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Cabinet has commended South Africans who participated peacefully in protests against unregulated migration, while also praising the National Joint Operations and Intelligence Structures (NATJOINTS) for maintaining order during demonstrations held this week.

The commendation followed a Cabinet meeting held in Cape Town this week, where government also received an update on the implementation of the Comprehensive Approach to managing migration, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 7 June 2026.

Cabinet further commended the Inter-Ministerial Committee, led by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, for its work in driving the implementation of the approach.

The approach focuses on strengthening border security, upholding the constitutional principle of the rule of law, stamping out corruption in the immigration system, cracking down on violence and lawlessness, and refining the country’s legislative framework.

It also includes collaboration with other African countries to forge a broader and more cohesive response to migration challenges across the region and the continent.

Speaking at a media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni updated the public on government’s efforts to manage migration.

Ntshavheni said the work includes increased labour inspections at companies suspected of employing undocumented foreign nationals, under the guidance of Deputy Ministers Jomo Sibiya of Employment and Labour, Njabulo Nzuza of Home Affairs, and Dr Polly Boshielo of Police.

Since 7 June 2026, the Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted irregular migrants attempting to enter the country unlawfully. These included undocumented migrants, undesirable persons and travellers refused entry due to non-compliant travel documents.

“NATJOINTS has detailed criminal cases opened against criminality, including public disorder and incitement-related criminal cases that have been registered, suspects arrested and cases that are before the courts and those under active investigation,” Ntshavheni said.

On Thursday, members of the IMC conducted site inspections at the Beitbridge Border Post and temporary Musina repatriation centres in Limpopo.

In May, Cabinet approved the National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) White Paper 2025 for implementation, marking a significant step towards regulating the movement and employment of foreign nationals in South Africa.

The NLMP introduces quotas on the total number of documented foreign nationals with work visas that can be employed in major economic sectors such as agriculture, hospitality and tourism, as well as construction, among others. 

“The policy complements other interventions such as enforcement of a list of sectors where foreign nationals cannot be allocated business visas and amendments to the National Small Enterprise Act, 1996 (Act 102 of 1996), as amended, to limit foreign nationals establishing small, medium and micro enterprises, and trading in some sectors of the economy,” the Minister explained.

The NLMP is the country’s first comprehensive policy aimed at managing labour migration both into and out of South Africa.

The policy is designed to promote a “brain gain” by attracting skilled workers to South Africa, while also addressing the “brain drain” caused by the emigration of skilled professionals.

One of the bill’s more contentious features is the potential introduction of employment quotas, which would limit the number of immigrants that businesses can hire and require employers to prioritise the hiring of South African citizens. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet is calling on all South Africans to dedicate their time to  help build a better country that works for all.
This as the country commemorates Mandela Month in July.

“South Africa will in July commemorate Mandela Month under the theme ‘It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity’. Cabinet calls on all South Africans to dedicate their time and efforts during Mandela Month and on Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July 2026, to help build a South Africa that works for South Africans,” it said in a statement on Friday.

In addition, the month of July is also used to commemorate National Science Month, which will be launched on 4 July 2026 at the Vaal University of Technology Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park in Sebokeng.

The launch will be held under the theme: “Science, Technology and Innovation are for everyone”. 
The month-long science celebration aims to build a science-literate society that can form independent opinions on science, technology and innovation. It seeks to promote a community with confidence in science, scientists, and scientific institutions. – SAnews.gov.za

The 2026 National Bee Conference has positioned the North West province as an emerging hub for beekeeping and pollination-related investment while highlighting the sector’s growing contribution to food security, economic growth and rural development.

Hosted by the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with the South African Bee Industry Organisation (SABIO), the conference took place at Sun City in Rustenburg from 30 June to 1 July under the theme, “Pollinators for Food Security, Economic Growth and Rural Transformation.”

The two-day event brought together emerging and commercial beekeepers, researchers, agricultural stakeholders and industry representatives from across South Africa to discuss opportunities, challenges and innovations shaping the country’s beekeeping industry. 

Delegates explored ways to strengthen collaboration, promote innovation and expand the sector while examining the role the North West Province can play in creating sustainable economic opportunities through beekeeping.

Discussions focused on the importance of pollinators in supporting crop production, improving agricultural resilience and strengthening food security. Participants also considered measures to protect and expand pollinator populations as a strategic agricultural resource.

