Category: South Africa Government

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Cabinet briefed on SANDF withdrawal from the DRC

Source: South Africa News Agency

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Cabinet has been briefed on the phased arrival of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This follows the Southern African Development Community (SADC) decision to terminate the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) intervention.

“About 1 718 SANDF troops have now arrived in the country, and more are expected to arrive over the next few weeks. Cabinet reaffirmed South Africa’s continued commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Southern African region and commended the efforts by the SANDF troops to contribute towards restoring peace, security and stability in the DRC,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

The withdrawal of the soldiers was announced by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, in May, following a “high level consultation with several role-players in the peacekeeping efforts within the eastern DRC”.

READ | Over 200 SANDF troops return from DRC mission

Earlier this year, 14 troop members lost their lives and others sustained injuries during clashes with the M23 rebel group, as fighting in the Goma region escalated. 

The rebel group fought intensely against the Congolese armed forces, resulting in the deaths of soldiers from 23 to 27 January 2025 during M23’s advance on Sake and Goma. 

The South African soldiers were part of the SAMIDRC, which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country.  –SAnews.gov.za

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World Bank loan ‘aligned with National Treasury’s principles’

Source: South Africa News Agency

The recently announced US$1.5 billion Development Policy Loan Agreement signed between the South African government and the World Bank will be used to unlock infrastructure bottlenecks in South Africa.

This according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni who held a post-Cabinet media briefing in Cape Town on Thursday.

National Treasury announced the loan agreement in a statement on Monday.

“Cabinet was updated on the US$1.5 billion Development Policy Loan Agreement signed between the South African government and the World Bank that will be used to ensure inclusive economic growth and job creation. 

“The loan is aligned with the National Treasury’s principles that forms part of the government’s broader efforts to implement structural reforms and will be used to unlock key infrastructure bottlenecks, particularly in the energy and freight transport sectors.

“The loan support is anchored on three pillars of structural reforms: improving energy security, enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of freight transport services and supporting South Africa’s transition toward a low carbon economy, which are the backbone of government’s priority of inclusive growth and job creation,” she said.

Turning to the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), Cabinet has welcomed its launch.

The masterplan was launched earlier this month and is aimed at driving localised manufacturing, skills development and job creation.

“SAREM which was approved by Cabinet in March this year, aims to support the local demand for renewable energy and drive industrial development while ensuring a just energy transition,” Ntshavheni noted.

Foot and mouth disease vaccines

Cabinet has also welcomed the arrival of “much-needed vaccines, sourced from Botswana, to combat the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in certain parts of the country”.

“The vaccines are being distributed and administered free of charge to the affected areas, especially in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and those farms in other provinces where the disease has been identified. 

“A second batch of vaccines is on order with the Botswana Vaccine Institute,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

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R11 billion assets linked to State Capture Commission recovered

Source: South Africa News Agency

Thursday, June 26, 2025

As government continues to implement the President’s response to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission report, the asset recovery linked to the commission has increased from R2.9 billion in October 2022 to R11 billion by March 2025.

This was revealed by Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, on Thursday, during a media briefing in Cape Town, on the outcomes of a Cabinet meeting that was held on Wednesday.

“Cabinet was briefed about substantial progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the State Capture Commission. Major reforms include the enactment of eight new laws addressing corruption, procurement, intelligence services, and corporate accountability,” the Minister said.

The criminal investigations and prosecutions work has resulted in the conclusion of four state capture commission cases with guilty verdicts.

Eleven other cases involving 51 natural persons and 27 companies have been enrolled in court.

“The erstwhile Department of Public Enterprises referred 71 former State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) for delinquency proceedings resulting in nine active court cases.

“The CIPC has completed reviews for 10 private sector entities implicated in the State Capture Report, with six investigations ongoing and eight new Special Investigating Unit (SIU) referrals under assessment,” Ntshavheni said.

The National Treasury has imposed a 10 year (2022-2032) ban on Bain & Co on doing business with the state, which Bain is challenging in court.

