Category: South Africa Government

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) says it has received no further reports of dead sardines since 10 September, indicating that the acute mortality phase has ended. 

In a statement on Sunday, the department said surveillance was continuing as laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) resumed to establish the virus’s presence and its possible association with the sardine mortality event.

“Further laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) is underway and results are expected during the coming week,” the department said.

Testing of samples collected before, during and after the mortality event will help clarify when the virus was present, its association with affected fish and whether it remains detectable.

The department cautioned that detecting viral material alone does not establish active disease, adding that results would be considered alongside fish health and environmental information.

Coastal authorities, fishers and members of the public have been encouraged to report any new sightings of dead sardines promptly.

Precautionary catch limits remain in force

An approved precautionary catch limit is in force from 3 to 30 October 2026 to limit the rate of sardine removals while further scientific information is gathered and processed.

Under the measure, each sardine right holder may harvest no more than 33% of its remaining uncaught 2026 directed sardine total allowable catch in the applicable management area, either west or east of Cape Agulhas.

The department said the fishery remained an important source of samples for laboratory testing and information on where sardines were being encountered.

The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group is expected to reassess the situation on 27 October 2026, or earlier if material new evidence emerges.

The department said that preparations are also continuing for the end-of-year hydroacoustic survey, which is planned to begin in early November.

The survey will cover the coast from Hondeklip Bay to Port St Johns and provide the first fisheries-independent estimate of sardine biomass and distribution following the mortality event.

The department and its partners are also continuing work under a coordinated response plan, including monitoring possible effects on sardine-dependent predators and the wider marine ecosystem.

Public urged not to collect dead sardines

The DFFE said PHV is a fish virus and is not known to infect people. Commercially produced sardine products released through regulated channels remain safe.

However, the public has been advised against collecting or consuming dead or dying sardines found on beaches or floating near the shore.

The department also cautioned against feeding the fish to animals or using them as bait. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has congratulated South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, recognising her contributions to international justice, human rights and peace. 

In a statement, Youssouf described the award as a well-deserved recognition of Pillay’s lifelong dedication to justice, human dignity and peace, saying her contributions to international law and accountability had left an enduring legacy for Africa and the world.

He highlighted her distinguished career, from her struggle against apartheid in South Africa to her service at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court and the United Nations.

“Her work advancing accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity and conflict-related sexual violence has helped strengthen the foundations of international justice,” he said.

Youssouf also underscored the significance of Pillay’s achievement for African women and girls, describing her as a source of pride for the continent and an inspiration to future generations.

He noted that her career exemplified the vital contribution of African women to global leadership, international institutions and the advancement of universal principles.

At a time when international law and multilateral institutions face mounting challenges, Youssouf said the award served as a reminder that lasting peace must be grounded in justice, accountability and respect for the rule of law. 

He reaffirmed that these principles remained central to the AU’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the protection of civilians and the realisation of Agenda 2063’s aspirations for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Africa.

The AU Commission Chairperson reiterated the continental body’s determination to uphold international law, strengthen multilateral cooperation and advance its commitment to Silencing the Guns across the continent.

He joined the Government and people of South Africa, Africans across the continent and the diaspora in celebrating the recognition of Pillay’s lifelong commitment to justice, human dignity and peace. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa’s Class of 2026 has pledged to uphold honesty, discipline and integrity as learners prepare to begin their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations on Tuesday.  

The pledge-signing ceremonies, held at schools across the country on Friday, reaffirmed matric candidates’ commitment to academic excellence and ethical conduct as they approach the culmination of their schooling careers. 

Speaking to the Free State matriculants at the provincial pledge-signing ceremony at the Bluegumbosch Multipurpose Centre in Qwaqwa, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged learners to remain focused and not allow a momentary lapse in judgement to jeopardise years of hard work and sacrifice. 

“Believe in yourselves, for we believe in you. The nation stands behind you. We are proud of you for having reached this milestone. And we wish you every success,” the President said.

The President acknowledged the sacrifices made by learners, their families, teachers and tutors in preparing for the examinations, describing the upcoming tests as an opportunity for matriculants to reap the rewards of their investment in education. 

“No worthwhile goal can be achieved without sacrifice. Without persistence. Without discipline,” he said.

He also commended educators for their commitment to learners, noting that teachers often sacrifice time with their own families to support their students.

The President highlighted the progress made by learners from no-fee schools in townships and rural areas, saying their achievements demonstrated both personal dedication and progress towards building an education system that gives everyone an equal chance.

The Free State, which achieved the country’s highest matric pass rate for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024, was encouraged to reclaim the top position after KwaZulu-Natal ended its winning streak in 2025. 

