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A shipment of 100 000 doses of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine has arrived at Cape Town International Airport, strengthening the Western Cape Government’s efforts to contain the disease and protect the province’s livestock sector.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the vaccines will be distributed across the West Coast, Cape Winelands and Garden Route districts. The rollout will be coordinated by a provincial “war room” that meets regularly to monitor progress and coordinate response measures.

Winde said the ongoing vaccination drive will be steadily scaled up as the province works towards fully immunising its livestock population.

According to the Premier, 48 612 animals have been vaccinated so far across the province, with 276 vaccination sites established. 

A total of 29 private veterinarians are assisting State Veterinarians in the campaign, while the province has received 162 120 vaccine doses to date.

As part of broader containment measures, warning road signs have been erected along major highways linking the Western Cape with neighbouring provinces, while checkpoints have been established along key routes to monitor livestock movement.

Winde said the provincial government has intensified its response since the first FMD cases were confirmed, working closely with key agricultural stakeholders.

“This effort has been supported by organisations including the Milk Producers Organisation, Red Meat Producers, Milk SA, Agri Western Cape, and Shoprite. All affected districts are reporting encouraging progress in implementing the 21-point FMD response plan led by the Western Cape Government and its partners,” the Premier said.

The plan includes movement control measures, including 24/7 border monitoring; strengthening surveillance and traceability systems through rapid response by provincial veterinary services on the ground; and enhanced communication by law enforcement and contingency planning.

It also outlines recovery measures, including cleaning operations and the monitoring of quarantine areas.

Winde commended the collaboration efforts of all stakeholders involved in managing the outbreak.

“All of this progress is made possible through collaboration. We will continue to intensify the response plan to protect this critical sector of our economy.

“I personally chair a weekly joint operations meeting with all stakeholders, including municipalities, to ensure that everything is being done to manage this crisis. In everything we do, we aim to protect growth, livelihoods and jobs,” the Premier said.

Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer, also welcomed the arrival of the additional vaccine doses.

Meyer also expressed gratitude to every role player who has worked tirelessly to bring this outbreak under control.

“Your dedication is the backbone of our collective progress. The arrival of the 100 000 additional vaccine doses in the Western Cape marks a significant turning point. It means we can now accelerate vaccinations across the province, ensuring that we protect our livestock, support our farmers and strengthen this vital sector of our economy,” Meyer said.

Winde added that he remains in regular contact with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to ensure the implementation of a livestock movement permitting system, which will further strengthen the province’s containment strategy. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

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Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Elias Magosi has emphasised that the Southern African region must move beyond exporting raw minerals and accelerate value addition to unlock industrial growth and economic transformation. 

Magosi was speaking during the official opening of the SADC Council of Ministers meeting in Pretoria on Thursday. 

He said the region is richly endowed with critical minerals essential for the global energy transition but continues to export most of these resources in raw form.

“In mining, our challenge has never been scarcity, but value addition. While our region is significantly endowed with minerals, inclusive of those considered to be of relevance to energy transition such as cobalt, copper and manganese, amongst others, regrettably, they still leave our borders in raw form,” Magosi said.

He noted that the region has adopted the SADC Regional Mining Vision to reposition the mining sector as a catalyst for industrialisation by strengthening linkages between mining and downstream industries such as mineral beneficiation, equipment manufacturing and related services.

According to Magosi, about 20 potential regional mining projects worth an estimated $2.3 billion have already been identified as viable investments.

“These projects focus on the manufacturing of batteries, mining inputs and mining equipment, among others,” he said.

Progress in regional trade and industrialisation

Magosi said the region is making gradual progress in trade integration, with intra-regional trade in manufactured goods increasing from 19% to 22%.

The expansion of the SADC Free Trade Area has also strengthened regional market integration following the entry of Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

He said initiatives such as the introduction of the Electronic Certificate of Origin and the establishment of One-Stop Border Posts are helping to reduce trade barriers and improve efficiency.

“These traders are not a mere statistic; they are mothers, fathers and young entrepreneurs whose livelihoods depend on seamless and painless trade. When they succeed, this builds into our collective success,” Magosi said.

Energy access remains a major challenge

Despite progress in some areas, Magosi said energy access remains uneven across the region.

While countries such as Mauritius and Seychelles have nearly achieved universal electricity access, much of the region still lags behind.

“In many parts of our region, electricity access remains below 60%, and in some member states it is below 30%,” he said.

Magosi added that improving energy infrastructure and expanding cross-border power trade through the Southern African Power Pool will be essential to boosting industrial development and economic growth.

Projects such as the Malawi–Mozambique and Tanzania–Zambia power interconnectors are expected to strengthen regional electricity networks and support power trading among member states.

