Category: South Africa Government

President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a ministerial task team to coordinate government action to cushion South Africans against the impact of the war in the Middle East which has triggered rising costs of fuel.

This according to Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who led a post Cabinet media briefing in Tshwane on Thursday.

Conflict between Israel, the United States and Iran in the Middle East has placed strain on crude oil supply chains across the world, consequently triggering increased local fuel prices.

The task team comprises of:

• Minerals and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe as chairperson;
• Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana;
• Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy;
• Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau;
• Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola;
• Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen;
• Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa;
• Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp and
• The Presidency.

“[The task team will] coordinate government’s response in a holistic manner to mitigate the impact on the cost of living, fuel and food security.

“As an immediate intervention, the task team recommended the reduction in the fuel levy in the immediate period to alleviate the impact on the fuel price increases that took effect on Wednesday,” the Minister said.

The general fuel levy reduction of R3 announced on Tuesday ensures that the fuel levy will fall from some R4.10 per litre to R1.10 per litre of petrol and reduce from R3.93 to R0.93 per litre of diesel – reducing further burden on consumers.

Stable supply

Ntshavheni assured South Africans that fuel supply remains stable in the country, adding that dry fuel stations across the country are a result of “logistics constraints due to panic buying and fuel hoarding”.

“South Africans are discouraged from panic buying and fuel hoarding. We have got an adequate supply and we have got plans that will make sure South Africa remains fuel supply adequate,” the Minister added.

Ntshavheni said Cabinet called for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Iran, Israel and the US.

“Cabinet is kept abreast on the security of domestic fuel supply which is affected by the ongoing war and it was assured that South Africa’s fuel system remains supply adequate in the immediate period.

“Cabinet was informed that South Africa only relies on the Middle East supply for refined products,” Ntshavheni reiterated. – SAnews.gov.za

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The eThekwini Municipality has placed the safety of visitors, residents and churchgoers at the centre of its Easter holiday preparations, rolling out an integrated law enforcement plan to ensure a safe and peaceful period.

The city confirmed that the plan brings together multiple agencies, including Metro Police, the South African Police Service, private security, the KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate, Home Affairs and Customs.

In a statement on the municipality’s plans for Easter holiday, eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Cyril Xaba announced that more than 1 000 officers will be deployed across the municipality, maintaining 24-hour patrols at key hotspots such as beaches, entertainment areas and major routes.

Freeway patrols have also been increased to address pedestrian safety and will intensify enforcement on public transport to remove unroadworthy vehicles.

“Over 20 multidisciplinary roadblocks will be conducted during this period, focusing on all forms of crime, including drinking and driving,” Xaba said, adding that safety awareness campaigns will be conducted at taxi ranks in partnership with the taxi industry.

With thousands expected to attend Easter services, law enforcement agencies will closely monitor religious gatherings across the city, including a Good Friday service hosted in partnership with the Diakonia Council of Churches on Friday, 3 April 2026.

“Police will assist with crowd management and traffic control, while shopping centres and tourism sites will also be monitored to ensure the safety of patrons,” Xaba said.

Beaches open and safe

Xaba confirmed that all 23 bathing beaches are open and safe for swimming, following ongoing investment in sanitation infrastructure to improve water quality.

More than R1.2 billion has been allocated toward upgrading sewer networks, pump stations and wastewater treatment works to reduce pollution and prevent contamination of rivers and beaches.

Water quality testing has been intensified during the holiday period, with weekly assessments conducted and results shared publicly to ensure transparency.

“To ensure the safety of bathers, the municipality will deploy 200 lifeguards along the coastline from 6am to 6pm daily. We urge beachgoers to cooperate with lifeguards by swimming in designated areas and avoiding swimming under the influence of alcohol,” Xaba said.

The municipality also assured residents and visitors of a reliable water supply despite increased demand during the holiday season.

Officials said recent repairs to the Nagle Dam aqueduct system have stabilised supply to the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works, with inflows and outflows now at normal levels.

The planned shutdown of the Southern Aqueduct for pipeline upgrades is not expected to disrupt water availability over the Easter period. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the construction of a new ground reservoir and tower in Brixton has been successfully concluded, making a tangible difference in strengthening water provision across Johannesburg.

The Premier held a media briefing in the city on Wednesday.

Johannesburg has faced several water challenges due to several factors including ageing infrastructure, increasing supply demand and maintenance backlogs.

