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Gauteng MEC for Education, Lebogang Maile, has outlined a series of interventions aimed at addressing severe overcrowding in the province’s schools, as learner numbers continue to surge beyond available capacity. 

Addressing Gauteng residents on Tuesday, Maile said the province is implementing a combination of infrastructure expansion, partnerships and short-term relief measures to respond to the growing demand for school spaces.  

“Today, we want to provide an overview of the state of learner enrolment in Gauteng as of 2026, looking at overcrowding in our schools, the state of infrastructure and the interventions that have been put in place by the Gauteng Provincial Government to address the challenges,” he said. 

The province’s education system is under increasing strain, with learner enrolment more than doubling over the past three decades.

“In 1995, the province had 1 408 237 learners in its schools – a number that has increased to 2 835 168 as of 2026,” Maile said. 

This rapid growth, driven by migration and urbanisation, has resulted in nearly half of Gauteng’s public schools operating above capacity. Of the 2 111 schools in the province, 1 021 are over-subscribed, representing 48%.

“Nearly all districts are affected by this reality, indicating that the issue is wide-spread and systemic rather than prevalent in just a handful of districts,” he said. 

The pressure is particularly acute in township and urban areas, where population density and economic activity continue to attract new residents.

Against this backdrop, Maile outlined several interventions underway to ease overcrowding and expand access to education.

A key focus is the construction of new schools and the replacement of ageing infrastructure. Government has allocated R3.982 billion over the Medium-term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for school infrastructure.

“The total budget for both new and replacement schools over the Medium-term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) amounts to R3.982 billion, which allows for the construction of approximately seven new schools each year and 23 in total over the MTEF,” he said. 

To accelerate delivery, the Gauteng Department of Education is working with strategic partners.

“We are working with the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) on projects geared towards the construction of new and replacement schools in high pressure areas,” the MEC said. 

In addition, the province has launched the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) Schools Programme in partnership with the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency.

“This comprises 18 projects on greenfield sites across all municipalities in the province,” Maile explained. 

Government is also exploring alternative delivery models to fast-track infrastructure rollout.

“We are also exploring the public-private partnership infrastructure delivery model as a viable solution to address the backlog,” he said. 

In the short-term, authorities are implementing measures to immediately relieve pressure on overcrowded schools. These include the expansion of existing facilities and the use of temporary classrooms. 

“Through the Self-Build Programme, the Gauteng Provincial Government has also introduced an additional classroom programme that in essence provides for schools to manage the construction of additional classrooms. 

“Whilst not desirable, we are currently also supplying prefabricated temporary classrooms to alleviate the increasing pressure while awaiting the completion of a brick-and-mortar facility,” Maile said. 

The province is also considering repurposing existing infrastructure to increase capacity.

“We are also exploring buying privately owned former missionary schools that are still in a good condition and comply with regulations, norms and standards,” he said. 

Long-term planning is another critical pillar of the intervention strategy. The provincial government has developed a 20-year infrastructure plan to better align school development with population growth and urban planning. 

“The Gauteng Provincial Government has a 20-year Plan for infrastructure that centres a formulated infrastructure planning framework for the Gauteng Department of Education,” the MEC said. 

This includes plans to build schools in new mega human settlement developments and in inner-city areas.

However, Maile acknowledged that infrastructure delivery continues to face significant challenges, including budget constraints, vandalism, project delays and rapid population growth.

“Our Infrastructure Delivery Model also faces critical challenges including severe project management incompetence, rampant vandalism, and disruptions,” he said.

Despite these constraints, the provincial government says it is committed to addressing overcrowding through coordinated interventions and stakeholder collaboration.

“The Gauteng Provincial Government is prioritising a combination of interventions that are aimed at resolving education infrastructure delivery delays to address over-subscription which leads to school overcrowding,” Maile said. 

Maile called on communities and the private sector to support government efforts, particularly in protecting school infrastructure from vandalism and disruption.

“We urge parents and the public to assist the government in protecting schools. Working with law enforcement, the public must play a meaningful role in guarding against education infrastructure vandalism, theft, and school construction site disruptions that are being carried out by forums that are undermining the future of our children. 

“We must all work to ensure that the limited resources in education are utilised optimally, efficiently and effectively,” he said. 

As learner numbers continue to rise, the success of these interventions will be critical in ensuring that Gauteng’s education system can meet demand while maintaining quality and access for all learners. – SAnews.gov.za 

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The achievements of black-owned, viable commercial poultry businesses will be recognised at a meeting of the Poultry Masterplan Executive Oversight Committee (EOC), which will be held on Thursday. 

