Category: Africa

By Mava Scott

The fight against corruption remains one of the major priorities of the Seventh Administration. Law enforcement agencies are acting swiftly to arrest, suspend or otherwise hold accountable those suspected of involvement in corruption. This commitment is re-enforced through a range of measures, including the ongoing judicial commission to investigate serious allegations of corruption, criminality and the infiltration of law enforcement agencies.

The Commission, now commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, began public hearings on 17 September 2025 and has since submitted two interim reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The revelations emerging from the Commission show that corruption remains one of the greatest challenges facing the country and a serious threat to building a South Africa that works for everyone. Corruption undermines the rule of law and has the potential to reverse the gains being made to build a capable, ethical and developmental state as well as to efficiently use limited public resources to improve people’s lives.

These revelations would not have been possible without the courage of active citizens who chose to report acts of corruption and abuse of power. Their actions remind us that the fight against corruption cannot be left to government alone.

The recommendations and referrals of the Madlanga Commission are being implemented through the SAPS Special Task Team which has already produced tangible results. Working with the National Prosecuting Authority, the Task Team is holding accountable those against whom there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.

To date, 16 people, including 12 senior police officials and a company director linked to a health and wellness services tender, have been arrested. In addition, 18 senior SAPS officials, including members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, have either been suspended or served with notices of suspension. Some officials, including Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Major General Richard Shibiri, have been dismissed.

The State Security Agency has also been tasked with carrying out security screening and lifestyle reviews across the South African Police Service (SAPS), with particular focus on senior officials in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, Crime Intelligence, Forensic Services and Supply Chain Management.

These swift and decisive actions show that government is committed to holding those involved in corruption accountable and that no one is above the law. The arrests, suspensions and dismissals also strengthen efforts to rebuild, protect and restore confidence in the criminal justice system, which is essential to the proper functioning of South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

Government’s commitment to fighting corruption and strengthening accountability is also reflected in the continued implementation of the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, popularly known as the State Capture Commission. 

In March this year, former Member of Parliament Vincent Smith was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on charges including fraud and corruption linked to state capture. His conviction was the sixth State Capture-related case to be concluded with a guilty verdict, while several other high-profile matters are scheduled for trial, including cases related to the Free State asbestos removal project, SA Express and Transnet contracts.

Further progress has been recorded through the recovery of more than R17.1 billion in assets gained from criminal activities, while 62% of the 60 recommended actions from the State Capture Commission have been addressed. These decisive actions demonstrate that the fight against corruption extends beyond investigations and prosecutions; it also includes recovering stolen public resources.

This anti-corruption drive has also extended to other areas of government. In January 2026, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, arrested the Director-General and two other senior officials from the National Department of Health in connection with allegations involving more than R1 million in unauthorised expenditure during the 2023–2024 financial year.

Similarly, the Border Management Authority dismissed more than 50 immigration officials implicated in corrupt activities in March this year.

These actions demonstrate that while progress is being made in addressing corruption, the fight requires sustained vigilance and continuous strengthening of interventions across all spheres of government.

Rooting out corruption requires more than responding to wrongdoing after it occurs; it requires stronger prevention measures, improved oversight, ethical leadership and systems that detect and address vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Government will continue to strengthen accountability mechanisms, enhance institutional integrity and work with all sectors of society to ensure that public resources are protected and used for their intended purpose.

All South Africans have a role to play in blowing the whistle on corruption. We encourage anyone who is aware of wrongdoing to report it to the National Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 701 701.

*Scott is Chief Director at Government Communication and Information System: Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts has called on African leaders to develop a system to transform air quality information management and help improve the lives of millions of Africans who continue to breathe air that does not meet internationally recognised health standards.

“For Africa, clean air is not simply an environmental issue. It is a development imperative. It is about protecting human health, improving educational outcomes, strengthening economic productivity and ensuring environmental justice for present and future generations,” Swarts said on Tuesday in Pretoria.

Across Africa, rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, expanding transport systems, increasing energy demand, agricultural burning, mining activities and waste burning are placing unprecedented pressure on air quality. 

“Africa’s air pollution challenges do not respect national borders. Transboundary pollution, dust transport, wildfires and regional economic activities require coordinated continental responses,” Swarts said.

