Category: Africa

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Judiciary set for full institutional independence

Source: South Africa News Agency

Judiciary set for full institutional independence

The process of placing the country’s judiciary under “full institutional independence” is expected to be rolled out in the 2025/26 financial year.

This was announced by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, when she was presenting the budget vote of the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) in Parliament, on Tuesday afternoon.

“[This] will enable the judiciary to be a fully-fledged Arm of the State. In line with the constitution, judicial governance and court administration will be placed under the authority of the Judiciary itself,” Kubayi said. 

The proposed model will entail structural independence, which includes both financial and operational independence. With the vision to establish a single Judiciary, the administration of the Lower Courts, including the Magistrates Commission, will also be transferred the OCJ.

Explaining the structure of the proposed model of the Judiciary, Kubayi highlighted that the Chief Justice will become the Executive Authority of the Office of the Chief Justice, while the Secretary-General will serve as the the accounting authority of the Judiciary. 

“The OCJ will then be re-established outside the public service and be capacitated to appoint its staff in line with its own prescripts, human resource framework tailored to judicial operations and principles of independence,” the Minister explained.

To carry out this process, the Minister announced that a task team comprising senior officials of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Presidency, Office of the Chief Justice, National Treasury, Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), has been established to chart a way for the institutional independence of the Judiciary.

The team has been given until August to present a progress report to Cabinet on the judiciary’s institutional independence.

“In the end, as envisaged by the founders of our democracy, we want to create a single judiciary that is an equal Arm of the State,” Kubayi affirmed.

Budget allocation

The Minister told Parliament that the OCJ has been allocated a budget increase of some 5.5%, which will “go a long way in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of the courts and the judiciary as a whole”.

“The OCJ provides direct support to the Judiciary and Superior Courts to ensure that the Judicial Arm of the State functions optimally. As such, the OCJ has been allocated a budget of R2.7 billion for the 2025/2026 Financial Year, which it operationalises through its three Programmes, namely: Administration, Superior Court Services as well as Judicial Education and Support. This allocation also includes the direct allocation for the remuneration of Judges.

“This represents a budget increase of just over 5.5% compared to the previous financial year, which will go a long way in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of the courts and the judiciary as a whole. In his Budget Speech, Minister of Finance has also made an undertaking to, later this year, make funds available for strengthening capabilities in the Office of the Chief Justice,” the Minister said.

She added that the modernisation of the court system remains a key priority to “improve access to justice”, highlighting the continued rollout of the Court Online system following its successful pilot in the Gauteng Division of the High Court.

“Court Online provides a platform for Law Firms/Litigants to file documents to the Courts electronically (E-Filing) over the Internet from anywhere, and is now operational in the Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo divisions. Eastern Cape is currently being rolled out and will be completed by end of July 2025. 

“It [the system] is also being progressively implemented at the Land Court, Labour Court, and Labour Appeal Court. The envisaged full implementation of Court Online will enhance access to quality justice for all and the effectiveness of the courts,” Kubayi said.

Another priority is the implementation of the department’s Fraud Prevention and Anti-Corruption Policy and Strategy during 2025/2026 financial year.

This in line with the OCJ’s zero tolerance stance on corruption and fraud.

“This policy creates a mechanism for reporting anonymously within the department and through the National Anti-Corruption Hotline, amongst other things.

“We can inform members that following the reports of corruption in the Mthatha High Court, the OCJ has commenced with Lifestyle Audits of all employees over and above the work that is done by law enforcement agencies. Furthermore 4 officials have been suspended in Pretoria High court following allegations fraud and corruption,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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African Development Bank approves $47.5 million loan to spur Eswatini’s economic growth


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The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a $47.5 million loan to the Kingdom of Eswatini. The loan will support the government’s efforts to transform the economy, achieve sustainable growth, create jobs, improve service delivery, and enhance the livelihoods of its people. 

The Enhancing Economic Resilience and Competitiveness Program (EERCP) represents a strategic intervention to support Eswatini’s National Development Plan (2023-2028).

This marks the first phase of a two-year program designed to strengthen the economic foundation of the southern African nation and foster sustainable growth, economic recovery, and sustainable livelihoods for Eswatini people, while addressing mounting fiscal pressures from declining Southern African Customs Union (SACU) revenues and economic headwinds.

“This operation comes at a critical juncture for Eswatini as the country navigates challenging economic conditions while implementing ambitious reforms,” said Moono Mupotola, African Development Bank Deputy Director General for Southern Africa “Our support will help the Kingdom build fiscal resilience while creating an enabling environment for private sector-led growth that can generate jobs for young people and women.”