Stronger regional financing

Magosi also urged member states to accelerate the signing and ratification of the SADC Regional Development Fund agreement, which aims to finance key regional programmes.

So far nine member states have signed the agreement, but additional ratifications are required before the fund becomes operational.

“The world is shifting, and the current geopolitical environment is a reminder that we must become more united and innovative. The Regional Development Fund is our vehicle for transformation. Without it we stand still, and with it we can move forward together,” he said. 

Humanitarian and food security pressures

Magosi said Southern Africa continues to face humanitarian challenges, including natural disasters and food insecurity.

Recent floods in several member states have affected more than 1.3 million people, displaced over 100 000 and claimed more than 285 lives.

At the same time, acute food insecurity is projected to affect around 58 million people across the region in the 2025/26 period.

He warned that livestock diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease also pose a serious threat to food security and trade.

Peace and stability 

Magosi emphasised that peace and security remain top priority for regional development. SADC continues to support diplomatic efforts to resolve instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and political tensions in Madagascar. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Southern African countries must deepen regional cooperation to shield their economies from growing global geopolitical and economic shocks, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said on Thursday. 

Lamola made the remarks while opening the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council meeting of Ministers in Pretoria.

He warned that rising geopolitical tensions, economic volatility and disruptions to global supply chains are increasingly affecting countries in the region.

“The international system is marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, climate-induced shocks and disruptions to global supply chains,” Lamola said.

According to the Minister, the current global environment underscores the urgency of strengthening regional cooperation and integration to protect the region’s economies and people.

“These realities make the case for regional cooperation and integration even more urgent. They also reinforce the urgency of implementing the commitments undertaken under SADC Vision 2050, which seeks to build a peaceful, inclusive, competitive and high-income industrialised region where citizens enjoy sustainable economic well-being, justice and freedom,” he said.

Global conflicts threaten food and energy security

Lamola said ongoing global conflicts are already having ripple effects on economies in Southern Africa.

He noted that tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran have contributed to rising oil prices and could increase fertiliser costs, which in turn may drive up food prices across the region.

“As a community, we will not emerge unscathed from this. Our public finances are likely to come under even greater strain, and it is our people who will bear the cost,” he said.

The minister also warned that Gulf states could reassess overseas investments as security concerns grow, potentially affecting infrastructure, energy and mining investments in the region.

“This could carry consequences for investment flows, growth prospects and development finance across our region,” he said. 

Lamola said these external pressures are being felt at a time when many African countries are already grappling with heavy debt burdens.

Citing the African Leaders’ Debt Relief Initiative, he said the continent is facing its worst debt crisis in eight decades.

“More than 750 million Africans live in countries that spend more on debt servicing than on health or education,” Lamola said.

In many cases, he added, governments are spending more on interest payments than on schools, hospitals and other social priorities.

Region must leverage critical minerals

Despite the challenges, Lamola said Southern Africa also has significant opportunities, particularly through its vast reserves of critical minerals needed for the global energy transition.

He noted that the region holds around 90% of the world’s platinum group metal reserves, more than half of cobalt reserves, as well as significant graphite and copper deposits.

Demand for such minerals is expected to grow significantly as countries move toward cleaner energy technologies.

“The choice before us is clear: we can either engage the world from a position of unity and strength or approach it from a position of division and dependency,” Lamola said.

Focus on industrialisation and regional growth

Lamola said the meeting would assess progress in implementing the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030 and discuss ways to strengthen economic integration.

He noted that intra-regional trade in the bloc remains relatively low at about 22%, while food insecurity and youth unemployment remain major challenges.

However, the region has also recorded progress in areas such as digital expansion and energy generation.

Internet penetration in the region has increased to 54%, while more than 14,000 megawatts of new electricity generation capacity have been added in recent years.

The Minister said the council will focus on ensuring that regional integration translates into tangible benefits for citizens. 

“The work before us over the next two days is therefore of real importance. Its success will not be measured simply by the number of decisions we adopt, but by the progress we make in transforming our economies and improving the well-being of our people,” he said.

He also emphasised that ordinary citizens across the region expect cooperation among governments to produce real economic opportunities.

“The young entrepreneur in Lusaka, the farmer in Lilongwe, the miner in Lubumbashi, the trader in Gaborone and the worker in Johannesburg are not primarily concerned with the adoption of frameworks or strategies.

“Their concern is whether regional integration produces meaningful economic opportunities and improves their prospects for a better future.

“If integration remains rhetorical, confidence in our common agenda will diminish. But if we act decisively and implement agreed commitments effectively, our region has the potential to emerge as a dynamic force for industrial growth, innovation and sustainable development,” Lamola said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Mpumalanga Education Department has opened a newly completed, state-of-the-art high school within the Nkomazi Local Municipality for learners and educators.

