Category: MIL-OSI

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has been elected Vice Chairperson of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Government Group.

“In a strong show of international confidence, Minister Meth was on Friday, 12 June 2026, overwhelmingly supported by all 187 ILO member states … elected Vice Chairperson of the ILO Government Group,” the Ministry of Employment and Labour said.

In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry said the historic endorsement reflects trust in South Africa’s leadership on global labour matters as well as the Minister’s personal leadership qualities.

The Ministry said the ILO Governing Body serves as the executive council of the International Labour Organization
“It is the supreme decision-making body of the ILO outside the International Labour Conference, responsible for shaping labour policies, setting agendas, adopting the programme and budget, and electing the Director-General.

“A position on the Governing Body, particularly as Vice Chairperson of a major group, carries significant influence over global labour standards and the social justice policies affecting millions of workers worldwide,” the Ministry explained. –SAnews.govza 
 

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Eskom says it views Fitch Rating’s decision to upgrade its credit ratings, in line with the recent improvement in South Africa’s sovereign credit rating as continued recognition of the utility’s central role in the country’s energy system.

In a statement on Friday, the power utility announced that it had noted the decision to upgrade its credit ratings, in line with the recent improvement in South Africa’s sovereign credit rating.

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Eskom’s credit ratings as follows:
•    Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings: upgraded to B+ from B; Outlook Stable;
•    Senior unsecured debt: upgraded to B+ from B; Recovery Rating of RR4 unchanged; and
•    guaranteed senior unsecured debt: upgraded to BB from BB-.

The rating action follows the recent upgrade of the Republic of South Africa’s sovereign credit rating and reflects Eskom’s strong linkage to the sovereign under Fitch’s Government-Related Entities rating methodology.

The upgrade also comes at a time when Eskom continues to stabilise its operations and strengthen financial management under its ongoing turnaround plan.

Fitch has assessed the relationship between Eskom and the South African government as “strong across key support factors, including oversight, policy role, and the precedent of support, with Eskom’s rating positioned below the sovereign in line with this framework,” said Eskom.

Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, said the utility’s focus remains on execution.

“We continue to implement our turnaround strategy at pace to restore operational and financial stability, maintain energy security, and position Eskom for sustainable long-term growth that supports the economy. Eskom, and in turn South Africa, now has a stable electricity platform to operate and grow from, advancing grid stability, market liberalisation and the integration of renewable energy,” Marokane said.

The Group remains focused on strengthening operational performance, improving liquidity and access to funding, and delivering on its turnaround plan in support of long-term financial sustainability.

“Eskom views the upgrade as a positive signal of improving macroeconomic conditions and continued recognition of the utility’s central role in South Africa’s energy system,” it said.

Earlier this month, government Fitch’s decision to upgrade South Africa’s long-term foreign and local currency credit ratings to ‘BB’ from ‘BB-’ and maintain the stable outlook.

READ | Government welcomes Fitch rating upgrade

According to Fitch, the upgrade reflects South Africa’s record of prudent fiscal management and its progress on fiscal consolidation, despite weak economic growth and domestic and external shocks. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to expand employment opportunities for young South Africans.

Addressing the Youth Employment Service (YES) Strategy Session, held virtually on Friday, Mhlauli described youth unemployment as one of the country’s most pressing challenges.

She noted that South Africa’s young people possess the talent, resilience and creativity needed to drive economic growth but continue to face limited access to opportunities.

Mhlauli said government must focus on creating pathways that enable young people to realise their full potential.

“South Africans want a government that works for all, especially for young people, who make up almost 60% of our population. The challenge before us is therefore not whether our young people have potential; [it] is whether we are creating enough pathways for them to realise that potential,” the Deputy Minister said.

Mhlauli, who oversees the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), commended the YES programme for its contribution to youth employment, and urged government to draw lessons from its success as it seeks to scale up interventions nationwide.

She noted that YES has become the world’s largest corporate-funded 12-month youth jobs programme, having created more than 228 000 employment opportunities for young people. The initiative is supported by more than 2 000 sponsoring companies and thousands of host businesses across South Africa.

According to Mhlauli, YES now accounts for the majority of demand-led opportunities within the broader Presidential Youth Employment Initiative ecosystem.

Beyond job creation, she said the programme has also played an important role in fostering entrepreneurship, with many participants going on to establish their own businesses after completing the programme.

