Category: South Africa Government

Umalusi has reassured the public that the integrity of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results is intact, despite a confirmed leak affecting 40 learners across three subjects.

Umalusi [Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training in South Africa] CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, said following extensive quality assurance processes and an independent investigation, the quality council can assure South Africans that they can trust that the results reflect learners’ genuine performance.

“We want to assure the public that the breach was localised and therefore cannot dent the overall credibility of the 2025 NSC results,” Rakometsi said on Friday. 

Rakometsi addressed the media regarding the exams conducted by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI), and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

The CEO outlined the comprehensive quality assurance framework applied to all examinations it oversees. 

This involves moderating question papers and school assessments, auditing examination readiness, monitoring writing at selected centres, participating in marking discussions, verifying marking quality in certain subjects, and standardising marks across over 300 subjects.

Rakometsi said the Assessment Standards Committee (ASC) of Umalusi standardised the 2025 external examination results between 18 December 2025 and 5 January 2026.

“The 15-member committee spent considerable time carefully analysing numerical data and narrative reports to arrive at standardisation decisions by way of consensus for each one of the over 300 subjects presented,” the CEO explained.

In addition, observers from 11 national and international organisations also scrutinised the process. 

Their message, Umalusi reported, was that while systems differ, “the quality assurance processes converge around the need to ensure the highest credibility and integrity of the certificates issued.”

Exam leaks 

On 11 December 2025, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, informed the nation of a breach involving mathematics Papers 1 and 2, physical sciences Papers 1 and 2, and English home language Papers 1 to 3. 

A National Investigation Task Team (NITT) of nine members, with Umalusi as observer, was appointed to investigate. 

The NITT’s report was presented to Umalusi’s Executive Committee on 6 January 2026.

“The overall conclusion of the investigation is that the leak was limited to the three subjects or seven papers… and that the leak was contained to around 40 candidates in seven examination centres in the Pretoria area,” Rakometsi said.

“While the number of implicated learners currently stands at around 40, there will be consequences for anyone who is not included in the number now, should they be discovered later.”

The CEO commended the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for its quick action but expressed concern over ongoing irregularities like group copying, highlighting that some provinces frequently appear in reports of these issues.

He called on provincial departments and private assessment bodies “to tighten their systems to protect the overall credibility of the examinations”.

Umalusi reminded learners that the law empowers it to cancel certificates if irregularities are discovered later. 

“If you cheated in this examination and you are found out later, you will have to return the certificate, failing which you will be imprisoned,” said Rakometsi.

The council condemned practices like gatekeeping, which prevent learners from writing certain subjects so that schools can improve pass rates. He praised interventions by the DBE to curtail this.

Social ills

Umalusi expressed regret that some candidates fell victim to social ills, such as rape and robbery, during the examination period. 

It urged community members and relevant authorities to support all victims in whatever way possible.

Umalusi chairperson, Professor Yunus Ballim, has approved the release of the 2025 end-of-year exam results, stating there were “no systemic irregularities” affecting exam integrity. 

Over one million candidates sat for exams in more than 300 subjects at approximately 9 400 centres, with the NSC accounting for 90.3% of those, or around 927 000 candidates.

Ballim noted a high acceptance of raw marks, indicating a stable system.

“When we accept a larger proportion of raw results, that points to a system that is settled, doing reasonably well.”

In a heartfelt message to the Class of 2025, the Professor acknowledged all participants in a “large and complex” system that meticulously processes over a million scripts, ensuring the integrity of the process is maintained.

He also took the time to encourage those who failed and pleaded with them not to give up. 

“Work harder, and you will do better in this year’s examinations.” – SAnews.gov.za

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In a move to improve water security for the residents of the Rustenburg Local Municipality in the North West and Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, has handed over upgraded water infrastructure for communities.

