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SA, Namibia to hold 4th Binational Commission in Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will co-chair the fourth session of the South Africa-Namibia Binational Commission (BNC) on Friday in Pretoria.

The high-level presidential session serves as the culmination of a week of bilateral diplomatic engagements following the Council of Ministers Meeting held on Thursday, which was preceded by a two-day Senior Officials Meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Spokesperson to the President Vincent Magwenya emphasised that the relationship between South Africa and Namibia is built on an "unshakeable foundation", as both nations forged solidarity during colonialism and apartheid.

"Namibia's political stability and close ties with South Africa position it as a key strategic partner within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and on the global stage," Magwenya stated.

He further noted that both nations share identical views on accelerating the political and economic integration of the African continent, driven by a mutual commitment to Africa's renewal, pan-African values, robust South-South cooperation, active multilateralism, and the preservation of a rules-based international governance system.

Namibia remains one of South Africa's most vital strategic partners in the region. Since the BNC structure was officially established in 2013, the nations have successfully convened three sessions, making Friday's meeting a milestone fourth chapter in their structured diplomatic mechanism.

According to Magwenya, the bilateral partnership is robust and spans a broad range of activity, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, environmental management, science and technology, social development, as well as defence and security collaboration.

The post-apartheid era has yielded significant progress for both countries, reflected in the 75 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) currently signed between the two States.

Magwenya explained that these legal frameworks cover a comprehensive spectrum, ranging from economic and political treaties to defence, social upliftment, and security cooperation.

Friday's summit is expected to review the implementation of these existing agreements while exploring new avenues to boost economic trade, regional stability, and sustainable development for both nations.

The SA-Namibia BNC will also incorporate the South Africa – Namibia Business Forum which will be held under the theme 'Driving Regional Industrialisation, Investment and Sustainable Growth Through Strategic South Africa–Namibia Partnerships'.

The session will bring together government and business representatives from both countries, to engage and collaborate on efforts that will strengthen trade and investment.

South Africa and Namibia maintain robust trade and investment relations, with over 50 South African companies investing in Namibia between 2023 and 2025, contributing approximately $1.2-billion in capital and creating around 4 900 jobs across key sectors such as mining, banking, insurance, property, and renewable energy.

South Africa's financial regulator launches probe into state asset manager

South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority has launched an investigation into the Public Investment Corporation, citing concerns over governance, leadership stability and transparency at the State-owned asset manager.

In a statement late on Tuesday, the regulator said it had become "increasingly concerned" by recent developments at the PIC, including issues related to governance, leadership stability, transparency and the potential impact on confidence in one of Africa's largest asset managers.

On Monday, the PIC's board of directors placed Chief Executive Patrick Dlamini on precautionary suspension after a whistleblower complaint against him. It gave no further details of the allegations and said the suspension did not constitute a finding and was not a pronouncement of any wrongdoing. Dlamini could not be reached for comment.

The regulator said these recent events had raised "serious questions" about whether the PIC was consistently upholding standards of governance, integrity, accountability and conduct expected of such an institution.

The PIC manages more than 3-trillion rand ($183-billion) in assets and is the biggest investor on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

In a separate statement on Wednesday, the PIC board welcomed the investigation and said it had furnished the regulator with the information and documentation it requested on the whistleblower report and associated governance process.

"The board remains fully committed to cooperating with all regulators and ensuring that governance matters are addressed through independent, credible and transparent processes," it said.

The FSCA said its investigation relates to these developments and did not provide the expected duration of the investigation.

DA urges Ramaphosa to task SIU, SSA with public service lifestyle audits

The DA has formally requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to issue a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to partner with the State Security Agency for mandatory public sector lifestyle audits.

The opposition party insists these financial reviews must target the entire public service. They place special emphasis on law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

DA spokesperson on Police Lisa Schickerling emphasised public frustration with politically connected officials accumulating unexplained wealth. She stated that taxpayers are tired of watching State funds vanish into corruption, organised crime, and State capture.

Schickerling argued that bringing in the SIU would transform lifestyle audits from a routine administrative task into a powerful anti-corruption weapon.

An official presidential proclamation would allow the SIU to deploy forensic expertise to verify audit findings, investigate unexplained wealth among high-ranking officials and recover stolen State assets directly.

It would also refer criminal matters to the National Prosecuting Authority.

The DA notes that current SSA-led audits lack decisive accountability. Many officials continue to live lavish lifestyles that do not match their declared legal income yet face zero consequences.

