Category: MIL-OSI

The Limpopo Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has noted with concern the circulation of unverified and misleading information on social media platforms on alleged criminal activities involving a “crying doll” used to lure community members out of their homes.

According to circulating claims, the alleged incidents involve a doll that cries or screams like a baby during the early hours of the morning, prompting residents to go outside, where they are then reportedly mugged.

Hadebe has categorically refuted these claims, saying that no such incidents have been reported to the police.

“We want to assure the community that there are currently no cases reported or patterns identified relating to these allegations. These claims are unfounded and create unnecessary panic among residents.

“We appeal to community members to verify information before sharing it. The spreading of unconfirmed rumours can lead to panic and may divert attention from real crime-related issues,” Hadebe said in a statement on Thursday.

The Provincial Commissioner further encourage residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to their nearest police station.

Anyone with positive information about criminal activities is urged to contact their nearest Police Station or Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPSApp. – SAnews.gov.za

 

37 views

South Africans at large will commemorate Human Rights Day on Saturday, 21 March, under the theme: ‘A Legacy of Courage: Protecting Rights, Preserving Humanity’.

Observed annually on 21 March since the advent of democracy, Human Rights Day marks South Africa’s progressive trajectory toward an equal, free, and open democratic society. 

The day serves as a reminder of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, where 69 people were killed by police during a peaceful protest against apartheid “pass laws”. 21 March is a call for South Africans to reflect on the struggle for liberation, celebrate the democratic Constitution and human rights, and take stock of the progress made. 

“This observance holds particular significance for historically marginalised and subjugated communities, and pays solemn tribute to the activists and supporters who sacrificed their lives or made various contributions to the struggle for freedom,” said The Presidency.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 national commemoration of Human Rights Day, which will be held at the AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley on Saturday.

The Presidency said Human Rights Day reaffirms the moral urgency and importance of protecting human dignity and achieving equality in all aspects of life.

The theme for 2026 celebrates 30 years since the adoption of South Africa’s Constitution.

Some of the objectives of Human Rights Month are to honour and commemorate the courageous individuals and collective efforts who fought and continue to fight for human rights in South Africa. It is also an opportunity to create awareness of the human rights enshrined in the Constitution, and to encourage the active protection, promotion and fulfillment of these rights.

The month also serves to reinforce the Constitution as a living document and mandate for ongoing collective responsibility, and courageous action in protecting human rights. 

“Human Rights Month has been leveraged as a vehicle to foster social cohesion, nation building, national identity, socio-economic development and to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all related intolerances,” The Presidency said.

Saturday’s programme

On Saturday, President Ramaphosa will visit the Re Tlameleng Special Needs School ahead of the formal proceedings to unveil the 2026 Human Rights Day legacy project that demonstrates government’s commitment to inclusive development and disability empowerment.

The President’s address to the nation at the stadium in the Northern Cape is expected to get underway at midday. – SAnews.gov.za

42 views

The government has introduced measures aimed at shifting decisively from the export of raw minerals towards the development of competitive local industries.

“Government remains committed to ensuring that South Africa builds diversified mineral value chains that create sustainable jobs, expand industrial capacity and broaden economic ownership, particularly among the youth of our country,” Deputy President Paul Mashatile said on Thursday.

He was responding to Oral Questions in the National Assembly as part of Parliament’s oversight and accountability processes.

According to the Deputy President, the government is implementing the Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy approved by Cabinet in May 2025, and the Exploration Implementation Plan aimed at transitioning from raw mineral exports to local beneficiation, high-tech manufacturing, and increased local ownership.

“The Critical Mineral and Metal Strategy is aligned with national efforts to drive industrialisation, promote inclusive growth, and enhance the country’s contribution to global clean energy supply chains, including electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen fuel cells, and battery storage.

“These strategies aim to leverage the global demand for minerals required in renewable energy and digital technologies, such as Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), manganese, and vanadium to build sustainable local industries and create jobs,” Mashatile said.

Furthermore, the Special Economic Zones dedicated to mineral beneficiation will be expanded, offering tax incentives and infrastructure support. 

Public-private partnerships will co-invest in beneficiation plants.

“Government is also implementing procurement reforms and enterprise development programmes aimed at expanding market access for youth-owned businesses in both the public and private sectors. 

“These measures are aligned with broader industrial policy efforts to promote local beneficiation, strengthen supplier development and broaden participation in the mining economy,” the Deputy President said.

Government is also rolling out technical training programmes through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and universities, directly linked to beneficiation industries. 

These include mining engineering diplomas, beneficiation academies, and professional certificates in mineral beneficiation, all designed to link directly to the country’s industrialisation agenda.

