Category: English

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has issued a stark warning about escalating global tensions, stressing the critical need for diplomatic intervention and multilateral cooperation.

”We find ourselves in an evolving global disorder that brings with it many perils for the weak and vulnerable,” Lamola said of the geopolitical challenges facing the world.

The Minister highlighted several flashpoints threatening international stability, including the conflicts in Sudan, which he called “not only a crisis but also a moral issue that demands our collective consciousness and humanity”.

The Minister was addressing a high-level session attended by the world’s largest economies and organisations during the third Group of 20 (G20) Sherpa meeting at Sun City Resort, in the North West.

Lamola told delegates that over 12 million people were displaced in Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, with armed conflicts increasing globally.

Lamola stressed the urgent need for global collaboration and fair development, inspired by the country’s historic Freedom Charter, adopted 70 years ago today.

He warned that the current global dynamics and State rivalries are fuelling fragmentation, with economic decoupling and proxy conflicts undermining global stability. 

“These international competition dynamics are exacerbating fragility in vulnerable regions, while also weakening multilateral institutions that underpin the rules-based international order.” 

He told the G20 Sherpas that South Africa has adopted an anti-war stance. 

“This is because we know too well that war offers no victors, only victims. Double standards in diplomacy and the paralysis at the United Nations Security Council have crippled conflict resolution, mediation and peace efforts. 

”These systemic challenges must be addressed to reclaim a global rationality that builds on stability, peace, certainty, and sustainability.” 

Global economic environment

Lamola noted the role of diplomacy in maintaining global stability, and the necessity for collective action to tackle economic and technological challenges.

“The current and troubling global economic environment signifies a major trend towards economic nationalism; some States are distancing themselves from the globalised trade framework that has prevailed for many decades and underpinned this rules-based system of non-discrimination and shared values,” he said. 

“We must avoid this path, as we all know well that trade is an engine for economic development and improvement in the standards of living across nations,” the Minister said. 

Critical minerals

On the exploitation of critical minerals, Lamola highlighted the deep-rooted economic injustices in this domain. 

“While the world runs on our resources, the value does not stay here. The minerals leave raw. The batteries, the solar panels, and the cancer treatments are made elsewhere. We export wealth but import back its transformed value,” Lamola said, pointing out that this is a phenomenon seen across Africa. 

The Minister used the platform to call for a transformative approach to resource management, proposing a “critical minerals framework that will rewrite peace and humanity, and revitalise our industrial strategies”.

He stated that the mission of South Africa’s G20 Presidency is clear, and that is to transform these “buried treasures“ into local jobs, factories and sovereignty.

“Equally, the value we will create will still empower the world, as we will seek to continuously export and strengthen global commerce, and our role in it.  This is not just economics; it is Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability – the theme of our Presidency.” 

Developmental goals

In addition, Lamola touched on the challenges facing international institutions, noting that “diplomacy and peace mediation and the United Nations Security Council have been crippled”.

With only 17% of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on track, he stated that multilateral cooperation is not just desirable, but essential.

He concluded his talk by reminding the delegates that as global tensions rise, the intergovernmental forum represents a crucial opportunity to reimagine international cooperation and tackle the systemic challenges threatening global stability.

“The G20 can lead in a moment of crisis. The G20 can help address the weaknesses of the multilateral system. The G20 can ensure that our collective humanity is not abandoned. Our deliberations can no longer be hollow; our shared prosperity, now more than ever, demands collaboration that pursues solutions that address some of the most pressing global challenges confronting humanity and impacting global growth and development.

“The G20 is a persuasive body that holds great influence in the world,” he urged.  – SAnews.gov.za

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Government has welcomed the progress being made in the fight against crime through initiatives such as Operation Shanela and Operation Vala Umgodi. 

“About 239 suspects were arrested across the country between 1 and 15 June 2025 through Operation Vala Umgodi,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said.

Briefing media in Cape Town on Thursday, on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting, Ntshavheni said the suspects were arrested for illegal mining-related offences and various other crimes, including attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of unpolished diamonds, unlawful possession of explosives and contravention of the Immigration Act of 2002.

“Operation Vala Umgodi has, since its inception in December 2023, led to the arrest of more than 27 000 suspects and the seizure of more than 600 firearms that included imitation firearms (toy guns) and 16 000 rounds of ammunition,” Ntshavheni said.

Ntshavheni said between 16 June to 22 June 2025, the South African Police Service (SAPS), through Operation Shanela, arrested 15 372 suspects. 

“Some of the key arrests include 2 400 wanted individuals linked to serious and violent crimes (murder, attempted murder, rape and robbery), 159 arrested for murder, 100 arrests for rape, 1 173 arrests for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, 2 602 for drug possession and 64 for hijacked or stolen vehicles,” the Minister said.

According to SAPS, these successes stem from proactive policing tactics, including high-visibility patrols, roadblocks, stop-and-search initiatives and intelligence-led suspect tracing.

