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Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called for stronger, more accountable public leadership to drive gender equality, describing it as “a matter of life and death”, rather than a policy formality.

Speaking at the Public Leadership for Gender Equality (PL4GE) in South Africa dialogue, held at Riviera Lane in Krugersdorp, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, Chikunga emphasised that the gap between government commitments and real impact on women’s lives remains a critical challenge.

“Public leadership determines whether policies remain words on paper or become real change in people’s lives. It shapes how budgets are allocated, how services are delivered, and how accountability is enforced,” Chikunga said.

Hosted by the Global Center for Gender Equality and supported by the Gates Foundation, the dialogue marked the start of an engagement focused on advancing inclusive leadership and gender equality. It highlighted the need to strengthen public leadership for gender-responsive governance, and to accelerate efforts to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Chikunga said leadership must move beyond rhetoric, highlighting the importance of integrating gender considerations into everyday decision-making processes, such as budgeting, infrastructure planning and service delivery.

She said leadership courage looks like a Director-General, who insists that every budget submission in their department is accompanied by a gender impact assessment.

“Leadership courage looks like a provincial head of department, who refuses to sign off on an infrastructure programme that has not considered the safety and accessibility needs of women and girls with disabilities.

“It looks like a municipal manager, who ensures that community consultations do not only happen in boardrooms during working hours but in spaces and at times where the women, who are most affected, can actually participate,” the Minister said.

The Minister also noted alarming findings from the South African National Gender-Based Violence Prevalence Study, conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), which revealed that more than a third of South African women have experienced physical violence in their lifetime, underlining the urgency of decisive leadership.

She also emphasised the need for intersectional approaches, noting that women with disabilities face significantly higher rates of violence.

Chikunga said programmes, such as the Public Leadership for Gender Equality initiative, are critical in transforming institutions and redistributing power more equitably within the public sector.

“Gender equality is not optional for public institutions. It is part of the core business of the State,” she said.

The workshop forms part of broader government efforts aligned with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which identifies gender-based violence as a national crisis.

Chikunga urged participants to translate lessons from the workshop into tangible actions within their departments.

“The test is not what happens in this room, [but] what happens when you return to your desks,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has linked South Africa’s ongoing struggle for gender equality to key historical milestones, underscoring the role of leadership in advancing social justice.

Chikunga made the remarks during her keynote address at a dialogue on Public Leadership for Gender Equality on Tuesday.

The event takes place in a significant year for the country, marking 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings, 50 years since the Soweto Uprising, and 30 years since the adoption of South Africa’s democratic Constitution.

“Three milestones, three generations, one unfinished struggle,” the Minister said.

She noted that each period offers lessons on the relationship between leadership and gender equality.

“In 1956, it was ordinary women, not politicians or officials, who led. In 1976, it was young people who refused to accept a system normalised by those in power. And in 1996, constitutional architects ensured that equality was embedded into the DNA of the state,” she said.

The Minister paid tribute to struggle icons including Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophie de Bruyn, as well as thousands of unnamed women who resisted both patriarchy and apartheid.

“These are the women on whose shoulders we stand today.”

Chikunga said the workshop builds on this legacy by equipping public sector leaders with tools to advance gender equality through policy implementation and institutional reform.

The programme is hosted in partnership with the Global Center for Gender Equality and supported by the Gates Foundation, with a focus on strengthening leadership capacity across government.

It introduces a framework aimed at improving accountability, data-driven decision-making and collaboration across sectors in advancing gender equality.

Chikunga said the initiative aligns with government’s mandate to promote the socio-economic empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities, in line with the National Development Plan.

She added that the partnership reflects efforts to translate global expertise into locally relevant solutions, incorporating South African case studies and policy frameworks.

The Minister noted that the dialogue comes at a time when South Africa is being called upon to deepen democracy through tangible outcomes.

“Gender equality is not a side issue or a ceremonial matter. It is a constitutional obligation, a developmental imperative, and a test of whether the democratic state is working for all its people,” the Minister said.

Despite progress, Chikunga acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly gender-based violence and economic inequality.

