Category: English

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State has warned the public against performing law enforcement functions.

This as it noted circulating information suggesting that certain individuals or groups may intend to participate in, or accompany law enforcement agencies during compliance inspections and enforcement operations across the province.

“The SAPS wishes to remind the public that the enforcement of the law, including compliance inspections, searches, arrests, seizures and other policing functions, is the exclusive responsibility of duly authorised law enforcement officials acting within the confines of the Constitution and applicable legislation,” the police said in a statement on Saturday.

The police cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands, conducting inspections, demanding documentation, questioning individuals, or participating in law enforcement activities without the necessary legal authority. Such actions, it said, may constitute criminal offences and could expose those involved to criminal prosecution.

“The SAPS respects the constitutional rights of all persons to assemble, demonstrate and express their views peacefully and within the confines of the law. However, these rights do not extend to exercising policing powers or interfering with official law enforcement operations.

“The SAPS remains committed to enforcing the law fairly, impartially and without fear, favour or prejudice. Operational deployments across the province continue to ensure public safety, maintain law and order, and address all forms of criminality.”

The SAPS encouraged members of the public to report suspected criminal activities to the SAPS through the appropriate channels and to allow trained and authorised law enforcement officials to perform their duties without interference.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, has reiterated that any person found obstructing police officials, impersonating law enforcement officers, or unlawfully performing policing functions will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law.

The SAPS calls on all residents of the Free State to continue working in partnership with law enforcement by providing information on criminal activities while refraining from actions that fall outside the scope of civilian authority. – SAnews.gov.za

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Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has handed over four boreholes, valued at about R2 million, to previously unserved communities in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga.

The boreholes are equipped with automated water purification capacity through a decentralised water purification plant, ensuring the sustainable provision of quality drinking water, dignified sanitation and proper hygiene for communities that have historically lacked reliable water services.

The initiative forms part of the newly launched Unserved Communities Access Acceleration Programme. It was funded and implemented by the Rand Water Foundation, an entity of Rand Water, and donated to Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in the Nkangala District.

The four boreholes will serve the communities of Vezubuhle, Gemsbok, Rhenosterfontein Farms and Engwenyameni in Kwa-Mhlanga, which previously had no reliable water supply.

Minister Majodina, accompanied by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, Mpumalanga MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Speed Katishi Mashilo, Rand Water Chairperson Ramateu Monyokolo, Group Chief Executive Sipho Mosai and Rand Water Foundation Chairperson Lusanda Netshitenzhe, officially handed over the four underground water supply schemes on Friday, 3 July 2026.

The launch of the programme coincided with the start of Mandela Month, observed in July each year, and forms part of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s ongoing efforts to accelerate access to water services for historically underserved communities through sustainable and practical interventions.

The project included the drilling of four boreholes fitted with water filtration and purification units, the installation of 10 communal taps, six storage tanks with a capacity of 10 000 litres each, six steel tank stands, and a manhole.

The decentralised water supply facilities offer relief to areas affected by inconsistent water supply, rationing, and reliance on water tankers, especially in remote locations.

According to Rand Water Group Chief Executive Sipho Mosai, the decentralised plants operate on the same principles as Rand Water’s major treatment facilities at Zuikerbosch and Vereeniging, just on a smaller scale.

The plants have been installed at Vezubuhle Community Hall, Bawokuhle Primary School in Gemsbok, Rhenosterfontein Farms and Engwenyameni. They are expected to provide sustainable access to clean drinking water to more than 1 600 beneficiaries, including residents, learners and farmers.

All four installations have undergone water quality testing and meet the required safety standards to ensure reliable long-term operation.

Following the handover, Majodina met with community members in Gemsbok, emphasising that the initiative was more than the unveiling of infrastructure, but “a step toward transforming lives.”

“There could be no better way of honouring Madiba than ensuring that children spend more time in classrooms than searching for water. There could be no greater expression of service than restoring dignity to communities that have waited patiently for this basic necessity of life.

“Today is not simply about boreholes. Today is about hope. It is about dignity. It is about justice. It is about fulfilling a promise that the South African government made to the people,” the Minister said.

