Category: English

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) says it is strengthening measures to further secure payroll controls and improve consequence management to ensure that public funds are “protected and used responsibly to support the delivery of healthcare service”.

The department said it would be tightening measures including:
•    Tightening labour relations processes.
•    Strengthening leave and incapacity management.
•    Implementing employee verification interventions and
•    strengthening human resource management functions to improve oversight.

“Currently, the department has four officials on precautionary suspension with pay. The suspensions relate to matters involving alleged misconduct, procurement irregularities, fraud and corruption investigations, as well as measures aimed at preventing possible interference with witnesses and ongoing investigations.

“The department is equally concerned about employees being paid while not rendering services and remains committed to expediting these matters without compromising investigations or disciplinary processes.

“To address delays in some of these matters, the department is working with relevant authorities, particularly where cases involve complex specialised investigations and legal processes initiated by affected the employees,” the GDoH said on Friday.

Interventions to strengthen payroll integrity and prevent irregular payments include the Ziveze Campaign which is an employee verification initiative aimed at confirming that employees on the payroll are legitimate, “accounted for and actively contributing to healthcare service delivery”.

“Through this intervention, the department identified employees who were in the system and being paid but were not known to Human Resources at institutional level. Action has since been taken to terminate irregular payments and remove affected individuals from the system.

“Healthcare institutions have also been sensitised to properly implement leave management and incapacity processes, including the Policy and Procedure on Incapacity Leave and III-Health Retirement, to ensure that no employee is paid irregularly while not rendering services,” the department explained.

Furthermore, work is underway to automate aspects of HR Management to “strengthen oversight, improve data accuracy and reduce system vulnerabilities.”

“These interventions form part of the Department’s broader strategy to strengthen financial management, ethical governance and the protection of public resources in support of improved healthcare service delivery,” the GDoH noted. – SAnews.gov.za

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister, Alexandra Abrahams, has called for a stronger implementation-driven approach to bilateral economic cooperation focused on investment, industrialisation and regional value chains between South Africa and Botswana.

Speaking at the South Africa-Botswana Business Forum in Gaborone on Thursday, the Deputy Minister emphasised that economic growth and job creation must remain at the centre of regional cooperation efforts.

The Business Forum took place on the margins of the 6th Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) that was co-chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa and his counterpart, Advocate Duma Boko. The commission was held on the last day of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s two-day State Visit to the country’s Southern African neighbour this week.

READ | President Ramaphosa concludes SA-Botswana BNC

The forum brought together government leaders, business executives, investors and entrepreneurs from both countries.

In his address to the business forum, President Ramaphosa said that business “has a central role in achieving our ambitions for shared and sustainable prosperity” and that the economic interests of both countries are closely intertwined.
The Deputy Minister said that government has to create the right environment for businesses to thrive.

“As it is the private sector, businesses that provide the dignity of jobs for our people; it is our role as government to create a predictable and enabling environment for you to operate and thrive,” said Abrahams.

The Deputy Minister noted that South Africa and Botswana possess complementary economic strengths that create opportunities for deeper collaboration across sectors such as mineral beneficiation, agriculture, logistics and infrastructure development.

She highlighted diamond beneficiation as a strategic area for cooperation, noting that both countries have the capacity to build regional industrial value chains that move beyond the export of raw materials.

“Instead of competing against one another, we identify each of our strengths in the value chain and form partnerships for our mutual benefit,” she said.

Abrahams further underscored the importance of improving infrastructure connectivity, reducing regulatory friction and creating greater certainty for investors and businesses operating across borders.

“To achieve this, we must now move past dialogue and drafting of plans and agreements, and start with implementation and action. I believe that is what businesses want from government and what our citizens expect from us.”

She further welcomed ongoing efforts between the two countries to strengthen cooperation on transport corridors, border modernisation, industrial development and trade facilitation.

She indicated that practical implementation of cross-border projects would be critical to unlocking regional competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Abrahams also stressed the importance of ensuring that regional economic integration delivers opportunities for smaller businesses, women-owned enterprises and youth entrepreneurs.

