Category: South Africa Government

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), through the Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), seized approximately 90 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of R36 million at the Durban Harbour on 6 June 2026. 

Also taking part in the seizure were officials from Customs, the Durban Visible Policing Operations (VPO) and the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC).

The members of the SANEB section attached to Durban SOCI were alerted by a Customs official to suspected cocaine concealed within an excavator that had arrived at the Q and R Car Terminal aboard the vessel, Neptune Ace Tokyo, from Santos, Brazil.

“Upon arrival, the scene was handed over to DPCI members by Customs officials. A thorough inspection of the excavator revealed suspicious packages concealed within a panel leading to the engine compartment. Further examination resulted in the seizure of 47 blocks containing a powdered substance suspected to be cocaine,” the police said in a statement

“While the first scene was being processed, Customs officials reported the discovery of a second concealment on another excavator that had already been offloaded from the vessel. A subsequent inspection led to the seizure of an additional 43 blocks of suspected cocaine.

“In total, approximately 90 kilograms of suspected cocaine was seized. Based on an estimated value of R400 000 per kilogram, the drugs have an approximate street value of R36 million.

“No arrests have been made at this stage, and the matter remains under investigation. The seized exhibits will be transported to the Forensic Science Laboratory for chemical analysis,” the police said in a statement.

The acting Provincial Head, Brigadier Zenobia Mulligan, applauded the multi disciplinary team for their alertness and dedication. 

“The DPCI remains committed to disrupting transnational drug trafficking networks and safeguarding South Africa’s ports of entry from organised criminal activities, even when their integrity is under scrutiny. 

“The DPCI will continue executing their mandate without fear or favour,” Mulligan said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government has welcomed Fitch’s decision to upgrade South Africa’s long-term foreign and local currency credit ratings to ‘BB’ from ‘BB-’ and maintain the stable outlook. 

According to Fitch, the upgrade reflects South Africa’s record of prudent fiscal management and its progress on fiscal consolidation, despite weak economic growth and domestic and external shocks. 

“This, together with GDP [gross domestic product] revisions, leaves government debt-to-GDP ratio well below levels anticipated at the time of the rating downgrade to ‘BB-’ in 2020. This is Fitch’s first rating upgrade on South Africa in almost 21 years,” National Treasury said in a statement on Friday.

The outcome means South Africa becomes only the second G20 country to be upgraded by Fitch this year. 

“This is despite a challenging backdrop, with five investment-grade sovereigns having received negative rating actions by Fitch since the current conflict in the Middle East began in late February,” Treasury said.

Fitch has noted that South Africa has transitioned from primary fiscal deficits to consistent and widening primary surpluses, alongside signs that government debt is stabilising amid improved revenue collection and disciplined expenditure management. 

Fitch highlighted that the long average maturity of total government debt, at over 10 years, and low share of foreign-currency-denominated debt supports the sovereign rating. 

“The agency pointed to ongoing reforms in the energy and logistics sectors that are expected to support economic growth in coming years,” said Treasury.

The decision by Fitch comes after S&P Global Ratings upgraded South Africa’s rating by one notch in November 2025 and Moody’s put the rating on positive outlook. All three major rating agencies now have South Africa on ‘BB’ or ‘Ba2’, which is two levels below investment grade, with Moody’s and S&P having the sovereign on a positive outlook, indicating they could look to upgrade their ratings within 12 to 18 months, Treasury said. 

Government said it remains committed to sound public finances and to implementing structural reforms that will support higher and more inclusive economic growth and underpin investor confidence. 

“Improved sovereign credit ratings help to lower borrowing costs for government, businesses and households and have tangible benefits for ordinary people.

“South Africa still has some way to go to regain its investment grade credit rating but for the first time in more than a decade we are seeing a clear turnaround in the downward ratings trend. The turnaround is especially notable because it comes at a time when the global sovereign credit trend is overwhelmingly negative,” said the Director-General of National Treasury, Dr Duncan Pieterse. 

Fiscal policy, Pieterse said, continues to focus on achieving its twin objectives of stabilising and then reducing the debt to GDP ratio, by running a growing primary budget surplus – where revenue exceeds non-expenditure by an ever-wider margin.

