Category: South Africa Government

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has requested the board of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to investigate contracts issued under suspended Chief Executive Officer Tebogo Malaka.

This as the Minister met with the new board on Wednesday evening to discuss allegations laid against Malaka.

This follows a Daily Maverick report that one of its journalists was offered R60 000 in cash to avoid publishing negative reports. 

“How is it possible for any official to carry around R60 000 in cash, and even imply that government contracts could be offered in exchange for silence, while we have worked to clean up the IDT. I remain resolute in my mission to restore the IDT to play its important role in society,” said the Minister.

Macpherson laid criminal charges against Malaka and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane at the Cape Town Central Police Station on Thursday.

At his meeting with the board, the Minister also requested the board to investigate all contracts issued under Malaka, review the contractors involved, and uncover any additional allegations of corruption, with a clear focus on tracking the money flows and understanding the extent of the wrongdoing. 

He further urged the board to act swiftly to restore stability at the IDT, including taking the necessary action against those complicit in these damning allegations.

Macpherson said it is clear that the tactics used by Malaka and Makgolane in attempting to bribe the journalist were likely successfully employed elsewhere. 

He called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to urgently investigate not only the attempted bribery of the journalist, but also the possible bribery of other journalists and political parties, the use of social media bot accounts and the role of public commentators. 

“I, therefore, call on the South African Police Service to urgently investigate these serious allegations and ensure that those guilty are held accountable,” he said.

The IDT is a Schedule 2 State-owned entity, which manages the implementation and delivery of critically needed social infrastructure programmes on behalf of government. It reports to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, who is the shareholder representative. – SAnews.gov.za

Government has published its second Nationally Determined Contribution, proposing a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target range of 320-380 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2035. 

According to the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, this commitment demonstrates South Africa’s dedication to a just energy transition and international climate obligations.

Ntshavheni was speaking at a post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

“Government undertook a technical analysis of the country’s likely GHG emissions pathways up to 2035, as well as an analysis of South Africa’s legal obligations under the Paris Agreement and rulebook, the country’s planned renewable capacity for 2035, the National Energy Efficiency Strategy and the Integrated Resource Plan,” she said.

SA-Nigeria cooperation 

Meanwhile, the Minister reported that Cabinet was informed about the results of the technical working visit to Nigeria, which was conducted by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. 

The visit aimed to discuss cooperation in the mining, oil and gas sectors, as part of the South Africa–Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC).

“Nigeria seeks to develop its mining sector through exploration and production of the vast mineral resources, and to leverage on South Africa’s vast experience in the mining sector,” she said.

She further added that South Africa has an interest in securing oil allocations and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) supply from Nigeria, and learn from Nigeria’s vast experience in oil and gas production. 

“Cabinet was informed of Nigeria’s commitment to finalise, by the end of August 2025, the commercial terms for crude oil allocations to South Africa, which will enable direct access for South African State-owned and private refineries,” said the Minister. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has reaffirmed that the upcoming National Dialogue is not merely a platform for discussion but a powerful mechanism for action aimed at laying the foundation for a more inclusive and united South Africa.

The remarks come as the country prepares for the convening of the first of the two conventions of the National Dialogue scheduled to take place from 15 to 17 August 2025 at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria.

Speaking at a media briefing on the outcomes of Cabinet meetings, held on 22 July and 6 August 2025, Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Cabinet has received and considered a report on the progress made to date towards the convening of the first of the two conventions of the National Dialogue.

“This first convention is aimed at mobilising consensus on the focus areas for the National Dialogue that is planned to include South Africans from all walks of life coming together to define a vision for our country for the next 30 years.

“The National Dialogue is planned to [host] over 13 400 ward dialogues, in addition to 50 000 citizen-led engagements over the next 12 months from the convening of the first Convention,” Ntshavheni said.

She said the initiative has already seen an overwhelming interest, with 737 organisations from more than 30 sectors registering to participate, “reflecting the strong desire among South Africans to shape their shared future”. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong and the Board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) will on Friday unveil new state-of-the-art TUT FM and Tshwane FM studios in Pretoria.

Morolong will deliver a keynote address at the unveiling of the digitised studios, which were made possible by funding from the MDDA as part of its mandate to support community media in Gauteng and across the country.

TUT FM 96.2 is a community radio station based at the Soshanguve South campus of Tshwane University of Technology, which broadcasts within a 50km radius to a listenership of 61 000. 

The station targets youth aged between 15 and 35 and broadcasts in six languages including English, Setswana, Sepedi, IsiZulu, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. 

Tshwane FM is the official student radio station of Tshwane University of Technology and broadcasts in a 50km radio across Greater Tshwane, Atteridgeville, Laudium, Mamelodi, Centurion, Midrand and parts of northern Johannesburg on the 93.6 FM frequency. – SAnews.gov.za

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has called on police to “leave no stone unturned” to bring the murderers of Eastern Cape Regional Court prosecutor, Tracy Brown, to justice.

The Minister was speaking at the memorial service for the slain prosecutor on Thursday.

Brown, who was attached to the New Brighton Magistrates Court in Gqeberha, was shot and killed while arriving at her home just months after the murder of another prosecutor in the province.

“We call on the police to leave no stone unturned in bringing the cowards who murdered Tracy to book. But more importantly, let this be a wake-up call to the policing services that we need to strengthen the protection of the prosecutors.

“All of us in the security cluster should be concerned about this development. The lives of prosecutors are endangered by the type of work they do. Without protection, prosecutors will be unable to perform their duties without fear or favour, and they will not be able to exercise their independence. There should be more police visibility in our communities so these types of senseless killings can be reduced,” the Minister said.

