Category: English

Posted on

Authorities crack down on Pretoria weight loss production pharmacy

Source: Government of South Africa

Authorities crack down on Pretoria weight loss production pharmacy

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) have ramped up a nationwide crackdown on the illegal manufacturing and supply of unregistered weight-loss medicines.

The medicines contain Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, or a combination product containing both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.

“SAHPRA and SAPC conducted a joint investigation inspection at iDexis (Pty) Ltd trading as Sentra Pharmacy in Silverton, Pretoria. The inspection focused on Semaglutide, Tirzepatide and combination formulations and discovered critical regulatory non-compliance, all GIP/GLP-1 injectable products found onsite were seized.

“The investigation revealed that the company was producing and supplying medicines under the pretext of ‘compounding’, but outside the legal framework permitted under South African law.

“While compounding is strictly limited to the preparation of medicines for individual patients based on a valid prescription, the facility was found to be manufacturing and marketing GIP/GLP-1-based products, including Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and combination formulations, for broader commercial distribution, particularly for weight management purposes,” the two health watchdogs said in a joint statement.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed serious deficiencies in quality, safety, and regulatory compliance, including:

  • The illegal importation of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs);
  • The absence of analytical testing to confirm identity, potency and purity;
  • Inadequate sterile manufacturing conditions, high risk of contamination;
  • Inadequate equipment for aseptic medical preparations; and 
  • The lack of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

“The room allocated for producing GLP-1/GIP products didn’t meet the requirements of aseptically prepared products. In addition, no pharmacovigilance system was in place to monitor or respond to adverse drug reactions.

“SAHPRA has also noted reports of adverse events, including hospitalisations, linked to the use of these products, as well as concerns regarding possible illegal importation of APIs and promotional activities targeting healthcare providers and consumers,” the statement continued.

All finished products containing Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and related combinations have been seized.

“The company has been instructed to initiate a full recall of affected products distributed through healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other channels.

“According to the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 101 of 1965, as amended, compounding must remain strictly within the applicable parameters of the law and cannot be used as a mechanism for large-scale manufacture, advertising, or distribution of unregistered medicines,” the statement read.

SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said: “SAHPRA will continue to take decisive regulatory and enforcement action against any entity that contravenes the Medicines and Related Substances Act.

“The unlawful manufacture, importation, advertising, and distribution of unregistered medicines pose a serious risk to public health. We will not hesitate to act to protect patients and safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s regulatory system.”

SAPC CEO Vincent Tlala added that the council will be taking further action against pharmacy professionals involved in illegal manufacturing.

“Unlawful manufacturing, promotion and distribution of unregistered GLP-1 medicines for weight loss is a serious violation of the law and a direct threat to public safety. 

“Following the inspection conducted at Sentra Pharmacy, the SAPC will pursue decisive regulatory action against those involved.

“Pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel found selling, compounding or distributing these unregistered medicines risk severe disciplinary action. Including possible removal from the register. Council will not tolerate any conduct that compromises patient safety or the integrity of the pharmacy profession,” Tlala warned. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

5

Posted on

Seychelles: Appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Careers and Further Education Agency

Source: APO


.

The Office of the President has today announced the appointment of Ms Francoise Mein as the Chief Executive Officer of the Careers and Further Education Agency.

Ms Mein holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom. She has also undertaken professional development in Strategic Policy Planning, Talent Acquisition and Leadership Development, and Human Resource Development through recognised international institutions.

Ms Mein brings over 33 years of professional experience in education, public service leadership, policy development, strategic planning, scholarship administration, research, and institutional management. She has held several senior leadership positions within the education sector, most recently serving as Director General for Careers and Further Education Progression Division at the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, where she leads Government scholarship administration, careers guidance, policy implementation, and strategic oversight.

Her extensive professional career includes service as Chief Education Officer for Strategic Planning, Chief Policy Analyst and RBM Coordinator, Director General for Policy, Planning and Research, and senior management roles within the former Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD). Throughout her career, she has demonstrated strong leadership in policy coordination, budget oversight, stakeholder engagement, organisational improvement, and evidence-based decision-making.

Ms Mein’s appointment is effective 20th April 2026.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Posted on

African Leadership Magazine Announces Winners of the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026

Source: APO

African Leadership Magazine (www.AfricanLeadershipMagazine.co.uk) today announced the winners of the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026. The announcement follows the successful completion of a rigorous four-stage, points-based selection and evaluation process involving public nominations, editorial screening, global public voting, and a final assessment based on verifiable institutional and leadership impact. The winners will be formally honoured and presented with their award trophies and instruments of honour during the high-level ABLA Ceremony and strategic stakeholder engagements scheduled for 2–3 July 2026 at the iconic House of Lords, London, United Kingdom.