“[The] construction…has been successfully concluded, alongside the completion of an emergency boosting pumping station. These projects are already making a tangible difference in strengthening water provision across Johannesburg’s suburbs.

“While occasional shortages and maintenance backlogs persist, these interventions have brought significant stabilisation across our province. These interventions align and support progress toward long-term resilience as we prepare for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2,” Lesufi said.

He added that the provincial government is going further to secure water supply.

“This is only the beginning. As the Gauteng Provincial Government, we are resolute in our mission to secure reliable, sustainable, and equitable water supply for all our residents.

“We will continue to invest in modern infrastructure, expand capacity, and work tirelessly to ensure that every household, every business, and every community has access to the water they need. Water is life, and we are committed to protecting this lifeline for generations to come,” the Premier said.

At the same time, the provincial government has handed over 440 new housing units across Gauteng with 188 walk-up units in Benoni and 132 units in Lesedi.

Furthermore, some 148 homes in Clayville and 120 units in Affrivillage/Droogeheuwel were handed over last month.

“Each set of keys represents more than just bricks and mortar; it is the restoration of dignity, the assurance of shelter, and the promise of stability for families who can now call these houses their homes.

“These projects are a testament to our unwavering commitment to building communities where every resident has the right to safe and decent living conditions,” Lesufi noted.

Additionally, some 3 000 title deeds have been handed over to communities in Ratanda and Impumelelo.

“A title deed is more than a piece of paper—it is a guarantee of ownership, a safeguard of security, and a foundation for generational wealth.

“By placing these deeds in the hands of our people, we are not only affirming their rightful place in society but also empowering them with the confidence that comes from true ownership. This is how we build a Gauteng where dignity is restored, security is assured, and opportunity is unlocked for all,” Lesufi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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As travellers begin to make their way to various destinations for the Easter and Passover holidays, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has reiterated its call for citizens to remain vigilant and take steps to safeguard their homes and ensure safety on the roads.

GCIS Acting Director-General Nomonde Mnukwa on Thursday urged residents to take precautionary measures to protect their property while away.

“Ensure that all doors and windows are properly secured, and double-check all entry points before leaving home, even for short periods,” Mnukwa said.

She also cautioned against sharing travel plans publicly, particularly on social media platforms.

“Do not publicise your travel plans; avoid posting holiday details or locations on social media,” she added.

Mnukwa emphasised that road safety remains critical during the busy holiday period, calling on motorists to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations, to curb road fatalities and save lives.

“Motorists must obey the rules of the road, avoid speeding, reckless and drunk driving, and always wear seatbelts,” she said.

She further advised drivers to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before departure by checking tyres, brakes, lights and fluid levels.

Mnukwa also emphasised that the safety of children should remain a top priority, with parents and caregivers encouraged to use appropriate child restraints and always maintain close supervision.

Travellers have also been urged to stay informed about weather conditions and to heed warnings or advisories issued by authorities, particularly when travelling across provinces. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Human Settlements Minister Thembisile Simelane has urged a shift from investment pledges to tangible delivery, saying South Africa’s credibility now depends on turning commitments into real economic outcomes.

Simelane said the next phase of the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) must be defined by implementation rather than promises.

“Our credibility as an economic partner will increasingly be defined by our ability to translate pledges into projects, and projects into tangible development outcomes,” the Minister said.

Simelane, who chaired the Economic Diplomacy and Economic Cooperation plenary at the conference, emphasised that economic diplomacy should be measured by its impact on communities both in South Africa and across the African continent.

Positioning South Africa as a gateway to Africa

The Minister said the conference is not only about attracting investment into the country, but also about positioning South Africa as a gateway to broader African opportunities.

“It is fundamentally about positioning South Africa as a platform for shared continental growth and opportunity,” she said.

She noted that strong international participation at the conference was a clear affirmation of growing global confidence in South Africa as both an investment destination and a strategic partner in advancing development across Africa.

Since its inception, Simelane said the SAIC has served as a key instrument of economic diplomacy, translating diplomatic engagement into tangible investment commitments, partnerships, and implementation outcomes.

“Our message to the global investment community remains clear: South Africa is open, ready, and available to lead in partnering for Africa’s development,” the Minister said.

Simelane also highlighted South Africa’s role as a strategic entry point into African markets, supported by established institutions, advanced infrastructure, sophisticated financial systems, and a stable regulatory environment.

