Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has expressed concern over the pervasive “hidden crisis” of domestic and intimate partner violence, which is highlighted in a Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) report.

Conducted in 2024, the report revealed that one in three women in South Africa have experienced physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

“These are not just numbers; they represent the lived realities of millions of women, who endure suffering behind closed doors,” department spokesperson, Cassius Selala said on Monday.

The study also highlighted higher victimisation among black African women and women with disabilities.

While national statistics indicate a drop in overall violent crime during the second quarter of 2024, gender-based violence (GBV) crimes continue to rise.

According to the report, between July and September 2024, 957 women were murdered, 1 567 survived attempted murders, and 14 366 were assaulted, resulting in grievous bodily harm. In addition, 10 191 cases of rape were reported during this period.

Selala said intimate domestic violence manifests in various forms, often intertwined and escalating over time – ranging from physical and sexual abuse to emotional, psychological, and economic or financial.

He said recognising these different types of abuse is a critical step in addressing the problem.

Selala also warned that the impact of intimate domestic violence extends far beyond physical injuries, and victims often experience a range of severe and long-lasting consequences.

“The greatest achievements in women’s economic progress in recent decades are potentially being eroded by domestic violence. Intimate domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviours used by one partner to maintain power and control over another in an intimate relationship.

“This violence is not limited to physical harm; it encompasses a range of coercive and controlling actions that can leave deep and lasting scars,” Selala said.

Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most often at the hands of an intimate partner. In South Africa, the figures are particularly grim.

At the end of 2024, the HSRC released the First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study, which detailed the prevalence of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic violence experienced by women in all nine provinces.

To discuss some of the survey’s findings, the HSRC recently hosted a webinar titled: ‘Addressing poverty and inequality as drivers of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) perpetrated against vulnerable populations in South Africa: The importance of economic empowerment interventions’.

The webinar focused on poverty and inequality as drivers of gender-based violence and femicide perpetrated against women, including women with disabilities, women from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, black African women, and older women (over the age of 60). – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

A scholar transport accident has left approximately 20 learners injured, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said.

Confirming Monday’s incident, the department said the learners are from various Johannesburg schools.

“The incident took place at approximately 7am along West Park Road, near the West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg. According to preliminary reports, the vehicle was allegedly travelling at a high speed when the driver appeared to lose control, causing it to overturn along the bend near West Park Cemetery,” said the department in a statement on Tuesday.

The GDE said the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation and that authorities were on the scene shortly after the incident to assist learners who were on board and begin assessing the circumstances. 

“According to information at our disposal, the overturned vehicle was allegedly transporting learners from Greenside High School, Parktown Girls’ High School and Roosevelt High School. 

“[There were] reportedly 13 learners from Greenside High School, ranging from Grade 8 to Grade 11; four learners from Roosevelt High School in Grades 8, 9 and 12, while Parktown Girls’ High School had three learners in Grades 8, 10 and 11.”

Following the crash, learners were transported to various healthcare facilities, where they were assessed for injuries and received medical treatment. 

“Fortunately, all learners were treated and discharged into the care of their families. A majority of learners have been booked off from attending school by medical practitioners for the remainder of this week. 

“One learner from Greenside High School, however, remains hospitalised and is scheduled to undergo surgery,” the department explained.

Meanwhile, the department has arranged psychosocial support for all learners and their families to assist with recovery and trauma management. Additionally, departmental officials were dispatched to each school and hospital to verify the condition of all affected learners and also interact with all affected families.

“We are grateful that there were no fatalities, and we extend our gratitude to emergency personnel, respective school management teams and our officials who responded swiftly. We are continuing to engage with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the accident and ensure accountability. 

“We urge all scholar transport drivers, whether public or private, to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of our learners remains a top priority at all times. We wish all learners a speedy recovery,” Education MEC Matome Chiloane said. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has committed R36.856 million to the Red Meat Industry Development and Enhancement Programme, to reposition the province as a key player in South Africa’s red meat economy.

Agriculture and Rural Development MEC, Madoda Sambatha announced the funding during his department’s policy and budget speech at the North West Provincial Legislature. 

The programme is expected to directly benefit 7 242 farmers, including 4 728 men, 2 219 women, 252 youth, and 43 people with disabilities. 

The initiative will provide structured production support, access to value chains, and market integration.

