Category: South Africa Government

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary Elias Magosi has urged that member states must urgently translate discussions into concrete action to shield the region from escalating global shocks. 

Speaking at the SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, Magosi said the international system was undergoing one of the most profound transformations in modern history, driven by geopolitical rivalry, economic fragmentation and weakening multilateral cooperation.

Addressing ministers and delegates gathered in the wildlife-rich surroundings of the Kruger National Park, Magosi said the retreat comes at a critical moment when global instability is directly affecting Southern Africa’s development trajectory.

“It is both an honour and a profound responsibility for me to address this august Retreat of SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs at a time when the international landscape is undergoing one of the most profound and consequential transformations in modern history,” he said.

Magosi said the global order was shifting in ways that could no longer be viewed as temporary disruptions, but rather a structural change in how power, trade and cooperation are organised internationally.  

“The global order is experiencing a deep structural transformation characterised by intensifying geopolitical competition, economic fragmentation, technological rivalry, and growing uncertainty in international cooperation and multilateralism,” he said.

He warned that successive global shocks since 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war, and escalating tensions in the Middle East, had exposed the region’s vulnerabilities and disrupted critical global systems.

“These events…have disrupted global systems in unprecedented ways, altering trade flows, investment patterns, energy markets, financial conditions, and geopolitical alignments, with far-reaching implications for the development of the region,” Magosi said.

The SADC Executive Secretary said the region must respond by strengthening economic resilience and accelerating industrialisation, food and energy security, and coordinated regional cooperation.

He said the retreat was designed to help member states reflect collectively on how to safeguard strategic interests and advance deeper regional integration in an increasingly uncertain world.

“This Retreat, therefore, provides a timely opportunity for Member States as a collective, to reflect deeply on how best to safeguard the Region’s strategic interests… and how to enhance our collective capacity to respond effectively and decisively to the increasingly uncertain global environment,” he said. 

Magosi warned that the global system itself was being fundamentally reshaped, with trade, finance and strategic resources increasingly used as instruments of geopolitical competition.

“What we are witnessing today is not merely a temporary cycle of instability, but a fundamental reconfiguration of the global system itself,” he said.

He added that developing regions such as SADC remain highly exposed due to structural weaknesses, including dependence on imported energy, fertilizers, machinery and industrial inputs. 

“Many of our Member States remain dependent on imported energy, fertilizers, machinery, and industrial inputs,” he said. 

Magosi further highlighted rising debt burdens, limited economic diversification and constrained fiscal space as factors that amplify global shocks across the region.

He said recent disruptions to global supply chains and maritime logistics had demonstrated how vulnerable developing economies are to external shocks far removed from their own borders.

“These disruptions affect not only imports and exports, but also the affordability and availability of food, fuel, fertilizers, medicines, and industrial inputs essential for our economic activity,” he said.

Turning to agriculture, Magosi warned that rising input costs, climate variability and animal disease outbreaks were placing additional pressure on food systems and rural livelihoods.

“In the agricultural sector, the implications are especially serious,” he said, citing Foot and Mouth Disease among the challenges affecting productivity and food security.

Despite these challenges, Magosi said Southern Africa remains one of the most resource-rich regions globally, with vast reserves of oil and gas, critical minerals, renewable energy potential and strategic trade corridors.  

“Few regions possess the combination of resources, geographic positioning, and market potential that SADC commands,” he said.

However, he cautioned that the region continues to export raw materials while importing higher-value goods, a pattern he said limits job creation and long-term economic transformation.

“In other words, we continue to export jobs and import inflation,” Magosi said. 

He called for a stronger push toward industrialisation, value addition and beneficiation, as well as deeper investment in energy security and regional infrastructure.

Magosi also stressed the importance of strengthening the Southern African Power Pool, expanding cross-border energy trade, and investing in pipelines, refining capacity and renewable energy systems.

On infrastructure, he said efficient transport and logistics networks remain critical for regional competitiveness and integration.

