Category: Africa

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has informed the public that its head office building, the Central Government Office (CGO) in the Pretoria Central Business District, will be closed for a week, while important renovation work takes place. 

“DPWI has appointed a contractor to replace the roof and carry out other repair work at the building as part of the ongoing efforts to improve the facility.  Access to the CGO building will be completely restricted to staff, visitors and stakeholders from 21 August 2026 to 28 August 2026, to allow for the safe installation of a tower crane,” the department said in a statement.

“The temporary closure is necessary to protect employees, workers and visitors during the crane installation process. Safety regulation requires that no one be allowed into the building while this work is taking place.  Normal access to the building is expected to resume on 29 August 2026,” the department said.

The City of Tshwane will also close Bosman Street between WF Nkomo and Madiba Street during the crane installation period. The closure of the building will not affect government services. 

According to the department, alternative offices of the Department in the city, which are the AVN building situated at the corner of Nana Sita and Thabo Sehume Streets, the Nipilar building at the corner of Madiba and Hamilton Streets as well as the Centre Walk Building at corner Pretorius and Thabo Sehume Streets, will house some of the staff as they provide critical government services. 

“There will be limited or no provision for public physical contact with external clients. In addition, arrangements have been made for other officials to remotely work from home. 

“DPWI apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates the cooperation and understanding of staff, stakeholders and members of the public while these important improvements are being carried out,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

The eThekwini Municipality is intensifying efforts to remove administrative and regulatory barriers to major private developments as it seeks to reinforce Durban’s position as South Africa’s leading metropolitan economy for job creation.

Through a targeted intervention led by the Office of the City Manager, Musa Mbhele, the municipality is actively monitoring and working to unblock 20 strategic investment projects across the metro, with half already fully resolved.

Regional resolution rates highlight the progress, with 100% of identified blockages resolved in the North Central region, 86% in the North, 67% in the Outer West, and 25% in the Central region.

The municipality said by systematically clearing operational obstacles, the city is enabling private capital to flow more swiftly into the local economy.

The administrative drive complements strong macroeconomic performance confirmed by Statistics South Africa’s Q2 2026 Labour Force Survey.

“EThekwini recorded an unemployment rate of 21.2%, well below the national average of 33.6%. Year-on-year, employment in the metro grew by 90,000 while unemployment fell by 92,000, delivering a statistically significant 5.6 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate,” the municipality said.

Key industrial sectors of the economy continue to support employment growth.

Over the past nine months, transport and logistics added approximately 44,000 jobs, accounting for nearly all sectoral growth in KwaZulu-Natal. Finance and business services contributed a further 25,000 positions.

Formal-sector employment also increased by 149 000, signalling a decisive shift towards stable, formal work opportunities.
The municipality said the progress made in unblocking strategic projects provide momentum for future quarters.

“The municipality’s proactive stance ensures Durban maintains the frictionless operating environment required to attract sustained private investment and keep the local economy moving forward,” the municipality said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

A 16-year-old teenager arrested for allegedly accessing, possessing, facilitating and downloading child sexual abuse material is expected to appear in the Malmesbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The teenager was arrested on Monday in Malmesbury, Western Cape, by the South African Police Service (SAPS), working closely with international law enforcement agencies.

Several child victims have been identified so far.

“A preliminary on-site analysis of the suspect’s electronic devices uncovered explicit images and videos depicting child sexual abuse and animal mutilation. The devices will undergo comprehensive forensic analysis to determine the full extent of the alleged offences,” the SAPS said.

Police said possible additional offences relating to fraud and money laundering form part of the ongoing investigation.

The SAPS National Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Team operationalised intelligence received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Embassy, and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The intelligence indicated that a target suspected of being linked to violent online networks commonly referred to as “764” was believed to be in South Africa.

“The 764 networks are violent international online extremist networks associated with child exploitation. These perpetrators reportedly target, blackmail and coerce minors into online sexual abuse, animal torture and other forms of harmful criminal activity.

“Following extensive investigations, the National SECI Team traced the teenager to an address in Malmesbury, where he was arrested on Monday,” police said.

The operation was led by the National SECI Team, supported by members of the Head Office Occult Unit, the Paarl Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, the Paarl K9 Unit and the Western Cape Crime Scene Investigation Unit, as well as agents from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at the US Embassy. – SAnews.gov.za

The swift and coordinated response by South African Police Service (SAPS) members to a prolonged armed standoff in Robertson, Western Cape, has been commended by Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane.

The standoff ended with the death of a 40-year-old gunman after police were forced to respond to a sustained armed threat.

