Category: South Africa Government

Source: South Africa News Agency

Statistics South Africa has now commenced with the development of its digital business transformation strategy, which will guide the institution going forward.

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, outlined the institution’s plans when she tabled its Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

“This strategy aligns with South Africa’s Roadmap for Digital Transformation of government that aims to, amongst others, enhance data exchange for improved access to information for improved service delivery.

“Stats SA’s digital transformation journey commenced with the Household Survey programme, transitioning from a paper-based data collection approach to a computer assisted methodology, thereby streamlining survey operations, resulting in significant cost savings,” Ntshavheni said.

She revealed that the institution will, over the next five years, “reinvent its statistical products and processes”.

Key initiatives over the medium-term include:

• Researching the use of artificial intelligence in producing official statistics.
• Introducing web-based data collection methods in economic statistics programmes.
• Applying data science and modern methods to big data and alternative data sources.
• Exploring the use of cloud technology in Stats SA.

“The shift to digital platforms is designed to streamline survey operations, making it more efficient and user friendly,” she said.

Ntshavheni said Stats SA’s allocation is R2.7 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, rising to R2.91 billion in 2026/27 and reaching R3.04 billion in 2027/28.

“In a world defined by rapid change, complex challenges and competing narratives, official statistics provides us with one constant: the truth told in numbers.

“They serve as a mirror through which a nation sees itself not just as it is but how its evolving. From economic performance and health outcomes to education levels and environmental conditions, statistics are the evidence base upon which sound decisions are made.”

The Minister urged Parliamentarians to support the budget vote to equip Stats SA to help government navigate ever changing global dynamics.

“It is important to support this budget vote because we are navigating a path in a world that is undergoing rapid and profound changes, and this is equally true in the realm of statistics.

“Global fundamental shifts are reshaping every aspect of human life from the escalating impact of climate change to the swift advancements in artificial intelligence, the rise of digital economies, changing social dynamics and global political tensions.

“By accurately capturing and analysing these trends, we can better equip ourselves to respond to the challenges and opportunities they present – ensuring that our nation remains resilient and forward thinking in this ever-evolving landscape,” Ntshavheni emphasised.

She assured that the institution remains “unwavering in its commitment to the strategy of improving lives through data economic systems”.

“As the landscape of information technology and data analytics continues to transform, our focus is on harnessing the power of data to enhance the wellbeing of our citizens,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Department of Transport is ploughing ahead with the execution of reforms to drive the work of turning around passenger, freight and logistics systems.

This is the word from Minister Barbara Creecy, who presented the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday morning. 

“Prompt execution of reforms in the logistics sector is essential to address and reduce the risks present in both our global and domestic environments.  

“Effective implementation of reforms is essential for boosting growth and employment; however, geopolitical tensions may alter foreign direct investment patterns,” Creecy said.

The Minister explained that the department is guided by clear targets, including:

• Ensuring that 250 million tons of freight are carried on the Transnet network by 2029.
• Improving the speed of loading and unloading ships.
• Ensuring 600 million passenger journeys per annum by 2030.
• Moving some 42 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of airfreight through the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) network of airports by the end of this political term.
• Reducing road fatalities by 45% by 2029.

Boosting rail

Creecy told Parliament that fundamental to the rail reform programme is the “intention to re-establish rail as the backbone of transport for people and goods”.

“Since we embarked on the journey to restore passenger rail services nationwide, I am proud to share that PRASA [Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa] had, by the end of May 2025, successfully revived 35 out of 40 corridors and sections of service lines.

“[We] continue to deliver at pace, with PRASA achieving an unaudited figure of 77 million passenger journeys for the last financial year and 116 million passenger journeys for the 2025/26 financial year. 

“Our competitive pricing model for commuter passengers will ensure that working-class communities take advantage of our offerings,” she said.

The agency will receive some R66.1 billion over the medium-term.

“This significant budget is for maintaining, recovering and renewing rail infrastructure, rebuilding the signalling system, rolling out new train sets to priority corridors and increasing rail passenger trips,” she said.