Eswatini’s economy faces significant headwinds, with GDP growth declining from 5% in 2023 to an estimated 3.6% in 2024, primarily due to the impact of extreme droughts on agricultural output. The fiscal deficit has widened from 1.5% in 2023 to an estimated 1.7% in 2024, driven by underperformance in customs revenues and increased public spending pressures.

With youth unemployment reaching 48.7% and overall unemployment at 35.4%, Eswatini urgently needs structural reforms to unleash the potential of its private sector and create opportunities for its predominantly young population.

The program focuses on two complementary pillars: deepening fiscal and public financial management reforms, and enhancing competitiveness to promote private sector-led, inclusive, and green growth.

The program builds on the African Development Bank’s successful track record in Eswatini, including the Support for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth operation and ongoing technical assistance in state-owned enterprise reforms, procurement, and the implementation of gender policy.

The Enhancing Economic Resilience and Competitiveness Program places special emphasis on promoting inclusive growth and gender equality. Environmental sustainability is integrated throughout the program.

The program is expected to deliver measurable improvements by reducing domestic arrears, increasing private sector growth in GDP, boosting renewable energy share, and improving Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (https://apo-opa.co/44KEUgw) scores on fiscal policy and social inclusion. The Country Policy and Institutional Assessment of the African Development Bank is a diagnostic tool that assesses, every two years, the quality of policies and the performance of institutional frameworks in the 54 African countries.

The EERCP has been developed in close coordination with the World Bank, which provides complementary financing.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Emeka Anuforo
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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Eritrea: Sign Language Training in Asmara


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Sign language training programs lasting from three to six months have been provided to 12 teachers and 55 students of Denden High School in Asmara.

Mr. Daniel Habte, director of the school, stated that the objective of the training was to facilitate communication with hearing-impaired individuals in general, and with students in particular.

The event featured presentations and performances reflecting the knowledge the students gained from the training.

Mr. Hagos Kidane, from the Central Region education office, said that in the 2024/2025 academic year, Denden High School provided educational opportunities to 14 students with hearing impairments, and that the training will play a significant role in improving the teaching and learning process for these students.

The trainees, expressing appreciation for the training opportunity provided, also affirmed their readiness to apply their training to assist hearing-impaired students in their school.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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The European Union (EU) Accelerates Mining Investments Across Africa in H1 2025


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The EU has increased financial and technical support for Africa’s mining sector in the first half of 2025, aligning its foreign investment strategy with the continent’s agenda to shape the global energy transition. In June this year, the EU named four Africa-bsed projects as part of its 13 globally strategic initiatives under the Critical Raw Materials Act. The projects include Mkango Resources’ 8,425-ton-per-annum Songwe Hill Rare Earths Project in Malawi and Frontier Rare Earths’ 4,000-ton-per-annum Zandkopsdrift magnet-grade rare earths project in South Africa. The Maniry Graphite Project in Madagascar led by Evion Group and a 6,000-ton-per-annum cobalt refinery in Zambia are also among the projects set to receive EU financial support and technical assistance.

Amid increased EU support for African mining projects, the upcoming African Mining Week – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders, taking place from October 1–3, 2025 in Cape Town – will showcase lucrative investment and cooperation opportunities for EU companies in Africa’s burgeoning mining sector. The event will feature an EU-Africa Roundtable, showcasing the EU’s contribution to Africa’s mining sector sustainability.

EU-DRC Mining Partnership Strengthened

Two new programs announced by the EU this June have deepened the bloc’s mining partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – the world’s top cobalt producer and Africa’s largest copper producer. The programs include the Cobalt for Development project which aims to formalize and uplift small-scale mining operations in the DRC. Meanwhile, the upcoming Panafgeo+ geological mapping program – led by France’s Bureau of Geological and Mining Research in collaboration with DRC’s Ministry of Mines – will enhance the country’s geological knowledge base. At AMW, a panel titled The Cobalt Opportunity: DRC’s Strategic Position in the EV Revolution will unpack trends and opportunities within the DRC’s cobalt sector value chain.

EU Backs African Mineral Logistics Expansion

The EU is also backing strategic infrastructure development to facilitate connectivity between mineral-rich African markets and EU buyers. The Africa Finance Corporation recently secured a €250 million, 10-year loan from Italy’s development bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to advance the Lobito Corridor, bolstering connectivity between EU markets and Angola, Zambia and the DRC. Meanwhile, the European Investment Bank has also approved a €113 million loan to co-finance the expansion of Mauritania’s iron ore rail line linking Zouérat to Nouadhibou – part of a broader €461 million investment aimed at boosting the country’s iron ore export capacity.

