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The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Home Affairs extends weekend hours for Smart ID applications by naturalised citizens
Home Affairs offices have extended their operating hours until the end of May due to the uptake of Smart ID cards by naturalised citizens and permanent residents from visa-exempt countries. The extension, which came into effect on May 17, sees Home Affairs' offices open from 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, until May 31. 'Extended hours over the specified weekends will allow for processing of Smart ID card applications from naturalised citizens and permanent residents from listed countries, in possession of green barcoded ID books,' the department said in a statement. Home Affairs encouraged naturalised citizens and permanent residents from listed countries to make use of this opportunity. 'This will take us closer to fully adopting the more secure Smart ID card and doing away with the green, bar-coded ID book. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Gauteng water levels stable this week
The Department of Water and Sanitation's weekly report on the state of the country's reservoirs indicates that water levels in Gauteng have remained stable, with the Vaal Dam continuing to show steady levels and recording 107.69% this week, slightly lower than last week's 108.5%. The stable decline of the Vaal Dam follows the closure of all sluice gates at the Vaal Dam by the department. Water inflow into the Vaal Dam has also shown a decline and is at 77.27 cubic metres per second (m³/s), decreasing from last week's 112.81 m³/s. The current discharge rate stands at 16.765 m³/s, a significant drop compared to 147.71 m³/s recorded the previous week. This substantial reduction in discharge reflects the department's continued efforts to manage and stabilise water levels following the closure of all sluice gates. The broader Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), which is critical to Gauteng's water supply, has remained stable, showing a slight increase from 102.7% last week to 102.9% this week. Despite this minimal change, dams within the IVRS continue to maintain safe and sustainable levels, ensuring water security for the region. Within the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), key reservoirs continue to perform well, reflecting stable and positive trends. Sterkfontein Dam recorded a slight increase, moving from 100.0% to 100.1%. Grootdraai Dam experienced a marginal decrease from 102.6% to 102.1%. Bloemhof Dam showed a more notable rise, increasing from 102.2% to 104.8%. Despite these minor fluctuations, all dams within the IVRS remain significantly above critical thresholds, contributing positively to the region's overall water security. In Lesotho, key dams forming part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project also recorded encouraging trends. Katse Dam rose from 99.7% to 99.9%, indicating a continued upward trend. Mohale Dam recorded a modest increase, moving from 101.9% to 102.1%. 'The Department of Water and Sanitation remains committed to the ongoing monitoring and proactive management of dam and reservoir levels. These efforts are essential to ensuring the sustained reliability, resilience, and long-term sustainability of South Africa's water supply systems,' the department said on Wednesday. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
18-05-2025
- The Citizen
7 arrested after Clarens ATM bombing and police chase
Police have arrested seven suspects in connection with an ATM bombing in Clarens, Free State, earlier this week. The seven individuals, aged between 24 and 36, were arrested in Ficksburg yesterday after SAPS officers spotted a Toyota Fortuner parked near an ATM at about 01:00. 'Two males were seen tampering with the ATM. Upon noticing the police presence, the suspects attempted to flee the scene. A vehicle pursuit ensued, culminating in the successful apprehension of the Fortuner's five occupants, including one woman,' police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said in a statement. All suspects are foreign nationals. Four of them have been confirmed as undocumented immigrants. The suspects were wanted in connection with the bombing of an ATM located at a petrol station in Clarens, on Tuesday. On the day four suspects were seen near an ATM located at a petrol station in Clarens. Moments later, an explosion occurred, followed by gunfire. Upon receiving the alert, members of the Clarens SAPS responded swiftly. 'Preliminary investigations confirmed that explosives had been used to destroy the ATM and an undisclosed sum of money was stolen. 'Initial reports pointed to four suspects travelling in a blue Toyota Fortuner with Gauteng registration plates. This vital information was immediately circulated and a co-ordinated manhunt was launched,' SAPS said. The blue Toyota Fortuner has been seized as evidence in the ongoing investigation. 'The suspects will appear in the Clarens and Ficksburg magistrate's courts in due course. The provincial Serious, Violent and Murder Unit has taken over the investigation, focusing on charges of business robbery and other possible related offences. Further inquiries are ongoing to determine any links to additional criminal activities,' Kareli said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Youth unemployment hits 46.1% as overall joblessness increases
