Category: English

Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Professor Somadoda Fikeni, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s assent to the Public Service Commission Bill, which strengthens the Commission’s role in promoting effective and efficient public administration and professional ethics in the public service.

The bill is now known as the Public Service Commission Act. It is aimed, among other things, at strengthening the Commission’s independence as a constitutional institution and extending its mandate to include local government and public entities.

During a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, Fikeni highlighted the importance of the PSC, noting that a weak public service and administration will – even in the face of good policies – lead to “governance failures; it leads to poor service delivery, it allows for crime and corruption to thrive.”

“It makes investment difficult; the economy doesn’t grow; it makes the country vulnerable to the world, because the close to 1.9 million public servants are the ones on the ground, and the Public Service Commission is that institution…which is there as an oversight body, which is there to ensure effective and efficient public administration.

“It is for that reason that we celebrate, finally, that Public Service Commission, like other Chapter 9 institutions…will have its own independent secretariat. All along, it was dependent on a secretariat which was created as a government department, and now it will finally be an institution that is independent,” the Chairperson said.

A major provision of the Act expands the PSC’s mandate to cover local government, state-owned companies and state entities, while also empowering it to conduct investigations on its own accord.

“The genius in that is that most of these entities, the shareholder is just a Minister, and the person who signs and appoints the Chairperson and the members of the board or council is generally the Minister. Yes, in some instances you may have some process.

“So, when you say there is some governance failure, the Minister investigates; you are saying the Minister investigates the people they appointed. But this time, PSC is empowered to have its own accord investigation without having to depend on the shareholder.

“But of course, we will work with all the institutions concerned, we’ll do the stakeholder engagement, we will work, we’ve been consulting with SALGA [South African Local Government Association], we’ve been consulting with the Minister of local government and the department itself,” Fikeni said.

A new approach

Fikeni acknowledged a period of decline, adding that the reforms now underway represent a course correction.

“[At] some point, the country seemed to drop the ball. Hence, the patrimonial system comes up: patronage, where loyalty instead of capability, instead of competence, became the measuring stick for who to appoint, where the political-administrative interface became murky. Hence, we had concepts such as state capture and corruption on an industrial scale

“But now, in the season we’re in, it’s where you have started seeing a number of reforms coming in. Professionalisation framework, which was approved by cabinet in October 2022. You now have the Public Administration Management Act. You now have the Public Service Amendment Act. You now have the work towards whistleblower protection, which is underway. You now have the white paper on local government.

“So that whole basket is an effort to redeem ourselves, to move away from the detour we’ve taken back into the highway where we ought to make sure that the state and the public service can serve our people. And it is not only able to solve the problems as we have seen them, but also to anticipate the new key driving forces that will shape the public service of the future,” Fikeni noted.

The PSC will now embark on an implementation plan for the Act under the following parameters:

• The Act provides for a phased-in approach to this confirmed mandate. In phase one, the Commission’s confirmed mandate over municipalities and public entities/enterprises is pended for a 12-month period. This will allow the Commission time to implement certain operational requirements in anticipation of the mandate. The Act furthermore provides that the full implementation of this confirmed mandate must be completed within three years after the expiry of the initial 12-month pended period.
• For PSC employees, the new Act ensures continuity, protection and fairness throughout the transition. All current PSC employees automatically become employees of the new Secretariat, with no break in service or interruption to employment. A joint employer-union task team will be established to assist with the placement of employees as part of the consultation processes for the PSC Secretariat migration of staff and function shift.
• Existing collective agreements and performance agreements will continue to apply as if concluded under the new system. Importantly, employees retain the right to opt out of moving to the Secretariat within 30 days, and those who choose not to move are safeguarded, with their salaries and conditions preserved until they are placed elsewhere in the public service or seconded to the Commission. A joint task team of employer and union representatives will oversee the migration process, while the PSC Bargaining Forum remains recognised as the collective bargaining structure.
• The expansion of the PSC’s mandate to municipalities and public entities/enterprises will be phased in over 12 months, ensuring gradual and well-resourced implementation. In essence, no employee will lose their job, salary, benefits, union rights or continuity of service because of this transition, which has been designed to guarantee a smooth and protected transfer with full consultation and safeguards.

“Let’s just try to focus on working together on how we make sure that the issues of statecraft, issues of accountability, and the oversight ecosystem are in place.

“We will now be given 12 months to start consulting, to start helping with unfolding, to meet with treasury, to say we have costed this particular Act. We need resources now to make it happen. But if there are no resources, it’s a Rolls-Royce without an engine,” Fikeni concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has expressed deep sadness following the death of Owen Ndlovu, the former SABC sports presenter and music industry figure.

The 54-year-old was found dead in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, after he was reportedly hijacked and kidnapped in Katlehong the previous evening.

Ndlovu was a familiar voice and face to South African sports audiences during his years with the SABC. He remained active in the country’s creative industries through Michael Owen Production and his advocacy for local musicians and their rights, including his work with Artists United.

“Owen Ndlovu gave many years of his life to South African sport and South African music, informing and entertaining our people and standing up for the rights of our artists. His death, under circumstances no family should ever have to endure, is a profound loss to our broadcasting and creative sectors,” McKenzie said in a statement on Saturday.

The Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to Ndlovu’s wife, family, friends and colleagues. In line with the family’s request through their spokesperson, he appealed to members of the public and the media to exercise sensitivity and respect the family’s privacy.

McKenzie expressed his full support for the South African Police Service investigation and called for those responsible to be brought to justice. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted the Madlanga Commission a final extension to submit its final report.

The new deadline has been moved from 16 November 2026 to 25 January 2027.

