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South Africa says the expanded BRICS grouping presents an opportunity to strengthen collective engagement on reforming global institutions and advancing the interests of developing countries, despite the added complexity of reaching consensus among a larger membership.

“Yes, it is always a challenge when the grouping becomes larger, but it can also be an opportunity because it means more countries have a voice and can help advance the message that we are promoting,” Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola told SAnews.gov.za on Friday, ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.

Lamola said there was broad convergence among members on key priorities, including the transformation of the global financial architecture, reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and climate change adaptation.

“The only area where we could not reach agreement was a narrow issue of interest between two countries. We are hopeful that this platform can be used to find consensus and persuade countries to agree on language reaffirming the UN Charter on issues of peace and security. The issue relates to the Israel-Iran conflict,” Lamola said during an interview with SAnews.

While members had not reached agreement on the matter previously, Lamola said the Summit could provide a platform to encourage support for positions long upheld in international law, including the principles of the UN Charter on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue.

“I believe this meeting can achieve that goal. Even during the Foreign Ministers’ meetings, these were issues on which there was largely agreement,” he said.

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026, under the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, which reflects a people-centred and humanity-first approach.

BRICS has expanded from its original membership of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia as full members.

The 2025 partner-country framework includes Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

According to India’s BRICS presidency, the 11 member countries account for about 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global gross domestic product and 26% of global trade.

The grouping provides a platform for consultation and cooperation on global and regional matters, including political, economic, financial and people-to-people cooperation. –SAnews.gov.za

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The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster has expressed serious concern over ongoing instability and violent protests in the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

At its ordinary meeting of Ministers on Thursday, the Cluster noted the disruptions, which include road blockades, intimidation, the disruption of schooling, business operations and public services in the municipality.

Recent reports indicate that the unrest initially stemmed from concerns about municipal governance and allegations against the Municipal Manager, who has since been placed on precautionary suspension while investigations are underway.

The situation subsequently escalated, resulting in widespread disruptions, road closures, attacks on property, transport-related tensions and threats to public safety.

“Following intense discussions about this dire situation, the Cluster Ministers activated a coordinated stabilisation plan aimed at restoring normality and ensuring the safety of all residents,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said in a statement.

The stabilisation plan focuses on enhanced law enforcement deployments, focused criminal investigations and prosecutions, the protection of essential infrastructure and services, sustained intergovernmental coordination, community engagement and dispute resolution mechanisms.

A multi-disciplinary team has been established to implement a comprehensive intervention plan to stabilise the situation in the area.

“The multi-disciplinary team is led by three main role players including the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs whose role among others, will be to support bylaw enforcement, address infrastructure vulnerabilities that are continuing to be exploited by organized crime syndicates and to improve urban management and service delivery in the area,” the GCIS said.

The Chairperson of the JCPS Cluster, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, said Government remained deeply concerned about the impact of the developments on residents, particularly vulnerable groups who depend on uninterrupted access to healthcare, education, social grant services, public transport and economic opportunities.

The JCPS Cluster has called on all residents of Dr AB Xuma Municipality to remain calm, exercise restraint and reject attempts to incite violence or lawlessness.

“Community members are encouraged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and utilise existing legal channels to raise concerns. Any person with information regarding criminal activities, intimidation or violence is urged to report such information to the South African Police Service.

“Government remains committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting communities, safeguarding constitutional rights and ensuring that all concerns are addressed through transparent and lawful processes.

“The JCPS Cluster will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary,” the GCIS said. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa is advocating for the delivery of practical outcomes for developing countries at the 18th BRICS Summit.

This includes unlocking climate finance, reforming global institutions, expanding local-currency trade and creating greater value from Africa’s critical minerals.

“We are looking at BRICS reasserting itself as a premier multilateral platform for development for the Global South and as a key voice on developmental issues,” Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola told SAnews.gov.za on Friday, ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.

India is hosting the summit in New Delhi on Saturday and Sunday (12-13 September 2026) under the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

In an interview with SAnews.gov.za, Lamola emphasised the need to advance reforms of global financial institutions and the broader international financial architecture, as well as the United Nations (UN) and other key multilateral forums, including the World Trade Organization, which plays a central role in global trade.

With the process to appoint the next UN Secretary-General already under way ahead of António Guterres’ term ending in December 2026, Lamola said it would be important for countries of the Global South to share views and coordinate their approach.

“It will be important for countries of the Global South to share views, compare notes and discuss how we should approach this process, bearing in mind that the UN has never elected a woman Secretary-General. It is also Latin America’s turn, in terms of the informal tradition of regional rotation.

“These are some of the issues we look forward to engaging on, including climate change. We have to use the BRICS platform as a bridge between the Global South and the Global North on climate change adaptation,” Lamola said.

