Category: South Africa Government

The Department of Home Affairs has reached yet another major milestone on its digital transformation journey, with 110 branches already live across the length and breadth of South Africa.  

The department has exceeded its own internal target of rolling out its new Digital Partnership Model to 100 bank branches by the end of March.

Additionally, First National Bank (FNB) has officially become the third bank to join the rollout of this ground-breaking project at their branches.

Just three weeks after the first branch was launched, 77 branches of Capitec Bank, 30 branches of Standard Bank, and the first three branches of First National Bank are now live throughout the country, offering Smart ID replacement services in communities that never had access before.

When compared to the existing 248 Home Affairs offices offering Smart ID services, the addition of 110 more service points constitutes a 44% service expansion in just three weeks.

To date, more than 25 000 Smart ID applications have already been processed through participating bank branches, with the system processing applications at a rate of more than one per minute. 

Through this new model, citizens are now able to apply to replace their Green ID Book or a lost Smart ID at participating bank branches in as little as five minutes, avoiding long travel times and queues.

This initiative forms part of the Department’s Home Affairs @ home reform programme, which aims to build a modern, digital-first Home Affairs ecosystem and transform how citizens access government services.

Instead of citizens being forced to travel great distances and stand in long queues to access services at just a few physical locations around the country, Home Affairs @ home is using digital transformation to bring services to citizens right where they live.

This new service does not require any prior booking or paperwork, and is secured through cutting-edge fingerprint and facial recognition technology.

By eliminating paper-based manual processes and official discretion, the application process has also been secured against manipulation and fraud.

Having already exceeded the initial target of 100 bank branches by March 2026, Home Affairs is firmly on track to deliver on its target in the Medium-Term Development Plan to reach 1 000 bank branches by 2029. 

The rollout remains deliberate and phased to ensure system stability and service quality, with further expansion planned in the coming weeks. Absa Bank and Nedbank are currently in varying stages of testing and are expected to go live once testing is complete.

“The rapid pace at which Home Affairs is fixing long-standing problems is a testament to the power of reform-minded leadership that embraces innovation. 

“In addition to what we have already delivered, over the coming weeks, first time Smart ID applications, Passport applications, secure courier delivery of IDs and Passports, as well as applications submitted via digital banking apps will all become reality through these reforms,” Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, said. 

“By expanding access and inclusion at a scale and pace not seen before, we are eliminating long queues and freeing up Home Affairs resources and officials to focus on complex tasks that have been neglected for decades, including late birth registrations and ensuring the systematic documentation of all South Africans in underserved areas. This is how we are delivering dignity for all,” Minister Schreiber concluded.

Existing Home Affairs branches and mobile offices remain available to all citizens. To find your nearest bank branch offering Smart ID services, visit: www.dha.gov.za/banks. – SAnews.gov.za

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Legal Aid South Africa has revised upwards its Means Test in line with the Consumer Price Index in response to ongoing economic hardship and the rising cost of living.

This, the statutory body said, is aimed at ensuring that South Africans can afford to have legal representation.

“As many South Africans continue to face financial pressure, these revisions are a vital step toward safeguarding equitable access to justice. By expanding the financial eligibility criteria, Legal Aid SA is reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that no one is denied legal representation simply because they cannot afford it,” Legal Aid SA said.

The new means threshold is as follows:

• Criminal matters: R9 400 up from R9 100.
• Civil matters (individual applicant): R9 400 up from R9 100.
• Civil matters (spouse/household): R10 200, up from R9 900.
• Movable assets (household, no property): R173 300 up from R167 900.
• Immovable and movable assets (household, owns property): R812 800 up from R787 600.

“In criminal cases, children continue to automatically qualify for legal aid and do not have to take the Means Test. If it is a civil case, the family of the child will need to take and pass the Means Test.

“The revised Means Test takes effect from today, 1 April 2026, and will continue to be applied to all new applications received from this date onwards.

“Legal Aid SA continues to strengthen its role as a champion of equal access to justice by refining its policies to respond to the evolving needs of society. In a time of economic uncertainty, these changes are designed to extend legal support to a broader segment of the population, particularly those whose financial circumstances limit their ability to secure representation,” the body said. – SAnews.gov.za

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As the South Africa Investment Conference 2026 moves from pledges to implementation, renewable energy company Mulilo has announced a nearly R15 billion investment expected to translate into significant employment opportunities for South Africans.

