Minister Sileku experiences return of passenger rail to the Garden Route

Posted on July 14, 2026July 14, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, this week joined residents on a heritage passenger train journey from George to Great Brak River, marking the return of passenger rail to the line for the first time in 16 years.

The initiative by Ceres Rail Company attracted strong public support, with all four weekend trips sold out. Each trip carried approximately 350 passengers along the 35-kilometre route, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to experience rail travel through the Garden Route once again.

Welcoming the return of passenger rail, Minister Sileku said the strong public response demonstrates the important role rail can play in connecting communities, supporting tourism and providing residents with affordable transport options.

"It is fantastic to see trains back on these tracks and residents embracing the opportunity to travel by rail again. Strong rail connections can bring towns closer together, support local economies, improve access to opportunities and attract more visitors to our rural communities.”

Rick Botha, Managing Director of Ceres Rail Company, said the successful return of passenger rail to the Garden Route followed years of planning and collaboration.

"Running passenger trains from George for the first time in 16 years was the culmination of a multi-year process to secure all the necessary approvals, particularly with Transnet Freight Rail and Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager. We are grateful for their support and for the progress being made to bring rail in South Africa back to life. The positive strides made in recent years are significant and will have a lasting impact. We look forward to growing rail in the Western Cape, welcoming more residents aboard, and continuing to explore new opportunities to bring rail back to life.”

While the heritage trips have now concluded, Minister Sileku encouraged residents to continue supporting rail initiatives, noting that strong public demand helps demonstrate the case for future services.

"The more residents use and support train services, the stronger the case for bringing more passenger rail services back to the Western Cape. We remain committed to restoring rail as the backbone of our public transport system, and every successful rail journey brings us one step closer to that goal."

The Western Cape Government continues to work with rail partners and stakeholders to advocate for the revitalisation of passenger rail, recognising its important role in improving mobility, growing the economy and connecting communities across the province.

Start Strong This Mandela Day: Help Give South Africa’s Children the Best Beginning

Posted on July 14, 2026July 20, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

Every child deserves the chance to grow, learn and thrive. Yet in South Africa, far too many children are being held back before they even reach school.

This Mandela Day, SA Harvest is calling on South Africans to help change that through its Start Strong campaign, which focuses on one of the most important periods in a child's life – the first 1,000 days, from conception to their second birthday.

Research shows that this window shapes everything that follows, influencing brain development, physical growth, immunity and long-term health. When children do not receive the nutrition and care they need during this critical period, the effects can last a lifetime.

A crisis that can't be ignored

Around one in four South African children under the age of five are stunted, meaning they are not growing as they should due to chronic undernutrition and deprivation. Some estimates suggest the true figure may be even higher.

Stunting is about far more than a child's height. It can permanently affect brain development, learning ability, immune function, school readiness and future earning potential. Once established, recovery becomes extremely difficult.

The challenge isn't food – it's access

South Africa produces enough food, but millions of families still struggle to access nutritious meals.

Food insecurity is driven by a combination of poverty, rising food costs, maternal health challenges, poor sanitation, infection and limited support for young mothers and caregivers.

That's why addressing hunger means more than simply providing food. It requires supporting families during the earliest and most important stage of a child's development.

What helps children start strong?

Giving children the best start begins with:
Good maternal nutrition and antenatal care.
Breastfeeding support.
Safe and nutritious complementary feeding.
Clean water, sanitation and infection prevention.
Growth monitoring, immunisation and community support.

These simple interventions can lead to healthier pregnancies, healthier birthweights, fewer infections and stronger brain development.

Pack a Bucket. Back a Beginning.

This Mandela Day, SA Harvest is inviting South Africans to make a lasting impact by supporting its "Pack a Bucket. Back a Beginning." campaign.

Each bucket provides practical nutrition support to mothers, babies and caregivers through trusted community networks, helping families during the first 1,000 days when it matters most.

It's a simple way to honour Nelson Mandela's legacy by investing in South Africa's future - one child, one family and one community at a time.

This Mandela Day, your 67 minutes can help give a child the strongest possible start in life. Because when children start strong, South Africa grows stronger too.

For more information or to become involved, click here

‘Cat’ Matlala withdrawal will not impact case – NPA

Posted on July 14, 2026July 14, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

NPA Head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, has assured that the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) remains confident in its case against alleged underworld boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his 16 co-accused in respect of the allegedly fraudulent Medicare24 contract case.

