Category: Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will meet private sector leaders in Johannesburg on Thursday as government seeks to strengthen partnerships aimed at addressing funding challenges in South Africa’s response to HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The Deputy President, who chairs the South African National Aids Council (SANAC), will engage captains of industry under the banner of the SANAC Private Sector Forum (PSF) to explore ways of supporting the implementation of the country’s National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV, TB and STIs.

According to a joint statement issued by The Presidency and SANAC, the meeting will focus on opportunities to close funding gaps left by external donors through sustainable public-private financing models.

The engagement comes as South Africa continues to grapple with a high burden of HIV and TB despite progress in treatment and prevention programmes. 

Millions of people remain affected by the diseases, while new infections continue to be recorded.

Although the National Strategic Plan provides a framework for tackling the epidemics, challenges including funding constraints, slow progress in prevention efforts and persistently high infection rates remain.

Government said the impact of HIV and TB extends beyond public health, placing significant pressure on the economy through reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs and disruptions in labour-intensive sectors.

The meeting will also mark the formal launch of the fully constituted SANAC Private Sector Forum across all nine provinces.

Organisers said the gathering would help align commitments and expectations ahead of key national and international funding processes, including current and future replenishment cycles of the Global Fund. – SAnews.gov.za

Individuals whose identity documents (IDs) were blocked prior to November 2022, have until 10 July 2026 to submit representations to unblocking their documents, the Department of Home Affairs said.

in a statement on Monday, the department said it was launching a nationwide campaign to assist individuals whose IDs were blocked prior to November 2022 and to ensure the integrity of the National Population Register.

“In accordance with section 3 of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) of 2000, affected individuals are invited to submit representations explaining why their identity numbers should be unblocked,” it said.

It added that it is committed to ensuring that all affected individuals are afforded a fair opportunity to present their case.

“Individuals with blocked IDs must visit any Home Affairs office, excluding refugee reception centres and banks, to submit representations by 10 July 2026. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the affected identity numbers following the completion of the administrative process,” the department said.

A number of IDs were blocked in terms of Section 19 of the Identification Act (Act no.68 of 1997), including those classified as duplicates and cases where an individual’s status requires verification. To date, 2 202 368 identity numbers have been unblocked.

Affected individuals must appear in person at any Home Affairs front office to provide written and oral representations. 

Where available, applicants should bring supporting documentation, including, but not limited to:
•    Original Birth Certificate (or handwritten birth certificate).
•    Original Clinic Card or Confirmation of Birth.
•    Copy of Hospital Register or other proof of birth.
•    Parents’ Identity Documents, Reference Books, or Death Certificates.
•    Primary School extract and a copy of the School Register.
•    House Permit or a letter from the relevant Traditional Authority.
•    Affidavit from parents or the original informant, together with a copy of the informant’s identity document.
•    Any other document that may assist in confirming your identity, citizenship, or legal status.

As part of its investigation, the department may cancel identity documents or records where it is found that they:
•    Were issued to individuals who do not qualify for inclusion in the National Population Register.
•    Contain incorrect personal particulars.
•    Were obtained through fraud, false statements, misrepresentation, or the submission of incorrect information.
•    Have been forged, altered, stolen, or otherwise unlawfully manipulated.
•    Persons fail to visit and appear in person with the required supporting documents at front offices.

The department has urged all affected individuals to respond promptly and utilise this opportunity to regularise their status.

For more information on blocked IDs, please follow the link below: https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/civic-services/blocked-ids-26   – SAnews.gov.za

Eskom has complied with a recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgement to disclose certain contracts to AfriForum in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

In a statement on Monday, the power utility said it has fulfilled the SCA’s 23 March 2026 court order, upholding the earlier High Court judgment, to supply Afriforum with the historical primary energy and electricity supply contracts which were active as at July 2022,and requested in terms of the PAIA.

These contracts fall into four distinct categories of legacy operational contracts:
•    Independent Power Provider (IPP) list: A list of all IPPs that, in terms of schedule two of the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006, as gazetted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in August 2021, were feeding electricity into the national grid. 
•    Active Coal Distribution, Transport and Coal Purchasing Contracts: Copies of all active contracts that Eskom or any of its subsidiaries had concluded for the purchasing, transportation and distribution of coal.
•    Active Diesel Purchasing Contracts: Copies of all active contracts that Eskom or any of its subsidiaries had concluded for the purchasing, transportation and distribution of diesel; and
•    Supply of Electricity to Neighbouring Country Contracts: Copies of all unredacted contracts that Eskom or any one of its subsidiaries had with neighbouring countries of South Africa for the supply of electricity.

In March, the power utility said it had noted the court’s ruling and was at the time, studying the judgment

“Eskom notes the judgment… by the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein in the matter between Eskom Holdings SOC Limited and AfriForum NPC, which was heard on 20 February 2026.

“The Court dismissed Eskom’s appeal with costs, upholding the Gauteng High Court’s order directing Eskom to provide AfriForum with access to certain coal, diesel and transport contracts,” it said at the time.

Meanwhile, the power utility also gave an update on the investigation into diesel procurement and storage contract tender MWP2197GX.