“The commissioning included the upgraded Vaalkop Water Treatment Works Raw Water Pumpstation and the associated Bulk Water Pipeline, both of which are designed to respond to growing water demand and ensure long-term water security in the two provinces,” said the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in a statement on Friday.

Minister Majodina and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo was joined by the Members of the Executive Council responsible for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) in the North West, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi, among others, in handing over the Vaalkop Water Treatment Works Raw Water Pumpstation upgrade in Rustenburg earlier this week.

The upgrade which was implemented by Magalies Water from February 2023 and completed in November 2025, will ensure sustainable water supply for Moses Kotane and Rustenburg Local Municipalities in the North West, as well as the Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo.

The pumpstation directly abstracts water from Vaalkop Dam and has been upgraded from a capacity of 240 megalitres per day (ML/day) to 360 ML/day. It has been equipped with ten pump sets designed to efficiently supply raw water to the water treatment works, strengthening operational reliability, improving water management and reducing water losses.

Majodina also commissioned the upgraded Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which was initiated in response to increasing water demand from the rural communities of Bethanie, Modikoe and Berseba, within the Rustenburg Local Municipality.

Implemented by Magalies Water, in partnership with Glencore Rhovan PSV Mine, the project involved the construction and installation of a 23.4-kilometre bulk potable water pipeline, comprising 560mm and 400mm diameter pipes with associated valves. The pipeline runs from the Kortbegrip Reservoir to the Bethanie and Modikoe Reservoirs.

The new pipeline replaces the ageing asbestos fibre-cement pipeline that had reached the end of its operational life and was prone to frequent bursts. 

The upgraded infrastructure increases bulk water supply capacity to meet the current demand of 7.05 ML/day and future demand projected at 12.60 ML/day.

“Importantly, the project will also enable additional water volumes to supply Makolokwe Village, where access to water remains critically low. Currently, the village relies on boreholes that are insufficient to meet the growing needs of the community,” said the department.

The second phase of the project, the bulk pipeline between Bethanie and Makolokwe Village, is scheduled to commence in March 2026 and will include the construction of a booster pumpstation at the Bethanie Reservoir. 

Upon full completion, the project will provide a reliable water supply to a combined population of approximately 144 133 residents, including households, schools, clinics, businesses and community institutions.

Public-private partnership

Minister Majodina commended the public-private partnership between Rustenburg Local Municipality and Glencore Rhovan PSV Mine, noting its positive contribution to accelerating service delivery in Bethanie and Modikoe villages.

“Today’s handover represents progress, but more importantly, it represents partnership. When government, communities and stakeholders work together, we can overcome scarcity, defeat criminality and deliver sustainable services.

“The benefits of this investment are clear and far-reaching. For households, it means a more reliable water supply and greater resilience during peak demand periods. For local businesses, industries and emerging enterprises, it provides the certainty needed to operate efficiently, expand production and create jobs. For municipalities, it strengthens the backbone of service delivery and long-term development planning,“ she said.

Vandalism 

The Minister also called on communities to protect the newly commissioned infrastructure and keep it safe from vandalism and sabotage. She also condemned individuals and syndicates who deliberately damage water infrastructure to sustain illegal water trading activities.

“These projects must be protected, and I want to speak clearly and firmly today: water infrastructure is not a playground for criminals. The vandalism of pipelines, theft of equipment and manipulation of water systems by so-called water mafias is a direct attack on the dignity and well-being of our people. It deprives families of water, disrupts livelihoods and undermines development.

“This government will not tolerate water mafias. Those who vandalise, steal or illegally profit from water infrastructure are stealing from children, the elderly and the most vulnerable.”

She added that law enforcement agencies are working closely with the DWS, municipalities and water boards.

“We will pursue arrests, prosecutions and harsh consequences for anyone who undermines service delivery,” Majodina said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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As the 2026 academic year is set to get underway soon, Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, has urged learners and students to put their best foot forward academically in order to make their dreams a reality.

