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Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) Chiefs Honored at MSGBC 2025 for Driving Regional, Global Energy Cooperation

Source: APO

The Secretary Generals of intergovernmental organizations the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) were awarded the Gas Market Development and & Innovation Award and Regional Energy Collaborator Award, respectively, at this year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition. 

The awards were given to Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General, GECF and Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General, APPO during the opening ceremony of the event on December 9.  

Eng. Hamel was bestowed the award in recognition of his efforts to enhance global gas cooperation during a key turning point for the MSGBC basin. Through his guidance, the GECF has promoted policy alignment, market transparency and data-drive analysis, enabling new LNG-producing nations such as Senegal and Mauritania to integrate more effectively into global markets.  

“As global energy systems evolve, natural gas will remain essential for industrialization, economic growth and stability. The GECF is committed to supporting emerging producers with data-driven insights, dialogue and collaboration. Together, we can ensure that the region’s gas resources become a catalyst for long-term, inclusive prosperity,” stated Eng. Hamel.  

Meanwhile, in recognition for his pivotal role in advancing African-led energy development at a time of accelerated industry growth across the continent, Dr. Ibrahim’s leadership at APPO has served to bolster policy harmonization, nurture joint initiatives among member states and champion the establishment of the African Energy Bank – an emerging financial instrument expected to unlock significant capital for oil, gas and associated infrastructure. 

“For too long, our industry has relied heavily on external financing, technology and markets,” Dr. Ibrahim stated, adding, “That model is no longer sustainable. We are working to build African capacity, strengthen regional centers of excellence and ensure our resources drive development at home. The path forward is one of cooperation, self-reliance and strategic unity across the continent.” 

Together, these awards underscore the strategic importance of regional and international collaboration as West Africa enters a new phase of energy expansion.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Reports highlights importance of secure ecological infrastructure

Source: Government of South Africa

Reports highlights importance of secure ecological infrastructure

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs, Bernice Swarts, has called for swift and decisive action to protect and restore ecological infrastructure as a critical step toward strengthening South Africa’s water security.

“Our vital aquatic ecosystems including those in our strategic water source areas – the mountain catchments, wetlands and rivers that only constitute 10% of our land area yet supply over 50% of our water – continue to face severe pressure from pollution, invasive species, and altered water flows,” the Deputy Minister said on Tuesday.

Addressing the launch of the 2025 National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA), Swarts said these challenges have been highlighted consistently over the past 20 years of the NBA. 

“While important progress has been made, it is clear that much more urgent action is required to secure the ecological infrastructure that underpins our water security. 

“Furthermore, improving the vital flow of freshwater into the sea is important for ecosystem services such as marine fisheries and coastal resilience,” she said.

According to the report, terrestrial and marine ecosystems are vast – and pressures on these systems are concentrated in particular areas. 

“This reinforces the importance of spatial prioritisation, ensuring that every rand we invest in restoration is directed where it has the greatest impact — particularly in degraded landscapes, wetlands, estuaries, and coastal ecosystems.

“For our species, we can see that again our aquatic systems are at risk, as the most threatened species groups are freshwater and cartilaginous fishes. Several terrestrial groups, including reptiles, birds, mammals and plants, are showing concerning declines,” the Deputy Minister said.

For the first time, the NBA reported a significant decline among species in Namaqualand, driven by the intersection of escalating pressures from unsustainable land-use, illegal harvesting and climate change impacts.

“On a positive note, some of our species are showing an improvement in their protection level status, reflecting the strong conservation foundation built through our protected areas and stewardship programmes.

“The NBA introduces global genetic indicators for the first time. These reveal early signs of genetic erosion even in species that appear stable. South Africa is rapidly building scientific capacity in this field and will be among the first countries globally to report on genetic indicators in our 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. However, we will need sustained investment to secure this essential part of our natural heritage,” Swarts said.

She said the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) remains one of the most important ways in which SANBI fulfils its legislative mandate under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act — to report on the status of the country’s biodiversity and to provide the evidence that guides sound environmental governance.

“The NBA is not just a report. It is a reflection of who we are as a country that treasures its natural heritage; it is a mirror that shows both our achievements and our challenges; and it is a compass that guides the difficult choices we must make for a sustainable future,” the Deputy Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Significant progress being made in delivering water and sanitation projects

Source: Government of South Africa

Significant progress being made in delivering water and sanitation projects

The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has announced significant progress in delivering water and sanitation projects across the province through the effective implementation of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).

