Category: South Africa Government

As the fire in Wemmershoek, Franschhoek continues to burn out of control, the Cape Winelands District Municipality said a reconnaissance flight will be conducted to assess the full extent of the fire.

“During the night, the fire spread rapidly down the mountain across a large area, threatening surrounding farms along the Wemmershoek Road (R301). Firefighting efforts, including aerial resources, focused primarily on structure protection. The fire later shifted back toward the R45, where recognised firefighting techniques, including backburns, were implemented,” the municipality said on Sunday.

This as the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) Fire Services in the Western Cape reported a challenging night as the fire continues to burn.

The fire was reported on Wednesday and originated in the Langrug area.

The fire has claimed one structure and damaged another. No injuries have been reported.

“A reconnaissance flight will be conducted this morning to assess the full extent of the fire following last night’s activity. This assessment will inform the operational plan for the day as active firefighting and mitigation efforts continue.”

Meanwhile, the municipality has thanked its partners, farmers, landowners, and volunteers for their support.

“However, all firefighting operations are being conducted under a formal Incident Command System (ICS). For safety and coordination reasons, members of the public are requested not to organise or participate in independent or ad-hoc firefighting groups,” said the municipality.

Meanwhile, firefighters remain on high alert for any signs of smoke or flames in the Overstrand area following fires in Pearly Beach and Stanford in the Western Cape.

READ | Progress made in containing Overstrand fires

In an update on Sunday morning, Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill, said that good progress has been made along the border of Groeneweide and Panorama.

“On Day 8, the Pearly Beach Fire Crew made good progress overnight along the border of Groeneweide and Panorama. The left flank’s active fire line has been contained, and mop-up operations will now continue,” he said in a statement. –SAnews.gov.za

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Firefighters remain on high alert for any signs of smoke or flames in the Overstrand area following fires in Pearly Beach and Standford in the Western Cape.

In an update on Sunday morning, Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill, said that good progress has been made along the border of Groeneweide and Panorama.

“On Day 8, the Pearly Beach Fire Crew made good progress overnight along the border of Groeneweide and Panorama. The left flank’s active fire line has been contained, and mop-up operations will now continue,” he said in a statement.

The municipality added that the right flank is expected to burn out against the old burn scar from the recent De Kelders fire.

“The fuel load remains high in dense alien vegetation, which is conducive to flare-ups under strong wind conditions. Firefighters and landowners will remain on high alert for any signs of smoke or flames.”
On the seaside of Pearly Beach, the fire crew will closely monitor and continue with mop-up operations.
“There are no active fire lines at this stage, and there is no threat to houses,” he said.

However, day five of the Stanford fire remains challenging, with renewed efforts focusing on the inaccessible old vegetation (aliens and fynbos) where active fire lines are still persisting.

O’Neill added that all roads are open, including the R43 Stanford, Gansbaai, and Pearly Beach, which were affected by the Pearly Beach and Stanford fires.

“However, roads may close at short notice if conditions change,” he said.

In the update given on Saturday night, the municipality said that it had received numerous donations, particularly essential goods to support the firefighters who risk their lives every day to bring these fires under control.

It thanked businesses, organisations, and individuals who stepped in to assist.
It added that in the Stanford fire, firefighting crews successfully contained the fire line from the Die Kop informal settlement to the R43, preventing the fire from crossing the road.

“The fire threatened Eskom power lines; however, crews successfully extinguished the immediate threat. The fire was then guided into an old burn scar near Es La Vida Farm, where it was allowed to burn itself out,” it said at the time.

In an alert on Saturday morning, the municipality said “evacuations are currently underway for Eluxolweni,” with the Eluxolweni Community Hall open for evacuees due to the Pearly Beach fire.

At the time, the municipality said residents in Panorama, Groeneweide, and Standskloof should remain on high alert and that evacuation may become necessary if conditions worsen. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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As industries gradually resume operations following the festive break, Eskom says its power system remains stable and ready to meet the projected rise in electricity demand amid the heightened economic activity in the coming weeks.

