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The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has warned young people against substance abuse, cautioning that it threatens their health, safety, education and long-term contribution to South Africa’s socio-economic development.

Chikunga said substance abuse remains one of the most serious challenges confronting South Africa’s youth, contributing to school dropouts, unemployment, crime, mental health challenges, and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

She emphasised that young people are among the most vulnerable groups, as they are increasingly susceptible to dependence on alcohol and drugs, particularly in communities affected by poverty, unemployment, inequality, and limited access to recreational and economic opportunities.

“This often results in a range of problems, including academic difficulties, health-related problems such as mental health illnesses, poor peer relationships, conflict with the law, and a high rate of accidents. These problems also harm family members, communities, and the entire society.

“Substance abuse robs young people of their potential and undermines the future of our country. It fuels violence, weakens families, destroys communities, and places enormous pressure on social services,” the Minister said.

As part of government’s response, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will continue working with the Central Drug Authority, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organisations to strengthen prevention programmes, awareness campaigns, and psychosocial support services.

“We cannot speak about youth development without addressing the devastating role that drugs and alcohol play in perpetuating abuse, crime, and hopelessness. Prevention must start early, and it must involve individual youth, their families, schools, faith-based organisations and communities,” the Minister said.

She called on young people to make informed and responsible choices; seek help when facing substance-dependency challenges, and participate actively in positive initiatives that reduce risky behaviour and promote healthy living.

“Our youth must understand that saying no to drugs is saying yes to life, dignity, and opportunity. We urge young people to become champions of change and to protect themselves and their peers by resisting the temptations of abusing dependency creating substances,” Chikunga said.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to advancing youth empowerment, social cohesion and community safety in line with the National Development Plan, the National Youth Policy and the National Drug Master Plan. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is expected to institute disciplinary proceedings against senior managers and officials implicated in several – but unrelated – incidents at correctional facilities.

This was announced by DCS National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale during a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday.

Last year, several incidents, including an erroneous inmate release, inmate deaths and attacks on officials, were recorded at correctional centres in the Western Cape, leading to internal investigations.

“These investigations were conducted in terms of the Correctional Services Act, 111 of 1998, with the objectives of establishing facts, determining accountability, restoring public confidence and ensuring appropriate corrective and disciplinary action.

“These matters have been made public because they directly affect public safety, human rights, staff security and the integrity of the correctional system. Transparency is essential to maintaining public trust and demonstrating accountability.

“The department will institute disciplinary proceedings against implicated senior managers and officials, address systemic weaknesses, and ensure that correctional centres are managed in a lawful, ethical and professional manner,” the National Commissioner said.

Thobakgale revealed findings of investigations related to:

• The Oudtshoorn Correctional Centre.
• The erroneous release at the Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility.
• The stabbing of officials and deaths of remand detainees at Pollsmoor.

“Given the spate of incidents and the prevailing instability in the Western Cape, I, as the National Commissioner, have recommended to the Minister that criminal and disciplinary matters be handled by an independent legal entity external to Correctional Services.

“The nature of these incidents, combined with the province’s high levels of crime and the alleged orchestration of criminal activity within our correctional centres, necessitates the implementation of extraordinary measures,” Thobakgale said.

Oudtshoorn Medium A Correctional Centre

At Oudtshoorn in August last year, a violent altercation left four officials with stab wounds and one inmate, Simphiwe Celise, dead during the execution of a routine search operation.

“The investigation established that offender Simphiwe Celise played a leading role in the attack on correctional officials. Celise subsequently died following physical altercations with officials and his death was classified as unnatural.

“The investigation also found that this situation could have been mitigated, had management anticipated the strong likelihood of retaliation, given the overt warning signs displayed by inmates on the previous day.

“It further established that management at both Area and Centre levels failed to exercise effective command and control of the operation. There was inadequate risk assessment, insufficient coordination of operational responses, and a lack of decisive leadership to stabilise the unit once the initial search had concluded,” Thobakgale noted.

Furthermore, serious failures were identified, including “non-compliance with use-of-force prescripts, unprocedural reporting and systemic breakdowns in oversight”.

“Disciplinary action will be instituted against implicated officials, managers and medical personnel, while [other] offenders involved in the stabbing will face disciplinary processes also,” Thobakgale said.

Pollsmoor Correctional Facility

In September last year, inmate Thembalethu Inganathi Daba was erroneously released under another detainee’s identity.

Daba posed as another inmate who was scheduled to appear in court, managed to bypass identification processes, misrepresented himself before the court and was subsequently released on a warning.

Thobakgale noted that the investigation into the incident found that “this was not an administrative error but a deliberate escape facilitated by impersonation and operational failures”.

“The incident was detected only during a routine roll call. He was re-arrested 12 days later. 

“The investigation identified failures in inmate supervision, advance availability of court lists and management oversight, including the functionality of biometric systems. Criminal and disciplinary processes are underway, alongside corrective measures to prevent recurrence,” the National Commissioner said.

At least a month later (October) at the same facility, two correctional officials were attacked and stabbed by at least three detainees.

The attack on the officials, who called for backup, led to the subsequent deaths of the remand detainees.

Thobakgale noted that the incident followed an “unauthorised departure of several officials from the unit, resulting in a serious breach of security controls”.

“The investigation established that the three inmates… initiated an attack on the two officials, who acted in self-defence. 

“However, it further found that some of the officials, who responded to the incident, applied force outside the prescripts. The investigation also identified significant shortcomings in risk assessment processes, gang management protocols and the supervision of inmates.

