$1 Billion Investment unlocked through Infrastructure South Africa

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$1 Billion Investment unlocked through Infrastructure South Africa

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA©®™ 

The Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has welcomed Infrastructure South Africa’s contribution to the successful hosting of the South African Investment Conference in Sandton on Tuesday, and in particular its role in helping to unlock a $1 billion investment pledge by global agricultural company UPL announced at the conference. The investment amounting to approximately R17 billion and led by UPL Chairman and Group CEO Jai Shroff, is linked to a large-scale bioethanol production facility in South Africa. 

The project will utilise sugarcane and maize as a feedstock and support the development of an integrated agricultural and energy value chain. Infrastructure South Africa, an entity of the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure, played a key facilitative role in advancing the project by bringing together stakeholders across the agricultural, energy, and financial sectors. This included supporting engagements between UPL and a major development finance institution to explore project preparation and financing opportunities, as well as broader collaboration to move the project towards implementation. 

The project has significant potential, including the cultivation of approximately 400,000 hectares of sweet sorghum and the production of up to 1.3 billion litres of bioethanol annually. This will inject significant amounts of money directly back to small and large scale farmers. This positions South Africa as a potential leader in the biofuels sector, while supporting rural development and job creation. 

Minister Macpherson said Infrastructure South Africa is playing an increasingly important role in unlocking investment by removing bottlenecks, coordinating stakeholders, and supporting project preparation. “When I was appointed Public Works & Infrastructure Minister 21 months ago, I committed to turning the Department into the economic delivery unit of South Africa to help grow the economy and create much-needed jobs. The $1 billion investment, facilitated by Infrastructure South Africa, is clear evidence of the progress we are making in achieving that goal,” Minister Macpherson said. 

“This investment demonstrates what is possible when government plays an active role in facilitating partnerships, removing obstacles, and aligning stakeholders behind a common objective. It also highlights the growing importance of Infrastructure South Africa in ensuring that projects of this scale move from concept to implementation as we work to build a better South Africa.” 

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Western Cape Mobility on 29 arrested during Easter Road Safety Enforcement

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Western Cape Mobility on 29 arrested during Easter Road Safety Enforcement

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA©®™ 

Provincial Traffic Services have intensified Easter road safety operations across major routes in the Western Cape, adopting a high-visibility, zero-tolerance approach to remove unsafe drivers and vehicles from the roads.

Over the past 48 hours, traffic officers stopped and checked 14 888 vehicles across the province. A total of 29 motorists were arrested, including 24 for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Yesterday, three men were arrested for DUI at a roadblock on the R303 near Ceres, while a further three men and one woman were arrested for DUI during various operations on the R300 on the same day.

Officers also arrested three men for being in possession of false documents, including two at a roadblock on the R102 near Somerset West yesterday. In a separate incident, a man was arrested at a roadblock in Grabouw for failing to produce any valid documentation. In several cases, drivers were carrying passengers, turning what should have been holiday trips into stressful and difficult situations for families and friends.

Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, said the behaviour of some drivers remains deeply concerning. “These arrests show that some drivers are still putting lives at risk by ignoring the law. Because of these reckless choices, 29 individuals are now spending the long Easter weekend behind bars instead of with their loved ones. These situations could have been avoided if they had made responsible decisions and complied with the rules of the road.”

Enforcement outcomes:

642 unlicensed vehicles removed from the roads

104 unroadworthy vehicles taken off the road immediately

4 054 fines issued for vehicle and traffic offences

235 speeding cases recorded

219 cases of overloading

Every stop, arrest, and fine contributes to safer roads. By removing dangerous drivers and unsafe vehicles, traffic officers are actively protecting communities and saving lives.

Road safety teams are also conducting pedestrian awareness campaigns, while vehicle inspections were carried out ahead of the Easter rush to ensure roadworthiness, helping to protect pedestrians and all road users during one of the busiest and most high-risk travel periods of the year.

With wet weather continuing to affect major routes such as the N1, Provincial Traffic Services are advising motorists to exercise extra caution and adjust their driving to the conditions where necessary.

“Every traffic officer on the road is working hard to prevent crashes and save lives. We are visible, we are vigilant, and we will act. In wet conditions, there is no room for mistakes. We will continue removing unsafe drivers and vehicles until everyone reaches home safely,” added Minister Sileku.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to drive and walk sober, stay patient, and continue playing their part in helping everyone reach their destination safely.

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Gauteng Transport Inspectorate ( GTI ) Intensifies Law Enforcement

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Gauteng Transport Inspectorate ( GTI ) Intensifies Law Enforcement

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA©®™ 

The Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI), in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), continues to intensify law enforcement operations aimed at curbing lawlessness, combating criminal activity, and improving compliance with traffic legislation, particularly within the public transport sector.

During the month of March 2026, high-impact stop-and-search operations were conducted across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Vereeniging. These targeted operations focused on major public and scholar transport routes identified as high-risk for non-compliance and road safety violations.