“Eskom’s power system remains stable and ready to meet the projected rise in electricity demand amid the heightened economic activity in the coming weeks as industries gradually resume operations. The resilience of the power system reflects the major improvements in Eskom’s generation fleet and the success of its Generation Recovery Plan, driving stronger operations and securing the country’s energy future,” the power utility said in a statement.

Additionally, the utility continues to see gains in the Energy Availability Factor (EAF), with the year-to-date EAF further increasing to 64.55%. Its fleet has achieved or exceeded the 70% EAF mark on 55 occasions.

“These figures underscore both recovery and sustained improvement in EAF performance, reinforcing energy security and grid stability. This performance confirms sustained recovery and reinforces confidence in the stability and security of the national electricity supply,” Eskom said.

It added that the improvements are driven primarily by the reduction in unplanned outages, reflecting the effectiveness of the Generation Recovery Plan and the benefits of disciplined maintenance execution.

Between 02 and 08 January 2026, average unplanned outages decreased to 7 705MW from last year’s level of 13 876MW, representing an improvement of 6 171MW.

Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) further reduced to 16.02%, a significant improvement of 12.80% compared to 28.82% recorded during the same period last year.

During the same timeframe, the average Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF), also referred to as planned maintenance, was at 9.32%, compared with 14.72% in the previous financial year. 
The reduced level follows Eskom’s intensive maintenance programme implemented in the last financial year, exceeding historical norms over the past three years, to restore fleet reliability.

“Planned maintenance remains aligned with Eskom’s maintenance schedule and supports ongoing efforts to enhance plant reliability, improve operational stability, and strengthen long term fleet performance,” the utility said.

The ongoing improvement in EAF has reduced Eskom’s reliance on expensive diesel generation, enabling a stronger focus on more cost effective primary energy sources.

“In addition, 7 305MW is currently in cold reserve due to excess capacity and lower demand during the holiday season,” said Eskom, adding that for a third consecutive week, no diesel was used, resulting in zero expenditure over the past three weeks.

The utility’s diesel spending is now R2.959 billion lower than at the same time last year.
Year-to-date, diesel expenditure remains consistently below budget.

It added that the country has had over 200 days of no load shedding.
“South Africa has now experienced 238 consecutive days without an interrupted supply, with only 26 hours of loadshedding recorded in April and May 2025 during this financial year,” it said on Friday.

Meanwhile, the power utility added that although the power system remains stable and generation capacity continues to exceed demand, persistent adverse weather, together with fires in the Coega, Humansdorp, and Sarah Baartman areas in the Eastern Cape, has resulted in an increase in faults across Eskom’s distribution network.

“Eskom teams continue to diligently restore power safely and efficiently in affected areas, while prioritising the safety of both its staff and the public throughout the restoration process,” it said.

In addition, illegal connections and meter tampering continue to damage infrastructure and pose serious safety risks.

“As a temporary measure, Eskom is maintaining load reduction in high risk areas to protect communities and the network.”

Eskom called on communities to report illegal connections, use electricity responsibly, and protect infrastructure. Any illegal activity affecting Eskom’s infrastructure can be reported to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has once again condemned the unilateral military strikes carried out by the United States against Venezuela, reaffirming the country’s commitment to multilateralism.

He also denounced the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, who are facing trial in the United States. 

This follows an incident in which United States special forces took Maduro and his wife to the United States early on Saturday morning.

In his first court appearance in New York on Monday, Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges. 

Lamola believes that the recent actions by the United States reflect the warnings made by former President Nelson Mandela regarding the dangerous times affecting the world.

Writing as a President in waiting about South Africa’s future foreign policy, former Statesman Mandela argued: “Because the world is a more dangerous place, the international community dare not relinquish its commitment to human rights.”

Lamola emphasised that South Africa’s foreign policy should prioritise justice and international law, as President Mandela highlighted, cautioning that current challenges could undermine the UN Charter and multilateralism.

“As the machinations of powerful States threaten to return us to an era when international relations were defined by trusteeship, mandates and spheres of influence, the need to stay true to our values and principles couldn’t be more pressing.

“Chief among the principles we have sworn to uphold is the sovereign equality of all nations. When we placed our signatures upon the UN Charter, we made a solemn covenant. 