“As the President of the Republic, I cannot favour any one province in the competition for first place, but we do expect the Free State to do everything it can to take its crown back,” he said.

Minister warns against examination irregularities

Meanwhile, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who attended the pledge-signing ceremony at Fezeka Secondary School in the Western Cape, urged learners to approach the examinations with integrity, discipline and a commitment to excellence.

Reflecting on her own educational journey, the Minister encouraged candidates to take responsibility for their futures through diligent study and decisions that would open doors to opportunities beyond school.

She reminded learners that the examinations mark an important transition into adulthood and the next chapter of their lives.

Gwarube also warned against examination irregularities, including bringing cellphones and crib notes into examination rooms, cautioning that academic dishonesty could have serious consequences for learners’ future opportunities. 

“There are no shortcuts to success. A cellphone hidden in a pocket is not preparation. A leaked question paper is not intelligence. Copying another learner’s work is not achievement,” she said.

The Minister stressed that the NSC must remain a qualification that South Africans can trust because it is earned honestly.

Through signing the pledge, learners commit themselves to honesty, accountability and giving their best throughout the examination period.

Pledge a commitment to learners’ futures 

In Gauteng, Deputy Minister of Basic Education Reginah Mhaule joined provincial Education MEC Lebogang Maile at Riverside High School in Three Rivers, Vereeniging, for the provincial pledge-signing ceremony.

Mhaule said the occasion represented more than a commitment to comply with examination rules, reaffirming the importance of academic excellence, integrity, discipline and responsibility.

“Today, our learners are making a commitment not only to the examination system, but to themselves and the futures they are working to build,” Mhaule said. 

The ceremonies across the country are intended to reinforce the importance of fairness and accountability in the examination process, while encouraging candidates to approach their final school examinations with confidence, dedication and determination.

The 2026 NSC examinations begin on Tuesday, 13 October, with Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 practical scheduled for the first session. The second session will feature Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu Home Language (HL), First Additional Language (FAL) and Second Additional Language (SAL) Paper 1, as well as Hebrew SAL and German HL, FAL and SAL Paper 1.

The examination period will conclude on Thursday, 26 November 2026. 

Learners have been urged to consult the official examination timetable to confirm the dates, times and subjects for their respective papers.

As the Class of 2026 prepares to write, the message from the country’s leadership is clear: years of preparation must be matched by discipline, honesty and a determination to succeed. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Police have arrested 30 suspects—25 in KwaZulu-Natal and five in Gauteng—in connection with public violence and unlawful protests.

The protests followed claims that a recent Constitutional Court ruling on asylum applications grants blanket amnesty to undocumented foreign nationals.

“The arrests relate to offences including public violence, malicious damage to property, illegal gathering, obstruction and resisting arrest, with further charges dependent on the outcome of investigations,” Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, said on Saturday night.

Those arrested since Thursday include people allegedly identified as ringleaders who had threatened to disrupt planned sporting events in Durban.

Mosikili made the remarks during a media briefing by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) on nationwide law-enforcement deployments, operations and stability. The briefing followed protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in which vehicles and buildings were burned and other property was damaged.

“The coordinated operations and decisive interventions of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure are yielding results, with law enforcement agencies making significant progress in containing violence, apprehending perpetrators and restoring stability in affected areas. 

“Our deployments remain active and are being continuously adjusted in response to verified intelligence and evolving operational requirements. These arrests demonstrate that unlawful conduct carries consequences,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

She added that investigations were continuing and that law-enforcement agencies were pursuing those implicated in burning vehicles, attacking businesses and homes, looting and committing other criminal acts.

The suspects will be processed through the criminal justice system, and the National Prosecuting Authority will exercise its mandate in accordance with the law.

“The message is unequivocal: the state is firmly in control of its security response, the authority of the law will be upheld, and no individual or group will be permitted to hold communities, public institutions or lawful activities to ransom through intimidation, violence or the destruction of property.

“The incidents in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, involving the burning of vehicles, damage to buildings, looting and confrontations within communities, required an immediate and coordinated response. 

“The destruction of property and intimidation of individuals are not legitimate expressions of grievance. They are criminal acts that threaten lives, undermine livelihoods, disrupt essential services and erode the safety and stability of communities,” Mosikili emphasised.

In response, NATJOINTS has intensified national coordination, and senior management has deployed additional resources to strengthen policing capacity in the affected provinces.

Maximum operational deployments began across all nine provinces on 9 October, increasing police visibility and readiness while strengthening the capacity to respond swiftly to emerging threats and maintain policing services.