This after Matlala withdrew from a plea and sentence agreement he had entered into with the State after the Magistrate rejected the proposed sentence before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria.

“We assure the members of the public that a plea and sentence agreement is a legally recognised and legally viable strategic mechanism of preventing a protracted trial by concluding same with a cooperating accused person against whom the State has a formidable case and to get evidence that was not readily available. It is certainly not an indication of the State’s lack of confidence in its case.

“The IDAC is now focusing on ensuring that the pending trial proceeds without hinderance,” Mothibi assured.

NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago noted that the “genesis of the proposed plea and sentence agreement is that Matlala voluntarily approached… IDAC to propose a plea deal, which ultimately led to discussions between him, through his attorneys, and the State”.

“This turn of events meant that the matter had to be postponed to 11 September 2026, wherein Mr Matlala will rejoin his co-accused as the plea and sentence agreement being declared null and void.

“The NPA holds the firm view that his withdrawal will not negatively impact the IDAC’s case against the 17 accused, as we believe there is sufficient evidence to sustain the charges preferred against all the accused in this matter,” Kganyago stated.

Tax filing season enters broader phase

Posted on July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has opened the broader phase of the 2026 tax filing season, allowing provisional and non-provisional taxpayers to submit their income tax returns.

The filing season began on 1 July with the auto-assessment period, which ran until 12 July 2026 for taxpayers with less complex tax affairs. Provisional taxpayers and trusts have until 22 January 2027 to file their returns.

“SARS encourages taxpayers to do a pre–Filing Season health check by confirming that their personal details, banking particulars, contact information, and tax affairs are up to date. A closed bank account, missing third-party data submission, or an outstanding return from a previous year can all delay an otherwise smooth outcome.

“By resolving these matters early through SARS’s digital channels, taxpayers place themselves in the best position for a seamless Filing Season experience."

The revenue service said there is no need for taxpayers to take a day off work or take a taxi to visit a SARS Service Centre.
Taxpayers are urged to use enhanced digital channels first before considering a visit to a SARS Service Centre.

In case taxpayers need to visit a Service Centre, they can book an appointment online via the SARS website; by calling 0800 00 7277 and selecting option 0; or by sending an SMS to 47277 with “Booking” followed by an ID or passport number.

Although taxpayers are encouraged to book appointments before visiting a Service Centre, those without an appointment will be served after those who have made an appointment.

SARS has also cautioned taxpayers to remain vigilant against scams during the filing season.

“You need to be aware of email and SMS scams. In the run-up to Filing Season, there will be many attempts from scammers to mimic what we do and try and get your personal details, or to pay money into an account,” the revenue service said.

SARS said it will never request passwords, one-time PINs (OTPs), banking PINs or eFiling login credentials through email, SMS, social media or telephone.

“Taxpayers must use only official SARS channels and verify the credentials of any tax practitioner before sharing personal information,” the revenue service said.

The income tax return filing dates are as follows:

Auto Assessments: 1 July to 12 July 2026
Non-provisional individuals: 13 July to 23 October 2026
Provisional taxpayers: 13 July 2026 to 22 January 2027
Trusts: 19 September 2026 to 22 January 2027

SARS has advised provisional taxpayers to file early, gather supporting documents in advance and submit accurate returns on time.
A provisional taxpayer earns additional income, such as from a business, freelance work, investments or rental property, and pays tax in advance in two or more instalments based on estimated income.

A non-provisional taxpayer typically earns a salary or wage from an employer, with PAYE deducted, and usually files one tax return a year.

The revenue service said taxpayers should prepare well ahead of the deadline to avoid rushed or incomplete submissions.

Changes for the 2026 filing season include:

-Less capturing, more prefilled data: Some information, such as investment income, will already be filled in on the form, saving taxpayers time.
-Simpler, easier-to-understand questions: The form has been simplified with fewer repeated questions and clearer wording to help taxpayers complete it correctly.
-Better guidance on residency status: New questions and date fields will help taxpayers provide the correct information about their residency.
-Easier medical aid selection: A dropdown list of approved medical aid schemes will help taxpayers choose the correct option and avoid mistakes.
-WhatsApp access: Taxpayers can check their auto-assessment status through WhatsApp. Auto-assessed taxpayers who do not use email or eFiling can also receive their Notice of Assessment (ITA34), Statement of Account (SOA) and upload supporting documents through WhatsApp.
-Improved eFiling experience: The Income Tax Return (ITR12) has been updated with a new look and feel to make navigation easier. Taxpayers will also find quick links to their Notice of Assessment (ITA34) and clearer messages if a return is overdue.
-Fewer verification issues: A new declaration alert questionnaire will help identify and resolve issues earlier, reducing the chances of a return being selected for verification.