“The success of YES demonstrates what is possible when we align incentives, focus on measurable outcomes and work together towards a common objective,” she said.

Mhlauli highlighted the programme’s technology-driven approach and robust monitoring systems, saying these have enabled YES to operate at scale while maintaining accountability and cost efficiency.

She also welcomed the programme’s commitment to independent verification of outcomes, noting that third-party assessments enhance credibility and provide assurance to government, business and the public.

Despite the programme’s achievements, Mhlauli warned that South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis remains severe and requires urgent intervention.

Priority areas for action
To strengthen the country’s response, she outlined five priority areas for action.

The first is making it easier for businesses to participate in youth employment programmes. She said government remains committed to implementing measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2026 State of the Nation Address to introduce measures to make it easier for companies to participate in YES.

“As the Deputy Minister responsible for oversight of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, I intend to ensure that government honours this commitment.”

Secondly, Mhlauli said YES should play a more central role within the broader PYEI ecosystem, leveraging its deep relationships with the private sector.

Thirdly, she called for better alignment between private-sector investment commitments with youth employment outcomes, ensuring that business pledges translate into concrete opportunities for young people.
“We should work more closely together to ensure that a portion of these commitments is translated into concrete opportunities for young people through proven mechanisms such as YES,” Mhlauli said.

The fourth priority is strengthening pathways from education to employment, particularly for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students, graduates and first-time job seekers.

She said workplace experience remains critical to improving employability and called for deeper partnerships between employers and educational institutions.

Finally, Mhlauli stressed the importance of evidence-based policymaking, urging all stakeholders to prioritise monitoring, evaluation and learning to ensure resources are directed towards programmes that deliver measurable results.

“The future of youth employment in South Africa will not be secured by government alone. Nor will it be secured by business alone. It will require a genuine partnership between government, the private sector, organised labour, civil society, and young people themselves,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has commended the swift arrest of a third suspect in connection with the murder of two tourists in the northern region of the Kruger National Park last month.

The suspect was arrested on Friday, 12 June 2026, in Zimbabwe through cross border cooperation between South African, Mozambican and Zimbabwean law enforcement agencies.

“This arrest demonstrates that our commitment to tracking down and apprehending every individual involved in this tragic crime was unwavering and resolute,” Aucamp said on Saturday.

The Minister also commended the effective and efficient collaborative efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS), SANParks Rangers, Mozambique’s Criminal Investigation Directorate, and the Gonarezhou National Parks Rangers, who effected the arrest of the third suspect and later handed him to the Zimbabwe police.

The arrest follows the apprehension of the first two suspects in Mozambique in early June, while the third suspect initially evaded capture. Through the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, he was subsequently tracked down and arrested in Zimbabwe.

READ | Two arrested in Mozambique for murder of two Kruger National Park tourists

Like his co-accused, the third suspect will now be processed in accordance with the applicable legal procedures, including the applicable extradition proceedings.

The Minister hailed the arrests as a significant step towards justice and highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in combating crime.

“I’ve said it before: we can achieve so much more if we pool our resources, collaborate and cooperate in fighting cross-border crime,” the Minister said.

Aucamp, together with SANParks management, emphasised that these arrests should serve as a clear warning to anyone contemplating criminal activity within the Kruger National Park that such actions will be met with the full force of the law and that those responsible will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.

He extended his condolences to the Marais family and reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.” – SAnews.gov.za

 

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With Gerda Steyn and George Kusche having won the 2026 Comrades Marathon, Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, is set to attend the marathon’s prize-giving ceremony this afternoon.

Steyn won the women’s Comrades while Kusche clinched the men’s marathon on Sunday.

The Deputy Minister, who is attending the 99th edition of the Ultimate Human Race, is also showing support for two runners representing the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

“[The Deputy Minister] is also forming part of the key dignitaries receiving the male and female winners from number 1 to 10, including the prize-giving ceremony set to start at 2:30,” the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture said.

Ahead of the race, government extended its well wishes and support to the thousands of local and international athletes participating in the historic Comrades Marathon.

“To all the athletes, volunteers, organisers, medical teams, security personnel, and support crews working tirelessly behind the scenes: Ska Fela Moya — never give up,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said.

READ | Well wishes for Comrades Marathon participants

On Wednesday, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) said it has put comprehensive safety and security measures in place for the race.

