Category: English

Government has approved two additional guarantees totalling R94.8 billion for Transnet to help the state-owned logistics company meet its debt obligations, maintain adequate liquidity, and mitigate the risk of further credit rating downgrades.

The first guarantee, worth R48.6 billion, is intended to ensure Transnet can meet all debt redemptions over the next five years, and ensure that the entity also maintains sufficient liquidity levels.

“Government has also considered the impact of the credit downgrades on Transnet’s existing debt, and has therefore also approved R46.2 billion for it to mitigate the risks of such ratings actions on its debt. This additional guarantee support for Transnet amounts to R94.8 billion,” the Department of Transport said in a statement on Sunday.

This latest support follows the R51 billion in guarantees approved by government on 22 May 2025, which included R41 billion to cover funding needs for 2025/26 to 2026/27, and R10 billion for liquidity management.

On 12 June 2025, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, announced that government has initiated a process to allocate additional guarantees to Transnet.

“Government will continue to work with Transnet to ensure operational and financial improvements in the company, and to accelerate implementation of reforms for the logistics sector, including Private Sector Participation,” the department said. –SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has instructed his department to immediately halt all Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) transfers for the Matjhabeng Local Municipality as allegations of the abuse of payroll by politically connected individuals has surfaced.

In a statement on Sunday, the Minister has expressed deep concern over the allegations published in a City Press investigation that reported that the Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s EPWP payroll continues to fund inflated salaries for former councillors and sitting political office bearers.

These individuals reportedly earn over R31 000 per month – more than ten times the average EPWP stipend – thereby undermining the very principles of the programme.

The Minister explained that the EPWP was established to provide short-term, skills-based work opportunities to unemployed South Africans, not as a vehicle for political patronage. 

He has since instructed the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to suspend any EPWP transfers to the municipality, pending a full investigation.

“The EPWP is an essential lifeline for many in communities across the country, including in Matjhabeng, and it would therefore be wholly unacceptable if any politician or official is found to have used the programme for personal benefit. 

“We simply cannot turn a blind eye when serious allegations of abuse are raised, which is why I have instructed the department to suspend EPWP fund transfers until a formal investigation can be completed,” Macpherson said.

The Minister added that the allegations further reinforce his view that the EPWP must be reformed to eliminate any possibility of abuse and ensure that intended beneficiaries fully benefit from the programme, free from political interference.

“Through the EPWP Listening Tour conducted nationwide, we have heard several serious allegations of abuse — such as those in Matjhabeng — and it is therefore critical that the programme be strengthened to eliminate any possibility of corruption and political patronage.

“After 20 years, we are committed to reforming the EPWP to ensure it remains a viable platform for empowerment well into the future, as we work to build a better South Africa,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

Parliament has released the 2025 register on the financial interests and other benefits of Members of Parliament (MPs).

Due to the nature of their jobs, MPs are required to disclose financial interests, such as shares and other financial interests in companies and other corporate entities; remunerated employment or work outside of Parliament; directorships and partnerships; consultancies and retainerships; sponsorships; gifts and hospitality as well as benefits and interest free loans.

In addition, they are required to disclose travel; ownership in land and property; pensions; rented property income generating assets; and trusts.

Declaring such interests enhances transparency and strengthens public trust and confidence in parliamentary processes and decision-making.

On Friday, the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests adopted the 2025 Register of Members’ Interests per item 12 of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests for National Assembly and Permanent Council Members. 

The 2025 register is the second of the seventh Parliament following the 2024 General Elections.

“As per convention following the adoption, the committee resolved to release the register to enable access to the public section of the register. The new code adopted by the sixth Parliament established the submission of interests using the prescribed electronic form, which is aimed at streamlining declarations and making the process seamless and quick. 

“The adoption of the electronic declaration submission form was a strategic decision in line with the move to ensure a paperless Parliament. Also, to ensure seamless submission, the office of the Registrar availed staff to support and assist Members of Parliament with their online submissions,” Parliament said.

Item 12 (7) of the Code is clear that a Member must disclose his/her registrable interests in the first quarter of the financial year.

“The code promotes a culture of openness and accountability, and the release of the register is a bold step in building public trust and confidence. Furthermore, by ensuring accountability of public representatives, the release ensures credibility of the oversight work over the executive,” Parliament said.

As per item 12 (1) of the Code, the Register consists of both a public and confidential section. 

The public section of the register is now available to be perused by the public to ensure accountability. 

“The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests further communicates that the 2025 disclosure process had a 100% compliance by the due date of all Members of Parliament. No Member of Parliament submitted late. The committee commends this milestone.”

The full public section of the register can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/36vyn5bs

A full report will be published in the Parliament’s Announcements, Tabling’s and Committee Reports. –SAnews.gov.za

The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has expressed concern over the low success rate of the current legislation aimed at reducing overcrowding in the country’s correctional facilities.

This comes after the committee received a briefing from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) regarding the implementation of Section 49G of the Correctional Services Act (CSA) and Section 62F of the Criminal Procedures Act (CPA) applications.

Both sections aimed to alleviate pressure on the country’s overburdened correctional facilities.

Section 49G of the Act determines that a remand detainee may not be detained for a period exceeding two years without such matter having been brought to the attention of the court concerned.

The referral of the remand detainee by the head of the remand detention centre must be done three months prior to the completion of two years in detention. This will provide sufficient time for the courts to apply their minds. 

If a remand detainee remains in detention after the first consideration, further submissions must be made annually.

Section 62(f) makes provision for the placement of awaiting trial detainees under the supervision of a correctional official as a condition of bail.

During a briefing on Friday, the committee heard that the success rate under Section 49G of the CSA for the 2022/23 financial year is 1.25% of 12 283 court referrals nationally, with the Eastern Cape and Western Cape both indicating a 0% success rate. 

In terms of 2023/24, the Eastern Cape once again showed a 0% success rate. 

In the 2024/25 financial year the province had 142 court referrals and only one was successful and in the current financial year it has had two successful court referrals.

“The committee also heard that approximately 40% of the total sentenced offender population are serving sentences above 15 years, inclusive of those serving life sentences. Lifers will typically remain incarcerated for longer periods of time and are sentenced/ convicted of serious crimes. This means that bed spaces will not become readily available, which places more pressure on already overcrowded correctional facilities,” Committee Chairperson, Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said. –SAnews.gov.za