On climate change, Lamola said developed countries, particularly those in the Global North, have an obligation to provide financing for adaptation measures in developing countries.

“But this is not only about climate change. It is also about development in the Global South, including critical minerals and how countries of the Global South, particularly on the African continent, can harness these resources. Africa is well endowed with critical minerals,” the Minister said.

South Africa, he said, would use the BRICS platform to push for greater value to be unlocked from Africa’s critical minerals, while stressing that countries should not merely export these resources in raw form.

Greater beneficiation would mean more processing taking place on the continent, stronger industrial development, expanded manufacturing opportunities, skills development and more value retained from Africa’s natural resources.

“We are therefore looking forward to BRICS advancing the beneficiation and development of critical minerals in countries of the Global South, particularly on the African continent. 

“As you are aware, we now have several African countries in BRICS, making it an important platform to advance these priorities.

“We must also look at how we harness the potential of Africa’s youthful and growing population of about 1.4 billion people. How do we take that population forward, including through skills development for young people and climate change adaptation?” the Minister said.

Lamola also highlighted discussions on payment methods and financing systems that could enable BRICS countries to trade and settle payments more easily in their own currencies.

India’s chairship has also placed emphasis on strengthening cooperation in areas such as health, agriculture, food and energy security, supply chains, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, development finance, trade facilitation, green finance and climate action.

The summit marks the culmination of India’s 2026 BRICS chairship, which has focused on four priorities: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. 

The expanded grouping now includes major emerging economies and developing countries, giving South Africa another platform to advance Global South priorities such as development finance, climate adaptation, industrialisation and fairer global governance.

“We are also looking at payment methods and financing systems being discussed through the Finance Track. We hope these can be developed into practical and tradable systems that will yield benefits for BRICS countries, including enabling us to pay each other in local currencies,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, in collaboration with INTERPOL South Africa, will today facilitate the extradition of six Nigerian nationals to the United States of America.

The six men are alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network and are wanted by the US authorities in connection with charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

“The suspects are alleged to have targeted more than 100 women in the United States, allegedly defrauding them of more than R100 million through online romance or love scams,” the Hawks said in a statement.

Among the alleged victims were pensioners and businesspeople, who were reportedly targeted through sophisticated online relationships used to defraud them of their money.

The six Nigerian nationals were arrested in South Africa in 2021, following a major takedown operation conducted by the Hawks.

“Through the coordination of INTERPOL South Africa, the six will today be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport, where they will be handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service, who arrived in South Africa this morning.

“This extradition demonstrates the continued cooperation between South African law enforcement agencies and international law enforcement partners in disrupting transnational organised crime and ensuring that suspects wanted in other jurisdictions face due legal process,” the Hawks said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is continuing to monitor new reports of Pilchard Herpesvirus (PHV), which has triggered an unusual sardine mortality event.

The mortality event has now been reported over an area extending from the Western Cape through the southern and eastern coasts, into the northern Wild Coast and along the Namibian coast.

Reports of the event began in July this year.

“PHV has been confirmed in sardines associated with the mortality event, including sardines collected in Gqeberha. PHV remains the leading explanation for the observed mortalities, although the role of the virus and the possible contribution of environmental factors are still being investigated.

“The full extent and impact of the mortality event are not yet known. The DFFE and its scientific partners are continuing to monitor new reports, undertake diagnostic testing and investigate the distribution, scale and progression of the event, as well as its potential implications for the sardine population and the wider marine ecosystem,” the DFFE said this week.

READ | Authorities probe reports of sardine deaths in Gqeberha

The department revealed that laboratory testing has confirmed PHV genetic material in South African sardines associated with the mortality event, including samples collected in Gqeberha.

“This is the first confirmed detection of PHV in South African sardines. Previous surveillance in 2016 did not detect PHV. The historical negative result provides a useful baseline, but it does not establish when PHV may have entered South African waters.

“Detection of viral genetic material confirms that the virus is present but does not by itself demonstrate active disease or causation. Scientists are considering PCR and sequencing results together with viral levels, pathology, the distribution and progression of mortality and other possible contributing factors.

“PHV remains the leading explanation, but its causal role is still being assessed,” the DFFE stated.

The reported coastal span covers approximately 2 600 kilometres between Henties Bay and the northern Wild Coast.

However, the DFFE cautioned that this represents a geographic extent of reported sightings, not an estimate of the number of fish affected.

“PHV has not been confirmed at every mapped location, and the sequence of sightings cannot by itself demonstrate the movement or speed of the virus. Fish movement, ocean currents, uneven surveillance and reporting delays also need to be considered,” the department said.

Investigating causes

The DFFE noted that preliminary investigation does not indicate that the event “mortality represents a large proportion of the overall sardine stock”.

“However, the estimates remain highly uncertain; the event may not yet have fully run its course, and continued monitoring is required.

