Category: South Africa Government

Justice in the new digital age must strike a careful balance between the protection of human rights and the integration of technology into the system.

This is according to Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, who addressed the Lex-Informatica 2026 Conference held in Pretoria on Thursday.

Reflecting on the rapid modernisation of systems such as artificial intelligence (AI), Nel emphasised that while technology offers powerful tools to transform the justice system, it cannot replace the human qualities that lie at the heart of justice.

“AI can identify precedent, but it can’t understand the moral weight of a decision. Machines can process information, but they can’t possess integrity. They can produce an argument, but they can’t comfort a victim.

“It can analyse evidence, but it can’t fully appreciate the fear of a witness, the vulnerability of a child, or the dignity of an accused person.

“AI can’t take an oath. It can’t accept responsibility, and it can’t understand justice in the human sense – and ultimately that remains the responsibility of the legal practitioner or the judicial officer,” Nel highlighted.

He cited the case of Mavundla v KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as a warning against over-reliance on AI.

In the case, lawyers were found to have submitted heads of argument that included some fictitious case law citations.

“This is a constant reminder to all of us – while AI offers powerful tools for research and drafting, it cannot replace the ethical duty of verification and professional judgement.

“We cannot compete with machines at processing information. But we can bring to technology what technology can’t supply – judgement, context, nuance, empathy, ethics, courage, and human understanding. The challenge is therefore not to resist technological change but to ensure that technology serves justice rather than replacing humanity,” Nel stated.

The Deputy Minister noted that despite some challenges, modern technology is also playing a role in improving efficiency even in the courts.

One example is the Court Online system, which he described as transformative to the “management, handling, and sharing of court records”.

This system now allows for:
•    Reduced physical movement of people and documents between stakeholders and courts;
•    Faster filing and retrieval of case-related information;
•    Elimination of misplaced or lost case files, and
•    Simultaneous access to case information allows multiple authorised users to view and process the same file in real time.

“This platform enables law firms and litigants to file court documents electronically via the Internet, significantly reducing reliance on traditional, paper-based processes,” he said.

Access to justice
Nel noted that while digitisation remains inevitable, the justice system must guard against digital exclusion and leaving rural communities, the elderly and the economically disadvantaged inadvertently behind.

“In South Africa, the need to build a justice system that is resilient, inclusive, and future-ready has never been more urgent.

“To address this, it is essential to anticipate legal needs through predictive analytics and early intervention, to deliver timely, accessible justice services using automation and digital platforms, to inform policy decisions with real-time, evidence-based insights and to build public trust by enhancing transparency, accountability, and responsiveness,” he urged.

He called on a whole-of-society approach to protect human rights even as the world moves toward rapid digital transformation.

“Justice in the digital age is about balance: balancing innovation with accountability, progress with protection, and efficiency with human rights and inclusivity. It is about building a society where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.

“Together – government, business, the legal profession, academia, industry, and civil society – can shape a digital future that honours our constitutional values, protects human rights, and strengthens the rule of law.

“Let us commit ourselves to ensuring that a digital age works to the betterment of humanity,” Nel concluded. – SAnews.gov.za 
 

 

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Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams as the new Provincial Commissioner of the North West Province, effective from 1 August 2026.

Lieutenant General Adams takes up the role with 34 years of distinguished service, bringing extensive operational and leadership experience to one of the country’s key policing provinces.

His appointment forms part of the SAPS Reset Agenda, which is focused on strengthening accountability, rebuilding public trust and creating safer communities.

Throughout his policing career, Lieutenant General Adams has built a reputation for decisive operational leadership, disciplined execution, capability development and an unwavering commitment to service excellence, said the police in a statement.

His experience extends beyond specialised operations. He holds a National Diploma in Policing and has served in several senior leadership positions, including Cluster Commander of Potchefstroom, District Commissioner of the Bojanala Platinum District, District Commissioner of Mangaung, and most recently as Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Policing in the Free State.

Lieutenant General Dimpane said Adams’ extensive experience and proven leadership record make him well suited to lead policing efforts in the North West province.

“He understands policing from the ground. He understands tactical operations, leadership and accountability. These qualities make him exceptionally well suited to lead policing within the North West province,” Dimpane said.

The appointment is expected to strengthen the SAPS leadership team in the province as the organisation continues to intensify efforts to combat crime through decisive police action and stronger community partnerships. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has allocated R60 million towards strategic electricity infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving supply reliability, stimulating economic growth and attracting investment.

The investment forms part of the municipality’s ongoing infrastructure renewal programme and includes R35 million for the replacement of the Chelsea–Summerstrand 132kV powerline and R25 million to strengthen the electricity network within the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The projects form part of the municipality’s broader electricity infrastructure modernisation programme focused on replacing ageing strategic assets, strengthening critical supply corridors, and ensuring the city’s electricity network can meet growing residential, commercial and industrial demand.

