Category: South Africa Government

The Department of Employment and Labour has invited public comment on a proposal to classify performers in South Africa’s advertising, artistic and cultural sectors as employees — a move aimed at strengthening protections for vulnerable workers in the creative industries.

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has signed a notice, published in the Government Gazette, setting out the department’s intention to extend full labour protections to performers, who are currently classified as independent contractors. The notice was published on 23 January 2026. 

READ | Employment and Labour moves to bolster worker protection

If adopted, the proposal would see performers covered by key labour laws, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the National Minimum Wage Act (NMW) and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), granting them the same rights and benefits as employees in other sectors.

The department said the move forms part of government’s broader efforts to address persistent challenges in the creative and cultural industries, such as income insecurity, unsafe working conditions and limited access to social protection.

“These processes are aimed at ensuring that any regulatory intervention is evidence-based, consultative and responsive to the realities of the industry,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the notice, the proposal is informed by widespread evidence and stakeholder submissions showing that many performers work under conditions that resemble employment relationships. These include fixed working hours, supervision and payment for services rendered, despite being formally classified as independent contractors.

As a result, many performers are excluded from basic labour protections, the department said. The proposed measure seeks to close this gap, improve regulation and enforcement, and promote decent work within South Africa’s growing creative economy.

Interested stakeholders and members of the public have 30 working days from the publication date to submit written representations to the Director-General of the Department of Employment and Labour, either by post or via email at SDinvestigations@labour.gov.za

. — SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has issued a record 4 002 964 smart ID cards in the 2025 calendar year — the highest rate of delivery in the history of the department. 

This milestone represents a 17% increase on the 3 427 468 Smart IDs issued during 2024, which was itself a new record at the time. 

The 2025 performance is about 1.3 million more than the number of Smart IDs issued during the 2023 and 2022 calendar years.

This historic breakthrough represents the latest milestone under the department’s vision to deliver Home Affairs @ home through the pursuit of digital transformation.

The focus on technology upgrades and improved efficiencies at both the Department of Home Affairs and Government Printing Works (GPW), which physically produces the smart ID, has led to this improvement.

One of the key upgrades has been the department’s investment in repairing the Online Verification Service (OVS), which was previously underfunded and abused by some external users. 

Correcting this has led to higher uptime and better performance of the population register at Home Affairs offices, directly contributing to giving more South Africans access to smart IDs than ever before.

“The milestone of delivering over four million smart IDs in a calendar year for the very first time demonstrates how our commitment to digital transformation is expanding inclusion and access at a scale never seen before. 

“Smart IDs are vastly more secure than the fraud-prone green barcoded ID book. Thanks to the ongoing digital transformation of Home Affairs, over four million more people gained the ability to securely open a bank account, access employment, and obtain social grants in 2025,” said Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber.

“The accelerated rollout of smart IDs is a cornerstone of the department’s Medium-Term Development Plan targets. The green bar-coded ID book, which the smart ID is intended to replace, has become a soft target for fraudsters and is estimated to be 500% more vulnerable to fraud than the smart ID.”

To further enhance access to smart IDs, the department is currently in the final phase of preparatory work for the rollout of a new digital partnership with South Africa’s banking sector, which will enable even more citizens to access smart IDs at hundreds more bank branches around the country, close to where they live. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government leaders have gathered at an extended Cabinet meeting to assess plans and priorities for the year ahead, placing an emphasis on fiscal discipline, economic stability and targeted funding to support government’s key priorities.

This is according to the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who addressed members of the media on the sidelines of a Cabinet Lekgotla that has been convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa with leaders in all spheres of government.

The meeting noted that when the 2025 Budget process began, South Africa’s borrowing costs were above 13%. This has since declined to approximately 9%, demonstrating the positive impact of fiscal prudence and sound financial governance.

Furthermore, South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2025, following an increase of 0.9% in the second quarter of 2025.

“The cost of borrowing for the government of South Africa has reduced drastically… showing that our fiscal prudence and fiscal management is strengthening. The performance of the rand has stabilised. We have considered these factors to determine the fiscal envelope that will guide our priorities and funding decisions. These are the issues currently under discussion,” Ntshavheni said.

The work of the seventh administration is guided by the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029, in pursuit of three key priorities: driving inclusive economic growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.

The MTDP provides a whole-of-government framework which aligns planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation across all spheres of government.

