Category: MIL-OSI

Denel recorded a 15.8% increase in revenue, from R1.272 billion to approximately R1.473 billion, while cash generated from operations also improved.

This is according to the company’s 2025/26 Annual Report, which also shows that Denel continues to build a substantial pipeline of business opportunities exceeding R30 billion.

Denel Group Chief Executive Officer Tsepo Monaheng said the state-owned aerospace and defence entity’s recovery must ultimately be measured by improved delivery, stronger financial management, sound governance and its ability to convert market opportunities into sustainable revenue and cash flows.

“Our focus is clear: execute our existing programmes, strengthen our financial and internal control environment, secure new business, invest in our critical technologies and people and ensure that Denel remains relevant to the defence and security needs of South Africa. Our mandate goes beyond financial performance – it is about safeguarding and strengthening the country’s sovereign defence capabilities,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Monaheng reaffirmed the company’s commitment to strengthening its operational and financial sustainability while preserving the critical capabilities required to support South Africa’s sovereign defence mandate.

During his recent appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans to present Denel’s 2025/26 Annual Report, Monaheng acknowledged the significant challenges facing the organisation while highlighting progress made in stabilising the business and positioning it for sustainable recovery.

“Denel’s turnaround is a journey that requires discipline, accountability and sustained execution. We are under no illusion about the challenges that remain, particularly around liquidity, financial controls and operational sustainability. At the same time, we have made important progress in stabilising the organisation and rebuilding the foundations for a stronger Denel,” Monaheng said.

The company said closer alignment with the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Armscor and other stakeholders provides an important platform for strengthening Denel’s strategic role and preserving critical defence capabilities. –SAnews.gov.za

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Government will approach the courts for guidance on implementing the Constitutional Court judgment on the processing of asylum applications, while the Department of Home Affairs is expected to introduce a structured intention-registration and appointment system by 10 November 2026.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration announced the measures on Sunday in Pretoria during a media briefing, saying Government had considered the legal implications of the judgment handed down on 7 July 2026 and the administrative challenges arising from its implementation.  

The court declared sections of the Refugees Act, which allowed for immigration officials to deport an asylum seeker if they are in the country without a transit visa, unconstitutional. A transit visa is issued at a port of entry to allow a person to travel to a refugee reception centre and apply for asylum.

Following legal consultations, Government has been advised that it can approach the courts for a supervisory order to oversee the implementation process and seek guidance on the measures required to give effect to the judgment. 

“Accordingly, Government will request the Court to provide guidance on the nature and scope of the supervisory measures that may be required, as well as the appropriate duration of any suspension period necessary to build the operational capacity required for implementation. 

“The objective is not to delay compliance, but to ensure effective and sustainable compliance that serves both the administration of justice and the broader public interest,” the IMC Chair Mmamoloko Kubayi said. 

A supervisory order could allow the court to retain oversight of the implementation process and provide a suspension period for Home Affairs to strengthen its administrative, human resource, infrastructure and processing capacity. 

The IMC said Government remained committed to upholding the Constitution, the rule of law and South Africa’s national and international obligations towards refugees and asylum seekers.

It also emphasised that Government remained legally bound to comply with the existing court order while pursuing further legal guidance.

“We are in a situation where the IMC must find a balance between Compliance with the court order and listening to the concerns of many South Africans, and we believe we will be able to find that balance, though we need time and patience that we will request formally from the court and that we are requesting today from our citizens,” Kubayi said.

Structured asylum registration system

The Department of Home Affairs is expected to introduce a phased intention-registration and appointment model for asylum applications by 10 November 2026.

Under the proposed system, applicants will register their intention to seek asylum through an online platform and receive a receipt recording their personal particulars, biometric information, reference number and appointment at a Refugee Reception Office.

Assisted registration will be available at Refugee Reception Offices and, upon request, for people in police or immigration detention through officials, legal representatives and civil society partners, in the main languages.

