Category: Africa

The Dora Nginza Hospital and the Motherwell Community Health Centre (CHC) in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, are back to full working capacity following unprotected strike action at the two facilities. 

This, according to Eastern Cape Department of Health Head of Department (HOD) Dr Rolene Wagner, who briefed the media on Monday afternoon.

“Staff have returned to work and services have been restored. The second reason to engage with the media was just to apologise to the community that was affected by the disruption, both at Motherwell CHC as well as Dora Nginza Hospital.

“We want to appreciate that you’ve given us room as an administration to deal with the disruptions. We also want to appreciate everyone who stepped up and stepped forward to work with us as we had to divert patients and manage the services within the wider Nelson Mandela Bay as well as the Sarah Baartman District,” she said. 

According to Wagner, the striking workers at Motherwell raised issues related to safety following criminal incidents at the facility.

“This was because we had…six break-ins at the Motherwell CHC. We do want to note that those break-ins when computers were stolen…there were no signs of forced entry. The department opened a case and we are putting together a panel to do an investigation into why and how the computers disappeared.

“Immediately, the management met with the staff, understood the concerns and we started implementing a series of security interventions. That included clearing the trees, putting up floodlights [and] CCTV cameras. The access gates were also repaired…and guards patrolled the perimeter,” she said.

Security interventions were further stepped up following another attempted break-in at the facility, while trauma debriefing was also arranged for the workers.

Wagner said that at Dora Nginza, the department will be engaging the workers and details will not be furnished at the moment.

According to the HOD, the facility was particularly affected by the strike as some non-striking workers were taken out of wards and some union members were interfering with operations.

“What we can say is that there was unprotected action. It is said that it is in relation to additional overtime…and it was also related to Motherwell CHC, now putting pressure on Dora to try and absorb the patients from casualty and maternity.

“We called on SAPS…and opened a case with the individuals that were interfering with the operations,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will institute legal action against individuals implicated in the Life Esidimeni tragedy.

The tragedy unfolded between 2015 and 2016 when psychiatric patients were moved from licensed care facilities to unregistered and ill-equipped centres, resulting in the death of some 141 patients.

The decision to prosecute – taken after years of investigation and legal processes – was confirmed by NPA’s regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

“For nearly a decade, families of the deceased have endured prolonged delays in the pursuit of justice. These delays were occasioned by the complexity of the case, the scale of the evidence, and the necessity of ensuring a thorough and legally sound process. 

“The NPA acknowledges the pain and frustration experienced by affected families during this period.

“Delay in communicating the final decision taken by the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions was that it had to be endorsed by the NDPP who retired at the end of January 2026, and the incoming NDPP, Advocate Andy Mothibi had to be briefed about the decision.

“After he was briefed, the NDPP, Advocate Mothibi has expressed his appreciation at the progress in this matter and that the affected families and public needed to be informed that the NPA has decided to institute prosecution in this matter,” Mahanjana said.

An inquest was launched into the tragedy in 2021 presided over by Pretoria High Court Judge Mmonoa Teffo.

Teffo found that the former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and then Mental Health Director Dr Makgabo Manamela can be held accountable for the deaths of some the patients.

“The inquest proceedings, presided over by Judge Teffo, concluded with findings that several deaths were caused by negligence and systemic failures within the Gauteng Department of Health. The court further identified individuals whose conduct may give rise to criminal liability.

“After careful consideration of the inquest findings, supporting evidence, and applicable legal standards, the NPA has resolved that there is sufficient basis to institute criminal prosecutions. 

“The charges are expected to include culpable homicide, among others, against those deemed responsible for the unlawful and negligent actions that led to the deaths,” Mahanjane added.

Specific charges and further details on court dates will be communicated.

“This decision marks a critical step toward accountability and justice for the victims and their families. 

“The NPA reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable in a court of law,” the spokesperson concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo will on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, conduct an oversight visit to the Meyerton Wastewater Treatment Works in the Midvaal Local Municipality.

The visit aims to assess progress on the upgrade and expansion project and engage with key stakeholders in the locality. It will also review ongoing and planned interventions, aimed at assisting the municipality to comply with effluent discharge standards and improve sanitation services provision to its residents.

The Meyerton Wastewater Treatment Works project is funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) at a tune of R220 million, with Rand Water as an implementing agent. 

The project includes upgrading and expanding the existing treatment plant by 15 megalitres per day (ml/d) from 10 ml/d to 25 ml/d, to improve treatment capacity and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

The department noted the importance of the oversight visit, as it provides an opportunity to assess whether the project is progressing as planned and delivering its intended benefits. It also strengthens accountability and transparency, ensuring that public funds are being used effectively.

“Once completed, the project is expected to significantly improve wastewater treatment capacity and management, reduce risk of sewer spillages, and enhance compliance with environmental standards,” the department said.

Among the primary beneficiaries of the project include residents of Meyerton and surrounding areas, as well as local businesses and industries that depend on reliable sanitation services. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says a cut-off low (COL) is situated over the central interior of the country, and it has resulted in scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers over the central and eastern parts. 

