MEC condemns killing of off-duty LEAP officer

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has condemned the murder of an off-duty Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officer whose body was discovered at the weekend.

According to preliminary reports, the 26-year-old officer, Yonke Pakade and his 30-year-old female colleague were allegedly hijacked in Browns Farm on Saturday evening. 

The female officer managed to escape and alerted authorities. However, the body of her colleague was later found with stab wounds to the chest in the early hours of Sunday, 12 October 2025. The discovery was made at the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East.

“I am angered by this senseless act of violence that has claimed the life of a young officer who served our communities with dedication. The loss of any law enforcement officer is not only a personal tragedy, but also a significant setback in our ongoing fight against crime. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of officer Yonke Pakade,” said Marais on Monday.

The MEC has commended the swift response by LEAP officers, which led to the initial arrest of a 22-year-old suspect believed to be linked to the incident. 

A team consisting of the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Systems Management Unit, along with the South African Police Service Organised Crime, LEAP and the Khayelitsha Tactical Response Team managed to arrest three more suspects linked to the incident.

“I thank all law enforcement officers for their collaborative efforts in arresting the suspects. I call on the SAPS to ensure that no effort is spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

Marais has urged the public to come forward with any information that may assist the police in their investigation. 
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, make use of the MySAPS app or call the City of Cape Town`s tipoff line on 0800 1100 77. 

All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. – SAnews.gov.za

New SAPS chopper aids in search for missing teen 

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

A newly acquired helicopter of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has helped to locate two bodies that were found floating in the Swartkops River in Gqeberha.

The bodies were found when the crew of the Airbus H125 helicopter, based at the Air Wing in Gqeberha, was familiarising itself with the new aircraft and were called to provide aerial support in an ongoing search and recovery operation on Monday.

This as the search and recovery effort to find a 17-year-old boy had begun on Friday.

“The allegation is that on Friday, 10 October 2025 [at] around 10am, friends were swimming in the Swartkops River, when Curtis Samson (17), got into trouble and disappeared into the water. “

The SAPS Search and Rescue team from K9 Unit was activated and other stakeholders assisted in the operation.

“The operation continued over the weekend, with scheduled stops during sunset.Moments, after the activation of the chopper, the crew spotted two bodies floating in separate areas of the river. The first body was identified as Curtis Samson.  The second body was an African male and is yet to be identified. Police divers retrieved the two bodies,” said Eastern Cape police.

The police have opened two separate inquest dockets for further investigation. –SAnews.govza

Mhlauli engages Motheo college students

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, is today hosting a G20 dialogue with students at the Motheo TVET College in the Free State.

Tuesday’s dialogue in Bloemfontein, forms part of the year-long G20 awareness outreach programme implemented by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in partnership with different stakeholders across the country.

“This programme will kick-start with an information exhibition wherein identified Government and non-government organisations will provide services and information to the students at the Motheo TVET College,” said the Presidency.

Last month the Deputy Minister addressed students at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. At that session, the Deputy Minister said South Africa will use its Presidency of the G20 to build a more inclusive and prosperous Africa and a better world, ensuring that no one is left behind. – SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng police seize over 700 unlicensed firearms 

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Gauteng police have recovered 776 unlicensed firearms and 2030 rounds of ammunition between 1 July and 30 September 2025.

“During the three-month period, 247 suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and 224 apprehended for illegal possession of ammunition,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement on Monday.

The recovered firearms include automatic rifles, complete firearms, revolvers /pistols, rifles and shotguns, some with serial numbers filed off.

“These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of proactive policing efforts and collaborative work with other law enforcement agencies, private security companies, and government departments,” the police said.

This as the police added that they remain committed to ensuring the  safety and security of communities through continued efforts to combat crime and prevent the proliferation of illegal firearms. – SAnews.gov.za

Summit to place water provision under the spotlight 

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, is set to deliver a keynote address at the uMzinyathi Water Summit later this week.

Taking place from 16-17 October 2025, at Battlefield Country Lodge in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, the summit is expected to address urgent water service delivery challenges across all 61 wards of the uMzinyathi District.

Central to the discussions will be the implementation of the Water Services Authority’s capacity building plan, in accordance with the Water Services Act.

