Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has urged communities to exercise extra caution following severe weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) in parts of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

According to SAWS, the weather system is expected to bring widespread bitterly cold, wet and windy conditions across several provinces, with flooding anticipated in parts of the Eastern and Western Cape from 3 to 4 June 2026.

Light snowfall is also anticipated over the higher-lying mountains of the cape provinces and the Drakensberg mountain range.

In response to the warning, the Minister said the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) is working closely with provincial and local disaster management centres to monitor the situation and coordinate response measures where necessary.

To strengthen preparedness and ensure a coordinated response, the following measures have been implemented:

• Provincial Disaster Management Joint Operations Centres (JOCs) have been activated in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
• Municipal Disaster Management JOCs have been activated in affected districts and metropolitan municipalities.
• South African Search and Rescue teams have been placed on standby.
• The National Joint Flood Coordinating Committee (NJFCC), including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), has been activated to ensure intergovernmental coordination.
• Temporary Mass Care Centres have been identified to accommodate affected residents should the need arise.

The NDMC will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the situation evolves.

“Members of the public are strongly encouraged to regularly monitor official weather forecasts and warnings issued by SAWS, as these will be updated continuously based on changing weather conditions and potential impacts. 

“The public is also advised to remain vigilant against unauthorised or unverified information and to refrain from sharing such content,” Hlabisa said.

The public is therefore advised to:

• Monitor official weather updates and warnings issued by the South African Weather Service.
• Avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
• Never attempt to cross flooded roads, bridges, or swollen rivers.
• Secure loose outdoor objects that may be displaced by strong winds.
• Exercise extreme caution along coastal areas and avoid fishing or recreational activities at sea during the warning period.
• Ensure adequate shelter, warmth, food, and protection for livestock and pets.

Hlabisa emphasised that preparedness and vigilance remain critical in reducing the impact of severe weather events and safeguarding lives, property, and livelihoods. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged murder of 19-year-old Nhlamulo Sambo in Mossel Bay, Western Cape.

Initial reports claimed that Sambo was targeted during protests against illegal migration. However, police have confirmed that there is no evidence linking his death to tribalism, xenophobia, anti-immigration protests, or his identity as a Tsonga-speaking South African.

Instead, preliminary investigations indicate that Sambo and a 15-year-old companion were found inside a shack in Mossel Bay by its owner, before a confrontation broke out.

Sambo reportedly fled during the confrontation, while the younger boy hid under a bed inside the shack.

The 23-year-old suspect is expected to appear in court soon.

Police clarified the circumstances surrounding Sambo’s death after social media platforms were flooded with claims that he had been attacked because he was Tsonga and was allegedly mistaken for a foreign national amid ongoing tensions over illegal immigration in parts of the Western Cape. – SAnews.gov.za

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane says the future of human settlements delivery depends on the ability to align planning, infrastructure, financing, regulation, and implementation behind a common vision.

The Minister’s remarks come as the Department of Human Settlements faces significant budget constraints, with R26.97 billion allocated for the 2026/27 financial year, representing a reduction of nearly R7 billion compared with the previous year.

Addressing the Tshwane Human Settlements Symposium in Centurion on Tuesday, Simelane said mounting housing demand, rapid urbanisation, infrastructure constraints and budget pressures require government and its partners to adopt more innovative and coordinated approaches to housing delivery.

She warned that the budget cuts would have a substantial impact on the department’s Medium-Term Development Plan targets, making partnerships and innovation increasingly critical to achieving housing objectives.

“This means, going forward, we will have to do more with less and become more innovative in how we deliver human settlements. These realities require us to think differently, stronger partnerships, innovation, and most importantly, they require coordinated action,” Simelane said.

Despite financial pressures, the Minister said the department has set ambitious national targets for the current financial year, including the delivery of 39 058 housing units, completion of 25 186 serviced sites, approval of 11 358 First Home Finance applications, and the disbursement of 9 231 housing subsidies.

She stressed that housing development opportunities must be understood beyond the traditional delivery of top structures, and include fully subsidised housing, serviced sites, affordable home ownership opportunities, rental and social housing, first home finance, mixed-use developments, and the release of well-located land for integrated human settlements.

The Minister highlighted that the First Home Finance Programme has exceeded its target by 200% during the 2025/26 financial year, assisting 8 544 households compared with an initial target of 4 272.

She said the programme’s performance demonstrates the effectiveness of partnerships between government, financial institutions, and developers in expanding access to affordable housing.

“The gap market is real. Demand is strong. Government support can unlock home ownership when it is properly aligned with financing institutions, developers, and beneficiaries,” the Minister said.

Infrastructure remains a major constraint

Simelane identified inadequate infrastructure and delays in land release as some of the biggest obstacles to housing delivery.

