Category: South Africa Government

Johannesburg Water has moved to assure residents that progress is being made to improve water supply to Coronationville in the west of the city. 

The area was the sight of violent protest last month with residents demanding water supply.

“Johannesburg Water is making progress on the planned intervention for an immediate intervention to improve supply to the high zone of Coronationville. The project commenced on 22 September 2025, with excavations to expose pipework on the ground. Excavations have been completed on both sides of the street in the vicinity of Harmony and Hamilton streets, Coronationville.

“This is where the cross-connection will be made. A socket has been welded onto the main pipe supplying Crosby on 29 September 2025. Road cutting and trenching were also completed on 30 September 2025, with pipe-laying and valve installation activities currently underway,” the entity said in a statement.

READ | ‘We are going to find solutions’ to Jhb water challenge – Mayor Morero

Furthermore, final pipe connections will be made for the rest of the week with “commissioning of the cross-connection is expected on Friday”.

“In addition, Johannesburg Water has allocated a dedicated team to investigate, assess feasibility and then only implement interventions which could address challenges in sensitive areas supplied within the Commando System, including Claremont, Westbury, and Westdene. 

“These investigations are ongoing and will be resolved progressively, as the challenges and potential solutions differ across each block. It should also be known that the improvement of the Commando System is still dependent on the ongoing medium – and long-term project interventions underway or which are due to commence,” the statement read.

Residents are warned to take care around the construction area in Coronationville.

“This is a reminder that the Coronationville project remains an active construction site. Residents and members of the public are urged to exercise extreme caution in the area and to keep clear of the site, which is strictly off-limits to unauthorized persons. These measures are in place to safeguard both the public and Johannesburg Water employees and contractors.

“Johannesburg Water will continue to provide updates as work progresses and apologises for the inconvenience caused during this intervention,” the statement concluded. 

Johannesburg Water is a municipal entity of the City of Johannesburg. – SAnews.gov.za

The Madlanga Commission has announced a break from proceedings, with hearings set to resume on 13 October 2025.

“The Commission will be taking a scheduled break from 6 – 10 October 2025 due to the unavailability of Commissioner Sesi Baloyi, who will be attending to her duties as a member of the Judicial Service Commission,” commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels explained.

Hearings were stopped abruptly this week due to illness of a witness.

READ | General Khumalo receiving the “best medical care”

“This week, the Commission’s public hearings would have continued until Friday, 3 October 2025, but when the hearing resumed… Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga adjourned it due to the inability of [Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence] Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo to proceed with his testimony as a result of sudden illness,” Michaels said.

The Commission — which is officially known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System — has already heard the evidence of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, which was followed by that of South African Police Service (SAPS) National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.

Other witnesses to have given testimony are KZN Director of Public Prosecutions at the National Prosecuting Authority, Elaine Harrison and SAPS Head of Governance, Legislation and Policy at the Legal Services Division, Major General Petronella van Rooyen. – SAnews.gov.za

Over 5000 suspects have been arrested for various crimes while 105 unlicensed firearms were recovered in the month of September, said KwaZulu-Natal police.

In a statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS), said that of the 5 527 suspects that were arrested across the province, 1 464 were arrested for contact crimes of which 730 of them were arrested for assault with an intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 

A total of 85 individuals were arrested for murder, and 93 suspects were arrested for attempted murder cases. 

“These arrests and recoveries are a culmination of relentless operations conducted by various police units in specified policing precincts. One of the key objectives of Operation Shanela is to tackle areas which have shown an increase in crime volumes,” the SAPS said in a statement on Wednesday.

Drugs were also recovered in the police operations.

“During these operations, those who deal in narcotics did not escape the police radar as a total of 921 suspects were arrested and drugs were recovered in the process. Police also arrested 51 suspects for being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

“The arrested suspects have appeared in various courts in the province, however the work of the police teams in Operation Shanela II does not end with the arrests of the suspects and recovery of exhibits.”

The police added that “frantic work is on-going” behind the scenes in trying to establish possible links of the arrested suspects with other crimes.

“The firearms recovered will also be subjected to ballistics tests to determine if they have not been used in the commission of other crimes,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will host its annual Water and Sanitation Education Programme (WSEP) in Boksburg, Gauteng.

Set to be held from 5–11 October 2025, the programme is aimed at inspiring the next generation of leaders in the sector.

The programme seeks to raise awareness among learners about water use efficiency, resource protection, health, hygiene, and the impact of invasive alien plants. Young minds are given the tools and encouragement to shape the future of this vital sector.

The WSEP also promotes careers in the water sector by transforms classrooms into hubs of water literacy, inspiring students to value every drop and become champions of wise water use.
Through hands-on projects, the programme invites learners and educators to become problem-solvers, tackling real water and sanitation challenges in their schools and communities. They investigate issues, brainstorm creative solutions, and put their ideas into action.

The WSEP is implemented through several initiatives, including Baswa Le Meetse (Youth in Water), Aqua Enduro, public speaking, curriculum support, intervention projects, career promotion, and the celebration of special days.

