Government welcomes arrest of officials involved in R1mln fraud case

Source: Government of South Africa

Government welcomes arrest of officials involved in R1mln fraud case

Government has welcomed the arrest of three senior officials from the Department of Health in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of theft and fraud involving a tender worth more than R1 million.

“The fight against corruption remains an apex priority for government as part of its commitment to building a safer, ethical and corruption-free South Africa,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Monday.

It’s alleged that in 2023, more than R1 million was unduly awarded to a service provider in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

The three – aged 67, 46, and 55 – were arrested by members of the Hawks’ National Serious Corruption Investigation unit. 

They will soon appear in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court following an in-depth investigation launched in April 2024.

The company of one of the suspects is also charged as the fifth juristic person, as the monies were paid to the company.

The fourth suspect, the service provider, and her company are yet to be arrested.

As the matter is under active investigation by the Hawks, no further details can be disclosed at this stage.

“[The arrests] aligns with the 2026 State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa in which he underscored the need to intensify efforts against organised crime and systemic corruption, identifying these as critical threats to democracy and economic stability.

“Government further emphasises that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and urges the public to allow the investigative and judicial processes to proceed without interference,” the GCIS said.

Members of the public are urged to report corruption and fraud anonymously via the National Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701 (toll free number) or email: integrity@publicservicecorruptionhotline.org.za. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle

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Weather Outlook: 2 – 8 March 2026

Source: Government of South Africa

Weather Outlook: 2 – 8 March 2026

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has advised that parts of the country will experience isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers this week.

These weather conditions will affect the North West, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

“South Africa will this week experience a surface trough that will dominate the western interior, with a high-pressure system continuing to ridge over the eastern areas of the country throughout the week.

“The South African Weather Service will continue to monitor the weather conditions and issue severe weather warnings when the need arises.”

This week’s weather conditions are as follows:

  • Monday: Cloudy and cool conditions will persist over the eastern parts of the country, with scattered to widespread rain and thundershowers. Otherwise, the weather will be partly cloudy and warm. Severe thunderstorms are possible from the afternoon over Limpopo and Mpumalanga. 
  • Tuesday: Cloudy and cool conditions will persist over the eastern parts of the country, with scattered to widespread rain and thundershowers possible over Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal into the afternoon. Otherwise, partly cloudy and warm conditions are expected with isolated showers and thundershowers over the North West, Gauteng and Free State.

Possible flooding due to heavy downpours:

  • Monday: low to medium chance (40 – 60% ): Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
  • Tuesday: low to medium chance (40 – 60%): Limpopo (South western regions) and eastern parts of the North West.
  • Wednesday: Low (40%) chance: Northern Cape and escarpment of Mpumalanga.
  • Thursday: Low to medium chance (40 – 60%): Northern Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape, and eastern parts of the Western Cape.
  • Friday: Medium chance (60%): Free State, North West, Gauteng, eastern half of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo(southern parts) and Mpumalanga.
  • Saturday: Low to medium chance (40 – 60%): Gauteng, North West, KwaZulu-Natal (especially the northern parts), Mpumalanga, Free State and Limpopo.
  • Sunday: Low to medium chance (40 – 60%): Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

Possible severe thunderstorms:

  • Monday: low to medium chance (40 – 60%): Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
  • Tuesday: low to medium chance (40 – 60%): Limpopo (South western regions) and eastern parts of the North West.
  • Wednesday: Low chance (40%): Northern Cape and escarpment of Mpumalanga.
  • Thursday: Low to medium chance (40 -60%): Northern Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape and eastern parts of the Western Cape. 
  • Friday: Medium chance (60%): Free State, North West, Gauteng, eastern half of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo(southern parts) and Mpumalanga.
  • Saturday: Low to medium chance (40 – 60%): Gauteng, North West, KwaZulu-Natal (especially the northern parts), Mpumalanga, Free State and Limpopo. 
  • Sunday: Low to medium chance (40 – 60%): Limpopo and Mpumalanga. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle

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Airport robber allegedly linked to 42 cases arrested

Source: Government of South Africa

Airport robber allegedly linked to 42 cases arrested

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested a 64-year-old man who is allegedly linked to 42 cases of armed robberies that date as far back as 1998.

The arrest by the police at OR Tambo International Airport follows an armed robbery of three high-ranking senior police officials from one of the African countries.

Three senior officers were making their way to the airport in an e-hailing service on Saturday afternoon when the vehicle they were travelling in was pulled over by four men travelling in a silver Suzuki Swift.

Once the e-hailing driver had pulled over on the side of the R24, the men posed as police officers and thereafter robbed the police general and two other officers of money, watches, and cellphones.

