# The Benchmarks Foundation says proposed changes to South Africa’s mining laws may fail to target the masterminds behind illegal mining syndicates. The General Mining Laws Amendment Bill proposes making illicit mining and related activities criminal offences, with fines of up to 100-million-rand and prison terms of up to 30 years. Foundation researcher David van […]
# Agriculture experts have revealed that near-record food inventories, improved farming technology and stronger exporters are expected to cushion the global food systems against potential severe El Niño. In addition, advances in drought-tolerant crops, irrigation, precision agriculture and weather forecasting have strengthened resilience. However, experts warn that drought, fertilizer shortages and geopolitical disruptions could still […]
# The draft updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2026 to 2035 has been published for public comment. Forestry, Fisheries and Environment minister David Maynier says the plan will guide South Africa’s efforts to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity. The strategy aligns with the global Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022. The government […]
# The Presidency has rebuked Eskom chairperson Mteto Nyati for publicly questioning plans to restructure the power utility. He has warned transferring transmission assets could affect lending agreements, accounting and bondholders. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says government is committed to ensuring Eskom does not emerge financially weaker from the unbundling process. He says Eskom’s concerns […]
# Investigating Directorate Against Corruption prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy has told the Madlanga Commission that former IDAC head Andrea Johnson instructed her to target SAPS Brigadier Ashnie Krishnadatta. Krishnadatta took over from Khan in an acting position in the Vetting Department following his suspension. Responding to evidence leader Lee Segeels-Ncube, Ramsamy said the instruction was allegedly […]
# The Congress of the People is calling on the Government of National Unity to declare unemployment a national disaster and introduce an urgent jobs and youth employment programme. The call follows a rise in South Africa’s official unemployment rate to 33.6-percent in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32.7-percent. COPE wants the government […]
# Investigating Directorate Against Corruption advocate Drushantha Ramsamy says claims were made that SAPS Brigadier Dineo Mokwele’s father, senior Hawks member, Brigadier Mapome Mohajane, had faced bribery charges. Ramsamy told the Madlanga Commission that this fueled perceptions that Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo appointed Mokwele as a favour to her father. Ramsamy says former IDAC […]
# The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is reportedly burdened with 49.5-billion-rand in unrecovered loans owed by about 823-thousand former students. The figures have renewed concerns about loan recovery and financial management at the scheme. NSFAS has previously urged former beneficiaries who received loans before 2018 to repay their debts when they meet the required […]
# Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has welcomed four major infrastructure investment opportunities presented to local and international development financiers in Sandton. The projects span housing, aviation, bulk water and energy, with a combined debt-finance requirement exceeding 53-billion-rand. Macpherson says Infrastructure South Africa is connecting credible projects with investors to move them towards […]
