Category: News

Bredell urges patience as Western Cape service restoration continues

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Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, said that the Western Cape Government’s Joint Operations Centre (JOC) is coordinating widespread mopping-up operations and the restoration of basic services across all affected districts.

As weather conditions improve, water levels are beginning to subside and transport routes are gradually becoming functional again.

“Our province has been affected by two severe weather events in a short space of time. While damages still need to be fully assessed, they appear extensive and widespread. We know there are areas in the Garden Route where residents have been without electricity for nine days, which has subsequently impacted other basic services. Many communities in the Witzenberg area also remain isolated, with no road access, no electricity, and disrupted communication networks.

We understand the frustration, but we want to assure the public that all role-players are working non-stop to restore services as quickly as possible,” Minister Bredell said.

Eskom has confirmed that electricity supply has been restored to Wolseley and Tulbagh, while restoration work in Ceres is ongoing.

Humanitarian relief efforts are continuing across the City of Cape Town, Garden Route, Cape Winelands, Central Karoo, West Coast, and Overberg districts. Displaced residents are being accommodated in community halls, where hot meals, dry clothing, and blankets are being provided.

The City of Cape Town reported that more than 84,000 people living in informal settlements across the metro have been affected and require assistance.

Flooding persists along the Breede River, where peak flows of 1,989 m³/s were recorded this morning. However, reports from the Overberg District indicate that water levels are gradually subsiding.

The Clanwilliam Dam level has dropped to 89% from 103% following controlled water releases. Communities downstream, including Trawal and Vredendal, are urged to remain cautious due to high flow volumes in the Olifants River.

Western Cape storm death toll rises to 10

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The Western Cape Provincial Government says emergency response and recovery operations remain at a critical stage despite improved weather conditions across the province, following recent severe storms.

Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, said on Tuesday that the province’s Joint Operations Centre continues to coordinate rescue and relief efforts in the hardest-hit areas.

The Provincial Department of Health and Wellness has confirmed 10 storm-related fatalities across the province. Bredell extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the extreme weather event.

Emergency teams remain active in several districts, particularly the West Coast and Cape Winelands, where widespread flooding and infrastructure damage have disrupted communities and displaced thousands of residents.

In the Cape Winelands alone, more than 2 000 people have been displaced, while evacuations and shelter operations continue across multiple districts. 

Humanitarian organisations, NGOs and community groups are assisting affected residents with food, blankets and hygiene supplies.

Authorities have also raised concerns about dangerously high river levels across the province. 

The Clanwilliam Dam has reached 103% capacity, with all sluice gates open. Officials are closely monitoring downstream communities and have urged residents to comply with safety instructions.

The Breede River is also in flood, with water flow volumes measured at 1 655 cubic metres per second at Swellendam on Tuesday morning, increasing the risk of further downstream flooding.

Residents have been advised to avoid flooded roads, low-water crossings and other high-risk areas.

Eskom said restoration work on electricity and other essential services is underway, although infrastructure damage and limited access to some areas are slowing progress.

Health services remain operational in most parts of the province, with contingency plans activated where facilities have been affected.

The provincial government, municipalities and partner organisations remain focused on rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and infrastructure recovery as recovery efforts continue.

Officials have encouraged residents to monitor official communication channels and report emergencies to the relevant authorities. Further updates are expected as the situation develops. 

President Ramaphosa dismisses Social Development Minister

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of section 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, dismissed Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe from her position with immediate effect.

Section 91(2) of the Constitution empowers the President to appoint and dismiss members of Cabinet at his or her discretion. The Presidency confirmed the decision in a brief statement on Thursday, saying an interim arrangement has been put in place to ensure continuity in the department.

The dismissal follows allegations that Tolashe misled Parliament regarding vehicles received from China on behalf of the ANC Women’s League, which were reportedly registered in her children’s names.

She also faced allegations relating to irregular appointments and contract extensions within the Department of Social Development. Several political parties have welcomed her removal.

President Ramaphosa has appointed Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga as acting Minister of Social Development with immediate effect, pending a permanent appointment in due course.

CapeNature hit by widespread flooding, power outages and infrastructure damage

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CapeNature is assessing widespread damage across its Protected Areas following several days of severe weather that have affected multiple reserves and surrounding communities through electricity outages, flooding and disrupted road access across the Western Cape.

Successive cold fronts brought heavy rainfall, gale-force winds and localised flooding across the Province, resulting in infrastructure damage, blocked routes and disruption to operations in several Protected Areas. Roads, trails, visitor facilities, offices and staff accommodation have been impacted in multiple reserves.