“Separate from this PAIA disclosure, Eskom’s Group Investigations and Security (GIS) function is finalising a forensic investigation into the diesel procurement and storage contract under tender MWP2197GX.

“The investigation examines possible irregularities and was initiated by Eskom following the monitoring of contract performance during operational emergencies involving load shedding in 2025, as well as information received through established reporting and whistleblowing mechanisms.”

In Monday’s statement, Eskom said the investigation reflects its evolving controls in relation to identifying risks, transparently escalating them and enforcing accountability.

The final report is expected in mid-June 2026. It also added that it will pursue criminal or civil recoveries where appropriate.

The investigation was initiated in March 2025 following the monitoring of contract performance during operational emergencies that involved load shedding in early 2025, as well as information received through established reporting and whistleblowing mechanisms. –SAnews.gov.za

Sibongiseni Ngoma has been appointed Deputy Auditor-General of the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA), becoming the second woman to hold the position in the institution’s 115-year history.

Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke announced Ngoma’s appointment this week, following consultation with Parliament’s Standing Committee on the Auditor-General (Scoag). 

The appointment took effect on 1 June 2026 after what AGSA described as a rigorous recruitment process endorsed by the parliamentary committee.

Ngoma has been serving in the role in an acting capacity since February this year and will now formally assume responsibility as the national audit office’s accounting officer, overseeing operations in support of the auditor-general’s vision.

Her appointment marks another significant milestone for women in leadership within South Africa’s public sector accountability institutions.

A chartered accountant with more than two decades of experience, Ngoma has built an extensive career in both the public and private sectors. 

After completing her training at Ernst & Young, she joined the Industrial Development Corporation, where she held several positions, including head of internal audit.

She joined AGSA in 2012 as a corporate executive responsible for strategic units including finance, human capital and legal services. In 2015, she was appointed chief financial officer and went on to earn widespread recognition for her leadership.

In 2021, Ngoma was named CFO of the Year and Public Sector CFO of the Year at the annual CFO Awards. She also received accolades from African Women Chartered Accountants and the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa, which named her Executive of the Year.

Welcoming the appointment, Maluleke said Ngoma’s promotion reflected the strength of the institution’s internal talent pipeline and her contribution to AGSA’s long-term transformation strategy.

“We are very pleased to have a leader of Ms Ngoma’s calibre take this critical role in the year that we celebrate 115 years of public auditing and providing illuminating insights for a better South Africa,” Maluleke said.

She added that Ngoma’s experience and deep institutional knowledge would help the organisation continue fulfilling its constitutional mandate while advancing a culture of accountability, transparency and integrity.

Maluleke said AGSA had benefited from developing talent from within its ranks and expressed confidence that Ngoma was well positioned to lead the organisation’s operations during the next phase of its development. – SAnews.gov.za

Government is prepared to strengthen regulation and enforcement against plastic pollution, including targeting companies that fail to comply with waste management obligations, says Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Willie Aucamp.

Addressing industry leaders, environmental organisations and government stakeholders in Cape Town on Monday evening, Aucamp said South Africa had made significant progress in tackling plastic waste through collaboration between government, business and civil society, but warned that stronger measures may be required to drive further change.

“We now know that if we do not address problematic plastic products, they threaten the reputation and the future of all plastic products,” Aucamp said, speaking at the launch of the South African Plastics Pact’s 2030 targets.

He said regulatory instruments would be needed to ensure greater compliance and to remove problematic plastics from the country’s ecosystem, while also compelling companies that have not joined voluntary initiatives such as the Plastics Pact to contribute to broader industry reforms.

The launch of the SA Plastics Pact’s new 2030 targets marks the next phase of an initiative that was first established in January 2020 to reduce plastic waste and promote a circular economy. 

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has been a partner in the initiative since its inception.

Aucamp described plastic pollution as one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing South Africa and the world, despite the material’s important role in modern society.

“The result is growing pressure on our environment, our oceans, our communities, and our waste management systems,” he said.

The Minister said government had adopted a proactive and evidence-based approach to the issue, combining policy reforms, scientific research, public awareness campaigns and partnerships across sectors.

Among the achievements highlighted were the continued implementation of EPR regulations, increased industry investment in recycling and collection infrastructure, and efforts to improve the working conditions of waste reclaimers who play a key role in South Africa’s recycling economy.

Government is also exploring deposit return schemes to improve collection rates and increase material recovery, while amendments to plastic carrier bag regulations are expected to stimulate demand for recycled materials through the introduction of recycled-content targets.

Aucamp credited collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition for supporting investment and innovation through initiatives such as the Plastics Sector Master Plan and the Industrial Policy Action Plan.

The Minister praised the growing support for the South African Plastics Pact from businesses across the plastics value chain, saying their commitment to improved product design, recyclability and resource efficiency was helping to drive meaningful change.

“The launch of the SA Plastics Pact 2030 is a declaration of intent to achieve more,” he said. 

“It signals our collective determination to move beyond business as usual and towards a future in which economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion go hand in hand.”

Aucamp thanked GreenCape, which serves as the secretariat of the Plastics Pact, as well as participating businesses and stakeholders for their continued support. – SAnews.gov.za