Category: South Africa Government

The South African Police Service (SAPS), in collaboration with other law enforcers, continues to conduct operations aimed at preventing and combating crime in places of interest in Mpumalanga.

Their efforts yielded significant results across Nkangala, Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande Districts during an operation conducted between 26 and 29 December.

“The results show our relentless determination to deal decisively with crime and ensure safety for members of the public,” Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, said. 

Nkangala District highlights:

• Six suspects, aged between 24 and 52, were arrested in Middleburg and Kwamhlanga area for various offences, including contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa, assault of a police officer, dealing in dagga, as well as armed robbery.
• Four suspects, aged between 43 and 52, were arrested during an Intelligence-driven operation by Ermelo Crime Intelligence (CI) Unit in collaboration with Ascu Security company. The suspects were nabbed for contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa, dealing in drugs and possession of suspected stolen property.

Ehlanzeni District highlights:

• Ten suspects, aged between 26 and 40, were nabbed in Bushbuckridge, Mhala, Barberton, Masoyi, Pienaar, Kanyamazane and Kapmuiden on charges including contravention of the Immigration Act, possession of illicit cigarettes, selling of  illicit liquor, possession of illicit cigarettes and possession of gold bearing material.
• Three fines were issued for breaching the Mpumalanga Liquor Act.

Gert Sibande District operations:

• Two suspects, both aged 30, were arrested in Amersfoort and Sheepmore for various offences, including possession of illicit cigarettes.

– SAnews.gov.za

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The City of Cape Town has appealed to the public to remain in the safe zones at beaches and other public amenities.

“Our beaches and swimming pools have attracted thousands of visitors so far this season, and we expect another bumper weekend as Cape Town rings in the new year,” the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, said on Tuesday.

Since 1 December there have been 19 non-fatal drownings at Cape Town’s beaches. Four fatal drownings have been recorded over this period. Two are the subject of police investigations and two others were bathing related.

Lifeguards have also responded to 33 water rescues, 39 first aid incidents and 18 incidents involving anti-social behaviour at beaches, and two first aid incidents at swimming pools.

The City has reminded the public of its four rules of drowning prevention, which are:

• Swim only between the lifeguards’ red and yellow flags at beaches.
• Do not swim under the influence of alcohol.
• Be alert to the dangers of rip currents.
• Actively supervise children at all times, especially around water.

More information is available at www.thesafezone.co.za.

“To the public, don’t leave home without reminding yourself and your children about the golden rules of water safety, and if you’re at a beach where the Identikidz service is available, please make use of it,” Higham said.

The Identikidz programme has registered 55 075 children to date and reunited 78 with their caregivers.

Identikidz teams are deployed at popular beaches across Cape Town during the summer holidays to ensure the safety of young beachgoers.

More details are available here on the Identikidz programme: https://www.capetown.gov.za/departments-city-initiatives/community-arts-and-culture-development/identikidz-programme. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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Government has congratulated Bafana Bafana on qualifying for the knockout stages at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

“Congratulations to Bafana Bafana on qualifying for the AFCON knockout stages after a hard-fought victory,” government said in a post on social media platform, X.

This as the South African senior men’s team are through to the last 16 stage of the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Zimbabwe 3-2 in a pulsating five-goal thriller played at the Marrakech Stadium in Morocco.

In a statement, the South African Football Association (SAFA) said a lot was at stake in Monday night’s final Group B match and the two Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) neighbours started the game with an opportunity to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament. 

“But it was coach Hugo Broos’ charges who raced to an early lead when Tshepang Moremi scored the opening goal of the match in the seventh minute after his goal-bound shot was deflected into the back of the net by Zimbabwe’s Divine Lunga.

“To their credit, the Zimbabweans did not drop their heads after the setback and took the game to the South Africans instead, to the delight of the sizeable crowd that was in attendance. They were eventually rewarded when the troublesome Tawanda Mashwanhise found the back of the net in the 19th minute after dribbling his way past the Bafana Bafana rearguard,” said SAFA.