The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG), through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), continues to support municipalities in infrastructure development and service delivery, as mandated by Section 154 of the Constitution.

The summit underscores the significant backlogs in water supply and infrastructure limitations facing the district.

The department said the gathering aims to address these through the lens of the capacity building plan, focusing on sustainable service delivery across all 61 wards, integration of provincial support under Section 154 of the Constitution, and leveraging grant funding for infrastructure upgrades.

This high-level engagement is expected to convene stakeholders from national, provincial, and local government to forge collaborative solutions for sustainable water provision. – SAnews.gov.za

President Ramaphosa to undertake three-nation visit to Asia

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa will embark on a three-nation visit to Asia from 22 – 28 October 2025.

The visits will include State Visits to Indonesia and Vietnam, followed by the President’s participation at the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit as a Guest of the Chair.

During a media briefing on Monday, Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the visit to the South-East Asian nations demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to “deepening strategic ties” with the region.

“These engagements underscore the growing importance of South-East Asia in South Africa’s efforts to diversify and expand its export markets, and to strengthen inter-regional cooperation. 

“The President’s participation in the ASEAN Summits follows South Africa’s recognition as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 2023, marking a significant milestone in advancing South-South cooperation and fostering inclusive, sustainable development through enhanced political, economic, and multilateral collaboration,” he said on Monday.

The visits form part of the drive for alternative markets for South African products.

“This visit to South-East Asia, including several that precedes it and a few still to follow this year, are part of an ongoing intensification of opening new trade opportunities and expanding existing trade markets for South African goods and produce. 

“Over and above a laser focus on trade, President Ramaphosa has been seeking more opportunities for skills development exchanges that will benefit the youth of South Africa. In all the visits, in engagements with Heads of State as well as with captains of industry, the President has sustained a consistent theme of seeking out more and more skills development opportunities for young people,” Magwenya explained.

Presidential diary
Before leaving on the tour to Asia, the President will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 respond to questions for oral reply in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Cape Town.

“The session will cover amongst other issues mechanisms to monitor the state of service delivery and quality of services that are offered by all government levels, progress in reviving local industries and strengthening the manufacturing sector, and an update on South Africa’s International Court of Justice case against the state of Israel,” Magwenya said.

Later on Tuesday, the President is expected to deliver the keynote address during a dinner of the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) 30-year Anniversary International Conference.
“Over the past thirty years, the PPSA institution has grown in leaps and bounds, and encountered a litany of challenges. 

“It has, however, through sheer institutional resilience and resolve, recalibrated itself and has managed to maintain its key strategic role in South Africa’s democratic ecosystem and continues to play an important role in enforcing the democratic values of good governance, the rule of law and quality of life.

“This Conference will bring together governance and accountability institutions from the BRICS group of nations, The Commonwealth, International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), Africa Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), the European Union and the G20,” the spokesperson explained.

READ | Conference to reflect on 30 years of the PPSA

On Friday, the President is expected to deliver the keynote address at the 7th Social Justice Summit, to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The summit will bring together policymakers, legislators, civil society, traditional leaders, academics and the Judiciary for high-level dialogue under the theme: “Social Justice, Food Security and Peace: Pathways to Equality, Solidarity, Sustainability and Climate Resilience.”
“The summit aligns with the G20 Development Working Group priorities, including mobilising finance for development, promoting social protection levels and addressing global public goods to enhance resilience.

“The summit will also continue to propel forward the conversation on accountability for constitutional governance, which includes the advancement of equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. That is essentially advancing social justice through transformative governance and civil society action, incorporating the role of business and development partners,” Magwenya said. – SAnews.gov.za

Presidency dismisses links to corruption accused

Source: Government of South Africa

Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has dismissed any links between President Cyril Ramaphosa and corruption accused, Hangwani Maumela.

This after a video showing the President with popular DJ, Tbo Touch, and Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Jomo Sibiya outside Maumela’s house surfaced on social media.

“It is well known that President Ramaphosa loves to walk whenever he finds time, that is how he keeps himself fit. On this day, he had invited Mr. Sibiya on a walk, which it’s something he does regularly to invite his staff, even Ministers for walks. 

