Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is making “significant progress” in clearing obstacles, with a clear view to enhance economic growth.

Last week, government released the report on Operation Vulindlela, detailing the government-wide initiative, which is aimed at accelerating progress on economic reform.

“This report shows that the economic reform programme is making steady progress, opening the way to more rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth and job creation. We established Operation Vulindlela in the Sixth Administration to remove the binding constraints that have long held back our economy’s growth: an unreliable energy supply, inefficient rail and ports, high data costs, and a visa system that had deterred investors and tourists.

“We have made significant progress since then in clearing these obstacles, with a clear view to enhance economic growth,” he said.

The President cited the reduction in load shedding, a downturn in the cost of mobile data, quickening turnaround times for approval of water use licenses and clearing of the visa backlog as some examples of progress.

Now, the second phase of Operation Vulindlela will “build on these successes and initiate a second wave of reform”.

The targeted areas include:

• Moving towards a competitive electricity market, which will introduce greater competition in electricity generation and reduce the chances of experiencing load shedding again. The reform underway in the energy sector will introduce greater choice for consumers and drive down costs.
• The Rail Infrastructure Manager was established as a separate operating division of Transnet with its own management and reporting structure. It has made capacity available across the freight rail network to private train operating companies and has received 98 requests for access to date.
• A request for information for private sector participation projects in the rail system and ports has received a strong response from the market and will enable government to mobilise new investment to modernise and expand logistics infrastructure.
• An Electronic Travel Authorisation system has been developed by the Department of Home Affairs and is being prepared to go live in September 2025.

Critically, the local government system is also eyed for reform to “ensure that basic services such as water and electricity – which are essential for economic growth – are delivered efficiently and reliably”.

“Several metros have submitted plans for the turnaround of their water and electricity utilities that outline a clear pathway for the ring-fencing of water and electricity services. 

“Progress against these action plans will enable these municipalities to access a new performance-based incentive from National Treasury to drive much greater investment in water and electricity infrastructure,” the President explained.

He emphasised that the reforms are targeted at boosting economic growth and job creation.

“The claims by some opposition parties that these reforms represent a form of privatisation are baseless and misguided. The measures we are taking are common sense reforms that will preserve public ownership of key infrastructure, while introducing greater competition, dynamism and investment. 

“A number of our peer countries introduced similar reforms, which have powered their economies to higher levels of growth.

“Even as the world faces difficult economic headwinds, our economic reform agenda will create the conditions for higher growth and investment, while renewing our infrastructure for generations to come,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Monday, July 21, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa is currently experiencing significant and ongoing challenges with widespread outbreaks of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD), affecting several provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and, most recently, the Free State.

The resurgence of the disease has resulted in livestock movement restrictions and significantly impacted the country’s red meat trade on international markets.

In response to this escalating crisis, the Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the University of Pretoria, and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), is hosting a national Foot and Mouth Disease Indaba.

The two-day event, starting Monday, 21 July 2025, will take place at the ARC-VIMP Campus in Roodeplaat, northeast of Pretoria.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa will lead the Indaba, which aims to bring together top veterinary scientists, agricultural experts, and key industry stakeholders, to deliberate on and develop long-term solutions to combat FMD.

“Having already inflicted significant damage to the multibillion-rand livestock sector, the disease continues to threaten South Africa’s broader economy. Therefore, the Indaba presents a vital opportunity to unite expertise and resources to effectively eradicate this devastating disease.

“The Indaba will convene a range of multidisciplinary specialists to develop a coordinated and comprehensive approach to controlling and ultimately eradicating foot and mouth disease,” the department said in a statement.

The key areas of discussion will include strengthening biosecurity measures at farm level, enhancing vaccination programmes, and reinforcing animal movement controls.

The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council, emphasised its committed to identifying and implementing sustainable solutions to FMD.

The department added that the Indaba signifies a crucial advancement in the ongoing efforts to combat the disease.

“By cultivating strong partnerships between government entities, academic institutions and industry leaders, the Department of Agriculture is committed to developing precise and effective measures that will eradicate the disease and safeguard the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s agricultural sector.” – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

As the 2025 filing season gets underway in the new week, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced that 5.8 million taxpayers received Auto Assessments, which is up from last year’s five million.

“Importantly, 99.6% of Auto Assessments issued to date have remained unchanged by taxpayers. Equally impressive is that R10.6 billion in refunds due to taxpayers have already been paid within 72 hours,” SARS said.

