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The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is set to launch a Skills Development Programme, aimed at empowering victims of crime, parolees and probationers.

The initiative will provide inmates with market-related skills and vocational training, aiming to facilitate their rehabilitation and social reintegration.

The programme to be unveiled on Thursday, is being rolled out in partnership with the Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training College, in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

The department said the initiative, funded by the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority, will provide 100 selected participants from the greater Johannesburg area, with accredited trade-related training.

“The programme is designed not only to enhance employability, but also to foster entrepreneurial opportunities among its beneficiaries. The beneficiaries will undergo six months of training under the programme.

“[Participants] will be equipped with practical skills in trades such as, pumbling, welding, electrical work, bricklaying, air conditioning and refrigeration. Upon completion, participants will receive trade certificates, boosting their prospects for meaningful employment or self-employment,” the department said.

Correctional Services National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, will deliver a keynote address at the launch, and engage with members of the business community on the critical need to support the reintegration of parolees and probationers.

This may see businesses open their doors to employ those that have been in conflict with the law and those that have suffered as a result of criminal activities, the department noted.

Heavy rain and cold weather conditions are expected this week, as a cut-off low weather system sweeps across most parts of the country.

According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a cut-off low system is expected to make landfall over the western interior of South Africa on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, and move slowly eastwards, likely to exit the country by Saturday, 26 April 2025.

“Scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers are expected over the central and eastern parts of the country, with rainfall accumulations exceeding 50 mm in the eastern regions on Wednesday and Thursday, 23 and 24 April 2025.

“Severe thunderstorms associated with flooding of roads and settlements, as well as damage or loss of infrastructure, property, vehicles, livelihoods, and livestock, especially over the Free State and North West. There is also a distinct possibility of damaging hail occurring in association with the thunderstorms,” the SAWS said in a statement.

Snowfalls are also expected over the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape during this period.

In addition, daytime temperatures are expected to drop significantly across most parts of the country from Wednesday, with a gradual recovery from Friday onwards.

The South African Weather Service said it will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the weather systems and will issue subsequent updates, as required.

Intermediate updates may be followed on X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service) or other SAWS-supported social media platforms.

A total of 541 illegal shebeens and taverns were shut down by police across the country during the Easter long weekend.

Of these, 270 were shut down in KwaZulu-Natal.

A total of 757 suspects who were found dealing in illegal liquor were also arrested – 270 were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, while 144 were arrested in Mpumalanga and 142 arrested in Gauteng.

A total of 1 166 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during that period – 265 of them were arrested in Mpumalanga.

A total of 1209 suspects who were found to be in possession of drugs were arrested – 393 of them were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal.

Also, 249 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs and the Western Cape registered the majority of those arrested, with 61.

“Just this past week alone, a total of 17 605 suspects were arrested through Operation Shanela. The highest number of arrests registered a week in months,” the South African Police Service said in a statement.

It said police officers across the country remain hard at work in preventing, combating and investigating crime.

“Through various interventions and takedowns, police operations led to the arrest of 3 662 wanted suspects for rape, murder and attempted murder amongst a host of other serious and violent crimes,” the police said.

Of these, 215 suspects were arrested and charged for rape. The majority of those arrested for rape were apprehended in KwaZulu-Natal (67).

Over and above these, the following arrests were made across the country:

• 145 murder suspects were arrested and the majority were arrested in Gauteng (30).
• 129 suspects were arrested for attempted murder;
• 1 574 suspects were arrested for assault grievous bodily harm;
• 110 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, majority of these suspects were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal (35)

Police registered the following successes:

• 128 firearms were confiscated in the past week;
• 4220 rounds of ammunition were confiscated;
• 87 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered during this week’s operations.

Two businessmen were rescued by the anti-kidnapping task team after they were hijacked and kidnapped in Midrand on Monday. The two male victims were found in dense bushes and rescued. Their hijacked SUV Range Rover was later recovered in Tembisa.

A multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation led by the Nelson Mandela Bay Crime Prevention Unit and DPCI, resulted in the successful rescue of a 45-year-old US pastor, who was kidnapped and held at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, on 15 April 2025.

