Category: South Africa Government

South Africa’s national’s men’s soccer team Bafana Bafana have arrived in Mexico ahead of the start of the FIFA Soccer World Cup next week.

Their safe arrival was announced in a post on social media platform, X, on Tuesday.

The team departed for the tournament on Monday after visas were secured for all the players on Sunday, 31 May.

“The South African Football Association (SAFA) held an Emergency Committee Meeting on Sunday night, 31 May, where a number of issues around the South African senior men’s national team’s delayed travel plans to Mexico were discussed by the members,” the association said in a statement on Monday.

At the meeting, it was revealed that four members of the camp had outstanding visas for the North American trip.

“To strengthen operational coordination during the FIFA World Cup, SAFA can further reveal that a three-member organising committee has been established to manage the team’s administrative affairs during the 2026 FIFA World Cup comprising of Bafana Bafana Head of Delegation (HOD) David Molwantwa, SAFA Chairperson of the Finance Committee Mxolisi Sibam, together with the Team Manager Vincent Tseka.” 

The three will work together in ensuring that any logistical or administrative matters that may arise during the global tournament are dealt with expeditiously. 

“While the visa delays resulted in the team losing a valuable day in its travel and preparation schedule, SAFA is satisfied that the matter has now been substantially resolved and that the team’s World Cup plans remain firmly on course,” SAFA said at the time.

In addition, SAFA also apologised to the nation for the unexpected travel delays and thanked the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for their assistance, as well as the US Consulate in Johannesburg, which went beyond the call of duty over the weekend to ensure that the visas were issued for all  players to travel.

This year’s FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana as the national men’s football team prepares to make its long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup.

READ | Call to rally behind Bafana Bafana

“I call on all South Africans to rally behind our team and show their support. Let us wear the team colours and fly the flag,” said the President. – SAnews.gov.za

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An investigation into the affairs of the Office of the Premier in the Free State has uncovered serious maladministration and the awarding of bursaries to foreign nationals, relatives and a deceased student.

Acting Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Leonard Lekgetho said the investigation was initiated following a referral from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) concerning irregularities.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Tuesday, Lekgetho said the AGSA’s reports from 2019 and 2020 revealed serious irregularities in the management of bursaries and funds intended to educate and uplift youth in the Free State.

The awarding of the bursaries in question took place during Ace Magashule’s tenure as Premier. The investigation was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation 123 of 2023.

“The SIU’s investigation revealed that officials approved bursaries negligently, failed to comply with the eligibility criteria, and irregularly extended bursary contracts,” Lekgetho said.

Lekgetho said the investigation confirmed that a deceased student had received bursaries from both Office of the Premier and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

“The Office of the Premier paid R34 891.60 to the University of the Free State, which deposited the money into a suspense account after the student’s death. NSFAS also paid R13 000 into the student’s bank account, which his parents used. 

“Since the student had died before completing his studies, the funds could not be recovered, especially since the proclamation did not cover NSFAS. The parents also lack the means to pay back the money.

“The SIU identified the officials who approved the bursary and extension, resulting in the payment of R34 891.60, as well as funding courses the student failed to complete, resulting in breach of contractual and policy obligations,” Lekgetho said.

The investigation also showed that seven students who received the bursary were foreign nationals, with six students then funded on a merit basis as top achievers.

However, the SIU found no approval to deviate from the policy, which specifies that bursaries are for South African citizens residing in the Free State, and this resulted in an expenditure of R576 734.48.

According to Lekgetho, in total, an amount of R8.3 million was spent, benefiting 161 students and 16 officials from various government departments. 

Lekgetho said the SIU has made 38 disciplinary referrals against the implicated officials, including human resources officials, administration clerks, Assistant, Deputy Directors and Directors.

The unit also uncovered that in one instance, a degree that was supposed to be finalised in three years ended up being finalised in seven years, and throughout these years, the bursary was awarded. 

In their investigations, the SIU uncovered that an official awarded bursaries to relatives without following due process. 

