Category: South Africa Government

President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his weekly newsletter to bemoan the country’s persistently high levels of violence against women and children, warning that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) now amounts to a national disaster requiring exceptional measures.  

As South Africa marks the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, the President’s newsletter underscores the scale of the crisis and outlines government’s intensified response after officially declaring GBVF a national disaster last month. 

“As South Africa and the world observes 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from 25 November to 10 December, it is a shame that our country has the dubious distinction of having one of the world’s highest levels of violence against women and girls,” the President said. 

According to data from the HSRC’s National GBV Study (2022), more than 35% of women over 18 have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with most cases committed by intimate partners. The report, he said, provides the baseline needed to drive the country’s long-term response to GBVF through the National Strategic Plan adopted after the 2018 Presidential Summit. 

Reflecting on the long-term effects of gender-based violence, President Ramaphosa said the impact is “arguably even more corrosive” than the devastation caused by COVID-19.

“Gender-based violence destroys families, has an economic cost, causes instability and fear for women and girls, and reproduces inter-generational trauma,” he wrote.

He said classifying GBVF as a national disaster strengthens the mandates of key departments, including Police, Justice, Social Development, Health and Basic Education, to scale up survivor support, expand shelters and safe spaces, and fast-track emergency resource allocation.

All organs of state are now required to submit progress reports to the National Disaster Management Centre.

The President highlighted recent briefings to Parliament’s Multiparty Women’s Caucus, where the SAPS and the Department of Justice reported steps taken to improve case management and strengthen the criminal justice system’s response to GBVF.

These include:

• Expansion of victim-friendly facilities and specialised GBV desks at police stations
• Establishment of a GBVF Information Centre at SAPS Academy Pretoria
• Faster evidence processing and improved collaboration between SAPS and the NPA
• A new 24-hour service for obtaining protection orders
• Progress on anti-GBV legislation signed into law in 2022, including stronger sexual offences registers and more specialised courts

Despite this, President Ramaphosa acknowledged that implementation of the National Strategic Plan has been “uneven”, saying the disaster classification would help speed up funding flows for survivor services and improve access to justice. 

Men are central to the solution

President Ramaphosa again emphasised that men must play a leading role in prevention efforts, echoing remarks he made during the Men’s Indaba in the Free State last week.

“Unless we directly engage men, we will continue to have marches, hold protests and conduct social media campaigns, but the statistics will not change. Even as men are the main perpetrators of GBVF, they are also part of the solution,” he said. 

The President called for a nationwide, sustained programme of dialogues with men and boys to confront the drivers of violence including toxic masculinity, harmful cultural norms, peer pressure and socialisation.

President Ramaphosa further stressed that combating GBVF requires a whole-of-society response. 

“A national disaster demands national responsibility. Whether as communities, civil society, government, faith leaders, business, unions or citizens, we must all play our part,” he said. 

He urged South Africans to report abuse rather than “look away”, and to actively dismantle the attitudes that enable violence.

“The safety and security of women and children is everybody’s business. Let us continue to work together to realise a society free from gender-based violence and femicide,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

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A comprehensive study which will shed light on the persistent challenges and opportunities for positive change in addressing HIV stigma and discrimination in South Africa, is expected to be launched on Tuesday.

The HIV Stigma Index 2.0 report highlights the experiences of over 5 000 participants from all nine provinces of South Africa, with a focus on 18 districts, both urban and rural. 

It also emphasises the importance of community-led initiatives and the need for a multisectoral approach to address stigma and discrimination. The findings and recommendations will inform policy and programming to improve the lives of people living with HIV.

The report will be launched at the National Research Foundation (NRF) by the People Living with HIV sector, led by the National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NAPWA), in collaboration with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and international partners.

The launch will bring together key stakeholders, including the Department of Health, civil society organisations, and people living with HIV, to discuss the findings and recommendations.

During last week’s World AIDS Day commemoration, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the introduction of lenacapavir, a long-acting preventative treatment, will empower adolescent girls navigating relationships marked by power imbalances and protect key populations who face stigma and discrimination.

Lenacapavir is a revolutionary long-acting injectable drug that offers six months of protection and requires only two injections per year. 