The meeting will be led by Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Nokuzola Capa, at Phetogo Grootspruit Broiler Farm, in Bronkhorstspruit.

The black-owned poultry businesses to be recognised at the gathering include contract growers, feed mills, hatcheries, abattoirs and processors. 

The accomplishments of these commercial producers are seen as a reflection of ongoing progress in transforming South Africa’s poultry industry through the implementation of the Poultry Masterplan.

The Executive Oversight Committee meeting will also recognise the contribution of enabling partners to the success of these black-owned businesses. 

“These partners include poultry off takers, development finance institutions and industry associations. Furthermore, the use of the Proudly SA logo on the packaging of several retail brands reflects a commitment to the Buy Local poultry campaign, which reinforces this initiative,” the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said on Tuesday.

The EOC meeting will also formally consider and adopt the Poultry Masterplan Phase 2 Framework Agreement to signal a renewed and strengthened implementation partnership for the masterplan. 

Phase 2 seeks to pursue an export-driven growth strategy for South African poultry, and thus advance its contribution to the economy. 

Phase 2 continues on the back of the achievements of Phase 1, which sought to address high feed costs, reduce export barriers, localise poultry consumption, and reduce imports primarily from Brazil, the European Union and the United States of America.

“The core pillars of Phase 2 include achieving exports of cooked meat and local demand increase strategies, ensuring effective trade measures, ensuring biosecurity measures for local and export markets, and transforming the entire value chain of the poultry industry, among others.

“The plan also aims to tackle food security and malnutrition by improving the affordability of poultry for lower-income households, while providing funding and support to contract farmers, poultry processors, and small businesses. Job creation, job loss mitigation and transformation remain key cross-cutting priorities,” the department said.

The poultry industry is the largest contributor to the agricultural sector, with a total annual gross value of production of almost R87.95 billion (R72.09 billion in meat and R15.86 billion in eggs) in 2024. 

The industry accounted for 19.1% of the total agricultural gross value and 44.4% of animal products gross value. – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Police Service (SAPS), with the support of the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), has arrested two more drug mules at OR Tambo International Airport.

This brings the total number of drug traffickers arrested at this international gateway to four over the past three days.

On the evening of 27 April, SAPS members deployed at the airport acted on information regarding suspected drug traffickers allegedly planning to travel to Frankfurt and London via Doha.

The members successfully intercepted a 66-year-old Somali national, who was reportedly in possession of a Netherlands passport. A search of the suspect’s luggage led to the discovery of 55 kilograms of khat, with an estimated street value of more than R100 000.

On the same day, police discovered abandoned luggage at the airport containing approximately 45 kilograms of khat, valued at more than R90 000.

In a separate incident on 25 April 2026, a multidisciplinary team operationalised intelligence, resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old South African female suspect, who was reportedly en route to Hong Kong.

Further investigation led to the discovery of drugs worth more than R500 000, suspected to be cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, concealed inside her luggage.

All the suspects are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court this week on charges related to drug trafficking. Investigations are ongoing. – SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, has called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC), development partners and financial institutions to step up efforts to secure billions in funding for the Southern Africa Great Green Wall Initiative (SADC GGWI).

The initiative aims to restore degraded land, boost climate resilience, protect biodiversity and improve livelihoods across the region.

According to Swarts, about $27 billion is needed by 2030 to implement the initiative, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to environmental degradation.

“As Interim SADC Chair, South Africa calls on all stakeholders present here today to use this platform to deepen collaboration, accelerate pipeline development, and unlock innovative financing solutions that match the scale of our shared ambition,” the Deputy Minister said on Tuesday.

She was speaking at the SADC GGWI Regional Capacity Building Workshop in Johannesburg, attended by governments, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector.

The workshop focused on moving from policy commitments to investment-ready programmes that can restore land, strengthen resilience and create sustainable economic opportunities.

Swarts stressed the need for investment-ready, gender-responsive nature-based solutions to tackle land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate risks.

“We need to move from commitment to capital, from plans to projects, and from ambition to implementation,” she said.

She also called for stronger support for the Partnership for Project Preparation, led by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Global Mechanism, to help turn plans into bankable projects and attract private sector funding.

Swarts added that regional initiatives, such as those in the Zambezi Watercourse, could help draw large-scale climate and development financing. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, on Tuesday welcomed the sentencing of two former police officers, alongside three accomplices to 17 years’ imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice and corruption.

The accused were found guilty by the Pinetown Magistrates’ Court for attempting to interfere with witnesses in a high-profile murder case involving the late ANC branch chairperson and Community Policing Forum (CPF) member, Thulani Nxumalo, who was killed in Kwandengezi in 2018.

