Category: South Africa Government

The Government of South Africa and the United Nations in South Africa will on Friday sign a five-year Cooperation Framework Agreement aimed at supporting South Africa’s national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The Cooperation Framework sets out the strategic direction for collaboration between Government and the United Nations system from 2026 to 2030.

“It reaffirms a shared commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth, reducing inequality, strengthening institutions, protecting the environment, and ensuring that no one is left behind,” Government said.

The Cooperation Framework will be signed by the Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, on behalf of the Government of South Africa, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa, Nelson Muffuh.

The event will also be attended by senior representatives from the national government, civil society organizations, foundations, members of the diplomatic corps, United Nations entities, and development partners. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) is convening the National Disability Rights Machinery (NDRM) meeting to strengthen the implementation of disability rights in South Africa.

The meeting, which will be held in Durban from 8 – 10 July, brings together government departments, constitutional institutions, organisations of persons with disabilities, civil society, academia, the private sector, and development partners to ensure that people with disabilities remain at the centre of policy development, service delivery, and community empowerment programmes.

The meeting forms part of government’s ongoing efforts to accelerate the implementation of the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, advance the constitutional rights of persons with disabilities, and promote an inclusive society in line with South Africa’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

The National Disability Rights Machinery serves as South Africa’s primary coordination platform for disability rights. It enables stakeholders to review progress in implementing disability policies, identify challenges and develop collaborative solutions aimed at improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

The meeting is expected to review progress made in mainstreaming disability inclusion across government, strengthen intersectoral coordination and identify practical measures to improve access to education, healthcare, employment, transport, justice, and other essential services for persons with disabilities.

The White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, approved by Cabinet in 2015, provides South Africa’s comprehensive policy framework for advancing the rights and socio-economic inclusion of persons with disabilities.

The policy framework is built on nine pillars aimed at advancing disability inclusion. It includes, among others, the removal of barriers to access and participation, the support of sustainable, integrated community life, and the reduction of economic vulnerability.

Through the implementation of the White Paper, government aims to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities, accessible public services, reasonable accommodation, protection from discrimination and meaningful participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives. – SAnews.gov.za

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Parliament’s Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration (Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements and Water and Sanitation) is visiting the Ngwathe Local Municipality in the Free State today as part of efforts to ensure service delivery to the area.

This as Section 139 of the Constitution has been invoked in the municipality. Section 139 of the Constitution speaks to provincial intervention in local government.  

According to the Constitution, when a municipality cannot or does not fulfil an executive obligation in terms of the Constitution or legislation, the relevant provincial executive may intervene by taking any appropriate steps to ensure fulfilment of that obligation. 

This includes issuing a directive to the Municipal Council, describing the extent of the failure to fulfil its obligations and stating any steps required to meet its obligations and dissolving the Municipal Council and appointing an administrator until a newly elected Municipal Council has been declared elected, if exceptional circumstances warrant such a step, among others.

The committee’s visit to the Ngwathe Local Municipality follows the court-mandated invocation of Section 139(1)(c) of the Constitution.

Section 139(1)(c) empowers a provincial executive to dissolve a municipal council and appoint an administrator where a municipality has failed to fulfil its executive obligations.

“The intervention follows a ruling by the Bloemfontein High Court (and confirmed by the Constitutional Court), which found that the municipality had failed to meet its constitutional, legal and administrative obligations to residents. The court highlighted several challenges, including debt exceeding R1.5 billion, deteriorating infrastructure that has resulted in widespread sewage spills and water shortages, as well as chronic financial and administrative mismanagement,” the Committee said ahead of Wednesday’s visit.

The committee will engage political parties represented in the municipal council, business organisations, civil society organisations, and women and youth representatives to obtain their views on the intervention. It will also meet the Provincial Executive to assess progress made since the court order.

Visit to KZN 

In addition to the Ngwathe visit, the committee will also meet with the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and the Provincial Public Service Commission on Thursday as part of its programme to assess the state of the public service across provinces.

The committee has resolved to engage provincial Public Service Commissions to evaluate the effectiveness of provincial administrations and identify areas requiring improvement.

