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Eskom has initiated a public consultation process on its intention to interrupt electricity supply in some municipalities.

The power utility explained that the move is aimed at addressing “escalating municipal debt, protect affordability, strengthen financial sustainability and advance sector reform”.

Municipal debt to Eskom has reached some R110 billion – including the Municipal Debt Relief Programme – to assist struggling municipalities to address their debt.

“Having exhausted all reasonable avenues through the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, Eskom is in the process of issuing notices in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act [PAJA], providing affected parties an opportunity to make representations before further action is considered.

“Around 14 municipalities have been selected because they have not settled their accounts for at least the last 18 months, have not met the conditions of the National Treasury municipal debt relief programme, or pose a significant financial risk to Eskom.

“Initiating the PAJA process ensures that Eskom complies with legal requirements while taking necessary steps to maintain the stability of the electricity supply system,” Eskom announced in a statement.

The State-Owned Entity (SOE) did not announce the names of the municipalities.

“Eskom encourages all stakeholders to support efforts to resolve the matter and invites written representations or proposals that may assist in achieving a sustainable solution.

“Eskom will determine and communicate the way forward once all representations submitted through the PAJA process have been fully considered,” the statement read.

The electricity supplier highlighted that while it “empathises with communities that may be affected”, it has been left with “no option but to initiate this process”.

“[This is] unless the municipalities urgently regularise their accounts as supplying electricity without payment is unsustainable.

“The municipalities collect revenue from customers for electricity services, and failure to remit these funds undermines Eskom’s financial viability, while impacting the delivery of electricity to the relevant communities.

“Should the municipalities fail to take corrective action, Eskom will proceed with credit control measures, which may include interrupting electricity supply at predetermined times, as permitted by law. If defaults persist, Eskom will be compelled to limit supply to levels commensurate with payments received,” Eskom explained.

Acting Group Executive Distribution, Agnes Mlambo added: “We have to address rising arrear debt to protect the operational stability we have restored and the financial discipline we have rebuilt in the first three years of our turnaround to deliver on our developmental mandate.

“Through the turnaround, we are enabling business to protect and create jobs and supporting strategic industries to remain competitive, that in turn enable communities to thrive”.

Interventions needed

Eskom explained that the amounts owed by municipalities is making it “impossible” to further delay interventions.

Furthermore, initiating the PAJA process ensures that the necessary legislative requirements are adhered to while taking steps to protect electricity supply.

“The persistent rise in arrears highlights the critical need for Eskom to proceed decisively,” the power utility said.

On the Municipal Debt Relief Programme, Eskom explained that the programme “ring‑fences historic electricity debt and suppresses related interest to create financial space for municipalities to meet their ongoing obligations”.

At least 71 municipalities have been enrolled into the programme with only 15 consistently meeting the programme conditions.

“Throughout the country, municipal debt has surpassed R110 billion, despite the National Treasury’s intervention through municipal debt relief programme aimed at restoring sound financial management. The persistent rise in arrears highlight the urgent need for Eskom to proceed with debt recovery decisively.

“The escalating municipal debt burden also has wide implications for South Africa’s electricity reform agenda, that is designed to enable new entrants to enter the marketplace and is delaying progress on the legal and operational unbundling of Eskom’s Distribution business,” the power utility said. – SAnews.gov.za

The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department is urging communities to exercise caution as thunderstorms are expected on Friday 06 March 2026.

This as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 4 weather warning for severe thunderstorms. The weather service issued the warning for Gauteng and Mpumalanga on Thursday.

According to the SAWS, the impact of the thunderstorms include damage to infrastructure, settlements (informal), property, vehicles, livelihoods and livestock.

“The impact of climate change during rainy seasons is known to disrupt normal weather systems, often resulting in periods of heavy rainfall, localised flooding and severe thunderstorms.  In Tshwane, these conditions have contributed to waterlogged roads, rising river levels, flash floods in low-lying areas, and an increased risk of weather-related incidents,” the City Emergency Services Department said. 

In its statement on Friday, it added that climate change continues to exacerbate these impacts, with rainfall events becoming more unpredictable and intense.

It called on residents to exercise caution, particularly during periods of heavy rain as several areas within Tshwane are particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to rivers, streams, low-lying terrain and stormwater systems. 

