Category: MIL-OSI

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has condemned a fatal shooting at a Boxer Superstore in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, in which three female managers were reportedly shot following an internal disciplinary process.

In a statement on Thursday, the Minister expressed shock and concern over the incident and called on law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families. 

“This incident happened no less than five days after World Mental Health Day on 10 October. We extend our deepest sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the families, loved ones and all colleagues of the victims during this devastating time. No person should ever fear for their life or personal safety while carrying out their duties and responsibilities in the workplace,” Minister Meth said. 

The Minister’s remarks come amid renewed calls for safe and healthy working environments, where employees can perform their duties without fear of violence or intimidation.

The Department of Employment and Labour has encouraged ongoing open dialogue between management, labour representatives, and employees to foster positive workplace relationships and resolve grievances constructively.

Employers have also been urged to strengthen Employee Wellness Programmes to ensure that workers have access to adequate mental health support.

The department called on employees to make use of these programmes to help them navigate stress, conflict and personal challenges. 

Meanwhile, Meth has appealed to members of the public to refrain from circulating graphic footage of the incident and to respect the privacy and grief of the affected families. – SAnews.gov.za

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to uplift the precautionary suspension of National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.

Masemola’s precautionary suspension was lifted following the formal withdrawal of criminal charges against him and he is expected to resume his full duties on Monday, 19 October 2026.

The charges stem from allegations of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) which led to Masemola’s appearance in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court.

Charges against Masemola were formally withdrawn following an instruction by National Prosecuting Authority Head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, in September.

In a statement on Friday, Cachalia also expressed appreciation to Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane for her service as Acting National Commissioner during Masemola’s suspension.

The Acting Minister said the Ministry remained committed to strengthening the South African Police Service (SAPS) through the Police Reset Agenda.

“The Ministry remains committed to strengthening the South African Police Service as we continue with the Police Reset Agenda, advancing professionalism, accountability, and ensuring that the organisation remains focused on its constitutional mandate to protect and serve all people in South Africa,” the statement read. 

Cachalia noted that Masemola’s return allows police leadership to stay focused on key operational goals and continue building a professional, competent and trustworthy police force. 

“The return of the National Commissioner provides an opportunity for the leadership of the SAPS to maintain focus on operational priorities and the ongoing work to build a professional, capable and trusted police service as per the Police Reset Agenda,” he said.

The Ministry said it remains committed to strengthening the South African Police Service as it continues with the Police Reset Agenda, advancing professionalism, accountability, and ensuring that the organisation remains focused on its constitutional mandate to protect and serve all people in South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za 

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has strongly condemned the malicious fake news article generated using artificial intelligence (Al), which alleges a leak of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) English Paper 3 Examination. 

In a statement, the Minister said the baseless claim is designed to disrupt the examination process and to prejudice over 964 000 candidates who are currently writing their matric examinations. 

“This deliberate spread of disinformation during this critical period is irresponsible and undermines the preparation and aspirations of learners across the country,” the Minister said. 

On Thursday, the Minister was at Thembisa West Secondary School to monitor the writing of the English Paper 3 and she confirmed that the stringent examination security systems were operating smoothly, with no leaks or other irregularities reported across all provinces.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has assured learners, parents and the public that the integrity of the 2026 NSC examination has not been compromised. 

The department said it will report the Fake News poster to law enforcement for investigation and prosecution as it seeks to undermine the national social contract between the department and South Africans regarding the NSC Examinations. 

READ | Basic Education welcomes smooth start to 2026 matric exams

The public has also been urged not to fall for or circulate unverified information intended to create panic and disrupt learners.

The NSC examinations began on Tuesday,13 October 2026.
 – SAnews.gov.za

By Nomonde Mnukwa

October provides an important opportunity to reflect on the interconnected responsibilities of government and society.

As we observe Social Development Month and Transport Month, we are reminded that dignity, safety, mobility and access to services cannot be addressed in isolation. The urgent national response to gender-based violence and femicide further reinforces the need for coordinated action that protects vulnerable people, strengthens families and ensures that government programmes deliver meaningful change in people’s lives.

South Africa’s social development story is one of both progress and unfinished work. Since the advent of democracy, government has made social development a national priority, investing in social protection, welfare services and community development programmes to improve the quality of life of citizens. 