“It is important that the public service achieves its intended objectives and that the necessary measures are in place to ensure provincial administrations are functional and deliver quality services to the people. Our engagement with the Public Service Commission will help us understand where challenges exist and whether appropriate interventions are being implemented to strengthen service delivery,” Committee Chairperson Mxolisi Kaunda said. 

On Friday, 10 July, the committee will visit Impendle Local Municipality following the invocation of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution.

The intervention was implemented due to persistent failures in financial management, prolonged vacancies in critical senior management positions, and ongoing political instability within the municipality.

During the visit, the committee will engage political parties represented in the municipal council, business organisations, civil society organisations, and women and youth representatives to obtain their views on the intervention. The committee will also meet the Provincial Executive to assess progress made since the intervention was implemented.

“As representatives of the people, it is essential that the committee engages directly with communities and organisations affected by these interventions. The committee has adopted a standard framework that requires any decision to support or reject an intervention to be informed by the views of those directly impacted. Parliament also has a constitutional obligation to facilitate meaningful public participation,” Kaunda said. – SAnews.gov.za 

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The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has congratulated two Limpopo learner teams, Robo-Kidz and Roborise, for representing South Africa at the prestigious Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Grand Finale in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Robo-Kidz hail from Mashupye Tladi Primary School, while Roborise come from Bokamoso Secondary School. 

The international competition is taking place from 7 to 10 July 2026 at the Palexpo International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The two teams earned their place on the global stage after progressing through the local, provincial and national rounds of the competition.

According to the department, their achievement reflects the growing impact of its investment in coding and robotics education as part of its commitment to equipping learners with the knowledge, skills and competencies required for success in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The department has approved and gazetted the Coding and Robotics Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) and has been implementing the curriculum through phased pilots since 2021. 

The programme continues to expose learners to computational thinking, problem-solving, innovation, and digital technologies, while preparing them for future careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 

The success of the Limpopo teams has been made possible through the province’s implementation of the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Conditional Grant, which supports coding and robotics, learner enrichment programmes, teacher development, laboratory resources, and technical education. 

Through the grant, approximately 90 000 learners benefit annually from camps, Olympiads, science fairs, competitions, and international opportunities that nurture innovation and excellence. 

Acting Director for Communications, Terence Khala, said the achievement proves the value of sustained investment in future-focused education.

“These learners are highlighting the best of South African education on the global stage. Their success proves what is possible when we invest in innovation, quality teaching and meaningful opportunities that allow young people to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. 

“As the Department of Basic Education, we are still committed to expanding access to coding and robotics and strengthening STEM education so that every learner can thrive in a rapidly changing world,” Khala said. 

The department also commended the educators, school leadership, parents, the Limpopo Department of Education, and all partners who have supported the learners throughout their journey. 

As South Africa continues to expand the implementation of Coding and Robotics across the schooling system, the department said the achievements such as these reinforce its vision of developing a generation of digitally capable, innovative, and globally competitive learners.  

The Department wished both teams every success as they compete against young innovators from around the world and proudly fly the South African flag. – SAnews.gov.za  

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Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has extended the public comment period for the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Amendment Bill by one month, from 6 July to 6 August 2026.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the extension follows requests from several organisations and members of the public, who said additional time was needed to engage with the proposed legislation and prepare submissions. 

Simelane published the PIE Amendment Bill for public comment on 16 April 2026. The Bill seeks to amend the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, 1998, which was enacted to prevent unlawful evictions and address historical injustices associated with the removal of people from land without due process.

To ensure that no one was left behind and that there was maximum public participation on the bill, the Minister has appealed to the public and different organisations to seize this opportunity and make their voices heard.

“This about the people for the people. Once again, they have another opportunity to shape the bill,” Simelane said.

The department said it will continue hosting public information sessions over the coming weeks with a range of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations, the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA), Chapter 9 institutions and other government departments.

Additional information sessions will also be held in Gauteng and the Northern Cape. The department said it will publish a schedule of the remaining public engagement sessions.