Police in Northern Cape seized 39 uncut diamonds through Operation Vala Umgodi.

KwaZulu-Natal police seized five unlicensed firearms and ammunition in the Msinga area. Two suspects were arrested in this intelligence driven operation.

Five suspects were arrested between North West and Gauteng for the kidnapping and murder of a 63-year-old pensioner. The man was allegedly robbed of thousands of rands before being killed.

Western Cape police arrested a second suspect after a taxi boss was killed at the Wynberg Magistrate Court over a week ago.

In Operation Vala Umgodi, 104 suspects were arrested in connection with illegal mining activities across the North West province while 11 suspects were arrested by Free State police.

“Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,” the police said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished South Africans a happy and safe Easter.

He said, however, that a safe Easter period depends on citizens conducting themselves with tolerance, patience and respect for everyone with whom they come into contact.

In a statement on Thursday, President Ramaphosa offered his best wishes for the Easter break to South Africa’s diverse Christian denominations as well as compatriots for whom this will purely be a period of rest and social connection.

“Easter is a special period for devoted Christians to celebrate their faith and the triumph of life over death, and it is an opportunity for South Africans of all backgrounds enjoy rest and reconnection with family and friends.”

President Ramaphosa urges citizens to take care of themselves and others on the roads and in social situations.

“As we move around our beautiful country, let us reduce speed, buckle up, rest up and leave our phones alone while we’re driving. Let’s make sure vehicles are well maintained and that we avoid the need to rush by leaving home or our workplaces early enough.

“This will allow us be patient with other road users and to enjoy the beauty of our landscapes. This should also be a period of care and peace in our homes and communities.

“May this be a time of celebration and rejuvenation for the year ahead,” said the President.

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has encouraged road users to be responsible on the roads this Easter weekend, while highlighting the significant costs that road accidents have on government spending and society.

In the 2023-2024 financial year, the RAF settled claims to the value of R45.6 billion

The amount included R47 million for funeral claims, R21.6 billion for loss of earnings, R12.7 billion for general damages, R2.6 billion for loss of support and R1.7 billion for medical compensation.

“The RAF pleads with South African road users to make this Easter fatality free by using the roads responsibly. Road fatalities and trauma result in devastating emotional, social and economic costs to the victims, their families and the country.

“This calls for an immediate change of attitude by all road users. Easter 2024 recorded the highest Easter weekend fatalities since 2019 with 335 deaths. This was a sharp increase from 252 deaths in 2023,” RAF said on Wednesday.

Human error, vehicle failure, and environmental factors all significantly contributed to the 1 325 fatalities recorded from 2019 to 2024 Easter weekend car crashes.

Major human factor contributors were speeding, jaywalking, and hit-and-run.

Vehicle related factors that resulted in the highest accidents were tyre bursts, brake failures, and smooth tyres. Environmental factors such as poor visibility, sharp bends, stray animals, and road surface defects also jeopardise peoples’ road safety and require caution.

RAF Chief Executive Officer Collins Letsoalo said: “Reckless driving, pedestrian negligence, and poor vehicle maintenance remain major contributors to road crashes. These are all factors that we can do something about as individual road users.

“Arrivals at unintended destinations should never happen. We encourage all road users to pledge to themselves or whoever is precious to them to drive responsibly and make this Easter weekend fatality free.”

In the first quarter of 2025, the RAF participated in a road safety awareness campaign through partnerships with radio stations, soccer events, school activations, scholar patrol uniform distribution, cyclist safety awareness, Defensive Driver Workshops, spraying of livestock with reflective sprays, adult assisted crossing for learners, and removing vegetation from sidewalks in areas with high accidents.

In the event of being involved in a motor vehicle accident, the RAF can be reached on 087 820 1 111 from Monday to Friday, 07h45 to 16h00.

Claimants may also contact the RAF’s Contact Centre on the WhatsApp number 071 605 4707, via SMS on 44930, or by email on contactcentre@raf.co.za.

In addition, the RAF is reachable through its offices countrywide, details of which are available on its website on www.raf.co.za.

Law enforcement authorities will be out in their numbers this Easter Weekend to ensure that motorists drive safely and comply with traffic regulations.