“Inclusive growth requires policy commitments and ensuring that emerging businesses are able to access markets, build partnerships and participate meaningfully in regional value chains,” she said.

The South Africa-Botswana Business Forum forms part of broader bilateral efforts to deepen trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries, while advancing regional integration and economic growth across Southern Africa. –SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, has expressed confidence in Orlando Pirates ahead of the club’s final league match of the season against Orbit College on Saturday in Mbombela.

Maile said he is looking forward to joining the Buccaneers as they conclude their league campaign, expressing optimism that the team’s performances throughout the season have positioned them well for victory.

According to the MEC, Orlando Pirates have demonstrated quality football and maintained a rigorous training programme, which he believes will be key to securing a positive result in their final fixture.

“Orlando Pirates has played exceptionally well throughout the season and deserves to win this game on Saturday to finish the season on a high note. We have no doubt that they are moving into this game on Saturday much more poised and composed,” said Maile.

He added that a strong performance would make both the club’s supporters and the province proud.

Maile also highlighted the success of Gauteng-based teams during the current campaign, noting that they have finished among the league’s top performers, with two teams still in contention for the Betway Premiership title.

“For us as a province we can safely say that the premiership title is with Gauteng, the Home of Champions,” he said.

The MEC noted that this season has been particularly exciting, with the destination of the league title set to be decided on the final day of the campaign.

He said the uncertainty surrounding the championship race has generated greater anticipation compared to previous seasons, where the winner had often been determined well before the final round of matches.

Orlando Pirates will face Orbit College on Saturday with kick off at 15:00. – SAnews.gov.za

Credit rating agency Fitch has affirmed Eskom’s Local-Currency Issuer Default rating at ‘B’ with a stable outlook.

The agency further affirmed the power utility’s senior unsecured debt at ‘B’ with a Recovery Rating of ‘RR4’ and its senior unsecured guaranteed debt at ‘BB-’.

“The affirmation reflects the strong links between Eskom and South Africa’s ‘BB- ‘Outlook Stable, under Fitch’s latest Government-Related Entities rating criteria.

“In its detailed update report, Fitch noted Eskom’s operations are improving and the delivery of its business plan may lead to funding on an unguaranteed basis over the medium term,” Eskom said in a statement on Thursday.

Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane said the rating is as a result of a steadfast commitment to the Generation Recovery Plan.

“We remain singularly focused on delivering the turnaround plan that is central to continuing to restore Eskom’s operational and financial stability.

“Reaching the milestone of one year without load shedding on Saturday, 16 May advances this stability, as well as the South African and Sub-Saharan Africa economy, competition and the integration of renewable energy,” Marokane said.

READ | Eskom reaches one year of no load shedding
– SAnews.gov.za

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) says it has commenced a targeted verification process of all foreign nationals currently gathered at the Diakonia Refugee Centre in eThekwini.

The operation, which began on Thursday, is being led by an integrated team comprising the Departments of Home Affairs, Social Development, Transport and provincial law enforcement authorities.

The verification process follows engagements between the Southern African Refugee Forum, representing the foreign nationals at the centre, and senior NATJOINTS officials represented by the Department of Home Affairs and law enforcement authorities in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to a NATJOINTS statement issued on Thursday, approximately 200 foreign nationals have sought refuge at the centre, reportedly fearing for their safety due to threats allegedly posed by anti-illegal immigrant groups in the areas where they reside. 

NATJOINTS, working with law enforcement agencies, has undertaken to verify the status of all individuals at the centre to determine their legal status in South Africa.

According to NATJOINTS, the process is intended to establish the legal status of those gathered at the centre and ensure that individuals lawfully residing in the country receive protection, while undocumented foreign nationals are processed in accordance with immigration legislation.

Provincial SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the verification process would be conducted by the integrated NATJOINTS team to address all issues associated with what is described as the illegal occupation of the centre.

“This process will be conducted with the integrated team of NATJOINTS to ensure that we attend to all the issues associated with this illegal occupation of the centre,” said Netshiunda.