South Africans reclaimed the lead in the second half with another goal and Zimbabwe equalised again.
“Bafana Bafana were awarded a penalty after Zimbabwe captain Marvelous Nakamba handled the ball inside the area very late in the game. Man of the match Oswin Appollis calmy stepped up and converted the winning goal of the match from the spot in the 82nd minute.”

The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie was among those in the stands at the game.

The South African senior men’s national team will remain in Marrakech until towards the end of the week before travelling to Rabat for their last 16 match.

READ | Bafana Bafana congratulated for AFCON opening victory

The final of the tournament is expected to be held on 18 January 2026.

In a post on X, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture congratulated the team on making it to the round of 16. “The entire nation is standing tall and cheering you on. Keep flying the flag high!” it said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Suspected criminal mastermind, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, has been transferred from Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre (C-Max) to the super maximum eBongweni Correctional Facility in Kokstad.

Matlala is allegedly linked to, among others, the coordinated syndicates responsible for the looting of over R2 billion meant for healthcare in Gauteng, the attempted murder of his ex-lover and is believed to have played a role in the capture of some key members within law enforcement agencies.

“The transfer of remand detainees and sentenced offenders between correctional facilities is a standard operational practice informed by a range of considerations, primarily security, safety, operational requirements, and effective inmate management across the correctional system.

“In terms of Section 6 of the Correctional Services Act, 1998… the National Commissioner of Correctional Services is legally empowered to detain an offender or remand detainee at any correctional centre, notwithstanding the wording of a warrant. 

“This provision exists to enable the department to respond appropriately to security assessments and operational demands,” the Department of Correctional Services said.

Furthermore, the department emphasised that its core mandate is to ensure the safety and security of all facilities which are “conducive to humane detention, while enabling the delivery of rehabilitation and care programmes”.

“In this regard, the safety and security of detainees, officials, and the broader correctional environment remain paramount. Where enhanced security measures are required, these considerations take precedence.

“It must be emphasised that the transfer of a detainee does not prejudice their legal rights or access to services. All detainees continue to receive appropriate care, and necessary arrangements are made to ensure that court appearances and legal processes are honoured without impediment.

“Given the sensitive nature of security-related decisions, the department will not engage in public discussions, interviews or further commentary on the specific security considerations underpinning this transfer,” the department explained. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The City of Cape Town’s law enforcement agencies have confiscated more than 4 500 litres of alcohol this December, with more than half of the confiscations happening in the last week.

Officers also made 264 arrests and issued 52 520 fines for various transgressions.

Between 1 and 21 December, the City’s liquor pound took receipt of 1 942.74 litres of alcohol (4 201 units/bottles).

By 28 December, the total had increased to 4 634.69 litres (9 838 units/bottles).

The alcohol was confiscated by law enforcement officials in terms of the City’s by-laws.

In the past week, law enforcement officers made 155 arrests and issued 5 999 fines. 

“During their operations, the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers recovered at least four firearms. Metro Police officers made 52 arrests and issued 3 166 notices for traffic and by-law offences.

“Officers also recovered a pistol, a revolver and an imitation firearm, and impounded various quantities of alcohol and drugs,” the City said.

A 42-year-old suspect was arrested in Macassar with a stolen vehicle after officers received a tip-off on Monday.

On the roads, traffic officers recorded 43 355 offences, impounded 156 public transport vehicles and executed 951 warrants of arrest.

They made 57 arrests — 50 for drunk driving, three for reckless and negligent driving, and four more for various charges.

“The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre dispatched assistance for 1 850 incidents this past weekend.

“Medical incidents accounted for 40% of all calls. The centre also logged 119 fires – noted an increase in calls for assistance for 279 noise nuisances, and dispatched assistance to 29 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents,” the City said.

The Centre also logged 132 assault cases, 59 domestic violence cases, and 19 cases of self-harm.

“The public is reminded to please report emergencies or any suspicious and/or criminal activities to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700, and to provide detailed information such as the time, exact address and a short description,” the City said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has recorded significant law enforcement outcomes through the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) during festive season operations.

During this period, GTI officers issued hundreds of infringement notices, discontinued unsafe vehicles, effected arrests for serious offences and impounded vehicles operating unlawfully.