At the same time, he called for improved domestic resource mobilisation and coordinated approaches to external financing and debt management, warning that financing arrangements are increasingly tied to access to strategic resources.

He said the proposed Regional Development Fund (RDF) could play a key role in reducing reliance on external funding and financing strategic regional priorities. 

“The RDF offers an opportunity for SADC to mobilise resources for regional priorities, support strategic infrastructure and industrialisation programmes,” he said.

Magosi urged foreign ministers to expand the scope of diplomacy beyond politics to include economic transformation and strategic positioning in global affairs.

“Ministers of Foreign Affairs are therefore not only astute custodians of political relations, but also architects of the region’s collective engagement with the global economy and international system,” he said.

He called for greater policy coordination among SADC member states across trade, finance, climate, energy and global governance reform.

The Secretariat, he added, expects the retreat to produce practical outcomes that strengthen resilience, policy coherence and implementation of the regional integration agenda.

Magosi concluded with a strong call for confidence in the region’s own capacity to solve its challenges.

“We are adequate, we are capable, we are experienced, and we are talented enough to create a renewed, progressive, and truly integrated and resilient region,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Southern African Development Community (SADC) Foreign Ministers have been urged to move beyond observation and take coordinated action as global geopolitical shifts, rising costs of living and external shocks continue to strain the region’s economies.

Delivering opening remarks at the SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Ronald Lamola said the moment required “urgent, coordinated and forward-looking” regional responses to an increasingly fragmented global order.  

The retreat is being held in the heart of the iconic wildlife reserve, where early morning mist over the Sabie River and the distant calls of birds and wildlife provided a striking contrast to the high-stakes diplomatic discussions unfolding inside the Skukuza venue. 

The setting, Lamola said, was symbolic of a region shaped by shared geography, history and interconnected futures. 

Lamola used his opening address to frame the global environment as one in transition, warning that Southern Africa was being affected by forces far beyond its borders.   

He said the international system was undergoing a deep transformation, marked by shifting power dynamics and increasing instability.

“The international system is undergoing profound transformation as it transitions towards a more multipolar order, marked by intensified geopolitical competition, economic fragmentation, technological rivalry and growing uncertainty surrounding global peace, security and development cooperation,” he said.

He added that the shift was already disrupting global supply chains and intensifying pressure on economies in the region. 

“Unlike previous eras dominated by a single or bipolar power structure, today’s geopolitical landscape is characterised by multiple centres of power competing across economic, political, technological and strategic domains. 

“These tensions are increasingly disrupting global supply chains, reshaping investment flows, intensifying territorial and resource competition and weakening multilateral cooperation,” the Minister said. 

Lamola said the retreat was not simply a diplomatic engagement, but a response to a shared regional reality in which member states are simultaneously facing inflation, rising food prices, strained public finances and energy insecurity.

He reflected on discussions held at the March SADC Council of Ministers meeting in Pretoria, where ministers first agreed on the need for a dedicated retreat to assess global developments.

At the time, he said, member states had already acknowledged the growing impact of global shocks on the region’s development agenda.

“Together, we arrived at the conclusion that the resilience of our region, and indeed of our continent, was once again being tested by developments far beyond our borders,” he said.

He said those earlier deliberations made clear that SADC must urgently adopt coordinated strategies to protect regional integration, industrialisation, infrastructure development and food security from external pressures.

Lamola said the retreat was convened on the basis that Southern Africa could not remain passive in the face of global shifts.

“It was born out of the belief that we cannot afford to be passive observers while the decisions of the powerful reshape the global order in ways that risk reversing the gains we have recorded over decades,” he said.

A central focus of the retreat will be infrastructure, industrialisation, trade, energy, food systems and migration, issues Lamola described as “interconnected and central to the region’s future”.

He said migration in particular would be a key area of discussion, especially as South Africa continues to face protests and public frustration linked to illegal immigration.