Dimpane singled out members of Robertson Police Station who were first on the scene, following the initial complaint and subsequently came under fire, as well as members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) who were deployed to reinforce them.

As the situation escalated, the Special Task Force (STF) was brought in to take over the tactical response and ultimately brought the dangerous standoff to an end.

Two women who were inside a neighbouring house were safely rescued during the operation, while an armoured police vehicle was damaged in the exchange of gunfire.

“Our members demonstrated courage, discipline and tactical restraint in confronting an armed individual who posed a direct and serious threat to police officers and innocent members of the community.

“I commend the station members who responded first, the TRT members who reinforced them, and particularly the Special Task Force for the professional manner in which they brought this dangerous situation to an end and protected civilian lives,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane.

She stressed that the safety of police officers remains a priority for the SAPS, particularly when members are confronted by heavily armed and hostile individuals.

“Police officers must never be expected to face heavily armed criminals without the appropriate tactical support. Our operational response must always be proportionate to the threat; coordinated and decisive.

“At the same time, we must ensure that every tactical intervention places the protection of innocent lives at the centre of our policing response,” she said.

Lieutenant General Dimpane also called on communities to play their part in supporting police safety by reporting threats, illegal firearms and suspicious activities to the police.

Members of the public who find themselves caught in dangerous situations are urged to prioritise their safety and follow instructions from law enforcement.

The Acting National Commissioner wished the injured police official a speedy recovery and reaffirmed the SAPS commitment to protecting both its members and the communities they serve.

“We will continue to confront threats to public safety with determination. Criminals who turn firearms against police officers and innocent people must know that the SAPS will respond with the full capability of the Service.

“We will protect our members, our communities and we will not retreat in the face of violence,” concluded Lieutenant General Dimpane. — SAnews.gov.za

Established women media professionals and aspiring journalists and communication students gathered in Pretoria last week for the annual Women in Media and Communication Speed Mentoring Session – an initiative aimed at equipping young women with the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to build successful careers in the media and communications industry.

Hosted by the Government Communication and Information System, in partnership with Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) at the GCIS Auditorium, the 2026 session brought together experienced practitioners and students for a day of mentorship, career guidance and frank conversations about the realities of working in a rapidly changing industry.

Introduced in 2023, the annual initiative provides students with an opportunity to engage directly with professionals working across journalism, broadcasting, public relations and strategic communication. 

It also seeks to strengthen the pipeline of young women entering the media sector and encourage them to pursue leadership roles.

During the session, mentors shared personal accounts of their professional journeys, including the sacrifices, setbacks and achievements that shaped their careers. 

Their experiences offered students a realistic perspective on the opportunities and challenges associated with working in the media and communication environment.

A strong message that emerged from the discussions was the need for resilience and adaptability. 

With technology continuing to transform the way news and information are produced and consumed, students were encouraged to embrace innovation, sharpen their storytelling abilities and commit to lifelong learning.

Mentors also stressed that technical skills must be matched by strong ethical principles. 

Students were reminded of the importance of accuracy, truthfulness, professionalism, integrity and accountability, particularly when reporting on issues that affect communities and society.

The speed mentoring format was one of the highlights of the programme. Students rotated between small-group discussions with different mentors, allowing them to explore a range of media disciplines and ask questions about career development, workplace expectations and the practical realities of entering the profession.

The interactive format also created an open environment in which participants could speak candidly about their career aspirations and challenges while receiving advice from professionals who had navigated similar experiences.

Another key theme was the importance of women supporting one another in the media industry. Mentors encouraged participants to build strong professional networks, collaborate with other women and celebrate one another’s achievements.

They emphasised that meaningful transformation requires established professionals to create opportunities for those coming behind them and to contribute to a more inclusive and supportive media environment.

The responsible use of digital platforms also featured prominently in the discussions. Students were encouraged to use social media constructively by sharing positive stories, challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting respectful public engagement.

Mentors cautioned aspiring media professionals against using digital platforms to mock, demean or undermine others, particularly in sensitive situations. They emphasised that media practitioners have a responsibility to contribute positively and ethically to public discourse, regardless of the platform they use.

The session concluded with a call for students to approach careers in media and communication with confidence, determination and purpose.

Through mentorship, knowledge-sharing and practical career guidance, the initiative is helping to develop a new generation of ethical, resilient and empowered women professionals who can contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s evolving media and communication landscape. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has called for public comment on the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Modernisation Discussion Paper of 2023, which outlines a new digital VAT model to modernise VAT administration.

According to SARS, the transformation will enable a long-term shift to a digitally driven, transparent and resilient VAT administration. 