The operation that was conducted between 22 and 28 December 2025 across Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni resulted in 45 vehicles being discontinued, 30 vehicles impounded, and 27 arrests affected, mainly for drunk driving and bribery.

Law enforcement also targeted public transport compliance, resulting in 187 minibuses found without licence discs, 193 drivers operating without valid driving licences, and 65 minibuses discontinued.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, said the results reflect the department’s zero tolerance approach to lawlessness.

“Reckless driving, drunk driving and corruption will not be tolerated on our roads. Our inspectors remain visible and decisive in protecting road users during this high-risk festive period.

“Removing unroadworthy vehicles and unlicensed drivers from our roads is a critical intervention to save lives and ensure safe public transport,” the MEC said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The remains of a person suspected to be that of a missing South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member, who was swept away in a flooded river, have been recovered in the Komati River in Komatipoort on Monday.

On Christmas Day, a military vehicle carrying two members of the SANDF Military Police was swept away while attempted to cross a river during the execution of Operation Corona.

One body was recovered, while a search was initiated for the other member.

“As the search continued at Komati River in Komatipoort… the team was alerted by a local fisherman about the remains of a person floating in the river. It was then confirmed that it was indeed the remains of a male person.

The remains, suspected to be that of the missing SANDF member, were found next to the borderline between Mozambique and South Africa,” police said in a statement.

The body will be sent for DNA testing.

An inquest case has been registered, where DNA tests will be conducted to determine the identity of the person.

“For now, the search has been temporarily suspended, only to be continued by the Search and Rescue team [today],” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has arrested some 174 motorists for drunk driving in a continued crackdown against driving under the influence over the festive period.

The law enforcement agency has committed to a zero-tolerance approach for the festive season, with high visibility and roadblocks conducted.

“As the 2025 festive season enters its most critical period, our officers have intensified law enforcement operations to curb the reckless scourge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

“Between 22 and 28 December 2025, JMPD officers conducted a series of high-visibility roadblocks, roving patrols, and targeted operations across all regions of the city. These operations remain part of a broader strategy to reduce road fatalities and ensure a safer environment for residents and visitors alike,” the JMPD said.

JMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Patrick Jaca added: “Every single. arrest we make is more than just a statistic. It is a potential tragedy averted and a life saved from the hands of a reckless driver.”

The department is maintaining a 24-hour presence on hotspots and major routes.

“We urge all motorists to take personal responsibility for their safety and the safety of others. We continue to advise motorists to designate a sober driver before heading out.

“Utilise e-hailing services or public transport if consuming alcohol, an obey all rules of the road to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely. Our message remains clear: If you choose to drink and drive, you will be arrested,” the JMPD said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africa has noted with concern, the recent announcement by the State of Israel recognising Somaliland as an independent state.

In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said the recognition constitutes a violation of the Federal Republic of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is a direct threat to peace in the Horn of Africa.

“We uphold the African Union’s principle of uti possidetis the sanctity of inherited borders as the continent’s essential safeguard against conflict. We distinguish unequivocally between decolonisation and secession. The former restores sovereignty; the latter dismantles it,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry further added that Israel’s action validates fragmentation and risks a domino effect of instability.
“South Africa urges the international community to reject this external interference and support a united, stable Somalia,” it said. –SAnews.gov.za 

 

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A total of 100 people have been arrested in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, by the officers of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) for violating various traffic laws this past weekend.

The arrests were part of the #NenzaniLaEzweni operation aimed at ensuring road safety, tackling drunk driving, reckless driving, illegal activities – such as undocumented foreign truck drivers with fake licences – and ensuring roadworthiness.

“The #NenzaniLaEzweni Operation is a resounding success and very effective. This morning, we are observing many visitors returning home after spending quality time in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal,” MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said on Monday.

Between 6am and 7am, the province recorded more than 600 cars passing through the Marrianhill Toll Plaza.

“Throughout the festive season, we are ensuring the safety of national and international visitors on our roads. Equally, we are prioritising the safety of the people of this province who are using our road networks.

“The energized Road Traffic Inspectorate team is ensuring visibility today. We warn motorists of zero tolerance against anyone who is violating the National Road Traffic Act,” the MEC said. – SAnews.gov.za

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