“My message to students and learners is stay focused [and] study hard. Be curious and don’t be afraid to dream. Dream big. I tell you; education is a weapon you can use to make sure that you become somebody tomorrow,” the Deputy Minister said in an interview with SAnews. 

She added that education has the power to turn one’s fortunes around.

“Education really makes a difference, and it’s able to ensure that even as a woman, you have a brighter future and are not just relegated to the back. If you see me being anybody today, it’s because I worked hard at school and I prize education,” she said.

Last September, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, said that the department was projecting about 235 000 first-year university spaces. While access to higher education has improved over the years, he noted that dropout rates, particularly in the first year of study, remain high. 

With prospective students likely still looking for spaces at various higher education institutions across the country, Deputy Minister Gondwe urged those still searching to be wary of bogus institutions.

“These are colleges that have not been registered; some are registered, but they are offering programmes that are not accredited. We get a lot of complaints around that from members of the community and students themselves.”

She added that such institutions prey on young people and their parents, noting that the department also engages matric learners on the dangers of bogus colleges.

“We also highlight that you not only lose out on an opportunity to get a proper legitimate qualification, but you also lose out on money and the opportunity to gain employment. We even extended that programme to cover high schools. So, we go speak to students in matric before they come into our sector to warn them about bogus colleges.”

She said that learners and prospective students can write to her helpdesk by emailing  Dmsdesk@dhet.gov.za  or visit the Department of Higher Edication and Training (DHET) website to check registered institutions: https://www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/DocRegisters.aspx 

At the media briefing held in September, Manamela stressed that the university spaces projected cannot absorb every qualifying learner and that learners should explore multiple options. 

Other options 
“Learners must recognise that SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities), TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges and CET (Community Education and Training) colleges are equally important pathways into work, skills, and further study,” the Minister said at the time.

In the interview with SAnews, Gondwe said that “we are trying to rebrand our community colleges to make them attractive, the same with our TVETs.”

“We still have a lot of students who want to go to university because there’s this misconception that if you end up at a TVET or community college, you’re never good enough for university. We want to make those institutions just as attractive as your universities. 

“Students at community colleges don’t get funding from the NSFAS [National Student Financial Aid Scheme], so what tends to happen is that they have a high dropout rate. So as soon as a student gets a job somewhere, they leave. We are trying to rebrand them, and we want to make a case for them to get more in terms of the budget,” said Dr Gondwe.

The Deputy Minister is also looking to engage with bodies such as the Agricultural Research Council, an agency of the Department of Agriculture, to help community colleges in establishing viable food gardens and similar initiatives. The council conducts research with partners, develops human capital and fosters innovation to support and grow the agricultural sector.

“Community colleges are sometimes frowned upon as if they’re the last frontier.”

While some young people are scrambling to secure spaces at institutions of higher learning, others have not yet been accepted at their universities of choice.

Through the DHET’s Central Application Clearing House (CACH), government provides assistance to matriculants with a second chance to gain entrance into post-school institutions like universities and TVET colleges.

This free service aims to match applicants’ National Senior Certificate exam results (which is received directly from the Department of Basic Education) and study preferences with places that need to be filled.

Public universities, TVET colleges, SETA’s and private colleges access the CACH database via the CACH website (self-service portal on https://cach.cas.ac.za/) to search for individuals that meet the criteria of the spaces still available. 

The system will send SMS or e-mails to those that are made an offer for them to accept or reject the offer. Once the offer has been accepted, Institutions will directly contact those who accepted the offer. 

The Deputy Minister stressed that learners also have the options of SETA’s, TVETs and private institutions.

“And I know that not everybody can afford it; I do know that they do present an alternative in terms of being able to provide someone with access to higher education and training. University is not the only option.”  
The Deputy Minister urged learners who did not pass their matric to enrol at community colleges and rewrite their examinations.

