OVER 400 OPERATING LICENSES RISK CANCELLATION DUE TO NON-COLLECTION, WARNS MEC DIALE-TLABELA

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

OVER 400 OPERATING LICENSES RISK CANCELLATION DUE TO NON-COLLECTION, WARNS MEC DIALE-TLABELA

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​JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has issued an urgent appeal to public transport operators to collect their long-awaited operating licenses or risk having them permanently cancelled.

​Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, revealed that more than 400 valid, approved operating licenses currently sit uncollected at department offices. The warning is specifically directed at minibus taxi and scholar transport operators who have already undergone the application process.

​Strict August Deadline Imposed

​The department has set a firm deadline of Friday, 14 August 2026, for operators to claim their documents. Applicants who have received notification via SMS or through their respective transport associations are urged to act immediately.

​Failure to collect the licenses within this stipulated timeframe will result in the immediate cancellation of the documents.

Affected operators will then be legally required to restart the entire application process from scratch, in accordance with provincial transport legislation.

​Clearing the Backlog

​The accumulation of uncollected licenses comes despite significant administrative progress by the provincial government. Since November 2025, the department has heavily prioritized streamlining its internal operations to eliminate a massive historic backlog and speed up turnaround times.

​This administrative push has yielded substantial results over the past several months:

​Over 2,000 valid operating licenses have been successfully handed over to compliant minibus taxi and scholar transport operators since November 2025.

​208 operating licenses were issued in a single day on Friday, 10 July 2026, during a targeted rollout at the Derek Masoek Regional Office in Johannesburg.

​Ensuring Legality and Safety on Gauteng Roads

​MEC Diale-Tlabela reiterated that operating licenses are a foundational pillar of a safe, well-regulated, and sustainable public transport network that protects everyday commuters.

​"We are calling on applicants, particularly minibus and scholar transport operators, to collect their operating licenses," said MEC Diale-Tlabela. "We encourage them to collect their operating licenses without delay, so they can continue to operate legally and contribute to safer roads across Gauteng."

​The ongoing collection drive forms part of the department's broader commitment to fostering regulatory compliance, eliminating illegal operations, and building a more efficient, transparent, and responsive public transport sector across the province.

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GAUTENG SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CALLS FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT ON WORLD POPULATION DAY

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

GAUTENG SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CALLS FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT ON WORLD POPULATION DAY

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​JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng Department of Social Development has joined the global community in commemorating World Population Day, emphasizing the urgent need for inclusive, responsive development as the province navigates rapid population growth and accelerating urbanization.

​Observed annually on 11 July, World Population Day raises global awareness about population trends and their direct impact on sustainable development, social well-being, and economic growth.

Navigating the Opportunities and Demands of Growth

​Department officials noted that population trends are inextricably linked to public access to education, healthcare, social protection, and employment opportunities. As South Africa's economic hub, Gauteng’s expanding population presents a complex dual reality of opportunities and systemic challenges.

​While a predominantly youthful population holds the potential to drive immense economic innovation and long-term growth, it simultaneously places an unprecedented demand on infrastructure, social services, skills development pipelines, and the job market.

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To build resilient communities capable of adapting to these shifting demographics, the department is actively driving targeted social welfare investments. Current core frameworks focus on:

​Supporting early childhood and youth development initiatives

​Strengthening vulnerable family structures and promoting gender equality

​Combating systemic substance abuse across communities

​Empowering young people through targeted skills development, entrepreneurship pathways, and sustainable livelihoods

​Investing in People, Not Statistics

​Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, stated that the annual commemoration serves as a critical checkpoint to ensure that no resident is left behind in the province's developmental stride.

​"As Gauteng continues to grow, we must ensure that development keeps pace with the needs of our people," said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.

"Population growth should not be viewed merely as a statistic, but as a call to strengthen our investment in people, particularly children, youth, women, older persons, and persons with disabilities."

​The MEC further highlighted that targeted social development programs are vital to safeguarding marginalized groups and creating an environment where every individual can thrive.

​A Unified Approach to Provincial Challenges

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The department stressed that government interventions alone cannot absorb the pressures of rapid expansion. 

Addressing the complex social challenges tied to high population growth—such as deep-seated poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, inequality, and gender-based violence—requires robust, active partnerships across the private sector, civil society, government, and local communities.

