Category: MIL-OSI

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late former Minister of Defence and leader of the Congress of the People (COPE), Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota, will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 on Saturday, 14 March.

Lekota, who served the nation as a struggle activist, inaugural Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Premier of the Free State, Minister of Defence, and co-founder of the Congress of the People, passed away on Wednesday, 4 March, at the age of 77.

READ | President Ramaphosa hails Lekota as a patriot and champion of non-racial democracy

“President Ramaphosa reiterates his deep condolences to the Lekota family, the Congress of the People and Mr Lekota’s comrades and associates across the political spectrum,” the Presidency said on Friday.

President Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Lekota as “a patriot, freedom fighter, and servant of the people, whose life story is closely intertwined with our journey of struggle and the realisation of democracy”.

The President said: “We honour him, especially for his principled dedication to non-racialism during our struggle and in a liberated South Africa.

“We deeply value his service to his home province, where he served as Premier and to our Armed Forces and our national security in his role as Minister of Defence.”

Reflecting the nation’s appreciation, President Ramaphosa has declared that Lekota will be accorded a Special Official Funeral Category 2, which will take place in Bloemfontein on 14 March.

The funeral will feature ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service.

President Ramaphosa has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations from Saturday, 7 March, until the evening of the funeral on 14 March. – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to water and addressing persistent supply challenges.

This as the Department of Water and Sanitation handed over a newly completed borehole to the Sokhulumi community in Bronkhorstspruit on Friday.

Speaking during the handover at the Indlu Yokuthula Service Centre, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said the project forms part of broader government interventions aimed at strengthening water security and improving access to basic services in communities that continue to face supply interruptions. 

The borehole – delivered during National Water Month and in the lead-up to International Women’s Day and Human Rights Day commemorations – is intended to provide a reliable water source for residents while also easing the burden on households that have struggled with inconsistent supply.

Majodina said the intervention goes beyond the delivery of infrastructure, highlighting government’s efforts to restore dignity, improve public health and bring services closer to communities. 

She noted that for many South Africans, particularly women in rural and peri-urban areas, water insecurity remains a daily reality, often requiring long walks to collect water and placing additional strain on households. 

According to the Minister, the Sokhulumi borehole is part of ongoing government programmes to expand reliable access to water through sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives. 

The intervention is also linked to the department’s International Women’s Day 2026 Ministerial Engagement and Water Month flagship programme. 

Government has acknowledged that while significant progress has been made since the advent of democracy in 1994, challenges persist across the water sector. Majodina said millions of households previously excluded under apartheid have since been connected to basic water services through expanded bulk infrastructure, new dams and rural water schemes.

However, she conceded that ageing infrastructure, rapid urbanisation, climate variability, vandalism and governance weaknesses have placed increasing pressure on water systems in several areas. 

These factors, combined with South Africa’s status as a water-scarce country with limited rainfall and unevenly distributed resources, have contributed to ongoing supply constraints. 

The Minister said targeted interventions such as the Sokhulumi borehole demonstrate government’s efforts to respond to local needs while building resilience against disruptions in supply.

“This intervention strengthens water security and shows that government listens and acts,” she said, adding that ensuring reliable access to water remains central to fulfilling the constitutional right to sufficient water. 

Beyond infrastructure delivery, government is also using the initiative to advance its Sector Wide Women in Water Programmatic Approach for 2026 to 2030. 

The framework aims to promote women’s participation and leadership across the water and sanitation sector, including expanding skills development opportunities for young women and supporting women-owned enterprises within the water value chain. 

Majodina said improving water access is closely linked to broader social outcomes, including better healthcare services, improved school attendance and stronger livelihoods for households.

She added that government is also preparing for future pressures on the water system by prioritising maintenance, diversifying water supply sources, reducing leaks and promoting water conservation as part of long-term planning.

The Minister called on communities to play a role in protecting water infrastructure, reporting leaks and illegal connections, and using water responsibly, emphasising that water security requires cooperation between government and citizens.

She said the handover in Sokhulumi serves as both a symbol of progress and a reminder that government must continue accelerating delivery in areas where service backlogs remain. – SAnews.gov.za

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Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, will spearhead continuing efforts to roll out the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine campaign, with a visit to Katlehong on Saturday.

This is part of government’s robust, multi-pronged strategy to protect the national livestock herd and ensure food security, with a nationwide mass vaccination campaign.

“This ongoing vaccination rollout forms part of government’s urgent response to curb the spread of FMD, a highly contagious viral illness affecting cloven-hoofed animals.

“The campaign aims to reach as many farmers and livestock owners as possible, reducing economic losses and ensuring food security,” the department said in a statement.

A consignment of 1.5 million vaccines was received last week.

READ | Turkish FMD vaccines arrival scales up national vaccination drive

“This successful importation of Dollvet FMD vaccines from Turkey, facilitated by Dunevax Biotech as the authorised agent, highlights government’s decisive partnership with the private sector to secure a reliable pipeline of high-potency vaccines in South Africa’s fight against FMD,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy President Paul Mashatile has praised South African rugby for its role in promoting unity and nation-building, saying the sport continues to inspire national pride and social cohesion. 

“These sportsmen teach us that through shared purpose and collective sacrifice, South Africans can overcome challenges and achieve greatness together. Their example underscores the importance of unity in nation building. 

“We must remember that nation building is an ongoing process, one aimed at uniting a once deeply divided society into an equitable and cohesive nation. Even today, sport continues to play a vital role in the transformation of our society by promoting inclusivity and expanding opportunities,” the Deputy President said. 

