Category: South Africa Government

The Department of Employment and Labour has taken decisive steps to strengthen worker protections and close long-standing compliance gaps across key sectors, including security, municipalities and the creative industries. 

In a statement on Thursday, the department said it has officially withdrawn the 2003 Variation Notice that previously excluded the application of Section 34A of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), which governs the payment of employee benefit fund contributions.

The withdrawal restores the authority of labour inspectors to enforce the timely payment of pension, provident fund, retirement and medical aid contributions deducted from employees’ salaries. 

For years, the exemption created what the department described as “a significant enforcement gap”, leaving workers vulnerable to employers who deducted contributions but failed to transfer them to the relevant funds.

“With the exemption now removed, inspectors are empowered to verify whether employers have paid contributions into the correct funds, request proof of payment and contribution schedules, and take enforcement action wherever non‑compliance is detected,” the department said. 

The department said the intervention strengthens workplace-level accountability and provides enhanced protection for workers’ hard-earned benefits, particularly in the security sector and municipalities, where abuse has been widespread.

In a separate but related development, the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has published a notice indicating the department’s intention to classify performers and crew members in the film, television, advertising, artistic and cultural sectors as employees.

Many workers in these industries are currently designated as independent contractors, despite operating under conditions similar to permanent employment. The department said the move seeks to extend essential labour protections, including access to sick leave, maternity leave, severance pay, protection under the National Minimum Wage, and coverage through the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act.

The proposal would also ensure compliance with BCEA provisions on working hours, termination procedures and record-keeping, while extending rights related to fixed-term contracts under the Labour Relations Act.

According to the department, the proposed reform responds to “strong stakeholder submissions” and recognises the vulnerability of performers and production staff, who frequently operate without basic labour protections. It confirmed that the process could result in a sectoral determination tailored to the industry’s specific needs.

Stakeholders have 30 days from the date of publication to submit written inputs, while the Minister has requested the National Minimum Wage Commission to investigate wage levels and employment conditions in the sector.

“Together, these regulatory measures mark a clear step forward in advancing decent work in South Africa. They demonstrate a renewed commitment to closing compliance gaps, protecting vulnerable workers, and ensuring that employers across all industries uphold the country’s labour laws.

“The actions reinforce the department’s dedication to promoting fairness in the workplace, supporting a more equitable labour market, ensuring accountability among employers, and safeguarding the rights and dignity of all workers,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza on Thursday handed over a fully equipped computer laboratory to learners at the Umdlamfe Secondary School in Esikhawini, Richards Bay.

The hand over of the high-tech computer lab forms part of government’s Back-To-School Programme.

HONOR South Africa, which delivered the laptops, partnered with the Department of Home Affairs to establish the laboratory in support of digital literacy and skills development at the school. 

The laboratory will ensure that learners are trained to become active participants in the artificial intelligence sphere while bridging the digital divide, particularly in previously disadvantaged communities.

The Deputy Minister hailed the unveiling of the laboratory, saying access to digital learning was a pivotal cog in the development of learners in the 21st century and will go a long way in ensuring a digitally equipped South Africa. 

Government, he explained, recognised the development of digital skills as a key element in the advancement of South Africa’s digital economy. 

This was underscored by the establishment of the Presidential Commission on the 4IR (PC4IR) by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 with a mandate to provide leadership for society to understand, navigate and assume agency over what will be the fundamentally altered future.

“The world has gravitated towards the 4th Industrial Revolution and this demands of us to be technologically savvy to be able to meet the challenges of this new and exciting phenomenon.

“The establishment of this computer laboratory demonstrates a commitment on our part to prioritise digital learning to put South Africa in a better position to seize opportunities and manage the challenges of rapid advances in the technological realm.

“We are excited that this facility will play an integral part in the learners’ academic improvement while preparing them to fully embrace the digital world through access to digital resources. This will, in future, enable them to navigate the digital economy, apply for jobs online, and explore various work opportunities,” he said.

CEO of HONOR South Africa, Fred Zhou, said the partnership with the Department of Home Affairs represented a cornerstone of digital literacy and infrastructure missions.

“We are proud to partner with the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Njabulo Nzuza, and the government of South Africa to invest in young minds and future skills. We hope the learners will use this opportunity to learn, explore and dream big,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina will represent South Africa at a high-level international meeting in Dakar, Senegal, as preparations intensify for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.