The Deputy Minister challenged leaders to consider an African Air Quality Information System to promote capacity building, foster collaboration between national environmental authorities, and provide citizens with accessible air quality information.

“Air pollution is no longer simply an environmental issue. It is a public health emergency, a development challenge, a climate issue and a matter of environmental justice. Poor air quality threatens investment, tourism, food security and sustainable development for developing economies.

“The consequences are visible in rising respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, lost productivity, increased healthcare costs and the disproportionate impact on women, children, the elderly and vulnerable communities,” the Deputy Minister said.

Swarts was addressing Africa’s leading voices in air quality management, environmental governance, public health, science and policy at the Africa Clean Air Forum.

“As countries strengthen their air quality monitoring networks, there is an increasing need for integrated digital platforms that can collect, analyse, visualise, and disseminate air quality data in a timely and accessible manner,” Swarts said.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that innovation in air quality information management is becoming a critical enabler of improved environmental governance, public health protection and evidence-based decision-making across Africa.

“As governments, we must work together to harmonise policy approaches where appropriate, strengthen monitoring networks, improve emissions inventories, mobilise resources and share technical expertise. 

“Regional cooperation can significantly improve our collective ability to understand pollution sources, forecast air quality and implement effective interventions.” 

Swarts stressed that the success of Africa’s clean air agenda will ultimately depend on the continent’s willingness to move beyond commitments and towards implementation.

The Deputy Minister said implementation will require strong political leadership; sustainable financing; effective institutions; scientific collaboration; regional cooperation; community participation; and shared accountability.

“At a regional level, the Southern African Development Community has an opportunity to build stronger regional systems for air quality governance through harmonised policies, joint monitoring initiatives, shared technical expertise, capacity building and coordinated responses to transboundary air pollution,” Swarts said.

She emphasised that resource mobilisation is a critical enabler of collaborative air quality programmes across Africa, where many countries face common transboundary air pollution challenges but have varying levels of technical, institutional and financial capacity.

“Together, we can create cities where children breathe clean air, communities where economic development does not come at the expense of public health, industries that embrace cleaner technologies, governments that work collaboratively across borders, and an Africa where environmental sustainability becomes a catalyst for inclusive growth and shared prosperity,” Swarts said. – SAnews.gov.za

Eastern Cape Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe has welcomed the strong public support shown during the department’s Agricultural Show at Kirkwood, in the Sarah Baartman District, where farmers successfully marketed and sold their produce.

Addressing attendees at the Phindile Madama Qekeni Multipurpose Hall on Monday, Kontsiwe said the event demonstrated the growing value of agricultural shows as platforms for connecting farmers with consumers and creating economic opportunities.

“These shows are not meant to be places where farmers only showcase their produce; they must also serve as hubs of economic activity. They have long provided a platform for celebrating excellence in farming while promoting market access for smallholder farmers,” Kontsiwe said.

The department reintroduced the agricultural shows last year, where various farmers from Amathole, Chris Hani, Sarah Baartman and OR Tambo District Municipalities had an opportunity to showcase their produce to different stakeholders, including buyers and agricultural experts.

The shows also provide a platform for participants and role players across the agricultural value chain to exhibit products, services, funding opportunities and innovations, while enabling farmers to network and access valuable industry information.

Kontsiwe said the department will continue rolling out the reimagined agricultural show model across all district municipalities, with a stronger focus on improving market access and fostering commercial opportunities for farmers.

She said the shows have evolved from traditional competitive events into vibrant marketplaces that connect farmers directly with potential buyers, financial institutions and agribusiness stakeholders.

Farmer Sanelisiwe Phangelele welcomed the initiative, saying it had created valuable opportunities for producers.

“We are very delighted as farmers to have platforms like these, where we are able to sell our produce. This show has brought exciting opportunities for farmers in terms of markets and gaining more knowledge about our products. We need to continue with these shows so that we can improve our produce, learn from others and have access to the markets,” Phangelele said.

The department said the quarterly shows, which will be hosted across all district municipalities, are expected to bridge the gap between production and markets, empower farmers, stimulate rural economies and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the province’s agricultural value chain. – SAnews.gov.za

The joint meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministers responsible for Energy and Water gets underway today, with Ministers expected to thrash out measures aimed at strengthening regional energy security, improving water resource management and advancing sustainable socio-economic development.