These interventions have helped build one of the most extensive social protection systems in the developing world, providing support to millions of South Africans. Yet poverty, inequality and vulnerability remain a daily reality for many households. While Social Development Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made, it also gives us a chance to consider what more can be done to ensure that development reaches those who need it most.

Our reflection on vulnerability cannot be separated from the continuing scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. In his address to the nation on 29 September 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined the steps being taken by government to confront GBVF and update the nation on the investigation into the recent murders of women in and around Ekurhuleni. This grave national challenge requires more than government intervention alone. It demands coordinated action by families, communities, public institutions, civil society and every citizen. As public servants, we must ensure that survivors are treated with dignity, can access information and support services, and are not failed by fragmented systems or poor implementation.

Observed annually in October, Social Development Month highlights government’s commitment to combating poverty and hunger, strengthening social protection and ensuring that vulnerable communities can access the support and services available to them. It also coincides with important commemorations such as the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October, the International Day of Rural Women on 15 October and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October. 

This year’s theme, “Strengthening Families through Partnerships”, recognises that sustainable social development depends on collaboration between government, communities, civil society organisations and other social partners. It acknowledges that poverty, inequality and vulnerability affect not only individuals, but also families and the community support systems upon which many people rely. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action that strengthens families, empowers communities and expands opportunities for those most in need. 

Government has identified reducing poverty, tackling the high cost of living and building a capable, ethical and developmental state among its key priorities for the Seventh Administration. Social development speaks directly to these goals. It is a whole-of-government responsibility that requires effective leadership, coordination and implementation across all spheres of government.

Social Development Month also coincides with Transport Month, reminding us that access to safe, affordable, reliable and accessible transport is central to social and economic inclusion. Transport connects people to employment, education, healthcare, social services and economic opportunities. For older persons, persons with disabilities, rural women and vulnerable families, the absence of accessible and dependable transport can become a barrier to receiving the very services and support intended for them. Our social development efforts must therefore be supported by an integrated transport system that enables people to participate fully in society and the economy.

Government’s sustained investment in social development has earned the country international recognition, with a 2021 World Bank review describing South Africa’s social assistance system as one of the country’s most important post-apartheid policy successes. The review found that social grants make a significant contribution to reducing poverty and inequality, with approximately one-third of South Africans benefiting directly from grants and nearly two-thirds benefiting directly or indirectly from the system. It also highlighted the positive contribution of social assistance to food security, education, health and livelihoods. 

Similarly, the International Labour Organization has reported that South Africa’s social protection coverage is above the regional average and comparable with that of other BRICS countries, reflecting government’s sustained commitment to supporting vulnerable groups through social protection measures

These achievements demonstrate the impact of deliberate government action. They should also prompt an important question: if South Africa has established one of the most extensive social protection systems in the developing world, why do poverty, vulnerability and inequality continue to affect so many citizens?

Part of the answer lies in the complex nature of poverty itself. While social assistance provides a critical safety net, many households continue to face the realities of unemployment, food insecurity and limited economic opportunities. According to Statistics South Africa, poverty remains closely linked to unemployment, while women and female-headed households continue to experience higher levels of deprivation than many other groups.

The commemorations observed in October draw attention to groups whose experiences should concern every public servant. Older persons continue to play a vital role as caregivers, mentors and pillars of support within families and communities, yet many remain vulnerable to poverty, social isolation and abuse. Rural women contribute significantly to food security, family wellbeing and local economies, but many continue to face barriers that limit access to economic opportunities and services. 

One of the articles in this edition highlights research into the experiences of women from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those living in rural areas, in accessing breast cancer care. The study found that many public healthcare facilities struggle to meet national guidelines for breast cancer treatment and care. These findings remind us that development is not only about having policies and programmes in place, but also about ensuring that citizens are able to access quality services when they need them. 

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty further reminds us that poverty is not only about a lack of income. It is also about inadequate access to opportunities, services and resources that enable people to improve their circumstances and participate fully in society.

Government has long recognised these challenges and has introduced a range of interventions to address them. Through the South African Social Security Agency, social grants continue to provide critical support to older persons, children, persons with disabilities and vulnerable households. Programmes such as the Child Support Grant, Older Persons Grant, Foster Care Grant and Care Dependency Grant remain among government’s most important poverty alleviation measures. 