The successful completion of the Auto Assessment period ran from 7 to 20 July 2025.  

It will be followed by the tax filing period via eFiling and the SARS MobiApp for individual taxpayers from Monday, 21 July–20 October 2025.  Provisional taxpayers can also file from 21 July 2025–19 January 2026.

With Auto Assessment, SARS uses data sourced from third-party data providers to assess taxpayers. 

This is in keeping with the revenue service’s aspiration to “make tax just happen,” which enables taxpayers to not to do anything when they are issued an auto assessment.

For the few taxpayers that may need to update their tax returns with changes in case of outstanding information, which SARS does not have, this can be done via eFiling or the SARS Mobi App.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter expressed his satisfaction with the Auto Assessment as it has been a game changer in making tax easy for taxpayers to comply. 

“SARS is working hard to give taxpayers the best service. Ultimately, our aim is to make the best service to be no service at all. As we start with Filing Season for those not auto assessed, from Monday, 21 July, I encourage taxpayers rather to use our digital channels than come queue at our Service Centres.”

He noted that the improvement of SARS’s digital platforms is saving taxpayers’ time and eliminating the need to travel to SARS Service Centres.

“For the majority of those who submit a return online, an assessment outcome is issued in under five seconds if all is in order. This world class service is done whilst managing the risk of impermissible or fraudulent refunds with sophisticated machine learning and AI [artificial intelligence] models.

“To avoid penalties, taxpayers must submit accurate information promptly. Taxpayers are using SARS’s digital channels successfully. There is no need to visit SARS Service Centres. If you must, book an appointment first to avoid long queues.

“Taxpayers who owe SARS are urged to make payments as soon as possible or make payment arrangements. Only refunds more than R100 due to taxpayers will be automatically paid into their bank accounts within 72 hours once the assessment is completed,” the revenue service said.

Call for vigilance

SARS urged taxpayers to remain extremely vigilant and keep their details confidential. 

“There have been many attempts by scammers to defraud taxpayers. Taxpayers are reminded that SARS will never ask taxpayers to use any link to engage with it. Taxpayers must protect their eFiling login details and use only registered tax practitioners,” SARS said.

Information on the latest scams can be found on the SARS website: www.sars.gov.za. 

To report or request information on phishing, taxpayers can send an email to phishing@sars.gov.za.

For smooth Filing Season 2025, taxpayers are urged to use the following communication channels with SARS:
•    SARS Website: visit www.sars.gov.za and click on the “Individuals” tab.
•    SARS Online Query System (SOQS): https://tools.sars.gov.za/soqs.
•    SARS WhatsApp: send “Hi” or “Hello” to 0800 117 277.
•    AI Virtual Assistant: available 24/7 on the SARS website to answer queries.
•    Dial *134*7277#: to access SARS services.
•    SARS YouTube: visit @sarstax for how-to videos.

READ | Taxpayers urged to use digital platforms to communicate with SARS

–SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

Parents and guardians have been reminded that the Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE) 2026 Online Admissions Application period for Grades 1 and 8 will open in the new week.

The admission system is only meant for parents and guardians with children going to Grade 1 and/or Grade 8 in 2026. It will go on live on Thursday, 24 July 2026, at 8am for Grade 1 and 8 applications.

“Parents with children that are currently in Grade R must also apply online for their children to be admitted to Grade 1 for 2026 in line with Admissions Regulations. There is no automatic placement from Grade R to Grade 1. Applications to all other grades must be made directly at your desired school(s) in your immediate area,” Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane said at a media briefing on Sunday.

All parents need to register new profiles, old profiles and previous login details will not work.

After registering on www.gdeadmissions.gov.za, the system will prompt parents to create login credentials (username and password).

“Parents must keep these credentials safe as they will use them to access the Online Admissions System, and view and manage their profile and application details.

“Parents must accept the POPI [Protection of Personal Information] disclaimer, enter their correct ID number and details, and remember to read and accept the Terms and Conditions,” Chiloane advised.

Once parents have gained access to the system, they must begin with the application process and ensure that they complete the 5 Step Application Process. 

“It is essential for parents and guardians to fill in correct and accurate details in every step of the application process as prompted by the system. Documents must be uploaded or submitted within seven days of applying.