Evidence from various commissions of inquiry and ongoing corruption trials reveals a disturbing pattern. Organised criminal syndicates have deeply penetrated State organs. They operate with the assistance and protection of public officials who possess wealth far beyond what government salaries justify.

The financial mismatch is particularly glaring within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

South Africa's most senior police officers earn up to R2.5-million annually. Despite these high salaries, allegations of corruption at the top tier of the SAPS remain incredibly common, highlighting an urgent need for independent financial scrutiny.

She emphasised that South Africans deserve a police service that fights crime not one that is top-heavy, riddled with allegations of corruption, and increasingly detached from the realities faced by the men and women on the ground.

Absa joins Home Affairs digital partnership to offer smart IDs

The Department of Home Affairs has announced another major milestone in its digital transformation strategy as Absa officially went live with digital Smart ID applications.

This rollout marks Absa as the fourth major financial institution to participate in the department's new Digital Partnership Model, joining Capitec, Standard Bank, and First National Bank. The partnership significantly expands the footprint of secure, dignified, and convenient government services across South Africa.

With Absa integrated into the system, South Africans can now access critical Smart ID services through a network of 296 participating bank branches nationwide. The immediate rollout includes 12 enabled Absa branches, with an aggressive expansion plan to activate a further 60 Absa branches before the end of 2026.

To bridge the gap in remote areas, Absa is also introducing "Bank on the Move". This innovative mobile service component will extend secure Home Affairs services directly to underserved communities. Full details of this mobile initiative will be unveiled at the official rollout event.

The Digital Partnership Model has already demonstrated massive success, processing more than 385 000 Smart ID applications in just four months. This rapid adoption highlights surging public demand for streamlined digital services.

It also accelerates the national effort to replace old, fraud-prone green barcoded ID books with highly secure Smart ID cards.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, praised the initiative as a core pillar of the department's ongoing modernisation.

"The rapid expansion of our Digital Partnership with the banking sector demonstrates the success of our vision to fundamentally transform Home Affairs service delivery through digital innovation," Schreiber stated. He noted that the high volume of applications proves South Africans are eager to embrace faster, safer, and more convenient service channels.

This expansion is part of the broader Home Affairs @ home reform programme. The initiative aims to scale the digital partnership network to 750 participating bank branches by the end of this year. Combined with mobile innovations such as Bank on the Move, the DHA is successfully bringing secure, high-quality identity services directly to the doorsteps of everyday citizens.

South African rand gains as US inflation weighs on dollar

The South African rand gained on Tuesday against a weaker dollar after US consumer inflation slowed more than expected in June, ruling out an interest rate increase from the Federal Reserve this year.

The rand was trading at 16.3725 against the dollar by 1255 GMT, roughly up 0.6% from its previous close.

The US dollar weakened about 0.5% against a basket of currencies after US Labor Department data showed consumer prices at 3.5% in the 12 months through June, slowing from 4.2% in May.

Like other risk-sensitive currencies, the rand often takes cues from global drivers such as US policy in addition to domestic data.

South Africa's mining output fell 5.4% year-on-year in May, compared with an 8% increase in April, Statistics South Africa data showed.

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index was up about 0.2%.

South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond was weaker, as the yield rose 7.5 basis points to 8.42%.

DA demands release of National Water Crisis Action Plan after Speaker rejects debate

The DA on Tuesday reiterated its demand for the immediate publication of the National Water Crisis Action Plan and its current implementation status, in whatever form it may exist, following a refusal by Parliament to debate the matter.

This escalation comes after the National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza denied a written request from the opposition party for an urgent Parliamentary debate regarding South Africa's escalating drinking water supply crisis.

The DA's push for an urgent debate stems from a commitment made in March by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament, where he promised that a comprehensive water action plan would be ready by the end of March 2026. However, months later, no such plan has been made public.

The party stated that it cannot and will not accept a reality where millions of citizens continue to live with dry taps, dirty water flow, and long-term supply breakdowns affecting both homes and businesses across the country.

"Despite the DA's information, which we got from the Presidency, showing that there is currently no Water Action Plan, the Speaker of the National Assembly has rejected our request for an urgent debate," said DA spokesperson on Water and Sanitation Stephen Moore. "The DA is of the opinion that the issue qualifies for such a debate because the President made a specific promise in Parliament, and Parliament must seek answers."

Moore explained that the opposition is not looking for vague promises, but a clear, dated programme setting out explicit responsibilities, funding models, targets, and strict deadlines.