“The new deadline allows the Commission to process additional evidence, including the testimony of various experts who have made recommendations relating to the Commission’s terms of reference.

“President Ramaphosa once again expresses his deepest appreciation for the work conducted by the Commission as well as for the manner in which law enforcement agencies are following up on testimony emerging from Commission hearings,” the Presidency said in a short statement.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels welcomed the final extension of the Commission’s deadline.

“This extension to 25 January 2027 will allow the Commission to hear outstanding testimony and write the Final Report,” Michaels said.

The Commission has submitted two interim reports to the President so far.

The President established the commission to investigate the alleged infiltration of South Africa’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies, prosecution service, the judiciary, and correctional services. – SAnews.gov.za

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Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has paid tribute to race driver Robert Wolk following his death.

In a statement issued on Saturday, McKenzie said he had learnt with shock and sadness that the 41-year-old had been shot and killed in an alleged road-rage incident in Kempton Park, Gauteng, on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.

“Robert Wolk was a champion in every sense of the word: a driver who competed at the highest level for South Africa across multiple disciplines in motorsport. That his life was cut short in an act of senseless violence, on our roads, is a tragedy that should trouble every South African. Our sportspeople should be able to travel our roads in safety, as should everyone else,” McKenzie said.

Wolk was one of South Africa’s most accomplished motorsport competitors, with a career spanning nearly three decades. He was the SA Formula Volkswagen champion in 2013, Formula 1600 champion in 2015, back-to-back SA GTC champion in 2021 and 2022, and SA Touring Cars champion in 2024.

Earlier this year, Wolk claimed his second Simola Hillclimb “King of the Hill” title.

McKenzie said Wolk had represented South Africa with distinction, earning both Junior and Senior Protea Colours for motorsport.

McKenzie conveyed his condolences to Wolk’s family, friends and the broader motorsport community, and expressed support for the South African Police Service investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wolk’s death. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe has strongly condemned the continuing violence against women following the discovery of several women’s bodies in and around Kempton Park and other parts of Ekurhuleni.

The Deputy Minister’s remarks came after police discovered the body of a ninth woman on Thursday, 17 September 2026, in Dawn Park, Boksburg. This followed the discovery of eight bodies in Ekurhuleni over the past two months.

“The responsibility for ending gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cannot be placed on women by constantly telling them where they should or should not go. We must confront the perpetrators and the conditions that allow violence against women to continue. Men must become active partners in challenging harmful behaviour, reporting abuse and protecting the dignity and safety of women and children,” the Deputy Minister said in a statement on Saturday.

She said the incidents represent a devastating attack on women’s rights to life, dignity and freedom of movement.

Mabe noted that the recent killing of Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, a mother and member of the running community, along with the discovery of other women’s bodies in the area, has caused widespread fear, anger and grief.

“No woman should fear that going for a run, walking to work, being at home in her safe space, going to a mall, moving through her community or simply going on a date could cost her life. Women have the right to participate in sport, exercise outdoors and occupy public spaces without fear of being attacked or killed,” the Deputy Minister said.

She extended her heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all the women whose lives have been taken by GBVF.

The Deputy Minister said she stands in solidarity with the running community; civil society organisations, non-profit organisations and non-governmental organisations working in the justice, gender and women’s rights, and GBVF sectors; residents of Ekurhuleni; and the broader public demanding justice and safer communities for women.

Mabe welcomed the prioritisation of investigations by law-enforcement authorities and called for all necessary resources to be deployed to establish the circumstances surrounding the killings and bring those responsible to justice.

She encouraged communities to share any information that may assist the police.

“We cannot become accustomed to the killing of women. Every victim has a name, a family, dreams and a future. Their lives matter. Justice must be pursued without fear or favour, and our collective response must demonstrate that there is no place for violence against women in South Africa,” Mabe said. –SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Social Development has issued an urgent plea to communities nationwide, urging citizens not to look away and to maintain vigilance in reporting incidents of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). 

This comes as the 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) recorded a significant increase in the number of calls between 1 and 16 September 2026.

“Preliminary statistics reveal that between 1 and 16 September this year, the GBV Command Centre received 6 782 calls, averaging 424 calls per day. This represents a 21% increase compared with the same period in August, when the Centre recorded an average of 350 calls per day.

“A significant increase in calls was recorded between 13 and 16 September 2026, when daily calls rose to approximately 500, compared with an average of 399 calls per day during the first 12 days of September. On 16 September, the Command Centre received 589 calls, the highest daily number recorded during the period under review,” the department said.

The increase is linked to heightened awareness following the discovery of the bodies of nine women in Ekurhuleni. 

“These incidents have further intensified calls for urgent and coordinated action to address GBVF. While the preliminary figures indicate increased demand for the GBV Command Centre’s services, further monitoring and analysis are required to determine whether this represents a sustained trend in GBV-related incidents and calls for assistance.

“Gender-based violence remains a societal challenge that requires all sectors of society, including government departments, the private sector, partners and stakeholders to work together in the fight against this scourge,” the department noted. 

Communities are urged to report any GBVF incidents and speak out against abuse and actively share the GBV Command Centre’s contact details with family members, friends and neighbours.

“Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that survivors know where to seek help and that no one suffers in silence. The public is encouraged to take an active role in addressing GBVF in their homes, places of worship, communities and workplaces.

“This includes challenging cultures, attitudes and practices that perpetuate gender inequality and the abuse of vulnerable women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities, both at personal and societal level,” the department urged.

Members of the public can report GBV incidents and access support by contacting the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428.

The GBV Command Centre can also be reached by sending a Please Call Me to 1207867#, SMSing “HELP” to 31531, or contacting Skype: Helpme GBV. – SAnews.gov.za

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