Category: Government Opinion Pieces

In the next 12 to 18 months, government will work aggressively to eliminate load reduction by rolling out smart meters, dealing with illegal electricity connections and upgrading infrastructure.

Load reduction refers to the intentional interruption of electricity in specific areas where the local network becomes overloaded, especially during peak demand periods. 

This measure is essential to safeguard critical infrastructure, particularly in areas affected by high energy losses or illegal connections that place excessive strain on the isolated networks.

According to the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, 1.69 million customers are affected by load reduction in the country. 

This translates into about 8.5million people when considering the number of people in those households. The centre of this load reduction is in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. 

“We are going to make sure that we address the multiple manifestations of the electricity deficit in the country. Today, I am announcing that we are ending load reduction in the country. This can be achieved anywhere between 12 to 18 months,” the Minister said at a briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.

With government having largely addressed load shedding, the Minister addressed the media on the interventions that will be implemented to tackle load reduction.

“One of the first things that we will be doing is to rollout of smart meters. The smart meters will enable us to isolate customers that are able to pay for electricity but are not doing so, and not make the rest of the customers who are connected to the same transformer collateral damage. It gives us technical agility for us to isolate those who choose not to pay for electricity,” the Minister said.

There are about 2.1 million customers on the Eskom side that qualify for free basic electricity but only 485 000 customers are getting the free basic electricity.

“And yet, National Treasury is allocating funds to municipalities to ensure that the poor get free basic electricity. Once we have rolled out smart meters, we will be able to frontload the allocation for free basic electricity for a household that qualifies to get free basic electricity.

“For that to succeed, we need municipalities to work with us to create and generate a robust indigent register. As a result of this rollout, we will be able to achieve universal access so that when we say load shedding is behind us, we mean that there should be no load reduction and we are not going to discriminate against anyone,” he said.

To ensure that those who qualify for free basic electricity are susbisidised correctly, the Department of Electricity and Energy will review the Free Basic Electricity Framework (FBE).

The policy provides for indigent households with a monthly quota of electricity (typically 50 kWh) to cover essential needs like basic lighting and mobile phone charging.

“We know that an average low-income household consumes about 200 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. If we talk about 100% subsidisation of the poor, it means that the 50kWh per month of free basic electricity should be shifted to 200 kilowatt hours per month.

“We are going to change the framework without relying on the fiscal envelope, so we don’t have to approach the Minister of Finance for more funds,” the Minister said.

While the interventions are good news for consumers, the Minister said government expects resistance from some communities that have been connected illegally to the grid.

“We know that there are those who are profiting from the illegal electricity connections. Some of them are delinquent employees of Eskom and municipalities that are connecting people illegally.

“We expect them to agitate those communities to resist our presence because we are taking an illegally earned income that they have accumulated over time at the detriment of consumers in the area,” the Minister said.

There is a total of 771 transformer failures, with a large part of them being attributed to illegal connections.

“As part of this effort [to deal with illegal connections], we are going to regularise people. We are going to go to an area, typically an informal area, assuming that the municipality has formalised the area and rollout infrastructure so that everyone has access to electricity that is legally procured,” he said.

To accelerate the rollout of smart meters, government will work with businesses who manufacture them to ensure the product meets Eskom standards.

Government will also refurbish and maintain the distribution and reticulation infrastructure.

“We will also be rolling out distribution infrastructure reticulated by installing solar and battery storage. We are electrifying communities, this has already been done in two villages in Musina, Limpopo,” the Minister said. 

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced that it will be introducing mandatory Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment at all its offices from 01 September 2025.

In a statement on Monday, the agency said this was expected to revolutionise the administration of social grants and that the biometric enrolment was set to be a precursor to detect and nip in the bud any potentially fraudulent activities in the SASSA’s grant system.

The agency said this comes after engagements with organised labour on a myriad of issues which have since been successfully resolved, paving the way for a new age for SASSA in its resolve to administer a tight and credible grant system.

SASSA CEO Themba Matlou has expressed his relief at the conclusion of discussions with organised labour.

“Our plans were to commence with biometric enrolment at the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial year; however, we hit a snag, but we have ironed out the issues that delayed our plans and it is all systems go for the implementation,” he said.

The Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment comes at an opportune time when the agency is ramping up efforts to improve its systems, detect and effectively root out any fraudulent elements in social grant administration.

Moreover, biometric enrolment is a strategic move to ensure every grant recipient is verifiably authentic and that SASSA’s systems are resilient against manipulation and error, especially in cases involving forged green Identity Documents that frontline staff cannot reliably detect.

In addition, the biometric enrolment will ensure:

• Significant reduction in fraudulent applications and duplicate payments,
• Reliable verification of beneficiary authenticity and proof of life,
• Reduction in inclusion errors,
• Streamlined documentation processes, and
• Enhanced audit outcomes and stronger record integrity.