High-risk areas include, but are not limited to:
•    Centurion: areas along the Hennops River, Irene, Zwartkop, Eldoraigne, and Lyttelton
•    Pretoria North and West: low-lying areas and bridges – Apies River, including Wonderboom South, Hercules, and Rosslyn
•    Mamelodi and Nellmapius: informal settlements and flood-prone zones near natural drainage channels
•    Soshanguve and Mabopane: areas affected by overflowing stormwater

Potential impacts include:
•    Heavy downpours that may cause localised flooding in low-lying areas, flat plains and flood-prone roads.
•    Large amounts of small hail, particularly over open areas.
•    Damaging winds and excessive lightning that may result in structural damage or fires. • Traffic disruptions due to flooded major roads. 
•    Minor to major vehicle accidents caused by reduced visibility and slippery road surfaces. • Damage to houses or structures, including roof damage in both formal and informal settlements.
The municipality has issued the following safety tips that should be during severe thunderstorms:
•    Stay indoors where possible and avoid contact with metal objects such as barbed-wire fences and power lines that may attract lightning. 
•    Do not seek shelter under isolated trees or tall objects during thunderstorms. 
•    Avoid crossing flooded low-lying roads, bridges or swollen streams.

“The Emergency Services Department will continue to closely monitor weather developments and remain on high alert for any weather-related incidents.  Residents are urged to stay informed by following short-term weather forecasts and heeding all alerts and warnings issued by the South African Weather Service,” it said. 

The public can contact the City of Tshwane Emergency on 107 toll-free or 012 358 6300/6400. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says government is prioritising the completion of delayed water infrastructure projects to address the country’s water challenges. 

Mashatile told the National Council of Provinces on Thursday that abandoned and incomplete water projects have reduced water availability and weakened system reliability.

“To address these challenges, long outstanding grant funded projects have been identified and prioritised for accelerated completion. Government has also taken steps to reprioritise funding to ensure delayed projects are finalised and water systems stabilised,” he said. 

In Gauteng, where severe water interruptions have been experienced, government has implemented several interventions. These include:

• The approval of increased abstraction from the Integrated Vaal River System to assist Rand Water in restoring reservoir levels; 
• Coordination of demand reduction measures and enforcement of restrictions (a municipal competency), and
• Acceleration of leak reduction and infrastructure repairs, supported through programmes aimed at improving ring-fencing of water revenues and long-term sustainability.

Mashatile said the Department of Water and Sanitation has also advised municipalities to reduce water losses, strengthen restrictions and invest in additional storage and pumping capacity. 

During an oversight visit in February, Mashatile inspected the Carlswald reservoir construction site and the Grand Central Water Tower in Midrand.

READ | 10-megalitre reservoir to alleviate Joburg water challenges

The 20 million-litre reservoir is expected to be completed in 2027 and will support long-term water supply stability in the area.

“Government is implementing practical measures in other provinces, including the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, focusing on accelerating bulk projects, reducing non-revenue water, emergency supply interventions, and strengthened intergovernmental coordination,” he said.  

Mashatile also highlighted the establishment of a National Water Crisis Committee, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to address water shortages, infrastructure failures and municipal performance challenges across the country. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Sonja Josiah Ntuli as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Mpumalanga.

In a statement on Thursday, The Presidency said the appointment was made in terms of section 13(1)(c) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, following the consultation processes required by the legislation.

Ntuli brings 29 years of experience in the legal field, having served as both an attorney and a prosecutor.

A significant portion of his career has been within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), where he has spent 21 years in various roles, rising through the ranks from a district court prosecutor to Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.

Most recently, Ntuli served as the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga for nearly three years.

President Ramaphosa wished Ntuli well in his new role, expressing confidence in his ability to strengthen the rule of law in the province.

“President Ramaphosa wishes Mr Ntuli well in his role of entrenching the rule of law in the province and bringing to book persons or entities that violate the law,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is urging social grant beneficiaries to respond to a 30-day notice requiring them to visit the agency’s offices for a review, warning that failure to comply may lead to grants being suspended or terminated.
 
According to the agency, beneficiaries are formally notified before any grant is cancelled or allowed to lapse, in line with regulations governing the administration of social assistance.

In terms of Sub-regulation 32(2), a notice of suspension or cancellation must be delivered to the beneficiary or their appointed procurator through electronic communication or other means.

