MIL Africa Engine

Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development Mzwanele Nyhontso will on Monday hand over farming implements worth millions of rand and title deeds to land reform beneficiaries in the Mthonjaneni Local Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The handover, held at the Melmoth Sports Field, forms part of government’s efforts to strengthen agricultural production and provide security of tenure to land reform beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries from the Waterways, Lucky Star and Tasma farms will receive farming equipment and title deeds for properties with a combined value of more than R50 million.

Nyhontso said the support would help beneficiaries improve agricultural productivity, create employment and contribute to local economic development.

The Minister said providing title deeds was an important step in ensuring that beneficiaries had secure land rights, while the farming implements would enable them to expand and sustain their farming operations.

The Mthonjaneni cluster of farms, which includes Ntembeni, Emakhasaneni, Dludla and Waterways, has been recognised as one of the country’s land reform success stories.

Unlike many land reform projects that have struggled with underutilised land, these farms have continued to operate productively and are regarded by the department as a model for successful land reform implementation.

The handover demonstrates its continued commitment to supporting emerging farmers through post-settlement assistance and ensuring that redistributed land remains productive. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) in the Gauteng province is today hosting a policy dialogue on men’s mental health in South Africa titled ‘Closing the Gender Gap in Policy and Practice’.

In a statement, the CGE said that men’s mental health remains an urgent yet under-addressed public policy issue in South Africa. 

“Recent evidence shows that approximately 80% of suicide deaths in the country are among men, highlighting the need for greater attention to the social, cultural, and structural factors shaping men’s mental health outcomes,” the CGE said. 

The dialogue will bring together stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the mental health sector to examine policy gaps, strengthen gender-responsive responses, and develop evidence-based recommendations. 

The engagement will also contribute to the development of a CGE Policy Brief on Men’s Mental Health in South Africa to support advocacy and policy reform.

Members of the public can follow the dialogue here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/324019817810375?p=1PTyoEJltRCoW19TVH  – SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is sounding the alarm over the damage rising substance abuse is inflicting on mental health, highlighting a sharp increase in drug-induced psychosis among youth.

The department has said that healthcare professionals have observed that a “significant proportion of patients are presenting with psychosis also struggle with substance abuse”, with substance-induced psychotic disorders increasingly diagnosed in healthcare facilities.

“These observations highlight the growing relationship between substance abuse and mental illness, and underscore the importance of early intervention, treatment and community awareness.

“Substance-induced psychosis is a serious mental health condition that occurs when alcohol or drugs directly affect the functioning of the brain, causing individuals to lose touch with reality.

“During an episode, a person may hear voices, see things that are not there, develop false beliefs, experience confused thinking or display unusual behaviour,” the department stated.

The GDoH explained that while some patients will recover from the psychosis when the drug use is treated, others may experience psychosis long after the drugs have left their system and may even progress to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

“The department warns that the risk of developing substance-induced psychosis is influenced by several factors, including the type of substance used, early initiation of substance use, family history of mental illness, previous trauma, severe stress and certain medical conditions.

“In some cases, substances such as cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol and other illicit drugs have been associated with an increased risk of psychosis,” the department said.

The early warning signs of psychosis may include:

• Hearing voices or seeing things that others cannot.
• Holding false beliefs that are disconnected from reality.
• Confused or disorganised thinking.
• Social withdrawal and loss of interest in daily activities.
• Poor personal hygiene and self-care.
• Sudden changes in behaviour, sleep patterns or daily functioning.

“Psychosis commonly develops during late adolescence and early adulthood, with young people particularly vulnerable to substance-related mental health conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve recovery outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term mental illness.

“The department continues to provide comprehensive mental health services across public healthcare facilities. Treatment includes medical care to manage psychotic symptoms, psychological support, assessment and treatment of substance use disorders, as well as referrals to inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programmes,” the GDoH noted.

Family members and communities are encouraged to assist affected individuals and to encourage them to seek professional help.

“Furthermore, the department calls on communities to continue the conversation about substance abuse and mental health. Substance abuse does not only affect physical health; it can also have devastating consequences for mental wellbeing.

“Members of the public who are experiencing symptoms of psychosis or struggling with substance abuse are encouraged to visit their nearest clinic, community health centre or hospital for assessment and appropriate care,” the department said.

South Africa has recently observed Drug Awareness Week, which ran from 24 – 28 June. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a high-level investigation following the attempted assassination of Major General Feroz Khan, who was shot on Sunday evening on 3rd Avenue in Houghton.