Over and above information sessions, members of the public are also urged to submit their comments to PIE.AmendmentBill@dhs.gov.za, or hand deliver them at 240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, or send them to the Director General, Department of Human Settlements, Private Bag x 644, Pretoria, 0001. – SAnews.gov.za

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North West Finance MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Oageng Molapisi will engage the Kgetleng-Rivier Municipal Council on the revised implementation approach for the municipality’s Financial Recovery Plan during a special council sitting on Wednesday.

The engagement forms part of a series of special council meetings with municipalities implementing mandatory Financial Recovery Plans (FRPs) in terms of Section 139(5)(c) of the Constitution, read with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

As part of the provincial government’s 2026/27 programme of support to municipalities, Mosenogi announced a comprehensive review and recalibration of the implementation of Financial Recovery Plans.

“The revised approach prioritises high-impact and non-negotiable recovery interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of municipal financial distress and supporting municipalities to transition from the rescue phase towards accelerated financial and institutional stabilisation,” Mosenogi said.

The special council sitting will provide Provincial Treasury and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) with an opportunity to present the revised Provincial Executive Representative (PER) Terms of Reference and brief councillors on the updated implementation approach, including revised reporting, monitoring, and accountability arrangements.

The Kgetleng-Rivier engagement follows a similar special council meeting held at Madibeng Local Municipality last week, where the provincial government introduced the revised PER Terms of Reference as part of efforts to strengthen financial sustainability, governance, and service delivery in municipalities under mandatory financial intervention.

Addressing the Madibeng council, Mosenogi said the move reaffirms the provincial government’s commitment to restoring municipal financial sustainability, strengthening governance, and improving service delivery.

“This intervention is not punitive but corrective. It is intended to restore financial stability, strengthen governance and accountability, and ultimately improve the quality of services delivered to our communities. Achieving these objectives requires the full cooperation and commitment of both council and municipal administration,” Mosenogi said.

Molapisi said the revised Terms of Reference empower the Provincial Executive Representative to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Financial Recovery Plan, supported by a multidisciplinary team from CoGTA.

“The PER will be provided with extensive support to oversee governance reforms, strengthen financial management and expenditure controls, monitor municipal finances, ensure compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act, and coordinate the implementation of the Financial Recovery Plan,” Molapisi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has rejected misleading social media information regarding the death in custody of a Nigerian national in the Sunnyside policing precinct in Tshwane.

“The South African Police Service notes with concern misleading information being peddled on social media regarding death in custody of a Nigerian national in Sunnyside policing precinct. On 28 June 2026, members of SAPS Tshwane Drugs team, acting on intelligence, arrested a Nigerian national at his apartment for possession of drugs,” the SAPS said in a statement on Tuesday.

During the arrest, the suspect was handcuffed and while being taken into custody, he collapsed. 

“Members immediately called for medical assistance. Paramedics attended the scene and declared him dead. [The] Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), was immediately notified as the death occurred in police custody.”

The police further added that an inquest case was registered as well as a case of possession of drugs. The drugs found on the scene were booked into SAPS 13 store as evidence.

“Both [a] SAPS Detective and IPID Investigator attended the postmortem examination, and it was decided that the case will be investigated by the police pending postmortem results.

“SAPS strongly rejects attempts to link this incident to anti-illegal immigrants’ protests. Such claims are baseless and an attempt to mislead the public,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer, has emphasised the critical role of local councillors in unlocking economic growth and creating jobs.

Meyer made the remarks during a two-day training workshop on Economic Governance and Local Economic Development held in Paarl on 6 and 7 July 2026.

The workshop formed part of the annual multi-party Seasonal School for Local Councillors, jointly organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Western Cape Government and the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University.

More than 100 councillors and mayors from municipalities across the Western Cape attended the programme, which focused on strengthening local government’s role in driving sustainable economic growth and create employment opportunities.

A key contributor was Thomas Huber, a member of the Bavarian State Parliament and a long-serving municipal and district councillor, who shared practical insights from Bavaria’s local government experience.

Discussions centred on long-term land-use planning, support for entrepreneurship, investment in critical infrastructure and inter-municipal cooperation as key drivers of economic development.