“The Consultation Paper outlines a proposed Digital VAT Model that brings together e-Invoicing, an Interoperability Framework and e-Reporting to reposition VAT administration for the economy, ease compliance obligations and strengthen oversight. 

“The proposals form part of SARS Modernisation 3.0 and seek to enable the secure, structured and near real-time flow of VAT transaction data across the VAT value chain,” the revenue service explained in a statement on Monday.

SARS said the feedback from the 2023 Discussion Paper on Modernisation has greatly enriched the direction for VAT modernisation.

“We have incorporated these inputs and made significant progress from the initial position and included the best practices from our peers and multilateral organisations’ consultations. 

“This Consultation Paper therefore embodies a well-researched and inclusive process, reflecting stakeholder comments and proposals, international best practice and continuous refinement of the VAT Modernisation proposals,” SARS said.

SARS Commissioner, Dr Johnstone Makhubu, said the release of the Consultation Paper marks an important milestone in modernising South Africa’s VAT administration system.

“VAT Modernisation is a major step in reshaping how VAT is administered in South Africa. It seeks to move us from a system that is still too dependent on manual processes and retrospective verification, to one where VAT compliance becomes part of the systems businesses already use every day.

“It is SARS’s belief that this modernisation of service will reduce the burden on compliant vendors, strengthen compliance and safeguard the revenue needed to fund South Africa’s development priorities,” the Commissioner said.

He added that the proposed Digital VAT Model is intended to deliver practical benefits for both SARS and VAT vendors. 

For SARS, the secure sharing of reliable VAT transactional data is expected to provide clearer visibility over VAT transactions, more accurate and reliable data, stronger risk-based compliance oversight and enhanced ability to detect and respond to fraud and close the VAT compliance gap.

VAT vendors are expected to benefit from a simpler, more predictable compliance experience, lower administrative effort and cost, clearer visibility and faster, more efficient handling of VAT information. 

The wider economy could also benefit from improved data quality, reduced duplication, trusted digital exchange among businesses, service providers, and SARS, simpler business processes, smoother trade, efforts to narrow the VAT compliance gap, and a more transparent and trusted tax ecosystem.

“We are seeking practical, evidence-based input to ensure that the final approach is practical, implementable and suited to South Africa’s economic realities. 

“When done well and with high-quality stakeholder input, this work can significantly modernise VAT administration for the benefit of vendors, the economy and the fiscus,” Makhubu said.

The long-term vision is a VAT system where tax compliance becomes a seamless part of ordinary business activity. 

“We are, however, clear that this must be developed in consultation with stakeholders so that the final model is secure, inclusive and aligned to South Africa’s needs. The modernisation process marks a paradigm shift in the use of data and advances SARS’s Vision of building a Smart Modern SARS,” the Commissioner said.

The Consultation Paper emphasises that the proposed Digital VAT Model will be implemented through a phased and consultative approach. 

“Stakeholder feedback will help shape the policy choices, technical design, implementation sequencing, readiness requirements, costs, risks, benefits, governance arrangements, standards and safeguards. 

“This paper is therefore the beginning of a long-term reform of the VAT ecosystem. SARS calls on all impacted and interested stakeholders to study the Consultation Paper and submit written comments by 16 October 2026.”

The Consultation Paper is available on the SARS website: https://www.sars.gov.za/vat-modernisation-consultation-paper-august-2026/

Comments must be submitted through the response mechanism provided in the Consultation Paper. –SAnews.gov.za

The National Treasury has deferred the fiscal strategy public engagement on the 2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to October to coincide with the launch of the Fiscal Outreach campaign.

The engagement was initially scheduled to take place in July/August 2026, as announced in the 2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Guidelines.

“To better align the engagement with the fiscal outreach programme, which will be launched after the tabling of the 2026 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), a decision has been taken to defer the workshop to coincide with the launch of the Fiscal Outreach campaign in October,” the National Treasury said in a statement on Monday.

The National Treasury said holding the session after the MTBPS will allow participants to engage with the medium-term fiscal strategy for the 2027 MTEF, together with the proposed 2026 Adjusted Fiscal Framework.

The department said the timing aligns the engagement with the launch of the Fiscal Outreach Programme, while the Budget calendar remains unchanged despite the deferral.

The deferral will not alter any other Cabinet-approved milestones for the 2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), including:

• Recommendations from the Technical Committee on the Budget (TCB) to the Ministers’ Committee on the Budget (MINCOMBUD).
• Budget Council and Budget Forum meetings.
• Official tabling of the MTBPS on 21 October 2026.

Specific workshop logistics and registration details will be published on the National Treasury website once finalised. – SAnews.gov.za