Category: South Africa Government

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has met with his counterpart in Lesotho, Advocate Borotho Matsoso.

Monday’s meeting in Maseru, Lesotho, discussed allegations that there are illegal Basotho military training camps in South Africa.

In a statement on Monday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the delegation of senior officials from South Africa included the Deputy National Commissioner of Policing and Co-chair of the National Joints Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, the head of Interpol in South Africa, a senior officer from SAPS crime intelligence, and a senior officer from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).

The Lesotho Mounted Police Service delegation was led by Advocate Matsoso and consisted of the Deputy Commissioner of Police responsible for operations, Deputy Commissioner Likhama Moqhebi, senior officers from the Lesotho Mounted Police Service Crime Intelligence unit, specialised operations, and the detectives unit.

At the meeting, Commissioner Masemola appraised the Lesotho Police Chief on what SAPS crime intelligence driven operations have yielded thus far. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has condemned the viral video depicting a schoolgirl being assaulted.

The video, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms, shows the girl being humiliated and physically assaulted by boys from her school on a school bus. The assault continued even after she had disembarked. 

Letsike described the incident as “appalling” and a stark reminder of the pervasive gender-based violence (GBV) within communities and schools.

“No child deserves to endure such brutality, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our schools are safe havens for learning and growth,” Letsike said.

The Deputy Minister has called on the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to take swift and decisive action, including a full investigation into the incident, disciplinary measures against the perpetrators, and immediate enforcement of anti-bullying laws, as part of the Code of Conduct for all learners.

She also urged the DBE to implement comprehensive prevention programmes to prevent both bullying and acts of GBV in schools.

“This incident should intensify a call to all stakeholders to take immediate action to protect our children and create safe and respectful school environments. We will work tirelessly with the Department of Basic Education, all stakeholders, including parents and educators,” Letsike said.

Letsike emphasised the need for greater vigilance from adults, including parents and teachers, in identifying warning signs and addressing problems promptly.

“Learners must feel safe at school. Parents and other adults can help learners who suffer at the hands of bullies,” she said, adding that schools should be free from violence and GBV. – SAnews.gov.za

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has called on all stakeholders across government, civil society, and the private sector to take bold and coordinated action to expand access to quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) across South Africa, particularly in underserved communities. 

The Minister was giving a keynote address at the City of Cape Town’s ECD Indaba on Saturday. 

Speaking to a chamber full of ECD practitioners, Gwarube emphasised the urgent need to address systemic inequities that continue to shape the future prospects of South Africa’s children from as early as birth. 

“Two children may be born in the same country, but their chances of success diverge drastically, depending on their early years. We cannot allow a child’s destiny to be dictated by geography or birth circumstances,” the Minister said.  

Citing international benchmark tests and national assessments that show eight out of 10 Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning in any language, the Minister underscored that foundational learning deficits begin long before children enter the school system.

“The eight out of 10 statistic is not just about reading. It’s about whether a child will grasp the curriculum, remain in school, and ultimately build a life of dignity and opportunity. The only sustainable path to improved education outcomes is to intervene earlier and inject quality from the start,” she said.

Mass registration drive for ECD centres

The Minister also reflected on the department’s ‘Bana Pele’ (Children First) mass registration drive to support ECD centres in meeting registration requirements, especially those in rural, informal, and disadvantaged communities. 

“Unregistered centres are often excluded from government subsidies, nutrition programmes, training opportunities and quality assurance support. This impacts the development and school readiness of vulnerable children,” she warned. 

This as the department will work with communities and other government departments to address infrastructure and compliance challenges, with a special focus on under-resourced areas.

Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in Grade R 

With the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act now making Grade R compulsory, Gwarube acknowledged that no additional funding has yet been allocated to implement this mandate at scale.

“We therefore see continued collaboration with private ECD providers as not only desirable, but essential,” she said.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) will work to ensure standardisation across public and private Grade R provision by:
•    Aligning curriculum and learning materials.
•    Requiring appropriate qualifications and South African Council for Educators (SACE) registration for Grade R teachers.
•    Expanding access to State-developed workbooks.
•    Creating pathways for accredited private centres to deliver Grade R under BELA.

Language development 

Recognising the importance of early language exposure, the Minister reaffirmed her department’s commitment to Mother-Tongue Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE) from early childhood through to the foundation phase. 

“Eighty-five percent of brain development occurs before the age of three, and language exposure during this time is the strongest predictor of academic success.

“Our children must learn in the language they understand best while building bridges to other languages of learning. This is about cognition, comprehension, and confidence,” she said. 

