Category: MIL-OSI

What started as a response to persistent waste and sanitation challenges in Sondela informal settlement has evolved into a beacon of hope, dignity, and sustainability through the Phepafatso Project.

Spearheaded with the support of Community Development Worker (CDW), Deliwe Makhuba, the initiative is changing lives by turning waste into opportunity, improving sanitation, promoting environmental awareness, and strengthening food security within the community.

The Community Development Workers – under the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in the North West – continue to play a pivotal role in driving such grassroots development.

Acting as a bridge between government and communities, CDWs empower residents, facilitate access to services, and promote self-reliance through community-led solutions.

In Sondela, Makhuba’s hands-on approach and close collaboration with residents have been instrumental in shaping the Phepafatso Project into a sustainable and impactful initiative.

“Through this programme, the organisation conducts awareness campaigns in schools and within the community on responsible waste management and the importance of waste separation.

“Community members are also mobilised to participate in clean-up campaigns and to transform illegal dumping sites into productive green spaces, including vegetable gardens that contribute to improved household food security,” said Ipeleng Mokotelakwena, Project Coordinator.

A standout feature of the project is its innovative sanitation solution, designed to address the challenges associated with basic sanitation in informal settlements. The system separates liquid and solid waste, enabling solid waste to be safely processed and converted into fertiliser for use in community gardens, closing the loop between sanitation and food production.

This approach not only addresses critical sanitation challenges but also promotes environmental sustainability and supports local agriculture development.

The project was initially established with the support of Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian organisation that previously implemented a Gender-Based Violence programme in Rustenburg.

Upon concluding its intervention, the organisation sought to leave behind a sustainable initiative that would continue to support former employees, beneficiaries, and residents of the Sondela community.

The success of the Phepafatso Project has drawn national attention. It was recently showcased to Community Development Workers from different provinces during the Quarterly National Coordinators Forum held at Sun City Resort.

The forum serves as a key national platform where Community Development Workers showcase successful community-based initiatives that have been established and nurtured through their direct engagement with communities.

The Quarterly National Coordinators Forum engaged on strengthening the Community Development Worker Programme and sharing best practices that advance community-driven development.

As the Phepafatso Project continues to grow, it stands as a testament to how local leadership, community participation, and innovative thinking can turn everyday challenges into lasting solutions. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to implement its nationwide crime prevention and combating operations, which has resulted in the arrests of 16 648 suspects for various offences in recent days.

These crime-fighting interventions conducted between 09 and 15 March 2026 which yielded successes across multiple provinces, included tracking down and apprehending 2 048 wanted individuals linked to murder, attempted murder, carjacking, rape, assault grievous bodily harm (GBH), house and business robberies.

Among these arrests is a suspected gunman who allegedly shot and killed Marius Van Der Merwe (Witness D) a key witness in the Madlanga Commission of inquiry, in Johannesburg on 14 March 2026. The team seized the vehicle which was allegedly used in the commission of the crime. 

In dismantling an insurance murder-for -payout syndicate, police arrested six more suspects on 10 March 2026. The suspects are linked to a R10 million insurance scam led by the alleged mastermind a former police officer Rachel Kutumela. The arrests included relatives of Kutumela and a sangoma.

A seventh suspect, Rachel Kutumela’s other brother, Robert Shokane handed himself over to the police, bringing the total number of arrests to 11.

During these operations, a devastating blow was struck against those destroying the economy through the illicit trade.

“Police seized large quantities of illicit cigarettes worth an estimated value of R25 million during a raid at a warehouse in Nirvana area, Polokwane and arrested a 39-year-old Indian national believed to be facility manager. Furthermore, 14 suspects were also arrested for possession of illegal cigarettes,” said the SAPS in a statement on Monday.

Meanwhile, counterfeit goods worth R80 million were confiscated in a two-day operation in Musina and Thohoyandou in Limpopo. Law enforcement raided 33 shops and seized 171,418 counterfeit items including clothing, shoes, jewellery and consumables.

Other arrests include the apprehension of 137 suspects arrested for murder , 125 suspects arrested for attempted murder, 121 suspects arrested for rape of which the majority of the arrests were made in Gauteng (35). A further 1 586 suspects were arrested for assault (GBH) while 642 individuals were nabbed for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs among others. 