Within a few hours, police traced the vehicle and arrested the serial robber. Police have impounded the vehicle. 

The Suzuki Swift has reportedly been used numerous times in the commission of crimes on the R24 near the Barbara off-ramp towards OR Tambo International Airport.

“During the investigation, police found that the serial robber has 42 other cases where he was arrested and charged for armed robbery, the possession of an unlicensed firearm, fraud, and impersonating a police officer. These cases date as far back as 1998,”  SAPS said.

Police believe they have broken the back of a syndicate operating at the airport.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 03 March 2026.

Police are searching for three other suspects involved in this crime. –SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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Hawks arrest three suspects for fraud, theft

Source: Government of South Africa

Hawks arrest three suspects for fraud, theft

The Hawks’ National Serious Corruption Investigation unit arrested three suspects this morning after warrants for their arrest were executed for fraud and theft in pursuance of common cause.

The three suspects, aged 67, 46, and 55, are set to appear in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

The arrests followed an in-depth investigation launched in April 2024 after it was alleged that in 2023 over R1 million was unduly awarded to a service provider in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, the Hawks said in a statement. 

The company of one of the suspects is also charged as the fifth juristic person as the monies were paid to the company. 

A fourth suspect, the service provider and her company are yet to be arrested. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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La République Centrafricaine a lancé un projet de numérisation de très grande qualité

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

  • Numérisation complète des processus dans tout le Ministère de l’Economie, du Plan et de la Coopération Internationale ;
  • Réduction des temps de traitement d’environ 70 % ;
  • Économies potentielles allant jusqu’à 30 % sur les frais administratifs ;
  • La base de données centrale pour tous les projets gouvernementaux, internationaux et humanitaires ;
  • Comble les lacunes d’information et augmente l’efficacité du service administratif ;
  • Prof. Richard Filakota se démarque comme « Pionnier de la modernisation administrative numérique en République Centrafricaine »

Une étape historique dans la modernisation de l’administration publique de la République Centrafricaine. Avec le lancement officiel de la plateforme numérique Dûnîa, un ministère entier a été entièrement numérisé pour la première fois – tant en termes de processus internes que de coopération avec des partenaires externes.

La plateforme a été développée pour le compte du ministère de l‘ Economie, du Plan et de la Coopération internationale (MEPCI) et marque un changement structurel unique dans la gouvernance de la politique économique, de la planification du développement et des partenariats internationaux.

Le lancement officiel de cette Plateforme a eu lieu le 23 février 2026 sous le patronage du Président de la République, Chef de l’Etat, le Professeur Faustin Archange Touadera, et s’inscrit sous la bannière du Plan National de Développement (PND- 2024-2028).

« Dûnîa est bien plus qu’un simple projet de gouvernement à vocation électronique. Il s’agit d’une plateforme numérique intégrée, modulaire et évolutive qui cartographie tous les processus administratifs, opérationnels et stratégiques du ministère. Un levier stratégique pour le développement et la numérisation – et un élément important de notre programme Ambition28 », déclare le Professeur Richard Filakota, Ministre de l’Économie, du Plan et de la Coopération Internationale.

Sur la plateforme, tous les processus de gestion des Ressources Humaines et de budget du ministère de l‘Economie sont automatisés : la gestion documentaire est gérée entièrement électroniquement, la gestion de projet est centralisée numériquement, les analyses macroéconomiques sont modélisées sur la base des données et le financement international est suivi de manière transparente. La plateforme repose sur une architecture de microservices open source avec une grande résilience (disponibilité de 99,8 %), une structure de données chiffrée et une interopérabilité des API.

Gains concrets en efficacité et transparence

La numérisation apporte des améliorations mesurables. Les délais de traitement administratif sont réduits jusqu’à 70 %. Environ 40 % des ressources humaines pourront être utilisées pour des tâches à valeur ajoutée à l’avenir. En cas de coûts administratifs récurrents, un potentiel d’économies allant jusqu’à 30 % est prévu.

De plus, tous les processus seront entièrement traçables numériquement à l’avenir afin de minimiser les risques de corruption. Après tout, le reporting est réalisé conformément aux normes internationales – et de manière automatisée.

Le nouveau registre central des projets est particulièrement important, qui regroupe pour la première fois tous les projets gouvernementaux, internationaux et humanitaires dans une base de données commune. Cela réduit les lacunes d’information et évite les structures en double – une étape importante vers une utilisation plus efficace des fonds de développement international.

Gouvernance numérique de plus de 9 milliards de dollars de financement du développement

La plateforme soutient directement la mise en œuvre du Plan National de Développement 2024–2028, pour lequel plus de 9 milliards de dollars USD ont été mobilisés dans le cadre de la Table Ronde des investisseurs internationaux qui a lieu à Casablanca en septembre 2025.