The department is currently piloting MTBBE programmes in several provinces, including teacher training and material development, and is encouraging ECD centres to adopt this evidence-based approach. 

Call to action

Gwarube concluded her address with a call for collective urgency during this moment of transformation. 

“We are at a moment of transformation. We have the policy, the evidence, and the partnerships. Now we must act. We must register ECD centres, standardise quality, expand infrastructure, and place the child — whether 10, three, or newborn — at the centre of every decision. That is how we build a nation from the ground up,” Gwarube said. – SAnews.gov.za

Government is creating an economic response package to address job losses and lessen the impact of the United States’ decision to impose a 30% unilateral tariff on its imports. 

This package will include the establishment of an export support desk and a localisation fund.

This announcement was made in a joint media statement by the Ministers of the Departments of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). 

In May, South Africa submitted a comprehensive and ambitious framework deal aimed at addressing trade deficits and promoting mutually beneficial relations. 

The tariffs, set to take effect from 8 August 2025, are set to create uncertainty. 

However, DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola clarified that goods already in transit before the deadline will continue to be subject to the previous 10% tariff until 5 October 2025. 

The United States is South Africa’s third biggest trading partner, with the European Union and China being the first and second largest trading partners. 

“Thus, we will continue to engage the US to conclude a deal that advances the interests of both countries. South Africa seeks to conclude deals that promote value addition and industrialisation, rather than extractive relations that deprive the country of the ability to beneficiate its mineral wealth by mimicking extractive colonial-era trade relations.“

The Ministers believe South Africa’s minimal 0.25% share of total United States imports makes the 30% tariff on the country “inscrutable“, especially since these tariffs are applied equally to all United States trading partners.

“South Africa poses no trade threat to the US economy nor its national security,” Lamola said. 

On the contrary, the Minister said exports are crucial inputs that support America’s industrial base. 

“Our agriculture exports are even counter-seasonal, meaning they fill gaps in the US market, not replace domestic products.” 

Lamola said South Africa is more than a trading partner but a major investor in the United States, with local companies sustaining American jobs. 

“Our goal is to preserve and grow these mutually beneficial relationships.” 

Experts estimate that the potential reduction in economic growth could be 0.2%, although the exact impact is still uncertain. 

Lamola emphasised that 35% of South African exports are exempt from the tariffs, including copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber products, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap, and energy products. 

“Due to South Africa not enjoying a country exemption for Section 232 duties on steel and aluminium, South African companies have already adjusted to the Section 232 duties since 2018. However, the heightened policy uncertainty creates instability in trade and may have an impact on exports,” he said.

In response, South Africa is implementing a multi-faceted strategy that includes ongoing diplomatic engagement through various channels, creating an economic response package that provides export support, exploring market diversification, and targeting regions across Africa, the Americas and Asia. 

In addition, the country is collaborating with the localisation fund to support industries that have been affected. 

Lamola said the establishment of an export support desk will serve as a direct point of contact for companies affected by the United States tariff hike. 

READ | Government announces measures to assist exporters

The aim of this support measure is to support the diversification of export markets for increased resilience and facilitate the entry into alternative markets for affected exporters. 

“The desk will provide updates on developments and tailored advisory services to exporters on alternative destinations, guidance on market entry processes, insights into compliance requirements and linkages to South African Embassies and High Commissions abroad.” 

Lamola said the measures are to assist companies to absorb the tariff and facilitate long-term resilience and growth strategies to protect jobs and productive capacity in South Africa. 

Localisation fund support

Meanwhile, Lamola said the Localisation Fund Support (LSF) stands ready to contribute to the national effort to support South African companies impacted by the imposition of 30% import tariffs by the United States. 

In addition, he said they are working with the Department of Labour on measures to mitigate potential job losses, using existing instruments within its entities that can be adjusted to respond to the current challenges.  

Responding to questions, dtic Minister Tau said government is continuing to engage with the United States.  

“We must negotiate in the interest of the country. We were promised a template; we are still waiting for the template,” Tau said.  

The Ministers said South Africa is committed to a principled approach and will use all available diplomatic channels to negotiate with the United States. – SAnews.gov.za

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national regulatory framework for water and sanitation, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is set to host a series of workshops on the Revised Compulsory National Water and Sanitation Services Norms and Standards.

The updated standards aim to set clear, enforceable minimum requirements for safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services, in line with public health priorities, environmental sustainability, and the constitutional rights of all South Africans.