EU-South Africa Partnership

The EU recently announced a €4.7 billion financing package announced to support mineral processing, green hydrogen and transport infrastructure in South Africa, the world’s largest producer of platinum group metals. This financing package reflects a growing focus on securing diversified and sustainable mineral supply chains. At AMW, a dedicated panel exploring South Africa’s PGMs market will showcase emerging prospects for EU firms within the country’s value chain.

Growing Support for Formalized Artisanal Mining

The EU has also committed to the ACP-EU Technical Assistance Facility for Commodity Resource Management, which was launched in February to support artisanal and small-scale miners across Africa through formalization and training program. As part of growing efforts by African nations and international partners to uplift small-scale miners, AMW will host a panel discussion titled ASM Regulation: Balancing Formalization and Livelihood Protection. The panel will explore policies and initiatives aimed at integrating artisanal and small-scale mining into the formal mining sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About African Mining Week:
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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Eritrea: Extensive Water and Soil Conservation Activities


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Residents of nine administrative areas and 35 villages in the Halhal sub-zone of Anseba Region are conducting extensive water and soil conservation activities.

Mr. Yasin Mohammed-Idris, head of the agriculture office in the sub-zone, reported that the popular campaign, which began in January, includes the construction of terraces, water catchment schemes, and road renovation. Mr. Yasin noted that so far, 518,466 meters of terraces have been constructed on arable land.

Commending the strong participation of the residents in the campaign, Mr. Girmatsion Abraha, administrator of the sub-zone, stated that the water and soil conservation activities will significantly contribute to boosting agricultural production and controlling soil erosion.

The residents, for their part, expressed readiness to continue their active participation until the start of the rainy season.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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SAPS welcomes ruling in Richmond municipal manager murder case

Source: South Africa News Agency

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has welcomed the judgment by the Pietermaritzburg High Court which found Sabelo Phewa guilty of murdering the late Richmond Local Municipality Manager, Sibusiso Sithole.

Sentencing is expected to take place on 31 July 2025, at the Durban High Court.  

Sithole was shot and killed at the Richmond licensing office in 2017 while on his way to attend a meeting with the then council to discuss issues he was investigating, which included fraud and corruption involving tenders and kickbacks in the municipality. 

The SAPS Political Killings task team took over investigations in 2018 and this led to the arrest of Phewa. 

“The firearm found in his possession at the time of his arrest was found to be linked to several other murders, including that of Amos Ngcobo, whose wife had ordered the hit. The wife turned State witness and was sentenced to five years imprisonment,” SAPS said in a statement. 

the Pietermaritzburg High Court found Phewa guilty of the murder of Sithole and Ngcobo; the attempted murder of police officers at the time they were effecting his arrest; possession of an unlicensed firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. – SAnews.gov.za

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No fear or favour as Hawks swoop down on their own members

Source: South Africa News Agency

Four police officials attached to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Gauteng and Gauteng Provincial SAPS have been arrested alongside two civilians for charges including fraud and corruption.

All six suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today, where they are facing charges of theft, possession of suspected stolen money, extortion and corruption.

The arrests was effected by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) team based in Johannesburg. 

On Monday afternoon, the complainant in the matter alleged that he had received a phone call from one of his employees informing him that police officers were at the complainant’s shop. It is further reported that the complainant instructed his employee to request the police to wait until he arrived at the shop.

However, shortly after the conversation between the complainant and his employee, the call was disconnected. The complainant then made his way to the shop and upon his arrival, the shop was closed. 

He then proceeded to Johannesburg Central Police Station, where he was informed that his employees were arrested for Contravention of Section 9 of the Currency Act, Act 9 of 1933. The employee that he was in conversation with was also arrested for interfering with police duties. 

The arrest of the four police officials and two civilians came after the complainant reported the matter to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation. He alleged that the police officials took R900 000 from his shop while conducting their operations. 

When following up on the information, the Hawks discovered that only 60 000 US dollars and R130 000 was booked into the South African Police Service (SAPS) register as the amount recovered by the police, instead of booking the entire amount of R900 000. 

It is further alleged that the suspect, who was at the shop to exchange the money in question, also tried to entice the police officials with R60 000, which was also booked in the SAPS register. 

After conducting a preliminary investigation, the Hawks’ SCI followed up the information and proceeded to Newtown, where they located the police officials involved in the theft. 