SARS said the changes are aimed at making the filing experience smoother and helping taxpayers get it right the first time.
Taxpayers who need assistance can use the following channels:

Those unsure whether they need to submit a return can use the “Do you need to submit a return?” tool on the SARS website.
Taxpayers can watch tutorial videos on the SARS YouTube channel for guidance on how to file.
Taxpayers who need to visit a SARS Service Centre should book an appointment before their visit
Taxpayers may also visit SARS Mobile Tax Units and pop-ups in different regions.
Those who have forgotten their password can reset it online through the eFiling website by selecting “Forgot Password” or “Forgot Username”

Keeping the lights on: Eskom continues progress under Generation Recovery Plan

Posted on July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

Eskom has recorded 420 days without the implementation of load shedding.

“South Africa has recorded 420 consecutive days without load shedding since 16 May 2025. During the previous financial year, supply interruptions were limited to 26 hours across four days in April and May 2025,” Eskom said.

The power utility’s improved performance has been sustained through the Generation Recovery Plan and execution of targeted recovery initiatives across Eskom’s fleet.

“The continued increase in the Energy Availability Factor [EAF], combined with significantly lower levels of unplanned outages, is enabling Eskom to consistently deliver energy security while maintaining the operational flexibility required to manage periods of higher winter consumption.

“The sustained progress on the Generation Recovery Plan is delivering stronger performance, with the [EAF] reaching 64.82% for the financial year-to-date up from 64.29% in the previous week and significantly higher than 58.73% recorded over the same period last year, an improvement of 6.09% year-on-year.

“Compared to the corresponding period three years ago, the EAF has seen a 9.89% improvement returning 5.0GW of generating capacity, driven by a continued reduction in unplanned outages and more consistent, reliable performance across the generation fleet,” an Eskom statement read.

Last week, unplanned outages at power stations declined to some 8396MW, compared to 13 619MW during the same period last year.

This marks a reduction of 5223MW which more than the generating capacity of a large power station such as Kusile.

“This sustained improvement is also reflected in the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor [UCLF], which significantly improved to 17.49% from 28.67% in the corresponding period last year, underscoring the continued gains achieved through Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan.

“Between 3 and 9 July 2026, planned maintenance remains aligned with Eskom’s reliability and sustainability objectives, with the Planned Capacity Loss Factor [PCLF] averaging 9.15%, lower than 9.68% in the corresponding period last year.

“Eskom continues to maintain additional system capacity, with 3530MW in cold reserve due to excess capacity, providing further assurance of system adequacy,” the statement continued.

Expenditure on diesel – used selectively during peak demand to power Open Cycle Gas Turbines – has also declined to R796.57 million in the current financial year-to-date compared to R5.25 billion in the same period last year.

“This reflects an 84.82% reduction in diesel costs, underscoring stronger generation performance and significantly lower reliance on diesel-fired generation.

“This sustained reduction highlights both cost savings and the operational improvements achieved through Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan, contributing to greater efficiency in system operations.

“Eskom’s Winter Outlook, published on 22 April 2026 for the period 1 April to 31 August 2026, continues to project no load shedding,” the statement read.

Wanted suspects arrested during track and tracing raids

Posted on July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

The South African Police (SAPS) has arrested 308 wanted suspects during track and tracing raids conducted by detectives as part of weekly planned Operation Shanela.

“The police arrested 22 suspects wanted in connection with rape cases, 10 for sexual offences, seven suspects for murder cases, 11 for attempted murder and 67 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm were apprehended and will appear in different courts soon,” the police said in a statement.

Over 1 015 suspects were arrested during high density deployments, as the multidisciplinary integrated forces carried out the following policing actions:

● High visibility patrols (5 350).
● Stop-and-search (13 227).
● Licensed liquor premises inspection (645).
● Second-hand dealers compliance inspection (147).
● Compliance inspection at scrapyards or recyclers (56).
● Spaza shops or informal business visits (76).
● Farm visits together with the Department of Home Affairs and Department of Labour (2 831).

“The joint team seized 703 grams of tik/chrystal meth and 59 mandrax tablets. The team further confiscated 950.68 litres of alcohol beverages, 108 packets of tobacco, and 305 kilograms of suspected stolen copper cables.

