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The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has dispatched road crash investigators to determine the exact cause of the accident that took the lives of eight people on the N3 in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Eight people lost their lives during a collision between a minibus taxi and a truck on the N3 between Van Reenen and Montrose in Free State on Thursday morning.

The RTMC confirmed that the crash – involving an Isuzu truck and a Toyota Quantum minibus – occurred at approximately 4am.

According to the RTMC, eight people were declared dead at the scene, while five others sustained injuries and were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

“Preliminary information before authorities suggests that the Isuzu truck was travelling towards the direction of KwaZulu-Natal on the N3 when it stopped in the roadway and rolled backwards. The Toyota Quantum minibus, [which was] carrying a trailer, was travelling in the same direction and collided with the rear of the Isuzu truck,” the RTMC said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has taken firm action against a shark longline vessel found to have breached permit conditions – reaffirming government’s commitment to protecting South Africa’s shark populations and restoring integrity in fisheries.

Following an inspection on 25 June 2025, Fishery Control Officers confirmed that the vessel had failed to comply with permit condition 5.1(h), which requires that all sharks, including skates and St Joseph, be landed with heads and fins naturally attached to allow for proper species monitoring.

The skipper was issued with an administrative fine for the offence. 

The department is now finalising further administrative consideration and may take additional measures under section 28 of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998), including suspension or revocation of permits.

This enforcement action forms part of the department’s broader effort to strengthen ocean governance and restore accountability within the sector. 

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said: “The health of our oceans depends on the rule of law being upheld at sea. When we enforce the law, we protect not only sharks and marine ecosystems, but also the livelihoods of honest fishers and the future of our coastal communities. There can be no sustainable economy without accountability.”

He said South Africa’s shark populations are vital to the health of the oceans and the resilience of coastal communities. 

“DFFE is strengthening compliance patrols, investing in enforcement capacity, and working with law-enforcement agencies to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing,” the Minister said.

Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illegal fishing to the Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline at 0800 205 005 or their nearest Fisheries Compliance Office. – SAnews.gov.za

By Dikeledi Molobela

Bern, Switzerland – Aboard a special train gliding through the serene Swiss countryside, President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Karin Keller-Sutter of the Swiss Confederation held a working breakfast with Swiss business leaders – a meeting that symbolised shared economic ambition between the two nations.

The early morning journey from Kehrsatz Station to Uzwil unfolded against a backdrop of breathtaking Swiss landscapes, rolling hills, pristine lakes and quaint villages – setting a picturesque scene for a conversation rooted in trade, investment and innovation.

The engagement, attended by representatives of Switzerland’s leading industries, focused on strengthening economic relations and fostering direct exchanges between South Africa and the Swiss private sector. Discussions highlighted opportunities in industrial modernisation, life sciences, logistics, financial services and skills development.

Delivering remarks on the train, President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to interact directly with Swiss business leaders. 

“It is really a pleasure for us to be on a moving train and having the opportunity to have breakfast and also to have interactions with people in Swiss government and business leaders. We really, truly value this. 

“This is our second day here in Switzerland. This has been a State Visit of note. It’s unprecedented for us to have this extended level of discussions and being exposed to the business community in the presence of the President and other officials in government,” the President said. 

He said the discussions aboard the moving train represented not only a deepening of ties between governments, but also an invitation for the private sector to play a greater role in advancing shared prosperity. 

“So, we really welcome this. We look forward to a wonderful exchange. Some of you are already invested in South Africa and we are here to appeal for you to invest even more. So don’t think that this is a free train ride, we want more investments in South Africa,” the President said. 

Welcoming the delegates aboard the train, President Keller-Sutter echoed the sentiment, describing the gathering as a continuation of the productive engagements that have defined President Ramaphosa’s State Visit. 

“I would like to welcome you to the second day of the South African State Visit. We are really happy to also welcome the delegation from the Swiss economy; some really fine businesses are represented today. We are happy to have an exchange with you, Mr President, along with your delegation.

“We talked about the excellent relationship we have between South Africa and Switzerland. Yesterday we also saw several memoranda of understanding to deepen our relationship in various fields being signed,” she said. 

As the train coursed through the Swiss landscape, the breakfast meeting became a moving symbol of collaboration, one that not only celebrated the friendship between South Africa and Switzerland but also looked ahead to a future of deeper economic engagement and shared growth. – SAnews.gov.za 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) process to select 5 500 police trainees is still underway, with thousands of applicants still undergoing the first step, which is the psychometric and integrity testing assessments. 

According to SAPS, the process is being undertaken in all nine provinces. 

“The multi-phase selection process also entails a physical fitness evaluation, vetting, and a medical examination to ensure that only the most suitable candidates are enlisted.

“It should be noted, while all young people who meet the basic requirements were invited to apply, preference will be given to those who are in possession of a tertiary qualification on the level of NQF 6 and higher as well as those who are in possession of a driver’s licence,” the police said.

On the closing date, 18 July 2025, SAPS received over a million applications, of which 334 765 are graduates who hold qualifications in policing, law, forensic investigation, and other fields of study. 

SAPS advises all applicants who have applied to remain patient, as recruitment teams will communicate with suitable applicants. 

Training is expected to commence in 2026, with the exact date to be confirmed in due course. – SAnews.gov.za

By Dikeledi Molobela

Bern, Switzerland – President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is hopeful of reaching a trade agreement with the United States soon, following ongoing text-based negotiations aimed at addressing the impact of steep tariffs imposed under the Trump administration.

Speaking during a media briefing in Bern, Switzerland, on Wednesday, where he is undertaking a State Visit, President Ramaphosa confirmed that both South Africa and Switzerland have been among the countries hardest hit by the 30% tariffs. 

“Yes, we are two countries (South Africa and Switzerland) that have unfortunately been hit by very high tariffs. I do understand from my discussions with the President that Switzerland is involved in negotiations with the Americans, and so we are now involved in text-based negotiations with them, and we’re hoping that we’ll be able to reach success in or achieve success in our negotiations,” he said. 

The President said the imposition of the tariffs has forced South Africa to re-evaluate its trade strategy and broaden its global partnerships.

“But more importantly, what these tariffs have done is to make us want to diversify our trade reach, and we, as South Africa, have been looking at spreading our trade wings more effectively to other markets,” he said.

He highlighted South Africa’s growing engagement with Southeast Asian nations as part of this diversification effort.

“We’ve just returned from Southeast Asia, where we visited three countries – Vietnam, Indonesia, as well as Malaysia. We have been trading with these countries, but our engagement with them, I believe, will catapult our trade involvement with them to a higher level,” President Ramaphosa explained.

READ | President Ramaphosa calls for enhanced ASEAN-AU cooperation

The President said the same momentum would now be directed towards deepening economic ties with Switzerland, following what he described as a highly successful State Visit focused on trade and investment.

“Similarly, we expect that we will be able to raise trade dealings with Switzerland to a higher level as well, following on this very successful State Visit focused on trade matters, and our various trade departments and economic departments are going to follow through in many ways,” he said.

While acknowledging the negative impact of the tariffs, President Ramaphosa said the development has also opened new avenues for South Africa to explore broader trade partnerships.

“Whilst imposition of tariffs is quite negative, it also opens up opportunities… We should look at it as an opportunity opener, so that we have more trade possibilities with other countries, and certainly in our case, to do so with Switzerland,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za