She reiterated that the department’s mandate is rooted in the country’s liberation history and focuses on advancing the participation and empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities through advocacy, monitoring and policy integration.

“Central to this mandate is our commitment to transform and empower vulnerable groups into catalysts for socio-economic change, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Chikunga urged participants to use the platform to develop practical interventions that will strengthen public institutions and improve outcomes for vulnerable groups.

“This is about continuing the work of those who came before us and ensuring that equality becomes a lived reality for all,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Mokhotlong, Lesotho – Strong regional cooperation between South Africa and Lesotho has emerged as a defining feature of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, with government emphasising partnership as key to unlocking long-term water and economic security. 

This comes as Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina, along with Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, conducted an oversight visit to the Polihali project site following the launch of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in Polihali, in the Kingdom of Lesotho, on Monday. 

The dam construction site and tunnel, both located in the mountainous district of Mokhotlong, form part of a large-scale infrastructure programme aimed at boosting water supply to Gauteng while supporting hydropower generation in Lesotho.

Speaking to SAnews, Deputy Minister David Mahlobo said the project reflects strengthened governance and renewed cooperation between the two countries after years of delays.

He said the leadership of both ministers has helped stabilise the project, which had been delayed for nearly a decade, and placed it firmly back on track toward its 2028/29 water delivery target for South Africa. 

Mahlobo highlighted regional collaboration as one of the project’s most significant outcomes and strengths, noting that shared water resources in Southern Africa are being used to promote peace and development rather than conflict. 

He told SAnews that, unlike other parts of the world where water scarcity often leads to tensions, countries in the Southern African region are working together to ensure mutual benefit, with water serving as a tool for cooperation and shared growth.

“In other parts of the world, there is a bigger issue about shared water causes, and there are issues of conflict, and normally, women and children in other parts where there is conflict, water is being weaponised. But in this part of our region, SADC [Southern African Development Community], water is used for peace. Water is used for shared development,” the Deputy Minister said. 

The Deputy Minister also pointed to the high level of engineering expertise involved in the project, describing it as a blend of South African, Basotho and international skills working in coordination under challenging mountainous conditions.

He said the scale and complexity of the tunnel stretching over 38 km underground demonstrate advanced engineering capability, with a diameter wide enough to accommodate large machinery and vehicles. 

“The second component that we can look at is the quality of engineers that we have brought here, a number of the engineers are South African engineers, others are from here (Lesotho), there is cross pollination from international partners if you look at the contractors. 

“You look at the kind of work that is being done on the terrain and the machinery that is here, it is a very complex kind of engineering that is used to go underground for a longer period of time,” Mahlobo told SANews. 

Mahlobo further noted that the dam’s design incorporates flood management systems, including an off-channel spillway to manage excess water during periods of heavy rainfall, particularly in winter.

He said these features reflect forward planning and resilience in infrastructure design.

According to Mahlobo, the project is not only strengthening technical cooperation but also deepening diplomatic and economic ties between South Africa and Lesotho.

He said the partnership led by the two ministers and supported at the highest political level by President Cyril Ramaphosa, His Majesty King Letsie III, and Lesotho’s Prime Minister is elevating relations between the two nations.

Once completed, the Polihali Transfer Tunnel will significantly increase water transfer capacity to South Africa while boosting hydropower generation in Lesotho, reinforcing a model of regional integration built on shared resources and shared prosperity. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Department of Social Development Acting Director-General, Advocate Gugulethu Thimane, has called on government and society to “roll up their sleeves” to ensure that youth are afforded opportunities to work and become a meaningful part of South Africa’s economy.

Thimane delivered an address at the Vaal EmpowaYouth Week engagement, which kicked off in Sebokeng on Monday.

The five-day programme has pulled together stakeholders from across the board and communities to find solutions to challenges facing the area.

“I think we need to roll up our sleeves. We need to work and let the young people benefit so that we can see that there’s improvement in terms of the numbers and the quality of life.

“The issue of partnerships is very important… because you cannot run the development of the country without other stakeholders. Whether you’re speaking about the non-profit organisations [or] faith-based organisations,” she told the gathering.