Electricity supply disruptions are among the most significant impacts, affecting both reserve operations and nearby communities. In addition, hazardous travelling conditions persist due to flooding, fallen trees, debris and damaged access routes, while coastal and marine infrastructure has also sustained damage in certain areas.

Temporary closures have been implemented at our reserves. CapeNature emphasises that closures are not only due to ongoing adverse weather, but also to allow for detailed damage assessments, infrastructure repairs and safety inspections to ensure reserves are safe and accessible before reopening. CapeNature reserves will begin reopening between 15 May and 5 June (subject to change based on ongoing assessments), while some may remain closed even after weather conditions have improved.

Visitors are strongly urged to avoid travelling to reserves while severe weather conditions persist, particularly where roads, bridges and entry routes may be unsafe or inaccessible. Once conditions improve, visitors are advised to check the CapeNature website for the most up-to-date information on whether a reserve is open before planning any visits.

Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature, said early assessments indicate significant impacts across several reserves.

"The safety of our staff, visitors and surrounding communities remains our highest priority. While teams acted proactively ahead of the severe weather event, ongoing power outages and damaged access roads continue to pose major challenges in several affected areas. At this stage, the full extent and costs of the damage are still being assessed. These conditions not only affect reserve operations and visitor access but also place additional strain on neighbouring communities and ongoing recovery efforts".

CapeNature is working closely with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, municipalities and other authorities as part of a coordinated provincial response. Teams remain on the ground to assess damage, clear routes where possible and prioritise critical repairs.

Members of the public are urged to:
-Avoid visiting CapeNature reserves until conditions have stabilised and it is confirmed safe to do so
-Strictly adhere to all reserve closures and access restrictions
-Refrain from attempting to access flooded areas, damaged roads or closed routes
-Exercise extreme caution when travelling in mountainous, coastal or low-lying areas
-Check the South African Weather Service reports daily for up-to-date conditions
-Monitor official CapeNature communication channels for updates before planning any visits

CapeNature reminds the public that conditions can change rapidly during severe weather events, and that entering closed or restricted areas places both visitors and emergency personnel at risk.

Western Cape roads teams working around the clock as storm recovery gathers pace

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The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) is in full recovery mode amid two powerful cold fronts affecting large parts of the province. The first was between 5 and 7 May and again from 10 May 2026. Multiple roads have been severely impacted, with many having to be temporarily closed.

Roads teams are working under incredibly difficult conditions, such as flooded routes, washed-away sections, fallen trees, debris and rockfalls. These conditions demand an immediate, coordinated response.

From the moment the first front arrived, the DOI roads teams were out in the field alongside colleagues from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, municipalities, emergency services, Eskom and regional Joint Operations Centres. The priority was clear: keep people safe.

That meant closing roads where conditions turned dangerous, monitoring high-risk routes, clearing debris, and supporting broader disaster response efforts. The DOI Communication Team kept residents, freight operators, emergency responders and municipalities updated as conditions shifted rapidly.

In Region 2 (Garden Route and Central Karoo) teams have now moved into recovery mode. They assess damage, clearing affected areas and restoring access, with a particular focus on isolated and cut-off communities. Several roads have already been reopened. Engineers are conducting detailed assessments on routes where more serious damage such as washaways and infrastructure failures requires further intervention.

"We understand the frustration when roads can't be fixed straight away. But after major flood events, we have to prioritise communities that are completely cut off, roads with no alternative route, key economic and high-traffic corridors, and ensure that emergency vehicles can get through," said Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Tertuis Simmers.

The Minister explained that post-flood recovery moves through three distinct phases: first, restoring basic safe access for people and emergency vehicles; then temporary repairs to stabilise and partially reopen routes; and finally permanent repairs once engineering assessments, approvals and funding processes are in place.

"Our teams have been out there day and night, in cold, wet and often dangerous conditions because they know communities depend on these roads. What they've done over the past week deserves real recognition. I'm proud of every one of them," the Minister continued.

The department asks the public to support recovery operations by avoiding or limiting unnecessary travel in affected areas, obeying road closure signage and being patient while repairs continue. The Minister emphasised that residents must not take unnecessary risks.

Official unemployment rises marginally

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The official unemployment rate has risen marginally by some 1.3 percentage points from 31.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 to reach 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026. 

This, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Tuesday.

“[There] was a decrease of 345 000 in the number of employed persons to 16.8 million, while there was an increase of 301 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8.1 million compared with Q4: 2025 results.
“This resulted in a decrease of 44 000 [or -0,2%] in the labour force during the same period,” Stats SA said.

