February 17, 2026 – eRadio SA – Live from the Garden Route

Alleged fraudster appears in Gqeberha court

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A 42-year-old woman arrested in connection with an alleged R10.5 million payroll fraud at Isuzu Motors South Africa in Struandale, Gqeberha, has been granted bail.

The Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks in Gqeberha arrested Natasja Slabbert in connection with the alleged payroll fraud. She made her first court appearance on Monday and was granted bail of R5 000.

Slabbert was employed as a payroll administrator at the company and was arrested on 16 February 2026 following a thorough investigation conducted by the Hawks, working closely with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU).

“The case originated in 2024 after employees raised concerns when they noticed that their take-home pay was lower than expected, despite higher amounts reflecting on their pay slips. An internal review uncovered serious payroll irregularities, and the matter was subsequently referred to the Hawks for further investigation,” said the Hawks in a statement.

During the probe conducted by the Hawks, it is alleged that in August 2024, approximately R626 500 was apparently unlawfully transferred from the company’s payroll account into the suspect’s personal bank account.

“Further investigation allegedly revealed a well-planned scheme in which payroll records were manipulated and false entries created to conceal unlawful payments. These entries were allegedly made to appear as legitimate deductions and contributions,” the Hawks said.

As a result of the alleged fraud, the company reportedly suffered losses exceeding R10.5 million.

The Hawks adopted an intelligence-driven approach and secured evidence to uncover the full extent of the alleged crime before effecting the arrest.

The matter was postponed to 24 February 2026, and Slabbert is expected to appear before the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for legal representation.

“Commercial crime is not a victimless crime. It affects workers, damages businesses and harms our economy, further stated that people who abuse positions of trust to steal money will face the full force of the law,” said the Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya.

Call for stricter livestock permit controls

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Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has called for tighter regulation of livestock movement permits and the temporary suspension of physical auctions as the province intensifies efforts to curb the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

The appeal comes as 450 heads of cattle were vaccinated against FMD in Fisantekraal, Cape Town, on Sunday as part of a province-wide vaccination campaign.

The Western Cape provincial government has embarked on a massive drive to vaccinate high-risk herds across the province.

The vaccination drive in Fisantekraal was overseen by Winde, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen; Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Dr Ivan Meyer, and Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell.

“This vaccination drive is a proactive step to protect cattle in this area. No cases of FMD have been detected in this Fisantekraal herd, but we are taking every precaution because we want to protect jobs and livelihoods,” Winde said.

The Premier confirmed that the province expects to receive 200 000 vaccine doses in the coming weeks and will prioritise vaccinating all high-risk herds. Vaccinated animals have been tagged to ensure proper identification, surveillance and monitoring.

In terms of the Animal Diseases Act, Winde has formally requested that the national Department of Agriculture move all physical livestock auctions online for 21 days and implement stricter permit control regulations governing livestock movement.

Winde, along with MECs Meyer and Bredell, was expected to meet with Steenhuisen to receive an update on the request.

21-point response plan
The vaccination campaign forms part of a broader 21-point response plan implemented by the Western Cape government in partnership with the agricultural sector to contain the national FMD outbreak within the province.

Key measures include:
•    Movement control, including 24/7 border monitoring.
•    Monitoring, surveillance, and traceability, through on-the-ground rapid response from veterinary services.
•    Protocols such as communication, by-law enforcement, and contingency plans.
•    Recovery involving cleaning operations and monitoring quarantine areas.
•    Major roadblocks and vehicle monitoring are taking place on various roads across 13 municipalities, including at the provincial borders.

“This is part of a national crisis. We are working tirelessly to protect jobs and the agricultural economy. If you are transporting livestock or any materials used in livestock farming, you must take every precaution,” Winde said.

Steenhuisen described FMD as a national emergency, noting that government is fighting to save the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and the future of our agricultural exports.

“We need every single livestock owner to stand with us. Biosecurity is not a suggestion; it is our only line of defence. If you move animals without permits or ignore basic hygiene, you are putting the entire country at risk,” Steenhuisen said.

The Minister urged farmers and livestock owners to stop illegal movements, report suspected cases immediately and treat their farm boundaries like fortress.

