Category: English

The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, has confirmed the arrest of a 56-year-old BMA official stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry on the border with Lesotho.

At the time of the arrest, the official was allegedly found in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals, although the lawful holders were not present, as well as R2 100 in cash.

The arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the BMA Integrity Management Unit, the Department of Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Ladybrand Detectives and K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence Free State.

The arrest took place just over 10 days after the fifth instalment of the Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaign, which was hosted under the auspices of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum at OR Tambo International Airport.

The operation was initiated after the State Security Agency provided information about several passports belonging to Lesotho nationals that had been placed under monitoring.

Intelligence indicated that the passports had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand to be stamped unlawfully, thereby extending the holders’ visa validity and stay in the Republic of South Africa without their being physically present, as required by law.

Acting on this information, law enforcement authorities conducted an operation that led to the BMA official’s arrest.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on charges related to corruption, possession of passports without lawful authority and immigration offences.

The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.

Since the BMA was established three years ago, several officials have been arrested under Masiapato’s leadership and direction.

“The BMA was established to address longstanding challenges related to illegal migration and corruption within the border management ecosystem. South Africa is beginning to see the tangible benefits of the BMA leadership’s firm and uncompromising stance against corruption.

“The BMA is currently finalising more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving breaches of internal controls, fraud, corruption and other misconduct affecting organisational integrity. In the past three months, 17 officials have been dismissed from the BMA, and more dismissals are expected,” Masiapato said.

Masiapato, who brings extensive intelligence experience to his leadership role, has made it unequivocally clear that the Border Management Authority remains committed to combating corruption and safeguarding the integrity of South Africa’s ports of entry.

The Authority will continue to work closely with law enforcement and security agencies to detect and investigate unlawful conduct and ensure that officials involved are prosecuted. – SAnews.gov.za

0

The Ficksburg Regional Court has sentenced a man to two life terms of imprisonment for the rape of two young children.

The accused, Kamal Ebrahim, was convicted on two counts of rape. The victims were aged seven and eight years old at the time of the incident on 26 January 2020.

“The accused initially pleaded guilty to both counts on 16 October 2024, but his plea was changed to not guilty after he claimed in his explanation that he was under the influence of drugs,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said on Wednesday in a statement. 

Ebrahim later failed to give proper instructions to his attorney and was referred for a 30-day psychiatric observation to determine his fitness to stand trial. He was found fit to stand trial.

“He was subsequently found guilty on both counts of rape and on 9 October 2026, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment on each count,” the police said.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, welcomed the sentence and commended the investigating Officer, Sergeant Kobeli of Ficksburg SAPS, for the thorough investigation that ensured justice for the victims. – SAnews.gov.za

0

The spotlight will fall on the promotion of disability rights when Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, launches DRAM this Friday.

DRAM — Disability Rights Awareness Month — is an annual awareness campaign in South Africa aimed at promoting the rights, dignity, equality and social inclusion of people with disabilities. 

This year’s campaign will start off with an awareness walk by people with disabilities, from Church Square to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on Friday.

The walk will bring together government representatives, organisations of people with disabilities, civil society, disability rights advocates and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the rights, dignity, equality and inclusion of people with disabilities.

Department spokesperson Cassius Selala said the awareness walk seeks to reaffirm that people with disabilities are equal rights holders, who must enjoy the same human rights, fundamental freedoms and opportunities as everyone else. 

“It will also highlight the responsibility of government, the private sector, communities and society at large to dismantle barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully and equally in all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life,” Selala said.

The campaign is underpinned by South Africa’s constitutional commitment to equality and non-discrimination, the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

These frameworks call for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities and the creation of an inclusive society in which accessibility, reasonable accommodation, independent living and meaningful participation are upheld.

Through Disability Rights Awareness Month, Selala said the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will strengthen public understanding of disability rights, challenge stigma and discrimination, promote accessible public spaces and services, and encourage coordinated efforts to advance the inclusion of people with disabilities in the implementation of national development priorities. – SAnews.gov.za

13

Sixty-five people have taken an important step towards securing their legal identity after receiving their official birth certificates during a Department of Home Affairs outreach in Motherwell, Gqeberha, on Wednesday.

Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza presided over the handover ceremony at the Raymond Mhlaba Sports Centre, where the department’s Services on Wheels initiative brought essential services closer to residents, who had not been registered at birth.

The outreach forms part of the department’s nationwide drive to address Late Registration of Birth, helping people establish their legal identity and gain access to essential government and social services.

“Through the Services on Wheels initiative, the Department of Home Affairs continues to bridge the gap between remote or underserviced communities and government resources, helping more people secure their legal identities and fully exercise their rights as South African citizens.

