Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom has announced that Koeberg Unit 1 will return to service by the end of August, instead of the end of this month, due to additional steam generator maintenance.

The unit was initially pencilled in for a return by July.

“This revised timeline underscores Eskom’s commitment to conducting thorough inspections and maintaining the highest quality standards to ensure the ongoing safe and reliable performance of South Africa’s only nuclear power station.

“During scheduled detailed eddy current inspections – a non-destructive testing method used to detect cracks, corrosion or wear in the metal tubes of steam generators – defects were identified on four tubes, among several thousand tubes inspected, across two of the newly installed generators,” Eskom explained.

Upon discovery of the defects, the power utility, along with specialised international and local teams, “immediately carried out an advanced automated process to address the four tube defects”.

“These critical repairs have now been successfully completed to uphold the highest safety and quality standards.

“Importantly, the major maintenance activities, which included the legally required 10-year Integrated Leak Rate Test [ILRT], where the reactor building was pressurised over 72 hours and its leak rate and structural integrity were monitored – were successfully completed. The ILRT confirmed the robustness and leak-tightness of Unit 1’s containment structure, further reinforcing its safety, in line with international standards,” Eskom said.

Eskom Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, emphasised that the safety of employees, the public and the environment remains top priority at the power utility.

“Carrying out these additional inspections and repairs to world-class standards, we are investing in the long-term reliability of Koeberg and South Africa’s energy future.

“The planned maintenance underway on Unit 1 will help deliver decades of affordable, low-carbon baseload power, demonstrating how nuclear energy can support both economic growth and environmental sustainability. 

“Through our commitment to high-quality maintenance and the expertise of the Koeberg team demonstrating exceptional skills, we are ensuring nuclear power remains a vital part of the country’s energy mix,” Nxumalo said.

The power utility reassured that the delayed return to service will not increase the risk of load shedding.

Since mid-May, there has been no load shedding implemented, with the planned rolling power outages only reaching 26 hours between 1 April and 10 July 2025.

“The winter outlook released on 5 May 2025, which covers the period until 31 August 2025, remains valid. Importantly, the planned return of 2 500MW this winter does not rely on Unit 1.

“The outlook shows that load shedding will not be required if unplanned outages remain below 13 000MW. Even if outages rise to 15 000MW, load shedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days over the 153-day winter period, capped at Stage 2,” the power utility assured.

Once the work on Koeberg’s Unit 1 is completed, its “reactor core will be refuelled, tested and synchronised back to the national grid” – further boosting the power system.

“To protect supply, planned outages at Koeberg are carefully staggered every 16 to 18 months so that both units are never offline at the same time. Together, Koeberg Units 1 and 2 provide around 1 860MW – approximately 5% of the country’s electricity needs. 

“Unit 2 remains fully operational, generating up to 946MW, with a year-to-date Energy Availability Factor [EAF] of 99.38% as of the end of June 2025.

“The national power system remains stable, with a month-to-date EAF of 62%. As the winter season continues, Eskom encourages all customers to adopt energy-efficient practices,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a commercial farm in Moqhaka Local Municipality, within the Kroonstad State Veterinary in Free State.

The outbreak was identified following epidemiological investigations and confirmed positive laboratory results.

The department said the affected property was placed under quarantine on 8 July 2025, and immediate control measures were implemented, including surveillance and vaccination of livestock.

“Trace-back activities are ongoing to determine the source of the infection, while farms in the surrounding 10km radius are undergoing surveillance to determine the possible extent of the spread,” the department said in a statement on Monday.

Over 250 FMD cases reported in five provinces

As of July 2025, South Africa has recorded a total of 270 FMD outbreaks across five provinces. Of these, 249 outbreaks remain unresolved, while 21 have been declared resolved.

“KwaZulu-Natal has been the most affected province, with 191 reported outbreaks, of which 172 remain active and 19 have been resolved. Since May 2025, Gauteng has reported 32 outbreaks, North West has four open outbreaks, while Mpumalanga has reported three outbreaks,” the department said.

The Eastern Cape has recorded 40 outbreaks, with 38 still open and two resolved. No new cases have been reported in Eastern Cape since September 2024.