“One of the thematic areas of engagement is on the movement of goods and people. This discussion will also be taking place during a period where a wave of protests against illegal immigration is happening in South Africa, particularly against immigrants of African descent,” he said. 

Lamola stressed that South Africa remains committed to regional mobility frameworks while insisting that law enforcement must remain the only authority responsible for dealing with immigration violations. 

“The South African government has condemned in the strongest terms any attacks against foreign nationals, and that no one has the power to take laws into their own hands; it is the responsibility of law enforcement to enforce the law, not private citizens,” he said.

He drew a distinction between migration as a regional development driver and irregular migration as a governance challenge requiring coordinated action.

“Migration itself is not a problem. The challenge facing South Africa is irregular migration,” Lamola said.

He noted that South Africa is among SADC member states that have ratified regional and continental frameworks on the free movement of people, including the SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons.

Lamola also called for broader regional reflection on migration pressures, including what he described as “push and pull factors” across countries of origin, transit and destination.

“These discussions must also include the principle of burden sharing, with proper attention given to countries of origin, transit and destination,” he said.

He urged ministers to approach the retreat with honesty, creativity and strategic ambition, warning that the current global moment presents both risks and opportunities for Africa.

Quoting development economist Carlos Lopes, Lamola said the continent must decide whether it will shape or merely respond to global change.

“The current global disorder presents an opportunity for power to be exercised in new ways. But the window will not stay open forever. The rules will be rewritten. The only question is: will Africa be one of the authors?” he said.

The retreat continues over the weekend in Skukuza, with ministers expected to translate the discussions into a coordinated SADC position on geopolitical risks, economic resilience and regional integration. – SAnews.gov.za

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International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Ronald Lamola has reiterated government’s position that attacks against foreign nationals are unlawful and cannot be tolerated. 

Lamola was speaking on the sidelines of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Foreign Ministers’ Retreat currently underway at Skukuza in Kruger National Park, where migration has emerged as one of the key issues under discussion.

The Minister said several regional counterparts had raised concerns regarding the safety of their citizens in South Africa following recent demonstrations linked to illegal migration and growing frustration around undocumented foreign nationals.

“I am engaging with my counterparts. I also know that my counterpart from Ghana was also here. Still, some of the SADC foreign ministers have raised the issue with me, particularly Malawi, who were affected mostly by their citizens,” Lamola said.  

He stressed that government remained firmly opposed to any attacks targeting foreign nationals.

“We continued to assure them that as a South African government, we will condemn any form of attack against foreign nationals. It is in terms of our law, only the police can enforce the law,” he said.

Lamola said while South Africa continues to face challenges relating to irregular migration, only authorised law enforcement agencies are mandated to enforce immigration laws.

“We do have a challenge of illegal migration, illegal documented or undocumented foreign nationals in the country that we need to address, and we need as a government to build capability to respond to that, to be able to know who is in the country, what they are doing, where they are, and also when they’ve committed a crime. They must be arrested, whether it’s a foreign national or is a South African,” he said.

The Minister said migration would form part of broader discussions at the retreat, particularly as SADC pushes for deeper regional integration and economic cooperation.

“One of the thematic areas is migration, because regional integration will not happen if there is no ease of movement of people and no ease of movement of goods,” he said.

Lamola added that successful regional integration depended on cooperation between member states, stable borders and respect for the rule of law.

He also acknowledged the role African countries played in supporting South Africa’s liberation struggle, while emphasising the need to uphold law and order.

“We also understand, as South Africa, that the continent has a claim in us, in terms of them having supported us to fight against apartheid, to fight for freedom, but it does not mean that there must be lawlessness in our country. There must be order. There must be respect for the rule of law, and that should be enforced by the police,” Lamola said.

