Author: Agency

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has encouraged all Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beneficiaries to ensure that they do an identity verification.  In a statement issued on Friday, SASSA Mpumalanga spokesperson Senzeni Ngubeni urged all beneficiaries that are required to go through this process to do so to avoid any delays.  “There is no short cut. All beneficiaries that are required to go through this process, they must do it to avoid delays and disappointment of not receiving the grant. The main reason one would receive a “identity verification” status message is that the agency suspects fraudulent…

Government needs several systems in place to implement the National Health Insurance (NHI), which is aimed at providing universal health coverage. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), is supporting the implementation of the NHI by developing some of the technology required. The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, recently hosted President Cyril Ramaphosa at the CSIR. The President toured various facilities and was given information and demonstrations on several aspects of the CSIR’s work. These included the development of systems to support the NHI,…

Government has called on eligible South African spaza shop owners in townships and rural areas who want to improve, expand, and sustain their shops to apply for assistance with the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF). This as government officially opened applications for the fund aimed at increasing the participation of South African owned spaza shops in the townships and rural areas retail trade sector. READ | Government empowers spaza shops What the support fund seeks to achieve: •    It provides funding, training, business skills development, and technical support to help businesses compete effectively against larger retailers. •    Offers funding of…

The department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, has launched an online platform that allows a proponent intending to submit an application for environmental authorisation to screen their proposed site for any environmental sensitivity. Launched last week by the department’s Minister, Dr Dion George, the platform known as the National Web-Based Environmental Screening Tool, is a geographically based web-enabled application that streamlines environmental approvals, reduces bureaucratic hurdles, and fosters economic growth while protecting the natural heritage. It was gazetted on 5 July 2019 as mandatory for all Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applications in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)…

A 39-year-old cellphone shop owner is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s next week where he will face charges of being in possession of suspected stolen property, said the South African Police Service (SAPS). This as police officers went to a block of flats in Alexandra Road, Bloemfontein. “Upon arrival, they encountered a 39-year-old foreign national who initially denied them entry to his flat. After persuading the suspect to grant access, officers discovered approximately ten large bags containing various brands of cellphones, tablets, and laptops,” the SAPS in the Free State said on Wednesday. Preliminary investigations indicate that a…

Four advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones and 40 body-worn cameras will be deployed for the first time at the country’s ports of entry over the coming Easter long weekend. The drones are equipped with some of the most advanced night vision cameras in the world, including thermal detection technology. Powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the devices are able to recognise and lock onto heat sources, moving people, or vehicles. They can also travel at speeds up to 43 kilometres per hour and are capable of operating in remote rural areas without access to GPS and even underground.…

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala will on Friday have a stakeholder consultation in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, as part of bringing to reality the development of a small harbour in the area. Zikalala will be joined by the Eastern Cape Public Works and Infrastructure MEC, Siphokazi Lusithi, Port St Johns local Municipality Mayor, Cebisa Mazuza and the Eastern Cape Chair of the House of Traditional leaders, Mpumalanga Gwadiso. “Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal and Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape have been identified for small harbour development, which…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as a “South African success story” as the institution marks 80 years since its establishment. The President was delivering remarks at the institution’s headquarters following a tour of the facility on Tuesday afternoon. “Over many decades, the CSIR has been [at the forefront]… of developing groundbreaking technologies and solutions that have profoundly shaped our country’s scientific and industrial progress. “With the advent of democracy in 1994, the CSIR embarked on a trajectory of aligning itself with the values of our Constitution. The CSIR is a true treasure…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a bold, coordinated, and community-driven approach to crime-fighting, describing policing in South Africa as being at a crossroads that demands urgent reform and collaboration from across all sectors of society. The President was delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Policing Summit held in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday. President Ramaphosa applauded the Ministry of Police for convening what he termed a “critical” gathering, which brings together government, civil society, business, interfaith groups, labour, and communities to reshape the country’s safety and security strategy. “Safeguarding our nation’s safety and security requires that we are proactive, innovative…

The Department of Home Affairs has today dismissed six officials with immediate effect for a range of offences, including fraud and corruption. Another six officials were issued with final written warnings. This brings to 33 the total number of officials dismissed since July 2024, as the department intensifies its clean-up campaign. Eight officials have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 18 years, while the criminal prosecution of another 19 officials is underway. The latest dismissals follow from the recent launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum, which has further strengthened coordination between…

The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has unveiled a revitalisation plan for transforming derelict and unsafe inner-city buildings. According the CoJ, the plan aims to turn those buildings into “secure, functional spaces for businesses and families”. “As part of this initiative, the City will rehabilitate buildings that have been declared uninhabitable by the courts, with the objective of leasing them to stimulate urban renewal, attract investment, drive economic growth, and create employment opportunities. “The revitalisation strategy…is spearheaded by the Strategic Projects Unit. It represents a coordinated, long-term approach to reclaiming the inner city, backed by cross-departmental collaboration, clear governance, and active…

South Africa has called on the Group of Twenty (G20) members to support initiatives that develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) in low-resource languages and share data and tools to make this possible. Addressing the Meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group Task Force on AI, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, said there were over 7 000 languages spoken in the world, yet most AI models and digital content is trained on a tiny fraction of these – predominantly English and a handful of others. “We know that AI is only as good as the data and algorithms it is…

In his weekly newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the crucial role of the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals, which were recently passed by Parliament, in driving economic growth and relieving the effects of poverty. The budget – tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in Parliament last month – was passed by Parliament last week. “The 2025 Budget is directed at growing the economy and supporting the livelihoods of our people. “It is a critical instrument to drive development, eradicate poverty and narrow inequality. At a time of constrained economic growth and narrow fiscal space, the budget must direct…