She added that the initiative programme demonstrates government’s commitment to ensuring that no community is left to rely indefinitely on unsafe rivers, streams or distant water sources because of where they live.

She said while large regional water infrastructure projects remain essential, many rural communities require immediate interventions that can deliver relief while long-term projects are being developed.

“The programme therefore combines urgency with sustainability. It includes groundwater development through borehole drilling, the protection of natural springs, rainwater harvesting systems, rehabilitation of existing but non-functional infrastructure, and targeted extensions of local reticulation systems.

“These are practical interventions designed to reach communities that have too often remained on the margins of development,” Majodina said.

The Minister also reaffirmed the department’s commitment to working closely with municipalities to identify all unserved communities and implement appropriate interventions.

She appealed to community members to safeguard the newly installed infrastructure against vandalism and theft.

“Every damaged pipeline forces government to spend scarce resources on repairs instead of expanding services to new communities. Ultimately, those who suffer most are the poorest households,” Majodina said.

Majodina concluded by thanking the Rand Water Foundation and Rand Water, whose expertise and longstanding commitment to strengthening water security continue to benefit millions of South Africans. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will convene the second leg of the National Investigative Hearing into South Africa’s Food Systems on Monday. 

“The National Investigative Hearing was initiated in response to complaints received by the Commission, together with findings from its monitoring work, which revealed growing concerns regarding the lack of access to adequate food.

“The inquiry is grounded in section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which guarantees that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food,” a SAHRC statement said.

The commission noted that despite the Constitutional guarantee, “millions of people in South Africa continue to experience hunger and food insecurity”.

“Children remain particularly vulnerable, with many suffering from malnutrition and stunting, while preventable hunger continues to result in avoidable loss of life.

“This is especially concerning given that South Africa possesses the agricultural capacity and food resources necessary to feed its entire population,” the statement read.

The first phase of the commission’s hearings was held earlier this year with evidence received from stakeholders including government and civil society.

“A consistent theme emerging from these proceedings was the need to further interrogate the structure of the food system, particularly market concentration and the role of private sector actors in shaping access to food, affordability and nutritional outcomes.

“The Commission has thus determined that additional hearings are necessary to receive evidence from key stakeholders in the private sector across the food value chain, including input suppliers and agribusinesses, farmers, food processors and manufacturers, retailers and distributors, as well as industry associations and lobby groups.

“Their participation will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the structural, economic and policy factors that influence access to food in South Africa,” the statement explained. – SAnews.gov.za 

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The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has expressed deep concern and strongly condemns the violent service delivery protests that unfolded in Extension 4, Ratanda, in Lesedi Local Municipality on Friday. 

In a statement on Saturday, SALGA said the protests resulted in the tragic loss of life and the torching of the Executive Mayor’s property. 

“While communities have a constitutional right to protest and express their dissatisfaction with service delivery, violence, intimidation, arson and other criminal acts have no place in a democratic society. Such actions endanger lives, destroy public and private property, and ultimately undermine the very service delivery improvements that communities seek,” SALGA President Cllr Bheke Stofile cautioned. 

SALGA said it continues to advocate for constructive engagement between municipalities and communities. 

“Residents are encouraged to utilise established channels of communication and public participation to raise their concerns, while municipalities must prioritise transparent and regular communication on service delivery challenges, planned interventions, and progress in resolving these challenges,” SALGA said. 

The incident follows protests by community members over water outages in the area, reportedly linked to the throttling of bulk water supply to the municipality by the water utility, Rand Water, as part of its credit control measures. 

Various entities of government are called upon to work together to speedily resolve the grievances of communities. 

“Calm and restraint are needed from all parties to create an environment conducive to dialogue and sustainable solutions. Sadly, reports indicate that two lives have already been lost as a result of the violent protests. SALGA conveys its heartfelt condolences to their families. 

“Law enforcement agencies are urged to investigate the reported deaths and criminal acts committed during the protests and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” SALGA said. 

Data from SALGA’s Municipal Violence Incident Reporting System shows that between 2000 and 2026, there have been more than 400 incidents ranging from threats, property damage and assaults to deaths. 

