Category: South Africa Government

The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) is expected to receive almost R31 billion this year to maintain, rehabilitate, upgrade and expand the road network.

“These funds will be used for capital expenditure on the non-toll network, the Gauteng Freeway Improvement project operations; the N2 Wild Coast route for ongoing construction on major bridges, and new road sections on our national highways as well as the development of the Moloto Road corridor,” Minister of Transport  Barbara Creecy said on Tuesday in Parliament.

The Minister was tabling the Department of Transport’s R102 billion Budget Vote, aimed at building a transformed, inclusive and competitive transport system that serves commuters, freight operators and export industries.

Creecy said the infrastructure projects are expected to improve road safety, shorten travel distances, and create more than 35 000 job opportunities while supporting over 2 000 small enterprises

“Investment in public infrastructure projects is a significant catalyst for job creation and economic development,” the Minister said.

However, the Minister raised concerns about ongoing challenges at provincial and municipal levels, where funding and in-house technical capacity for road maintenance often remain inadequate.

“Since 2013, provincial governments have transferred 13 000 kilometres of provincial roads to SANRAL for management and maintenance. 

“This is not a sustainable long-term strategy and will ultimately impact SANRAL’s ability to maintain the National Road Network without introducing widespread tolling,” Creecy said.

To address the issue, the government plans to convene a joint meeting between the National Treasury and the Department of Transport through the Minister and MECs (MINMEC) forum to explore mechanisms to frontload the Provincial Road Maintenance Grant, enabling provinces to upgrade priority roads sooner.

Commuter rail revival gains momentum

The revitalisation of the passenger rail system continues to go from strength to strength, with yearly passenger journeys surpassing 100 million at the end of March 2026. 

“This sixfold increase over four years reflects deliberate and sustained investment in infrastructure, rolling stock, security, and institutional reform. In Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, we are increasing train frequencies, improving security, reducing vandalism and ensuring connectivity for communities previously excluded from reliable transport services,” the Minister said.

At the end of 2025, a Request for Information (RFI) process for passenger rail was launched to gauge the appetite for investment in rapid regional rail, depot modernisation, rolling stock leasing, automated fare collection, and optic fibre installation.

“With current fiscal shortages, we are also in discussion with the National Treasury on frontloading mechanisms so we can conclude restoration of outstanding priority lines.

“Effective passenger rail systems must be integrated with other modes of transport to ensure safety and efficiency,” the Minister said.

Government reviewing the RAF system

Creecy said the department is reviewing the proposed Road Accident Fund Bill to reduce contingent state liability through the introduction of a no-fault system and a standardised injury compensation framework.

The Road Accident Fund is responsible for compensating and rehabilitating people injured in motor vehicle accidents within South Africa.

However, the entity continues to face mounting pressure due to a growing backlog of claims, legal challenges and severe financial constraints linked to the country’s high rate of road accidents.

Government is also exploring a hybrid funding model that would combine private and public contributions to reduce pressure on the fiscus.

“We wish to emphasise today that road safety is a national crisis. Last year, South Africa lost over 11 418 lives on our roads, one of the worst rates globally,” Creecy said.  –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has outlined a strategy to dismantle criminal networks through targeted, integrated, modern interventions and the strengthening of legislation.

Kubayi tabled the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday.

“Organised crime is a criminal ecosystem that links many of the countless criminal acts including extortion, illegal mining, money laundering, gang violence etc. while corruption is a lifeblood of organised crime.

“This means that the justice value chain from investigative agencies through prosecution to our courts have to work together in a coordinated fashion to bring criminals to book,” Kubayi said.

Cooperation between law enforcement is already underway.

“The National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] is already working closely with the SAPS through a special task team that has been established following the interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

“The team aims to accelerate prosecutions regarding corruption and state infiltration by organised criminal elements,” Kubayi said.

Hit them where it hurts

Depriving criminals of ill-gotten gains is also high on the agenda through asset forfeiture driven by the NPA and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and results are already exceeding targets.

“In the previous financial year, the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit [AFU] obtained 481 freezing orders against a target of 310, exceeding the target by 55%. In addition, freezing orders to the value of R859.4 million were secured against a target of R700 million, reflecting an overachievement of 23%.

“The [AFU] obtained recoveries to the value of R533 million against a target of R160 million, exceeding the target by 233%. This overachievement is mainly attributable to ongoing recoveries in civil asset forfeiture [C-ADR] matters, carried over from the previous financial year, thus ensuring that persons and entities do not benefit from unlawful activities and corruption,” the minister revealed.

In the same vein, the corruption busting SIU has also scored major victories.

