FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE SOUTH AFRICA

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FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE SOUTH AFRICA 

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

Minister Steenhuisen appoints Industry Coordination Council to strengthen FMD response Following last week’s announcement of South Africa’s national strategy to contain and control Foot and mouth disease (FMD), Minister of Agriculture Mr John Steenhuisen has formally appointed the FMD Industry Coordination Council to support its implementation. 

This council has been established to ensure that industry plays an active, coordinated role in supporting the phased rollout of the FMD strategy, including vaccine distribution, traceability and disease control readiness. “I am fully committed to doing whatever it takes to beat FMD. This council will engage directly with me, and its input will be taken seriously.

Government cannot do this alone; we need the full strength of the private sector, farmers and veterinarians collaborating with us. We now have a roadmap, and I am accountable for its delivery. If we stay focused and work together, I believe we can restore FMD-free status in less than ten years,” said Minister Steenhuisen. 

The council will form one part of a triangular partnership essential to delivering on the FMD response: 

• The Department of Agriculture – responsible for policy, regulatory support and resourcing.

• The Technical and Scientific Task Team – offering scientific, veterinary and epidemiological expertise. 

• The FMD Industry Coordination Council – providing operational insight, strategic guidance and unified industry input. 

To ensure a coordinated approach with industry, the minister issued a directive assigning the council the role of aligning industry efforts with national FMD control measures. 

This includes establishing and operating an industry coordination mechanism to mobilise sector actions; consolidating industry situational information; coordinating industry communication; supporting implementation readiness for traceability and audit-ready record-keeping required for movement compliance and compartmentalised operations; and facilitating non-statutory logistics, including training, awareness and implementation monitoring. 

The council will engage regularly with both the department and the Technical and Scientific Task Team to ensure alignment between policy, implementation and veterinary oversight. Council Members Through their service on the council, they have committed to a collective outcome that serves both the industry and the national interest. 

Constructive and realistic inputs may be directed to these representatives for consideration. 

• Johann Kotzé 

• Bennie van Zyl 

• Theo Boshoff 

• Frikkie Maré 

 • Fanie Ferreira 

 • Marlene Louw 

 • Bongani Msimang 

 • Kobus Bester 

 • Dewald Olivier  

The representation ensures that decisions are informed by real-world insights across the industry value chain. Ongoing Coordination 

The council will begin its work this week, with the first formal meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 21 January 2026, focusing on aligning priorities and consolidating industry input. Weekly engagements will follow to maintain momentum, support structured monitoring and ensure consistent progress. 

These meetings will strengthen the council’s ability to present coherent, unified recommendations to Government and the Technical and Scientific Task Team. The council has already requested an urgent meeting with the Technical and Scientific Task Team to review the national plan and ensure alignment of operational capacity across industry and government structures. 

This engagement is essential to refining the roadmap before implementation intensifies.

The council welcomes the minister’s commitment and willingness to work closely with industry. This engagement reflects a coordinated, accountable and technically informed approach to implementation. 

With aligned structures, consistent communication, and disciplined collaboration, South Africa is better positioned to restore its FMD-free status and strengthen the resilience of the livestock sector. 

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Update on the Vanderbijlpark Scholar Transport Accident

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Update on the Vanderbijlpark Scholar Transport Accident 

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Gauteng Provincial Government extends its heartfelt condolences to all bereaved families, following the tragic passing of the 12 children who lost their lives in the horrific accident on their way to school yesterday, 19 January 2026. 

We wish a speedy recovery to all the learners who are still in hospital.  The total number of children that tragically lost their lives is 12 and not 14 as it was initially reported. This afternoon, a delegation comprising of the Premier, Minister of Basic Education, Members of the Executive Council (MECs), and Sedibeng Executive Mayors visited the injured learners in hospital and the bereaved families.  Health and Education  

As initially reported by the Department of Health, seven (7) survivors were transported by Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to Sebokeng and Kopanong Hospitals. At Sebokeng Hospital, four learners and the minibus taxi driver were admitted and received necessary treatment. 

Kopanong Hospital attended to one learner and one adult who is the assistant to the truck driver for minor injuries, and both were discharged yesterday. As of 15h00 today, Sebokeng Hospital has three (3) learners admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). One learner remains critical, while another remains critical but in a stable condition, and one has been moved from ICU to a surgical paediatric ward. 

These patients consist of two female learners aged 15 and 16 and a 10-year-old boy. The fourth learner was airlifted to a private hospital in Alberton last night for further specialised care. The learner who was airlifted is a 17-year-old girl. 