Now in its 16th year, the African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) has become Africa’s premier platform for recognising transformational leadership, corporate excellence, and outstanding contributions to the continent’s economic growth and global competitiveness. Chaired annually by former President of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, this landmark gathering at the House of Lords convenes Heads of State and Government, policymakers, senior business executives, diplomats, development finance institutions, and global investors to connect continental ambition with global capital, strategic partnerships, and policy engagement shaping Africa’s next phase of growth.

The winners were selected through the established ABLA four-stage evaluation framework. Global public voting accounted for 65% of the final score, allowing stakeholders across Africa and the diaspora to directly validate continental impact, while the remaining 35% was determined by the African Leadership Magazine Editorial Board through a rigorous assessment of institutional performance, governance standards, sustainability, market influence, innovation, and measurable socio-economic contributions.

Dr. Ken Giami, Founder and CEO of the African Leadership Organisation, congratulated the winners, stating: “We are proud to recognize the 2026 African Business Leadership Award winners, whose excellence and ambition continue to redefine what is possible for African enterprise. Their leadership is inspiring the next generation of business pioneers.”

The complete list of winners across the various categories of the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026 is provided below:

African Business Leader of the Year

  • Daniel McKorley — Executive Chairman, McDan Group, Ghana | Winner
  • Sayyu Dantata — Founder & Chairman, MRS Holdings Limited, Nigeria | Co-Winner

African Female Business Leader of the Year

  • Fatoumata Mbalou Sanogo — CEO, Petroci Holding, Côte d’Ivoire | Winner
  • Kapumpe Chola — CEO, First National Bank (FNB) Zambia | Co-Winner

African Finance Minister of the Year

  • Cassiel Ato Forson — Minister for Finance, Ghana | Winner
  • Nadia Fettah Alaoui — Minister of Economy and Finance, Morocco | Co-Winner

Central Bank Governor of the Year

  • Eyob Tekalign — Governor, National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) | Winner
  • Emmanuel Tutuba — Governor, Bank of Tanzania | Co-Winner

Business-Friendly Governor of the Year

  • Alex Otti — Governor of Abia State, Nigeria | Joint Winner
  • Wavinya Ndeti — Governor of Machakos County, Kenya | Joint Winner

African CEO of the Year

  • Jeremy Awori — CEO, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Togo | Winner
  • Sebastião Gaspar Martins — Chairman & CEO, Sonangol Group, Angola | Co-Winner

African Company of the Year

  • Dangote Group, Nigeria | Winner
  • Orascom Construction, Egypt | Co-Winner

African Brand of the Year

  • Ethiopian Airlines | Winner
  • Airtel Africa | Co-Winner

African Regulator of the Year

  • National Communications Authority, Ghana | Winner
  • Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) | Co-Winner

Industry Personality of the Year

  • Bayo Ojulari — Group CEO, NNPC Limited, Nigeria | Winner
  • Yasser Shaker — CEO, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) | Co-Winner

Trade & Investment Minister of the Year

  • Basílio Zefanias Muhate — Minister of Economy, Mozambique | Winner
  • Rui Miguêns de Oliveira — Minister of Industry and Commerce, Angola | Co-Winner

Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of the Year

  • Uganda Investment Authority | Winner
  • Ghana Investment Promotion Centre | Co-Winner

Young Business Leader of the Year

  • Abdoul Karim Diallo — Director General, SONOCO, Guinea | Co-Winner
  • Daniel Ekali Kwizombe — CEO, DEK Engineering, Malawi | Co-Winner

African Tech & Digital Economy Leader of the Year

  • Galaxy Backbone, Nigeria | Winner
  • Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet) | Co-Winner

CSR & Community Development Impact Award

  • Mastercard Africa | Winner
  • Bakhresa Group, Tanzania | Co-Winner

Africa Business Integrity Leader Award

  • Salaam Somali Bank | Winner
  • Mauritius Commercial Bank | Co-Winner

African Diaspora Business Leader of the Year

  • Ismail Ahmed — Founder & Chairman, WorldRemit, Somaliland | Winner
  • Helmy Eltoukhy — Chairman, Guardant Health, Egypt | Co-Winner

Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Sam Jonah — Executive Chairman, Jonah Capital Equity Fund, Ghana
  • Jim Ovia — Founder, Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria
  • Adebayo Ogunlesi — Global Infrastructure Partners / BlackRock, Nigeria
  • James Mwangi — Group Managing Director & CEO, Equity Group Holdings Plc, Kenya

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leadership Magazine.