"Water is a constitutional right, not a communications exercise," Moore stressed. "The President's lack of action shows the ANC's attitude to water supply in South Africa. South Africans were promised a Water Crisis Plan to end dry taps in March, by the President. Continuous DA action has exposed that there is no ready plan to end their suffering."

Moore further noted that holding the executive accountable is Parliament's foremost duty, yet the Speaker's decision suggests a preference for keeping South Africans waiting for answers rather than allowing Parliament to find them through open debate.

Compounding the issue, the President has reportedly failed to respond to a formal written question on the matter.

In response to the stonewalling, Moore announced that the opposition will be taking the matter a step further. "We will be pursuing the President's false promise to have a ready plan by March in the Executive Undertakings Committee, where the truth will come to the fore," Moore said.

The DA warned it won't hesitate to haul the President before this committee to answer for his unfulfilled parliamentary commitments.

Makashule Gana representing Parly in Phala Phala court battle against Ramaphosa

The Western Cape High Court is scheduled to hear an urgent legal challenge on Wednesday and Thursday, positioning Parliament's Section 89 Impeachment Committee chairperson Makashule Gana, at the centre.

Cited as the second respondent in his official capacity, Gana's upcoming courtroom appearance underscores Parliament's firm commitment to defending its constitutional oversight mechanisms against high-level executive pushback.

The legal battle intensified last month when the Section 89 Impeachment Committee resolved to formally oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa's urgent court application attempting to halt the committee's inquiry.

His urgent application aims to block it from proceeding with the impeachment process tied to the ongoing Phala Phala scandal.

This litigation represents the latest chapter in a protracted legal saga surrounding the Section 89 inquiry currently before Parliament. The Presidency's move to interdict the process is seen as a direct challenge to the legislative arm's power to hold the executive accountable.

Despite the litigation, committee members maintain that their mandate remains unchanged. Committee leadership emphasised that they are legally bound by previous Constitutional Court directives regarding parliamentary oversight.

Gana's representation of the committee this week will focus heavily on preserving the separation of powers. Parliament's legal team is expected to argue that halting an active legislative inquiry prematurely encroaches on the constitutional duties of the National Assembly.

The outcome of the two-day hearing will dictate whether the Phala Phala impeachment inquiry faces further delays or proceeds at full steam.

Salga Gauteng calls for transparent intergovernmental processes to resolve withholding of equitable share

The South African Local Government Association Gauteng calls for a fair, transparent and collaborative intergovernmental process to resolve the decision by the National Treasury to withhold equitable share allocations from six municipalities in the province.

Treasury announced last week that it would withhold equitable share transfers to 69 municipalities across the country.

Municipalities must comply with financial governance requirements, but enforcement measures should not undermine the constitutional mandate of local government nor compromise the delivery of essential services, says Salga Gauteng.

The equitable share remains a critical source of funding, particularly for municipalities facing constrained revenue bases, rising bulk service costs, historical debt burdens and increasing socioeconomic pressures, the organisation adds.

Salga Gauteng is concerned that withholding equitable share allocations may unintentionally deepen the financial challenges these measures seek to address. Many municipalities rely on these allocations to provide basic services, support indigent households, meet operational commitments and honour payment arrangements with suppliers.

Financial sanctions should not create a cycle in which municipalities become less able to address the very compliance shortcomings they are required to resolve.

Salga Gauteng, therefore, urges Treasury to ensure enforcement measures are proportionate, evidence-based and responsive to the circumstances of each municipality, particularly where credible evidence of compliance or corrective action has been submitted.

Salga Gauteng held a meeting on July 10 during which the affected municipalities reported how they had engaged Treasury, submitted representations and, in several instances, provided supporting evidence demonstrating progress or compliance.

The compliance areas identified by Treasury include reducing unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure; strengthening consequence management, disciplinary boards and Municipal Public Accounts Committee processes; implementing sustainable payment arrangements with bulk suppliers and institutions such as water boards, Eskom, the South African Revenue Service, the Auditor-General and pension funds; and adopting funded budgets.

These measures are fundamental to sound financial management. Municipalities must continue strengthening internal controls, improving revenue management, maintaining credible records, honouring sustainable repayment agreements and ensuring that oversight structures address unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure matters and consequence management without delay, Salga Gauteng says.

Salga Gauteng says it will continue to support affected municipalities by consolidating their submissions, identifying common challenges and escalating unresolved matters through the appropriate political and technical intergovernmental structures.