“We agreed to replace the sword with the statute, the battlefield with the negotiating table. We pledged to refrain from force, understanding that to violate the territorial integrity of one is to violate the peace and stability of all,” he said on Friday.  

The Minister was speaking in the North West, where the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, in collaboration with the Rustenburg Local Municipality, hosted a public participation event at the Civic Centre in Rustenburg.

“In this challenging environment, South Africa must continue to advocate for a rules-based international order grounded in international law… The rule of law remains fundamental to global stability, legitimacy and governance.

“It is for this reason that we reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism, with the UN at its centre.” 

Lamola believes that this period of significant geopolitical tension will determine whether the UN fulfils its commitments or if the world reverts to the era of the League of Nations.

“An age of wars, fragmentation and racial hierarchy. We hope that stability and peace prevail. If multilateralism is to survive the current geopolitical headwinds, reform is no longer an option.”

He once looked to Madiba’s words, who said: “The United Nations (UN) should not be dominated by a single power or a group of powers, or else its legitimacy will continuously be called into question.”

Lamola described the foreign policy as one of the tools used to create the conditions for inclusive growth, decent work and a dignified life.

“Far too often, our critics argue that South Africa is too concerned with the rest of the world while our country faces pressing challenges of its own. They argue that all politics is domestic and foreign policy is a distraction from bread-and-butter issues at home. This is a false choice.”

In the face of the raw exercise of power, Lamola said President Mandela’s teachings remain incisive. 

“Principle is not a costume you wear when convenient and tear apart when it feels too heavy.

“To ask us to abandon Ubuntu, justice, and the quest for human dignity for the sake of appeasing those who resort to raw power and falsehoods to enforce their will is to ask us to shed our identity.

“South Africa is the 20th century’s biggest beneficiary of international solidarity. What explanation will we offer to posterity if we discard our values and identity at the altar of expedience?” – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Some 40 National Senior Certificate (NSC) 2025 candidates, who were implicated in a breach of exam papers, will have to wait to hear their exam results as the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the National Investigative Task Team (NITT) investigating the breach continue their processes.

This according to DBE Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who briefed the media on Friday afternoon.

Last month, the Minister announced that NSC exam markers in Gauteng detected an unusual similarity in answers provided by a candidate with the answers provided in the marking guidelines for the English Paper 2 examination.

“On the NITT’s recommendation, results for the implicated 40 candidates will be withheld temporarily while the official irregularity processes are completed. 

“As part of these processes, each of the 40 candidates will be subjected to an independent hearing. Where a candidate is found guilty by the independent presiding officer, this finding, together with recommendations, will go to the Provincial Examination Irregularity Committee and thereafter the National Examination Irregularity Committee. [Further education and training quality assurer] Umalusi will be the final arbiter,” Gwarube announced.

Candidates, who are found guilty may have their results in the relevant subjects “nullified and may be further sanctioned”, which can include a ban from writing the NSC examinations for up to three examination sessions.

The DBE has already instituted precautionary suspensions against officials suspected to be involved in the breach – including an official whose child was writing the exams.

“In addition, the Department is implementing the NITT’s recommendations to institute investigations and disciplinary proceedings against implicated officials; to continue the forensic investigation into unlawful access to and distribution of examination materials; and to support criminal proceedings where the evidence warrants it.

“Those who compromise the NSC do not only break rules, they also attempt to steal opportunities from honest learners. We will pursue accountability through every appropriate disciplinary and criminal process, in line with due process once the necessary investigations are concluded,” the Minister vowed.

Examining the breach

Gwarube explained that the breach started at department’s secure exam paper system environment – where question papers are set, handled and stored.

The seven papers leaked are:

• English Home Language: Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3;
• Mathematics: Paper 1 and Paper 2; and
• Physical Sciences: Paper 1 and Paper 2.

“The NITT further indicated that, on the evidence available to date, a DBE official whose child was an NSC 2025 candidate is alleged to have been involved in this breach, with the learner subsequently forming part of the distribution chain. The NITT also noted that a possible second suspected official remains subject to corroboration through the ongoing forensic and investigative work.

“Based on evidence available to date, the NITT reported that the breach was contained to 40 candidates in the Tshwane area and therefore localised. This reflects a very small portion in comparison to the over 900 000 candidates who wrote the NSC exams in 2025,” she added.

