Category: Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to assure the nation that the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) within the country, was done with good reason.

The President addressed the nation through his weekly newsletter following the commemoration of Armed Forces Day at Limpopo on Saturday, 21 February 2026.

In the State of the Nation Address earlier this month, President Ramaphosa announced that the SANDF will be deployed to assist the police in combatting illegal mining and gang violence in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

“Given our history, where the apartheid state sent the army into townships to violently suppress opposition, it is important that we do not deploy the SANDF inside the country to deal with domestic threats without good reason.

“This recent deployment has become necessary due to a surge in violent organised crime that threatens the safety of our people and the authority of the state.

“That is why the SANDF will be deployed in support of the SAPS [South African Police Service], operating under police command, with clear rules of engagement and for specific time-limited objectives,” he assured.

During this mobilisation, the military may be called upon to “provide protection in high-risk operations, or to support cordon-and-search operations against armed criminals” and the deployment will be alongside other interventions.

“Soldiers may also help to secure critical infrastructure, freeing SAPS members to focus on investigations, arrests and building cases that lead to successful prosecutions.

“The deployment of the SANDF will take place alongside other measures, such as strengthening anti-gang units and illegal mining tasks teams. The police will also be working with the National Prosecuting Authority on multi-disciplinary task teams to target the leadership, finances, firearms and logistics of these criminal networks,” President Ramaphosa noted.

A helping hand

The SANDF has been called upon before in South Africa and members have taken part in not only maintaining security but also to support disaster response and development.

Amongst others, the SANDF was mobilised during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling government to “enforce disaster regulations, safeguard our borders, support anti-crime efforts with the SAPS and set up field hospitals to tend to the sick”.

“During the recent floods in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the SANDF supported relief efforts and assisted with evacuations, repairing damaged infrastructure and erecting temporary structures.

“Through Project Owethu, which was launched in Limpopo to coincide with Armed Forces Day, the SANDF provided healthcare services to more than 50,000 people in underserved communities.

“Over the last few years, the SANDF has helped improve the lives of rural communities through the Welisizwe Rural Bridges. It has conducted law-enforcement operations at our borders to curb people smuggling, illicit activity and illegal crossings,” he said.

The President acknowledged that the SANDF has been operating under financial strain.

However, as the public purse continues to strengthen, government is “working to close funding gaps and strengthen the readiness of our armed forces”.

“We are also strengthening the complement of younger people in the SANDF. Applications recently opened for the 2027 Military Skills Development System, which offers young people the opportunity to gain skills and training in the army, air force, navy and military health service.

“When the SANDF was formed in 1994 it marked a decisive break from the use of the defence force to perpetuate apartheid oppression. Today our armed forces are loyal to our democratic Constitution, are subject to civilian oversight and reflect the diversity of our nation. They operate in strict adherence with international humanitarian law.

“As we work together to overcome the challenges facing our armed forces, let us not lose sight of their immense contribution to building a democratic nation in which all our people are safe and secure,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has expressed concern about the disclosure that at least 97 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) have been accused of sexual violence or rape nationally.

The figures are drawn from the 2024/25 Annual Report of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

“The committee is gravely concerned that police officers, constitutionally mandated to protect communities, particularly women, children and other vulnerable groups, are themselves allegedly implicated in heinous acts of sexual violence. Such conduct constitutes a serious betrayal of public trust and fundamentally undermines confidence in law enforcement institutions.

“The Portfolio Committee unequivocally condemns these alleged actions. Members of SAPS are expected to serve as role models who uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for human rights.

“Any involvement in acts of sexual violence is wholly incompatible with the duties and responsibilities of policing and must be met with swift, decisive and visible consequences,” the committee said in a statement.

Furthermore, the committee conducted oversight visits to several police stations where it was found that “none of the stations visited achieved full compliance with the Domestic Violence Act”.

The Act intends to provide for the issuing of protection orders for domestic violence, and for matters connected therewith. It affords the victims of domestic violence the maximum protection from domestic abuse that the law can provide and introduces measures that seek to ensure that the relevant organs of state give full effect to the provisions of this Act. 

“Non-compliance was largely attributed to administrative, infrastructural and operational deficiencies, including misalignment between pocketbooks, occurrence books and registers, incomplete documentation, and recording errors.

“The Committee further noted significant impediments relating to the shortage of social workers and the reduced funding of non-profit organisations (NPOs), which play a critical role in supporting SAPS and assisting victims, particularly in ensuring compliance with the Domestic Violence Act. 

“The Committee therefore calls on the Department of Social Development to prioritise the employment of additional social workers and to improve funding for NPOs, in recognition of their indispensable role in the domestic violence response ecosystem,” the statement continued.

The committee acknowledged that although the numbers are concerning, there are ethical police officers who are dedicated to their work.

“[The] committee places on record its recognition that SAPS is also home to many dedicated, professional and ethical women and men in blue who serve their communities with courage, integrity and commitment, often under difficult and dangerous conditions. These officers should not be judged by the alleged criminal conduct of a minority.

“The committee emphasises that its oversight interventions are not intended to undermine morale within SAPS, but rather to protect the credibility of the institution, support officers who serve honourably, and ensure that misconduct is decisively eradicated so that public trust in policing can be restored and strengthened,” the statement read.

Although some shortcomings are procedural, these may have “serious and direct consequences for legal compliance and, more importantly, for the quality, dignity and timeliness of services rendered to victims of domestic violence”.

“The Committee further emphasises that community vigilance remains essential as part of an early warning system to detect, prevent and report potential cases of abuse. Communities must be empowered and supported to work collaboratively with law enforcement and social services to protect the most vulnerable.