Youth in South Africa make up the biggest slice of the population and yet, young people also face the highest rate of unemployment standing at 43.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“We know that the biggest challenge we have as a country is youth unemployment. It is a serious issue. What is important… is that we need to be coordinated first as government. There are very good programmes that are happening in government for young people. But I think the problem is… we are not coordinated.

“What I want to propose is… [we need a] database that disaggregates the skills that are there… so that we [can] say to industry, ‘make sure that we understand the skills levels’,” Thimane said.

She assured that government’s Medium Term Development Plan is focused on tackling the challenge of youth unemployment.

“There are three priorities that government took a decision on. The first priority is inclusive growth, so that we make sure that we create more jobs. We must make sure that young people are also included in that priority.

“The second priority… we need to make sure that we address the issue of poverty and the living standards because we have people who are still living below the poverty line. The third priority… was to say that as public administrators, we need to make sure that we build a capable, ethical and developmental State.

“The last part — the developmental State — makes sure that young people are included in the mainstream economy. We need to make sure that there’s quality education, [and] that everyone is taken care of,” Thimane said.

Turning to the challenge of substance abuse and other social ills facing the youth, the acting DG encouraged parents and society to play a proactive role in children’s lives.

“We need to make sure that we come up with strategies, rather than being reactive. We need to make sure that prevention is better than cure,” Thimane concluded. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, has called for a more integrated approach between government, institutions and employers to better position young people for participation in the economy.

She emphasised that coordinated efforts are critical to ensuring unemployed youth are meaningfully absorbed into the labour market.

“The world of work is undergoing profound change. Many of the roles that young people will occupy in the future do not yet exist, while some current roles will evolve or disappear. This requires a fundamental shift in how we prepare young people for the labour market,” Mhlauli said.

She highlighted that rapid technological advancements, the expansion of digital economies and shifts in global value chains are fundamentally reshaping the nature of jobs and the skills required.

Mhlauli was speaking at the fourth anniversary of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), where she underscored the urgency of addressing South Africa’s persistent youth unemployment challenge.

She noted that strengthening partnerships and aligning skills development with emerging economic demands will be key to improving employment outcomes for young people.

“Young people between the ages of 15 and 34 make up more than half of our working-age population, yet far too many remain excluded from employment, education, or training.

“When young people are locked out of the economy, the consequences are intergenerational. Households are weakened, communities are destabilised and economic growth is constrained,” she said.

Mhlauli said when young people are brought into the economy, the opposite is true, there is increased productivity, stronger social cohesion and a more resilient nation.

“It was precisely in response to this crisis that government introduced the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, working through the Presidency and in collaboration with a wide range of partners. 

“The PYEI is designed as a coordinated national response to youth unemployment. It seeks to create pathways into the labour market, to provide young people with meaningful work experience, and to equip them with the skills required to succeed in a competitive and evolving economy,” the Deputy Minister said.

Mhlauli said it is important to understand that the PYEI is not a single programme but a platform that brings together multiple interventions under a shared vision.

“It aligns public sector opportunities, private sector participation, and institutional support to ensure that young people are not left behind. The strength of the PYEI lies in the breadth of its partnerships. Government provides the enabling environment through policy direction, funding and coordination. Institutions such as universities and colleges play a critical role in preparing young people with foundational knowledge and skills.

“The private sector provides the most crucial component, which is access to real workplaces where young people can gain experience and demonstrate their capabilities. This collaborative model recognises that no single sector can resolve youth unemployment on its own. It requires a whole-of-society approach,” Mhlauli said.

Mhlauli explained that the PYEI works by connecting young people to structured opportunities that offer both income and learning.

“Through initiatives within the Presidential Youth Employment Stimulus, young participants are placed in workplaces where they can develop practical skills, build professional networks and gain confidence.

“At institutions such as the University of the Western Cape, this approach has already yielded positive results, with graduates transitioning into various sectors and careers after completing their placements. 

“These outcomes demonstrate that when young people are given an opportunity, they are able to rise to the occasion.

“We are therefore working towards a skills system that is more responsive, more flexible, and more closely aligned with economic demand,” Mhlauli said. 