The High-Level Preparatory Meeting, taking place from 26 – 27 January 2025, will set the direction for the global conference scheduled for December and help shape priorities, commitments and partnerships aimed at accelerating universal access to safe water and dignified sanitation.

A major highlight of the Dakar engagement will be a ministerial roundtable discussion on “Investments for Water: Financing, technology and innovation, and capacity-building”, which South Africa will co-host with France. The session is expected to focus on unlocking funding and innovation to address Africa’s growing water and sanitation challenges.

“South Africa will lead this discussion on behalf of the African continent and will use the platform to advocate for increased investment in water and sanitation programmes that strengthen climate resilience, support economic growth and advance human development,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said in a statement on Friday.

The meeting builds on momentum generated at the Africa Water Investment Summit held in Cape Town last year, where African ministers, financiers, investors and development partners committed to closing the continent’s water and sanitation investment gap. Dakar is expected to provide a crucial bridge between those continental commitments and the evolving global water agenda.

The department emphasised that water is more than a natural resource for South Africa — it underpins health, food security, energy generation, job creation and human dignity. Yet across Africa, millions of people continue to face water scarcity, ageing infrastructure and limited access to financing for critical improvements.

“By participating in the High-Level Preparatory Meeting, Majodina is working to ensure that African priorities translate into concrete investments and long-term solutions,” the department said.

The Dakar meeting aims to produce a shared roadmap towards the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will be co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates in December. Its outcomes are expected to influence the global water agenda and feed into several high-level international fora throughout the year.

South Africa views the engagement as an opportunity to strengthen strategic partnerships, amplify African voices and ensure that preparations for the 2026 conference are firmly rooted in the continent’s realities, ambitions and opportunities.

Majodina’s programme will include high-level political dialogues, thematic discussions and bilateral meetings with representatives from multilateral institutions, regional organisations, development finance institutions and the private sector.

Beyond the investment-focused roundtable, discussions will also cover:

• Water for people — the human rights to water and sanitation, particularly for vulnerable communities;
• Water for prosperity — valuing water, the water-energy-food nexus, efficient water use and sustainable economic development;
• Water for the planet — climate change, biodiversity, resilience and disaster risk reduction;
• Water for cooperation — transboundary water governance, scientific collaboration and inclusive institutions, and
• Water in multilateral processes — Sustainable Development Goal 6, the 2030 Agenda and global water initiatives. – SAnews.gov.za

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A 22-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Pretoria North Magistrate Court this morning for attempting to bribe a senior Tshwane Metro Police official.

The suspect was arrested on Thursday by members of the Pretoria-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) unit.

It is alleged that on 9 January 2026, a Commissioner from the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department received an email from the suspect, who claimed to be an unsuccessful applicant in the City of Tshwane recruitment process. 

In the email, the suspect allegedly requested the Commissioner’s assistance to secure her appointment and offered a gratification of R10 000 in exchange for facilitating the process.

The matter was subsequently reported to the Pretoria Hawks’ SCI for further investigation. 

On 22 January 2026, a police operation was conducted, which culminated in the arrest of the suspect after she allegedly handed over an amount of R3 000 to the complainant at Wonderboom Junction Shopping Centre.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, commended the Serious Corruption Investigation team for their swift response to the complaint. 

He further urged public officials to promptly report any acts of corruption to the Hawks. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training are finalising a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening alignment between the school and post-school systems.

This is particularly around subject-choice guidance, learner preparedness and smoother transitions into post-school Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes.

Briefing the media on the state of the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector and readiness for the 2026 academic year on Thursday, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela said a major structural constraint confronting the system is the weakening STEM pipeline.

He said current trends show growing enrolment in Mathematical Literacy instead of pure Mathematics, stagnant performance in Mathematics and Accounting, and limited growth in Physical Sciences.

As a result, learners are excluded from high-demand programmes in engineering, health sciences, information and communications technology (ICT), data science and advanced manufacturing—not due to institutional failure, but because of inadequate subject-level preparation.

“This weakens our national skills base and limits the system’s responsiveness to industrialisation, innovation, and economic growth,” Manamela said.

He emphasised that the MoU is not a short-term solution but a “medium- to long-term structural intervention” to address systemic challenges.

Managing the gap between passes and pathways

Manamela said the department is strengthening coordinated enrolment planning across the PSET system, guided by matric trends and labour-market intelligence.

He said rising matric pass rates reinforce the need to move beyond a university-centric approach to post-school education.