Improved public trust in the Social Assistance Programme include biometric fingerprint enrolment or facial recognition through electronic Know Your Client (eKYC).

Applications without biometric data will be immediately put into the review cycle, notifying the client of the need to capture biometrics as per the review processes.

This initiative will ensure the enhancement of risk controls, contributing to a more secure and accountable grants system, while ascertaining that social grant recipients are living individuals at the time of application.

The agency has set up the necessary infrastructure and tools at all its offices across the country.

Front line staff have been trained throughout the month of August to ensure their readiness and effective and efficient implementation of the biometric enrolment.

“SASSA would like to reiterate its commitment and resolve to pay the right social grant to the eligible beneficiaries, and the agency will continue to work with all its stakeholders in strengthening and safeguarding its systems.

“The agency will not hesitate to act against any of its officials should they be suspected of working with anyone to defraud its systems,” the CEO said.

For grant enquiries, beneficiaries are urged to visit www.sassa.gov.za or call our toll-free number: 0800 60 1011 or watsap GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.

The Office of the Deputy President has released a statement denying allegations of misusing State funds related to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s international travel.

This statement follows extensive media coverage from various news outlets and public speculation on the matter.

“Categorically, the Office and the Deputy President have not, as seems to be suggested, misused State funds or been extravagant in financing the costs of the Deputy President’s international travel,” the statement read on Tuesday evening.

According to the Presidency, the matter was first raised after a written parliamentary inquiry from Action SA, which prompted detailed disclosures regarding travel expenses.

“In light of such an expected phenomenon, the Deputy President replied to the question in full and also provided specific details, which include correct figures and breakdown of individual costs by members of the delegation supporting the Deputy President.”

The Deputy President’s Office has stressed that all international trips undertaken are in his official capacity, representing the South African government, as directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“Moreover, the majority of these strategic international visits are aimed at strengthening existing bilateral, political, economic and diplomatic relations between South Africa and visited countries.”

Mashatile has engaged in several significant international working visits since taking office on 3 July 2024, including trips to Ireland, the United Kingdom and Japan, with further planned visits to France.

The Office has provided a comprehensive breakdown of the expenses associated with these trips, stressing that many figures circulated in the media are inflated.

News24 recently reported that the Deputy President’s recent trip to Japan in March cost R2.3 million, with R900 000 covering accommodation for him and his wife.

However, the Presidency stated that the Japan visit was particularly highlighted for its strategic relevance, marking the first high-level engagement between South Africa and Japan in a decade, coinciding with the 115th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

During the Japan working visit, the country’s second-in-command was accompanied by various Ministers.

The Presidency believes that the visit was advantageous for South Africa’s African Agenda, especially considering the current overlap of South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) chairship and Japan’s upcoming hosting of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in August.

“This presents a unique opportunity for South Africa to communicate its own and the continent’s position and priorities to Japan, and the expected support and role that Japan could play in this regard.”

In addition, the Deputy President’s Office stated that the claims of exorbitant costs for certain officials have been disputed, and that the actual expenditure is significantly lower.

“Regrettably, some of the figures presented by the media are significantly blown out of proportion and do not accurately reflect the cost of the trips. For example, one media liaison officer, referred to by TimesLive as the ‘most expensive supporting official’, is said to have cost R580 582 for Japan alone, when in fact, the total cost for that official is less than R66 000, including flights and accommodation.”

The Office has reassured the public that the Deputy President’s travels are conducted with fiscal responsibility and in alignment with South Africa’s commitment to global relations and investment.

“In terms of the travel policy in the Presidential Handbook, transport for the President and Deputy President during travel outside South Africa is the responsibility and for the account of the State.”

In addition, the Office mentioned that the financial responsibilities for the visits, which include travel, accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses, are typically shared between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and other participating departments.

“In all these visits, the Office of the Deputy President has insisted on the most cost-effective provisions for the Deputy President and his delegations and has therefore not misused or extravagantly used State funds, as alluded.”

The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points, with effect from 30 May.

This reduces the prime lending rate from banks to 10.75 %.

Five members favoured this action, while one preferred a cut of 50 basis points.

“Looking forward, we have revised down our inflation forecasts. This reflects the lower starting point, as well as a stronger exchange rate assumption and lower world oil prices.

“These factors offset pressure on fuel costs from the higher fuel levy announced in the Budget. In addition, our previous forecast included VAT increases, which have since been cancelled,” SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said on Thursday, while delivering the Monetary Policy Committee statement.

The inflation was below 3% again in April. The undershoot of the target mainly reflects falling fuel costs, but underlying inflation is also well contained. Core inflation came in at 3%, at the bottom of SARB target range.