“Through these coordinated interventions, government remains committed to ensuring that South Africa builds diversified mineral value chains that create sustainable jobs, expand industrial capacity and broaden economic ownership, particularly among the youth of our country,” he said.

Special envoy to South Sudan
The Deputy President further used his time in Parliament to explain his mandate as the President’s special envoy, focusing on South Sudan. 

He said his mandate is to support the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), a legal framework governing South Sudan’s transition to peace.
The year 2026 marks a pivotal moment for South Sudan, as the country is earmarked to hold its first-ever elections since gaining independence from Sudan in July 2011.

“Since I assumed the role of Special Envoy in South Sudan, and in pursuit of the peace process, I have undertaken two working visits to Juba, the most recent of which was in October 2025. 

“In 2024, I met all the belligerent parties, including meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit. Minister Naledi Pandor and I held a meeting with the Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, who sadly passed away yesterday. 

“We subsequently held 15 more meetings with other parties during the four days we spent in Juba. We were convinced that we were making good progress for them to hold democratic elections by the end of December 2026,” Mashatile said.

However, in January this year, fighting erupted once again amongst the belligerent forces and intensified earlier this month, leading to the displacement of over 280,000 people in Jonglei State. 

“The latest fighting is yet another illustration of the complexity of the search for peace in South Sudan. 

“ South Africa will utilise its role on the African Union Peace and Security Council, for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028, to mobilise the diplomatic, political, technical, and financial assistance required to support South Sudan in holding credible, free, and fair elections,” the Deputy President said.

He said the government intends to engage the wider international community and various non-state actors, such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), for a coordinated response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis, which is also exacerbated by the civil war in the Republic of Sudan.  

“In this regard, I recently met with the regional leadership of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and will continue to engage them on the efforts they are undertaking to respond to the humanitarian situation.

“To resolve this conflict, it is incumbent upon the broad leadership of South Sudan to demonstrate the requisite political will and responsible leadership necessary to implement their own agreement, this being the R-ARCSS,” Mashatile said.  –SAnews.gov.za

91 views

The eThekwini Municipality says the city remains in a strong financial position despite mounting economic pressures and ongoing revenue collection challenges.

This emerged during a Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, where the municipality reported that while cash and cash equivalents have declined over the past eight months, the city continues to be supported by stable grant allocations from national and provincial treasuries.

As of 16 March, the city’s cash on hand stood at R6.3 billion, representing 43 days’ liquidity, inclusive of grant funding.

“All proposed policies and amendments [discussed at the meeting], will be submitted to full council for consideration and final approval,” the municipality said in a statement on Thursday.

The committee noted that the Revenue Management Directorate is intensifying efforts to recover more than R26 billion in outstanding debt through targeted interventions.

Key measures include reducing estimated meter readings to below 10%, enforcing disconnections for non-compliant customers, and implementing full debt control processes, including the issuing of final demand notices.

Additional measures include replacing faulty and tampered meters, conducting audits to detect illegal connections, and investigating prepaid meters that reflect zero consumption.

The municipality is also implementing cost-saving initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing losses.

These include strengthening invoice verification processes, leveraging the use of technology to prevent fuel theft and misuse of municipal vehicles, and conducting regular unannounced stock audits to curb material theft.

“Government and parastatal debt, currently at R2.2 billion, is being escalated to the Presidential eThekwini Working Group [for intervention]” the municipality said.

Proposed tariff adjustments

The committee approved a proposed 5% increase in the deposit tariff under the Revenue Management Policy, which will be included in the 2026/27 Draft Budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultations.

“This adjustment reflects the cost incurred by the municipality when providing services to new customers prior to billing. During this period, the municipality must settle obligations with service providers, such as Eskom and Umngeni-uThukela Water,” the city said.

The municipality noted that the deposit serves as a security measure and is not recognised as municipal income.

Policy amendments under review

The committee also recommended several amendments to the draft Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy for public consultation and council approval.

To address undetected underground domestic water leaks, the municipality proposed a fixed monthly charge for all domestic water users.

The fund would be used to support billing adjustments or write-offs in qualifying cases.

“Customers will now have 180 days, up from 60 days from the date of repair, to submit a water loss notification form, along with supporting documentation, at Sizakala Centres or Revenue Customer Services centres.”

In addition, the revised policy strengthens procedures for lodging account disputes, requiring customers to submit written applications with supporting evidence. It also strengthens the authority of municipal officials to investigate and resolve such disputes.

Draft indigent support policy

The proposed amendments to the draft Indigent Support Policy will allow trained municipal officials, in addition to social workers, to conduct socio-economic assessments and verify applications for municipal support programmes.

The municipality said the change aims to improve efficiency and expand access to indigent support services. – SAnews.gov.za

33 views