Category: Africa

Government has welcomed a further easing of the annual consumer price inflation (CPI) to 3.0% in February 2026, down from 3.5% in January 2026, indicating sustained progress in stabilising prices. 

The monthly change in the CPI was 0.4%, reflecting contained price pressures across the economy.

The lower inflation outcome was supported by several key factors, including a notable decline in fuel prices, which recorded a month-on-month decrease of 3.1% and contributed to a significant annual drop of 10.1% in the fuel index.

“Encouragingly, food inflation slowed for the first time in four months, easing to 3.7% from 4.4% in January. Consumers benefited from lower prices across a range of essential food items, including cereals, meat products, and cooking oils, providing some relief to household budgets.

“Government notes that while certain categories, such as alcoholic beverages, recorded moderate increases, the overall inflation outlook remains contained and within a manageable range,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Wednesday.

Government will continue to monitor price developments closely and remains committed to implementing measures that support economic stability, protect consumers, and promote inclusive growth. –SAnews.gov.za

Government has called on the Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and their members to significantly increase the rate of waste diversion, especially of plastics and composite packaging. 

“The PROs and their members are well-positioned to drive this shift — not only through recycling targets, but by closing material loops and designing products with end-of-life in mind,” Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said on Wednesday.

South African cities are facing a significant landfill capacity challenge, with some expected to run out of landfill space within the next six years if drastic measures are not taken to significantly reduce waste generation and accelerate recycling efforts.

“Our country still sends over 60% of its waste to landfills, a figure we cannot afford if we are serious about achieving our climate and development goals.

“Through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, we aim to significantly increase the rate of waste diversion, especially of plastics and composite packaging. But this requires bold action,” Swarts made these remarks during the department’s Waste Khoro Conference held in Bloemfontein, Free State.

She urged PROs to support Buy-Back Centres, increase materials recovery facilities (MRFs) across all provinces, invest in post-consumer recycling technologies, market development for secondary materials, and better integration of the informal and formal waste sectors.

“The department strongly encourages PROs and industry to actively integrate waste pickers into their value chains. 

“This includes offering fair compensation, formalised working conditions, access to equipment and protective gear, and training opportunities. Inclusive EPR is not a favour — it is an imperative for justice, efficiency, and long-term sustainability,” the Deputy Minister said.

She emphasised that waste pickers are not beneficiaries — they are central players in the waste economy. 

“For decades, they have recovered materials and diverted waste from landfills without formal recognition or support. We also expect producers and PROs to meet their responsibilities fully and with urgency. Waste picker integration is key.

“We urge all producers and PROs to embed education into their programmes — to help consumers understand separation-at-source, responsible disposal, and the value of recyclable materials. 

“Awareness drives should be localised, multilingual, and responsive to community dynamics. An informed public is not only a better participant in recycling schemes — it becomes a driving force for innovation and accountability,” Swarts said.

She reaffirmed that the government remains committed to enabling conditions that support innovation, transparency, and inclusive growth within the waste sector to recognise waste as a resource and waste as an input material to manufacturing other products and job creation in the process. 

The Waste Khoro Conference is an annual event organised and coordinated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), attended by waste management officers from the three spheres of government, as well as representatives from the private sector.

They convene for three days to discuss key issues relating to waste management in South Africa, focusing on several waste management priorities, including addressing the growing crisis of landfill space in the country. –SAnews.gov.za

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has activated and is implementing a comprehensive Drought Mitigation Plan as dam levels supplying the metro approach critical levels, following the declaration of a national disaster in the Eastern Cape.

In February 2026, the National Disaster Management Centre classified the drought affecting the province, including Nelson Mandela Bay, as a national disaster in terms of Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002).

The declaration underscores the severity of the water crisis and enables coordinated national support measures.

Against this backdrop, the combined dam levels supplying Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality are now on the brink of dropping below the critical 40% threshold.

According to the municipality, as of 16 March 2026, the metro’s combined dam levels stood at 40.29%, dangerously close to levels where water security becomes severely constrained.

Approximately 10% of total dam capacity is classified as dead storage and cannot be accessed through conventional abstraction systems.

This marks a sharp decline compared to the same period in 2025, when combined dam levels were at 73.85%.

The metro’s largest dam, Impofu Dam, has dropped from 55.86% last year to approximately 39%, a direct consequence of below average rainfall amidst the prolonged drought conditions plaguing the region.

Water consumption remains significantly above sustainable levels, further compounding the challenge.

“The city is currently consuming 373 million litres per day, approximately 93 million litres above the allocated limit, placing additional strain on already depleted water resources,” the municipality said.

Municipal officials warned that if consumption patterns are not urgently reduced, the city could face severe supply constraints less than three years after the devastating drought that nearly brought the metro to day zero.

In response, the municipality’s Drought Mitigation Plan outlines a series of emergency interventions aimed at stabilising supply while reducing consumption.

Key measures include upgrades to infrastructure to maximise available water from existing sources, improvements to pump stations, and expansion of the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works to reduce pressure on western dam systems.

The plan also includes the development of additional groundwater sources through strategic wellfields, implementing treated effluent reuse and alternative supply options, and accelerating pipeline rehabilitation and system upgrades to improve efficiency across the metro.

Efforts to improve system efficiency are being accelerated through pipeline rehabilitation and upgrades, while water conservation and demand management initiatives are being intensified.

These include pressure management, leak detection and repairs, bulk metering, and expanded public awareness campaigns to curb consumption.

The municipality has already invested more than R80 million in the current financial year to refurbish pipelines, rehabilitate pump stations, and appoint plumbing contractors to repair leaks and improve system performance.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, said the drought declaration reinforces the urgency of the situation and the need for collective action.

“Water security remains one of the most critical priorities for our metro. The investment we are making in infrastructure upgrades and drought mitigation interventions demonstrates the seriousness with which we are addressing this challenge. However, infrastructure alone will not resolve the crisis if water consumption remains this high,” Lobishe said.

She called on residents, businesses and institutions to drastically reduce water usage.

The mayor also called for collective action across society, including political parties and civil society, to work together with the municipality in responding to the water crisis.

“Water security is a shared responsibility. By adopting a water saving lifestyle and reducing unnecessary consumption, we can collectively protect this critical resource and ensure that Nelson Mandela Bay continues to function during this difficult period,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

Officials of the Border Management Authority (BMA), the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have intercepted a truck transporting illicit drugs and goods at the Oshoek port of entry.

BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, has commended the officials for the successful joint operation.

On Monday at approximately 20h00, a truck travelling from Eswatini into South Africa was intercepted at the Oshoek port of entry during an operation involving the BMA, SARS and SAPS.

Upon conducting a thorough search of the vehicle, officials discovered 50 bags of dagga concealed in the trailer, with a total weight of approximately 671.5 kilograms and an estimated street value of R2.8 million. In addition, 916 illicit tyres were found in the same consignment.

The driver of the truck fled the scene during the interception and is currently at large. Law enforcement authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspect.

“All confiscated items, including the dagga and illicit tyres, were registered with SAPS for evidentiary purposes, while SARS has seized the truck as part of ongoing investigations. A criminal case has been formally opened,” the BMA said.

Masiapato has reiterated the Port Management Committee’s commitment to strengthening border security and preventing the cross-border movement of illicit goods. 

He further emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in disrupting criminal networks and safeguarding the country’s borders. 

The BMA said it will continue to work closely with its partners to intensify operations and ensure that those involved in criminal activities are brought to justice. – SAnews.gov.za