Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has signed a landmark agreement with leading e-commerce business, Takealot Group, to expand youth skills development, bridge education-to-employment gaps, and support workforce growth in South Africa.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, at Takealot Group’s Distribution Centre in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment by offering industry-relevant skills training and e-commerce business opportunities to young people through the Takealot Township Economy Initiative.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Wednesday, Gondwe welcomed the partnership, describing it as a significant step in linking students with practical skills training and business platforms.

“The MoU aims to provide education and training opportunities for students. It also involves bringing Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) on board to support young people through the township economy and by listing their businesses on e-commerce platforms. This agreement is one of five secured by my office so far,” Gondwe said.

Takealot Group CEO, Frederik Zietsman, said the initiative builds on the company’s township economy agreements in Mpumalanga and Gauteng, and will now be rolled out nationally with clear goals, measurable outcomes and shared accountability.

“As a homegrown, South African e-commerce business, we are putting our platform, logistics, and expertise to work alongside DHET’s priority areas and SETAs [Sector Education and Training Authority] support to accelerate skills development, job creation, and drive inclusive economic growth.

“We are committed to working with government and other partners to accelerate digital inclusion and leverage the power of e-commerce to change lives for the better,” Zietsman said.

The MoU outlines four main focus areas, and these include:

Adoption of TVET and community colleges: Students will gain work integrated learning opportunities, working directly with Takealot to apply their classroom knowledge in the real world of logistics, e-commerce and technology-driven business environments.

Takealot will also allocate industry experts to support curriculum development, ensuring that classroom teaching aligns with the requirements of a 21st-century workforce.

Expansion of the Takealot Bursary Programme: This arrangement will double the reach of the bursary scheme, enabling more students, particularly in high-demand skills areas such as ICT, logistics, and ecommerce retail, to access education.

Distribution of textbooks to university or college students: Takealot will use its extensive logistics and delivery network to ensure timely delivery of textbooks to students across various campuses nationwide.

Collaboration with SETAs to drive township economy support: Foster collaboration between SETAs and Takealot in supporting township entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises to participate in the digital economy. Takealot’s MrD platform will also assist township-owned restaurants and young entrepreneurs in reaching online customers and boosting visibility.

A four-member steering committee has been established to oversee the successful implementation of the partnership. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

The Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) is expected to renew all leases of existing tenants at the Island View petrochemical hub at the Port of Durban.

This will renew the leases of Bidvest Tank Terminal, H&R South Africa, Chemoleo, UNICO TEC, Astron Energy, VOPAK Terminal Durban, Engen, Total Energies, the South African Petroleum Refineries and Sasol.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy instructed the move in terms of Section 79 of the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005.

“In my view, renewing leases at the Port of Durban Island View will ensure fuel supply security for South Africa, provide certainty to tenants, and encourage long-term investment in the infrastructure. 

“Bringing new players into the industry will not only expand participation but also ensure that all South Africans have a stake in the port operations,” Creecy said in a statement.

The directive is conditional upon the conclusion of new Terminal Operator Agreements (TOA) with the entities.

The new agreements have conditions including:

• Transfer of terminal infrastructure ownership to the Authority at the end of the 25 year concession period, to ensure the terminal infrastructure, including but not limited to bulk fuel storage tanks, pipelines, and related infrastructure is maintained in accordance with international best practices.
• That the entities, make all necessary capital investments to ensure that the terminals are fully equipped and operate at all times in a highly efficient, reliable, and safe manner.
• The entities establish and implement training and incubation programmes aimed at transferring technical skills, to foster and empower historically disadvantaged people to participate in the operation of port facilities within port environments.
• The entities adopt a comprehensive transformation strategy to increase Broad-Based Economic Empowerment (B-BEEE) levels, Black ownership, and participation in port operations within a mutually agreed period with the Authority and the relevant legislations requirements.

“This initiative attempts to achieve two important policy objectives: on the one hand to ensure transformation of the sector dominated for decades by well-established players.