The minister moved to assure that the integrity of the NSC 2025 examinations remains intact, particularly in light of Umalusi’s approval of the exams earlier on Friday.

“Umalusi’s certification today is a clear assurance  to every candidate, every guardian and every parent that the NSC 2025 remains credible.

“This breach was detected through the strength of our marking and quality assurance systems. Markers are our first line of defence. The fact that anomalies were identified, escalated through established protocols demonstrate that the NSC system is designed to detect irregularities and act decisively to protect honest learners.

“We will not compromise the future of honest learners because of the actions of a few. We will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring accountability and safeguarding the credibility of the NSC,” Gwarube said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Umalusi has reassured the public that the integrity of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results is intact, despite a confirmed leak affecting 40 learners across three subjects.

Umalusi [Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training in South Africa] CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, said following extensive quality assurance processes and an independent investigation, the quality council can assure South Africans that they can trust that the results reflect learners’ genuine performance.

“We want to assure the public that the breach was localised and therefore cannot dent the overall credibility of the 2025 NSC results,” Rakometsi said on Friday. 

Rakometsi addressed the media regarding the exams conducted by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI), and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

The CEO outlined the comprehensive quality assurance framework applied to all examinations it oversees. 

This involves moderating question papers and school assessments, auditing examination readiness, monitoring writing at selected centres, participating in marking discussions, verifying marking quality in certain subjects, and standardising marks across over 300 subjects.

Rakometsi said the Assessment Standards Committee (ASC) of Umalusi standardised the 2025 external examination results between 18 December 2025 and 5 January 2026.

“The 15-member committee spent considerable time carefully analysing numerical data and narrative reports to arrive at standardisation decisions by way of consensus for each one of the over 300 subjects presented,” the CEO explained.

In addition, observers from 11 national and international organisations also scrutinised the process. 

Their message, Umalusi reported, was that while systems differ, “the quality assurance processes converge around the need to ensure the highest credibility and integrity of the certificates issued.”

Exam leaks 

On 11 December 2025, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, informed the nation of a breach involving mathematics Papers 1 and 2, physical sciences Papers 1 and 2, and English home language Papers 1 to 3. 

A National Investigation Task Team (NITT) of nine members, with Umalusi as observer, was appointed to investigate. 

The NITT’s report was presented to Umalusi’s Executive Committee on 6 January 2026.

“The overall conclusion of the investigation is that the leak was limited to the three subjects or seven papers… and that the leak was contained to around 40 candidates in seven examination centres in the Pretoria area,” Rakometsi said.

“While the number of implicated learners currently stands at around 40, there will be consequences for anyone who is not included in the number now, should they be discovered later.”

The CEO commended the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for its quick action but expressed concern over ongoing irregularities like group copying, highlighting that some provinces frequently appear in reports of these issues.

He called on provincial departments and private assessment bodies “to tighten their systems to protect the overall credibility of the examinations”.

Umalusi reminded learners that the law empowers it to cancel certificates if irregularities are discovered later. 

“If you cheated in this examination and you are found out later, you will have to return the certificate, failing which you will be imprisoned,” said Rakometsi.

The council condemned practices like gatekeeping, which prevent learners from writing certain subjects so that schools can improve pass rates. He praised interventions by the DBE to curtail this.

Social ills

Umalusi expressed regret that some candidates fell victim to social ills, such as rape and robbery, during the examination period. 

It urged community members and relevant authorities to support all victims in whatever way possible.

Umalusi chairperson, Professor Yunus Ballim, has approved the release of the 2025 end-of-year exam results, stating there were “no systemic irregularities” affecting exam integrity. 

Over one million candidates sat for exams in more than 300 subjects at approximately 9 400 centres, with the NSC accounting for 90.3% of those, or around 927 000 candidates.

Ballim noted a high acceptance of raw marks, indicating a stable system.

“When we accept a larger proportion of raw results, that points to a system that is settled, doing reasonably well.”

In a heartfelt message to the Class of 2025, the Professor acknowledged all participants in a “large and complex” system that meticulously processes over a million scripts, ensuring the integrity of the process is maintained.