Correction on KZN Disease Management Area notice 

Meanwhile, the department has issued a correction in a Government Gazette notice (Gazette Notice 6396 of 4 July 2025), which repeal the previous notice (Gazette Notice 5997 of 17 March 2025). 

The department acknowledged that certain areas that still fall under the Disease Management Area (DMA) designation in KwaZulu-Natal were mistakenly omitted.

“We sincerely apologise for any confusion caused and request all stakeholders to take note of the following areas that are declared to be part of the KwaZulu-Natal DMA,” the department said.

The municipalities confirmed to remain within the DMA include the entire Big Five Hlabisa; Mtubatuba; Nongoma; Ulundi; Umhlabuyalingana; Jozini; Pongola; Abaqulusi; Umfolozi; uMhlathuze; Mthonjaneni; Nqutu; Nkandla; uMlalazi; and Mandeni.

Other areas include the portion of the Emadlangeni Local Municipality, south of R34 from R33; Newcastle Local Municipality, south of R34 up to and east of N11; Dannhauser Local Municipality east of N11 and north of R68; Endumeni Local Municipality, north of R68 and east of R33; Msinga Local Municipality, east of R33; UMvoti Local Municipality, east of the R33 up to R74 and north of R74; Maphumulo Local Municipality, north-east of the R74; Ndwedwe Local Municipality, east of the R74; as well as portion of the KwaDukuza Local Municipality, north-east of R74 up to the N2 and west to the N2 up to Mandeni Local Municipality. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, will lead a high-level South African delegation on a comprehensive visit focused on science, technology and innovation (STI) in Tunisia and Algeria.

According to the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), these visits began on Monday, 14 July, and will conclude on Thursday this week.

Nzimande is visiting the two nations following invitations from the Tunisian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mondher Belaid, and the Algerian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kamel Bidari.

“Through these visits, Minister Nzimande seeks to reinforce existing science, technology and innovation bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Tunisia and Algeria, as part of a broader commitment to grow the size and intensity of intra-Africa STI cooperation for development,” the DSTI said in a  statement. 

Nzimande’s programme will include bilateral engagements with his Algerian and Tunisian counterparts and visits to key science institutions.

In Tunisia, the Minister will visit the Borja Cedria Technopark, the Pasteur Institute of Tunis, the Bardo National Museum for arts and history, and the City of Science Museum.

In Algeria, he will visit the Centre for the Development of Advanced Technologies, the Saad Dahlab University and the Great Mosque of Algiers. 

One highlight of the Minister’s visit to Algeria will be a guest lecture organised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Cooperation, focusing on Pan-African cooperation.

Reflecting on the importance of these visits, Nzimande said: “Our visit to Algeria and Tunisia forms part of our long-standing international relations strategy to strengthen meaningful science, technology and innovation cooperation with fellow African countries, and to advance the objectives of the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA).”

The Minister believes that Pan-African STI cooperation and development are paramount, given the current unstable geopolitical environment and the imperatives of securing the continent’s sustainable future. 

“All our efforts are therefore aimed towards developing what we refer to as a sovereign science, technology, and innovation agenda for Africa,” the Minister said.

The two visits will conclude with the adoption of two new comprehensive Plans of Action, aimed at intensifying cooperation with Tunisia and Algeria, respectively.

“This will be an immediate and concrete implementation of the ambitions for South Africa’s science diplomacy, which Minister Nzimande had outlined in his Budget Vote speech last week,” the department said. 

The Minister’s delegation includes senior officials from the ministry, the department and its entities, such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), as well as experts from the Council for Mineral Technology (Mintek). – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that government is hard at work to safeguard the integrity and effectiveness of the police service. 

The President made these remarks in his weekly newsletter to the nation, just a day after announcing the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate serious allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. 

“We have taken this decisive step because we are determined that the important work that has been done to rebuild our law enforcement agencies and security services should not be compromised. 

“It is necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible and thorough process so that we can safeguard public confidence in the police service. This is particularly important as we seek to put the era of state capture behind us,” the President said. 

The commission of inquiry, to be chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will investigate allegations made by General Mkhwanazi that the Minister of Police and others had colluded to interfere with police investigations.