This as Manamela said that more than 130 000 learners were enrolled in CET programmes that range from the Second Chance Matric Programme, adult literacy and numeracy and skills programmes at CET colleges. At the briefing in September 2025, the department said it is working on repositioning CETs as centres of lifelong learning through investment in lecturer training, the timely delivery of learning and teaching support materials, and the rollout of digital access tools to support students, especially those in second-chance matric programmes. 

Last September, the department called for nominations to fill vacancies on CET College Councils across the country. At the time, the department said the call represented an important step in strengthening the governance, accountability, and renewal of the colleges. 

In addition, the country’s 21 SETAs also provide pathways for matric graduates, young people not in employment, education or training, and for workers seeking to reskill or upskill. This is done through learnerships, apprenticeships, bursaries and workplace training programmes in sectors ranging from engineering and construction to information and communications technology (ICT), hospitality, health and agriculture.

The list of the country’s SETA’s can be accessed on: https://www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/SETAlinks.aspx  

Young people can register on SETA databases, approach accredited training providers, or apply directly for learnerships and bursaries. 

For learners wanting to improve their matric results, the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Second Chance Matric Programme is available. It was established in 2016 for learners who would like to improve their results or eventually complete their matric qualification on a part-time basis.  

The aim of the programme is to provide support to learners who have not been able to meet the requirements of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or the extended Senior Certificate (SC). NSC candidates can only register at their nearest district office for the programme.

Eligible individuals may register to rewrite or add subjects without any payment, in accordance with the DBE’s policies for the May/June examination cycle. 

Registration for the programme opened on 1 October 2025 and will close on 6 February 2026.
In addition, the DBE provides an online service for (NSC) candidates to request a re-mark or re-check of examination scripts. This as the DBE is set to release the 2025 Matric Results on Monday, 12 January 2026. Results of the exams will be released to candidates on 13 January 2026.

In order to request a re-mark or re-check service, candidates must first register on the e-Gov portal at www.eservices.gov.za to create a personal account. This account will allow the candidate to login using their password and usernames to access the service. 

“Registration can be done at either the school or district office in the province or online,” the DBE said.
The opening date for applications for re-marking and re-checking is 13 January 2026 with the closing date set for 27 January 2026 for both manual applications and online applications. The fee for re-mark is R120 per subject and re-checking is R30 per subject.

The viewing of scripts may only be done after a re-mark or re-check of results. The closing date for applications is 7 days after release of re-mark or re-check results. The fee for viewing is R230.

Results of remarking will be released from 13 March 2026 and will be available at the school/exam centre where the candidate sat for their 2025 examinations.

“Do not despair; reach out to us, and we’ll be able to tell you what the available options are for you. There’s hope for you in this sector,” said the Deputy Minister. 

As learners return to the classroom on 14 January 2026, society can cheer them on in their respective journeys. – SAnews.gov.za 
 

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The City of Johannesburg’s water systems have recovered and are supplying normally, following the third and final phase of the Rand Water maintenance.

The 54-hour maintenance commenced on Tuesday with a temporary shutdown of water services in parts of the city.

“[Full] restoration in certain parts can take up to several days.

“Feed for the Braamfischerville Reservoir [is] back to normal and supplying adequately. Meadowlands Reservoir is also back to normal and supplying fairly. However, the direct feed has not yet fully recovered as full restoration in certain parts can take longer,” Johannesburg Water said in a statement.

Furthermore, the Doornkop Reservoir… direct feed [is] back to normal, the Fleurhof Reservoir is supplying adequately, while the Roodepoort Deep direct feed is now supplying normally.

“Johannesburg Water will monitor the restoration phase and attend to airlocks,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is inviting young people across the province to apply for opportunities within the YearBeyond Programme.

YearBeyond is a youth service partnership that includes government, the National Youth Development Agency, donors, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). 

The programme, originally initiated in the Western Cape, is now a national initiative that provides unemployed youth aged 18 to 25 with meaningful work experience and a pathway to further studies or employment.