For media and other enquiries:
Ehis Ayere
Group General Manager
African Leadership Magazine UK
ehis@africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk

About African Leadership Magazine:
The African Leadership Magazine, published by the African Leadership Organisation (UK), presents the best of Africa to a global audience—telling the African story from an African perspective while advancing practical solutions to the continent’s most pressing challenges. For over 19 years, we have championed impactful leadership and promoted African opportunities worldwide through an integrated ecosystem of Afro-positive content, trade facilitation and market-entry support, high-level networking platforms, and targeted public-sector training and advisory services.

Media files

.

Posted on

President receives credentials of Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of Seychelles

Source: APO


.

The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, today received the Letters of Credence of H.E. Mr. Lars Håkan Åkesson as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of Seychelles during an accreditation ceremony held at the Salon de Gouverneur at State House this morning.

Following the ceremony, the President and Ambassador Åkesson held discussions on the longstanding diplomatic relations and historical cooperation between the two countries since 1979. Areas of cooperation include maritime security through EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta, health, training, and capacity building, as well as training for the Seychelles Defence Forces at the Swedish International Centre.

President Herminie congratulated and welcomed Ambassador Åkesson to Seychelles, expressing confidence that during his tenure, bilateral relations between the two countries will be further strengthened and broadened into additional areas of cooperation.

He also expressed gratitude to Swedish counterparts for their continued support towards the sustainable development and greening of Port Victoria, through the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) and the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. He noted that such partnerships not only support the modernisation of port infrastructure but also enhance resilience to environmental challenges.

The President further highlighted that Seychelles has embarked on a Digital Transformation Agenda aimed at improving and streamlining government services. He noted that Sweden is a global exemplar in public service digitalisation and expressed hope that both countries could collaborate in this area.

He also underscored the strong partnership between the two countries in the health sector, particularly through collaboration between the Ministry of Health and institutions in the City of Umeå. Lecturers and students from the National Institute for Health and Social Studies (NIHSS) have undertaken exchange visits to Umeå University, and the President expressed hope that this cooperation can be further strengthened through a formal Memorandum of Understanding and expanded collaboration in this vital sector.

On his part, Ambassador Åkesson conveyed warm greetings from His Majesty the King of Sweden, noting that the Monarch has previously visited Seychelles and holds the country in high regard. He observed that Seychelles and Sweden share notable similarities as small island states surrounded by vast oceans, committed to a rules-based international order and multilateralism.

He further stated that both countries face comparable maritime challenges, particularly in relation to climate change and its impact on weather patterns, which in turn affect sea and air travel. Ambassador Åkesson reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations in the areas discussed, with particular emphasis on digitalisation as a means of enhancing competitiveness and efficiency.

He noted that many Swedish university programmes are offered at master’s level and in English, which facilitates access for Seychellois students. He also highlighted the existing exchange programme between Umeå University and Seychelles institutions, while encouraging further expansion of academic cooperation.

In this regard, President Herminie highlighted the need for more professional psychologists in Seychelles, given the rising concerns around substance abuse and mental health, a sector he considers a priority for national investment.

Other areas of discussion included tourism, noting the arrival of approximately 5,000 Swedish visitors last year, renewable energy, education, climate change, and advocacy for the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI). The President sought Sweden’s support in advocating alongside Seychelles for reforms in international financial institutions, including the operationalisation of the MVI, which would ensure fairer and more equitable access to financing for vulnerable states.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Posted on

Seychelles: President Herminie Presented with Future Development Vision for New Baie St Anne Jetty

Source: APO


.

Continuing his official engagements on Praslin, President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, proceeded to the new Baie St Anne Jetty, where he was presented with detailed site plans outlining the proposed future development of the jetty and its surrounding infrastructure.

During the visit, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Mr Pierre Prosper and officials, briefed the President on the planned redevelopment works and key considerations aimed at improving operations, accessibility and traffic circulation at one of Praslin’s principal maritime access points.

The presentation outlined an overall redevelopment concept for the jetty area, including proposed harbour infrastructure upgrades, redesigned road networks and traffic flow systems, expanded docking and berthing facilities, as well as designated areas for commercial and tourism= related development.

Plans for a proposed “Harbour House” building were also presented through architectural renderings and elevation drawings, illustrating the vision for a more modern and integrated maritime service hub.

