Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has forecast very cold, wet and windy conditions for the southern parts of the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape and the Witzenberg Municipality in the Western Cape on Friday.

The conditions are linked to a cold front expected to bring significant rainfall.

“This system is expected to cause a significant drop in daytime temperatures, with maximum temperatures ranging between 08 and 10°C in parts of the southern Namakwa District in the Northern Cape, as well as the Witzenberg Municipality in the Western Cape. The public and farmers are advised to prepare for very cold, wet and windy conditions,” SAWS said.

The combination of very cold, wet and windy weather may result in a wind chill factor, making temperatures feel colder than the measured values. Vulnerable livestock and crops could also be affected.

There is also a risk of hypothermia for people exposed to the extreme cold.

SAWS has also issued a Yellow Level 1 warning for damaging winds, which could result in localised damage to formal and informal settlements, fallen trees, and power and communication disruptions in parts of the north-eastern Eastern Cape.

According to SAWS, a cold front is expected to make landfall over the Western Cape. 

Ahead of the system, northerly to north-westerly winds are expected over the interior of the province. These winds are likely to become strong over the Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi district municipalities, with gusts of between 70 and 80 km/h.

Meanwhile, the extended forecast for Saturday and Sunday indicates partly cloudy and cold to cool conditions, with isolated showers and rain in some areas, becoming scattered over the south-west. –SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned community members to be vigilant when buying or selling goods through online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and other online trading sites.

The warning follows a carjacking and armed robbery incident reported in Motherwell on Wednesday, at approximately 07:00. 

According to reports, a complainant and two friends travelled to Mdundu Street, NU6, Motherwell, after responding to a Facebook Marketplace advertisement for a vehicle.

Upon arriving at the address, the person who had allegedly communicated with the complainant via Facebook informed them that the vehicle was parked inside the yard. 

“As the victims entered the premises to inspect the vehicle, they were confronted by armed suspects who allegedly assaulted them, robbed them of cash and cellular phones and fled with the complainant’s white Kia Sportage,” the police said in a statement.

Criminals are increasingly using online marketplaces to target unsuspecting buyers and sellers by advertising non-existent goods or arranging meetings in secluded areas where victims can be robbed. 

The SAPS urges the public to take the following precautions when conducting transactions through online marketplaces:

• Meet in public places with high visibility and pedestrian traffic.

• Avoid travelling to unfamiliar areas or private residences to view or purchase items.

• Never carry large amounts of cash to a transaction.

• Consider meeting at a police station or another secure public venue.

• Do not enter homes, garages, yards or secluded locations to inspect items.

• Inform a family member or friend of your destination and expected return time.

• Verify the identity and contact details of the person you are meeting.

• Be wary of deals that appear significantly cheaper than market value.

• When selling items, avoid inviting strangers to your home and rather arrange meetings in safe public locations.

• Trust your instincts and leave immediately if a situation appears suspicious.

The SAPS appeals to community members to remain alert and report suspicious activity or criminal incidents to their nearest police station or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. 

“The safety of our communities remains a priority, and members of the public are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect themselves when conducting online transactions,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

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With its year-round warm weather, golden beaches and rich cultural heritage, eThekwini continues to strengthen its position as a leading tourism destination, attracting growing numbers of visitors to the city.

According to eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba, during the 2025 festive season the city recorded approximately 1.2 million visitors, while accommodation occupancy increased to 77%, up from 72% in 2024.

“Tourism spending during this period also rose from R2.2 billion to R2.7 billion, representing a 24% increase. The city was recently ranked 14th among the world’s best places to travel in 2026 by Time Out Worldwide, demonstrating that our tourism sector is firmly on an upward trajectory,” Xaba said on Thursday

He attributed this sharp increase in visitor numbers to, among other factors, the opening of all 23 bathing beaches.

“This was made possible by the extensive work undertaken to repair and upgrade sanitation infrastructure across the city, improving licence compliance, capacity and effluent quality,” the Mayor said.

He was speaking at a media roundtable, where he outlined the progress of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG).

The Presidential eThekwini Working Group was established to coordinate and accelerate interventions aimed at addressing key developmental, infrastructure, economic and service-delivery challenges within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

The Working Group also seeks to strengthen collaboration between national, provincial and local government, while ensuring improved communication and stakeholder engagement on progress made.

