Category: South Africa Government

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has announced the appointment of new independent expert members to its Board’s Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and Information Technology Governance Committee (ITGC) in a move to strengthen institutional governance, accountability and digital innovation.

According to the NHLS, the newly appointed members bring extensive expertise in digital transformation, governance, finance, risk management, and public-sector leadership.

“Among the appointees are Poppy Tshabalala, a Chartered Chief Information Officer and digital transformation leader with more than 25 years of Information and Communication Technology experience, and Patrick Ganesan, a specialist in enterprise risk management and regulatory compliance, who are appointed to the ITGC.

“In the Audit and Risk Committee, Suren Maharaj, a Chartered Accountant and seasoned finance executive with over 30 years of experience; Fulufhelo Tshikhudo, an accomplished governance, risk, and finance expert with more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across key state institutions; and Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba, a Chartered Accountant with expertise in financial management have been appointed,” the NHLS said.

The entity welcomed their appointments.

“The NHLS believes the collective expertise of the expert independent Committee Members will strengthen governance, accountability, strategic oversight, and innovation as the organisation continues to deliver quality diagnostic pathology services, support public health surveillance, and advance medical research and training in South Africa. 

“The NHLS looks forward to their immense contribution towards advancing the NHLS mandate and supporting the broader goals of South Africa’s public healthcare system.

“The NHLS also extends its appreciation to the outgoing Board members for their service and contribution,” the NHLS noted. – SAnews.gov.za

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Police continue to intensify efforts to curb contraband trade and distribution through the enforcement of the Counterfeit Goods Act, this as 57-year-old foreign national was arrested for the possession of suspected counterfeit cigarettes.

The arrest was made by the Welkom K9 Unit.

“On Tuesday, members attached to the Welkom K9 Unit received information about suspected illegal cigarettes that are being transported to an identified house in Welkom. Information was operationalised and led police to a house in Jim Fouchè Park, Welkom,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.

On arrival on the scene, entry was gained into the premises and police discovered a large quantity of boxes containing suspected illicit cigarettes. 

“Preliminary investigations were conducted and the cigarettes were confirmed to be counterfeit,” the police said.

Police seized the boxes of illicit cigarettes estimated to be valued at R6.2 million rands.

The arrested suspect will appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday host Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the Fourth Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC).

The BNC was first launched more than a decade ago and it serves as a mechanism for managing and advancing the partnership between the two Southern African nations.

“To date, more than 33 agreements and memoranda of understanding have been concluded between the two countries across various areas of cooperation.

“The Fourth Session will provide an opportunity for the two Heads of State to review progress in implementing existing bilateral commitments and to identify opportunities to further strengthen relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe,” the Presidency said in a statement.

Engagements at the BNC, to be held in Pretoria, will aim to deepen bilateral cooperation across key areas of mutual interest including “trade and investment, infrastructure, economic development and other areas that contribute to shared growth and development”.

“The session will culminate in the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at further expanding bilateral cooperation in strategic areas.

“The Heads of State Meeting will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting, following the Senior Officials Meeting of the Fourth Session of the BNC, which took place yesterday. The Ministerial and Senior Officials Meetings serve to prepare matters for consideration by the two Heads of State,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has adopted the National Plan of Action II for the Conservation and Management of Seabirds in South African Fisheries (NPOA Seabirds II), setting out the country’s strategy for 2026 – 2030 to reduce incidental seabird mortality further and strengthen monitoring, reporting and adaptive management.

NPOA Seabirds II builds on the 2008 plan through an evidence-based approach informed by updated survey data, fisheries observer records, strandings and tracking studies.

According to the department, the plan consolidates current information on conservation status and the known interactions between South African fisheries and all seabird species occurring in South African waters. It also identifies priority areas where targeted action is required.

“It also serves as a compendium of up-to-date information on legislation and policy related to seabird-fisheries interactions and provides useful sector-specific information on current knowledge of interactions and mitigation,” the department said.

The plan’s target of “zero impact on the sustainability of seabird populations by South African fisheries” is highly ambitious but achievable.

It establishes clear, measurable objectives to reduce bycatch across gear types, including longline, trawl, purse seine, pole-and-line and gillnet fisheries, while working towards evidence-based mitigation measures tailored to each fishery and vessel class.

NPOA Seabirds II explicitly incorporates updated species-level interaction data and conservation assessments to ensure mitigation measures are proportionate to the level of risk.