“They passed a house which is now well known as Maumela’s house. As they were passing this house, they were stopped by Tbo Touch, who was in the company of his mentor and friend, Bishop Noel Jones. They took pictures and recorded a video. During the walk, the President had stopped and spoke to several people along the way, including taking pictures with those people.

“Indeed, where you see them is in front of Maumela’s house, but they were not visiting the house or coming out of the house. It so happened that Tbo Touch stopped his car to greet the President as he was walking past what is now well known as Maumela’s house. The President did not even know whose house it was,” Magwenya said on Monday.

Maumela’s house – which was the site of a Special Investigating Unit raid related to the Tembisa Hospital looting scandal – is not far from the President’s Hyde Park home and is in a street “he would use when driving to and from Sandton”.

“As the President’s Office, we have gone further to obtain confirmation from Dj Tbo Touch that the video and picture was his original post. He was coming from the airport going to the Saxon Hotel with Bishop Noel Jones. At the time, what we now know as Maumela’s house was under construction.

“The President had no knowledge of whose house it was. Therefore, we reject the suggestion that the President may have been visiting Maumela’s house as being very far from the truth,” he said.

Magwenya further dismissed claims that the President “visits Maumela’s house every week” as a fabrication. 

“It’s a complete lie that the President visits Maumela’s house or anybody every week. With his extremely busy schedule, there are four categories of people that can say they see the President every week. His family, his security detail, his Union Buildings staff, in particular, Private Office staff and ANC [African National Congress] officials that he meets every Monday. 

“There are two homes that are visited by the President whenever he finds a gap, but not every week. His sister, who resides in Soweto, and the home of his long-time comrade and mine workers union friend, Mr. James Motlatsi. There’s no other household that can claim to be visited by the President every week. It is practically impossible with his work schedule,” he said.

Turning to allegations of a personal relationship between President Ramaphosa and Maumela, Magwenya maintained that no such exists with no relations “except that he was once married to Maumela’s aunt”.

“We note the ongoing desperate media attempts to link the President to this gentleman. 

“Just before the President was appointed Deputy President, he gathered his immediate family and relatives and sternly instructed all of them to either exit or stop any business that they did or intended to do with the Government or State institutions. Maumela was not part of that family gathering. 

“He couldn’t have been part of the meeting because he is not part of the President’s immediate family. It is for this reason that we’re going to consistently reject the narrative that seeks to link his existence and whatever else he is involved in, to the President,” Magwenya said.

The spokesperson pointed out that it was President Ramaphosa who signed the proclamation for the Special Investigating Unit to investigate the Tembisa Hospital scandal which “lifted the lid on the extent of the corruption and criminality in and around” hospital.

“In this regard, the President calls on all law enforcement agencies to accelerate their criminal investigations into the Tembisa Hospital matter in order to expedite the arrest of all those involved without fear or favour and regardless of who they are or purported to be related to,” Magwenya concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Call for G20 to invest in sustainability

Source: Government of South Africa

As the world faces the threat of a reduced global output in the coming years due to climate impacts, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George has stressed the importance of Group Twenty (G20) nations investing in sustainability.

Addressing third and final meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group in Cape Town, George pointed out that the G20 is the principal forum where economic and environmental priorities intersect. 

READ | G20 environmental group meetings to be held in Cape Town

“Its members represent more than 85% of global Gross Domestic Product, around 75% of trade, and about 80% of greenhouse-gas emissions. That reach brings both capacity and duty,” the Minister said on Monday.

Research has warned that climate impacts could reduce global output by several percentage points by mid-century if emissions continue unchecked.

“Yet decisive climate action is good economics. Investments in clean technology, renewable energy, and efficient systems generate employment and competitiveness. Energy security, public health, and food stability all benefit when we invest in sustainability,” George said. 

According to the International Monetary Fund, the world growth is projected to grow at about three percent in 2025, with performance diverging across regions and fiscal space tightening in many developing economies.

“The financing gap for sustainable development has widened to around four trillion US dollars a year. Public budgets cannot meet this need alone. 

“We must expand blended-finance models, use green bonds and taxonomies, and bring private capital into public purpose. Fiscal responsibility and climate ambition must work together,” George said.
The G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group is taking place under South Africa’s G20 Presidency under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”

Under South Africa’s Presidency, government has worked to ensure that the duty of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions is exercised with fairness and integrity. 