“SAPS remains committed to relentless, multidisciplinary crime prevention through Operation Shanela and related initiatives. The National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, applauds the dedication of all police officers and partners who collaborated with the police,” the South African Police Service said in a statement earlier this week. – SAnews.gov.za

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Cabinet was, at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday, updated on ongoing recovery efforts in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, following the recent devastating floods. 

At a national level, the National Joint Flood Coordination Committee, as well as the Interministerial Committee of Disaster Management have been activated and have met on several occasions to assess the situation and decide on how to support the affected provinces.

Briefing the media on Thursday in Cape Town, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the National Disaster Management Centre and respective provincial and municipal disaster management centres continue to provide reports on assessments and response measures.

“The immediate priority remains to provide emergency shelter and relief materials needed by affected communities to stabilise the situation,” Ntshavheni said. 

She said work also continues to restore basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity. “This includes ensuring that those affected obtain identity (ID) documents and temporary ID certificates to access essential services”.

“An assessment of damage to homes and infrastructure and a plan for reconstruction is under way. Once completed, it will allow for the preparation of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme,” Ntshavheni said.

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has confirmed that the official death toll from the recent floods has risen to 101, following additional recoveries by search teams.

The numbers are likely to increase, as there are still individuals who have been reported missing by their families and search operations continue in the affected areas.

 The provincial government has extended heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and “are now left with a profound and multifaceted impact on their lives”. – SAnews.gov.za

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A funding package of R378 million has been secured to assist the City of eThekwini with reducing significant water loss.

This is part of the work of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG), Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced on Thursday at a post Cabinet media briefing.

This stride coincides with a 30% reduction in sewer and water repair backlogs in the city.

Addressing members of the media in Cape Town, the Minister said Cabinet was updated on the workings of the PeWG during its meeting on Wednesday.

The PeWG is a multi-stakeholder mechanism to address critical service delivery, infrastructure, and socio-economic challenges within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, with the goal of positioning the city as an investment and tourism hub.

“Domestic travel to eThekwini is also on the rebound, increasing by 33% year-on-year and contributing over R17.4 billion in economic value. International tourist arrivals also rose by 9.8%, bringing in R3.3 billion,” Ntshavheni said.

The working group was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April 2024 to respond to the challenges of the municipality and to accelerate support from national and provincial government to rebuild the municipality.

It operates across three spheres of government and includes representatives from the private sector and labour. – SAnews.gov.za

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Cabinet has been briefed on the phased arrival of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This follows the Southern African Development Community (SADC) decision to terminate the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) intervention.

“About 1 718 SANDF troops have now arrived in the country, and more are expected to arrive over the next few weeks. Cabinet reaffirmed South Africa’s continued commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Southern African region and commended the efforts by the SANDF troops to contribute towards restoring peace, security and stability in the DRC,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

The withdrawal of the soldiers was announced by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, in May, following a “high level consultation with several role-players in the peacekeeping efforts within the eastern DRC”.

READ | Over 200 SANDF troops return from DRC mission

Earlier this year, 14 troop members lost their lives and others sustained injuries during clashes with the M23 rebel group, as fighting in the Goma region escalated. 

The rebel group fought intensely against the Congolese armed forces, resulting in the deaths of soldiers from 23 to 27 January 2025 during M23’s advance on Sake and Goma. 

The South African soldiers were part of the SAMIDRC, which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country.  –SAnews.gov.za

As government continues to implement the President’s response to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission report, the asset recovery linked to the commission has increased from R2.9 billion in October 2022 to R11 billion by March 2025.

This was revealed by Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, on Thursday, during a media briefing in Cape Town, on the outcomes of a Cabinet meeting that was held on Wednesday.

“Cabinet was briefed about substantial progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the State Capture Commission. Major reforms include the enactment of eight new laws addressing corruption, procurement, intelligence services, and corporate accountability,” the Minister said.

The criminal investigations and prosecutions work has resulted in the conclusion of four state capture commission cases with guilty verdicts.

Eleven other cases involving 51 natural persons and 27 companies have been enrolled in court.

“The erstwhile Department of Public Enterprises referred 71 former State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) for delinquency proceedings resulting in nine active court cases.

“The CIPC has completed reviews for 10 private sector entities implicated in the State Capture Report, with six investigations ongoing and eight new Special Investigating Unit (SIU) referrals under assessment,” Ntshavheni said.

The National Treasury has imposed a 10 year (2022-2032) ban on Bain & Co on doing business with the state, which Bain is challenging in court.

Various reforms to prevent future state capture are underway while some have been implemented. Amongst those are:
•    The establishment of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption which commenced its operations on 19 August 2024.
•    The National Framework towards the Implementation of Professionalisation of the Public Sector was approved by Cabinet in October 2022 and the National Anti-corruption Advisory Council has concluded research into the institutional reform recommendations of the State Capture Commission. – SAnews.gov.za