The receipt will serve as proof that a person has declared an intention to seek asylum. It will not constitute a section 22 visa or recognition of refugee status.

According to the IMC, the system will operationalise the legal protection against refoulement — the forced return of a person to a place where they may face persecution or serious harm — that attaches by operation of law when a person declares an intention to seek asylum.

Home Affairs will instruct its officials and the Border Management Authority that holders of valid receipts must not be removed or refouled or arrested or detained solely for being in the country without a visa, pending the lodging and final determination of their applications.

The South African Police Service, Department of Correctional Services, National Prosecuting Authority and courts will also be informed of the arrangements.

The IMC clarified that the protection would apply to people who had registered an intention to make a first asylum application. 

People whose asylum claims have been finally rejected will not be able to reactivate protection simply by declaring a new intention to apply. However, where a rejected applicant raises a specific, genuinely new claim that removal would expose them to persecution or serious harm, the matter should be referred for legal advice before removal.

The system will also include confidentiality safeguards, protection of personal information, published service standards, a complaints mechanism and statistics available to the courts.

Applicants who fail to attend their appointments without seeking an extension will lose their appointments, while rejected applicants will be flagged to prevent abuse of the system.

Legislative reforms and refugee reception centres

In parallel, the Minister of Home Affairs is drafting legislation aligned with the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, which Cabinet has approved.

The proposed legislation is expected to be processed through Parliament in the next financial year and will, among other things, provide for remote lodging of asylum applications.

The IMC said it had requested the Minister to fast-track the process. The legislation will also address the first safe country principle, as outlined in the White Paper.

Home Affairs has further reported progress towards implementing the President’s announcement in June that refugee reception centres would be moved to ports of entry, beginning with Beitbridge in December.

The IMC said Government would consider public proposals for establishing refugee camps, particularly for people whose applications were still being processed, taking into account the legal and financial implications.

Meanwhile, relevant government departments and entities have been directed to participate in a High Court hearing scheduled for 29 October 2026.

A panel of judges appointed by the Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court will consider two conflicting directives on the same legal question concerning asylum seekers. The outcome will have a bearing on the administrative implementation of the Constitutional Court judgment.

The IMC urged South Africans and other stakeholders to allow the legal processes to run their course and to exercise restraint.

“South Africa remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law. Matters relating to asylum, migration, and border management must be addressed through lawful processes and not through misinformation, intimidation, incitement, or acts of violence,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government has warned that individuals using social media to incite violence, intimidate foreign nationals or mobilise unlawful activities will face the consequences of their actions as tensions surrounding migration and asylum applications continue.  

The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration on Sunday raised concern about the circulation of inflammatory and misleading content on digital platforms, saying such material could provoke hostility against foreign nationals, public officials and State institutions. 

“Freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution; however, the incitement of violence, intimidation, hate speech, and criminal conduct are not protected and will not be tolerated,” the IMC Chair Mmamoloko Kubayi said.  

The committee said law enforcement agencies were monitoring developments closely and would act against individuals or groups seeking to encourage, organise, facilitate or commit acts of violence and public disorder, whether online or offline. 

“Those who use digital platforms to incite criminal conduct should be reminded that such conduct may constitute a criminal offence and will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Kubayi said. 

The warning comes amid heightened public debate over migration and the implications of the Constitutional Court judgment on the processing of asylum applications, handed down on 7 July 2026.

The court declared sections of the Refugees Act, which allowed for immigration officials to deport an asylum seeker if they are in the country without a transit visa, unconstitutional. A transit visa is issued at a port of entry to allow a person to travel to a refugee reception centre and apply for asylum.

The IMC acknowledged that discussions surrounding the judgment had generated uncertainty, speculation and heightened tensions in some communities. 

It called on members of the public, civil society organisations, community formations and political stakeholders to exercise restraint while the legal processes underway are resolved. 

Peaceful protest must be upheld

The committee reiterated that South Africans have a constitutional right to assemble, demonstrate and present grievances peacefully.

