Category: South Africa Government

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has welcomed the progress that has been outlined in the September 2025 report on the revitalisation of the Western Cape’s 12 Proclaimed Fishing Harbours.

The report highlights steady improvements in infrastructure, safety, and operational efficiency, all aimed at supporting coastal economies and sustainable fisheries.

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“Our Proclaimed Fishing Harbours are central to coastal livelihoods and the fishing industry. The work being done to enhance their safety and functionality reflects our commitment to both people and the environment,” the Minister said.

Key updates include the following:
•    Harbour operations: In the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, 33 vessels were managed through slipping, side slipping, and launching activities. More than 300 vessels are currently moored across the 12 harbours. The second quarter operational report (July–September 2025) is due on 3 October.
•    Salvage of sunken vessels: In Hout Bay, the Edelweiss and African Unity are scheduled for removal by their owners at the next low tide in October 2025. The department is working closely with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to ensure compliance with the Wrecks and Salvage Act.
•    Security measures: Purchase orders for electronic security installations were issued for Kalk Bay on 29 September, with Lamberts Bay, Hermanus, Gansbaai, and Gordon’s Bay to follow in early October. Installations are expected to begin this month. Re-advertisements for Hout Bay, Laaiplek, and St Helena Bay are underway, while requests for quotations are being processed for Still Bay, Arniston, and Struisbaai. Security at Saldanha Harbour and Paarden Eiland Workshop already includes 24/7 monitoring and rapid armed response. –SAnews.gov.za
 

Long serving Eskom official, Monde Bala, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the power utility’s transmission arm, the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA).

Bala has been serving as the entity’s interim CEO for the past two months and was appointed following a rigorous recruitment process.

NTCSA board chairperson, Priscillah Mabelane, expressed the board’s confidence in Bala’s ability to lead it “into its next chapter”.

“He brings a wealth of experience and insight to the role, and we look forward to continuing our work with him and the executive team as we drive forward our strategic deliverables,” Mabelane said.

Bala brings some 27 years’ experience in the energy sector to the NTCSA and was serving as Eskom Group Executive for Distribution prior to his appointment.

He also served in various senior positions within the power utility.

“Mr Bala is uniquely positioned to guide the NTCSA as it continues to deliver on its mandate of providing reliable, fair, and affordable access to the electricity grid and market, supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth. His appointment marks a significant milestone in accelerating the development of a more competitive and efficient electricity market that benefits all South Africans.

“Mr Bala’s leadership will be instrumental in accelerating the execution of the NTCSA’s strategy, which includes attracting investment into the transmission grid through the implementation of the Transmission Development Plan [TDP], advancing operational unbundling in line with legislative requirements, and fostering a fair and competitive electricity market.

“He holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town and a Master of Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand. The NTCSA welcomes Mr Bala’s appointment and looks forward to his leadership in shaping the future of South Africa’s energy landscape,” the NTCSA said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is closely monitoring the situation regarding the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which is currently navigating a high-risk area in the Mediterranean Sea.

Recent reports indicate that the Gaza-bound aid flotilla has many ships still “sailing strong” toward the Palestinian territory on Thursday, despite interceptions by Israeli naval forces.

The GSF is an international initiative led by civil society, launched in June this year. The movement aims to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, raise awareness about the urgent needs of the Palestinian people, and emphasise the necessity of ending the conflict in Gaza.

“We note with grave concern the reports of unidentified drone activity in the vicinity of the civilian vessels. 

“South Africa wishes to reiterate, in the strongest terms, its call for all actors to adhere strictly to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant international humanitarian law principles.  

“We urge utmost restraint and caution against any unilateral actions that could escalate the situation or endanger human life,” the statement read. 

The department said the safety, security, and physical integrity of all unarmed participants aboard the flotilla, including South African citizens, are of paramount importance. 

“Any military engagement with or forceful detention of these vessels in international waters would constitute a grave breach of international legal norms and fundamental human rights. 

“It must be underscored that the flotilla, a civilian-led initiative, embarked upon a peaceful and humanitarian mission. Its participants aim to draw attention to the severe and urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people in Gaza and to deliver vital aid to alleviate the widespread suffering.” 

South Africa has once again reiterated its profound concern over the devastating humanitarian conditions in Gaza. 

