Category: News

Eskom marks over 105 days without loadshedding

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Eskom’s power system remains stable, with the power utility reached 105 consecutive days without loadshedding to South Africa.

In a statement on Friday, Eskom said this milestone, driven by consistently low level of unplanned outages, underscores the sustained improvements in the performance of the generation fleet.

“This milestone builds on the momentum of Financial Year (FY) 2025, which recorded 352 loadshedding-free days, and reflects a significant improvement from the 36 days achieved in FY2024. As the winter season concludes, the national grid remains stable and reliable, reinforcing Eskom’s commitment to ending loadshedding,” Eskom said.

Eskom’s sustained technical improvements have ensured a reliable power system, meeting more than 97% of electricity demand this winter and financial year to date. 

South Africa has experienced no loadshedding since 15 May 2025, with only 26 hours recorded between 1 April and 28 August 2025.

“The resilience of our generation fleet continues to improve, with unplanned losses due to breakdowns now at 8 948MW, well below the 10 000MW threshold, highlighting the structural progress in plant performance as a result of the ongoing implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan,” Eskom said.

Between 15 and 28 August 2025, planned maintenance increased, averaging 6 968MW. 

During this period, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) fluctuated between 64% and 75%, with the month-to-date average rising to 66.15%. 

“This upward trend reflects growing stability and improved reliability across the generation fleet. These figures exclude Kusile Unit 6, which has been contributing 720MW to the national grid since 23 March 2025. Although not yet in commercial operation, the unit is expected to reach that milestone by September 2025.

“To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 4 830MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 01 September 2025, and throughout the coming week," Eskom said.

Between 1 April and 28 August 2025, the Unplanned Capability Loss Factor (UCLF), which reflects the percentage of generation capacity lost due to unplanned outages, further decreased to 27.3%.

This represents a week-on-week improvement of approximately 0.55%, although it remains about 1.6% higher than the 25.67% recorded during the same period last year.

The open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) load factor further decreased to 0.16% this week from 0.78% the previous week (21–28 August 2025), with OCGTs utilised strategically to address occasional system constraints during morning and evening peak periods.

From 1 April to 28 August 2025, diesel spend remains well under the allocated budget. 

“The Winter Outlook, published on 5 May 2025, covering the period ending 31 August 2025, remains valid. It indicates that loadshedding will not be necessary if unplanned outages stay below 13 000MW. If outages rise to 15 000MW, loadshedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days and restricted to Stage 2.

“With just two days remaining in Eskom’s Winter Outlook period, the power system remains well-positioned to maintain stability and reliably meet demand,” the utility said.

The available generation capacity currently stands at 29 132MW, while Friday’s electricity demand was expected to reach 25 797MW. 

The current capacity is sufficient to meet both Friday’s demand and anticipated requirements over the weekend.

Eskom is scheduled to announce its Summer Outlook in September 2025.

Teaching posts will not be reduced for 2026 in Western Cape

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The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that teaching posts in the province will not be reduced for the 2026 academic year.

Head of Department Brent Walters announced in a circular to schools this week that the “Basket of Posts” allocation for 2025 will remain unchanged next year, meaning 35 934 posts will be provided. Schools are set to receive their individual staff establishments on Friday, 29 August 2025.

The decision follows consultations with teachers’ unions and School Governing Body associations.

In 2024, the WCED cut back on teaching posts in an effort to stay fiscally sustainable, while protecting learner support services such as school nutrition and transport, Norms and Standards funding, and support for learners with special education needs. However, the department acknowledged that the reduction put pressure on schools.

While the allocation will remain the same for 2026, officials noted that enrolment in the province’s schools continues to rise. The WCED said its ability to expand posts depends on greater budget certainty and national funding allocations.

The department is working with other provinces to support Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube in discussions with the National Treasury about securing additional funding for the sector.

Education MEC David Maynier thanked teachers, principals and officials for their continued support, saying their efforts have helped keep the province’s education system stable despite financial challenges.