Discussions further focused on the importance of strengthening maritime infrastructure to support economic activity, improve connectivity between the inner islands and enhance the experience for commuters, operators and visitors using the Baie Sainte Anne port facility.

President Herminie was accompanied by the Minister for Local Government and Inner Islands, Ms Eveline Rose, Minister for Health, Dr Marvin Fanny, and the Member of the National Assembly for Baie Sainte Anne, Hon. Churchill Gill, alongside other officials present during the visit.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Posted on

Chikunga to launch 1956 Women’s March commemoration

Source: Government of South Africa

Chikunga to launch 1956 Women’s March commemoration

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, will on Friday, 29 May 2026, officially launch the 70 Years Commemoration of the 1956 Women’s March.

The launch, which forms part of the National Milestones events, marks the beginning of a national programme of activities commemorating the historic 1956 Women’s March, where more than 20 000 women united against unjust pass laws and demonstrated courage, resilience, and collective activism in the fight for freedom and equality in South Africa.

The launch marks the government programme of activities to commemorate the milestones of freedom under the theme: “honouring the past, delivering the future.”

The department said the commemoration event, taking place at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria, will further outline the programme and national activities leading up to Women’s Month in August 2026 under the theme: “Empowered Women Empower The Nation.”

“The commemoration will honour the legacy of the women of 1956 while reflecting on the progress made in advancing women’s rights, gender equality, social justice, and the empowerment of women in democratic South Africa.

“It will also serve as a platform to mobilise society against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), economic exclusion, and all forms of discrimination affecting women and girls,” the department said in a statement on Monday. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK

8

Posted on

Manamela secures business backing for South Africa’s skills revolution

Source: Government of South Africa

Manamela secures business backing for South Africa’s skills revolution

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has secured commitments from private sector leaders to partner with government in advancing South Africa’s skills development agenda and strengthening the country’s education-to-employment pipeline.

The commitments emerged from a high-level business breakfast convened by Manamela on Monday, ahead of the Higher Education and Training Budget Vote speech delivered in Parliament on Tuesday.

The engagement brought together executives and leaders from the agriculture, mining, engineering, ICT, financial services and other strategic sectors, alongside government representatives, skills development institutions, intermediaries and start-ups.

The discussions focused on tackling South Africa’s deepening youth unemployment crisis and improving alignment between the country’s education and training systems and labour market needs.

South Africa currently has more than three million young people who are not in education, employment or training, while many graduates and qualified young people remain unemployed, despite ongoing complaints from businesses about skills shortages.

Manamela said the engagement aimed to create a practical platform through which government and business could work together to ensure that skills development responds meaningfully to labour market demands and economic growth.

He said the initiative would evolve into a permanent partnership platform, supported by regular engagements and a clear implementation plan to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.

The discussions anchored around five strategic themes, including:
•    Reimagining public-private partnerships in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector by moving towards strategic, long-term collaboration that builds sustainable systems.
•    Bridging the skills-industry gap through curriculum alignment, workplace exposure and direct business participation in training design.
•    Scaling apprenticeships, learnerships and work-integrated learning opportunities by exploring incentives, removing barriers and improving implementation at scale.
•    Identifying what business requires from government, including policy certainty, efficient processes, accessible funding mechanisms and improved accountability.
•    Establishing a shared accountability framework that clearly defines roles, responsibilities and measurable outcomes for both government and business.

The session concluded with participating business leaders making formal pledges to support the implementation of government’s skills development agenda.

Among the key outcomes of the engagement was strong support for the revitalisation and repositioning of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

Business leaders said TVET colleges remained central to South Africa’s economic future and should be repositioned as institutions preparing young people for practical, future-focused occupations that would remain relevant despite advances in artificial intelligence and automation.

Participants also called for stronger coordination within government and closer alignment between the public and private sectors to ensure skills development interventions are more responsive and effective.

Entrepreneurship development also featured prominently in the discussions, with business leaders stressing that young people should be equipped not only to seek jobs but also to create businesses and employment opportunities.

The engagement was co-hosted by Standard Bank and Primestars.

Head of Corporate Citizenship at Standard Bank, Dr Kirston Greenhop, reinforced the importance of prioritising vocational education and practical skills development as a key pillar of inclusive economic participation.

Primestars CEO, Nkosinathi Moshoana highlighted the importance of linking learning opportunities directly to employment through initiatives such as the organisation’s “learning to earning” campaign.

