Category: Africa

Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia says he is deeply concerned about the notable increase in the murder of police officials.

“Almost 80% of the 23 police officials who lost their lives were off duty,” he said on Friday at the release of the Third Quarterly Crime Statistics in Pretoria.

Cachalia said this was an issue that he would ask the South African Police Service (SAPS) management to look into so that they can try and prevent these deaths from happening.

“Again, firearms remain the single largest weapon driving murder, robbery and organised crime in our country,” he said.

Cachalia said they would be taking additional measures to address the scourge with a focus on removing illegal firearms and preventing legal firearms from falling into the wrong hands.

Speaking about Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), which has been declared as a national disaster, Cachalia said it demanded that government intensify its efforts to deal with it.

“Much inter-personal, domestic and gender-based violence takes place between people who live with each other or know each other. We are taking steps to strengthen the policing approach to addressing GBVF and other forms of violence,” he said.

The  SAPS has allocated an additional 999 police members to the Detective Services over the past year.

“While we work to improve law-enforcement, we also need to give attention to implementing the Integrated Crime and Violence Strategy (ICVPS.) 

“This requires that different social departments such as Health, Education and Social Development to align their services across levels of government to mitigate the factors that drive crime and violence so that it can be prevented from happening,” the minister said.

 With regard to other crime categories, Cachalia said most violent crime categories, including murder, rape, robbery and most property related crimes like theft and burglary continued to decrease,Lenin the period, but remain at unacceptably high levels.

“After more than a decade of annual increases, murder, our most accurate crime statistic started decreasing on the first quarter of 2023-24,” Cachalia said.

He said the trend has continued throughout this year with this quarter showing a 8.7 decrease or 602 fewer lives lost.

“This means that over the past two years, the numbers of murders for the quarter three period (1 October to 31 December) had dropped by 17.6% or 1 359 fewer murders,” Cachalia said.

The Minister said total contact crime made up of all categories of violent crime started to decrease in the 3rd quarter of 2024-25.

“During this quarter, total violent crime decreased again by 6.7% or 12 682 fewer cases reported to the SAPS when compared to the same quarter last year. Over the past two years, total violent crime for this quarter is down by 8.3% or 15 763 fewer cases. This trend may well be attributable to enhanced policing operations.

“The crime situation also varies substantially across the country. Remember that these are statistical patterns. This does not necessarily translate into a felt sense of security by individuals, families and communities,” the Minister said.

The Minister said while the country has seen double digit reductions in murder in five provinces, namely KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and the North West, much smaller decreases were recorded in the Western and Eastern Cape, with slight increases recorded in Limpopo and the Northern Cape.

“And out of the 30 highest murder precincts, decreases were recorded in only 15 of them. The killings relating to gang violence in the Eastern and Western Cape in particular, remain worrisomely high,” he said.

During this quarter, total violent crime decreased again by 6,7% or 12 682 fewer cases reported to the SAPS when compared to the same quarter last year.

Over the past two years, total violent crime for this quarter is down by 8,3% or 15 763 fewer cases. – SAnews.gov.za

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is intensifying efforts to contain the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) across the province, with 138 confirmed cases recorded as of 19 February 2026.

Providing an update on Friday, North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha said the department is working closely with veterinarians, animal health technicians and law enforcement agencies to curb the outbreak.

Of the confirmed cases, 135 were detected in cattle, two in pigs and one in a goat. Sixteen of the province’s 18 municipalities have been affected.

The highest number recorded in JB Marks/Ventersdorp with 26 cases, followed by Potchefstroom/Tlokwe with 24, while 16 cases have been confirmed in Rustenburg.

To strengthen disease control measures, Sambatha announced that the province received 1 400 doses of FMD vaccine on 9 February 2026. The doses were administered to a dairy herd in the Bojanala District and recorded on the Livestock Identification Traceability System (LITS).

Sambatha said a further batch of vaccines is expected later this month and will be distributed based on a risk assessment. Farmers will be notified by animal health technicians when to bring their animals for vaccination.

The MEC emphasised that uncontrolled animal movement of animals remains the single biggest threat to containment efforts. He said a Movement Protocol was issued on 12 February 2026, and all stakeholders have been urged to comply and to share the information widely within farming communities.

“The outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the province is a matter of great concern, not only for our farmers but for the entire agricultural economy. Vaccination, strict movement control and community vigilance are our strongest weapons against this disease.

“I urge every farmer and stakeholder to cooperate fully with the protocols in place, report any suspected cases immediately, and support our collective effort to protect livelihoods. Together, we will overcome this challenge and safeguard the future of livestock farming in the North West,” Sambatha said.

The department reiterated its call for farmers and communities to immediately report any suspected cases of FMD to their local state or private veterinarians, animal health technicians, or extension officers without delay.