Urgent measures to address recent taxi violence

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The ongoing violence between CATA and CODETA, and the collapse of talks between the two taxi groupings, has put commuters and the public at risk. The Western Cape Mobility Department, together with other provincial authorities, is now taking urgent steps to restore order and protect lives.

The Somerset West taxi rank has been closed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for 24 hours to prevent further violence.

An urgent court order will be filed against these organisations as a measure to quell the violence, intimidation, and unlawful operations. This will allow law-abiding operators to continue serving commuters.

The Provincial Taxi Registrar will issue a Section 7A(20) enquiry notice, requiring the associations to explain why they have failed to comply with the industry’s Code of Conduct. Should they be unable to provide satisfactory reasons, the registrar may impose sanctions, including suspending operating licences.

A Section 91 notice will also be issued. These notices document specific route infringements and serve as formal warnings that continued violations may result in the temporary or permanent closure of affected routes and/or ranks.

A contingency plan has been implemented to ensure safe and uninterrupted transport along all affected corridors. Alternative transport options will be provided to minimise service disruptions and protect commuters. Security will be overseen by Provincial Traffic, the SAPS, and the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement. This joint, targeted approach ensures that compliant operators can continue serving commuters safely, while those in violation face strict consequences.

The recent Western Cape Taxi Peace Summit was a step in the right direction, creating a shared platform for dialogue. Unfortunately, despite this effort and the mechanisms put in place to facilitate ongoing dialogue, the disregard for these processes has undermined the collective outcomes previously agreed upon. As a result, decisive action is now necessary to restore stability. We will not tolerate lawlessness, but we will continue our peace efforts and not let a few unlawful acts derail our commitment to helping all sides work towards lasting peace.

Premier Alan Winde has strongly condemned the violence. “Violence will never be condoned in our province. If these taxi associations are unable to negotiate peacefully, we are left with no alternative but to take the necessary steps to hold them accountable. Residents and commuters are our first priority.

Their safety is of utmost importance and ensuring this is a non-negotiable. The loss of life is completely unacceptable, and we will work closely with all law enforcement to bring justice to those responsible for this heinous violence,” said Premier Winde. He has called for calm and a return to negotiations that will bring about lasting stability. The Premier concluded, “Nothing can justify bloodshed. It is only through dialogue that differences and challenges can be overcome.”

Over 18,000 arrested in police operations

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested 18 634 suspects over the past week - signaling reaffirmation of public safety and the rule of law.

Among those arrested were 3 087 wanted individuals linked to serious and violent crimes, including murder, rape, hijacking and armed robbery. According to the police, 131 suspects were arrested for murder 140 for attempted murder and 157 for rape.

Meanwhile, 722 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while 1714 suspects were nabbed for illegal migration offences.

A total of 106 suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms.  KwaZulu-Natal led with 32 arrests; Eastern Cape followed with 21 arrests and Gauteng secured 19 arrests. 

Police also arrested 232 suspects for drug trafficking.

The week’s operations also led to the seizure of high-value contraband and dangerous goods,  including 18,882 units of abalone, 180 firearms, and 2 921 rounds of ammunition.  

Meanwhile, SAPS National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, led a drug destruction process worth more than R 400 million in Gauteng.

In a separate enforcement operation, on Friday, 22 August 2025, the National Tracking and Tracing Task Team, under Operation Buyisa, seized 226 firearms from a registered private security company after uncovering serious contraventions of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act 60 of 2000).

Additionally, a coordinated Inter-Provincial Operation led to the arrests of 116 suspects across Frances Baard, Namakwa, and Pixley Ka Seme in the Northern Cape. Major seizures in Colesberg included illicit cigarettes and a truck worth R7.5 million, plus stolen goods and a maroon VW Polo linked to criminal activity. 

Recovered items spanned firearms, ammunition, counterfeit goods, drugs, alcohol, weapons, and cash.

New Rules for E-Hailing Drivers

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Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that new legislation will soon regulate the e-hailing sector, following ongoing tensions and violent incidents in Soweto involving drivers.