Major corridors are expected to reach peak levels as travellers embark on various religious and holiday destinations, from Friday, 18 April to Monday, 21 April 2025.

“We are ready for the high volumes of traffic that we will experience throughout the country over the Easter Weekend. We encourage drivers to behave more responsibly on the roads and to ensure that the human factor is removed in road accidents.

“Driver and pedestrian behaviour is responsible for 87% of road accidents and fatalities in our country. And so, reducing road fatalities and accidents is the responsibility of each one of us,” Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy said.

The Department of Transport has identified the most critical routes across the country requiring additional resources and more focused monitoring over this period.

These include, among others, the following:
•    The N4 Nelspruit
•    Mankweng (R71)
•    Libode on the N2, Mthatha’s R61
•    Parys (Free State), R54
•    Harrismith and the N3
•    KwaDukuza, N2 in KwaZulu-Natal
•    N4 Middleburg in Mpumalanga
•    Nongoma, R66 in KwaZulu-Natal

The National Traffic Police, South African Police Services provincial traffic departments, Cross Border Road Traffic Agency, Border Management Agency, the Metros and local authorities will work together to patrol routes leading to Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Free State, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.

High visibility will also be maintained in Gauteng.

Last month, government launched the 2025 Easter Season Road Safety Arrive Alive campaign, which started on 20 March and runs until 2 May 2025, under the theme: “It begins with Me.”

“The campaign is aimed at reducing road fatalities during the high-traffic holiday period through integrated law enforcement and public education,” Creecy said.

A 39-year-old cellphone shop owner is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s next week where he will face charges of being in possession of suspected stolen property, said the South African Police Service (SAPS).

This as police officers went to a block of flats in Alexandra Road, Bloemfontein.

“Upon arrival, they encountered a 39-year-old foreign national who initially denied them entry to his flat. After persuading the suspect to grant access, officers discovered approximately ten large bags containing various brands of cellphones, tablets, and laptops,” the SAPS in the Free State said on Wednesday.

Preliminary investigations indicate that a total of 554 cellphone units were found, with an estimated value of R2.5 million.

“Police investigations suggest that this consignment of suspected stolen electronics was intended to be transported out of Bloemfontein. The 39-year-old owner of a cellphone shop is scheduled to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 22 April 2025, facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property.”

Parkweg police are urging all victims of robberies who have not yet reported their cases to come forward with proof of ownership to claim their stolen cellphones.

“The investigation team is currently searching for four additional foreign nationals believed to be connected to the arrested suspect. Investigations into this matter are ongoing,” said the police.

The Department of Small Business Development has warned spaza shop owners to be cautious of individuals or organisations claiming to assist with the Spaza Shop Fund application process in exchange for a fee.

The department said some of these individuals and associations may claim to be associated with the department or have insider knowledge to guarantee approval; but this would be a false and misleading claim.

“The department wishes to remind the public that all funding application processes are on its official websites and spaza shop owners do not require assistance from associations to complete the online application form. The public can visit: www.spazashopfund.co.za to register and apply.

“Please be advised that no official in the department handles the administration procedures pertaining to processing payment related to the support fund,” the department said on Wednesday.

Government recently launched the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF to assist entrepreneurs who want to establish startups, expand their businesses, and gain essential business skills to improve the performance of their enterprises.

The application process is strictly handled by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), and only accepts applications processed online at www.spazashopfund.co.za.

“The department does not utilise social media platforms to accept any applications and further wishes to state categorically that no official has been requested to respond to applications on any social media platform or personal email address.

“Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are encouraged to register their spaza shops at the nearest municipality offices to comply and qualify for the support fund,” the department said.

The public has been urged to watch out for the following red flags:

• Requests for upfront payments or administration fees to “guarantee” approval.
• Promises of expedited or preferential treatment in the application process.
• Unsolicited offers to “help” with the application via phone, email, or social media.