“Two significant settlement agreements, one with Wabtec to the value of R7.9 billion and another with Bombardier valued at R14.3 billion, were made orders of court, declaring both contracts unconstitutional and invalid. The SIU also recovered R600 million for Transnet following the Nedbank interest swap settlement. 

“Key Special Tribunal victories included orders against Easyway valued at R68 million, Buthelezi EMS valued at a R1 billion contract set aside and R532 million declared recoverable, and Halo’s R115 million contract was also declared invalid.

“These outcomes enabled the SIU to intensify recovery efforts, resulting in R609 million in actual cash recovered and R854 million in losses prevented to date,” she added.

The two agencies will be ramping up their efforts to cut off financial flows to criminals this financial year with targets set to collect on what belongs to the state.

“In this financial year, the [AFU] will focus on strengthening asset forfeiture outcomes by targeting freezing orders to the value of R1 billion and recoveries to the value of R350 million. These targets are aimed at enhancing the disruption of criminal enterprises and improving the recovery of proceeds of crime. 

“In this financial year, the SIU plans to intensify its efforts to recover state assets and protect them from maladministration, fraud, and corruption. In this connection, the SIU has set a target of R2 Billion for cash and/or assets recovered through civil and other legal proceedings, R6 Billion for Contracts and/or administrative decisions/ actions set aside or deemed invalid and R1.5 Billion Potential loss prevented.

“This also includes a target of R3 Billion value of matters where evidence was referred for the institution or defence/opposition of civil proceedings,” the minister noted.

Targeted legislation

To bolster the fight against crime and corruption, the department will also be presenting enabling legislations to Parliament.

“As part of the broader protection for Whistleblowers, we released a Bill for public comments with the closing date of the 14th May this year with a view to finalise it within this financial year.

“This Bill aims to provide a clear-cut procedure for a discloser to follow; is pro-active in providing physical protection; preventing retaliation, and exploring mechanisms for incentivised disclosures,” Kubayi said.

Turning to electronic communications services, the minister said these have been abused by criminals to “facilitate serious crimes undetected because of noncompliance”.

“We are at an advanced stage of the amendment of RICA which will lead to enhancement of the value chain on SIM Card registration process, which will be based on biometric verification, as well as passport and immigration status verification for foreign nationals. 

“In the meantime, to put a stop to this non-compliance, I chaired a meeting with the JCPS [Justice, Crime Prevention and Security] colleagues engaging with mobile network operators, and we have agreed that by the end of June they should provide a plan on how they are going to comply with current RICA provisions to address unregistered and illegal sim cards.

“We also took a decision to start implementing enforcement by July this year and none compliance will face a penalty as per RICA,” Kubayi said.

The department also anticipates that it will introduce amendments to the “outdated” Criminal Procedure Act.

“Other amendments include the public protector act to enhance the operations of the office of the public protector, the SIU act to amongst others to empower the SIU to conduct preliminary investigations for the purpose of determining the veracity of the allegation and to receive any allegation and the NPA act to entrench financial and administrative independence.

“Lastly, the amendments to remove the confidentiality clause will be effected, to allow for the publication of the National Register for Sex Offenders,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The official unemployment rate has risen marginally by some 1.3 percentage points from 31.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 to reach 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026. 

This, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Tuesday.

“[There] was a decrease of 345 000 in the number of employed persons to 16.8 million, while there was an increase of 301 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8.1 million compared with Q4: 2025 results.

“This resulted in a decrease of 44 000 [or -0,2%] in the labour force during the same period,” Stats SA said.

At the same time, the number of people employed in the formal sector decreased by some 189 000 while those in the informal sector also faced a decrease of 127 000 over the same period.

The youth unemployment rate – defined as those between the ages of 15 and 34 – also showed an increase.

“Results for the first quarter of 2026 show that the total number of unemployed youth increased by 181 000 to 4.7 million compared with quarter four of 2025, while employed youth recorded a decrease of 258 000 to 5.6 million.

“As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased by 2.0 percentage points to 45.8% in the first quarter of 2026,” Stats SA said.

There were some upshots with some industries recording increases in employment.

“Increases in industry employment were recorded in Manufacturing [38 000], Mining [32 000] and Agriculture [10 000]. The largest decreases in employment were recorded in Community and social service [206 000], Construction [110 000] and Transport [30 000].

“KwaZulu-Natal [6 000] is the only province that observed an increase in employment. The largest employment decreases were recorded in North West [80 000], Gauteng [67 000], Mpumalanga [54 000], Eastern Cape [43 000] and Limpopo [43 000] during the same period,” Stats SA added.

