Category: South Africa Government

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has ordered an urgent audit of private scholar transport across the Umgungundlovu District following another accident in Pietermaritzburg that left four learners injured.

The crash occurred in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg on Monday, 22 September 2025, when a speeding minibus taxi driver lost control of his vehicle and slammed into guardrails. The driver has been reported to have fled the scene of a crash.

This is the third incident in Pietermaritzburg in less than two weeks.

In a statement, Duma condemned the incidents, describing as “virtual impunity” enjoyed by some scholar transport operators who routinely flout traffic rules.

“Clearly, some scholar transport drivers and operators in Pietermaritzburg are enjoying virtual impunity for the violation of traffic rules. As the Department of Transport, we are left with no option but to take drastic action to deal with this anarchy,” Duma said.

Duma has instructed the department to collaborate with all municipalities under Umgungundlovu District to conduct a comprehensive audit of private scholar transport.

He said the process will also involve the Department of Education, school governing bodies, the South African National Taxi Council, and other key stakeholders to ensure learner transport remains safe and uninterrupted.

The MEC also raised concerns about the issuing of fraudulent roadworthiness certificates to minibus taxis that are clearly unfit for the road.

“In this regard, we will work with the Vehicle Testing Association (VTA). As announced last week, we have agreed to work together to isolate elements that are operating vehicles without roadworthy certificates and to ensure that those issuing fraudulent certificates are arrested,” Duma said.

Other areas of collaboration with the VTA involve the introduction of reforms such as:
•    Strengthen legislation governing the taxi and scholar transport industry, with clear provisions on driver vetting, vehicle standards, and operational oversight.
•    Enforcing stricter compliance and accountability measures across the province, supported by transparent reporting and independent audits.
•    Require biannual Certificates of Roadworthiness for all heavy passenger vehicles, replacing the current annual requirement.
•    Ensure that all minibuses are inspected within the KZN province at accredited municipal or private testing facilities, and in alignment with their designated route permits. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Police operations have led to the arrest of 18 232 individuals and the seizure of 206 unlicensed firearms during intensified nationwide crime-combatting efforts under Operation Shanela II.

Last week’s operations saw the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducting  6416 liquor inspections across the country resulting in the closure of 443 unlicensed liquor premises.

In a statement, the police said the majority of these liquor outlets were closed by police in KwaZulu-Natal. 

“In addition, 954 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Of the total arrests, 2,701 were wanted suspects linked to serious and violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, vehicle hijackings, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.”

A total 153 suspects were arrested for murder with the majority arrested in the Free State (31), followed by the Eastern Cape (29) and Gauteng while an additional 127 people were arrested for attempted murder.

Additionally, 166 people were arrested for the possession of illegal firearms while 269 others were arrested for dealing in drugs among others.

In addition to the 206 unlicensed firearms, 2 488 rounds of ammunition were seized, and 74 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished Shanah Tova to the Jewish community on the celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

“I wish our Jewish community Shanah Tova as you spend this time in prayer for forgiveness and in celebration of a fresh start in all areas of life.

“We are blessed as a nation that Rosh Hashanah 2025 takes place in the week in which we observe Heritage Day, as the Jewish community and Judaism are an integral and valued part of our cultural and religious diversity,” the President said on Monday.

He noted that the celebration brings an opportunity for reflection.

“This time of prayer is a time for reflection on suffering and conflict unfolding in different parts of the world, and for recommitting ourselves to tolerance, peace and justice.

“May the year ahead be filled with good health, safety and prosperity,” President Ramaphosa said. 

South Africa will commemorate Heritage Day on Wednesday, 24 September 2025. 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, acting as the President, will officiate the 2025 celebrations at Bridgeton Sport Grounds in the Oudtshoorn Local Municipality, Western Cape. –SAnews.gov.za

National Treasury has announced that the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) will be tabled in Parliament on 12 November 2025.

This after media reports erroneously reported that the MTBPS would be tabled in January next year.

“It is unfortunate and reckless for the publication to have reported the date without having verified the information with the National Treasury. Parliament today published its programme for the fourth term, which indicates 12 November 2025 as the calendar date for the MTBPS tabling.

