Category: English

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has welcomed the sentencing of two former employees and an external accomplice who were convicted of fraud, forgery and theft respectively, in relation to a R3 million ghost employee scheme.

The ghost employee scheme was uncovered through the department’s internal risk investigation, in which seven employees from the Human Resources Unit at the Gauteng West District Office were implicated. 

The scheme defrauded the department of approximately R3 million by creating and processing payments for non-existent employees.

The former employees were sentenced as follows; the first was sentenced to 10 years, with four years suspended, and two six-year sentences to run concurrently. 

The second former employee was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. 

The external accomplice received three years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years.

“This sentencing sends a strong message that fraud and corruption will not be tolerated in our sector. We are encouraged by the collaboration between our internal teams and law enforcement in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” the MEC said on Friday.

He emphasised that the department would continue to strengthen internal controls and promote a culture of accountability.

The sentence was handed down on Thursday, 2 October2025, by the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

“This outcome reaffirms the department’s zero tolerance for fraud and corruption. We commend the diligent work of our internal Risk Management officials who exposed the scheme, as well as the dedicated efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies whose investigations ensured accountability.

“The department remains committed to protecting public funds, safeguarding the integrity of the education system, and taking decisive action against unethical conduct,” Chiloane said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom says the power system remains stable, supported by sustained improvements in generation performance through the ongoing delivery of the Generation Recovery Plan.

In a statement on Friday, the power utility indicated that the month-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) stood at 70.45%, reflecting consistent gains in plant reliability and a reduction in unplanned outages.

This is key to stabilising the grid and supporting economic growth.

“The ongoing technical improvements under Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan have ensured that electricity demand is met for over 97.8% of the time in the current financial year.

“From 1 April to 2 October 2025, diesel expenditure remained consistently below budget, reflecting reduced reliance on the diesel-powered Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) fleet, with the year-to-date load factor for OCGTs decreasing to 6.63%,” Eskom explained.

This trend highlights ongoing efficiency improvements, a significant reduction in dependence on diesel generation and a sustained shift toward more cost-effective primary generation sources.

On 29 September 2025, Unit 6 at Kusile Power Station entered commercial operation, marking the completion of Eskom’s New-Build Programme. 

This milestone concludes the construction of South Africa’s two supercritical coal-fired power stations—Medupi and Kusile. 

“Together, they can deliver up to 9 600MW at full capacity, strengthening the country’s continuous (24/7) electricity supply—commonly referred to as baseload capacity. The unit’s output will be included in the EAF calculations, further contributing to Eskom’s overall performance metrics.

“Between 26 September and 2 October 2025, Eskom recorded an average of 9 534MW in unplanned outages, a significant improvement compared to 11 505MW during the same period last year. This represents a year-on-year reduction of 1 971MW in breakdowns — nearly equivalent to the entire output capacity of Koeberg Power Station,” Eskom said.

This trend demonstrates increasing stability and improved reliability across Eskom’s generation fleet. 

The country has gone140 consecutive days without loadshedding, with only 26 hours recorded between 1 April and 2 October 2025.

To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 4 200MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 6 October 2025 and throughout the coming week.

Eskom published the Summer Outlook on 5 September 2025, covering the period 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, which forecasts no loadshedding due to the structural progress in plant performance as a result of the ongoing implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan.

Avoid illegal connections

Eskom has urged customers to avoid illegal connections, purchase electricity only from Eskom accredited vendors, and regularise their accounts. 

These measures are essential to preventing load reduction and ensuring safe, reliable, and equitable electricity access for all.

“Despite the overall stability and reliability of Eskom’s power system, load reduction remains necessary in certain high-risk areas to safeguard infrastructure and ensure public safety. 

“This is primarily due to electricity theft through illegal connections and meter tampering, which compromise the integrity of the network. These activities often result in equipment damage, transformer overloads, and, in severe cases, explosions and prolonged outages,” the power utility said.

To mitigate these risks, Eskom may implement load reduction by temporarily switching off power in affected areas during peak demand periods. 

Between April and June 2025, average load reductions ranged from 529MW to 544MW.

Eskom, however, is committed to eliminating load reduction within the next 12 to 18 months. 

“This goal will be achieved by addressing 640,000 illegal connections, upgrading infrastructure — including the installation of smart meters — curbing illegal electricity vending, and expanding access to free basic electricity in priority areas,” Eskom said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

As part of an initiative to transform classrooms into digital learning spaces with top of the range information communications technology, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has to date introduced a total of 8 596 smart classrooms.

These classrooms are prioritised for township secondary schools and identified primary schools in line with the GDE Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Strategy. 

“For years, the GDE has rolled out LED interactive display panels in selected schools to support interactive and collaborative learning. These devices feature high-definition screens with multi-touch capacity, stylus support, software integration, and multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi, LAN, HDMI, USB, and Bluetooth,” the department said on Friday.

Each unit includes a warranty, training for educators, and maintenance support.

According to the department, full ICT schools receive smart classrooms from Grade 7 to 12, while township fee- and no fee-paying schools receive them from Grades 10 to 12, depending on classroom infrastructure readiness. 

Smart classrooms meet minimum standards including electricity, safety and security, and installed LED boards.

Over the past three financial years the department has invested in LED interactive display boards as follows: in 2022/23, a total of 1 020 boards were purchased at a unit cost of R123 950, while in 2023/24, 1 000 boards at R124 730, and in 2024/25, 500 boards at R125 300.

“These devices were selected to align with pedagogical requirements, support interactive learning, integrate with existing ICT infrastructure, and ensure operational durability. 

“The installation, training, and maintenance are included in the unit costs. Additional smart classrooms are not planned for the 2025/26 financial year due to budget constraints.

“Bongani Rainmaker Logistics manages the provisioning and installation of LED boards under a project valued at R63 million for the 2024/25 financial year, with R62 650 000 transferred to date,” the department said.

These stats were provided by the department in a statement outlining key education initiatives and recent developments, reflecting its ongoing commitment to improving teaching, learning, safety, and skills development across Gauteng.

Special Schools

With 655 full-time specialists employed at special schools, comprising 522 therapists and 133 nurses, the department said it continues to strengthen support for special schools across the province.

Psychologists based at head office and district offices provide support across all schools within their districts.

“Learner-to-specialist ratios vary by district, ranging from 1:50 to 1:129. To address staffing needs, there are 453 teacher vacancies and 125 specialist vacancies. 

“Recruitment occurs twice a year nationally, with the Occupation-Specific Dispensation (OSD) supporting retention of specialist staff.

“Curriculum offerings include the Technical Occupational Curriculum in 44 schools, the Differentiated Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (DCAPS) for Severe Intellectual Disabilities in 73 schools, and the Learning Programme for Profound Intellectual Disabilities in 27 schools,” the department said.

The department provides ongoing support through professional learning communities, integrated school assessment pilots, and DCAPS training via the Mathew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance.

Educators in special schools are highly qualified, with 99.66% professionally registered with the South African Council of Educators, and 22% holding additional accredited qualifications in inclusive education related fields.

Samson LSEN school

The Samson LSEN school currently has 486 learners and received R8.9 million in funding for 2025/26 to support teaching, learner wellbeing, transport, and skills development.

“Half of teaching time is dedicated to practical skills through the Technical Occupation Curriculum, covering Consumer Studies, Motor Mechanics, Hair Care, Computer Literacy, and Woodwork. Programmes are evaluated by the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) where applicable and by GDE District Curriculum and Assessment Units.

“Skills classrooms funded in 2022 were completed in late 2024 and are being finalised for full use, accommodating up to 15 learners each,” the department said.

Meanwhile, the Nancefield Primary School project in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, has reached 69% completion.

The main contractor, SMC Construction & Building, is supported by DNA Land Use Consultants as professional service providers. 

“All monies owed to the contractor have been paid, with an additional budget allocation of R87 million provided for project completion,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za