Kubayi bemoaned the loss of an “incredibly gifted woman”.
“[This loss] is made even more devastating by the promise of what else she might have accomplished had she also had the gift of time. With her passion for the pursuit of justice, she would have been the first to say that her life’s work was not about her.

“In Tracy, we have lost a dedicated prosecutor, a lawyer with integrity, a hard-working public servant and a patriot. 

“Her untimely death is a huge loss to the [Department of] Justice family. Death has robbed us of a warrior of justice, who prosecuted without fear or favour. As our hearts are heavy with pain and grief in mourning Tracy’s lost life. We are also here to celebrate a life well lived; a life of a person who found a purpose and she pursued it relentlessly.”

The Minister told those working in the justice system to continue their work in the same vein that Brown did.
“As we bid farewell to a devoted partner, a loving mother, a sister, an exceptional and patriotic public servant and our dear friend, let us resolve to pick up where Tracy left off. 

“She put her skills, her time and her courage at the country’s disposal and for that, we owe her a great debt of gratitude. Let us resolve to continue the work that she began.

“[Let] us renew our commitment to building the more just society that Tracy Brown wished to live in; the more just society that was her life’s defining pursuit; the more just society that through our efforts we will one day achieve,” the Minister urged.

According to the Minister, Brown rose rapidly through the ranks of the National Prosecuting Authority – a testament for her “achievements and unblemished record as a prosecutor”.

“As we celebrate Women’s Month, let us pay tribute to patriots such as Tracy, who have dedicated themselves to human progress. Let her life and work serve as an example of the kind of passion and dedication that all of us should demonstrate to achieve a just society where women and children can be safe.

“On behalf of our government, let me again send our sincere condolences for this tragic loss. Let me also thank the family for lending Tracy to work with us and serve the people of South Africa. We will continue to cherish her legacy as a prosecutor, and we shall never dishonour her memory,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za

South Africa is gearing up to commemorate National Women’s Day at Nkowankowa Stadium in Tzaneen, Limpopo, on Saturday.

This year’s commemoration will be held under the theme: ’Building Resilient Economies for All’. 
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said this theme aligns with South Africa’s Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) and its commitment to the principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability.

Ntshavheni was speaking at a post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

According to the Minister, the programme emphasises advancing women’s participation in leadership and economic life, promoting financial inclusion and confronting gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a critical barrier to women’s empowerment.

“Women’s Month is not only a celebration to honour the resilience and contribution of women in all their diversity, but a call to action to ensure women’s full and equal inclusion in shaping South Africa’s future,” the Minister said. 

Every year on 9 August, South Africans from diverse backgrounds, races, and cultural groups come together to celebrate National Women’s Day.

On 9 August 1956, a significant number of women launched a campaign aimed at ending the pass laws imposed by the government at that time.

These pass laws required all black individuals to carry a special “pass” or identification document, which they had to present to prove they were allowed to enter certain areas designated for white people. 
This regulation severely restricted the freedom of movement for black citizens.

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) will also host a GBVF awareness and prevention activation imbizo on Friday, 8 August in Ga-Kgapane, Limpopo.  The activation will bring together government departments, civil society, traditional leaders and the local community to raise awareness and strengthen community-driven responses to the scourge of GBVF.

Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, launched Women’s Month 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg last Friday.

READ | Government to strengthen gender equality measures

At the launch, Chikunga said that South Africa will over the next five years focus on strengthening and monitoring systems that are meant to advance gender equality and women empowerment. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning of severe thunderstorms for Thursday in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

These weather conditions are expected to cause localised flooding, small hail and wind damages due to a cut off low pressure system moving over the region. 

“Rainfall amounts up to 15 to 20mm in an hour is expected in some places. Maximum temperatures are also expected to be low due to the cut off low pressure system’s core moving over Gauteng,” SAWS said.

READ | SAWS warns of cold weather conditions

As a result of these weather conditions, residents should expect traffic disruption incidents, localised flooding in populated areas, large amounts of small hail over populated areas and wind damages to formal/informal structures.

Additionally, the weather service will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the weather systems and will issue subsequent updates as required.

Weather updates will be shared on the following platforms: X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service) or other SAWS-supported social media. – SAnews.gov.za

In his capacity as chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team tasked to look into issues raised by traditional leaders, Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Friday address a dialogue between government and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL).

The NHTKL is a statutory body established to represent and advance the aspirations of traditional leaders and their rural communities at the national level. 

It comprises traditional leaders, who are delegates from the Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders of South Africa.

Friday’s dialogue in Pretoria follows the official opening of the NHTKL by President Cyril Ramaphosa in February this year. 

READ | Traditional leaders urged to help build a better SA 

“It aims to strengthen collaboration between government and traditional leaders in addressing rural challenges and agree on a clear path that empowers the institution to fulfil its mandate,” Thursday’s advisory read. 

According to the Presidency, tomorrow’s dialogue will focus on five key pillars. 

The discussion will aim to advance land ownership and tenure rights, while fast-tracking socio-economic development in rural communities. 

The dialogue will emphasise the importance of building institutional capacity and supporting traditional leaders. 

It will also focus on promoting unity, social cohesion, nation-building within communities, and enhancing infrastructure investment and skills development. 

In addition, there will be a focus on expediting the finalisation of policy, legislative and constitutional matters.

The Deputy President will be joined by the Ministers appointed by the President to serve on the Inter-Ministerial Task Team, as well as senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za