In some cases, the Office of the Premier awarded bursaries to applicants for qualifications not included in the 2018-19 Provincial Workplace Skills Plan.

The SIU said it had signed 18 acknowledgements of debt totalling R1.9 million with individuals who received undue benefits from the bursary scheme.  

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae welcomed the investigation and committed her administration to supporting the SIU investigations.

“Our objective is to ensure that eligibility requirements, approval, and oversight mechanisms are clearly defined and consistently applied,” she said.

She said the disciplinary process for the eight employees involved in these irregularities would be executed. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth says government is strengthening labour market enforcement and labour migration reforms to ensure South Africans are prioritised for employment opportunities, while maintaining a lawful and fair migration system.

Speaking during a Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Deep Dive Media Engagement, Meth said government’s labour market reforms are intended to address high unemployment levels and tackle unlawful employment practices.

“These reforms are intended to strengthen labour market governance, improve the regulation of employment services, [and] protect labour standards,” she said.

The reforms include implementation of the National Labour Migration Policy and the Employment Services Amendment Bill, which seeks to strengthen enforcement powers available to labour inspectors.

Meth said the measures are designed to strike a balance between protecting opportunities for South Africans and meeting the economy’s demand for scarce and critical skills.

“They seek to strike an appropriate balance between safeguarding employment opportunities for South Africans and meeting the economy’s demand for critical skills,” she said. 

A key focus of the reforms is strengthening enforcement against the employment of undocumented foreign nationals.

“It is important for employers to be deliberate in utilizing ESSA [Employment Services South Africa]  to recruit South Africans, and in abiding with the law to prioritise South Africans and employ those who are legally in South Africa from other countries,” the Minister said.

Meth rejected claims that South Africans are unwilling to work, arguing that the real challenge is a shortage of employment opportunities.

“We must firmly reject the narrative that South Africans are unwilling to work.

“Millions of South Africans wake up every day in search of work, eager to contribute their skills, earn a living and support their families,” the minister said. 

Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya echoed the sentiment, saying employers should stop favouring undocumented foreign nationals.

“There is nothing like South Africans do not want to work, we must stop that notion,” he said. 

Sibiya warned that tougher penalties are on the way for employers who violate labour and immigration laws.

“Our fines are going to be harsher going forward for employers who are non-compliant. Non-compliance is very expensive. You can’t prioritise illegal immigrants because you want to exploit them,” he said. 

According to the department, the Employment Services Amendment Bill will introduce stronger enforcement mechanisms and fines of up to R100 000 for non-compliance.

The Deputy Minister said inspections have already uncovered widespread violations in sectors such as hospitality and construction.

“We’ve been going big on construction,” he said.

He revealed that labour inspections recently identified 79 undocumented foreign nationals on a single construction site in the Western Cape.

“We are going big on them, but we are going to engage as well with the construction sector, as we are doing with hospitality,” Sibiya said. 

At the same time, government says it remains committed to ensuring labour migration is managed in a lawful and developmental manner.

Acting Deputy Director-General Thembinkosi Mkalipi explained that the National Labour Migration Policy does not exclude the informal sector and forms part of a broader package of reforms being implemented across government.

He said government is also working with companies operating in platform and delivery services to improve opportunities for South Africans.

Mkalipi pointed to partnerships with delivery and e-hailing companies that have resulted in greater employment opportunities for local workers.

“The Minister talked about this perception that South Africans don’t like certain jobs, which is not true,” Mkalipi said. 

The labour migration reforms form part of government’s wider strategy to improve labour market governance while addressing unemployment and protecting labour standards.

Meth said government’s objective is to create a labour market that is fair, orderly and supportive of inclusive economic growth.

“Collectively, these measures will contribute to a more orderly, equitable, and effective labor market that protects workers, supports employers, and advances inclusive economic growth.” – SAnews.gov.za

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Police in the Western Cape are investigating the murders of two Mozambican nationals and an 18-year-old South African following violent unrest in KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay, over the weekend.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), officers from the George Public Order Police unit, supported by local police, responded to sporadic violence in the Asla Park informal settlement on Friday, 29 May 2026. 