Deputy President Mashatile was speaking during the South Africa National Rugby Union (SARU) Player of the Year Awards held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, on Thursday evening.

Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx was awarded the prestigious SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award, while Nadine Roos was named SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year for a second successive season.

Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks were honoured with Coach and Team of the Year.

Addressing rugby administrators, players and sponsors, the Deputy President said the awards celebrated excellence while reflecting the deep cultural significance of rugby in South Africa.

“Tonight, we honour a legacy deeply ingrained in our country’s culture and unity, while celebrating extraordinary excellence in rugby,” he said.

The Deputy President reflected on the historical significance of rugby in the country, noting that the sport once symbolised division during the apartheid era.

“Looking back, rugby in South Africa was historically intertwined with the power structures of the apartheid era. It stood as a symbol of exclusion and a reminder of the inequalities that shaped that time,” he said.

However, a turning point came during the 1995 Rugby World Cup when former President Nelson Mandela wore the Springbok jersey in a powerful act of reconciliation. 

“When the late President Nelson Mandela walked onto the field wearing the green Springbok jersey, a symbol that once divided us instantly became a symbol of unity and national pride,” Deputy President Mashatile said.  

He said the victory that followed reflected South Africa’s broader journey of reconciliation and resilience. 

“The victory that followed reflected South Africa’s broader journey of resilience and reconciliation. It demonstrated how shared purpose can inspire national cohesion and pride,” he added. 

The Deputy President highlighted the country’s continued success on the global stage, including victories at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2023 Rugby World Cup. 

“The 2023 triumph in particular, which secured a historic fourth title, cemented the Springboks as the most successful team in rugby history,” he said.

The Deputy President called for greater investment in grassroots sport, particularly in rural and underserved communities, to ensure broader participation and development.

“Investment in grassroots sport remains one of the most powerful catalysts for social cohesion, youth development and economic transformation in our country,” he said. 

He concluded by congratulating all nominees and award recipients, saying their achievements bring pride to the nation and reinforce rugby’s enduring place in South Africa’s story.

The awards were attended by leadership of the South African Rugby Union, including President Mark Alexander and CEO Rian Oberholzer, as well as government representatives and members of South Africa’s national rugby teams. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

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Deputy President Paul Mashatile says government is intensifying intelligence-driven operations to combat illegal mining in parts of Gauteng, including communities in the East and West Rand.

Mashatile was responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday regarding illegal mining in the Gugulethu and Sporong informal settlements in Randfontein.

He said illegal mining poses a serious threat to communities and the economy, often linked to transnational criminal syndicates, illicit financial flows, undocumented migration and the proliferation of illegal firearms.

“As a result, government is intensifying intelligence-driven operations under initiatives such as Operation Vala Umgodi. This includes the deployment of specialised units, disruption of supply chains, arrests of perpetrators and syndicate leaders, and seizures of equipment and contraband, in cooperation with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to secure convictions,” he said. 

Mashatile said the South African Police Service, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the Department of Home Affairs are working together to combat the problem.

The Deputy President said government is also addressing the threat posed by the infiltration of illegal and counterfeit goods, which continue to undermine South African jobs and industrial competitiveness, through the 12‑dimensional National Illicit Economy Disruption Programme. 

“Government has secured funding to commence the implementation of this programme, which includes targeted enforcement in high‑risk sectors experiencing major revenue losses and entrenched syndicate activity, notably illegal mining, fuel smuggling, and port‑linked illicit trade,” he said. 

In addition, Mashatile said the South African National Defence Force has been deployed to support police operations aimed at curbing illegal mining and gang-related violence.

This deployment enhances NATJOINTS coordination and strengthens continuous monitoring efforts to prevent any resurgence of criminal activity. 

“The President’s directive underscores government’s determination to confront these urgent challenges, and we appreciate his decisive leadership in this regard,” the Deputy President said. 

Measures to curb corruption in SAPS

The Deputy President said government continues to strengthen measures to detect and prevent corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

He said the cluster remains central to coordinating government’s response to crime, violence and corruption within the criminal justice system.

Measures implemented to curb corruption include the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Task Team in 2010 to investigate high-level graft, as well as the rollout of technology-driven case management systems to reduce manual interference and vulnerabilities.

“Operational reforms have also been undertaken to reduce opportunities for corruption, including improvements to crime scene management, enhancement of investigative capacity, and the establishment of specialised units such as the Anti-Gang Unit and the Economic Infrastructure Task Teams,” he said. 

To encourage reporting of wrongdoing, the police service has also enhanced whistle-blower protection through National Instruction 18 of 2019, enabling safe reporting through platforms such as the National Anti-Corruption Hotline and internal ethics reporting systems.

Mashatile said other oversight bodies involved in detecting corruption include the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, the Public Protector of South Africa, and the Auditor-General of South Africa.

SAPS continues to strengthen internal detection mechanisms through vetting and screening of priority personnel, including members of Crime Intelligence, supply chain management and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.

“These measures are supported by lifestyle reviews and financial disclosure analysis, including reactive lifestyle audits where allegations are received. Where serious allegations of fraud and corruption arise, forensic audits and criminal investigations will follow, and those found guilty will be prosecuted,” he said. 

To strengthen policing capacity, the President announced at the State of the Nation Address last month the recruitment of 5 500 additional police officers, alongside strengthened firearm legislation enforcement.

Further, the President has directed the Acting Minister of Police and the National Commissioner to establish a special task team to investigate criminality involving senior SAPS members, following interim findings of the Madlanga Commission. – SAnews.gov.za

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