Category: South Africa Government

Government is undertaking preparatory work to repatriate the remains of South Africans who died in Angola between 1976 and 1992 in cases linked to apartheid-era political conflict, as part of efforts to return them to their families.

This is according to Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel, who provided an update on the Angola phase of the SA Exile Repatriation Project in Pretoria on Friday.

The Exile Repatriation Project gives effect to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which called on government to continue tracing people who disappeared in political circumstances between 1960 and 1994.

This includes people who died within South Africa, as well as those who died or disappeared while living in exile.

“Available information indicates that between 300 and 400 combatants of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) died in Angola during this period. Current assessments indicate that between 30 and 50 per cent of the deceased may be recoverable.

“Symbolic and spiritual repatriation will therefore remain an important component of the Angola project for families whose relatives cannot be physically located or identified,” Nel said.

The Missing Persons Task Team has recovered the remains of more than 230 people in cases linked to apartheid-era political conflict.

The Exile Repatriation Programme has also resulted in the recovery of the remains of 49 people from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

A preliminary mission to Angola was undertaken in 2025 to conduct grave mapping, during which the Technical Team identified 89 potential graves for excavation.

This is an initial figure and does not include all possible burials at former African National Congress (ANC) camps.

“Further investigations are expected to identify additional sites. Recovery will proceed in phases. The initial work will concentrate on sites that can be investigated without the extensive preparation required in more complex areas.

“Former camps in parts of the Eastern and Northern Fronts are expected to be addressed in 2027 because bush clearance and demining must first be completed.

“Preparatory work is also being conducted in South Africa. The TRC Unit and the Missing Persons Task Team are tracing affected families and collecting DNA  (deoxyribonucleic acid) samples from appropriate relatives,” the Deputy Minister said.

Nel said DNA reference samples will be essential, as identification in many Angola cases will depend heavily on comparison with biological relatives.

The TRC Unit is engaging families, explaining the process, assisting with travel documentation, and coordinating with provinces, municipalities and other institutions.

“Family representatives will travel in groups to Angola to undertake pre-exhumation visits and rituals. The Viana Transit Camp has been identified as an important location for these visits because MK members passed through it during their time in Angola.

“Families will be able to conduct relevant spiritual, cultural or religious rituals there. At the pre-exhumation stage, families will not be taken to particular graves because the identities of those buried at individual sites will not yet have been scientifically confirmed,” Nel said.

The Technical Team is scheduled to undertake excavations and exhumations in September or October 2026, subject to approvals by the Angolan authorities.

The planned sites include three cemeteries in Luanda; Malanje town, Quela village and a field site in Cacuso in the Eastern Front; as well as Caxito Camp and eight graves at the entrance to Pango in the Northern Front.

“Where there are clear indications that remains are South African, they may be exhumed and transferred to a storage area made available by the Angolan authorities for further forensic examination.

“DNA analysis will be used to confirm identity unless reliable identification can be established through other evidence. Where there is insufficient certainty about the nationality of remains, DNA samples may be taken without removing the remains at that stage,” the Deputy Minister explained.

Nel emphasised that repatriation will take place only after South African status and, where possible, individual identity have been confirmed.

The remains will then be returned to South Africa for formal handover and reburial, in consultation with the affected families, provinces and municipalities. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

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In a bid to strengthen communal livestock farming, improve herd genetics, and increase cattle production, North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha has handed over a livestock handling facility and three breeding bulls to farmer associations in the province.

The MEC handed over the livestock handling facility to the Vaal Reefs Livestock Farmers Association and three breeding bulls to the Isibaya the Kraal and Umzimhle Farmers Association in Matlosana Local Municipality.

The beneficiary groups comprise communal farmers from Vaal Reefs and surrounding areas who collectively manage a significant cattle herd in the Matlosana region.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said the initiative forms part of an ongoing partnership with local farmers aimed at enhancing livestock production, improving herd quality and animal health, and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

The intervention is expected to strengthen food security, boost productivity, and improve the livelihoods of farming communities.

The handover on Thursday, formed part of the department’s broader programme to support communal livestock farmers through targeted investments in agricultural infrastructure and access to quality breeding stock.

It is one of several agricultural support initiatives recently rolled out by Sambatha across the province, with additional projects expected to be completed in the coming months, as the government continues to drive the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector.

The livestock handling facility will enable farmers to manage their cattle more safely and efficiently during dipping, vaccination, branding, and other routine animal health activities.

The three breeding bulls are expected to improve herd genetics, leading to increased productivity and enhanced value for livestock owned by members of the association.