Various reforms to prevent future state capture are underway while some have been implemented. Amongst those are:
•    The establishment of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption which commenced its operations on 19 August 2024.
•    The National Framework towards the Implementation of Professionalisation of the Public Sector was approved by Cabinet in October 2022 and the National Anti-corruption Advisory Council has concluded research into the institutional reform recommendations of the State Capture Commission. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Let UN lead peaceful dispute resolution in Israel, Iran conflict

Source: South Africa News Agency

The South African government has called for the immediate de-escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The two countries traded air strikes earlier this month.

Speaking during a media briefing on the outcomes of a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Cabinet was “deeply concerned about escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with airstrikes by the United States of America”.

“The ongoing attacks by both countries has led to loss of lives, casualties and destruction to property. Cabinet calls for an urgent de-escalation of hostilities, restraint and full compliance with international law by all parties to prevent further human suffering.

“Cabinet further calls on the USA, Israel and Iran to create room for constructive dialogue and give the United Nations the opportunity to lead the peaceful resolution of dispute, including the inspection and verification of Iran’s status on uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity.

“The world cannot afford the balkanisation of Iran, by the sheer size of its population, geographic location and mineral resources.

“As a continent, we in Africa are still suffering the consequences of the balkanisation of Libya 14 years later, with the escalation of terrorism across the continent,” she said.

Turning to issues in the Caribbean, Ntshavheni said Cabinet had registered concern on the ongoing gang violence in Haiti.

“Cabinet is concerned about the Haiti’s worsening situation and asserts that a multifaceted approach is needed to strengthen governance, improving law enforcement, and promoting economic development through regional and international cooperation prioritising Haitian interests,” she said.

Group of 7 (G7)

Cabinet reflected on the G7 Leaders’ Summit held in Canada last week.

President Cyril Ramaphosa participated in the G7 Summit Outreach Session.

“President Ramaphosa used the opportunity of the G7 to urge for greater cooperation between the G7 and the G20 and mobilise support for reforms in the international institutions of global governance such as the UN Security Council and the global financial system.

“The President’s participation in the G7 clearly points out that South Africa does not hold an anti-West policy position, but we are ready to work with everyone to pursue South Africa’s national interests and to advance the African Agenda,” she said.

SANDF soldiers

Regarding the return of South African soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ntshavheni said Cabinet was briefed on the process to bring them home.

“Cabinet was updated on the phased arrival of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the SADC decision to terminate the SAMIDRC intervention.

“About 1 718 SANDF troops have now arrived in the country, and more are expected to arrive over the next few weeks.

“Cabinet reaffirmed South Africa’s continued commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Southern African region and commended the efforts by the SANDF troops to contribute towards restoring peace, security and stability in the DRC,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

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City of Cape Town urges caution amid heavy rainfall

Source: South Africa News Agency

Thursday, June 26, 2025

The City of Cape Town has called on motorists to exercise extreme caution and avoid driving through flooded areas and low-water crossings, as heavy rainfall continues to affect multiple parts of the city.

The warning comes amid ongoing downpours that have led to the temporary flooding of low-lying areas.

City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said the sheer volume of ongoing rainfall has caused vleis, rivers and canals to reach capacity.

“This causes water to back up in the stormwater system and onto our roads which then act as water conduits. Low-lying areas, [including] areas below steep mountainous terrain and areas near canals and other water bodies, will experience localised flooding, whilst rainfall remains heavy,” Quintas said.

Quintas warned that roads may be closed at short notice in the interest of public safety and security. He said downpours are expected to continue throughout the day and assessments on the ground are ongoing, as reports come in.

“Most residents would have noticed that flooding of roads usually subsides within less than an hour after the rain has stopped and our stormwater infrastructure has had the opportunity to deal with the large volumes of water that entered the system,” the MMC said.

The City’s Transport Information Centre (TIC) is currently handling a high volume of calls, with residents reporting flooded roads and mudslides due to adverse weather conditions.

The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate continues to monitor the situation and will carry out further assessments once the rainfall subsides.

