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The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has strongly condemned the illegal and exploitative practice of “selling” queue positions at its local offices.

In a statement on Thursday, SASSA CEO Themba Matlou said the reports about this mushrooming scourge were unacceptable, unlawful and a serious exploitation of vulnerable members of society who rely on social assistance for survival. 

In particular, he said, taking advantage of the elderly and people living with disabilities was disheartening. 

Matlou said action would be taken against those involved and any SASSA official who may have created fertile ground for the acts to be perpetrated against people visiting SASSA offices. 

“We take serious exception to these acts as the agency as they happen at the doorsteps of our offices and create an impression that we are complicit and encourage this exploitation of our people. We condemn this in the strongly possible terms, and we cannot allow it to happen”, he emphasised. 

SASSA has committed to strengthen its security systems, working with the law enforcement agencies to curb the scourge by ensuring the law and order is implemented against those involved.  

SASSA acknowledges challenges experienced in some of its offices in ensuring effective and seamless service delivery which is compounded by systematic issues. 

“We are working tirelessly to enhance our queue management systems to ensure fair and orderly access. This will reinforce priority service channels for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups,” Matlou said. 

Furthermore, Matlou encouraged SASSA clients to take advantage of the newly introduced self-service online portal, eLife Certification system.

This can be used to verify details when beneficiaries have been notified to do so instead of going to their local offices, thus reducing time and transport costs. 

“As SASSA has reached its 20th year milestone in providing social assistance to the needy, the commitment to improved, dignified and efficient services to its clients will continue unabated,” the agency said. – SAnews.gov.za 

The Western Cape Provincial Government is strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable tourism, with a growing focus on astro tourism as a driver of economic growth and job creation.

Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, highlighted the province’s strategy during the graduation ceremony of a new cohort of Astro Night Sky Tourist Guides at the !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre on Thursday.

Addressing the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) Astro Night Sky Specialisation graduation, Meyer congratulated the graduates for investing in specialised skills that will contribute to the province’s evolving visitor economy.

“Tourism is integral to growth and job creation. By choosing to specialise and to keep learning, these graduates are helping the Western Cape move from a tourism strategy based on volume to one focused on value, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth,” Meyer said.

Meyer highlighted that tourism remains a priority sector for the provincial economy. 

In 2023, the sector contributed approximately R28.6 billion to Gross Value Added and supported more than 257 000 jobs across industries such as guiding, hospitality and transport.

He said global travel trends are shifting away from traditional “sun, sea and scenery” offerings towards experience-based tourism that emphasises knowledge, authenticity and storytelling.

In response, the provincial government is investing in niche and special-interest segments, including heritage, nature-based, wellness and astro tourism.

“Astro tourism, particularly in the Karoo, the West Coast and the interior, allows us to turn our dark skies and low light pollution into a powerful economic asset. It encourages off-peak travel, draws visitors into smaller towns, and creates new income opportunities in rural communities. Skills and professional standards are key to unlocking this potential.

“We may have some of the darkest skies in the world, but these skilled and certified guides are helping to shine a light on this bold frontier of tourism. These graduates are the bridge between complex science, culture, and compelling storytelling. They turn a night sky into a lifelong memory for visitors,” the MEC said.

The astro guiding programme is the result of a partnership between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA), aimed at building future-ready tourism skills and maintaining professional guiding standards.

Meyer said the collaboration demonstrates how a tourism strategy can be translated into real economic impact on the ground.

“You are now part of a tourism future that is smarter, more sustainable, and more inclusive. Use these skills well as ambassadors for our province and for the protection of our dark skies,” he told the graduates. – SAnews.gov.za

The Limpopo Serious Corruption Investigation unit of the Hawks has arrested a 40-year-old former Legal Manager at the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality in connection with allegations of fraud and corruption.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 April 2026.

The arrest on Thursday comes after the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation investigated alleged tender fraud and corruption within local municipalities. 

These investigations were focused on dismantling suspected collusion between municipal officials and service providers aimed at manipulating procurement processes for personal benefit.

“It is alleged that between 2016 and 2017, the suspect, while serving as Legal Manager, unlawfully facilitated the appointment of a service provider to supply software known as Ripjar to a municipal division ‘crime intelligence’.