​As the province marks World Population Day, the Gauteng Department of Social Development is calling on all residents to actively participate in localized initiatives that champion social cohesion, healthy lifestyles, and responsible citizenship to build a future-ready province.

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FREE STATE DETECTIVE ARRESTED IN ANTI-CORRUPTION UNDERCOVER STING OPERATION ​

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

FREE STATE DETECTIVE ARRESTED IN ANTI-CORRUPTION UNDERCOVER STING OPERATION

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SASOLBURG – In a decisive blow against internal police corruption, members of the Free State Police Anti-Corruption Unit have arrested a 43-year-old Detective Sergeant for extortion and corruption.

​The breakthrough arrest took place on Friday afternoon, 10 July 2026, during a meticulously planned undercover entrapment operation executed directly behind the Sasolburg police station.

​The Extortion Scheme Exposed

​The criminal investigation began following an incident on Sunday, 5 July 2026, when the detective visited the Zamdela home of a 41-year-old complainant. Finding the man away, the detective returned the following day and informed him that a case of assault had been opened against him.

​Instead of processing the case through legitimate legal channels, the detective allegedly told the victim that "there is no case" and suggested they could "work something out" to make the matter disappear. Coerced by the threat of arrest, the complainant transferred R2,000 to the officer via an electronic funds transfer (EFT).

​The extortion escalated on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, when the detective returned to demand an additional R10,000, claiming that the state prosecutor required the funds to drop the charges. The complainant stated he did not have the cash but promised to arrange a meeting once the money was gathered.

​The Trap is Sprung

​Unwilling to comply further, the victim reported the extortion to the Free State Anti-Corruption Unit. Authorities swiftly authorized an official sting operation for Friday afternoon.

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The unsuspecting detective met the complainant to collect the cash bribe. Immediately after the exchange took place, undercover anti-corruption officers closed in and arrested the detective on the scene. The marked entrapment money was recovered directly from his possession.

​Zero Tolerance for Criminality Within the Ranks

​The Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, strongly condemned the detective's actions, emphasizing that the police service maintains a policy of absolute zero tolerance toward rogue elements

​"We will not allow the badge to be tarnished by individuals who choose to abuse their authority for personal greed," said Lieutenant General Lesia. "This successful operation sends a clear message to all members that corruption will be rooted out without fear or favor. We are fully committed to cleaning up our ranks and restoring public trust."

​The suspect remains in custody and is expected to make his first appearance in the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 July 2026, where he will face formal charges of corruption and extortion.

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PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA MOURNS THE TRAGIC PASSING OF RISING SPORTS STARS JAYDEN ADAMS AND LUQOBO MAKWEDINI

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA MOURNS THE TRAGIC PASSING OF RISING SPORTS STARS JAYDEN ADAMS AND LUQOBO MAKWEDINI

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PRETORIA – President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his profound sadness and extended deep condolences following the untimely passing of two of South Africa’s brightest young sporting talents, Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams and former South African Rugby Under-18 prop Luqobo Makwedini.

​Adams passed away at the age of 25, while Makwedini passed away at the tender age of 20.

​A Devastating Loss for South African Sport

​The President shared his thoughts and prayers with the families, friends, and sporting colleagues of both athletes during this incredibly difficult time. 

He acknowledged the profound impact the two young men had on their respective sports, both locally and internationally.

​Adams was a key figure for reigning Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns and a rising star within the Bafana Bafana national setup. Meanwhile, Makwedini, a formidable former SA Under-18 representative, had been carving out a promising professional rugby career overseas with his club colleagues in France.

​Tragedy Amid National Sporting Celebrations

​President Ramaphosa noted that the loss of these two exceptional young athletes is felt even more acutely as the country participates in major global sporting events.

​"It is particularly tragic that we are suffering the loss of two outstanding, young athletes at a time when our nation continues to immerse itself in the FIFA World Cup tournament, as well as the Springboks’ and Springbok Women’s matches against Scotland and the USA Eagles in Pretoria today," President Ramaphosa said.

​He praised both athletes for their dedication, talent, and the pride they brought to the nation on the international stage.

​"We are grateful for the joy and victories Jayden and Luqobo have given us and their teams as they lived their dreams and held South Africa’s name high on the scoreboards of global sport. May their souls rest in peace," the President concluded.

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