Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R156 million during operations in Pretoria, Mbombela and Limpopo.

In the past three weeks, the integrated team executed search-and-seizure warrants in terms of the Counterfeit Goods Act 37 of 1997, as well as the Customs and Excise Act at targeted shops in Marabastad, Mokopane, Mbombela, Bela Bela, Mookghopong, and Modimolle.

“During these takedowns, the team seized more than 23 000 items imitating high-end designer brands that include clothing, shoes, bags, caps, and watches as well as counterfeit jewellery, sunglasses, perfumes, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

“Also amongst the seized items are sports apparel that bears the Springboks trademark and other well-known brands. These counterfeit items were seized outside Mbombela stadium and Loftus stadium respectively during recent Springbok rugby games against visiting countries. The team also confiscated illicit cigarettes valued at over R50 000,” SAPS said in a statement on Saturday.

The operations were led by the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods unit, with support from Public Order Policing (POP), the South African Revenue Services (SARS) Customs and Enforcement team, counterfeit depot officials, brand protectors, and private security personnel.

“SAPS remains committed to eradicate the illegal trade in counterfeit goods in an effort to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses, and ensure the integrity of South Africa’s economy.

“The Counterfeit Goods Act aims to combat the trade in counterfeit goods by protecting trademarks, copyrights, and certain mark owners from the unlawful use of their intellectual property on goods and preventing such counterfeit goods from entering the market,” the SAPS said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has intensified its operations into the investigation of allegations that Basotho nationals are undergoing militarily training on South African farms, as part of a growing land reclamation campaign.

This was revealed during a Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting, where National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola met with all nine provincial commissioners to discuss crime combatting efforts in the country.

The BOC is the highest decision-making body of the SAPS inclusive of all Provincial Commissioners, Divisional Commissioners and the Acting National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks.

“During the meeting, General Fannie Masemola highlighted his satisfaction that organised crime syndicates in the country are being dismantled, dislodged, displaced and arrested,” the SAPS said in a statement on Saturday.

The comments, initially made by the Lesotho Police Chief, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, were high on the agenda. A preliminary report from the SAPS Crime Intelligence Division was discussed, confirming that intelligence structures have highlighted their operations to investigate allegations made and where necessary, track down and takedown such illegal activities.

The DPCI’s Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit has also been roped in to investigate. Various searches have been undertaken by CATS at various identified farms, and no such evidence has been found to date.

“Further to this, the National Commissioner has reached out to the Lesotho Police Chief, where the two commissioners discussed the allegations made by Advocate Matsoso. Both commissioners agreed that both law enforcement agencies intelligence structures are on the ground to investigate the existence of such camps.

“General Masemola assures all people living in South Africa that the safety and security of the people of SA is of paramount importance, and anyone who is found to be in the country committing illegal acts will face the full might of the law. To this effect, intelligence structures and operatives are on the ground to establish facts,” the SAPS said. 

The SAPS has urged South Africans not to panic or worry as police from both countries remain on high alert. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Parliament has called for an acceleration in gender equality and women’s empowerment across the African continent.

Addressing Parliament’s G20 special engagement between Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) women and young parliamentarians, held in Johannesburg on Friday, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, challenged parliamentarians to lead an “epistemic shift” by unlearning the colonial ideologies that continue to shape public policy, and to build a new legislative framework grounded in equity, reparations and dignity for all.

“Parliamentary diplomacy must be used not to mimic old power, but to dismantle the logics of exclusion, logics that sort bodies by race, gender and class, and determine who matters and who doesn’t,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.

With South Africa preparing to host the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) in October 2025, the Chairperson urged women and young African parliamentarians to seize this historic moment to speak with a united, unapologetically African voice that brings gender justice, feminist solidarity and people-first reforms to the centre stage.

“The rights of women and girls cannot live on paper alone, they must be seen in courtrooms, in clinics, in classrooms and in every village across Africa. We must move from ratification to realisation and from symbolic gestures to systemic change,” she said.

Echoing Mtshweni-Tsipane’s sentiments, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Annelie Lotriet said the policy frameworks are already in place.

“The frameworks are in place, the statistics are known, and what remains is deliberate and determined action that is driven by political will,” Lotriet said.