In October this year, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) achieved regulatory readiness, making it the first in Africa and the third globally to register lenacapavir.

The Deputy President called on South Africa to confront HIV stigma with courage, fund research, and ensure treatment reaches everyone. 

He said government was working around the clock to implement policies that improve access, retention, and re-engagement with treatment.

This includes policies that directly address structural inequalities and work to dismantle stigma, particularly for the most vulnerable individuals, such as women and girls, people who use drugs, sex workers, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and other identities (LGBTQIA+) community. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has raised the alarm on the escalating levels of gun violence in the province.

This after a mass shooting in Tshwane over the weekend and the murder of a witness of the Madlanga Commission.

“The…Portfolio Committee on Community Safety is gravely concerned by the escalating levels of gun violence that continue to turn communities across the province into everyday crime scenes.

“The recent mass shooting in Saulsville, Pretoria, is yet another tragic reminder of the urgent need to rid our streets of illegal firearms,” the committee said in a statement.

At least 11 people died during the mass shooting with 14 others injured.

“Even more distressing is the fact that among the deceased are three minors and women, whose lives were cut short in a senseless act of brutality. The committee conveys its heartfelt condolences to the affected families and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.

“This tragic incident highlights a deeply concerning trend in which illegal guns continue to circulate freely within communities, enabling deadly attacks that devastate families and compromise the safety of citizens.

“The committee views this event as a serious call for concern and reaffirms its commitment to intensifying efforts towards advocating for and achieving a gun-free Gauteng,” the statement said.

The committee expressed shock at the “disturbing development” where a witness in the Madlanga Commission was murdered on Friday.

“Reports indicate that an AK-47 automatic rifle was used in the attack, once again demonstrating how high-calibre weapons are being used to commit violent crimes with impunity.

“Witness D was gunned down outside his home, an incident that highlights the critical need to remove illegal firearms from our streets,” the statement read.

The committee called on law enforcement to ensure that “perpetrators behind these heinous crimes are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice”.

“The committee also urged community members to cooperate fully with the police to aid in the urgent arrest of the three suspects linked to the Saulsville shooting.

“The committee maintains that the proliferation of illegal firearms poses a grave threat to the safety and well-being of all people living in Gauteng.

“Only through strong partnerships between communities, law enforcement and government can we begin to dismantle the networks responsible for supplying and using these deadly weapons,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has reiterated the call for greater investment in psychosocial services as South Africa confronts an escalating suicide crisis, one of the most severe on the continent.

The call comes as South Africa’s suicide rate stands at approximately 23.5 deaths per 100 000 people, placing the country among the highest in Africa.

According to data from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29.

Studies further show that nearly one in five learners has attempted suicide at least once, with many more reporting persistent sadness, depression, hopelessness, trauma, bullying, and the emotional impact linked to socio-economic hardship.

Young people with disabilities face heightened vulnerability due to persistent stigma, social exclusion, and limited access to appropriate support services.

In a statement on Sunday, the DWYPD expressed deep concern over the escalating rates of suicide among young people, emphasising that “suicide is preventable” when timely support is available.

“Protecting the mental well-being of young people requires a society-wide commitment. Families, schools, government departments, faith-based organisations, youth formations, and communities must collectively create safe, supportive environments where young people feel seen, heard, and valued,” the department said.
The department called for coordinated action across several priority areas, including: 
•    Expanded access to mental health support within schools, communities, and youth-serving institutions.
•      Strengthened early intervention systems to identify warning signs before crises occur.
•     Community – driven awareness campaigns to reduce stigma around mental illness and encourage help-seeking behaviour.
•    Support for families and caregivers, equipping them to respond compassionately and effectively.

The department also urged the public to remain alert to symptoms of emotional distress among young people, such as withdrawal, sudden changes in behaviour, expressions of hopelessness, substance abuse, and talk of self-harm.

“Early intervention is critical—and can save lives. A reminder to all young people that help is available, and they can reach out.”
Reaffirming its commitment to advancing the rights, protection, and empowerment of South Africa’s youth, the department stressed that preventing suicide requires shared responsibility.
“Together, we can safeguard the mental well-being of our young people and build a society where every youth has hope, opportunity, and support,” it said.