“Registering a profile without completing every step of the 5 Step Application Process will result in an incomplete application and the applicant not being considered for placement,” he said.

To receive important SMS notifications and updates regarding their application(s), applicants must provide one reliable and correct cellphone number when registering.

“Every step of the application process will be confirmed via SMS for security and verification purposes. There will be weekly pop-up messages on the system and SMS notifications sent to registered applicants as reminders to complete their application.

“SMS notifications will also be sent to parents to acknowledge submission and verification of documents. Therefore, parents are encouraged not to change or lose their cellphone numbers, but in unforeseen cases the department must be contacted for assistance,” the MEC explained.

He encouraged parents to use the Home Address Within School Feeder Zone option when applying on the system to see schools with feeder zones that cover their home address.

To increase the chances of placement closer to the parent’s home address, parents should select schools with feeder zones that cover the parent’s home address.

When applying, parents are urged to select a minimum of three schools and a maximum of five schools.
All schools will remain open and accessible on the system for applications during the application period.
Closing date 

No new applications will be accepted once the application period closes on 29 August 2025 at midnight.
Parents are advised to not fall for scams that charge a fee to assist with applying online.

“Bogus operators are scamming parents by falsely promising guaranteed placements in exchange for money. All scams and illegal placements must be reported to the GDE.

“The GDE does not charge any fees for assisting parents with the application process — all official support is completely free,” the MEC emphasised.

For more information, assistance or comments:
•    Call 0800 000 789
•    WhatsApp 060 891 0361 or
•    Email: gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za
–SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has vowed to introduce a number of legislative reforms to avoid a repeat of the tragic George building collapse that claimed the lives of 34 people and injured 28 people.

The Minister made this assertion during a media briefing on Saturday where he released the findings of investigative reports into the George building collapse of 6 May 2024, which found that the incident was preventable and was a result of a lethal convergence of failures.

The apartment building collapsed while under construction in George on 75 Victoria Street in the Western Cape on 6 May 2024.

READ | Minister Macpherson speaks on George building collapse 

“Our legislative framework is outdated. The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act was last meaningfully amended in 1996. The built environment has changed. Our laws have not. 

“We will introduce a revised Council for the Built Environment Bill in Parliament. This Bill will give the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) stronger investigative powers, consolidate regulatory functions, and establish it as a single, more effective regulator for the built environment,” the Minister said.

The CEB is a regulatory body of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, established under the Council for the Built Environment Act (No. 43 of 2000) (the CBE Act).

It was established for the purpose of instilling good conduct within built environment professions, mobilising transformation in the built environment professions, protecting the interest of the public and advising the South African Government on built environment related issues.

“The CBE will establish a reporting protocol that mandates the registration of any structural system failure. A hotline will be launched to allow workers, built environment practitioners and professionals, or members of the public to anonymously raise safety concerns. These reports will trigger automatic inspections and, where necessary, emergency site shutdowns,” the Minister said.

Credentialing scheme

The department will introduce a national credentialing scheme for built environment professionals, that will distinguish the specialised skill set from the generalist who are already professionally registered. 

“In the immediate, the first will be to address structural engineers working on high-risk buildings. It will no longer be enough to simply be professionally registered. 

“Engineers will need to prove their competence for complex projects, just like pilots or surgeons,” the Minister said.
He emphasised that the collapse of the George building calls for a legislative review of the National Building Regulations.
This will include alignment with new technologies, climate resilience standards, and 21st-century construction practices such as Building Information Modelling. 

“We cannot regulate 2025 buildings with 1996 legislation. The NHBRC [National Home Builders Registration Council], municipalities, the Department of Labour, and other entities will be required by law to share inspection data and site conditions with one another. No single authority should be able to proceed blindly. Integration is essential,” the Minister stressed.

Amendments 

In partnership with the Department of Labour and Employment, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will propose amendments to the Construction Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, to strengthen enforcement and accountability of all duty holders: clients, designers, and contractors alike.

The reform will be implemented in three phases as follows:

•    Phase One from 2025 to 2026: Immediate interventions, including new regulations, mandatory standards and emergency protocols.
•    Phase Two from 2026 to 2028: Implementation of long-term reform, including legislative amendments and competency-based registration systems.
•    Phase Three from 2028 onwards: Institutional consolidation and relocation of custodianship of building regulations functions and standards to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

–SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has emphasised that the collapse of the George Building, which claimed the lives of 34 people, was preventable.