Silulu Secondary School has officially been declared ready for occupation to provide learners with a safe, dignified, and conducive learning environment.  

The school consists of 28 classrooms, an administration block, a computer centre, a science laboratory, a library, and a multi-purpose hall.

“The facility also includes a fully equipped kitchen, 22 enviro-loo sanitation units, reliable water and electricity supply, a guard house, security fencing, ramps and rails for accessibility, a sheltered parking area, and a paved assembly space for learners.

“To nurture both the mind and body, the school boasts three sports facilities: a tennis court, a netball court, and a soccer field, which is currently nearing completion,” the department said on Thursday.

In support of teaching and learning, the school has been furnished with learner desks and chairs, educator tables and chairs, office furniture, cabinets, and other essential equipment.

While the computer centre and library are fully established, the provision of additional learning resources will form part of the next phase of development. 

“Silulu Secondary School was established in response to the rapid growth of surrounding communities and the rising demand for accessible, quality education.

“At its inception, both learners and educators were temporarily accommodated at a nearby Mjokwane Secondary School.

“During this time, the school community demonstrated resilience, patience, and an unwavering commitment to learning,” the department said.

Subsequently, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government undertook the construction of permanent school facilities.

The completion of the construction demonstrates the government’s commitment to meeting the needs of communities.

“Silulu Secondary School now stands as a beacon of progress and possibility. For the learners and educators who endured challenges in the past, this new school represents far more than bricks and mortar.

“It symbolises dignity restored, stability secured and hope renewed. It stands as a place where dreams will be nurtured and futures shaped,” the department said. –SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has been directed to undertake a comprehensive national audit of all state-owned residential properties under its management. 

DPWI Minister Dean Macpherson’s decision follows recent reports that have raised concerns about potential irregular occupation of government residences and the need to strengthen oversight of the state’s immovable asset portfolio.

This includes the recent incident where the department issued a notice instructing a Western Cape High Court Judge to vacate a State-owned residence after confirmation from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development that he no longer qualified for the housing benefit.

Macpherson said the DPWI has a responsibility to ensure that public property is managed strictly in accordance with the law and that state residences are allocated only to individuals who qualify for them.

“The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is the custodian of the state’s property portfolio and has a duty to ensure that public assets are used properly and in the interests of the people of South Africa.

“However, recent incidents have demonstrated that stronger oversight is required to ensure that State residences are not unlawfully occupied or treated as private benefits. This national audit will allow the department to establish a clear picture of the current status of all state-owned residential properties.

“Where individuals are found to be occupying state properties unlawfully or without the necessary entitlement, the department will not hesitate to issue notices to vacate and will pursue legal action where compliance is not forthcoming,” the Minister said in a statement on Thursday.

He added that public assets exist to serve the people of South Africa and cannot be treated as private benefits. 

“This audit forms part of our commitment to restore proper management across the state’s property portfolio and ensure that public property is protected and used for the public good.”

As part of the auditing process, which will take place in the months ahead, the occupation status of all residential properties under DPWI management will be verified and it will be confirmed whether occupants continue to qualify for the benefit in terms of the applicable policies and legal frameworks. 

It will include properties allocated to various categories of qualifying beneficiaries, including members of the judiciary, government officials and other public servants. 

The process will also identify properties that may be occupied without valid lease agreements, or where occupants continue to reside in state housing despite no longer meeting the qualifying criteria.

“The department will act wherever necessary to end the unlawful occupation of state properties and to restore integrity and proper governance in the management of public assets,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela says construction of the long-delayed Ekurhuleni University is expected to begin in 2029.

Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Manamela said the project’s immediate priority is not the start of construction, but the registration of the institution’s first students, which could occur before a permanent campus is built.

“The goal is not construction commencement, but it is about registration of the first student,” Manamela told Parliament.

The remaining feasibility work, together with a Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) application to National Treasury and the necessary design and procurement processes, amounts to approximately three years from now.

Manamela told Parliament that following a meeting with the Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, both parties agreed to revive the feasibility process with renewed commitment.

“The city has offered land and infrastructure options, and the department is exploring whether temporary facilities or blended academic delivery could allow students to enrol ahead of the 2029 construction date,” he said.

The proposed university was first announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2020 State of the Nation Address and was later reaffirmed in the national budget. However, six years later, the Minister confirmed that a location study, which is a key component of the feasibility process that will determine the site, has not yet started due to a budget shortfall of R19.5 million.

He said steps are underway to resolve the shortfall through the reprioritisation of existing infrastructure grants.

