Limpopo Education suspends schooling in flood affected areas

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Limpopo Education suspends schooling in flood affected areas

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Limpopo Department of Education has as a precautionary measure, temporarily suspended schooling in several districts severely affected by persistent heavy rainfall and the risk of flash floods.

The Vhembe and Mopani districts remain the hardest hit, with many roads rendered impassable, effectively cutting off access to numerous schools. Compounding the situation, the Capricorn South and Waterberg districts have also reported incidents and structural concerns, which may further disrupt schooling if the heavy rains continue overnight.

To safeguard the lives of learners and educators, the department has taken a decisive step to suspend schooling for two days, Monday, 16 March, and Tuesday, 17 March in all affected areas.

The safety of learners and staff is a paramount concern. With reports of flooded roads and compromised building integrity, the suspension is a necessary measure to prevent any potential tragedies.

In addition to reported accessibility challenges, the department has received reports of leaking roofs and water damage in school buildings, which pose a direct safety risk. Furthermore, the department has noted with deep concern a spate of burglaries at schools during this disruptive period, with criminals targeting nutrition programme stockpiles and electronic equipment.

District offices have already communicated the suspension to all affected schools and circuit managers, who are in turn responsible for notifying parents and school governing bodies.

For clarity, parents and guardians seeking specific information on school status in their area should contact their school principals or the local circuit manager. Learners unable to sit for scheduled tests due to the flooding will be given an opportunity to write at a later date once normalcy is restored.

Parents are strongly urged not to allow or force learners to attempt crossing flooded bridges or swollen rivers to reach school. Learner safety is the priority.

The Department, in coordination with District Municipalities and disaster management teams, will continue to closely monitor the weather situation and its impact on school infrastructure and accessibility. A further update will be provided as conditions evolve.

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Gauteng's Land Release Programme a complete Failure - only 13,000 Stands delivered since 2020

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Gauteng's Land Release Programme a complete Failure - only 13,000 Stands delivered since 2020

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

Since 2020, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS) has released only about 13,000 serviced stands - a figure that falls short of addressing Gauteng's growing housing demand.

The reality is that the department continues to underperform and that the Rapid Land Release Programme (RLRP) is not working. The release of 13,000 serviced stands barely scratches the surface. At the same time, the intended target of delivering 8644 homes in the current year is inconsequential when over 1 million Gauteng citizens remain on the housing waiting list.

The failure of the RLRP is evident in a reply by the Gauteng Human Settlements MEC, Tasneem Motara, to questions posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The MEC revealed that the department had acquired 1045,02 hectares of land for R2 billion to develop 10,000 serviced stands, yet only 26 houses had been built on the land as of last year.

See reply here.

This situation raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the programme and compels us to challenge Premier Lesufi’s statement during the State of the Province Address where he claimed that R100 billion had allocated to human settlements in Gauteng. The Premier should account and explain how these funds have been spent, as there is nothing to show for them on the ground.

The biggest failure and disappointment remain the conceptualisation and implementation of the RLRP. The programme has, since September 2025, been placed on hold “for review and restructuring” after the MEC admitted that the programme was ineffective.

The continued ineffectiveness of the department to complete any of its core programmes in an environment of increased demand highlights the crisis facing the department.

The DA is therefore calling on the Premier and the MEC to urgently outline their vision and concrete plans to overcome these shortfalls and meaningfully address the province’s growing housing challenges.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would first assess the Human Settlements department’s capacity to implement the Rapid Land Programme and ensure its rollout follows a collaborative approach, involving all spheres of government, the National Treasury, and the private sector, rather than leaving the programme solely in the hands of the Human Settlements department.

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BMA SUSPENDS OPERATIONS AT PAFURI AND GIRIYONDO PORTS OF ENTRY DUE TO FLOODING

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BMA SUSPENDS OPERATIONS AT PAFURI AND GIRIYONDO PORTS OF ENTRY DUE TO FLOODING

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, wishes to inform the public that operations at the Pafuri Port of Entry and the Giriyondo Port of Entry have been temporarily suspended due to flooding in the two ports and surrounding areas.

