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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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By Sihle Manda

As South Africa gears for the seventh Local Government Elections (LGE) – due between late 2026 and early 2027 – the question of the election date is far more than a diary entry.

Yet, as Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Chairperson Mosotho Moepya illustrates, selecting that date is a constitutional obligation layered with logistical, political and social complexity.

“The election period is going to be a very difficult period,” he tells the Public Sector Manager (PSM) magazine during a recent sit-down interview in his office at the Electoral House in Centurion, Pretoria. 

“In terms of the Constitution, the term of municipal councils is five years. On expiry of that term, there is a 90-day window period”.

That 90-day window is non-negotiable. The lesson was reinforced in 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We went to [the Constitutional] Court and said, ‘this was not an ideal period to hold elections; can we postpone?'”  The Constitutional Court was very clear… It said democracy requires regularity and regularity requires certainty – and 90 days provides that certainty.”

Complex process

For the coming LGE, that constitutional clock begins ticking on 2 November 2026, and runs until 30 January 2027. “Within that window lies a series of difficult trade-offs,” Moepya reiterates. 

“2 November falls squarely during the exam period in the republic,” Moepya notes. “It is one of the most important things in the calendar of the nation. A majority of voting stations are schools”.

Holding an election during matric and university examinations risks disrupting learners and institutions alike. But moving away from early November introduces fresh complications.

“If we miss the early part of that window period, December is a holiday period and the issue of voting where you live comes into the picture,” he says. “People migrate during Christmas and the early part of January – they go ‘home’. So, you are going to have displaced voters.”

University students are particularly vulnerable to being caught between addresses. “In December, where will they be? They would have registered to vote at university and they will be at home. They will be disadvantaged.”

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will ultimately proclaim the election date, following consultation with the Commission. 

Determining the date

To avoid exams and holidays, the election may be pushed to late January – a move that carries its own political cost, according to Moepya.

“You are forcing political parties and candidates to campaign through the festive period. It is a near impossible thing to do,” he says. 
The weight attached to the date decision, he adds, is amplified by the sheer complexity of local government elections.

The difference

“The National and Provincial Elections (NPE), which were held in 2024, were very different to the Local Government Elections we will hold in 2026 or early 2027,” Moepya explains. 

Unlike the NPE, the LGE fragment into thousands of geographically distinct contests.

“Whereas in the NPE you are dealing with about 20 elections, in this upcoming election you are dealing with more than 4 000 different kinds of elections – and they are very geographically specific. They are isolated to a ward, to a municipality and to a district council,” explains the Chairperson.

Each municipal ward carries two ballots – one for a ward councillor and one for proportional representation. Multiply that by more than 4 000 wards and the operational demands escalate dramatically.

More contestants 

Local elections are also typically more contested and, as such, they “generally raise the most conflict,” he says. 

He offers a striking analogy. “When you have so many contestants – way above the positions selected – and only 884 win, these are two choirs. One is happy and singing. The choir with the unhappy people who do not win will drown out the people who win.”

When disappointment sets in, attention turns to the referee.

“The referee has to be squeaky clean. They have to stand in the open and explain how they got to this and that result – there is no malfeasance and it has all worked out as the law says it should.”

In 2024 alone, the IEC appeared in court more than 80 times. “When it is like that in NPE, one can expect it to be a little more in LGE. That notwithstanding, we prepare for the toughest challenges.”

Declining public confidence 

The logistical strain is unfolding against a backdrop of declining public confidence.

“The level of satisfaction South Africans have with democracy is the lowest we have had since 1994,” Moepya says. Only 49% of eligible voters say they are open to voting.

“It does not mean they will come on election day – it means they must be persuaded.”

Satisfaction with political parties has dropped to approximately 18%, and confidence in the IEC has declined from about 62% to 34%.

“Are these challenges insurmountable? No. But it needs leadership. We have to communicate the work we do much clearer and wider. We need to engage with political parties, civil and labour organisations, as well as citizens.”

Strengthening processes

He is candid about internal shortcomings, including the late withdrawal of voter management devices in parts of the 2024 elections.

“We disappointed ourselves,” he says. “The perception and the failure raised very serious concerns.”

At the same time, the commission is strengthening its technological infrastructure, including the self-registration portal. But digital progress is accompanied by risk. 

Mis-disinformation

“We have seen efforts of disinformation and misinformation trying to find root. Those who abuse technology for this purpose are also a big industry. I am challenging us to be vigilant and do better.”