She noted that South Africa faces an estimated infrastructure financing shortfall of approximately R13 trillion, warning that housing projects cannot succeed without sufficient bulk infrastructure.

“A housing project without bulk infrastructure is a promise waiting to fail. A land parcel without water, sanitation, roads, and electricity is not yet a settlement opportunity. A well-located land parcel that is not released, serviced, or connected to infrastructure remains potential rather than delivery,” the Minister said.

She said the department has prioritised efforts to unblock stalled housing projects. During the 2025/26 financial year, 85 of 212 blocked projects identified nationwide were successfully unblocked, resulting in the delivery of 1 136 housing units across several provinces.

“This experience has taught us that projects are rarely blocked by a single issue. The issues are multi-layered and multi-context.”

The Minister also outlined several regulatory reforms aimed at accelerating housing delivery and creating greater certainty for investors.

These include the development of a new Human Settlements Act to replace the Housing Act of 1997, a modernised Human Settlements Code and amendments to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act.

The reforms intend to improve policy coherence, reduce administrative bottlenecks and unlock development-ready land.

“There is no developer, investor and financier who would want to invest in a chaotic environment,” Simelane said, referring to proposed amendments to legislation governing unlawful occupation of land.

Blended finance and innovation

Simelane called for greater use of blended finance models, arguing that public funding alone cannot meet the country’s housing needs.

She said government resources should increasingly be used to attract investment from commercial banks, development finance institutions, pension funds and the private sector.

“Investment follows certainty. Where projects are well planned and development-ready, financing becomes easier to mobilise and implementation becomes easier to achieve,” Simelane said.

Concluding her address, Simelane emphasised that the success of the country’s human settlements programme would ultimately depend on stronger collaboration among government, municipalities, developers, financiers, researchers and communities.

“The true measure of this symposium will not be today’s discussions. It will be the actions that follow. Together, we can build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient human settlements that improve lives, restore dignity, and contribute to South Africa’s long-term development,” Simelane said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in Mozambique in connection with the brutal murder of two South African tourists.

The bodies of Dina and Ernst Marais were discovered nearly two weeks ago near a river area in the northern section of the Kruger National Park after a search operation was launched when the couple failed to return to their camp.

The suspects reportedly confessed to the crimes, and the vehicle belonging to Mr and Mrs Marais has been recovered.

“South Africa will now start the formal extradition process to get the suspects to South Africa to stand trial for this heinous crime,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

Aucamp has called on law enforcement to ensure the suspects are brought back to the country to account for their crimes. 

“I have engaged with my colleagues in the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and Justice to emphasise the importance of securing the suspects’ return to South Africa to face the full might of the law. We said that these criminals would be apprehended, and that is exactly what has happened,” he said.

Aucamp expressed his appreciation to the dedicated personnel at the South African National Parks (SANParks), South African Police Service (SAPS), Mozambican authorities, and conservation partners for their exceptional commitment and cooperation, which were instrumental in achieving this outcome.

The arrests are the result of effective cross-border cooperation between the following entities:

• Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC), Mozambique’s agency responsible for investigating serious and organised crime; 
• The Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC); and 
• Kruger National Park Ranger Services, led by the Regional Ranger for the Nxanatseni (Far North) Region, together with rangers from the Pafuri Section. 

The Minister reiterated that criminal activity will not be tolerated in South Africa’s national parks and called on communities and law enforcement agencies to continue working together to safeguard these protected areas.

“While the Marais family has suffered a devastating loss, I hope that these arrests will provide some measure of comfort to them as they continue to navigate this difficult journey,” Aucamp said. –SAnews.gov.za

Social Development Acting Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga will, in the fight against the scourge of statutory rape in the country, lead the closing of the Child Protection Campaign in Ezibeleni, Eastern Cape, on Sunday.

The closing event will be held at Sinako Junior Primary School under the theme: “Working together in ending violence against children”.

In addition to multiple child abuse incidents such as cyberbullying, abduction, assault and child trafficking, South Africa has been experiencing a high prevalence of statutory rape, which remains a serious threat to efforts aimed at ensuring that children are protected.

In terms of Section 15 and 16 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007, any sexual activity involving a child under 16 years is illegal, regardless of consent.

 “Child Protection Campaign is grounded in inter-sectoral collaboration approach and seeks to unite government departments, Civil Society Organisations, international development partners, and community structures,” the department said in a statement. 

The campaign further seeks to strengthen collective responses to statutory rape amid rising teenage pregnancy rates and persistent gaps in mandatory reporting and case handling. 

The department said that families are also placed at the centre of child protection efforts, regarded as the first line of defence in nurturing, development and the promotion of positive societal values. 