“The transition must include every region. The rules that govern it must be shaped by all. Our approach has been practical. 

“We have focused on turning declarations into measurable programmes and pilot projects into replicable models. We have encouraged countries to align environmental policy with growth strategy so that sustainability becomes a source of strength, not a constraint.

“The G20 can demonstrate that environmental responsibility drives economic performance. When governments invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, cleaner production, and ecosystem protection, they secure long-term stability and investor confidence,” the Minister said.

The work of South Africa’s Presidency aligns with the global and continental frameworks that guide sustainable development.

At the global level, the work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification.

The work also looks at the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy, which outline Africa’s pathway toward low-carbon and climate-resilient growth.

“At the national level, South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and the Climate Change Act 2024, assented to on 23 July 2024 and commenced on 17 March 2025, anchor sustainability within our economic planning. These frameworks express one idea: development and environmental responsibility are not separate objectives but parts of the same goal of human progress,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
 

President Ramaphosa to respond to questions for oral reply in the National Council of Provinces

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, brief the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town, on various national developments including efforts to better monitor service delivery and the quality of services offered by all Government spheres.

In his response to NCOP Questions for Oral Reply, President Ramaphosa will also address the issue of criminality and corruption in South Africa.

The President will speak on Government’s revival of local industries and the strengthening the manufacturing sector through localisation.

This includes supporting the automotive and agricultural industries to strengthen their capacity to create more employment opportunities for local communities.

President Ramaphosa will outline Government’s plans to revive the rail sector that will contribute to job creation and economic growth.

President Ramaphosa will also provide an update on South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against the state of Israel.

Details of the engagement are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Time: 14h00
Venue: National Council of Provinces, Cape Town

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Media briefing by Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, at the Union Buildings, Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Ramaphosa to respond to questions for oral reply in the National Council of Provinces

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 respond to questions for oral replay in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town, on various national developments.

Questions for Oral Reply is one of the mechanisms Parliament uses to hold the Executive to account.

The session will cover amongst other issues mechanisms to monitor the state of service delivery and quality of services that are offered by all government levels, progress in reviving local industries and strengthening the manufacturing sector and an update on South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ)case against the state of Israel.
 

President Ramaphosa to address the Public Protector SA – 30th Anniversary International Conference

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 deliver the keynote address during a dinner of the Public Protector South Africa 30-year Anniversary International Conference to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Western Cape Province.

The Conference will take place from 13-15 October 2025 under the theme: “30 Years of strengthening constitutional democracy-a transformative journey.

One of the primary aims of the International Conference will be to affirm the strength, resolve and resilience of South Africa’s Constitutional democracy.

Over the past thirty years, the PPSA institution has grown in leaps and bounds, and encountered a litany of challenges. It has, however, through sheer institutional resilience and resolve, recalibrated itself and has managed to maintain its key strategic role in South Africa’s democratic ecosystem and continues to play an important role in enforcing the democratic values of good governance, the rule of law and quality of life.

This Conference will bring together governance and accountability institutions from the BRICS group of nations, The Commonwealth, International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), Africa Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), the European Union and the G20.
 

7th Social Justice Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 17 October 2025 deliver the keynote address at the 7th Social Justice Summit, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The host is Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), in collaboration with the United Nations, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), among other partners.

The Summit will bring together policymakers, legislators, civil society, traditional leaders, academics and the Judiciary, to engage in high-level dialogue.

It is hosted under the theme: “Social Justice, Food Security and Peace: Pathways to Equality, Solidarity, Sustainability and Climate Resilience.”

The Summit aligns with the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) priorities, including mobilising finance for development, promoting social protection levels and addressing global public goods (GPGs) to enhance resilience.

The Summit will also continue to propel forward the conversation on accountability for constitutional governance, which includes the advancement of equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. That is essentially advancing social justice through transformative governance and civil society action, incorporating the role of business and development partners.

Three-nation visit to Southeast Asia: 22 – 28 October 2025

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a three-nation visit to Southeast Asia from 22 to 28 October 2025, reflecting South Africa’s commitment to deepening strategic ties with this dynamic region. The visit will include a State Visit to Indonesia (22–23 October), a State Visit to Vietnam (23–24 October), and a Working Visit to Malaysia (25–28 October), where President Ramaphosa will also participate as Guest of the Chair at the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. 

