Category: Africa

The Presidency says the South African government is following the developments in Iran with concern.

The reports of unrest and the subsequent loss of life are concerning, said the Presidency in a statement, and South Africa urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

“South Africa firmly believes that the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and freedom of association are universal human rights that must be upheld without exception.

“We therefore call on the Iranian authorities to ensure that citizens exercise their right to protest in peace,” it said.

Sustainable peace and stability can only be achieved through solutions that centre the agency of the Iranian people. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Department of Transport will embark on a process to amend Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) to scrap the legal alcohol consumption limit in the country.

Currently, the law makes it a criminal offense to exceed the limit of 0.05g/100ml concentration of alcohol in blood or 0.24mg/1000ml breath for general drivers, and stricter limits of 0.02g/100ml blood or 0.10mg/1000ml breath for professional drivers.

“Our driving and drinking policy was formulated almost 30 years ago. In today’s South Africa it is totally unacceptable that there is a law that allows people to drink and then drive.

“The time has come for us to amend the law, so we have a clear-cut, easy to understand and unambiguous policy that says drinking and driving is not allowed. A law that allows drivers to drink a certain amount and get behind the wheel of a car must be scrapped,” Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy said on Thursday.

The Minister made these remarks during a media briefing that she held with the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, to release the road safety report for the 2025/2026 festive season, which covers the period of 1 December until 11 January 2026. 

Read I Festive season stats show a 5% reduction in fatal crashes 

According to the preliminary data of the 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign, a total of 173 695 drivers were tested for driving under the influence of alcohol and 8 561 of these tested positive.

This is a 144% increase in the stats when compared to the same period last year.

The data also shows a 5% reduction in both fatalities and crashes for this year’s festive season, compared to the same period in the previous year. 

“This year, a total of 1 427 fatalities were recorded from 1 172 crashes this year. The data shows that the 2025/26 festive season recorded the lowest number of crashes in five years, and the same number of fatalities as in 2023/24 festive season,” the Minister said.

During this period, law enforcement officers conducted 1 632 roadblocks in which 1.8 million vehicles were stopped and checked. 

More than 450 000 traffic fines were issued, 525 were arrested for excessive speeding.

In addition, a downward trajectory in road crashes and fatalities was also observed in the annual statistics where preliminary data shows that the number of road collisions and deaths for the twelve-month period in 2025 are the lowest in five years.

This period covers 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025.

“A total of 11 418 fatalities were recorded from 9 674 crashes in 2025 compared to 12 581 fatalities from 10 633 crashes in 2021. 

“Furthermore the 2025 crashes decreased by 6.4% when compared to 2024 and fatalities decreased by 6.2% in the same period,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Preliminary data from the 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign indicates a five percent reduction in both fatalities and crashes when compared to the same period last year.

“This year, a total of 1 427 fatalities were recorded from 1 172 crashes this year. The data shows that the 2025/26 festive season recorded the lowest number of crashes in five years, and the same number of fatalities as in the 2023/24 festive season,” Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, said on Thursday, in Pretoria.

The Minister, together with Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, held a media briefing to release the road safety report for the 2025/2026 festive season, which covers the period of 1 December until 11 January 2026.

“Five provinces reported reductions in fatalities with the highest percentage reduction recorded in the Eastern Cape followed by the Free State. Four provinces, namely Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape, recorded increases in fatalities, the Minister said.

The statistics show a noticeable increase in the number of crashes and fatalities from 15 to 28 of December 2025.

These two weeks contributed more than 40% to crashes and fatalities. 

“This re-confirms that festive season crashes and fatalities increase once travellers have reached their destinations and are engaging in festivities rather than during the peak travel periods.

“Many of the crashes happened over the weekend between 19:00 and 21:00 and between midnight and 01:00. They involved collision with pedestrians, hit and run, single vehicle overturns and head-on collisions,” Creecy said.

The highest number of pedestrian fatalities were reported in the City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg, eThekwini, Nkangala District and the City of Tshwane.

The types of vehicles that contributed to most of the crashes were small motor cars with 55%, followed by light delivery vehicles at 20%.

Minibus vehicles and trucks were involved in only 7% and 6% of crashes respectively.

Watch I  Minister of Transport Ms Barbara Creecy releases the road safety report for 2025/2026 festive season 

During the festive season, law enforcement officers conducted 1 632 roadblocks in which 1.8 million vehicles were stopped and checked. 

More than 450 000 traffic fines were issued, 525 were arrested for excessive speeding.

“Roadblocks and vehicle inspections targeted roadworthiness, driver fitness, and licensing. A total of 173 695 drivers were tested for driving under the influence of alcohol and 8 561 of these tested positive, a 144% increase on the same period last year.

“The highest alcohol reading was recorded in KwaZulu Natal where one motorist recorded breath alcohol content 14 times above the legal alcohol limit. The highest speedster was arrested in the Northern Cape where he was clocked at 222 kilometres an hour in a 120-kilometre per hour zone.

“This year our officers also arrested 89 motorists for attempting to bribe traffic officers to avoid arrest.

“We completed 2547 physical education and awareness programmes across the country to influence driver, pedestrian and passenger behaviour, including visits to mass transit departure points, malls and other areas of mass convergence.”

The department also had a massive community awareness and education campaign on radio, television and social media platforms.

This included an increased number of roadblocks, checks for vehicle roadworthiness, driver licenses, seatbelt and child-restraint use as well as clamping down on speeding and drunken driving.

Annual statistics

In addition, a downward trajectory in road crashes and fatalities was also observed in the annual statistics where preliminary data shows that the number of road collisions and deaths for the twelve-month period in 2025 are the lowest in five years.

This period covers 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025.