“This will put government’s debt level on a more sustainable path. We will embed this principle in a fiscal anchor, details of which we expect to announce in the 2026 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement,” Pieterse said. – SAnews.gov.za

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As South Africa marks Youth Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is shining the spotlight on the commitment, innovation and leadership of its young members through its national campaign, “SAPS Youth – Leading the Reset Agenda”.

Through the theme: “My Blood is Blue”, SAPS is sharing the stories of young women and men, who have answered the call to serve and protect communities. 

Their dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty embody the principles of the SAPS Reset Agenda and demonstrate the significant contribution young people are making towards building a safer South Africa.

Today, SAPS introduces the nation to a National Intervention Unit (NIU) operator, one of 10 active female NIU operators across the country. 

The thirty-four-year-old police officer, whose identity cannot be revealed for security reasons, always knew she was destined for a profession in policing. 

Being a police officer since 2016 places her at the forefront of the fight against crime; a 9 – 5 desk job was certainly not an option. 

Her career kicked off at Amanzimtoti police station’s Client Service Centre (CSC), but the constable yearned for an opportunity that would not only challenge her mentally, but physically too.

She soon learnt of the National Intervention Unit and without hesitation, applied to join. The constable completed the rigorous selection process in 2019, which was by no means a small feat. 

The 11-month-long intensive training is designed to test one’s physical capabilities, endurance, and mental strength.

She loves being challenged and thrives in high-pressure environments that require rapid decision-making and adaptability. For her, the NIU represents the pinnacle of operational duty and professional growth within the SAPS. 

An avid sportsperson with a passion for continuous learning, she holds a National Diploma in Sport Management (2013) and an Advanced Diploma in Management (2023). She is currently furthering her expertise by pursuing a Bachelor of Policing Honours degree.

She also forms part of the NIU training team as an assistant trainer and says everyone arrives fit, but what separates those who complete the course from those who give up is the mental resilience to endure when exhaustion sets in.

The NIU is a specialised tactical component within the SAPS, established in 2000 to respond to medium and high-risk incidents and serious violent crimes, which are beyond the scope of normal policing, including kidnappings, cash-in-transit robberies, illegal mining activities, gang-related crime, and national unrest incidents, among others.

An NIU operators’ badge, worn on the right, signifies that a member is trained to a high level of specialised tactical skills to effectively execute high-risk operations. These operators are equipped with specialised operational skills, discipline, and the tactical expertise necessary to address complex security threats.

“Serving as a young woman in the National Intervention Unit is both a profound privilege and a demanding responsibility. Every day, we step into high-risk operations, tactical interventions, and specialised security duties. It is an environment that tests your physical limits and demands absolute mental toughness,” the operator said. 

This young officer is living proof that youth and gender are no longer barriers to operating at the absolute peak of policing. – SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, will next week lead a series of sector-wide engagements with private higher education institutions as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and address key challenges facing South Africa’s Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.

The sessions are scheduled for Monday, 8, June and Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

The sessions aim to strengthen relations and drive collaboration between government and the private higher education sector, to address pressing challenges in the Post-School Education and Training sector while also expanding initiatives to expand access to education for all.

The discussions will also focus on creating a business-friendly environment for private investment in education and fostering innovation and responsiveness to labour market needs.

Gondwe, who oversees private higher education institutions, has played a leading role in promoting legislative compliance through the department’s intergovernmental Bogus Colleges Awareness Campaign.

The campaign seeks to protect students by ensuring that private institutions are registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training and offer programmes accredited by recognised quality assurance bodies, including the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

According to the department, the upcoming engagements are intended to strengthen cooperation with legitimate and fully registered institutions that contribute positively to the country’s PSET sector.

“The conversation can no longer be about whether private higher education institutions have a role to play; that question has long been settled; the focus now is on collaborating more effectively and responsibly to ensure that higher education supports national development and inclusive economic growth,” Gondwe said.

She also highlighted that private higher education institutions can significantly contribute to developing institutions that produce graduates equipped with the skills required by a modern, technology-driven economy.

Monday’s session will be with ADvTECH (Rosebank International College), private higher education associations, including South African Private Higher Education (SAPHE), the Association for Private Providers of Education, Training and Development (APPETD), South African Business Schools Association (SABSA), and other private higher education associations.

