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Source: Government of South Africa

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has warned parents against fraudsters offering school placements in public schools for the 2026 academic year in exchange for money. 

In a statement on Wednesday, the department said it has noted with concern reports of an individual known as “Godfrey” who is allegedly soliciting bribes from parents in exchange for school placements in Gauteng public schools.

“We would like to categorically state that there is no person by the name of “Godfrey” employed by the GDE in Tshwane, or any of our district offices, who is responsible for placements. Parents are strongly cautioned not to pay anyone who claims they can secure a school placement. 

“Parents must understand that no individual can fast-track the placement process. Those who pay these fraudsters are paying for nothing, as all placements are managed strictly through the official GDE Online Admissions System,” the GDE said. 

The department further cautioned that criminals often take advantage of parents’ anxiety during this period, therefore the public is urged to remain vigilant. 

“Any suspicious activity or individuals claiming to represent the Department should be reported immediately,” the GDE said. 

Placement process update and clarification

The 2026 Online Admissions Placement Period commenced on 16 October 2025, when the department began gradually sending out placement offers to parents and guardians via SMS and through the Online Admissions System.

“We wish to assure all parents and guardians that the placement process is ongoing and offers are still being issued daily. Every applicant with a complete application will receive a placement offer, there are no technical delays. 

“Parents whose applications are still being processed are requested to be patient and wait for their placement offers,” the department said. 

The department said those who have received offers are encouraged to accept them as final. If a parent receives an SMS indicating that their child has been placed in Grade 1 or Grade 8 at a specific school, this will be regarded as a successful placement. There is no need to log into the system to accept such an offer.

Parents who applied to more than one school may accept offers while awaiting others.

“If no further offers are received within seven days of receiving/accepting an offer, it means that all other schools applied to might have reached capacity. The learner will then be placed at the school where the last accepted offer was made,” the department said. 

Placement criteria

Placement offers are determined according to the following criteria, applied in order of priority (not on a first-come, first-served basis):

• Home address within the school’s feeder zone
• Sibling(s) or previous school
• Work address within the school’s feeder zone
• Home address within a 30km radius
• Home address beyond a 30km radius

Placement is also subject to school capacity and the availability of space in schools.

“Applicants who cannot be accommodated at any of the schools they applied to due to capacity constraints will receive transfer offers to the next closest school with available space.

“These transfer offers are only made after confirming that none of the originally applied schools can accommodate the learner. Parents who receive such offers may accept or decline them,” the GDE said. 

Objections and appeals

To ensure fairness and transparency, parents may lodge an objection if they wish to contest a placement outcome:

• To submit an objection, the parent must decline the placement offer and complete the electronic objection form online.
• Objections must be submitted within 7 days of receiving the placement offer.
• Objections are reviewed on merit, and outcomes are communicated within 14 days.
• Parents who are dissatisfied with the objection outcome may appeal online within 7 days.
• Appeals are finalised within 14–21 days, and the outcome is final.

Parents are urged to note that no objection or appeal may be lodged when a placement offer is made at one of the schools originally applied to.

“The Department continues to work tirelessly to place all learners for the 2026 academic year. Parents and guardians are once again reminded to refrain from engaging with any individual who claims to offer placement assistance in exchange for money. 

“All communication from the GDE regarding placement is officially sent to applicants via SMS and the Online Admissions System. Parents are urged to remain patient and vigilant as we finalise the placement of every learner,” Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said. 

For any placement-related enquiries, parents may contact the GDE Contact Centre at 0800 000 789 or visit their nearest district office. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to placing the fight against global inequality at the centre of the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Johannesburg later this month.

Speaking at the handover of the report by the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality at Tuynhuys on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa described the report as a “seminal and rigorous” document that offers a roadmap for addressing one of the world’s most urgent challenges.

“Now, with this report, we have clear actions that we can take as governments, as societies, and as the global community to reduce inequality. It is now up to us, the leaders of the G20 and the leaders of the world, to demonstrate the necessary will and commitment,” he said.