The SADC retreat is expected to focus on strategic priorities, including infrastructure development, industrialisation, trade, energy security, food systems, transport and logistics, debt management, and the free movement of people, goods and services across the region. – SAnews.gov.za

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Foreign Affairs Ministers from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have gathered at Skukuza in the iconic Kruger National Park for a high-level retreat aimed at crafting a coordinated regional response to mounting geopolitical and economic pressures affecting Southern Africa.

Hosted by South Africa through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the retreat comes as the region grapples with the far-reaching effects of global conflicts, energy insecurity, food price shocks and migration challenges.

South Africa is convening the meeting in its capacity as interim Chair of SADC, with International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola chairing the retreat as head of the SADC Council of Ministers.

Set against the backdrop of the world-renowned wildlife reserve, the retreat reflects the region’s intention to step away from formal diplomatic settings to engage in strategic reflection on the shifting global order and its implications for Southern Africa’s future.

Speaking ahead of the official opening of the retreat on Thursday, Lamola said the region could no longer afford to respond to global crises in isolation, particularly as geopolitical conflicts increasingly affect the daily lives of ordinary citizens across Southern Africa.

“This is a very significant engagement of SADC foreign ministers. As we have already said, the impact of geopolitics affects all countries, even countries far away from where the conflict is happening,” Lamola said.

He pointed to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and instability around the Strait of Hormuz as key concerns for the region, warning that disruptions in global energy and supply chains continue to drive up the cost of living.

“You will remember the first conflict that had a huge impact on petrol, on grain fertilizer was the Ukraine conflict, and now the conflict in Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, which affects a lot of the African continent, particularly on oil, energy, the impact into the price of food and everything that we do on our daily lives, including fertilizer that goes through that Strait,” he said. 

Lamola said the retreat was born out of a collective realisation by SADC ministers that member states were facing similar pressures and needed a united response.

“When you are alone in South Africa, someone alone in Zimbabwe, someone alone in Malawi, you think that you are the only one affected. When all of us are significantly impacted the same way, we can pull our heads together, including our resources together to respond to this challenge,” he said.

The Minister highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in energy production and resource-sharing, citing Angola’s oil production capacity, Mozambique’s gas reserves and South Africa’s coal-to-fuel capabilities through Sasol as examples of opportunities for collaboration.

“How do the southern countries work together to respond to this with the resources that we have? How do we support each other to be able to respond to this, including the issues of fertilizer, including the issues related to the impact of this on the food prices, and so forth?” he said.

Discussions at the retreat continue on Saturday, with ministers and experts expected to engage in a series of high-level panel sessions focusing on the impact of global geopolitical developments on the SADC region.

The programme will begin with reflections by Foreign Affairs Ministers on evolving geopolitical developments, followed by a presentation by the SADC Secretariat on the regional impact of global tensions.

Key thematic discussions scheduled for the day include financing regional integration, investment, public debt management and domestic revenue mobilisation.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau is expected to participate virtually in discussions on industrialisation, value chains and trade alongside Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister Amon Murwira and SADC trade experts. 

Infrastructure, transport and logistics, as well as the free movement of people, goods and services, will also come under discussion, with participation from SADC infrastructure officials and representatives from AUDA-NEPAD.

Energy security is expected to feature prominently, with South African Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, Zimbabwe’s Mines Minister Polite Kambamura and Angola’s Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas Minister Diamantino Azevedo set to participate in discussions on oil, gas and mineral resources.

The day will conclude with a panel on agriculture, supply chains and food security, amid growing regional concerns over rising input costs, fertilizer access and climate-related pressures on food systems. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa will host the 17th Africa Regional Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition next week.

The Chief Director of Space Affairs at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and Africa Regional Coordinator for the competition, Nomfuneko Majaja, said the continued growth of the initiative reflects the continent’s determination to position itself at the centre of shaping global space governance, particularly in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, resource management, and water security.

