Category: MIL-OSI

Gauteng police have arrested 1 134 suspects and recovered two unlicensed firearms and ammunition during Operation Shanela II which was conducted across the Gauteng province over the weekend.

The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, led a high-density provincial Operation Shanela II in Randfontein and Mohlakeng policing precincts in the West Rand District.

“During the operation at the roadblock in Randfontein, police arrested 24 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol, 10 illegal immigrants, one suspect for dealing in drugs and 16 suspects for possession of drugs,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement on Sunday.

Two suspects were arrested for selling liquor without a licence, while one suspect was arrested for possession of gold-bearing material. Police also recovered two unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

In addition, two liquor outlets were closed for non-compliance with the regulations.

Detectives arrested 786 wanted suspects, including 149 individuals linked to crimes against women and children.

“The operation was conducted through a collaborative effort involving the SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, traffic law enforcement agencies, Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and private security companies.

“Gauteng police remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents through ongoing crime prevention operations aimed at reducing crime and maintaining law and order across the province,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has urged young South Africans to register to vote ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections and take an active role in shaping the future of their municipalities.

The call comes as South Africa marks Youth Month and prepares for the national voter registration weekend scheduled for 20 and 21 June 2026.

SALGA said the registration period presents an important opportunity for eligible citizens to register or update their voting details in the districts where they live.

Through its Youth Commission, SALGA is intensifying efforts to mobilise young people amid concerns about declining voter participation and increasing distrust in democratic processes. 

According to recent Public Opinion Research by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the 2026 Local Government Elections are taking place against a backdrop of public pessimism and democratic disengagement.

The study found that 62% of unregistered voters have no intention of registering to vote, while only 38% indicated they were open to registration.

SALGA Youth Commission Chairperson Lucky Sele said one of the most concerning findings is that more than 60% of non-registered young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 do not intend to register to vote, potentially leaving millions of first-time and second-time voters off the voters’ roll.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has launched its 2026 election campaign under the slogan “Get Up, Show Up, Vote”, identifying young people as a key audience in efforts to strengthen democratic participation.

SALGA said it believes local democracy can only be strengthened when young people actively participate in shaping council decisions, priorities and policies that affect their daily lives.

“Young people cannot afford to be absent from decisions that affect jobs, service delivery, accountability and the future of their communities,” said Sele.

As part of its Youth Month activities, the SALGA Youth Commission will roll out a targeted mobilisation programme throughout June 2026. 

The initiative will include public awareness campaigns, media engagements and youth dialogues aimed at encouraging greater participation in local democracy and the upcoming elections. – SAnews.gov.za

The official opening of the 2026 Winter Initiation Season in the Eastern Cape has been accompanied by renewed calls for safe, responsible and dignified initiation practices, as government intensifies efforts to eliminate deaths, injuries and illegal initiation schools.

According to a public notice issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the initiation season officially opened for out-of-school boys on Monday, 8 June, while in-school initiates are scheduled to begin on Friday, 19 June 2026.

“Parents, guardians, traditional leaders, and communities, are encouraged to ensure that all initiates undergo the necessary health pre-screening process before attending initiation schools,” the notice said.

The department added that the Department of Health screening facilities opened on 8 June and will remain operational until 3 July 2026.

The campaign is being rolled out under the theme of promoting a safe, responsible and dignified initiation season, with the message: “Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila” (They must go alive and come back alive).

Speaking during the recent Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ 2026/27 Budget Vote in Cape Town, Deputy Minister Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe said government remains committed to protecting initiates and preserving the cultural significance of the customary practice.

“Last year we made a commitment to raise awareness with the winter initiation season upon us, and to continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to raise awareness in our communities and minimise casualties during the initiation seasons,” Burns-Ncamashe said.

He noted that Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees (PICCs) have strengthened coordination efforts, particularly in hotspot provinces, to achieve the goal of zero casualties during initiation seasons.

The Deputy Minister said the mobilisation campaign has also included the Majesties Forum, whose members have contributed proposals aimed at safeguarding the practice from individuals operating illegal initiation schools and undermining its cultural value.

“The focus interventions continued in all provinces and in provinces that were considered hotspots. The Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees (PICCs) increased their coordination to ensure that we establish a footprint that leads us to zero casualties.

“The mobilisation also included the Majesties forum who also contributed proposals to ensure that this customary practice is protected against unscrupulous people who erode the importance and cultural value of this customary practice toward nation building and social cohesion,” the Deputy Minister said.

Burns-Ncamashe further highlighted a national dialogue on customary initiation hosted by COGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa in February 2026. 