During the same period, discouraged job-seekers increased by 178 000 to 3.9 million while available job-seekers increased by 55 000 to 910 000.

“Unavailable job-seekers increased by 6 000 to 49 000, resulting in a total net increase of 240 000 to 4.9 million in the potential labour force population [persons who were available but not seeking or unavailable but seeking].

“Those outside the labour force for other reasons decreased by 75 000 to 12.4 million. Persons outside the labour force, which is the total of those in the potential labour force and others outside the labour force, increased by 164 000 to 17.3 million in the first quarter of 2026,” the statistical agency said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The eThekwini Municipality has reaffirmed its commitment to building a disaster-resilient and inclusive city as stakeholders gather in Durban for the three-day Inclusivity for All on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Summit.

The summit, currently underway at Moses Mabhida Stadium, has brought together key stakeholders from municipal structures, provincial and national government, academia, and local communities.

The gathering, which started on Monday, serves as a powerful platform to confront a critical reality: Disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, who continue to carry the heaviest burden.

eThekwini Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni said the engagement marks a decisive shift from planning in isolation to building more inclusive systems that recognise the unique vulnerabilities within communities.

“The reality is that disasters expose the deepest inequalities in our society. As eThekwini, we are determined to change this narrative by placing people at the centre of our resilience efforts,” Myeni said.

Myeni added that through these engagements, the municipality is strengthening its capacity to protect lives, safeguard infrastructure, and ensure that every resident, especially the most vulnerable, are reached, heard, and supported.

“This is how we build a truly resilient and caring city,” she said.

Participants, including experts and practitioners, stressed that resilience efforts must be inclusive to be effective. Discussions extended beyond policy and focused on the lived experiences of at-risk groups such as women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and residents of informal settlements, who often face barriers to early warning systems, access to essential services, and emergency support.

Technical Advisor with the GIZ Resilience Initiative Africa, Sophia Kamau, underscored the urgency of inclusive action, noting that true resilience strategies is measured by how effectively cities protect their most vulnerable residents.

“eThekwini is demonstrating real leadership by turning inclusion into action, ensuring that disaster risk reduction is not only effective, but equitable and people-driven,” she said.

Stakeholders also explored practical interventions to ensure that early warning systems reach everyone, enhance service delivery, and ensure disaster planning reflects the real needs of communities.

From gender mainstreaming to disability inclusion, the summit challenged the status quo and called for systems that are not only effective, but fair and just. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Human Settlements will from Wednesday, 13 May 2026, begin public information sessions in KwaZulu-Natal on the proposed Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Amendment Bill.

The sessions follow the recent release of the draft legislation for public comment by Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane.

Wednesday’s session will be held at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall in the Umsunduzi Local Municipality and Friday’s session will take place at the Chesterville Community Hall in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. 

The Bill seeks to repeal the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act of 1998 (PIE Act), which was enacted to prevent arbitrary evictions and address historical injustices where people were removed from land without due process.

According to the department, the proposed amendment to the Act aims to deal with matters related to land invasions and informal settlements, provision of adequate housing to mitigate against illegal occupation of private properties, court processes and enforcement of court orders, and protection of vulnerable groups.

Public consultations are already underway, with the first session having been held in the City of Tshwane on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.

“On Saturday, it will be exactly 30 days since the Minister of Human Settlements released the PIE Amendment Bill for public comments. Over and above public the information sessions, South Africans are encouraged to send their submissions through emails to PIE.AmendmentBill@dhs.gov.za, the department said in a statement.

Further consultation sessions in Gauteng are scheduled to take place in the Cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni on 21 and 22 May 2026. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that government is working closely with communities to address the impact of severe weather conditions that have claimed at least 10 lives across several provinces.

The President expressed deep sadness at the loss of life linked to heavy rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, damaging winds and snowfall affecting parts of the country.

“The President’s thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the people who have died in events arising from heavy rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, damaging winds and snowfall,” the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.

Government, through the National Disaster Management Centre, has declared a national state of disaster in response to the loss of life, damage to infrastructure, disruptions to essential services and the displacement of communities.

President Ramaphosa assured the nation that all spheres of government will continue working together to respond to the disaster and support affected communities.

“National, provincial and municipal authorities will work with communities to address the effects of the disaster,” the statement said.

The President also commended individuals, civil society organisations and businesses that have stepped in to assist communities affected by the adverse weather conditions.

President Ramaphosa further praised rescue and recovery teams operating under difficult conditions, noting that severe weather continues to affect rescue and recovery operations, including limiting air operations.

“As winter sets in, we are vulnerable to events which we may be able to forecast but whose actual intensity in specific locations we may not be able to predict.

