Committee welcomes SIU briefing  

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

15 May 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development yesterday was briefed by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on various investigations and their outcomes relating to land reform and rural development, and also considered and adopted its budget vote report. The committee welcomed the SIU briefing and the progress achieved.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Albert Mncwango said the SIU reported that the rand value of matters referred to it or the defence/opposition of civil proceedings is R650m, while the potential cash and/or assets to be recovered amounts to approximately R563m. Mncwango said the committee noted that the SIU has recovered actual cash and/or assets to the value of R306m.

“While the investigations are still ongoing, the committee asked for regular briefings from the SIU, as 68 cases against officials and/or executives have been referred for disciplinary action and 611 cases have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

“Thereafter, the committee deliberated on its budget vote report and noted the budget shift away from core land reform,” he said.

Mncwango further said the committee noted that the 2026/27 budget has decreased slightly overall, but the main concern is a real cut in the budget to land reform and restitution, while the rural development and administration budget has increased. He added that the committee warned that this weakens the department’s core mandate.

“The committee also aired its frustrations that land reform targets remain too low and too slow. The department’s planned land redistribution and restitution targets are far below national goals, with weak post-settlement support and serious concerns about whether current funding and delivery capacity can meaningfully change land ownership patterns.

“The committee noted that major implementation and capacity problems persist. High vacancy rates, acting posts, weak coordination, delayed digital systems and institutional instability are repeatedly flagged as risks across the department and its entities,” said Mncwango.

He said labour tenant backlogs are a critical pressure point for the department. Mncwango said about 8000 labour tenant cases remain outstanding, with most of them likely to go through lengthy court processes, with inadequate systems, staffing and planning alignment slowing progress.

“The committee noted that the plans broadly align with government priorities. However, the committee noted that stronger funding, clearer implementation plans, tighter oversight and faster appointments are urgently needed if outcomes are to improve. 

“The committee adopted its budget vote report. It also noted the absence of the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development at its meetings and will write to the Minister for an explanation of his absences,” said Mncwango.

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ACF describes Ramaphosa as ‘weak’ president

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Picture: Axed Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

15 May 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996, removed Minister Sisisi Tolashe from the position of Minister of Social Development. In the interim, Ramaphosa has appointed Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga as the acting minister in the portfolio pending a full-time appointment in due course.

However, Activists and Citizens Forum spokesperson, Dennis Bloem said Ramaphosa cannot expect them to applaud and praise him for firing Tolashe. Bloem said Tolashe’s exiting was long overdue.

“One cannot sit with a corrupt Minister in Cabinet for so long. Firing Tolashe from Cabinet and still sitting in the benches of Parliament earning a fat salary with all parliamentary privileges.

“Tolashe must be fired from Parliament and according to us she must go to jail. She is a disgrace. On countless occasions, Ramaphosa is a spineless President who is indecisive,” he said.

He further said Ramaphosa cannot take decisions on his own. Bloem added that people should look at the disgraceful situation of suspended Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu who is sitting at home and enjoying taxpayers’ money.

“Ramaphosa refused to fire him – weak leadership. We are calling upon the criminal justice system to speed up the process of arresting Tolashe on the criminal charges that different citizens have opened against her. She must face the full might of the law. She has disgustingly abused her position as a Minister,” said Bloem.

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A case against Masemola and co-accused postponed

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Picture: Suspended National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola in court

By REGINALD KANYANE

15 May 2026 – The suspended National Police Commissioner, General Fanie Masemola, joined Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and 16 others at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on four charges relating to the alleged irregular awarding of a contract to Medicare 24 Tshwane District. The matter was postponed to 26 June 2026, for further investigations and to disclose the docket to the accused.

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the consultations with Matlala have been concluded, however, new information has emerged from these consultations compelling further investigation by the state. Mamothame said the state committed to disclose the docket to the accused by 26 June 2026 and to amend the charge sheet following the inclusion of Masemola in the matter.

“A request by Matlala’s attorney to have him kept at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility for the second phase of consultations to unfold and be completed timeously was granted.

“Their charges are linked to the alleged irregular awarding of a contract, valued at approximately R228 million, to Medicare 24, a company owned by Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala,” he said.

Mamothame further said Masemola is facing four charges of Contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PMFA), while Matlala and others are facing charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering.

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Morweng applauds police on drug lab bust  

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Picture: Some of suspects arrested/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

15 May 2026 – The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng has commended the police for swift response in shutting down the multi-million rands drug manufacturing operation in Swartruggens. Morweng said the community inadvertently reported the drug manufacturing operation to the police as a result of a pungent smell coming from a farm operating as a game farm.

He further said this led the police to seize crystal meth estimated at street value of around R250 million and some gold bearing material. Morweng added that eleven suspects, ten men and one woman were subsequently arrested.

“They are categorized as three South Africans, two Mozambicans, one Zimbabweans and 5 Spanish speaking suspects whose nationality is still to be determined though police suspect them to be Mexicans.

“We laud men and women in blue especially in light of the recent successes on clamping criminality in the province. We seek to outroot drug manufacturing plants and this success suggests we are going somewhere in making it difficult for criminals,” he said.