Through platforms such as the SAIC, she said government aims to position the country as an enabler of regional value chains rather than a competitor within the continent.

“Economic success in Africa will not be achieved through fragmentation, but through integration, scale and shared prosperity,” she said.

She pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area as central to unlocking these opportunities, offering a single market and more predictable regulatory frameworks to support trade and investment.

Through platforms such as SAIC, she said the country intentionally positioning South Africa not as a competitor within the continent, but as an enabler of regional and continental value chains, unlocking scale, efficiency, and shared growth.

Focus on key growth sectors

Simelane said the conference is also being used to promote cooperation across sectors critical to Africa’s growth, including:
•    Energy and the Just Energy Transition: as a shared continental opportunity for sustainable growth and resilience.
•    Manufacturing and industrialisation: to deepen regional value chains and support job creation.
•    Agro-processing and food security: to drive inclusive growth and strengthen resilience across the continent.
•    The digital economy: enabling new forms of cross-border trade, innovation, and service delivery. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation unit and the National Prosecuting Authority have secured a preservation order in a kidnapping and murder case. 

The order was granted by the Mthatha High Court. The asset was a silver grey and white Mitsubishi worth R100 000. 

The case marks a decisive advancement in the strategic deployment of asset forfeiture as a crime-combatting instrument.

“The matter arises from the abduction of the victim on 17 January 2023. The victim was allegedly accused of stealing the accused personal property. 

“This accusation precipitated a calculated and sustained act of violence, where the victim was subjected to severe assault before being forcibly conveyed to a remote forested area utilising a motor vehicle under the control of the culprits,” the Hawks said in a statement.

Following the incident, a Missing Person Enquiry was initiated. However, through meticulous investigative scrutiny, evidentiary synthesis and prosecutorial consultation, the matter underwent a critical reclassification, culminating in the registration of a kidnapping and murder. 

During investigation, the accused were identified as Andile Tyusha (52) and Olwethu Mampofu (37). 

Despite extensive, resource-intensive search operations conducted by law enforcement, the victim remains untraced, thereby intensifying the gravity and complexity of the case.

The criminal case is still active and was remanded to 25 May 2026 for trial at Mthatha High Court. The preservation order prohibits the use if the asset pending the finalisation of the matter. – SAnews.gov.za

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Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has called for a more comprehensive and balanced approach to gender equality in the African higher education sector.

Delivering the keynote address at the 3rd Edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) Africa Universities Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, Manamela warned that progress in access for women has not yet translated into equal power or opportunity.

He emphasised that gender equality must go beyond enrolment figures and address deeper structural inequalities within institutions and society.

“There is no neutral education system. Paulo Freire reminded us that there is no such thing as a neutral education process. Education either reproduces the world as it is or helps us transform it.

“When we speak about equity, diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in African higher education, we should be clear that we are not discussing a side issue, or a matter of institutional image. We are discussing who gets access to knowledge, who succeeds, who leads, who is left behind, and what kind of society our universities help to build,” Manamela said.

Held under the theme: “Powering Africa’s future through talent development, innovation and inclusion”, the two-day brought together higher education leaders, policymakers and sector stakeholders to engage on critical issues shaping the future of the continent.

Among the key areas of focus included global challenges; innovation and entrepreneurship; start-up ecosystems; work readiness and skills development; and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in higher education.

Manamela highlighted significant gains made by women in South Africa’s higher education system, where women currently make up the majority of university students and graduates, accounting for 62.7% of enrolments and 65.4% of graduates in 2023.

“Women are not only entering higher education in larger numbers; they are also graduating in larger numbers. These reflects long struggles for access, democracy and redistribution. It reflects public policy, public investment, and social change far beyond the education sector itself.

‘It [also] tells us that what happens in higher education is not merely the achievement of universities. It is also a reflection of wider shifts in households, communities, aspirations, social movements and the democratic order. But that is only one side of the story Because if we stop there, we tell the wrong story,” Manamela said.

However, the Minister warned against viewing these gains as the end of the gender equality journey. Instead, he described a “contradiction” in the system: while women dominate enrolment and graduation, they remain underrepresented in positions of authority.

The leadership gap

He highlighted the academic gap in staffing profile, where among professors in South African universities, women account for only about a third, with 1 129 female professors compared to 2 216 men.

