Category: MIL-OSI

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has mobilised significant resources to implement comprehensive disease control, improve biosecurity, and support agricultural production across the province.

Presenting the Department of Agriculture’s 2026/27 Policy Speech at the Provincial Legislature on Wednesday, MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe announced that R55 million has been allocated to procure more than one million vaccine doses to combat Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), alongside R22 million for critical veterinary consumables.

Kontsiwe said the recent FMD outbreak has severely impacted the sector, disrupting production, restricting livestock movement, and limiting access to key export markets.

“The outbreak has resulted in significant financial losses, placing strain on farmers and the broader food system. FMD has highlighted the critical importance of strengthened biosecurity systems.” she said.

To address these challenges, the MEC announced that the department has invested R25 million in developing infrastructure aimed at enhancing biosecurity and reduce climate change risks in livestock production.

As part of efforts to unlock export opportunities, the department will develop an export quarantine facility at Dohne Agriculture Development Institute.

“This facility will enable both small and large stock producers to quarantine the animals that are earmarked for the export market, as is a requirement of all importing countries,” Kontsiwe said.

The department outlined a wide range of initiatives to boost productivity, market access, and sustainability across the sector, and these include:

• An amount of R4.5 million has been allocated to roll out the Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS), aimed at improving compliance with the Animal Identification Act and strengthening disease control.
• A R42 million partnership between the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) and the Land Bank will support farmers through blended finance mechanisms.
• The department is investing R23.3 million to construct 17 shearing sheds and implement eight stock water projects across the province, while R8 million will support genetic improvement through the provision of 900 sheep and goats.
• The department has allocated R18.3 million to poultry production support, with 40% earmarked for youth and women enterprises. An investment of R7.5 million in poultry infrastructure development will also be made in seven enterprises in Sarah Baartman, OR Tambo, and Chris Hani.
• Grain and oilseed production will be intensified and R80 million that will support this initiative. At least 62km of fencing will also be erected to safeguard croplands.
• The department aims to leverage R50 million in investment for 36 Black smallholder citrus farms through ECRDA and Land Bank partnerships. 
• To improve the competitiveness of the citrus industry, the department is also collaborating with the Citrus Growers Association (CGA), industry players, and the national and Western Cape governments, to implement a cost-effective method of controlling the False Codling Moth using the Sterile Insect Technique in more than 4 500 hectares of citrus in the province.
• The department is partnering with the Agriculture Research Council (ARC) to drive water use efficiency through irrigation scheduling technology that is funded to the value of R900 000 to ensure irrigation schemes align with precision agriculture. 
• A budget of R5.2 million is set aside to develop a commodity-specific shared mechanisation centre offered by the irrigation scheme to farmers of the scheme.
• An amount of R1.5 million will be used to revitalise a milk pasteurising facility at Seven Stars Dairy, while R4 million will support lucerne production on 300 hectares in Qamata and Zanyokhwe.
• Further support includes R200 000 for oyster and sea urchin producers and R2 million for small-scale fisheries. R18 million has also been allocated to land rehabilitation initiatives. – SAnews.gov.za

The Auditor-General of South Africa has urged government to intensify efforts to improve accountability and service delivery, while highlighting areas of progress that demonstrate the potential for meaningful reform across the public sector.

Releasing the 2024-25 General Report for national and provincial departments, public entities and legislatures in Pretoria on Thursday, Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke, said there has been minimal improvement in audit results during the first year of the 7th administration. 

Of the 417 auditees assessed, only 151 achieved clean audits. 

Maluleke warned that many institutions, particularly high-impact auditees responsible for key sectors such as health, education, infrastructure and energy, continue to struggle with basic financial and performance management. 

These entities account for the majority of government expenditure but remain unable to produce credible financial reports or comply with legislation.

The report found that 266 auditees failed to achieve clean audits and are responsible for managing 88% of the total expenditure budget. In addition, 45 auditees experienced regressions in their audit outcomes, including several high-impact institutions overseeing hundreds of billions of rand.

Maluleke emphasised that the audit process continues to play a critical role in strengthening transparency and accountability. 

Through the implementation of the Material Irregularity (MI) process, tangible improvements have already been realised.

Financial losses amounting to R2.41 billion have been prevented or recovered, while practical interventions have led to better use of public resources. 

These include in some instances where underutilised health facilities were brought back into operation and unused buses being converted into mobile libraries. 

The report also highlights improvements in reducing irregular and wasteful expenditure compared to the previous year, suggesting that tighter controls and increased awareness are beginning to have an effect. 

While challenges remain, some of the downward trends signal that corrective measures can yield positive results when consistently applied.

Maluleke stressed that strengthening institutional capability, governance and oversight will be key to unlocking further progress.

She pointed out that many of the shortcomings identified are not due to a lack of legislation or funding, but rather inconsistent implementation and weak accountability. Addressing these root causes, she said, would enable government institutions to better deliver on their mandates and improve outcomes for citizens.

Despite ongoing issues such as non-compliance with legislation, procurement weaknesses and infrastructure delays, the report underscores that solutions are within reach. 

The successes achieved through the MI process demonstrate how decisive action, ethical leadership and effective oversight can lead to real improvements in service delivery and financial management.

Maluleke called on leaders across government to build on these gains and foster a culture of performance, transparency and accountability. 

She reaffirmed the AGSA’s commitment to supporting the public sector through its audits and expanded powers, with the aim of strengthening public institutions and ensuring that resources are used effectively to improve the lives of South Africans. – SAnews.gov.za

The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture has allocated over R600 million to provide tools aimed at improving labour efficiency, increasing agricultural productivity, and supporting value addition at household level.