“The initiative will be implemented through the beef beneficiation aggregation model, a framework designed to enhance farmer coordination, improve processing capacity, and establish sustainable linkages to commercial markets.” 

The provincial department announced that the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District will be prioritised due to its high concentration of beef farming operations and its important role in the provincial livestock value chain.

In addition to boosting production, the programme is expected to create 321 temporary jobs and 87 permanent jobs, particularly in areas such as aggregation, logistics, technical extension, and feedlot operations.

The department believes that this move aligns with its broader goals of advancing rural development, increasing household incomes, and reducing unemployment in underserved communities.

Sambatha has declared the R36.8 million injection into the red meat industry, a decisive turning point for the North West agricultural sector. 

“This is more than just funding; it is a bold statement of intent. We are transforming the red meat value chain, unlocking opportunities for emerging farmers, and positioning the province as a powerhouse in livestock production,” said Sambatha.

The MEC is of the view that this investment is a clear demonstration of the province’s steadfast commitment to building a transformed, competitive, and inclusive red meat industry. 

“Through this programme, we are not only empowering our farmers, but also driving economic growth, boosting job creation, and laying a solid foundation for long-term food security and agro-industrial development,” Sambatha added.

The Red Meat Industry Development and Enhancement Programme forms part of the department’s strategy to broaden participation, enhance local beneficiation, and stimulate growth across rural economies, while contributing meaningfully to the provincial and national gross domestic product (GDP). – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa has been granted a €500 million loan for the implementation of the country’s Just Energy Transition (JET) plan by the German Cooperation via KFW Development Bank (KFW).

This loan is part of South Africa’s third Development Policy Operation and participants included the World Bank, African Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Fund.  

“It supports structural reforms to enhance the efficiency, resilience and sustainability of the country’s infrastructure services, with a specific focus on the energy sector and climate mitigation.

“KFW’s financing forms part of government’s broader efforts to implement structural reforms that strengthen public institutions, crowd in private investment, and improve service delivery across priority sectors of the economy,” National Treasury said on Monday.

This loan agreement builds on the two policy loans concluded in 2022 and 2023, and forms part of Germany’s pledge at COP26 to support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). 

Germany’s three policy loans, implemented by KFW, total €1.3 billion and form part of a larger package of JETP projects supported by the German Government via loans, technical assistance and grants.

“The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, [has] highlighted the significance of South Africa’s partnership with Germany and KFW that remains critical to South Africa’s development agenda and marks a significant step towards strengthening South Africa’s short- and medium-term energy security measures, promoting decarbonisation and enhancing the socio-economic benefits of the energy transition for disadvantaged communities, thereby enabling inclusive economic growth and fostering job creation. 

“The Minister also emphasised the need for further policy and institutional reforms in the energy sector to create an enabling environment for the investment required for a just energy transition,” National Treasury said.

KFW’s Country Director for South Africa, Cornelia Tittmann, said the loan seeks to support the government of South Africa’s continued commitment to reforms in the energy sector, which give effect to South Africa’s climate commitments and enable the private sector to participate, opening new avenues to strengthen economic cooperation between Germany and South Africa. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The work of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System – dubbed the Madlanga Commission – has begun “in earnest”.

This according to Commission Chairperson, Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who briefed the media on Monday afternoon.

The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa following serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The Provincial Commissioner made several allegations about an alleged criminal syndicate that has spread into law enforcement and intelligence services, as well as allegations implicating the judiciary, prosecutors, politicians and now suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

“We can assure South Africans that the work of the commission has commenced in earnest. To be specific, our first consultation with a witness is imminent.

“That consultation will help inform what further information the commission must follow up on,” he said.

He added that the commission is mindful that the public is “eager to see the first witness in the witness stand”.

“We too are eager to see that happen and are acting with the necessary expedition to see it happen.

“That said, the fact that Lieutenant General… Mkhwanazi made the allegations does not make us ready to start hearing evidence immediately. There must be consultation and assessment of the information we gather and a follow up for buttressing the information we’ve gathered, should that be necessary,” Madlanga said.

This, he added, could include further consultations.

“We assure South Africans that we are treating the matter with the urgency that it deserves and that the commission hearings will commence as soon as the necessary initial steps to bring us to that stage have been finalised.

“We anticipate that that will be during August 2025,” he said.