Meanwhile, the IEC has announced that a national voter registration weekend will be held on 20 and 21 June 2026, to make it easier for citizens to register closer to where they live and encouraging broader participation in the electoral process.

The LGE elections come as the country marks 30 years since adopting the Constitution, which enshrines citizens’ rights to elect their leaders and hold them accountable.

*This article first appeared in the Public Sector Manager Magazine

 

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The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is calling for written comments on the proposed Protected Disclosures Bill 2026, colloquially known as the Whistleblower Protection Bill.

The bill is, in part, the implementation of the recommendations of the Zondo Commission, which advocated for urgent reforms to protect whistleblowers.

Existing legislation in the form of the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA) 2000 was found to be insufficient in this regard.

“The PDA was primarily enacted to provide for procedures in terms of which employees in both the private and the public sectors may disclose information regarding unlawful or irregular conduct by their employers or other employees in the employ of their employers and most importantly, to provide protection to employees who make a disclosure.

“It was found in the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud into the Public Sector Including Organs of State [the Zondo Commission], that the PDA does not provide a clear-cut procedure for a discloser to follow, and it does not sufficiently guarantee that the disclosures will be protected.

“Furthermore, it is not proactive in providing physical protection, it offers no incentives to the discloser, and it does not ensure that all such information finds its way to a destination with specialised skills in receiving, investigating, and utilising such information effectively,” the department explained.

The department noted further that the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council’s (NACAC) final report to President Cyril Ramaphosa recommended “acknowledging and supporting disclosers, preventing retaliation and exploring mechanisms for incentivised disclosures”.

“A draft bill was prepared taking into consideration the Zondo Commission’s recommendations and the NACAC report, guidelines from international instruments and foreign jurisdictions,” the department said.

The comments on the bill can be submitted to Ms A van der Walt, on or before 14 May 2026.  The contact details are:

• Postal address: The Director-General: Justice and Constitutional Development, Private Bag X 81, Pretoria 0001; or
• E-mail address: whistleblowingreforms@justice.gov.za

Further information can be obtained from Ms A van der Walt at alvanderwalt@justice.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za

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The Gauteng Provincial Government has set the wheels in motion for a significant overhaul of its fragmented public transport system.

Experienced Civil Engineering Technologist, Dorothy Mabuza, has been tasked with the herculean effort of breathing life into the newly established Gauteng Transport Authority (TAG).

Before assuming the role at the turn of the year, she already boasted an illustrious 27-year career at, among others, the City of Johannesburg and City of Ekurhuleni, where she led the Rea Vaya and Harambe Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, respectively. 

An entity of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, the TAG is responsible for overseeing integrated transport planning across the country’s economic hub. The entity is also expected to drive the development of a cohesive, accessible and efficient public transport network in the province.

When Mabuza welcomes the Public Sector Manager (PSM) magazine team into her office in Midrand, she is still gathering her senses after spending almost an hour navigating traffic amid a treacherous deluge.

The experience offers but a snapshot of some of the challenges the authority seeks to address as it embarks on the voyage.

As of March 2026, the entity had four employees – including Mabuza – and a fully constituted board of directors in place since November 2025. 

“At least from a governance perspective, the TAG is very much intact,” she sets out.

So busy has she been that she already feels “part of the furniture”, as she puts it in jest.

“It is evident with the congestion on our roads that there is a problem. We have a disintegrated public transport system, mobility without ease. Our problem statement, really, is to integrate all transport across the province, integrate the provision of transport facilities across the province,” she said.

Innovative solutions 

The TAG has adopted various initiatives and programmes to achieve this vision.

“We identified a single ticketing concept that will bring together the entire province. That will enable seamless mobility across all modes of transport,” she said.

She concedes that the transport system in Gauteng is currently fragmented. One of the blights crippling the system was the increase in freight logistics, she expands.

“We know the impact; its fatalities, congestion and the degradation of road infrastructure because it cannot carry the load of the freight. Unless we either expand the capacity of roads, dedicate networks for freight, or, as a strategy that we are now adopting, migrate freight to rail – at least the better part of it,” she explained.

Mabuza adds that the TAG has identified key strategic drivers that will support the entity in establishing a strong foundation.

“We have also identified matrices and tools that will enable strategy implementation and realisation. That will be your people, your systems and your processes”.