“Every birth certificate issued is a step towards recognition, dignity and inclusion,” Nzuza said.

Government encourages parents to register their children’s births within 30 days. Registration can be done at a Department of Home Affairs office by a parent, guardian or any other person legally responsible for the child.

South Africans living overseas can register births at their nearest embassy or mission.

Births registered after the 30-day period are classified as late registrations, for which additional requirements apply. – SAnews.gov.za

0

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has called for “urgent and decisive action” against illegal firearms following a mass shooting incident in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, earlier this week.

The incident resulted in the death of four people, with three others sustaining injuries. 

“This tragic incident reinforces the urgency of the committee’s call for a gun-free Gauteng, where no family has to bury a loved one because of senseless gun violence.

“The committee believes that achieving this goal requires stronger enforcement against illegal firearms, effective firearm control, intelligence-driven policing and active cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities.

“Residents are urged to report the illegal possession and use of guns to the police and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands,” a committee statement read.

According to police, the victims were coming from a memorial service for a member of a political party when a man opened fire on them.

READ | Suspect in Kathlehong shooting in police custody

“The committee has called for urgent and decisive action to remove illegal guns from the streets of Gauteng and intensify efforts towards achieving a gun-free Gauteng.

“The committee has expressed deep concern over the continued loss of innocent lives through gun violence, which leaves families shattered, communities traumatised and young people deprived of opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country,” the committee said. 

It described the loss of four lives in a single shooting as a “painful reminder of the devastating consequences of the unchecked proliferation and misuse of guns”.

“The victims were young people, whose lives and futures have been cut short. They could have become professionals, community leaders, entrepreneurs and active contributors to building a better South Africa. Instead, their families and communities are left to mourn lives that should never have been lost in such circumstances.

“The committee maintains that guns have no place in the hands of individuals who use them to terrorise communities and settle disputes through violence.

“The continued presence of guns on our streets poses a direct threat to the safety of our people and demands a coordinated, sustained and uncompromising response from law enforcement agencies and all relevant stakeholders,” the statement read.

The alleged assailant handed himself over to police and is expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court today.

“While the committee acknowledges the reported surrender of the suspect to the police, it calls for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.

“The investigation must also establish whether the gun used in the incident was legally owned and how it came into the suspect’s possession,” the statement continued.

Condolences have been extended to the families and friends of the victims.

“The committee reiterates that the safety of Gauteng’s residents cannot be compromised. Every life lost to gun violence is one too many, and the province cannot afford to normalise the killing of its people.

“All sectors of society must work together to ensure that firearms are removed from the wrong hands and that Gauteng becomes a province where residents can live, work and participate in democratic processes without fear of being shot,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

0

eThekwini Municipality has successfully completed three major stormwater infrastructure projects worth R232.6 million in the South Durban Basin, strengthening flood resilience and drainage capacity in Prospecton, one of the city’s key industrial, manufacturing and logistics hubs.

The projects comprise the R180 million Prospecton Road Canal Upgrade, the R46 million Clark Road Sea Outfall in Isipingo, and the R6.6 million Umlazi Mission-A sports field attenuation upgrade.

Designed as an integrated stormwater management system through detailed hydraulic modelling of the Prospecton catchment, the projects aim to slow stormwater flows upstream, improve drainage through Prospecton, and enhance the capacity to discharge water into the sea during severe weather events.

The infrastructure upgrades highlight the role of investment in resilient drainage systems to protect industrial assets, support economic activity, and safeguard surrounding communities and transport networks.

The South Durban Basin is one of the city’s most significant manufacturing and logistics zone, supporting thousands of jobs. It serves as a critical link in national and international supply chains.

City Manager Musa Mbhele said continued investment in infrastructure is essential to ensuring the area’s long-term sustainability, competitiveness and resilience.

Mbhele said manufacturers and investors need confidence in the infrastructure that supports the environments where they operate, employ people and export goods.

The completion of the projects comes as Durban hosts SA Auto Week at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre this week, under the theme: “Transforming Tomorrow Today.”

“These projects demonstrate the value of targeted, evidence-based infrastructure investment. As the automotive industry gathers in Durban this week, the completion of these works reflects the city’s commitment to supporting one of South Africa’s most important manufacturing hubs, while also safeguarding surrounding communities and transport networks,” Mbhele said.

Project highlights

The R180 million Prospecton Road Canal Upgrade was completed in June 2026 after 26 months of construction. The project involved the upgrade of 1.96 kilometres of canal infrastructure, replacing the existing sloped canal walls with a reinforced concrete base slab and vertical retaining walls to increase stormwater carrying capacity.