“Prompt reporting will enable swift investigation and control measures, helping to curb the spread and prevent further losses in the livestock industry,” Sambatha said.

The provincial department said it will continue to monitor the situation and implement measures aimed at safeguarding the province’s livestock sector.

One million FMD vaccine to arrive in South Africa

This week, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced that the first consignment of one million high-potency Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine doses from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina will be arriving in South Africa on Saturday, bringing much-needed relief to the most affected provinces and regions.

Steenhuisen said the shipment marks the first phase of a broader agreement, with a further five million doses scheduled for delivery in March this year.

The Minister said the vaccines form part of the Department of Agriculture’s new strategy to combat FMD, which includes the proactive vaccination of South Africa’s national herd of more than 14 million cattle. The goal is to transition the country to “FMD-Free Status with Vaccination.”

In addition to the supply from Argentina, Steenhuisen said the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) remains a key partner, noting that since the recent FMD outbreak, BVI has delivered two million doses and is expected to continue supplying FMD vaccines every month.

Steenhuisen further announced that vaccines will also be supplied by Dollvet in Turkey through its local agent, Dunevax. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have directed the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) to find a road engineering solution to the persistent rise in the number of road crashes on the road curve just after Makhado, involving buses and trucks.   

This directive follows yet another tragic loss of five lives in a bus crash on the same N1 road curve northbound, between Makhado and Musina on Thursday. The bus crash involved over 30 passengers.

Creecy and Hlengwa have also directed the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to provide an update report on the directive issued last October to intensify roadworthy inspections of buses crossing the Beit Bridge border.  

“Both the RTMC and SANRAL are expected to provide reports as a matter of priority. Creecy and Hlengwa have extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones, and [have wished for] a speedy recovery for those who were admitted in hospitals,” the Department of Transport said. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced an adjustment to the toll tariffs effective from 01 March 2026.

“The annual toll tariffs will increase by 3.12%, as published in the Government Gazette of 5 February 2026. This rate is less than last year’s 4.85% adjustment,” the road agency said.

The tariffs are adjusted annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as obtained from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). 

SANRAL’s General Manager for Communications and Marketing, Vusi Mona, explained that toll revenue is necessary to maintain, operate, and improve toll roads, as well as to service debt incurred to implement a toll road project.

“The funds go a long way towards ensuring that SANRAL fulfils its mandate of delivering quality road infrastructure that adds value to the lives of South African citizens,” Mona said.

He said that key economic infrastructure, such as the national road network, is a precondition for providing basic services such as electricity, water, sanitation, telecommunications, and public transport, and this road network therefore needs to meet industrial, commercial, and household needs.

“SANRAL is empathetic to the South African public, considering the current state of the economy. However, it is equally important to introduce the adjustments to ensure that the agency continues to deliver safe and quality roads to the benefit of all road users,” he said. –SAnews.gov.za

Transnet has issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to commence the selection process for a partner in the Private Sector Participation (PSP) project at the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal (RBDBT).

“The issuance of the RFQ marks an important milestone in Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth Strategy and signals the organisation’s readiness to engage the market to strengthen operational performance, attract private investment, and support the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s freight and logistics infrastructure,” the freight logistics company said on Friday.

According to Transnet, the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal is a critical export gateway for South Africa’s bulk commodities, particularly chrome and magnetite. 

Through the PSP process, Transnet seeks to leverage private sector expertise and capital to improve operational efficiency and reliability, while supporting future capacity growth and retaining strategic oversight of the asset.

Furthermore, this project could provide opportunities in areas such as supplier development, local participation, and community upliftment, particularly within the Richards Bay region.

“The RFQ represents the first phase of the partner selection process, and it invites interested parties to demonstrate their technical capability, operational experience, financial capacity, and compliance with Transnet’s requirements,” the company said.

Interested parties are also required to outline measurable plans to drive community upliftment through this PSP project. 

Respondents that meet the qualifying criteria may be invited to participate in a subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP) phase.

“Transnet is committed to conducting the PSP process in a transparent, competitive, and legally compliant manner, aligned with applicable governance frameworks and regulatory requirements. 

“Engagement with key stakeholders, including employees, organised labour, and government, will continue throughout the process,” Transnet said. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says three developers are working with Joburg Water to build a 10-megalitre reservoir as part of targeted interventions to address water supply challenges.

In recent weeks, Gauteng residents and businesses experienced intermittent water supply disruptions due to a combination of ageing infrastructure, high demand, leaks in the system, power supply interruptions affecting pumping capacity, and maintenance backlogs.

Water has since been restored. 