The taxi driver was also discharged yesterday and was immediately taken into custody by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Autopsies for all 12 deceased bodies have been concluded, and 10 bodies have been collected by their families with only two remaining at the Sebokeng Forensic Pathology Service mortuary.  

To provide emotional and spiritual support, the Gauteng Department of Health has deployed counsellors and chaplains to the two hospitals and the Sebokeng Forensic Pathology Services mortuary who are assisting families with trauma debriefing, bereavement support, and comfort during the collection of the bodies. 

The Gauteng Department of Education is also providing psychosocial support to the affected families and schools. Roads and Transport The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is ramping up road safety interventions through stronger enforcement of existing legislation, adoption of technology and stricter compliance with the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) and National Land Transport Act (NLTA). As Gauteng's road traffic law and safety authority, the Department is building its internal legal capacity and creating an updated online repository of road traffic regulations, so road users know their rights and responsibilities. Scholar transport safety is a renewed priority, with tougher enforcement and greater accountability. 

Parents, learners and motorists are encouraged to report reckless driving, unsafe behaviour, and unroadworthy scholar transport vehicles through lawful channels (012 999 5407 / 086 140 0800). 

Where feasible and safe, video evidence may assist authorities identify non-compliant operators and drivers. The Department further encourages operators and parents to have dashboard cameras installed for real-time monitoring. 

Learner safety is non-negotiable and the provincial government will not compromise when it comes to the safety of children. Any scholar transport operator who puts learners at risk will face the full might of the law. 

 The Transport Department’s “E Thoma Ka Wena / It Starts With You” road safety campaign will strictly enforce Section 49 of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA). 

This section places a statutory duty on the operator of a motor vehicle to ensure: 

• The vehicle is roadworthy and mechanically safe.

• The driver operates the vehicle lawfully and safely. 

• Passengers are transported without endangerment. 

• Safe loading and unloading of passengers. Enforcement consequences are now correctly framed as: 

• Enforcement actions under the National Roads Traffic Act (NRTA). 

• Potential suspension or loss of operator status based on NRTA noncompliance. The Department further reaffirms key NRTA regulations governing pedestrian behaviour: 

• Regulation 323(2): Pedestrians are prohibited from entering or walking on freeways, except where permitted by law. 

• Regulation 315: Pedestrians must cross at designated points and obey road traffic signs and signals. 

• Regulation 316(5): This regulation addresses unlawful and dangerous pedestrian behaviour, including jaywalking. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and government will enforce the laws, however parents, operators, drivers, and pedestrians must also play their part in ensuring that everyone is safe and arrives alive.  

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CORRUPTION AND SABOTAGE OF JUSTICE AT THE EAST LONDON MAGISTRATE COURT

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CORRUPTION AND SABOTAGE OF JUSTICE AT THE EAST LONDON MAGISTRATE COURT 

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is deeply concerned by the blatant manipulation of the criminal justice system in the case involving the sexual assault of an 11-year-old minor in East London. Recent developments have confirmed that there is a coordinated and corrupt effort within the East London Magistrate Court to undermine justice and facilitate the eventual release of the accused. 

The EFF has been made aware of this disturbing case involving an 11-year-old boy who was allegedly sexually assaulted by two women, aged 29 and 27, at the Sinqawunqawini informal settlement near King Phalo Airport. 

From the beginning, this case has been characterised by secrecy, irregular conduct, and interference that raises serious questions about the integrity of court officials involved. On 31 December 2025, a bail hearing was convened without public notice and without the knowledge of the investigating officer. This secretive and highly irregular process was clearly intended to quietly secure the release of the accused. 

The EFF condemned this conduct and mobilised the community to attend court when the matter was postponed to 05 January 2026. On 05 January 2026, the accused appeared before court but abruptly abandoned their bail application in the face of public scrutiny. On 06 January 2026, they were again brought before court, only for the matter to be deferred under the claim that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was still investigating.  

Today, the legal representatives of the accused attempted yet again to sneak the accused through for a bail hearing. When it became clear that their intentions had been exposed and that the public had mobilised to attend court, the accused once again abandoned their bail application. Most disturbingly, during these proceedings, the case docket reportedly disappeared under mysterious circumstances. 

The EFF is unequivocal: these events are not coincidental. They form part of a deliberate and coordinated strategy to weaken the case, frustrate due process, exhaust public vigilance, and ultimately collapse the matter altogether. This pattern strongly suggests collusion between certain court officials and other actors within the criminal justice system to protect the accused at the expense of a vulnerable child. 