"Salga Gauteng calls on Treasury to engage directly and urgently with affected municipalities before finalising or continuing decisions to withhold equitable share allocations. Where additional information is required, municipalities should receive clear guidance and a reasonable opportunity to address any outstanding requirements.

"Simultaneously, municipalities must continue taking decisive steps to strengthen financial governance by reducing unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, improving oversight and consequence management, honouring credible payment arrangements, strengthening revenue collection and ensuring that budgets are funded, realistic and aligned to service delivery priorities," says Salga Gauteng.

Salga Gauteng says it remains committed to supporting municipalities while advancing accountability, financial discipline and service delivery stability.

Compliance and enforcement should strengthen local go...

South Africa proposes compulsory fuel stocks to preempt crises

South Africa is proposing a revamp of its strategic fuel storage capability requiring mandatory reserves from both the State and private sector to mitigate supply crises, a policy document showed.

Global energy supplies and prices have been under pressure for months due to an ongoing crisis in the Middle East that has choked off the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and liquefied natural gas transit route.

The proposals, outlined in a document from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, would make it mandatory for all licensed oil and fuel wholesalers and importers to hold 21 days' worth of stocks, with 70% allocated to crude oil and the remainder to refined products such as diesel or jet fuel.

It proposes state strategic stocks of 60 days, with the same split. The buffer can be released during a declared state of emergency in "catastrophic events".

"There is a compelling need for South Africa to have a Strategic Stocks Policy to enhance the state of readiness in the event of major oil supply disruptions," the document said.

If approved, the draft policy, which is open for public consultation, will mark the first major boost to the country's strategic fuel reserves since the 1970s, when the apartheid government built underground crude oil storage facilities at Saldanha on the west coast. However, no specific storage levels to support the operations have been set.

The new State stocks would be managed at the Saldanha and Milnerton storage facilities.

The Fuels Industry Association of South Africa, which represents oil companies operating in the country, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

South Africa, which has lost about half of its refinery capacity in recent years, uses an average of 27-billion litres of oil products each year, according to government estimates.

Ramaphosa calls on S Africans to use Mandela Day to fight poverty, inequality

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to use the upcoming Nelson Mandela International Day to refocus national efforts on tackling deep-seated poverty and inequality.

Writing in his weekly newsletter to the nation, Ramaphosa emphasised that meaningful change requires a combination of structural policy reform and grassroots community service.

He stated that the government must ensure laws and policies protect workers while maintaining a regulatory environment that encourages investment.

"At the same time, we are continuing to improve our social protection system and helping people build livelihoods, gain skills and find work through our public and social employment programmes," Ramaphosa added.

This coming Saturday, South Africa will join the global community in celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day. The day was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009.

Ramaphosa noted that July 18 is not just a local occasion that the world happens to notice. Instead, it is a global day of action designed to harness Madiba's legacy to confront universal challenges: the fight against poverty, inequality, and injustice.

The President challenged citizens to view their volunteer work as part of a larger, systemic mission rather than an isolated event.

"The acts of service we perform this Saturday are not merely symbolic gestures, disconnected from the harder business of building institutions, driving investment, and changing systems and policies. They are part of the same effort," Ramaphosa explained.

"So this Mandela Day, as we serve our communities, let us also renew our resolve to tackle the poverty and inequality that make such service necessary in the first place."

Ramaphosa appealed to the public to dedicate their time to sustainable upliftment.

"This year, we ask every South African to heed that call. Let us give our 67 minutes through acts of service that feed the hungry, comfort the lonely, or support vulnerable communities, ensuring that Madiba's legacy lives on through our collective actions."

Ramaphosa explained that Madiba was clear that overcoming poverty is not an act of charity, but an act of justice.

"So on this Mandela Day, let us also recommit ourselves to the difficult task of ending poverty and inequality in our country and in our world," he said.

He noted that through the country's G20 Presidency last year, government placed the issue of inequality firmly on the global agenda.

He said government is now working with other countries and institutions to establish an International Panel on Inequality to monitor global inequality, assess its causes and consequences and recommend the policies needed to reverse it … no nation can overcome inequality alone; we need coordinated multilateral action, rooted in solidarity and shared responsibility, he added.

"As a country, we must use Mandela Day to refocus our efforts to tackle poverty and inequality. We must sustain our investment in the education and health of our people, prioritising the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable.

"We must continue to direct energy and resources towards strengthening early learning in our schools and completing the overhaul of our skills development system. At the same time, we must continue to build a health care system that provides quality care to all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay," he said.