To protect livestock and the economy, livestock farmers and the public are strongly urged to adhere to these simple rules:

•    Stop all illegal movements. Never move cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs without a signed health certificate and valid permits.
•    Limit visitors to your farm. Anyone entering must use disinfectant footbaths and vehicle sprays to ensure they are not carrying the virus on their shoes or tyres.
•    If you buy new stock, keep them completely separate from your main herd for at least 28 days to ensure they are not carrying hidden diseases.
•    If you see animals drooling, limping, or showing sores on their mouths or feet, call your local state veterinarian immediately. Do not wait.
•    Ensure fences are in good repair to prevent your animals from mixing with roaming herds or wildlife.

National vaccination drive
In his State of the Nation Address on 12 February, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that government aims to vaccinate South Africa’s national herd of at least 14 million cattle as the country battles one of the most severe FMD outbreaks in its history.

According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the vaccination drive requires 28 million vaccines over the next 12 months.

Unemployment rate decreases by 0.5 percentage points

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South Africa’s official unemployment rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points from 31.9% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 to 31.4% in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025.

This is according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the fourth quarter of 2025 conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).

The results show an increase of 44 000 in the number of employed persons to 17.1 million, while there was a decrease of 172 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 7.8 million compared with the third quarter of 2025 results.

This resulted in a decrease of 128 000 (or 0.5%) in the labour force for the same period.

“During the same period, discouraged job-seekers increased by 233 000 to 3.7 million, other available job-seekers decreased by 110 000 to 855 000, and unavailable job-seekers decreased by 41 000 to 42 000, resulting in a total net increase of 82 000 to 4.6 million in the potential labour force population (i.e., persons who were available but not seeking or unavailable but seeking).

"Others outside the labour force increased by 165 000 to 12.5 million. Outside the labour force, which is the total of the potential labour force and others outside the labour force, increased by 248 000 to 17.1 million in Q4 of 2025,” Stats SA said on Tuesday.

The number of persons employed in the formal sector increased by 320 000 in Q4: 2025, and informal sector employment decreased by 293 000 over the same period.

The largest increases in industry employment were recorded in community and social service (46 000), construction (35 000) and finance (32 000).

Decreases in employment were recorded in Trade (98 000), Manufacturing (61 000) and Mining (5 000).
The results also indicate increases in employment observed in the Western Cape (93 000), Mpumalanga (37 000), North West (36 000), and Northern Cape (17 000).

The largest employment decreases were recorded in Gauteng (54 000), KwaZulu-Natal (41 000), and Eastern Cape (32 000) during the same period.

“The youth (15 – 34 years) remain vulnerable in the labour market. The results for the fourth quarter of 2025 show that the total number of unemployed youth decreased by 84 000 to 4.6 million compared with Q3: 2025, while employed youth recorded a decrease of 113 000 to 5.8 million.

“As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased by 0.1438 of a percentage point to 43.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025,” Stats SA said.

In addition to the unemployment rate (LU1), other measures of labour underutilisation (LU) were measured.

The combined rate of unemployment and time-related underemployment (LU2) decreased by 0.6 of a percentage point to 34.3%; the combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force (LU3) decreased by 0.3 of a percentage point to 42.1% in the fourth quarter compared with the third quarter of 2025.

Lastly, the composite measure of labour underutilisation (LU4) -- which combines time-related underemployment, unemployment, and potential labour force as a proportion of the extended labour force -- was 44.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

These labour underutilisation measures highlight people in different situations and with different degrees of attachment to the labour market.

Concern over scholar transport incident on N4

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Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has expressed deep concern following a serious road crash involving a scholar transport vehicle, which occurred at approximately 7am Monday morning, on the N4 eastbound, near Atteridgeville, Tshwane.

“The reckless conduct displayed in this incident is unacceptable, particularly when it involves the lives of our children. Scholar transport operators carry a sacred responsibility to ensure the safety of learners. Lawlessness on our roads will not be tolerated,” the MEC said on Monday.

According to reports, a nine-seater Toyota Condor - transporting 17 school children - collided with a Mercedes-Benz after the driver allegedly attempted to evade law enforcement by diverting onto an old dirt road before re-entering the highway.

It is believed that the driver was operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s licence.

All 17 learners were transported to a hospital with varying degrees of injuries. No fatalities have been reported.

The MEC has reiterated her call for intensified law enforcement operations to root out illegal and unroadworthy scholar transport vehicles and to ensure full compliance with road safety regulations.

She further emphasised that the driver must be held accountable for endangering the lives of innocent children through irresponsible behaviour.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening oversight and enforcement to safeguard learners and restore discipline on the province’s roads.