MEC Anton Bredell Outlines Provincial Interventions to Support Theewaterskloof Municipality

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

MEC Anton Bredell Outlines Provincial Interventions to Support Theewaterskloof Municipality

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Provincial Governance and Financial Oversight Framework

• Financial Recovery Plan Implementation: Theewaterskloof Municipality is executing an Article 139(5) Financial Recovery Plan (FRP), with direct oversight and monitoring from the Western Cape Provincial Treasury and the Department of Local Government.

• Long-Term Support via Article 154 Plan: The province is preparing an Article 154 support plan to extend assistance past the formal intervention period, aiming to build institutional capacity, refine management systems, and improve long-term delivery planning.

• Strategic Communication Support: The Department’s Municipal Communication function is assisting local leadership with communication tools to convey service delivery updates and disruptions transparently.

Targeted Financial Grants for 2025/26 and 2026/27

• Waste Management Infrastructure: R400,000 allocated through a Municipal Intervention Grant during the 2025/26 financial year to support local waste management systems.

• Water and Sanitation Upgrade Grant: R400,000 provided via a Municipal Intervention Grant in 2025/26 for high-priority water and sanitation upgrades.

• Voorstekraal Raw-Water Storage Upgrade: R1.65 million deployed through the Water Resilience Programme to expand storage capacity and improve water reliability at Voorstekraal.

• Municipal Energy Resilience Grant (MERG): R800,000 earmarked for 2026/27, dividing R300,000 for electrical engineering technician capacity and R500,000 for an Electricity Master Plan.

Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) Spending Breakdown

• Total MIG Allocation: A total of R31.668 million in Municipal Infrastructure Grant funding was directed to Theewaterskloof for the 2025/26 financial year.

• Budget Expenditure Rate: R30.383 million (96%) of the allocated MIG funding has been spent on active projects to date.

• Key Priority Regional Projects: Major infrastructure investments targeted water, wastewater, and waste management facilities in Grabouw, Riviersonderend, and Botrivier.

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 Procurement Rules Breached as Airwing Tender Terminated

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

Procurement Rules Breached as Airwing Tender Terminated

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A written reply by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) revealed that the R197,455,554.30 helicopter tender awarded to Simunye Air Charter breached the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Treasury Regulations, and the relevant national Transversal Contract. Following findings by the Auditor-General, the contract was officially terminated on January 6, 2026, and referred to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

Millions Disbursed Prior to Audit Red Flags

Before the contract was canceled, R156,454,504.65 of taxpayer funds had already been paid out. The expenditure occurred before formal interventions were triggered, causing significant financial exposure to the provincial treasury.

Implicated Officials Remain Active on Full Pay

According to GPL member Michael Sun, four individuals have been directly implicated, and all Gauteng officials involved in selecting the service provider are classified as persons of interest. Over six months since the findings, none of the implicated officials have been suspended or subjected to disciplinary hearings, remaining in their posts on full pay while the SIU investigation continues.

Operational Grounding Forces Reliance on Borrowed Aircraft

Originally launched on April 1, 2024, to provide aerial support for law enforcement, the Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing's own fleet is now completely grounded. To maintain aerial coverage, the province currently relies on 12 borrowed helicopters from external partners at undisclosed public costs.

Call for Suspensions and Cost Disclosure

In response to the findings, opposition members in the GPL are demanding the immediate suspension of implicated officials, a transparent SIU probe to recover improperly spent funds, and the full disclosure of ongoing expenses related to using borrowed helicopters.

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 ANC Unveils Major Municipal Accountability Review: A Deep Dive into Basic Services and Infrastructure Delivery

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

ANC Unveils Major Municipal Accountability Review: A Deep Dive into Basic Services and Infrastructure Delivery

By KasiBCAfrica_News

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Democratic Transformation Balance Sheet

• Electricity Household Access: Increased from 76.7% in 2002 to 90.6% by 2025.

• Sanitation Household Access: Increased from 61.7% in 2002 to 84.0% by 2025.

• Piped/Tap Water Access: Stood at 87.7% of households nationally by 2024.

• Formal Dwelling Proportion: Increased from 65.1% in 1996 to 88.5% by 2022.

• Informal Dwelling Proportion: Declined from 16.2% in 1996 to 8.1% by 2022.

Human Settlements: R160.9B Portfolio Aimed at Spatial Justice

• Financial Execution: Roughly R62.34 billion (38.7%) spent to date, with R98.60 billion (61.3%) focused on active projects requiring sustained implementation.

• Provincial Project Footprint: KwaZulu-Natal leads with 498 recorded projects, followed by Western Cape (383), Mpumalanga (252), North West (220), Limpopo (182), Gauteng (158), Eastern Cape (126), Northern Cape (61), and Free State (7).

• Land Release & Priorities: Government declared 136 Priority Development Areas to drive spatial transformation. Land release initiatives include 14,105 hectares via DPWI, 2,629.8 hectares through HDA, and 16,243 hectares transferred to municipalities.

Provincial Human Settlements Project Distribution

• KwaZulu-Natal: 498 projects

• Western Cape: 383 projects

• Mpumalanga: 252 projects

• North West: 220 projects

• Limpopo: 182 projects

• Gauteng: 158 projects

• Eastern Cape: 126 projects

• Northern Cape: 61 projects

• Free State: 7 projects

Water & Sanitation: Tackling Delivery Models and Infrastructure Decay

• Intergovernmental Mobilization: Interventions are directed through the Presidential Water Crisis Committee and Water Task Team to support struggling municipal capacity.