Running from 7 January to 13 February 2026, the #SayYeBo campaign invites young people to apply for a year of structured service – gaining valuable skills and experience while contributing positively to their communities.

Through YearBeyond, young people, known as “YeBoneers,” are placed in education and community-based programmes that respond to real needs. 

These include learner support in schools, early childhood development, libraries and reading initiatives, youth wellbeing and social-emotional learning programmes, play-based activities, and broader social cohesion work. 

Speaking about the campaign this week, Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, said the initiative aims to address youth unemployment. 

“Through the YearBeyond programme, we are creating meaningful pathways for young people who may be uncertain about their next steps. The programme provides an opportunity to gain a year’s practical experience, improve their CV and gain important skills which will help them to access future employment opportunities as employees or employers.” 

Mackenzie said the provincial government wants to offer the youth a hand up to help them take the next steps towards becoming independent, thriving adults. 

“Programmes like this give young people options. Without this, many young people might end up in gangs or on the street. I’m proud of this programme in that it provides a pathway to independence and employment,” Mackenzie added.

The MEC also highlighted that YearBeyond reflects the Western Cape Government’s commitment to hope, optimism and practical pathways for youth, offering young people the chance to gain experience, build confidence and develop skills that support their transition into work or further study.

“It is part of our responsibility to give young people the best possible chance to succeed in life – empowering them to uplift their families and make meaningful contributions to their communities,” said Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.

The Premier believes that YearBeyond is a vital investment in the potential of young people, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to secure jobs and thrive, ultimately playing an active role in our economy.

“I urge young people to take full advantage of this incredible programme,” he said.

Young people who are interested in applying are encouraged to:
Create or update their profile on www.sayouth.mobi.
Ensure their address details are correct and up to date.
Log in to the SAYouth.mobi platform and search for YearBeyond.
Open the opportunity card for their municipality and apply.
Select all 2026 YearBeyond programmes that interest them. For more information on qualification criteria, visit: https://www.yearbeyond.org/apply-1. 

Applications close on 13 February 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Border Management Authority (BMA), in close collaboration with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), has intercepted over 20 minors near the Limpopo River close to the Beitbridge border fence.

In the incident on Thursday, officials reported that the children, aged between five and 17, were believed to be travelling from South Africa to Zimbabwe when they were intercepted during routine border safeguarding operations.

Among the group were 10 adults; however, preliminary checks by BMA officials revealed that only one adult was the parent of one of the children. 

The remaining minors were found to be travelling without parental supervision or legal guardianship.

BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, expressed serious concerns about child protection, potential exploitation, and the violation of immigration and child welfare laws as a result of this interception.

“All individuals have been placed under the care of the relevant authorities, and processes are underway to ensure the safety, well-being, and lawful handling of the minors in line with South African laws and international child protection protocols,” Masiapato said in a statement.

The BMA is collaborating closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Social Development, and other relevant stakeholders to verify identities, understand the circumstances surrounding the movement of the children, and identify appropriate interventions.

Masiapato has emphasised the agency’s zero-tolerance policy towards the unlawful movement of children across South Africa’s borders.

“The protection of vulnerable persons, particularly children, remains a priority for the BMA. We will continue to intensify joint operations with our security cluster partners to prevent exploitation and safeguard the integrity of our borders,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that a message that is currently circulating on social media platforms warning of a storm dubbed “Storm Baron” is false and should be regarded as a hoax.

“There is currently no tropical cyclone activity over the south-western Indian Ocean, and no officially recognised storm named Baron,” the weather service said on Thursday.

However, an intense low-pressure system is expected to develop over the southern parts of Mozambique in the coming days. 

This system is forecast to then move further south and is expected to bring widespread showers and thunderstorms to the north-eastern parts of the country from early morning Saturday, 10 January 2026, persisting until Thursday 15 January 2026. 

The areas’ most likely to be affected include the escarpment and lowveld areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.