As South Africa is presiding over the Group Twenty (G20) Presidency, Parliament will hold the P20 Summit, a high-level gathering of Speakers and Presiding Officers from G20 member countries. 

The summit serves as the parliamentary dimension of the G20, aiming to strengthen global legislative collaboration on key development issues. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the Northern Cape a province “on the move”. following a Presidential engagement between national and provincial leaders in Kimberley on Friday.

The President spoke to the media following the engagement which was held at the province’s Sol Plaatje University.

The President was accompanied by various Minster, Deputy Ministers and senior government officials. 

“We were very impressed with the presentation that they gave us and the vision that they have for the Northern Cape, [and] various projects, which they are hoping would turn around the economy of the province — from Boetgooebaa,i which is the port, water projects, roads and a whole number of projects. 

“This is the province that’s on the move. And… as you know, when it comes to renewable energy, it is the one province that has attracted more investment,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said the province is seen as a future leader of industrialisation and manufacturing.

“We’re looking at setting up an SEZ and making sure that manufacturing does come here which will be underpinned by the natural resources that the province has.

“The [irradiation] in this province are second to none in the world and that is why we’ve been able to attract so many investments to come to this province,” he said.

In a statement, the Presidency explained the key issues discussed at the engagement with the Northern Cape’s executive.

“The meeting discussed the ongoing roll out of catalytic economic development projects that require the deepening of cooperation between the national and provincial governments.

“These include the Boegoebaai Harbor and SEZ development, revitalisation and expansion of Vaalharts, Namakwa SEZ and the development of the infrastructure masterplan. The meeting further affirmed closer cooperation on issues of climate change mitigation considering the province’s vulnerability to erratic weather conditions.

“The national executive pledged to continue working closely with the province in areas of Transport and Logistics, Basic Education, Water and Sanitation infrastructure development, Human Settlements, Tourism and Energy and Electricity,” the statement read.

The engagement with the Northern Cape’s provincial government is the sixth such following meetings with executive councils of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.

According to the Presidency, the sessions have resulted in “strengthening cooperative governance, breaking down silos and cooperative project planning that leads to collaborative execution”.

“As President Ramaphosa said during the Budget Debate last week, when the three spheres of government work together, the lives of the people of South Africa are improved.

“The President emphasised the importance of structured engagements between the national and provincial executives that assist government coordinate more efficiently, resolve challenges together and to plan smarter.

“The meetings are also meant to facilitate innovative ideas and proposals to address service delivery and skills challenges,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa, through the National Treasury, has called for eligible market participants to submit proposals that will raise a minimum amount of US$ 500 million for the country’s foreign currency borrowing programme.

This as National Treasury is seeking to supplement its foreign currency borrowing programme for the 2025/26 fiscal year by exploring innovative and cost-effective financing mechanisms.

“Proposals should raise, on a stand-alone or combined basis, a minimum amount of US$ 500 million. If funding is offered in another hard currency, the counterparty must commit to swapping the proceeds into US dollars at closing,” National Treasury said in a statement on Friday.

This funding initiative aims to diversifying the sovereign’s hard currency funding toolkit beyond a traditional Eurobond; reduce execution risk and minimise the all-in cost of funds; and maintain flexibility for future liability management actions aligned with evolving market conditions.

Government is expecting responses from primary dealers in South African government securities; internationally active arranging banks; multilateral institutions; institutional investors; and other regulated financial entities with capacity to fund at scale, either directly or through an arranging bank.

Treasury will consider a range of instruments, including, but not limited to:
•    bilateral term loans;
•    private placements of floating rate notes;
•    repurchase agreements against sovereign collateral;
•    cross-currency or total return swaps with funding legs in US dollars, and
•    other structured note formats.

Proposals incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) or sustainability-linked features are encouraged, particularly if aligned with the National Treasury’s ESG framework.

Proposals will be assessed on the basis of:
•    overall cost of funds (spread over the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or equivalent benchmark);
•    speed and certainty of execution;
•    compatibility with the sovereign’s maturity profile and debt service peaks;
•    operational simplicity; and resilience to market shocks, including currency volatility and rate spikes.

Interested parties have been advised to submit a PDF term sheet, including proposed amount, tenor, pricing and indicative spread; settlement date; key covenants or conditions precedent; collateral requirements (if any); governing law and documentation platform; and any relevant ESG characteristics.

