Category: News

Power system continues to meet winter demand

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Eskom says the power system continues to operate reliably, showing ongoing resilience in effectively meeting winter electricity demand. 

“When occasional system constraints arise, they are effectively managed through the strategic deployment of emergency reserves during morning and evening peak periods,” the power utility said on Friday.

Since 15 May 2025, there has been no loadshedding, with only 26 hours recorded between 1 April and 24 July 2025. 

With 37 days of Eskom’s Winter Outlook period still remaining, Eskom said the system remains well-positioned to maintain stability and meet demand effectively.

“As of today [Friday], unplanned outages are at 11 695MW and the available generation capacity is 30 236MW. Tonight’s electricity demand is expected to reach 27 715MW. The current capacity is sufficient to meet both today’s demand and anticipated requirements over the weekend.

“During the week of 18 to 24 July 2025, planned maintenance averaged 5 050MW. Over the same period, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) ranged between 62% and 66%, with the month-to-date average further increasing to 63.11%,” Eskom said.

To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 3 960MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 28 July 2025, and throughout this week.

Between 1 April and 24 July 2025, the Unplanned Capability Loss Factor (UCLF), which measures the percentage of generation capacity lost due to unplanned outages, decreased to 28.99%. 

This marks a reduction of an ~0.5% compared to the previous week but remains about 2.4% higher than the 26.60% recorded during the same period last year. 

“As of Thursday, the UCLF stood at 23.79%, consistently indicating a notable improvement in performance. The open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) load factor decreased this week, reaching 1.86%, down from the 8.6% recorded during the previous week (11 to 17 July 2025). This indicates less reliance on OCGTs,” Eskom said.

From 1 April to 24 July 2025, diesel spend remains within the budget allocated for 1 April to 31 July 2025.

“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,” Eskom said.

The power utility has encouraged all South Africans to use electricity efficiently throughout the winter season. 

To help manage household electricity consumption, Eskom customers are encouraged to use the Eskom Residential Calculator, a convenient tool for tracking and optimising energy usage: 
https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/residential-calculator/

Correction on diesel spend 
Meanwhile, Eskom has corrected the diesel spend figure published in the Power Alert for the week ending 17 July 2025. 

“We identified a discrepancy in the reported diesel amount. The actual diesel spend should have been R5.554 billion, not R5.897 billion as stated. The figure 5 897 was in fact the R/MWh and was mistakenly captured as spend instead of R/MWh.

This regretfully resulted in an inadvertent overstatement of the diesel spend, which we hereby correct. Eskom continuously reviews its diesel spend and energy output figures as part of its monthly reporting and reconciliation processes,” Eskom said.

Western Cape works to enhance road safety

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The Western Cape is working to enhance efforts aimed at preventing road incidents, particularly those involving pedestrians.

This as the Western Cape Mobility Department is working closely with law enforcement, municipalities, and Joint Traffic Control Centres (JTCCs) in this undertaking.

According to the provincial department, pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users, accounting for the majority of lives lost on the province’s roads this month.

Of the 72 road fatalities recorded across the province from 1 to 22 July 2025, pedestrians account for the most deaths, highlighting the need for focused interventions.

The department said many of these incidents occurred in high-density municipal areas, with Khayelitsha, Milnerton, Paarl, and Kuilsriver repeatedly emerging as hotspots for multiple pedestrian deaths.

In addition, the R300 corridor, a provincial route, also recorded several fatalities. 

Meanwhile, outside the primary hotspots, there were over 20 individual pedestrian deaths spread across the province, from metro suburbs to smaller rural towns. 

“This wide distribution highlights that no community is immune and underscores the need for a province-wide safety response. Recent statistics reveal that pedestrian fatalities occur mostly at night, along highways, and on poorly lit roads,” the statement read. 

Contributing factors include jaywalking, alcohol use by both pedestrians and drivers, speeding, and non-utilisation of pedestrian infrastructure.

The department stated that it was collaborating with relevant stakeholders to prevent road incidents involving road users. 

In the meantime, the province has conducted 442 vehicle checkpoint operations in the first three weeks of July, including 219 drunk driving operations, 84 public transport checks, and targeted operations focusing on seatbelt use, vehicle fitness, learner and farm worker transport.

The team is deploying road safety ambassadors in high-risk areas to educate communities on safe road use and is launching awareness campaigns supported by schools, neighbourhood watches, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other community groups.

They are also enhancing law enforcement visibility on highways and provincial routes, with improved monitoring.

Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, said the loss of pedestrian lives is not just a statistic; it represents families torn apart and communities left in mourning. 

“We urge both motorists and pedestrians to take responsibility. Motorists must slow down and remain vigilant, while pedestrians should always use designated crossings, wear visible clothing at night, and avoid walking under the influence of alcohol,” Sileku said.

