Category: MIL-OSI

President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences following the passing of Professor Renfrew Leslie Christie.

“I have learned with deep sadness of the passing of Prof Renfrew Leslie Christie – a scholar, anti-apartheid activist and uMkhonto we Sizwe operative whose relentless and fearless commitment to our freedom demands our appreciation,” the President said in a post on social media platform, X.

In the post on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa said Christie’s stand against apartheid entailed many treacherous activities and operations – including the provision of intelligence that enabled the bombing of Koeberg nuclear power station on June 16, 1982, at a time the apartheid state was developing nuclear weapons. 

He said that during his activism, the regime punished Christie with harassment, detentions and a 10-year sentence under the Terrorism Act. 

“His contribution to our struggle was born out of humble beginnings that awoke in him the quest to end the inequalities in our society, including in parts of white communities. He fought for liberation, excelled as a scholar and had his revolutionary resolve reinforced by his experiences in prison, including events to which he was exposed at a time when the death penalty was still in force,” said the President.

President Ramaphosa said the Professor’s legacy includes the the generation of young South Africans who benefited from his expansive scholarship when he served as Dean of Research at the University of the Western Cape. 

“At the age of 76 Renfrew Christie has left us to reflect on his extraordinary life and the impact that such a life of principle and bravery can have on an entire generation. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and associates nationally and abroad. May his soul rest in peace,” said the President. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

By Sandile Nene 
After a long year of hard work, most people take a break to relax the mind, body and soul. For many South Africans, this involves driving to different parts of the country during the festive season to spend time with family and friends.

As we travel to our different holiday destinations, we must be mindful of our actions and behaviour on the road. The loss of 1 589 lives as a result of 1 286 crashes during the 2024 festive season must serve as a reminder to all road users to prioritise safety and to do all we can to prevent road fatalities. 

In the first few days since the start of this year’s festive season on 1 December 2025, we had already recorded over 249 fatalities, and while this is 30 per cent less when compared to the same period last year, it is unfortunate that so many lives have already been lost and many more people have been left with life-threatening or altering injuries.

The theme for this year’s festive season campaign is ‘It Starts With Me’, which reflects the critical role of individual behaviour in preventing loss of life. This theme highlights that each and every one of us has an important role to play in preventing road accidents and road fatalities.

This year’s campaign is geared at helping drivers to make smart choices on the roads so that we can all arrive safely at our chosen destinations. Government reminds every everyone taking to our roads to remain vigilant and to obey the rules of the roads.

Obey the speed limit, do not drive while under the influence of alcohol, make sure your vehicle is roadworthy, and everyone in the car, including those in the back seat, must wear seatbelts. Be courteous to other road users so that we all reach our destinations safely. Road safety is everyone’s business, and together we can make our roads safer. Do not text or use your cell phone when driving.

When we make the right choices, we arrive alive.

It has been proven that most accidents that occur during this period are linked to human behaviour, such as drunk driving, speeding, reckless driving and overloading. It is therefore the responsibility of all drivers, pedestrians and passengers to make responsible decisions.  

Government is playing its part to keep people safe, and festive season operations will be operational in all provinces to ensure citizens, residents, holiday makers and businesses operating in the country feel safe.
This time of year, people also typically unwind with a beverage of their choice. If you do decide to use alcohol, do so responsibly. Alcohol and drug use often leads to impaired judgement and can lead to GBVF, unwanted and unsafe sex and heightens the risk of contracting HIV and STIs.

As government, we call on all South Africans, particularly our youth, to say “NO!” to drugs and illegal substances.
Do not experiment with recreational drugs, as they can lead to more addictive or dangerous drugs. Let us all work together to root out the sale of illicit substances that undermine our communities. By doing so, we can continue to safeguard our loved ones and ourselves. 

We also call on adults to always ensure the safety of our children, and to take extra care in the supervision of our children, especially when at pools, beaches or near water. Children must be equipped with the necessary safety equipment when next to swimming pools or on beaches. Children must not be left unattended at swimming pools or beaches. Refrain from drinking alcohol when your children are at swimming pools or beaches. When swimming pools are not in use, they must be properly secured to deny children access.

Let us also be vigilant when we are out shopping this festive season. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; instead, use bankcards or electronic funds transfer to make transactions. Do no display large amounts of cash when making transactions because it can attract criminal elements. When withdrawing cash at the ATM, do not become distracted. 