“It would be inappropriate to describe the stock as unaffected or to imply that uncertainty has been resolved. The current scenarios do not indicate a large proportional stock loss, but the event may not yet have fully run its course. The October/November hydroacoustic survey will provide the first reliable fisheries-independent post-event estimate of sardine biomass and distribution,” the department stated.

The department continues the investigation into multiple potential causes.

“DFFE is implementing a coordinated, science-based response covering disease surveillance, laboratory testing, pathology, environmental investigations, mortality reporting, fisheries-resource assessment, ecosystem monitoring, stranded-fish management, public-health communication and stakeholder coordination.

“The High-Level PHV Task Team coordinates the broader response, while DFFE is working with provincial authorities, municipalities, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Rhodes University, the fishing industry, Namibian counterparts and other relevant institutions,” the DFFE stated.

Public health

Regarding public health concerns, the DFFE confirmed that PHV is “not known to infect people”.

“Commercially produced canned sardines processed under approved conditions remain safe to consume. The public should not collect, eat or feed to pets dead or dying sardines found on beaches or at sea, because of the risks associated with decomposition and contamination.

“DFFE and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications [NRCS] have confirmed that there is no reason to discontinue consumption of commercially produced canned sardines processed under NRCS oversight.

“Approved canning facilities are inspected by the NRCS, and the validated commercial heat-treatment process used in canning inactivates viruses, including PHV, as well as spoilage-causing and pathogenic microorganisms,” the department assured.

The DFFE strongly advised against collecting, eating, or feeding dead or dying sardines found on beaches or at sea to pets. 

“The advice is not because PHV is known to make people ill. It is because the public cannot know how long a stranded fish has been dead or how far decomposition has progressed. Fish that have decomposed may contain harmful bacteria or other microorganisms capable of causing illness.

“Pets should not be allowed to eat dead or dying sardines. The concern is not that PHV is known to infect pets, but that decomposed fish may contain harmful microorganisms or other contaminants. Until more is known about the distribution and persistence of PHV, dead or visibly unhealthy sardines should not be used as bait,” the DFFE warned. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Greater international cooperation is required to remove financial and institutional barriers restricting researchers from developing countries from accessing and publishing scientific knowledge.

This assessment was made by Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) Chief Director for Overseas Bilateral Cooperation, Anneline Morgan, on the sidelines of the High-Level Conference on International Cooperation in Open Science underway in China.

The conference is a precursor to the 19th Pujian Innovation Forum at which South Africa is a Country of Honor.

The call comes amid an industry consensus that access to scientific research remains costly for academics seeking to publish their work and researchers trying to consult it.

During her address on Friday, Morgan also called on open science platforms to give greater recognition to African indigenous knowledge, traditional medicine and technologies while protecting the intellectual property associated with that knowledge.

“Open science is about ensuring that there is free access to scientific data. As you would know, it is quite expensive for any academic to publish in any journal. It is also quite expensive for any researcher to access that information because they have to pay for that data – they have to subscribe to various journals.”

Morgan added that international open-science cooperation should help close the knowledge divide between developed and developing countries.

She said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Recommendation on Open Science sought to “ensure that developing countries have free and equitable access to scientific data” and that there is no gap in knowledge generation between the Global North and Global South.

South Africa and the African Union’s partnerships with BRICS countries could play an important role in advancing free and equitable access to data, particularly scientific data, she said.

Indigenous knowledge

Morgan emphasised that open science was also important for increasing the visibility of indigenous knowledge research, which was not always given sufficient recognition by established scientific publications and researchers.

“There is an importance to advancing indigenous knowledge systems because a lot of scientific publications and other scientists across the world frown upon research in the area of indigenous knowledge, and that area is our strength.

“As South Africa, we have a rich biodiversity and, through that biodiversity, we do a lot of research and fund a lot of research in traditional medicine and traditional technologies, which the DSTI is supporting across the country.”

She said researchers working in the field sometimes encountered difficulties publishing their findings in scientific journals.

“If we get our researchers and scientists who are finding it difficult to publish in a number of journals because of the fact that this research is frowned upon, it is important to use such platforms to promote the importance of indigenous knowledge and traditional systems within the communities that we support.”

However, broader access to indigenous knowledge data has to be balanced against the need to protect communities and their intellectual property.

“This can only be possible when we ensure that this data is well known and accessible, while ensuring the intellectual property and protection of that data,” she said.

The Open Science Conference, an initiative of BRICS leaders, is positioned to advance open science in the Global South.

READ | SA uses disease burden to drive medical innovation

Representatives of member states used the conference to deliberate on cooperation, scientific data, and measures to make publicly funded knowledge more widely accessible. –SAnews.gov.za 

 

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South Africa’s high burden of tuberculosis (TB), HIV and cancer is enabling local scientists to develop nuclear medicine techniques that could improve the early detection and treatment of diseases locally and internationally.

Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) President and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Mike Sathekge, says South Africa’s experience in tackling diseases prevalent on the continent gives its scientists expertise that can complement research conducted in countries where these illnesses are less common.

Sathekge, who is also Head of Nuclear Medicine at Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the University of Pretoria, made the comments while addressing the media on the sidelines of the High-Level Conference on International Cooperation in Open Science currently underway in Shanghai, China.

The conference is a build-up to the 19th Pujiang Innovation Forum (PIF), where South Africa will participate as Country of Honour.

READ | SA innovation takes centre stage at Chinese Innovation Forum

“This is about showcasing that South Africa can be one of those countries which can collaborate with other global countries in terms of the science that we do in South Africa,” Sathekge said.

South Africa is the first African country to be designated Country of Honour at the forum, which will bring together policymakers, researchers, innovators and industry leaders to discuss emerging technologies and deepen international scientific cooperation.

The South African delegation to the forum is led by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande.

Sathekge said international scientific cooperation should extend beyond comparing countries’ capabilities and place greater emphasis on connecting researchers who possess complementary knowledge.

“Instead of comparing, we must connect with the other countries. That is critical if we are to benchmark while we are looking at the problems and the burden of disease in our country.

“How do we use that expertise to also inform the region – Africa – but also consider what the other colleagues are doing and take it from there?” he said.

South African contribution 

Sathekge said South Africa could contribute important knowledge on TB, HIV and cancer through its work in radiotheranostics and nuclear medicine.

Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive materials to examine the functioning of organs and tissues, diagnose diseases and deliver targeted treatments.

“In this regard, for example, you would be aware that we have quite a burden of diseases in South Africa. We can show that radiotheranostics and nuclear medicine can be part and parcel of addressing this,” he said.

South African researchers have contributed to evidence showing that the progression of TB is not uniform and that lesions in the same patient may respond differently to treatment.

“We have been key in contributing to show that the pathogenesis of tuberculosis is heterogeneous. How you really treat it might not be as easy as the usual six months. How do we change it? Is treatment going to be prolonged?” Sathekge said.

Understanding these differences could help researchers develop biomarkers that indicate how patients are responding to treatment without relying exclusively on expensive imaging technology.

“Those biomarkers can be validated to detect patients very early. That brings complicated nuclear medicine techniques to actually help derive better on-site techniques that will help our patients.”

Sathekge said nuclear medicine could also be used to assess whether new TB medicines are working inside a patient’s body.

“The lesions are not the same in tuberculosis. You need to be clear that this lesion will respond earlier, and the other one will respond later,” he said.

This information could assist doctors in determining which patients require longer treatment or a combination of medical treatment and surgery. It could also help prevent the disease from recurring.

Sathekge said similar technologies could help address cancer, particularly because many South African patients are diagnosed only after the disease has reached an advanced stage.

He said medical imaging should consequently be regarded as an essential component of healthcare and not an unaffordable luxury.

“Imaging should not be a luxury. It is part and parcel of what we need. It helps with therapies but also makes sure that we can have precision medicine here and not just theoretically,” Sathekge said.

South Africa’s nuclear medicine research forms part of the country’s health innovation capabilities being showcased in China.

The PIF is expected to provide South Africa with an opportunity to promote research partnerships, knowledge exchange, technology transfer and investment while positioning the country as a gateway to Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

The PIF  is taking place from 11 – 14 September.  –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The City of Johannesburg has assured that the Lilian Ngoyi Street Rehabilitation Project reopening in October 2026 is still on track with the project having reached over 75% completion.

This week, Mayor Dada Morero, together with City Manager Dr Floyd Brink and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) officials led a tour of the 1.8km corridor to assess progress on Phase Two of the project.

Some three years ago, an explosion – caused by methane gas – rocked Lillian Ngoyi Street, claiming the life of at least one person and leaving over 40 others injured.

READ | Methane gas identified as cause of Joburg CBD explosion

It also left the city having to undertake the R192 million restoration project.

“We want to emphasise that this is not a normal road; it is a transport precinct. Following the 2023 gas explosion, we had to rebuild critical underground infrastructure, including water and electricity networks, while also installing additional services to support the city’s future growth.

“Engineers had to excavate up to five metres deep to rebuild the foundation and accommodate this infrastructure, which is why this project is far more complex than a standard road upgrade.

“By 31 October, we are not only reopening Lilian Ngoyi Street – we are restoring a safer, stronger and more resilient corridor for Johannesburg,” Morero said.

JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi said major works are expected to be completed ahead of the October reopening. 

“The JRA assures road users, residents, businesses and other stakeholders that every effort is being made to keep the project on track and avoid further delays beyond October 2026,” Nyathi said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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