This case exposes a deeply worrying and well-established trend of manipulation within the East London Magistrate Court, where cases are allegedly engineered to achieve predetermined outcomes that serve the interests of particular individuals and groups. Dockets go missing, hearings are conducted in secrecy, matters are postponed without justification, and procedural rules are selectively applied. 

It is on this basis that the EFF believes that even politically sensitive cases, including the case involving the Commander-in-Chief of the EFF, were not spared from similar manipulation to appease organisations such as AfriForum. Of further grave concern is the continued failure of authorities to ensure the safety of the child. 

Information before us indicates that the accused are close associates of the child’s mother, and that the mother herself has allegedly made inappropriate sexual remarks to the child and encouraged similar behaviour by her friends. Despite these alarming allegations, the child reportedly remains in the care of the mother, with no visible intervention by social services or law enforcement. 

The EFF therefore demands: 

1. An immediate, independent investigation into corruption and misconduct at the East London Magistrate Court. 

2. A full explanation for the disappearance of the case docket and accountability for those responsible. 

3. Direct oversight by senior NPA leadership to prevent further manipulation of this matter. 

4. Immediate intervention by child protection authorities to secure the safety and wellbeing of the minor. 

5. An end to secret hearings and all irregular court processes in this case. 

The EFF stands firm and unapologetic in its opposition to the abuse of children in any form. We will not allow corrupt networks within the justice system to collude with accused persons to defeat justice. 

We will continue to mobilise the community, monitor every court appearance, and expose every act of corruption until justice is served. 

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KASIBC_AFRICA FLOODS IN LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR FLOODS IN LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA

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FLOODS IN LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes the recent deadly floods across Limpopo and Mpumalanga where torrential rain has forced evacuations, washed away homes and infrastructure, and claimed lives. 

At least 10 people have already died in Limpopo and 19 in Mpumalanga, and many more remain displaced as red-level warnings stay in place and rescue teams work tirelessly to reach those in need of help. 

While we recognise the efforts of rescue teams and provincial authorities in responding to the crisis, this disaster once again exposes the systemic failures of South Africa’s disaster management systems. Communities were left vulnerable because early warning systems, effective evacuation planning and disaster preparedness were either absent, slow or poorly coordinated. In a time when flood forecasting, reporting systems and rapid evacuation should save lives, we have witnessed unacceptable delays and reactive responses that have needlessly cost lives and livelihoods. 

Year after year, floods, whether here in early 2026 or in past calamities in KwaZuluNatal and Eastern Cape that left hundreds dead and thousands homeless, reveal the same pattern: a lack of investment in proactive disaster planning, inadequate infrastructure in vulnerable communities, and an overly reactive emergency response model.  

The EFF calls on national, provincial and municipal authorities to take full responsibility for these failures and act immediately to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience across all communities. 

Furthermore climate change and unpredictable weather patterns mean such extreme events will become more frequent. South Africa cannot afford to react only after tragedy strikes. 

The EFF stands in solidarity with all those affected and will be present on the ground to assist in any way we can.   

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FOREIGNERS ARE BEING PRIORITISED OVER SOUTH AFRICAN LEARNERS

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FOREIGNERS ARE BEING PRIORITISED OVER SOUTH AFRICAN LEARNERS

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, dismisses misleading and unfounded claims and statements that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) prioritises foreign nationals when placing children at the expense of South African learners in public schools.

 

“We wish to reiterate that, the department does not have a directive that instructs schools or officials to prioritise foreign nationals during learner placements. On the contrary, South African learners are prioritised in line with applicable legislation, as well as the Department’s admissions and placement processes”, said MEC Chiloane.

 

Furthermore, inner grade applications (Grade 2-7 and Grade 9-11) are managed directly at school level. They are not facilitated online, as with GDE Online Admissions system for Grade 1 and Grade 8.

 

Some Gauteng schools are currently facing challenges in accommodating inner grade applicants, and as such we urge schools to work collaboratively with district offices to manage the placements of these grades. This approach will ensure that learners are placed efficiently.

“No school is permitted to prioritise foreign national learners ahead of South African learners. Any school or official found to be contravening admissions policies will be subjected to consequence management. We will not tolerate any claims that suggest foreign nationals are prioritised at the expense of South African nationals,” said MEC Chiloane.