According to the provincial government, several water supply projects are at various stages of construction in different municipalities, aimed at addressing water shortages and ensuring consistent water provision to communities.

Notably, the R131 million Bulk Water Augmentation Project in Ipelegeng, Schweizer-Reneke, has reached 95% completion, representing a major step towards resolving long-standing water challenges in the area.

This project includes the refurbishment of the Schweizer-Reneke Water Treatment Works, valued at R14.8 million.

In the City of Matlosana, the department said the refurbishment of critical water pump stations in Jouberton, Ellaton, Loraine, Kanana and Khuma valued at R39.5 million is nearing completion and will stabilise supply across the area.

In addition, the Mahikeng Local Municipality continues to benefit from major water and sanitation investments, including projects in Madibe A Tau, Lonely Park, Setlopo, and the Mahikeng Rural Sanitation initiative, together valued at R385 million.

In Rustenburg, the R58 million Tlhabane Bulk Internal Water Reticulation Project is now 96% complete. 

In Lethabong, the Internal Sewer Reticulation and Waste Water Treatment Works Upgrade – worth over R140 million – is at 82% completion.

MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Gaoage Molapisi, said the MIG projects, which are implemented through municipalities, demonstrated government’s willingness to resolve water shortage and augment water supply to the ever-growing communities.

“These achievements reflect CoGTA’s commitment to strengthening the provision of basic services such as water to improve the quality of life of our communities. The success in project implementation and monitoring done through quarterly forums has improved our performance in implementing MIG projects,” said Molapisi.

Other projects are implemented through Operation Bulela Metsi, which was launched in the province, in collaboration with the Department of Water and Sanitation, as a water and sanitation intervention programme to ensure access to water for all households.

Among the key achievements is the R106 million Dinokana Water Supply Intervention, which is currently underway in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, aimed at boosting water security for residents.

In JB Marks Local Municipality, the department said construction of the 25 megalitre (ML) reservoir in Ikageng is progressing well and will soon supply water to several extensions, including Potch Industria and Mohadin. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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Dongfeng Motor Successfully Completes Official Transportation Support Mission for G20 Summit in South Africa, Green Fleet Earns International Acclaim

Source: APO – Report:

Recently, as the official designated vehicle partner for the 2025 G20 Summit in South Africa, Dongfeng Motor (https://Dongfeng-Global.com/) delivered an outstanding performance, successfully completing all transportation support tasks for the summit held in Johannesburg. The specialized green fleet, comprising multiple new energy vehicle models such as the Dongfeng BOX, Dongfeng 007, provided efficient, safe, and reliable high-quality transportation services for national delegations and working staff during the conference. Its excellent operational coordination and stable product performance earned high praise and recognition from all participating parties. This not only demonstrated Dongfeng Motor’s capabilities on the international stage of premier political and economic events but also successfully tested its comprehensive ability to deliver systematic transportation solutions in complex and demanding scenarios.

This collaboration stemmed from the joint efforts of Dongfeng and South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, aiming to provide a high-standard green mobility solution for the summit. The fleet’s zero-failure stable operation during the event visually showcased Dongfeng Motor’s latest achievements in electrification technology, intelligent manufacturing, and high-end quality control to the world. It represents a significant practice of Dongfeng’s long-term commitment to innovation and sustainable development. Through its successful debut on the international stage, Dongfeng Motor has demonstrated with concrete actions that its new energy vehicles are fully capable of meeting the high-end and rigorous transportation demands globally, both in terms of capability and reliability.

The success of serving as an official partner for the G20 Summit has significantly enhanced Dongfeng’s brand reputation and influence in South Africa and across the broader African region, laying a solid foundation of trust for future market expansion. This collaboration epitomizes and highlights Dongfeng’s deep cultivation of the African market in recent years through localized production, technological exchanges, and other initiatives.

Looking ahead, Dongfeng Motor will seize this opportunity to translate the experience refined during this service support mission into momentum for continuously improving its products and services. The company will continue to uphold an open and cooperative global approach

– on behalf of China Dongfeng Motor Industry Imp. & Exp. Co. Ltd.