Manamela said the discussions needed to translate into practical implementation and measurable impact.

“The report that emerges from this process must speak directly to how we action partnerships and collaboration in a meaningful and measurable way. There is already important work happening across sectors and institutions.

“Our responsibility now is to identify what is working, understand how to scale it, and take all of these commitments forward into concrete programmes that benefit young people and the economy,” the Minister said.

He reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that the post-school education and training system becomes a driver of economic inclusion and opportunity.

“We cannot allow our education and training system to become a waiting room for unemployment for our youth. It must become a platform for empowerment, productivity, innovation and national development,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK

10

Posted on

Steenhuisen calls for urgent climate resilience in agriculture

Source: Government of South Africa

Steenhuisen calls for urgent climate resilience in agriculture

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says resilience is no longer an abstract concept for agriculture but an “operational necessity” as climate change, failing logistics infrastructure and volatile global markets reshape the future of South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry.

Addressing the Hortgro Symposium 2026 in Somerset West on Monday, Steenhuisen said the deciduous fruit industry is operating at the frontline of change, confronting increasingly unpredictable climate conditions, logistical pressures, stricter export requirements and growing international competition.

“Climate change is no longer a future challenge for agriculture. It is already reshaping production realities today,” Steenhuisen said.

He said recent storms in the Western Cape, particularly in the Witzenberg and Breede River Valley regions, highlighted the urgent need for climate resilience and stronger disaster preparedness in agriculture.

“The devastating storms caused widespread damage to infrastructure, orchards and local communities. The collapse of critical electricity infrastructure and the pressure placed on cold-storage facilities created serious risks for the apple and pear industry at a particularly sensitive point in the export season,” the Minister said.

Steenhuisen warned that climate change is already reshaping agricultural production realities, particularly for deciduous fruit growers who depend on reliable winter chilling, stable irrigation systems and strict export-quality standards.

“Warmer winters, droughts, floods, storms, heat stress and changing pest pressures all have direct consequences for productivity, fruit quality and export competitiveness,” he said.

He commended the resilience of farming communities trying to protect crops and maintain export operations under severe strain.

“During my visit to the region last week, I was struck not only by the scale of the damage, but also by the resilience and determination shown by farmers, workers, municipalities, and local communities under extremely difficult conditions.

“These events are a stark indicator that climate resilience, infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparedness are becoming increasingly important components of agricultural sustainability,” the Minister said.

Despite mounting pressures, the Minister said South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry remained one of the country’s most dynamic and internationally competitive agricultural sectors, supporting more than 302 000 jobs across agriculture and agri-processing.

The industry also contributes to a broader horticultural economy valued at over R147 billion nationally.

Innovation is the foundation of sustainability.

Stennhuisen also stressed the growing importance of research, innovation and technology in helping producers adapt to changing conditions.

According to the Minister, innovation is no longer optional, “it is the foundation of sustainability.”

“Innovation in modern agriculture is not limited to laboratories or research institutions. It includes technology in orchards, data-driven irrigation systems, biological controls, advanced breeding systems, logistics optimisation and digital traceability platforms.

“The future of agriculture will belong to sectors that combine productivity with sustainability and science with competitiveness,” he said.

Steenhuisen also emphasised the importance of biosecurity and market access, saying South Africa’s future agricultural growth depended on expanding and protecting export opportunities. 

He highlighted the recent trade gains, including a new stone fruit export protocol with China and the reopening of fresh apple exports to Thailand, as examples of successful collaboration between government and industry.

However, he acknowledged that logistics failures and inefficiencies at the Port of Cape Town continued to undermine the competitiveness of the fruit sector.

“For a high-value perishable export sector, logistics efficiency is existential. When export fruit misses shipping windows, producers do not simply lose time. They lose value, market confidence and profitability,” Steenhuisen said.

The Minister reaffirmed government focus on reducing unnecessary red tape, improving regulatory efficiency, supporting infrastructure and logistics improvements, and aggressively pursuing export opportunities for South African producers. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK

0

Posted on

Police arrest 142 following looting and public violence in Mangaung

Source: Government of South Africa

Police arrest 142 following looting and public violence in Mangaung

Free State police have arrested 142 people following incidents of looting, public violence and damage to property in several areas of Mangaung.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the incidents followed the circulation of voice recordings and digital posters on social media calling for a “total shutdown”.

Police said groups targeted businesses and tuckshops in different parts of the city. 

Cases of public violence, business burglary, business robbery, possession of suspected stolen property and malicious damage to property have been opened.