Freight rail

The Minister assured South Africans that the department will “do all within our power to rebuild and modernise the capabilities, operational effectiveness and competitiveness of our State-owned freight logistics operator”.

“The Roadmap for the Freight Logistics System in South Africa clarifies that strategic infrastructure, such as rail lines and ports, will remain in public ownership, as assets belonging to the South African people.

“We must also enhance the involvement of additional operators as a way of extending freight logistics capabilities of the country and region, beyond what the public sector alone would have been able to accomplish.

“It is important to point out that as an economy we need freight logistics operators that can compete, but that can also complement each other when the need arises, for the benefit of our country and region,” she said.

In this regard, Creecy highlighted that “limited state resources to fund infrastructure development” have made private sector investment critical.

“To guide private sector investment in our five priority rail and port corridors, we have just concluded a Request for Information process. Transnet will issue Requests for Proposals from the end of August 2025 and so begin the formal procurement process.

“In line with the Private Sector Participation [PSP] envisioned in the White Paper on the National Rail Policy, Cabinet approved a PSP Framework in 2023 to guide private sector involvement across the logistics sector value chain,” she said.

The Minister emphasised, however, that the department is not waiting on private sector involvement to get the trains rolling.

“To sustain our economy, we cannot afford to wait until the PSPs reach financial close before launching an ambitious programme to rehabilitate Transnet’s rail network and rolling stock, as well as port infrastructure and equipment.

“Funding sources for immediate rehabilitation of the five priority rail corridors include the current Transnet budget for rail and rolling stock maintenance and the purchase of port equipment; submissions to National Treasury’s Budget Facility for infrastructure; and private investment in refurbishing or expanding line capacity through existing customer agreements.

“As a result of the hard work by the Transnet War Room, port volumes were 54.28% higher at the end of the 2024/5 financial year than the previous year; rail tonnage increased by 9 million tons; and containers handled in our ports increased by 48 000 Units,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Following several challenging years, State-owned airline, South African Airways (SAA), is now in a position to contribute economic value.

This is according to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, who presented the departmental Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday morning.

SAA was racked by allegations of fraud and corruption during the State capture years. It was put under business rescue and grounded but has recovered to fly domestic, continental and international flights.

“With unencumbered assets and renewed profitability, SAA is well-positioned to drive economic value through expanded international services, job creation, and increased contributions to tourism and trade,” Creecy said.

Furthermore, the airline is now contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“According to [an Oxford Economics Africa] study, SAA contributed R9.1 billion to South Africa’s GDP in 2023/24, a figure projected to more than triple to R32.6 billion by 2029/2030. Over the same period, the airline’s operations are expected to support 86 700 jobs, up from the current 25 000, demonstrating its growing role as a national employer and economic catalyst.

“The airline has concluded three out of four outstanding audits and reported a profit of R252 million for the 2022/23 financial year for the first time since 2012. Now operating independently and no longer reliant on government guarantees, SAA is self-funding its operations and fleet growth, while remaining open to a strategic equity partner as part of its long-term restructuring,” the Minister highlighted.

Strengthening ACSA

Creecy revealed that the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has been allocated some R21.7 billion for infrastructure development.

“[This is] in order to meet our target of moving 42 million passengers per year and increasing air freight handling through the ACSA network of airports. This will improve facilities for passenger safety and comfort over the medium-term and build a new freight terminal at OR Tambo International Airport.

“In addition, we are fast tracking projects to ensure reliable availability of jet fuel to all airlines at all our airports, as well as the general upkeep and upgrading of facilities and technologies at each of our airports to improve both security of passengers and cargo, as well as convenience of airport users,” she said.

On the roads

Creecy told Parliament that the state of roads in South Africa remains an important issue that the department is concerned about, with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) taking over some 3 099 kilometers of provincial roads over the past year.

“Over the period of the MTDP [Medium-Term Development Plan] and beyond, SANRAL has reprioritised within the existing maintenance and capital allocated funding so that these roads are serviced through the Route Road Maintenance Programme,” she said.

Creecy also revealed that the driver’s licence printing machine is now back in operation.