The investment, unveiled on Tuesday, will fund the development of three large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects and a battery energy storage system (BESS), adding 716 megawatts of new capacity to the national grid.

While the projects are aimed at strengthening energy security, they are also expected to create jobs across multiple phases, from construction to long-term operations.

From infrastructure to employment

Large-scale renewable energy projects are labour-intensive during construction, requiring engineers, technicians, project managers and local labour. Once operational, they continue to support jobs in maintenance, security and plant management.

Mulilo’s pipeline, which targets the rollout of up to one gigawatt of renewable energy annually, is expected to sustain ongoing job creation as new projects are developed.

This reflects a broader trend highlighted at SAIC: that infrastructure investment plays a critical role in absorbing labour while building productive capacity in the economy.

Economic opportunities beyond the grid

Beyond direct employment, energy investments have a ripple effect across the economy. Reliable electricity supply enables businesses to operate efficiently, supports industrial growth and helps small enterprises expand all of which contribute to job creation. 

For many communities, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas where renewable projects are often located, such investments can unlock local economic activity through supplier opportunities and community partnerships.

Private sector driving inclusive growth

Mulilo’s Chief Commercial Officer, Seithati Bolipombo, said this commitment reflects its conviction that South Africa is on a positive trajectory towards a just energy transition supported by private sector investment in renewable energy. 

“We are not only investing capital, we are investing in long-term partnerships that unlock infrastructure, create jobs, and deliver tangible impact where it is needed most,” she said.

She emphasised that with the right collaboration across government, regulators and industry, South Africa can move faster, build at scale, and fully realise the opportunity of its energy transition.

The announcement reinforces the central message emerging from SAIC: that investment commitments must translate into real benefits for citizens.

As South Africa advances its energy transition, projects such as Mulilo’s are expected to play a dual role addressing the country’s electricity constraints while creating sustainable livelihoods.

With implementation now in focus, the success of these investments will ultimately be measured not only in megawatts added to the grid, but in the number of South Africans who gain access to jobs and economic opportunities. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Global ride-hailing platform Uber has pledged R5 billion over the next few years towards South Africa’s mobility, delivery and digital economy, a move that underscores how investment commitments made at SAIC are expected to directly support employment and income opportunities for ordinary citizens.

Uber’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Deepesh Thomas, said the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) marked a shift from announcements to implementation, with a focus on how investments impact people on the ground.

“At Uber, we believe that the true measure of an investment is not the figure typed into a spreadsheet, but the heartbeat of the economy it sustains.

“It is found in the student in Mamelodi reaching an exam on time; the restaurant owner in Soweto reaching new customers via a digital storefront, and the driver-partner building a family legacy, one trip at a time,” Thomas said.

Thomas added that this commitment is a vote of confidence in the South African “hustle” and a primary contribution toward the national goal of mobilising R2 trillion in new investment.

From investment to income opportunities

The company’s commitment is expected to expand earning opportunities across its platform, particularly for drivers, delivery partners and small businesses operating in townships and urban centres.

Uber says more than 100,000 earners already use its platform, with the new investment aimed at lowering barriers to entry through incentives such as fuel support, vehicle financing models and partnerships that reduce operating costs.

For many South Africans, particularly young people and those in the informal sector, such platforms provide what Thomas describes as a “license to earn” offering a pathway into the economy where traditional jobs are scarce.

Supporting township economies

Beyond individual earners, the investment is also expected to support small businesses. Through partnerships with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Uber has already helped digitise over 2,000 township enterprises, enabling them to reach more customers through delivery services.

This has generated an estimated R1 billion in value for local merchants, demonstrating how digital platforms can formalise and grow previously underserved parts of the economy.

By scaling these initiatives, Uber aims to deepen its contribution to economic activity while supporting job creation indirectly through expanded business opportunities.

Driving innovation and future jobs

Part of the R5 billion pledge will fund innovation tailored to South African conditions, including the expansion of motorbike services for last-mile delivery and investment in electric vehicles.

“We are expanding Uber Moto to provide affordable, last-mile connectivity in areas where traditional public transport may not reach. We are also doubling down on our “Green” initiatives, partnering with fleet providers to accelerate the rollout of Electric Vehicles and alternative vehicle financing models, such as our work with Moove,” Thomas said. 