At the closing event, residents of Ezibeleni and surrounding areas will be given an opportunity to make presentations on issues including gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, child neglect, child labour, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy, which continue to negatively affect children’s wellbeing and community development. – SAnews.gov.za 

Rand Water has successfully completed the first phase of its large-scale planned maintenance programme, with major pumping stations, including Mapleton and Eikenhof resuming operations at full capacity on Tuesday, 2 June 2026.

The City of Ekurhuleni confirmed that both the primary maintenance work and associated opportunity projects undertaken between 29 May and 2 June had been completed as scheduled.

“Rand Water is supplying at full capacity. The systems under the municipalities are in the recovery phase,” the city said in a social media update.

The maintenance programme forms part of Rand Water’s broader infrastructure improvement initiative affecting the Palmiet and Zuikerbosch systems. The works, scheduled between 29 May and 17 July 2026, are aimed at strengthening the reliability and long-term sustainability of water supply infrastructure across several provinces.

According to Rand Water, the maintenance focuses on critical electrical and pumping infrastructure upgrades designed to improve operational flexibility and system resilience.

The utility previously warned that temporary pump shutdowns during the maintenance period could result in water supply disruptions affecting municipalities, industries and direct customers.

Major maintenance activities include Eskom-related electrical work at the Zuikerbosch and Palmiet systems, the installation and upgrading of motors at Zuikerbosch Raw Water Engine Room 4, replacement of critical valves and thrust bearings at the Palmiet, Vereeniging and Foresthill systems, as well as M11 pipeline cross-connections within the Mapleton system.

The maintenance programme affects parts of Gauteng, the North West, Free State and Mpumalanga provinces.

Municipalities impacted by the project include the metropolitan municipalities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, as well as Mogale City, West Rand, Merafong, Rustenburg, Madibeng, Lesedi, Victor Khanye, Govan Mbeki, Thembisile Hani, Midvaal, Emfuleni, Metsimaholo, Ngwathe and the Royal Bafokeng Administration.

Several industries, mining operations and direct customers, including Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), may also experience supply disruptions during maintenance activities.

Tshwane reports steady recovery

Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane has reported continued improvement in its water distribution network following the completion of the first phase of Rand Water’s maintenance programme.

“Most of the city’s reservoirs, towers and supply systems have remained stable throughout the recovery period, with water supply being maintained across most affected areas,” City of Tshwane said in a statement.

According to Rand Water, the Palmiet System is currently operating at approximately 89% capacity as the network continues to stabilise.

Despite not yet reaching full operational capacity, the city said steadily improving reservoir storage levels indicate that the city’s water network is gradually returning to normal.

“All affected systems are showing signs of improvement and recovery efforts continue to yield positive results across the network,” the city said.

The second phase of the planned maintenance programme is scheduled to commence on 17 July 2026, as part of Rand Water ongoing efforts to modernise critical water infrastructure and enhance long-term supply security. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Kenny Morolong says citizen engagement remains central to the work of The Presidency through both mediated and unmediated platforms.

“The GCIS and its entities, Brand SA and Media Development and Diversity Agency, are therefore fully poised to support this engagement programme,” Morolong said.

Speaking during The Presidency Budget Vote in Cape Town on Tuesday, Morolong said the GCIS is mandated to communicate the broad programme of government and empower citizens through disseminating crucial information. 

“In keeping with this mandate, Cabinet has approved the National Communications Strategic Framework to be driven by the GCIS through the entire system of government,” Morolong said.

The National Communication Strategic Framework (NCSF) calls for a more coherent, citizen-centred and development-oriented government communication system.

“The NCSF positions communication not as an afterthought to delivery, but a strategic instrument for building trust, taking South Africans into confidence and ensuring that a coherent message is communicated across all spheres of government,” he said.

 Morolong explained that as a department reporting to The Presidency, this work is done with the full support of the Ministry.

“In this regard, we have started a series of consultations with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and various provincial governments to socialise this national policy and align it for provincial implementation.

“We have already engaged with the North West province. The Free State is scheduled for next week and plans to engage Mpumalanga and others is continuing apace,” Morolong said.

Brand South Africa, meanwhile, ensures that South African products are bought abroad, that investors do invest in South Africa, tourists visit South African shores and foreign students choose South African universities.

“Brand SA is a custodian of our nation brand, mandated to promote our national reputation globally and domestically. 

“Brand SA will only achieve this important task through nation brand alignment with all stakeholders both in the public and private sectors, so that we all understand that our actions can either be brand enablers or disablers,” he said.

The MDDA is mandated to ensure diversified ownership of media platforms and consumption of media products curated by community and grassroots media platforms in their local languages. 

“The MDDA’s grant and seed funding programme supports the sustainability, growth and development of community media through both capital and operational investments,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za