Protect yourself adhering to the following:

• Apply only through the official department portals: www.dsbd.gov.za; www.sedfa.org.za and www.spazashopfund.co.za.
• Report any suspicious activity to the DSBD Hotline at 086 677 7867 or email info@dsbd.gov.za.
• Be wary of sharing sensitive information with unverified individuals or entities.
• Stay vigilant and safeguard your business. For more information, visit the Department of Small Business Development’s official website or contact their support hotline.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has welcomed the Department of Water and Sanitation’s decision to allocate an additional R317 million in water infrastructure grants to municipalities across the province.

The additional funding, provided through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) and the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), is designed to assist municipalities with water authority status in expanding access to water services.

The additional allocation under the WSIG includes:

•     Ugu District Municipality – R15 million
•     Newcastle Local Municipality – R15 million
•    Amajuba District Municipality – R15 million
•    Zululand District Municipality – R55.434 million

In addition, the Zululand District Municipality has been allocated a further R217. 247 million under the RBIG.

Buthelezi said the additional funding allocated to these municipalities, based on their effective utilisation of previous allocations, demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding water access, particularly in rural communities.

“The total additional grant allocation to the mentioned municipalities amounts to R317 681 000. These funds will go towards augmenting water infrastructure projects to ensure that water supply reaches all communities of KwaZulu-Natal,” Buthelezi said.

Government has called for immediate action plans to ensure inroads are made to effectively curb the continued spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal.

During a recent visit to affected areas in the province, Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, engaged with farmers and community leaders who sought clarification on the current situation and voiced their frustration at the perceived inaction by the Department of Agriculture.

“This lack of sufficient action is jeopardising farmers’ livelihoods, the agricultural industry, and the economy. This needs to stop. Immediately,” the Minister said.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the department said KwaZulu-Natal has recorded 147 active FMD outbreaks.

Despite several containment efforts by the Department of Agriculture since the initial outbreak of the SAT2 FMD strain in 2021, recent infections have been reported outside the established Disease Management Areas (DMA).

To curb further spread of the virus, the Minister recently ordered the expansion of the DMA boundaries.

“The reports we continue to receive from KwaZulu-Natal regarding the persistent and, in some cases, expanding Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks are of great concern. This, with the slow progress in strengthening our national biosecurity and acquiring vital vaccines, presents significant risks that this government views with serious concern.

“I have directed the department to identify and lift every single impediment standing in the way of vaccines being delivered in a timely manner,” the Minister said.

Steenhuisen has instructed the department to urgently implement the following interventions:
•    The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) will be contacted to prioritise and assist with roadblocks and the management of animals’ movement;
•    Prioritisation of alternative sites for the sale of livestock as well as the identification of an abattoir/s within the DMA to provide an alternative for farmers within the DMA;
•    Procurement and provision of enough vaccines to meet demand for a comprehensive vaccine roll-out;
•    Explore mechanisms to declare a state of disaster within the province; and
•    Monitor the implementation of the permit system for animal movement control.

The Minister stressed the imperative for immediate and significant enhancements to national biosecurity.

He said the current control measures, while necessary, are clearly insufficient to contain these outbreaks effectively.

“The legislative requirement under the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984) for owners to stop the spread of disease must be supported by effective government leadership and enforcement. This includes intensified surveillance, firm enforcement and providing farmers with the support and know-how they need to implement effective biosecurity,” the Minister said.

EC progress in containment of FMD 

In its statement, the department also provided an update on the continued progress in the containment of FMD in the Eastern Cape. No new clinical cases have been reported since July 2024.

However, the lifting of DMA restrictions has been delayed due to recent suspect test results on two properties. Of these, one test result has returned negative, and the results from the second property are pending.

National biosecurity and movement controls

The department said the control measures implemented in October 2022 remain in effect:
•    The movement of cloven-hoofed livestock across South Africa requires a health declaration from the owner.
•    Newly introduced cattle, sheep, or goats must be isolated from resident herds for at least 28 days.
•    Farmers are strongly advised to limit animal movements and exercise caution when procuring animals.

Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act imposes a legal duty on any owner or manager of animals to take all reasonable steps to prevent their animals from becoming infected with any disease and to prevent the spread of any disease from their animals or land to other animals or other properties.

FMD is a controlled animal disease in terms of the Animal Diseases Act.

Any suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping or hoof lesions) must be reported to the local State Veterinarian immediately and such animals must not be moved under any circumstances.