About 55 shacks were allegedly set alight by a group of people during the unrest.

Police, together with fire services and disaster management teams, brought the situation under control, however, a number of residents have been displaced.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, police discovered the body of a 27-year-old man with multiple injuries in the area. 

Shortly afterwards, another man who had sustained assault-related injuries was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital. 

Investigators later confirmed that the two victims, aged 27 and 43, were Mozambican nationals.

No arrests have yet been made in connection with the two murders, and investigations are continuing, said the police.

In a separate incident, KwaNonqaba police were called to the New Rest informal settlement at about 3am on Sunday after the body of an 18-year-old South African man was found outside a shack. 

The victim had suffered stab wounds and was declared dead by paramedics at 3:19am.

Police said detectives were making progress in the investigation and were searching for a known suspect.

Since the outbreak of violence, police have arrested five suspects. 

Two have been charged with public violence and appeared in court on Monday, where they were granted bail of R1 000 each.

Three other suspects were expected to appear in the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges relating to the possession of presumed stolen property.

SAPS said it respects the right of citizens to protest but urged demonstrators to act within the law. The police warned that officers would act decisively against those involved in violent acts or the incitement of violence.

The police also appealed to community members and leaders to refrain from spreading unverified information, saying it could cause unnecessary panic and anxiety.

Police said deployments remain on high alert in the area as authorities work to restore calm and order. No further incidents have been reported since Monday. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government has declared 2026 the “Year of Putting Young South Africans to Work” and is rolling out a range of interventions aimed at tackling unemployment, particularly among young people, through a revamped Labour Activation Programme (LAP).

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth outlined the plans during a Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Deep Dive Media Engagement, where she unpacked the department’s Budget Vote priorities and efforts to address South Africa’s persistently high unemployment rate.

The department has been allocated R4.578 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, representing a 10.2% increase from the previous year.

“It is important to note that we declared 2026 as ‘The Year of Putting Young South Africans to Work’, in honour of the 1976 Youth and Commemoration of the Youth Uprising Golden Jubilee.

“We will be more aggressive in funding targeted youth-focused job creation initiatives, with a 70% of these opportunities strictly ring-fenced for our youth,” Meth said.

According to Statistics South Africa, the country’s official unemployment rate currently stands at 32.7%. 

Meth described unemployment as more than an economic challenge, saying it has become a social justice issue that threatens social stability and undermines the dignity and future prospects of millions of young people.

The centrepiece of government’s intervention is a redesigned Labour Activation Programme, which has been restructured following a review that found it was not achieving the scale and impact required to respond effectively to the unemployment crisis.

The programme now rests on three pillars: workplace-integrated learning and placement, demand-led skills training, and support for small enterprises.

The first pillar focuses on placing graduates, TVET students and other work seekers in workplaces, particularly those who require practical training before they can qualify.

Meth said many students remain trapped in a “missing middle” category, having completed their studies but unable to graduate because they cannot secure workplace placements.

“The issue of being associated with going to universities, even though in other economies you see people who go to TVET and be the ones who are holding the economy,” she said.

She explained that many students complete theoretical studies but are unable to enter the labour market because they still need workplace-integrated learning.

“We have picked it up as a gap and decide we’ll use this program, labour activation, to identify those and place them in numbers, so that at least we can assist them to graduate,” the Minister said.

Government plans to place 20 000 TVET students and other learners requiring practical workplace exposure, including trainee engineers, law graduates, health inspectors, chartered accountants and chartered financial analysts.

The second pillar focuses on demand-led skills training aligned with labour market needs.

Meth said government had moved away from simply training people without considering whether jobs existed in those sectors.

“We are saying we will only partner with those credible and reliable training providers from the public sector and the institutions that are providing training, and also employers, in particular, but focusing on demand-led skills, skills that are needed by the labour market, so that once you are trained on that skill, there is no discussion about where do you go, because already the market is ready for you,” she said. 