Company: China Dongfeng Motor Industry Imp. & Exp. Co. Ltd
Contact: Liao Qingli 
E-Mail: liaoqingli@dfmc.com.cn
Website: https://Dongfeng-Global.com/

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Dr. Rasha Kelej and Cabo Verde First Lady sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to underscores their long-term partnership to strengthen healthcare capacity

Source: APO – Report:

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany sign MoU to underscored their long-term partnership to strengthen healthcare capacity in Cabo Verde during a high-level meeting held between Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and The First Lady of Cabo Verde, H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO who is also the Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. The meeting was held during the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) expressed, “It was great meeting my dear sister H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde and the Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025. Together we have started to provide scholarships for young doctors in the fields of Oncology and Fertility, and they will soon begin their programs. This marks an important milestone for us in building healthcare capacity in Cabo Verde.

We also signed an MoU to underscore our long-term partnership and to continue our programs in the country.”

H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother stated, “It was indeed a great pleasure to be a part of the prestigious conference together with my dear sisters, First Ladies of Africa and Asia, and hearing from them about the impact of Merck Foundation programs in their respective countries. I am proud to share that we have initiated the Merck Foundation Scholarships Program and have enrolled our doctors for Oncology and Fertility Training programs.

Moreover, I am very happy that we have also started the Educating Linda program in our country, through which we have awarded scholarships to 42 of our students nationwide, enabling them to complete their education and unlock their full potential. I believe that education is the foundation of every thriving nation. Hence, these scholarships are of great importance to us.”

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Cabo Verde & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/48JzL9C

Watch the video of Merck Foundation CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej receiving H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”: https://apo-opa.co/3XMkU9c

On day 2 of the Summit, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI committee meeting was conducted between The First Ladies of Africa and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, where the African and Asian First Ladies shared the impact report of Merck Foundation programs in their respective countries, and future strategy was discussed.

Watch the video of MFFLI committee meeting: https://apo-opa.co/3KlRiMZ

During the Summit, a strategy meeting between The First Lady of Cabo Verde and Merck Foundation CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej was also held to sign the MoU to underscore their long-term partnership and continue their on-going programs and define strategies to further build healthcare and media capacity in Cabo Verde to address a wide range of social and health issues.

Watch video of the meeting here: https://apo-opa.co/4oMWGXw

“Merck Foundation has always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity and has been working for it since 2012. We have so far provided 2400 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties. We will soon be enrolling more doctors from Cabo Verde in various medical specialties in partnership with the First Lady and Ministry of Health of Cabo Verde“, added Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Merck Foundation together with the office of The First Lady of Cabo Verde has also conducted 2 editions of Online Health Media Training to emphasize on the critical role of media in addressing critical social and health issues.

Merck Foundation also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of Cabo Verde for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.

Moreover, in partnership with The First Lady of Cabo Verde, Merck Foundation has also launched seven children’s storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future” and “Sugar free Jude”, and “Mark’s Pressure”. The storybooks launched in Portuguese language, address various social and health issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, diabetes and hypertension awareness.

The 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative was streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation:

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/3YilfAA), X (http://apo-opa.co/3XIZARX), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/48Q8iTM), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/48IW3bp).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4oMm3sz), X (http://apo-opa.co/4pXla0X), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/48GSO43), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3KFGjxK).

Link to the Facebook live stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:

  • 2400+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 52 Countries in more than 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.  

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:

  • 3700+ Media Persons from more than 35 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues
  • 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs
  • Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa
  • 9 Children’s Storybooks in three languages – English, French, and Portuguese
  • 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages – English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education.
  • Pan African TV Program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community
  • 1040+ Scholarships provided to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls from 18 countries, to help them to complete their studies and empower them to reach their full potential.
  • 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8 Million Followers.

– on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! 
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3XMkZtw 
X: https://apo-opa.co/4oHDpXc
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3YhjiEA
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4azNKRK
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4oK6gKH
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4oIWAjA
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4pVhIUH

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3XMkZtw), X (https://apo-opa.co/4oHDpXc), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3YhjiEA), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4azNKRK), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4oK6gKH) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4oIWAjA).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

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The Self-Service Revolution Reaches Employee Onboarding

Source: APO – Report:

Only 12% of employees think their organisation does a great job onboarding new people, according to Gallup (https://apo-opa.co/44PhYwk). Manual onboarding processes create many problems for the overall onboarding experience, such as incomplete information, time-sapping back-and-forth between people, and limited visibility of the enrolment journey.

E-onboarding changes this completely as employee enrolment joins the self-service era.

ESS for onboarding

Employee self-service (ESS) is a $2.5 billion market (https://apo-opa.co/44lS8zT) that has become crucial to companies. It provides employees with access to services like payslips and leave management. Administrators value ESS because it reduces rote tasks like manual data capturing and calculations, freeing them to focus on more engaging activities.