The alleged corrupt officials were found in several vehicles. The Hawks searched the vehicles and found one of them with a substantial amount of cash. As a result, the four police officials and two civilians were arrested on the scene. 

Meanwhile, the other six suspects, who are charged for contravention of Section 9 of the Currency Act, will also appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today.

”The Hawks remain resolute in their commitment to uproot corruption, even within the ranks of law enforcement. No one is above the law. 

“The arrest of these officers is a clear demonstration that we will act decisively and without fear or favour to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system and restore public trust in the SAPS,” said the Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Siphosihle Nkosi. – SAnews.gov.za

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Hlabisa to present CoGTA Budget Vote to NCOP

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, will officially present Budget Vote 3 for the department before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). 

The budget will be delivered on Wednesday at 2 pm, under the theme “Every Municipality Must Work.”

The Minister will be joined by Deputy Minister of CoGTA, Dr Namane Dickson Masemola.

The budget presentation and engagement forms part of Parliament’s oversight function, providing a platform to transparently present the department’s financial allocations and strategic direction for the 2025/26 financial year.

According to the department, the budget vote presentation will provide detail key areas of expenditure, offering a comprehensive breakdown of how the department’s resources will be allocated to drive impactful governance. 

Central to the presentation will be CoGTA’s commitment to addressing critical challenges within local government, including capacity building, governance improvement, and enhanced service delivery mechanisms.

Hlabisa is also expected to highlight strategic priorities aimed at strengthening the functionality of municipalities nationwide. 

These include strengthening financial management practices, addressing infrastructure backlogs, and improving intergovernmental relations to create a cohesive framework for sustainable development. 

“The Minister will also outline the department’s targeted interventions to promote accountability, innovation, and ensure municipalities are well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of communities.” 

In line with the theme, the presentation will emphasise the importance of collaborative efforts between all spheres of government to achieve integrated development.

Members of the public may follow proceedings live on Parliament TV (DStv channel 408), or via live stream on the department and Parliament’s YouTube channels, Facebook, and Twitter pages. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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South Gauteng deeds office remains open for business

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has reassured that the South Gauteng Deeds Office remains open and fully operational, despite recent media reports claiming the facility’s closure.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department acknowledged that while the facility is experiencing infrastructure challenges, services to the public and clients continue uninterrupted.

“The department has previously acknowledged the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues in the building, which include, sometimes, dysfunctional lifts, intermittent poor lighting, and other challenges.

“Additionally, we have indicated that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is in the process of securing a suitable building. It has been incorrectly reported by the media that services have been compromised,” the department said.

The department said the area, which is currently experiencing delays, is the data capturing after registration.

Despite these challenges, the department has assured that performance targets continue to be met and exceeded.

“In terms of the target of 95% of deeds and documents made available within seven days from the date of lodgements for execution, the office performance is at 97%. The office exceeded the target.

“In terms of the target of 95% of deeds delivered within 10 days from the date of registration, the office delivered 99% in 32 days. The backlog is due to the Occupational Health and Safety challenges,” the department said.

To address the situation, interim alternative working arrangements have been implemented to ensure business continuity, and additional measures are underway to address the data capturing backlog.

“Members of the public and clients requiring services at the South Gauteng Deeds Office are advised to note that the office is open and operational,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za   
 

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South Africa issues first permit to vaccinate against Avian Influenza

Source: South Africa News Agency

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

South Africa is set to launch its first-ever poultry vaccination campaign in the coming days, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to minimise the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks.

This follows the Department of Agriculture’s approval of a vaccination permit issued to Astral Foods Limited on 30 June 2025, authorising the company to begin vaccinations against the HPAI virus at one of its broiler breeder farms.

Making the announcement on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed that the initial phase of the campaign will begin with 200 000 broiler breeders, representing approximately five percent of Astral’s total breeding stock, valued at approximately R35 million.

Steenhuisen hailed this milestone as a testament to the strong partnership between government and the poultry industry in safeguarding national food security and protecting the livelihoods of thousands of South Africans.

He emphasised that the vaccination campaign is a vital step to strengthen flock immunity and prevent the devastating economic losses witnessed during previous outbreaks.

“The 2023 outbreak resulted in millions of birds being culled, which led to severe supply disruptions that affected both producers and consumers. The vaccine being used – targeting the H5 strain of the virus – is already approved for use in other countries implementing vaccination strategies against HPAI.

In May, South Africa suspended imports of live poultry, eggs and fresh (including frozen) poultry meat from Brazil following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The decision followed a report from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, confirming an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 – clade 2.3.4.4b) on 15 May 2025. – SAnews.gov.za