“Now that inflation has slowed, we have a chance to lock in lower inflation at low cost. This scenario illustrates that opportunity,” Kganyago said.

While the inflation outlook appears benign, the MPC considered an adverse scenario, which illustrates the upside risks.

“This was based on a global slowdown, triggered by escalating trade tensions, where the rand depreciates sharply. The scenario showed how a country with some fundamental vulnerabilities, like South Africa, risks stagflation, with growth moving lower while inflation rises due to currency weakness. In these conditions, monetary policy tightens to stabilise the macroeconomy.

“The threat of rand depreciation that we warned of at our last meeting, given both global and domestic factors, manifested last month, with the currency briefly touching a multi-year low against the US dollar. However, the exchange rate has since recovered, and conditions seem more settled than they did in March, even if the global environment remains uncertain,” he said.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) projections were trimmed and the growth was currently expected at 1.2% this year, rising to 1.8% by 2027.

“The global environment remains difficult, which makes domestic reform critical for achieving healthy growth. The SARB’s main contribution is to deliver price stability, and we see scope to lock in low inflation and clear the way for sustainably lower interest rates.

“Additional measures that would improve economic conditions include reaching a prudent public debt level, further repairing and strengthening network industries, lowering administered price inflation, and keeping real wage growth in line with productivity gains,” Kganyago said.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is encouraging all applicants for the disability grant to use their online platform to book for disability-related assessments.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Agency said the platform allows beneficiaries to access SASSA services in their comfort zone, save money on transport, and avoid long queues.

“This programme is not meant to prevent beneficiaries and applicants from going to SASSA offices. Those who do not have access to the internet are encouraged to visit SASSA offices to book for their assessment.

“After the assessment, the applicant can complete the application online and submit it. Before uploading the required documents, the applicant must ensure that all documents are certified, valid within six months, and that the information in the documents is accurate,” SASSA said.

To avoid scammers, beneficiaries are urged not to seek assistance from strangers and avoid exposing personal information to unreliable people.

“If an applicant fails to access SASSA services online, they can visit the SASSA office for assistance,” the Agency said.

The requirements for the disability grant are as follows:

• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee permanently residing in South Africa
• 18-59 years of age
• Undergo a medical assessment confirming disability
• Provide a referral form duly completed by a treating facility
• Applicant and spouse must be subjected to the means test
• Not be maintained or cared for in a state-funded institution
• Not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of themselves
• Submit a 13-digit barcoded identity document for self and spouse. In the absence of an ID card or birth certificate, an alternative identification prescribed by SASSA will be acceptable

For more information, beneficiaries can contact toll-free during working days/hours at 0800 60 10 11 / [013] 754 – 9428/9363 during working hours Monday – Friday, and WhatsApp 082 046 8553.

South Africa has suspended imports of live poultry, eggs and fresh (including frozen) poultry meat from Brazil following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

The decision comes after a report from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, confirming an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 – clade 2.3.4.4b) on 15 May 2025.

The virus was detected in breeding chickens at an establishment located in the municipality of Montenegro, located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture announced that no new import permits will be issued for the affected products.

However, the department noted that the import of consignments containing poultry products that were packed in their final packaging, on or before 30 April 2025, and heat-processed poultry products, where the risk of transmitting the virus has been mitigated, will still be allowed.

“An urgent Chief Veterinary Officer to Chief Veterinary Officer meeting was held on 19 May with the purpose of getting an update on the outbreak from Brazil and the deployed disease control strategy. It was agreed in this meeting that Brazil will provide additional information for South Africa’s consideration,” the department said.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will inject over R381 million into the Post Office to save nearly 6 000 jobs, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has announced.

This comes after an agreement was signed by the South African Post Office (SAPO) and the UIF to provide immediate financial relief to 5 956 employees while enabling the post office to implement a sustainable turnaround strategy.

Through the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), the UIF will inject over R381 million into SAPO over a six-month period.

“This is a bold and necessary step to protect workers and restore confidence in our public institutions. The TERS programme is not just a financial mechanism, it is a strategic tool to stabilise employment, support economic recovery, and ensure that no worker is left behind,” Meth said on Sunday.

The UIF and the post office have formally entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), marking the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two entities.

The Minister emphasised that the funding will be disbursed in monthly tranches through a dedicated TERS bank account, with strict governance, auditing, and compliance measures in place.

SAPO is required to submit regular reports, maintain transparent accounting records, and implement a detailed turnaround strategy as a condition of the funding.

This intervention follows a rigorous adjudication process by the TERS Single Adjudication Committee (TERS SAC), which includes representatives from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), the Department of Higher Education, the Department of Small Business Development, and other key stakeholders.

The Minister has reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with all social partners to drive inclusive economic growth and protect the dignity of workers across the country.

Home Affairs offices have extended their operating hours in May due to the uptake of Smart ID cards by naturalised citizens and permanent residents from visa exempt countries.