The projects complement ongoing maintenance programmes, substation refurbishments and planned network upgrades being implemented across the metro.

“The Coega SEZ project will strengthen the electricity network to meet current demand while creating capacity for future industrial expansion within one of South Africa’s most important investment destinations.

“The replacement of the Chelsea–Summerstrand 132kV power line will improve electricity supply stability to an area that plays a significant role in Nelson Mandela Bay’s tourism and hospitality economy, helping to reduce network vulnerability and support uninterrupted economic activity,” the municipality said in a statement.

The municipality said the investments will also contribute to improving the overall stability of the municipal electricity network by protecting critical supply infrastructure that serves residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said reliable infrastructure remains one of the municipality’s most important economic development priorities.

“A reliable electricity network is the foundation of a competitive and growing city. These investments are not only about constructing new infrastructure – they are about modernising our electricity network, maintaining critical assets and creating the conditions for investment, business expansion and sustainable economic growth.

“By strengthening strategic infrastructure today, we are improving service reliability for our residents while positioning Nelson Mandela Bay as a destination of choice for investment, industry and tourism,” Lobishe said.

R13m for uncategorised electrical infrastructure components

In addition to the R60 million investment, the municipality has allocated R13 million for uncategorised electrical infrastructure components and flexible capital budget items.

The funding will support minor grid extensions, unplanned electrical maintenance, and the replacement and upgrading of critical electrical equipment to further improve the reliability, resilience and overall performance of the city’s electricity network.

“These projects will be implemented through the municipality’s approved capital programme and monitored through established governance and project management processes to ensure effective implementation, accountability and value for money.

“Together, these investments reinforce the municipality’s commitment to modernising and maintaining critical infrastructure while improving service reliability, strengthening investor confidence and creating an enabling environment for inclusive economic growth.”

The municipality said it continues to balance strategic capital investment with routine maintenance, planned refurbishment of substations, and the replacement of ageing infrastructure.

It said that corrective maintenance remains integral to the city’s asset management strategy.

It also reiterated its commitment to protecting public infrastructure by strengthening security measures and working with law enforcement agencies to combat vandalism, cable theft and damage to electricity infrastructure, which remain among the leading causes of avoidable electricity outages across the metro.

Residents, businesses and community organisations have been urged to report incidents of vandalism and infrastructure theft, with the municipality stressing that protecting public infrastructure is a shared responsibility that safeguards service delivery and public investment. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

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South Africa’s tourism sector continued its strong recovery in the first half of 2026, with international tourist arrivals increasing by 12.3% compared with the same period last year, according to the Department of Tourism.

The latest tourism figures show that South Africa welcomed 5 584 473 international tourists between January and June 2026, reflecting sustained growth across both regional and overseas markets.

The increase was driven by a 14.3% rise in arrivals from the African continent, while overseas arrivals grew by 5.6%, underscoring the country’s continued appeal to international travellers.

June also delivered another strong performance, with 823 365 international tourists visiting South Africa during the month, representing a 9.8% year-on-year increase. Tourist arrivals from Africa climbed by 12.1% compared with June 2025.

The United States remained South Africa’s leading overseas source market for the second consecutive month in June, with 40 566 American visitors travelling to the country.

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille attributed the positive results to government’s strategy of broadening the country’s tourism offering and strengthening partnerships with the industry and international markets.

“The deliberate decision to diversify our tourism products is yielding positive results. The sustained growth in both regional and overseas arrivals reflects the resilience of our tourism sector and the effectiveness of the partnerships we have built with industry and our international markets,” de Lille said.

She said government would continue to strengthen partnerships through joint marketing initiatives across the African continent while expanding its presence in strategic overseas markets.

De Lille added that the latest figures reinforced government’s commitment to improving ease of access for travellers, expanding air connectivity and positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for both leisure and business travel. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities through sport.

Chikunga made the commitment during the premiere of Catching the Wind, a documentary celebrating the resilience, courage, and achievements of Special Olympics South Africa athletes.

Chikunga, together with Special Olympics South Africa (SOSA) Chairperson, Dr Mathews Phosa, officially launched the documentary at Ster-Kinekor in Rosebank, Johannesburg, on Wednesday evening.

Hosted in partnership with SOSA, the premiere forms part of the department’s ongoing commitment to advancing the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of persons with disabilities, while creating equal opportunities through sport.

The documentary follows the journeys of Special Olympics South Africa athletes Kamogelo Moncho and Lumka Gogela, highlighting their resilience, determination and perseverance as athletes with intellectual disabilities.

In her address, Chikunga described the film as more than a celebration of sporting excellence.

“Today, we gather not only to premiere a film, but to celebrate an extraordinary journey. Their story reminds us that true greatness is not measured solely by medals, but by perseverance, dedication, and the courage to overcome every obstacle.