The dialogue brought together traditional leaders and other stakeholders to develop a common strategy to reduce initiation deaths, prevent amputations and eradicate illegal initiation schools during customary initiation seasons.

“The interventions by the Minister supported by the department and traditional leaders are contributing towards raising consciousness in administering safe initiation practices and also reduction of initiation deaths and amputations. Even if in some instances the reduction is low, it is a welcomed and encouraging sign of progress,” Burns-Ncamashe said.

He commended traditional leaders, government departments, health professionals, and community stakeholders for prioritising the safety and wellbeing of initiates.

“Our shared goal is clear: zero deaths, zero harm and a dignified experience for every initiate. This is not just the responsibility of one entity, but a collective obligation that must be championed through an all-of-government and all-of-society approach,” he said.

As the 2026 winter initiation season gets underway, authorities have called on communities to remain vigilant and support efforts to ensure that customary initiation remains a respected cultural practice that upholds the dignity, health and safety of all initiates.

“Let us ensure that ‘Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila’. This should not be a slogan to appease, but a reality,” Burns-Ncamashe said. – SAnews.gov.za

Communications and Digital Technologies Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele will this week deliver a keynote address at the 1st Annual Future of Work and Business Conference taking place at Freedom Park in Pretoria on Wednesday.

The conference — organised by Enterprise Capital in association with the Tshwane University of Technology’s Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) and the Wholesale and Retail SETA — is aimed at mobilising government, industry, funding and innovation partners to unlock meaningful economic opportunities through prioritising and profiling future-fit skills and technology innovation, in line with labour and business demands amid rapid advances in technology reshaping industries.

The conference will deliberate on a vibrant, diverse and globally competitive business and labour environment that harnesses the full economic and human potential of South Africans, particularly young people, helping them take advantage of emergent opportunities brought about by various trends occurring within the global business and labour markets.

The world of work and business is rapidly changing, driven by technology and artificial intelligence, economic and geopolitical shifts, environmental and demographic factors.

These trends are significantly reshaping the future of work, transforming the global labour market by displacing certain jobs, while simultaneously creating new ones. These trends have necessitated a relook at the future of work and ways of doing business.

Overall conference convener, Siyabonga Magadla, says innovation and technology are no longer optional, as they are essential drivers of competitiveness, productivity, and long-term success. 

“We must accept that we live in an era of massive innovation, big data, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, coding, robotics and digital services. We can no longer afford to just be mere consumers of the technology. Africans must play an active role in building and governing technology. 

“We must also understand and unpack the moral dilemmas and obligations that come with accessing and using these technologies,” he said.

The conference seeks to further profile opportunities in AI and technology innovation; digital skills and the digital economy; enterprise digital innovation; funding for innovation, and cybersecurity and cloud computing

The conference, which takes place in June, coincides with Youth Month and as such, will be attended by youth representing various categories, including youth in and out of school, youth with disabilities, entrepreneurs, as well as workers. 

Over the two days, the conference will attract over 500 delegates. 

Among other participants will be government officials, representatives of business, labour, TVET colleges, as well as Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

The two-day conference is positioned to emerge with tangible and actionable strategies towards the accelerated adoption of technology innovation and digital solutions towards increased economic growth and job creation. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, on Monday in Johannesburg.

President Shanmugaratnam is on a Working Visit to South Africa, where he is, among other things, attending the World Bank High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs and the Group of Thirty Spring Plenary Meeting in Cape Town.

The meeting between Deputy President Mashatile and President Shanmugaratnam provided an opportunity to reinforce strong bilateral political and economic relations, and to consolidate cooperation in priority areas such as trade, investment, skills development, and governance.

It also provided an opportunity to exchange views on economic transformation, job creation, and inclusive growth, while maintaining momentum in high-level engagements and strengthening South-South cooperation.

“Singapore remains our key economic partner and an important gateway to Southeast Asia, providing significant potential to expand cooperation in trade, investment, logistics, and financial services, as well as to enhance air and trade connectivity,” the Deputy President said during the meeting.

South Africa and Singapore maintain strong and growing bilateral relations, supported by regular high-level engagements and shared priorities in economic development, governance, and innovation.

In May 2023, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong paid an Official Visit to South Africa. Deputy President Mashatile paid a reciprocal Official Visit to Singapore in December 2023, which led to further bilateral interactions between the two countries on the margins of the G20 and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related engagements in 2024 and 2025.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Shanmugaratnam undertook to facilitate South Africa’s engagement with the ASEAN economic bloc to advance trade and investment for the benefit of both South Africa and Singapore. –SAnews.gov.za