Creecy told the Sunday Times that the National Land Transport Amendment (NLTA) Act will set out clear rules for services such as Uber and Bolt. The aim is to ease friction with the taxi industry, especially after a recent attack at Maponya Mall where an e-hailing driver was killed. Although the law has been in development for more than a decade, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed it into effect in 2024.

The new system will issue official e-hailing operating licenses, replacing the current use of charter permits and metered taxi licenses. Vehicles will need visible signs identifying them as e-hailing cars, and licenses will specify the areas in which they are allowed to operate.

Drivers will undergo vetting, criminal record checks, and will be required to hold professional driving permits. To improve safety, vehicles must also be fitted with panic buttons, and drivers’ profile photos must remain updated for accurate passenger verification.

Non-compliance could lead to penalties of up to R100,000 or prison terms of as much as two years. Authorities will also have the power to suspend or revoke licenses if operators break the rules. The Act, approved by Creecy in March, is expected to be gazetted in October once translated into a second official language.

Tensions between the taxi industry and e-hailing platforms have been ongoing for years. Groups like the Soweto Taxi Association and Santaco have argued that unlicensed operators pretending to be e-hailing drivers undercut legitimate services, fueling conflict. The NLTA is intended to close these gaps and bring more fairness to the industry.

Creecy emphasized that while the Act should reduce violence, it will not halt the broader evolution of transport. She noted that taxi operators need to adapt to changing realities or risk being left behind. Research has shown that minibus taxis remain best suited for short-distance travel in areas like the Western Cape, while rail is more efficient for longer trips.

Her department is also working with Gauteng and the Western Cape on better integration between transport modes, with Gauteng developing a single ticket system that could be used across buses, taxis, and trains.

StatsSA releases latest Crime Survey

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The latest Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey (GPSJS) 2024/25 report, released by Statistics South Africa, reveals that housebreaking is the most common crime experienced by households in the country. While the household experience of housebreaking has decreased slightly, home robbery has increased slightly in 2024/25 compared to the 2023/24 period.

The report shows that in 2024/25, an estimated 1.5 million incidences of housebreaking occurred, affecting about 1.1 million households in South Africa. This represents 5.7% of all households in the country. Around 43.4% of households that experienced housebreaking reported some or all incidences to the police.

An estimated 259,000 incidences of home robbery occurred in 2024/25, affecting 213,000 households (about 1.1% of all households). Of these, 51.3% reported some or all incidences to the police.

Theft of personal property remains the most common crime experienced by individuals aged 16 years and older. In 2024/25, there were about 1.3 million incidences of theft, affecting 1.2 million individuals - 2.6% of those 16 years and older. Only 31% of victims reported some or all incidences to the police.

The second most common crime experienced by individuals was consumer fraud. In 2024/25, about 566,000 individuals experienced consumer fraud, with an estimated 811,000 incidences. This represents a sharp increase from 367,000 cases in 2023/24. About 34.9% of affected individuals reported some or all incidences to the police.

The survey further reveals that 81% of individuals aged 16 years and older felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhoods during the day, while only 36.1% felt safe walking alone after dark. Females reported feeling significantly more unsafe at night compared to males.

The proportion of individuals who took measures to protect themselves against crime increased from 39.9% in 2023/24 to 43.3% in 2024/25. Among these, 29.9% indicated that restricting themselves to walking only during safer hours was the main precaution they adopted.

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Gqeberha woman home safe – three arrested

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Three people have been taken into custody after the safe recovery of 62-year-old Tracey Fourie, who was allegedly kidnapped last week while returning home from work.

Although her family had not laid a formal complaint at the time, the Hawks’ kidnapping unit was immediately mobilised.

Authorities have not disclosed details of where Fourie was located, but she was medically assessed and found to be unharmed. It is not known whether a ransom was paid for her release.

The three suspects linked to the case are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Wildfire preparedness done through risk mapping

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Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and its stakeholders prioritise risk mapping as part of its Integrated Fire Management (IFM) strategy. Risk mapping helps firefighters to identify potential fire hazards and gives them the necessary time to prioritise, mitigate, and manage such risks.