He stressed that equity, diversity and inclusion must be measured across the full academic chain, from access and progression to employment, leadership and institutional power.

The Minister also highlighted similar patterns in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), where women make up the majority of enrolments overall, yet remain underrepresented in certain skills programmes traditionally dominated by men.

This, he said, reflects broader societal patterns that continue to shape opportunities along gender lines.

Challenging common assumptions, Manamela pointed out that women are increasingly represented in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) fields in South Africa.

However, that participation does not automatically translate into equality in career advancement, research leadership or earnings.

Manamela highlighted the role of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) as a key instrument of gender transformation, with women accounting for over two-thirds of beneficiaries and receiving the majority of funding. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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As we breathe a collective sigh of relief at the arrival of the long-awaited Easter Holiday period, all of us are worthy of a big slice of cake, for having made it through the first quarter of 2026.

By no means am I saying that travelling to be with family and loved ones in other provinces for this period has by any stretch of the imagination, been a piece of cake, nor very economical to do.

What it does mean is that you travelled safely to get to your destination this long weekend, and that is no small feat, given that long weekends and holidays come with increased traffic volumes and the likelihood of being involved in road accidents.

And, as pilgrims across the various denominations don their uniform or Sunday best to attend Easter services at various churches, and others explore the tourist attractions the country has to offer, government urges everyone to continue adhering to road safety regulations diligently.

For those on a staycation, due to financial or work commitments, your path has not been a walk in the park either. Despite our differences, one thing that is certain about South Africans, is our resilient nature, which seems to be built into our DNA, together with our rugby accolades. But, I digress. 

South Africans always manage to climb the mountains they must, whether it is putting children through school, job hunting without losing heart, or keeping their heads above water at a time when the cost of living continues to bite.

Government has not been deaf to these challenges and continues to seek ways to improve the quality of life of our nation through initiatives like the social grants that go up this month, following the increase announced in the 2026 National Budget, job creation initiatives like the Youth Employment Service – known as YES – which has provided work experience opportunities to more than 220 000 young people.

Recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the creation of jobs is government’s foremost priority, given that a job is more than just an income, but about dignity, confidence, a sense of belonging, and the ability to contribute to one’s community and society.

In as much as this holiday period is about family traditions like Easter egg hunts, large servings of curried fish after church and afternoon naps, it is also about communities coming together to care for one another. 

It is about the simple act of breaking bread with neighbours who may have less than you. It is about not forgetting our sense of ubuntu, where a plate of nibbles and good conversation can make all the difference to someone.

As we recharge our batteries over the next few days, let us also reflect on those quintessential aspects of what makes us South Africans – such as our diversity, our ability to laugh even in tough times, our rich languages and outspokenness and of course, our love for sport and good braai meat. 

We also ought to take some time to reflect on Freedom Month which, is commemorated annually in April. As the country moves towards the Local Government Elections, the date of which is still to be proclaimed, let us use this time to map how far our country has come since the historic elections of 27 April 1994.

This is as President Nelson Mandela once said in the system of apartheid: “The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.” 

Let us not take our freedom for granted.

Yes, things are not perfect; many communities still struggle with access to water, inequality and the bugbear that is unemployment continues to plague the country – but we enjoy civic liberties like the right to vote, as enshrined in the Constitution, which marks 30 years of existence this year.

When the time comes to vote, let us not be apathetic, but rather exercise this hard-won right.

And, as you sit on the stoep or under your favourite tree these holidays, remember that your country needs you. It needs you not only on voting day, but also to make your voice heard when government issues requests for public comment on legislations, regulations and the like. 

Your presence and voice matter. 

Do enjoy your downtime for now and come back refreshed and ready to help build a better South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

*Neo Semono is a Features Editor at SAnews.gov.za.

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The handover of new water infrastructure in Thembalethu, George, has brought renewed hope to residents, with the project expected to improve water security while supporting local skills development and future employment opportunities.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) officially unveiled the state-of-the-art reservoir, pump station and reservoir tower under Phase 12 of the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) project.

Funded through the National Treasury to the value of the R1.4 billion, the George BFI project is aimed at ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of potable water to meet both current demand and future population growth.

BFI Project Manager Andrea Scheepers said approximately R327 million of the total investment has been allocated to benefit Thembalethu residents directly. This includes 20% funding for bulk water infrastructure such as raw water augmentation, storage and treatment, as well as targeted local upgrades.