This investigation is being led by the Gauteng Hawks, Gauteng Crime Intelligence and the SAPS Detective Service.

The Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has further directed that the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) be incorporated into the investigation to ensure that every possible lead is pursued and that those responsible are brought to book.

Khan was scheduled to appear before the Madlanga Commission on 1 July 2026. 

“While SAPS is aware of public speculation regarding the timing of the attack, it is premature and irresponsible to speculate on any possible motive or to conclude that the incident is linked to his anticipated appearance before the Commission. Detectives will follow evidence wherever it leads.

“The South African Police Service views any attempt to intimidate, silence or attack any individual involved in judicial processes in the most serious light, and any attempt to interfere with the administration of justice or the work of the Commission will be met with the full might of the law,” the police said.

Dimpane has condemned the attack and assured the public that no resource will be spared in identifying, tracing and arresting those responsible. 

“SAPS remains resolute in protecting the rule of law and ensuring that justice prevails,” the police said.

Dimpane has wished Khan a speedy recovery. – SAnews.gov.za

Eskom has crossed an infrastructure milestone, hitting 406 consecutive days without load shedding, even as plummeting winter temperatures drive up power use across the country.

This steady progress is a tangible result of the power utility’s implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan.

“Improved generation availability and reduced unplanned outages are enabling Eskom to consistently meet electricity demand, while maintaining sufficient reserves and operational flexibility to manage changing system conditions across the country. 

“In parallel, targeted interventions within the Distribution network are supporting the ongoing implementation of Eskom’s Load Reduction Elimination Programme, which continues to restore normal supply to affected customers and strengthen network reliability in high-risk areas,” Eskom said.

A key indicator that the power utility is making progress is the sustained improvement in the Energy Availability Factor, which has risen to 63.81% from the 58.31% recorded over the same period last year.

“This reflects sustained progress under Eskom’s turnaround strategy, including a 9.46% improvement [4.8GW] compared to the corresponding period three years ago, driven by a continued reduction in unplanned outages and more consistent, reliable performance across the generation fleet.

“Between 19 and 25 June 2026, average unplanned outages were at 11 259MW, down from 14 801MW over the same period last year, a reduction of 3 543MW, equivalent to the capacity of a large [Lethabo] power station.

“This improvement is further reflected in the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor [UCLF], which improved to 23.63% from 30.86% in the corresponding period last year,” Eskom said.

The power utility also has some 1 550MW in cold reserve due to “excess capacity, providing further assurance of system adequacy”, with diesel expenditure also on a decline.

“For the financial year to date, diesel expenditure stands at R746.41 million, with a load factor of 1.45%, significantly lower than the R4.72 billion incurred over the same period last year at a load factor of 11.45%. This reflects an 84.19% year-on-year reduction in diesel costs, driven by stronger operational performance and a significantly lower reliance on diesel-fired generation.

“This sustained reduction highlights both cost savings and the operational improvements achieved through Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan, contributing to greater efficiency in system operations.

“Eskom’s Winter Outlook, published on 22 April 2026 for the period 1 April to 31 August 2026, continues to project no load shedding, based on sustained improvements delivered through the Generation Recovery Plan,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

Government says it is prepared for the protests planned for 30 June, saying that law enforcement agencies are on high alert.

Speaking at a media briefing by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration on Friday, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, warned that anyone engaging in violence, intimidation or vigilantism would face prosecution.

She said Tuesday “will be a normal day for the country”, despite calls by some anti-immigration groups for nationwide action.

“We are ready as a State to protect every person, citizens and foreign nationals against any form of abuse and intimidation,” the Minister said.

She stressed that enforcing immigration laws remains the responsibility of the State and warned that members of the public are not authorised to demand identification documents or proof of nationality from others.

Blocking access to hospitals, schools and other public services, as well as acts of violence, xenophobia and hate speech, would be dealt with according to the law.

Intelligence-led operations have been intensified across the country ahead of 30 June. 

As of 21 June, police had registered 89 public order and incitement-related criminal cases, up from 53 the previous week. A total of 164 people have been arrested for offences including incitement to violence and contraventions of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, while dozens of cases are already before the courts.

Kubayi said government had engaged major social media platforms to combat the spread of misinformation and online content encouraging violence linked to the planned protests.

Border security has also been strengthened, with additional roadblocks, checkpoints, surveillance technology and military support deployed at key ports of entry.

The IMC reiterated that while government remains committed to tackling irregular migration, it will do so within the Constitution and the rule of law.

“We must not allow anyone to exploit the genuine concerns of South Africans to incite violence, spread misinformation or destabilise our country,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za