However, it stressed that this right did not extend to intimidation, looting, malicious damage to property, public violence or the obstruction of lawful activities. 

“South Africa remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law. Matters relating to asylum, migration, and border management must be addressed through lawful processes and not through misinformation, intimidation, incitement, or acts of violence,” Kubayi said. 

The IMC also acknowledged engagements with representatives of civil society organisations, including Operation Dudula, March and March, the United Civic Movement, the South African Council of Churches, South Africa First and the Alexander Fiela Movement.

The representatives had presented their frustrations, feedback from their stakeholders and communities, as well as proposals on how Government should address migration-related concerns.

The committee said it welcomed engagements and feedback from South Africans as Government worked to address the challenges arising from the Constitutional Court judgment.

Deportations to continue

Meanwhile, the IMC reiterated that immigration law enforcement operations would continue while Government pursued legal guidance on implementing the Constitutional Court judgment.

“Our work on enforcing the law will continue; this therefore means deportations will continue,” Kubayi said.

The committee said protection under the asylum framework applied to people who had declared an intention to make a first asylum application.

People who were in the country unlawfully and had not sought asylum, as well as those whose asylum claims had been finally rejected following any review or appeal, would continue to be deported as required by law.

Government is seeking a supervisory order from the courts to provide guidance on implementing the judgment and to allow the Department of Home Affairs to strengthen the administrative and operational capacity required to manage asylum applications.

The IMC said it remained committed to keeping the public informed as the legal process unfolded and urged stakeholders to rely on official sources of information and reject misinformation that could create unnecessary panic or division. – SAnews.gov.za 

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The National Department of Transport plans to amend the National Road Traffic Regulations to prevent documents such as traffic register number certificates, learner’s licences and driving licences from being used as general forms of identification.

The proposed amendments follow a major investigation in 2023, in which the department assisted the Department of Home Affairs. The investigation uncovered widespread misuse of Traffic Register Numbers (TRNs) and other road traffic documents as forms of identification.

“The TRN was created solely to enable people without a South African identity number to transact on the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) for road traffic purposes while finalising their legal status with Home Affairs. It was never intended to serve as general identification,” the Department of Transport said.

The investigation found that some institutions were accepting TRNs and driving licences as general identification documents. 

The department said this practice is contrary to the Identification Act, 1997 (Act No. 68 of 1997), which designates Home Affairs as the sole authority responsible for maintaining the National Population Register and issuing identification documents.

The department added that the amendments are therefore necessary to remove legal ambiguity, prevent abuse and align road traffic legislation with the Identification Act.

1. Amendment of Regulation 1 – Definition of Acceptable Identification

Regulation 1 will be amended to exclude TRNs and all other documents issued under road traffic legislation from the definition of acceptable identification.

Under the amended definition:

(a) For a person who is not permanently resident in the Republic, acceptable identification means an unexpired passport issued by the person’s country of origin, accompanied by the relevant permit issued by the Department of Home Affairs in terms of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002);

(b) For a company, acceptable identification means a certificate of incorporation, registration certificate, memorandum of incorporation or name-change certificate issued in terms of the Companies Act, 2008 (Act No. 71 of 2008);

(c) For a close corporation converted into a company, acceptable identification means the certificate of incorporation issued to the company in terms of Schedule 2 of the Companies Act, 2008.

In effect, a TRN, learner’s licence or driving licence will no longer be regarded as an identification document.

2. Amendment of Regulation 335 – Control of Traffic Register Numbers

Regulation 335 will be amended to tighten controls over TRNs:

(a) Paragraph (b) of subregulation (1) and paragraph (b) of subregulation (2), which recognise a TRN as a form of acceptable identification, will be deleted;

(b) Subregulation (4) will be amended to require a TRN holder who obtains any other form of acceptable identification to notify the registering authority on form ANR within 21 days and surrender the TRN certificate;

(c) A new subregulation (6) will provide that a TRN is valid only for the validity period of the passport and permit submitted when it was obtained;

(d) A new subregulation (7) will require all natural persons holding a TRN certificate that does not reflect a validity period to apply for a new certificate within three months of the Regulations coming into effect.