GRDM Fire Chief, Deon Stoffels explains: “By mapping areas most prone to wildfires, stakeholders are able to allocate resources strategically, improve decision-making, and ensure rapid response to predetermined risks, especially when severe weather alerts are issued”.

“This process is continuously being refined through innovation and improved software applications, like exploring OroraTech’s Wildfire Solutions and the CSIR Meraka Institute’s Advanced Fire Information System (AFIS).”

Historical Perspective: Past Wildfires

The 2017 wildfires that swept through Knysna and parts of Plettenberg Bay, in a way contributed quite significantly to the Garden Route’s current wildfire management strategies. It also paved the way for new collaborative agreements to be drawn up between municipalities, forestry companies, and landowners to share the costs of year-round aerial firefighting services. The Western Cape Provincial Government and the Department Forestry’s Fisheries and the Environment, however, still funds the provision of first hour aerial firefighting deployment for incidents in high-risk areas over the high summer season.

As of now, improvements include:

Enhanced early warning systems aligned with known risks;
Increased public awareness programmes, particularly in high-risk rural communities and schools;
Greater emphasis on prevention and risk reduction;
Enhanced Integrated Fire Management, including fire awareness, fire prevention, prescribed burning, resource coordination, fire detection, and fire suppression;
Rapid deployment of most suitable resources, including aerial firefighting; and
Increased capacity, particularly over the summer period.

 Role Players in Fire Risk Mapping
Several partners contribute to wildfire risk mapping in the Garden Route. They include the GRDM Fire and Rescue Services, Disaster Management, South African National Parks, CapeNature, Forestry companies, Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA), Working on Fire, landowners, and communities.
To strengthen this approach, GRDM collaborates with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR) Advanced Fire Information Systems (AFIS); a satellite-based tool providing near real-time fire data and veld age maps to update local risk profiles.

Academic and Research Partnerships
Although no direct partnerships currently exist with universities or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) at a district level, Stellenbosch University (SU) regularly participates in provincial platforms. In May 2025, SU contributed to a Western Cape wildfire workshop focusing on evidence-based fire management policies. This workshop highlighted the Five E’s of Fire Services: Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Response, and Economics.
Future workshops are planned, including one in Central Karoo in 2026, building on the inaugural session in Overberg in 2024.

Why Certain Areas Are Riskier
Wildfire risks do increase because of the following:
Human negligence (cigarettes, broken glass, uncontrolled burning, unsafe burning practices, illegal burning) and lack of awareness;
Lightning strikes in mountainous areas;
Extreme weather such as berg winds;Variable climate patterns (heat, droughts and floods);
Lack of control over alien invasive plants;
Poor land management practices; and
Insufficient enforcement of legislation and more.
Addressing these risks requires education, compliance, and preventative measures such as alien invasive plant removal and rehabilitation, fire breaks, and risk planning.

Public’s Role in Reducing Fire Risks
Residents and landowners can play a significant role in lowering their properties’ fire risks by:
Clearing alien invasive plants (with guidance from municipalities, Fire Protection Associations, and environmental authorities);
Creating and upkeeping fire breaks;
Reporting incidents and risks to either the GRDM, local municipalities, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, or the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association;
Municipalities monitor compliance, while enforcement is a priority improvement area for the district and relevant environmental departments;
Fire Scaping your properties and homes; and
Applying for permits to burn and burning in designated places.

Looking Ahead
While measurable district-wide data (such as hectares cleared or number of prescribed burns) is not yet centralised, municipalities and the SCFPA maintain their own records. GRDM is working towards a centralised fire permit system to strengthen data capturing and future reporting.

Western Cape welcomes efforts to reform and revitalise national rail system

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The Western Cape Government welcomes the announcement by National Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, confirming the completion of Transnet’s adjudication process to select new Train Operating Companies (TOCs) through its Rail Infrastructure Manager.