The project also delivered a 1.3-kilometre pedestrian walkway and two dedicated taxi lay-bys measuring 150 metres and 75 metres, respectively.

The R46 million Clark Road Sea Outfall in Isipingo was completed in June 2025 to improve the area’s capacity to discharge stormwater into the ocean during heavy rainfall.

The project included the installation of 350 metres of precast portal culverts and a 100-metre pipe-jacked section beneath the beach dune. The dune area has since been fully rehabilitated.

The R6.6 million Umlazi Mission-A sports field attenuation upgrade was completed in January 2025, transforming the sports field into a dual-purpose facility for community recreation and stormwater management.

The field was lowered by between 1.5 and 2 metres to temporarily hold stormwater during heavy rainfall and release it gradually, reducing the risk of downstream flooding. The facility was subsequently re-grassed and restored for continued community use.

Mbhele expressed appreciation to affected residents, including businesses and commuters in Prospecton, Isipingo and Umlazi for their cooperation throughout the construction period.

He also urged the public to help protect the infrastructure by refraining from dumping waste into canals and stormwater systems and by reporting blocked drains to the municipality.

The stormwater upgrade programme forms part of the municipality’s broader commitment to building resilient infrastructure, strengthening climate adaptation measures, and supporting sustainable economic development across eThekwini. – SAnews.gov.za
 

14

eThekwini Municipality has successfully completed three major stormwater infrastructure projects worth R232.6 million in the South Durban Basin, strengthening flood resilience and drainage capacity in Prospecton, one of the city’s key industrial, manufacturing and logistics hubs.

The projects comprise the R180 million Prospecton Road Canal Upgrade, the R46 million Clark Road Sea Outfall in Isipingo, and the R6.6 million Umlazi Mission-A sports field attenuation upgrade.

Designed as an integrated stormwater management system through detailed hydraulic modelling of the Prospecton catchment, the projects aim to slow stormwater flows upstream, improve drainage through Prospecton, and enhance the capacity to discharge water into the sea during severe weather events.

The infrastructure upgrades highlight the role of investment in resilient drainage systems to protect industrial assets, support economic activity, and safeguard surrounding communities and transport networks.

The South Durban Basin is one of the city’s most significant manufacturing and logistics zone, supporting thousands of jobs. It serves as a critical link in national and international supply chains.

City Manager Musa Mbhele said continued investment in infrastructure is essential to ensuring the area’s long-term sustainability, competitiveness and resilience.

Mbhele said manufacturers and investors need confidence in the infrastructure that supports the environments where they operate, employ people and export goods.

The completion of the projects comes as Durban hosts SA Auto Week at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre this week, under the theme: “Transforming Tomorrow Today.”

“These projects demonstrate the value of targeted, evidence-based infrastructure investment. As the automotive industry gathers in Durban this week, the completion of these works reflects the city’s commitment to supporting one of South Africa’s most important manufacturing hubs, while also safeguarding surrounding communities and transport networks,” Mbhele said.

Project highlights

The R180 million Prospecton Road Canal Upgrade was completed in June 2026 after 26 months of construction. The project involved the upgrade of 1.96 kilometres of canal infrastructure, replacing the existing sloped canal walls with a reinforced concrete base slab and vertical retaining walls to increase stormwater carrying capacity.

The project also delivered a 1.3-kilometre pedestrian walkway and two dedicated taxi lay-bys measuring 150 metres and 75 metres, respectively.

The R46 million Clark Road Sea Outfall in Isipingo was completed in June 2025 to improve the area’s capacity to discharge stormwater into the ocean during heavy rainfall.

The project included the installation of 350 metres of precast portal culverts and a 100-metre pipe-jacked section beneath the beach dune. The dune area has since been fully rehabilitated.

The R6.6 million Umlazi Mission-A sports field attenuation upgrade was completed in January 2025, transforming the sports field into a dual-purpose facility for community recreation and stormwater management.

The field was lowered by between 1.5 and 2 metres to temporarily hold stormwater during heavy rainfall and release it gradually, reducing the risk of downstream flooding. The facility was subsequently re-grassed and restored for continued community use.

Mbhele expressed appreciation to affected residents, including businesses and commuters in Prospecton, Isipingo and Umlazi for their cooperation throughout the construction period.

He also urged the public to help protect the infrastructure by refraining from dumping waste into canals and stormwater systems and by reporting blocked drains to the municipality.

The stormwater upgrade programme forms part of the municipality’s broader commitment to building resilient infrastructure, strengthening climate adaptation measures, and supporting sustainable economic development across eThekwini. – SAnews.gov.za
 

0