As part of the handover programme, cattle were also vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), with all vaccinated animals tagged to improve identification, traceability, and effective disease control.

Addressing farmers during the handover ceremony, Sambatha reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting emerging and communal farmers through practical interventions that strengthen agricultural production, enhance food security, and create sustainable livelihoods in rural communities.

“I encouraged beneficiaries to take ownership of this facility and ensure the breeding bulls are properly managed to maximise their long-term benefits for current and future generations of livestock farmers,” he said.

Beneficiaries welcomed the department’s support and expressed gratitude for addressing the challenges faced by local farmers. They added that the investment will play a vital role in improving farming operations, increasing productivity, and sustaining household incomes.

The department said the handover is expected to improve herd quality, contributing to the development of a more competitive, productive, and sustainable livestock sector. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

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Police have arrested a 36-year-old man and seized two firearms, ammunition and imitation weapons during an intelligence-driven operation in Ottery, Cape Town.

The operation was conducted on Thursday, 30 July, by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Anti-Gang Unit, supported by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), under Operation Prosper.

Police targeted a residence at Hohenhort Court in the Ottery area after receiving intelligence about suspected illegal firearms.

During a search of the property, officers seized a CZ100 pistol and a Ruger pistol, two imitation firearms, three magazines, 29 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and a blank round.

A 36-year-old man was arrested and is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as the illegal possession of two imitation firearms.

He is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court.

In a separate operation conducted as part of the same deployment, police tracing wanted suspects arrested a 51-year-old man for allegedly contravening the Domestic Violence Act.

The arrests come as police intensify operations targeting illegal firearms, which authorities have identified as a major contributor to violent and gang-related crime in the Western Cape.

Acting Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Major General Luyanda Damoyi said the recovery of illegal firearms could help prevent further violent crimes.

“The proliferation of illegal firearms continues to fuel violent crime and gang-related violence in our province,” Damoyi said.

He said police could not determine whether the recovered firearms had previously been used in crimes until ballistic testing had been completed.

“Every firearm recovered is one less weapon available to criminals to rob, intimidate or take innocent lives,” Damoyi said.

He added that police would continue conducting intelligence-driven operations to remove illegal firearms from circulation.

SAPS has urged communities to provide information that could assist police in recovering illegal firearms and identifying those involved in their possession and use. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has appointed Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers as the new Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo.

The appointment was officially announced by Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane during a ceremony held at the Premier’s Office in Polokwane.

Scheepers takes over following the retirement of Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe in June 2026.

The appointment forms part of the SAPS’ ongoing organisational renewal programme, which seeks to strengthen leadership, improve service delivery and advance the organisation’s Reset Agenda.

Dimpane was joined at the appointment ceremony by Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye.

Also attending were Director General in the Office of the Premier Nape Nchabeleng, Head of Department for Transport and Community Safety Steve Matjena, Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, as well as members of SAPS provincial management, including Deputy Provincial Commissioners, District Commissioners and brigadiers.

The appointment comes as SAPS continues efforts to strengthen its leadership structures and improve policing outcomes across the country.

Scheepers will be responsible for providing strategic leadership to the provincial police force and overseeing efforts to enhance policing and service delivery across Limpopo.

The SAPS said the appointment reflects its commitment to ensuring that provincial leadership is aligned with the organisation’s priorities and its broader efforts to reset and strengthen the police service. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Mandela Month will conclude on Friday with a R150 000 donation of educational equipment and learning materials to Thiboloha Special School in the Free State, in a partnership between the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) and the Chinese Embassy in South Africa.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Seiso Mohai will lead the Mandela Month outreach at the school in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, on Friday.

The donation forms part of government’s commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day, held this year under the theme, “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity”.

Thiboloha Special School caters for learners from Grade R to Grade 12 living with deafness, blindness, autism and intellectual disabilities.

The school has been identified for developmental support, including learning aids, sports equipment, boarding-house essentials and infrastructure improvements.

The DPME said the donation would help address the educational needs of learners and assist teachers in creating a more inclusive learning environment.

The initiative follows discussions between Mohai and Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng on possible support for the school and broader cooperation linked to the District Development Model initiatives in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District.

The Chinese Embassy subsequently agreed to support the Mandela Month initiative, as well as planned work around an investment summit and related social compacting processes in the district.

The partnership highlights the role of collaboration between government, international partners and communities in addressing local development challenges, according to the department.

The DPME said the Thiboloha initiative demonstrates how partnerships can translate Mandela Day’s call for action into practical support for communities, particularly children with disabilities.

