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Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has emphasised that water is no longer a sectoral issue that can be treated as a routine service delivery function, warning that it has become a binding constraint on economic growth.

Delivering a keynote address during a Ministerial webinar on Friday to track progress on the 2025 Water and Sanitation Indaba resolutions, Majodina said that South Africa’s water crisis now poses a direct threat to development and human well-being.

Held under the theme: “Tracking Progress and Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Water and Sanitation Delivery”, the webinar served as the first structured national platform to assess implementation of the Indaba resolutions. 

It brought together national and provincial government, municipalities, water entities, business, labour, civil society, and sector partners to confront the sector’s deep and persistent challenges.

Majodina said the Indaba was designed as a “turning point” to move the sector away from prolonged discussions towards practical implementation. 

“Its purpose was to identify practical, implementable solutions to the infrastructure backlogs, governance weaknesses, financial instability, technical capacity deficits, criminality, corruption, and underinvestment that continue to undermine water and sanitation delivery in South Africa.

“The message from that Indaba was unmistakable: the era of endless discussion had to give way to the era of delivery,” Majodina said.

Citing the latest national assessments, the Minister painted a stark picture of the sector’s condition, with nearly half of the country’s water supply systems failing to meet required standards, while about 64% of wastewater treatment works are in a critical state.

In addition, close to 47% of water is lost before reaching communities due to leaks, poor maintenance, ageing infrastructure and operational failures. 

“In a water-scarce country such as ours, that is not simply inefficiency, it is unacceptable,” the Minister said.

Majodina stressed that the crisis is not only technical but rooted in governance failures, including institutional weakness, delayed maintenance, poor planning, weak revenue collection and in too many cases, a lack of accountability.

Majodina noted that water shortages affect key sectors, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, housing development, and investor confidence.

“Water security is national security,” the Minister said, calling for the issue to be treated with the same seriousness as energy security and economic reform.

She said communities are suffering not because we do not know what must be done, but due to institutions failure do what they are required to do.

“Many are failing due to poor planning, a lack of preventative maintenance, weak financial management, poor billing and revenue collection, and, in some instances, the misuse of funds,” she said.

Majodina warned that where municipalities cannot deliver, government will intervene decisively, adding that accountability is “no longer optional, it is non-negotiable”.

She outlined five key priorities emerging from the 2025 Indaba, including the need to adopt fit-for-purpose delivery models, improve financial sustainability, strengthen technical capacity, deepen partnerships and intensify the fight against corruption and criminality.

On investment and financial viability, the Minister said the sector is financially unsustainable in many areas due to poor revenue collection, a culture of non-payment, weak billing systems and the misallocation of grants, which have created a cycle of collapse.

“No money means no maintenance, no maintenance means no reliability, and no reliability means no service delivery,” she said, emphasising the enforcement of financial discipline.

She also highlighted the importance of partnerships with civil society and the private sector.

Collaboration with law enforcement

The Minister said efforts to combat corruption and vandalism will be intensified, with collaboration with law enforcement, strengthen consequence management and advance the work of the anti-corruption forum in the sector.

“Corruption, theft, illegal connections, vandalism and procurement abuse are not side issues. They are actively destroying the sector, drain scarce resources, undermine delivery and rob poor communities of dignity,” the Minister said.

She said the webinar programme would include progress reports from all nine provinces, aimed at identifying challenges, sharing best practices and strengthening implementation.

“Let us fix what is broken, restore what has failed, defeat corruption, dysfunction, and indifference. The time for action is now,” Majodina said. – SAnews.gov.za

All lanes in both directions on the N3 near the Harrismith North Interchange have been reopened on Friday to traffic, after an earlier multiple-truck obstruction.

Motorists are, however, advised to expect ongoing congestion and delays in the area while the traffic backlog is cleared.

N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) Chief Operating Officer Thania Dhoogra has urged road users to approach the area with caution.

“Please remain patient and drive with extra caution until the current traffic backlog has been cleared and mobility is fully restored,” Dhoogra said.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has also warned that delays may persist for several hours while traffic flow returns to normal.

“We thank motorists for their patience and urge them to exercise caution, as they may still encounter congestion,” the RTMC said. –SAnews.gov.za

Government has called on South Africans to help shape a sweeping new law aimed at protecting whistleblowers.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamaloko Kubayi, on Thursday unveiled the proposed Protected Disclosures Bill in Pretoria, describing it as a “critical intervention” to safeguard individuals who come forward with information on wrongdoing.

But while the Bill introduces far-reaching reforms, Kubayi stressed that it is still a proposal — and its final strength will depend on public input before the 14 May 2026 deadline.

