Category: MIL-OSI

The Electoral Commission is calling on South Africans to comment on the draft Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation ahead of the 21 July 2026 deadline.

“The Electoral Commission has published the draft Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation in the Government Gazette [dated 30 June 2026] for public comment, marking an important milestone in safeguarding the integrity of electoral processes ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. 
“The Commission invites all South Africans, political parties, independent candidates, civil society organisations, media practitioners, academics, technology companies, election observers and all interested stakeholders to study the draft Code and submit their comments before the closing date on 21 July 2026,” it said in a statement on Thursday.

The Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation seeks to establish clear principles and standards that encourage responsible conduct by all electoral participants and stakeholders. 
The code promotes ethical communication, transparency and accountability while reinforcing the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, political participation and access to information. 

The Code of Conduct aims to: 
• Give practical effect to the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and political participation, while reinforcing existing legal provisions that prohibit the intentional dissemination of false election-related information. 
• Foster an informed, credible and diverse information environment that supports the free flow of accurate and trustworthy election information, while strengthening resilience against disinformation, manipulation and coordinated inauthentic online behaviour. 
• Provide guidance to political parties, candidates, public representatives and other influential actors on the standards of conduct expected in preventing, identifying and responding to disinformation that threatens electoral integrity and democratic processes. 
• Establish practical and effective measures to prevent, detect and respond to disinformation in the digital environment, including content disseminated  through social media platforms and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The Commission emphasises that countering disinformation is a shared responsibility. The success of South Africa’s democracy depends on the active participation of citizens and stakeholders in protecting the integrity of electoral information and promoting informed public debate.

“The public consultation process provides an opportunity for all interested persons to contribute to the development of a practical, balanced and effective framework that supports credible elections while respecting constitutional rights and freedoms. The Commission therefore encourages all South Africans to review the draft Code and submit constructive comments and proposals,” it said.

The draft code can be accessed here:  https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202607/54925gon3995.pdf 

The code comes as South Africa will go the polls in the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026. Last month the Commission held a voter registration weekend to which the Commission said citizens responded to the call to register and update their voter details ahead of the  polls. –SAnews.gov.za

The eThekwini Municipality has approved a six-month extension of contracts for participants in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to ensure the continuity of critical municipal services across the city.

The decision was taken during the municipality’s Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting on Thursday, where several resolutions aimed at strengthening key service delivery and accelerating key municipal programmes were adopted.

In a statement after the meeting, the municipality said the extension, which is in line with EPWP guidelines, will provide stability while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

“EPWP participants play an important role in supporting a range of municipal programmes, including community safety, public health, water and sanitation services, waste management, environmental sustainability, social development and other frontline services that benefit residents across the city,” the municipality said.

The six-month extension is supported by a budget of R53.49 million, including R7.49 million from the EPWP grant and R46 million from municipal funds.

EXCO also noted progress made in strengthening the administration of the EPWP following historical findings raised by the Auditor-General relating to the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years.

According to the municipality, a range of corrective measures has been implemented to improve oversight, accountability and compliance. These include strengthened verification processes and ongoing monitoring, which have resulted in no identified cases during the current financial year of payments to deceased beneficiaries, ghost participants or individuals employed by other organs of state.

“The municipality has also taken decisive action to address past irregularities through disciplinary processes, recovery of funds where applicable, the opening of criminal cases, and the removal of deceased and ineligible beneficiaries from the programme.”

New sister city partnerships approved
EXCO also approved the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to establish Sister City partnerships with Xi’an in the People’s Republic of China and Bahía Blanca in Argentina, as part of efforts to expand eThekwini’s international cooperation.

The municipality said the partnerships are intended to unlock new opportunities for investment, trade, tourism, skills development, and cultural exchange that will contribute to economic growth and improved opportunities for residents.

By expanding its global network of Sister Cities, the municipality aims to attract investment, promote innovation, strengthen its port economy, and create platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration with leading international cities.

The partnership with Xi’an builds on a Letter of Intent signed by the mayors of the two cities in October 2025 and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, tourism, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

The municipality said Xi’an is a globally recognised centre for innovation, education and tourism, presenting opportunities to support Durban’s economic development and strengthen its international profile.
The partnership with Bahía Blanca forms part of the municipality’s strategy to expand South-South cooperation.