How will the regulations be published for public comment?

The proposed amendments will be published for public comment in accordance with the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996).

Interested parties and affected institutions will have 30 days from the date of publication in the Government Gazette to submit written comments.

All submissions will be considered before the final Regulations are published. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has warned the public about a fraudulent WhatsApp group that claims to provide daily stock recommendations from Governor Lesetja Kganyago.

“This is a scam. Governor Kganyago is not affiliated with this group or any WhatsApp group offering investment advice or stock recommendations,” the Reserve Bank said.

The public is urged not to join or engage with such groups, click on related links, or share personal or financial information.

“The SARB and the Governor do not provide investment advice, stock recommendations or financial tips through WhatsApp or any other platform.” – SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) says it has received no further reports of dead sardines since 10 September, indicating that the acute mortality phase has ended. 

In a statement on Sunday, the department said surveillance was continuing as laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) resumed to establish the virus’s presence and its possible association with the sardine mortality event.

“Further laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) is underway and results are expected during the coming week,” the department said.

Testing of samples collected before, during and after the mortality event will help clarify when the virus was present, its association with affected fish and whether it remains detectable.

The department cautioned that detecting viral material alone does not establish active disease, adding that results would be considered alongside fish health and environmental information.

Coastal authorities, fishers and members of the public have been encouraged to report any new sightings of dead sardines promptly.

Precautionary catch limits remain in force

An approved precautionary catch limit is in force from 3 to 30 October 2026 to limit the rate of sardine removals while further scientific information is gathered and processed.

Under the measure, each sardine right holder may harvest no more than 33% of its remaining uncaught 2026 directed sardine total allowable catch in the applicable management area, either west or east of Cape Agulhas.

The department said the fishery remained an important source of samples for laboratory testing and information on where sardines were being encountered.

The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group is expected to reassess the situation on 27 October 2026, or earlier if material new evidence emerges.

The department said that preparations are also continuing for the end-of-year hydroacoustic survey, which is planned to begin in early November.

The survey will cover the coast from Hondeklip Bay to Port St Johns and provide the first fisheries-independent estimate of sardine biomass and distribution following the mortality event.

The department and its partners are also continuing work under a coordinated response plan, including monitoring possible effects on sardine-dependent predators and the wider marine ecosystem.

Public urged not to collect dead sardines

The DFFE said PHV is a fish virus and is not known to infect people. Commercially produced sardine products released through regulated channels remain safe.

However, the public has been advised against collecting or consuming dead or dying sardines found on beaches or floating near the shore.

The department also cautioned against feeding the fish to animals or using them as bait. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has congratulated South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, recognising her contributions to international justice, human rights and peace. 

In a statement, Youssouf described the award as a well-deserved recognition of Pillay’s lifelong dedication to justice, human dignity and peace, saying her contributions to international law and accountability had left an enduring legacy for Africa and the world.

He highlighted her distinguished career, from her struggle against apartheid in South Africa to her service at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court and the United Nations.

“Her work advancing accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity and conflict-related sexual violence has helped strengthen the foundations of international justice,” he said.

Youssouf also underscored the significance of Pillay’s achievement for African women and girls, describing her as a source of pride for the continent and an inspiration to future generations.

He noted that her career exemplified the vital contribution of African women to global leadership, international institutions and the advancement of universal principles.

At a time when international law and multilateral institutions face mounting challenges, Youssouf said the award served as a reminder that lasting peace must be grounded in justice, accountability and respect for the rule of law. 

He reaffirmed that these principles remained central to the AU’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the protection of civilians and the realisation of Agenda 2063’s aspirations for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Africa.