“Further allegations suggest that the suspect knowingly approved the appointment despite the service provider not meeting the prescribed requirements in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), thereby allegedly compromising procurement processes,” said the police in a statement.

According to the police, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality is said to have suffered financial prejudice of approximately R686 000. – SAnews.gov.za

The National Dialogue of South Africa has entered a new phase of citizen-led coordination, engaging citizens through sectors, and stakeholders.

This phase follows a Strategic Planning Workshop held from 6 – 8 March 2026 and the Steering Committee meeting held on 9 April 2026.

The Steering Committee, in a statement on Thursday, said it was building on the outcomes of the Strategic Planning Workshop, where the Terms of Reference and other governance instruments were adopted. 

In its meeting on 9 April 2026, the committee set out a programme for meetings and work to be undertaken by committee members in various structures. 

“This programme of activities is charting towards the rollout of a pilot phase. This phase will draw directly from ordinary voices across the country; in different sectors, provinces and wards through pilot dialogues,” said the Steering Committee.

The committee – comprising over 100 leaders from diverse sectors of the South African society – continues to demonstrate the strength of democratic engagement. 

“The presence of varied perspectives and active engagement is a reflection of a living democracy – aligned with the spirit of the national Coat of Arms: “!ke e: /xarra //ke” – diverse people unite. This diversity, managed through democratic and inclusive process, and mutual respect, is what gives the National Dialogue its legitimacy and strength. As a true reflection of the voice of South Africans,” the Steering Committee said.

The committee meeting next week will further deliberate on “mechanisms to ensure that the citizens, through the National Dialogue, are not only heard, but that the process is responsive”. 

“In this regard, a Rapid Response Framework is being considered to strengthen the link between citizen inputs and coordinated government action.”

The National Dialogue remains firmly committed to an inclusive, credible, participatory and action-oriented process that empowers all South Africans to contribute meaningfully to shaping the country’s future. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an inclusive National Dialogue – a people-led, society-wide process to reflect, reset and reimagine South Africa’s future. The National Dialogue is a chance for all South Africans, from all walks of life, to come together and help shape the next chapter of our democracy. 

The dialogue is unfolding in phases – from local consultations and sectoral engagements to national conventions. – SAnews.gov.za

Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) has issued Sidings Lease Requests for Proposals (RFPs) covering nine rail siding facilities located across the Eastern and Central Regions. 

Successful bidders will be awarded leases for a minimum period of 10 years, with clear performance and investment commitments tied to the lease term.

Proposals are expected to include comprehensive infrastructure upgrades to enhance operational efficiency and enable seamless road-to-rail integration. 

These may include rail line refurbishment; loading and handling facilities; drainage systems; lighting and security enhancements, fencing and access roads.

“This batch underscores TRIM’s ongoing commitment to transparent, market-based access to critical rail assets. By enabling private sector participation in siding operations, we are advancing a more efficient, competitive, and integrated freight logistics system for South Africa,” TRIM Chief Executive Moshe Motlohi said on Thursday.

Operators will be required to demonstrate measurable improvements in turnaround times and overall logistics efficiency. 

The commercial framework is based on market-related rental structures, designed to ensure fair value while preserving the long-term sustainability of the assets.

This RFP marks another milestone in its open market programme aimed at unlocking value from South Africa’s rail infrastructure and expanding access to strategic siding facilities.

It follows the issuance of the previous batch of siding lease RFPs, which included three siding facilities in the Eastern and Central Regions. 

“It aligns with the National Rail Policy (2022) and the Freight Logistics Roadmap (2023), reinforcing TRIM’s mandate to commercialise rail assets in a responsible, transparent, and sustainable manner, while upholding the highest standards of safety, compliance, and network integrity.

“Bidders will engage through a transparent, market-based process to access TRIM’s rail sidings under a regulated framework.”

This multi-stage process includes prequalification, functional evaluation, and final price/preference assessment. 

Safety, health, and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable requirements.

A non-compulsory Virtual Tender Briefing will be held on 17 April 2026 at 10;00 (via Microsoft Teams), and the bid submission deadline is 28 May 2026. 

The virtual briefing session will provide prospective bidders with detailed insights into the batch 4 facilities and the evaluation framework.

Interested parties can access the full RFP documents and submission details via the official Transnet procurement platforms, including the National Treasury e-Tender portal: https://www.etenders.gov.za/. – SAnews.gov.za

National Treasury has published the draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026 and draft Public Procurement Tribunal Regulations, 2026, for public comment in the Government Gazette.