North West beekeepers were among the top performers at the National Honey, Mead and Value-Added Products Competition, held in collaboration with the Honey Judges’ and Stewards’ Guild of South Africa.

Among those recognised for excellence were Kenalemang Mooketsi, Gabathata Matshidiso, Thato Lesufi, Peter Mputle, Lukas Radise and Lenah Mosiapoa. The awards recognised outstanding achievements in honey production, mead-making and value-added bee products, reflecting the growing expertise and innovation within the province’s beekeeping sector.

Delegates concluded the conference by adopting several resolutions aimed at strengthening South Africa’s beekeeping industry.

The resolutions include implementing the National Beekeeping Strategy as the sector’s guiding framework; strengthening national bee health systems; recognising pollination as strategic agricultural infrastructure; protecting forage resources; improving colony resilience; expanding participation in beekeeping; promoting evidence-based decision-making; improving consumer confidence and industry competitiveness; and enhancing coordination among government, industry and research institutions.

SABIO Chairperson Tumi Mobu thanked the province and the beekeeping community for contributing to a successful conference.

“Thank you to the North West Province for its warm hospitality and to all the beekeepers, partners and stakeholders whose participation contributed to the success of this conference. The conference resolutions will be implemented through collaboration between industry stakeholders, government departments and research institutions, including the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Agricultural Research Council,” Mobu said. 

North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha said the conference demonstrated the province’s potential to become a key player in South Africa’s growing beekeeping industry.

He said beekeeping offers practical opportunities for young people, women and rural entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in agriculture.

“With the right technical support, mentorship and access to markets, beekeeping provides opportunities to build sustainable enterprises that contribute both to household incomes and to the wider agricultural economy. Our focus should be on creating an environment where these enterprises can grow into successful businesses that create jobs and invest back into their communities,” Sambatha said.

The MEC also commended participants, exhibitors and competition winners for contributing to the success of the conference.

He said the department would continue working with industry stakeholders, research institutions and beekeepers to create an enabling environment for the sector to grow and support sustainable enterprises.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from government, industry and research partners to strengthen collaboration and implement the adopted resolutions, to build a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable beekeeping sector that supports food security, economic growth and rural transformation. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Cabinet has approved the publication of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment (NEMLA) as well as the Electronic Deeds Registration and Recordal Systems Amendment Bills for public comment.

At a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday, Minister in the Presidency Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the NEMLA Bill seeks to amend the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998).

It also seeks to to strengthen environmental compliance and enforcement by empowering environmental inspectors to issue compliance notices and enable municipalities to issue directives for environmental violations. 

“The Bill also introduces an administrative penalty system into South Africa’s national environmental legislation. This will complement existing criminal sanctions by providing an alternative to criminal prosecution for less serious environmental contraventions, enabling more efficient enforcement while avoiding the delays and reputational risks associated with criminal proceedings,” she explained.

In addition, at its meeting held on Wednesday, Cabinet approved the submission of the Electronic Deeds Registration and Recordal Systems Amendment Bill to Parliament. 

The Bill seeks to amend the Electronic Deeds Registration Act (Act 19 of 2019), the Deeds Registration Act (Act 47 of 1937) and the Sectional Titles Act (Act 95 of 1986) to modernise the legislative framework governing deeds registration and recordal systems.

“The Bill advances the objectives of an inclusive economy and enhanced security of land tenure. The proposed amendments are largely technical in nature and are intended to strengthen the security of title and improve the administration of land and property rights for the benefit of landowners and rights holders,” said the Minister. – SAnews.gov.za

The uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) has recommended that eThekwini Municipality prioritise reducing water losses and improving the efficiency of its existing water distribution network rather than investing in new package water treatment plants to address ongoing water supply challenges.

The recommendation forms part of a preliminary feasibility study presented to the municipality’s Executive Committee (EXCO) on Thursday.

The municipality had commissioned the study to assess the feasibility of establishing package water treatment plants in communities experiencing prolonged water shortages.

According to UUW, water demand management interventions would deliver faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective benefits than constructing new supply infrastructure.

The utility said demand management interventions would enable the municipality to recover significant volumes of non-revenue water, making more water available to consumers without increasing current bulk water supply.

“These interventions can also be implemented over a shorter period and at a substantially lower cost than developing new water supply schemes,” the municipality said in a statement following the meeting.

While acknowledging that package treatment plants could provide interim relief in some communities, UUW warned that they would require substantial capital investment and may not represent the most cost-effective long-term solution.