The legislation stems largely from findings of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, which exposed how whistleblowers were often left vulnerable after speaking out.

Kubayi acknowledged that existing protections have fallen short, pointing to cases where whistleblowers were dismissed, financially devastated or even killed. High-profile figures such as Babita Deokaran, Martha Ngoye, Athol Williams and Mpho Mafole were cited as reminders of the risks involved.

“Many whistleblowers are left to navigate complex legal processes without support, often after losing their livelihoods and assets,” Kubayi said.

The Bill seeks to close the gaps by introducing a more comprehensive framework for reporting and protecting disclosures.

Among its key proposals are:

• Clear definitions of what constitutes a protected disclosure and harmful retaliation.

• Strict confidentiality rules, with criminal penalties for exposing a whistleblower’s identity.

• Access to state-backed protection under the Witness Protection Act, 1998, including relocation and security measures.

• Legal assistance through Legal Aid South Africa for those who cannot afford representation.

• A complaints mechanism overseen by a retired judge.

The Bill also introduces tough penalties – including up to 15 years in prison – for those who retaliate against whistleblowers or conceal evidence.

Employers would carry the burden of proving that any action taken against a whistleblower is unrelated to their disclosure.

To prevent cases from stalling, the proposed law sets strict timelines:

• Disclosures must be acknowledged within five days.

• Decisions taken within ten days.

• Investigations finalised within 12 months.

A central database will track cases to improve accountability, although it will not store identifying details of whistleblowers.

Kubayi emphasised that this is a Bill that is still going to have to go through public participation.

Government has urged civil society, businesses, labour groups and ordinary citizens to submit written comments before the deadline, stressing that public input will directly influence the final legislation. – SAnews.gov.za

Today is a day of jubilation for the community of Sebilong, situated just outside Thabazimbi, in Limpopo, as they received their title deeds from Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

All roads led to Thabazimbi on Friday as the community gathered to witness the title deeds handover ceremony. This landmark ceremony represents a significant milestone in advancing land reform efforts aimed at redressing the injustices of historical land dispossession and restoring land rights to rightful beneficiaries. 

The Sebilong community successfully lodged their land claim with the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights more than a decade ago.

According to  local community members, the Sebilong Land Claim was lodged by Lazasrus Nkale Tisane on behalf of 89 originally dispossessed households totaling 1 071 verified beneficiaries. 

The claimed land is Farm Zwartkop 369 KQ which consists of 21 portions located within the Thabazimbi local municipality which is located in the Waterberg District.

After the claim was approved, the CPA opted for both land restoration and financial compensation.

Through the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, under the leadership of Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso, more than 340 000 hectares of land has been restored to the community. 

Community member Anna Tisani told SAnews.gov.za that they have been waiting for this day to come.

“Although we are getting our land back, I am sad because some of the people we started this journey [with] with have passed on, but I am happy that their families are still here and they will enjoy the benefits.

“I am happy that we are finally getting our land back. We waited for too long for our land to be brought back to us,” she said.

Another community member, Mido Moela, told SAnews that they planned to use the land for ploughing to benefit the community.

“We have been waiting for this day to come. We thank all those who led us during the claim process. It was not easy but we made it. Our children are going to benefit from our land,” Moela said.

Young and old came in their numbers to witness the occasion when the Deputy President hands over the title deeds to the successful land claimants. 

To date, the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has settled over 83 721 land claims nationally, resulting in the transfer of approximately 3 916 733 hectares of land. 

This progress underscores government’s continued commitment to resolving land claims and facilitating equitable land ownership among affected communities.

The Deputy President is accompanied on the title deed handover by members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform and Agriculture, the Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Members of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council, leadership of the Waterberg District Municipality and Thabazimbi Local Municipality as well as representatives of the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights. 

READ | Mashatile to hand over title deeds in Limpopo land restitution milestone

–SAnews.gov.za 
 

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged all trusts registered in South Africa to submit income tax returns for every year of assessment, in line with legislative requirements.

This obligation applies even where a trust had no economic activity during the relevant year.

“Where a trust is no longer being used for its intended purpose, trustees are encouraged to formally terminate the trust through the Office of the Master of the High Court (Master). 

“Once the Master has issued a written confirmation of termination, trustees should request SARS to deregister the trust for income tax purposes. This process assists in preventing the unnecessary imposition of administrative penalties arising from ongoing non-compliance,” SARS said on Thursday.

Although the Trust Property Control Act does not expressly prescribe a deregistration process, the Chief Master issued a directive in 2017 to provide clarity on the procedure to be followed. 

Importantly, trustees must first establish and regularise the trust’s tax compliance status with SARS before approaching the Master for termination.