En regroupant et en coordonnant numériquement tous les projets, les chevauchements peuvent être réduits et un potentiel d’économie de 15 à 20 % peut être réalisé. De plus, les sorties de fonds sont accélérées, les analyses d’impact sont améliorées et les déséquilibres territoriaux sont compensés. Cela fait de la numérisation l’instrument central d’une gestion efficace du développement.

Le développement et la mise en œuvre de Dûnîa sont réalisés en partenariat avec la société technologique centrafricaine EDEN TiiiT, dirigée par monsieur Cédric PIDJOU qui a préfinancé les phases précédentes du projet à partir de ses propres fonds.

« Ce modèle souligne le rôle croissant du secteur privé local dans la transformation numérique du pays et envoie un signal fort aux partenaires et investisseurs internationaux », déclare le Professeur Richard Filakota. « Avec Dûnîa, la République Centrafricaine se positionne comme un pionnier de la modernisation administrative numérique. Un modèle de souveraineté numérique d’un pays ! »

Cette plateforme renforce la capacité d’action de l’État, augmente la transparence et la responsabilité et crée les bases d’une élaboration de politiques fondées sur des preuves. La numérisation du ministère n’est donc pas seulement une étape technologique, mais aussi une pierre angulaire stratégique pour une croissance durable, la stabilité institutionnelle et un partenariat international.

Le nom Dûnîa signifie « le monde, l’univers, un lieu avec un nombre infini de solutions » en sango, la langue locale. Elle a été choisie pour symboliser l’ouverture de la RCA au monde, son repositionnement parmi les pays à fort potentiel numérique, et l’accélération de sa croissance économique grâce à un nombre infini de solutions innovantes.

Distribué par APO Group pour Ambition28.

Contact médias :
Ambition28
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E-mail : media@ambition-journal.org

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The Central African Republic has launched a high-quality digitization project

Source: APO

  • Complete digitization of processes throughout the Ministry of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation
  • Reduction of processing times by approximately 70%
  • Potential savings of up to 30% on administrative costs
  • The central database for all governmental, international and humanitarian projects
  • Fills information gaps and increases the efficiency of the administrative department
  • Prof. Richard Filakota stands out as “Pioneer of digital administrative modernization in the Central African Republic”

A historic step in the modernization of the Central African Republic’s public administration. With the official launch of the Dûnîa digital platform, an entire ministry was fully digitized for the first time – both in terms of internal processes and cooperation with external partners.

The platform was developed on behalf of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation (MEPCI) and marks a unique structural shift in the governance of economic policy, development planning and international partnerships.

The official launch of this Platform took place on February 23, 2026 under the patronage of the President of the Republic, Head of State, Professor Faustin Archange Touadera, and is under the banner of the National Development Plan (NDP-2024-2028).

“Dûnîa is much more than just an e-government project. It is an integrated, modular and scalable digital platform that maps all of the ministry’s administrative, operational and strategic processes. A strategic lever for development and digitalisation – and an important element of our Ambition28 programme,” says Professor Richard Filakota, Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation.

On the platform, all HR and budget management processes of the Ministry of the Economy are automated: document management is managed entirely electronically, project management is digitally centralized, macroeconomic analyses are modeled based on data and international funding is tracked transparently. The platform is built on an open-source microservices architecture with high resiliency (99.8% availability), encrypted data structure, and API interoperability.

Concrete gains in efficiency and transparency

Digitalization brings measurable improvements. Administrative processing times are reduced by up to 70%. Around 40% of human resources can be used for value-added tasks in the future. In the case of recurring administrative costs, a potential savings of up to 30% is expected.

In addition, all processes will be fully digitally traceable in the future to minimize the risk of corruption. After all, reporting is carried out in accordance with international standards – and in an automated way.

Of particular importance is the new central project register, which for the first time brings together all governmental, international and humanitarian projects in a common database. This reduces information gaps and avoids duplication of structures – an important step towards making more effective use of international development funds.

Digital governance of more than $9 billion in development finance

The platform directly supports the implementation of the National Development Plan 2024–2028, for which more than USD 9 billion has been mobilized as part of the International Investors Roundtable held in Casablanca in September 2025.

By grouping and digitally coordinating all projects, overlaps can be reduced and a potential savings of 15 to 20 percent can be realized. In addition, outflows of funds are accelerated, impact assessments are improved and territorial imbalances are compensated. This makes digitalization the central instrument for effective development management.

The development and implementation of Dûnîa is carried out in partnership with the Central African technology company EDEN TiiiT, led by Cédric PIDJOU who pre-financed the previous phases of the project from his own funds.

“This model underlines the growing role of the local private sector in the country’s digital transformation and sends a strong signal to international partners and investors,” says Professor Richard Filakota. “With Dûnîa, the Central African Republic is positioning itself as a pioneer in digital administrative modernization. A model of digital sovereignty for a country! »

This platform strengthens the state’s capacity for action, increases transparency and accountability, and creates the basis for evidence-based policymaking. The digitalization of the Ministry is therefore not only a technological step, but also a strategic cornerstone for sustainable growth, institutional stability and international partnership.

The name Dûnîa means “the world, the universe, a place with an infinite number of solutions” in Sango, the local language. It was chosen to symbolize the opening of the CAR to the world, its repositioning among the countries with high digital potential, and the acceleration of its economic growth thanks to an infinite number of innovative solutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ambition28.

Media Contact:
Ambition28 
Media Team 
Mobile: +49 179 1372169 
E-Mail: media@ambition-journal.org 

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Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Bangladeshi Foreign Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | March 02, 2026

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received a phone call on Monday from HE Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Dr. Khalilur Rahman.

During the call, the two sides reviewed developments in the military escalation in the region and its serious implications for regional and international security and stability as well as ways to resolve all disputes through peaceful ways.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs emphasized during the call that the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles constitutes a blatant violation of its national sovereignty, is inconsistent with the principles of good neighborliness, stressing that it cannot be accepted under any pretext.

He pointed out that the State of Qatar has consistently sought to stay out of regional conflicts and has worked to facilitate dialogue between the Iranian side and the international community. However, the renewed targeting of its territory does not reflect good intentions and threatens the foundations of understanding upon which bilateral relations are based.

He further stressed the necessity of an immediate halt to all escalation, a return to dialogue, predominance of reason and wisdom, and working to contain the crisis in a manner that preserves regional security.

For his part, HE the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister expressed his country’s condemnation of Iranian missile attack on Qatari territory, describing it as a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, airspace and international law, as well as the Charter of the United Nations.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Receives Calls from Paraguay and Azerbaijan Officials

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | March 02, 2026

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, received two phone calls on Sunday from senior officials from Paraguay and Azerbaijan.
HE Al Muraikhi spoke with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Paraguay, Ruben Ramirez Lezcano and HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Yalchin Rafiyev.
The talks reviewed the recent military escalation in the region and its serious repercussions for regional and international security, as well as ways to resolve disputes through peaceful means.
HE Al Muraikhi stressed that the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles constitutes a blatant violation of Qatar’s national sovereignty, contradicts principles of good neighborliness, and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
He noted that Qatar has consistently sought to distance itself from regional conflicts and to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the international community, but that renewed attacks on its territory reflect a lack of good faith and threaten the foundations of bilateral understandings.
He also underscored the need for an immediate halt to any escalatory actions, a return to dialogue, the prioritization of reason and wisdom, and efforts to contain the crisis in a way that preserves regional security.
For their part, the Foreign Minister of Paraguay and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan expressed their countries’ condemnation of the Iranian missile attack on Qatari territory, describing it as a clear violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Dutch FM

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | March 02, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received on Sunday a phone call from HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Tom Berendsen.
The call discussed the developments of the military escalation in the region and its serious repercussions on regional and international security and stability, as well as ways to resolve all disputes through peaceful means.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that targeting Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles constitutes a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty, contradicts the principles of good neighborliness, and cannot be accepted under any justification or pretext.
In this context, he pointed out that the State of Qatar has always been keen to distance itself from regional conflicts and has sought to facilitate dialogue between the Iranian side and the international community. However, he added, the renewed targeting of its territory does not reflect good faith and threatens the foundation of understandings upon which bilateral relations between the two countries were built.
His Excellency also emphasized the need for an immediate halt to any escalatory actions, a return to the negotiating table, prioritizing reason and wisdom, and working to contain the crisis in a way that preserves the security of the region.
In turn, HE the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs voiced the Netherlands’ condemnation of the Iranian missile attack on Qatari territory, considering it a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the Charter of the United Nations.

Qatar Strongly Condemns Iranian Attacks on Duqm Port in Oman and Oil Tanker Off Its Coast

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | March 01, 2026 

The State of Qatar strongly condemns the Iranian attacks that targeted the commercial port of Duqm in the sisterly Sultanate of Oman and an oil tanker off its coast.

Qatar describes the attacks as a violation of the Sultanate’s sovereignty, an unacceptable escalation, and a cowardly targeting of a country playing an active mediating role between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the international community to defuse the crisis and promote constructive dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms Qatar’s full solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman in all measures it takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and stability.