“We will also be engaging on the country’s industrial policy, focusing on how, as part of our inclusive growth and development plan, we can define an industrial policy that anchors and drives this growth agenda.

“We presented the implementation plan for inclusive economic growth and development in the country. We will now finalise the revised timelines for its implementation. We will also focus on how to drive skills development across the country.

“Any economy that seeks to grow must be anchored in a strong national skills base. We are therefore reviewing how to realign our approach, and we will receive a joint presentation from the Departments of Labour and Higher Education on how existing funding mechanisms and platforms for skills development can be better utilised and streamlined. 

“This will ensure they are more effective in driving skills development and creating employment opportunities, particularly for young people,” the Minister said.

She emphasised that economic growth cannot be achieved in an environment undermined by crime and criminal activity.

“To address this, we will receive a presentation tomorrow from the Justice and Security Cluster outlining a strategy to combat organised crime and deal decisively with these challenges,” the Minister said.

The recent announcement by British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) that it will close its Heidelberg manufacturing plant by the end of 2026 due to the illicit trade market, has also been placed on the agenda for discussion.

“We will also have a conversation about the future of the country in addressing the gender-based violence pandemic and how we mobilise society to respond to the scourge,” Ntshavheni said.

The Cabinet Lekgotla comes ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), which will be delivered by the President on 12 February 2026 and will be followed by the Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance on 25 February 2026. 

The President will outline government’s strategic priorities for the year, while the Budget Speech allocates financial resources to implement these plans. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has welcomed the recovery of R1.7 billion by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which has been returned to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

The recovered amount forms part of R2 billion that the SIU has so far reclaimed from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, as well as unqualified former NSFAS beneficiaries.

The funds, which were unallocated between 2016 and 2021, represent financial resources originally earmarked for students who qualified for funding but later changed institutions or deregistered.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Manamela said the recovered funds will be redirected towards meeting the needs of deserving students at institutions of higher education and training.

“The recovery of these funds is a significant step in restoring integrity, accountability and public confidence in the administration of student financial aid. Every rand allocated to NSFAS is public money intended to support students from poor and working-class families, and it must be protected and used strictly for that purpose,” Manamela said.

The SIU commended NSFAS for strengthening its systems and moving towards better governance.

READ | SIU returns R1.7bn to the NSFAS purse

As part of the broader recovery effort, the SIU has collected R126 478 184.64 from 1 055 parents and unqualified former NSFAS beneficiaries who signed acknowledgements of debt (AoDs), agreeing to repay the funds over time.

The SIU has urged unqualified NSFAS beneficiaries, who have not yet made contact to with the unit, to come forward and make arrangements for repayment.

Manamela reaffirmed his support for the SIU’s mandate to investigate corruption, fraud and maladministration within Post-School Education and Training (PSET) institutions, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State. – SAnews.gov.za

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Women in Kabe Village, outside Mahikeng in the North West, have long loved working the land, but a lack of resources often held them back.

Now, thanks to the donation of essential farming implements, they can grow enough food to feed their families and improve their livelihoods.

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has brought renewed hope to the village with the donation of agricultural tools aimed at empowering women to take charge of food production.

The initiative is expected to strengthen household food security, create livelihoods and restore dignity within the community.

“These tools will truly make a huge difference in our lives. We have always loved working the land, but the lack of resources often discouraged us. After today, everything feels different,” said beneficiary Keabetswe Methikga.

For Methikga and other women in Kabe Village, the tools represent far more than equipment; they signal a turning point toward dignity, food security and economic independence.

Methikga explained how the lack of proper tools previously made farming a daily struggle.

“Before this, we struggled to farm with very limited equipment. Some days we had to borrow, and on other days we could not plant at all. With these tools, we can finally work the land properly, grow enough food for our families, and even sell produce to support our children,” she said.

She added that the donated equipment will help address long-standing challenges, such as crop destruction.

“Even the birds that used to destroy our crops will no longer be a problem, because we now have nets to protect our gardens,” Methikga said, her voice filled with relief and hope.

Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha said equipping women with the means to cultivate their own food promotes self-reliance, resilience and sustainable farming practices that will benefit future generations.

“Beyond food production, these tools open opportunities for income generation and local economic growth,” Sambatha said.

The handover ceremony was led by Sambatha and attended by Social Development MEC Susanna Basetsana Dantjie, traditional leadership of Kabe, and members of the local community, who gathered to witness women being equipped to take charge of their livelihoods.