“Disciplinary action is being instituted against implicated officials, as well as supervisory and security management for dereliction of duty. Corrective measures include reclassification of inmates, strengthened gang management and tighter controls on inmate labour,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Department of Correctional Services (DCS) officials conducted 5 592 search operations at correctional centres nationwide during the festive season– yielding the seizure of some 8 063 cellphones and R102 726.07 in cash.

This according to DCS National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, who briefed the media on the outcomes of the department’s Operation Vala festive season security operations.

Other confiscations include:

• 3 144 sharpened objects.
• 46kg of loose dagga.
• Significant quantities of Mandrax tablets.
• Small quantities of foreign currency as well as R400 in counterfeit South African notes.

Thobakgale noted that last year’s operation was implemented with “renewed approach aimed at increasing impact, effectiveness and accountability”.

“As a result, the 2025/26 Operation Vala represented a decisive shift in intensity, coordination and management oversight. For the first time, the operation was assertively driven at Management Area level, supported by heightened senior management involvement and the expanded deployment of officials.

“This decentralised but coordinated approach enabled more frequent, intelligence-driven and comprehensive searches, significantly strengthening operational outcomes across the system.

“Notably, while the Western Cape conducted the highest number of searches, it yielded relatively low cash recoveries compared to regions such as the Eastern Cape. This disparity highlights differing patterns of illicit activity, including cashless illegal operations and reinforces the importance of intelligence-driven searches,” he said.

No offender escapes were recorded during the Operation Vala period.

“The Department is encouraged by these outcomes, which demonstrate an enhanced institutional capacity to intercept and remove illicit items that threaten safety, security and stability within correctional centres,” he added.

Thobakgale revealed that Operation Vala cumulatively involved 59 310 correctional officials with the operation implemented under “conditions of significant systemic strain”.

“During the festive season, the inmate population exceeded 170 739, far surpassing the Department’s approved bed capacity of approximately 107 067.

“This level of incarceration represents the highest population recorded in recent years, and has placed immense pressure on infrastructure, staffing, security management and budget, compounded by reduced court activity during the period,” he said.

However, the department emphasised its commitment to sustained security in its facilities beyond the festive season.

“Although Operation Vala officially concluded in the month January 2026, the department has not relaxed its security posture.

“The operation has demonstrated improved capability at Management Area level, and this capacity is being maintained and strengthened as part of ongoing, year-round security operations aimed at creating safer, contraband-free correctional environments,” Thobakgale said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Police in the Northern Cape have arrested 722 suspects in the past week through Operation Shanela 2, in conjunction with Safer Festive Season operations.

The weekly operation, led by senior managers in the province at district and station level, included vehicle check points (VCPs), roadblocks, stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, tracing of wanted suspects and compliance inspections at formal and informal businesses.

Back to school campaigns continued across the province, where South African Police Service (SAPS) personnel, accompanied by members of the Community Police Forums (CPF) and other officials, visited local schools within their respective policing precincts and addressed learners, educators and parents.

The suspects who were nabbed were arrested for an assortment of crimes raging from dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in alcohol, robbery, murder, rape, assault with intend to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), assault common, burglaries at residential and business premises, theft of and out of motor vehicles, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and contravention of immigration laws.

“The dedication and commitment of the detectives resulted in the tracing and arrest of wanted suspects in all five districts, who have been evading arrest for a range of serious crimes including murder, rape assault GBH and illegal possession of firearms.

“In one incident, the swift action by the Springbok highway patrol members led to the confiscation of a substantial quantity of hydroponic cannabis on Thursday, 30 January 2026.

“Members reacted to information regarding a suspicious package emitting a strong smell of cannabis at a local courier company and responded promptly to the scene.

“Upon inspection, the package was found to contain one large plastic bag, four plastic bags, and one small ziplock bag filled with hydroponic cannabis. The seized drugs has an estimated street value of R105 600,” the police said.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, and her management commended all efforts of all police members and stakeholders in combating crime and upholding the law throughout the province. – SAnews.gov.za

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Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Narend Singh, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, is today marking World Wetlands Day at the Rondevlei section of the False Bay Nature Reserve — one of South Africa’s internationally recognised RAMSAR sites.

The commemoration is taking place under the global theme: “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”, placing the spotlight on the vital role that indigenous knowledge, local communities and cultural heritage play in protecting wetlands for future generations.

A key highlight of the programme is interaction with the City of Cape Town’s River Wardens, young environmental stewards, who form part of a city-led skills development initiative aimed at strengthening wetland conservation and biodiversity management. The wardens will showcase their work on the ground and share insights into how communities are actively involved in caring for local ecosystems.

False Bay Nature Reserve was designated a RAMSAR site on World Wetlands Day in 2015 after meeting nine international ecological criteria. These include its exceptional biodiversity, the presence of rare and threatened species, and its importance as a habitat for migratory birds.

The River Warden Skills Development Programme was launched on 1 July 2024 through a partnership between the City of Cape Town and Nature Connect. According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the programme targets youth and women from communities surrounding the False Bay, Zandvlei, Edith Stephens and Table Bay Nature Reserves.

The initiative offers participants a three-year conservation stewardship programme, a Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate in Nature Conservation (NQF Level 4), temporary employment and hands-on work experience. To date, 57 participants have benefited from training, mentorship and practical conservation exposure.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on 2 February to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. The day serves as a reminder of the critical role wetlands play in sustaining biodiversity, providing clean water, supporting livelihoods and addressing the urgent need for conservation and sustainable use. – SAnews.gov.za

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