Category: Africa

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has called for greater global fairness in the sharing of benefits derived from biodiversity.

The Deputy Minister made the call as he opened the third meeting of the Steering Committee on the multilateral mechanism for Digital Sequence Information (DSI) at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens on Tuesday.

Addressing delegates from across the world, Singh described the setting, located within the Cape Floristic Region, as a reminder of both the value of biodiversity and the shared responsibility to conserve it and ensure its benefits are distributed equitably.

He emphasised that the work of the Steering Committee comes at a critical time, noting that issues of fairness, equity and justice are central to how benefits from biodiversity are shared globally. 

In Africa, biodiversity is closely tied to livelihoods, cultures and identities, the Deputy Minister said, adding that decisions taken during the meeting would have real implications for Indigenous people and local communities who have protected these resources for generations.

He pointed to South Africa’s advanced Access and Benefit-Sharing system, which is aligned with international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, as an example of how equitable engagement between researchers, companies and communities can be achieved. 

Singh said this made South Africa a fitting host for discussions on the multilateral mechanism and the Cali Fund.

Reflecting on progress made at the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16), Singh noted that countries had agreed to establish a multilateral mechanism to address the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, including the creation of the Cali Fund. 

He described the decision as a milestone aimed at ensuring that benefits arising from genetic data used in research and innovation are shared more fairly, while strengthening corporate responsibility.

He traced the development of the issue back to 2016, when digital sequence information first gained prominence under the Convention, and outlined how ongoing discussions, including global dialogues initiated by South Africa and Norway in 2019, helped build consensus. 

He highlighted South Africa’s role in convening these engagements, including key meetings in Pretoria, which contributed to the eventual agreement reached in Cali.

Singh stressed that in the African context, benefit-sharing is not only a technical issue but also a historical one, noting that Indigenous knowledge has long contributed to sectors such as medicine and agriculture without adequate recognition or compensation. 

He said the work of the Steering Committee and the development of the Cali Fund present an opportunity to address these imbalances and ensure that both monetary and non-monetary benefits reach the communities that have safeguarded biodiversity.

The Deputy Minister added that South Africa’s own experience demonstrates how the use of genetic resources can deliver tangible benefits for both communities and conservation efforts, and expressed hope that this experience could inform broader discussions on shaping a fair, inclusive and effective mechanism. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says the helicopter that went missing on Monday with four occupants, including the pilot, has been successfully located this morning with all individuals found alive and unharmed. 

The group, which includes two SAPS investigators, along with an Environmental Crime Investigator, had safely landed in a remote area on Monday. However, as they attempted to navigate through the thick bush, they could not find the chopper. 

Following their rescue, it has been confirmed that all the occupants are safe. 

“The chopper disappeared on Monday during an investigation after a report was brought to the attention of law enforcers that there was a carcass discovered in the Kruger National Park, hence the probe to find out circumstances thereof,” the police said in a statement.

A report indicates that the team departed in the morning around 09h00 and did not return as anticipated. 

Some efforts to establish communication with the helicopter crew yielded no results due to poor signal and it is suspected that the chopper could have been flying low. 

“All attempts to reach them via their mobile phones and other means were unsuccessful. It was only in the evening that it was realised that something was wrong, prompting immediate action to locate them.

“In response to the situation, another helicopter equipped with night vision capabilities, alongside drones, was swiftly deployed to assist in the search efforts. Unfortunately, due to poor weather conditions, the helicopter had to be withdrawn. However, the drones continued their search throughout the night,” the police said.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, remarked that the committed members were carrying out their duties even on a day that is recognized as a holiday in the country. – SAnews.gov.za

The eThekwini Municipality says its disaster management teams are working around the clock following severe rains that caused widespread flooding and damage across parts of Durban at the weekend.

In a statement issued on Monday, the municipality said teams were immediately deployed after the storm left a trail of submerged roads, fallen trees and damaged vehicles in several areas.

Disaster management officials, supported by recreation and parks teams, are currently on the ground responding to incidents, clearing debris and restoring access to affected routes.

According to the municipality, the Durban Central and Southern regions were the hardest hit, with 22 incidents reported, particularly in Chatsworth and Morningside. 

Flooded roads and fallen trees led to significant traffic disruptions.  

In the Western region, 13 incidents were recorded, with Westville among the most affected. Teams are working to clear debris, manage waterlogged roads and assess damage to protect residents.

The Northern region reported seven incidents, with Newlands West bearing the brunt of the storm. Emergency crews are continuing to address flooding and other storm-related hazards.

The municipality has urged residents to exercise extreme caution, avoid flooded roads and report hazards such as fallen trees, damaged power lines or blocked routes through official channels.

“Motorists are strongly advised not to attempt crossing flooded roads, as water levels may be deeper and more dangerous than they appear.