In his address, Sambatha emphasised that the initiative forms part of the department’s broader efforts to empower women and build sustainable food systems at community level.

“This intervention is about more than tools; it is about restoring hope, dignity, and self-reliance. When we support women in agriculture, we are directly supporting families, fighting poverty, and strengthening food security. These women are not just beneficiaries; they are producers and partners in the development of our province,” Sambatha said.

He added that hunger and poverty expose communities, especially women and children to numerous social ills.

“By supporting food production initiatives such as this one, we are helping to strengthen the social fabric of our society. We will continue working closely with the Department of Social Development to ensure that these women receive the necessary support to make their projects sustainable,” Sambatha said.

Traditional leadership also welcomed the intervention and pledged continued support.

Speaking on behalf of the Royal House, Kgosana Keesilwe Mokgosi said the initiative reflected meaningful cooperation between government and communities.

“As custodians of the land, we are pleased to see government working hand in hand with our people. When our women are empowered to produce food, the entire village benefits.

“We commit ourselves to supporting all beneficiaries, encouraging active participation, and ensuring that these tools are used for their intended purpose,” Mokgosi said.

The tool donation in Kabe marks another practical step by the provincial government to place women at the centre of agricultural development, not only as recipients of assistance, but as active drivers of food production, economic participation, and community resilience.

Sambatha said the initiative will be expanded to communities across all four districts of the province through ongoing rural development and food security programmes. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has called for the urgent development of a comprehensive national framework to mitigate climate-induced disasters across South Africa.

Simelane made the call during an oversight visit to flood-affected areas in the Ehlanzeni District, in Mpumalanga.

The Minister had conducted site inspections to assess the work undertaken by the Department of Human Settlements’ Emergency Housing Unit, in collaboration with provincial and municipal authorities, to provide relief to households and communities affected by the recent heavy rains that damaged properties and infrastructure.

Accompanied by Mpumalanga MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Speed Mashilo, and Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Matlanatso Lydia Moroane, Simelane received an update on the rollout of Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) for households affected by devastating floods in wards 14, 17 and 30, as well as other affected areas in the province.

The Department of Human Settlements provides emergency housing assistance through four key interventions, including restoration, relocation, rebuilding and repairs.

Addressing stakeholders at the municipal council chambers, Simelane stressed that the proposed disaster mitigation framework should not be confined to Mpumalanga but must be implemented nationwide to safeguard communities and enhance resilience.

She expressed concern that relief efforts, especially within the human settlements’ emergency housing programme, are often delayed due to the unavailability of suitable land for relocation of disaster victims and poor planning.

The Minister urged municipalities to align disaster preparedness with the country’s growth trajectory, highlighting the importance of proactive and coordinated planning to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

“We need to start planning collaboratively, plan for our growth, say where we are going and what happens during disasters. We must be proactive and prepare land accordingly with weather reports and projections,” the Minister said.

She added that municipalities must prioritise planning towards climate-resilient infrastructure and ensure that affected communities are not excluded from relief interventions.

Mashilo agreed with the Minister’s call for proactive and integrated planning to mitigate disasters, noting that similar concerns were raised during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent visit to the province.

“When the President was here last week, he also pointed out the issue of lack of planning when it comes to human settlements. We cannot continue to behave like we don’t know or anticipate the types of disasters, especially with our weather forecasters being able to predict the amount of rains expected to fall in the rainy seasons,” Mashilo said.

He further emphasised the need for cooperation among all three spheres of government and communities to ensure that South Africans, especially vulnerable people, are protected from harsh living conditions caused by climate-induced disasters, as well as delays in relief efforts due to unsafe or unsuitable land.

Simelane and Mashilo agreed to explore the utilisation of additional human settlements grants allocated to the province to assist with rebuilding of roads, sewer systems, and storm water drainage infrastructure to mitigate future flood damage.

The Mpumalanga oversight visit follows a similar assessment conducted in Limpopo, where several areas were affected by recent floods resulting from prolonged rainfall. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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Government and business have committed to placing inclusive growth, job creation and confidence at the centre of Phase Three of the Government-Business Partnership.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday met with Ministers and senior business leaders to formally commence the next phase of the Partnership’s 2026 programme of work, with economic growth identified as the central focus. 