Now ESS is transforming the laborious and intensive process of enrolling a new employee, says Mignon Wolmarans, Product Manager – HR from Deel Local Payroll, which recently launched e-onboarding workflows on its platform.

“Employee onboarding is typically slow and complicated because of manual data capturing and processing, and constant back-and-forth between new employees, payroll, and HR. It consumes time and leads to errors and delays. Our customers really appreciate our payroll ESS features, so we wanted to provide the same value for onboarding.”

Faster onboarding with fewer errors

E-onboarding is an integrated workflow where new employees use a secure portal to enter their details. HR staff monitor progress on a dashboard with real-time tracking and engage with crucial sections, and records are moved seamlessly to payroll systems. E-onboarding reduces administrative time, ensures data accuracy, and provides HR teams with full visibility over every new hire from start to finish.

However, such a workflow requires more than automation and self-service. Important features include a dedicated HR workspace to initiate and manage new hires, branded welcome messages with scheduled delivery, adjustable onboarding forms, review and approval tools, and visible role ownership for different enrolment sections.

“Self-service should be part of a larger feature suite. Otherwise, you just create more work for someone further down the process. You want a service that integrates with HR and payroll workflows, which is how you get proper automation and reliable oversight,” says Wolmarans.

Why e-onboarding matters

Inefficient onboarding is a recipe for talent churn. Around 20% of employees leave a position within the first 45 days (https://apo-opa.co/4aIaor3), a trend that is especially common among ambitious young professionals. Very often, their departure resulted from tedious and poorly executed onboarding that prevented them from jumping into their new responsibilities.

E-onboarding has a lasting impact. It is a multi-faceted process that includes enrolment, orientation, provisioning office space and equipment, training, and introduction to processes. Improving onboarding speed and accuracy has a direct impact on productivity. Under normal circumstances, it can take up to a year for new employees to reach the output levels of established workers. Numerous studies and surveys indicate that e-onboarding improves that timeline between 25% and 50%.

“Positive onboarding has an enormous impact. It improves retention and engagement, it helps teams include newcomers in their culture, and it creates long-term job satisfaction. The trick is to integrate it with your HR and payroll workflow, automate what you can, and provide maximum self-service and management visibility to everyone involved. This is why we added e-onboarding as a standard feature to our platform, because this stuff really should be a standard in all businesses,” says Wolmarans.

Businesses of all sizes are enjoying the value and productivity improvement from self-service and automation. These features are already crucial for effective HR and payroll management. Now the same advantages have arrived for onboarding, and it’s such a baseline improvement that Deel Local Payroll makes it available as a standard feature.

“We debated if e-onboarding should be offered separately. But it’s such a fundamental improvement to HR and payroll that we realised it should be a stock feature for all our users. E-onboarding is something every company should use.”

– on behalf of Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace.

For media queries please contact:
Victoria Lindsay
victoria@innocomm.co.za

About Deel Local Payroll:
Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace, revolutionises payroll management. It offers online, multi-country payroll and HR management for businesses from start-ups through to enterprise in over 40 African countries, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Brazil.

Cloud-native, Deel Local Payroll, is scalable, configurable, highly secure, and easy-to-use—delivering anytime, anywhere access. It features payroll automation, self-service features, automatic legislation and feature updates, customised reporting, and more.

Since 2024, Deel Local Payroll has been part of Deel, operating as an independent subsidiary, serving its customers through the PaySpace platform. 

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Over 16 000 suspects arrested for various crimes

Source: Government of South Africa

Over 16 000 suspects arrested for various crimes

Police have arrested 16 817 suspects in connection with various crimes as authorities intensify their nationwide Safer Festive Season Operation running alongside Operation Shanela II.

“In the past week, these crime-fighting initiatives and tracking operations saw police apprehending 2 626 wanted suspects for serious and violent crimes including murder, attempted murder, rape, car-hijackings, sexual offences, house and business robberies.

“In addition, a total of 1 013 suspects were arrested for illegal liquor trade as well as 771 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including confiscating 25 117 litres of alcohol,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.

The police recorded the following arrests:

  • 146 suspects were arrested for murder. KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of arrests with 46, followed by the Western Cape with 22, Mpumalanga with 19, and then the Eastern Cape with 17.
  • 141 suspects were arrested for rape, with the majority of arrests in Gauteng at 30.
  • 131 suspects were arrested for attempted murder across multiple provinces.
  • 1 580 suspects arrested for assault GBH.
  • 2 978 suspects arrested for possession of drugs, with the Western Cape recording the highest number of arrests with 1 708, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 360, Gauteng 287, and then the Eastern Cape with 279.
  • 279 suspects for dealing in drugs for the past week.
  • 82 suspects were apprehended for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms.
  • 417 for possession of dangerous weapons.
  • 27 arrested for human trafficking.