Morweng said with these arrests, they have definitely disturbed and interrupted their value chain. He said the success comes as a result of community intelligence and the swift response of the police after being alerted about this illicit operation.

“As a public representative, we are delighted and from the department point of view, we will continue to strengthen and improve the working relationship between the police and communities of the North West.

“We implore communities to continue reporting any suspicious activities to the police. We continue to encourage everyone to be the ears and eyes of the police in all our streets so that we can create a safe and secure environment for all citizens,” said Morweng.

The suspects are expected to appear before Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court today.

Convenor of the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) Provincial Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said the recent drug bust has exposed another massive operation that relied on obscurity, while it supplied drugs that are destroying the future and lives of mostly youth to a wider network.

“While are encouraged that there still exists capacity within the SAPS to mount such a thorough investigation by dedicated police officers, we can only celebrate the successful arrests when all the mastermind/s behind the drug cartel that must have been supported by sophisticated logistics to move the drugs around are completely dismantled.

“The intelligence-driven operation that resulted in the successful dismantling of the drug lab and the arrest of the suspects was executed by the National Head Office Crime Intelligence, National Head Office Organised Crime Investigations and a National team from the DPCI,” he said.

Meanwhile, the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) spokesperson in Bojanala Region, Kgositsile Mahlaba said: “We would like to applaud the police for the excellent work done in tracking down and busting a huge multi-national criminal drug network in Swartruggens. As the ANCYL, we have consistently raised the alarm nationally on the drug pandemic destroying our communities.

“We have called on the ANC-led government to invest more

resources into policing and ensure swift, decisive action against those who think our country is a playground for criminals.”

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Accessibility restored on Z612 road

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Picture: Roads affected by floods/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

15 May 2026 – The North West Department of Public Works and Roads said it wishes to assure affected communities in Klipvoor, near Madibeng and Moretele that interventions are currently underway to restore accessibility on Z612 road between GaRasai and Klipvoor following extensive damage caused by recent heavy rains and flooding.

The North West Department of Public Works and Roads acting spokesperson, Bayanda Zenzile said the persistent rainfall experienced in recent weeks has rendered sections of the road severely inaccessible due to the formation of dongas, excessive mud and water ponding, resulting in disruptions to public transport, schooling, and daily economic activities within the affected communities. Zenzile said in response to the situation, the department has deployed internal yellow fleet and personnel to the area as part of ongoing disaster relief interventions.

“A TLB and tipper truck are currently operating on site between GaRasai and Klipvoor, where teams are creating a temporary bypass to restore movement and improve accessibility for motorists and local communities.

“Furthermore, an excavator will be mobilised to construct drainage channels aimed at removing stagnant water from the road surface and addressing stormwater challenges contributing to the deterioration of the road,” she said.

Zenzile further said interventions will include the installation of stormwater pipes, as well as spot re-gravelling on affected sections of the road. She added that the department acknowledges the frustrations experienced by residents, learners, workers, and public transport operators due to the prolonged inaccessibility of the route.

“The department remains committed to fulfilling its mandate of providing safe, accessible, and reliable road infrastructure for all residents of the province,” said Zenzile.

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Grade 12 learners commence with second chance matric examinations

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By OBAKENG MAJE

15 May 2026 – The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi has extended her best wishes to candidates who are currently writing the second chance matric. Motsumi said the 2026 May/June National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Senior Certificate (SC) examinations commenced on Monday.

She further said these examinations follow the deadline of registration, which was scheduled for 6 February 2026. Motsumi added that this programme is mainly targeted at those candidates who did not pass in earlier years or those seeking to increase their marks.

“The results are expected to be released in August 2026. I would like to further commend all candidates for their continued dedication and commitment to furthering their education despite previous backlogs.

“I wish you all the best during this examination period. Your perseverance and dedication strongly show courage and more commitment in building a brighter future for yourselves. We appreciate the second chance matric programme because it gives candidates a genuine second chance to improve their matric results,” she said.

Motsumi said her department will concurrently start preparations for the 2026 Mid Term (NSC) National Senior Certificate (matric) examinations scheduled to take place from 8 June 2026 following the conclusion of the May/June examinations.

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R100m drug lab bust in Swartruggens

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Picture: Eleven suspects nabbed during drugs bust/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE

13 May 2026 – The acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has welcomed the arrest of 11 suspects following the discovery of a multi-million rands drug manufacturing laboratory on a farm in Swartruggens in North West. The suspects include four Mexican nationals and one woman.

Dimpane said the intelligence-driven operation was executed by the National Head Office Crime Intelligence, National Head Office Organised Crime Investigations and a National team from the DPCI. She said this intelligence-driven operation resulted in the successful dismantling of the drug lab and the arrest of the suspects.

“We commend the members for their continued commitment in dismantling organised crime syndicates involved in the manufacturing and distribution of drugs. The latest drug bust must send a stern warning to criminals that the South African Police Service (SAPS) remains resolute and relentless in the fight against crime.

“We will continue to intensify operations aimed at disrupting and dismantling drug networks operating within our communities,” said Dimpane.