Building structures

Regarding human capital, the TAG is currently finalising its organisational structure, beginning with a high-level framework that outlines C-suite positions. The detailed micro-structure is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.

“We are positioning the TAG as a high-end entity that will share skills, notes and insights within the transport sector in the country and on the continent.

“In terms of the systems, we are still reliant on the GMA [Gautrain Management Agency] platform insofar as ICT [Information and communications technology] is concerned, but we have already mapped out our ICT architecture. We are building on the governance framework of ICT, which will then form the broader control environment of the entity,” she outlines.

Although the entity is governed by the Transport Authority for Gauteng Act, 2019 (Act 2 of 2019), it will rely on the National Land Transport Act (NLTA), 2009 (Act 5 of 2009) to clarify and distinguish the roles of the three spheres of government.

“Within a municipal context, they are responsible for planning in their space. From a provincial setting, we have to consolidate the plans and coordinate,” she explains.

Collaborative approach 

In this regard, the TAG has adopted a collaborative, partnership-driven approach. Mabuza notes that the entity recognises its role at a coordination level, ensuring that the parastatal consolidates plans effectively.

“Municipalities, according to the NLTA [of 2009], have a duty to produce those integrated transport plans, which should be approved or concurred with by the MEC to enable the implementation of projects. The TAG is then assigned to ensure that there is consolidation and coordination to enable the realisation of these programmes on the ground and to develop policies.

Plans were under way to approve an overarching strategy by the end of March 2026.

“That will be cascaded to municipalities as a framework within which municipalities must operate and align their plans,” she says, emphasising that the primary objective was to create a seamless Gauteng city region. “We are taking a cue from the broader Gauteng provincial strategic direction”.

Financial strategy

While the entity is currently funded through the fiscus, Mabuza said the TAG has begun developing a financial sustainability strategy to outline potential revenue streams.

“We have so far identified multimodal facilities integration as one of our key programmes. Inasmuch as we are commencing with the single ticketing system, the ultimate deliverable is to have that facility, but the single ticketing system should be supported by the relevant infrastructure and the relevant set-up, which we believe will bring together most modes of transport.

“We have had high-level discussions with various potential funders, and we are having follow-up meetings on the potential possibilities for them to fund our projects.

“We are quite switched on to the fact that there might be an expectation that we should be a going-concern entity. At this point in time, we do not have a large asset base cover, but what we think can at least work in our favour would be our capacitation, the human resource part of it, from a transactionary perspective,” she said.

Mabuza said the entity is also hopeful that the environmental, social and governance framework will play a role in enhancing its bankability. She added that the identified projects are being structured with a commercialised perspective.

“For instance, when we provide those facilities, what value can we derive from them through possible revenue generation – advertising, ranking facilities. It will not be your normal taxi rank; we are looking at a space that will also enable people to do various things, such as retail facilities and outdoor advertising within the very same precinct”.

She said the entity will conduct roadshows and roundtable discussions on an ongoing basis to build relationships and strengthen stakeholder engagement. 

*This article first appeared in Public Sector Magazine

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By More Matshediso 

With the 2026 Local Government Elections approaching, the President of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Bheke Stofile envisages that there will be an increase in coalition governments across municipalities. 

Speaking to Public Sector Manager (PSM) magazine, Stofile said the country must prepare for an increase in coalition governments.

He highlighted that although coalitions are not a new phenomenon, prevalence in municipalities has grown significantly over the years. Stofile added that, through a coalition framework developed by SALGA in collaboration with the Dullah Omar Institute and the University of the Western Cape, the association is well prepared to navigate coalition governments.

The framework offers practical, implementable guidelines for political parties and independent councillors in coalition governments to resolve challenges of instability and encourage cooperation in coalitions. 

It outlines clear mechanisms to help structure and manage coalitions effectively in practice, covering the formation of coalitions and their ongoing governance. 

The framework also acknowledges that instability within local coalition can have serious consequences. It may hinder a municipality’s ability to adopt policies and by-laws, make senior management appointments or pass a budget. Ultimately, such instability undermines the municipal administration’s capacity to deliver essential services to local communities.

Collaborating for smooth elections

To help ensure the smooth running of the upcoming local government elections, Stofile said SALGA’s role includes advocating for and encouraging its member municipalities to work closely with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). He explained that municipalities provide key support to the electoral process, including voting facilities and certain materials such as ballot papers. 

