Author: Tshegofatso Letsie
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has warned that oil prices are likely to rise further if the Middle East conflict continues. He expressed concern about the impact on fuel, which is already expected to increase from 1 April 2026. The surge in prices has been largely linked to attacks on energy infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz, situated between northern Iran and southern United Arab Emirates. These attacks reportedly involve joint actions by the United States and Israel, citing Iran’s alleged nuclear program as a threat to both countries. Speaking at the 5th Annual Southern Africa Oil…
The suspected shooter in the assassination of Marius van der Merwe who testified as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, is expected to appear before the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday. This follows an arrest by a team that was established by National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola in Johannesburg on Saturday. According to Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, more investigations are underway following this breakthrough. “The team is still on the ground where they are busy with a search and seizure operation at various identified addresses of the suspect. The vehicle believed to have been used on the day that…
The rollout of the antiviral medicine used to reduce the risk of HIV, Lenacapavir, has brought hope to the South African government. Deputy President, Paul Mashatile who is also the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), expressed optimism during the first Extended Plenary engagement of the year. The official rollout of Lenacapavir is expected to occur in six provinces between April and June this year, as announced by Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, following its registration with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) in October 2025. The Deputy President acknowledged progress made in the fight…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the commitment to guarantee the full implementation of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry recommendations. He warned that those implicated will not be spared in any shape or form. During a Q&A Session at the National Assembly on Wednesday, the President ordered the formation of a Special Task Team to probe the Commission’s findings and suspend those incriminated at the hearings. He continued to appeal for patience during this period, citing rising pressure of prosecutions from civic organisations, the public as well as political parties. “We keep on reporting and at the Presidency level, we report…
The North West province has recorded a 4.1% decrease in reported crimes during the October–December period of 2025. The Provincial Police released the statistics on Tuesday in Mahikeng alongside the MEC for Public Safety, Wessels Morweng. According to Morweng, a total of 1,110 cases were reported across 17 communities during the period, marking the lowest figure recorded since 2022. He attributed the decline to collaborative efforts through multi-disciplinary crime-fighting operations. “In general, the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year ended on a positive note. This was achieved through intensified crime-prevention initiatives such as Operation Safer Festive Season and Operation…
The responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and social media was at the core of South Africa’s message at the TikTok Safer Internet Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya. Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong attended the Summit where he reiterated the significance of strong ties between South Africa and Kenya especially in advancing digital safety and the integrity of AI systems. Morolong highlighted how the growing reliance on digital networks has shaped government institutions. “For centuries, societies were organised through visible bureaucracies: governments, institutions and administrations. These were slow, human and limited by geography. However, today humanity has…
The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, is adamant that the 7th administration is on course to turn the tide and bring development to the province. He was responding to the State of the Province Address (SOPA) debate at the Provincial Legislature on Tuesday in Mahikeng. Mokgosi began his address by acknowledging some of the government’s shortcomings and the service delivery challenges faced by residents across the province. These include, but are not limited to, water provision, electricity supply, infrastructure challenges, as well as the high unemployment rate. However, he remains confident in the ongoing interventions by various government departments, entities,…
The Department of Home Affairs is hoping to reduce its long queues through a digital partnership model with banks across the country. The live operational phase of this system, which will allow smart ID applications to be made at selected bank branches, was launched over the weekend. According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, this forms part of the department’s digital transformation strategy aimed at improving services. “Instead of forcing people to go to Home Affairs to endure long queues and manual processes, we are using technology, security and efficiency to bring Home Affairs to the people, delivering access, inclusion…
The National Department of Health has reassured the public that sanitary pads sold in the country are safe for use, following concerns sparked by a recent study on the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in some products. The concerns emerged after research conducted by the University of the Free State detected EDCs in several sanitary pad brands, raising alarm among consumers about potential health risks. Speaking during a joint social cluster media briefing in Pretoria, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the findings were not unexpected. He explained that endocrine-disrupting chemicals are commonly found in various manufactured products and only pose…
The Department of Employment and Labour has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening compliance with the adjustment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) in order to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of workers. The revised NMW came into effect on 1 March 2026, increasing from R28.79 to R30.23 per hour. The department has called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the full and effective implementation of the new wage. In a media statement, the department noted that non-compliance remains a significant challenge. “Approximately 40% of employers are still not complying with the minimum wage. This 40–60 split has remained consistent…