Delivering the department’s 2026/27 Policy Speech at the Provincial Legislature on Wednesday, MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe said the Ilima Lokulima Programme remains a key strategy to address food insecurity in the province.

The MEC highlighted that the programme has already supported more than 33 000 households to produce their own food during the 2025/26 financial year. In the 2026/27 financial year, the department plans to expand this support to 35 000 households, with a budget of R65 million.

She noted that the department has strengthened partnerships with the Departments of Education and Social Development, as well as organisations such as Oxfam, Farmers Network South Africa, the Graca Machel Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and Walter Sisulu University, among others, to enhance community-based food production.

As part of these efforts, the department is collaborating with the Department of Education to expand agricultural production across 1 930 schools through the establishment of school gardens.

“This effort aims to strengthen local food production and enhance nutrition for learners and the surrounding communities,” Kontsiwe said.

In addition, nine Climate Smart Tunnels will be rolled out across all districts to support community food production and improve resilience against climate-related challenges.

“These combined initiatives are helping to establish sustainable community food systems and promote food sovereignty throughout the province,” she said.

To further scale up the Ilima Lokulima Programme, the department will procure 50 hand-held tractors with a budget of R3 million to support small-scale producers.

The provincial department will also expand its Spring Water Protection Programme, as a key mechanism to address water scarcity for sustainable agricultural production.  A total of R9.6 million has been allocated to protect 13 additional springs in water-stressed districts.

Kontsiwe said the intervention aims to provide reliable irrigation water access to communities, strengthen household resilience, and expand local food availability year-round.

“This initiative not only enhances water access but also establishes a solid foundation for consistent household food production and improved livelihoods,” Kontsiwe said. — SAnews.gov.za

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the Groblersdal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) Unit for securing two life imprisonment sentences for a 36-year-old man.

The man was arrested for rape and sexual assault to his 15-year-old stepson.

According to the police reports, the abuse began in 2019 when the stepfather, who had been living with the victim and his mother in the Masakaneng Informal Settlement in Groblersdal, would often come home drunk and molest the minor.

“The abuse escalated to rape with the stepfather forcing himself on the victim to perform unacceptable acts and often uttering degrading words to him.

“The ordeal continued for four years until the victim finally opened up to his mother in 2024, who immediately reported the matter to the police. The accused was arrested on 11 October 2024 at his workplace at a local farm by members of the Groblersdal FCS Unit,” the police said in a statement.

Warrant Officer Victoria Lekgala Phala was assigned to the case and worked tirelessly to ensure the accused was brought to justice. 

The accused made several court appearances before being granted bail but was ultimately found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault on Tuesday.

The Groblersdal Regional Court sentenced the accused to two life terms of imprisonment for rape and five years for sexual assault. The court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.

Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the tough sentence.

“This sentence sends a strong message to perpetrators of gender-based violence and child abuse that the police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring they are brought to justice.” – SAnews.gov.za

As South Africa marks Human Rights Month, the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality is set to begin Phase 2 of the redevelopment of Dark City and Silver City hostels, as part of efforts to restore dignity and advance the right to adequate housing.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to reinforce this commitment when he conducts a site visit to the Dark and Silver City Community Residential Units (CRU) in Mangaung on Thursday afternoon.

The visit comes as government continues to position housing delivery as central to the realisation of human rights, particularly for low-income households still affected by apartheid-era spatial planning and inadequate living conditions. 

The second phase of the project, to begin in April 2026,  and expected to run until March 2027, will build on progress already made in transforming the ageing hostels into sustainable, family-oriented rental housing.

This follows the completion of Phase 1, which delivered 130 residential units, 100 at the bottom site and 30 at the top site with water and electricity infrastructure now in place through prepaid systems.

A Facility Management Company has been appointed to oversee the administration and tenanting of the completed units, with the first group of tenants expected to occupy units from April 2026. The process will be rolled out incrementally.

The redevelopment forms part of broader government interventions aimed at addressing historical inequalities in access to housing and basic services. Through programmes such as the Community Residential Units (CRU) and Breaking New Ground policy, government has sought to transform former hostels into integrated, well-located human settlements.

These efforts are aligned with the constitutional right to access adequate housing, as well as government’s commitment to improving living standards through the provision of water, sanitation, electricity and secure tenure.

The Dark City and Silver City hostels have long been associated with overcrowding and deteriorating infrastructure, conditions that undermine residents’ dignity and quality of life.

At the start of the project, Silver City hostel consisted of 314 units with limited communal ablution facilities serving about 1 248 residents, while Dark City had 128 rooms accommodating more than 2 000 people, with shared kitchens and toilets.

Government first introduced the Hostel Redevelopment Programme in 2001 to address these conditions. Mangaung Municipality began implementing upgrades in 2009, including the provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity and roads.

As part of the initial redevelopment, the hostels were reconfigured to accommodate approximately 619 family units, along with 121 RDP houses for qualifying beneficiaries.

Despite this, the project has faced significant challenges, including delays, contractor non-performance and vandalism of construction sites. The Auditor-General also identified material irregularities linked to project implementation.

Government has, however, maintained that stabilising and accelerating such projects is critical to restoring public trust and ensuring that communities benefit from improved living conditions.

The Provincial Department of Human Settlements said the project remains a key intervention in advancing spatial transformation and delivering dignified rental housing on well-located land.

Once complete, the units will be handed over to the municipality, which will take over long-term management and maintenance in line with CRU programme guidelines. – SAnews.gov.za