Through the Presidential Youth Employment Stimulus (PYES), UWC has, over the past four years, supported graduates enabling their transition into various sectors of the economy. – SAnews.gov.za

  

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) ongoing nationwide crime-fighting operations have resulted in the arrest of 15 884 suspects for various crimes between 13 and 19 April 2026.

The operations also involved intelligence-driven raids conducted by detectives to trace and arrest of 1 822 wanted suspects linked to murder, attempted murder, rape, carjacking, illegal possession of firearms, assault GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm), house and business robberies.

“Among those arrested are two Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality senior officials on charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating and or obstructing the ends of justice. These suspects appeared before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” the police said in a statement.

The police are also intensifying operations targeted at combating the trade of illicit cigarettes. These efforts aim to curb the smuggling, distribution and sale of illegal tobacco products.

On 17 April 2026, police successfully intercepted a truck loaded with illicit cigarettes along the Molatedi Road in Mabeskraal, leading to the arrest of a 35-year-old Botswana national for possession of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of over R2 million.

In addition, the police arrested a 44-year-old man and confiscated illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R1 663 045 during a stop-and-search operation conducted at Muswodi village, in Limpopo, on 16 April 2026.

Other key arrests include: 

• 115 – Murder
• 128 –  Attempted Murder
• 179 – Rape and 5 – Attempted rape
• 1 258   – Assault GBH 
• 508  – Possession of dangerous weapons
• 95 – Illegal possession of ammunitions
• 330 – Dealing in drugs
• 2 856 – Possession of drugs (WC-1 845)
• 757 – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• 871 – Illegally dealing in liquor
• 1 767 – Illegal immigration-related offenses                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Confiscation/recoveries:

• 128 illegal firearms confiscated
• 1 247 rounds of ammunition
• 859  dangerous weapons 
• 52 stolen and hijacked vehicles recovered
• More than 41 000 litres of alcohol seized

Highlights of provincial breakdowns:

In Gauteng, a Tactical Response Team intercepted a hijacked vehicle with false plates on 13 April 2026 in Sebokeng.

The suspects opened fire, leading to a chase and shootout. The suspect’s vehicle overturned, and both died at the scene. 

Police confiscated a firearm and explosives. They confirmed that the vehicle was stolen in Carletonville (January 2026). 

In addition, two suspects were arrested for an ATM bombing on 15 April 2026. One was found with dye-stained cash in Orlando East and the other with explosives in Diepkloof. 

Both were linked to the Kliprivier ATM bombing (February 2026). They are facing charges of possession of explosives and suspected stolen money.

Police also recovered two unlicensed 9mm pistols and 92 rounds of ammunition from four suspects in Jeppe, Johannesburg, on 13 April 2026. The suspects, aged between 23 and 37, were arrested. 

Meanwhile, in Mpumalanga, police arrested three suspects in April for extorting workers at the Tekwane West dumping site, demanding “protection fees.”

In addition, police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested six suspects in Umhlali for evading arrest for a shootout that took place on 28 March 2026. 

They have been linked to the murder of a 52-year-old farmer in Riet Valley and multiple robberies. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate, in collaboration with Disaster Risk Management and various service departments, is working around the clock to respond to the impact of heavy rainfall that swept across the metro over the weekend.

According to the city, approximately 480 flooding-related complaints were recorded between Friday and early Monday morning.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said while response teams are currently on the ground, it is still too early to provide verified figures on the total number of incidents or the full extent of the damage. 

He added that confirmed assessments will be communicated once completed and verified.

Widespread localised flooding was reported across both formal and informal residential areas following sustained downpours. Affected communities include Parkwood, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Delft, Ndabeni, Mitchells Plain, Southfield, Nyanga, Philippi, Elsies River, Kraaifontein and parts of Dunoon, among others.

Quintas said mop-up operations are underway in several areas, including Parkwood and Dunoon, where water has largely subsided. 

However, he noted that illegal structures built over bulk stormwater and sewerage infrastructure continue to hamper maintenance efforts, as the teams cannot physically access the system to clear them.

“We saw mattresses and wheelie bins pulled from our stormwater system, among other wildly inappropriate objects and materials. Obviously, this can create massive blockages. This notwithstanding, our teams are deployed to areas where flooding is reported, and this is happening throughout all eight districts across the metro,” Quintas said.