Anyone experiencing emotional distress or in need of immediate assistance is encouraged to contact the SADAG Suicide Crisis Line at 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Tygerberg Hospital has reached a major national milestone by performing South Africa’s first fully internal bone transport and limb-lengthening reconstruction. 

The hospital is a flagship tertiary facility of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW). 

In partnership with Stellenbosch University, the hospital now stands among only a few centres worldwide with the capability to perform this advanced limb salvage technique within the public sector. 

The provincial department said the patient, a 64-year-old former police officer, had lived with the long-term consequences of a severe gunshot injury sustained in 2018. 

“Despite multiple surgeries elsewhere, he continued to struggle with chronic pain, an unhealed fracture, and a substantial difference in leg length that affected his quality of life.” 

Professor Nando Ferreira said: “This operation demonstrates how far we have come in building world-class limb reconstruction capacity within the South African public sector. For patients who have lived for years with chronic pain and disability, advanced internal bone transport offers a genuine second chance at normal function.”

The surgeons had to reconstruct a 50 mm bone defect and correct a 30mm limb-length discrepancy. 

The fully internal device allows surgeons to complete both bone transport and subsequent limb lengthening without external frames, improving comfort, reducing complication risks, and shortening recovery. 

The newly regenerated bone is expected to form over roughly 100 days, followed by several months of consolidation

According to the International Centre for Limb Lengthening, bone transport is a procedure to grow new bone in a region where there is a missing section of bone due to infection, trauma or disease.

Ferreira said his unit was selected as one of only a few centres worldwide to use this procedure during its limited market release. 

“This level of innovation reflects the strength of our surgical team, our academic partnership, and our commitment to delivering patient-centred care at an international standard,” he continued. 

Expanding on the clinical benefits, Dr Edward Fuzy explained how this method allows them to tackle complex bone loss in a single operation while avoiding many of the complications of traditional approaches. 

Tygerberg Hospital CEO, Dr Matodzi Mukosi, welcomed the milestone as evidence of the institution’s excellence. 

“This breakthrough highlights the incredible talent and innovation within our hospital. It shows what is possible when clinical excellence and strong partnerships work together for our patients.”

The department said the milestone reflected the Western Cape’s broader effort to build a health system that supports people throughout their life journey. The advanced trauma and limb reconstruction services play a vital role in helping residents live well by restoring mobility, dignity, and independence. 

“The skills developed through this procedure could strengthen orthopaedic care for children who start life with congenital limb differences or experience early trauma, helping them start well.”

This means older adults, who are increasingly vulnerable to injury and complex fractures, could benefit from safer surgical innovation that helps them age well with greater confidence and mobility. 

“Achievements like this are only possible because the provincial health system continues to run well through strong governance, academic partnerships, and the commitment of clinicians who serve the 85% of residents who rely on public healthcare.” 

The department said that for many patients in the Western Cape, particularly those from vulnerable communities who carry the long-term burden of trauma-related injuries, this breakthrough offers a realistic pathway back to work, independence, and improved quality of life. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Advisory Panel to select a new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced interview dates for candidates vying for the job.

The post will become vacant in January 2026 at the retirement of current incumbent, Advocate Shamila Batohi.

“The Advisory Panel for the selection of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, chaired by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has advanced to the next phase of the recruitment process and will interview six shortlisted candidates who met the minimum requirements.

“The interviews will take place over two days, on 10 and 11 December 2025 at the Auditor-General South Africa Offices, 4 Daventry Street, Lynnwood Bridge Office Park, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria, South Africa,” the Department  of Justice and Constitutional Development said in a statement on Sunday.

The six shortlisted candidates are:
•    Advocate Nicolette Astraid Bell
•    Advocate Hermione Cronje
•    Advocate Andrea Johnson
•    Advocate Xolisile Khanyile
•    Advocate Adrian Mopp
•    Advocate Menzi Simelane

The interviews are expected to commence from 10am on Wednesday and will be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel.

In November, President Ramaphosa told Parliament that the decision to appoint an Advisory Panel for the Selection of the National Director of Public Prosecutions is aimed at instilling public confidence in the process and the person who will fill the vacancy.

