Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has reaffirmed the province’s commitment to constitutional governance, public safety, social cohesion and human dignity.

“Strong societies are built not by choosing between compassion and lawfulness, but by embracing both,” he said.

Ntuli made the remarks while addressing the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Thursday, outlining government’s approach to managing the growing challenge of undocumented migration in the province.

Placing the issue within a broader global context, Ntuli noted that migration has historically contributed to human progress, economic development, and cultural exchange, but said undocumented migration has become a significant governance challenge worldwide.

“Migration itself is not the problem. The challenge before governments is how to manage migration in a manner that protects human dignity, safeguards the rule of law, strengthens public confidence, and ensures that development benefits all who live within our communities,” he said.

Ntuli acknowledged growing concerns raised by communities across KwaZulu-Natal about the impact of undocumented migration on public safety, local economies, labour markets, service delivery and social cohesion.

He stressed that government will continue to distinguish between lawful migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and individuals residing in the country without legal status.

“Our responsibility is to confront facts with facts, challenges with solutions and anxieties with leadership. We must reject xenophobia and discrimination in all their forms, but we must equally reject the notion that the rule of law is optional,” he said.

Ntuli reiterated that South Africa’s Constitution demands both the protection of human rights and the enforcement of lawful governance.

“Human dignity and lawful governance are not opposing choices. They are mutually reinforcing obligations. A state that exercises compassion must also exercise responsibility,” he said.

The Premier also announced that the province will convene its second Provincial Round Table on Undocumented Foreign Nationals in June, as part of efforts to strengthen migration governance and address challenges linked to undocumented migration.

The round table follows a series of multi-stakeholder engagements involving government departments, law enforcement agencies, traditional leaders, organised business, labour formations, civil society organisations, faith-based institutions, academics and community representatives.

He said the June gathering is expected to adopt a comprehensive Programme of Action and formalise an integrated provincial response to migration-related challenges.

Describing the upcoming engagement as a defining moment for the province, Ntuli called for broad societal participation, emphasising that migration management requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

“The reality before us is that no single institution can address this challenge alone. Government cannot succeed in isolation, law enforcement agencies cannot succeed without community support, [and] municipalities cannot succeed without cooperation from national departments,” Ntuli said.

He urged all sectors of society to play an active role in developing practical and sustainable solutions.
“Let us reject the politics of division, fear and scapegoating. Let us equally reject complacency and inaction. Instead, let us come together as responsible citizens and institutions committed to building a province that is secure, lawful, inclusive, and prosperous,” the Premier said.

Ntuli said the success of the province’s migration management efforts would depend on the strength of partnerships forged across society.

“The forthcoming round table represents more than a policy discussion. It is an opportunity to forge a new provincial compact on migration governance, public safety, social cohesion, and shared responsibility.

“Together, we can demonstrate that KwaZulu-Natal has both the courage to confront difficult challenges and the wisdom to solve them through dialogue, partnership and decisive action. That is the path we have chosen, the responsibility we carry, and the commitment we make to the people of KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.

The Premier also highlighted the province’s ongoing Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla Programme of Action — loosely translated as “He who does not come through proper channels is forcing his way in”, which was launched to strengthen migration governance, support law enforcement operations, combat criminal syndicates, enhance intergovernmental coordination, and restore public confidence in the state’s ability to uphold the law. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the suspension of nine police officers, who served as members of the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) in relation to the Medicare24 tender process.

“The affected members have been placed on suspension pending the finalisation of disciplinary and related investigations. SAPS remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency and ethical conduct in all its operations.

“As the matter is subject to ongoing processes, SAPS will not comment further at this stage,” the police said. 

READ | Suspended police commissioner appears in court. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African government has issued a call for sponsorships and strategic partnerships ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit 2026, inviting businesses, development partners, and civil society organisations to support one of the region’s most significant diplomatic and economic gatherings.

South Africa is set to host the summit in August 2026 as part of its SADC Chairship, with preparations beginning well in advance to ensure a successful event that promotes regional cooperation and development.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was elected interim Chairperson of SADC during a virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held on 7 November 2025. The decision followed the Republic of Madagascar’s move to relinquish its role as SADC Chair due to recent political developments that affected its capacity to fulfil the responsibilities of the position.

According to the sponsorship appeal issued by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), government is seeking collaboration from international donors, development finance institutions, private sector companies, State-owned entities, and civil society organisations. 

Potential partners are encouraged to contribute through financial support, goods and services or strategic partnerships that will help deliver not only the summit itself but also related ministerial meetings, stakeholder engagements, side events and associated initiatives.

Officials said the summit will provide a high-profile platform for advancing regional priorities, including sustainable development, innovation, infrastructure growth, trade, and investment across Southern Africa. 