The partnership between Bavaria, the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Western Cape Government spans more than three decades and continues to facilitate the exchange of best practices in governance, investment attraction and economic development.

Meyer said that unlocking local economies requires leadership and that small, practical actions at the local level can deliver significant economic impact.

“Unlocking local economies requires leadership. Small practical actions at a local level can have a significant economic impact. Councillors are central to creating an enabling environment, driving coordinated action, and ensuring that implementation happens,” Meyer said.

During bilateral engagements with Meyer and Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell, Huber shared perspectives on reducing bureaucracy, strengthening municipal effectiveness and implementing practical solutions to support economic growth.

The discussions also focused on investment in infrastructure, digitalisation, good governance, energy security and strategic local development as critical enablers of economic growth and job creation.

Bredell said addressing poverty remains the foremost responsibility of public representatives, noting that local councillors, through their ability to influence local legislation and policy, have a critical responsibility to create conditions that support economic growth and job creation.

He urged councillors to use their legislative and policy-making powers to pass legislation and implement measures that enable investment, support business growth and create sustainable employment opportunities.

“The most important role of any public representative is to address the scourge of poverty. Local councillors have the power to influence local legislation and should therefore be pass legislation that enables economic development and job creation. Sustainable employment is the most effective pathway out of poverty,” Bredell said.

Addressing delegates, Huber outlined five key lessons for successful local economic development.

He said municipalities should prioritise long-term planning and policy continuity, strengthen cooperation rather than competing against each other, maximise the use of planning and funding instruments available within the legal framework to stimulate development, build strong support ecosystems for entrepreneurs, and ensure transparent, efficient and accountable governance to attract investment.

Meyer said sustainable economic growth is built on effective partnerships, capable local government and a shared commitment to implementation.

“Economic growth happens where leadership, planning and implementation come together. By empowering councillors with practical knowledge and strengthening collaboration across all spheres of government, we can create an environment where businesses invest, economies grow and more jobs are created,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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National Treasury is temporarily withholding the July 2026 equitable share transfers to dozens of South African municipalities to instil strict fiscal discipline and root out financial misconduct.

The intervention follows what the department described as “persistent and serious non-compliance” with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

“National Treasury is in the process of temporarily withholding the July 2026 equitable share transfers to selected municipalities to instil fiscal discipline and ensure that public money is properly managed; that Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure [UIFWE] is addressed; and that municipal officials and office-bearers are held accountable where required by law.

“The decision follows persistent and serious non-compliance with the MFMA and its supporting regulations, despite support provided by the National Treasury through guidance, engagement, and formal or informal communication” the department announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The municipalities span the country’s nine provinces and include metro municipalities City of Johannesburg, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay and Mangaung.

“The temporary withholding of funds is taken in terms of section 216(2) of the Constitution, read with section 38 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 (MFMA).

“It is important to note that this is a corrective rather than punitive measure. Because the withholding of the funds will be for a short-term period, the National Treasury does not foresee any impact on service delivery,” the statement continued.

Forewarning
The affected municipalities were given “sufficient notice” ahead of the withholding of funds and were also encouraged to furnish reasons to the department why funds should not be withheld.

“Prior to the withholding of funds, National Treasury has provided support to municipalities through the issuance of MFMA Circulars which guide municipalities on what they must do to ensure compliance with specific provisions of the MFMA and its regulations; through one-on-one municipal engagements; and various training interventions either directly with the municipalities or through national or provincially facilitated forums.

“Despite these support interventions, many municipalities are still failing to comply with the provisions of the MFMA and its supporting regulations insofar as they relate to adopting funded budgets, addressing UIFWE and ensuring that statutory commitments are met when due,” the statement noted.

The department warned of the broader economic consequences of mismanagement, pointing out that municipal failures directly destabilise critical national entities and bulk utility providers.

“Non-compliance with the legislation is not only a dereliction of fiduciary duties by the political and administrative leadership of municipalities, but it is also threatening the financial sustainability of bulk suppliers (water boards and Eskom).

“In addition, failure to pay third parties negatively impacts on the ability of statutory bodies to continue operating optimally. The statutory bodies referred to are the Auditor-General of South Africa [AGSA], the South African Revenue Services [SARS], and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority [FSCA],” the statement read.

Consequence management
National Treasury also highlighted lapses in consequence management, noting that many Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs) are failing to function effectively.
Additionally, some municipalities “failed to show that consequence management is being implemented, including on a timely basis”.

“Some of the municipalities have failed to properly deal with UIFWE as the MFMA requires municipalities to investigate such expenditure, determine accountability, recover losses where appropriate and take corrective action.

“National Treasury has found that many municipalities have not processed UIFWE cases through their MPACs which are responsible for overseeing accountability in some municipalities. This means MPACs are not functioning effectively,” the department said.

Turning to the AGSA’s 2024/25 Consolidated general report on Local Government Audit Outcomes, the department noted that:
•    Since 2021-22, municipalities have incurred a total of R24.12 billion in fruitless and wasteful expenditure;
•    Since 2021-22, municipalities and their municipal entities have incurred irregular expenditure of R145.21 billion; R40.14 billion was incurred in 2024-25 alone;
•    Since 2021-22, municipalities have disclosed a total of R118.13 billion in unauthorised expenditure, R63.43 billion (54 per cent) of which was on non-cash budget items;
•    Budget credibility continued to deteriorate. In 2024-25, 116 municipalities (45 per cent) adopted unfunded budgets – up from 113 (44 per cent) in the previous year’s adjusted budget;
•    By the 2024-25 year-end, municipalities owed interest of R3.40 billion to Eskom and R1.21 billion to water boards; and
•    Late payments also extended to payments of contributions and third-party deductions. A total of 48 municipalities (20 per cent) had third-party deductions that were overdue for more than one month.

“This further demonstrates persistent failure to comply with the legal framework, including the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003).

“Transfers will resume once the affected municipalities meet the required conditions and submit proper proof of the conditions being met.

“National Treasury will keep working with municipalities, provincial treasuries, and cooperative governance structures to strengthen sound financial management,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has pledged decisive intervention in ongoing disputes between mining companies and traditional leaders in the Amajuba District.

The commitment follows concerns raised by Amakhosi over mining companies operating without adequately consulting traditional leadership and local communities.

Buthelezi recently convened a stakeholder meeting with traditional leaders in Dannhauser, where Amakhosi outlined a range of concerns relating to irresponsible mining activities across the region.

The meeting, attended by all local Amakhosi and led by iNkosi Zwane, was called to address what traditional leaders described as serious governance failures by mining companies operating within traditional jurisdictions.

The Amajuba District, which comprises Newcastle, Dannhauser and eMadlangeni, is a major coal-mining region.

During the engagement, traditional leaders said mining companies frequently commence operations without informing or consulting them, leaving Amakhosi unable to respond to questions from community members seeking accountability.

Inkosi Malambule Gule argued that traditional leaders should be recognised as formal stakeholders in the mining licensing process.

“No mining licences should be issued without explicit consultation with the local iNkosi,” Gule said.

Gule also emphasised the urgent need to address the environmental degradation caused by unregulated mining activities.
Amakhosi further called for strengthened unity among traditional leaders and appealed to the MEC to assist in securing agricultural support, saying limited access to resources has hindered their ability to promote community farming initiatives despite their willingness to do so.

Responding to the concerns, Buthelezi expressed deep concern over the current situation, noting that existing agreements with mining companies were failing to deliver meaningful benefits to traditional councils or local communities.

“It is unacceptable that mining companies extract wealth from the land while leaving the traditional council and the community with nothing. We need total unity among Amakhosi and must actively discourage associations that seek to divide the traditional leadership,” the MEC said.

Buthelezi also called for long-term structural and legislative reforms to protect the institution of traditional leadership.

He committed to convening a comprehensive follow-up meeting involving all Amakhosi in the Amajuba District, relevant family structures, mining companies and government stakeholders to chart a transparent and legally binding framework for future engagement. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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