READ | President Ramaphosa confident in panel tasked with selecting new NDPP

Current NDPP, Advocate Shamila Batohi, is set to retire from the position in January 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The National Treasury has announced the successful issuance of US$3.5 billion in the international capital markets.

The transaction consisted of two dollar-denominated bonds, a 12-year bond maturing in 2037 and a 30-year bond maturing in 2055, each of which were US$1.75 billion.

The 12-year bond priced at a re-offer yield of 6.25%, compared to the 7.1% at which government issued a 12-year dollar bond in 2024. The 30-year bond priced at 7.375% compared to 7.95% in 2024. 

“Lower yields translate into lower debt service costs, which create greater fiscal space for government to fund other urgent social and developmental priorities. 

“Investor demand was exceptionally strong, with the transaction attracting an orderbook of US$13.1 billion, which was 3.7 times oversubscribed,” National Treasury said.

Investors from the United Kingdom, North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and other regions participated, with orders placed by a wide range of high-quality investors, including fund managers, insurance companies, pension funds, hedge funds, banks, and other financial institutions.

“The robust demand and broad participation by investors reflects continued confidence in our sound macroeconomic policy framework and prudent fiscal management,” said the Director- General of the National Treasury, Duncan Pieterse, on Friday.

The 2025 Budget pencilled in US$5.3 billion in foreign currency borrowings for 2025/26. Of this, approximately US$2.8 billion has already been secured from multilateral development banks and international financial institutions. 

“It had been intended that the remaining US$2.5 billion would be raised on international capital markets. However, while executing the transaction, government raised the allocation to US$3.5 billion to take advantage of favourable pricing. 

Government will set aside US$1 billion of this to prefund the 2026/27 foreign currency funding requirement of US$4.3 billion,” National Treasury said.

In addition, the National Treasury appointed Deutsche Bank and Nedbank as Joint Bookrunners for the transaction, with RHO Capital acting as the empowerment partner.

The Treasury appreciated the strong support from the global investor community and remains committed to responsible fiscal stewardship and the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s public finances.

“Government’s funding strategy focuses on lowering its overall cost of borrowing while diversifying its sources of funding and strengthening its resilience against external market volatility.

“Government will continue to mobilise concessional funding and engage with bilateral lenders. It is also introducing new instruments on the domestic market such as the Infrastructure and Development Finance Bond launched in November 2025,” it said. –SAnews.gov.za
 

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Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo is leading South Africa’s delegation to the 10th International Water Regulators’ Forum (IWRF) in Bangkok, Thailand.

The forum started on Saturday, 6 December and will conclude on Friday, 12 December.

Seitlholo’s participation in the IWRF comes at a pivotal moment for South Africa, as the Department of Water and Sanitation advances amendments to key water legislation — including the National Water Act and the Water Services Act — which are central laws governing water resource protection, allocation, services delivery and regulatory oversight. 

The International Water Regulators Forum is the world’s premier gathering of regulatory authorities, bringing together more than 100 high-level regulators and supervisory agencies responsible for water, sanitation and wastewater management. 

The 10th edition, themed: “Building Effective and Adaptive Water and Sanitation Regulatory Frameworks for a Resilient Future” seeks to elevate the global conversation on how countries can fortify regulatory systems to respond to climate pressures, governance challenges and rising demands on essential water and sanitation services.

Seitlholo’s leadership at this year’s Programme Committee highlights South Africa’s commitment to bold and adaptive reform. His active role will help advance critical discussions on regulatory innovation, accountability and long-term sustainability, and place South Africa firmly within the global arena of water and sanitation reform. 

South Africa’s presence at the forum will also be strengthened by the department’s Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, whose extensive expertise in water governance, sector reform and climate resilient sanitation will support and reinforce the Deputy Minister’s leadership. 

The IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition (WDCE) is taking place concurrently in Bangkok. The congress runs from 8 – 12 December and is co-hosted by the Asian Institute of Technology. 

The department the WDCE remains one of the most influential platforms for shaping policy, innovation and technology across the global water sector. 

Building on the success of the 2023 Kigali edition, the 2025 congress will convene nearly 3 000 experts from over 100 countries under the theme: “Water, Sanitation and Innovation – Pathways to Progress and a Resilient Future”.

