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With the South African Police Service (SAPS) having released Quarter 3 2025/26 crime statistics last week, Cabinet says the national picture painted by these statistics indicates progress, while more work still needs to be done. 

“[With regards to] murder, the downward trend that began in Q1 of 2023/24 has been sustained, with a recorded 8.7% decrease, representing 602 fewer lives lost compared to the same period last year. Over two years, murder for this quarter period has dropped by 17.6%, translating to 1 359 fewer murders,” said Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni at Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing in Pretoria. 

The Minister said double-digit reductions in murder were recorded in five provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and the North West. 

“Smaller decreases [were recorded] in the Western and Eastern Cape, while slight increases were recorded in Limpopo and the Northern Cape. Of the 30 highest-murder precincts nationally, only 15 recorded decreases. 

“This confirms that while national trends improve, targeted community-level intervention remains essential,” she said.

The Minister said Cabinet was very concerned over the notable increase in the murder of police officials in this quarter. 

“Twenty-three officers lost their lives, with approximately 80% killed while off duty,” she said. 

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service has been tasked to make a full assessment to prevent these deaths. 

With regard to crime, Ntshavheni said total contact crime – encompassing all categories of violent crime – decreased by 6.7%, representing 12 682 fewer cases reported to SAPS compared to the same quarter last year. 

“Over two years, total violent crime for this quarter is down 8.3%, or 15 763, fewer cases. This trend is attributable, in part, to enhanced policing operations,” Ntshavheni said. 

With regard to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) report on Home Affairs, Ntshavheni said Cabinet commended the SIU for its work that will assist the department close outstanding gaps and ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.

When President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Proclamation authorising the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of corruption and fraud in the VISA application processes on 16 February 2024, the aim was to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s official documents and the immigration system. 

READ | Government welcomes SIU breakthrough in addressing corruption

“Cabinet also commended the Department of Home Affairs for the progress made in strengthening the country’s immigration system since the initial allegations of fraud and corruption where discovered,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has directed Director-General Sifiso Mdakane to implement precautionary suspension and disciplinary proceedings against a senior Construction Project Management (CPM) Director. 

The director appeared in court on Tuesday on charges of fraud in relation to a multimillion-rand project linked to the Mpumalanga Department of Education. 

The Minister acted after learning that the official had been arrested, alongside others, for allegedly defrauding the Mpumalanga Department of Education of R113 million through a tender established between 2018 and 2019 as an emergency intervention to repair 21 schools in the province.

While the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) was not involved in the tender issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Education, the Minister stressed that all officials within the department must be beyond reproach. 

Macpherson said the precautionary suspension and disciplinary action must be in line with the prescripts of the Public Service Act and regulatory framework, and be both procedurally and substantively fair. 

“… We have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and ethical misconduct within this department. That position is non-negotiable. 

“Upon becoming aware of the official’s arrest and court appearance, I directed the Director-General to implement the precautionary suspension of the official and to initiate the appropriate disciplinary action. 

“Any official implicated in serious criminal allegations, particularly those involving public funds meant for critical infrastructure such as schools, ought not remain in their role, while these processes are underway,” the Minister said, adding that the department will fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities, while internal disciplinary processes will proceed in parallel with the criminal matter.

“There will be no protection for wrongdoing. We owe it to the people of South Africa to act decisively against corruption wherever it arises. 

“Every rand lost to fraud is a rand taken away from classrooms, communities and service delivery. We are committed to strengthening governance, tightening oversight, and ensuring that public infrastructure budgets are used strictly for their intended purpose. 

“Accountability is not optional – it is fundamental to restoring trust and ensuring that infrastructure delivery serves the public, not private interests,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has joined President Cyril Ramaphosa in expressing gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for facilitating the return of 17 South African men, who were recruited to fight on the Russian frontlines in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The South African government, working closely with Russian authorities, secured the safe return of the men, aged between 20 and 39, after distress calls were received from them seeking assistance to come home.

Briefing the media in Pretoria on Thursday following Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed that all 17 men have been released from the contracts they had signed with military contractors.

“Fifteen of the men are back in South Africa, while two remain in Russia, with one in a hospital and the other one is being processed before finalising his travel arrangements,” Ntshavheni said.

President Putin pledged his support during a telephone call with President Ramaphosa on 10 February 2026.

The Presidency said the South African Embassy in Moscow will continue monitoring the individual who remains in hospital until he has fully recovered and is fit to travel.

Ntshavheni said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of the young men into mercenary activities and violations of South African law are ongoing.

Government commends support in Ekapa Mine rescue efforts

Cabinet has also commended mining companies and the Minerals Council South Africa for their assistance during rescue operations following a mud rush accident at the Ekapa Minerals Mine on 17 February 2026.

The incident resulted in five employees being trapped underground.

Ntshavheni reported that all operations at the mine have been suspended, while an intensive rescue operation continues.

“Once the rescue operation is completed, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources will conduct a formal investigation, in line with the Mine Health and Safety Act to determine the cause of the incident,” the Minister said.

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, together with Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul and Sol Plaatje Executive Mayor Martha Bartlett, visited the mine in Kimberley following the accident.