Residents and road users are urged to report persistent flooding, especially where water remains on roadways with no signs of drainage, by contacting the city on 0800656463, email transport.info@capetown.gov.za, or SMS 31373 (no more than 160 characters). – SAnews.gov.za
 

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G20 Sherpa meeting highlights global development challenges

Source: South Africa News Agency

South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency convened its third Sherpa meeting this week, focusing on critical global challenges, including sustainable development and geopolitical tensions.

Speaking to the media, South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, stressed the urgency of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the G20 represents 85% of global GDP and has a crucial role in advancing the 2030 agenda.

“We are now five years away from the date set for achieving the SDGs and this is worrisome,” the diplomat stated. 

He said the 20 largest economies in the world, which come from various regions, have a significant role in fostering the development agenda. “The G20 has a responsibility to push hard during these remaining years.”

He told journalists that Wednesday’s Sherpa meeting of the G20 at the Sun City Resort addressed complex geopolitical issues, with participants discussing conflicts ranging from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Gaza and Ukraine. 

However, the approach focused on principles of achieving “just peace” rather than diving into specific conflict details.

Joyini said South Africa outlined four key priorities for its Presidency, which include disaster resilience, debt sustainability, critical minerals, and the Just Energy Transition (JET). 

The Ambassador, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of transforming Africa’s mineral extraction model. “We do not want raw materials to be just taken from Africa. We want African countries to have space for beneficiation and manufacturing.”

The meeting also noted the absence of the United States, with officials expressing openness to continued engagement and emphasising the continuity of the G20 agenda.

Joyini believed that the gathering signalled South Africa’s commitment to advancing Global South priorities and building on the legacies of previous presidencies from Indonesia, India, and Brazil. 

Meanwhile, Joyini explained the continuity of priorities, such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty from Brazil. “Our task force on food security that we are creating is focusing on the regional level and at the global level.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Climate change takes centre stage at G20 Sherpa meeting 

Source: South Africa News Agency

South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency is placing climate resilience and the Just Energy Transition (JET) at the heart of its global agenda, highlighting the escalating environmental challenges facing developing nations.

In an interview with the media, South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, empha
sised the critical importance of disaster resilience, using recent national experiences as a stark illustration of global climate vulnerabilities. 

“If you look at the flooding that happened in the Eastern Cape a few weeks ago, it exactly shows the relevance of the G20 discussions to our national situation. You can extrapolate it into a country, in the African continent, or the developing south, you do realise that there is no ready capacity or enough resources to deal with disaster resilience,“ he said. 

“I mean, if you look at KwaZulu-Natal, for example, it’s almost like we are expecting a natural disaster, climate-related, weather-related disaster to come.” 

According to recent reports, the death toll in the Mthatha, Eastern Cape floods, now stands at 101, as rescue operations are continuing. 

While specific commitments were not detailed, he said the talks signalled a growing recognition that climate action requires a fundamental reimagining of global economic and environmental policies.

The G20 Sherpa meeting, which kicked off yesterday, underscored a fundamental shift in approach, recognising that climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality, particularly for developing countries. 

The third Sherpa meeting of the G20 kicked off on Wednesday at the Sun City Resort, focusing on global collaboration, sustainable development, and addressing new international challenges.

Joyini told journalists that South Africa’s Presidency is pushing for a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond traditional environmental discussions, integrating climate action with economic development.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador stated that critical minerals have emerged as a key focal point, with the delegation advocating for a transformative approach to resource extraction. 

“We want to stop the old model of exporting raw materials,” he said. 

“Our goal is to ensure African countries can benefit from the minerals crucial to green energy transitions, particularly for electric vehicles and renewable technologies.”

The attendees also highlighted the JET as a priority, reflecting a nuanced approach that balances environmental protection with economic development.

This strategy, he said, aims to create sustainable pathways for countries in the Global South to address climate challenges while maintaining economic growth.