“The Committee reaffirms that compliance with the Domestic Violence Act is non-negotiable. It will intensify its oversight, engage further with SAPS leadership and relevant oversight bodies, and pursue accountability measures to ensure that police stations comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law.

“The protection of victims of domestic violence remains an absolute priority for the Gauteng Provincial Legislature,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has noted the concerns of small-scale fishers on the finalisation of appeals concerning decisions issued by the delegated authority on the allocation of the Total Applied Effort (TAE) in the Traditional Linefish sector.

In response, the Minister has directed the department to finalise the appeals by 5 March 2026.

The Minister has acknowledged the pressures faced by small-scale fishers and the importance of certainty for coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on responsible access to marine resources.  

“I understand the frustration and uncertainty that these decisions have created for small-scale fishers. I want to assure them that their concerns are being approached with empathy and seriousness. Yet good governance requires careful, lawful decision-making. We will stay true to that obligation while working as swiftly as possible to resolve the issue.”

Aucamp, has directed that all appeals received from small-scale fishers be prioritised for finalisation.
This was in response to the high volume of appeals received, noting the urgency and seriousness of these matters, and given that the current allocations expire on 28 February 2026. 

This timeline takes into consideration that the 30-day prescribed period for the submission of appeals against the decisions of the delegated authority on the Traditional Line Fish TAE lapses on 2 March 2026. 

The Minister’s directive also aims to ensure that each appeal is considered thoroughly, lawfully, and in a manner that reflects the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s commitment to fairness, accountability, and the sustainable use of South Africa’s marine resources.

The department is mindful that the appeals raise important matters relating to the procedural fairness of the decision-making process, the reasonableness of the outcomes, and the pote
ntial implications for the livelihoods and socio-economic well-being of small-scale fishing communities.
“While the appeal process must follow due administrative procedure, the department is committed to concluding the assessments as efficiently as possible.

“All affected stakeholders are encouraged to remain patient while the department follows the legally required steps to ensure that the issues raised are properly evaluated. 

“The department is committed to a balanced and just outcome that safeguards socio-economic interests while upholding its mandate to conserve and protect South Africa’s fisheries resources for current and future generations.” – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the late Hosi Dr Phylia Tinyiko Lwandlamuni N’wamitwa II as a trailblazer who transformed customary law and advanced the rights of women, saying her life was a triumph of courage over patriarchy.

Delivering the eulogy at her Special Provincial Official Funeral at the Valoyi Cultural Village in Tzaneen, Limpopo, on Sunday, the President said the VaTsonga nation had lost a mother.

“It is with great sorrow that we today bid farewell to a leader, a pioneer and a great daughter of the soil.

“The VaTsonga nation has lost a mother. Those who have experienced the pain of losing a mother will attest that it is one of the deepest wounds,” he said. 

On behalf of government and the people of South Africa, President Ramaphosa extended condolences to the N’wamitwa Royal House and the broader Valoyi community, noting that tributes had poured in since her passing on 9 February.

As the first female Hosi of the VaTsonga, N’wamitwa II made history in 2008 when she ascended to the throne following a landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court of South Africa. The court affirmed that the Valoyi Traditional Authority could adapt its customary succession rules to allow a woman to become Hosi. 

President Ramaphosa said her decision to challenge the male primogeniture principle took “great courage, resilience and strength of character”.

“She stood up to claim the rights guaranteed by our Constitution,” he said, adding that her victory signalled that customary law and constitutional rights are complementary, not in opposition. 

Born on 27 June 1940 to Hosi Fofoza N’wamitwa and Nkosikazi Favasi N’wa-Manave, Princess Tinyiko Lwandlamuni Phylia N’wamitwa grew up at a time when girls were discouraged from pursuing education and barred from traditional leadership.

Yet her father ensured she attended school, first at Nwamitwa Primary and later at Shilubana Junior Secondary School under the care of Swiss missionaries. She went on to complete her teaching qualifications, a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Honours degree in anthropology.

Her career in education spanned decades. She served as a teacher, Home Economics Inspector, Education School Inspector, Circuit Manager and became the first woman appointed as Education Circuit Inspector in the former Gazankulu homeland.

Beyond education, she played an active role in the struggle for democracy. She participated in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) negotiations ahead of the 1994 elections and later served four terms as a Member of Parliament for the African National Congress from 1994 to 2009.

Most recently, President Ramaphosa appointed her to the Eminent Persons Group tasked with guiding the National Dialogue.

“She was a traditionalist and a champion of gender equality. She respected and upheld cultural practices and traditions but did not hesitate to speak out if these violated the rights of others,” the President said. 

Throughout her reign, N’wamitwa II was a vocal advocate for rural women, insisting on equal treatment in traditional courts and speaking out against gender-based violence.

She mobilised partnerships to support vulnerable families, including securing food assistance from Tiger Brands for hundreds of households over nearly a decade, and engaging British singer Elton John to assist in establishing a youth centre in Nwamitwa.

President Ramaphosa said her leadership embodied the spirit of the women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956, declaring that tradition must never be used to justify the oppression of women.

“To honour her memory, I call on all organs of State, the institutions of traditional leadership and all communities to declare that never again will culture and tradition be used as an excuse for the oppression, exclusion and subjugation of women,” he said.

Hosi N’wamitwa II is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She leaves behind a legacy of pioneering leadership, courageous advocacy and selfless service under the guiding principle, ‘vukosi i vutirheri’ – royalty is service.

“Let us who remain behind pick up the spear that has fallen. Let us ensure that in the onward march towards full gender equality in South Africa, we leave no one behind – even in the most rural and remote community,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za