A defining feature of the plan is its formalised cross-sector collaboration. DFFE Oceans and Coasts and fisheries managers will partner with industry, BirdLife South Africa, the Albatross Task Force, academic institutions and provincial conservation agencies to co-design mitigation trials, deliver skipper and observer training, and share monitoring data via common platforms.

“Joint funding mechanisms and shared governance arrangements have been established to enable transparent, adaptive implementation.

“This integrated approach is framed as a win-win: reducing seabird mortality while maintaining sustainable, productive fisheries and supporting coastal livelihoods,” the department said.

The plan also includes capacity building, targeted public outreach and alignment with international best practices and agreements.

NPOA Seabirds II commits to an iterative review process that will incorporate new evidence and operational feedback.

The plan reflects a science-led, cooperative pathway to protect vulnerable seabird populations without compromising fishing operations.

By sharing responsibility, resources and data, conservation and fisheries objectives are mutually strengthened. – SAnews.gov.za

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Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo and senior officials from both departments and specialised engineering teams, have conducted a joint oversight visit to Samancor Dikwena Chrome near Brits, following the structural failure of a sidewall at the mine’s tailings facility last Thursday.

The visit formed part of government’s response to the incident, which occurred on 13 August 2026.

READ | Government probes tailings storage facility failure at Samancor’s Dikwena mine

During the visit on Monday, the government delegation met with mine management, received a detailed briefing on the circumstances surrounding the incident and inspected the affected area to evaluate potential environmental impacts, infrastructure disruptions, and the progress of the multi-agency investigation.

Addressing the media at the site, Mantashe acknowledged the fortunate absence of fatalities, while sharply pivoting the focus toward systemic accountability and regulatory compliance.

“We are very lucky that there is no fatality. Let us start from there. Nobody is dead; there is a disaster, but there is no death. That we must accept. But managing slime dams cannot be treated as a water issue. It is a mining issue, inherently linked to the core mining operations and structural accountability,” Mantashe said.

Expanding on the government’s collaborative regulatory stance, Deputy Minister Mahlobo underscored that tailings infrastructure must maintain absolute structural integrity across every phase of operation.

The Department of Water and Sanitation, alongside specialised dam safety engineering units, has deployed teams to conduct thorough water quality sampling, containment checks, and environmental risk assessments aimed at safeguarding surrounding communities and mitigate potential downstream impacts.

Government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the principle of Zero Harm, the protection of workers’ health and safety, environmental protection, and strict regulatory compliance across all mining and industrial operations.

Investigations into the exact technical and operational causes of the sidewall failure remain active and ongoing. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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By Moahlodi Maphori
South Africa’s ability to achieve sustained growth, create jobs and improve lives depends on infrastructure that works. Roads, rail, ports, water systems, energy networks and digital connectivity are not just public assets. They move goods, keep communities supplied, connect small businesses to markets and give households confidence that essential services will be available when needed.

Government has placed infrastructure at the centre of efforts to rebuild the economy, address structural constraints and unlock South Africa’s development potential. This commitment was underscored by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2026 State of the Nation Address, which outlined measures to accelerate growth, expand employment, strengthen infrastructure investment and improve the state’s capacity to deliver.

Central to this programme is a R1 trillion commitment to public infrastructure over the next three years. This includes R156 billion for water and sanitation infrastructure and a R54 billion incentive to support metropolitan municipalities in reforming water, sanitation and electricity services. The launch of the first national infrastructure bond also signals government’s intention to mobilise additional financing and strengthen private-sector participation in priority projects.

These commitments reflect a practical truth that economic recovery cannot be sustained without reliable and efficient infrastructure. Infrastructure investment can reduce the cost of doing business, improve service delivery and connect communities to economic opportunity. The investment programme is being strengthened by reforms that remove barriers which have delayed infrastructure development.

Operation Vulindlela remains critical to this work by addressing regulatory blockages, improving coordination across government and strengthening key network industries such as energy, water, transport and logistics. Better planning, financing and implementation can speed up delivery, build investor confidence and create more room for private-sector participation.

Infrastructure South Africa will host the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) from 23 to 25 August 2026 at Century City in Cape Town. The symposium brings together government, the private sector, development partners and international stakeholders to assess progress, examine the infrastructure pipeline and strengthen partnerships that can accelerate project preparation, financing and implementation.