READ | Rand Water granted temporary boost to stabilise Gauteng supply

Rand Water, the supplier of bulk potable water, is pumping at full capacity, even though the Commando (which comprises Brixton, Crossby and Hursthill) and Soweto systems, in particular Doornkop and Meadowlands reservoirs, remain constrained with gradual improvement. 

Johannesburg Water continues to monitor all systems closely and implement the necessary interventions to stabilise supply. 

Alternative water is provided to affected areas in a coordinated manner, together with affected Ward Councillors.

In his capacity as the Chairperson of the Water Task Team, the Deputy President conducted an oversight visit to the City of Johannesburg Water facilities in Midrand, Gauteng. 

“We are out of troubled waters for now… There is still a long journey ahead and work that needs to be done, but at least the system is now pumping water to residents. There may still be challenges in some areas, but we are getting there,” he said.

The Deputy President made these remarks on Friday at the construction site of a 20-million-litre reservoir in Carlswald, Midrand.

“This reservoir is planned to supply water for the next 20 years, with further expansion planned beyond that timeframe. The aim is to ensure that, in the future, we do not face water shortages. It will take some time for everything to stabilise, 

“The project is expected to come on stream in July next year. It is an 18-month project and will complement the infrastructure that is already in place,” the Deputy President said.

As part of the immediate action being implemented to fix the water system, government is repairing reservoirs, maintaining pipes, and conducting planned maintenance to stabilise supply.

In addition, Polihali Dam is being constructed in neighbouring Lesotho, and other augmentation projects are being implemented to strengthen long-term supply.

In the 2025/26 financial year, government budgeted approximately R1.7 billion for Johannesburg, specifically for infrastructure. 

“In addition, we are working with National Treasury on service-entity reforms to maximise the performance of entities. Three developers are jointly building a 10-megalitre reservoir with Joburg Water. This initiative is highly appreciated, and I hope other developers across the country will follow this example,” Mashatile said.

Addressing criticism on the use of a task team, he explained that the team is responsible for addressing water challenges in the country.

“The Department of Water and Sanitation is part of the task team, as is the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, along with other departments. When we visit any province, we work closely with the provincial government and municipalities.

“Municipalities bring their expertise, including engineers and technical teams. Our role is to intervene where necessary and ensure that challenges are addressed, while also advising those responsible for the sector to undertake long-term planning.

“The Department of Water and Sanitation will work with provinces and cities to support long-term planning. However, where there are disruptions, quick interventions are required. In such cases, we deploy our own teams, whether it is Rand Water or Magalies Water, depending on who has that responsibility,” he said.

The task team will pool resources to intervene effectively to provide tangible results. 

“When there are challenges, the President wants to know whether they have been fixed, and that is exactly what we are doing,” Mashatile said. – SAnews.gov.za

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed 13 Special Task Force (STF) members into the ranks of the organisation’s elite tactical unit.  

The STF unit deals with high-risk operations that fall beyond the scope of general policing, which requires specialised skills.

Speaking at the Special Task Force Badge Parade held at the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tshwane Academy in Pretoria on Friday, Masemola said the Special Task Force was a strategic national asset. 

“For 18 months, these members have endured one of the most rigorous and uncompromising training programmes within our law enforcement environment,” he said, adding that out of the many people who began this journey, only a few were successful. 

He told the new members that they were not members of the Special Task Force by chance.

“You earned your place through grit, discipline and sacrifice. You were tested physically, mentally and emotionally. You were pushed beyond exhaustion, beyond doubt and beyond fear. The purpose was never to break you, it was to refine you. 

“The Wings and Badges you will wear are not decorations. They are a covenant. A covenant to protect life. A covenant to defend the sovereignty of our Republic. A covenant to stand firm where danger is greatest.

“As members of this elite capability, you will be deployed in situations where seconds determine outcomes, where precision saves lives, and where failure is not an option. You will confront organised crime syndicates, hostage situations, armed suspects, and high-risk operations that demand absolute professionalism,” he said.

Masemola told the members that the nation will rely on their training, their discipline and their judgement.

“But remember this, tactical excellence without ethical grounding is dangerous. Your power must always be guided by restraint. Your authority must always be anchored in accountability. You are not above the law but you are its guardians.

“The Special Task Force embodies the highest ideals of the SAPS: courage, integrity, service and respect for human dignity. Your conduct, both on and off duty, must reflect these values. The badge on your chest carries the reputation of this entire Service,” he said.

To the instructors, Masemola said they carry a profound responsibility.

“You shape those who will stand between chaos and order. Through uncompromising standards, you shape those who will stand between chaos and order. Through uncompromising standards, you ensure that only the most capable earn the honour of this unit. 

“Your leadership ensures that this elite capability remains sharp, disciplined and mission ready. standards, you ensure that only the most capable earn the honor of this unit. Your leadership ensures that this elite capability remains sharp, disciplined and mission ready,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za