As part of this effort, the department plans to train 10 000 young people in digital skills after research identified approximately 149 000 opportunities in the digital economy.

“The issue of AI digital technologies, we don’t have the success of that skill. It’s a skill that we need,” Meth said.

The department will also fund driver’s licences for 10 000 young people to remove a major barrier to entry into the labour market.

Meth noted that many entry-level positions require driver’s licences, making it difficult for unemployed youth to access opportunities.

The third pillar focuses on supporting small enterprises and the informal economy.

Meth said small businesses have the potential to create jobs but face challenges including limited access to finance, crime and inadequate municipal support.

“We must, if we want to see jobs as a department of employment and labour, have a program that supports the informal sector,” she said.

Overall, government aims to create 200 000 opportunities during the current financial year through the Labour Activation Programme and related interventions.

Seventy percent of these opportunities have been ring-fenced for young people.

In addition, the department has committed R350 million through its partnership with the Presidency and the National Pathway Management Network to place 130 000 young people in learning opportunities, work exposure programmes and employment interventions.

Meth called on employers to work with government to provide internships and workplace experience opportunities.

“It cannot be business as usual to have so many unemployed South Africans,” she said.

The Minister also encouraged employers to make greater use of Employment Services South Africa (ESSA), government’s online recruitment platform that contains millions of job seeker profiles.

“Employers must utilise the database. It’s an online system, which can be accessed via www.labor.gov.sa to directly recruit and match with unemployed works, whether they require chefs, waiters, drivers, plumbers, artisans, etcetera,” she said. 

Meth stressed that while government programmes can help improve employability and create pathways into work, long-term success ultimately depends on broader economic growth and stronger private sector job creation.

“We are still awaiting patiently, but we are very anxious for the economy to grow, for the economy to absorb the labour force,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina will host and officially welcome her counterparts from Eswatini and Mozambique at the inaugural Council of Ministers Meeting of the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM) on Friday, 5 June, in Boksburg, Johannesburg.

The meeting will bring together Eswatini’s Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokela Dlamini, and Mozambique’s Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Fernando Rafael — marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation on the management of shared water resources.

The historic gathering marks an important milestone in regional cooperation on shared water resources between South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique.

“Bringing Ministers of the three Member States together at this level reflects a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation, deepening partnership and advancing a common vision for the sustainable management of the region’s shared water resources,” the department said.

The inaugural meeting will lay a strong foundation for coordinated action, shared responsibility and long-term resilience in managing the vital Incomati and Maputo river systems, which continue to support livelihoods, economic development, and environmental sustainability across the region.

According to the department, the engagement reflects a collective commitment to harness water as a catalyst for integration, stability, and prosperity in Southern Africa.

The meeting also builds on decades of cooperation among the three countries under the Tripartite Permanent Technical Committee, which served as the foundation for the establishment of INMACOM in 2021.

Through this inaugural session, the department said the three countries will consolidate institutional arrangements and advance coordinated approaches to the equitable and sustainable management of shared watercourses.

“South Africa’s hosting of the inaugural INMACOM Council of Ministers Meeting reaffirms its continued leadership in advancing regional cooperation and integrated water resources management within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region,” the department said.

The inaugural INMACOM Council of Ministers Meeting is poised to establish a strong foundation for long-term collaboration and reinforce institutional mechanisms that will guide the sustainable management of the shared river basins in the years ahead.

This landmark engagement will see ministers deliberate on strategic priorities central to regional water governance, including water availability, infrastructure development, sharing of hydrological data and information, and environmental sustainability.

Discussions are expected to lay the foundation for enhanced resilience and long-term water security across the Incomati and Maputo River Basins.

INMACOM is a transboundary river basin organisation established by South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique to promote cooperation in the development, protection and sustainable utilisation of shared water resources.

The Commission serves as a vital platform for joint planning, information sharing and coordinated management of the Incomati and Maputo River Basins, ensuring the equitable and peaceful use of water resources for present and future generations.