“A total of 11 418 fatalities were recorded from 9 674 crashes in 2025 compared to 12 581 fatalities from 10 633 crashes in 2021. 

“Furthermore the 2025 crashes decreased by 6.4% when compared to 2024 and fatalities decreased by 6.2% in the same period,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has expressed concern at an audio recording circulating on various social media platforms. 

This recording falsely claims that the department has recruited individuals from other provinces for a learnership programme at the Kgora Farmers Training Centre, suggesting that these individuals are receiving remuneration from the department.

“The department categorically rejects and distances itself from these allegations. The contents of the audio are false, misleading, and deliberately intended to create confusion and mistrust among the members of the public. 

“At no stage has the department engaged in the practices alleged in the recording,” the department said.

The department assured the public that all its programmes, including learnerships and skills development initiatives, are carried out in strict adherence to relevant policies, procedures, and legal requirements. 

The recruitment processes are transparent and are based on the principles of fairness, equity, and accountability.

“Members of the public are strongly urged to refrain from sharing or circulating unverified and misleading information. The dissemination of false content undermines the integrity of the department and misinforms communities that depend on accurate and credible communication regarding government programmes and opportunities.” 

Meanwhile, the provincial department said it remains committed to empowering the people of the province through sustainable agricultural development, skills training, and meaningful support to farmers.

“For accurate and verified information, members of the public are encouraged to rely on the department’s official communication platforms.” – SAnews.gov.za

MEC for Education in the Western Cape, David Maynier, says the province will continue working tirelessly to place all children who are still seeking school placements as the country begins the 2026 academic year.

“This is a challenging task, as hundreds of new applications are arriving each week,” he said on Wednesday, accompanied by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde at Tamboerskloof Primary School, to welcome learners for the new academic year.

Maynier appealed to any parent who has not yet applied to do so immediately at their district office. 

“Crucially, we appeal to parents to ensure that they provide accurate, current contact details to our districts so that we can reach them when a place becomes available for their child.

“We understand that this will be a frustrating period for some of our parents, but we assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find places for every learner in the Western Cape,” the MEC added. 

Meanwhile, Maynier confirmed that everything was on track for the 2026 school year in the Western Cape.

The province welcomed 73 000 Grade Rs and 102 000 Grade 1s starting “big school”. 

“We wish them all the best as they begin their school career. We also have 97 000 Grade 8 learners starting high school, a crucial next step in their journey toward their future studies and careers.” 

Winde also celebrated the beginning of the school year, stating: “We wish all Western Cape learners well as they kick off the new school year. Whatever challenges lie ahead, we will overcome them together. We will be behind you every step of your education journey.”

The Premier said the young people would become South Africa’s doctors, traffic police officers, retail professionals, technicians, tradespeople, accountants, farmers, engineers, and business leaders.

Winde believed that school was a critical first step towards independence and was delighted to see the future in such good hands.

“To our teachers and school staff, you are the backbone of the education system. Your hard work, dedication and sacrifice never go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do in preparing young people for their careers, ensuring they are adequately equipped to become an active part of our economy,” the Premier added. 

Infrastructure and resources

According to Maynier, the province will have 1.2 million learners across its schools in 2026. 

“We continue to face increasing demand for places in our schools, so our Rapid School Build programme continues to expand access to education in our province at an incredible rate to meet this demand,” said the MEC.

Nine new schools have been fully completed and opened for the 2026 school year in a phased approach. These schools are located in Lwandle, Wallacedene, Blue Downs, Philippi, Tafelsig, Darling, Fisherhaven, and Plettenberg Bay.

The province is also planning to open the first phases of two new schools, Ilitha Park High School in Khayelitsha and Brantwood High School in Kuils River.

“Additional brick and mortar classrooms have also been added to 12 existing schools, and in total, we have added 175 new classrooms to the system.” 

Additionally, 21 further classrooms are under construction by School Governing Bodies, utilising funding provided by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).

The MEC said schools were able to order top-up textbooks in May 2025, with full delivery completed by October 2025 at a cost of R58.7 million.

Stationery for non-Section 21 schools, valued at R25.3 million, was delivered by November 2025, and an additional R31.6 million worth of school-related goods was delivered by December 2025.

Maynier appealed to parents who have not yet applied for placement to visit their website, where details of district officials who can assist are available.

For more details, visit https://www.westerncape.gov.za/education/service/learner-admissions. – SAnews.gov.za

The induction of the National Dialogue’s new steering committee will be held this weekend at the University of South Africa’s (Unisa) Muckleneuk’s main campus in Pretoria.

The National Dialogue was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last year and is aimed at addressing challenges facing South Africa.

In December the President confirmed the 99 nominees to the steering committee which were drawn from all sectors of society.

“The Steering Committee’s role is to steward the integrity of the process, ensure that participation is meaningful and accessible, and oversee a phased roll-out of dialogues across communities, sectors, and provinces. It is not a substitute for elected government, and it is not a platform for party-political campaigning.

“The Steering Committee induction will focus on governance, ethics, decision-making protocols, public accountability, and the realities of rebuilding trust in a context where many South Africans are understandably sceptical of consultative processes that do not lead to change,” a statement from the National Dialogue said.

The induction process will work towards “outlining the practical roadmap for the implementation roadmap and phased plan for dialogues” including:

• A public participation guide, including offline options for communities with limited connectivity. 
• An accessibility and translation pathway, to ensure participation across languages and disability contexts. 
• A clear reporting and feedback approach so that communities can see what happens after dialogues take place. 
• A weekly process update and a public log of priority issues raised and their status.

“The National Dialogue Steering Committee would like to reiterate its position that it remains committed to a transparent, inclusive, and non-partisan process which is citizen-led,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za