Deputy President Paul Mashatile withstood intense interrogation
He says the government granted R500 million and 44 000 hectares for land redistribution in the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
This is in line with the numbers in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development's 2025 budget vote. Some parliament members say progress is still slow because of bureaucratic and legal delays.
Mashatile, head of the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, says Operation Shanela has led to 13 000 arrests. The operation ran from 17 to 23 March 2025.
The programme's main goal is to stop gang violence in places like the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Stats SA Q1 2025 data shows youth unemployment at 45.5 percent, further pushing gang recruitment.
Security experts at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Africa say we can't stop crime without dealing with poverty and gaps in education.
Mashatile attested to 105 municipalities' poor water supply performance. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) sends engineers to keep an eye on failing projects.
Theft, leaks, and billing errors cause water losses of up to 50% in some metros, according to the DWS 2025 performance report.
Outdated water infrastructure in places like Emfuleni, which has not been updated in over 40 years, has led to over R17 billion in debt owed to water boards and growing public discontent.
Deputy President Paulus Mashatile warned that the United States' withdrawal from the PEPFAR would leave South Africa with an annual R8 million shortfall.
He said domestic resources will secure antiretroviral (ARV) medications for the next two years.
The South African National AIDS Council's (SANAC's) 'Close the Gap' campaign aimed to place 1.1 million people on antiretroviral treatment by 2025.
However, groups like Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) warn that without ongoing funding, most vulnerable patients face serious risks.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Parliament names MPs to serve on Ad Hoc Committee to probe Mkhwanazi allegations
Mayibongwe Maqhina | Published 2 weeks ago Parliament has named the MPs that will serve on the Ad Hoc Committee tasked with investigating the serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. This comes almost a week after the National Assembly unanimously resolved to establish the committee after adopting the report from the portfolio committees on Police and Justice and Constitutional Development, which made the recommendation. The committee will be constituted by 11 members, with four members from the ANC, two each from the DA and the MK Party, one member from the EFF, and two representatives to be recommended by other parties. Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said on Thursday that parties have nominated MPs who will serve on the committee. The ANC has nominated its chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, Soviet Lekganyane, Xola Nqola, as full members, with Thoko Khanyile as an alternate member. The DA has fielded Ian Cameron and Glynnis Breytenbach as full members, while Diane Kohler Barnard and Lisa Schickerling are alternate members. The MK Party is represented by Sibonelo Nomvalo and David Skosana, with Vusi Shongwe as an alternate member. EFF leader Julius Malema will represent the EFF, and Leigh-Ann Mathys is an alternate member. The small parties are represented by IFP's Albert Mncwango and Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls. Freedom Front Plus MP Wouter Wessels and ActionSA's Dereleen James are alternate members for the small parties. The committee has until October 31 to report to the National Assembly. The committee's terms of reference include the alleged unlawful decision by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the Political Killings Task Team. It will also examine the alleged unlawful removal of 121 case dockets from the Political Killings Task Team on the direction of Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and the alleged moratorium by Mchunu on filling vacancies within the SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit. The committee will also scrutinise the nature and the implications of the relationship between SAPS senior leadership and certain members of the public. It will also probe whether the awarding of the R360 million contract to Vusumuzi Matlala's company for the provision of healthcare services to SAPS was irregular. The alleged interference by the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption in police matters, including judicial issues, will form part of its focus, as well as consider the need for legislative policy and institutional reform to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system. [email protected]
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Fixed electricity charge suspension fails to ease financial strain
Residents say they remain under financial strain despite the CoE's decision to suspend a controversial fixed electricity charge. Following protests in Tembisa, Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza announced the suspension of the R126 fixed tariff fee (including VAT) that came into effect on July 1. But some residents believe the suspension offers little relief. Resident Pontsho Ramatsoma said, 'It feels like a tactic to calm the community. Once we've forgotten, they might bring it back. If they wanted to help, they would scrap the increases completely.' Ramatsoma said his monthly electricity bill has more than doubled from R500 to over R1 000, forcing him to cut expenses and change his usage habits. He also criticised the city's communication efforts. He also touched on the CoE's (CoE) communication rollout before the tariff increases came into effect. 'There are elderly people who are not on social media or don't have the comprehension skills to understand the language used to communicate the tariff increases. The city should prioritise sending their employees to engage with the community in a manner that allows them to enquire if they need clarity,' he said. Another resident, Dimakatso Motsoenening, added that the cost of electricity had made it difficult to get by daily. 'Life is unaffordable. We're already struggling to put butter on expensive bread. Add these increases, and we might as well starve. What we need is relief, not increases. Electricity has become a luxury,' she said. This issue has not only affected the working class but also the unemployed. Unemployed resident James Lombard wrote to the Springs Advertiser, explaining that his R350 monthly electricity budget now buys 75kWh instead of 131kWh, an effective hike of 75%. 'If I still wanted 131kWh, it would cost me around R612. How can they justify this?' Responding to enquiries, CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the sharp increases for low-use households were primarily due to a new fixed R109.78 monthly charge for Tariff A2 prepaid users. Tariff A1 has no fixed charge and is aimed at indigent households. 'Tariff A1 does not have fixed charges and is suitable for indigent consumers. This charge applies regardless of how little electricity is used, thus pushing up the effective price per unit cost for small consumers. This structure was introduced to ensure fair recovery of infrastructure maintenance costs, which are independent of use levels,' Dlamini said. He addressed Lombard's concerns over the unit prices by explaining that an increase of 11.32% was implemented for prepaid users (tariffs A1 and A2) with an additional fixed charge of R109.78 for Tariff A2 customers. Therefore, 131kWh will now cost R240.90 for Tariff A1 and R515.8 for Tariff A2 customers. Dlamini added there are measures in place to protect the vulnerable households, such as the provision of Free Basic Electricity 50kWh to customers on Tariff A1 (registered indigent households), the Indigent Policy, which provides relief on municipal services including electricity, for which households must be registered, and lastly, the phased implementation of fixed charges that was used to ease the transition. The city acknowledged the concerns raised about the recent tariff adjustments. 'Formal notices were published through official channels, including the city's website, newspapers and council presentations. Going forward, the city is committed to improving the clarity of tariff announcements, using relatable examples that reflect real household scenarios, enhancing engagement through ward councillor briefings, public meetings, digital platforms and issuing simplified tariff guides, showing the total monthly cost under different consumption levels,' Dlamini concluded.
Eyewitness News
15 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
National convention: Tensions boil over after Mashatile abruptly leaves before later returning
JOHANNESBURG - Tensions boiled over at the national convention after acting President Paul Mashatile abruptly left the gathering earlier on Saturday, only to return later. The two-day meeting at the University of South Africa (UNISA)'s main campus in Pretoria is the launchpad for South Africa's National Dialogue - a process designed to give citizens a direct role in shaping solutions to the country's deepest challenges. ALSO READ: Convention before the much-anticipated, controversial National Dialogue gets salty But the atmosphere grew uneasy, as several speakers accused the government of failing to listen. Mashatile's walkout prompted outrage among delegates, who insisted their voices be heard. To ease tensions, organisers opened the floor for nearly two hours, allowing delegates to speak directly. Much of the debate focused on the National Dialogue's steering committee, which will be citizen-led. Delegates will choose representatives from sectors - including youth, health, HIV and Aids, and the environment - to drive the process. For many, it's a crucial step in ensuring that the dialogue reflects the real priorities of communities across South Africa.