The event is expected to bring together government leaders, policymakers, business representatives, and development stakeholders from across the region.

The GCIS emphasised that all sponsorship arrangements will be conducted through formal agreements that clearly define deliverables, branding opportunities, governance structures and implementation timelines. 

It also stressed that sponsorships must comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), National Treasury regulations, and other government protocols to ensure transparency and accountability.

“No remuneration will be offered for sponsorship contributions,” government said, adding that sponsors will receive recognition in accordance with the value and nature of their support, subject to approval processes and official sponsorship guidelines.

The sponsorship campaign highlights the summit’s potential to strengthen regional integration and create long-term partnerships that extend beyond the event itself. 

Organisers describe the gathering as an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to a successful and globally respected SADC Summit, while supporting South Africa’s efforts to promote shared prosperity across the region.

Areas identified for sponsorship support include conference and summit venues, transport and mobility, hospitality and accommodation, media and broadcasting services, information and communications technology (ICT) connectivity, branding and printing, security and protocol services, sustainability and green initiatives, delegate welcome packs and gifts, and cultural and tourism showcases.

Applications for sponsorships are open and are set to close on 18 August 2026. 

Interested organisations can submit sponsorship applications and expressions of interest via email to SADCsponsorship@gcis.gov.za and Gcobisa@gcis.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has reaffirmed the province’s commitment to constitutional governance, public safety, social cohesion and human dignity.

“Strong societies are built not by choosing between compassion and lawfulness, but by embracing both,” he said.

Ntuli made the remarks while addressing the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Thursday, outlining government’s approach to managing the growing challenge of undocumented migration in the province.

Placing the issue within a broader global context, Ntuli noted that migration has historically contributed to human progress, economic development, and cultural exchange, but said undocumented migration has become a significant governance challenge worldwide.

“Migration itself is not the problem. The challenge before governments is how to manage migration in a manner that protects human dignity, safeguards the rule of law, strengthens public confidence, and ensures that development benefits all who live within our communities,” he said.

Ntuli acknowledged growing concerns raised by communities across KwaZulu-Natal about the impact of undocumented migration on public safety, local economies, labour markets, service delivery and social cohesion.

He stressed that government will continue to distinguish between lawful migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and individuals residing in the country without legal status.

“Our responsibility is to confront facts with facts, challenges with solutions and anxieties with leadership. We must reject xenophobia and discrimination in all their forms, but we must equally reject the notion that the rule of law is optional,” he said.

Ntuli reiterated that South Africa’s Constitution demands both the protection of human rights and the enforcement of lawful governance.

“Human dignity and lawful governance are not opposing choices. They are mutually reinforcing obligations. A state that exercises compassion must also exercise responsibility,” he said.

Provincial round table on undocumented foreign nationals

The Premier also announced that the province will convene its second Provincial Round Table on Undocumented Foreign Nationals in June, as part of efforts to strengthen migration governance and address challenges linked to undocumented migration.

The round table follows a series of multi-stakeholder engagements involving government departments, law enforcement agencies, traditional leaders, organised business, labour formations, civil society organisations, faith-based institutions, academics and community representatives.

He said the June gathering is expected to adopt a comprehensive Programme of Action and formalise an integrated provincial response to migration-related challenges.

Describing the upcoming engagement as a defining moment for the province, Ntuli called for broad societal participation, emphasising that migration management requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

“The reality before us is that no single institution can address this challenge alone. Government cannot succeed in isolation, law enforcement agencies cannot succeed without community support, [and] municipalities cannot succeed without cooperation from national departments,” Ntuli said.

He urged all sectors of society to play an active role in developing practical and sustainable solutions.

“Let us reject the politics of division, fear and scapegoating. Let us equally reject complacency and inaction. Instead, let us come together as responsible citizens and institutions committed to building a province that is secure, lawful, inclusive, and prosperous.”

He said the success of the province’s migration management efforts would depend on the strength of partnerships forged across society.

“The forthcoming round table represents more than a policy discussion. It is an opportunity to forge a new provincial compact on migration governance, public safety, social cohesion, and shared responsibility.

“Together, we can demonstrate that KwaZulu-Natal has both the courage to confront difficult challenges and the wisdom to solve them through dialogue, partnership and decisive action. That is the path we have chosen, the responsibility we carry, and the commitment we make to the people of KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.

The Premier also highlighted the province’s ongoing Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla Programme of Action — loosely translated as “He who does not come through proper channels is forcing his way in”, which was launched to strengthen migration governance, support law enforcement operations, combat criminal syndicates, enhance intergovernmental coordination, and restore public confidence in the state’s ability to uphold the law. – SAnews.gov.za

The City of Tshwane has announced that the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant has resumed operations following the successful repair of a critical raw water pump that had caused disruptions to water production earlier this week.