The meeting also addressed the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations, with discussions focusing on how the G20 – representing 85% of global gross domestic product (GDP) – can provide meaningful support to the most vulnerable regions. – SAnews.gov.za

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Motorists called to exercise caution amid adverse weather conditions

Source: South Africa News Agency

Thursday, June 26, 2025

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged motorists to take extra caution due to the adverse weather conditions in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and the Northern Cape.

Earlier this week, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warned a cold front would make landfall on Wednesday.

“Wet and slippery roads may result in dangerous driving conditions. Motorists should exercise caution and adhere to safety measures. Heavy rainfall with a risk of localised flooding over the western parts of the Western Cape [is expected], especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas on Wednesday into Thursday (25 – 26 June 2025).

“Cold to very cold conditions can be expected, along with possible snowfall over the western mountain ranges of the Western Cape, spreading into the south-western interior of the Northern Cape,” SAWS said earlier this week.

Motorists have been advised to follow these road safety precautions when driving in wet and icy conditions: 

  • Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
  • Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
  • Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
  • Keep your lights and windshield clean.
  • Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
  • Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
  • Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently travelled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
  • Don’t pass snow ploughs and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
  • Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads. – SAnews.gov.za

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GCIS hosts activation against drugs, illicit trafficking

Source: South Africa News Agency

Thursday, June 26, 2025

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in partnership with the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, will host a community activation on Thursday in the North West province to raise awareness on drugs and illicit trafficking.

This activation is part of Youth Month activities and held under the sub-theme: “Promoting Physical and Mental Health by Reducing Risky Behaviours”. 

The event coincides with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is observed annually on 26 June to strengthen global action and cooperation towards a world free from drug abuse. 

The activation will showcase services provided by the JCPS cluster. Key focus areas will include providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all; offering alternatives to punishment; prioritising prevention and leading with compassion. 

“The world drug problem and response continue to present challenges to the health, safety, and well-being of people in South Africa. A drastic change in approach to drug policy recognises that the punitive approach has not been successful in tackling drug-related problems. 

“Instead, emphasis should be placed on evidence-based public health and social justice principles that focus on individuals, families, communities, society as a whole, and must underscore social protection and health care instead of conviction and punishment,” this is according to the National Drug Masterplan of 2019 to 2024. – SAnews.gov.za

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New Development Bank appoints Tshepiso Moahloli as regional DG

Source: South Africa News Agency

The New Development Bank (NDB) has appointed Tshepiso Moahloli as the new Africa Regional Centre (ARC) Director-General, following an international competitive recruitment process. 

Moahloli’s appointment took effect on 20 June 2025. 

Moahloli’s role will entail managing the Bank’s African regional operations and leading the African continent, with a focus on project origination, preparation, and implementation supervision. She will also serve as a primary interface between the NDB and key project stakeholders in the region.

The NDB is celebrating 10 years of operations this year. Since its inception in 2015, the Bank has approved 15 infrastructure projects in South Africa, valued at a total of US$7.3 billion. 

These projects focus on addressing crucial infrastructure needs in sectors sincluding water, energy, transport and logistics networks.

“Moahloli is a former National Treasury Deputy Director-General (DDG) for Asset and Liability Management and has amassed more than a decade of experience in the National Treasury providing operational and strategic leadership in Debt Management, Risk Management and Stakeholder Relations.

“Prior to this appointment, Moahloli provided consulting services on various projects related to public debt, climate financing and broad infrastructure development. Moahloli provided strategic expertise at the newly formed Oman Debt Management Office,” National Treasury said.

In partnership with the World Bank, she has also provided consulting support for the NDB in mapping out requisite reforms in infrastructure delivery for the National Treasury.

Moahloli holds a Master of Business Administration in Executive Management from the University of Cape Town, and a Master of Commerce Economic Science (with Distinction) from the University of the Witwatersrand.

National Treasury Director-General, Dr Duncan Pieterse, who is also South Africa’s representative on the NDB Board of Directors, wishes Moahloli well in her new role as she leads the expansion of the NDB Project Portfolio in South Africa and the broader African region for greater development impact. –SAnews.gov.za