South Africa has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the economic impact of new United States tariffs, focusing on export diversification, value-added production, and strengthening regional trade partnerships. This is after United States President, Donald Trump, announced global reciprocal tariffs on most imported goods, with South Africa facing a 31% tariff increase. “The new tariff regime arising from the decision by the United States of America, which have been directed not only to South Africa, but the entire world, necessitates strategic responses to maintain and grow our industrial base, as a crucial avenue to pursue inclusive growth,” the Minister of…

Gauteng Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, says the province is aiming to secure at least R300 billion in investment pledges at the Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC), to be held in Johannesburg. The MEC was speaking during a media briefing on the state of readiness of the province to host the conference, to be held at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, in Sandton, on 3 April 2025. “Leaders across all tiers of government, including Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, Premier of Gauteng Premier Lesufi, and Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, will provide inputs at the conference. The keynote address will…

Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced that government will pursue private investment for the construction of transmission lines through the Independent Transmission Programme (ITP). The Minister made the announcement of the new programme during a media briefing, held in Pretoria, on Tuesday. During the briefing, Ramokgopa touted the pilot programme for the ITP which will pave the way to the construction of 1 164 kilometres (km) of new transmission lines, designed to support renewable energy projects. “Our renewable energy assets are not fully exploited as a result of the constraints on the transmission side. The Eskom…

Motorists will breathe a sigh of relief from Wednesday as fuel prices are set to come down. The fuel price adjustments – which will bring much needed financial relief to consumers – were announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, on Tuesday. The price adjustments for fuel, paraffin and gas are as follows: •    Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): 58 cent decrease. •    Petrol 95 (ULP &LRP): 72 cent decrease. •    Diesel (0.05% sulphur: 83 cent decrease. •    Diesel (0.005% sulphur): 85 cent decrease. •    Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): 81 cent decrease. •    Single Maximum National Retail Price for illuminating paraffin: R1.14 decrease. •    Maximum LPGas…

The Department of Small Business Development has unveiled a digital platform to support spaza shops and other food-handling facilities as well as combat illegal businesses. The new digital platforms went live on Friday, 28 March 2025, following the announcement by Small Business Development Minister, Stella Ndabeni. DSBD Connect is a digital platform designed to geo-map and support spaza shops and other food-handling facilities, while addressing the proliferation of illegal businesses across South Africa The department said DSBD Connect will function as a comprehensive digital platform, offering: •    A verified database of spaza shops and food-handling facilities in the country. •    Robust business…

While many have been looking forward to the long weekend provided by Human Rights Day, its commemoration should not only provide an opportunity to connect with loved ones but should also inspire the nation to reflect on the gains the country has made. “What is important as we’re about to celebrate Human Rights Day is that we should be a proud nation and country given where we come from,” Deputy Director-General for Court Administration at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD), Lucky Mohalaba told SAnews, in a recent interview with the South African Government news agency. March 2025…

President Cyril Ramaphosa takes a “very strong dim view” of a proposed visit to the United States of America by the Cape Independence Advocacy Group to seek the Western Cape’s secession from South Africa. This according to Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya who addressed the media on Thursday morning. “Our constitutional democracy that we forged in 1994, created a singular, non-racial state that recognises and protects our unity in diversity. From Musina to Cape Town, we are one democratic society that should never be allowed to fall under the chasm of race divide. “There is no part of our beautiful land…

At least six people are expected to appear in court this week in connection with a fraud scheme at the Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga. According to Eskom, the six were arrested last week following a “coordinated intelligence-driven operation” and investigation. “[Six] individuals were arrested for their involvement in a fraudulent procurement scheme at Kusile Power Station. Among those apprehended are a former Kusile Procurement Officer and a Procurement Manager. “Investigations revealed that in 2018, a pump was unlawfully procured for R857 977, despite an identical pump with the same serial number having been purchased in 2015 for only R18…

Government will adjust the excise duties on alcohol and tobacco products at above the expected inflation rate in the 2025/26 financial year. According to the 2025 National Treasury Budget Review document, government is proposing to increase excise duties on alcoholic beverages by 6.75%, while the tobacco excise duties are expected to increase by 4.75% for cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, and electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (“vaping”). The proposed increase for pipe tobacco and cigars is 6.75%. “To ease the administrative burden of implementing adjustments on Budget Day, in future years, adjustments to excise duties will take effect from 1 April.…

Over the next three years, government spending on economic development will be the fastest-growing function at an annual average rate of 8.1%, driven by higher allocations to infrastructure projects. According to the 2025 National Treasury Budget Review, medium-term spending for economic development will grow from R252.4 billion in 2024/25 to R318.4 billion in 2027/28. The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development will expedite the finalisation of outstanding land claims, prioritising older claims.  The department has been allocated R11.6 billion over the medium-term to settle about 844 land restitution claims, with R3 billion earmarked to allocate 138 000 hectares of…

In light of new and persistent spending pressures in health, education, transport and security, government has decided to raise value-added tax (VAT) by 0.5 percentage points in each of the next two years, which will bring VAT to 16% in the 2026/27 financial year. “These have to do with the government properly fulfilling its service delivery mandate. After careful consideration, the government has decided to fund these. Deferring the funding of these sectors further would compromise the government’s ability to meet its constitutional obligations to the people,” Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said on Wednesday. The first 0.5 percentage point…

The South African government will spend more than R1 trillion over the next three years on public infrastructure in a show of government’s commitment to driving economic growth. This is according to Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana who delivered the 2025 Budget speech in Parliament on Wednesday. “[Infrastructure] is a key pillar of our growth strategy. It is the bedrock for economic development, a key source of jobs, and an avenue to scale-up service delivery. “This budget reflects that understanding. Allocations towards capital payments are the fastest growing area of spending by economic classification. Public infrastructure spending over the next…