“As we host the 17th African Regional Round, we are not merely convening a moot court competition—we are investing in the continent’s strategic future in outer space governance, innovation, and international legal scholarship. This year’s topic reflects the need to strengthen Africa’s human capital, institutional capacity, and regulatory frameworks to harness space technology for industrialisation, socio-economic development, scientific advancement, and sustainable growth,” she said ahead of the competition.

The competition will be held at the  Casa Toscana Convention Centre in Pretoria from 25–26 May 2026.

“The success of last year’s participants, particularly Strathmore University’s historic progression to the global semi-finals, demonstrates that the continent possesses the talent, intellect, and vision required to influence the future of international space law. Through this platform, we continue to build a pipeline of African legal professionals who will one day draft policy, negotiate treaties, regulate commercial space activities responsibly and safely, and ensure that the continent’s interests are represented in global decision-making,” said Majaja.

Following the successful 16th edition hosted in South Africa in 2025, the 2026 edition will once again bring together some of the continent’s brightest emerging legal minds from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, all competing for the honour of representing the continent at the world finals later this year in Türkiye during the International Astronautical Congress.

The regional rounds are convened by the dtic in partnership with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and will be held under the theme: “Empowering Africa’s future in Space Governance for Sustainable Space Activities.”

The department said the theme underscores the continent’s strategic imperative to strengthen legal, policy, regulatory, and institutional capacity to participate meaningfully in the global space economy.

“It further highlights the role of space technology in advancing socio-economic development, supporting industrialisation, strengthening the implementation of the African Union space policy and strategy, and ensuring a stronger continental voice in global space governance.

“The 2026 edition builds on the momentum generated by the 2025 competition, which was held under the theme: ‘Africa Space Law for Global Solidarity and Equality,’ reflecting South Africa’s continued commitment to multilateral cooperation, responsible innovation, and the peaceful use of outer space,” it said.

In addition to the participating teams, the competition will feature a distinguished panel of judges drawn from across the globe, including Canada and several African countries, further reinforcing the international stature and credibility of the regional rounds.

Majaja said previous participants of the competition have already begun to engage across various segments of the space economy, demonstrating the competition’s value as a strategic platform for skills development in a sector that increasingly supports daily life, including navigation, communications, earth observation, disaster management, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

In addition to the oral rounds, participating students will also attend the Africa Space Law Conference at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation from 28–29 May 2026, where they will engage policymakers, academics, regulators, and industry leaders on contemporary developments in international space governance. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

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National Treasury will begin directly deducting funds from national and provincial departments that owe billions of Rands to struggling municipalities.

This according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana who delivered the department’s Budget Vote speech in Parliament on Friday.

The Minister revealed that provincial departments owe municipalities more than R14 billion, while national departments lag with R8.2 billion in outstanding debt.

“Municipalities have consistently raised concerns that where they owe organs of state, National Treasury deducts funds directly from municipal allocations. However, the same principle has not been consistently applied where national and provincial departments owe municipalities outstanding amounts. 

“Consequently, National Treasury has taken a decision to deduct monies from national and provincial departments to settle outstanding debts owed to affected municipalities,” Godongwana announced.

Municipalities themselves remain under close scrutiny.

Godongwana said Treasury would continue to invoke Section 216(2) of the Constitution to withhold funds from municipalities that fail to adopt funded budgets or violate financial management laws.

“Municipal unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure remains deeply concerning. Accountability and consequence management remain critical to restoring public confidence in local government,” he said.

The Minister emphasised that reform of local government also remains an “urgent priority as municipalities continue facing infrastructure, governance and financial sustainability challenges”.

Some of the reforms being implemented relate to:

• the local government funding model;
• metro trading services;
• infrastructure delivery systems;
• municipal financial sustainability; and
• budget and grant reforms

Water and healthcare infrastructure

Godongwana told the House that government is moving towards a more “coordinated and performance-driven approach focused on infrastructure rehabilitation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability” plan on water infrastructure.

The aim of this strategy is to ensure that every Rand invested measurably improves:

• water availability;
• water quality; and
• financial sustainability.