He also took the time to encourage those who failed and pleaded with them not to give up. 

“Work harder, and you will do better in this year’s examinations.” – SAnews.gov.za

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In a move to improve water security for the residents of the Rustenburg Local Municipality in the North West and Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, has handed over upgraded water infrastructure for communities.

“The commissioning included the upgraded Vaalkop Water Treatment Works Raw Water Pumpstation and the associated Bulk Water Pipeline, both of which are designed to respond to growing water demand and ensure long-term water security in the two provinces,” said the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in a statement on Friday.

Minister Majodina and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo was joined by the Members of the Executive Council responsible for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) in the North West, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi, among others, in handing over the Vaalkop Water Treatment Works Raw Water Pumpstation upgrade in Rustenburg earlier this week.

The upgrade which was implemented by Magalies Water from February 2023 and completed in November 2025, will ensure sustainable water supply for Moses Kotane and Rustenburg Local Municipalities in the North West, as well as the Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo.

The pumpstation directly abstracts water from Vaalkop Dam and has been upgraded from a capacity of 240 megalitres per day (ML/day) to 360 ML/day. It has been equipped with ten pump sets designed to efficiently supply raw water to the water treatment works, strengthening operational reliability, improving water management and reducing water losses.

Majodina also commissioned the upgraded Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which was initiated in response to increasing water demand from the rural communities of Bethanie, Modikoe and Berseba, within the Rustenburg Local Municipality.

Implemented by Magalies Water, in partnership with Glencore Rhovan PSV Mine, the project involved the construction and installation of a 23.4-kilometre bulk potable water pipeline, comprising 560mm and 400mm diameter pipes with associated valves. The pipeline runs from the Kortbegrip Reservoir to the Bethanie and Modikoe Reservoirs.

The new pipeline replaces the ageing asbestos fibre-cement pipeline that had reached the end of its operational life and was prone to frequent bursts. 

The upgraded infrastructure increases bulk water supply capacity to meet the current demand of 7.05 ML/day and future demand projected at 12.60 ML/day.

“Importantly, the project will also enable additional water volumes to supply Makolokwe Village, where access to water remains critically low. Currently, the village relies on boreholes that are insufficient to meet the growing needs of the community,” said the department.

The second phase of the project, the bulk pipeline between Bethanie and Makolokwe Village, is scheduled to commence in March 2026 and will include the construction of a booster pumpstation at the Bethanie Reservoir. 

Upon full completion, the project will provide a reliable water supply to a combined population of approximately 144 133 residents, including households, schools, clinics, businesses and community institutions.

Public-private partnership

Minister Majodina commended the public-private partnership between Rustenburg Local Municipality and Glencore Rhovan PSV Mine, noting its positive contribution to accelerating service delivery in Bethanie and Modikoe villages.

“Today’s handover represents progress, but more importantly, it represents partnership. When government, communities and stakeholders work together, we can overcome scarcity, defeat criminality and deliver sustainable services.

“The benefits of this investment are clear and far-reaching. For households, it means a more reliable water supply and greater resilience during peak demand periods. For local businesses, industries and emerging enterprises, it provides the certainty needed to operate efficiently, expand production and create jobs. For municipalities, it strengthens the backbone of service delivery and long-term development planning,“ she said.

Vandalism 

The Minister also called on communities to protect the newly commissioned infrastructure and keep it safe from vandalism and sabotage. She also condemned individuals and syndicates who deliberately damage water infrastructure to sustain illegal water trading activities.

“These projects must be protected, and I want to speak clearly and firmly today: water infrastructure is not a playground for criminals. The vandalism of pipelines, theft of equipment and manipulation of water systems by so-called water mafias is a direct attack on the dignity and well-being of our people. It deprives families of water, disrupts livelihoods and undermines development.

“This government will not tolerate water mafias. Those who vandalise, steal or illegally profit from water infrastructure are stealing from children, the elderly and the most vulnerable.”

She added that law enforcement agencies are working closely with the DWS, municipalities and water boards.

“We will pursue arrests, prosecutions and harsh consequences for anyone who undermines service delivery,” Majodina said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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