He added that individuals found to be in the country illegally would be processed for return to their countries of origin.

Meanwhile, SAPS in eThekwini is investigating allegations of assault involving foreign nationals, as well as cases relating to intimidation, malicious damage to property and the closure of businesses.

Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelela Makoba said all reported cases would be investigated.

The integrated team has assured members of the public that the situation will be resolved as a matter of urgency and reiterated that illegal immigration remains an area of ongoing government attention.

SAPS said that through Operation Shanela and other crime prevention initiatives, it continues to address illegal immigration and related criminal activity across the country.

Since 1 January 2026, SAPS has arrested 29 731 illegal foreign nationals during high-density operations conducted nationwide. In the previous financial year, 76 588 illegal foreign nationals were arrested, while the Department of Home Affairs deported 59 814 undocumented foreign nationals.

Authorities said these intelligence-driven operations are conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with South African laws.

“The South African government has repeatedly maintained its position on issues of immigration that: South Africa is committed to a rules-based approach to immigration, anchored in the Constitution and the Rule of Law thus balancing national security with our human rights obligations. This ensures dignity and fairness for all. 

“Illegal immigration places pressure on public services and social stability and therefore must be addressed through lawful, orderly, and credible state processes. There is no alternative to the rule of law. 

“South Africa is modernising its immigration system to make it more secure, efficient, and responsive. Ongoing legal and policy reforms are strengthening governance. 

“Violence and acts of intimidation and threats against foreign nationals are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of South Africans or government policy. 

“Criminal acts disguised as activism will not be tolerated in our society and lawlessness will face consequences,” said NATJOINTS. – SAnews.gov.za

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni used her post-Budget Vote outreach activities in Cape Town to urge South Africans to take greater responsibility for the country’s development, saying government cannot drive change alone and that communities must work in partnership with the state.

The Minister made these remarks on Thursday after taking part in outreach activities themed “Love Your Street” in Cape Town, where she joined community members in Manenberg and Khayelitsha Ward 87 to pick up litter, sweep streets, paint a community hall and plant trees.

Beyond the local clean-up campaign, the Minister’s remarks served as a broader appeal to South Africans to reclaim a culture of shared responsibility.

She argued that the country’s most pressing social problems – from crime to gender-based violence and femicide – can only be tackled effectively when communities organise themselves, work with public institutions and refuse to stand by as bystanders.

“During the struggle, when government did nothing for us as communities, we made sure that we drove our own development. It’s that spirit that we need to bring back. We can’t sit and expect everything from government.

“Government needs partnership. Most of the challenges we face in our communities can be resolved if communities are involved in solving them and are supported by government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector,” Ntshavheni said.

To help tackle crime, she encouraged residents to cooperate with the police and other law-enforcement agencies by identifying criminals or joining community policing forums and neighbourhood watches.

She added that public servants have a particularly important role to play in building communities.

With 1.2 million public servants employed by the government, Ntshavheni said they have a significant responsibility in community building and in serving the nation.

“They are the ones who deliver services. If each of us does a small part in that capacity as public servants, we can go much further,” she said.

The outreach brought together officials from the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Brand South Africa, Statistics South Africa and the Media Development and Diversity Agency.

The programme began in Manenberg, where public servants and residents cleaned a designated area, planted trees and turned the exercise into a friendly competition to see whose tree would show the strongest growth.

The delegation also visited Manenberg Police Station, where, at the invitation of station commander Brigadier Naidoo, they planted what he called “a tree for peace”.

The afternoon leg of the programme moved to Khayelitsha, where the team painted a community hall built by residents and joined a street-cleaning campaign.

Ntshavheni said the visit highlighted the importance of backing local volunteer efforts with practical support, including leaving some of the equipment used during the activation behind so that residents could continue the work.

“This afternoon, we concluded the programme in Khayelitsha, one of the oldest townships. We started by painting this community hall, and we also came to clean the streets here.

“We would also like to thank the ward councillor for mobilising volunteers. He explained to us that they had only 15 brooms and 15 spades for this programme.

“So we left behind the equipment we brought so that they could continue the work,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za