Daily Archives: August 17, 2025

Ministers showcase Africa’s multibillion water sector projects for global investors

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17 August 2025

African Ministers of Water have used the AU–Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Water Summit 2025 to highlight the multibillion dollar opportunities in the water sector.

The Ministers presented bulk water projects currently underway in their countries during a ministerial roundtable on how they are de-risking the water sector.

Among the large water projects presented included the construction of dams, climate-resilient financing, and nationwide water supply programmes.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, told delegates that the country presents abundant opportunities for discerning investors, as it has “the highest density of dams in Africa”, with 10 600 dams built to date, creating vast investment potential.

“The new paradigm is that ‘a dam is an economy’,” Masuka said when outlining government’s ‘Infrastructure 6.0’ model, which integrates hydroelectricity generation, irrigation, potable water, fisheries, tourism and wastewater management.

To attract private investors, Masuka said Zimbabwe has developed Special Economic Zones, which are spearheaded by a one-stop investment centre — the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA), working alongside the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to fast track government’s water projects.

“The two institutions, ZIDA and ZINWA, would be able to handle world investors in the water sector to ensure the acceleration of the last mile development of the 10 600 dams. If you are looking for investment, start in Zimbabwe,” the Minister said.

Climate resilient financing strategy

Malawi Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Sidik Mia, said while water is not only a basic human right, but also a strategic asset for resilience, economic growth, and sustainable development, access to water remains a privilege for the “lucky few” across the African continent.

She said Malawi’s Climate Resilient WASH [Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene] Financing Strategy, has assisted the country to shift from “reactive funding to proactive planning”, boosting investor confidence and unlocking new financing.

“The financing strategy is not just a technical document – it is a strategic planning instrument that brings clarity on the financing needs, identifies sources of financing, and aligns investment areas with national priorities, filling the gaps where we need.

“Financing strategies effectively signal government seriousness, readiness, and strategic intent,” Mia said.

Water for all 

In Côte d’Ivoire, Water and Forests Minister Laurent Chagba highlighted the country’s biggest project in the water sector, the ‘Water for All’ programme, valued at 1 320 billion CFA francs (US$2.3 billion).

He said the initiative aims to guarantee fair and sustainable access to drinking water for all populations, both in rural and urban areas. It also integrates water resources management in the context of climate change.

The major achievements of the first phase of the project include strengthening the storage capacity of the country’s economic capital, which is the Autonomous District of Abidjan; the increase in the production of drinking water in 27 regions and departments, as well as the equipment of 200 chiefs from sub-prefectures to people deprived of water supply systems.

The initiative also aims to implement 450 000 social water connections over three years.

“It also [facilitated] the rehabilitation and maintenance of human-powered pumps between 2017 and 2020,” Chagba said.

In the area of water resources, Chagba highlighted the implementation of the Integrated Development and Adaptation Programme for Climate Change in the Niger River Basin, financed by a consortium of donors and led by the African Development Bank.

The programme covers eight regions and an autonomous district, mainly in the northern and central regions of the country.

“This programme illustrates the commitment of the Ivory Coast to making water a lever for sustainable development, social inclusion and climate resilience,” he said.

Ministers including the Senegal Minister of Water and Sanitation, Dr Sheikha Atidi-Anediye; Abdallah Ahmed Balala, Assistant Minister Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability in the UAE, and Dr Engineer Abtamu Ittefa, the Minister of Water and Energy of the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, also took part in the plenary.

The Ministers commended South Africa and the African Union for hosting a successful summit, held in the lead-up to South Africa hosting the G20 Summit in November. – SAnews.gov.za

318 suspects nabbed for various crimes during Operation Shanela

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Picture: Some of the suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

17 August 2025- The police in Northern Cape said fostering of a holistic approach through the execution of Operation Shanela II ensures a unified and cohesive response to criminal activities in the province. The police said multi-disciplinary actions conducted from 11 until 17 August 2025, resulted to in the arrest of 318 perpetrators.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said teams operating in all five districts, inspected numerous liquor outlets for non-compliance to ensure perpetrators face the full might of the law. Ehlers said this led to the closure of 16 unlicensed establishments.

“The concerted interaction with other law enforcement agencies resulted in the searching of 8010 persons and 3717 vehicles at vehicle check points (VCPs) and roadblocks, as well as high visibility patrols conducted across the province.