The following major seizures and recoveries were recorded in the same period: 1 709 rounds of ammunition; 128 unlicensed firearms; 1 916 dangerous weapons; contraband goods worth more than R20 million and 65 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered.

Two Mozambican foreign nationals were arrested after police recovered two firearms stolen from officers who were shot and killed in Ivory Park on 01 December 2025. Seizures included the SAPS-issued R5 rifle and one pistol, and police investigation is ongoing.

Two bodyguards, aged 24 and 36 years old, were arrested outside the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court for possession of a semi-automatic AKM rifles and ammunition. A vehicle, rifles, and ammunition were seized.

In the Western Cape, police uncovered an illicit alcohol manufacturing plant in Lansdowne and arrested two suspects aged between 26 and 39 years old. They were arrested for the illegal manufacturing and distributing liquor. Seizures included manufacturing equipment, an assortment of alcohol branding stickers, and unknown liquids.

Still in Western Cape, members of the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Narcotics Unit intercepted a truck on the N12 en route from Johannesburg to George carrying drugs. A box containing cocaine worth R3.6 million was seized and arrested a 46-year-old suspect for dealing in cocaine.

In Mpumalanga, police acting on intelligence intercepted a truck pulling two trailers with 12 water tanks with 5000-litre capacity packed with cartons of illicit cigarettes. 

The seized consignment consisted of 25 pallets of illicit cigarettes worth R17.4 million. A 43-year-old foreign national from the Kingdom of Eswatini was arrested after the discovery of illicit cigarettes hidden inside water tanks in Sundra on 05 December 2025.

Also in Mpumalanga, two Zimbabwean foreign nationals were arrested for dealing in dagga. This is after police intercepted a truck on the N2 Road from Empangeni en route to Zimbabwe and discovered six big bags of compressed dagga to the value of R1.2 million on 04 December 2025.

In the Northern Cape on 04 December 2025, police intercepted a vehicle allegedly transporting a rhino horn on the N14 and arrested three suspected rhino poachers, aged between 42 and 48 years. Seizures included a rhino horn, a pistol, and ammunition.

In KwaZulu-Natal, an intelligence-driven operation conducted at Oshayanyawo, Ekombe led to the arrest of a 49-year-old suspect for possession of unlicensed firearms. They seized an AK47 assault rifle with three rounds of ammunition, an HMC pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition, as well as a shotgun with 13 rounds of ammunition.

In a separate operation, three suspects aged between 50 and 61 years were arrested at Makhasaneni for unlawful possession of firearms on 02 December 2025. During the operation, police recovered five homemade firearms, one homemade shotgun, one 38 special revolver, one pistol and ammunition. – SAnews.gov.za

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Businessman sentenced to six years for R3.6 million tax fraud

Source: Government of South Africa

Businessman sentenced to six years for R3.6 million tax fraud

Businessman Tshepo Khoza has been sentenced to six years imprisonment, with two years suspended, after he falsely declared his company dormant and failed to declare the company’s income to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), despite earning approximately R3.6 million from tenders.

The conviction follows an extensive investigation under Project Blue Lights, which uncovered that Khiza’s company, Grey Apple Trading Enterprise, had received tenders from the South African Police Service (SAPS) linked to the DNA project that resided under the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) unit.

Khoza, the director of Grey Apple Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd, was found guilty on three counts of fraud, including one which falls under Schedule 5 category (serious crimes), and one count of failing to register for Value-Added Tax (VAT) in contravention of section 234 of the Tax Administration Act. 

“These tenders were awarded due to Khoza’s family relationship with a senior SAPS official. Despite earning approximately R3.6 million between 2015 and 2018, Khoza falsely declared the company to be dormant and failed to declare income to SARS. The corruption trial wherein he is charged with others will resume on 22 February 2026,” SARS said on Tuesday.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter together with Head of Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Advocate Andrea Johnson, acknowledged the teamwork that led to this conviction, reinforcing the public’s trust in joint efforts to uphold tax compliance and fight corruption. 

“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime. It is theft from the national fiscus and, ultimately, from the millions of South Africans who depend on government services for education, healthcare, and social support. 