The plant suffered a mechanical breakdown at its raw water abstraction works section on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, preventing the facility from abstracting and treating raw water. 

The incident affected water supply to several communities in Region 7.

According to the city, technicians completed repairs on the pump on Thursday night, after which extensive testing and monitoring were undertaken. 

The repaired pump has since been operating continuously and remains stable without any interruptions.

Water production at the plant has reached nine megalitres per day and is expected to increase progressively as sump levels recover. This will enable operators to gradually restore full treatment and distribution capacity across the network.

The city reported that the Bronkhorstspruit and Zithobeni reservoirs are already showing signs of recovery following the restoration of production. 

However, reservoirs serving Ekandustria remain at low levels and are expected to improve as output from the treatment plant increases throughout the day.

Despite the progress, some residents may continue to experience low water pressure or intermittent supply while the system recovers, particularly in areas supplied by lower storage reservoirs.

The city said operational teams are continuing to monitor the network closely and will increase production in a controlled manner to ensure system stability.

The municipality has appealed to residents to use water sparingly during the recovery period to assist in restoring reservoir levels. Consumers have also been advised to flush the first flow of water before using it for household purposes.

The city said it will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.

Residents have been encouraged to report water supply interruptions, burst pipes, leaking water meters and blocked street sewers by calling 012 358 9999 or 080 1111 556. – SAnews.gov.za

Eskom and Zululand Energy Terminal (ZET) have signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) establishing the framework for a long-term strategic partnership to support South Africa’s gas-to-power programme. 

“Eskom will assume ‘foundation customer’ status at the proposed Zululand Energy Terminal, which will provide open access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) import, storage and regasification infrastructure, underpinning Eskom’s planned 3 000MW gas-to-power programme,” Eskom and ZET said in a joint statement.

At the signing ceremony on Friday, Eskom and Zululand Energy Terminal reaffirmed their commitment to make progress on the necessary regulatory approvals, long-term commercial contracting approach and structuring, and the infrastructure development required to bring the project to fruition. 

ZET is a joint venture between Vopak Terminal Durban, which is owned by Royal Vopak (a company with its head office in the Netherlands), Reatile Group Proprietary Limited (a South African company) and Transnet Pipelines (a division of Transnet SOC Ltd). ZET was awarded a concession by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to develop, construct, operate and maintain the LNG terminal.

The partnership represents a significant step in advancing South Africa’s gas infrastructure ecosystem. It also supports national efforts to diversify energy supply, strengthen energy security and enable economic growth.

Backed by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, the Ministry of Transport and Transnet, the project will help facilitate gas-to-power development, providing the flexible and dispatchable generation capacity required to complement renewable energy, maintain grid stability and support the country’s long-term energy transition.

Eskom’s Richards Bay 3 000MW Gas-to-Power Project is to be constructed and operated in the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The Eskom Richards Bay Project envisages the importation and consumption of regasified LNG as the primary fuel source of the power plant. The lifecycle of the power plant is expected to be 25 years and the power plant is planned to operate primarily as a mid-merit plant. It is designated as a Strategic Integrated Project in terms of the Infrastructure Development Act 23 of 2014 and by the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025.

The project will be developed through a Private Sector Participation (PSP) model, leveraging strategic partners, project finance, and long-term power off-take arrangements. 

The downstream power plant represents a large-scale capital investment, attracting international capital and accelerating industrial development within Richards Bay.

“Gas is being used as a bridge fuel to support the transition to a low-carbon energy system. These gas plants are designed to complement intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind, ensuring reliable 24/7 power, while clean energy technologies are being developed and introduced onto the grid. The availability of dispatchable power is at the very heart of the energy transition and industry cannot operate without it as it forms the backbone for renewable energy integration into the grid. 

“Securing ‘foundation customer’ status at the Zululand Energy Terminal provides a critical enabler for our 3 000MW gas programme, with the intention of a long-term contracting approach to minimise volatility and support system reliability while aligning with the IRP 2025 objectives,” said Eskom’s Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane.

Meanwhile, Zululand Energy Terminal Director and Project Owner, Oliver Naidu, said the signing marks a significant milestone for ZET, as it advances its role in supporting South Africa’s energy future. 

“As one of our anchor customers, Eskom’s participation demonstrates growing confidence in LNG as an enabler of energy security, grid stability and industrial growth. 

“This agreement strengthens the commercial foundation of the terminal, and we look forward to building a long-term partnership as we progress towards a Terminal Use Agreement, financial close and the delivery of South Africa’s first LNG import terminal,” said Naidu.