SALGA said this underscores the urgent need to strengthen law enforcement capacity to prevent and respond to such incidents.    

“SALGA remains committed to promoting responsive, accountable and participatory local government, where community concerns are addressed through dialogue, mutual respect and lawful democratic processes,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Western Cape Government has successfully concluded its coordinated humanitarian operation to assist foreign nationals who voluntarily elected to return to their countries of origin. 

In a statement issued on Sunday, the provincial government said the operation was undertaken in partnership with municipalities, national government departments, humanitarian organisations, faith-based partners and law enforcement agencies. 

According to the provincial government, all individuals who presented at municipal facilities and the Department of Home Affairs offices in Epping, Cape Town, have departed following extensive verification, registration and logistical planning undertaken by the department and supporting partners.

Dozens of buses were procured for this purpose.

Premier Alan Winde thanked all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the operation.

“This operation demonstrated what can be achieved when all spheres of government, humanitarian organisations, religious institutions, transport providers and local communities work together towards a common humanitarian objective. 

“We are deeply grateful to every individual and organisation that played a role in ensuring a safe, dignified and orderly process. I also want to thank our mediators who worked hard to defuse tensions. You played an important part in ensuring unrest did not erupt in our province. I am also deeply grateful for the engagements our International Relations Directorate initiated with affected foreign missions,” Winde said. 

The Premier also thanked municipalities that made facilities available, humanitarian organisations that provided food, water and essential relief items and operational teams that worked long hours to support the intervention.

The provincial government said temporary facilities established for the operation have now been demobilised and normal operations are resuming.

It also clarified that municipalities will not provide any further transport logistics for the repatriation of foreign nationals.

“The Western Cape Government wishes to make it clear that no further transport logistics will be undertaken by municipalities for the purposes of repatriating foreign nationals. Reports of free transport services after today are incorrect,” the provincial government said. 

The government encouraged foreign nationals requiring assistance to engage directly with their respective embassies or consulates and to follow normal immigration processes administered by the Department of Home Affairs.

It also acknowledged the inconvenience experienced by businesses and communities surrounding the temporary support facilities and thanked them for their patience and cooperation throughout the intervention.

While the transport phase has concluded, the provincial government said departments and municipalities will continue to monitor the situation and address any humanitarian, safety or operational concerns through normal service delivery channels. – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape has warned members of the public against individuals and groups unlawfully demanding to inspect identity documents under the guise of addressing illegal immigration. 

In a statement issued on Friday, SAPS said it had noted with concern reports of people approaching members of the public and requesting to inspect their identity documents without legal authority.

The police stressed that only authorised law enforcement officials may request and verify identity documents while carrying out their official duties.

“The SAPS in the Northern Cape has noted with concern reports of individuals and groups who are unlawfully approaching members of the public and demanding to inspect their identity documents under the guise of addressing illegal immigration.

“The SAPS wishes to emphasise that only duly authorised law enforcement officials, acting within the confines of the law, may request and verify identity documents during the execution of their official duties,” the statement read. 

The police cautioned members of the public not to be intimidated by people who have no legal authority to conduct such inspections.

Communities have also been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or unlawful conduct to their nearest police station or the SAPS Crime Stop number.

SAPS acknowledged the important role played by Community Policing Forums (CPFs) in promoting safer communities and encouraged them to continue working in partnership with the police.

According to the statement, CPFs should support community engagement initiatives, promote respect for the rule of law and help educate communities on lawful crime prevention measures.

While recognising concerns raised by communities regarding illegal immigration, SAPS reminded the public that the enforcement of immigration legislation rests with authorised government departments and law enforcement agencies.

“While SAPS recognises the concerns expressed by communities regarding illegal immigration, members of the public are reminded that the enforcement of immigration legislation is the responsibility of authorised government departments and law enforcement agencies.

“Acts of vigilantism, intimidation, discrimination, harassment, or the unlawful stopping and questioning of individuals will not be tolerated and may result in criminal prosecution,” the SAPS said. 

The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order while protecting the rights of everyone in the country. 

“The public is encouraged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspected criminal activities through the appropriate channels rather than taking the law into their own hands,” the SAPS said. – SAnews.gov.za 

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