Rejuvenating the inner city 

The Mayor said efforts to rejuvenate the inner city are well on track with the municipality rehabilitating major road networks within the CBD. 

Roads already completed include Sandile Thusi Road, Smiso Nkwanyana Road, Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, Soldiers Way, Market Road and Margaret Mncadi Avenue. Currently, we are refurbishing Dr Pixley Ka Seme Street previously known as West Street. 

Significant progress has also been made in repairing and upgrading road infrastructure damaged by recurring floods. Completed projects include the R20 million Tshelimnyama Bridge, R40 million Phoenix Industrial Park Bridge, R47 million Coedmore Bridge Road upgrade and R70 million Blundell Road Bridge in Shallcross. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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The eThekwini Municipality has advised the public of road closures ahead of the 99th Comrades Marathon on Sunday.

According to the city, 21 600 athletes will take part in the event, while an estimated 65 000 spectators are expected to travel from across South Africa and abroad to witness the Ultimate Human Race.

This year’s event is an “up run”, with runners making the challenging journey from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

The following roads will be closed on Sunday, 14 June:

• Dr Pixley KaSeme Street
• Joseph Nduli Road
• N3 West Off-Ramp to King Cetshwayo Highway contra-flow via 45th Cutting to the M13 and Cowies Hill
• Josiah Gumede Road, Pinetown
• M13 through Kloof, Gillitts and Old Main Road into Hillcrest
• R103 towards Cato Ridge via Doonrug Road

All affected roads will reopen once the last runner has passed through each area.

The city said the Comrades Marathon remains a significant economic driver for eThekwini, attracting thousands of visitors whose spending boosts the local economy through accommodation, transport, hospitality, retail and tourism-related activities.

It added that small businesses are expected to benefit from the influx of visitors over the marathon weekend, with about 1 300 temporary job opportunities anticipated.

To ensure the city is fully prepared for the event, a comprehensive operational plan has been activated as part of eThekwini Municipality’s readiness programme.

The plan is being coordinated across multiple municipal directorates to ensure a clean, safe and welcoming environment for athletes, supporters and visitors.

Teams from the Waste Management Directorate are working diligently to maintain cleanliness along the race route and in key public areas.

The Directorate has been appointed as the official waste management service provider for the Comrades Marathon.

On race day, cleaning teams will be deployed along the eThekwini section of the route, from the starting point at Durban City Hall to Cato Ridge (R103), to facilitate the efficient collection and disposal of waste and recyclable materials.

Waste receptacles will also be strategically positioned along the route to encourage responsible waste disposal by spectators. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africa has successfully achieved its budgeted foreign currency funding requirement for the 2026/27 fiscal year, National Treasury has said.

“The foreign funding programme, amounting to approximately US$3.2 billion, has been fully funded through concessional financing secured from development finance institutions and multilateral development banks,” Treasury said in a statement.

In Wednesday’s statement, Treasury said no additional foreign currency funding will be raised during the remainder of the 2026/27 fiscal year.

“Accordingly, no further Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for foreign currency funding will be issued for the balance of the current fiscal year. The funding process is expected to resume in the 2027/28 fiscal year, subject to government funding requirements, market conditions and the approved borrowing strategy.”

It added that in line with the government’s foreign funding strategy, concessional financing remains the preferred source of foreign currency funding where available and appropriate, given its favourable pricing, longer maturities, grace periods and overall contribution to prudent debt management.

“National Treasury remains committed to prudent debt and risk management and will continue to engage market participants and provide updates as necessary,” it said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Free State Department of Health is expanding access to minimally invasive cardiac care for children with the opening of the Paediatric Cardiology Catheterisation Laboratory at Universitas Academic Hospital.

The digitally enabled state‑of‑the‑art facility will serve children from the Free State and neighbouring provinces.

“This milestone shows our commitment to quality care through digitisation and advanced health technology – bringing safer, faster, closer-to-home services for our children,” provincial Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi said.

The lab boasts diagnostic speed, procedural safety and continuity of care, while strengthening specialist training in the province.