Mandela International Day is observed annually on 18 July, the birthday of former President Nelson Mandela, with the month-long campaign encouraging individuals and organisations to contribute to efforts aimed at addressing poverty, inequality and other social challenges. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will officiate the opening of the King Nyabela Hospital next week in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.

Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu, as well as senior government officials, traditional leaders and community members will be in attendance at the opening on Tuesday, 4 August 2026. 

“This new facility is a Level 1 district hospital which will enhance access to healthcare in the Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga.

“The new hospital comprises a full suite of clinical departments, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and High Care. The hospital features three state-of-the-art operating theatres, an Outpatient Services department, and a 24-hour Accident & Emergency department,” the Presidency said in a statement on Friday.

Construction of the hospital commenced in 2017, and the health facility is a replacement and upgrade of the old Middelburg Hospital. 

The hospital is named in honour of a leader of the Ndzundza-Ndebele people, who was the son of King Mabhoko.

“The ceremonial opening marks the culmination of significant health infrastructure investment aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery for the residents of Mpumalanga.

“The new hospital reflects government’s commitment to universal health coverage and achieving improved patient outcomes,” the Presidency explained. – SAnews.gov.za

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Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, has officially opened the department’s new Home Affairs office at Centurion Mall, in Pretoria, marking a milestone in the Home Affairs @ home reform programme to make services more accessible.

While the office has been operational since earlier this year, Thursday’s official opening reflects the department’s commitment to making Home Affairs more accessible through modern facilities that are conveniently located and designed around the needs of the people they serve.

“The relocation of the Centurion office to Centurion Mall brings the Home Affairs @ home vision to life. We are bringing services closer to where people already live, work and shop, while ensuring they are delivered in environments that are safe, accessible and worthy of the people we serve,” Minister Schreiber said.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said the relocation addressed long-standing challenges at the previous site, where poor infrastructure, limited facilities and security concerns undermined service delivery.

The previous office had also become a hotspot for the illegal sale of queue positions by unscrupulous individuals, while the lack of secure on-site parking exposed clients and their vehicles to criminal activity.

The new office provides an accessible and well-equipped environment that supports more efficient service delivery while restoring dignity to the experience of visiting Home Affairs.

The Minister said the relocation demonstrates how the DHA is modernising both its physical footprint and the way South Africans access home affairs services through digital channels.

He also thanked officials and everyone involved in the successful relocation for ensuring uninterrupted service delivery throughout the transition and for contributing to another milestone in the transformation of Home Affairs.

The office is located on the Upper Level, Shop 330 in the Centurion Mall. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africans who have not yet registered to vote or need to update their details, have been urged to do so during the final voter registration weekend on 1 and 2 August.

The Electoral Commission (IEC) said it had completed its preparations for the final voting station-based registration opportunity, with 23 699 voting stations set to operate across the country from 8am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

IEC Chief Executive Officer Sy Mamabolo called on eligible voters to use the opportunity to secure their place on the voters’ roll, ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

“The Commission calls on all eligible South Africans who have not yet registered as voters; those who are registered but have not yet inspected their address details for completeness, or those who have moved residence since they last registered, to use this final opportunity to secure their place on the voters’ roll,” Mamabolo said.

The IEC will deploy 48 212 trained electoral officials to assist voters with registration, updating their details and verifying their registration information.

The Commission has also adjusted its voting district arrangements following an assessment of voter activity during the first registration weekend, reducing the number of districts from 23 706 to 23 699.

During the first registration weekend on 20 and 21 June, more than three million registration transactions were recorded.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has also urged citizens to take part in the final registration drive, stressing that active participation is essential to improving local government.

“Go and vote for people who will serve you. It is not going to help to complain if you don’t participate in selecting who should be your candidate,” Hlabisa said.

He said the quality of local government depended largely on the calibre of councillors elected to serve communities.

“If we want to fix municipalities, we must fix who becomes a councillor. That is the bottom line,” Hlabisa said.

Hlabisa also urged voters to participate in the candidate nomination process and elect leaders who will ensure that municipal funds are directed towards essential services and priority needs.

The Department of Home Affairs will align its operating hours with the registration weekend to assist eligible voters who require identity documents.

Following the final registration weekend, the IEC anticipates that the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will proclaim the date of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Mamabolo said the voters’ roll would close at midnight on the day the election is proclaimed.

Thereafter, no new registrations or changes to existing voter details will be permitted until after the elections, and the IEC will cease registration drives and deactivate its online registration portal. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi will today lead Phase 6 of the Accelerated Service Delivery Thuntsha Lerole Programme in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality.