The meeting reviewed progress achieved during Phase Two of the Partnership, during which key gains were made in stabilising the energy and logistics systems. These advances, alongside other reforms, contributed to improved economic sentiment towards the end of 2025, with investors increasingly responding positively to South Africa’s policy credibility and economic direction.

Significant developments include South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, a steady decline in inflation towards the 3 per cent target, a successful and oversubscribed sovereign Eurobond issuance, a firmer Rand, and an upgrade of the country’s sovereign credit rating by S&P, the first in more than two decades. 

The Government-Business Partnership was formed in 2023 by government, led by President Ramaphosa, and business leadership represented by Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), to collaborate on improving outcomes in three priority areas: energy, transport and logistics, and crime and corruption.

Over 130 companies and CEOs through BUSA, Business for South Africa (B4SA) and Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) have committed to supporting this partnership.

The objectives and envisioned impact of the partnership are to increase societal and investor confidence in South Africa’s economic trajectory through the joint implementation of a focused set of interventions aimed at ending load shedding, advancing the President’s Energy Action Plan, increasing freight volumes, improving the performance of the logistics system, and addressing crime and corruption. 

The partnership further seeks to create an enabling environment that supports inclusive economic growth, job creation, greater public confidence, and enhanced state capacity for effective implementation.

Phase 1 of the partnership demonstrated the power of collaboration between government and business. It tackled some of the country’s most pressing challenges in the areas of energy, transport and logistics, and crime and corruption, resulting in some key achievements. 

The contribution of the partnership, working alongside other stakeholders, led to the dramatic reduction in loadshedding, which stands out as an important achievement. 

Phase Two, launched on 1 October 2024, further strengthened operational performance, especially at Eskom, while additional momentum was achieved through the commencement of the Durban Pier 2 terminal concession and the opening of the rail network to private operators.

The Partnership agreed that the focus in these areas must now shift decisively from crisis management to the implementation of government’s structural reform agenda, including the establishment of competitive and commercially viable markets to unlock further investment.

Against this backdrop, government and business agreed that the central framework for Phase Three will be anchored in “Inclusive Growth, Jobs and Confidence”, with all actions assessed against their ability to grow the economy, support employment and strengthen confidence amid a rapidly changing global environment.

Crime and corruption were also identified as major deterrents to confidence, investment and growth. While progress has been made in strengthening institutional capability, the Partnership agreed that a more ambitious focus on tackling organised crime, corruption and weaknesses in the criminal justice system is required, given the direct link between the rule of law and economic growth.

Priority areas for Phase Three include support for Government’s energy market reform, including the launch of a competitive South African wholesale electricity market, grid expansion and the publication of a clear roadmap for Eskom’s unbundling which clarifies the approach to establishing an independent Transmission System Operator in line with the Electricity Regulation Act. 

Accelerating reforms in the transport and logistics sector, with increased private sector participation, was also identified as a key priority to improve efficiency and competitiveness.

Youth employment interventions in other sectors will continue to build on the model of close coordination between Government and business, which resulted in the successful introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which removes a key bottleneck to increasing international tourist arrivals and supports job creation.

Across all priority areas, the emphasis will be on execution and delivery in support of growth. Government and business agreed that this year should represent a decisive turning point for South Africa’s economic trajectory, and an opportunity to achieve lasting progress and shared prosperity.

“After two years of hard work, we can definitively say this partnership has been a success. While we have achieved much, there is much that we need to do. As this partnership evolves and as the focus of our work shifts, we remain firmly committed to acting together and with purpose to serve the needs of our country,” President Ramaphosa said. 

Group CEO of Discovery and co-convener of the business delegation, Adrian Gore, said that South Africa is turning the corner. 

“We must act decisively to convert this momentum into investment and jobs. “Growth, Jobs, Confidence” sits at the heart of our approach and needs to be the filter for every decision in 2026. If an action does not advance these objectives, it should not proceed. If it does, we should move quickly and back it fully. Business is fully committed to supporting this,” Gore said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Operation Shanela II – the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) high density safer festive season operation – continues to ensure suspected and wanted criminals are taken off the streets in the North West.

The SAPS, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has worked tirelessly to ensure that members of the community in all the five districts are and feel safe with over 1 000 suspects apprehended for various crimes committed in the province. 

The weekly operation included vehicle check points (VCP’s), stop and searches, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, foot and vehicle patrols and compliance inspections from Monday, 19 January 2026 until Sunday, 25 January 2026.