These engagements underscore the growing importance of Southeast Asia in South Africa’s efforts to diversify and expand its export markets, and to strengthen inter-regional cooperation. The President’s participation in the ASEAN Summits follows South Africa’s recognition as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 2023, marking a significant milestone in advancing South-South cooperation and fostering inclusive, sustainable development through enhanced political, economic, and multilateral collaboration.

This visit to South East Asia, including several that precedes it and a few still to follow this year, are part of an ongoing intensification of opening new trade opportunities and expanding existing trade markets  for South African goods and produce. Over and above a laser focus on trade, President Ramaphosa has been seeking more opportunities for skills development exchanges that will benefit the youth of South Africa. In all the visits, in engagements with Heads of State as well as with captains of industry, the President has sustained a consistent theme of seeking out more and more skills development opportunities for young people.
 

Maumela house video

The Presidency would like to address falsehoods that have been spread through a video showing the President with Dj Tbo Touch outside Morgan Maumela’s house.  

The video shows 4 gentlemen, namely; Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya, who at the time the video was recorded on the 29th of September 2023, was the Special Advisor to the President, you see President Ramaphosa in the middle with famous radio Dj, Tbo Touch and Bishop Noel Jones. 

It is well known that President Ramaphosa loves to walk whenever he finds time, that is how he keeps himself fit. On this day, he had invited Mr. Sibiya on a walk, which it’s something he does regularly to invite his staff, even ministers for walks. 

They passed a house which is now well known as Maumela’s house. As they were passing this house, they were stopped by Tbo Touch, who was in the company of his mentor and friend, Bishop Noel Jones. They took pictures and recorded a video. During the walk, the President had stopped and spoke to several people along the way, including taking pictures with those people.

Indeed, where you see them is in front of Maumela’s house, but they were not visiting the house or coming out of the house. It so happened that Tbo Touch stopped his car to greet the President as he was walking past what is now well known as Maumela’s house. The President did not even know whose house it was. 

The President regularly takes walks and drives past the house because this is the street that is not too far from his house in Hyde Park. It’s a street that he would use when driving to and from Sandton. I also do use the same street quite often when going to the President’s house coming from Sandton direction or when departing the house heading to a northernly direction.

We have also heard a claim that the President visits Maumela’s house every week. It’s a complete lie that the President visits Maumela’s house or anybody every week. With his extremely busy schedule, there are 4 categories of people that can say they see the President every week. His family, his security detail, his Union Buildings staff, in particular, Private Office staff and ANC officials that he meets every Monday. 

There are two homes that are visited by the President whenever he finds a gap, but not every week. His sister, who resides in Soweto, and the home of his long-time comrade and mine workers union friend, Mr. James Motlatsi. There’s no other household that can claim to be visited by the President every week. It is practically impossible with his work schedule. 

President Ramaphosa maintains that he has no personal relationship with Maumela. He is not related to him except that he was once married to Maumela’s aunt. 

We note the ongoing desperate media attempts to link the President to this gentleman.

As the President’s Office, we have gone further to obtain confirmation from Dj Tbo Touch that the video and picture was his original post. He was coming from the airport going to the Saxon Hotel with Bishop Noel Jones. At the time, what we now know as Maumela’s house was under construction. The President had no knowledge of whose house it was. Therefore, we reject the suggestion that the President may have been visiting Maumela’s house as being very far from the truth.

Just before the President was appointed Deputy President, he gathered his immediate family and relatives and sternly instructed all of them to either exit or stop any business that they did or intended to do with the Government or State institutions. Maumela was not part of that family gathering. He couldn’t have been part of the meeting because he is not part of the President’s immediate family. It is for this reason that we’re going to consistently reject the narrative that seeks to link his existence and whatever else he is involved in to the President.

It was President Ramaphosa that signed the proclamation that has lifted the lid on the extent of the corruption and criminality in and around the Tembisa Hospital. In this regard, the President calls on all law enforcement agencies to accelerate their criminal investigations into the Tembisa Hospital matter in order to expedite the arrest of all those involved without fear or favour and regardless of who they are or purported to be related to.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria