MIL Africa Engine

Next week’s Mining Indaba Investment Forum will provide an opportunity for direct engagement between government and investors, with a strong emphasis on strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors. 

This as the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), in partnership with the Departments of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and Water and Sanitation (DWS), will host the joint Mining Indaba Investment Forum at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, in Cape Town on Monday, 9 February 2025.

Held under the theme:  “Building Critical Minerals Value Chains in South Africa”, the high-impact, investor-focused forum aims to showcase South Africa’s critical minerals investment proposition and highlight bankable, investor-ready projects across the value chain.

“Moreover, this is also an opportunity for direct engagement between government and investors, with a strong emphasis on strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors,” said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) on Tuesday.

A high-level panel of Ministers and private-sector representatives will lead discussions on enabling South Africa’s Critical Minerals Strategy, as well as advancing industrialisation, beneficiation and sustainable value-chain development.

The forum will also serve as a platform to position South Africa as a value-adding hub for critical minerals. In addition, it will showcase investor-ready projects and provide an opportunity for global investors to share market perspectives.

“The 2026 Mining Indaba provides an important opportunity to reinforce South Africa’s investment appeal in critical minerals.”

The department said the Indaba remains the world’s largest mining investment conference, drawing governments, global mining companies, original equipment manufacturers, technology firms, financiers, and development institutions. –SAnews.gov.za
 

Police in Kopanong and Parkweg are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect identified as 32-year-old Lloyd Mcdonald Siswe Jacobs, who is wanted for a number of serious offenses, including rape and conspiracy to commit murder.

On Sunday, 11 May 2025, at approximately 14:00, Kopanong police responded to a complaint at Muirfield Flats, North End Street, Navalsig. 

It is alleged that a 35-year-old victim met the man, known to her at the time as “Shane Carson” via Facebook. The suspect invited the victim to his residence for their first date.

​Upon arrival, the suspect allegedly served the victim juice, after which she began to feel physically exhausted and disoriented. 

The suspect then allegedly moved the victim to the bathroom, where he proceeded to rape her. The victim managed to escape the premises after the suspect allowed her to step outside for fresh air.

Following intensive investigations, a warrant of arrest has been issued by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court for Jacobs.

“Investigations reveal that Jacobs utilises social media platforms, specifically Facebook, to lure and target victims under false identities. Furthermore, the suspect is also wanted in connection with a conspiracy to commit murder case, currently being investigated by Parkweg SAPS,” the police said in a statement. 

“The police urges the public to exercise extreme caution when meeting individuals from social media platforms. We are appealing to anyone who may have fallen victim to this suspect, or anyone with information regarding his current whereabouts, to come forward,” the police said.

Members of the public are advised to contact Detective Constable Jessica Du Preez of the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit at 082 527 7287 or call SAPS Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or leave an anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.

​All information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD) has called for public comments on the draft regulations in terms of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024.

“Copies of the draft regulations are available on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development website and in the Government Gazette. Members of the public and interested stakeholders are invited to submit written comments to the Department by 5 March 2026.

“All submissions received will be carefully considered before the regulations are finalised. Once finalised, the proposed limits will be submitted to Parliament for approval prior to coming into effect,” the DJCOD said on Tuesday.

The department explained that the draft regulations propose the “upper limits for the possession and cultivation of cannabis for private use and form part of the ongoing process to implement the Act”.

“In developing the draft regulations, the Minister considered a range of factors, including what may reasonably constitute private use, the number of cannabis plants required to support such use, and relevant international benchmarks.

“The draft regulations also set out administrative and technical processes relating to the expungement of qualifying criminal records,” the DJCOD said.

Constitutional question

Some eight years ago, the Constitutional Court delivered a judgement which found that it is not reasonable and justifiable to criminalise the private use of cannabis by an adult in “an open and democratic society founded on human dignity, equality, and freedom”.

The court also declared that the relevant legislative provisions related to this were constitutionally invalid and South Africa’s law-making body, Parliament, was ordered to effect the necessary amendments.

Subsequently, Parliament gave effect to the judgement by enacting the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024.

“The Act provides a regulatory framework for the use, possession, cultivation and transportation of cannabis for private purposes and makes provision for the expungement of criminal records for persons previously convicted of certain cannabis-related offences.

“While the Constitutional Court did not prescribe specific limits on the quantity of cannabis that may be possessed or cultivated for private use, it left this determination to Parliament,” the department explained.

The judgement by the Constitutional Court paved the way for decriminalisation of the use or possession of cannabis for private use by adults.

Scope 

However, this does not extend to the buying or selling of cannabis.

“Matters relating to the commercial cultivation, buying or selling of cannabis or cannabis products, as well as the recognition of traditional growers, fall outside the scope of the Act and are being addressed by other government departments, including those responsible for Trade, Industry and Competition, Agriculture, and Health,” the department said.

The judgement also does not extend to persons who are under the age of 18.

“The use of cannabis by children remains prohibited, primarily due to medical concerns regarding its impact on the developing brain.

“While the Constitutional Court found in the Centre for Child Law v Director of Public Prosecutions, Johannesburg (CCT 210/21) judgement that criminalising a child for the use or possession of cannabis was not in the child’s best interests, the Act places clear responsibility on adults and criminalises conduct where an adult permits a child to use or possess cannabis or supplies cannabis to a child.