As a result of these operations, 17 vehicles were impounded in Ekurhuleni and 31 in Vereeniging for failing to meet essential road safety standards. Furthermore, 220 minibuses were discontinued due to serious mechanical defects, while an additional 227 vehicles were issued with discontinuation notices.

The defects identified included faulty brakes, worn tyres, broken headlights, defective brake lights or indicators, and cracked windscreens, posing significant risks to passenger safety and other road users.

In addition, officers issued infringement notices to non-compliant public transport operators:

• More than 3,000 manual infringement notices were issued.

• A total of 4,560 electronic infringement notices were processed using the inspectorate’s advanced e-Force devices.

Further violations uncovered during the operations include:

• 752 minibus taxi drivers operating without valid driving licenses.

• 394 minibuses found operating without valid licence discs.

Law enforcement efforts also led to the arrest of 36 motorists on charges of fraud, driving under the influence, bribery, defeating the ends of justice, and reckless and negligent driving.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, commended the officers for their dedication and the impact of the operations:

“The results achieved in March demonstrate our unwavering commitment to restoring order and discipline on Gauteng’s roads. I commend our law enforcement officers for their vigilance, professionalism, and determination in ensuring that public transport operators comply with the law and that our roads are safer for all.”

The stop-and-search operations remain a key pillar of the province’s road safety and law enforcement programme.

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Cricket World Cup 2027, South Africa , Zimbabwe, Namibia

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Cricket World Cup 2027, South Africa , Zimbabwe, Namibia 

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA©®™ 

The Western Cape Government has committed R15 million to support upgrades at both World Sports Betting (WSB) Newlands Cricket Ground and Boland Park in Paarl, where some of the tournament’s matches will be hosted.

On Thursday, 2 April 2026, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport signed Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) and Cricket Boland to formalise financial support for the necessary infrastructure work in preparation for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, part of which will be hosted in South Africa.

The Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, said: “The Western Cape has shown that we are capable of successfully hosting World Cup events and we look forward to seeing the Cricket World Cup here next year. These kinds of events help to support our local economy as they not only bring economic investment, but they also support job creation. The Western Cape Government is proud to contribute to ensure that our stadiums are ready for this exciting event.”

WPCA CEO Corrie van Zyl said: "We are grateful for the Western Cape Government’s support, which ensures that WSB Newlands Cricket Ground will be ready to host world-class cricket. This investment strengthens our ability to deliver a memorable World Cup experience for players, fans, and the broader community."

The WPCA President, Johannes Adams, said: "The partnership between government and cricket is vital to the success of major events. We thank the Western Cape Government for their commitment, which not only benefits the World Cup but also leaves a lasting legacy for cricket in our province."

Boland Cricket expressed their appreciation for the funding: “The Western Cape Government’s investment in a dedicated purpose-built Player/Match Officials area at Boland Park is more than preparation for the Cricket World Cup, it is a lasting commitment to world-class facilities that will serve athletes, officials and our community for generations to come.”

The World Cup Tournament is scheduled to be played across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October and November 2027.

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BUFFALO CITY MAYOR PRINCESS FAKU , SIU INVESTIGATION INTO FRAUDULENT REGISTRATION AT FORT HARE UNIVERSITY

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BUFFALO CITY MAYOR PRINCESS FAKU , SIU INVESTIGATION INTO FRAUDULENT REGISTRATION AT FORT HARE UNIVERSITY

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA©®™ 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) calls for the immediate resignation of the ANC-deployed Mayor of the Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape, Mayor Princess Faku, following revelations that she fraudulently registered herself at the University of Fort Hare.

In what follows a string of ANC leaders in the Eastern Cape who have fraudulently obtained qualifications at Fort Hare, Princess Faku joins the list after she was reportedly denied attendance at the University’s graduation ceremony held on Friday, 03 April 2026. The University refused to allow her to attend the graduation, citing ongoing investigations by the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) that she did not meet the requirements to enrol in the LLB course.

Princess Faku joins ANC Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, former ANC Premier and Speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature and current Public Service and Administration Minister Noxolo Kiviet, and current ANC-aligned National Chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), Mike Basopu, as leaders of the ANC who are being probed for fraudulently obtaining qualifications at Fort Hare.

In a context where millions of young people seek to pursue higher education after matriculating, and are often denied entry due to limited access and space in universities, it is disgraceful that ANC politicians in the Eastern Cape see it fit to use their political and financial influence to undermine the merit based system that underpins access to University.

There are worthy young people who were denied access at Fort Hare, due to Princess Faku and all ANC politicians who manipulate their way into institutions of higher learning, so that they can meet internal political party education criteria in order to be deployed to office. Further to this, the credibility of Fort Hare is harmed by ANC politicians who bring the corruption they practice in governance into the corridors of education.

Princess Faku and all those who are implicated in degree-fraud must immediately resign and be held responsible for undermining education, denying young people a fair chance, and stealing their university spots compromising their futures

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