The main responsibility of the Commission is to, amongst others, encourage cooperation between the parties to ensure the development, protection and sustainable utilisation of the water resources shared by the Member States. – SAnews.gov.za

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Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp has announced the publication of South Africa’s National Elephant Heritage Strategy in the Government Gazette, paving the way for its implementation as a national framework for elephant conservation and management.

The strategy provides a coherent, evidence-based approach to the conservation and management of the African elephant in South Africa and is aligned with national biodiversity targets and policy mandates.

According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), African elephants are currently listed nationally as “least concern”, reflecting a widespread and stable population that faces a low risk of extinction within South Africa.

The strategy was developed through a partnership between the DFFE, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks). 

The initiative was aimed at creating a unified framework to guide elephant conservation and management across the country.

In line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the strategy was developed using a whole-of-society approach that incorporated input from stakeholders across South Africa. 

As part of the process, a National Elephant Indaba was convened to discuss challenges related to human-elephant conflict and to develop a coordinated national response informed by scientific evidence.

The National Elephant Heritage Strategy is intended to guide the development, revision and implementation of several key mechanisms and tools, including the Elephant Norms and Standards, the National Elephant Research Strategy, the Non-Detrimental Finding for Elephants, the Elephant Red-list Assessment, reserve-level Elephant Management Plans and the National Elephant Meta-Population Plan.

The department said the strategy adopts an integrated socio-ecological framework aimed at strengthening adaptive management, improving stakeholder engagement and enhancing sustainable benefit-sharing opportunities associated with elephants and their habitats.

The strategy will also serve as South Africa’s National Elephant Action Plan for the implementation of the African Elephant Action Plan (AEAP). 

Government said the framework aligns with the country’s international obligations and will support engagement with other elephant range states while demonstrating South Africa’s contribution to achieving the objectives of the AEAP.

Electronic copies of the Government Notice for the National Elephant Heritage Strategy are available at https://www.dffe.gov.za/legislation/gazetted_notices or www.gpwonline.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa remains on course to meet its fiscal targets despite the economic uncertainty created by the recent conflict in the Middle East, National Treasury Director-General Duncan Pieterse said on Monday.

Speaking at the Citi Emerging Markets Macro and Credit Conference, Pieterse said the country’s public finances had reached a turning point following the February 2026 Budget, which saw government debt stabilise relative to GDP for the first time since before the 2008 global financial crisis.

He said South Africa had also achieved a third consecutive primary budget surplus, demonstrating government’s ability to meet both its fiscal consolidation targets and structural reform commitments.

“The true test of fiscal credibility is to deliver on our fiscal objectives through the cycle, including in times of stress,” Pieterse said.

His comments come after the escalation in conflict in the Middle East three days after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tabled the national Budget, triggering concerns about rising energy prices and their impact on South Africa’s economy and public finances.

Pieterse said recent assessments by major credit rating agencies had reinforced confidence in South Africa’s fiscal trajectory. 

Moody’s recently revised South Africa’s outlook to positive, while S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed its positive outlook after upgrading the country’s sovereign rating in November 2025.

According to Pieterse, both agencies expect South Africa’s debt burden to decline over the next three years while structural reforms continue to support economic growth.

He noted that South Africa is currently the only G20 country with a positive outlook from Moody’s and one of only two G20 countries with a positive outlook from S&P.

Treasury reported stronger-than-expected fiscal outcomes for the 2025/26 financial year. The primary surplus reached 1.1% of GDP, exceeding the Budget estimate of 0.9%, while the main budget deficit narrowed to 4.3% of GDP compared with the projected 4.6%.

Government debt is expected to decline over the medium term, while the main budget deficit is forecast to fall to 3.1% by 2029.

Pieterse said government would introduce a formal fiscal rule during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in October to reinforce its debt reduction and primary surplus objectives.

In response to rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict, government introduced temporary fuel levy relief from April to June at a cost of R17.2 billion. 

Pieterse said the measure would be funded from fiscal outperformance recorded in the previous financial year and would therefore be fiscally neutral.