Should you require assistance making a withdrawal, approach a bank official for assistance. Do not leave valuable items visible in a vehicle, rather lock them in the boot. Ensure that your vehicle is properly locked before walking away. 

During the coming weeks, road traffic law enforcement officers, law enforcement agencies and other government departments will step up safety operations to ensure that people are safe. Do not leave children and pets unattended in your vehicle or locked inside the house. If you feel unsafe, report any suspicious criminal activity immediately to the police using the 10111 number or inform security.

Through our combined actions, we can make it a safe festive season for all. We wish all South Africans a restful holiday season and call on all communities to work together to ensure that this is a time of celebration, family and joy by exercising responsible behaviour.

*Nene is the Acting Deputy Director-General for Content Processing and Dissemination in the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

The Gauteng Provincial Government will ramp up law enforcement presence on all of the major routes in the province as the festive season gains momentum.

This as traffic volumes on major routes begins to heighten ahead of Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

“In the first 21 days of December, 137 people have died from 124 crashes in the province. Most of the people who died are pedestrians (68), while 26 are drivers and 28 are passengers. Johannesburg has recorded more deaths at 38, followed by Tshwane with 33 and Ekurhuleni reporting 26 fatalities in the same period.

“To curb the alarming rate of fatalities, the province has increased deployment of law enforcement operations targeting public transport operators such as taxis and buses,” the Gauteng Department of Community Safety said in a statement.

The department noted that public transport operators often “overload vehicles deliberately which endangers the lives of passengers and other road users”.

“Overloading is a criminal offence, as it can cause fatal road crashes, especially during long distance travel around the festive period.

“The Gauteng Department of Community Safety as well as the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport are collaborating to ensure the implementation of the road safety strategy in the province.

“The provincial government has encouraged public transport operators to prioritise road safety and ensure compliance, as the province is expecting high traffic volume due to people leaving to spend the festive season with their families and travelling to various holiday destinations,” the department said.

Heavy traffic flows are expected on the following major routes:

• N1: Pretoria to Polokwane
• N4: Pretoria to Mpumalanga
• N4: Pretoria to Rustenburg
• R573: Pretoria to Mpumalanga
• N12: Johannesburg to Mpumalanga
• N3: Johannesburg to Durban
• N1: Johannesburg to Bloemfontein
• N12: Johannesburg to Potchefstroom

Roadblocks are already being conducted on routes, resulting in more than 44 000 fines being issued, some 1 200 suspects arrested for various traffic violations and the arrest of 28 pedestrians.

“The Gauteng Traffic Police together with other law enforcement agencies will deal decisively with any public transport operators or motorists who undermine road safety.

“The operations will continue throughout the festive period and beyond to ensure safe travel on the road,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

The year 2025 was a year of resilience, economic recovery and renewed national confidence for South Africa and its citizens.

This according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile who delivered a Christmas message to South Africans on Wednesday.

“The year 2025 has reminded us that our greatest strength does not lie in the corridors of government but in the resilience and unity of our people. Our most valuable resource is not buried beneath our soil; rather, it is the grit, courage, and determination of all South Africans everywhere.

“Through every challenge faced and every victory claimed, we have demonstrated the unyielding spirit of Ubuntu that defines who we are. Together, we have made progress worth celebrating,” he said.

The Deputy President cited the steady but sure progress South Africa has made economically as one of the highlights of the year.

“South Africa recorded 0.5% GDP growth in the third quarter of 2025, marking the third consecutive quarter of expansion. The IMF [International Monetary Fund] has lifted its growth forecast to 1.3% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026, reflecting the resilience of our economy and the impact of structural reforms. 

“For the first time in 20 years, South Africa received a credit rating upgrade from Standard & Poor’s, signalling renewed confidence in our economy. In 2025, we also empowered the youth by placing 200 000 young South Africans in first-job experiences through the Youth Employment Service,” Mashatile noted.

Other key achievements include:

• Managing the energy crisis.
• Boosting tourism.
• SARS’ improved revenue collection.
• Convening the first Convention of National Dialogue.
• Successfully hosting the G20 Presidency.

“The G20 was a historic moment for South Africa and the African continent. It provided an opportunity to champion the priorities of the Global South, strengthen partnerships, and reaffirm our role in global leadership,” he said.

The Deputy President noted that this year also brought about a “turning point” in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

“In November, GBVF was classified a national disaster; a recognition that this crisis violates fundamental constitutional rights to dignity, life, and security. 