“eThekwini remains committed to prioritising the safety and wellbeing of residents. Teams are working around the clock to restore normality, reduce risks, and provide support where needed,” the statement said.

Residents in need of emergency assistance can contact the city’s Disaster Management Centre on 031 361 0000. 

Further updates are expected as teams continue to assess the extent of the damage. – SAnews.gov.za

Thabo Mofutsanyana District Police have arrested 12 suspects during Easter holiday operations for various serious offences, including murder, attempted murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms and drug-related crimes.

The intensified, high-visibility policing operations yielded positive results in both police-driven and community-reported crimes. However, the district also recorded an increase in cases of murder, attempted murder and rape.

“Six suspects were arrested in connection with murder cases reported across Nketoana, Setsoto, Maluti-a-Phofung and Phumelela municipalities. Among the victims were two women, who were murdered in separate incidents in Reitz and Warden.

“In Marquard, five suspects were arrested for possession of illegal firearms, ammunition and drugs. The confiscated drugs include crystal meth and mandrax. Several attempted murder cases were also reported, stemming from shooting incidents and stabbings, often occurring in public spaces where individuals were under the influence of alcohol.

“Police also reported disturbing rape incidents involving vulnerable victims, including a 66-year-old person and minors. In one particularly case in the Bluegumbosch Disaster Park section, a woman was allegedly raped by seven suspects while walking home from a local tavern,” the police said.

Furthermore, four additional suspects, including a police officer, were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and defeating the ends of justice. 

A total of four illegal firearms were seized during operations conducted in Harrismith, Phuthaditjhaba and Tseki. An undocumented foreign national was also arrested during these operations.

All arrested suspects are expected to appear before various Magistrate Courts today.

Police commended community members, who provided valuable information leading to these arrests. – SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has welcomed Infrastructure South Africa’s contribution to the successful hosting of the South African Investment Conference in Sandton, last Tuesday.

Macpherson also welcomed its role in helping to unlock a $1 billion investment pledge by global agricultural company UPL, announced at the conference. 

The investment amounting to approximately R17 billion and led by UPL Chairman and Group CEO Jai Shroff, is linked to a large-scale bioethanol production facility in South Africa. 

The project will utilise sugarcane and maize as a feedstock and support the development of an integrated agricultural and energy value chain. 

Infrastructure South Africa, an entity of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, played a key facilitative role in advancing the project by bringing together stakeholders across the agricultural, energy and financial sectors.

This included supporting engagements between UPL and a major development finance institution to explore project preparation and financing opportunities, as well as broader collaboration to move the project towards implementation. 

The project has significant potential, including the cultivation of approximately 400 000 hectares of sweet sorghum and the production of up to 1.3 billion litres of bioethanol annually. 

This will inject significant amounts of money directly back to small and large scale farmers. 

This positions South Africa as a potential leader in the biofuels sector, while supporting rural development and job creation. 

Macpherson said Infrastructure South Africa is playing an increasingly important role in unlocking investment by removing bottlenecks, coordinating stakeholders, and supporting project preparation.

“When I was appointed Public Works and Infrastructure Minister 21 months ago, I committed to turning the department into the economic delivery unit of South Africa to help grow the economy and create much-needed jobs. 

“The $1 billion investment, facilitated by Infrastructure South Africa, is clear evidence of the progress we are making in achieving that goal,” Macpherson said. 

He said this investment demonstrates what is possible when government plays an active role in facilitating partnerships, removing obstacles, and aligning stakeholders behind a common objective. 

“It also highlights the growing importance of Infrastructure South Africa in ensuring that projects of this scale move from concept to implementation as we work to build a better South Africa,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, has resumed its hearings this morning.

The commission resume its public hearings after the Easter recess with City of Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Commissioner, Yolanda Faro, taking the stand.

“The commission will, over the coming months – ahead of its final deadline at the end of August 2026 – continue to expand its focus on areas of its Terms of Reference, which have not yet been covered.

“The inquiry will continue to run Phases 1 and 2 in parallel, with Phase 1 being the airing of allegations, and Phase 2 broadly being the responses by implicated individuals to specific allegations against them, as well as giving those implicated persons the opportunity to tell their side of the story,” commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said.

He noted that while the commission is investigating allegations about the criminal justice system made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at a media conference last year, the commission is not mandated to investigate “all allegations of wrongdoing across the criminal justice system”.

“Any person who wishes to provide the commission with information, which falls within the Terms of Reference, can do so anonymously and confidentially by contacting the commission’s hotline on 0800 111 369, or via email at madlangacommission@behonest.co.za,” Michaels said.

The term of the commission has been extended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, with a final report expected in August this year.

A second interim report is expected to be handed to the President by the end of next month. – SAnews.gov.za