The significance of SIDSSA goes beyond convening stakeholders in one room. It reaffirms South Africa’s infrastructure ambitions while focusing attention on the real test of execution, accountability and tangible impact that communities can see. The task now is to convert commitments into projects that are delivered efficiently and produce measurable economic and social outcomes.

This transition is supported by Infrastructure South Africa’s project preparation work.  The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson recently highlighted that the entity is supporting more than 24 infrastructure projects with an estimated capital value of R148 billion, while 15 supported projects have completed preparatory work. This pipeline matters because bankable projects attract investment and reduce delays between planning, financing and construction.

Government is at the forefront of providing policy certainty, stronger regulatory frameworks, credible project preparation and an enabling financing environment. While government is finalising the financing preparations, the priority should shift to disciplined implementation of the identified infrastructure projects. 

This requires efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, and accountability for delivery must remain clear. Infrastructure must be delivered within agreed budgets and timeframes, with visible benefits for communities and the economy.

The call now is to invite the private sector to contribute capital, technical expertise, innovation and implementation capacity so that infrastructure can thrive in our country.

Government, together with business and development partners, must stay focused on turning viable projects into visible results. South Africa cannot afford infrastructure ambitions that remain confined to plans. Each project delivered on time and at scale can unlock investment, support jobs, strengthen productive capacity and improve people’s quality of life.

Infrastructure is ultimately about more than roads, bridges, water systems, energy facilities and logistics networks. It is about building the foundations of a capable state, a competitive economy and an inclusive society in which more South Africans can reach opportunity. With focus, accountability and partnership, infrastructure ambition can become sustained investment, stronger growth, greater employment and a more resilient future.

*Maphori is Acting Economic Cluster Coordinator at the Government Communication and Information System

 

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Government has proposed a set of measures aimed at reducing the high cost of electricity while ensuring that tariffs remain cost-reflective and that vulnerable households and strategic economic sectors are protected.

The measures are reflected in South Africa’s Revised Electricity Pricing Policy, which Cabinet approved for public comment last month.

The policy updates the 2008 Electricity Pricing Policy to reflect developments in the electricity supply industry, including ongoing market reforms linked to the unbundling of Eskom and the implementation of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, 2024.

It establishes national principles and tariff-path certainty, provides a framework for transparent, efficient and cost-reflective tariffs, guides the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), Eskom and municipalities, aligns prices with a competitive market, and strengthens social protection and accountability.

“Over a period stretching back to 2007, electricity tariffs have increased by about 977%. A number of things have changed since that period, and that is a trigger as to why we are presenting this set of proposals before you,” Ramokgopa said on Tuesday in Pretoria at a media briefing.

Ten-year price forecast

The Minister said the policy seeks to establish a tariff path that will provide some certainty on the cost of electricity over the next 10 years.

“It is for this reason that, as part of this Electricity Pricing Policy, NERSA will be required to publish a 10-year price forecast.  This is important because, for heavy industries, when people want to make significant investments in the South African economy, and they’re investing in a sector that relies on electricity, they want to compute their return on investment. If electricity is a big part of the input cost, you need to have an appreciation of what the price path looks like,” Ramokgopa said.

The pricing policy will provide a framework for transparent and efficient cost-reflective tariffs to avoid hidden costs being included in electricity tariffs.

Once adopted, the policy will guide the work of NERSA, Eskom, municipalities and other actors across the electricity ecosystem.

Open the market to competition

As part of reforms in the sector, government is liberalising the electricity market to ensure that Eskom is no longer a monopoly and to introduce greater competition.

“By that I mean, as you know, as part of our comprehensive set of reforms, we’re introducing new generators. We’re going to allow a bilateral arrangement, where someone who is a generator can enter into an agreement with someone who is an off-taker. 

“Off-takers are entering into bilateral arrangements outside the realm of Eskom for the supply of electricity. That means that there’s a set of rules that must govern this new dispensation,” the Minister said.

Ramokgopa said South Africa is moving towards a wholesale electricity market.

“So, this policy extends beyond what has been the traditional ecosystem of electricity in the country, because that was really Eskom-heavy and municipality-predisposed,” the Minister said.

Strengthening social protection

He emphasised that the Electricity Pricing Policy will strengthen social protections.

“So, the support we are providing to the poor, the indigent and the vulnerable, will articulate most comprehensively what these kinds of support are that we are providing to these vulnerable communities,” Ramokgopa said.

The Minister explained that Eskom debt increases when consumers do not pay municipalities and, in turn, municipalities do not pay Eskom.