He added that any additional relief measures would be accommodated within existing departmental budgets.

Treasury also reported continued revenue strength at the start of the new financial year. Tax collections in April exceeded Budget forecasts by R5.9 billion, representing annual growth of 10.1%.

Pieterse said government spending remained largely insulated from inflationary pressures, with the public-sector wage agreement fixed until the 2027/28 financial year. 

Social grant spending is also expected to come in around R2 billion below projections due to improved beneficiary verification processes.

He said debt dynamics had improved significantly, with government debt expected to peak in 2025/26 before declining to 76.5% of GDP by 2028/29.

South Africa’s borrowing costs have also fallen. Pieterse said domestic government bond yields had declined by an average of 240 basis points between the 2025 and 2026 Budgets, while five-year Eurobond spreads narrowed from 170 basis points before the Middle East conflict to 106 basis points currently.

On state-owned enterprises, Pieterse said Eskom was on track to record its second consecutive year of profitability after posting a R16 billion profit in 2025 and R24.3 billion in the first half of 2026.

He attributed the turnaround to operational improvements, higher tariffs and conditions attached to government debt relief.

South Africa has now gone more than 365 days without load shedding, he said.

Transnet remains loss-making but has shown signs of recovery, with freight volumes increasing and losses narrowing. Pieterse said no equity injection would be required for the logistics company as existing guarantees adequately cover its financing needs.

Turning to the broader economy, Pieterse said South Africa’s medium-term growth outlook had improved as structural reforms gained momentum.

Economic growth accelerated during the second half of 2025, with GDP expanding by 1.1% for the year, double the growth rate recorded in 2024. The February Budget projected growth rising to 2% by 2028.

Fixed investment has also begun to recover, with two consecutive quarters of growth recorded during 2025 after an extended period of contraction.

Agricultural exports increased by 11% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, supported by higher export volumes and improved prices.

Pieterse acknowledged that the Middle East conflict had increased concerns about fertiliser supply and prices, but said South Africa was unlikely to face shortages because it could diversify import sources.

He highlighted progress in energy reform, noting that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has registered more than 19 gigawatts of new generation capacity. 

The National Transmission Company of South Africa has a further 24 gigawatts of projects seeking grid connections over the next six years.

Government is also advancing plans to establish an independent transmission system operator and implement a wholesale electricity market.

In the logistics sector, Pieterse said private-sector participation was expanding. 

The 25-year concession for Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 became operational in January, while 11 train operating companies have been selected to operate on 41 routes across six freight corridors.

He said government infrastructure spending would grow by nearly 10% annually over the medium term, making it the fastest-growing area of expenditure.

Major investments are planned for passenger rail, including R23.1 billion for signalling systems, R7.4 billion for operational support and R5.7 billion for rolling stock.

Treasury has also approved R104 billion in infrastructure projects through the Budget Facility for Infrastructure and raised R11.8 billion through its first infrastructure bond issued in December 2025.

Pieterse said municipal reform would be another key focus area ahead of local government elections in November. Treasury has launched a Metro Trading Services Reform programme backed by R54 billion over the medium term to improve municipal finances and infrastructure investment.

Pieterse said government remained committed to reducing debt and strengthening economic growth despite global uncertainty.

“We are not yet where we want to be and more work lies ahead, especially in the current global environment. But we are on track to get there,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has urged residents, businesses, motorists and other stakeholders to exercise extreme caution after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Level 5 warning for disruptive rainfall expected on Wednesday and Thursday.

The warning indicated a high likelihood of heavy rainfall across Nelson Mandela Bay and the surrounding areas, with the potential to cause localised flooding, dangerous road conditions, damage to infrastructure, disruptions to essential services, and potential risk to life and property.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said a cut-off low-pressure system is expected to bring cold, wet and windy weather to the central and southern parts of the country on Wednesday, with possible localised flooding in the Eastern and Western Cape.