Deadline for submission

The deadline for the submission of proposals is Wednesday, 6 August 2025, at 12:00 South African Standard Time (SAST).
The evaluation window will start on Thursday, 7 August 2025 – Friday, 29 August 2025.

This request contains no material, non-public information and may be shared with public-side desks. All proposals and follow-up discussions will be treated confidentially and will comply with all applicable South African public finance regulations.

Submission channel and contacts are as follows:
•    Please email proposals to: debtissuanceandmanagement@treasury.gov.za

Enquiries may be directed to:
•    Terry Bomela Msomi Director: Treasury Funding Tel: +27 12 315 5135
•    Wanga Cibi Chief Director: Liability Management Tel: +27 12 315 5132

– SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

By Ivy Masale

The year 2025 marks a defining moment for South Africa’s transport sector, with the launch of the inaugural National Transport Conference, which is scheduled to take place from 6 – 8 October 2025 in Gauteng.

Hosted by the Department of Transport, this landmark event brings together government, State-owned enterprises (SOEs), private businesses, academia and civil society in one unified conversation.

For the first time, all stakeholders in the transport ecosystem will gather under one roof to exchange ideas, align strategies, and shape the future of mobility across aviation, rail, road, maritime and public transport.

Transport is more than movement: it is the lifeblood of economic growth and social connection.

It links rural communities to markets, supports trade across borders, and fuels development in cities. Yet, the sector faces mounting challenges. Infrastructure is under pressure and requires modernisation. 

Passenger rail, once the backbone of public transport, must be restored to full service. Ports need to achieve world-class operational standards. Road fatalities remain unacceptably high. At the same time, technology is changing how goods and people move, and sustainability demands innovative, green solutions.

Addressing these challenges requires bold thinking and collaboration. It demands a shared national agenda where every role-player — government, industry, academia, and investors — works in step.

Until now, South Africa has hosted numerous successful conferences on transport — from the Southern African Transport Conference to the Africa Rail and the Smarter Mobility Summit. These forums have produced valuable insights, but discussions often remain within specific sectors. The absence of a unifying platform has made it difficult to consolidate recommendations into a coherent national strategy.

The National Transport Conference changes this. It is not here to replace existing events but to complement and amplify them. It creates a single forum where knowledge converges, and where ideas can be turned into policies, partnerships and solutions that impact the entire country.

This strategic step by the Department of Transport reflects government’s commitment to transforming mobility in ways that boost economic competitiveness, improve safety, create jobs and advance sustainability.

It also aligns with the priorities set out by the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy for her term of office–revitalising rail, expanding air and freight capacity, improving port efficiency, reducing road fatalities and positioning rail as the backbone of transport. These ambitions are not abstract targets; they are performance commitments aimed at unlocking opportunity for millions of South Africans.

Delegates can look forward to a dynamic programme that includes high-level keynote sessions from government leaders, industry executives, including global transport experts.

Discussions will explore critical themes such as restoring passenger rail services and expanding freight volumes to reduce road congestion and support economic growth, leveraging digital innovation and intelligent transport systems, unlocking investment through public-private partnerships, improving road safety in line with global targets and implementing low-emission transport solutions to reduce environmental impact.

Breakaway sessions will give participants a chance to engage deeply with specific challenges. Researchers can share findings that inform policy, while practitioners can explore practical solutions to accelerate implementation. Exhibitions will showcase innovative transport technologies–from electric buses and smart ticketing systems to logistics optimisation tools and green aviation solutions.

The future of transport 

This conference is for everyone who has a stake in South Africa’s transport future. Researchers will gain a platform to present studies that influence national policy. Businesses will discover opportunities to partner on infrastructure projects or introduce new technologies.

Transport operators will access critical insights on regulations, funding models, and innovation. Academics will find networks for collaboration. Policymakers and officials will strengthen ties with global thought leaders and learn from best practices.

Beyond the professional value, the conference offers unparalleled networking opportunities. It is a chance to meet decision-makers, investors, and innovators–all under one roof–discussing how to build a transport system that works for the economy and for people.

This is not just a dialogue; it is a platform for action. The conference will adopt a National Transport Agenda — a strategic framework that sets out key priorities for the year ahead and aligns with government’s developmental objectives.