“Through this, we believe that we are contributing to entrenching democracy in our country,” said Stofile. 

Voter turnout 

He urged South Africans to turn out in large numbers to register and to exercise their constitutional right to choose their leaders.

The IEC has announced that voter registration will take place on 20 and 21 June 2026.

Amid a steady decline in voter turnout in South Africa over the years, Stofile acknowledged the public’s waning interest and growing mistrust of government institutions.

He noted that declining voter participation directly undermines democracy and the selection of representatives. He cautioned that if the trend persists, it could place significant strain on all spheres of government, leaving many citizens without a voice in choosing leaders tasked with driving transformation in their communities and enhancing living conditions. 

Serving the people

To address this, he urged local government officials to serve the public diligently and responsibly.

“We must work hard to address the service delivery challenges that are facing our communities. If you do not serve our people with credibility and integrity, the purse that pays for those services and your salary is going to dwindle,” he said. 

 “All of us are in government for one purpose: changing the lives of citizens for the better. We believe that we can achieve this with the collaborative efforts from all spheres of government. We wish for those who work in municipalities to take their jobs as a call to serve,” he added. 

Fighting corruption

At the heart of service delivery challenges in municipalities, Stofile said, is persistent corruption, which has wide-ranging effects on government performance and the country’s development.

“The issue of fighting corruption in municipalities also needs a multi-disciplinary approach that involves SALGA, various spheres of government and political parties because that is where elected leaders come from,” he said. 

One way SALGA supports municipalities in combating corruption is through its collaboration with the Ethics Institute, an independent public organisation that provides original thought leadership, services and products focused on organisational ethics.

The collaboration is designed to promote ethical behaviour among public representatives and municipal officials, while also encouraging political parties to implement programmes that foster ethical conduct.

“If this succeeds, I believe we can turn a tide regarding municipalities that are embroiled in corrupt activities,” he said. 

Overcoming local government challenges

Stofile emphasised that municipalities cannot overcome their challenges alone and reiterated the importance of collaboration across all spheres of government. He highlighted that municipalities can be empowered through several key mechanisms, including:

• reforming the funding model to ensure municipalities receive a fair share of resources and have access to innovative financing;
• professionalising local government by protecting technical roles from political interference, investing in skills development and promoting ethical leadership;
• building genuine partnerships with banks, insurers and the South African Revenue Service to support revenue collection and financial sustainability; and
• aligning national, provincial and local plans to eliminate duplication and ensure that every rand spent delivers maximum impact.

SALGA has a constitutional mandate to transform local government, enabling it to fulfil its developmental role. Representing all 257 municipalities, its core responsibilities include lobbying for and protecting the interests of local government in intergovernmental relations, acting as an employer organisation, and building capacity within municipalities.

*This article first appeared in Public Sector Magazine

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The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, has moved to clarify that arrests made as a result of revelations during proceedings are carried out by the police and not the commission itself.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels explained that the commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

This while the task team appointed to investigate matters arising from the commission’s first interim report was established by Police National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

“The commission is making this clarification because, recently, there have been media reports to the effect that the ‘Madlanga Task Team’ or ‘Madlanga Commission Task Team’ has arrested certain people.

“This is likely to lead to the wrong perception that Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, or the commission he chairs, is arresting people. 

“The truth is that it is a SAPS task team that has been arresting people. Justice Madlanga is concerned by this possible perception, not least because the function of arresting people is at odds with the judicial function.

“Following interactions between the commission and SAPS, the latter has agreed that the name of the task team will be changed. The SAPS will issue further communications in this regard,” Michaels said.

The commission’s public hearings continue today at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane where the city’s Chief Financial Officer Gareth Mnisi is the witness on the stand. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has partnered with the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans to host a Ministerial Career Expo and Outreach Programme at Masameni Sports Field in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Deputy Minister is joining the Department of Defence and Military Veterans at the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipality for the initiative, which is aimed at equipping young people with information about career pathways within the defence and military environment.

The career expo is designed to expose youth to a wide range of opportunities within the defence and military environment, such as technical trades, engineering, aviation, maritime services and security. It also seeks to promote values of discipline, patriotism, and national service, while aligning these opportunities with education and training pathways that respond to the needs of the economy.

Through the Deputy Minister’s leadership, the Department of Higher Education and Training will showcase relevant courses, qualifications, and institutions. The programme will further highlight skills development initiatives aligned to industry demand and provide guidance on post-school education and training opportunities.