The Minister made these remarks on Saturday during a media briefing on the outcomes of investigation into the George building collapse, where he described the incident as a lethal convergence of failures.

Twenty-eight people were injured when the apartment building collapsed while under construction in George on 75 Victoria Street on 6 May 2024 in the Western Cape.

“At every problem, there was a chance to turn back, but because of [a] weak regulatory environment, there was either no incentive or requirement to do so. And this is what makes me so angry when I view this tragedy from today’s perspective, it was entirely preventable,” Macpherson said in George.

The investigation confirmed that serious safety concerns were raised well before the collapse.

“Workers noticed cracks in columns, strange vibrations in the slab, and even visible holes through the walls in the basement. Some of these observations were made as early as 2023.

“Second, despite these warning signs, site managers reportedly instructed workers to patch the damage with sand and mortar, rather than halting construction and escalating the matter for formal investigation.

“Third, the concrete used in the slabs did not meet required specifications. Where 19 to 25 megapascal were needed, only 13 megapascal of concrete were delivered. This is a material failure of the most basic kind,” the Minister said.
The investigation found that the so-called “competent person” responsible for the structural system did not have the necessary competency requirements to oversee a project of this complexity (a five-storey building).

“Our system currently allows engineers to self-assess their own competence. This is a loophole that must be closed and with speed.

“The geotechnical study of the site, critical in determining soil stability and groundwater conditions, was not only incomplete, but grossly deficient. Key tests and geological mappings were missing.

“The Health and Safety Agent appointed to monitor site compliance resigned midway through the project, stating clearly that they could no longer ensure safe working conditions. This was a dereliction of duty as it was not reported to any of the relevant authorities. That should have stopped the project in its tracks,” the Minister said.

READ | Public Works to study final George building collapse report 

Moreover, there was a lack of coordination between regulatory authorities. 

In the aftermath of the collapse, the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), a statutory body of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, initiated a full investigation looking into the systematic failures that lead to the building’s collapse.

Parallel to this investigation, the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), which is one of the six councils under the CBE, undertook an investigation that investigated the culpability of the engineer involved in the construction project.

“The full ECSA investigation report has been completed and it will be published in the Government Gazette in due course. An appeal window to these finding is currently underway which expires on the 3rd of August 2025.

“This report must form part the police investigation as we must establish criminal negligence for what happened. If criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible must be prosecuted without delay.

“We must ensure that people are held accountable for 34 souls losing their life. No contractor, engineer, or official should be beyond the reach of the law,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Government has officially commissioned the Mpophomeni Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs) project, which is set to significantly improve sanitation services, protect sensitive wetland ecosystems and enhance the quality of life for communities in KwaZulu-Natal.

Over 27 000 households in Mpophomeni, Khayelisha and surrounding communities are expected to benefit from this strategic infrastructure development project estimated at over R450 million in Mpophomeni, Pietermaritzburg. 

The commissioning of this critical infrastructure highlights the success of strong and deliberate collaboration across all three spheres of government. 

“The success of Mpophomeni proves that service delivery is possible when all spheres of government work together. But we cannot stop here. Municipalities must build on this momentum and address governance gaps, strengthening technical capacity and accelerating delivery.

“Our citizens deserve systems that work and leaders who make that happen without delay,” Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo said on Friday.

The Mpophomeni WWTWs is designed to produce high-quality effluent that complies with standards set by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). 

It is currently operating at a treatment capacity of six million litres per day, with provision for future expansion to 12 million litres per day. The facility includes a seven-kilometre treated effluent pipeline and the rehabilitation of the Mpophomeni wetland. 

“The Mpophomeni WWTWs is part of a broader government commitment to roll out bulk water infrastructure projects in water-stressed communities across KwaZulu-Natal and the country. It forms part of a long-term strategy to secure water resilience and inclusive development. 

“Beyond infrastructure, the project delivered meaningful economic opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme, which created consistent local jobs averaging 19 per month throughout the construction phase. This helped drive youth employment, enterprise development and inclusive participation in the construction economy,” the DWS said.

The department has reiterated that the long-term sustainability of such infrastructure depends on sound operations and maintenance practices. 

This includes adequate funding, skilled management and active community involvement to secure water quality, safeguard ecosystems and achieve the constitutional right to clean water and dignified sanitation for all. –SAnews.gov.za