“The old card machine is currently fixed and we are hard at work to clear out the printing backlog of licence cards.  To ensure we have a backup solution, we have signed a MOU with the Government Printing Works. We expect that within three months, this backup solution will be able to print driver’s licence cards,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Source: South Africa News Agency

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Source: South Africa News Agency

Hlabisa to announce distribution of Municipal Disaster Response and Recovery Grant

Gabisile
Wed, 07/02/2025 – 11:04

Source: South Africa News Agency

Judiciary set for full institutional independence

NeoB
Wed, 07/02/2025 – 10:15

Source: South Africa News Agency

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Source: South Africa News Agency

Four police officials attached to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Gauteng and Gauteng Provincial SAPS have been arrested alongside two civilians for charges including fraud and corruption.

All six suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today, where they are facing charges of theft, possession of suspected stolen money, extortion and corruption.

The arrests was effected by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) team based in Johannesburg. 

On Monday afternoon, the complainant in the matter alleged that he had received a phone call from one of his employees informing him that police officers were at the complainant’s shop. It is further reported that the complainant instructed his employee to request the police to wait until he arrived at the shop.

However, shortly after the conversation between the complainant and his employee, the call was disconnected. The complainant then made his way to the shop and upon his arrival, the shop was closed. 

He then proceeded to Johannesburg Central Police Station, where he was informed that his employees were arrested for Contravention of Section 9 of the Currency Act, Act 9 of 1933. The employee that he was in conversation with was also arrested for interfering with police duties. 

The arrest of the four police officials and two civilians came after the complainant reported the matter to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation. He alleged that the police officials took R900 000 from his shop while conducting their operations. 

When following up on the information, the Hawks discovered that only 60 000 US dollars and R130 000 was booked into the South African Police Service (SAPS) register as the amount recovered by the police, instead of booking the entire amount of R900 000. 

It is further alleged that the suspect, who was at the shop to exchange the money in question, also tried to entice the police officials with R60 000, which was also booked in the SAPS register. 

After conducting a preliminary investigation, the Hawks’ SCI followed up the information and proceeded to Newtown, where they located the police officials involved in the theft. 

The alleged corrupt officials were found in several vehicles. The Hawks searched the vehicles and found one of them with a substantial amount of cash. As a result, the four police officials and two civilians were arrested on the scene. 

Meanwhile, the other six suspects, who are charged for contravention of Section 9 of the Currency Act, will also appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today.

”The Hawks remain resolute in their commitment to uproot corruption, even within the ranks of law enforcement. No one is above the law. 

“The arrest of these officers is a clear demonstration that we will act decisively and without fear or favour to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system and restore public trust in the SAPS,” said the Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Siphosihle Nkosi. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, will officially present Budget Vote 3 for the department before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). 

The budget will be delivered on Wednesday at 2 pm, under the theme “Every Municipality Must Work.”

The Minister will be joined by Deputy Minister of CoGTA, Dr Namane Dickson Masemola.

The budget presentation and engagement forms part of Parliament’s oversight function, providing a platform to transparently present the department’s financial allocations and strategic direction for the 2025/26 financial year.

According to the department, the budget vote presentation will provide detail key areas of expenditure, offering a comprehensive breakdown of how the department’s resources will be allocated to drive impactful governance. 

Central to the presentation will be CoGTA’s commitment to addressing critical challenges within local government, including capacity building, governance improvement, and enhanced service delivery mechanisms.

Hlabisa is also expected to highlight strategic priorities aimed at strengthening the functionality of municipalities nationwide. 

These include strengthening financial management practices, addressing infrastructure backlogs, and improving intergovernmental relations to create a cohesive framework for sustainable development. 

“The Minister will also outline the department’s targeted interventions to promote accountability, innovation, and ensure municipalities are well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of communities.” 

In line with the theme, the presentation will emphasise the importance of collaborative efforts between all spheres of government to achieve integrated development.

Members of the public may follow proceedings live on Parliament TV (DStv channel 408), or via live stream on the department and Parliament’s YouTube channels, Facebook, and Twitter pages. – SAnews.gov.za