These are complemented by early childhood development programmes, nutrition support initiatives, social welfare services and community development programmes aimed at reducing vulnerability, strengthening families and expanding opportunities.

The challenge before us as public servants is, therefore, not whether programmes exist, but whether they are achieving their intended impact.

Are vulnerable households aware of the support available to them? Are services reaching communities most in need? Are departments collaborating effectively to address the interconnected challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality? Are budgets, policies and programmes translating into measurable improvements in people’s lives?

The same World Bank review that recognised South Africa’s social assistance system also highlighted the importance of strengthening links between social assistance and programmes that support livelihoods, employment and economic participation. This observation is particularly relevant as government continues its efforts to build a capable, ethical and developmental state. It reminds us that social development is most effective when support programmes are integrated with broader efforts to expand opportunity, promote self-reliance and improve long-term outcomes. 

As we observe Social Development Month, we should take pride in the progress that South Africa has made while remaining focused on the work that still lies ahead. Government has put the necessary programmes, policies and resources in place. Our responsibility is to ensure that they reach those who need them most and deliver meaningful, lasting change.

At the heart of social development are the people government serves. It is about ensuring that older persons can live with dignity, that rural women can access opportunities, that vulnerable families can build resilience and that every South African has the opportunity to realise their full potential. 

By strengthening implementation, improving accountability and placing citizens at the centre of our work, we can help ensure that no one is left behind. This requires us to connect social protection with safe and accessible transport, economic opportunity, quality healthcare and decisive action against gender-based violence and femicide. Social development must ultimately be measured not only by the programmes we establish, but by whether people feel safe, supported, connected to opportunity and able to live with dignity. 

Mnukwa is the Acting Director-General at the Government Communication and Information System. 

This opinion piece first appeared in Public Sector Manager magazine. 

By Sandile Nene
For millions of South Africans, the green barcoded identity book represents an important part of our history and heritage. For decades, this small paper booklet, with its laminated photograph, was the primary document used to prove who you were. This booklet, which became synonymous with our democracy, was proudly brandished by the millions who stood in line to vote during the first democratic election in 1994.

However, to many it is also a reminder of our painful history of exclusion and suffering. The apartheid government used the identity document as an instrument to enforce discriminatory apartheid laws and to control the movement of black people.

Nonetheless, this symbol of a fractured past would go on to become a beacon of the new democratic dispensation in 1994. The post-1994 government recognised that a common identity document, issued to all South Africans regardless of race, was an important part of building a non-racial and inclusive society. The document became a symbol of belonging and gave practical expression to some of the ideals contained in the Freedom Charter, adopted in 1955, particularly of equal rights and the right to vote.  

In 1994, the document enabled millions of South Africans to exercise their democratic right to vote in the country’s first democratic election, a right which had been denied to the majority for generations. It also became essential for accessing government services, social grants and other benefits associated with citizenship. Close to 15 million South Africans still rely on the green ID book, making it one of the most recognisable symbols of South African identity and citizenship.

However, this chapter is coming to an end as the green ID Book will be phased out by 2028 as part of government’s commitment to move away from paper-based processes towards digital and biometric platforms. People who still have the green ID Book are encouraged to replace it with the Smart ID, which offers stronger protection for both the citizen and the population register.

The transition to digitise essential documents is not merely about replacing an old document with a new one. It is part of a broader effort to modernise the digital ID system and strengthen the integrity of the National Population Register. The digital transformation initiative further addresses long-standing service challenges, including long queues and limited service points at Home Affairs offices.

The Department of Home Affairs’ partnership with major South African banks, including Capitec, Standard Bank, FNB, Absa and Nedbank, demonstrates how collaboration between government and the private sector can improve public service delivery.

By enabling citizens to apply for or replace Smart ID cards at participating bank branches, the initiative reduces administrative barriers, shortens application times and expands access to services beyond traditional Home Affairs offices. The processing of more than 574,371 Smart ID applications through participating bank branches by August 2026 illustrates the potential of digital innovation to make government services more accessible, efficient and responsive to citizens’ needs.

The green ID book belongs to an analogue era and, like many paper-based systems, is vulnerable to tampering, theft and fraud. These weaknesses can have serious consequences in a modern society where identity is increasingly central to accessing essential services and exercising one’s rights.

The Smart ID card, by contrast, uses a secure digital chip and biometric information to provide stronger protection against identity theft and fraud. It is intended to make identity verification more secure and reliable while helping the government maintain a more accurate and trustworthy population register.