Meanwhile, the department is also preparing to roll out new pedestrian safety infrastructure and interventions in identified high-risk zones in the coming months, as part of its ongoing strategy to reduce road deaths.

“Road safety is a collective effort. By working together, as government, drivers, and pedestrians, we can turn the tide on these preventable deaths,” it said. 

President hails BMW’s local production of plug-in hybrid as milestone for green mobility

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded BMW South Africa’s launch of the locally produced BMW X3 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) as a significant leap toward a low-carbon future and a boost for South Africa’s industrial and economic growth.

Speaking at BMW’s Rosslyn plant in Tshwane on Thursday, the President praised the milestone as a symbol of trust in the country, as well as a demonstration of BMW Group’s long-standing commitment to the South African market. 

The President highlighted that this world-class facility was the first BMW plant to be built outside of Germany and has been at the centre of the group’s operations since 1973.
 
“A number of world-class vehicles are manufactured right here at this plant, including both ICE and hybrid models from the BMW X family. And now, we have reached another milestone with the production of the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.  

“The shift to green mobility and electrification in vehicle production is in line with commitments by countries to reduce emissions and support the transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient global economy. We are greatly encouraged by this milestone reached by the BMW Group,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa said the Rosslyn plant remains a pillar of South Africa’s automotive sector, which contributes approximately 4.9% to the country’s GDP, sustains over 115 000 direct manufacturing jobs, and supports more than half a million jobs across its value chain.

BMW’s investment in local manufacturing comes at a time when South Africa is working to position itself as a globally competitive hub for future mobility. 

“As the transition to battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen mobility gathers momentum, South Africa is perfectly positioned as a key global manufacturing base for the mobility of the future,” President Ramaphosa said.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to enabling this shift, highlighting the recently released Electric Vehicle White Paper and an incentive programme under the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP). 

These are aimed at creating a stable and predictable policy environment to attract investment, grow exports, and expand the local electric vehicle (EV) market. 

“The production of the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid locally is a testament to the trust placed in our skills, our workers, our partnerships and our potential. Let us honour this achievement by staying the course, driving transformation, creating jobs and leading Africa’s industrial future,” he said.

President Ramaphosa also touched on the strategic opportunity presented by South Africa’s mineral wealth. 

“The global shift to clean vehicles presents opportunities for the local component manufacturing sector, whose focus has been on ICE components. With our significant reserves of critical minerals, we must become a hub for processing and beneficiation. 

“We are finalising targeted incentives for battery cell localisation, EV component manufacture, clean mobility research and design, and critical mineral beneficiation,” he said. 

The President also acknowledged the changing global trade landscape – particularly the recent announcements on tariffs by the United States. 

“The recent announcements on tariffs by the United States, an important market for our vehicle exports, further underscores the need to diversity our export base and accelerate domestic value creation,” he said. 

Youth development
The President commended BMW’s commitment to youth development, including its training academy that produces 300 apprentices annually, its long-term support for the Youth Employment Service (YES), and its initiatives to develop young women leaders and black industrialists. 

He also praised BMW’s investment in digital skills through its partnership with UNICEF and its Tshwane-based IT Hub, which employs more than 2 000 digital professionals.

“As a founding partner of the Youth Employment Service, BMW has supported over 3 500 youth, with placements across all provinces and in diverse sectors such as retail, IT, education and health. 

“BMW’s roots may be in Bavaria, but its beating heart is South African. We are proud of your presence. We are greatly encouraged by your ongoing investment as we strive to build the low-carbon economies of the future,” the President said.

Looking ahead
Calling on BMW to continue its role as a flagship partner in the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC), the President urged the company to deepen localisation, expand youth training, lead in EV battery development, and support township-based supplier development.

“As the Government of National Unity, we welcome the role you continue to play in supporting our drive for inclusive growth and job creation.  

“BMW’s presence in the country is one of mutual interest and shared value. To the entire BMW team, you are building more than cars. 

“You are building a legacy of excellence, inclusion and hope among South Africans. We look forward to continuing this partnership and supporting the next chapter of your journey,” the President said. 

Cape Town’s 700 new City police officers to hit the ground in Spring

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Cape Town’s 700 new City police officers will be ready for deployment this Spring, including dedicated neighbourhood policing for every ward. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis paid a visit to the officers in their final stages of training at the City’s Observatory college on 24 July, together with Alderman JP Smith JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.

‘By this Spring, we are on track to deliver a historic first in Cape Town, with every single ward set to receive dedicated neighbourhood police officers, who I was glad to observe in their final training stages today before graduation.

‘The 700 new officers are a key investment in a safer Cape Town as part of the City’s new Invested in Hope Budget, alongside our SA-record R40bn infrastructure programme.

‘These officers will get to know the neighbourhood challenges, the goings-on, the problem buildings, and the residents themselves. This kind of personal policing, where relationships and trust are built, can only lead to more positive outcomes,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

The candidates completed an 18-month-long programme which included:
- Traffic Officer course (12 months)
- Metro Police officer training which included firearm competency training (three months).
- Specialised training which included Neighbourhood Safety Officer training, evidence- based policing.
Additional Tactical training, EPIC training
- This group of cadets also received Civic Academy training

Officers were also put through their paces using the City’s cutting-edge fire arm simulator training. Officers will be assigned ‘EPIC’ hand-held devices for digital policing coordination and reporting of offences. They will also benefit from the bodycam rollout under way across the City’s policing services.

‘Besides dedicated neighbourhood policing in every ward, our new deployment will also include escort services for frontline service delivery teams in our most vulnerable communities where violent crime and extortion is a major challenge. The N2 will also benefit from a dedicated deployment to enhance safety along this critical highway route,’ said Alderman JP Smith.

The City continues to invest in growing its policing resources, including:
· Over 1 200 officers deployed to major crime hotspots via the LEAP initiative in partnership with the Western Cape Government
· Further growth of over 1 100 uniformed officers since 2021, including the upcoming deployment of 700 more officers to provide dedicated neighbourhood policing capacity in each ward and to escort service delivery teams in unsafe areas
· A major R800m safety technology investment for smarter policing, including drones, dashcams, gunshot detection, CCTV, dashcams, bodycams, automated number-plate recognition, and the digital system to coordinate it all, known as EPIC.

Featured Photo: Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis paid a visit to the officers in their final stages of training at the City’s Observatory college on 24 July, together with Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.

Police seize cocaine with an estimated street value of R500 000

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WESTERN CAPE - The Western Cape police members remain steadfast in their commitment to creating a safer society with a persistent focus on ridding our streets of the scourge of drugs.

On Wednesday, 23 July 2025 at approximately 18:00, police members attached to Operation Shanela II and Grassy Park Crime Prevention Unit arrested four male suspects, aged between 24 and 46, in the Parkwood area on suspicion of dealing in drugs.

A large quantity of cocaine valued at approximately R500 000-00 was confiscated during the operation.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court once formal charges have been laid.

Alleged Chinese fugitive arrested in SA

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The International Criminal Police Organisation’s (INTERPOL) National Central Bureau (NCB) in Pretoria has arrested a 57-year-old Chinese fugitive, who is believed to be linked to a case of fraud reported in China.

According to a preliminary report, INTERPOL circulated a Red Notice to all member countries to locate and provisionally arrest the Chinese national.

This as wanted persons often flee to another country to evade their arrest.

“The suspect reportedly applied for a visa at the United States of America Embassy in Sandton when his fugitive status was flagged, leading to his arrest on Tuesday, 22 July 2025,” said the police in a statement.

The suspect made his first appearance in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.
The police said the INTERPOL NCB continues to record commendable successes in dismantling transnational crime syndicates and arresting international fugitives in the country.
arrest

Government publishes changes to budget process

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As South Africa’s current budget process has not kept pace with the country’s evolving fiscal, institutional and political realities, government has published changes that will be implemented in the 2026 budget process.

The changes are aimed at clarifying trade-offs, reducing waste and prioritising high-impact programmes. 

“A review of the budget process revealed a critical limitation of the process, including fragmented decision-making, poor policy-budget alignment, and weak consensus on trade-offs in the context of competing priorities and limited fiscal space,” National Treasury said on Wednesday. 

The key actionable reforms to address challenges in the government process have been outlined in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Technical Guidelines 2026 (https://www.treasury.gov.za/publications/guidelines/2026%20MTEF%20Guidelines.pdf).

The guidelines have been issued in terms of Section 27(3) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which provides that National Treasury must prescribe the format in which an annual budget must be prepared.

“The guidelines reaffirm government’s commitment to a more disciplined, transparent, and strategically aligned budget process that supports South Africa's long-term fiscal objectives and national development priorities.

“Importantly, the guidelines outline the economic environment under which the 2026 MTEF is formulated, signals recommendations from the review that will be implemented, and incorporates lessons learned from the 2025 budget cycle. As a first step in the reform process, these guidelines and the accompanying budget calendar have been formally approved by Cabinet,” National Treasury explained.

The fiscal objectives, as set out in the 2025 Budget, are to stabilise debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio, achieve a primary surplus, expand infrastructure investment, and support the social wage. These objectives are set to continue into the 2026 Budget. 

The principles for the 2026 MTEF include using Targeted and Responsible Savings (TARS) to create fiscal space for key priorities set out in the Medium-Term Development Plan. 