These initiatives are expected to create new types of work within the transport and green economy sectors, while also improving access to affordable mobility for commuters.

Enabling environment key to job creation

While investment is critical, Thomas emphasised that job creation also depends on a supportive regulatory environment.

He called for clear and forward-looking regulations that recognise the role of the platform economy, arguing that efficient licensing systems can unlock more opportunities for drivers and small operators.

“For a driver-partner, an operating license is more than a regulatory requirement – it is a #LicenseToEarn. It represents the dignity of legal work and the security of knowing their livelihood is protected. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with the Department of Transport and local authorities to streamline these processes,” he said. 

SAIC’s impact on citizens

The Uber investment reflects a broader message emerging from SAIC: that large-scale investment commitments are not only about economic growth, but about creating sustainable livelihoods. 

As South Africa works towards its investment targets, the focus is increasingly on ensuring that these commitments translate into real benefits for citizens, from job creation and skills development to greater financial inclusion.

With implementation now in focus, the success of SAIC will ultimately be measured by how effectively these investments improve everyday lives across the country. – SAnews.gov.za

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Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya says a study on hybrid work arrangements in the Public Service has found that 55% of departments lack hybrid policies, while 24% have implemented post-COVID policies.

“The PSC’s research aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of hybrid work arrangements and inform future policies on work arrangements in the Public Service,” Gxoyiya said.

Addressing media in Pretoria on Wednesday, Gxoyiya said the study, which initially involved six service delivery departments, aimed to draw lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, and its forced shift to alternative working arrangements.

“The extended study sampled all national departments and government components, with responses from 38 entities,” Gxoyiya said.

Gxoyiya said the Western Cape Provincial Government has a guide that was used to develop policies in different provincial departments, which follows the Telecommuting Hybrid Model.

“While hybrid work arrangements have shown benefits like cost savings, improved work-life balance, talent attraction, and job satisfaction, the public service is lagging behind in implementation,” Gxoyiya said, adding that the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) should finalise the proposed transversal guide or frame.

The work is based on lessons from departments that are implementing hybrid work arrangements polices and benchmarking with other countries.

“The framework can be used by other departments to develop their own policies to ensure consistency across the Public Service. The DPSA, in collaboration with the Department of Employment and Labour, should develop a comprehensive work from home toolkit on how employees and processes should be managed while working from home.

“Departments must develop human resource development strategies in line with the DPSA guidelines to ensure effective employee onboarding, induction and skills transfer. The Public Service should embrace technology and explore cost effective ways of automating and digitising processes to improve operational effectiveness and efficiency,” he said.

In addition, Gxoyiya said: “The Public Service, led by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, should promote efficient use of facilities in sourcing office space. Departments can share office space for example as they reduce their accommodation needs.” 

Gxoyiya said the Public Service, led by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, should promote efficient use of facilities in sourcing office space.

“The Public Service, led by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, should promote efficient use of facilities in sourcing office space. Departments can share office space for example as they reduce their accommodation needs. 

“This will enable the Public Service to release available state properties for repurposing into reasonable accommodation for students, pensioners and low-income earners,” he said.

Gxoyiya said whilst taking steps to limit employer exposure on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) responsibilities, government departments should take steps to ensure a safe working environment even in a remote setting. – SAnews.gov.za

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Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has highlighted a nationwide push to improve water and sanitation infrastructure.

Speaking at the release of the Green Drop Report on Tuesday, Majodina outlined a series of infrastructure projects handed over during National Water Month, describing them as tangible steps toward restoring dignity and improving access to safe water.

On 20 March, projects were handed over in Limpopo, followed by a major rollout on 22 March, World Water Day. where 22 refurbished and upgraded sanitation infrastructure projects, including wastewater treatment works and pump stations were handed over in Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State.

On the same day, the Misgund Bulk Water Project was handed over in the Eastern Cape, and another infrastructure initiative was handed over in the Northern Cape.

Further handovers took place in the Western Cape on 23 March, while 24 March saw the official launch of the Bhongweni Water Supply Project in Harry Gwala District, KwaZulu-Natal, alongside the Piet Retief Water Treatment Works in Mpumalanga.

By 30 March, three more projects were handed over in the Western Cape, with another project in Moretele Local Municipality in North West.