The first reported incident occurred on Sunday evening in Bloemspruit Phase 6, where a crowd entered a grocery store. Police said community members assisted the store manager before Public Order Policing (POP) officers arrived.

Later on Sunday, police responded to an incident in the Maditlhabela area of Phase 6, where a group of about 80 people allegedly threw stones at police vehicles. POP members dispersed the crowd.

Police also reported attempted break-ins at tuckshops in Pieter Swarts. According to SAPS, tuckshop owners removed stock from their premises.

At about 11:45pm on Sunday, POP members arrested 10 suspects who were allegedly found inside a shop with grocery items. Additional arrests were made on Mahlomola Street in Bochabela, where suspects were allegedly found looting a tuckshop.

On Monday at about 4am, police dispersed a crowd of approximately 100 people on Moshoeshoe Street.

Further incidents were reported at Bergman Square at about 5:20am on Monday. Police arrested suspects found in possession of suspected stolen property and others on allegations of business robbery.

SAPS said 142 suspects have been arrested. Of those, 109 are male and 33 are female.

Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia instructed police members based at the provincial office to assist operations in Mangaung.

Police said the arrested suspects are being processed and are expected to appear in court. 

Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected.

High-visibility policing remains in place in affected areas, according to SAPS. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Janine

0

Posted on

Ammat Global Resources Redefines Local Content Through Congolese-Led Operations

Source: APO

In the Republic of Congo’s offshore energy sector, where debates around local content have often centered on compliance thresholds and regulatory minimums, Ammat Global Resources is presenting a different approach. The independent upstream operator has built a workforce model in which 80-85% of all roles – including executive leadership, engineering and asset management – are held by Congolese nationals.

From its operational headquarters in Pointe-Noire to its offshore production assets across the Loango and Zatchi fields, Ammat’s organizational architecture reflects a deliberate shift away from expatriate-heavy operational control toward domestic technical ownership. In practical terms, this means Congolese petroleum engineers, reservoir specialists and asset managers are not only involved in field operations, but leading them.

This model stands in contrast to the long-established upstream norm in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, where complex offshore assets have historically depended on expatriate technical managers, often at significant cost and with limited knowledge transfer. Ammat’s approach directly challenges that dependency assumption by embedding domestic expertise at the core of operational decision-making.

Operational Efficiency Gains

By consolidating technical authority within-country, the company reduces exposure to international staffing volatility, minimizes expatriate overhead costs, and shortens decision cycles across drilling, production optimization and maintenance planning. This creates a leaner operational profile that is particularly relevant in mature offshore assets, where efficiency gains often depend on speed of execution rather than capital expansion.

Equally important is the regulatory and institutional dimension. Deep domestic execution has strengthened Ammat’s alignment with Congolese authorities and regulatory stakeholders, creating a more predictable operating environment. In resource-dependent economies, this trust factor often determines the difference between stalled projects and sustained production lifecycles. By situating Congolese professionals in high-accountability roles, the company reduces the friction typically associated with external operators perceived as distant from national development priorities.

Local Content Redefined

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has consistently argued that local content must move beyond employment quotas to become a mechanism for industrial capability-building. Ammat’s structure reflects this principle in practice. Rather than positioning local workers in peripheral service roles, the company has embedded them in core technical and strategic functions, effectively internalizing operational intelligence within the host country.

“Local content is about transferring real control, real expertise and real value creation to African professionals. What Ammat Global Resources is demonstrating in Congo is that when nationals are trusted with full operational responsibility, the result is not just compliance, but stronger assets, better decision-making, and long-term sustainability. This is the future of African energy,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

From an ESG perspective, Ammat’s model also strengthens the social and governance pillars of its operations. Socially, it accelerates skills transfer, professional development and long-term employment stability for Congolese talent. Governance-wise, it enhances accountability by ensuring that decision-makers are embedded within the regulatory and community context in which assets operate.

The environmental side is also strengthened indirectly. Localized technical teams tend to respond more rapidly to operational inefficiencies, maintenance issues, and environmental risk factors due to proximity and institutional continuity. This reduces downtime and improves adherence to environmental management protocols, particularly in sensitive offshore environments.

Ultimately, Ammat Global Resources is positioning itself as a case study in what local content maturity can look like when treated as a core business strategy rather than a compliance obligation. By centering Congolese professionals across its value chain – from engineering to executive management – the company is demonstrating that localization can be a catalyst for operational resilience, cost efficiency and long-term partnership stability in Congo’s upstream sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Media files

.