“This classification is not the end; it is the beginning of intensified action to protect lives and restore dignity. Even in this season of celebration, let us commit to building homes, schools, workplaces, and communities where every woman and child is safe,” Mashatile said.

He called on South Africans to invoke the spirit of Ubuntu as celebrations of the festive season truly get underway.

“Let us treasure the gift of family, friendship, and community. Speak kindness, extend compassion, and rebuild the bonds that hold our society together. For those travelling, please prioritise safety; drive responsibly; do not drink and drive, and ensure every journey is taken with care.

“As we look to the year ahead, let us once more embrace the meaning of Ubuntu: I am because we are. This value remains the foundation of our social cohesion and our ability to rise above adversity. 

“Let us comfort those who lost their beloved ones during this year. In the true spirit of Ubuntu that we are known for as South Africans, let us lend a hand to those in need and give from our hearts to make their Christmas a happy one,” the Deputy President urged.

He added that in 2026, government will continue its developmental work, leaving no-one behind.

“In 2026, we will continue to advance inclusive development, strengthen service delivery, support livelihoods, and expand opportunities for our youth.

“May this Christmas bring peace to your homes, comfort to your hearts, and renewed strength to your spirit. Together, we will rise, rebuild, and reimagine a future of hope and prosperity.

“I wish you all a Merry Christmas and enjoyable festive season,” Mashatile said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng Provincial Government has conveyed its condolences following the passing of former Health MEC, Brian Hlongwa.

Hlongwa passed away on Tuesday, 22 December 2025, after a short illness.

He served as Gauteng’s Member of the Executive Council for Health from March 2006 to May 2009 and was also a member of the African National Congress and served multiple terms on the party’s Provincial Executive Committee in the province.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former MEC Hlongwa. He served the people of Gauteng with distinction, through different portfolios from his days in the City of Johannesburg to serving as an MEC. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of great loss,” said acting Premier Jacob Mamabolo in a statement on Wednesday.

Before his appointment as MEC for Health, Hlongwa was a member of the City of Johannesburg Mayoral Committee responsible for municipal services from 2000 to 2006. In addition, he was the party’s Chief Whip in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature until October 2018. –SAnews.gov.za

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Willie Aucamp, is expected to join local conservation groups and residents for beach clean-ups in the Mossel Bay area.

The beach clean-up is set to be held on Saturday, 27 December 2025, with the Minister set to join operations at Suiderkruis Beach in the morning and Dana Bay 2nd Beach in the afternoon.

“This cleanup is part of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s Coastal Access Awareness campaign. The campaign aims to highlight government’s commitment to clean, inclusive and accessible beaches for all South Africans, including persons with disabilities and beach users with limited mobility,” the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said in an advisory.

The Minister will join the Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay Municipality, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, in the clean-ups.

The initiative from the department complements Mayor Kotzé’s efforts to ensure sustainable conservation and to promote the protection of the environment through partnership with the Mossel Bay Conservancy NPC and other local conservation stakeholders. –SAnews.gov.za

The City of Cape Town has warned the public against being in possession of alcohol, or consuming alcohol on beaches and at public amenities.

“Anyone found in possession of alcohol, or consuming alcohol, will have their goods confiscated, in line with the City’s impoundment policy. They will also be fined R500. The alcohol can be reclaimed, upon payment of the fine and the impoundment release fee, which is R835,” the City said in a statement.

According to the City, alcohol consumption in public spaces remains one of the biggest headaches for a enforcement and emergency services, particularly over the festive season. 

In the first 11 days of December this year, the liquor pound received 1 814 units of confiscated alcohol, amounting to just under 740 litres. 

“These totals will balloon over the coming weeks, and next year, we’ll dispose of it all. We can significantly reduce incidents of interpersonal violence, drownings, road accidents and pressure on our trauma centres and enforcement services by making different choices, yet for many people this is simply too big an ask,” Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith said.

The City’s Coastal by-law addresses the issue of alcohol on beaches, and signage is posted at all beaches and public amenities, outlining what visitors are able to do.

The impoundment policy also guides the disposal of unclaimed alcohol. 

“Disposal is the easiest option, as a legal opinion several years ago highlighted a number of complexities to the sale of impounded liquor, including the need for a liquor licence and that it could create the perception that confiscations are profit-driven and not in the interest of public safety.

“As we head into the peak festive season, I appeal once more to the public to leave the alcohol at home and to keep our public spaces alcohol-free, for their own safety, but also that of others,” Alderman Smith said. –SAnews.gov.za