“Firstly, government continues spending significant resources responding to water leaks and system failures, rather than addressing the root cause of the crisis, namely ageing and dilapidated water infrastructure. 

“Secondly, the current water funding landscape remains fragmented across multiple grants and funding instruments, limiting coordination, reducing efficiency, and weakening the long-term sustainability of infrastructure investment,” he explained.

On the healthcare front, some R41 billion has been allocated over the medium term to support health infrastructure programmes, including the rehabilitation and replacement of dilapidated facilities.

He reiterated government’s focus on health equity despite fiscal constraints.

“Infrastructure investment remains central to economic growth, job creation and improved public services. National Treasury will continue strengthening monitoring, reporting and accountability to ensure infrastructure spending delivers visible results.

“It is imperative that we proceed with the implementation of the National Health Insurance. Notwithstanding current challenges, government must continue investing in infrastructure readiness to support a functional and sustainable health system,” Godongwana said.

He noted that the country’s healthcare system has faced several challenges including “ageing and poorly maintained facilities that require repair, refurbishment, and in some instances, complete replacement”.

“There is also a need to invest in new health facilities to address service delivery gaps arising from historical inequities and changing demographic pressures.

“As indicated in the Budget Speech, this includes investments in Dr George Mukhari Hospital, Nelson Mandela Bay Hospital and Victoria Mxenge Hospital,” the minister said.

Economic challenges

The Minister noted that “heightened geopolitical uncertainty and persistent global trade tensions” continue to create headwinds for the South African economy.

These challenges have led to marked increases in the costs of fuel, higher fertiliser costs and increased shipping expenses.

“These developments are intensifying cost-of-living pressures across economies and compounding inflationary pressures, with inflation reaching a concerning 4 per cent.

“Over the last three months, the National Treasury has made an intervention to ease the burden on consumers by announcing a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy. This has cost the fiscus approximately R17.2 billion. 

“This is further disrupting an already fragile global economic environment shaped by trade wars and supply chain vulnerabilities,” he said.

Despite these global vulnerabilities, economic projections indicate steady resilience with:

• Sub-Saharan Africa projected to grow by 4.3% and
• South Africa’s economy projected to grow by 1.8% over the medium term.

“These projections reflect both continued recovery efforts across the continent and the structural constraints that continue to weigh on domestic economic performance.

“Against this backdrop, government is closely reviewing the fiscal and economic baseline assumptions underpinning the current framework.

“Necessary adjustments will be made during the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement process to ensure that fiscal policy remains responsive to evolving global and domestic conditions,” Godongwana said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Nearly half of all rapes reported in South Africa during the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year took place in the homes of either the victim or the perpetrator, highlighting the persistent threat of gender-based violence behind closed doors.

Releasing the latest crime statistics on Friday, Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said 47.2% of reported rapes during the January to March 2026 period occurred in residential settings.

Of the 9 782 rapes recorded during the quarter, 4 620 took place at the home of the victim or the perpetrator.

“That is 4 620 out of 9 782 rapes, committed not in dark alleys by strangers, but in homes, by people known to the victim,” Cachalia said.

The Minister said the figures underscored the reality that violence in South Africa is often perpetrated by people known to victims, including partners, relatives, neighbours and acquaintances.

“The home, where we should be safest, is for too many of our people, a dangerous place,” he said.

The latest crime data also pointed to broader patterns of interpersonal violence. During the quarter, 1 523 murders occurred in the residences of either the victim or the perpetrator.

According to Cachalia, arguments and misunderstandings were linked to 898 murders, while 251 killings were motivated by retaliation, revenge or punishment.

He said the statistics reveal that many violent crimes are rooted in social and cultural factors, including gender inequality, toxic notions of masculinity and the acceptance of violence as a means of resolving conflict.

“This is a sobering truth: if we want to reduce violent crime, we must confront the culture of violence inside the home, the mistaken idea that men must be violent to be respected or that women must put up with violence to be loved,” he said.