Meanwhile, Sub-regulation 32(4) requires the agency to investigate and verify all facts and circumstances surrounding the social assistance before taking a decision to suspend or cancel a grant.

SASSA said the review process is aimed at ensuring that only qualifying beneficiaries continue to receive social grants.

In Mpumalanga, the agency’s third-quarter progress report showed that 12 151 beneficiaries were notified to visit SASSA offices for grant reviews. Of these, 2 303 grants were reviewed, while 221 grants lapsed after beneficiaries failed to respond to the notice.

SASSA Mpumalanga has appealed to beneficiaries to take the process seriously and respond to the notices to avoid disruptions in payments.

“The agency understands that many South Africans depend on social grants, but this does not mean that grants should be received fraudulently,” SASSA said in a statement.

Beneficiaries who are unable to visit SASSA offices themselves may appoint a procurator to conduct the review on their behalf, provided the necessary documentation and procedures are followed.

For more information, beneficiaries can contact SASSA’s toll-free number 0800 60 10 11 during working hours from Monday to Friday. – SAnews.gov.za

More than 55 000 student queries have been resolved since the establishment of a student and stakeholder Helpdesk by Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, in August 2024.

The Helpdesk was established to serve as an interface between the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector, students and members of the public, seeking assistance and information.

So far, the helpdesk has managed 57 283 queries, with around 55 121 resolved and closed, achieving a 90% resolution rate. 

The helpdesk provides quick, personalised support to students and stakeholders, focusing on enquiries about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), registration status, and issues such as delays in results, diplomas and certificates.

“The work of the Helpdesk closely aligns with my vision of connecting higher education with our communities. Every day through the Helpdesk, we support students and stakeholders by providing a direct platform for them to escalate their queries and grievances. It pleases me to see the Helpdesk growing and reaching the 55 000 milestone in resolved enquiries. This shows we are making a difference and positively impacting students and stakeholders,” the Deputy Minister said in a statement on Thursday.

To effectively assist students and stakeholders, the helpdesk works closely with the department’s internal Exam and Diploma section and with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and University branches within the Department and NSFAS.

READ | Learners, students, urged to hold their heads up high

“With the increasing volume of queries, we are now transitioning to a digital Helpdesk for a faster, smarter, more accessible solution. In the meantime, please contact my Helpdesk by email at Dmsdesk@Dhet.gov.za,” said the Deputy Minister. –SAnews.gov.za

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina will this morning officiate the handover of a newly completed borehole in Bronkhorstspruit, Tshwane, as part of government’s interventions to increase water supply to the area.

The handover will take place at the Indlu Yokuthula Service Center in Sokhulumi, Bronkhorstspruit, under the Department of Water and Sanitation’s International Women’s Day 2026 Ministerial Engagement and the Water Month Flagship Programme.

“The intervention is part of government’s ongoing commitment to expanding reliable access to water and advancing women’s empowerment through sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives.

“This milestone not only improves local water access but also serves as a strategic platform to mobilise support for the Sector Wide Women in Water Programmatic Approach 2026 – 2030.

“The framework aims to strengthen gender mainstreaming across the water and sanitation sector, while advancing women’s leadership, skills development, entrepreneurship and economic participation,” the department said.

According to the department, the ministerial engagement will convene women leaders across the water sector, water boards and entities, business leaders, private sector partners, non-governmental organisations, civil society, rural women representatives, and educational institutions.

Stakeholders are expected to pledge their commitment to accelerating opportunities for women and building a more inclusive and equitable water industry.

Delivering the State of the Nation Address last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa elevated water to one of the country’s most pressing concerns, from large cities such as Johannesburg, to smaller towns like Knysna and rural areas such as Giyani.

The President announced the establishment of a National Water Crisis Committee, which he will personally chair. This as government intensifies efforts to confront South Africa’s deepening water challenges.

“We have all seen the pain that our people have been expressing through demonstrations in various parts of Gauteng. These protests have been fuelled by frustrations over inadequate and unreliable access to basic services such as water,” President Ramaphosa said at that time.

The President explained that the National Water Crisis Committee will ensure that action is taken swiftly to address these challenges and strengthen coordination across all spheres of government.