He explained that heavy rainfall places pressure on the stormwater system, often resulting in water backing up onto roads, which then act as water conduits.

Low-lying areas, including areas below steep mountainous terrain, near canals and water bodies, are particularly vulnerable to localised flooding whilst rainfall remains heavy.

Quintas emphasised that stormwater infrastructure is designed to drain rainwater away over a period of time, and not to remove water instantly during heavy downpours.

“Localised flooding is expected while rain is falling. It is only considered a fault or a system failure if the water does not drain away after the rain has subsided. 

“Residents in low-lying areas or those situated near water bodies are naturally more susceptible to localised flooding during intense weather events, [while] illegal buildings are also at risk, especially if they are erected in detention ponds,” Quintas said.

The City of Cape Town has since activated a multi-departmental emergency response and has assigned an additional budget for proactive stormwater management.

While the funding is specifically intended to mitigate the impact of heavy weather, the city noted that it cannot fully prevent flooding during extreme conditions.

Current interventions include clearing blocked stormwater drains and managing flooded roads, providing sand and milling for flood mitigation, and providing emergency assistance to residents in informal settlements with emergency materials like plastic sheeting. 

The Disaster Operations Centre is prioritising the most vulnerable and high-risk areas.

Blocked stormwater and post-rain flooding can be reported via the city’s call centre on 0860 103 089. 

Illegal dumping can also be reported on 0860 103 089 or email solidwaste.bylaw@capetown.gov.za.

Water and sewer-related issues can be reported via WhatsApp on 060 018 1505, SMS 31373, or email water@capetown.gov.za.

Electricity faults can be logged via WhatsApp on 060 018 1505 or SMS 31220. 

Life-threatening emergencies should be reported to the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700. – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Social Security Agency has urged social grant beneficiaries to make use of its e-Life Certification self-service platform to complete life certification.

The agency said some beneficiaries were unable to access the self-service portal after being notified to complete the e-Life Certification verification process. It apologised for the inconvenience caused, saying system glitches linked to interfaces with other departments led to delays and disruptions in completing certifications.

SASSA said the issues have now been resolved and appealed to beneficiaries with the necessary means to use the online portal to complete the process from home instead of travelling to offices and waiting in queues.

e-Life Certification is a digital self-service platform that allows beneficiaries to complete life certification remotely through the SASSA Online Services Portal. 

The system uses biometric verification through the electronic Know Your Client system to confirm identities securely.

SASSA said the enhanced service is aimed at protecting the integrity of the social grants system while making the process more convenient for beneficiaries.

Life certification is a statutory requirement under South Africa’s Social Assistance Act and is used to confirm that grant recipients are alive and continue to meet eligibility requirements. 

The agency said the process helps prevent payments to non-existent or illegitimate beneficiaries and ensures public funds reach those lawfully entitled to receive support.

SASSA said using the online platform offers several benefits, including convenience, reduced travel costs, shorter queues at offices, faster processing of certifications and improved security through biometric verification and integration with Home Affairs systems.

Beneficiaries who are able to use the self-service portal are encouraged to complete their life certification annually. However, those specifically identified by SASSA for immediate e-Life Certification must comply within the timeframe provided, regardless of grant type or date of birth.

The agency warned that beneficiaries who fail to complete life certification when directed could face payment delays or suspension of grants, as non-compliance may be interpreted as an indication that a beneficiary is deceased or no longer legitimate.

SASSA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the right social grant is paid to the right person at the right time, and encouraged South Africans to report suspected grant fraud anonymously through its call centre or email channels. 

To access the self service platform go to https://services.sassa.gov.za/portal/r/sassa/sassa/home. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on four charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

Masemola joins at least 16 other co-accused, including alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, in the dock.

“These charges are linked to the alleged irregular awarding of a contract valued at approximately R228 million to Medicare 24, a company owned by Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

“[Masemola’s] matter was postponed to 13 May 2026 for further investigations and for him to be joined with 16 others who are charged on the same matter,” Independent Directorate Against Corruption spokesperson Henry Mamothame said.

Charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering have also been brought against the accused in the case. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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