“These interventions demonstrate government’s commitment to implementation and visible progress,” Majodina said.

Despite the project handovers, the Minister warned that infrastructure delivery must be matched by long-term sustainability.

“Handovers alone are insufficient without sustainable operation and proper maintenance,” she said, stressing the need to protect infrastructure from vandalism and theft, while ensuring municipalities have the technical capacity and responsible governance to operate and maintain systems effectively.

Majodina said the Green Drop Report serves as a critical reminder that infrastructure investment must be accompanied by “institutional discipline” and sound governance.

Priority actions to reform the sector

The Minister also outlined resolutions from the 2025 Water and Sanitation Indaba, convened under President Cyril Ramaphosa, where government and sector stakeholders agreed on five priority actions to reform the sector.

These include strengthening delivery and implementation models, mobilising investment while ensuring financial sustainability, and improving technical and operational capacity at municipal level.

Further priorities include deepening institutional reform and governance, particularly in planning, oversight, and maintenance and tackling criminality and corruption, which Majodina said continue to undermine service delivery.

“Criminality and corruption in the water and sanitation sector must be confronted, as every act of theft, sabotage, fraud, or maladministration robs communities of their constitutional right to safe water and dignified sanitation,” she said.

The Minister noted that the responsibility for implementing these resolutions have been assigned across national government departments, associations, and all 144 Water Services Authorities. However, progress has been uneven, with some municipalities lagging in submitting and implementing corrective action plans.

To strengthen compliance, she said proposed amendments in the Water Services Amendment Bill will enable the department to take action against non-compliant municipalities, including requiring them to appoint capable, licensed water service providers.

In addition, funding through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant and the Water Services Infrastructure Grant has been prioritised for the 105 worst-performing Water Services Authorities, in an effort to accelerate improvements where they are most needed.

Majodina also sent a direct message to citizens, affirming their right to reliable services.

“You have every right to demand better. Your water, your sanitation, your health, and your dignity are non-negotiable,” Majodina said. – SAnews.gov.za

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For South African motorists, the price paid at the pump is far more than just the cost of the fuel itself, but the end result of a multitude of global and domestic forces ranging from the fluctuating price of crude oil and the strength of the Rand to the intricate costs of shipping, storage, and a series of government levies and taxes.

As outlined by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) on its website, the price is calculated using an import parity model designed to balance international competitiveness with local economic realities.

“The underlying principles for the basis of determination of the Basic Fuels Price [BFP] are to represent the realistic, market-related costs of importing a substantial portion of South Africa’s liquid fuels requirements, and it is therefore deemed that such supplies are sourced from overseas refining centres capable of meeting South Africa’s requirements in terms of both product quality and sustained supply considerations.

“The petrol price in South Africa is therefore directly linked to the price of petrol quoted in US Dollars at refined petroleum export orientated refining centres in the Mediterranean area, the Arab Gulf and Singapore,” the department said.

Therefore, this means that domestic prices are influenced by “international crude oil prices, international supply and demand balances for petroleum products and the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate”.

“The import parity [BFP] principle is an elegant, arms-length method of basic fuels price determination to ensure that local refineries compete with their international counterparts.

“This promotes cost efficiency and astute crude acquisition strategies to ensure survival in a volatile and competitive international environment, thus eliminating domestic inflationary pressures,” the department explains.

International influences

The department on its website lists the following as other international influences:

• Free-on Board (FOB) Values: These are petroleum product prices quoted on a daily basis by export orientated refining centres situated in the Mediterranean area, the Arab Gulf and Singapore.
• Freight: The cost to transport refined petroleum products from these export refining centres to South African ports. The freight rates used in the BFP calculation are based on freight rates published by London Tanker Brokers Panel on 1 January each year. These freight rates are adjusted on a monthly basis in line with the so-called Average Freight Rate Assessment (AFRA) which is a function of risks and supply and demand of ships transporting refined petroleum products internationally.
• Demurrage: Petroleum products are loaded into ships at ports in the Mediterranean area, Arab Gulf and Singapore and these products are discharged at South African ports. Demurrage rates are published by the World Scale Association Limited. In calculating the demurrage cost, the total demurrage time is limited to 3 days.
• Insurance: An element of 0.15 percent of the FOB-value and freight to cover insurance as well as other costs such as letters of credit, surveyors’ and agents’ fees and laboratory costs.
• Ocean loss: A loss allowance factor of 0.3 percent to be calculated on the sum of the FOB, Freight and Insurance values for products is applicable to provide for typical uninsurable losses during transportation of fuels.
• Cargo dues (wharfage): The South African harbour facilities are utilised to off-load petroleum products from ships into on-shore storage facilities. The cost to utilise these harbour facilities is based on the tariff set by the National Ports Authority of South Africa.
• Coastal storage: This is to recover the cost of providing storage and handling facilities at coastal terminals. In 2002, the typical international storage rate was assessed as USD 3 per ton or 2.5 SA cents per litre per month. The BFP only makes provision for 25 days and the initial value when BFP was implemented amounted to 2.083 c/l. This element is adjusted on an annual basis by the increase in the Producer Price Index (PPI).
• Stock financing: Stock financing cost is based on (i) the landed cost values of refined petroleum products, (ii) 25 days of stockholding and (iii) the ruling prime interest rate less 2 percent.

“The BFP, quoted in USD/barrel or USD/ton is converted to US cents/litre by applying the international conversion rates [for example, barrels to tons, tons to gallons and gallons to litres] and is then converted to South African cents/litre by applying the applicable Rand/US Dollar exchange rate,” the department said.

Domestic influences

The determination of the price is not only influenced by international factors but also includes transports costs, taxes and other regulatory costs.

These influences vary and also depend on the magisterial district zones that the garage is in.

These elements include:

• Inland transport costs: Refined petroleum products are transported by road, rail, pipeline and by a combination thereof from coastal refineries to inland depots.
• The wholesale margin: The margin is a fixed maximum monetary margin. The formula used to determine the wholesale margin is based on a set of Guidelines, namely the Marketing-of-Petroleum- Activities Return. The level of the margin is calculated on an industry average basis and is aimed at granting these marketers a benchmark return of 15 percent on depreciated book values of assets, with allowance for additional depreciation, but before tax and payment of interest. Should the industry aggregated margin be between 10 and 20 percent, no adjustment is made to the margin, if it is below 10 percent or above 20 percent, the margin is adjusted to a level of 15 percent.
• Retail profit margin: The retail profit margin is fixed by the DoE and is determined on the basis of the actual costs incurred by the service station operator in selling petrol. In this cost structure, account is taken of all proportionate driveway related costs such as rental, interest, labour, overheads and entrepreneurial compensation.
• The General Fuel Levy: A tax collected on every litre of fuel aimed at funding general government spending.
• The Road Accident Fund levy: It is adjusted annually and funds the Road Accident Fund to compensate victims of road accidents.
• The Carbon Fuel Levy: Aimed at reducing emissions
• The Customs and Excise Levy: A tax imposed by the SA Revenue Service

Added to this is the Slate Levy, a temporary adjustment to the price is calculated on a daily basis.

“[The] daily calculated BFP is either higher or lower than the BFP reflected in the fuel price structures at that time. If the daily BFP is higher than the BFP in the fuel prices, a unit under recovery is realised on that day.

When the BFP is lower than the BFP in the price structures, an over recovery is realised on that day. An under recovery means that fuel consumers are paying too little for product on that day, while in an over recovery situation, consumer are paying too much for product on that day.

“These calculations are done for each day in the fuel price review period and an average for the fuel price review period is calculated. This monthly unit over/under recovery is multiplied by the volumes sold locally in that month and the cumulative over/under recovery is recorded on a cumulative over/under recovery account. 

“A Slate levy is applicable on fuels to finance the balance in the Slate account when the Slate is in a negative balance,” the department explained. 

For more info go to https://www.dmre.gov.za/. – SAnews.gov.za

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Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC, Violet Mathye, is calling for patience on the roads as the province anticipates heavy traffic, due to the annual pilgrimage of the two biggest ZCC churches this Easter Weekend.

“We expect significant movement of buses and minibuses on R71 from Polokwane towards Boyne and from Tzaneen direction, as well as on D4040 from R37 turn off to ZCC St. Engenas via Maja. We also expect movement of buses on N1 from Beitbridge to Polokwane Direction and from N11 via R567 or D19 Matlala Road to Polokwane,” MEC Mathye said on Wednesday. 

The provincial department said it is fully prepared for the Easter travel period with intensified law enforcement operations aimed at ensuring the safety of all road users across the province.