Delegates will contribute to a formal declaration and an actionable roadmap to ensure follow-through on commitments. These outcomes will also inform the October Transport Month campaign, linking dialogue to implementation timelines.

Capacity-building workshops will provide training opportunities to strengthen skills across the sector. Knowledge-sharing sessions will highlight global best practices that can be adapted to local realities. Public-private partnerships will be fostered to unlock investment and resources for large-scale projects.
The ultimate goal is a transport system that is integrated, efficient and sustainable. One that supports economic growth, connects people to opportunities, and enhances safety and accessibility for all.

The launch of the National Transport Conference signals a new era of partnership and progress.

It is an opportunity to move beyond fragmented conversations and towards a shared vision for mobility. For government, it is a platform to lead transformation. For industry, it is a chance to invest in growth. For citizens, it promises a future where transport is safe, affordable and reliable.

South Africa stands at a pivotal point in its journey to reimagine mobility. The question now is not whether change will come–but how fast and how well we can make it happen. The National Transport Conference is where that future begins.

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, July 25, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

With its immense potential for renewable energy and green hydrogen production and export, the Northern Cape could become a key driver of South Africa’s energy transition and economic growth.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who delivered remarks at the opening session of a Presidential engagement between the National Executive and the Provincial Executive of the Northern Cape.

“I have said on a number of occasions that the Northern Cape is an economic pioneer and a frontier of innovation. Last year, there was a report published…that characterised the province as South Africa’s emerging powerhouse – quite literally.

“The Northern Cape is at the forefront of the clean energy revolution and is experiencing a significant surge in power projects, notably solar and green hydrogen,” the President said.

According to the African Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA) – which is made up of 10 African states, including South Africa – the green hydrogen industry has the potential to add between $66 billion and $126 billion to the Gross Domestic Product of the member countries over the next 25 years.

Government is already working on capitalising on this with the Boegoebaai Port and Rail Development named as one of the top seven infrastructure priorities for 2025/26.

“The province’s Green Hydrogen Masterplan is ambitious in both scope and potential – not just for the Northern Cape but for the national economy as well. It is also, a potential that can have an impact on SADC and even for our continent.

“In recent months I, together with a number of members of the National Executive, …have participated in multilateral discussions and business forums where we have been articulating our vision of South Africa being a leader in the renewable energy revolution.

“And to quote the [Pulitzer Centre] report, once the energy transition unfolds as envisaged, the Northern Cape could be the new heartbeat of the economy,” he said.

The President noted the strides made in the province becoming an industrial hub.

“This is supported by traditional industries like mining, but is being expanded through special economic zone development, industrial park development and major infrastructure developments, notably in port and rail,” he said.

Resolving challenges

President Ramaphosa acknowledged that while the province’s economy has been growing and creating jobs, “persistent challenges” remain.

“National Treasury’s 2024 provincial socio-economic review points to an increase in the percentage of people living in poverty and…a drop in the number of households with access to basic services like water. Unemployment, especially youth unemployment, remains high.

“Fiscal constraints are holding back a number of projects particularly at a municipal level, including for disaster response, asbestos eradication, land restitution, rural electrification and public housing.

“Much as we look at the potential and the progress that is being made, these challenges are still casting a shadow on our way to much better development,” he said.

To resolve some of these challenges, the President said government will have to find ways to “support high impact projects” in the vein of the Northern Cape Industrial Corridor, the province’s R1 billion housing programme and the Kimberley Big Hole precinct.

“We will also need to find creative funding mechanisms for major projects…for instance the Boegoebaai Harbour project. That is a project that will turn the fortunes of our province around. 

“We need an urgent relook at the current delivery model to enable regulatory approval and investment activation,” he said.

The President emphasised that integrated planning between all three spheres of government “must involve State-owned enterprises as important stakeholders with significant capabilities”.

This integration must also align with the Medium-Term Development Plan. 

“We are keen to discuss how the province is addressing the issue of climate change and its state of readiness to respond to natural disasters.

“Another challenge that we need to address is at the local government level…how we are able to improve our local government sphere and find ways of ensuring that this province is able to move up to a high level in terms of tourism.

“There is latent potential in this province where we can actually exploit the number of endowments that the Northern Cape has,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za