“This documentary captures far more than sporting achievement. It tells the story of individuals who dared to dream, who embraced every challenge, and who have become ambassadors for inclusion and equality. Their journey inspires us to see ability before disability, possibility before limitation, and hope before doubt,” Chikunga said.

The Minister said the documentary demonstrates how sport can transform lives by building confidence, promoting healthy lifestyles, fostering friendships, and uniting communities across every social and economic divides.

For athletes with intellectual disabilities, she said sport also creates opportunities to demonstrate talent, develop independence, and contribute meaningfully to society.

The Minister said government remains committed to creating an inclusive sporting environment where every athlete can participate, compete and excel.

“Our commitment to working with Special Olympics South Africa continually on Sports for development Agenda for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind and that every athlete has access to opportunities that enable them to realise their full potential,” Chikunga said.

Chikunga commended the families, coaches, volunteers, and support staff whose unwavering commitment has made these remarkable journeys possible.

“Behind every successful athlete stands a community of people who believe in them, encourage them and celebrate every milestone.”

She also commended Moncho and Gogela for inspiring young people, particularly young women, through their determination and achievements.

“Your determination has inspired countless young people, especially young women to believe in themselves. You have shown us that courage is stronger than fear, that perseverance overcomes adversity, and that dreams become reality through hard work and commitment,” the Minister said.

The Minister further congratulated everyone involved in producing Catching the Wind, saying the documentary shines a light on the importance of inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity.

“It challenges stereotypes, changes perceptions and reminds us that every person’s story deserves to be told. As we watch this documentary, may we be inspired to build a South Africa where every individual, regardless of disability, is valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential,” the Minister said.

She called on South Africans to continue investing in inclusive sport, celebrate diversity, and champion the talents of all athletes with disabilities.

Special Olympics South Africa National Summer Games

The premiere also marked the official countdown to the 2026 Special Olympics South Africa National Summer Games, which will be held in Rustenburg, North West, from 28 to 30 August 2026.

Athletes from across the country are expected to compete while demonstrating the values of excellence, courage, friendship and inclusion.

Chikunga encouraged communities to support the games, saying they present an opportunity to showcase the abilities and achievements of athletes with intellectual disabilities while strengthening social inclusion.

The event reaffirmed government’s commitment to implementing the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the National Development Plan: Vision 2030 and the priorities of the Seventh Administration, which seek to build an inclusive society where persons with disabilities participate fully in all aspects of social and economic life. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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In a multi-million-rand blow to the illicit alcohol trade, law enforcement officers caught smugglers red-handed offloading 26 000 litres of irregularly declared high-proof ethanol at an unregistered Kempton Park warehouse on Wednesday.

The crackdown was carried out by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), working with the South African Police Service (SAPS) DPCI Serious Commercial Crime Investigations.

“SARS, along with SAPS, raided premises identified as a storage facility for imported ethanol [96% alcohol]. The raid occurred as a consignment of the imported product was being delivered into the warehouse after having been declared to be destined for a country further north into Africa.

“The consignment was imported by sea and declared to be in transit and should have been removed directly through one of the ports of exit out of South Africa. The consignment, identified as one of four, is 26 000 litres of ethanol with an alcohol content of approximately 96%,” SARS said.

Ethanol is a base product used to produce liquor products and, according to SARS, generally attracts a duty-rate of R302.84 per litre on the legitimate market.
One consignment would have meant dues and taxes due to SARS of some R9.1 million.
“The joint team discovered the consignment being off-loaded at an unlicensed and unregistered facility into 1 000-litre flow-bins. The facility also had several other flow-bins on site and storage tanks, the contents of which must be tested, but which are suspected to contain a further 28 000 litres of ethanol.
“This successful enforcement action is part of the broad SARS strategy to deal with the illicit economy that is having a devastating effect on the industry.

“The coordinated actions demonstrate SARS’s commitment to its strategic objective of making non-compliance hard and costly. SARS will continue to target the criminal syndicates involved in the illicit alcohol and liquor sectors. These syndicates exploit tax differentials by illegally diverting products and manufacturing illicit liquor,” the revenue service explained.

SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu said the raid aligns with the goal of cracking down on non-compliance through “intelligence-led interventions aimed at customs fraud, excise-duty evasion, smuggling, and illegal trade”.

“We will continue to strengthen our intelligence, customs, and investigative capabilities to detect diversion schemes, disrupt illicit trade, and ensure that those who seek to evade their tax and customs obligations are held accountable.

“Those involved in customs fraud, excise-duty evasion, and other forms of illicit economic activity are put on notice.