The commission will investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates. 

Among the allegations that the commission may investigate are the facilitation of organised crime; suppression or manipulation of investigations; inducement into criminal actions by law enforcement leadership; commission of any other criminal offences and intimidation, victimisation or targeted removal of whistleblowers or officials resisting criminal influence.

“The commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity; failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings; or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate’s operations,” the President said. 

Institutions under scrutiny include the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, the Judiciary and Magistracy, and the metropolitan police departments of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.

The commission will also investigate whether any members of the National Executive responsible for the criminal justice system, were complicit, aided and abetted, or participated in the acts mentioned above.

The commission will be asked to report on the effectiveness or failure of oversight mechanisms, and the adequacy of current legislation, policies and institutional arrangements in preventing such infiltration.

It will make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform.

Once established, the commission shall consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies. 

Where appropriate, the commission must make recommendations on the employment status of such officials, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations. 

The commission will also be empowered to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the commission will uncover. 

In order for the commission to execute its functions effectively, the President decided to put the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence with immediate effect. He said the Minister has undertaken to give his full cooperation to the commission to enable it to do its work. 

In his place, the President has appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police. Cachalia is currently a professor of law at the University of the Witwatersrand and is the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council. He previously served as an MEC of Community Safety in Gauteng.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that the commission is being established against the backdrop of significant progress in rebuilding and strengthening the country’s law enforcement agencies and security services. 

In recent years, the South African Police Service, the Special Investigating Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other bodies have been making important inroads in the fight against organised crime and corruption.

“It is essential that we maintain this momentum and that we intensify this work. We will ensure that the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies continue to function without hindrance as the commission undertakes its work,” the President said. 

He called on all members of the law enforcement agencies and security services to remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law and adhering to their code of conduct.

“I call on all South Africans to support the commission in its work and, where appropriate, to provide any information or assistance the commission may require.

“In establishing this Commission of Inquiry, we are affirming our commitment to the rule of law, to transparency and accountability, and to building a South Africa in which all people are safe and secure,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The G20 countries’ ability to respond collectively to mounting challenges facing the multilateral system will determine both the speed of global recovery and the future of sustainable development.

This is according to National Treasury Director-General, Dr Duncan Pieterse, who delivered remarks at the opening session of the G20 Finance Track meetings being held in KwaZulu-Natal this week.

“The multilateral system is being tested, and our collective ability to respond, will shape the pace of our recovery, but also the prospects for inclusive and sustainable development. 

“As the G20, we have the responsibility to demonstrate leadership, and our Presidency places a very strong emphasis on strengthening the role of the G20 in delivering concrete solutions, fostering a more stable and effective and resilient international financial architecture, enhancing debt sustainability, addressing liquidity challenges, as well as strengthening multilateral development banks, and ensuring financing for development,” Pieterse said.

He added that the meetings take place at a time of heightened global economic uncertainty.

“While there are signs of resilience in some areas, various challenges remain: uneven growth trajectories, elevated debt levels, persistent inflationary pressures, and the complex implications of tightening financial conditions. 

“At the same time, various long-term transitions including digitalisation, climate finance and demographic shifts are reshaping the foundations of our economies,” the DG noted.

Finance track meetings

Pieterse explained that this week, sessions have been dedicated in line with “our commitment to deepen policy dialogue at the Deputies level”.

“These discussions are instrumental in shaping the outcomes of the Finance Track, and reaffirming our commitment as the Presidency to Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” he said.

On Monday, the sessions kicked off with an update from the Council of Europe Development Bank on its monitoring and reporting framework.

“[This framework] is a critical tool for tackling the implementation of the G20 MDB roadmap as it enables MDBs to assess how they are working better as a system, enhancing their effectiveness and maximising developmental impact.

“This will be followed by a pandemic response financing simulation exercise that will be facilitated by the World Bank and the objective of this exercise is to simulate a coordinated pandemic response financing scenario, enabling participants to explore practical mechanisms for mobilising and deploying resources rapidly and effectively during a global health emergency,” he said.

On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank will give updates on the global sovereign debt roundtable.