“Over 21 000 runners will participate in the 99th edition of the Ultimate Human Race. The route has been declared a no-fly zone, hotspot areas have been identified, and law enforcement, private security, and marshals will be deployed to ensure a safe and incident-free event,” it said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have welcomed a judgment by the Western Cape High Court declaring procurement processes and service agreements related to the student funding payment system unlawful and invalid.

The ruling was delivered in the matter of eZaga Holdings (Pty) Ltd v NSFAS and Others (Case No. 9526/2024).

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, NSFAS and the SIU said the judgment marks a significant milestone in the unwavering commitment to uphold good governance, transparency, and accountability in the administration of public funds.

The court found that the procurement process undertaken by NSFAS, as well as the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) concluded with eZaga Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Coinvest Africa (Pty) Ltd, Noracco Corporation (Pty) Ltd and Tenet Technology (Pty) Ltd, were unconstitutional, unlawful and invalid.

The court also found that the procurement process was marred by a range of irregularities, including improper tender cancellations, irregular drafting and approval of bid documents, non-compliance with mandatory procurement requirements and inadequate internal controls.

The court upheld NSFAS’s contention regarding the procurement irregularities and recognised NSFAS’s constitutional duty to address these irregularities.

“The judgment not only vindicates our efforts in identifying and addressing significant governance failures but also reinforces our resolve to root out maladministration and safeguard the integrity of public procurement processes, ensuring that resources entrusted to NSFAS are used in the best interests of South Africa’s students,” the statement said.

The court, however, found no evidence that the appointed service providers were involved in maladministration, corruption or other improprieties linked to the procurement process.

As a result, the court awarded just and equitable compensation to the affected service providers, allowing them to claim reasonable expenses and profits demonstrably incurred under the now-invalidated SLAs. The process for determining these claims will be subject to strict scrutiny and independent verification, ensuring fairness and accountability for all parties.

NSFAS said it will engage constructively with the affected service providers to give effect to the compensation process as ordered by the court.

The student funding agency and the SIU reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding public resources and restoring public confidence in the administration of student financial aid.

“We wish to reassure all stakeholders, including students, parents, and the public, that NSFAS remain steadfast in their dedication to upholding integrity and restoring confidence in the administration of student financial aid,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Jomo Sibiya has led a multidisciplinary high-impact inspection blitz targeting labour law violations, immigration non-compliance, and related criminal activities in Tshwane.

Conducted on Friday, the inspection formed part of government’s intensified enforcement strategy following resolutions of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster.

It was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD), Gauteng Crime Wardens, and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

Inspectors conducted unannounced visits to several workplaces, including City Medical West in Pretoria and various businesses within the Pretoria central business district.

The inspections focused on ensuring compliance with key labour legislation, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).

These efforts form part of the department’s broader mandate to promote fair labour practices, safeguard vulnerable workers, and advocate for safe and compliant workplaces. Labour inspectors, empowered by legislation, exercised their authority to enter premises without prior notice to assess compliance and take necessary enforcement action.

The inspections uncovered a number of alleged violations, including the employment of undocumented foreign nationals and breaches of labour legislation. As a result, a total of 35 foreign nationals were detained and taken to Pretoria West Police Station for further processing.

Legal action was instituted, and three individuals were charged under Section 49(6) of the Immigration Act for working while in possession of visitor visas. Two employers were charged for allegedly employing 32 undocumented foreign nationals and three individuals without valid work visas.

Employer arrested for facilitating illegal immigration
In a separate case, an employer was arrested for allegedly facilitating illegal immigration through the employment of undocumented workers.

In addressing safety and compliance concerns identified during inspections, the City of Tshwane was also requested to disconnect electricity at certain premises.

Speaking during the operation, Sibiya emphasised the importance of ensuring visible impact through such coordinated operations, reaffirming government’s commitment to decisive enforcement of labour and immigration legislation.

“These inspections are not only punitive in nature but are also aimed at advancing social justice, protecting workers from exploitation, and ensuring that all employers operate within the bounds of the law.”

The Deputy Minister urged employers to comply fully with labour and immigration laws, ensure that all employees are properly documented, and maintain fair and safe working conditions.

Workers were also encouraged to familiarise themselves with their rights and report cases of exploitation or unsafe working environments. Communities were also urged to support law enforcement agencies by reporting suspected non-compliance or unlawful activities.

The department said government will continue to intensify joint compliance operations as part of broader efforts to promote a fair, safe, and just labour market for all. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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