Ntshavheni said a team from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, led by the Chief Inspector of Mines, remains on site to monitor and support the rescue efforts.

“The affected families are receiving ongoing communication. Government’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of the affected employees as rescue efforts continue,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

The key economic milestones reflected in the 2026 Budget indicate that government’s implementation of structural reforms to support economic recovery has strengthened the country’s global standing.

This is due to government’s efforts to promote faster economic growth, anchored on four pillars: maintaining macroeconomic stability, implementing structural reforms, investing in growth-enhancing infrastructure, and building State capacity. 

South Africa’s consolidated budget deficit narrowed to 4.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2025/26, an improvement from 4.8%.

The deficit falls to 4% in 2026/27 and 3.1% the year after.

“Many important things emerged from the Budget Speech yesterday but one truly stood out for me, and I hope it stood out for most of the people… For the first time in 17 years, government debt is stabilising. Never have we been happier to hear the word ‘stabilising’ than we were yesterday. And South Africa has exited the grey list,” Brand South Africa (Brand SA) Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Zama Mkosi, said on Thursday.

According to the budget, gross debt stabilised as a share of GDP in 2025/26, at 78.9%. In 2026/27, it falls further to 77.3% of GDP and declines to 76.5% by 2028/29.

“It is the most important signal that a country sends to its citizens on how public resources are to be utilised. In today’s global environment, where capital is cautious, and competition for investment is intense, credibility matters,” Mkosi said.

She was addressing the post-Budget breakfast in Cape Town, held after the tabling of the 2026 National Budget by the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana. 

“The Budget Speech is about more than just numbers… It is truly a statement of intent. It is a statement of transparency and accountability for public finances, and at the same time, it reflects choices and trade-offs. As we know, it reflects a renewed outlook on South Africa’s reform agenda,” Mkosi said. 

South Africa’s reform agenda is driven by Operation Vulindlela, an initiative focusing on urgent structural changes to accelerate economic growth, stabilise energy supply, fix logistics, and improve municipal service delivery.   

National Treasury’s commitment to a clear reform agenda and a disciplined fiscal strategy has resulted in the stabilsation of public debt, South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist, the first credit rating upgrade in 16 years and the easing of borrowing costs, creating space for growth and development. 

“These [economic milestones] are not abstract technical indicators. They are important signals of restored credibility, renewed confidence, and a country that is truly regaining its economic footing. From a nation-brand perspective, these signals matter.

“How South Africa is perceived internationally and even domestically, affects the cost of capital, investor confidence, and our ability to attract long-term partnerships. 

“It also shapes whether our challenges are seen as permanent or as part of a reform process, rather than as risks that we are not in control of as a country,” she said.

This is a key function for Brand SA. The entity is responsible for building the country’s brand reputation to improve its global competitiveness, with the intention to contribute towards economic growth, job creation, poverty alleviation, and social cohesion by encouraging local and foreign investment, tourism, and trade through the promotion of Brand South Africa.

“This is where Brand South Africa’s mandate becomes relevant. Our role is not just to comment on fiscal detail, but to ensure that South Africa’s progress, reforms, partnerships, and opportunities are clearly understood both domestically and globally. 

“We work to strengthen coherence in how the country is positioned. We are here to amplify the credible progress that has been made and to ensure that confidence is supported by consistent messaging and measurable outcomes.

“Reputation is not built overnight, nor is it sustained by mere rhetoric. It is built through alignment — alignment between policy and implementation, and alignment between ambition and delivery,” Mkosi said. –SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Finance Minister, Dr David Masondo, says the 2026 Budget is redistributive while balancing the need for fiscal discipline.

The Deputy Minister participated in the post-Budget speech breakfast discussion hosted by the National Treasury, in partnership with Brand South Africa and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

National Treasury has hinged the economic growth strategy on four pillars: maintaining macroeconomic stability, implementing structural reforms, investing in growth-enhancing infrastructure, and building state capacity.

These, Masondo said, are aimed at improving the lives of ordinary South Africans in the long run.

“All these things are significantly linked to the interests of the poor. At the end of the day, it’s what impact will this have on the ordinary person in terms of jobs. Without economic growth you can’t have the tax revenue that enables us to do the things that we have to do like education and health.

“This is a redistributive budget in terms of expenditure as 60% of the budget goes to the poor. Those who say we are austere they must look at the facts,” Masondo said.

The Deputy Minister said this year’s budget presents a different case which includes a withdrawal of some R20 billion in tax increases while carefully managing the public purse.

“What is different about this year’s budget is that we have withdrawn the tax increase. It also has to do with the fact that we have been responsible in managing our fiscal policy and that has implications on the cost of capital.

“Investors look at your sovereign risk premium to determine the cost of capital. So they look at how we are managing our deficit, primary budget surplus, economic growth and so forth.

“That matters because with the debt service costs going down…the debt service costs are going to reduce by R10 billion and what that does is that it opens up space for us to spend money on the needs of the poor, for entrepreneurs…capital becomes cheaper. That has huge implications for our ability to raise money for creating jobs and so forth,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za