“Another weekly planned Operation Shanela will unfold in certain areas of concern and identified crime hotspot areas throughout Free State province,” the police said.

Tributes continue for young sportmen

Posted on July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

Tributes continue to pour in for Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams and former South African Rugby Under-18 prop Luqobo Makwedini.

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said he learned with deep sadness of the passing of Makwedini.

“Luqobo’s journey is one that speaks to the very best of what South African sport can produce. Born in Komga in the Eastern Cape, his talent on the field earned him a scholarship to Wynberg Boys High School in Cape Town, where his performances in the front row earned him national recognition at Under-18 level.

"He went on to sign a three-year contract with Béziers [AS Béziers Hérault] and was on the cusp of realising his dream of professional senior rugby ahead of the club’s 2026/27 Pro D2 campaign,” said the Minister.

Makwedini collapsed during a training session on Friday.

“I extend my deepest condolences to Luqobo’s family, particularly at this time of grief, as well as his friends,teammates , Wynberg Boys High School, the entire AS Béziers Hérault family and the South African rugby community,” said the Minister in a statement on Saturday.

The Minister also conveyed his condolences to the family of Jayden Adams.

“South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents, and our nation mourns alongside his family, his teammates and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international,” the Minister said.

He added that Adams had featured in all three of South Africa’s group matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“On behalf of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, I extend my deepest condolences to Jayden’s family, his young daughter, his teammates at Mamelodi Sundowns, his fellow Bafana Bafana players and coaching staff, the South African Football Association, and the entire football fraternity,” said the Minister.

President Cyril Ramaphosa also conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased players.

“It is particularly tragic that we are suffering the loss of two outstanding young athletes at a time when our nation continues to immerse itself in the FIFA World Cup tournament, as well as the Springboks’ and Springbok Women’s matches against Scotland and the USA Eagles in Pretoria today,” the President said on Saturday.

In a post on social media platform X, Bafana Bafana said South African football mourns the loss of a talented player whose passion, dedication, and love for the beautiful game inspired many.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, loved ones, teammates, and everyone affected by this devastating loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace. You will never be forgotten, Jayden,” said Bafana Bafana.

South Africans ‘deserve’ financially sound municipalities – Godongwana

Posted on July 10, 2026July 10, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has reiterated that temporarily withholding July 2026 equitable shares from municipalities is instrumental to ensure compliance with the law and improving service delivery.

The Minister was speaking to  SAnews on the sidelines of a media briefing on Friday, following the announcement that 69 municipalities have had their July 2026 equitable shares withheld due to non-compliance.

The move was taken after municipalities continued to:
•    Adopt unfunded budgets;
•    Accumulate Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure (UIFWE);
•    Fail to meet statutory obligations to Eskom, water boards, SARS, the Auditor-General, and pension funds.

“We have been doing it every year but on a smaller scale. Of this size, we’ve last done it in 2016. Every year, we’re fighting with municipalities. Sometimes we take money from one municipality to another, we say to a municipality: you are not performing and we will take your equitable share.

“It’s precisely this that will enhance service delivery because we are forcing municipalities to perform. It’s going to improve and enhance,” he said.

Godongwana explained to SAnews the steps that municipalities can take to have their shares released.

“Depending on what the offence is. If your offense is that you have an unfunded budget, you’ve got to sit with the Treasury officials and develop steps for transforming that budget in the long term to become a funded budget. Once we have got an agreement…you’ll be off the list.

“If you have not paid creditors, we need an indication of a payment schedule where you make a commitment that over time, you are going to pay your relevant creditors.

“The third offense is…fruitless and wasteful expenditure. The Auditor General has made a decision. At a municipal level…they’ve got MPAC [Municipal Public Accounts Committee]. MPAC sits looks at the decision of the AG and make a recommendation to the council. The council must sit…and say here are the recommendations, we are approving it and there must be consequence management, if necessary,” he said.

Some municipalities have already satisfied Treasury requirements and will have their equitable share, or part thereof, released next week.

The Minister emphasised that for government reforms to truly take root, all state institutions must fully participate.

“Reforms must be accompanied by making sure that people are performing. If you have reforms and you don’t have willing partners to participate, the reforms are not going to effective,” Godongwana said.

In a press statement, Treasury described the municipal finance picture as “sobering”, noting that:

•    Since 2021–22, municipalities have incurred R24.12 billion in fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
•    They have accumulated R145.21 billion in irregular expenditure, with R40.14 billion in 2024–25 alone.
•    They have disclosed R118.13 billion in unauthorised expenditure, more than half of which was on non-cash budget items.