The AU Commission Chairperson reiterated the continental body’s determination to uphold international law, strengthen multilateral cooperation and advance its commitment to Silencing the Guns across the continent.

He joined the Government and people of South Africa, Africans across the continent and the diaspora in celebrating the recognition of Pillay’s lifelong commitment to justice, human dignity and peace. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa’s Class of 2026 has pledged to uphold honesty, discipline and integrity as learners prepare to begin their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations on Tuesday.  

The pledge-signing ceremonies, held at schools across the country on Friday, reaffirmed matric candidates’ commitment to academic excellence and ethical conduct as they approach the culmination of their schooling careers. 

Speaking to the Free State matriculants at the provincial pledge-signing ceremony at the Bluegumbosch Multipurpose Centre in Qwaqwa, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged learners to remain focused and not allow a momentary lapse in judgement to jeopardise years of hard work and sacrifice. 

“Believe in yourselves, for we believe in you. The nation stands behind you. We are proud of you for having reached this milestone. And we wish you every success,” the President said.

The President acknowledged the sacrifices made by learners, their families, teachers and tutors in preparing for the examinations, describing the upcoming tests as an opportunity for matriculants to reap the rewards of their investment in education. 

“No worthwhile goal can be achieved without sacrifice. Without persistence. Without discipline,” he said.

He also commended educators for their commitment to learners, noting that teachers often sacrifice time with their own families to support their students.

The President highlighted the progress made by learners from no-fee schools in townships and rural areas, saying their achievements demonstrated both personal dedication and progress towards building an education system that gives everyone an equal chance.

The Free State, which achieved the country’s highest matric pass rate for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024, was encouraged to reclaim the top position after KwaZulu-Natal ended its winning streak in 2025. 

“As the President of the Republic, I cannot favour any one province in the competition for first place, but we do expect the Free State to do everything it can to take its crown back,” he said.

Minister warns against examination irregularities

Meanwhile, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who attended the pledge-signing ceremony at Fezeka Secondary School in the Western Cape, urged learners to approach the examinations with integrity, discipline and a commitment to excellence.

Reflecting on her own educational journey, the Minister encouraged candidates to take responsibility for their futures through diligent study and decisions that would open doors to opportunities beyond school.

She reminded learners that the examinations mark an important transition into adulthood and the next chapter of their lives.

Gwarube also warned against examination irregularities, including bringing cellphones and crib notes into examination rooms, cautioning that academic dishonesty could have serious consequences for learners’ future opportunities. 

“There are no shortcuts to success. A cellphone hidden in a pocket is not preparation. A leaked question paper is not intelligence. Copying another learner’s work is not achievement,” she said.

The Minister stressed that the NSC must remain a qualification that South Africans can trust because it is earned honestly.

Through signing the pledge, learners commit themselves to honesty, accountability and giving their best throughout the examination period.

Pledge a commitment to learners’ futures 

In Gauteng, Deputy Minister of Basic Education Reginah Mhaule joined provincial Education MEC Lebogang Maile at Riverside High School in Three Rivers, Vereeniging, for the provincial pledge-signing ceremony.

Mhaule said the occasion represented more than a commitment to comply with examination rules, reaffirming the importance of academic excellence, integrity, discipline and responsibility.

“Today, our learners are making a commitment not only to the examination system, but to themselves and the futures they are working to build,” Mhaule said. 

The ceremonies across the country are intended to reinforce the importance of fairness and accountability in the examination process, while encouraging candidates to approach their final school examinations with confidence, dedication and determination.

The 2026 NSC examinations begin on Tuesday, 13 October, with Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 practical scheduled for the first session. The second session will feature Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu Home Language (HL), First Additional Language (FAL) and Second Additional Language (SAL) Paper 1, as well as Hebrew SAL and German HL, FAL and SAL Paper 1.

The examination period will conclude on Thursday, 26 November 2026. 

Learners have been urged to consult the official examination timetable to confirm the dates, times and subjects for their respective papers.