Trustees act as representative taxpayers of a trust in terms of the Income Tax Act and are required to ensure that all outstanding tax returns, payments, and related tax obligations are fully resolved prior to requesting termination at the Master and deregistration at SARS. 

In some instances, SARS may owe a trust a tax refund. 

“Once a trust has been terminated by the Master, it legally ceases to exist, as does the Office of Trusteeship. In such circumstances, SARS is unable to lawfully process or pay any refunds due to the trust.

“Trustees are therefore urged to follow the correct sequence: first confirm and regularise the trust’s tax affairs with SARS, and only thereafter proceed with termination at the Master. 

“This approach safeguards compliance and protects trustees from potential personal liability. This also ensures that any refunds due to the trust can be processed timeously,” SARS said. –SAnews.gov.za

While trade relations between South Africa and the United States face several challenges, President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is committed to rebuilding political and diplomatic relations with the US.

Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce South Africa  Annual General Meeting on Thursday, the President said he has been engaging the new US Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Bozell, on efforts to repair the strained diplomatic relations.

“Yesterday, I had the pleasure of receiving the credentials of the new US Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Bozell.

“Through the engagements that have taken place since his arrival in the country, I believe we have made progress in developing a common understanding of the issues that continue for the moment to define our relationship,” the President said in Johannesburg.

He added that Ambassador Bozell has made deepening commercial trade between the two countries a priority. 

“I understand that the Ambassador wants to double the amount of US companies operating in South Africa. This is an ambition that we wholeheartedly support and that we hope to work together to achieve,” Ramaphosa said.

The President emphasised that South Africa is committed to working with United States businesses to deepen cooperation and open up new opportunities as the government pursues the strategic priority of driving inclusive growth and creating employment.

The United States is a major source of foreign direct investment in South Africa, with more than 600 American companies operating in the country. It is estimated that these companies employ over 250,000 South Africans.

“The US administration has been forthright in its assessment of our trade relations, and we welcome its willingness to engage with South Africa to address concerns. Recently we have had several positive signals from the United States. 

“We recently held a critical minerals forum in Washington, with key US government departments and business,” President Ramaphosa said.

South Africa is actively engaged with various committees, both in the House and the Senate, on the renewal of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

AGOA is a piece of legislation that was passed by the US Congress in May 2000 to provide eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market.

“At the same time, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition remains engaged with the US trade representative.

“We are committed to working together more closely and with greater focus to achieve a trade agreement that is mutually beneficial.

“There is a great deal that we can offer each other and there is no reason why we can’t reach agreement on areas of difference,” he said.

South Africa recenlty held a critical minerals forum in Washington, with key US government departments and business. 

“We will continue work to develop a critical minerals framework that can ensure that we continue to be a strategic supplier of critical minerals to the US. 

“At the same time, we want to develop collaborative programmes that increase investment in this important sector in our economy,” he said.

Economic renewal

South Africa stands at a juncture of economic renewal as government implements structural reforms to rebuild the economy.

The President said these efforts are bearing fruit. 

“Electricity supply has stabilised and Eskom has been returned to operational viability. Together with market reforms and substantial private investment in renewable energy, we are laying the foundation for a competitive energy market that will reduce costs for households and businesses.

“Through Operation Vulindlela, we have seen improvements in the efficiency of our ports, and we are enabling access to our freight rail for private operators,” Ramaphosa said.

There has been a decline in the cost of broadband data alongside an improvement in access.

“Far-reaching changes to our visa regime will enable the country to attract greater investment, skills and tourism. We have embarked on a second phase of Operation Vulindlela, focusing on local government, digital transformation and reducing spatial inequality.

“A particular area of focus now is on ensuring reliable access to water for households, businesses and agriculture,” the President said.

Through a National Water Crisis Committee, government is undertaking interventions to transform the provision and management of water services across the country. 

“Our commitment to macroeconomic stability and prudent fiscal management has resulted in the stabilisation of public finances and has seen our sovereign risk profile improve. 

“We are reforming our criminal justice system and tackling crime and corruption, so that businesses can invest and operate without fear. 

“We are establishing a new criminal justice reform initiative modelled on the success of Operation Vulindlela, which will focus on combating organised crime, corruption, the illicit economy and illegal firearms,” he said.

Furthermore, government has allocated more than R3 trillion over the next three years to modernise and expand public infrastructure across South Africa. 

This includes massive investment in roads, railways, ports, dams, energy generation and transmission, as well as housing.

“We remain committed to the transformation of our economy to drive sustained growth, reduce inequality and correct the injustices of the past,” the President said. –SAnews.gov.za