“This threatens the financial sustainability of bulk suppliers, undermines statutory bodies, and disrupts service delivery. Non-payment of service providers results in penalties, interest charges, and service interruptions.

“Weak governance and failure to process UIFWE [Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure] through Municipal Public Accounts Committees erode accountability and public trust.

“South Africans deserve municipalities that are financially sound, accountable, and capable of delivering services. By invoking the Constitution, we are signalling seriousness about governance, fiscal responsibility, and the rule of law,” Godongwana said.

President Ramaphosa to undertake Official Visit to France

Posted on July 10, 2026July 10, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake an Official Visit to France from 10-12 July, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.

President Ramaphosa will also participate in high-level education discussions at UNESCO, engage French business leaders, and attend the 110th Commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood.

The visit will include discussions between President Ramaphosa and President Macron, as well as bilateral engagements between senior members of the South African and French governments aimed at strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two countries.

On Friday, the President will, at the invitation of UNESCO Director-General Professor Khaled El-Enany, co-chair the Leaders' Meeting of the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee (HLSC) on Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on Quality Education.

South Africa's appointment as Co-Chair of the High-Level Steering Committee underscores the country's growing leadership role in global education governance and reflects the international community's confidence in South Africa's contribution to advancing inclusive, equitable and quality education for all.

The meeting is expected to provide strategic political direction on strengthening resilient education systems and endorse priorities for the global education agenda for 2026–2027.

Discussions will focus on strengthening the teaching profession, advancing foundational and lifelong learning, promoting inclusive digital transformation, and ensuring sustainable financing for education.

Following the meeting, President Ramaphosa will participate in the Transforming Education Summit +4 (TES+4) Stocktake, convened by UNESCO and the United Nations to assess global progress made since the 2022 Transforming Education Summit and identify priority actions required to accelerate the achievement of SDG 4 by 2030.

According to the Presidency, the President's participation will reinforce South Africa's commitment to strengthening education systems, promoting skills development, expanding opportunities for young people, and ensuring policy coherence between South Africa's G20 Presidency priorities and the global education agenda.

President Ramaphosa will also meet President Macron on Friday before attending a dinner hosted by the French leader. On Saturday, he is scheduled to hold discussions with French business leaders.

The Presidency said relations between South Africa and France remain comprehensive and productive, underpinned by cooperation across sectors including energy, science and technology, defence, trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, higher education and training, and health.

France is one of South Africa's key economic partners. In 2025, direct bilateral trade between the two countries grew by 7.7% to approximately $2.719 billion, with South African exports to France increasing by 42.2% to about $790 million.

French companies have also invested more than $7 billion in South Africa since 2003, creating nearly 16 000 jobs across sectors such as renewable energy, business services, transport, communications and information technology.

On Sunday, President Ramaphosa will travel to Longueval in northern France to attend the 110th Commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood at the South African National Memorial.

The commemoration honours the courage and sacrifice of South African soldiers who fought during the Battle of Delville Wood in July 1916, one of the most significant battles involving South African forces during the First World War.

The ceremony will include the laying of wreaths in remembrance of those who lost their lives in service of their country, as well as the unveiling of a UNESCO plaque recognising the historical significance of the memorial.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by First Lady, Dr Tshepo Motsepe, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean MacPherson, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, and senior government officials.

Health practitioners warn on continued dispensing of dangerous weight loss drugs

Posted on July 10, 2026July 10, 2026 by Eon Engelbrecht

Health regulators have warned against the use or dispensing of recalled drugs Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.

The two medications are aimed at treating diabetes but are being used for weight loss purposes.

“The South African Pharmacy Council, Health Professions Council of South Africa and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority hereby warn the public, pharmacies and dispensing medical practitioners against any continued use, prescription and/or dispensing of iDEXIS Semaglutide, iDEXIS Tirzepatide, and iDEXIS Semaglutide/Tirzepatide recalled by SAHPRA in June 2026.

“The continued use, prescription and dispensing of these products pose a severe risk to patients’ safety and/or users. Any healthcare professional found to have dispensed, prescribed or kept stock of the recalled products will face disciplinary action in accordance with applicable legislation, including the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 101 of 1965,” the authorities warned in a statement.

The authorities added that any professional prescribing or dispensing the medications will “knowingly be endangering the health of the public”.