The Deputy Commissioner said Crime Intelligence, the State Security Agency and other relevant intelligence structures continued to monitor developments, verify information, identify potential threats and issue early warnings to guide operational decisions.

These intelligence-led interventions are supported by coordinated planning through NATJOINTS, the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures (PROVJOINTS) and relevant operational command structures.

The South African National Defence Force has also been activated in KwaZulu-Natal to support the South African Police Service.

“This forms part of a decisive, coordinated response to strengthen stabilisation efforts and support the maintenance of law and order. Additional reinforcement requirements are being assessed in line with operational needs.

“The situation in the affected areas is being closely monitored, with interventions focused on preventing further violence, protecting vulnerable communities, safeguarding businesses and residential properties, and preventing retaliatory attacks.

“While isolated incidents may still occur, the collective response of law enforcement agencies is directed at containing these threats before they escalate. We remain alert, prepared and committed to responding decisively, professionally and within the law,” Mosikili said.

She emphasised that the planned football and cricket matches in KwaZulu-Natal had proceeded without disruption.

“This demonstrates that coordinated security planning and operational deployments are enabling communities to continue with lawful activities despite attempts to create instability. Security monitoring continues beyond the conclusion of these events. 

“No group will be allowed to threaten sporting fixtures, obstruct lawful gatherings or dictate whether people may exercise their rights through intimidation and violence,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

NATJOINTS will continue to coordinate intelligence, deployments, investigations and interdepartmental interventions to prevent further escalation and maintain stability.

“Our priority remains the protection of life and property, the preservation of public order and the uninterrupted functioning of communities and essential services,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za

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Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested a man who allegedly threatened that he and his followers would shut down Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday to prevent the MTN8 Cup final between Orlando Pirates FC and Mamelodi Sundowns from taking place.

The suspect had gathered a group of people at King Dinizulu Park to stage a march. However, those who were with him managed to flee. 

“Police are reiterating that anyone who threatens to cause instability will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement. –SAnews.gov.za

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The South African National Parks (SANParks) has welcomed the guilty verdict against former Kruger National Park Regional Ranger, Rodney Landela, and former State Veterinary Service Animal Health Technician, Kenneth Mochocho, who were found guilty of the illegal hunting and killing of a white rhino in a protected area, as well as possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a crime.

“The accused initially faced six charges. Four charges were subsequently withdrawn, namely theft relating to the stolen rhino horns, conspiracy to commit a crime, disposing of or tampering with evidence, and escaping from lawful custody,” SANParks said in a statement on Friday.

The Skukuza Regional Court found the pair guilty on the remaining charges of illegally hunting a protected species, namely a white rhino, and possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a crime. 

“The judgement brings closure to a matter that has been before the courts for approximately 10 years and represents a significant victory in the fight against wildlife crime and the protection of South Africa’s natural heritage.

“The organisation commends the National Prosecuting Authority, investigators, law enforcement agencies, witnesses, and all individuals who contributed to ensuring that justice was ultimately served,” SANParks said. –SAnews.gov.za

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The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, has encouraged the 268 Grade 12 candidates from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) who will sit for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations to remain focused and draw confidence from the effort they have invested in their studies.

“The long hours of studying, attending classes, engaging with educators and collaborating with your fellow inmates will be rewarded through your results. Remain disciplined, believe in your abilities and give your best throughout the examination period,” the Commissioner said in a statement on Friday.

The 268 candidates are enrolled at 18 correctional services schools nationwide.

Thobakgale noted a significant 56.7% increase in the number of inmates matriculants, from 171 in 2025 to 268 in 2026. He said this increase reflected continued progress in expanding access to education within correctional facilities.

The growth also reflects the department’s continued commitment to promoting formal education as a key component of rehabilitation and personal development.

The Commissioner also acknowledged the dedication of educators, school principals and officials who continue to create learning opportunities and support candidates throughout their educational journeys.

“Your work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those entrusted to our care. Continue the good work, knowing that your efforts are reflected in lives improved and transformed through education,” he said.

The department remains committed to providing the academic support candidates need to prepare for the examinations and to equipping them to pursue further studies at higher education institutions or explore other opportunities upon release.

The department achieved an overall pass rate of 94.4% in the 2025 NSC examinations.

“Correctional Services is looking forward to the announcement of the 2026 results in January 2027, highly optimistic of more correctional services schools securing a 100% pass.”

The NSC examinations serve as an important measure of the department’s efforts to advance rehabilitation through formal education.

By providing incarcerated individuals with access to learning opportunities, DCS aims to improve their prospects for further education, employment and successful reintegration into society.

Alongside formal education, the department said it continues to prioritise vocational training and other rehabilitation programmes that equip offenders with practical skills to support their successful reintegration into society.