“Every rand stolen through fraudulent schemes undermines our country’s ability to deliver on its constitutional mandate. SARS will not tolerate such conduct. We will pursue every case relentlessly, and those who choose to defraud the system must know that accountability is certain and justice will prevail,” Kieswetter said.

This outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between SARS, IDAC, and law enforcement agencies to combat tax-related crimes and corruption in public procurement. 

The case forms part of a broader strategy to dismantle networks that undermine fiscal integrity and public trust. This communicate our unswerving commitment to bring to book those that are committed to defraud the state. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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Hlabisa advocates for stronger whistleblower protection

Source: Government of South Africa

Hlabisa advocates for stronger whistleblower protection

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting whistleblowers and restoring ethical governance in South Africa.

Speaking at the inaugural Annual Babita Deokaran Lecture on Tuesday, the Minister honoured the bravery of whistleblowers and condemned the recent assassination of Marius van der Merwe, also known as “Witness D, “who was shot and killed outside his home in Brakpan last Friday.

Hlabisa described this incident as a “national wake up call” during the lecture that celebrated the courage and achievements of whistleblowers.

READ | Three persons of interests identified in “Witness D” murder case

This as the Anti-Corruption Centre for Education and Research (ACCERUS) at Stellenbosch University’s School of Public Leadership launched the Babita Deokaran Annual Lecture.

This initiative commemorates four years since the assassination of Deokaran on 23 August 2021, outside her home in Johannesburg. 

At that time, she was the Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Gauteng Department of Health and a key witness in investigations related to the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Deokaran’s fearless exposure of corruption, which included halting over R850 million in suspicious payments at Tembisa Hospital, made her a symbol of integrity. 

The PPE scandal refers to widespread corruption, overpricing, and mismanagement in the procurement of protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the lecture, Hlabisa paid tribute to Deokaran’s legacy and called for stronger protections for truth-tellers. 

The Minister outlined key commitments, including fast-tracking the Whistleblower Protection Bill, introducing mandatory municipal whistleblower protocols, enforcing accountability through the powers of the Auditor-General South Africa (AG), and establishing a Whistleblower Security Compact with law enforcement agencies.

These reforms aim to create a safer environment for whistleblowers, restore public trust, and embed ethical governance at the local level.

“Babita was killed because she blocked the flow of illicit payments. Witness D was killed because he lifted the veil on collusion. We will not honour their sacrifice with platitudes but with policy, protection, and accountability. Truth-tellers must never stand alone,” said Hlabisa.

The platform was used to commit to accelerating the Whistleblower Protection Bill, expanding its coverage beyond employees. 
This includes criminalising threats, enabling anonymous disclosures, and funding legal, security, and psychosocial support for whistleblowers.

The Minister also called for the implementation of mandatory safe-reporting frameworks in all municipalities, which would be linked to oversight from the AG and would have financial consequences for non-compliance.

He spoke about the need for the enforcement of remedial actions, the issuance of certificates of debt for ignored directives, and the establishment of public dashboards to track corruption cases. 

Hlabisa emphasised the importance of coordinated threat assessments and rapid protection measures in partnership with law enforcement and oversight bodies, advocating for transparent procurement and strict consequences for irregular expenditures.

He encouraged formal collaboration with anti-corruption organisations for training, analytics, and community reporting platforms. 

Speakers from academia, civil society, and government stressed that protecting truth-tellers is essential for ethical governance and democracy, not merely optional.

Inspired by Deokaran’s extraordinary courage, they called for urgent reforms, including the establishment of an Independent Whistleblower Protection Office, sustainable funding through a Whistle Protection Fund, a secure national reporting platform, and support for families, livelihoods, digital security, trauma care, and reintegration into the workforce.

Hlabisa’s keynote address coincided with the commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day, themed “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.”

This day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility of governments, leaders, civil society, the private sector, and citizens to confront corruption in all its forms.

In South Africa, Hlabisa stated that combating corruption remains a government priority, with ongoing measures to strengthen law enforcement, enhance prosecutorial capacity, and protect whistleblowers. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile

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Minister of State for International Cooperation Meets Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, December 10, 2025

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia Abdisalam Abdi Ali, who is currently visiting the country.

The meeting reviewed bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to enhance and develop them, particularly in the fields of development and humanitarian support.

HE Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad reaffirmed the State of Qatar’s firm and steadfast position in supporting the brotherly Federal Republic of Somalia, and in backing all efforts aimed at achieving security and stability, as well as ensuring its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.