The intervention comes as communities across Ditsobotla continue to grapple with persistent service delivery challenges, including unreliable water and electricity supply, deteriorating road infrastructure, non-functioning streetlights, inconsistent refuse collection, and poor maintenance of municipal infrastructure, among others.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s initiative, the Office of the Premier said these persistent challenges prompted intervention by the national Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) to support efforts to restore governance, stabilise the municipality, and improve service delivery.

In a bid to address electricity supply challenges, the Ditsobotla Local Municipality recently signed a Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA) with Eskom, marking an important milestone in stabilising electricity distribution. The agreement is expected to strengthen electricity distribution by improving revenue management, improving maintenance of the electricity network and ensuring more efficient delivery of electricity services to the communities.

“The rollout of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme Thuntsha Lerole in Ditsobotla Local Municipality affords the provincial government the opportunity to complement and strengthen ongoing interventions,” said the Premier’s Office.

As part of this week’s programme, government teams will undertake road maintenance projects, including pothole patching, blading, and regravelling, as well as road marking on various streets across the municipality.

The programme will also include the handover of 10 title deeds to beneficiaries in Boikhutso, as part of a broader initiative to distribute 250 title deeds across the municipality.

In addition, qualifying residents will receive assistive devices, including wheelchairs, hearing aids and prosthetic limbs, to enhance their mobility, independence and quality of life.

As part of efforts to combat food insecurity, vegetable production inputs and gardening tools will be handed over to the Boikhutso school community garden.

Meanwhile, officials from the Provincial Treasury, Ditsobotla Local Municipality and National Treasury will engage on municipal data cleansing and improving the credibility of financial reports submitted to the National Treasury database, with a particular focus on strengthening the accuracy of Section 71 reporting.

The Office of the Premier said the Thuntsha Lerole Programme remains a key provincial intervention aimed at accelerating service delivery, improving accountability and strengthening collaboration between all three spheres of government in responding to community needs.

The Premier will be joined by Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and the leadership of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and the Ditsobotla Local Municipality. –SAnews.gov.za

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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is facing the risk of further deindustrialisation after manufacturing’s contribution to the regional economy declined from 11.3% of GDP in 2024 to 10.9% in 2025.

Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka said the decline was moving the region further away from its target of increasing manufacturing’s contribution to 30% of Gross Domestic Product by 2030.

Speaking at the closing of the ninth SADC Industrialisation Week in Durban on Thursday, Moraka said reversing the trend would require deliberate policy interventions, increased investment in productive sectors, stronger public-private partnerships and greater regional cooperation.

“The challenge before us is therefore not one of potential. It is one of coordination, implementation and follow-up,” Moraka said.

The four-day gathering brought together government officials, policymakers, investors, businesses, development finance institutions, researchers and academics to discuss ways of accelerating industrial development across the region.

Moraka said SADC countries needed to move away from exporting raw materials and importing finished products at higher costs.

She identified critical minerals as a major opportunity for the region, which has significant deposits of lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite, rare earth elements and platinum group metals.

The focus should shift from extracting these resources to processing and refining them locally and developing higher-value manufactured products.

“Beneficiation must become our collective industrial strategy,” she said, adding that investment in downstream manufacturing should be a shared priority.

Agriculture and agro-processing were highlighted as key components of the region’s industrialisation strategy.

While the number of food-insecure people in SADC fell by 16% from 69 million in 2024 to 58 million in 2025, Moraka said the figure remained a major concern. Agricultural growth also recovered to between 2% and 3% in 2025, but remained below the African Union’s 6% target.

The spread of Foot and Mouth Disease across six SADC member states was identified as another threat to livestock production, regional trade and food security.

Moraka said greater investment in agriculture, agro-processing, logistics and technology was needed to strengthen regional value chains, create jobs and reduce food losses.

Although electricity generation capacity in the region had risen to 88 202 megawatts and electricity access increased from 56% in 2024 to 60% in 2025, access remained well below the regional target of 85% by 2030.

Moraka said reliable energy, transport infrastructure, logistics and digital connectivity were essential to industrial development.

She called for greater investment in technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure, saying SADC countries should become producers and innovators rather than merely consumers of emerging technologies.

The Deputy Minister said South Africa’s forthcoming Chairship of SADC would provide an opportunity to advance the priorities discussed during the Industrialisation Week.

She said the outcomes of the Durban gathering should translate into implementation, partnerships and industrial transformation across the region. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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