“National Treasury officials are hard at work with MTBPS engagements and preparations,” the Treasury said in a statement on Monday.

Parliament confirmed the date – revealing that the National Assembly (NA) Programme Committee has resolved that Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana will table the MTBPS, “in line with constitutional and legislative requirements governing the budget process”.

“Furthermore, the NA agreed that it will consider and adopt the MTBPS on 13 January 2026, following the conclusion of the necessary committee processes.

“This year’s later tabling and consideration of the MTBPS is the direct knock-on effect of the national budget itself having been tabled later than usual, owing to well-documented challenges already in the public domain. As a result, subsequent processes in the budget cycle, including the MTBPS, have had to be adjusted accordingly.

“Parliament has therefore ensured that these processes remain aligned with constitutional requirements, while accommodating the unavoidable delays without compromising scrutiny, accountability, or public participation,” Parliament Spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo explained.

The Budget was re-tabled on 21 May 2025. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, acting as the President, will officiate the 2025 Heritage Day celebrations at Bridgeton Sport Grounds in the Oudtshoorn Local Municipality, Western Cape.

Taking place on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, the event is organised in collaboration with the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the Western Cape Provincial Government.

According to the Presidency, this year’s Heritage Month is celebrated with the theme: “Re-imagine Our Heritage Institutions for a New Era.”

This year’s Heritage Day will focus on the importance of leveraging heritage as a foundation for building a dynamic, socially responsive, technologically innovative and economically inclusive future.

The celebrations on Wednesday are expected to focus on how society, through culture, continues to evolve in response to social, economic, and technological challenges.

“It will also focus on museums as custodians of memory and knowledge, and as institutions that are uniquely positioned to lead the shift. 

“Museums are at the heart of transformation and are part of heritage sites that are traditionally tasked with the collection, preservation, and exhibition of cultural artefacts,” the advisory read. 

Over the years, the Presidency stated that there has been a need for museums to urgently reposition themselves as spaces of relevance, innovation, and community engagement. 

“South Africa’s heritage sector has long been a cornerstone of our national identity, collective memory and reconciliation. So, our museums as cultural and heritage institutions play a vital role in healing communities and preventing the recurrence of past injustices,” said the Deputy President. 

He added that there was a growing need to re-evaluate how heritage is understood and accessed by the citizens, in line with the country’s evolving social, economic and technological challenges.

“Thus, the commemoration of Heritage Month this year provides us with a timely opportunity to reflect on this shift and explore how memory can be transformed into momentum by using heritage as a tool for innovation, job creation, social cohesion, as well as nation-building,” Deputy President Mashatile added. – SAnews.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has reaffirmed government’s commitment to collaborating closely with community volunteers and law enforcement stakeholders in the fight against crime.

Ntuli engaged the Provincial Executive for Community Safety Structures, which brings together several key formations, including the Community Police Forum (CPF), the Crime Prevention Youth Desk, the KZN Community Crime Prevention Association, and the Spiritual Crime Prevention Initiative.

These structures play a vital role in crime prevention at the community level by mobilising residents, strengthening relationships with police, and providing direct support in improving safety.
During a recent meeting, representatives outlined their ongoing work in reducing crime and promoting vigilance.

They also highlighted the challenges they face in fulfilling their responsibilities, including resource constraints, limited training opportunities, and the need for stronger integration with law enforcement agencies.

Ntuli commended volunteers for their dedication, emphasising that safety requires a collective effort.
He reaffirmed the provincial government’s resolve to strengthen working relations with law enforcement, government entities, and grassroots crime-fighting initiatives.

“The fight against crime cannot be won by the police alone. It requires a whole-of-society approach where government, communities, and civil structures stand together. These community safety structures are the backbone of our collective response.”

The Premier pledged continued provincial support to ensure that community policing forums and related structures are better resourced, trained, and empowered to operate effectively.

He stressed that building safe communities is central to KwaZulu-Natal’s broader development agenda, as it creates the foundation for investment, growth, and social stability.

The engagement forms part of the province’s comprehensive crime prevention strategy, which prioritises partnerships, visibility, and proactive interventions to create safer communities for all. – SAnews.gov.za