Pafuri is a Port of Entry between South Africa and Mozambique, situated in the far northern region of the Kruger National Park. Pafuri Gate, which provides access to  Pafuri Port of Entry and located approximately 30 km from the Port, has also been closed due to high flood water levels. 

Giriyondo , also a port between South Africa and Mozambique is an important part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which spans across South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.  

Earlier this afternoon, reports from the Kruger National Park rangers who are monitoring the area indicated that the water level at the Luvuvhu River bridge had risen by approximately half a metre compared to yesterday. Additional updates also confirmed that the Klein Letaba and Middlevlei rivers are currently overflowing, while the Letaba bridge is nearing full capacity due to the continued heavy inflow of water.

Given that the Luvuvhu River runs adjacent to the Pafuri Port of Entry, the rapidly rising water levels have posed a potential safety risk to personnel, travellers, and infrastructure in the area. In the interest of ensuring the safety of all concerned, the Border Management Authority has taken the precautionary decision to suspend operations at the affected ports of entry until conditions improve.

All BMA staff members,  Port Management Committee members and operational vehicles stationed at the affected ports were safely evacuated as a precautionary measure. There have been no injuries or damages to the infrastructure reported.

Travellers who intend to access Pafuri Gate are advised to use Punda Maria Gate as an alternative access point. Punda Maria Gate is located approximately 65 km from the Port of Entry and currently remains accessible.

The BMA continues to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with relevant authorities and park management officials. Operations will resume once it is deemed safe to do so.

The Border Management Authority remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all border operations while safeguarding the wellbeing of officials and the travelling public.

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THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE IN COOPERATION WITH POLICE OPERATIONS.

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THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE IN COOPERATION WITH POLICE OPERATIONS

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

NATJOINTS (NATIONAL JOINT OPERATIONAL AND INTELLIGENCE STRUCTURE)

___________________________________________________

Programme Director;

➢ Chief of the South African National Defence Force; General Rudzani Maphwanya;

➢ The Co- Chairpersons of the NATJOINTS, Lt General Mosikili and Lt General Sangweni;

➢ Senior Officers of the SAPS and SANDF leadership;

➢ Members of the media;

➢ Ladies and Gentleman;

Good afternoon.

Today’s joint briefing between the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force represents an important milestone in the strengthening of our collective national response to crime and serious violence in our country.

We meet here not merely to announce an operational deployment, but to reaffirm a fundamental principle, that the authority of the State will always prevail over criminality, intimidation and lawlessness.

South Africans have rightly expressed deep concern about the levels of violent crime, the activities of organised criminal syndicates, and safety concerns in some communities.

These concerns are legitimate, and as the leadership of the JCPS cluster departments, we have taken the responsibility to respond decisively, strategically and with the full capability of the State.

It is in this context that His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, during the State of the Nation Address, directed that government intensify its fight against organised crime and strengthen cooperation between the security cluster departments.

In his recent response to oral questions in Parliament, the President further emphasised that the deployment of the South African National Defence Force in cooperation with the SA Police Service forms part of a broader national effort to confront organised criminal networks, deal with crime, stabilise affected communities and restore public confidence in law enforcement.

Guided by this directive, President has authorised the deployment of the South African National Defence Force in cooperation with the South African Police Service under Operation PROSPER.

This deployment spans a period of 13 months, with over 2 000 members of the SANDF deployed across the country. The intervention will focus on the hotpots areas which includes and not limited to, Free State, Gauteng, North - West, Western Cape and the Eastern Cape — areas that have been identified through intelligence and crime analysis as being significantly affected by criminal activity.