“It must be noted that, at present, there remains significant uncertainty regarding the exact placement of the core of the system, which directly influences where the heaviest rainfall is expected. 

“While several numerical weather prediction models place the system’s core to the east of South Africa, over southern Mozambique, there are those models that indicate it could track much closer to the country,” the SAWS said.

The first scenario would result in relatively lower rainfall amounts, while the second would mean very high amounts, potentially totalling several hundreds of millimetres in some places.

The SAWS continues to closely monitor this situation and will be providing regular updates as new information becomes available. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has announced that the results of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations will be published in accredited newspapers next Tuesday, 13 January 2026. 

On Wednesday, the DBE announced that the results will be presented in the same anonymised format as in recent years, which includes only examination numbers and results – no names, surnames, or ID numbers will be included.

This comes in light of the Information Regulator’s decision to seek permission to appeal a December ruling by a full bench of the Pretoria High Court, which determined that matric results could be published on public platforms using candidates’ examination numbers, as had been done since 2022. 

In 2024, the regulator issued an enforcement notice that prohibited the department from publishing the matric results in newspapers. 

Instead, it stated that the results should be shared in ways that comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), such as allowing students to access their results through their schools or via a secure SMS service from the DBE.

READ | Department welcomes High Court judgement on the publishing NSC results 

However, the DBE stated that, in accordance with its commitment to the rule of law, it is legally required to publish the results in a pseudonymised format. 

The department said this requirement is based on a court order issued on 18 January 2022, which specifically mandates this approach.

“This order remains in force,” the statement read. 

According to the department, the publication of NSC results in accredited newspapers has long been an important and accessible method for learners and parents to obtain results timeously. 

“We will continue to follow the established, court-endorsed practice of publishing the results without identifying learners in a manner that balances accessibility with the protection of personal information.”

Meanwhile, the department further confirmed that it will oppose the application for leave to appeal by the Information Regulator. 

“This opposition is pursued in the best interests of learners, their families, and the education sector. The department remains firmly of the view that the application has no reasonable prospects of success, given the clarity already provided by the courts.

“At the same time, the department emphasises that it holds the highest respect for the Office of the Information Regulator and its constitutional mandate.” 

The department stated that its opposition to the application for leave to appeal should not be interpreted as a “lack of respect” for the Information Regulator. 

“On the contrary, the department values the regulator’s role and looks forward to continued and constructive engagement.” 

The DBE said it remains committed to legal compliance, learner protection, transparency, and accessibility, while ensuring that the rights and dignity of every learner are respected.

The Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule are set to announce the results of the Matric Class of 2025 on Monday, 12 January 2026. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a recall for NAN Special Pro HA Infant Formula, which is designed for the dietary management of infants at risk of developing a cow’s milk protein allergy.

The product affected is NAN Special Pro HA in the 800g package for children aged zero to 12 months, with the batch number 51660742F3, produced in June 2025.

According to the NCC, this product has been distributed through all major retailers and distributors across South Africa and has been exported to Namibia and Eswatini.

In the meantime, the commission announced that the product recall is due to the potential presence of Cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus, which raises food safety concerns.

“The NAN infant formula has a lifespan of approximately 18 months,” the NCC explained.

According to media reports, Nestlé has announced a recall of certain batches of its infant nutrition products, including SMA, BEBA, and NAN formulas, primarily in Europe, due to potential contamination with a toxin that may lead to nausea and vomiting. 

The company, known for a wide range of products from KitKat to Nescafé, stated that no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled items.

The recall was initiated following a quality concern related to an ingredient sourced from a major supplier.

A spokesperson for Nestlé mentioned that the company has begun testing all arachidonic acid oil and associated oil mixtures used in the production of the affected infant nutrition products.

The NCC has advised consumers who have the affected NAN Special Pro HA Infant Formula 800g to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

“The NCC will continue to monitor the matter and engage with the supplier to ensure ongoing compliance with the food safety requirements.” – SAnews.gov.za

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