This milestone is particularly significant for the Western Cape as two new TOCs have been allocated to the Cape Corridor, which serves the province directly. Both operators will manage manganese routes originating in the Northern Cape’s Hotazel and Postmasburg mining regions, transporting this vital mineral to the Port of Saldanha.

Saldanha Bay is South Africa’s premier bulk export port and a strategic asset for the Western Cape economy. Strengthening these manganese flows to Saldanha Bay will not only enhance the port’s global competitiveness but also ease pressure on roads by shifting heavy loads from trucks to rail.

“The Western Cape Government is encouraged by Minister Creecy’s announcement. Opening access to our freight rail network is a critical step towards building a modern, efficient, and sustainable rail system that drives economic growth, creates jobs, and strengthens our province’s role as a national and international trade hub. We look forward to working closely with Transnet, new operators, and the private sector to ensure that these reforms deliver real benefits to our communities and businesses,” said Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku.

By boosting rail capacity into Saldanha Bay, supply chain reliability for agriculture, mining, and manufacturing exporters, who rely on efficient ports and logistics to compete globally, is further enhanced . At the same time, improved freight services can generate greater investment in rolling stock and terminals, unlocking billions of rands in private sector opportunities that will modernise South Africa’s rail system.

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer said, “This milestone marks a significant step forward in South Africa’s rail reform journey and aligns powerfully with the Western Cape’s Growth for Jobs Strategy. By enabling third-party access to our rail network, we are unlocking new opportunities for private sector investment, improving freight efficiency, and laying the foundation for inclusive, jobs-rich economic growth.

The allocation of new rail slots, particularly in corridors such as the Cape Corridor for manganese, will support the provincial government’s strategic goals of boosting exports, enhancing competitiveness, and driving investment in key sectors like agriculture and agri-processing.”

“By opening the Cape Corridor to new operators, we can move more cargo by rail, ease pressure on our roads, and unlock growth at the Port of Saldanha that creates jobs across the Western Cape,” concluded Minister Sileku.

Following the announcement, the focus must shift to implementation and delivery. The Western Cape Government urges all partners, including national government, Transnet, new operators, and cargo owners, to move with urgency so that the full benefits of rail reform are realised.

Another lifeline for the African Penguin

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The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has signed the Regulations for the Environmental Management of Offshore Ship-to-Ship Transfer, published under the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008).

These regulations, which will come into force once published in the Government Gazette, provide South Africa with a clear and enforceable environmental framework to manage offshore ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations, including bunkering.

They are designed to prevent pollution, protect coastal ecosystems, minimise and mitigate the impacts of a spill in the unlikely event that one occurs and secure the survival of the African Penguin, together with other marine species and ecosystems in the rich biodiverse Algoa Bay and along South Africa’s coastline in general.

The new measures include:
-Prohibited zones: STS operations are banned within marine protected areas, aquaculture development zones, within 5 nautical miles of each of these zones and within three nautical miles of the high-water mark.
-Wildlife protection: Operators must monitor for penguins and marine mammals, deploy hydrophone systems, and report sightings and incidents. Immediate response plans must be in place for any oiled or injured wildlife.
-Weather limits: In Algoa Bay, operations may only take place in safe conditions, with wind speeds below 22 knots and wave heights below two metres. The Minister may set conditions elsewhere.
-Pollution prevention: Operators must use drip trays, leak detection systems, inflatable booms, and have a spill-response vessel on standby within five nautical miles of shore.
-Training and compliance: All crew must receive environmental awareness training. Each operator must also submit an independent Environmental Management Plan, approved by the Minister, addressing site-specific risks.
-Algoa Bay restrictions: Operations are confined to designated anchorages, with a limit on the number of operators and tankers, and seasonal restrictions in anchorage area 2 to protect sensitive habitats.

Non-compliance will be met with firm penalties: fines of up to R2 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. Minister George said, “These regulations are a decisive step to safeguard our oceans and secure the future of our African Penguin. They set strict standards for offshore ship-to-ship transfers, ensuring that maritime activity can only proceed in a safe and responsible way.”
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