The purpose of this intervention is to provide space to the SA Police Service to deal with both street crime and to disrupt, disable and dismantle organised crime groupings through a coordinated operational framework where the SANDF and SAPS will work together to stabilise crime-affected

areas, and restore the rule of law in communities where criminal networks have sought to undermine the authority of the State.

South Africa today faces complex organised-crime threats that extend beyond conventional criminal activity.

In the Free State, Gauteng and North - West, sophisticated illicit mining criminal groups continue to exploit abandoned and active mining infrastructure, generating enormous illicit financial flows, fuelling violence between gangs and rival groups, damaging essential infrastructure and contributing to environmental degradation.

At the same time, gang-related violence in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng continues to drive high levels of murder, extortion, drug trafficking and illegal firearm proliferation, devastating communities and trapping many young people in cycles of violence.

These criminal dynamics are not isolated. They are interconnected and often linked to illegal migration, illicit firearms trafficking, corruption networks and attacks on essential infrastructure.

The scale, sophistication and persistence of these criminal activities have resulted in this extraordinary and integrated response by government.

Ladies and gentlemen. This is precisely what this joint deployment seeks to achieve.

The SANDF will cooperate with the SAPS through coordinated operational deployments, enhanced visibility, and stabilisation measures in identified hotspots. Importantly, these operations will remain intelligence-led, constitutionally compliant and conducted under established command structures.

Operational coordination will be managed through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, commonly known as NATJOINTS, which will ensure seamless coordination between security agencies, government departments and provincial operational structures.

This structure will enable intelligence-led planning, coordinated deployment and real-time operational oversight.

Joint Operational Centres have been established to ensure seamless cooperation between SAPS, SANDF and other law enforcement agencies. This will ensure that all interventions are lawful, proportionate and strategically targeted.

The objectives of this joint deployment are clear and measurable.Firstly, to stabilise priority crime hotspots where organised criminal networks have entrenched themselves.

Secondly, to disrupt and dismantle syndicates those involved in illicit mining and gang violence.

Thirdly, to restore law, order and peace in affected communities, ensuring that residents are able to live without fear.

Fourthly, to reclaim territory that has been controlled or influenced by criminal networks and firmly reassert the authority of the State.

And finally, to reduce serious and violent crime levels through sustained enforcement and intelligence-driven operations.

Members of the media, allow me to assure South Africans that this intervention is already underway.

The initial deployment in parts of the country has commenced and is progressing well, with joint operational teams already working together on targeted enforcement operations and area stabilisation activities.

At the same time, the final phase of the joint mission readiness training, continues, and thereafter deployment will be expanded accordingly.

During this phase operational matters such as rules of engagement, communication procedures and base standing orders are finalised. 

This preparation ensures that members are equipped to operate effectively within a cooperative operational framework.

As these operations unfold, the public will see increased coordinated visibility of security forces, targeted operations against illicit mining activities, intensified and robust actions against gang networks, and strengthened protection of essential infrastructure.

However, it is important to emphasise that this intervention is not only about enforcement.

It is about restoring stability, rebuilding trust between communities and law enforcement, and creating safer conditions for social and economic development.

Success will therefore be measured not only in arrests or confiscations, but in the reduction of violence, the disruption of criminal networks and the restoration of community confidence.

To the communities affected by these crimes, we have heard your concerns, we understand your frustrations, and we are committed to restoring safety and stability in your neighbourhoods

To the members of the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force who will be participating in this deployment, you carry the responsibility of protecting our democracy and safeguarding our people. The country expects the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and respect for the Constitution.

In closing, members of the media, let me reiterate that public safety is a shared national priority. The fight against crime cannot be won by law enforcement alone. It requires partnership with communities, cooperation across government institutions, and sustained national commitment.

This joint deployment represents a decisive step in strengthening that commitment.

Working together, we will dismantle criminal networks, reclaim our communities from violence and lawlessness, and restore the sense of safety and dignity that every South African deserves.

WE THANK YOU.