Some of the initiatives that will be utilised for the identification of programmes to be included in the TARS process are:  
Spending reviews
•    Previous work should be updated, where appropriate, to inform implementation;
•    Outcomes of new sectoral reviews, such as the Active Labour Market Policy (ALMP), and
•    The review of infrastructure conditional grants should be implemented.

New data driven approaches
•    Use of technology to eliminate double dipping in social grants and other programmes (e.g. community works programme);
•    Annual audit of ghost workers and payroll irregularities;
•    Updated proposals on public entity and departmental rationalisation;
•    Implement personnel expenditure review completed by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), and
•    Finalise extended review of public entities remuneration.

Treasury further said that detailed technical baseline analyses and institutional reviews will ensure that departments and public entities are appropriately aligned to the set mandates. 

Accused Pleads Guilty to Leaking Maths Exam Paper, Sentenced by Court

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PRETORIA - The accused Themba Daniel Shikwambana (36) and Thobile Sweetbetter Duze (48), appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 23 July 2025 where they pleaded guilty and were sentenced for theft of a matric question paper.

On 16 November 2020, Department of Basic Education received information about a possible leak of Mathematics matric exam question paper. The department was alerted via a WhatsApp photograph which was later verified and confirmed to be a true copy of the 2020 Mathematics Paper 2 exam paper.

Preliminary investigation discovered that some learners in Limpopo and Gauteng confirmed that they received the leaked paper via WhatsApp.

The matter was then reported to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Headquarters Pretoria for further investigation.

On 25 November 2020, Shikwambana who was working at a printing company in Johannesburg, where exam papers were printed was traced and arrested in Gauteng, Orange Farm. Further investigation led to the arrest of Duze on 10 June 2021 in KwaZulu-Natal, Port Shepstone. The accused appeared in court on several occasions culminating in their recent conviction.

The court sentenced Shikwambana and Duze to a fine of R100 000 or twelve months imprisonment of which R50 000 or six months imprisonment is suspended for a period of five years on condition that they are not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension.

The court ordered them to pay the amount of R50 000 on a monthly instalments of R5000 on or before April 2026. The court further sentenced the accused to three years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that they are not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension.

Search continues for missing Knysna Man

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GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT - Knysna police are seeking the assistance of the public in the search for Gert Hills (81) from Cemdebo Avenue, Old Place in Knysna who was reported missing by his wife on Friday 18 July 2025.

Preliminary information suggests that Hills left his residence on Friday, 18 July 2025 at about 12:00, to purchase items in town however, he never returned. He was dressed in a black top and silk trousers at the time of his disappearance and drove a silver Nissan Juke with registration number CX14 107.

The vehicle was last spotted at Klein Brakrivier between George and Mossel Bay on Friday evening.

Anyone with information which could lead to the safe return of the missing person is urged to contact the investigation officer, Warrant Officer James Visagie, at 073 244 6154 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

Eskom clarifies dispute with Koeberg contractor

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Eskom has confirmed that the two contractual disputes with Koeberg Nuclear Power Station contractor, Framatome, are being addressed through an agreed resolution process.

This after media reports that the French energy company had won a high court order instructing the power utility to pay some R1 billion to the company, following contractual issues.

Framatome was contracted for the Steam Generator Replacement Project at the nuclear power station located in the Western Cape.

“In accordance with the contract, disputes are first referred to adjudication and, if not resolved, to arbitration. 

“Two disputes were adjudicated between December 2022 and February 2023. As Eskom was not satisfied with the adjudicator’s decisions, the two matters were escalated to arbitration as per the agreed process. The arbitration was held from June to July 2025, and a decision is expected in the last quarter of Eskom’s financial year.  

“Recent media reports appear to have mixed separate legal processes. To clarify, no new payments are currently due, and all actions taken by Eskom have been in line with the applicable legal and contractual procedures,” the power utility said in a statement on Tuesday.

Furthermore, Eskom said although it “disagreed with the adjudicator’s decisions” - it complied with the outcomes and made payments.

“All payments had been made by March 2024 as part of standard contract processes – not as penalties or fines,” the electricity supplier said.

Simultaneously, the power utility approached the courts.

“Eskom approached the Cape High Court to have the adjudicator’s decisions set aside due to procedural irregularities (independent of the merits of the decisions). The court only delivered its judgment on 17 July 2025, over a year late. Eskom is currently reviewing the judgment to determine the appropriate next steps.

“We encourage the public and media to trust the integrity of this process. Eskom is following the proper legal channels to resolve these matters responsibly, and we remain committed to transparency and accountability throughout.

“Most importantly, despite these disputes, the core technical work, replacing the steam generators on Koeberg Unit 2, has been completed. This is a major milestone that contributes to the safe and extended operation of the power station, helping to ensure energy security for the country,” Eskom said. 
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