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Department of Correctional Services (DCS) officials conducted 5 592 search operations at correctional centres nationwide during the festive season– yielding the seizure of some 8 063 cellphones and R102 726.07 in cash.

This according to DCS National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, who briefed the media on the outcomes of the department’s Operation Vala festive season security operations.

Other confiscations include:

• 3 144 sharpened objects.
• 46kg of loose dagga.
• Significant quantities of Mandrax tablets.
• Small quantities of foreign currency as well as R400 in counterfeit South African notes.

Thobakgale noted that last year’s operation was implemented with “renewed approach aimed at increasing impact, effectiveness and accountability”.

“As a result, the 2025/26 Operation Vala represented a decisive shift in intensity, coordination and management oversight. For the first time, the operation was assertively driven at Management Area level, supported by heightened senior management involvement and the expanded deployment of officials.

“This decentralised but coordinated approach enabled more frequent, intelligence-driven and comprehensive searches, significantly strengthening operational outcomes across the system.

“Notably, while the Western Cape conducted the highest number of searches, it yielded relatively low cash recoveries compared to regions such as the Eastern Cape. This disparity highlights differing patterns of illicit activity, including cashless illegal operations and reinforces the importance of intelligence-driven searches,” he said.

No offender escapes were recorded during the Operation Vala period.

“The Department is encouraged by these outcomes, which demonstrate an enhanced institutional capacity to intercept and remove illicit items that threaten safety, security and stability within correctional centres,” he added.

Thobakgale revealed that Operation Vala cumulatively involved 59 310 correctional officials with the operation implemented under “conditions of significant systemic strain”.

“During the festive season, the inmate population exceeded 170 739, far surpassing the Department’s approved bed capacity of approximately 107 067.

“This level of incarceration represents the highest population recorded in recent years, and has placed immense pressure on infrastructure, staffing, security management and budget, compounded by reduced court activity during the period,” he said.

However, the department emphasised its commitment to sustained security in its facilities beyond the festive season.

“Although Operation Vala officially concluded in the month January 2026, the department has not relaxed its security posture.

“The operation has demonstrated improved capability at Management Area level, and this capacity is being maintained and strengthened as part of ongoing, year-round security operations aimed at creating safer, contraband-free correctional environments,” Thobakgale said. – SAnews.gov.za

Police in the Northern Cape have arrested 722 suspects in the past week through Operation Shanela 2, in conjunction with Safer Festive Season operations.

The weekly operation, led by senior managers in the province at district and station level, included vehicle check points (VCPs), roadblocks, stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, tracing of wanted suspects and compliance inspections at formal and informal businesses.

Back to school campaigns continued across the province, where South African Police Service (SAPS) personnel, accompanied by members of the Community Police Forums (CPF) and other officials, visited local schools within their respective policing precincts and addressed learners, educators and parents.

The suspects who were nabbed were arrested for an assortment of crimes raging from dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in alcohol, robbery, murder, rape, assault with intend to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), assault common, burglaries at residential and business premises, theft of and out of motor vehicles, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and contravention of immigration laws.

“The dedication and commitment of the detectives resulted in the tracing and arrest of wanted suspects in all five districts, who have been evading arrest for a range of serious crimes including murder, rape assault GBH and illegal possession of firearms.

“In one incident, the swift action by the Springbok highway patrol members led to the confiscation of a substantial quantity of hydroponic cannabis on Thursday, 30 January 2026.

“Members reacted to information regarding a suspicious package emitting a strong smell of cannabis at a local courier company and responded promptly to the scene.

“Upon inspection, the package was found to contain one large plastic bag, four plastic bags, and one small ziplock bag filled with hydroponic cannabis. The seized drugs has an estimated street value of R105 600,” the police said.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, and her management commended all efforts of all police members and stakeholders in combating crime and upholding the law throughout the province. – SAnews.gov.za

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Narend Singh, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, is today marking World Wetlands Day at the Rondevlei section of the False Bay Nature Reserve — one of South Africa’s internationally recognised RAMSAR sites.

The commemoration is taking place under the global theme: “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”, placing the spotlight on the vital role that indigenous knowledge, local communities and cultural heritage play in protecting wetlands for future generations.

A key highlight of the programme is interaction with the City of Cape Town’s River Wardens, young environmental stewards, who form part of a city-led skills development initiative aimed at strengthening wetland conservation and biodiversity management. The wardens will showcase their work on the ground and share insights into how communities are actively involved in caring for local ecosystems.

False Bay Nature Reserve was designated a RAMSAR site on World Wetlands Day in 2015 after meeting nine international ecological criteria. These include its exceptional biodiversity, the presence of rare and threatened species, and its importance as a habitat for migratory birds.

The River Warden Skills Development Programme was launched on 1 July 2024 through a partnership between the City of Cape Town and Nature Connect. According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the programme targets youth and women from communities surrounding the False Bay, Zandvlei, Edith Stephens and Table Bay Nature Reserves.

The initiative offers participants a three-year conservation stewardship programme, a Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate in Nature Conservation (NQF Level 4), temporary employment and hands-on work experience. To date, 57 participants have benefited from training, mentorship and practical conservation exposure.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on 2 February to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. The day serves as a reminder of the critical role wetlands play in sustaining biodiversity, providing clean water, supporting livelihoods and addressing the urgent need for conservation and sustainable use. – SAnews.gov.za

Eskom’s recovery continues to yield results as the power utility records some 260 days without the implementation of load shedding.

The sustained progress stems from implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan, government’s Energy Action Plan and the improvement in the Energy Availability Factor (EAF).

“Together, these developments are enhancing operational reliability and supporting South Africa’s long-term energy security,” Eskom said in a statement.

According to the electricity provider, the EAF increased to 64.95% between 1 April 2025 to 29 January 2026, underscoring the “progress made in restoring reliability and enhancing system stability.”

“The fleet has now achieved or exceeded the 70% EAF mark on 64 occasions [un-audited figures].

“The improvements in EAF demonstrate both recovery and sustained improvement in EAF performance, reinforcing energy security, grid stability and security of the national electricity supply,” Eskom added.

Unplanned outages have also shown improvement and have decreased from 12 993MW during the period between 23 January and 29 January last year to some 8 362MW during the same period this year – an improvement of 4 630MW.

“Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor [UCLF] reduced to 17.27%, a significant improvement of 9.90% compared to 27.17% recorded during the same period last year.

“During the same period, Eskom’s Planned Capacity Loss Factor [PCLF] – essentially planned maintenance – averaged 10.46%, compared to 15.82% in the previous financial year.

“This reduction is consistent with Eskom’s maintenance schedule and reflects our strategy to enhance plant reliability, strengthen operational stability and support long-term fleet performance,” the power utility said.

Improvements in the EAF have allowed Eskom to decrease reliance on diesel generation with expenditure on the costly fuel remaining below budget in the year to date.

“After five consecutive weeks with no diesel expenditure for Open-Cycle Gas Turbines [OCGT] operations, diesel spend of R1.61 million was recorded [last] week, with 0.285GWh of associated energy send-out.

“Despite this, the total diesel expenditure remains R4.26 billion lower than at the same point last year. This sustained reduction reflects both significant cost savings and ongoing improvements in operational performance driven by Eskom’s turnaround initiatives. Overall, the trend underscores the increasing stability, efficiency and resilience of the power system,” Eskom noted.

Some 2 200MW of generation capacity is expected to be brought online this week. – SAnews.gov.za