Taking place in Pretoria in a hybrid format, the gathering brings together Ministers, senior officials, representatives of the SADC Secretariat, regional institutions, cooperating partners and other stakeholders.
South Africa is hosting the meeting in its capacity as Chair of the relevant SADC Sectoral Committees.

READ | SADC Water and Energy Ministers to meet ahead of Ordinary Summit

The meeting, which will conclude on Friday, will review progress in implementing regional programmes and projects in the energy and water sectors, while providing policy direction on emerging priorities.

“The meeting will bring together Ministers, senior officials, representatives of the SADC Secretariat, regional institutions, cooperating partners and other stakeholders to review progress in implementing regional programmes and projects in the energy and water sectors, while providing policy direction on emerging priorities,” SADC said in a statement ahead of Tuesday’s meeting. 

On the energy agenda, Ministers are expected to review electricity demand and supply across the region, assess progress on regional energy projects and discuss measures to strengthen energy security.

Discussions will also focus on expanding renewable energy deployment, promoting energy efficiency, implementing the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Mission 300 to increase electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, and advancing hydrocarbons infrastructure, including fuel pipelines and storage facilities. – SAnews.gov.za 

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh has urged authorities to strengthen collaboration to ensure the successful prosecution of those involved in the illegal trade of fisheries resources.

Addressing South African authorities, including prosecutors, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Coastal Marine Task Force (CMTF), at a training session in KwaZulu-Natal, Singh said every purchase of unlawfully harvested marine resources contributes to the depletion of a national asset.

The training comes amid reports of the persistent illegal sale of crayfish (East Coast rock lobster) along the N2 near Hibberdene.

“What may seem like a simple roadside transaction is often the visible end of a longer criminal chain involving unlawful harvesting, storage, transport, and sale. These activities place unsustainable pressure on our marine resources, undermine lawful fishers, endanger enforcement officers and the public, and erode respect for the law,” the Deputy Minister said in Scottburgh.

Singh emphasised that protecting South Africa’s marine, coastal and natural resources cannot be the responsibility of any single institution, sphere of government or category of official.

He said this requires seamless, well-coordinated synergy across the entire enforcement and prosecutorial chain.

“Coordinated intelligence, lawful and careful investigation, properly preserved evidence, sound charge sheets, informed prosecutorial decisions, and consistent court follow-through must all function as integrated parts of a single, effective system,” Singh said.

Through the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy, government has allocated long-term fishing rights to 172 cooperatives representing approximately 10 000 fishers.

“We are now shifting focus towards practical support — markets, infrastructure, cold storage, processing facilities, governance, and business development — so that lawful users can thrive.

“Effective enforcement protects the space for these lawful participants to succeed. When we fail to prosecute transgressors robustly, we undermine the very opportunities we are creating for coastal communities and future generations,” Singh said.

During the period April to June 2026 alone, joint operations opened six case dockets under the Marine Living Resources Act, led to nine arrests, issued 22 admission-of-guilt fines totalling R42 000, and resulted in significant confiscations, including 352 linefish valued at R176 000, East Coast rock lobster valued at R31 500, and 47 illegal gillnets valued at R21 150.

“These outcomes demonstrate the power of coordinated intelligence-led enforcement. Yet we must be honest: while progress has been made, challenges remain. Gillnetting continues to devastate estuaries, and complex cases involving undocumented foreign nationals add layers of difficulty. 

“Illegal development in sensitive coastal areas such as Umgababa, forestry transgressions, and other offences all require the same integrated response across the enforcement chain,” the Deputy Minister said.

Singh said these successes, as well as persistent challenges, underscore a central truth: effective environmental enforcement is not measured only by arrests and confiscations, but ultimately by successful prosecutions, appropriate sentencing and the ability to protect resources for present and future generations.

“This requires every link in the chain —investigators, compliance officials, and prosecutors — to understand each other’s operational realities, evidentiary requirements, and procedural needs,” he said.

Over the two-day training, authorities will cover key areas, including the Marine Living Resources Act; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; the Integrated Coastal Management Act; off-road vehicle controls; municipal development enforcement; forestry legislation; mining and water-use compliance; biodiversity offences; and Marine Protected Areas. –SAnews.gov.za