As one of Argentina’s leading port and industrial cities, Bahía Blanca has expertise in logistics, petrochemicals, industrial manufacturing and green hydrogen development, areas that align with Durban’s long-term development priorities and Port City agenda.

“Together, these partnerships are expected to facilitate business and investment opportunities, encourage knowledge and technology exchange, strengthen collaboration between academic and cultural institutions, promote tourism, and support innovation and youth development.

“They will also enhance Durban’s global positioning, diversify the municipality’s international partnerships and contribute to sustainable economic development,” the municipality said.

Implementation of both partnerships will be coordinated by the municipality’s International and Intergovernmental Relations Directorate, working with relevant municipal departments. Progress reports will be submitted to the Governance and Human Resources Committee as required. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli says Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have become essential institutions for developing a skilled workforce, with government strengthening the sector as a pathway to economic opportunities.

“They produce artisans, technicians, entrepreneurs, hospitality professionals, and countless other skilled individuals whose expertise keeps our industries functioning and our economy growing,” Mhlauli said.

Speaking at the Grand Finale of the Unilever TVET Cook Challenge in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday, Mhlauli said government continues to strengthen the TVET sector because it recognises that economic growth cannot be achieved without practical skills.

“South Africa requires qualified electricians, welders, plumbers, mechanics, hospitality professionals, agricultural specialists and chefs just as much as it requires lawyers, accountants and engineers,” Mhlauli said.

Mhlauli encouraged learners pursuing careers in hospitality to start businesses.

“We should also consider entrepreneurship. Some of South Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs began with nothing more than a passion for food and the determination to succeed.

“The culinary industry offers limitless possibilities. It creates opportunities in restaurants, hotels, tourism, catering, food manufacturing, event management, baking, food styling, digital content creation and product innovation,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said today’s young chef can become tomorrow’s employer, and today’s food truck can become tomorrow’s restaurant chain.

“The home bakery of today can become tomorrow’s national brand. That is why entrepreneurship must become central to our thinking as a nation.

“Government is committed to building an economy where young people do not only search for employment but are empowered to create employment for others.

“This is why programmes such as the National Youth Development Agency grant programme, the Small Enterprise Development Agency, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency and the Industrial Development Corporation continue to provide financial and business development support to qualifying young entrepreneurs,” she said.

Mhlauli called on aspiring chefs to make use of government financial support to establish businesses.

“Your qualification should not become a certificate that hangs on the wall. It should become the foundation upon which you build businesses that contribute to South Africa’s economic growth,” she said.

Touching on the 16 June 1976 youth uprisings, Mhlauli said young South Africans at the time demonstrated extraordinary courage in confronting an unjust system that sought to deny them quality education and equal opportunity.

“They understood that education was the foundation upon which freedom, dignity and prosperity would be built. Their struggle was never simply about classrooms. It was about creating opportunities for future generations to realise their full potential. Today, we honour their legacy not only through remembrance but through action,” she said.

Mhlauli said every investment in education, every bursary awarded, every apprenticeship created, every young entrepreneur supported, and every partnership between government, business and educational institutions is a continuation of the vision for which the youth of 1976 sacrificed so much.

“The freedom they fought for now places a responsibility upon us to ensure that every young South African has access to opportunities that allow them to succeed,” she said.

Mhlauli also urged young people to register to vote and participate actively in democracy.

“Do not leave the future of this country in the hands of others. The decisions taken through democratic processes influence education. They influence economic policy, investment, entrepreneurship, including employment. 

“If you care about opportunities for young people, if you care about building an economy that works for everyone, then make your voice heard.

“Democracy is strongest when young people participate. Do not become spectators in the future of your own country. Become active citizens,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng Department of Health has rolled out a suite of targeted interventions aimed at drastically reducing paediatric surgical wait times and accelerating access to specialised medical care for infants and children at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH).