As traffic volumes are expected to increase significantly, the department will heighten visibility through the deployment of traffic officers on major routes and within towns. These measures are intended to promote compliance with road traffic laws and to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

“Motorists are urged to exercise caution and adhere strictly to the rules of the road. This includes obeying speed limits, avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol, ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, and wearing seatbelts at all times. Pedestrians are equally encouraged to remain vigilant, use designated crossing points, and avoid walking on busy roads, especially at night,” said the department. 

Mathye also welcomed all visitors travelling to Limpopo during the Easter period and encouraged them to enjoy the province’s offerings responsibly.

“We appeal to all road users to take personal responsibility for their safety and that of others. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and through cooperation with law enforcement, we can save lives. No journey is worth a life. Arrive alive,” said the MEC. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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In a decisive intervention to shield South Africans from soaring global energy costs and protect consumers from further burden, National Treasury and the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMPR) have announced a temporary R3 reduction to the general fuel levy.

The measure, which is effective from today is designed to bring immediate financial relief to motorists while maintaining the stability of the country’s fuel supply system.

The reduction means that the fuel levy will fall from some R4.10 per litre to R1.10 per litre of petrol and reduce from R3.93 to R0.93 per litre of diesel.

“In reaching this decision, the Minister of Finance sought to balance the socio-economic impact on the country and welfare impact on South African consumers, specifically regarding food and transport inflation, with the fiscal objectives announced in the February Budget.

“It is estimated that the partial reduction in the fuel levy will cost around R6 billion in foregone tax revenue for the one-month period. The relief measure will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis for the following two months,” a joint statement read.

The adjusted fuel prices were announced by the DMPR on Tuesday, which would have meant much steeper increases barring the fuel levy cut.

The adjusted prices for April are:

• Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): R 3.06 per litre increase.
• Petrol 95 (ULP &LRP): R 3.06 per litre increase.
• Diesel (0.05% sulphur): R7.37 per litre increase.
• Diesel (0.005% sulphur): R7.51 per litre increase.
• Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): R11.67 per litre increase. 
• Single Maximum National Retail Price for Illuminating Paraffin: R15.60 per litre increase. 
• Maximum Retail Price of LPGas: R1.08 per kg) increase and R1.23 per kg increase in the Western Cape.

The two departments assured South Africans that despite reports to the contrary, there is “sufficient fuel supply in the country to meet current and projected demand”.

“Reports of shortages in certain areas are largely due to localised distribution and logistical challenges driven by panic buying rather than a lack of national fuel stocks and these are expected to self-correct in the next coming days.

“Motorists and businesses are encouraged to purchase fuel responsibly and avoid unnecessary stockpiling,” the statement continued.

Furthermore, the two departments reiterated government’s commitment to “balancing economic sustainability with the need to protect consumers” while the DMPR continues 

“Work is underway on a broader package of measures to support households and key sectors of the economy. Further details on additional support measures will be announced in due course,” the statement said.

The price of paraffin

In a post on social media platform X, the DMPR explained that the price of paraffin does not include any levies or taxes.

This after the price of the fuel increased by R11.67 for wholesale and some R15.60 for the Single Maximum National Retail Price for Illuminating Paraffin.

“South Africa, the pricing structure of illuminating paraffin is specifically designed to provide relief to consumers.

“Unlike petrol and diesel, paraffin does not include fuel levies and most taxes, as a deliberate policy measure to keep it as affordable as possible, given its importance to low-income households. As a result, reductions in fuel levies cannot be applied to offset increases in paraffin prices,” the department said.

The DMPR assured that the increase “does not signal any reduction in government support for vulnerable households”.

“As indicated in the earlier statement, work is underway to develop targeted measures to cushion the poor from the impact of high energy costs. These efforts form part of a broader commitment to mitigate the effects of rising living expenses.

“Government remains firmly committed to protecting vulnerable households and continues to implement both immediate relief interventions and longer-term measures aimed at improving energy affordability and ensuring security of supply for all,” the post read. – SAnews.gov.za

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Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has called for accountability and collective action, urging all stakeholders to reject complacency and prioritise the protection of water resources.

The call comes as the 2025 Green Drop Report released on Tuesday, revealed that South Africa’s wastewater management systems are deteriorating at an alarming rate, with nearly half of them classified in a critical state.