“We are, however, making the best use of science to pre-empt some of these events and to respond to the aftermath,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the National Disaster Management Centre and Cabinet will continue to receive updates on critical weather forecasts and the impact of the disaster.

“The National Disaster Management Centre and Cabinet will be updated on critical forecasts and disastrous impacts and responses will be modified as conditions dictate,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Durban is abuzz with activity as it plays host to Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 which President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially open this morning.

The Indaba kicked off at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, with BONDay (Business Opportunity Networking Day) – which was officially opened by the Tourism Deputy Minister Makhotso Sotyu.

The BONDAY programme launched critical conversations around policy, entrepreneurship, destination competitiveness, sports tourism, culture and digital transformation. These are all designed to showcase new growth opportunities for African tourism economies.

From “Africa’s Narrative as the World’s Tourism Powerhouse,” to a TikTok Masterclass on converting digital inspiration into bookings, to thought-provoking discussions on sports tourism and the growing influence of music, fashion, and gastronomy on travel, BONDay reflected the evolving future of tourism and the many sectors shaping it.

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 is taking place from 11- 14 May under the theme: “Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy.”

Ahead of the President’s address on Tuesday, exhibitors at the centre were seen completing the final last touch-ups to their stands while police maintain a strong presence outside while traffic officials were guiding motorists as to where to park.

READ | President Ramaphosa to address Africa’s Travel Indaba

At the media launch of the Indaba earlier this month, Tourism Minister Patricial de Lille said the Africa Tourism Indaba 2026 is a powerful celebration of the continent’s extraordinary potential to drive economic growth through tourism. 

READ | Africa’s Travel Indaba to drive economic growth

“This is where travel industry professionals gather, including tour operators, hotels, airlines, and tourism boards, to showcase products, network, negotiate deals and form partnerships with buyers,” she said at that time.

De Lille pointed out that the tourism sector remains one of the continent’s most powerful economic contributors.

“Through the geographic spread of tourism, the sector creates job opportunities and stimulates investment even in the most remote villages,” she said.

Over the next three days, delegates, Ministers, exhibitors, buyers, media and tourism leaders from across Africa and the world will gather to discuss various topics and showcasing Africa’s extraordinary tourism diversity.

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 takes place as the continent commemorates Africa Month providing an important platform to strengthen partnerships, and shape a more inclusive tourism future that benefits communities, entrepreneurs and nations.

According to the Department of Tourism, planning for Africa’s Travel Indaba 2027 is already underway, as Africa Travel Indaba goes through a revamp with the inclusion of sponsors and private partners, enhancing the destination’s global competitiveness and empowering rural and township tourism enterprises. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is piloting an initiative to plant trees around wastewater treatment plants across the country to help mitigate odours generated by treatment processes and protect surrounding communities and the environment.

“The Wastewater treatment plants are essential for protecting public health and water resources;  however, they are often associated with persistent odour emissions that negatively affect surrounding communities,” Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said on Monday in Pretoria.

The initiative will begin at the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT), which operates 19 wastewater treatment works. 

According to Swarts, odours generated from processes such as sludge handling, anaerobic decomposition and chemical reactions continue to present environmental and social challenges for nearby communities.

“These odours can lead to neighbouring community discomfort, complaints, and reputational risks, particularly in densely populated areas within the City of Ekurhuleni. 

“Inadequate odour mitigation measures may also weaken public trust and reduce the perceived acceptability of wastewater infrastructure, despite its critical role in service delivery.

“It is therefore important to develop green spaces through tree planting in and around the wastewater treatment plant, which offer buffers between the communities and add to the general wellness of the environment,” Swarts said.

The Deputy Minister was addressing the launch of the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme, which seeks to mobilise South Africans from all walks of life – including government, the private sector, business, interfaith formations, diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), youth formations and communities – to plant trees as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The launch follows the success of the 2025 One Million Trees Campaign, during which more than 1.3 million trees were planted across the country on Heritage Day in September 2025. 

The planting of trees in residential settlements, recreational facilities, parks and open spaces has been identified as a critical environmental management intervention to address the effects of climate change. 

The Deputy Minister underscored that greening is not only an environmental responsibility but also a social and economic necessity.

“As a country, we continue to confront the growing challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and food insecurity. These challenges affect us all, but they weigh most heavily on the poor and vulnerable people,” Swarts said.

She added that biodiversity loss also disproportionately affects the country’s poorest people, particularly in rural areas, who depend directly on natural ecosystems for food, water, medicine, and livelihoods. 

“As ecosystems degrade, these communities face reduced food security, decreased income, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, exacerbating inequality,” the Deputy Minister said.