On Wednesday, the Deputy Minister will meet with Regent Business School, STADIO, Eduvos and the Da Vinci Institute. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, will next week host the inaugural South Africa-Italy Agriculture Business Forum in Cape Town as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation in agriculture, agro-processing and trade.

The forum, scheduled for 9 and 10 June 2026 in the Western Cape, is expected to bring together business leaders, innovators and policymakers from both countries to explore new opportunities for investment, technology exchange and market access.

Held under the theme, “South Africa and Italy Building Resilient, Value-Added Agri-Business Partnerships: From the Soil to the Shelf,” the forum aims to advance economic development through international collaboration and promote sustainable growth within the agricultural sector.

The forum will be a key opportunity to open up new avenues for investment and industrial cooperation, strengthening a growth axis aimed at the internationalisation of African agriculture.

The two-day event will begin with a high-level institutional plenary session, thematic panel discussions and business-to-business and business-to-government meetings involving delegates from both countries. The second day will feature site visits to local companies operating within the agricultural value chain.

Discussions will focus on a range of strategic sectors, including agri-food production, fruit and vegetable cultivation, food processing, packaging solutions, agricultural machinery and equipment, agri-technology and digital agriculture, livestock innovation, water and natural resource management, climate-resilient farming, protected agriculture, sustainability and carbon farming.

As part of the visit, Steenhuisen and Lollobrigida are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, agro-processing, innovation and market access. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africa has welcomed the African Union’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Water, an important recognition that water security is fundamental to achieving the continent’s developmental aspirations.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM), held in Boksburg, Johannesburg, on Friday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said the declaration appropriately places water at the centre of discussions on economic growth, climate resilience, food security, public health and sustainable development.

“It also reinforces the urgency of strengthening investment in water infrastructure, water resource protection and climate adaptation across the continent,” Majodina said.

The inaugural Council of Ministers meeting of INMACOM, a regional body responsible for the cooperative management of the Incomati and Maputo river systems, coincided with the fifth anniversary of the commission’s establishment.

The Minister said the meeting reflected the enduring importance of regional cooperation in managing shared water resources.

“Rivers do not acknowledge borders; they connect landscapes, communities, economies and ecosystems. In doing so, they remind us that our futures are inextricably linked,” Majodina said.

She noted that the meeting was taking place during Africa Month, which commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, the predecessor of the African Union.

She said the work of INMACOM embodies the principles of Pan-Africanism, regional integration and African-led solutions to common challenges.

Majodina also highlighted South Africa’s role as co-host, alongside France, of an upcoming global dialogue on investment in water.

She said the initiative presents an opportunity to mobilise international partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms and strategic investments needed to address growing global water challenges confronting nations across the world.

“It is a recognition that water is no longer simply an environmental issue, but a strategic development imperative and a critical enabler of economic transformation,” she said.

Majodina stressed that water has become an increasingly strategic resource in the 21st century, playing a central role in economic growth, climate resilience, social stability and regional integration.

“Around the world, the question of how nations share and manage water resources is becoming one of the most important determinants of sustainable development.”

She said Southern Africa’s experience demonstrates how countries can use cooperation to manage shared resources for mutual benefit rather than allowing them to become sources of conflict.

Through our shared commitment to transboundary water governance, we have demonstrated that water can serve not only as a resource for development, but also as an instrument for peace, diplomacy and regional unity. The establishment of INMACOM five years ago represented a significant advancement in this vision.

“Through the signing of the Establishment Agreement, our Member States reaffirmed their collective commitment to the equitable and reasonable utilisation, protection, sustainable development and integrated management of the Incomati and Maputo watercourses,” Majodina said.

Strengthening response to emerging challenges

The Minister warned that climate change, rapid urbanisation, population growth and rising water demand are placing increasing pressure on water resources across the region.

More frequent droughts and severe flooding events require countries to strengthen their collective capacity to plan, adapt and respond to emerging challenges, she said.

Majodina emphasised that the future resilience of Southern African countries will depend largely on how effectively they manage shared water resources through stronger institutions, scientific research, data-sharing, and innovation.