“This structure will bring together all existing efforts into a single coordinating body. It will deploy technical experts and resources from national government to municipalities facing water challenges. It will ensure that action is taken swiftly and effectively to address the problem,” he said. 

March is a month of landmark observances, including National Water Month, International Women’s Day, and Human Rights Day. International Women’s Day is commemorated globally on 8 March, drawing attention to gender equality and the empowerment of women, with a strong link to water issues. 

Meanwhile, National Water Month highlights progress in delivering water as a constitutional human right in South Africa, while acknowledging persistent challenges of water scarcity.

The programme also aligns to this year’s United Nations’s World Water Day theme — ‘Water and Gender’, with the slogan: ‘Where Water Flows, Equality Grows’, which implore governments worldwide to centre women and girls in water solutions, ensuring their voices, leadership, and agency are fully recognised in water decision-making. 

The theme also highlights a transformative, rights-based approach to solving the water challenges. – SAnews.gov.za

South Africa’s agricultural sector has delivered a record export performance in the fourth quarter of 2025, underscoring its resilience and global competitiveness, despite significant headwinds in the global trading environment.

According to Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, the country’s total exports reached a record R581.5 billion by the end of the fourth quarter, with agriculture contributing R268.7 billion, the highest performance since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Agricultural exports grew 9% year-on-year, compared with the R243.7 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The performance was achieved despite a number of challenges, including a strengthening rand, tighter regulatory measures in some export markets, and the impact of 30% “Liberation Day” tariffs by the United States.

Steenhuisen said the figures highlight a sector that is increasingly strategic in how it approaches global markets.

“While agricultural exports to the United States declined sharply by 36% in the fourth quarter of 2025 as a direct result of higher tariffs, our diversification strategy has clearly borne fruit. Strong growth to BRICS+ countries, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and SADC [Southern African Development Community] more than offset those losses,” the Minister said in a statement on Thursday.

Diversified export markets

Africa remains South Africa’s largest agricultural export destination, accounting for about 53% of exports, followed by Asia and the Middle East at 17%, the European Union at 16%, and 14% to the rest of the world, including North and South America.

Among the fastest-growing markets in 2025 were the United Kingdom, with export growth of 21%, and BRICS+ countries, which recorded a 31% increase.

Exports to the European Union grew by 9%, while trade within SADC increased by 8%.

The sector also recorded a stronger agricultural trade surplus of R24.6 billion in the fourth quarter, up from about R20 billion in 2024, underscoring agriculture’s contribution to South Africa’s balance of payments.

Steenhuisen attributed this achievement to government support for export-oriented horticulture, which has demanded the opening of new markets, rapid deployment of precision-agriculture tools, and expanded value chain finance, rather than pure acreage growth.

“Our sector has also embraced modernisation, which is continuing to bear fruit. The adoption of new farming methods has led to commercial farms raising yield per hectare by embracing satellite-guided fertilisation, drone-based pest scouting, and soil moisture sensors embedded in variable-rate irrigation rigs, reducing water utilisation by 18% to 25%,” the Minister said.

Investment in irrigation and infrastructure

Government policy support, through the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), has also helped to unlock R1.2 billion in investment from public and private financial institutions for irrigation upgrades and packhouse expansion.

The investments have contributed to a 15% reduction in post-harvest losses since 2024.

Steenhuisen said the agricultural sector continues to play a critical role in the country’s economy, both as a generator of foreign exchange and a driver of employment.

Primary agriculture contributes about 2.8% to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP), while the broader agricultural value chain accounts for about 14% of the country’s R7.34 trillion GDP, based on 2024 figures. The sector also supports roughly 950 000 jobs.

Key export products

South Africa’s strongest-performing agricultural exports in 2025 included table grapes, maize, berries, wine, citrus, apples and pears, sugar, nuts, fruit juices and wool.

Stone fruits, such as apricots, cherries and peaches, also featured prominently amongst the export products.

Fruits and nuts alone accounted for about 26% of total agricultural exports during the fourth quarter.

Steenhuisen said the strong export performance provides a platform for expanding market access and strengthening trade partnerships.

“Good progress has recently been made in expanding international market access for South African agricultural products. This includes newly secured market access for South African stone fruit into China, as well as the first shipment of South African table grapes to the Philippines, which is currently en route,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za