Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) will probe allegations of maladministration and improper conduct in the affairs of the South African Tourism Board, in relation to the procurement of media buying services at the entity.

This after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the probe into irregular media buying linked to three specific invoices and purchase orders and payments made for services that were not rendered.

“The investigation will focus on contracts where media buying services were paid for but either not delivered or not fully executed as stipulated in the agreements.

“The investigation will determine whether the media buying contracts and related payments were conducted in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective,” the SIU said in a statement.

The corruption busting unit will also investigate “potential violations of applicable legislation, including instructions or guidelines issued by the National Treasury”.

Further assessments will be made on whether the procurement adhered to internal manuals, policies, and procedures.

“The unit is mandated to investigate any related unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the Board or the State, with specific attention to payments made for media buying services that were not delivered.

“The scope of the investigation includes any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees of SA Tourism, the applicable suppliers or service providers, and any other person or entity involved in the alleged scheme involving media buying and services not rendered,” the unit said.

The proclamation covers the period between 1 March 2020 and 21 November 2025. 

“It also empowers the SIU to investigate any conduct before or after this period that is relevant or connected to the matters under investigation, including contracts where services were paid for but not delivered.

“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action. 

“The SIU is also authorised to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation and to recover financial losses suffered by the State, including funds paid for services not rendered,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Gauteng Provincial Government has embarked on a campaign to rehabilitate key mobility corridors, improve road safety and enhance service delivery capacity across all municipalities.

“We are on a campaign to fix Gauteng’s roads and restore service delivery at the pace and scale our communities expect,” Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, said on Monday.

She made these remarks during the launch of a major road maintenance activation in Mogale City.

“Magalies Road is one of the priority corridors in Mogale City, and the work we are doing here is part of a broader commitment to improving mobility and road safety across the province,” she said.

The strategic route carries high traffic volumes and plays a central role in connecting communities, supporting businesses, enabling tourism activity, and facilitating freight movement in the West Rand.

The Mogale City works will include resurfacing and patching, the rehabilitation of sinkholes, restoration of streetlights and traffic signals, and stabilisation of slope failures caused by excessive rains.

“Our increased maintenance capacity means we can now meet our road repair targets not only in Mogale City, but in every municipality across Gauteng,” the MEC said.

The provincial Department of Roads and Transport has significantly increased its road maintenance capability, enabling teams to respond more effectively to road surface failures, storm damage, electrical faults and other critical infrastructure needs.

“We are bringing roads to an improved level of service so that motorists, public transport operators, and businesses can travel safely. Well maintained roads save lives. By repairing potholes, fixing signals, and restoring lighting, we are reducing crashes and creating safer conditions for all road users,” she said.

The MEC emphasised that road maintenance is also central to the province’s road safety agenda.

The department will continue rolling out maintenance activations across Gauteng in the coming weeks, as part of its ongoing infrastructure improvement programme. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has urged religious leaders to promote peace and stability and to assist in creating safe spaces for women and children, free from fear and violence. 

The call comes as the country continues to confront the issue of gender-based violence (GBV).

“Together, as leaders in diversity, we have a collective responsibility to build a society rooted in constitutional values, where every human being enjoys dignity, equality, and freedom,” he said on Monday.

Hlabisa spoke at the second Faith-Governance Conference hosted by the South African Community of Faith-based Fraternals and Federations (SACOFF) in partnership with the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) on Monday at the Irene Country Lodge in Pretoria.

He informed the delegates that femicide rates in South Africa are five times higher than the global average, and that one in three women has experienced physical violence in her lifetime.

“These numbers are not statistics; they represent shattered families and broken communities. This is why President Cyril Ramaphosa recently classified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster, calling for urgent and coordinated action.” 

On Thursday, 20 November 2025, President Ramaphosa declared GBVF a national crisis during the closing ceremony of the Group of 20 (G20) Social Summit at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni.

He also called on leaders to promote tolerance and respect for diversity in race, gender, religion, culture, and language while mobilising communities to eradicate crime, corruption, and GBV.

“Faith-based organisations are already making a difference. SACOFF, for example, represents over 20 900 faith-based organisations nationwide that work on food security, early childhood development, GBV prevention, and disaster relief. These partnerships demonstrate the power of faith communities to deliver social impact at scale.” 

Hlabisa described Monday’s gathering as more than a meeting; it is a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to shape a society that embodies the highest ideals of justice, peace, and human dignity.

The interfaith initiative aims to strengthen the relationship between faith and state to build a united South Africa and a better Africa for all.

“We are here because we recognise that faith communities are not passive observers; they are active partners in transforming society.”

Hlabisa also praised religious formations for historically playing a critical role in the struggle against colonialism, apartheid, and poverty.

“Today, they remain central to efforts to eradicate unemployment, inequality, and social injustice. Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples must continue to serve as pillars of society, providing education, feeding the poor, and speaking out against corruption, GBV, and substance abuse.” – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, has arrived in Angola to attend the 7th African Union-European Union Summit.

The summit kicks off today and will close on Tuesday.

“The 7th AU-EU Summit takes place at a time of unprecedented threats to global peace and security, ongoing conflicts in some regions of the world.

“Other global challenges include an inclination to unilateralism on the part of certain states,” the Presidency said in a statement.

The statement noted that the summit comes on the heels of the success, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, of the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, at the weekend. 