Therefore, the green ID book is being replaced not because its history is being forgotten, but because South Africa is moving into a new digital era and making identity safer. The green ID book will always be part of our heritage, and its place in our history is assured.

As South Africa prepares for the upcoming elections, citizens who have applied for Smart ID cards are encouraged to collect them as soon as they are ready. Having the necessary identity document in hand helps eligible voters prepare for election day and avoids last-minute challenges. Collecting your ID is also an important step in ensuring that you can exercise your right to vote and participate in shaping the country’s democratic future.

* Nene is Acting Deputy Director-General: Content Processing and Dissemination at the Government Communication and Information System

President Cyril Ramaphosa has uplifted the precautionary suspension of National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, who will resume his full duties on Monday, 19 October 2026.

President Ramaphosa and General Masemola had agreed that the National Commissioner be placed on precautionary suspension in April 2026, following the Commissioner’s appearance in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to face charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

The National Director of Public Prosecutions issued instructions on 15 September 2026 that the charges against the National Commissioner be withdrawn.

On 22 September 2026, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court formally withdrew the charges against General Masemola.

“President Ramaphosa welcomes the National Police Commissioner on his return to his full duties and expresses his appreciation to Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane who served with distinction as Acting National Police Commissioner in the interim,” the Presidency said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) Minister Parks Tau has announced that South Africa will phase out current Semi-Knock-Down operations and will no longer provide policy support for any new SKD facilities in the country.

SKD operations refer to a manufacturing and export method where products – most commonly vehicles or major equipment – are shipped to a destination market in a partially disassembled state and finished at a local assembly facility.

Speaking at the SA Auto Week event in Durban on Thursday, the Minister said this decision comes as the government, working with the Automotive Business Council, the National Association of Automotive and Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam) and organised labour unions, reviews the Automotive Production Development Programme (APDP2).

As part of this process, and informed by engagements with industry stakeholders, an APDP modelling study has been undertaken to review the programme and identify possible short-term interventions to enhance the competitiveness of domestic vehicle manufacturers in relation to importers of fully built units.

Tau explained that this development will exclude Medium and Heavy commercial vehicles.

“We will work to strengthen the legal definitions around what we determine as Complete-Knock-Down (CKD) manufacturing. We have agreed that the strategic competitiveness of South Africa’s ladder frame of the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment warrants formal investigation. 

“There was also alignment that any additional protection should be accompanied by reciprocal commitments relating to production, localisation, employment, transformation, exports, and investment. I will be instructing the  International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) to undertake this investigation to reach a final determination on the matter,” he said.

According to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the proposed interventions include the following:

• A review of the ad valorem tax structure to create clearer differentiation between locally produced and imported vehicles. This may involve adjustments to the tax base and the local adjustment factor to support domestic production competitiveness.
• Measures to address structural imbalances within the APDP, particularly regarding the operation and accumulation of Production Rebate Certificates (PRCs), to strengthen localisation incentives.
• Consideration of revisions to the Volume Assembly Local Allowance (VALA) parameters to better align incentives with broader industrial policy objectives.
• Regulatory refinements related to Semi Knocked Down (SKD) operations, including the introduction of potential time-bound provisions to encourage a transition towards higher-value Complete Knocked Down (CKD) production.

The Minister acknowledged that the current period is the greatest turning point this sector has faced in a century, and the way vehicles are powered, built, owned and used is changing all at once.

He further indicated that New Energy Vehicles and South Africa’s commitment to carbon emission targets, as well as the Critical Minerals Beneficiation Strategy, are key focus areas in placing the sector on a path to success.

“If we do not build the vehicles that markets such as Europe and the United Kingdom will buy, we will lose those markets, and with them our plants and our jobs. At home, in the first seven months of this year, South Africans bought almost as many new energy vehicles as in the whole of last year. 

“The automotive industry is where the beneficiation strategy meets our reindustrialisation programme. Every new energy vehicle sold today will one day reach the end of its life, and so will its battery. 

“Government has begun work on an End of Life Vehicle policy, as part of the decarbonisation pathway in our Industrial Development Strategy. Recycling batteries and giving them a second life is a new industry in its own right. South Africa intends to build it from the start,” Tau said. –SAnews.gov.za