“South Africa’s PSET system was deliberately designed to be differentiated with universities, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, occupational qualifications, skills programmes, and workplace-based learning all forming part of a single ecosystem,” the Minister said.

Manamela said the newly established Just Energy Transition Skills Desk will play a critical role in linking learner demand with priority economic sectors, including renewable energy, construction, grid infrastructure and electric mobility.

Given infrastructure and staffing constraints, the department will increasingly prioritise short courses and modular qualifications, scalable occupational programmes, and workplace-based learning such as apprenticeships, learnerships and internships.

“These pathways offer faster labour-market entry while allowing articulation into further learning,” he said.

The Minister reiterated that TVET and CET colleges are not residual options but “central pillars of the PSET system”.

“They provide practical, accessible, and work-relevant education to the majority of South Africans and are essential to confronting unemployment, inequality and poverty,” he said.

Through these institutions, students can progress into artisan and trade qualifications, occupational qualifications at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 3 to 6, sector-linked skills programmes, employment or self-employment, entrepreneurship, and further learning opportunities.

Manamela said the department is strengthening TVET colleges as sector-focused skills hubs through Centres of Specialisation, Trade Test Centres, modernised workshops and industry-aligned curricula.

He highlighted that the National Skills Fund (NSF) is funding the uMasinga TVET Smart Campus pilot at a cost exceeding R350 million, with completion expected by 2027.

“The project signals the direction we must take: modern, digitally enabled, future-ready institutions.”

Readiness for the 2026 academic year

Manamela said institutions across the PSET sector have undertaken extensive preparations for the 2026 academic year.

“This morning, the Ministerial War Room convened to assess readiness. We are confident of a stable opening of the academic year, with ongoing monitoring,” he said.

He also emphasised the importance of student well-being, encouraging the use of Higher Health to address mental health challenges.

“Higher Health remains the designated wrap-around support institution, operating a 24-hour Toll-Free Crisis Helpline (0800 36 36 36). Over 61 000 students have been supported through this service in recent years,” Manamela said.

The department is also strengthening sector-wide responses to mental health, gender-based violence, food insecurity, accommodation and campus safety through national norms, preventative interventions and coordinated protocols.

The Minister urged students to rely on official departmental websites, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and institutional platforms for accurate information.

He further warned prospective students to beware of illegally operating private colleges and institutions offering unaccredited programmes.

“The department has a database of all registered colleges available on the website of the department. To first time entrants, only go to campus when it has confirmed acceptance of an application and accommodation has been confirmed,” the Minister reiterated. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The eThekwini Municipality is accelerating the digitisation of its Human Resources (HR) systems, a strategic shift aimed at improving accountability, enhancing workforce performance and enabling faster and more reliable services for residents.

This was highlighted during an oversight visit by the Governance and Human Resources Portfolio Committee to employee training sessions on the new digital HR platform.

The visit was led by committee chairperson Nkosenhle Madlala and focused on assessing implementation milestones and organisational readiness of the new digital HR platform.

The oversight visit underscored the municipality’s commitment to transforming internal systems to deliver visible, and measurable improvements in public service delivery.

The HR digital transformation is designed to enhance the employee experience, while improving the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of municipal operations.

By reducing manual processes, eliminating duplication and strengthening internal controls, the initiative aims to address long-standing inefficiencies, reduces errors, and improve transparency and accountability.

Speaking during a briefing on Wednesday, Madlala said the digitisation of HR services would resolve several operational challenges by consolidating previously fragmented processes into a single, reliable and compliant system.

“In a rapidly changing world of work, digital transformation is no longer optional. It allows us to reduce time spent on manual administrative tasks and redirect our efforts towards citizen centric services,” Madlala said.

The new system is expected to improve performance tracking and accountability across the municipality, helping to curb corruption, remove bottlenecks and ensure employees deliver on their mandates.

It will also streamline recruitment processes and strengthen integrity in hiring, closing loopholes linked to job scams, “ghost employee” allegations, and mishandled applications.

“This is a modern, user-friendly approach [platform] that allows job seekers to apply from anywhere, track their progress and experience a smoother onboarding process,” Madlala added.

The digitised HR platform is further designed to improve compliance with the Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts (mSCOA) by aligning financial and non-financial processes, enabling better reporting and stronger organisational performance.