“The Department of Correctional Services is fully prepared with all necessary arrangements in place to support the 268 inmate candidates throughout the examination period.” –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has paid tribute to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay after she was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, describing the achievement as exceptional and a proud moment not only for South Africa but also for the African continent.

“As a nation, we are proud to celebrate our own, who continues to fly the South African flag high. By awarding her this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel committee has reaffirmed that respect for international law, defence of human rights and creating a peaceful world are values worth fighting for, especially in the current global environment,” Kubayi said.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award in Oslo, Norway, on Friday, recognising Pillay’s efforts to promote peace and uphold international law.

As one of the world’s most prestigious honours, the award recognises her lifetime of courageous service to justice and human dignity.

Pillay represented President Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists before becoming the first non-white woman to be appointed to South Africa’s High Court in 1995.

She later served as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, as a judge of the International Criminal Court, and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

She currently serves as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice. Her contribution to the landmark Akayesu judgment helped establish that rape and sexual violence may constitute acts of genocide.

In awarding this prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said it “attaches importance to Navi Pillay’s role as a driving force in the development of an international system of law and order, while further emphasising her judicial rigour, personal integrity and considerable courage.”

Kubayi expressed immense pride in Pillay’s lifelong dedication to justice.

“Her work gives practical expression to the values of equality and freedom enshrined in our Constitution,” she said. — SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, will brief the media on South Africa’s participation and negotiating position ahead of the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, known as CBD COP17.

COP17 will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 – 30 October 2026. 

“The conference will conduct the first global review of collective progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

At the briefing to be held on Monday, 12 October,  the Deputy Minister will provide updates on South Africa’s progress towards implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; South Africa’s negotiating position and priorities for COP17, including biodiversity finance, implementation support, digital sequence information, and access and benefit-sharing. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has emphasised the importance of the work done by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in aiding government to plan and deliver services to citizens.

“The data you produce enables the government to see where schools, clinics and essential services are needed, where resources must be redirected, where progress is being made and where it is not,” Mhlauli said.

Speaking on the occasion of Celebrating the Stata SA Census 30th Anniversary in South Africa, Mhlauli said the team made evidence-based planning not just possible, but credible.

Credibility, in our constitutional democracy, is the precondition for everything,” she said.

Mhlauli said Statistics South Africa cannot count a single person who does not open the door.

“Every number in every census, every finding in every household survey, begins with an ordinary person who said yes. Who let a fieldworker into their home. Who answered questions about how many people lived there, what work they did, whether they had access to water, whether their children were in school, and whether they had lost someone in the past year,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said that by participating in the census, households invest in their community’s future.

“Not everyone realises this when the enumerator knocks. And that is one of our most significant ongoing challenges.

“Across the world, census participation is becoming harder. People are busier and more mobile. A significant number of people live in gated estates, secure complexes and high-rise buildings that are difficult to access. 

“Some are anxious about privacy, about who will see their information and how it will be used. Others are skeptical that responding will change anything in their lives. In some communities, legitimate frustration with service delivery turns into hostility towards any official who arrives at the door.” 

She said that public trust must be earned continuously. 

“The lesson is clear: public trust must be earned continuously, not only in the census year. It requires transparency. It requires communication in all our official languages and through channels that people use. It requires partnership with traditional leaders, faith communities, councilors, residents’ associations and community development workers,” she explained.

Mhlauli said after a census is conducted, communities must be shown what was done with their information and how it enabled decisions. 

Census 2022 was conducted in February 2022 and was the fourth population and housing count in post-apartheid South Africa, with the first conducted in 1996, with subsequent censuses being conducted in 2001 and 2011.

A census provides comprehensive data on population size, demographic trends, and other service delivery-related information.

Act of citizenship

She thanked all who opened their doors over the past 30 years for a census, a General Household Survey, an Income and Expenditure Survey or any instrument through which the country learns about itself on behalf of government.

“Your participation was an act of citizenship. It was more significant than you may have realised,” she said.

Calling on South Africans to continue participating in future data collection exercises, she urged residents to cooperate when Census 2031 gets underway.

“And when that enumerator comes – or when the invitation arrives to complete the census online – I ask each and every South African: open the door. Take part. Your answers are not merely data. They are your voice in the planning of your country’s future.”

The Deputy Minister concluded by thanking Statistics South Africa employees for their dedication, saying their work has helped shape government planning, budget allocations and service delivery improvements throughout the democratic era.

Stats SA is mandated to collect, process, analyse, and disseminate official statistics for South Africa. It publishes key indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP), employment, household surveys, census results, and provincial financial statistics. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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