She reiterated South Africa’s commitment to the objectives of INMACOM and to working with Mozambique and Eswatini to ensure the sustainable management of the Incomati and Maputo river systems, which support agriculture, industry, energy generation, biodiversity, and water supply for millions of people.

Highlighting the broader significance of water security, Majodina said it lies at the heart of Africa’s development ambitions.

“Without water security, there can be no food security. Without water security, there can be no industrialisation. Without water security, there can be no meaningful social development or sustainable economic transformation,” Majodina said. – SAnews.gov.za

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In a decisive move to ramp up the prevention of HIV, President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially launched the game changing HIV prevention medication Lenacapavir in a ceremony on Friday.

The drug is administered via injection twice a year and offers a welcome relief from daily pills or the bi-monthly injections.

At the launch held at the Lillian Ngoyi Stadium in Secunda, Mpumalanga, President Ramaphosa said the day marks a “turning point in our nation’s fight against HIV”.

“To us, Lenacapavir is not just a medicine or a drug; it represents a major turning point in South Africa’s national story.

“It represents one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs since the advent of antiretroviral treatment. It represents the triumph of science over despair. It represents the power of innovation to save lives,” the President said.

According to 2025 Statistics South Africa records, an estimated 8.15 million people in South Africa are living with HIV, with millions on treatment.

“Few countries have carried the burden of HIV as heavily as South Africa.

“We have buried too many mothers and fathers. Too many sons and daughters. Too many teachers, workers, healthcare professionals and community leaders. The HIV epidemic has left scars on our society that can never be fully erased. 

“Yet it is also true that few countries have responded with the courage, resilience and determination that South Africa has shown. Together, we built the largest HIV treatment programme in the world. Together, we fought for affordable medicines,” President Ramaphosa stated.

Now with Lenacapavir sharpening South Africa’s treatment arsenal, there is optimism for a possible future where the nation is freed from the burden of HIV.

“[Lenacapavir] represents hope… [for] young women who continue to face a disproportionate burden of HIV infection; hope for families and communities that have lived through decades of loss; hope for a generation that may one day know HIV not as a threat, but as a chapter in history.

“Lenacapavir gives us an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen HIV prevention. A single injection administered twice a year can provide powerful protection against HIV infection. This is not merely a medical advance. It is a practical intervention that can transform lives.

“It reduces barriers to adherence. It expands choice. It strengthens dignity, and it empowers people to take control of their health and their future,” President Ramaphosa noted.

Ready for the rollout

The President highlighted that some 360 public health facilities across six provinces and 24 high-burden districts are poised to deliver this transformative intervention, with an ambitious target of reaching some 1 million people by the end of 2027.

“Over the next three years, we aim to reach three million people. This is not simply a health target. It is a nation-building target.

“Every HIV infection prevented is a life protected, a family preserved, a future secured,” he said.

The President cautioned, however, that Lenacapavir is “not a silver bullet” and that its success will depend on education, user responsibility and an end to “stigma and discrimination”.

He reiterated that South Africa now stands on the precipice of a new chapter in the history of the country’s HIV response, defined by science, partnership, “dignity, choice and hope”.

“One day, future generations will look back on this period and say that this was the moment when humanity finally gained the upper hand against HIV. That this was the moment when an HIV-free generation moved from aspiration to possibility. And that this was the moment when South Africa once again helped to lead the world towards a better future.

“Let us sustain the effort until this battle is won. Together, we can protect a generation. Together, we can end new HIV infections. Together, we can end AIDS as a public health threat.

“Together, we can build a healthier, stronger and more hopeful South Africa,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has called for deeper collaboration between government and the private sector to unlock the next phase of growth in South Africa’s agricultural sector.

Addressing the Agbiz Congress 2026 Gala Dinner on Thursday under the theme: “Embracing Collaboration”, Steenhuisen said South African agriculture had consistently demonstrated resilience amid global uncertainty and domestic challenges but warned that future growth would depend on stronger cooperation between stakeholders.

The Minister described agriculture as one of the few sectors where practical problem-solving continues to take precedence over ideology, enabling the industry to remain competitive despite global conflicts, rising protectionism, disrupted shipping routes, volatile exchange rates, logistical bottlenecks, climate shocks, and ongoing biosecurity threats, among others.