“A significant change in the project’s financial outlook came in the February 2026 Budget, when National Treasury indicated its willingness to allocate infrastructure funding for both the Ekurhuleni and Hammanskraal universities through the Budget Facility for Infrastructure,” Manamela said.

He added that under previous administrations, no additional funding had been allocated, forcing government to consider a public-private partnership model, which National Treasury had not approved for university infrastructure projects.

Stronger controls on student accommodation

Manamela also confirmed that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is conducting an active investigation into National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) student accommodation under a Presidential Proclamation.

“NSFAS has commenced paying accommodation providers directly, removing solution partners from the disbursement chain. A national audit of all accredited accommodation is underway,” he said.

Intensive monitoring for high-risk universities

Responding to questions about recent disruptions at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and the University of Fort Hare, Manamela acknowledged structural challenges affecting institutions.

These include NSFAS payment delays, accommodation shortages, and multi-year financial deficits.

He said the department is implementing differentiated intensive monitoring for institutions identified as high-risk.

“Our assessment is that the early detection framework successfully identified risk conditions at both Fort Hare and WSU in advance of disruptions, but structural drivers need to be resolved within the registration period,” he said.

Manamela added that the gap between identifying risks and implementing interventions requires sustained remediation rather than short-term crisis management.

Tracking outcomes from SETA training programmes

When asked how many people Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) had trained over the past decade and how many secured employment, Manamela acknowledged that consolidated cross-SETA data is not currently available as a single figure.

He said the department has committed to publishing a baseline report by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, while also establishing a Skills Observatory coordinated independently by the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa (HRDC).

The Minister added that SETA performance figures are currently published annually in SETA annual reports, which reflect programme performance across the skills development system.

PSET “war room” for registration period

Manamela also reported that a Post-School Education and Training (PSET) War Room, established and chaired by the Minister, met weekly during the academic registration period to provide focused oversight of the process across the getting to grips with the SA post-school education and PSET sector.

“The War Room reviewed institutional and sector-wide reports, enabling the monitoring of developments in real time and allowing for swift, evidence-based responses where necessary,” he said.

He added that the structure helped identify emerging risks early and enabled coordinated interventions across institutions.

“Where challenges were cross-cutting in nature, responses were implemented simultaneously by the relevant institutions, with actions aligned and coordinated through the War Room structure. This demonstrated that a single, coherent PSET that is coordinated can be responsive to the needs of students,” Manamela said. – SAnews.gov.za

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A 44-year-old foreign national is due to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate Court today on charges of contravention of the National Environmental Management and Biodiversity Act.

The suspect is alleged to have been involved in the staged theft of rhino horns at Haartebeesfontein.

READ | Suspect linked to rhino poaching to appear in court today

The suspect was arrested yesterday in Heidelberg during the execution of an authorised search and seizure warrant and a warrant of arrest.

The warrants were executed in Centurion and Heidelberg, respectively, in an intelligence-driven operation by the members of Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s Wildlife Trafficking Section of the Hawks. The members were assisted by the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), the Pretoria K9 unit, SAPS Head Office’ Modus Operandi Centre at head office, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. 

“During the search in Centurion, suspected illegal processed elephant ivory to the value of R200 000 were discovered and seized.

“On the same day of the suspect’s appearance, his co-accused – 52-year-old Bao Trung, a Vietnamese national – will also be appearing in the same court for formal bail application following his appearance last week,” the police said.

The acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Patrick Mbotho, reiterated that the DPCI will remain steadfast in stamping out wildlife trafficking and related serious organised crime. – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has advised that cloudy and cool conditions are expected over the north-eastern parts of South Africa from Thursday into the weekend, with a possibility of isolated to scattered rain and showers. 

The forecasts indicate that the Lowveld of Limpopo and Mpumalanga may experience disruptive rain that may lead to localised floods. 

Otherwise, the weather conditions will be fine, with warm to hot conditions expected.

The weather service has issued a warning for widespread showers and thundershowers over the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo on Friday, with the possibility of heavy downpours.

Models indicate that between 50 and 60mm can be expected in places.

“Low likelihood of significant impacts is expected with heavy downpours leading to flooding of susceptible roads, settlements, low-lying bridges/areas and risk to life,” SAWS said.

• The warning indicates the following impact due to the disruptive rain:
• Flooding of roads and settlements (formal and informal);
• Danger to life (fast-flowing streams/ deep water);
• Displacement of affected communities;
• Some communities are temporarily not accessible/cut-off;
• Damage to property, infrastructure, loss of livelihood, and livestock;
• Major disruption of traffic flow due to major roads being flooded or closed; and
• Possible damage to roads and bridges.

–SAnews.gov.za

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