“On the other hand, the decision aims to ensure ongoing fuel security by ensuring that third party access is managed in a well-regulated and incremental manner that ensures consistent usage of the Island View infrastructure,” Creecy noted.

According to the department, the TNPA will also give fixed access to the Central Energy Fund (CEF) at the precinct.

“The [CEF] will also be guaranteed access to the existing terminal Infrastructure within the port limits, including marine and landside infrastructure for landing, exporting, and evacuating cargo.

“The [CEF] is initially allocated 15% capacity which can be increased up to 30% over time. The initial allocation will be reviewed periodically as significant milestones are reached and utilisation of existing allocated capacity reaches 90%.

“The…Fund will also act as a third-party access point for emerging Black players who were previously limited by a lack of access to Island View infrastructure,” the department explained.

Furthermore, the CEF is granted permission to “build and operate a new Single Buoy Mooring” within the Durban Port.

“[This is] to further entrench access for the new South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC). 

“The Authority and the Entities must establish a framework governing third-party access to storage capacity within the precinct. 

“This framework must ensure transparency of excess storage capacity and facilitate the allocation of specific dedicated capacity to support the entry of new market participants, in compliance with the regulations of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa,” the department stated.

Securing the future

The Minister has also issued a Section 79 Directive to TNPA to renew a 25-year lease for Astron Energy on “loading arms for import and export through the Astron energy operated Joint bunkering Services at its existing sites and terminal at the Port of Cape Town”.

“National energy security is closely tied to the reliability of supply provided by Astron energy’s fully integrated operation of the Astron Energy Refinery and its associated Port of Cape facilities. Astron Energy Refinery is one of only two operational crude oil refineries in SA capable of refining the strategic crude reserves.

“Between 2019 and 2024 Astron Energy has invested over R 463 million in its port operations in Cape Town.

“Aston Energy has maintained a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Level 1 status with Black ownership accounting for 48.79% of shareholder voting rights, 40.35% of economic interest and 50% of management control,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that five of its members and two Zimbabwean nationals will appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court today on charges of allegedly stealing smuggled cigarettes.

The operation is part of SANDF’s ongoing efforts to deploy intelligence and counter-intelligence personnel in the area.

Preliminary reports indicate that at midnight on 16 September 2025, a group of SANDF members allegedly conducted an unauthorised operation at Arton Villa, Musina, also known as Sediba sa Tlou Base.

“It is alleged that the members, acting in concert with two Zimbabwean nationals, attempted to unlawfully intercept a group of smugglers transporting illicit cigarettes into South Africa. 

“During the incident, shots were reportedly fired, illicit goods were seized, and some contraband was unlawfully concealed at the base.” 

However, following a joint intelligence operation conducted by the SANDF Military Police, Military Intelligence, and the South African Police Service (SAPS), a team discovered six hidden boxes of illicit cigarettes inside the base. 

According to the SANDF statement, this was in addition to the 18 boxes that had already been handed over to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

“The suspects initially attempted to obstruct the investigation and deny access to the premises. However, after engagement with senior SANDF officers, the search was successfully conducted.” 

The case was formally registered at the Musina police station under charges of corruption, possession of illicit cigarettes, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and defeating the ends of justice.

“The SANDF views these allegations in a very serious light. Such conduct undermines the integrity of the Defence Force and the trust placed in its members by the Republic of South Africa.” 

The force announced that they will fully cooperate with the SAPS, the South African Revenue Service, and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served. 

The Chief of the SANDF has since directed that internal disciplinary processes occur alongside the criminal proceedings. The outcomes of these processes will inform any further administrative and command decisions.

“The SANDF reiterates its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, smuggling, and misconduct within its ranks. Any member found to be acting in contravention of the law will face the full consequences of both military and civilian justice systems.” 

The successful arrests coincide with a recent visit by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Thalita Mxakato, who spent two days in the Limpopo deployment area. 