To ensure a smooth transition, the HR team is conducting hands-on training to equip employees with the skills needed to operate effectively in the new system, with a focus on simplicity, transparency and service excellence.

The municipality said its e-Recruitment system is expected to go live in February, with full integration of HR functions scheduled to be operational by March 2026.

Officials said the transformation marks a decisive step towards improved performance and the delivery of faster, more transparent and higher-quality services to communities across eThekwini. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been granted a preservation order by the Special Tribunal to interdict the R500 000 pension payout to former National Lotteries Commission (NLC) official, Sibonelo Vilakazi. 

Vilakazi was the former Client Liaison Officer of the NLC in the KwaZulu-Natal branch.

The preservation order stems from an SIU investigation, in which Vilakazi exploited his position to enable his spouse, Nosipho Zanele Zuma, to receive 48 payments totalling R31.2 million from entities benefiting from NLC grants. 

The funds were funnelled through Zuma’s company, ZZET Enterprises, and purchased luxury vehicles and properties, including two Toyota Quantum’s, a Toyota Hilux and two real estate properties.

A report by the Financial Intelligence Centre states that ZZET Enterprises received multiple electronic fund transfer payments from several care centres and football clubs of approximately R32 259 707.00. 

The SIU investigations show that more than 400 care centres and football clubs made payments to accounts linked to Vilakazi and Zuma from money received from the NLC between 2019 and 2023.

Previously, the SIU obtained an order to freeze approximately R2.4 million held in four bank accounts linked to Vilakazi and Zuma.

“On the recommendation of the SIU, the NLC initiated a disciplinary process. The disciplinary process, conducted from 29 November 2023 to 1 August 2024, found Vilakazi guilty of all charges and dismissed him on 4 October 2024, marking a decisive step in addressing his gross misconduct, abuse of office and breaches of fiduciary duty,” the SIU said in a statement.

“The SIU will continue to pursue officials who resign or are dismissed in the face of an investigation by freezing their pension benefits and instituting civil litigation to recover financial losses suffered by State institutions.

“The SIU was, in terms of Proclamation R32 of 2020, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the NLC and the conduct of NLC officials, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State,” the SIU said.

The SIU is empowered by the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 to institute civil action in the Special Tribunal or the High Court to correct any wrongdoing it uncovers in its investigation. The SIU refers evidence pointing to criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action. – SAnews.gov.za

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Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has formally appointed the Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) Industry Coordination Council to support the implementation of South Africa’s national strategy to contain and control the disease.

The appointment follows last week’s announcement of the national FMD strategy to contain and control foot-and-mouth disease.

The council aims to ensure that the industry plays an active and coordinated role in supporting the phased rollout of the FMD strategy, including vaccine distribution, traceability systems and disease-control readiness.

Steenhuisen said the council will engage directly with him and its input will be taken seriously.

“Government cannot do this alone. We need the full strength of the private sector, farmers and veterinarians collaborating with us. We now have a roadmap and I am accountable for its delivery. If we stay focused and work together, I believe we can restore FMD-free status in less than 10 years,” the Minister said in a statement.

The council will form one part of a triangular partnership comprising the:
•    Department of Agriculture – responsible for policy, regulatory support and resourcing;
•    Technical and Scientific Task Team – offering scientific, veterinary and epidemiological expertise, and
•    FMD Industry Coordination Council – providing operational insight, strategic guidance and unified industry input.

To ensure a coordinated approach with industry, Steenhuisen has issued a directive assigning the council the role of aligning industry efforts with national FMD control measures.

This includes establishing and operating an industry coordination mechanism to mobilise sector actions; consolidating industry situational information; coordinating industry communication, and supporting implementation readiness for traceability and audit-ready record-keeping required for animal movement compliance and compartmentalised operations.

The council will also facilitate non-statutory logistical support, including training, awareness initiatives and implementation monitoring, and will engage regularly with both the department and the Technical and Scientific Task Team to ensure alignment between policy, implementation and veterinary oversight.

The council’s members have committed to a collective outcome that serves both the industry and national interests.

The members are Johann Kotzé, Bennie van Zyl, Theo Boshoff, Frikkie Maré, Fanie Ferreira, Marlene Louw, Bongani Msimang, Kobus Bester and Dewald Olivier.

The council has begun its work this week, with its first formal meeting focused on aligning priorities and consolidating industry input. Weekly engagements will follow to maintain momentum, support structured monitoring and ensure consistent progress.

