Category: South Africa Government

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will respond to oral questions regarding his delegated responsibilities in the National Assembly on Thursday.

As part of the constitutional requirement for members of Cabinet to account to Parliament for their powers and performance, Deputy President Mashatile will address questions concerning the government’s efforts to implement rapid response interventions for service delivery and to troubleshoot service delivery issues in various municipalities across the country. 

The aim is to enhance governance and improve service delivery in these areas.

In January 2025, the Competition Commission conducted a market inquiry into the fresh produce market. 

Following this inquiry, the Deputy President will update Members of Parliament (MPs) on the government’s initiatives to boost annual sales for small-scale and historically disadvantaged farmers through the National Fresh Produce Markets.

“On the question of bolstering crime intelligence in the South African Police Service to stem gangsterism and other forms of violent crimes, the Members of Parliament will be updated on the multisectoral coordination and intelligence-driven strategies undertaken by government to curb the scourge of gangsterism,” the advisory read. 

The Deputy President will address questions regarding land reform and agricultural development in rural areas to promote the growth of the agricultural sector. 

In addition, he will discuss the repayment of debts owed by municipalities to Eskom, as well as the government’s strategies for tackling the disproportionate prevalence of HIV among women and girls.

The proceedings will be livestreamed on the DStv parliamentary channel 408 and YouTube. – SAnews.gov.za
 

A crime intelligence driven operation by the police resulted in the discovery of R20 million worth of cocaine at a small holding in Midrand, Gauteng on Tuesday evening. 

“A multidisciplinary team led by Crime Intelligence Head Office, inclusive of the Gauteng Organised Crime unit, SAPS Johannesburg K9 unit and members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) were following up on information of drugs that were being stored at a plot in Blue Hills, Midrand,” the South African Police Service said in a statement. 

On further investigation it was discovered that the drugs were brought into South Africa from a neighbouring country and were destined for Cape Town. 

“The cocaine was found hidden in a storage room on the identified plot. A 56-year-old man who is believed to be the owner of the plot has been arrested and the cocaine weighing about 80kg has been seized,” the police said. 

The suspect is expected to appear before the Midrand Magistrate’s Court later this week on a possible charge of possession of drugs as well as dealing in drugs. – SAnews.gov.za

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson will this afternoon report back on the outcome of a special meeting convened with the Ministers and Members of the Executive Council for Public Works and Infrastructure (MinMec).

The meeting, which was held on Tuesday, was to address the state of underperforming construction projects and neglected public buildings across the country.

“The meeting produced a recovery plan aimed at fixing the systemic failures that have delayed or derailed infrastructure delivery, with the goal of getting the basics right and ensuring that communities benefit from functional, well-maintained public infrastructure,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said in a statement.

During the media briefing, the Minister is expected to outline the action plan, including immediate interventions, timelines, and accountability measures, to restore performance across the construction and maintenance portfolios in order to deliver quality infrastructure and contribute to economic growth.

The Minister will be joined by Sifiso Mdakane, the Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, and Batho Mokhothu, Deputy Director-General: Construction Project Management. – SAnews.gov.za

The role played by court interpreters in facilitating access to justice for the entire nation cannot be overstated, says Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi.

“Court interpreters are not merely linguistic facilitators. They are guardians of constitutional rights, ensuring that every person, regardless of language, background or ability, has meaningful access to justice,” Kubayi said.

Speaking at the launch of the Court Interpreters’ Robes Programme at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria on Tuesday, Kubayi said it was the first of its kind in the world.

This initiative is aimed at professionalising the role of interpreters and affirming their status as critical enablers of justice.

The ceremonial robing of court interpreters marks a transformative moment in the justice system, underscoring their essential role.

“Your services are an integral part of the functioning of our courts, without which justice would not be served,” Kubayi said.

Kubayi said universal access to justice can only be attained when every citizen in the country can access justice and participate in court processes in the language of their choice.

“Properly utilised, language interpretation in our courts can transform our language diversity from being a barrier to an instrument for empowerment, social cohesion and a creation of a more just society.

“As part of the justice system, court interpreting must also be practiced in manner that demonstrates a shift from language interpretation under the unjust system of apartheid to language interpretation in a democracy that embraces human rights and diversity.

“The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, through Justice College, will continue to provide foundational training for interpreters.”

Kubayi said government’s decision to take this important step of robing court interpreters is motivated by the recognition of the responsibility they carry as language interpreters in the courts.

“Equally, it behoves you to carry out your tasks professionally, ethically and without prejudice. Faced with the challenge of huge case backlogs, our courts cannot afford to have court interpreters who do not understand the importance of pulling their weight to improve court efficiency. 

“As interpreters, you need to understand that you are at the coal face of our judiciary and the justice system in general. You must be the embodiment of the Batho Pele principles of public service,” the Minister said.

As part of the launch, court interpreters will adopt a new professional standard that includes the wearing of official gowns and a black-and-white dress code. – SAnews.gov.za

By Dikeledi Molobela

Bern, Switzerland – President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning arrived in Switzerland for a two-day State Visit at the invitation of President Karin Keller-Sutter of the Swiss Confederation. 

The President was received at Zurich International Airport by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola; South African Ambassador to Switzerland, Phaswana Moloto; and Ambassador Terrence Billeter of the Swiss Confederation. 

The visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic cooperation, and advance partnerships in science, technology, arts and culture, and youth skills development. 

