Category: Africa

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with municipalities to ensure that previously unserved communities have access to safe potable water.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, accompanied by Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo, conducted an oversight visit on Friday, 20 February, to the uMshwathi Bulk Water Supply Scheme in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, to assess progress and address challenges that impede progress of the water supply scheme.

Majodina and Seitlholo were joined by Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, iLembe District Municipality Mayor Thobani Shandu, uMshwathi Local Municipality Mayor Mandla Zondi, as well as uMngeni-uThukela Water Chairperson Advocate Vusi Khuzwayo.

Traditional leaders from the iLembe Local House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders were also in attendance.

The uMshwathi Bulk Water Supply Scheme is being implemented in five phases. Phases 1 – 3 have been completed and already delivering water to several communities within uMshwathi Local Municipality, while Phases 4 and 5 are currently under construction.

Phase 4 includes an almost complete water pipeline supplying five million litres of water per day to surrounding communities, and 1.5 million litres of reservoir capacity at Montobelo Hospital, serving the Dalibho area, where taps are already flowing.

Phase 5 features an 11-kilometre bulk water pipeline – recently commissioned – supplying Bhamshela, Ngcongangconga and Chibini villages, with water flowing to residents’ taps.

The scheme draws water from an existing 50 megalitre storage reservoir in Claridge, which is supplied from Midmar Dam through DV Harris Water Treatment Works.

After the completion of the entire uMshwathi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, additional bulk potable water supply will also be provided to Ndwedwe and Maphumulo Local Municipalities.

Majodina underscored the importance of focusing on rural and historically underserved communities.

“People in rural areas are citizens, who deserve quality service delivery. They have the right to access water, and the scheme will help develop livelihoods and restore dignity in the uMgungundlovu District. Rural areas are homes that need [the same level] of service too,” she said.

The Minister acknowledged delays experienced since the project’s inception in 2013, citing demands from business forums and community stakeholders as contributing factors.

Once completed, the project is expected to benefit approximately 28 000 households. Currently, only 15 000 households are receiving fresh water supply.

“Water access equates to freedom, and we are committed to delivering that to unserved communities,” Majodina said.

Following the oversight visit, the Minister engaged with residents and visited a household benefiting from the scheme.

She also announced plans to rehabilitate boreholes and protect spring water sources, while encouraging communities to harvest rainwater as a supplementary measure.

Majodina further indicated that the department would return within two weeks to commission another bulk water scheme to benefit more unserved communities.

uMshwathi Mayor Mandla Zondi welcomed the progress, expressing appreciation for the department’s assistance and renewed focus on underprivileged communities.

“Rural communities tend to be left in the periphery, with little to no access to basic service delivery. There were critical areas that didn’t have water, such as the Montobelo Hospital, which now has its own elevated reservoir. The consistent supply of water has brought relief to the community of uMshwati,” Zondi said. – SAnews.gov.za

Eskom has recorded some 280 days without the implementation of load shedding, continuing the power utility’s generation recovery.

At the same time, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) continues to hold steady, rising to some 65.11% for the financial year to date.

“Eskom’s generation performance continues to show steady and measurable improvement, reinforcing the reliability of South Africa’s power system and supporting confidence in the wider economy. Improvements in plant availability, together with reduced unplanned outages, have strengthened the stability of the national grid.

“These gains, enabled by the Generation Recovery Plan, are contributing to long-term energy security and helping sustain uninterrupted supply, an essential foundation for economic activity and growth,” the power utility said.

Last week, average unplanned outages measured at some 9980MW – an improvement of 2784MW from the same period last year.

“Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor [UCLF], reflecting unplanned outages, was at 20.77%, representing a reduction of 4.53% compared to the 25.30% recorded during the same period last year.

“During the same period, Eskom’s Planned Capacity Loss Factor [PCLF] – reflecting planned maintenance – was at an average of 10.49%, down from 15.71% in the previous financial year.

“In addition, 9 897MW is currently in cold reserve due to excess capacity,” Eskom said.

The power utility noted that diesel usage last week saw “2.48GWh of energy being sent into the grid at a cost of R14.89 million, equating to a 0.433% load factor”.

“The use of diesel resulted from the dispatching of the independent power producers [IPP] Open Cycle Gas Turbine [OCGT] units in line with existing take‑or‑pay contractual obligations with the two IPPs.

“These agreements were concluded during a period of severe supply constraints to secure guaranteed minimum average usage levels every six months. Under these contracts, Eskom is required to pay for the committed capacity whether it is utilised or not. Accordingly, diesel usage over the next few weeks, may primarily reflect the fulfilment of these contractual obligations.

“As system performance continues to improve and the EAF strengthens, Eskom’s operational focus remains on utilising the most cost-effective primary energy sources, while responsibly managing legacy contractual commitments and maintaining grid stability,” Eskom explained.

Despite this, year to date expenditure on diesel remains low – coming in below budget.

“Year-to-date (1 April 2025 until 19 February 2026), total diesel expenditure is now R5.49 billion lower than at the same time last year, reflecting substantial cost savings and continued improvements in operational performance driven by Eskom’s turnaround initiatives,” the power utility said. – SAnews.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has conveyed his heartfelt condolences following the tragic death of 24-year-old pilot student Leeche’ Manuel, who lost his life during a flight training exercise in Johannesburg.

Manuel, originally from eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal, died in a plane crash on Thursday, 19 February, while undertaking advanced flight training in Johannesburg.

At the time of the accident, Manuel was in the final stages of completing his Instructor Rating and was conducting a routine practice flight with his instructor. Both Manuel and the instructor sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

“We are devastated by this unimaginable loss. Leeche’ was not merely a bursary recipient; he was a shining example of the talent, discipline and determination that our province seeks to nurture. Being on the verge of qualifying as a Flight Instructor is a testament to his commitment and hard work,” said Premier Ntuli.

“On behalf of the Provincial Government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal, I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the broader aviation school community,” Ntuli said in a statement.

Manuel was awarded a comprehensive bursary by the Office of the Premier to pursue his Commercial Pilot Licence and Instructor Rating. His training journey began in Pietermaritzburg, continued in Richards Bay, and finally Johannesburg, where he was completing the specialised aircraft training required for his final assessments.

The Premier has directed the Bursary Unit to provide all necessary support to the Manuel family during this difficult period. An official from the Office of the Premier will be dispatched to engage directly with the family to convey the Premier’s personal condolences and assist with immediate arrangements.

“This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the risks that young people undertake in pursuit of their dreams and in their efforts to contribute meaningfully to our country. We are awaiting a full report on the technical causes of the accident.

“However, I wish to assure the family and our communities that this devastating loss will not deter us from our mission. The struggle for the empowerment of our youth continues. We will honour Leeche’s memory by remaining steadfast and unwavering in our commitment to opening doors of opportunity for young people,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng multidisciplinary integrated teams of Operation Shanela conducted successful high-density operations over the weekend that resulted in the arrest of more than 900 suspects for various offences.

The suspects included 700 suspects wanted for serious and violent crimes such as murder, robbery, rape and sexual assault. 

According to the police, the operations conducted simultaneously throughout the five districts in the province also aimed at enhancing police visibility and assist local police stations with crime reduction.

The teams further seized dangerous weapons, various drugs, liquor and a stolen vehicle. With liquor flagged as a contributor of crime in the province, the teams closed down 21 liquor outlets for non-compliance, and the owners were given fines as per the Gauteng Liquor Act.

“Through Operation Shanela, SAPS [the South African Police Service] in Gauteng continue demonstrate its commitment to promoting safety while maximizing police visibility and stamping authority of the State,” the police said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

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