Strengthening energy security

IRP 2025 calls for 6 000MW of gas by 2030, with 3 000MW to be procured under the Gas Independent Power Provider (IPP) programme, and 3 000MW to be delivered by Eskom.

To achieve this, the partnership directly addresses three core operational imperatives:
● Energy security and renewable support: Gas is required to ensure and guarantee energy security, while reducing coal dependence and supporting the increased reliance on intermittent renewables, as per IRP 2025.
● Grid stabilisation and diesel utilisation reduction: Gas will co-exist with Eskom’s other grid stabilisation energy sources, such as batteries and pumped hydro, and will help reduce diesel usage for mid-merit operation. There is the requirement for all solutions to work together as South Africa transitions its energy system to renewables in a liberalised marketplace.
● Mitigating the gas cliff: The project also addresses the emerging and anticipated gas cliff (a depletion/tapering off of gas supply from Mozambique’s Pande and Temane fields), positioning gas as a key enabler for both power generation and industrial use. While the primary focus is power generation, it remains important to support and enable broader industrialisation. – SAnews.gov.za

The Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum (BMIACF) will host its quarterly anti-corruption campaign at Oshoek Port of Entry on 10 June 2026. 

The BMIACF is chaired by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and seeks to proactively root out corruption from South Africa’s ports of entry.

Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato — together with Acting SIU Head, Leonard Lekgetho, Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode and the Executive Mayor of the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality, Mbuso Magubane and representatives from other government institutions — will lead the campaign. 

The leaders will demonstrate their commitment to fighting corruption by publicly signing a pledge to take a firm stand against corruption, while also calling on officials at the border to follow their lead.

On the day, incarcerated offenders, who have been sentenced on charges of fraud and corruption related activities, will share the human and financial cost of engaging in corrupt activities. 

Moreover, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) will share their strategies on organised crime and corruption at ports of entry, while also providing details on conviction statistics. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa will dispatch envoys across the African continent and to other parts of the world, as government intensifies diplomatic efforts to address migration challenges facing the country.

The announcement came during a media briefing at the Union Buildings on Thursday following official talks between President Ramaphosa and Kenyan President William Ruto during the Kenya State Visit to South Africa. 

Responding to questions on migration and regional stability, President Ramaphosa said government is exploring a range of diplomatic initiatives aimed at securing greater cooperation from countries across the continent and beyond.

“We are considering a number of initiatives at the diplomatic level. We are talking to a number of sister countries on our continent, with a view of getting more understanding,” the President said.

In a significant indication of government’s next steps, President Ramaphosa confirmed that South Africa will deploy envoys to engage countries on migration-related matters.

“There will be envoys. There will be people that we will [deploy], not only on the continent, but also around the world.”

The President said the aim would be to broaden international cooperation on migration and ensure that countries work together to address the root causes of population movements.

“What we seek to do is to get the issue of migration… broadly and properly addressed, and… get as many key role players, countries, leaders and countries to work together to address the challenge of migration.” 

The comments come amid heightened public debate around illegal migration and growing calls for government to address challenges associated with undocumented migrants.

President Ramaphosa stressed that migration is not a challenge unique to South Africa and requires a coordinated international response.

“[African countries] should develop a much stronger method of helping each other to resolve problems, continental problems and national problems,” he said.

The President said discussions on migration had also featured prominently during his engagement with President Ruto, underscoring the importance of continental cooperation in finding sustainable solutions.

“We have found joy in being able to talk at a deep level with various leaders, including with President Ruto, where we shared some thoughts and ideas on how best this challenge can be resolved.” 

President Ramaphosa said South Africa intends to learn from the experiences of other countries that have grappled with similar migration pressures.

“South Africa is not the only country that is facing the challenge of migration, and we want one to learn from how others have dealt with it and how they’ve dealt with the intricate problems that we are dealing with.”

The President acknowledged that South Africa remains an attractive destination for many people seeking economic opportunities and a better quality of life. “South Africa has become an oasis… of people who want to come here for a whole number of reasons.” 

He indicated that addressing migration effectively would require cooperation between countries of origin, transit and destination, as well as a better understanding of the economic and social factors driving migration across the continent.

The diplomatic outreach forms part of broader discussions between South Africa and Kenya on migration and regional stability.

Earlier during the State Visit, Presidents Ramaphosa and Ruto agreed that migration should be addressed through greater continental cooperation, economic development and the creation of opportunities across Africa.

The two leaders emphasised that reducing migration pressures would require African countries to work together to tackle unemployment, inequality and underdevelopment, while strengthening regional integration and cooperation. – SAnews.gov.za