“We will not surrender the destiny of this country to criminals or tolerate brazen alcohol smuggling and tax evasion. I commend the collective enforcement and teamwork by SARS, SAPS, and our other partners for their dedication and swift action,” Makhubu said. – SAnews.gov.za 
 

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The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) is looking into a partner at audit firm Crowe, following revelations that a senior partner performed a disputed valuation related to the acquisition of a stake in Lanseria Holdings.

Auditor Gary Kartsounis provided financial valuation services in a transaction between the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and Acapulco regarding the acquisition of a stake in Lanseria Holdings. The valuations are now being questioned.

The matter also relates to the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA)’s adverse findings and sanctions against Kartsounis, arising from audit files unrelated to AGSA that did not meet the IRBA’s quality standards.

“As a proactive response to the circulating allegations involving our external auditors, our audit committee has since convened a special session to evaluate this risk and to obtain an explanation from Crowe’s management. 

“Whilst this matter is completely unrelated to the AGSA audit process, the audit committee took a proactive step by requesting the firm to provide additional assurance on the AGSA audit process,” said Deputy Auditor General Bongi Ngoma in a statement.

Ngoma said AGSA is ensuring that enhanced oversight measures are in place.

“As a supreme audit institution that is constitutionally mandated to ensure good governance by those it audits (auditees), we have to lead by example at all times and ensure that our governance systems and reputation are unquestionable. 

“To this effect, when all the assurance and risk assessment processes have been completed on this matter, the National Audit Office will announce the outcomes and the way forward,” she said.

AGSA has assured the public and stakeholders that the matter is receiving attention from its audit committee and management to ensure that the AGSA audit is not compromised and that the correct safeguards are in place. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

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Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has sought to reassure South Africans that there is no shortage of adult or child rape evidence collection kits anywhere in the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Police said rape evidence collection kits remain available nationwide, with additional supplies currently being distributed as part of routine procurement and stock replenishment processes.

The Ministry said the deliveries are proceeding according to plan to ensure health and policing facilities remain adequately stocked and that services to survivors of sexual violence are not disrupted.

Cachalia described gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as one of South Africa’s most pressing national challenges, saying the South African Police Service (SAPS) remains committed to ensuring that victims of sexual violence are treated with dignity, compassion, and urgency.

The Ministry emphasised that rape evidence collection kits play a vital role in the criminal justice system by enabling the collection of forensic evidence that supports police investigations and strengthens criminal prosecutions.

According to the statement, the continued availability of the kits is intended to ensure that forensic evidence can be collected promptly, helping investigators build cases and hold perpetrators accountable in court.

The assurance comes amid ongoing national efforts to strengthen the country’s response to GBVF and improve support services for survivors of sexual violence. – SAnews.gov.za 
 

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The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has warned the public of a new scam circulating via SMS and email claiming that recipients are owed a refund and directing them to a fraudulent website to claim it.

SARS said that scammers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate professional-looking email templates that are harder to identify as fraudulent.

“If you receive it, please delete and block it. If in doubt, email the SARS IT Security team or visit the Scams and Phishing webpage to see the latest scam examples,” SARS advised taxpayers.

The security team can be contacted at phishing@sars.gov.za, and the phishing webpage is at https://www.sars.gov.za/targeting-tax-crime/scams-and-phishing/. Taxpayers can also contact the Fraud and Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 00 2870.

Members of the public are randomly emailed false “spoofed” emails that appear to be from SARS but are in fact fraudulent attempts to entice unsuspecting taxpayers to part with personal information, such as bank account details.

Examples include emails that appear to be from returns@sars.co.za or refunds@sars.co.za indicating that taxpayers are eligible to receive tax refunds.

These emails contain links to false forms and fake websites made to look like the “real thing” but with the aim of fooling people into entering personal information such as bank account details, which the criminals then extract and use fraudulently.

SARS said it will never request passwords, one-time PINs (OTPs), banking PINs, or eFiling login credentials through email, SMS, social media, or telephone.

“Taxpayers must use only official SARS channels and verify the credentials of any tax practitioner before sharing personal information. For a tax practitioner to charge you for their services, they must be registered,” SARS said.
Taxpayers can check whether a tax practitioner is registered with SARS and a Recognised Controlling Body (RCB) via https://secure.sarsefiling.co.za/TaxPractitionerQuery.aspx.

SARS taxpayers should take note of the following:
•    Do not open or respond to emails from unknown sources.
•    Beware of emails that ask for personal, tax, banking, and eFiling details (login credentials, passwords, PINs, credit/debit card information, etc.).
•    SARS will never request your banking details in any communication that you receive via post, email, or SMS. However, for the purpose of telephonic engagement and authentication purposes, SARS will verify your personal details. Importantly, SARS will not send you any hyperlinks to other websites—even those of banks.
•    Beware of false SMSs.
•    SARS does not send .htm or .html attachments.
•    SARS will never ask for your credit card details.

–SAnews.gov.za

 

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