At the end of this dynamic week, outstanding learners will be rewarded with full study bursaries, opening doors to science and engineering careers in the world of water and sanitation.
Spokesperson at the department, Wisane Mavasa said the programme has already produced young leaders making significant contributions in the sector.

“Some of our previous winners have to study for PhDs, travel to various parts of the globe, and participate in everything water and sanitation related. This programme is an opportunity for the disadvantaged to get a foot in the door and explore all possibilities,” Mavasa said.

She added that the programme reminds both pupils and teachers that South Africa’s water is precious and every drop counts, empowering young leaders to safeguard the nation’s most essential resource. – SAnews.gov.za

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has moved to clarify misinformation surrounding a disturbing video circulating on social media which depicts the rape of a minor by an elderly man.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department said contrary to claims, the incident did not take place in Inanda or involve a learner from Zwelisha School in the Pinetown District.

“The incident in question took place in Mozambique. The department is relieved to confirm that the perpetrator of this heinous crime was immediately arrested by the relevant law enforcement agency in his country,” the department said.

The department urged the public to act responsibly by verifying information before sharing content on social media platforms, warning that the spread of false information creates unnecessary panic and harm within the communities. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, says Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, the Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence, is receiving the best medical care after feeling unwell this morning. 

“The General felt unwell after arriving at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, where he was due to continue with his testimony,” the South African Police Service said in a statement on Wednesday.

Masemola is in contact with Khumalo and has confirmed that he is in good spirits, while taking health advice from his physician. 

“The General’s health is receiving priority and the Madlanga Commission will be kept abreast of all developments pertaining to his condition, as well as when he will be available to continue with his testimony,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) has invited the public to comment on its Draft Report into alleged eFiling Profile Hijacking.

“The OTO hereby invites written comments on the eFiling profile hijacking draft report. By inviting public participation, the OTO aims to develop a robust and effective response to eFiling profile hijacking, thereby ensuring protection of taxpayers’ rights and enhancing trust in South Africa’s tax administration system,” the OTO said in a statement on Wednesday.

The draft report was drafted by the ombud following its investigation into alleged eFiling profile hijacking.
“Between 3 February and 5 March 2025, the OTO conducted the eFiling Profile Hijacking Survey to capture taxpayers’ experiences and challenges related to eFiling profile hijacking. Preliminary findings from the survey were presented during a public workshop held on 28 May 2025.

“Initially, the OTO planned to publish the draft report for public comment in July 2025. However, SARS formally requested additional time to respond to the draft report and its recommendations. Consequently, on 2 July 2025, the OTO announced that the publication of the draft report would be postponed to 31 August 2025. Due to ongoing and extensive engagements with SARS, the publication was further delayed,” the statement read.

The report’s key findings include:
•    eFiling profile hijacking is most prevalent among tax practitioners and individual taxpayers.
•    The majority of cases involve Personal Income Tax and Value-Added Tax (VAT).
•    Fraudulent transactions typically involve amounts under R10 000 but can reach up to R100 000.
•    Vulnerabilities include inadequate authentication processes, challenges in fraud detection, delayed SARS response times, insider threats, and low digital security awareness among taxpayers.

The key recommendations include:
•    South African Revenue Service (SARS): Enhance authentication protocols, improve fraud detection and refund verification systems, boost taxpayer education, and strengthen collaboration with banks, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
•    Tax Practitioners: Implement stricter controls on third-party access and uphold high professional conduct standards.
•    Taxpayers: Use strong passwords, activate two-factor authentication, and regularly monitor eFiling profile activities.
•    National Treasury: Amend certain provisions in the Tax Administration Act and establish an Inspector-General as recommended by the Nugent Commission of inquiry.
•    South African Reserve Bank: Investigate banking irregularities linked to eFiling profile hijacking.
The draft report can be accessed at https://www.taxombud.gov.za/oto-draft-report-on-the-investigation-into-alleged-efiling-profile-hijacking/

Please forward written comments via: communications@taxombud.gov.za and for more information, visit www.taxombud.gov.za before the deadline on 31 October 2025. – SAnews.gov.za

Parliament’s Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources has commended Eskom for achieving a profit before tax margin of some R23.9 billion for the 2025 financial year – the first turn of profit since 2017.

This after the resurgent power utility posted a net loss before tax of some R25.5 billion the previous year.

“The reinvestment of the profit back into the business is key for strengthening Eskom’s infrastructure and ensuring greater energy security for the country, which is critical for economic growth and attracting investment,” committee chairperson Mpho Modise said.

He noted that the municipal debt owed to the power utility had grown by 27%, despite the implementation of National Treasury’s Municipal Debt Relief Programme.

“The growing municipal debt owed to Eskom, which currently stands at about R103.5 billion is one that we, as a committee, find extremely concerning. This debt needs to be addressed and a viable solution into the matter needs to be identified.

“Public entities must be kept accountable to meet their financial responsibilities,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za