For the proposed package plant serving the Qadi area in Umzinyathi, UUW estimated that a 10-megalitre-per-day (ML/day) plant would cost about R1.2 billion, while a 30 ML/day facility would require an investment of about R3.5 billion.

The utility estimated that water produced by the plant would cost approximately R53 per kilolitre over 20 years. The estimated monthly capital unit charges would amount to approximately R12.6 million for the 10 ML/day plant and R37 million for a 30 ML/day plant, excluding applicable bulk water tariffs.

UUW also advised that the provincial Department of Water and Sanitation is unlikely to approve additional water abstraction above the existing licence for the proposed Qadi scheme. Any increase in abstraction would require a corresponding reduction in water drawn by the Wiggins and Durban Heights water treatment works.

The utility further noted that the long-term viability of the Qadi plant may be limited by the planned commissioning of the uMkhomazi Upper Dam from 2034, which is expected to significantly increase bulk water availability to the municipality.

The feasibility study also assessed proposed package plants for Mfume, Craigieburn and Umbumbulu.

The estimated capital cost for the Mfume plant is approximately R650 million.

For Craigieburn and Umbumbulu, UUW said construction would likely be completed only after major regional bulk water projects become operational. The Lower uMkhomazi Dam is expected to begin supplying southern areas of eThekwini from 2029, while the uMkhomazi Upper Dam is projected to supply the entire municipality, including Umbumbulu, from 2034.

UUW also warned that a package plant at Umbumbulu would draw from the same source as the Amanzimtoti Water Treatment Works, potentially reducing water availability to areas already supplied through Amanzimtoti.

The utility added that its ability to undertake large capital projects is constrained by reduced tariff increases, limited borrowing capacity and the shortened economic lifespan of projects that could be superseded by larger regional water schemes.

“EXCO noted the preliminary findings and agreed that the feasibility study should be finalised before any decisions are taken regarding the available options. UUW will return to EXCO to present the completed study together with its final recommendations,” the municipality said.

Progress in reducing 2-Methylisoborneol

Meanwhile, the UUW reported that interventions at the Wiggins Water Treatment Works have significantly reduced 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB) levels, the naturally occurring compound responsible for the earthy taste and odour detected in water supplied to parts of eThekwini in recent months.

According to UUW, the problem resulted from increased algal activity in Inanda Dam, which affected the quality of raw water entering the treatment works.

To address the issue, the utility has strengthened water quality monitoring from the catchment to consumers, implemented multi-level abstraction to draw water from lower levels of the dam where appropriate, and applied advanced treatment chemicals to remove taste and odour compounds.

UUW said ongoing daily monitoring confirms that treated water remains safe for human consumption and continues to comply with the South African National Standard for Drinking Water. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Cabinet has approved the publication of the draft Strategic Petroleum Stocks Policy for public comment, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Friday.

Briefing reporters in Pretoria, the Minister said the policy aims to strengthen South Africa’s energy security and minimise the economic impact of supply shocks.

“It follows a comprehensive study commissioned by government in 2024 on the country’s strategic petroleum stocks, which identified areas requiring attention, including the need to strengthen stockholding arrangements and increase domestic refining capacity,” she said.

She added that the policy proposes a mixed stockholding model under which the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) will maintain strategic reserves equivalent to 60 days of net imports for both crude oil and refined petroleum products, with a phased increase to 90 days over the long term.

“The policy will contribute to safeguarding national energy security, improving resilience against global supply shocks and supporting sustainable economic growth,” she said.

Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved the Integrated Social Facilitation Framework  (ISFF) as a binding national policy instrument to standardise and institutionalise community engagement in infrastructure delivery across all spheres of government, state-owned entities and infrastructure development stakeholders.
The framework is intended to address community protests, project disruptions, vandalism, delays and security risks by promoting structured community participation throughout the infrastructure project lifecycle, thereby strengthening public trust, social cohesion and protection of infrastructure investments.

Cabinet said the ISFF introduces a professionalised and coordinated approach to social facilitation, including accreditation of social facilitators, clearer governance arrangements, stronger monitoring and evaluation, and a risk-based approach to managing community-related risks.

In addition, Cabinet approved the release of the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Report for public comment.

“The report emphasises the need for South Africa to avoid over-reliance on foreign funding and to build local funding capacity to mitigate threats posed to the country’s research programmes in order to safeguard South Africa’s scientific sovereignty,” it said. – SAnews.gov.za