NATJOINTS (NATIONAL JOINT OPERATIONAL AND INTELLIGENCE STRUCTURE)

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Eskom 300 Days without Loadshedding

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Eskom 300 Days without Loadshedding

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

Eskom marks 300 days without loadshedding as sustained generation performance maintains grid stability and energy security

Friday, 13 March 2026: South Africa has now reached 300 consecutive days without loadshedding, achieved at midnight on 12 March 2026, a significant milestone underscoring the continued recovery and strengthening of Eskom’s generation fleet anchored on the Generation Recovery Plan.

This achievement reflects the sustained upward trajectory in plant performance, supported by an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) that is consistently above 65%, currently at 65.85% for the financial year to date (1 April 2025 to 12 March 2026), demonstrating the sustained progress in Eskom’s turnaround strategy. Notably, the generation fleet has also achieved or exceeded the 70% EAF milestone on 83 occasions so far over this timeframe.

A 53% decrease in average unplanned outages has been recorded.

Between 6 and 12 March 2026, average unplanned outages recorded at 7 224MW showing a notable improvement from the 15 382MW experienced during the same week last year, a reduction of 8 158 MW. This underlines the ongoing gains in reliability across the fleet.

Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), reflecting unplanned outages, was at 14.85%, representing a reduction of 17.22% compared to the 32.07% recorded during the same period last year.

During the same period, Eskom’s Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF)—which reflects planned maintenance—averaged 13.81%, up from 10.21% in the previous financial year, as part of efforts to ensure environmental compliance, improve reliability, and support long‑term sustainability

In addition, 5 861MW is currently in cold reserve due to excess capacity.

For the financial year to date (1 April 2025 to 12 March 2026), diesel expenditure is R8.58 billion lower than during the same period last year, a 57.35% reduction year on year.

Over the past week, diesel usage contributed 10.08GWh of electricity to the grid at a cost of R59.70 million, resulting in a weekly load factor of 1.76%.

The use of diesel this week was due to statutory grid code testing and to meet the reserve requirements, as specified in the South Africa Grid Code.

Year‑to‑date, diesel expenditure remains consistently below budget and is expected to remain below budget through to the end of the financial year.

South Africa has now experienced 301 consecutive days without an interruption in supply, with only 26 hours of loadshedding recorded in April and May 2025, during this financial year. 

 

To further ensure a stable electricity supply, Eskom will bring 3 330MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 16 March 2026. Evening peak demand is forecast at 23 858MW, with 27 652MW of available capacity, providing a healthy reserve margin above current demand.

Eskom published the Summer Outlook on 5 September 2025, covering the period 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, which projects no loadshedding due to sustained improvements in plant performance from the Generation Recovery Plan.

Key Performance Highlights

For the financial year to date, the UCLF decreased to 22.73%, reflecting a week-on-week improvement of 0.17% and remaining well below last year’s 25.74%.

For the financial year to date, planned maintenance was at an average of 5 377MW, accounting for 11.42% of total generation capacity, more than last week’s 11.38% and lower than the 12.61% over the same period last year.

Between 1 April 2025 and 12 March 2026, Eskom generated 1 075.23GWh from OCGT plants at a diesel cost of R6.381 billion. This is significantly lower than the 2 498.75GWh generated during the same period last year (1 April 2024 to 12 March 2025), which resulted in costs of R14.963 billion.

Notably, diesel usage has declined consistently month-on-month since May 2025, and the month-to-date load factor stands at 1.11%.

The year-to-date OCGT load factor has further decreased to 3.79%, reflecting a 0.03% improvement from the previous week. This is significantly lower than the 8.81% recorded during the same period last year and remains below the set target.

Progress in ending load reduction: 199 160 customers no longer affected during peak periods.

Although the power system remains stable and generation capacity continues to exceed demand, illegal connections and meter tampering persist, causing infrastructure damage and posing serious safety risks. In response, Eskom continues to implement load reduction as a temporary measure in high-risk areas to protect both communities and the electricity network.