The country believes that the Palestinian civilian population requires immediate protection and sustained humanitarian assistance to counter the catastrophic levels of food insecurity and the threat of famine. 

“We call upon the international community and all relevant parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian missions.” – SAnews.gov.za 
 

Johannesburg Water has moved to assure residents that progress is being made to improve water supply to Coronationville in the west of the city. 

The area was the sight of violent protest last month with residents demanding water supply.

“Johannesburg Water is making progress on the planned intervention for an immediate intervention to improve supply to the high zone of Coronationville. The project commenced on 22 September 2025, with excavations to expose pipework on the ground. Excavations have been completed on both sides of the street in the vicinity of Harmony and Hamilton streets, Coronationville.

“This is where the cross-connection will be made. A socket has been welded onto the main pipe supplying Crosby on 29 September 2025. Road cutting and trenching were also completed on 30 September 2025, with pipe-laying and valve installation activities currently underway,” the entity said in a statement.

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Furthermore, final pipe connections will be made for the rest of the week with “commissioning of the cross-connection is expected on Friday”.

“In addition, Johannesburg Water has allocated a dedicated team to investigate, assess feasibility and then only implement interventions which could address challenges in sensitive areas supplied within the Commando System, including Claremont, Westbury, and Westdene. 

“These investigations are ongoing and will be resolved progressively, as the challenges and potential solutions differ across each block. It should also be known that the improvement of the Commando System is still dependent on the ongoing medium – and long-term project interventions underway or which are due to commence,” the statement read.

Residents are warned to take care around the construction area in Coronationville.

“This is a reminder that the Coronationville project remains an active construction site. Residents and members of the public are urged to exercise extreme caution in the area and to keep clear of the site, which is strictly off-limits to unauthorized persons. These measures are in place to safeguard both the public and Johannesburg Water employees and contractors.

“Johannesburg Water will continue to provide updates as work progresses and apologises for the inconvenience caused during this intervention,” the statement concluded. 

Johannesburg Water is a municipal entity of the City of Johannesburg. – SAnews.gov.za

The Madlanga Commission has announced a break from proceedings, with hearings set to resume on 13 October 2025.

“The Commission will be taking a scheduled break from 6 – 10 October 2025 due to the unavailability of Commissioner Sesi Baloyi, who will be attending to her duties as a member of the Judicial Service Commission,” commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels explained.

Hearings were stopped abruptly this week due to illness of a witness.

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“This week, the Commission’s public hearings would have continued until Friday, 3 October 2025, but when the hearing resumed… Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga adjourned it due to the inability of [Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence] Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo to proceed with his testimony as a result of sudden illness,” Michaels said.

The Commission — which is officially known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System — has already heard the evidence of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, which was followed by that of South African Police Service (SAPS) National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.

Other witnesses to have given testimony are KZN Director of Public Prosecutions at the National Prosecuting Authority, Elaine Harrison and SAPS Head of Governance, Legislation and Policy at the Legal Services Division, Major General Petronella van Rooyen. – SAnews.gov.za

Over 5000 suspects have been arrested for various crimes while 105 unlicensed firearms were recovered in the month of September, said KwaZulu-Natal police.

In a statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS), said that of the 5 527 suspects that were arrested across the province, 1 464 were arrested for contact crimes of which 730 of them were arrested for assault with an intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 

A total of 85 individuals were arrested for murder, and 93 suspects were arrested for attempted murder cases. 

“These arrests and recoveries are a culmination of relentless operations conducted by various police units in specified policing precincts. One of the key objectives of Operation Shanela is to tackle areas which have shown an increase in crime volumes,” the SAPS said in a statement on Wednesday.

Drugs were also recovered in the police operations.

“During these operations, those who deal in narcotics did not escape the police radar as a total of 921 suspects were arrested and drugs were recovered in the process. Police also arrested 51 suspects for being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

“The arrested suspects have appeared in various courts in the province, however the work of the police teams in Operation Shanela II does not end with the arrests of the suspects and recovery of exhibits.”

The police added that “frantic work is on-going” behind the scenes in trying to establish possible links of the arrested suspects with other crimes.

“The firearms recovered will also be subjected to ballistics tests to determine if they have not been used in the commission of other crimes,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za