“We have seen how quickly tariffs can alter global trade flows and how fragile supply chains remain in an increasingly fractured world. Yet despite all of this, South African agriculture continues to grow.

“That says something important about this sector. Agriculture succeeds in South Africa not because conditions are easy, but because this sector has learned how to adapt faster than the obstacles confronting it,” the Minister said.

He attributed the sector’s performance to the resilience, innovation and adaptability of farmers, agribusinesses, exporters and commodity organisations.

The Minister said government’s role should primarily be to create an enabling environment for growth by removing barriers, opening export markets, strengthening biosecurity systems and ensuring policy certainty.
He argued that prosperity is ultimately driven by productive sectors, while government should focus on creating conditions that support investment and economic activity.

“Once we have done that, we must have the confidence to get out of the way and allow farmers, exporters, agribusinesses and investors to do what they do best. The reality is that government does not create prosperity on its own.”

Steenhuisen said the theme is more than a slogan and has become an economic necessity.
“The next phase of agricultural growth in South Africa will not be delivered by government alone, nor by the private sector alone. It will be built through practical partnerships focused on execution rather than endless process,” he said.

The Minister identified four priority areas where greater collaboration could accelerate growth and improve competitiveness.

The first is biosecurity, which he described as central to trade, investment confidence and food security following recent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Steenhuisen said government was pursuing an aggressive risk-based disease management strategy, including efforts to achieve an FMD-free status with vaccination, while strengthening vaccine procurement, traceability, and surveillance systems.

Other priorities 
The second priority is infrastructure and logistics. Steenhuisen acknowledged that producers have long borne the cost of inefficiencies in ports, rail and freight systems, which continue to undermine competitiveness.

While welcoming recent reforms and growing private-sector participation in logistics infrastructure, he said agriculture should play a leading role in shaping public-private partnerships aimed at restoring efficiency and supporting export growth.

Access to finance was identified as the third area requiring stronger cooperation. Steenhuisen said government, financial institutions and agribusinesses needed to work more closely to expand support for emerging farmers and integrate them into commercial value chains.

This includes expanding the use of commodity-backed lending, warehouse receipt systems, off-take agreements, blended finance guarantees and inventory-backed facilities that allow farmers to leverage verified commodity stock and productive cashflows alongside traditional forms of collateral.

The fourth focus area is technology and extension services. Steenhuisen said traditional agricultural extension models were no longer sufficient to meet the demands of modern farming and highlighted the potential of digital advisory platforms and technology-driven support systems.

He encouraged greater collaboration between government, agribusinesses, commodity organisations, financial institutions and technology companies to improve farmers’ access to information, markets and technical expertise.

The Minister also highlighted biofuels as a potential growth frontier for the sector, saying the industry could create new opportunities for grain, sugar and oilseed producers while supporting rural economic development.

However, he warned that progress would require policy certainty, investment and coordinated action across multiple government departments and industry stakeholders.

“We have already initiated interdepartmental engagements to establish a coordinated pathway forward involving agriculture, energy, trade and industrial policy stakeholders.”– SAnews.gov.za
 

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Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Friday received a courtesy visit in Johannesburg from the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to South Africa, Fakri Rodríguez Pinelo.

The Presidency said the courtesy call reaffirmed the historically friendly ties between the governments and peoples of South Africa and Cuba, while also underscoring Cuba’s willingness to continue deepening bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Discussions focused on the strong historical ties between South Africa and Cuba, anchored in Cuba’s support for South Africa’s liberation struggle and in the shared values of sovereignty, multilateralism, respect for international law, peace and South-South cooperation.

“We are committed to sustaining and strengthening this cooperation for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” the Deputy President said at the meeting.

He welcomed the longstanding bilateral cooperation between the two countries in health, education, infrastructure development, water and sanitation, science and innovation, as well as sport, arts and cultural exchange, noting that these areas remain strategic priorities for both nations.

The Deputy President also expressed South Africa’s anticipation of hosting the 19th Session of the South Africa-Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) later this year.

“The Deputy President reaffirmed South Africa’s enduring solidarity with Cuba and expressed South Africa’s support for the lifting of the US embargo and unilateral coercive measures against Cuba, which have caused devastating humanitarian and socio-economic difficulties for the people of Cuba,” the Presidency said. –SAnews.gov.za

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