She said last week alone, police arrested 280 suspects for dealing in drugs and a further 2573 suspects for possession of drugs during operations conducted across the country. Dimpane added that the police investigations into the matter are continuing.

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Mosetsanyana o thudilwe ke sejanaga kwa Morokweng

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Setshwantsho: Moswi, Kago Matshidiso/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

13 Motsheganong 2026 – Mosetsanyana wa dingwaga di le 14 o thudilwe le go bolawa ke sejanaga kwa tseleng ya R379 kwa motseng wa Morokweng, gaufi le Ganyesa ka Lamatlhatso. Go begwa fa mokgweetsi wa sejanaga yo o neng a le mo tseleng go leba kwa legae la gagwe, a ile a thula Kago Matshidiso ka sejanaga.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are dipego di shupa fa moswi a ne a le gareng ga bana ba ba neng ba taboga kwa mmileng wa R379 fa a ne a tla thulwa ke sejanaga. Van Rooyen are moswi o ile a kaiwa fa a balelelwa le badimo kwa lefelong la tiragalo ke ba thuso ya potlako.

“Kgetsi ya polao ntle le maikaelelo e botswe,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

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‘South Africa continues to face high levels of crime’

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Picture: The Chairperson of the Committee, Dr Mmusi Maimane

By OBAKENG MAJE

13 May 2026 – The Standing Committee on Appropriations has raised concern over the decline in the number of police officers and notes that this comes at a time when crime levels in South Africa continue to rise. This comes after the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service appeared before the committee to discuss their expenditure plans for the 2025/26 financial year.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Dr Mmusi Maimane said the SAPS were led by the acting Police Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia and the acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane. Maimane said the committee prioritised departments with significant appropriations.

“Alongside social services and the learning and culture function, policing represents one of the largest areas of government expenditure. Within the justice, crime prevention and security cluster, policing is a central driver of both budget allocation and service delivery outcomes.

“South Africa continues to face high levels of crime. This underscores the need for careful scrutiny of both the scale and composition of the policing appropriation to ensure it supports effective capability and measurable impact,” he said.

Maimane also emphasised that the committee’s oversight is focused on the appropriation and its implications, rather than on police operations or appointment decisions. He further said they are assessing how the Appropriations Bill affects SAPS’s ability to deliver on its mandate, including the operational risks associated with a high vacancy rate.

“The SAPS informed the committee that in recent years, they have seen sustained increases in organised, serious and violent crimes and crimes against vulnerable groups. SAPS further indicated that, to remain within the compensation-of-employees budget ceiling, it was required to progressively reduce employee numbers more intensively in 2021/22, which contributed to an overall decline in personnel over the period.

“Members noted that SAPS had allocated additional funding of R568 million for early retirement and voluntary exit programmes. The committee recommended that SAPS should be aggressively recruiting and training a new generation of officers,” he added.

Maimane said at a time when communities are watching commissions of enquiry on television, all they see and hear is that the police are generally corrupt and they are now faced with a statistic showing that approval of policing has declined. He said this is something they can ill afford, given that their crime-fighting strategy relies heavily on community engagement.

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A concern over neglect of autistic learners at Johannesburg School of Autism

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By REGINALD KANYANE

13 May 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng said autistic learners at the Johannesburg School for Autism in the Johannesburg CBD, are being forced to learn in overcrowded conditions, where inadequate care, limited therapy services and unsuitable infrastructure have created an environment that fails to meet their most basic developmental and educational needs.

DA said a recent oversight inspection uncovered that the school operates across four floors in a building shared with 22 other businesses and organisations, a setup that is far from suitable for learners who are high on the autism spectrum and unable express fear, frustration, or discomfort in words.

DA Gauteng Member of the Education Portfolio Committee and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Bronwynn Engelbrecht said furthermore, the school does not have enough speech therapists, resulting in learners receiving sessions only once every two weeks. Engelbrecht said for a non-verbal child, speech therapy is not a luxury, but a vital bridge to dignity, independence, and meaningful inclusion.

“The outdoor space is also a concern with school officials informing us that learners are taken outside only once a day because the outdoor space is not spacious and was not designed for learners with special needs.

“These factors highlight a difficult reality: children who already face significant communication barriers are being educated in an environment that is not adequately designed to meet their needs,” she said.

Engelbrecht said they call on the Gauteng Department of Education to reorganise the building so that the school gets at least two full floors, preferably the ground floor and second floor, to create a safe environment for learners. She said in addition, the department must increase the number of speech therapists so that every child receives therapy at least once a week.

“We will table questions to Gauteng Education MEC, Lebohang Maile, to determine whether there are plans to allocate fully dedicated floors to the school or relocate it, as well as to increase speech therapy services and implement a long-term infrastructure solution for the institution.

“The DA is the only party committed to fostering an inclusive society that supports individuals with autism and other neurodiverse conditions. A DA government in Gauteng will ensure that facilities like the Johannesburg School for Autism are transformed into a dignified, safe, autism-focused centre to give every learner the best possible chance at independence,” said Engelbrecht.

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