WATCH | CJS Commission of Inquiry media briefing

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Madlanga said the entities and persons under scrutiny are the SA Police Service, metro police in Gauteng, the National Prosecuting Authority, the State Security Agency, the judiciary, Correctional Services, any other institution in the criminal justice system and any member of the executive responsible for the criminal justice system.

“These entities and persons are to be investigated in relation to infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates.

“By the end of the first three-month period, we want to be in a position to submit an interim report, which, if the evidence will have shown as much, will make recommendations regarding concrete action that needs to be taken,” he said.

Securing premises

The process to secure a building for the commission, is underway as well as other infrastructure requirements.

“The public will be advised of the premises and online facilities where they can lodge information as soon as this question of procurement has been finalised. What we can say at this stage is that the commission hearings will be in Gauteng. We are doing our best to ensure that the procurement side is resolved with expedition.

“The lack of infrastructure does not affect the progress of the work of the commission. We are proceeding with the commission’s preparatory work full steam ahead,” Madlanga said.

Furthermore, appointments of professionals, who will assist the commission, have been made.

Justice Madlanga will be assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.

Other team members include:

• Commission Secretary: Dr Nolitha Vukuza.
• Chief Evidence Leader: Advocate Terry Motau SC.
• Chief Investigator: Dr Peter Goss.
• Spokesperson: Jeremy Michaels.

Evidence Leaders

• Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC.
• Advocate Mahlape Sello SC.
• Advocate Adila Hassim SC.
• Advocate Lee Segeels-Ncube.
• Advocate Ofentse Motlhasedi.
• Advocate Thabang Pooe.

“Regarding the timeline, we will conduct our work with the timeline in mind. Should the need arise for an extension, that is something we will address at the right time,” he said.

The proceedings are expected to be streamed live and members of the public will be permitted to attend the proceedings in person. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Call for transport sector to drive transformation

nosihle
Mon, 07/28/2025 – 13:55

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa has called on the transport and logistics sector to drive real change in society by transforming the industry and uplifting communities through various sectors of the economy.

According to the reports of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Commission, in 2022, only 38.8% of transport and logistics businesses were black-owned, which was a decrease from the 48.6% recorded in 2019. 

“The transport sector is instrumental in the functioning of our society, yet as with the rest of our economy, it has excluded those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, women and youth,” Hlengwa said on Monday in Gqeberha.

Addressing delegates in the cross-border industry during the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Conference, he called for a solid partnership between government and the private sector to grow the economy and create the necessary decent jobs that would uplift the poor and marginalised from poverty.

“As government, we have a responsibility to create a fertile ground through policy interventions, with the aim to allow businesses, in general, to flourish. This administration has identified the logistics and transport sector as one of the key enablers for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth in our country.

“We are committed to a reform process that seeks to revitalise the sector, while also contributing to the social imperative of the transformation of our society,” the Deputy Minister said.

He said the MSME Conference serves as a platform that sets the country on a course to understand the environment and the needs of the industry better in order to enable and drive real change in society and uplift communities.

“In this context, the transformation and development of small businesses becomes a key component and contributor to government’s economic development agenda.

“In May 2023, the Integrated Transport Sector B-BBEE Charter Council was appointed to spearhead the transformation within the industry. Since then, the Council has worked tirelessly to conclude Transport Sector Codes, building on past efforts to modernise the sector’s empowerment framework.

“Partnerships towards such progress continue to evolve alongside the different reforms being instituted to enable industry development as well improving the policy and the regulatory framework for easier entry by previously disadvantaged people especially women, persons with disabilities, and youth in the designated persons category,” Hlengwa said.

The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency has been successful in reaching and exceeding the target of a 5% increase in the participation of the Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDIs) by 4.4%.

“The challenge going forward is to sustain and grow the participation of PDIs in the next 5 years, and this will be done through the Incubation Programme. The aim is to create a structured Incubation Programme that will bring the industry stakeholders together to have a coordinated approach in supporting the MSMEs.

“The Department of Transport rallies behind the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) as it encourages the industry to support this programme,” he said.

The programme targets the following categories:

• Existing cross-border freight operators,
• Domestic freight operators looking to expand into cross-border operations & existing cross-border passenger operators, and
• Start-ups in the transport industry. – SAnews.gov.za