• Major Regional Projects: Strategic focus includes the R792M Ngqamakhwe Bulk Water Scheme (EC), R4.8B Giyani Water Project (LP), R4.9B Mandlakazi Scheme (KZN), and R4.7B Rand Water intervention in Emfuleni and Midvaal.

• Structural Delivery Reforms: Proposed reforms unbundle Water Services Authorities (WSAs) from Water Services Providers (WSPs). Metro water revenues will be ring-fenced to directly fund maintenance and network renewal.

Energy Turnaround: Overcoming Load Shedding and Addressing Load Reduction

• Eskom Fleet Availability: Focus on stabilizing power supply and operational efficiency across power stations.

• New Generation Procurement: Accelerating grid capacity expansion and integrating alternative energy sources.

• Free Basic Electricity (FBE): Expanding access and ensuring indigent registers accurately support low-income households.

• Localized Network Remediation: Eliminating load reduction caused by network overloads, illegal connections, and infrastructure damage.

• Just Energy Transition: Advancing local manufacturing, grid expansion, and sustainable energy development.

While national load shedding was addressed over the review period, localized load reduction remains a challenge. Network interventions continue in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal to resolve transformer overloads and illegal connections.

KASIBCAFRICA Analysis: Impact on the Township Economy

• Infrastructure as an Economic Engine: Land release and informal settlement upgrade grants create direct opportunities for local township contractors and job seekers.

• Eliminating Commercial Risk: Stable electricity supply and reliable water distribution lower operating costs for small township businesses and light industrial hubs.

• Accountability at Local Level: Ring-fenced municipal utility revenues keep local tariff payments within communities to fix damaged infrastructure and clear municipal service backlogs.

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 HIGH COURT REINSTATES NSFAS BOARD, SUSPENDS ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTMENT IN INTERIM RULING

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

HIGH COURT REINSTATES NSFAS BOARD, SUSPENDS ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTMENT IN INTERIM RULING

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PRETORIA – The Board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has welcomed a judgment by the High Court in Pretoria granting interim relief that immediately reinstates the Board and suspends the appointment of the scheme's administrator.

The ruling halts the administration process pending the final determination of Part B of the review application, which will decide whether the Minister of Higher Education and Training's decision to dissolve the Board and place the funding body under administration should be permanently set aside.

Immediate Return to Governance

In an official statement published by the South African Government, the Board confirmed it will resume its governance duties with immediate effect. Members stated that their primary focus will center on stabilizing the institution, strengthening internal oversight, and executing the scheme's statutory mandate to deliver financial aid to eligible students nationwide.

The interim order comes as part of legal proceedings challenging the decision by Minister Buti Manamela to dissolve the Board and appoint Professor Hlengani Mathebula as administrator. Reports by eNCA noted that the court granted the interdict while the full merits of Part B remain under judicial consideration.

Focus on Misconduct and Sector Collaboration

Addressing mounting public scrutiny surrounding the scheme, the Board acknowledged emerging concerns and committed to treating them as a priority.

The Board emphasized that where wrongdoing, misconduct, or unlawful activity is uncovered, appropriate action will be taken under applicable governance frameworks and the law. Additionally, the Board reaffirmed its intention to collaborate with the Minister of Higher Education and Training and broader higher education stakeholders to address systemic challenges facing the sector.

Because Part B of the review application remains active before the High Court, the Board indicated it would withhold further public commentary on the legal proceedings at this stage

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 GAUTENG ROADS AND TRANSPORT HANDS OVER OPERATING LICENSES AHEAD OF DEADLINE

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

GAUTENG ROADS AND TRANSPORT HANDS OVER OPERATING LICENSES AHEAD OF DEADLINE

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JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has handed over 211 valid operating licenses to compliant public transport operators ahead of its strict collection deadline. The distribution took place during a series of Special Operating Licence Handover ceremonies held between Wednesday, 12 August, and Friday, 14 August 2026.

The ceremonies covered key regions across the province, including the Cities of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane, and the Sedibeng District. The initiative aimed to streamline access for compliant minibus taxi and scholar transport operators, allowing them to collect approved documentation and operate legally on South African roads.

Cancellation Warning for Uncollected Licenses The Department confirmed that 108 operating licenses remained uncollected past the deadline. In accordance with the relevant legislative framework, these uncollected documents will now be subjected to formal administrative processes for potential cancellation.

To avoid this, the GDRT had rolled out several proactive campaigns prior to the cutoff date, including direct SMS notifications to applicants, as well as targeted regional awareness and outreach programs in collaboration with the taxi and scholar transport sectors.

Since November 2025, the Department has handed over more than 3,000 valid operating licenses to compliant operators across Gauteng.

Regulatory Compliance and Economic Participation By law under Sections 54 and 62 of the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, public transport operators are required to hold a valid operating license to transport passengers for a fee.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, praised compliant operators for their patience and highlighted the economic significance of the program.

"These ceremonies were more than just formalities but served as testament to our commitment to rebuilding a licensing system that is efficient, transparent, and fair," said MEC Diale-Tlabela. "The possession of a valid operating license also serves as a tool of economic participation and emancipation."

Collection Points for Applicants Operators who were unable to attend the special ceremonies are urged to visit their nearest Transport Operating Licence Administrative Body (TOLAB) office to check their application status. Applicants must present proof of application (receipt) or a copy of their South African ID.

• Johannesburg/Sedibeng Region: Life Centre Building, 45 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg

• Tshwane Region: 230 Lilian Ngoyi Street, Pretoria Central

• Ekurhuleni Region: 01 Hardach Street, Germiston

• West Rand Region: Corner Kagiso Drive and Moses Street, Kagiso

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