Alcohol abuse also emerged as a significant contributing factor. The Minister said 7 267 incidents of murder, attempted murder, rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm were linked to alcohol use during the quarter.

Cachalia called for stronger efforts to address the social drivers of violence, arguing that policing alone cannot solve the problem.

He said government would continue promoting the implementation of the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy, which focuses on addressing the root causes of crime through interventions targeting families, young people, schools, communities and substance abuse.

“Effective crime prevention requires enhanced support from all government departments and from community-based, civil society and private sectors,” he said.

While South Africa recorded declines in several major crime categories during the quarter, Cachalia warned that violence against women and children remains a serious challenge requiring sustained action beyond the criminal justice system. – SAnews.gov.za

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Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has called for stronger protections for whistleblowers and anti-corruption activists, warning that too many people who stand up against crime and corruption continue to be targeted for doing the right thing.

Speaking at the release of the fourth-quarter crime statistics on Friday, Cachalia used the occasion to pay tribute to North West anti-crime activist and traditional healer Thato Molosankwe, who was recently murdered.

“We are saddened to have lost an individual who was committed to fighting crime and corruption, while also working to strengthen relations between local communities and the police,” Cachalia said.

He said maximum resources had been deployed to investigate the killing and bring those responsible to justice.

The Minister said Molosankwe’s death highlighted a broader problem facing South Africa, where individuals who expose wrongdoing or challenge criminal networks often face intimidation, threats and violence.

“Regrettably, too many people who stand up to crime and corruption, including councillors, professionals like auditors and lawyers, are targeted for doing the right thing,” he said.

Cachalia argued that strengthening whistleblower protections must become a national priority if South Africa is to make meaningful progress in tackling corruption and organised crime.

He revealed that Cabinet has approved the Protected Disclosure Bill for public comment, describing it as an important step towards improving the country’s whistleblower protection regime.

The Minister’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns about the safety of individuals who report corruption, fraud and criminal activity, particularly where organised crime and public-sector corruption intersect.

Cachalia linked the issue directly to the fight against organised crime, which he described as one of the country’s most serious threats.

He warned that criminal networks continue to infiltrate economic and government systems, while those who expose wrongdoing are often left vulnerable.

“While high-flying and well-dressed criminals amass wealth and are revered by those who benefit from their illegal activities, too many of our communities will continue to suffer from drugs, shootouts, infrastructure damage and corrupt government officials,” he said.

The Minister said protecting whistleblowers is essential to strengthening accountability and ensuring that corruption and organised crime can be exposed without fear of retaliation. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has agreed to reconvene its meeting with Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela over his decision to place the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) under administration.

The committee deliberated on Chairperson Tebogo Letsie’s decision to postpone a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, after members did not receive the required documentation in time to prepare adequately.

Committee members agreed that Letsie had little choice but to postpone the meeting after the minister failed to provide the committee with the necessary presentations and supporting documents relating to the NSFAS intervention.

The committee also rejected claims that the meeting had been cancelled through a WhatsApp message, clarifying that the chairperson had formally communicated the postponement to members through an official letter and had engaged the Chair of Chairs on the matter.

“The committee has recommended that the next meeting be held on Friday, 29 May 2026. Committee members also called for the timeous delivery of documentation about the appointment of the NSFAS administrator, so they can prepare for the meeting effectively,” Letsie said.

He added that, in line with Parliament’s accountability framework, the Minister is required to appear before the committee to account for the decision to place NSFAS under administration and to explain the process followed.

The committee further accepted NSFAS’s explanation that it could not cover travel expenses for former board members, as they no longer hold office and there may be no legal or policy basis for such expenditure.

Earlier this month, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela placed the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) under administration due to governance instability within the institution.

READ | NSFAS placed under administration

Members said the meeting is of significant public importance, as it affects millions of NSFAS students and the broader higher education sector. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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