“The African Union and the European Union contributed significantly to the consensus achieved during South Africa’s year-long G20 Presidency on the key issues facing the global economy and human society.

“South Africa, as a Member State of the AU, will prioritise support from the EU region for the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of the AU Agenda 2063,” the statement read.

The two continental blocs will aim to strengthen political and economic ties during the summit.

The two plenary thematic sessions that will underpin the summit are:

• Thematic Session I: Peace, Security and Governance and Multilateralism
• Thematic Session II: Prosperity, People – Migration and Mobility

“The African Union will be led by host President João Lourenço as Chairperson of the AU, and His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission.

“Europe will be represented by the President of the European Council, António Costa, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the Leaders of Denmark, France, Hungary, Croatia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Portugal, Ireland and Germany,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

A multipronged approach to curb fraud and corruption and create clean, accountable governance is central to winning the fight against unethical practices.

This was the key message at the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Seminar held recently at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

The seminar forms part of the municipality’s ongoing efforts to strengthen prevention strategies, and close loopholes exploited by unethical individuals.

EThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, said corruption remains the biggest challenge facing local government, depriving communities of essential resources and undermining service delivery.

He commended the City Integrity and Investigations Directorate for its efforts to strengthen internal controls and promote ethical conduct.

“Civil claims must be implemented to recover money equivalent to the crime committed. We must strengthen collaboration between government, civil society, law enforcement agencies, and professional bodies,” Xaba said.

Xaba also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital monitoring tools in detecting irregularities early and enhancing transparency.

Community engagement, he added, is essential to educate residents on the damaging impact of fraud and corruption.

During the seminar, fraud statistics for the 2024/2025 financial year were presented, and these include:
•    Seventeen criminal cases registered with law enforcement, with 11 currently before the courts;
•    Nine entities blacklisted and barred from doing business with the municipality;
•    Fifteen cases recommended for recovery, amounting to R35 million;
•    Eighty-one cases where consequence management was implemented; and
•    Diesel theft and other resource-related crimes remain prevalent.

Advocate Bulelwa Vimbani-Shuma from the National Prosecuting Authority’s Specialised Commercial Crime Unit stressed the importance of strong systems to protect whistleblowers.

“Ongoing community education is crucial to create understanding of the effects of fraud and corruption, as it impedes service delivery,” she said.

Jimmy Ngcobo, Director of the City Integrity and Investigations Directorate, reaffirmed the city’s zero-tolerance approach.

“We meet monthly to track prosecution progress. We cannot allow criminals to tarnish the image of the Municipality,” said Ngcobo.

Residents are urged to report any form of fraud or corruption within the Municipality to 0800 202 020, 031 311 4002, or email ombuds@durban.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Durban’s innovators were among the top achievers at the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) held in Accra, Ghana, from 21–23 November 2025.

The festival is recognised as Africa’s largest platform for enterprise and innovation.

Hosted during Global Entrepreneurship Week, this year’s event brought together thought leaders, investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs from various sectors across the world, under the theme: “AI-Powered Entrepreneur: Creating a Sustainable Planet.”

This year’s edition attracted over 10 000 participants from more than 70 countries and reached millions through digital platforms.

Over 100 exhibitors showcased their innovations, including 10 small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) from Durban, whose participation was supported by eThekwini Municipality and Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal.

The support resulted in increased visibility for Durban’s entrepreneurs, new market access, and strong business leads.

For many of the exhibitors, GEF 2025 was a breakthrough moment.

Nolwazi Thusi, founder of Green Everything Recycling, which transforms recyclables into functional furniture and art, secured international sales during the festival.

She described the event as “a valuable platform to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs committed to impactful change.”

Fashion entrepreneur Lusanda Linqe, founder of Mangala Kreationz, highlighted the value of networking and knowledge exchange sessions.

“My highlight was the successful sales and new supplier relationships, including access to distinctive Ghanaian fabrics that will further strengthen my brand,” Linqe said.

Leading the Durban delegation, eThekwini City Manager Musa Mbhele welcomed the positive feedback and achievements of participating SMMEs.

He commended the entrepreneurs for leveraging the global platform effectively and “demonstrating the impact of exposure, collaboration and international engagement.”

Mbhele also delivered a keynote address outlining the city’s innovation and business development initiatives, reaffirming that creating global opportunities for local entrepreneurs remains a key priority.

He commended GEF for its professionalism, scale and alignment with Africa’s development goals, and expressed Durban’s interest in hosting a future edition of the festival, to enhance African linkages and advance the continent’s collective economic growth.

He further emphasised the need for strengthened African collaboration to support and grow the SMME sector.

“The diaspora plays a critical role in opening new markets, expanding resources and building networks that drive inclusion and economic resilience,” Mbhele said.

“The diaspora plays a critical role in opening new markets, expanding resources and building networks that drive inclusion and economic resilience,” Mbhele said.

Its strong focus on artificial intelligence highlighted the technological shifts reshaping entrepreneurship across the continent.

The programme featured exhibitions, empowerment workshops, keynote presentations, robotics demonstrations, a trade expo, the Global Leadership Forum and creative showcases, including a fashion runway featuring local designers.

As the Durban delegation returns home, they do so armed with new partnerships, market leads and renewed inspiration, reinforcing their readiness to grow within an increasingly interconnected global economy. – SAnews.gov.za