She announced that the government plans to plant 10 million trees across the country on Heritage Day this year, working together with all South Africans.

“These trees will be planted across the country in our safe spaces such as schools, community parks, health facilities and in our residential spaces. It is therefore the President’s call that all South Africans participate in this programme by planting trees on Heritage Day,” she said.

The Deputy Minister called on all South Africans, including all spheres of government, organised business, organised labour, civil society and all citizens, to participate in the campaign to plant Ten Million Trees on Heritage Day in September 2026 as part of the Presidential One Billion Trees Programme.

She noted that properties that have been greened using trees and other plants have realised increased property values.

“This, in turn, ensures that Municipalities can collect more rates, thereby enabling increased service delivery in that particular local authority,” she said.

The Deputy Minister explained that the participation of municipalities will improve planning at the municipal level, enabling the identification of projects that can contribute to mitigating climate change, such as repurposing dumping sites into safe and peaceful parks.

“Trees also frequently bear the burden of pollution and industrial waste, especially in densely populated areas and industrialised zones with high levels of air pollution.

“Greening is thus inseparable from the pursuit of spatial justice in the context of a South Africa where the under-development of lower-income communities is the product of historical processes rooted in segregation

“Let us once again come together in the spirit of shared responsibility and common purpose. Let us plant not only trees, but the seeds of hope, dignity and lasting change in every community across our nation,” Swarts said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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The Western Cape Education Department says that all schools in the province will be closed on Tuesday due to severe weather conditions affecting parts of the province.

The decision was taken following consultations between the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS), with authorities citing learner and teacher safety as the primary concern.

The closure applies to all public ordinary and special schools across the province.

“In the interests of learner and teacher safety, and after extensive consultation with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a decision has been taken to close all schools in the Western Cape on Tuesday, 12 May 2026,” the Western Cape Education Department said in a statement on Monday.

According to the department, Disaster Management and SAWS recommended the closures based on updated weather projections and current conditions.

“Our default position is always to keep schools open and only close schools in exceptional circumstances, but we are mindful of the severity of the warnings in place,” the department said.

Authorities said the situation will continue to be monitored to allow schools to reopen as soon as conditions improve.

“We will continuously monitor and evaluate the situation to ensure that schools can reopen as soon as possible, which is currently expected to be on Wednesday, 13 May 2026,” the department said. 

As of 13:30 on Monday, a total of 227 schools had applied for closure, in addition to schools already listed for closure in the Cape Winelands and Eden and Central Karoo districts.

The department also confirmed that a number of schools have suffered storm-related damage, which is currently being assessed.

Officials, school principals, teachers and parents were thanked for their cooperation in implementing the school closures.

The department also expressed appreciation to first responders, emergency services and disaster management officials assisting schools during the severe weather conditions. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has confirmed that payments for private student accommodation at universities were released on Thursday, 7 May 2026.

In a statement issued on Monday, NSFAS said accommodation providers banking with First National Bank (FNB) receive funds immediately upon release, while those using other banks may experience minor delays due to standard interbank processing timelines.

The scheme noted that, in the current quarter alone, it has made three major disbursements to accommodation providers, amounting to over R1.1 billion and benefiting over 100 000 students nationwide.

“To date, 95% of accommodation providers listed on our solution partner portals have had their banking details successfully verified and are now included in direct payments for 2026. For the remaining providers, we are conducting one-on-one engagements to ensure full integration into the direct payment system,” NSFAS said.

NSFAS added that it will issue a monthly disbursement schedule to all accredited accommodation providers. It urged providers to confirm students’ funding status and ensure valid, signed lease agreements are in place, as these remain prerequisites for payment.

The scheme also explained that it is legally mandated to manage accommodation payment functions internally from the start of 2026. This transition has helped resolve several critical issues, including delays in institutional confirmation of students, which affected payment cycles; incorrect classification of some students as transport allowance recipients; and uncertainties regarding accommodation accreditation.

NSFAS acknowledged ongoing operational pressures faced by accommodation providers, including rising utility costs and municipal service challenges.

The scheme reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with sector associations and solution partners to address outstanding issues, including finalising 2026 rental rates, and implementing a more predictable and transparent payment system.

“NSFAS remains committed to the prompt, case-by-case resolution of all payment challenges. We encourage accommodation providers experiencing difficulties to contact us directly for assistance,” the scheme said.

NSFAS further expressed appreciation to accommodation providers for their ongoing partnership and assured all stakeholders of its focus on long-term stability, effective administration, and the wellbeing of NSFAS funded students. – SAnews.gov.za

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