As the Class of 2026 prepares to write, the message from the country’s leadership is clear: years of preparation must be matched by discipline, honesty and a determination to succeed. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Police have arrested 30 suspects—25 in KwaZulu-Natal and five in Gauteng—in connection with public violence and unlawful protests.

The protests followed claims that a recent Constitutional Court ruling on asylum applications grants blanket amnesty to undocumented foreign nationals.

“The arrests relate to offences including public violence, malicious damage to property, illegal gathering, obstruction and resisting arrest, with further charges dependent on the outcome of investigations,” Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, said on Saturday night.

Those arrested since Thursday include people allegedly identified as ringleaders who had threatened to disrupt planned sporting events in Durban.

Mosikili made the remarks during a media briefing by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) on nationwide law-enforcement deployments, operations and stability. The briefing followed protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in which vehicles and buildings were burned and other property was damaged.

“The coordinated operations and decisive interventions of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure are yielding results, with law enforcement agencies making significant progress in containing violence, apprehending perpetrators and restoring stability in affected areas. 

“Our deployments remain active and are being continuously adjusted in response to verified intelligence and evolving operational requirements. These arrests demonstrate that unlawful conduct carries consequences,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

She added that investigations were continuing and that law-enforcement agencies were pursuing those implicated in burning vehicles, attacking businesses and homes, looting and committing other criminal acts.

The suspects will be processed through the criminal justice system, and the National Prosecuting Authority will exercise its mandate in accordance with the law.

“The message is unequivocal: the state is firmly in control of its security response, the authority of the law will be upheld, and no individual or group will be permitted to hold communities, public institutions or lawful activities to ransom through intimidation, violence or the destruction of property.

“The incidents in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, involving the burning of vehicles, damage to buildings, looting and confrontations within communities, required an immediate and coordinated response. 

“The destruction of property and intimidation of individuals are not legitimate expressions of grievance. They are criminal acts that threaten lives, undermine livelihoods, disrupt essential services and erode the safety and stability of communities,” Mosikili emphasised.

In response, NATJOINTS has intensified national coordination, and senior management has deployed additional resources to strengthen policing capacity in the affected provinces.

Maximum operational deployments began across all nine provinces on 9 October, increasing police visibility and readiness while strengthening the capacity to respond swiftly to emerging threats and maintain policing services.

The Deputy Commissioner said Crime Intelligence, the State Security Agency and other relevant intelligence structures continued to monitor developments, verify information, identify potential threats and issue early warnings to guide operational decisions.

These intelligence-led interventions are supported by coordinated planning through NATJOINTS, the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures (PROVJOINTS) and relevant operational command structures.

The South African National Defence Force has also been activated in KwaZulu-Natal to support the South African Police Service.

“This forms part of a decisive, coordinated response to strengthen stabilisation efforts and support the maintenance of law and order. Additional reinforcement requirements are being assessed in line with operational needs.

“The situation in the affected areas is being closely monitored, with interventions focused on preventing further violence, protecting vulnerable communities, safeguarding businesses and residential properties, and preventing retaliatory attacks.

“While isolated incidents may still occur, the collective response of law enforcement agencies is directed at containing these threats before they escalate. We remain alert, prepared and committed to responding decisively, professionally and within the law,” Mosikili said.

She emphasised that the planned football and cricket matches in KwaZulu-Natal had proceeded without disruption.

“This demonstrates that coordinated security planning and operational deployments are enabling communities to continue with lawful activities despite attempts to create instability. Security monitoring continues beyond the conclusion of these events. 

“No group will be allowed to threaten sporting fixtures, obstruct lawful gatherings or dictate whether people may exercise their rights through intimidation and violence,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

NATJOINTS will continue to coordinate intelligence, deployments, investigations and interdepartmental interventions to prevent further escalation and maintain stability.

“Our priority remains the protection of life and property, the preservation of public order and the uninterrupted functioning of communities and essential services,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za

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