“The draft regulations and the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act are confined to implementing the Constitutional Court decision on the private use of cannabis,” the department emphasised. – SAnews.gov.za

Restoration work is underway in the Kruger National Park following the flood damage sustained last month, says the South African National Parks (SANParks).

The floods caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, tourism facilities, and staff living quarters. 

The park’s H7 Route (Orpen Gate to Satara) is now open to traffic.

“Due to significant flood damage at Nsemani Dam Area, only one lane is currently accessible. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution when passing through this section. Heavy vehicles exceeding eight tonnes are not permitted.

“SANParks is constructing a bypass via the S12 and S40 routes. This bypass will serve as an alternative route during dam repairs and reconstruction, ensuring continued accessibility,” SANParks said.

Furthermore, Tsendze Rustic Camp (near Mopani Rest Camp), Masorini Ruins – a Late Iron Age Site (12kms from Phalaborwa Gate) as well as Mooiplaas (near Mopani Rest Camp) and Babalala (between Punda Maria and Shingwedzi Camps) picnic sites are open as of Monday, 2 February 2026.

Guests are reminded that gravel roads marked with “No Entry” signs must not be accessed under any circumstances. 

Orpen Gate is now accessible for Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs). A quota system will apply to manage traffic flow and ensure visitor safety.

“SANParks acknowledges the inconvenience caused by the floods and appreciates the patience and cooperation of visitors during this period. Our teams are working tirelessly to restore infrastructure and ensure that Kruger National Park remains a safe and enjoyable destination for all.” –SAnews.gov.za

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has advised road users of the temporary lane closure of the two fast lanes on the National Road R21, Section 2 Northbound (km 0.3), at Olifantsfontein.

The lane closure is due to the rehabilitation of a sinkhole and will end on 30 April 2026. 

These closures are necessary to facilitate the rehabilitation and road repair thereafter.

“We advise road users to plan their trips accordingly during this essential sinkhole rehabilitation, adhere to the traffic accommodation signage and the flag persons advanced warnings. 

“It is not only for your own safety but also that of the construction personnel on site. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused and the roads agency remains committed to improving the safety and quality of our national roads,” SANRAL’s Gauteng Provincial Head Progress Hlahla said. –SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has acknowledged challenges currently affecting the province’s Scholar Transport Programme which has resulted in some service providers halting operations and negatively affecting learners.

The halting of operations on Monday also contributed to low attendance at some schools.

The department said it has been actively engaging scholar transport service providers to address outstanding payments and has emphasised its commitment to fulfilling payments of all outstanding invoices.

In a statement on Tuesday, the GDE appealed to service providers to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted transportation of learners under the programme while it works within available financial processes to finalise payments accordingly.

While the matter is being resolved, the department has advised schools to implement appropriate academic recovery measures to ensure that teaching and learning remains on track.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane emphasised that the safety of learners remains a priority. 

“Indeed, safety, access, and well-being of learners remain a priority. We will continue to engage all affected stakeholders and resolve the impasse, and we are confident that these engagements and commitments will enable operators to resume services. 

“We remain committed to collaboration and constructive engagements with our stakeholders in resolving any matters that may arise. To this end, we encourage all our stakeholders to always engage with us on issues they face within the sector,” Chiloane said. – SAnews.gov.za

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has announced an increase in the statutory National Minimum Wage (NMW) for 2026, raising it from R28.79 to R30.23 for each ordinary hour worked.

“The 1st of March 2026 is the date on which this amendment shall become binding. The R1.44 upward adjustment will benefit all workers, including vulnerable farm workers and domestic workers,” the Minister said in a statement on Tuesday. 

Excluded from the NMW increase are workers employed under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Due to EPWP workers being employed under a special dispensation, their adjustment will rise from R15.16 per hour to a minimum wage of R16.62 per hour. 

Workers who have concluded learnership agreements contemplated in section 17 of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998), are entitled to the allowances contained in Schedule 2. The rates on learnerships will be published on the departmental website.

The National Minimum Wage is South Africa’s labour market statutory requirement. The National Minimum Wage Act came into effect in 2019. In terms of the legislation, employers are obligated to pay workers a minimum amount per hour, and the NMW is subject to an annual review.

Any violations of the Act are subject to fines enforced by the inspectorate. The wage is enforced by the Department of Employment and Labour and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

“The NMW is the floor which an employer is legally obligated to remunerate employees for work done. No employee shall be paid below the National Minimum Wage. It cannot be varied by contract, collective agreement or law; and it is also an unfair labour practice for an employer to unilaterally alter hours of work or other conditions of employment in implementing the NMW,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday. 

In terms of the latest NMW adjustments, the rates in the Sectoral Determination for areas and rates, work categories for the Contract Cleaning Sector, as well as those of the Wholesale and Retail Sector, are also made available on the departmental website (www.labour.gov.za).

The NMW Act applies to all workers and their employers except members of the South African National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency and the South African Secret Service.

It also does not apply to a volunteer who is a person who performs work for another person and who does not receive, or is not entitled to receive, any remuneration for his or her service.

The National Minimum Wage does not include allowances such as transport, tools, food or accommodation, payments in kind (board or lodging), tips, bonuses and gifts, among others. – SAnews.gov.za