Steenhuisen said the regular meetings will strengthen the council’s ability to present coherent, unified recommendations to government and the Technical and Scientific Task Team.

The council has also requested an urgent meeting with the Technical and Scientific Task Team to review the national plan and ensure operational alignment across industry and government structures, a step seen as critical to refining the roadmap ahead of intensified implementation.

“With aligned structures, consistent communication and disciplined collaboration, South Africa is better positioned to restore its FMD-free status and strengthen the resilience of the livestock sector,” the Minister said.

The council has welcomed the Minister’s commitment and willingness to work closely with industry, noting this engagement reflects a coordinated, accountable and technically informed approach to implementation. – SAnews.gov.za

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Two more learners have succumbed to injuries in hospital in the early hours of Thursday following the tragic scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark on Monday. 

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed the additional deaths this morning, bringing the total number of learners who lost their lives in the crash to 14.

The department has also confirmed and made public the identities of the 12 children who died at the accident scene from various schools in and around the Vaal. 

The 22-year-old scholar transport driver involved in the accident now faces 14 counts of culpable homicide, as well as charges of reckless and negligent driving. He is expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court today.

According to a media statement from the office of the Provincial Commissioner of the Gauteng Police, the driver was arrested after being discharged from hospital. 

“After the police visited the hospitals and the mortuary to verify the number of fatalities and injuries, it can be confirmed that 12 learners died at the accident scene and five were taken to the nearest hospitals for medical treatment. One [learner] has since been discharged,” the statement read.

The driver of the truck involved in the crash was unharmed, while the passenger in the truck sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital. Police investigations are ongoing, with witness statements being obtained to establish the full circumstances of the accident.

The police have urged members of the public and the community to allow the authorities to complete their investigations and refrain from speculation. – SAnews.gov.za 

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The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has provided an update on the current developments at Kruger National Park following the floods that have caused extensive damage to the infrastructure.

Last week’s persistent heavy rainfall across Limpopo and Mpumalanga caused river levels to rise significantly, with overflows reported in the Crocodile, Sabie, Letaba, Sand, Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers.

“In the Kruger National Park alone, the damage to critical infrastructure is so widespread that SANParks is estimating that the damage possibly runs into hundreds of millions. Despite this devastation to infrastructure and operations, the most important highlight is that no lives were lost,” the Minister said on Thursday.

He was addressing a media briefing in Cape Town on the latest developments following the flooding at the park, as well as on the recently established Kruger Recovery Fund by SANParks.

The Minister indicated that substantial financing is required to rebuild the damaged infrastructure that includes tourism facilities, bridges, roads as well as water and electrical systems and services.

“In the northern part (Nxanatseni Region) of the Kruger National Park, various roads are currently not accessible due to damage from flooding, including S57 Shisha low-level bridge, providing access to Sirheni Bush Camp; H14 Phalaborwa to Mopani, and the Tsendzeleka low-level bridge approach. 

“The H1-4 Letaba to Mopani approach at the high-level bridge has also been washed away, which means Tshokwane Picnic Site, Satara Rest Camp and the Northern Regions of the Park are not accessible at this stage,” he said.

In the southern part (Marula Region), the road closures are at the H4-1 Skukuza to Lower Sabie, as the three temporary bypasses have been washed away. 

S1 Skukuza to Phabeni is not accessible, as the L5 drainage structure has been washed away.

“The H2-2 Pretoriuskop to Afsaal (gravel road) is also not accessible due to drift structures being washed away. A final assessment of all the gravel roads will be done only once the roads become accessible to determine their condition.

“All tourism camps and related facilities in the northern part (Nxanatseni Region) have been closed — namely Pafuri Border Camp, Punda Maria Rest Camp, Sirheni Bush Camp, Shingwedzi Rest Camp, Bateleur Bush Camp, Mopani Rest Camp, Tsendzeleka Rustic Camp, Shimuwini Bush Camp, Letaba and Olifants Rest Camps, and Balule Satellite Camp — for all operations due to the flood damages,” the Minister said.

The following tourism camps and related facilities in the Southern part (Marula Region) have been closed: Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp and Gate, Lower Sabie, Mbiyamiti, Satara Rest Camp, and Talamati Bush Camp. 

The southern and northern areas of the park remain cut off from each other.

Malelane Gate, Numbi Gate and Paul Kruger Gate remain open with an entry quota system still in place. –SAnews.gov.za

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