At the same time, the number of people employed in the formal sector decreased by some 189 000 while those in the informal sector also faced a decrease of 127 000 over the same period.

The youth unemployment rate – defined as those between the ages of 15 and 34 – also showed an increase.

“Results for the first quarter of 2026 show that the total number of unemployed youth increased by 181 000 to 4.7 million compared with quarter four of 2025, while employed youth recorded a decrease of 258 000 to 5.6 million.

“As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased by 2.0 percentage points to 45.8% in the first quarter of 2026,” Stats SA said.

There were some upshots with some industries recording increases in employment.

“Increases in industry employment were recorded in Manufacturing [38 000], Mining [32 000] and Agriculture [10 000]. The largest decreases in employment were recorded in Community and social service [206 000], Construction [110 000] and Transport [30 000].

“KwaZulu-Natal [6 000] is the only province that observed an increase in employment. The largest employment decreases were recorded in North West [80 000], Gauteng [67 000], Mpumalanga [54 000], Eastern Cape [43 000] and Limpopo [43 000] during the same period,” Stats SA added.

During the same period, discouraged job-seekers increased by 178 000 to 3.9 million while available job-seekers increased by 55 000 to 910 000.

“Unavailable job-seekers increased by 6 000 to 49 000, resulting in a total net increase of 240 000 to 4.9 million in the potential labour force population [persons who were available but not seeking or unavailable but seeking].

“Those outside the labour force for other reasons decreased by 75 000 to 12.4 million. Persons outside the labour force, which is the total of those in the potential labour force and others outside the labour force, increased by 164 000 to 17.3 million in the first quarter of 2026,” the statistical agency said. 

President Ramaphosa assures nation on disaster relief efforts

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that government is working closely with communities to address the impact of severe weather conditions that have claimed at least 10 lives across several provinces.

The President expressed deep sadness at the loss of life linked to heavy rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, damaging winds and snowfall affecting parts of the country.

“The President’s thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the people who have died in events arising from heavy rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, damaging winds and snowfall,” the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.

Government, through the National Disaster Management Centre, has declared a national state of disaster in response to the loss of life, damage to infrastructure, disruptions to essential services and the displacement of communities.

President Ramaphosa assured the nation that all spheres of government will continue working together to respond to the disaster and support affected communities.

“National, provincial and municipal authorities will work with communities to address the effects of the disaster,” the statement said.

The President also commended individuals, civil society organisations and businesses that have stepped in to assist communities affected by the adverse weather conditions.

President Ramaphosa further praised rescue and recovery teams operating under difficult conditions, noting that severe weather continues to affect rescue and recovery operations, including limiting air operations.

“As winter sets in, we are vulnerable to events which we may be able to forecast but whose actual intensity in specific locations we may not be able to predict.

“We are, however, making the best use of science to pre-empt some of these events and to respond to the aftermath,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the National Disaster Management Centre and Cabinet will continue to receive updates on critical weather forecasts and the impact of the disaster.

“The National Disaster Management Centre and Cabinet will be updated on critical forecasts and disastrous impacts and responses will be modified as conditions dictate,” he said. 

Mossel Bay Police Bust Drug Operation Worth R115 000 During Crime Crackdown

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Police in the Western Cape have confiscated drugs worth an estimated R115 000 during a crime combating operation in Mossel Bay.

Members attached to South African Police Service in Da Gamaskop, together with Mossel Bay Sea Border police, carried out the operation in Raymond Mhlaba Street in Luthuli Park on Monday night.

Officers searched a premises and confiscated 965 mandrax tablets, 181 grams of tik, 116 litres of liquor and an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be proceeds from illegal drug and liquor sales.

A 55-year-old man was arrested on charges of dealing in drugs and selling liquor without a licence.
In a separate incident, Beaufort West police arrested a 29-year-old man for the possession of a home-made firearm.

Police say members were conducting patrols in Nkosi Avenue on Sunday when they noticed a man behaving suspiciously as police vehicles approached.

Officers searched the suspect after he allegedly tried to flee and found a home-made zip gun in his possession.

The suspects are expected to appear in court once formally charged.

Photo: Some of the confiscated items

Western Cape schools will be open on Wednesday, 13 May 2026

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The Western Cape Education Department says all schools across the province will reopen on Wednesday, 13 May, following updated guidance from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service.

The department says some schools may still remain closed if they have suffered infrastructure damage or face access challenges caused by the recent storm. Schools needing to close will apply for permission on a case-by-case basis, and parents will be informed directly if closures are approved.

Principals have also been instructed to report any storm-related damage to the department as soon as possible.