To address these challenges sustainably, Eskom has launched a phased programme to eliminate load reduction by 2027. The programme targets 971 feeders and will benefit approximately 1.69 million customers across all provinces, out of Eskom’s total customer base of 7.2 million. Key interventions include the rollout of smart meters, the integration of Distributed Energy Resources, and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity support. These measures will be accompanied by targeted customer education initiatives. 

Progress on key interventions

Smart Meter Rollout:

To date, Eskom has installed 444 062 smart meters nationwide, of which 171 507 (about 39%) have been deployed on load reduction feeders. These installations empower customers with greater visibility and control over their electricity consumption, support accurate billing, and significantly enhance the overall user experience.

Of the 171 507 smart meters installed on load reduction feeders, approximately 90% are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu‑Natal, where network risk is highest.

The phased programme to eliminate load reduction programme targets the installation of 577 347 smart meters on load reduction feeders by March 2026, with full rollout on these feeders planned for completion in 2027. Current implementation represents approximately 30% of the total end‑state target.

The rollout is deliberately focused on high-loss areas affected by illegal connections, meter bypassing, overloaded infrastructure and widespread electricity theft. Eskom has undertaken extensive community and stakeholder engagement through ward councillors, public meetings, radio platforms and social media to support the implementation of the programme.

Despite these efforts, installation teams continue to face persistent resistance, including intimidation, violent incidents and repeated work stoppages. These disruptions have led to deployment delays, the redeployment of teams, and heightened safety risks for Eskom employees and contractors.

As a result, approximately 122 000 planned meter conversions have been delayed to date, undermining the stability and predictability of the rollout programme.

Feeders Removed from Load Reduction: 16 feeders in Limpopo and Mpumalanga (46% of the target of 37), 40 in Gauteng (32% of the target of 126), 9 in the Eastern and Western Cape (60% of the target of 15) with the Western Cape achieving 100% of its target, 83 in Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (88% of the target of 94), 3 in the North West and Northern Cape (33% of the target of 9).

The total number of feeders removed from load reduction is 151. This includes:

Nationally, the 151 feeders removed represent about 56% of the overall year-end target of 271 feeders to be removed from load reduction by March 2026. 

Customers benefiting from the elimination of the load reduction programme

With the feeders removed from load reduction to date, an estimated 199 160 customers are now benefiting, comprising 35 149 in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 49 922 in Gauteng, 10 788 in the Eastern and Western Cape, 92 109 in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State and 11 192 in the North West and Northern Cape. The remaining customers still due for load‑reduction removal by financial year‑end are 199 187 in both Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 95 560 in Gauteng, 14 714 in both Eastern and Western Cape, 35 737 in the Free State and KwaZulu‑Natal, and 32 989 in the Northern Cape and North West provinces.

Overall, 378 187 customers, representing 65.50% of the 577 347 target, still need to be removed from load reduction by March 2026.

Free Basic Electricity (FBE):

The FBE beneficiaries figure fluctuates monthly, and the average for this financial year is at 582 110 beneficiaries. The 582 110 figure reflects a 20.02% increase from the baseline of 485 000 customers and represents about 28% of the 2.1 million eligible customers.

Eskom is harnessing technology, upgrading infrastructure, and partnering with communities to ensure a safer, smarter, and more reliable power network for South Africa.

Eskom calls on communities to report illegal connections, use electricity responsibly, and protect infrastructure. Any illegal activity affecting Eskom’s infrastructure can be reported to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.

Eskom data sources

The Eskom data portal provides a 24/7 365 snapshot of system performance. [Eskom Data Portal].

Since May 2024, Eskom has released a detailed power system update every Friday, providing a consolidated view of key areas of its generation performance through the Media Desk and across its social media platforms. This is a deliberate effort to improve transparency.

Eskom will provide its next update on Friday, 20 March 2026, or communicate any significant developments as they occur.

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