Category: MIL-OSI

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has officially launched South Africa’s Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Roadmap, to enhance the country’s disaster risk reduction efforts.

The launch took place during the Group of 20 (G20) Disaster Risk Reduction Ministerial Meeting, held in Cape Town on Sunday. 

The EW4All initiative is an effort aimed at ensuring that every person in South Africa and across the African continent has access to life-saving early warning systems by 2027.

Addressing the delegates, Hlabisa said the roadmap demonstrates a strong national commitment to enhancing disaster risk reduction and climate resilience by leveraging innovation, technology, and data-driven solutions.

Hlabisa emphasised that this move is not merely a technical achievement, but a symbol of national resolve.

“Through this roadmap, South Africa demonstrates its readiness to innovate by using advanced technologies and data analytics to enable proactive responses to environmental risks and natural disasters.

“It reflects our determination to build a future where early warning systems are seamlessly integrated into disaster management practices, ultimately contributing to a safer and more resilient world for all,” he said.

Reflecting on the G20 Presidency principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, the Minister noted that disasters do not respect borders, and collaboration and inclusivity are imperative.

“Solidarity calls for international cooperation and shared knowledge. Equality demands that we confront structural disparities that make some communities more vulnerable than others. Sustainability reminds us that resilience is not only about surviving the next disaster but about safeguarding future generations. No community, urban or rural, formal or informal, should be left behind.”

Hlabisa also acknowledged significant progress under previous G20 Presidencies, including India’s leadership in establishing the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRR WG), and Brazil’s current emphasis on climate justice, inclusivity, and equitable financing.

South Africa, he said, will build on this foundation by ensuring that the unique voices and challenges of Africa are effectively represented within the G20 framework.

The Minister believes that South Africa’s own experiences highlight the urgency of early warning systems.

“The floods in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022, which claimed over 500 lives, and the Eastern Cape floods two months later, which claimed more than 100 lives, are painful reminders of why this initiative matters.

“The launch of the EW4All Roadmap today is our coordinated response to such tragedies, a commitment to achieving universal early warning coverage by 2027,” he said.

Hlabisa also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to fellow G20 Ministers; members of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, led by Chairperson Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo; the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Narend Singh, as well as development partners, knowledge institutions, and delegates from around the world who gathered to witness this milestone.

“Together, we aspire to foster sustainable development and create pathways for shared prosperity,” he added.

The Minister concluded by outlining a clear roadmap for the next 12 months, including:
•    Establishing the G20 DRR WG Continuity Taskforce, co-chaired by South Africa, India and Brazil, with the United Nations (UN) Disaster Risk Reduction acting as the Secretariat.
•    Hosting the G20 Resilience Financing Dialogue in Durban in the first quarter of 2026.
•    Developing the local resilience toolkit, in partnership with Singapore, Norway and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
•    Piloting the Recovery Readiness Framework in three South African municipalities.
•    Convening the G20 Resilience Innovation Forum alongside the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
•    Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of EW4All quarterly, with the support of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is responsible for many aspects related to information and communication technologies under the UN. 
 

The Minister further called on all partners to continue working in unity and purpose.

“The journey before us is not without challenges, but it is filled with opportunities for progress and transformation. Together, let us uphold the spirit of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, building a resilient Africa and a safer world for all. Filled with immense pride and responsibility, I am honoured to launch South Africa’s Early Warnings for All Roadmap officially,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Madlanga Commission will resume its hearings at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane this morning.

“In view of the nature of the evidence to be presented when the hearings resume, the evidence leaders will apply for the hearings to be conducted in camera, in a closed session at which the media and members of the public will not be allowed. 

“If the Commission grants the application, the hearings will then proceed in camera until further notice,” commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said.

South African Police Service (SAPS) Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, who was giving evidence before the commission’s break, will not be testifying.

“The Commission remains committed to the principles of transparency and accountability.

“Should circumstances permit a change in the mode of hearing, the media and the public will be informed accordingly,” Michaels said.

The Commission – which is officially known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System – has already heard the evidence of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, followed by that of South African Police Service (SAPS) National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.

Other witnesses to have given testimony are KZN Director of Public Prosecutions at the National Prosecuting Authority, Elaine Harrison and SAPS Head of Governance, Legislation and Policy at the Legal Services Division, Major General Petronella van Rooyen. – SAnews.gov.za

The Governments of the Republic of South Africa and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will today sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on infrastructure collaboration.

“This landmark MoU establishes a strategic framework to accelerate infrastructure delivery and optimise the use of public assets in South Africa, fostering sustainable economic growth and development,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said in a statement on Sunday.

Monday’s MoU signing will take place in London. The agreement will be signed by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and Sir Chris Bryant (MP), Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade in the UK.

The department explained that the key objectives of the collaboration include the acceleration of the delivery of high-impact infrastructure programmes and projects in South Africa, optimising the use of South African State-owned assets for public benefit, and enhancing local delivery capabilities through the sharing of world-class international expertise. It also includes technical assistance, as well as strengthening infrastructure planning and implementation at the municipal level in selected focus areas. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has made a narcotics bust worth an estimated R65 million during a collaborative intelligence operation led at the Durban Harbour on Sunday morning.

Thirty bricks of suspected narcotics were seized during the operation that were stashed in the reefer refrigeration unit of a vessel.

“On [Sunday morning] Durban Customs Enforcement Team Launched the Customs Marine Unit Patrol Vessel – Striker to go and intercept the Motor Vessel near the Fairway Bouy at Outer Anchorage about 4 Nautical Miles of the East Coast of the Durban.

“The enforcement team intercepted the vessel as it was entering the port and escorted the vessel to its berth. The enforcement team boarded the vessel, interviewed the Master of the Vessel, and examined documentation to identify the location of a profiled container.

“The vessel was rummaged by the enforcement team, and the container was located on the vessel where the refrigeration unit was examined. This resulted in one positive detection of bricks of suspected narcotics,” SARS said in a statement.

SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, commended the teams for the successful bust.

“Customs demonstrated its gallantry by working so hard and focussed at the death of the night to intercept this vessel. 

“This speaks to an unwavering commitment by SARS to protect our borders and keep at bay all criminals that are bent on shipping harmful substance that cause unmitigated suffering for our inhabitants,” Kieswetter said. – SAnews.gov.za

Operation Shanela 2 efforts have led to the arrest of 777 suspects across various parts of Gauteng, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Crime Detection (also acting as Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing), Major General Mbuso Khumalo, led law enforcement agencies as they embarked on the weekend’s operations.

“These suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes that include murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, rape and sexual assault,” Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said.

Operation Shanela 2 was conducted across all five districts in the province from 10 – 12 October 2025, where 255 wanted suspects were arrested in the Tshwane District and 196 suspects were arrested in the Johannesburg District.

Ekurhuleni saw 137 wanted suspects being arrested, while 186 suspects were arrested in Sedibeng and West Rand Districts. A further 265 suspects were arrested as police embarked on roadblocks, stop-and-searches, as well as compliance checks on liquor outlets.

“The arrested suspects will appear before different magistrate courts in Gauteng in due course,” said the police. – SAnews.gov.za