The report, led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz, represents the first comprehensive examination of inequality to be presented to the G20 for consideration. 

“This is the first time that a report of this nature on a matter so fundamental to global stability and human progress is presented for consideration by the G20,” President Ramaphosa said.

He emphasised that inequality is not only a moral issue but a direct threat to democracy, inclusive growth, and global peace. 

“This report, which is a blueprint for greater equality, supports the goal of South Africa’s G20 Presidency to put inequality on the international agenda. It correctly asserts that inequality is a betrayal of people’s dignity, an impediment to inclusive growth and a threat to democracy itself. 

“Addressing inequality is our inescapable generational challenge. We have the means to build a fair, just and equal world. We have the resources to narrow gap between and within countries,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa said the findings and recommendations in the report align with South Africa’s goal as G20 President to ensure that inequality remains a key focus on the global agenda.

He recalled his remarks during the establishment of the Extraordinary Committee in August 2025, when he warned that inequality continues to erode human dignity, citing examples such as vaccine apartheid and the economic fallout of global crises.

“People across the world know how extreme inequality undermines their dignity and chance for a better future. They saw the brutal unfairness of vaccine apartheid, where millions in the Global South were denied the vaccines to save them,” the President said.

The President commended the committee for its work, saying the report provides practical and actionable steps that governments and societies can take to narrow the gap between and within nations.

President Ramaphosa expressed appreciation to Professor Stiglitz, the committee of experts, and supporting organisations such as Oxfam for their contributions to the study.

He said the document will form the foundation for discussions at the upcoming G20 Summit, which South Africa will host for the first time.

“This report provides a solid platform on which to launch a renewed global effort to tackle inequality. I look forward to discussing its findings at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg later this month,” he said.

The Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality was established under South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025 to examine the structural causes of inequality and propose strategies to achieve a fairer global economy. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela says government remains focused on ensuring that traffic signals and road infrastructure function optimally to improve road safety and mobility across the province.

“We are aware of the inconvenience caused by non-functional traffic lights and the impact this has on traffic flow and safety. Our teams are working tirelessly to restore vandalised intersections and strengthen maintenance across the province,” the MEC said on Wednesday.

She said the upcoming procurement of maintenance service providers will significantly improve government’s ability to respond swiftly to faults and prevent prolonged outages. 

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport asserted that it continues to intensify efforts to enhance traffic management and road infrastructure, with significant progress reported on the M43 (Atlas Road) traffic lights in Ekurhuleni and the Rooihuiskraal/N14 off-ramp project in Centurion.

Several intersections along the M43 are currently fully operational, however, inspections have identified that certain intersections were vandalised and remain non-operational. 

Damaged components include power supply units, poles, and copper cables. 

The department is in the process of finalising procurement for the restoration of these intersections, with costs to be confirmed upon completion of this process.

The department further noted that certain intersections along the route fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Ekurhuleni. 

Engagements will be undertaken with the City to ensure coordination and alignment of repair efforts.
Diale-Tlabela also expressed concern about the recurring vandalism and theft of road infrastructure, which continues to undermine service delivery and public safety. 

“Vandalism and cable theft remain some of our biggest challenges, costing the province millions and setting back progress. We urge communities to work with law enforcement and report acts of vandalism so that we can protect these shared public assets and ensure a safer, more efficient transport system for all,” she said.

The department has confirmed that development for the Rooihuiskraal/N14 off-ramp project will proceed as a standalone project.

Procurement for a service provider is planned for Quarter 3 of the 2025/2026 Financial Year. 

“The Rooihuiskraal/N14 off-ramp project is an important investment in improving traffic flow and accessibility in Centurion. It forms part of our broader programme to expand and modernise Gauteng’s road network in support of economic growth and improved connectivity,” the MEC said.

The department said it remains committed to delivering safe, efficient, and reliable road infrastructure across the province. 

“Despite the challenges posed by vandalism and budgetary constraints, efforts continue to restore and maintain critical infrastructure, improve mobility, and advance the province’s transport priorities,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, November 5, 2025