South Africa R1,5 Trillion Gambling Crisis

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

South Africa R1,5 Trillion Gambling Crisis 

RISE Mzansi, in its continued campaign to raise a loud alarm about the R1,5-trillion gambling crisis, has sponsored a matter for discussion during a National Assembly Mini-Plenary debate at 10:00 on Friday, 31 October 2025.

This is a significant point in our work to arrest this social and public health crisis. The debate will allow all political parties represented in the National Assembly to state where the stand on this crisis, which is destroying lives and livelihoods.

The recent annual report of the National Gambling Board raises the alarm, stating that gambling operators have increased their gross gambling revenue from R59-billion in 2023/4 to R75-billion in 2024/25, an annual growth of 26%. Moreover, South Africans spent R1,5-trillion during the 2024/25 financial year on gambling activities, this is an increase from the R1,1-trillion wasted in the previous financial year.

RISE Mzansi will also use the debate to make an announcement about our ongoing efforts to agitate for wide-ranging reforms.

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NPOs DEADLINE FOR 2026/27 FUNDING APPLICATIONS

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

NPOs DEADLINE FOR 2026/27 FUNDING APPLICATIONS 

The Gauteng Department of Social Development is reminding all Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) that the closing date for the submission of funding applications for the 2026/27 financial year is Thursday, 30 October 2025. 

This serves as a final reminder following the extension of the original deadline, which was initially set for 15 October 2025 and later extended by Gauteng MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko, to afford NPOs additional time to finalise their submissions. MEC Mazibuko has urged all organisations that have not yet applied to make use of the remaining days to submit their applications to avoid disqualification. “We extended the application period to 30 October to give all NPOs a fair chance to complete their submissions. 

This is the final opportunity, and we urge organisations to respect the deadline. Late applications will unfortunately not be considered,” said MEC Mazibuko. “The Department values the critical role that NPOs play in delivering social services to the people of Gauteng. By working together, we can ensure that services reach those most in need across our province,” she added. 

The Department continues to encourage NPOs to submit applications through the approved channels, including the dedicated email address: 

NPOApplications.Socdev@gauteng.gov.za 

All applications must be accompanied by the required supporting documentation as outlined in the 2026/27 Call for Proposals. 

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R20 Million worth of Cocaine seized on a plot in Midrand, Gauteng

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

R20 Million worth of Cocaine seized on a plot in Midrand, Gauteng

MIDRAND - A crime intelligence driven operation resulted in the discovery of R20 million worth of cocaine at a small holding in Midrand, Gauteng.

On Tuesday evening, 28 October 2025, a multidisciplinary team led by Crime Intelligence Head Office inclusive of Gauteng Organised crime unit, SAPS JHB K9 and members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) were following up on information of drugs that were being stored at a plot in Blue Hills, Midrand. According to further investigation, the drugs were brought into South Africa from a neighbouring country and were destined for Cape Town, Western Cape.

The cocaine was found hidden in a storage room on the identified plot.

A 56-year-old man who is believed to be the owner of the plot has been arrested and the cocaine weighing about 80kg has been seized.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Midrand Magistrate’s Court later on this week, on a possible charge of possession of drugs as well as dealing in drugs.

 MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

KZN Transport SCOPA hearing reveals serious, ongoing failures

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

KZN Transport SCOPA hearing reveals serious, ongoing failures

The DA is deeply concerned by the findings presented in the Auditor-General’s (AG) report and by responses received by SCOPA during its KZN’s Department of Transport (DoT) hearing held earlier today.

While the DoT received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements, SCOPA engagement has revealed serious and persistent failures in performance, compliance, and governance. 

This includes qualified findings on key service delivery programmes - namely, Transport Infrastructure and Transport Operations- where only 50% and 57% of targets were achieved respectively, despite full budget expenditure.

This is a clear indication of poor planning, weak project management, and a lack of accountability amongst errant officials.

The report also highlights repeat non-compliance with legislation, including R1.3billion in irregular expenditure and R4.2million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure of R4.2 million. In this regard, SCOPA requested consequence management reports from the DoT, however these were not forthcoming. Reports from the Provincial Audit Risk Committee and Treasury further reflect that 99.57% of irregular expenditure remains unresolved.

The DA is committed to ensuring that the culture of impunity within government comes to an end. Officials responsible for mismanagement must face disciplinary action and irregular contracts must be terminated.

Infrastructure projects such as the Klein Boesman River Bridge and road P242 rehabilitation represent systemic failures such as delays, poor workmanship and excessive professional fees. This while communities continue to suffer from unsafe and incomplete infrastructure.

The DA is also concerned by the DoT’s inability to pay service providers within 30 days, with 18% of payments overdue, and growing contingent liabilities now exceeding R9.5billion. 

These financial pressures threaten future service delivery and undermine the sustainability of small businesses reliant on government contracts.

During the hearing, SCOPA was assured by Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma and senior departmental leadership that the AG’s recommendations would be urgently implemented and that critical vacancies, including a Supply Chain Manager (SCM) Director, would be filled. It is also critical that a functional Project Management Office is established without delay.

The people of our province people deserve a transport department that delivers safe, reliable infrastructure and operates with integrity. As a responsible member of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will continue to hold KZN’s executive accountable and push for clean governance and efficient service delivery.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

MEC acts Unlawfully: forces hard-pressed parents to fork out more on School Fees

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

MEC acts Unlawfully: forces hard-pressed parents to fork out more on School Fees

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), under MEC Matome Chiloane, has acted unlawfully by announcing drastic funding reductions for Quintile 5 schools (the least impoverished and fee-paying schools) for the 2026 academic year after the legislated deadline had passed. 

This late communication has caused uncertainty and financial pressure for parents, who now face the possibility of hiked fees ensuing from belatedly announced funding reductions. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng slams this action and is considering legal action against the department to force the reversal of this decision.

The GDE’s decision to introduce the reduction after the legislated deadline of 30 September 2025 is not only invalid but also reckless and likely to harm thousands of learners in Gauteng. Accordingly, this decision must be reversed to provide schools with more time to adapt to the reduced funding.

For several years, the GDE has topped up funding for Quintile 5 schools so that they receive the same funding per learner as Quintile 4 schools. Although this was discretionary, it created an expectation that this would continue. Therefore, the decision to belatedly inform schools between 07 and 10 October of the substantial funding cuts is deeply concerning. This has affected School Governing Bodies (SGBs), who had already prepared their budgets based on the previous subsidy levels. 

The drastic reduction from R879 to R301 per learner places schools in a serious financial predicament and will almost certainly lead to significant increases in school fees.

The decision by MEC Chiloane to cut funding for Quintile 5 schools is both unlawful and unacceptable. This action must be subjected to judicial review to ensure that MEC Chiloane is held accountable and that the rights of learners in these schools are fully protected. 

Unfortunately, this behaviour reflects a broader pattern under Premier Panyaza Lesufi's leadership, where MECs act without regard for the consequences, assured that they will not be held responsible.

The DA stands in solidarity with the parents of our learners whose rights to critical information have been violated. We will submit written questions to ascertain what prompted the funding reduction, why the deadline for announcing the reduction was missed, how many schools are affected and if there are any schools that will continue with topped-up funding.

A DA-led government would ensure that all funding decisions are communicated promptly and in full consultation with schools, particularly where budgetary constraints necessitate adjustments. 

This would enhance transparency and accountability within the education system, protect learners and parents from undue financial pressure.

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