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Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, will lead a Youth Month Commemoration and Constitutional Democracy Programme in Soweto on Friday as South Africa marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprising.

The event, scheduled for 26 June, will pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the young people who took part in the historic uprising, while also celebrating the country’s constitutional democracy and encouraging active citizenship among today’s youth.

A key highlight of the commemoration will be the recognition of 50 previously unsung heroes and heroines of the 1976 Student Uprising.

Deputy Minister Letsike will present Certificates of Appreciation to the recipients in acknowledgement of their role in the struggle against apartheid.

Former schools attended by the honourees will also be recognised for their contribution to South Africa’s liberation history.

The programme will feature intergenerational dialogue sessions, reflections on the legacy of the 1976 uprising, discussions on constitutional democracy involving young people, and storytelling sessions highlighting the contributions of women to the liberation struggle.

Women veterans and community leaders will also participate through the 54 African Mamas and the Her 1976 Footsteps initiative, which seeks to preserve and share the stories of women who played a role in the fight for freedom.

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities said the event aims to honour the legacy of the 1976 generation while inspiring young South Africans to play an active role in strengthening democracy.

The commemoration will take place in Soweto from 10am to 1pm on Friday. – SAnews.gov.za
 

A 74-year-old former apartheid informer, commonly known as an Askari, is set to appear before the Benoni Regional Court today, 25 June 2026, on multiple charges, including 15 counts of murder, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said on Thursday.

In a statement ahead of the court appearance, the Directorate said it continues its pursuit of accountability for apartheid-era atrocities.

“The suspect was served with a summons to appear in court following a meticulous investigation conducted by the Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s Crimes Against the State Section. The investigation stems from three matters that were brought before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC),” said the Hawks.

The investigation linked the suspect to three incidents known as Operation Zero Zero, the Nietverdiend 10, and the KwaNdebele 9. These incidents allegedly shared a similar modus operandi in which young people were lured under the guise of receiving military training, provided with explosives, and subsequently smuggled out of the country during the apartheid era.

“It is alleged that the suspect deceived the youths into believing they were participating in operations against the apartheid government. Instead, they met their deaths at the hands of the suspect and two accomplices who allegedly operated from Vlakplaas under the command of Eugene de Kock. 

“The suspect faces multiple charges, including 15 counts of murder, arson, kidnapping, unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as defeating or obstructing the administration of justice,” said the Hawks.

In March, President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring justice for victims of apartheid-era crimes, saying their calls for accountability cannot be ignored. 

READ | President Ramaphosa committed to justice for victims of apartheid-era crimes

In a statement at the time, the Presidency said government remains determined to pursue justice for families who have long sought closure over unresolved crimes committed during apartheid. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed a Special Tribunal judgment which reviewed and set aside an unlawful R25 million contract awarded by the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.

The contract was awarded to Rensh Close Corporation, owned by Rashida Cader, with the company tasked with conducting wastewater treatment and pump station refurbishment services in the beleaguered Ditsobotla Local Municipality.

The local municipality falls under the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the North West.

“The judgment follows an SIU investigation, prompted by a referral from the Auditor-General of South Africa [AGSA], which uncovered serious procurement irregularities in the appointment of Rensh during the COVID-19 period.

“The SIU investigation [revealed] that on 27 November 2019, the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality advertised a tender through the National Treasury for the emergency refurbishment of dysfunctional pump stations and associated works. Several service providers responded to the tender. Rensh was not among the bidders.

“However, on 7 March 2020, a Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality technical director contacted Cader by telephone and requested a quotation for repairs and maintenance of all facilities for which Themak Consulting Civil Engineering Consultancy…had already produced a bill of quantities (BOQ). Rensh subsequently submitted a quotation for R25 884 435.75,” the SIU explained in a statement.

The corruption busting unit added that a legitimate tender process, which had already garnered17 bidders, was allegedly “circumvented”.

“They abandoned this existing process and instead used COVID-19 emergency procurement rules to appoint Rensh, even though the company did not submit a bid or demonstrate that it had the necessary expertise. The Tribunal has since reviewed and set aside the contract, declaring it unlawful, constitutionally invalid and void ab initio.

“The Tribunal further found Cader personally liable for the losses suffered by the municipality,” the statement read.

Rensh and Cader have been ordered to repay all monies “due to the municipality, including profits derived from the contract”.

“Rensh and Cader have been ordered, within 30 days of the submission of the audited financial statements, to conduct a debatement exercise to determine all monies received from the municipality in respect of the unlawful contract, as well as the actual, reasonable and lawful out of-pocket expenses that Rensh may be able to prove that it has incurred in rendering the services.

“Themak and Makola have also been ordered to repay R3,882,665.37 received under the contract, together with interest from the date of the order until final payment,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

As South Africa enters the next phase of developing its oceans economy, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to turn opportunities in the sector into tangible benefits.

Singh said achieving an ocean economy that benefits coastal communities requires investment in skills development, support for cooperatives, improved access to finance, and greater backing for youth and women entrepreneurs.

“Through partnership and collective action, we can unlock coastal opportunities, drive community growth and build a thriving, inclusive and sustainable oceans economy for generations to come. The challenge before us is not the absence of opportunities. The challenge is creating the partnerships necessary to unlock them,” the Deputy Minister said on Wednesday in Amathole.

He was speaking at the Rural Oceans Economy Indaba 2026 in the Eastern Cape, held under the theme “Unlocking Coastal Opportunities: Partnerships for Community Growth”.

“Let us therefore strengthen our collaboration. Let us deepen partnerships with government, communities, industry and civil society. Let us mobilise the resources, investment and expertise required to unlock the full potential of South Africa’s oceans economy,” the Deputy Minister said.

South Africa’s rich and productive coastal waters support thousands of jobs across a range of ocean-based industries and contribute billions of rand to the national economy each year.

In 2014, the government launched Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy to unlock opportunities in sectors such as aquaculture, marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, coastal and marine tourism, and ocean governance.

“The programme demonstrated that the oceans economy has the potential to unlock billions of rands in investment and create hundreds of thousands of jobs for South Africans,” Singh said.

Since its launch, progress has included the revitalisation of coastal infrastructure, stronger marine protection and ocean governance, investor attraction, major infrastructure upgrades to maintain and expand ship repair facilities at ports, and the promotion of emerging industries such as aquaculture.

The country is now entering the next phase of developing and growing the oceans economy through the finalisation of the Oceans Economy Master Plan.

The Deputy Minister said the plan’s overarching objective is to increase the sector’s contribution to job creation, economic growth and long-term development, while promoting environmental sustainability, inclusivity and transformation.

The plan examines value chains across key ocean economy sectors, identifies constraints and sets out practical interventions needed to unlock greater investment, competitiveness and inclusive growth.

“While Operation Phakisa established a strong foundation and demonstrated the immense opportunities that exist within the oceans economy, the Master Plan seeks to take this work further by advancing the growth of key ocean economy subsectors. 

“For coastal districts such as Amathole, the opportunity is to align local development initiatives with national priorities, strengthen value chains in fisheries, aquaculture and tourism, support small-scale producers and entrepreneurs, and attract investment into coastal infrastructure and economic activities,” Singh said.

The Amathole District has emerged as an important area for ocean economy development through initiatives identified under Operation Phakisa, including those focused on aquaculture development and coastal and marine tourism.

“These initiatives demonstrate the practical opportunities that exist for rural economic development through aquaculture and sustainable marine resource utilisation.

“They also demonstrate how ocean economy development can stimulate local value chains, create employment, support small businesses and improve household incomes. Importantly, they show that economic development and environmental sustainability can and must go hand in hand,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Government has congratulated Bafana Bafana on making history by progressing to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following their hard-fought victory over South Korea at the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, early on Thursday morning.

Bafana Bafana boosted their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over South Korea in their final Group A match in Mexico. Thapelo Maseko was named Player of the Match after scoring the decisive goal that secured South Africa’s historic win.

“The impressive result is a proud moment for South Africa and reflects the team’s determination, discipline and fighting spirit on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages. The performance has inspired hope and excitement among South Africans at home and abroad, while showcasing the country’s football talent to the world.

“Government wishes the team well for the remainder of the tournament as the team continues to fly the South African flag high and make the nation proud,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said.

According to the South African Football Association, Bafana Bafana have never progressed beyond the group stages of the global showpiece, having exited in the opening round of the 1998, 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.

The South African senior men’s national team will now face 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday, 28 June 2026.

Coach Hugo Broos said he was pleased with the team’s performance.

“I think we played a very good game, tactically. It was very good, and everybody did their job. The difference with this game and our previous match (against Czechia) was that when we had the ball, we were very dangerous, and that was very important.

“We had very quick players on the pitch, and we used them very well. We found the spaces during the good moments. And then yeah, we needed that goal. We had a few chances in the first half, and I told the players at halftime to keep on believing,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Correctional Services has affirmed that it will continue internal disciplinary processes against suspended KZN Commissioner Mnikelwa Nxele, following his appearance in court on charges of fraud and money laundering.

Nxele appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates’ Court on allegations that he received bribes of approximately R100 000 per month while he was the Chairperson of the Special Bid Adjudication Committee in KZN from State Capture linked security company, Bosasa.

“The department… notes the charges brought against Mr Nxele, which relate to allegations of fraud and money laundering. The matter is now before the courts, and the Department will allow the legal process to unfold without prejudice.

“Nxele remains on suspension. The Department will continue to pursue internal disciplinary processes, in accordance with applicable legislation and departmental policies,” the department said in a short statement.

Nxele appeared in court following his arrest by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

“His arrest emanates from a referral to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation [commonly known as the Hawks], after investigations were conducted on evidence that was provided by Angelo Agrizzi during the State Capture Commission involving BOSASA contracts, valued at approximately R20 million,” IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame explained. 

He was granted bail of R50 000, and the case was postponed to 16 September 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, on Wednesday appealed to the  taxi industry as the backbone of public transport in South Africa to ensure that 30 June 2026 is a normal day and to not engage in the blocking of roads, nor the intimidation of passengers.

“We have appealed to them to keep transporting passengers. We have appealed to them to keep routes open. We appeal to them to reject any calls to block roads, intimidate commuters or disrupt public life,” Lieutenant General Dimpane said.

This as the South African Police Service (SAPS) working closely with other law enforcement agencies, including the metro and private security stands fully prepared for the planned demonstrations on 30 June. 

The protest, organised by civic movement March and March and other interest groups, is in line with ongoing calls for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa, which has prompted police to enhance operational readiness.

Lieutenant General Dimpane was speaking following an engagement with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in Pretoria.

“It is for this reason, that we are appealing to every taxi association, every taxi owner, every operator and every driver across the country to ensure that 30 June remains business as usual,” she said.

The Acting National Police Commissioner appealed to the taxi industry not to allow criminal elements to misuse the taxi industry for unlawful purposes.  

“We have also requested SANTACO to add its powerful voice to the growing call for peace, restraint and respect for the rule of law. 

“We have appealed to the leadership of SANTACO to send a clear message throughout the taxi industry that there must be no violence in the name of the taxi industry.

“The message we would like to hear from every taxi rank, every taxi association and every taxi operator is simple: ‘no highway and road blockages. No intimidation. No violence. No destruction of property. No disruption of public transport’,” she said.

On 30 June South Africa’s economy must continue to function.

“We know that the overwhelming majority of taxi operators are law-abiding citizens who work hard every day to provide an essential service. We therefore urge them not to allow themselves to be drawn into activities that could place lives at risk or undermine the stability of the country,” Dimpane said.

Dimpane said the consequences of instability are felt most by ordinary South Africans.

“We have seen this before. When roads are blocked, workers cannot get to work. When transport is disrupted, learners cannot get to school. When businesses close, livelihoods are affected. When violence erupts, innocent people suffer,” she said.

She urged the taxi industry to be ambassadors of peace.

“We are encouraged by the positive response we received from SANTACO leadership today and by their commitment to engage their structures throughout the country.

“We believe the taxi industry has an important role to play in ensuring that calm prevails and that communities reject calls for violence and disorder. We will protect the constitutional rights of those who wish to protest peacefully and lawfully,” she said.

Dimpane warn that any attempts to block roads, intimidate commuters, damage infrastructure, disrupt public transport networks or engage in violence will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

“We therefore call upon every taxi owner, every driver, every queue marshal, every association leader and every commuter to join us in ensuring that 30 June is remembered as a day of peace, responsibility and stability,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za