“In reflection of Women’s Month, Operation Basadi under the umbrella of Operation Shanela II, performed targeted actions across all five districts as part of the province’s coordinated crime combatting strategy to address gender-based violence, extortion, drug related offences, illegal firearms, contact crimes and vehicle related crimes,” she said.

Ehlers further said suspects were arrested for serious crimes, including dealing in drugs, murder and attempted murder, rape and burglary.

“Detectives also conducted tracing operations in search of wanted suspects who failed to make court appearances or for whom warrants of arrests were issued,” said Ehlers.

She added that compliance inspections were conducted at numerous second-hand dealers and liquor premises as well as formal and informal businesses, farms, and scrapyards. Ehlers said during the execution of the operations, police confiscated a significant amount of alcohol, drugs, dangerous weapons, firearms and ammunition and copper cables.

“Ongoing community engagements and awareness programmes focusing on women, children and vulnerable groups were held in conjunction with community policing structures and government departments to address prevalent crime trends, such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV), youth and crime as well as alcohol and substance abuse,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola expressed her sincere appreciation for the forceful collaboration between various government departments and community structures in the successful execution of recent operations. Otola reiterated that heightened and enhanced high-density operations will continue to target crime hotspots in the identified high crime areas across the province.

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ANC LET coordinator, Moreotsile Olifant and co-accused nabbed for alleged fraud

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Picture: ANC LET coordinator in Taung Sun-region, Moreotsile Olifant

By OBAKENG MAJE

17 August 2025- The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation in North West has arrested Malane Abraham Letsapa (45) and ANC Local Election Team (LET) coordinator in Taung Sub-region, Moreotsile Israel Olifant (50) on 16 August 2025, for alleged fraud. Letsapa, who was the Expanded Public Works Programne (EPWP) District Coordinator and Oliphant, the former PR Councillor in the Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality, were arrested in Vryburg and Taung.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the reports indicate that, in December 2020, Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality approved the implementation of the Presidential Stimulus Project (PSP) under the Department of Public Works and Roads’ EPWP. Mathebula said the project was allegedly intended to be rolled out in Matsheng and Tlapeng villages in the Greater Taung Municipality, which involved cutting of trees and grass along the main road leading to and from the two villages.

“It is alleged that the Oliphant facilitated the process of head hunting beneficiaries, while Letsapa processed claims for payment of beneficiaries for a period of three months. Investigation revealed that no services were rendered, resulting in the department suffering a loss of over R87 000.

“The accused made an urgent bail application on 17 August 2025, in the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng and they were granted R2000 bail each. They will appear in Taung Magistrate’s Court on 18 August 2025, on charges of fraud,” he said.

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Banna ba le babedi ba tshwaretswe go utswa kgomo

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Setshwantsho: Kgomo e e utswitsweng/Supplied

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

17 Phatwe 2025- Banna ba le babedi ba di ngwaga di le 42 le 49, ba tshwere mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go utswa kgomo. Sepodisi sa kwa Marydale, gaufi le Kimberley, se tlhalositse fa banna ba, ba ile ba utswa le go bolaya kgomo eo.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa porofenseng ya Kapa Bokone, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers are ka Labotlhano, mongongoregi o ile a itsise sepodisi ka kgomo ya gagwe e utswilweng e be e bolaiwa kwa Koegas. Ehlers are sepodisi se ile sa betsegela kwa lefelong la tiragalo ka gangwe.

“Sepodisi se ile sa fitlhela masaledi a kgomo eo kwa lefelong leo. Dipatlisiso di ile tsa ba lebisa kwa ntlung nngwe kwa ba fitlhetseng babelaelwa ba le babedi gone.

“Bogodu jwa leruo ke tlhoba boroko mo kgaolong ya rona, mme sepodisi se tla tswelela go lwa kgatlhanong le seo. Barui ba kopiwa go latela melawana ya tshireletso go efoga bogodu jwa leruo,” Ehlers wa tlhalosa.

Ehlers are ba ikuela go batho botlhe go ka ba itsise ka bosenyi jo bo diragalang. Are ba ka letsetsa di nomoro tsa 08600 10111 kgotsa ba tla dirisa MySAPS App.

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