South Africa’s participation will spotlight the country’s leadership in advancing legislative reform, strengthening governance, promoting climate-resilient sanitation technologies, and forging strategic partnerships.

The congress programme spans five critical thematic areas:

•              Ensuring safe drinking water through innovative treatment and supply methods.

•              Advancing wastewater treatment and sanitation services for all.

•              Smart and integrated water management.

•              Enhancing utility management and operations.

•              Strengthening governance and financial systems for long-term development.

“Through this engagement, the Deputy Minister will champion South Africa’s reform journey, contribute to shaping the global agenda, and explore opportunities to accelerate domestic priorities, including scaling water efficient and climate resilient sanitation solutions.

“South Africa’s active participation reaffirms its commitment to global cooperation and sector transformation. This will ensure that resilient, equitable and sustainable water and sanitation services become a reality for all,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

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Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Micheal Masiapato has unveiled an expanded Festive Season Operational Plan that will see the deployment of advanced surveillance technology and strengthened regional coordination to manage the holiday travel surge.

Briefing the media in Pretoria on Sunday, Masiapato said the four-phase plan — covering planning, execution, demobilisation and sustenance — is designed to ensure smoother traveller processing and tighter border security during one of the busiest periods of the year.

He said the planning phase, which began on 15 September and concludes on 9 December, has included extensive consultations with public and private sector stakeholders.

“The planning phase is characterised by extensive consultative engagements with multiple stakeholders in the country operating in both public and private sectors. As a result, we have managed to secure few critical partnerships with various stakeholders as guided by section 5(c) of the Border Management Authority Act,” he said.

Among these new partnerships are agreements with the South African Freight Forwarders Association, the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters, and the South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents, which will help fund some BMA operations through a cost-recovery model.

Technology companies such as DCD Protected Mobility, Aselsan South Africa and Unipro Protective Wear will assist in rolling out a suite of surveillance and protective tools.

“Drones and body cams will be fully operational to improve our detection capability and also address possible corruption from our team members,” Masiapato said.

To ease congestion at key ports, the BMA has also partnered with TRAC and SANRAL to strengthen traffic flow management at the busy Lebombo port of entry.

Masiapato added that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will again provide temporary infrastructure — including lighting, ablution facilities, barricades and Jojo tanks — across ports and corridors.

Additional ICT technicians will be deployed to support the movement control system, with further remote assistance from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Department of Home Affairs.

Masiapato said South Africa had also held discussions with neighbouring countries — Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, eSwatini and Botswana — to streamline cross-border operations. 

“As a result, we have agreed to adjust operating hours at some of the key ports which do not operate on a 24-hour basis,” he said.

The execution phase will run from 10 December 2025 to 15 January 2026, split into a departure period (10 – 31 December) and a return period (1 – 15 January).

During this phase, enforcement measures will be tightened. 

“We will be intensifying our measures to detect and seize narcotics, illicit goods, and even stolen vehicles. We want to warn all travellers to desist from committing any act of criminality around the ports or even in the border law enforcement areas as they will be detected and arrested,” Masiapato said.

Demobilisation will take place on 16 January, when ports that had extended operating hours revert to normal schedules. 

The final sustenance phase begins on 17 January, with operations stabilising ahead of the 2026 Easter period. – SAnews.gov.za

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The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) on Saturday met with officials of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry following the killing of Marius van der Merwe.

Van der Merwe, who was killed on Friday, 5 December, recently testified before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System as Witness D.

Officials from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development also formed part of the meeting to discuss the safety and security of witnesses and officials.

The meeting, held in Pretoria at the NATJOINTS Operations Centre, agreed to enhance the Commission’s security operational plan over the next two days. 

“While extensive measures have been put in place to secure witnesses and officials since the start of the Commission, the meeting identified a need to heighten these measures by roping in the NATJOINTS and all other relevant role players.

“As investigations proceed into the murder of Mr Van Der Merwe, members of the public are urged not to speculate,” NATJOINTS said, adding that media will be briefed in due course. 

Van der Merwe was shot in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home. He was a Brakpan-based security industry member and former Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official. – SAnews.gov.za

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