“A cold front is expected to slip south of the country, with a cut-off low deepening west of the country, which is expected to propagate eastwards across South Africa from Wednesday and finally exit the country towards the weekend,” the Weather Service said on Monday.

The municipality said its Disaster Management Centre, emergency services and relevant municipal departments have been placed on high alert and are closely monitoring weather developments to ensure a coordinated response to any incidents arising from the severe conditions.

“Residents living in low lying and flood prone areas are encouraged to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, their families and their property. 

“Motorists are advised to avoid travelling, unless necessary, during periods of intense rainfall and should never attempt to cross flooded roads, bridges, streams or low water crossings,” Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said in a statement.

The municipality has urged residents to:
• Stay informed by monitoring official weather updates and municipal communication platforms.
• Secure loose outdoor items and protect valuable household belongings from possible water damage.
• Clear drainage systems around homes and businesses, where possible, to improve water flow.
• Avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather conditions.
• Immediately report emergencies, flooding, fallen trees, damaged infrastructure, or any threat to public safety to the relevant emergency authorities.

Lobishe said the municipality is implementing proactive measures to safeguard communities and minimise the impact of the anticipated severe weather conditions.

She urged all residents to remain vigilant, heed all weather warnings, and prioritise their safety.

“While municipal teams are on standby and ready to respond, community cooperation is critical in reducing risks and preventing avoidable incidents during this period of severe weather. 

“The municipality will continue to provide updates as conditions develop and encourages residents to follow official communication channels for accurate and timely information,” Lobishe said.

Law enforcement on site amid protest action

Meanwhile, the municipality confirmed that it is aware of protest action taking place in parts of the metro.

According to reports received from law enforcement agencies, the gatherings have remained peaceful, with no incidents reported and no significant impact on traffic movement.

“Law enforcement agencies remain on site and continue to monitor the situation to ensure public safety, maintain public order, and facilitate the lawful exercise of constitutional rights,” the municipality said.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of all individuals and groups to express their views through peaceful and lawful protest, the municipality stressed that all public gatherings, marches and demonstrations must be conducted in accordance with the Regulation of Gatherings Act and other applicable legislation.

“Residents are encouraged to remain calm and to obtain information from credible and official sources. The municipality further calls on all participants to cooperate with law enforcement officials and to conduct themselves in a peaceful and responsible manner.”

The municipality reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting public safety, promoting social cohesion, and respecting the rights and dignity of all people within its communities. – SAnews.gov.za

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Police in the North West have arrested 586 suspects for various offences as part of Operation Shanela.

The arrests were made between 25 and 31 May 2026.

“The multi-disciplinary operations focused on stop-and-search actions, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), high visibility patrols, including foot patrols, tracing of wanted suspects, as well as inspections at 192 liquor outlets and 54 second-hand goods premises,” the police said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Of the 586 suspects, 307 were wanted suspects, who were traced and apprehended by detectives after being linked to crimes through forensic DNA and other investigative leads,” the police said.

During the operations, police confiscated drugs, tobacco products, liquor, dangerous weapons, two firearms, ammunition, and one vehicle.

An unannounced Operation Shanela was conducted on Friday and Saturday nights, 29 and 30 May 2026 in Mahikeng and Lomanyaneng. 

The operational team comprised members from the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Liquor and Second Hand Goods (FLASH) Unit, Crime Intelligence: Overt Operations, Mahikeng Communications and Home Affairs, leading to the arrest of 15 undocumented persons, mostly Malawian citizens.

One employee was fined R1 500 for employing an illegal immigrant, while another 20-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of suspected illegal goods in contravention of Section 80(1)(a) of the Customs and Excise Act, Act 91 of 1964. 

Police seized cigarettes valued at close to R10 000. One suspect was arrested for possession of drugs, while another person was fined for selling liquor without a licence.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, commended members for their efforts, saying that Operation Shanela continues to deliver tangible results in the fight against crime. 

He further commended the teams for their cooperation in ensuring a safer environment for all in the province.

Extortion-related incidents can be reported to the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011. – SAnews.gov.za

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