She encouraged intelligence staff to carry out their duties diligently, without fear or favour and urged them to enhance monitoring efforts against corruption and smuggling in the border regions. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Government of the Republic of South Africa has welcomed the findings of the United Nations (UN) Commission of Inquiry stating that Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza.

In a 72-page report released on Tuesday, the commission concluded that Israel is responsible for committing genocide, failing to prevent genocide, and failing to punish genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The report asserts that Israeli authorities and security forces have committed, and continue to commit, four acts of genocide. These include causing Palestinians “serious bodily and mental harm”, “deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”, and “imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group”.  

According to reports, close to 65 000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023. 

International reports indicate that the majority of the population has been repeatedly displaced. Over 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed. In addition, the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed, while the UN-backed food security experts have declared a famine in Gaza City.

According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), this UN report stands as a stark confirmation of the situation that compelled South Africa to approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2023. 

“The ICJ subsequently issued three successive orders on provisional measures on 26 January, 28 March, and 24 May 2024, aimed at protecting Palestinians in Gaza from irreparable harm. 

“It is with profound disappointment that the [UN] commission’s report highlights the regrettable fact that these binding interim orders have not been heeded by Israel.

“In the face of this latest report, which provides a comprehensive, forensically detailed account of an ongoing genocide, the need for international action has never been more urgent. South Africa reiterates its call for all States to immediately fulfil their solemn obligations under the Genocide Convention.” 

DIRCO said government has submitted three public dossiers of information to the United Nations Security Council — a measure to ensure the UN acts in accordance with Article 94 of its Charter.

These dossiers provide evidence related to the State of Israel’s intent and incitement to commit genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. 

They document Israel’s acts of genocide against the Palestinians, as well as its deliberate actions of starvation, the weaponisation of aid, and other expressions of genocidal intent towards the Palestinian people in Gaza.

“It is increasingly clear that Palestinian people are facing a threat of erasure in real time — the entire system of international law is on the line. At stake is not merely the fate of the Palestinian people, but the very principle of justice over impunity,” DIRCO said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has directed her department to attend to the necessary legislative amendments that will allow the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) to be generally accessible to the public.

The Minister announced the decision during her oral replies to the National Assembly on Wednesday. 

Kubayi explained that earlier this year, the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor (OCSLA) advised that the register could not yet be made publicly available, as Section 52 of the  Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act prohibits and criminalises its publication “except for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Act; or when required to do so by any competent court”.

“Further clarity was sought from OCSLA on whether or not the Minister has the power, in terms of Chapter 6 of the Act, to publish the NRSO in the Government Gazette, or any other manner.

“The legal opinion concluded that there must be a law of general application that authorises the limitation of the guaranteed rights of persons whose names have been entered in the Registers, by publishing the Registers,” Kubayi said.

Based on this, the Minister has directed the department to draft the necessary legislative amendments to allow the register to be accessible.

The Minister assured that government remains committed to “safeguarding children and vulnerable persons by ensuring the NRSO is accessible in a lawful and responsible manner”.

“While doing so and as part of the Minister’s commitment to ensuring a phased and responsible access to the Register, the department is also prioritising providing swift and responsible access for institutions that work with vulnerable groups, such as schools, daycare centres and care facilities to support their vetting processes.

“To achieve this, there is an intention to create more capacity in the Registrar’s office, including in the various provinces to process applications efficiently and expeditiously,” she said.

The Justice Department will also engage with the Departments of Basic Education, Police, Higher Education and Training, and other key stakeholders to “understand the full extent of the issues and provide feedback on these matters, in particular the interventions that are being put in place”.

The Minister said a draft amendment bill has been prepared and is currently undergoing internal consultation. 

“Furthermore, consultations will be undertaken with experts, including the Information Regulator  of South Africa, regarding the accessibility of the Register. Once this consultation has been concluded, the Bill will then be subjected to the parliamentary processes,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za