The draft regulations and the notices can be accessed on the National Treasury website https://www.treasury.gov.za/legislation/regulations/default.aspx.

They were published in terms of section 63(1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2024 (Act No. 28 of 2024), as communicated through notices in Government Gazette Numbers 54528 and 54527, respectively. 

“These regulations are necessary to bring into effect the Public Procurement Act, 2024, which was assented to by the President on 18 July 2024 and published in the Government Gazette on 23 July 2024. 

“The published notices explain the need for, the intended operation of the regulations, and the expected impact of these regulations,” National Treasury said.

The due date for submitting comments on the draft Public Procurement Tribunal Regulations, 2026, is 15 May 2026. 

Due to the length and complexity of the draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026, a longer consultation period has been determined by the Minister of Finance, and the due date for submitting comments thereon is 15 June 2026.

Written comments on the draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026, may be submitted to DraftGeneralProcurementRegulations@treasury.gov.za, and written comments on draft Public Procurement Tribunal Regulations, 2026 must be submitted to DraftTribunalRegulations@treasury.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has called on the private sector to partner with government to slow biodiversity loss, restore critical habitats, and secure the ecological infrastructure that supports the economy.

This as the National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA) paints a concerning picture of the state of the country’s biodiversity, showing that nearly one-third of terrestrial ecosystems are classified as threatened.

“Pressures on biodiversity are intensifying habitat loss from agriculture, settlements, mining and infrastructure development, invasive alien species, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change continue to drive ecosystem degradation and species decline. 

“Freshwater systems — rivers, wetlands and estuaries — are among the most threatened,” Singh said on Thursday at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Johannesburg.

According to the Deputy Minister, through concerted, collaborative efforts, South Africa can slow biodiversity loss, restore critical habitats, and secure the ecological infrastructure that supports the economy and environmental well-being. 

“Our Water Source Areas — mountain catchments, wetlands and rivers — cover only 10% of our land, yet supply more than 50% of the country’s water. 

“These areas face severe pressure from pollution, invasive species and altered flows. While some progress has been made, far more urgent action is required to protect this vital ecological infrastructure for water security. 

“Healthy freshwater flows to estuaries and oceans are equally important for marine fisheries and coastal resilience. Our terrestrial and marine ecosystems are vast, but pressures are concentrated in specific landscapes,” he said.

This demands smart spatial prioritisation — ensuring every rand invested in restoration delivers maximum impact, especially in degraded wetlands, estuaries, and coastal zones.

“Encouragingly, some species have shown improved protection status through our protected areas and stewardship programmes. These successes prove what is possible when conservation efforts are sustained and well-supported.

“Ultimately, our success will be measured by strengthened livelihoods, restored ecosystems, and robust environmental governance built on trust. This is where the private sector plays a vital role,” the Deputy Minister said.

He emphasised that meaningful progress depends on policy reform, targeted finance, and strong partnerships. 

“Public–private partnerships (PPPs) have proven powerful, enabling the private sector to drive investment, create jobs, and advance shared goals through corporate social responsibility and innovation.

“Sound environmental governance requires modernising our regulatory frameworks to make them more transparent, efficient, and aligned with the objectives of people, planet and prosperity. Strong institutions — both public and private — are essential for building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies,” the Deputy Minister said.

He pointed out that by forging innovative partnerships across government, business and civil society, South Africa can overcome barriers such as data gaps and regulatory challenges and fully unlock the potential of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks and sustainable investment.

An ESG framework is a structured set of guidelines, metrics and standards used by companies to measure, manage, and report their Environmental, Social, and Governance performance. 

The frameworks facilitate transparent disclosure of sustainability data to stakeholders, covering areas like carbon emissions, labour practices and board diversity, allowing for consistent evaluation of risks and opportunities

“A collaborative, whole-of-society approach to conserving our natural assets will be central to achieving our social and economic development goals. It requires coordinated action, secure livelihoods, and a nation united in purpose.

“I therefore call on the business community to partner with us in the conservation and infrastructure enhancement of South Africa’s national botanical and zoological gardens. Your support can expand these spaces, improve visitor experiences, advance research and education, and contribute directly to national biodiversity targets,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za