“The weekly operations saw 1083 suspects arrested for crimes ranging from, among others, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, robbery, murder, rape, assault GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm), assault common, burglaries at residential and businesses premises, theft off/out of motor vehicles, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and contravention of the Immigration Act,” the police said in a statement.

The dedication and commitment of the detectives to bring those who thought they could evade the long arm of the law, resulted in the tracing and arrest of 268 wanted suspects for serious crimes including murder, rape, assault GBH and illegal possession of firearms.

In one incident, police received information about suspects who were in possession of unlicensed firearms, suspected to be involved in a spree of robberies, reported in Delareyville. 

“The information was operationalised on Friday, 23 January 2026 at about 22:00. The provincial Tracing Task Team, Lichtenburg K9 unit, as well as Mahikeng Crime Intelligence, pounced on them when the vehicle they were traveling in had a puncture on the road between Delareyville and Vrisgewaagte,” the police said.

The four suspects were immediately arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms after a search of their vehicle, a red Volkswagen Polo, led to the discovery of four firearms (all pistols) with serial numbers filed off as well as 22 rounds of ammunition.

They all appeared before the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 for a formal bail application. 

Investigation into the matter continues and linking the suspects to other cases are eminent.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner in the North West, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, applauded the members for the dedication and professionalism displayed during the Safer Festive Season Shanela 2 operations.

He emphasised that the SAPS in the province will continue to pursue criminals relentlessly and ensure that justice is served. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

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The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says it has returned R1.7 billion to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme purse, which will be allocated to students’ needs at institutions of higher education.

The amount is part of the R2 billion that the SIU has so far received from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and unqualified former students.

“The funds in question were unallocated from 2016 to 2021. These unallocated funds represent financial resources that were designated for students who qualified for funding but later changed institutions or deregistered,” the Special Investigating Unit said in a statement. 

“These funds are retained by the institution for one year but in this case, were kept them for more than a year. 

“The existence of unallocated funds can be attributed to inadequate control systems and a lack of reconciliation processes implemented by NSFAS during that period, resulting in a failure to recover these funds from institutions of higher learning,” the SIU said.

The corruption busting unit noted the announcement by NSFAS earlier this month to implement the SIU’s systematic recommendations by introducing a framework that includes a data-driven reporting process to ensure timely payments to providers. 

This framework will improve accountability, generating monthly occupancy and payment reports. NSFAS stated that it is considering an in-house payment functionality to streamline financial management and eliminate the middleman. 

The SIU commended NSFAS for strengthening its systems and moving towards better governance.

Contributing to the R2 billion recovery, the SIU has collected R126 478 184.64 from 1 055 parents and unqualified NSFAS beneficiaries who have signed acknowledgements of debt (AoDs), agreeing to repay the money over time.

The SIU is urging unqualified NSFAS beneficiaries, who have not been in contact with the unit, to come forward and arrange for repayment.

Furthermore, the SIU has received R69 727 824.22 from the University of the Free State. This is the institution’s second payment towards recovering unallocated funds. 

The SIU has also received a second payment from the University of Mpumalanga of R5 502 040.09, as well as R15 million from Tshwane North TVET College.

The SIU, in terms of Proclamation R88 of 2022, is authorised to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of NSFAS, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State through corruption and negligence.

The SIU is empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name, to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration. 

In line with the SIU and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action. – SAnews.gov.za

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Eskom contract worker, Simeon Majaonke Shongwe (46), is expected to serve 20 years behind bars after he was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment by the Ermelo District Court.

Shongwe was arrested five days after he intentionally caused damages valued at R22 726 180.00 at the Eskom Camden power station in Ermelo on 10 November 2022.

The case was handed over to the Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further handling. Information received from witnesses and crime scenes proved a strong case, which was presented before court. 

Shongwe made several court appearances and was released on bail as investigations continued. 

Shongwe was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure and 15 years’ imprisonment for theft. The court ruled that both sentences run concurrently. As a result, Shongwe is expected to spend the next 20 years behind bars.

“Tampering with essential infrastructure [is] a national problem and has a negative impact on service delivery to members of the public. 

“Eskom has been plagued by sabotage, and this conviction and sentence must serve as a strong warning to those implicated in such despicable acts. 

“We really welcome the sentence and appreciate the excellent work by the investigation team and prosecution,” said Major General Nico Gerber, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga. – SAnews.gov.za

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