Category: English

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has called for women to play a central role in South Africa’s National Dialogue process.

Addressing the Women’s Sector National Dialogue Preparatory Summit on Wednesday, Letsike said the dialogue offered an opportunity to move beyond legal guarantees of equality and focus on whether institutions, the economy and society were delivering meaningful change in women’s daily lives.

“This year marks the 70th anniversary of the historic Women’s March of 1956 and 30 years since South Africans adopted the Constitution,” she said.

“Our generation has the responsibility to carry that work forward by ensuring that equality is not simply protected in law, but experienced in the daily lives of women and girls.”

Letsike said South Africa had no shortage of women’s voices in public life, but institutions had often failed to respond adequately to the challenges women consistently highlighted.

She pointed to continued high levels of unemployment and poverty among women, the vulnerability of female-headed households, the burden of unpaid care work and ongoing gender-based violence as evidence that gender equality remains unfinished business.

“These are not separate challenges. They are deeply connected,” she said.

The Deputy Minister argued that the National Dialogue should examine whether existing systems need to be redesigned to make gender mainstreaming a permanent feature of government and economic planning.

She raised questions about how public transport, childcare systems, digital transformation and local economic development could be structured around the realities faced by women, including entrepreneurs, informal traders, farm workers and women with disabilities. “These are not simply women’s questions. They are nation-building questions,” she said.

Letsike also urged participants to consider emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence, climate change, declining trust in democratic institutions and growing attacks on the rights of women and other marginalised groups.

She cited international examples, including Uruguay’s care economy reforms, Spain’s integrated approach to gender-based violence and Iceland’s accountability measures on equality, while stressing that South Africa would need solutions tailored to its own history and constitutional framework.

The Women’s Sector National Dialogue Preparatory Summit forms part of broader consultations feeding into South Africa’s National Dialogue process, which aims to reflect on the country’s democratic progress and future direction.

Letsike said women should participate in the process not merely as stakeholders seeking recognition but as partners in shaping the country’s future.

“The success of the National Dialogue will not ultimately be measured by the conversations we have, but by the institutions we strengthen, the opportunities we create, and the extent to which every woman, every young person and every person with a disability can experience the full promise of our constitutional democracy,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

KwaZulu-Natal Regional Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Mnikelwa Nxele, has appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates’ Court on charges of fraud and money laundering following his arrest by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

“His arrest emanates from a referral to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), [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. 

According to the IDAC, Nxele allegedly received bribes of approximately R100 000 per month while he was the Chairperson of the Special Bid Adjudication Committee in KZN.

“It is alleged that fraudulent financial activities were conducted through Zogoba Trust, which he registered and used to conceal the movement of funds, as well as the assets accumulated through criminality,” Mamothame said.

“The money was allegedly utilised to purchase properties and for gambling in various casinos around the country. He is further accused of failing to make his financial disclosure with the Department of Public Service and Administration,” Mamothame said.

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

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has called on learner leaders from across South Africa to embrace their role as custodians of democracy, champions of safe and inclusive schools, and leaders capable of shaping the future of education and society.

Addressing the 2026 National Learner Leadership Summit on Wednesday in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, Minister Gwarube reflected on the significance of South Africa commemorating 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising and challenged learner leaders to honour that legacy through active leadership, service and civic participation.

The summit held under the theme “Born of Resilience, Driven by Purpose: Leading the Future of Learning,” brought together learner leaders from all nine provinces, government representatives, development partners, civil society organisations and education stakeholders to strengthen learner voice, democratic participation and leadership within the education sector.

In her address, Minister Gwarube noted that while the challenges facing today’s generation differ from those confronted by the youth of 1976, they remain equally urgent.

These include bullying, violence, gender-based violence, substance abuse, cyberbullying, misinformation, mental health challenges and growing uncertainty about the future. She urged learner leaders to become agents of positive change within their schools and communities.

A key message emerging from the Summit was that leadership begins with service. Learner leaders were encouraged to use their influence to protect vulnerable learners, promote inclusion and build school environments where every learner feels safe, respected and valued.

The Minister emphasised that the true measure of leadership is not status or popularity, but the ability to uplift others and strengthen communities.

The Department further reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening school safety through initiatives such as the Safe Schools Protocol and partnerships with the South African Police Service.

Delegates heard that creating safer schools requires more than policies and programmes; it requires a culture of respect, accountability, empathy and care, led by learners themselves.

The Summit also highlighted the importance of democratic participation and active citizenship as fundamental pillars of learner leadership.

Delivering a keynote address on the importance of voting as a constitutional right and civic responsibility, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Mosotho Moepya, reminded learner leaders that democracy must be renewed and protected by every generation.

Drawing on the lessons of South Africa’s democratic journey, Moepya encouraged young people to reject apathy and become ambassadors for democratic participation, information integrity and responsible citizenship within their schools and communities.

Quoting the late former President Nelson Mandela, Moepya reminded delegates that, “An election is not just about choosing leaders; it is a celebration of our hard-won freedom and a powerful declaration that we are the masters of our own destiny.”

Delegates were reminded that many of the issues affecting communities, including access to services, safety, infrastructure and opportunities for young people, are influenced by democratic participation and accountable governance.

Learner leaders were therefore encouraged to see a direct connection between the leadership they exercise within schools today and the broader leadership responsibilities they may assume in society tomorrow.

Gwarube noted that the freedoms enjoyed by young South Africans today were secured through the courage and sacrifices of previous generations and must be protected through responsible citizenship and active participation in democratic processes.

“The youth of 1976 fought for access to education, dignity and democratic freedoms. The responsibility of today’s generation is to protect those gains, strengthen democratic participation, reject bullying and violence, champion inclusion, and use their voices to shape a better future.

“The future of South Africa is already here, and it is represented by the young leaders gathered at this Summit,” Gwarube said.

The department expressed its appreciation to all partners who contributed to the success of the summit, including the Electoral Commission of South Africa, UNICEF, the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT), the Agape Youth Movement, provincial education departments, educators, school governing bodies and learner leadership structures from across the country.

The department added that the continued support strengthens efforts to develop a generation of active citizens, ethical leaders and engaged learners committed to building a better South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has engaged representatives of the private security industry as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation ahead of planned demonstrations on 30 June 2026.

Cachalia met with industry representatives on Wednesday morning, describing the private security sector as a potential force multiplier for the South African Police Service (SAPS) during periods of heightened security concerns and increased public mobilisation.

According to the Ministry of Police, the meeting focused on enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors to safeguard stability and security in the country ahead of the demonstrations.

Cachalia acknowledged tensions linked to immigration-related challenges facing South Africa and said that while government was addressing those issues through appropriate channels, all stakeholders had a responsibility to help ensure the country remained stable, peaceful and safe.

The Acting Minister warned that threats of violence posed a significant national security risk, particularly given the impact of the July 2021 unrest.

He said developments leading up to June 30 had been associated with forms of mobilisation and conduct that could undermine South Africa’s standing regionally and internationally.

The meeting identified enhanced information sharing, coordinated planning and the pooling of resources between the public and private sectors as key measures to manage security risks during the period.

Representatives of the private security industry welcomed the call for closer cooperation and pledged support for ensuring that any demonstrations on June 30 take place in a safe and lawful manner.

The industry told the meeting that preparations were already under way and expressed readiness to assist in maintaining public safety.

Cachalia thanked the private security sector for making resources available to support efforts aimed at maintaining national stability. He stressed the importance of effective coordination to maximise the use of those resources.

The Acting Minister also noted heightened public concern and anxiety surrounding recent developments, saying that clear and consistent communication with stakeholders and communities would be important in promoting calm and confidence. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Military Police, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), has successfully executed two intelligence-driven operations in Mooiplaas, Pretoria, resulting in the recovery of stolen military weapons and the arrest of three suspects.

The Department of Defence said in a statement that on 07 June 2026, a joint team comprising five members from the Thaba Tshwane Military Police Area Office, the Northern Military Police Region Specialist Investigation Team (SIB), Police Intelligence (POLINT), and six members of SAPS Pretoria Central conducted a special operation, following credible intelligence.

The team mobilised on foot and apprehended two foreign nationals.

One Multiple Grenade Launcher and one R4 Assault Rifle were recovered during the operation.

The suspects appeared before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on 08 June 2026, where bail was denied. The case was remanded to 19 June 2026.

On 17 June 2026, the same team, reinforced by members of 13 Provost Company, conducted another targeted operation in Mooiplaas. One male foreign national was arrested, and one Multiple Grenade Launcher was recovered. The suspect is scheduled to make his first court appearance today at the Magistrate’s Court.

These successful operations were conducted under the command of Maj Chauke (SIB), with SSgt Godi (Military Police) serving as the investigating officer.

“The Military Police remain resolute in their mission: they will not rest until every suspect has been brought to justice and the last outstanding weapon has been recovered,” Defence department said. – SAnews.gov.za