Under the revised regulations, all Water Services Authorities (WSAs) are now legally required to provide basic water supply services to every household within their jurisdiction. This includes delivering at least 6 kilolitres of safe drinking water per household per month, ensuring availability for at least 358 days per year, and maintaining a flow rate of no less than 10 litres per minute.

Spokesperson at the DWS, Wisane Mavasa highlighted that the standards also ensure that indigent households receive this allocation free of charge, with tariffs applied only for excess usage. 

The WSAs are also mandated to maintain infrastructure up to the user connection point, while property owners are responsible for any infrastructure beyond that boundary.

“Special attention is also required for informal settlements, where WSAs are obligated to provide interim water supply services within 90 days of discovery.

“These services must include communal standpipes located no more than 200 meters from households and maintain the same minimum water quantity, flow rate, and quality standards as formal settlements,” Mavasa said.

Water quality must conform to the South African National Standard (SANS) 241, safeguarding public health consistently.

In addition to supply, the revised standards place strong emphasis on service monitoring and management.

“Water services must be metred accurately, with WSAs responsible for meter maintenance, repair, and replacement within set timeframes. Educational initiatives on water use, hygiene, and groundwater management are integral to service delivery.

“WSAs are also required to formally plan and submit their strategies for upgrading all households to basic services within two years of these regulations’ promulgation,” Mavasa said.

The Water and Sanitation Norms and Standards were first gazetted in 2001, per the Water Services Act, Act 108 of 1997. These regulations establish mandatory national standards and measures for water conservation, covering basic sanitation, water supply, service interruptions, potable water quality, and leak repair, among many other water services-related matters.

The regulation was reviewed in 2017, with published norms and standards based on the 1998 National Water Act (NWA), the 1997 Water Services Act (WSA), and the 2016 Sanitation Policy. The revised Norms and Standards were gazetted on 6 June 2025 for implementation.

Consultations

The rollout workshops will commence with a national virtual consultation on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, followed by provincial consultations, scheduled from 12 August to 10 September 2025.

“The rollout aims to ensure that the Norms and Standards are widely understood, accepted, and implemented. The workshops enable the WSAs to assess their ability to comply with the revised provisions,” Mavasa said.

In instances where immediate compliance is not feasible, Mavasa said WSAs must develop and submit a progressive implementation plan detailing the steps and timelines for achieving full compliance.

These plans must be submitted to the Integrated Regulatory Information Management System (IRIS) for consideration and approval by the DWS within six months of the regulation’s publication.

Affected stakeholders, including government departments, Chapter 9 institutions, water boards, Catchment Management Agencies, and professional bodies, will also have opportunities to engage on the Norms and Standards. – SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a reshuffle of Heads of Departments (HODs) across provincial government departments.

The announcement was made during a media briefing led by the Premier on Sunday.

The move follows Lesufi’s warning in June that disciplinary action would be taken against HODs who failed lifestyle audits. 

“On the 17 July 2025, when I delivered the Budget Vote Speech at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, I announced the resetting of the Gauteng Provincial Administration as per the recommendations from the Gauteng Ethics and Advisory Council. 

“This follows a series of under expenditure and underperformance by departments, lifestyle audits, and failures to meet performance targets in some instances,” he said.

The following changes to Heads of Departments have taken effect from 1 August:

• Department of eGovernment: Masabata Mutlaneng
• Department of Infrastructure Development: Rufus Mmutlana
• Treasury: Ncumisa Mnyani (retained)
• COGTA: Darion Barclay (retained)
• Transport: Thulani Mdadane (retained, post to be advertised)
• Human Settlements: Puleng Gadebe-Mabaso (retained)
• Agriculture and Rural Development: Khululekile Mase (retained)

In the following departments, Lesufi appointed Acting HOD’s in the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) with the recruitment process for permanent appointments underway:

• Environment: Matthew Sathekge
• Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation: Mpho Nawa
• Social Development: Phumla Sekhonyane
• Education: Albert Chaane
• Community Safety: Pending
• Health: Pending

“[We] have appointed a new HOD for the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Mr Motlatjo Moholwa. Mr Moholwa brings with him a wealth of experience in the public service. 

“He has served as the Head of Economic Research and Chief Economist in the City of Johannesburg, a Lead Economist for the Land Bank and the Deputy Director General (DDG) in the Mpumalanga and Gauteng Departments of Economic Development. I am confident that he will serve with utmost diligence and commitment and help us achieve our goal of growing the Gauteng economy,” Lesufi announced. – SAnews.gov.za