When coming to confiscations and recoveries, police seized 194 unlicensed firearms and 3 888 rounds of ammunition among others. –SAnews.gov.za

The North West Department of Education has moved to dispel misleading information currently circulating on social media of a photo of a 54-year-old woman allegedly arrested for beating a 12-year-old learner to death for not wearing proper school uniform.

In a statement issued on Monday, following a joint investigation with the South African Police Service, the department confirmed that the story attached to the widely shared image is false.

The department said the incident did not occur in any school within the province.

According to the department, the content was deliberately fabricated and shared on social media with the intention to mislead the public and tarnish the department’s image.

The provincial department has condemned the spread of misinformation and urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it on digital platforms.

Anyone with credible information related to the matter is encouraged to report it to the relevant authorities.

Reaffirming its commitment to the safety and the  wellbeing of all learners, the department said it will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to address and counter misinformation that may cause panic or reputational damage.

The MEC for Education in the province, Viola Motsumi has also warned the public against the sharing of unverified content.

“The public is cautioned against sharing fake information that has not been verified with the department. The primary purpose of these circulating messages is to mislead and cause panic among members of the public.”

Motsumi also emphasised the department’s ongoing commitment to protect the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of both learners and educators in schools.

She added that challenges within schools will continue to be addressed in an honest and transparent manner.

The department reiterated that the public should rely on information shared through its official communication channels to ensure its authenticity. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The graduation of 600 refrigeration and air-conditioning servicing technicians, along with 35 trainers, underscores government’s ongoing investment in building technical skills capacity.

“Skills development in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector contributes to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and a transition towards a low-emissions economy,” Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said on Monday, in Johannesburg.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), Department of Higher Education and Training and the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector industry to develop the National Implementation Strategy for RAC service technicians in 2015 and the RAC Servicing Technician Training programme. 

The strategies are focused on phasing out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) – specifically HCFC-22 – under the Montreal Protocol, with a focus on training, certification, and the adoption of low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternatives.

The training was conducted in Johannesburg and Durban with participants from all nine provinces. 

“Looking ahead, the DFFE will expand training interventions to 800 more technicians operating within the informal servicing sector. This will support standardisation of practices, improved compliance, and further reductions in Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption.

“These interventions further advance national development priorities, including decent work, poverty alleviation, quality education, and gender equality, with increased participation of women in the initiative,” Swarts said.

The refrigeration and air-conditioning sector is of strategic importance to the South African economy. 

It supports food security, healthcare services, industrial productivity, and climate-controlled working environments across both public and private sectors. 

“The Government of the Republic of South Africa, through the department, remains firmly committed to the effective implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

“This landmark multilateral environmental agreement regulates the production and consumption of controlled substances through legally binding measures,” the Deputy Minister said.

She stressed that the protection of the ozone layer remains a matter of national and global importance. 

Ozone-depleting substances increase exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation, with measurable impacts on human health, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem integrity. 

“Through sustained compliance with Montreal Protocol obligations, South Africa has achieved a marked reduction in the consumption of ozone-depleting substances used in refrigeration and air-conditioning applications.

“We continue to manage the phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in line with internationally agreed schedules and nationally approved control measures. I am confident that the 2026 reduction target of 97.5% of the baseline consumption will be achieved,” the Deputy Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Home Affairs has launched a groundbreaking digital platform to fast-track the processing of visa applications for individuals attending major international events.

The new Meetings, Exhibitions, Events and Tourism Scheme (MEETS) serves as a catalytic visa reform designed to boost South Africa’s standing as a leading global destination for international conferences, exhibitions, sporting tournaments and major cultural and entertainment events.

For the first time, MEETS introduces a secure avenue to process high-volume, time-sensitive group visa applications linked to international events hosted in South Africa.

“By cutting red tape and accelerating secure visa processing through technological reform, MEETS ensures that when the world chooses South Africa as a host, our visa system is ready.

“Through MEETS, we are ensuring that our visa system becomes a competitive advantage that helps attract even more conferences, exhibitions, sporting tournaments and cultural events that create jobs and stimulate economic growth,” Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said on Tuesday, in a statement. 

From major music concerts and global trade gatherings such as Mining Indaba, to World Cup tournaments and international academic conferences, South Africa regularly hosts events that attract high volumes of international participants. 

These large-scale events often require entire teams, performers, delegates and technical staff to travel together within strict timelines.