The project involved the replacement of a 250mm bulk potable water pipeline spanning 1.9 kilometres, stretching from near the central business district along the N2 to the western reservoir tower.

Speaking at this week’s handover in Thembalethu East, Western Cape DWS Head Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa noted that the project will serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development in George.

“Beyond enhancing water security, the project will improve drinking water quality and contribute to the reduction of pollution in key watercourses,” she said.

Bila-Mupariwa called on residents to take collective responsibility in safeguarding the infrastructure, emphasising the importance of preventing vandalism to ensure its long-term sustainability.

During the construction phase of the projects, a number of local jobs were created. The project has also contributed to skills development that could improve future employment prospects for community members.

The department highlighted that ageing and failing infrastructure remains one of the primary causes of water challenges faced by municipalities across the country. The department urged Water Services Authorities to start implementing preventative maintenance, including regular inspections and scheduled servicing, to address potential defects before they become a major problem.

The George BFI Infrastructure has been designed with resilience in mind. In the event of severe emergency with prolonged failure of both bulk supply pipes, the Thembalethu East Tower can supply water backwards to the Thembalethu West reservoir, which can supply Thembalethu West and Zone 9 in turn.

The project forms part of ongoing efforts to modernise water infrastructure and improve service delivery, particularly in growing urban communities. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has thanked the nation’s compliant taxpayers after the revenue service recorded a historic R2 trillion in net tax collections for the 2025/26 financial year.

Kieswetter announced the record-breaking collections during a presentation of the preliminary revenue outcome for the financial year on Wednesday.

READ | SARS exceeds R2 trillion in 2025/26 net revenue collection

He emphasised that the unprecedented collections are not merely a financial statistic but a testament to the collective fiscal responsibility of taxpayers who comply with their duties.

“We’ve always maintained that without SARS, our democracy would be unfunded because SARS is a story about people – the 62 million people whom we serve. Everyone pays taxes because when you buy at the till you pay taxes, so we have 62 million taxpayers.

“The record achievement we reached today is because of all compliant taxpayers; I would like to thank them for their fiscal citizenship and contribution to help the most vulnerable in our society,” Kieswetter said.

The Commissioner noted that while the revenue service’s mandate is clear, to collect taxes, ensure compliance and facilitate legitimate trade, the organisation has adopted a deeper mission.

“[We] chose something which is not cast in law, and we frame it as our higher purpose. It is the reason of our existence.

“And this…is unequivocally that our work enables government to build a capable state that fosters sustainable economic growth and social development, ultimately serving the wellbeing of South Africans,” he said.

Kieswetter described SARS’ work as transformative to the lives of ordinary South Africans.

“Every Rand not only helps build a capable state that honours the social contract but also enables the state to deliver for all South Africans and strengthen fiscal integrity of South Africa.

“We remind ourselves every day that our work is transformative. And while wealthy people can buy themselves out of pandemics [and] can insure themselves against failure…poor people only have government to look to. So, it is those vulnerable whom we serve,” the Commissioner reflected.

Stemming illicit flows

Yet this “transformative” work faces a persistent threat in the form of illicit activities which hamper optimal revenue collections.

According to SARS, the economy loses some R100 billion each year to criminal activities including smuggling, customs and excise fraud, under declaration, counterfeit trade, fuel and tobacco syndicates and organised tax crime.

“People who buy illicit goods often believe they are getting a bargain.

“In reality, they are funding the destruction of legitimate businesses and jobs, shrinking the country’s tax base, and weakening the very institutions meant to serve them,” Kieswetter noted.

He added that the cost of the illicit economy is “paid by society at large” and warned that the revenue service is clamping down on such activities.

The Commissioner’s warning is not without merit as in March this year, SARS announced that it had executed search and seizure operations against six of its own customs officials for allegedly colluding with importers in a scheme that under-declared taxable income by R45 million.

In September last year, SARS together with law enforcement seized a truck loaded with illicit cigarettes worth some R10 million in the Western Cape.

A month later, the revenue collector secured a sequestration order against alleged illicit tobacco player, Roy Muleya over a R155 million tax debt linked to a company he is a director in.

“We will not allow criminal syndicates to hollow out the tax system. SARS, working with other law-enforcement agencies, is determined to disrupt, dismantle, and shut down illicit trading networks, and to make non-compliance hard and costly,” Kieswetter said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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