According to the department, the provincial health system has faced mounting pressure regarding delays for elective operations.
The interventions include:
•    Strengthening theatre efficiency.
•    Improving waiting list management.
•    Enhancing the scheduling of surgical cases and implementing the Treatment Time Guarantee (TTG) programme, which supports improved patient flow and more effective utilisation of theatre capacity across Gauteng public hospitals.

The department noted that paediatric surgery remains a “highly specialised service that manages a wide range of conditions affecting infants and children”.

Despite “ongoing service pressures” and demand for these surgeries, the hospital has “a stable paediatric surgical programme, performing more than 2000 paediatric surgical procedures annually over the past several years”.

“The department acknowledges that waiting times for some elective paediatric procedures remain a challenge.

“Contributing factors include increased demand for emergency surgical services, limited theatre capacity, the availability of specialised anaesthetic personnel and constrained access to post-operative and critical care beds,” the GDoH explained.

However, emergency admissions often disrupt planned schedules, leading to postponements of elective procedures.

“While this approach ensures that emergency cases receive timely treatment, it places additional pressure on available theatre time and contributes to longer waiting periods for some elective procedures.

“To address these challenges, the department continues to strengthen the management of surgical waiting lists through regular clinical reviews and prioritisation of patients according to the urgency of their conditions,” the department said in a statement on Thursday.

Furthermore, the department’s optimisation of theatre schedules and improved coordination of surgical pathways are “assisting in increasing theatre utilisation and reducing cancellations”.

To supplement this, the department revealed that it is exploring the establishment of a “dedicated emergency paediatric surgical theatre list supported by dedicated anaesthetic and nursing teams”.

“This intervention is expected to improve access to emergency surgery while protecting elective operating time, reducing cancellations and preventing further growth of surgical waiting lists.

“The Treatment Time Guarantee programme continues to support these efforts by improving patient management and increasing surgical output across public hospitals in the province. The system has already yielded positive results in improving access to surgery and reducing delays in treatment,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has recorded a massive milestone in its Lenacapavir rollout programme, comfortably surpassing its targets in the very first month of rolling out the groundbreaking HIV prevention drug.

The province’s phased rollout, which officially kicked off last month, aims to provide an additional layer of protection to individuals at substantial risk of HIV acquisition – pushing South Africa closer to its goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“Since the commencement of the phased rollout on 08 June 2026, a total of 6 130 eligible clients have been initiated on Lenacapavir across Gauteng, representing 131% of the provincial monthly target of 4 672 initiations.

“Currently, the treatment is offered at 133 clinics across the province, all of which have received sufficient Lenacapavir stock to support service delivery,” the department said.

The provincial health authority noted “strong early uptake of Lenacapavir services” across its five health districts.

The numbers taking up the initiation are as follows:

• Tshwane District recorded the highest number of initiations with 2 216 clients.
• Johannesburg with 1 981 initiations.
• Ekurhuleni with 1 435 initiations.
• Sedibeng District initiated 377 clients.
• West Rand District recorded 121 initiations.

The department has assured that it maintains adequate stock levels of Lenacapavir to support the rollout.

“Provincial stock monitoring indicates that more than 7 400 injection packs and over 7 500 oral tablet packs remain available at reporting facilities.

“In addition, a second consignment of 9 830 Lenacapavir packs was received at the Medical Supplies Depot on 26 June 2026 to support continued programme expansion and ensure uninterrupted access to the medicine across the province,” the GDoH stated.

While the high uptake is being celebrated as a victory, the GDoH cautioned that Lenacapavir is not a silver bullet on its own, but rather a powerful addition to the existing prevention toolkit.

“The department reminds members of the public that Lenacapavir does not protect against sexually transmitted infections other than HIV, nor does it prevent unintended pregnancies.

“Individuals using Lenacapavir are therefore encouraged to continue practising safer sex, including the consistent and correct use of condoms, regular Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screening, and continued access to sexual and reproductive health services available at public healthcare facilities.” 

The GDoH hailed the dedication of the front-line staff who made this rapid rollout possible.

“The department commends healthcare workers, programme managers and facility teams across the province for ensuring that eligible clients can access this important intervention. 

“Expanding access to comprehensive HIV prevention services, particularly among populations at increased risk of HIV infection, remains a top priority of the department.” – SAnews.gov.za