The extension on Saturdays came into effect on 17 May and will continue until 31 May 2025.
This means that offices will open from 8 am until 1 pm.

“The Department of Home Affairs will extend its operating period by five hours on Saturdays in May 2025 at front offices to assist naturalised citizens and permanent residents to apply for Smart ID Cards.

“Extended hours over the specified weekends will allow for processing of Smart ID Card applications from naturalised citizens and permanent residents from listed countries, in possession of green barcoded ID books,” said the department in a statement.

READ | Home Affairs commends uptake of Smart IDs for naturalised citizens, permanent residents

The department encouraged naturalised citizens and permanent residents from listed countries to make use of this opportunity.
“This will take us closer to fully adopting the more secure Smart ID Card and doing away with the green bar-coded ID book.

The listed countries can be found here: : https://bit.ly/smartidcards-naturalised-and-pr

Yesterday marked a milestone in South Africa’s fight against corruption with the inaugural meeting of the Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (WSACF).

The WSACF is based on Pillar Six of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), which emphasises the protection of vulnerable sectors and the enhancement of integrity management and anti-corruption mechanisms.

This pillar aims to reduce corruption and unethical behaviour in the sectors most at risk by implementing effective risk management strategies and establishing consequences for non-compliance.

The initiative aligns with Priority Three of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG), which seeks to enhance and mobilise the inclusive participation of the public sector, private sector, civil society, and academia to prevent and combat corruption.

The WSACF is a strategic intervention aimed at developing tailored solutions to address corruption risks in the water sector.

By adopting a risk-based approach, the forum will focus on investigation, prevention, and enforcement to safeguard South Africa’s water resources, which are essential for sustainable development.

“The establishment of the forum follows the findings from 14 Special Investigating Unit (SIU) proclamations related to the Department of Water and Sanitation. With eight investigations completed and five still active, the need for a coordinated anti-corruption response in water management has never been clearer,” the Special Investigating Unit said in a statement.

“The inaugural meeting follows the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa, held in Cape Town from May 5-9, 2025,” the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) said.

During the conference, chairpersonship of the association transitioned from Ghana to South Africa, with Advocate Andy Mothibi of the SIU assuming the role for 2025–2026.

The theme was: “Enhancing Inclusive Participation of State and Non-State Actors to Prevent and Combat Corruption”, highlighting the need for collaboration in the fight against corruption.

The WSACF also aligns itself with the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, which focuses on water security and sustainable development.

It also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of clean water and sanitation for everyone.

The WSACF embodies the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 vision of a corruption-free South Africa while supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which ensures access to clean water and sanitation for all.

The forum brings together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, Chapter 9 institutions, civil society organisations and water activists, the public sector, regulators, traditional and religious leaders, organised labout and water conservation and environmental groups.

This collaborative model strengthens accountability, closes gaps, and implements measurable and actionable prevention plans. Importantly, the forum will also hold anti-corruption agencies accountable, ensuring transparency and effectiveness in their operations.

The WSACF supports anti-corruption initiatives in the water sector and fosters collaboration among stakeholders to combat corruption effectively.

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, called for and welcomed the establishment of the WSACF.

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is calling on farmers across the province to step forward and take part in shaping the future of agriculture by registering their farming enterprises on the department’s official farmer database.

MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, is championing the initiative as a vital move toward preparing the sector for the next wave of skilled agricultural professionals.

“This is more than just a registration process,” Sambatha said. “It’s about opening doors for young people who are ready to make their mark in agriculture.”

The database, managed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), is designed to build a detailed and inclusive picture of farming activity in the province. More importantly, it will serve as the backbone of the department’s 2025/2026 internship programme, where registered farms will double as training grounds for qualified agricultural graduates.

“Farmer participation is key to the success of this programme. We want to see every farm become a platform for growth, not only for its productivity but also for nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Sambatha.

By registering, farmers will not only gain access to support services but also have the opportunity to host and mentor motivated young interns eager to apply their knowledge and bring new ideas into the sector.

“By registering, farmers are helping shape the sector’s future, offering mentorship, and gaining access to motivated interns, who bring fresh skills and innovation to the field,” Sambatha said.

The internship programme aims to bridge the gap between academic training and real-world experience, giving graduates hands-on learning opportunities, while boosting the capacity of participating farms.

Farmers are advised to complete the registration form with care, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and up to date. The department has assured that all submitted data will be kept strictly confidential and used solely to enhance planning and improve support services across the province.

Registration is quick and can be done online via the department’s official website at https://dard.nwpg.gov.za/. For assistance, farmers can also contact their nearest agricultural office.

This initiative is part of a broader provincial push to build a sustainable, inclusive, and skills-driven agricultural economy rooted in innovation, collaboration, and the strategic development of human capital.