The COL is expected to exit the mainland by Tuesday; however, the rainfall persists throughout the week. 

“Partly cloudy in the west, otherwise cloudy and cool to warm with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers, but widespread over the central and eastern parts of the country. There are warnings issued for severe thunderstorms,” the weather advised for Monday.

There is a high likelihood of minor impacts due to severe thunderstorms that are expected over the extreme southern part of Limpopo, Gauteng and Mpumalanga Highveld on Monday and Tuesday.

These weather conditions may cause localised damage to infrastructure, settlements (informal), property, vehicles, livelihood and livestock. 

“A low likelihood of significant impacts due to severe thunderstorms is expected over the Escarpment areas of Mpumalanga. These storms may result in flooding of susceptible low-lying areas (including bridges and roads) and damage to infrastructure and settlements,” SAWS warned.

The extended weather forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday shows partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers.

SAWS has urged members of the public and stakeholders to continuously monitor official forecasts and warnings, as these may be updated as the likelihood and severity of impacts become clearer.

The public is also advised to remain cautious of unauthorised or unverified information sources and to refrain from sharing such information. –SAnews.gov.za

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has formally published the Routine Vaccination Scheme for Foot and Mouth Disease (RVS-FMD), introducing a new framework to strengthen disease management in South Africa’s livestock sector. 

The draft scheme, established under Section 10 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), marks a significant shift toward a voluntary, nationwide framework for managing one of the most economically impactful viral diseases in the livestock sector.

Steenhuisen said the RVS-FMD has been designed to facilitate coordinated FMD vaccination for domesticated cloven-hoofed animals. 

By establishing a formal structure for routine vaccination, the department aims to mitigate disease risk and ensure the continuity of business operations for participating farmers and livestock owners.

“The objective of this scheme is to mitigate against the risk of FMD and create an enabling environment for continued business operations for participants,” Steenhuisen said.

He added that the scheme is about partnership, noting that through the cost-sharing mechanism and phased implementation, “we are promoting equitable participation to safeguard the agricultural economy.”

About the scheme

The proposed scheme introduces several crucial oversight and operational mechanisms.

A dedicated committee will be formed that includes state and private veterinarians, experts in virology and vaccinology, representatives from agricultural associations, including the dairy, feedlot, small stock and pick industries.

To ensure participation, all animals must be uniquely identified and recorded on a national traceability system. This includes branding, tattooing, or electronic ear tags to ensure every animal’s life cycle and vaccination status are monitored.

This scheme mandates strict oversight of vaccine receipt, cold chain management, and vaccination techniques.

While enrolment is voluntary and open to livestock owners across the country, the Minister emphasised that participants must comply with biosecurity plans and regular audits to maintain their status.

Taken together, he said the draft Routine Vaccination Scheme represents a decisive step forward in South Africa’s sustained effort to bring FMD under control and also moves the country beyond reactive containment toward a proactive, risk-based system built on partnership, traceability, and accountability.

“By aligning industry and government around a shared framework for vaccination and biosecurity, the scheme strengthens our ability to reduce outbreaks, protect the national herd, and restore confidence in our livestock sector. In doing so, it marks a meaningful leap forward in our war against FMD, laying the groundwork for long-term resilience, improved market access, and eventual return to internationally recognised disease-free status with vaccination,” the Minister said.

Comments invited on proposed scheme

The Department of Agriculture invites all interested parties to submit comments or representations regarding the proposed scheme within seven calendar days of the notice. The notice was gazetted on 10 April 2026.

Submissions should be directed to Dr EM Mogajane from the FMD Command at FMDCommandcent@nda.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za
 

South Africans do not have to wait for the upcoming voter registration weekend to confirm their status on the voters’ roll ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The Electoral Commission has encouraged citizens to use its online platform to check and update their details.

While the first voter registration weekend is scheduled for 20 – 21 June, the Commission said voters can already verify and update their registration details online, including their residential address, to ensure they are correctly assigned to a voting station and able to participate without delays on election day.

The online voter registration portal can be accessed at: https://registertovote.elections.org.za/.  

Citizens can also use the portal to apply for a special vote and check their special vote applications status.

The commission unveiled its new election logo and tagline: “Get Up. Show Up. Vote” on 1 April 2026, signaling what it described as an advanced stage of readiness for the polls. 

The campaign is aimed at driving participation, particularly among young voters, while promoting a sense of shared responsibility in shaping the country’s future.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the call to action was designed to resonate with citizens in a simple and emotionally engaging way, encouraging them to see voting as part of a broader national effort. 

He described the logo as a symbol of inclusive civic activism and national pride that belongs to all South Africans.

Moepya called on political parties, government bodies and civil society to work together to strengthen democracy, stressing that collaboration is essential to the success of the electoral process. 

The date for the Local Government Elections is yet to be announced by government. – SAnews.gov.za