 

ONLY 2763 GRADE 1 AND GRADE 8 LEARNERS REMAIN UNPLACED IN GAUTENG

 

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) continues to make steady progress in the 2026 Online Admissions placement process for Grade 1 and Grade 8.

 

Currently, only 2 763 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners remain unplaced across the province, translating to:

735 Grade 1 learners*

2 028 Grade 8 learners*

 

The Department wishes to reassure parents that all learners who qualify for placement will be accommodated in public schools. The only limitation that currently poses a challenge is the lack of capacity in schools, particularly in high-pressure areas within Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.

 

This means that not all learners can be placed at their preferred schools immediately. Despite this, the Department is working diligently to identify available spaces and ensure that every learner is placed as fairly and efficiently as possible.

 

The GDE Online Admissions system remains intact, and we assure parents that applications are being processed in an orderly and transparent manner.

 

The Department is working tirelessly to ensure that all parents who applied online for Grade 1 and Grade 8 will have their children accommodated in schools across the province. Our teams continue to engage schools daily to identify available spaces and to finalise outstanding placements.

 

LATE APPLICATIONS TO GRADE 1 AND GRADE 8 IN GAUTENG

 

The GDE Online Admissions system opened for Late Applications to Grade 1 and Grade 8 on 17 December 2025, allowing parents who did not get a chance to apply during the main application period to do so accordingly.

 

To date, the system has recorded and placed a total of 27 140 Late Applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8:

14 273 Grade 1 learners*

12 867 Grade 8 learners*

 

It is important to note that all Late Applications processed during this period result in immediate and final placements at schools with available capacity.

 

The 2026 Online Admissions system remains open for Late Applications until 30 January 2026, and parents are once again reminded that the system will only display schools with available space. This is particularly for those who did not apply during the main application period or those whose applications were incomplete during the main application period.

 

Parents and guardians can apply online by visiting: www.gdeadmissions.gov.za.

 

Late Applicants may select only one school and, once selected, the learner will be placed for the 2026 academic year.

 

“We remain committed to ensuring that every child who qualifies for placement is accommodated at a public school in Gauteng. We will not allow false and inflammatory claims to undermine the work of the Department, or sow division in our communities. Our admissions processes are clear, lawful and fair. The Department does not have, and has never had, a policy that prioritises foreign nationals over South African children,” said MEC Chiloane.

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Resignation of Dr. Dion George

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Resignation of Dr. Dion George 

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : KASIBC_AUDIO

The Democratic Alliance notes the resignation of Dr. Dion George from the party.

It is unfortunate that Dr. George has resigned before answering a pending disciplinary before the DA’s Federal Legal Commission.

These include:

1. Allegations that staff appointments to his Ministerial office were done in a way that unjustifiably raised their salaries, at public expense;

2. Allegations that staff in his ministry sought departmental information to pursue internal party political matters; and

3. Bringing the party into disrepute through the media.

It would have been preferable for Dr. George to go through the FLC process to test the veracity of these allegations.

The rest of the FLC process will proceed as determined by the DA’s Federal Executive on Monday.

We wish Dr. George well in his future endeavours.

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NATIONAL DIALOGUE STEERING COMMITTEE TO BE INDUCTED

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NATIONAL DIALOGUE STEERING COMMITTEE TO BE INDUCTED 

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The National Dialogue has entered its next phase with the induction of the Steering Committee set to take place between 17 and 18th January 2026 at the University of South Africa (Unisa)’s Muckleneuk’s main campus in Pretoria. 

This follows the National Convention and the handover from the Convention Organising Committee. 

 

The Steering Committee’s role is to steward the integrity of the process, ensure that participation is meaningful and accessible, and oversee a phased roll-out of dialogues across communities, sectors, and provinces. It is not a substitute for elected government, and it is not a platform for party-political campaigning.

The Steering Committee induction will focus on governance, ethics, decision-making protocols, public accountability, and the realities of rebuilding trust in a context where many South Africans are understandably sceptical of consultative processes that do not lead to change. 

In addition, the Steering Committee induction will work towards outlining the practical roadmap for the implementation roadmap and phased plan for dialogues. 

• A public participation guide, including offline options for communities with limited connectivity. 

• An accessibility and translation pathway, to ensure participation across languages and disability contexts. 

• A clear reporting and feedback approach so that communities can see what happens after dialogues take place. 

• A weekly process update and a public log of priority issues raised and their status. 

The National Dialogue Steering Committee would like to reiterate its position that it remains committed to a tansparent, inclusive, and non-partisan process which is citizen-led. 

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