The department thanked school staff, officials and parents for the smooth implementation of school closures over the past week. Special thanks were also extended to emergency services, disaster management officials and other stakeholders supporting schools during the severe weather conditions.

The public has meanwhile been urged to rely only on official communication channels, including the WCED website and social media platforms, for updates. The department says a large amount of fake news has circulated during the past week, including altered graphics, forged signatures and AI-generated images.

Officials warned that the spread of false information places unnecessary strain on resources needed to support schools during severe weather events.

‘I will not resign’ – President Ramaphosa

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not resign following last week’s Constitutional Court judgment on the Section 89 impeachment process linked to the 2020 theft at his Phala Phala farm.

Addressing the nation at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Monday evening, the President said nothing in the Constitutional Court ruling compels him to step down from office, adding that resigning would undermine constitutional processes and efforts to renew the country’s institutions. 

“I, therefore, respectfully want to make it clear that I will not resign. To do so would be to preempt a process defined by the Constitution. To do so would be to give credence to a panel report that unfortunately has grave flaws.
 
“To do so would be to abdicate the responsibility that I assumed when I became President of the Republic. To resign now would be to give in to those who seek to reverse the renewal of our society, the rebuilding of our institutions and the prosecution of corruption,” President Ramaphosa said. 
 
The President said he remains committed to serving South Africans and completing the mandate entrusted to him.

“I fully intend to continue serving the people of South Africa and to advance their interests. There is still much work to be done,” he said.

The Constitutional Court on Friday ruled that certain aspects of the National Assembly rules governing the removal of a President from office are inconsistent with the Constitution. 

The matter stems from a report compiled by an independent panel appointed by the National Assembly in September 2022 to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations relating to the theft at the President’s Phala Phala farm in February 2020.

The panel found that information before it disclosed, prima facie, that the President may have committed serious misconduct and violated the Constitution.

However, in December 2022, the National Assembly voted against referring the report to an impeachment committee. 

The Constitutional Court has now set aside that vote and ordered that the panel’s report be referred to Parliament’s Impeachment Committee.

President Ramaphosa said he accepts and respects the judgment.

“I reiterate my firm commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law,” he said on Monday.

The President announced that he will seek a judicial review of the independent panel’s report, saying he believes it contains “grave flaws”.

“On the basis of advice from my legal team and as envisaged by the Constitutional Court when it said ‘unless and until the report is set aside on review’, I have therefore decided to proceed to take the independent panel’s report on review on an expeditious basis. 

“I do so not out of disrespect for Parliament or its processes, but to affirm the need for such findings to be correct in law and in fact, especially where Parliament’s work would be based on and informed by a report I believe is flawed,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The President maintained that he has not committed any wrongdoing and reiterated that he has cooperated with all investigations into the matter.
 
“Since a criminal complaint was laid against me in June 2022, I have consistently maintained that I have not stolen public money, committed any crime nor violated my oath of office. 

“From the beginning, I said that I would cooperate with all institutions that are mandated to deal with these types of matters,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa stressed that the Constitutional Court judgment did not make any findings regarding his conduct.

“The Constitutional Court made no finding of any kind regarding my alleged conduct. The Court made no finding on whether there was prima facie evidence of misconduct, nor if the alleged conduct, if established, justifies impeachment and the removal of the President,” the President said. 

He said resigning now would derail efforts aimed at rebuilding institutions, fighting corruption and advancing economic recovery.

“To resign now would be to give in to those who seek to reverse the renewal of our society, the rebuilding of our institutions and the prosecution of corruption,” he said.

The President reflected on progress made since taking office eight years ago, including implementing the recommendations of the State Capture Commission, recovering stolen funds and intensifying the fight against organised crime and corruption.

“We are implementing the recommendations of the State Capture Commission and those responsible for wrongdoing against our people are being dealt with. 

“Through the Madlanga Commission process, we are confronting corruption and criminality in our law enforcement and security services,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa said despite ongoing challenges facing the country, he remains hopeful about South Africa’s future.

“Guided by the rule of law and the principle of accountability, I intend to fulfil and complete the mandate that you, the people, have given me,” he said.

The President vowed that he will continue to do everything within his means to advance the rebuilding of the economy, the restoration of institutions and the renewal of the society. 
 
He further emphasised that he would do everything in his power to strengthen the institutions that are responsible for safeguarding the country’s democracy and upholding the rule of law so that they may never again be abused, co-opted or repurposed to serve criminal interests.

“I will remain in your service and will continue to act in your interests and in the interests of our diverse and remarkable nation. 

“I am confident that together as a nation we will strive, we will progress and we will overcome our challenges and difficulties. I remain here and I am not resigning. 

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