The official unemployment rate has increased by 1% to reach 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025. This is according to Statistics South Africa's (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey released this morning. 'There was a decrease of 291 000 in the number of employed persons to 16.8 million from 17.1 million in Q4: 2024, while there was an increase of 237 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8.2 million. This resulted in a decrease of 54 000 [down by 0.2%] in the labour force during the same period. 'Discouraged work-seekers increased by 7 000 [up by 0.2%], and the number of persons who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement increased by 177 000 [up by 1.4%] between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. This led to an increase of 184 000 in the number of the not economically active population, to 16.7 million,' Stats SA said. The expanded unemployment rate increased by 1.2 percentage points to 43.1%. 'The number of persons employed in the formal sector decreased by 245 000 in Q1: 2025, and informal sector employment increased by 17 000 over the same period. The largest industry increases in employment were recorded in transport [67 000], finance [60 000], and utilities [35 000]. 'Decreases in employment were recorded in trade [194 000], construction [119 000], private households [68 000], community and social services [45 000], and mining [35 000],' the institution said. The provincial breakdown of increases and decreases in employment is as follows: Western Cape: 49 000 increase 49 000 increase Gauteng: 9 000 increase 9 000 increase Free State: 4 000 increase 4 000 increase KwaZulu-Natal: 104 000 decrease 104 000 decrease Eastern Cape: 83 000 decrease 83 000 decrease North West: 57 000 decrease 57 000 decrease Limpopo: 55 000 decrease 55 000 decrease Mpumalanga: 43 000 decrease 43 000 decrease Northern Cape: 12 000 decrease The institution highlighted that South African youth remain 'vulnerable in the labour market'. 'The results for the first quarter of 2025 show that the total number of unemployed youth increased by 151 000 to 4.8 million, while employed youth recorded a decrease of 153 000 to 5.7 million. 'As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased from 44.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025,' Stats SA said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Water infrastructure upgrades boost North West farming communities
Through targeted interventions and strategic infrastructure upgrades, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has brought much-needed relief to farming communities that have long contended with unreliable water sources. The provincial department says over a dozen villages in the Kagisano-Molopo and Greater Taung Local Municipalities are benefiting from restored, upgraded and newly developed water systems. These improvements include the installation of windmills, submersible pumps and high-capacity storage tanks, as well as the drilling and equipping of new boreholes. These enhancements ensure farmers consistently access reliable water for their livestock, marking a significant step towards sustainable agriculture in some of the province's most water-stressed areas. Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha says this was a major step in the right direction. 'For us, farmers are a priority. Without water, there is no farming, and without farming, there is no rural economy. What we have achieved in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati is a clear example of how the government must respond to the needs of its people. We are not done; there are still areas in need, but this marks a firm beginning,' Sambatha explains. In Kagisano-Molopo, communal farmers in the areas of Langpomp, Gamongalenyane 1, Maheng, Setabeng and Matlhabatlhabe are now benefiting from improved access to water. This follows the installation of new windmills, the rehabilitation of boreholes and the construction of reservoirs. In Greater Taung, eight villages, including Comforthill, Choseng, Tlapeng, Fairview, Mogopela B, Tamasikwa, Maphoitsile and Manthe, are already enjoying the advantages of upgraded boreholes, new pumps and a reticulation system that feeds into a newly constructed 60 000l zinc storage tank. A farmer from Kgomotso Village, under the Baga Mothibi Tribal Authority, Pucoe Oatlhotse, says the interventions have made a significant impact on their farming practices. 'We are truly encouraged by the progress we are seeing. Access to clean water is making it easier for us to care for our livestock. The department's support has brought real change on the ground, and we are grateful,' Oatlhotse says. As part of its broader livestock support strategy, the department has also installed handling facilities alongside existing dipping tanks, enabling safer and more efficient livestock management during health inspections and disease control operations. 'These efforts are not only helping sustain livestock farming in the district but are also reinforcing food security and stimulating local rural economies.' The department is assessing additional areas across the province for similar interventions. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
