns any form of intimidation, harassment, threats or abuse directed at women.

The organisation said that following the circulation of the video, questions have emerged about the identity and business interests of the individual involved, including allegations that companies associated with him have undertaken substantial construction work linked to public-sector entities, including SANRAL and the eThekwini Municipality.

SAWIC & BE stressed that it is not making a finding of fact regarding these allegations, but is calling on relevant government institutions to publicly clarify the facts.

Procurement and empowerment concerns

According to SAWIC & BE, the incident has brought into sharp focus a broader concern the organisation has raised for years: Who is genuinely benefiting from South Africa’s public infrastructure expenditure?

The organisation said South African women contractors continue to face enormous barriers in accessing meaningful construction opportunities, including direct government contracts, project finance, procurement opportunities, technical support and sustainable enterprise development.

“This concern is particularly serious when public entities responsible for infrastructure development are spending billions of rands while many women-owned construction companies remain unable to secure even a single meaningful direct contract,” the statement read.

SAWIC & BE has called on SANRAL and other public entities to provide clarity on:

1. What contracts were awarded to companies allegedly associated with the individual concerned.
2. The values, procurement methods, tender requirements and award criteria.
3. Ownership, B-BBEE, CSD, CIDB and other compliance requirements at the time of award.
4. Whether the companies were direct contractors, joint-venture partners, subcontractors or suppliers.
5. How many South African women-owned construction companies benefited where subcontracting obligations applied.
6. What percentage of project value reached genuine women-owned contractors and SMMEs.
7. How many SAWIC & BE members have been directly empowered through SANRAL’s programmes.
8. Mechanisms to prevent women-owned enterprises from being used merely for compliance.
9. What due diligence was undertaken on ownership and capacity.
10. If any irregularity is established, what corrective measures will follow.

Call for direct contracting

The organisation said women contractors must not be expected to remain permanently at the bottom of the construction value chain while large contracts are concentrated among established entities.

“Subcontracting can provide valuable opportunities, but it cannot become the permanent ceiling for women-owned construction companies,” SAWIC & BE said.

SAWIC & BE is demanding greater transparency on beneficial ownership, contract values, transformation requirements and women-owned business participation, as well as stronger monitoring of empowerment commitments and a structured engagement between government, SANRAL, municipalities and organised women-in-construction structures.

“South African women deserve answers. Women contractors deserve access to meaningful opportunities,” the organisation, led by President, Thembeka Mnisi, said.

The post SAWIC demands probe into public contracts appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

According to the organisation, the Climate Scientist was on vacation with friends at Cradle of Humankind in Krugersdorp, where she died. Police say they suspect a gas leak at the accommodation they booked in.

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“The police notified the family and cited that her cause of might have been the gas leak. Pending the outcome of the post-mortem and the conclusion of the police investigation,” read the statement.

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Mcunu’s family request privacy as they process her death. The family will hold a memorial Service on tomorrow in Sandton, Johannesburg. Her funeral will be at La Lucia in Durban on April 30.

Ndoni has experience spanning over 10 years, well-versed in the field of Science and Technology with a special focus on Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Space. Miss Mcunu is also a Ph.D. Candidate at Wits University with more alignment towards an action-oriented Climate Change Research focus.

Tributes pour in for Mcunu: 

https://twitter.com/ppa2/status/1516810482652430344

What a beautiful, uber smart and young black woman. All the tributes to her state her impactful contributions to environmental and other sciences. And how KIND & SUPPORTIVE she was

May her loved ones be comforted by how she was loved and respected by her friends and colleagues🇿🇦

— Kwanele Asante, MScMed🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@breastlessAfrik) April 19, 2022

Such a tragic passing of a pioneer, Ndoni Mcunu. Condolences to the family, may the good lord grant you strength during this painful ordeal. 🙏🏾

— Tebogo Ditshego (@TebogoDitshego) April 20, 2022

1516751381058707462

The post Scientist Ndoni Mcunu dies while on vacation appeared first on MP Mirror Online.