According to the department, the strategic objectives of the expo include bridging the gap between education, skills development, and economic opportunities. The initiative also aims to strengthen collaboration between the defence sector, higher education institutions, and provincial government, while positioning the defence sector as a career pathway of choice, contributing to youth empowerment and national development.

“At heart of the career expo is also the aim to promote social cohesion and patriotism,” the department said in a statement,” the department said in a statement. –  SAnews.gov.za

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Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and his co-accused, Ekurhuleni Municipal Manager Kagiso Lerutla, have appeared in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court to face charges of corruption, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.

The two appeared in court on Monday, following their arrests over the weekend.

“The State alleges that in March 2019, the accused acted with a common purpose to unlawfully evade court proceedings. Following Lerutla’s arrest for speeding and his subsequent obligation to appear before the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court, the accused allegedly recruited and paid a third party to impersonate Lerutla in court, while he attended a job interview.

“It is further alleged that the third party appeared in court under false pretences and completed diversion documentation using Lerutla’s personal details. The State contends that the accused shared gratification of approximately R400 000 for facilitating this scheme,” National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said.

The matter has been postponed to Thursday for formal bail applications.

Meanwhile, the case against alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and 15 others has been postponed to next month.

“The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court postponed the case… for the finalisation of consultations and for him to give instructions to his attorney.

“The court granted the State its request to have Matlala detained at Kgosi Mampuru until consultations are completed,” Investigating Directorate against Corruption spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, explained.

The accused face charges of corruption, fraud and Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

“The charges relate to the alleged irregular awarding of a contract to Medicare 24, a company owned by Matlala, valued at approximately R228 million,” Mamothame said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has reported steady progress in the implementation and expenditure of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), with notable gains in infrastructure delivery across the province.

In a statement issued on Monday, the department said the province received a total MIG allocation of R2.19 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, with the total annual allocation transferred to municipalities.

MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Gaoage Oageng Molapisi said municipalities had collectively spent R1.3 billion by the end of March, translating to 64% of the total allocation.

Molapisi welcomed the expenditure performance, noting that it reflects continued investment in critical infrastructure such as water and sanitation, roads, stormwater systems, waste management and community facilities, which remain central to improving service delivery and the quality of life for residents across the province.

“The progress recorded demonstrates that municipalities are increasingly improving their capacity to deliver critical infrastructure. We remain on course to ensure 100% expenditure of funds allocated after achieving 99% last financial year,” Molapisi said.

Several municipalities have demonstrated strong performance in infrastructure spending and project implementation, particularly in districts including Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, where expenditure reached 82% of allocated funds, signalling improved planning and execution capacity.

To accelerate infrastructure projects in their localities, additional funding has been allocated to six municipalities, including Kgetleng Rivier (R15 million), Maquassi Hills (R16 million), Ditsobotla (R37 million), Ratlou (R17 million), Lekwa Teemane (R12 million), Greater Taung (R19 million) and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District (R50 million).

However, Molapisi noted that some municipalities have lost portions of their allocations to other municipalities due to slow spending and implementation challenges.

In cases where performance remains weak, Molapisi said swift action is required to protect public funds.

“While reallocation may affect project timelines in underperforming municipalities, the measure is intended to improve overall delivery rather than penalise those affected.

“The lost portions will have an impact on the ongoing infrastructure projects implemented by the affected municipalities. Planned completion dates will now be prolonged into the new financial year,” Molapisi said.

He added that these actions are not intended to penalise municipalities, but rather to improve performance.

“The reallocation is to ensure 100% expenditure of the grant in the province. When funds are reallocated, it is done to maximise impact and ensure that infrastructure delivery continues without delays,” the MEC said.

Implementation plans for next financial year

As part of preparations for the 2026/27 municipal financial year, which begins in July, the department has supported municipalities in assessing draft implementation plans to ensure alignment with grant conditions, infrastructure priorities, and compliance with the Division of Revenue Act.

The process aims to strengthen long-term infrastructure planning, address stalled projects, and improve sustainable service delivery.

Molapisi also announced that the department will convene a provincial MIG workshop ahead of the new financial year to assess municipalities’ readiness for implementation of the MIG funded infrastructure projects.

“The aim is to ensure that municipalities finalise the appointment by end June 2026 so that construction can commence at the beginning of the financial year in July 2026.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

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