Other digital and technological interventions aimed at boosting the province’s healthcare system include:

• Digitisation at scale: HMS² (Health Management System 2) is an integrated, in-house Electronic Medical Records System. It is now live in 19 of 33 hospitals; EMR rollout improving documentation, handovers and data-driven decisions. 
• Imaging modernisation: Province-wide replacement of obsolete radiology equipment and PACS (R100 million) for faster, secure imaging.
• UAH paediatric cath lab: Opened 9 June 2026 (R33 million) to deliver high-precision, minimally invasive cardiac interventions for children.
• Adult cardiac and image-guided care: Commissioning adult catheterisation labs (R51 million) and interventional radiology (R28 million) this year.
• Advanced imaging: New MRI for Pelonomi (R28 million) and a cutting-edge PET-CT at UAH strengthening oncology diagnostics.
• Surgical innovation: Versius Surgical Robotic System at UAH enabling precise, minimally invasive surgery.
• Newborn care: PEA POD technology supporting early detection and management needs in neonates.
• Maternal care: New Pelonomi maternity ward equipped with R60 million in advanced theatre technology.

The Impact derived from these health technologies include:

• Faster diagnosis and treatment, fewer complications and shorter stays.
• Digitised records and modern PACS improve traceability and reduce medico-legal risk.
• Expanded local capacity reduces patient travel and waiting times. – SAnews.gov.za

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The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is pressing ahead with multi-billion-rand water infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening water security, stabilising supply and improving service delivery across the city.

The Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which includes a storage dam, a water abstraction point and a water treatment plant, has entered Phase 2 at a price tag of R11 billion.

“Upon completion, the project will produce 100 megalitres of water per day. Of this amount, 75 megalitres will be supplied to eThekwini Municipality. This volume will be sufficient to supply all areas in the south, from Isipingo to uMkhomazi. 

“The water currently being supplied to these areas will then be redirected to the central, northern and outer western regions to further stabilise supply,” eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba said on Thursday during a media roundtable outlining the progress of the eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba.

Phase 1 focused on raw water components, including the Ngwadini and Goodenough systems, while Phase 2 will deliver potable water infrastructure.

This infrastructure features a 100 ML/day water treatment facility, gravity pipelines and expanded reservoir capacity.

The Mayor said significant strides have been made with the Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme. 

“Last week, we introduced the contractor who will commence with the second phase of the Water Treatment Works. Although the project was delayed by legal processes, Umgeni-uThukela Water has committed to ensuring that, by the end of next year, we will begin receiving water from this scheme,” he said.

The Presidential eThekwini Working Group is driving infrastructure projects, demonstrating the effectiveness of its work in coordinating and accelerating interventions to address key developmental, infrastructure, economic, and service delivery challenges within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

The Working Group also seeks to strengthen collaboration between national, provincial and local government, while ensuring improved communication and stakeholder engagement on progress made.

“For the first time in five years, all our bulk water reservoirs remained stable throughout the festive season, with the Durban Heights, Wiggins and Midmar Treatment Works operating at full capacity. 

“This resulted in communities in the north, south and central regions enjoying an uninterrupted water supply, and I am pleased that this trend has continued beyond the festive season,” Xaba said.

This is due to investment in the Northern Aqueduct, as well as the refurbishment and upgrade of the Ntuzuma Pump Station, both of which have significantly stabilised water supply in northern areas.

The R1.2 billion, 24 km bulk pipeline of the Southern Aqueduct Project involves replacing a 70-year-old, 900 mm diameter concrete pipe with a 1 200 mm diameter steel pipe and is expected to stabilise water supply from Durban Central to southern areas.

The system supplies water to approximately 1.2 million people via 33 reservoirs and is one of the city’s most critical bulk water infrastructure projects, aimed at improving the bulk water network, reducing water loss and enhancing water service delivery.

“We are also making excellent progress with the Southern Aqueduct upgrade, with several work packages already completed. We are confident that this R1.2 billion project will be completed by December this year, bringing much-needed relief to the 1.2 million residents living in the south of Durban,” the Mayor said.

Work Package One has been successfully commissioned. This newly commissioned section consists of approximately four kilometres of new steel pipeline, connecting the Westcliff Reservoir, Chatsworth Reservoir 1 and downstream reservoirs in Umlazi.

Work Package Three remains on track for commissioning at the end of May.

Work is progressing on the concrete pipeline on Northbourne Road in Westville. Pipe installation was scheduled to start on 27 May 2026.

Due to the system’s inability to operate at full capacity, after a scheduled shutdown and tie-in works, emergency water rationing was implemented until 27 May 2026.

Delays were experienced in the preparatory phase due to fibre and electrical cables within the construction area. –SAnews.gov.za

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