“Global events move quickly, and host nations must be ready to respond with equal speed. Through MEETS, Home Affairs is modernising visa processing to support large delegations in a secure and coordinated manner, unlocking greater economic impact from every event hosted in South Africa.

“Instead of fragmented processes and uncertainty, MEETS enables streamlined online submissions tailored for major international events, ensuring that high–volume applications can be processed efficiently when every second counts,” the Minister said.

He emphasised that the launch of MEETS marks another decisive step in the department’s journey of digital transformation.

“By modernising our visa system, we are positioning Home Affairs as an economic enabler that supports tourism, investment, and allows for job creation. The events sector is a powerful driver of growth, and MEETS ensures that our visa regime matches South Africa’s ambition to host world-class international gatherings,” the Minister said.

Domestic event organisers with a proven track record in the sector are invited to submit expressions of interest to join the MEETS visa scheme, subject to qualifying criteria, by visiting https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/meets.

Accredited organisers will enter into a formal Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs to regulate participation and  governance of the scheme. The gazette is available here: https://www.dha.gov.za/images/gazettes/54210_25-2HomeAffairs.pdf.

–SAnews.gov.za

The man accused of murdering a Madlanga Commission witness has appeared in the Brakpan Magistrates’ Court.

Matipandile Sotheni appeared in the court to face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, premeditated murder, three counts of attempted murder and unlawful position of ammunition in relation to the murder of “Witness D”, Marius Van der Merwe.

Van der Merwe appeared at the commission in November last year.

“It is alleged that after Witness D, Marius Van der Merwe, testified at the Madlanga Commission regarding matters relating to a murder investigation in Brakpan in November 2025. The accused conspired to kill Van der Merwe and conducted surveillance on the deceased.

“It is further alleged that on 05 December 2025, the accused positioned himself at the vicinity of the deceased’s residence. When the deceased arrived home with his wife and two minor children, it is alleged that the accused shot the deceased, and he was declared dead on the scene,” National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said.

Sotheni was arrested following investigations by the Madlanga Task Team established to “investigate cases emanating from the Madlanga commission of Inquiry”.

“The accused was arrested on 14 March 2026 and is remanded in custody. In court the matter was postponed to 25 March for an opposed bail application,” Mahanja said. – SAnews.gov.za

Eskom will implement tariff adjustments for the new financial year from April for its direct customers, while municipal customers are expected to see increases from July.

The increases – 8.76% for Eskom customers and an average of 9.01% for municipal customers – were approved and announced by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) in February.

“The tariff increase supports Eskom’s ability to provide a stable and reliable electricity supply. Eskom’s revenue requirement covers the cost of generating, transmitting and distributing electricity, while migrating towards a fair return is needed to maintain and invest in critical infrastructure.

“NERSA considered both customer affordability and the long‑term sustainability of the electricity system,” the power utility said in a statement.

Eskom’s Group Chief Financial Officer Calib Cassim added: “We have been clear in communicating that Eskom is working to ensure that future tariff increase requests remain reasonable, recognising the affordability pressures on both residential and business customers.

“Achieving this depends on disciplined financial management and finding smarter, more efficient ways of operating”.

Subsidised tariffs

The power utility assured that subsidised tariffs will remain in place.

These include:

• Homelight tariffs continue to be subsidised, with these subsidies recovered through the Affordability Subsidy Charge.
• Rural tariffs also remain subsidised due to higher network costs in those areas.
• These network‑related subsidies, including those benefiting Homelight customers, are recovered through the Electrification and Rural Subsidy (ERS) charge and the Low‑Voltage charge.

“These measures continue to ensure that electricity remains accessible and affordable for low‑income and rural households,” the statement read.

Detailed tariffs for Eskom customers can be found on https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/tariffs-and-charges/ while municipal customers are requested to wait for communication from their respective municipalities.

“Over the past three years, Eskom has made steady progress in improving the performance of its generation fleet. The Energy Availability Factor has risen to 65.85% year‑to‑date [1 April 2025 to 12 March 2026], with the fleet reaching or exceeding 70% on 83 occasions so far.

“The baseload units that anchor the system 24/7 have stabilised significantly, improving from 9% availability two years ago to being available more than 98% of the time today.

“Eskom remains committed to transparent communication, disciplined financial management and continued operational improvements that support a dependable electricity supply for all South Africans,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za