Releasing the report, Majodina framed the findings not only as a warning, but as an opportunity to drive urgent reform and restore failing systems.

“This report must be a turning point. Decline is not destiny, failure is not permanent, and broken systems can be rebuilt.”

The report assessed 848 wastewater treatment systems audited for the 2023/24 municipal financial year. The assessment included on-site audits of at least two wastewater treatment systems per metropolitan municipality and one wastewater treatment system per district or local municipality.

The 2025 report is compared with the prior 2022 Green Drop Report, which assessed the 2020/21 municipal financial year. In 2022, 850 systems were audited, slightly more than the 848 in 2025 due to the decommissioning or merging of some systems.

The report found that the proportion of systems in a critical condition has increased to 47% (396 systems), up from 39% (334 systems) in 2022.

Systems achieving excellent or good performance declined significantly from 14% (118 systems) to 8% (66 systems).

Only 14 systems achieved Green Drop certification in 2025, down from 22 in the previous report, highlighting what the Minister called a “clear deterioration in municipal wastewater performance.”

“This is not merely another report, a routine publication, or a compliance exercise. It shows us how effectively we are protecting our water resources, safeguarding public health, and fulfilling our constitutional responsibility to uphold the dignity of our people,” the Minister said.

Mixed signals in water quality and efficiency

The Green Drop findings were released alongside Progress Assessment Reports for Blue Drop (drinking water quality) and No Drop (water use efficiency) for the 2023/24 municipal financial year.

While drinking water systems showed modest improvement, with low-risk systems increasing from 60.2% to 61.9%, and critical-risk systems decreasing from 9.9% to 7.9%, the Minister warned against complacency.

“Critical and high-risk systems still require urgent corrective action,” Majodina said, urging intensified regulatory oversight.

Nationally, the percentage of non-revenue water has remained roughly constant at 47.3%, compared with 47.4% in the 2023 No Drop report, a level described as “stabilised but unacceptably high”.

The underlying causes of poor performance in terms of Drop reports include non-adherence to standard operating procedures for drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment, infrastructure in poor condition due to lack of maintenance, and municipalities failing to hire qualified staff or prioritise budgets for maintenance and operations.

Weak billing and revenue collection, poor municipal leadership and management, and the absence of a legal requirement for municipalities to use water and sanitation revenue for maintenance. further exacerbate the problem.

Performance across provinces remains uneven with Western Cape and Gauteng continue to lead with the strongest risk profiles, while Mpumalanga and North West recorded notable improvement.

However, the Northern Cape was flagged as the worst-performing province, with the highest concentration of critical-risk systems severe weaknesses across multiple indicators. The Free State also remains a province of material concern.

Despite these challenges, metropolitan drinking water systems generally meet national standards, and where municipalities comply with SANS 241 requirements, tap water is considered safe for consumption.

Majodina encouraged residents to verify with their municipalities that testing and compliance with SANS 241 are being conducted.

Root causes for the decline

The report highlighted systemic issues behind the decline, including poor maintenance of ageing infrastructure, failure to adhere to operational standards, and a lack of skilled personnel. Weak municipal leadership, inadequate budgeting for maintenance, and poor revenue collection further compound the crisis.

The Minister noted that these findings are corroborated by research from the Department of Cooperative Governance, National Treasury, the Auditor General, and other institutions, all of which point to municipalities lack the capability to discharge their governance and service delivery mandates effectively.

Criminal activities, including vandalism, corruption, and attacks on water and energy infrastructure, are also exacerbating the situation.

Water crisis declared a national priority

The report comes amid a broader national warning, as President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared South Africa’s water situation a crisis requiring urgent intervention.

In response, government has established the National Water Crisis Committee (WaterCom), chaired by the President, to coordinate action across all spheres of government.

“The declaration is not symbolic; it is a call to action,” the Minister said, pointing to challenges such as deteriorating infrastructure, declining water quality, and the growing impact of climate change.

In response, government has adopted a multi-pronged approach.

Despite the bleak findings, the Minister stressed that the report also offers a pathway forward, highlighting examples of municipalities and professionals achieving excellence under difficult conditions.

“Let this be the moment when we refuse to normalise sewage pollution and recommit ourselves to safeguarding every river, wetland, and community that depends on them,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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