The current tariff structure enables Eskom to recover municipal debt through the tariff.

“If you look at the current tariff, anything between 1% to 2.5% of the tariff that you are paying is on the basis that Eskom is unable to recover what the people are owing, and municipalities, they put in the cost of supply studies the fact that they are being owed a lot of money and then it means that they are putting additional pressure on diligent consumers. In terms of this policy, that’s not allowed,” the Minister said.

Ramokgopa said the policy will enable action against those who do not pay for electricity and those who are illegally connected to the grid.

“We are insisting that the provider of electricity must be efficient. And when it is efficient, you will see that the price of electricity will not be what we are currently charging,” he said.

Free basic electricity

The Minister said there will also be an intervention on free basic electricity for indigent households.

“We’re also going to modernise free basic electricity administration. We’ll establish a central and nationally accessible free basic electricity database. With the new age of technology, we’re able to have that database in place. 

“That is possible because we integrate this database with existing databases of Home Affairs and also with the social grant databases, so there’s a good chance that someone who qualifies for the social grant will also qualify for free basic electricity,” he said.

Support for energy intensive industries

Government is also introducing, through the Electricity Pricing Policy, a Negotiated Pricing Agreement instrument to support industries that rely heavily on electricity.

“The current articulation of the Negotiated Pricing Agreement only triggers to qualify for, or to make an effort to qualify for, a negotiated price agreement when you are in distress.

“We’re also introducing another criterion. This could be industries that are not in distress, but if they were to get concessional funding, they’re able to support the national interest in that they’ll be able to accelerate the growth in the priority sectors of the economy; they’ll be able to create employment. We’re using it as a pre-emptive strike to rejuvenate the South African economy,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The KwaZulu-Natal Treasury has called for a meeting involving all key stakeholders, including national and provincial authorities, regulators and Ithala representatives, to address outstanding issues, clarify the way forward and explore measures to preserve the value that remains within Ithala Bank.

This comes after reports that the Prudential Authority has withdrawn its application to liquidate Ithala SOC Limited.

In a statement issued by the KZN Treasury on Tuesday, the department said a legal team has been tasked with assessing the veracity of the reports but — and if confirmed — KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers said the development will represent an important step towards finding a sustainable solution for Ithala, which has played a critical role in advancing financial inclusion and economic development in the province.

Rodgers has consistently opposed the liquidation application, a position shared by senior leaders within the Provincial Government, who have long argued that any intervention affecting Ithala must support the institution’s ability to regain control of its core assets and revenue streams in order to meet its financial obligations and secure its long-term sustainability.

“While this will be an important development, the key issue that now requires urgent attention is Ithala’s ability to regain control of its loan book. We remain concerned that these assets, which are critical to the institution’s viability, should not be under the control of the Repayment Administrator.

“Ithala requires access to its loan portfolio and the proceeds from its insurance businesses if it is to meet its financial obligations and chart a sustainable path forward,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers also expressed concern regarding the continued involvement of the Repayment Administrator Johan Kruger, noting that Ithala’s recovery efforts should focus on restoring the institution’s operational capacity and ensuring it can effectively utilise its assets and revenue streams.

“It is our considered view that the current arrangement has not advanced the objective of restoring Ithala to financial stability. The priority now must be to ensure that Ithala has control over the assets and revenue streams necessary for its operations, including its loan book and insurance proceeds. This is essential to rebuilding confidence, meeting obligations and securing the institution’s future,” the MEC said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections on 4 November, the voters’ roll closes today.

0n 11 August, the Commission made the provisional voters’ roll available for inspection at its national, provincial and local offices, opening the period for lodging objections to the provisional voters’ roll.

According to the Electoral Commission, the Commission will consider all objections and notify objectors of its decisions by 24 August 2026.

“The Chief Electoral Officer will certify the final voters’ roll for the 2026 Local Government Elections on 26 August 2026,” the Commission said.

The certified voters’ roll will be published and electronic copies provided to certified contestants. 

Earlier this month, the Electoral Commission welcomed the proclamation of the election date by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa.

READ | Electoral Commission publishes Election Timetable

“The proclamation provides certainty by formally setting Wednesday, 4 November 2026, as Election Day. It also marks the commencement of the country’s 89-day Election Timetable leading up to the elections,” Electoral Commission Chairperson Commissioner Mosotho Moepya said at the time.  – SAnews.gov.za

 

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