“This discussion is geared towards promoting information exchange between the GSDR and the G20 to enhance the effectiveness of both platforms while respecting the distinct roles. 

“Significant progress has been made on the GSDR work, including the publication of the GSDR playbook on sovereign debt restructurings during the Spring Meetings in April, and another important milestone that was achieved was the publication of a G20 note on the steps of debt restructuring under the common framework,” Pieterse explained.

On the same day, the Chairperson of the Africa Expert Panel, led by former Minister of Finance for South Africa, Trevor Manuel, will give an update on the work of the panel. 

“[This] section will provide Deputies with an overview of the work of the Panel, which…aims to advance Africa’s collective development interest within the G20 Finance Track. We will be getting an update from Minister Manuel on this so that we can ensure that we align African priorities with the global economic reform efforts that we are discussing in the G20,” he said.

Over the next two days, the delegates will have sessions dedicated to the drafting of a communique.

“We really want to thank the G20 members for very constructive inputs and engagements thus far, which started last week virtually, and we believe that those engagements have set a very strong foundation for our discussions over the next two days.

“We are very pleased with the collaborative spirit shown during the virtual discussions, and we believe that we are able to achieve agreement in most of the areas which will enable us to provide the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors with an opportunity to achieve the first Communique under South Africa’s Presidency,” Pieterse concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has urgently called for global leaders to address climate action and provide the necessary support for mitigation and adaptation.

Singh was speaking during the second Group of 20 (G20) Environment and Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting at the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, on Monday. 

“I wish to reiterate what was said during the first G20 ECSWG meeting in March this year: we are less than five years away from our deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the end of this critical decade for climate action. 

“Yet, we are still far from attaining these goals and action targets,” he said. 

According to the Deputy Minister, poverty levels are worsening, pollution from hazardous chemicals has been increasing, and greenhouse gas emissions reached record highs last year.  

“This calls for an urgent acceleration of our efforts. Our commitment to achieve these goals must not waver, as we are all negatively affected. That is why South Africa has placed solidarity, equality and sustainability at the centre of our G20 Presidency.” 

South Africa’s G20 Presidency has outlined an ambitious agenda for this Working Group following the successful convening of the inaugural virtual meeting earlier this year. 

Singh said the five interrelated priorities have now been expanded into six, with the splitting of the climate change and air quality priorities into separate areas of focus. 

“This will provide us with an opportunity to delve into these two key issues more deeply and systematically.” 

During this five-day meeting, delegates from G20 member nations will focus on several key priorities. 

These include biodiversity and conservation; land degradation, desertification, drought; chemicals and waste management; air quality; oceans and coasts; and climate change, with a particular emphasis on Just Transitions.

According to Singh, Just Transition encompasses energy transition, adaptation, resilience, loss and damage.

“This priority also includes a sub-priority on mitigation within the context of low-carbon economic development and other co-benefits beyond the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” 

Singh stated that the G20 process offers a chance to discuss and agree on actions that can expedite climate action and support at the necessary scale, as highlighted in the results of the first global stocktake.

As a primary outcome of South Africa’s G20 Presidency this year, the country will explore ways that the G20 can leverage opportunities to increase the scale and flows of climate finance. 

“It is paramount for developing economy countries to be actively supported in their efforts to achieve ‘whole of society and whole of economy’ Just Transitions to sustainable development on the ground, through scaled access to low-cost finance, technology, capacity development, and skills transfer,” the Deputy Minister said.

Singh believes that the blue economy approach can make a significant contribution to the livelihood of coastal communities around the globe, as well as addressing climate change. 

“It’s sustainable, long-term development should be promoted and enhanced through collective action at the level of the G20. 

“It is also recognised that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to coastal and marine environments, affecting marine life, human health, and livelihoods, which needs to be addressed in an integrated and coordinated manner.” 

Singh announced that the final meetings of the Working Group and Ministerial sessions will be held from 13-15 October in Cape Town. 

During these meetings, the final versions of the technical papers and the draft of the Ministerial Declaration will be discussed.

This will be followed by the G20 ECSWG Ministerial meeting scheduled for 16 – 17 October in Cape Town, where the Ministerial Declaration and other deliverables of the Working Group will be presented. – SAnews.gov.za