The murder of Thulani Nxumalo was investigated by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). 

The court heard how the two former police officers, Sergeant Bonginkosi Dlamini and Lieutenant Colonel Khepu Ndlovu, together with a local induna, his wife and son, attempted to persuade and influence witnesses not to testify against suspects implicated in the murder case. Investigations revealed that the two police officers were paid R120 000 to try and derail the course of justice.

Their actions sought to undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system. The local induna, Felokwakhe Ndlovu and two others were previously found guilty of the murder of Nxumalo and were sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2024.

Lieutenant General Dimpane said the conviction sends a strong message that any attempts to interfere with witnesses or obstruct investigations will not be tolerated, regardless of the position held by those involved.

“The SAPS remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those within its ranks who engage in criminal conduct are held accountable,” said Dimpane. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has welcomed the latest fuel relief announcement by government wherein the R3 per litre reduction in the general fuel levy for petrol is extended until June.

“The Motor Industry Staff Association welcomes Government’s extension of the R3 per litre fuel levy cut on petrol until 2 June 2026 and the increase in diesel relief to R3.93 per litre effectively reducing the diesel levy to zero for May.

“This means that the general fuel levy on diesel has been suspended. This is a positive step that will ease pressure on workers, businesses and the transport sector,” said the association.

This as on Tuesday, government the National Treasury and Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced the extended temporary relief measure.

“The general fuel levy for petrol will remain at R1.10 per litre and the general fuel levy for diesel will decrease from R0.93 per litre to R0.00 per litre,” the two departments said in a statement on Tuesday.

READ | Fuel levy relief extended to June 

MISA which is a registered trade union for employees in the retail motor industry in South Africa,  said it was disappointing that millions of South Africans who rely on illuminating paraffin have been excluded from this relief. 

“Paraffin prices are set to rise by R5 or more per litre in May, leaving the poorest households, who depend on it for cooking, heating and lighting exposed to unbearable costs as winter approaches.

“This relief is welcome, but it cannot ignore the poorest of the poor. Families who rely on paraffin are being left behind. Government must urgently extend relief to paraffin users, or risk deepening inequality and hardship,” said Martle Keyter Chief Executive Officer: Operations.

In April, the price of Illuminating Paraffin (Wholesale) increased by R11.67 per litre while the price of 93 and 95  (ULP & LRP) rose by R3.06 cents a litre. This means that currently a litre of 95 costs R23.36 cents a litre in Gauteng and R22.49 in the coast. 

READ | Petrol, diesel prices announced

The trade union also welcomed progress in the review of the fuel pricing mechanism, but insists this process must be open, transparent and participatory.  

Earlier this month, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said it is reviewing the local fuel price mechanism with the process to be completed in March next year.

“Workers, communities and civil society must have a voice in shaping how fuel prices are regulated in future.

At the same time, MISA calls on the private sector to contribute to economic and social relief, by committing to a moratorium on retrenchments. Rising fuel costs cannot be used as an excuse to shed jobs. Protecting workers and households must be the cornerstone of South Africa’s response to global instability,” it said.

Tuesday’s announcement comes ahead of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources expected announcement of petrol adjustment prices for the month of May. –SAnews.gov.za

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The Germiston Regional Court has sentenced extortionist Ndumiso Bhengu to five years’ imprisonment for an extortion case opened in Bedfordview, Gauteng.

Bhengu’s conviction emanates from a 2025 case, where it was alleged that around January of the same year, he contacted the complainant and falsely informed her that he had been approached by one of her colleagues to arrange her murder. 

Bhengu further claimed to be in possession of a recording as proof of this alleged conspiracy. He then demanded an amount of R5 000 from the complainant in exchange for the said recording. Fearing for her safety, the complainant made an initial cash send payment of R2 500.

Subsequent to receiving the payment, the accused ceased all communication and could not be reached.

“The matter was thereafter reported to the DPCI [Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation] Head Office: Crime against the State (HO-CATS), whcih initiated an investigation into the incident,” the police said in a statement.

An intelligence-driven operation was launched on Saturday, 25 January 2025, in the Vaal District. 

The operation was carried out by members from DPCI HO-CATS, Crime Intelligence Head Office and the Sedibeng K9 unit, resulting in Bhengu’s arrest on 28 January 2025. 

“During the arrest, various items, which were subsequently confirmed to be linked to the commission of the offence, were secured as evidence and were seized.

“Bhengu appeared for the first time at the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on 30 January 2025, where he was formally charged and his bail was successfully opposed, and he remained in custody throughout the court proceedings,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

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