Speaking on the significance of the visit, the Presidency highlighted that the engagement will promote mutually beneficial cooperation and inclusive growth between the two countries.

Tomorrow, President Ramaphosa will hold official talks with President Keller-Sutter on a range of bilateral issues, including South Africa’s upcoming G20 Presidency. 

The programme will include the signing of two agreements – a Cooperation Agreement in Arts, Culture and Heritage and a Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Peace Mediation and Democracy Resilience. 

“The agreements will strengthen cultural ties, explore new cooperation initiatives under domestic law and promote joint efforts in peace-making and mediation within multilateral organisations,” the Presidency said. 

As part of the visit, the South African Government will receive a number of heritage artefacts of the Nkuna Royal Family from the Government of Switzerland, reinforcing the shared cultural and historical ties between the two nations.

On Thursday, Presidents Ramaphosa and President Keller-Sutter will visit an industrial firm in eastern Switzerland and a vocational school, highlighting the importance of vocational education and training. 

The school offers dual education and apprenticeship programmes with hands-on workshops, specialised training rooms, and open learning spaces that support practical, connected learning. The visit forms part of a youth cooperation initiative aimed at equipping young people with skills for the modern economy.

The President will also engage with Swiss business leaders, promoting economic development and collaboration across key sectors. 

Switzerland remains one of South Africa’s key European trading partners. Total trade volume amounted to R18.2 billion in 2024 – exports R5.7 billion and imports R12.5 billion – which places Switzerland as the 30th largest export market for South Africa and Switzerland as the 35th largest source of imports. 

However, Swiss statistics include South Africa’s gold exports and these show that total trade had reached R159.5 billion (exports R85.4 billion and imports R74.1 billion). 

This has positioned Switzerland as South Africa’s sixth largest trading partner. South Africa’s primary exports to Switzerland include precious metals and stones – particularly gold, machinery and agricultural products such as wine, fruit and nuts as well as base metals. 

While major imports comprise pharmaceutical products, machinery, and medical equipment. 

The President is accompanied by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande; Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperation, Zuko Godlimpi. – SAnews.gov.za

The Ministry in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has commended the swift arrest of a suspect linked to the brutal killing of two young women in Mamelodi East, Pretoria.

The victims, cousins Tshiamo Moramaga (22) and Baleseng Moramaga (21), were found with gunshot wounds in Mamelodi East Extension 17 on Sunday, 26 October 2025.

According to police reports, witnesses alleged that the two women were seen arguing with a man believed to be known to them, shortly before the shooting. Both were later discovered lying next to each other on the side of the road, with gunshot wounds to the head.

Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that a 38-year-old man was arrested on Monday in connection with two counts of murder and one attempted murder.

“The police investigation revealed that a third victim, who was shot during the incident, is receiving medical treatment at hospital. Acting on this information, a joint team consisting of detectives from Gauteng Provincial Serious and Violence Crime Unit, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and Mamelodi East Detectives arrested the suspect at a filling station in Pretoria,” Sibeko said.

DWYPD Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga condemned the killings, calling them a “senseless act of violence that has once again robbed families, communities, and our nation of young lives filled with promise.”

“We commend the South African Police Service for its rapid response and urge the criminal justice system to ensure that justice is served without delay. These heinous acts of violence against women cannot and will not be tolerated. Communities must continue to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to ensure that no perpetrator of gender-based violence and femicide escapes accountability.” Chikunga said.

She said the arrest represents a crucial step towards justice for the victims and their families and serves as a reminder that accountability remains non-negotiable in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

The Ministry reiterated that eradicating GBVF requires a whole-of-society approach, involving families, communities, faith leaders, civil society, and the private sector in daily collective efforts to protect women and children.

As South Africa approaches the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, the Ministry called on citizens to reaffirm their commitment to building safe, just, and dignified communities for all.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the Moramaga family and friends during this time of unbearable grief. The lives of two young women have been cut short. Justice must be served — and our nation must never grow numb to such cruelty,” Chikunga said.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 29 October 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has determined the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the South African abalone fishery for the 2025/26 season at 12.01 tons. 

This decision was grounded on the advice of the Abalone Scientific Working Group, which considered Catch-Per-Unit Effort (CPUE) indices, fishery-independent survey data, and updated estimates of illegal catches up to 2025. 

The evidence was unequivocal, said the department, the abalone resource remains critically low, with densities in Zones A–D at 0.02–0.07 abalone per m², requiring the TAC to remain at zero there and be significantly reduced in Zones E–G.

“This precautionary reduction is not taken lightly. It reflects our legal and moral duty to act on the best scientific advice and to prevent the complete collapse of this resource,” said Minister Dion George,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George said on Tuesday.

The Minister emphasised that the TAC reduction underlines the urgent need to combat the scourge of abalone poaching, with illegal catches in 2023 exceeding 13.85 million abalone, directly undermining legal fisheries and recovery efforts.

“This is why we will move to specifically list dried abalone on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Poaching syndicates thrive on the illegal international trade in dried abalone, and this listing announced will close critical loopholes in global enforcement,” the Minister said.

This means that all international trade in dried abalone will require CITES export permits, with shipments subject to strict monitoring, verification, and reporting. 

It will enable better tracking of trade flows, empower customs authorities worldwide to seize illegal consignments, and facilitate international cooperation to dismantle poaching networks.

By regulating this high-value product, we aim to reduce demand for illicit abalone, protect our marine biodiversity, and support the long-term viability of coastal communities dependent on sustainable fisheries. –SAnews.gov.za