Thursday, 13 August 2026

Minister Schreiber’s Electronic Visa System Set to Unlock Jobs and Economic Growth

KASiBCAFRiCA©®™
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

Minister Schreiber’s Electronic Visa System Set to Unlock Jobs and Economic Growth

By KasiBCAfrica News

SOUTH AFRICA — The launch of South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) marks a major milestone in modernising the national immigration framework, making the country significantly easier to visit while enhancing border security.

Spearheaded by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, the digital system replaces manual, paper-heavy visa application processes with an online platform integrated with biometric verification and automated risk analysis.

Digital Convenience Meets Advanced Security

Under the new ETA platform, international travellers can complete their applications entirely online—uploading passport scans and a facial photo to verify identity through automated facial recognition technology.

Key features of the new ETA system include:

Digital Wallet Storage: Approved travellers carry their digital travel authorization directly on their smartphone devices.
Rapid Turnaround: Applications are processed through machine learning risk analysis, with approved authorisations issued within 24 hours.
Biometric Border Verification: Facial recognition technology checks travellers at entry and exit points, reducing wait times at airport counters while tracking overstayers in real time.
Digital Extensions: Visitors entering South Africa for up to 90 days can apply online through the ETA platform to extend their stay for an additional 90 days.

Driving Tourism and Job Creation

The Democratic Alliance (DA) commended Minister Schreiber’s leadership in executing the digital overhaul, citing tourism as a vital catalyst for local economic development.

"Tourism is one of the most powerful engines for job creation in our country. Every additional legitimate traveller who chooses South Africa means more spending in our hotels, restaurants, attractions, and communities—supporting businesses and creating jobs across the tourism economy." — Democratic Alliance Statement

The new ETA system reverses previous administrative delays and physical paperwork requirements that historically constrained South Africa's tourism competitiveness compared to international peer destinations.

Phased Rollout Across National Airports

Officially launched at OR Tambo International Airport alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ETA system is initially operational at major international air gateways:

OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
Cape Town International Airport
King Shaka International Airport (Durban)
Lanseria International Airport

Over the coming months, the Department of Home Affairs plans to expand biometric capabilities and the digital entry framework across land and sea ports of entry. The long-term vision aims to transition all visa categories into an integrated digital migration management portal.

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Wednesday, 12 August 2026

EFF Blasts National Treasury as Q2 2026 Unemployment Surges to 33.6%

EFF Blasts National Treasury as Q2 2026

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

EFF Blasts National Treasury as Q2 2026 Unemployment Surges to 33.6%

By KasiBCAfrica News

KASIBCAUDIO

JOHANNESBURG — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have issued a blistering critique of the government's economic policy framework following the release of Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2026.

The latest data paints a grim picture of the country’s deepening joblessness crisis, revealing an official unemployment rate increase from 32.7% in Q1 to 33.6% in Q2 2026. An additional 345,000 people joined the ranks of the unemployed during the quarter, bringing the total number of unemployed South Africans to 8.481 million.

The broader expanded unemployment rate—which includes discouraged job seekers—stands at 43.8%, with overall labour underutilisation reaching a staggering 46.3%.

Women’s Month Spotlight: Deepening Disparities

Highlighting the timing of the release during Women's Month, the EFF emphasized that the data exposes a glaring contradiction between government rhetoric on gender empowerment and the severe economic realities facing women.

Female Unemployment: Rose to 37.5% (4.373 million women), reflecting an increase of 219,000 in a single quarter.
Male Unemployment: Stands lower at 30.3%.
Youth Crisis: 5 million young people aged 15–34 remain unemployed, pushing youth unemployment to 47.4%. Furthermore, 36.4% of youth aged 15–24 are currently Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET).

Cost of Living vs. SRD Grant

The party also linked the joblessness crisis to rising household inflation and inadequate social relief:

Average Household Food Basket: Risen to R5,530.52 per month (up by R87.81 year-on-year).
Basic Nutritional Requirement: Estimated at R962 per person monthly.
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant: Remains pegged at R370 per month—covering less than half of a person's basic nutritional needs.

National Treasury Blamed; Local Government Proposed as Solution

The EFF laid the blame directly at the door of National Treasury, accusing it of enforcing restrictive fiscal consolidation policies that limit the state’s ability to act as a direct employer and infrastructure builder.

Looking ahead to the upcoming local government elections, the EFF outlined key policy proposals to transform municipalities into engines of direct job creation:

In-Sourcing Services: End third-party outsourcing and tender systems to retain municipal funds for direct employment.
Direct Municipal Hiring: Employ local residents directly to construct and maintain roads, water, sanitation, electricity networks, and waste management systems.
Expanded Indigent Support: Provide free basic services to struggling and low-income households to alleviate cost-of-living pressures.

"A household without a stable income cannot be expected to choose between putting food on the table and paying an unaffordable municipal bill. The Q2 2026 QLFS presents a clear indictment of the current economic policy direction." — EFF Statement

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Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Pouring Hot Cooking Oil on White River Street Vendor

KASiBCAFRiCA©®™
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Pouring Hot Cooking Oil on White River Street Vendor

By KasiBCAfrica News

KASIBCAUDIO

WHITE RIVER, MPUMALANGA — The Nelspruit Regional Court has sentenced 38-year-old Given Smiso Nkosi to 15 years of direct imprisonment for the attempted murder of street vendor Emelinah Mdlovu. The sentence follows a horrific attack in broad daylight that left the informal trader with severe burn injuries.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, emphasizing that senseless violence against innocent citizens working to earn an honest living will not be tolerated by the justice system.

Chased and Doused in Scalding Oil

The brutal incident occurred on 24 January 2026 in White River, where Mdlovu was operating her street vending stall selling vetkoek.

According to evidence led by the State, Mdlovu observed Nkosi getting into a physical fight with another man nearby. As the brawl drifted closer to her vending station—where a large pot of cooking oil was actively boiling—Mdlovu warned both men to stop fighting and move away to prevent anyone from getting hurt.

Instead of backing off, Nkosi turned his rage on the street vendor:

Fearing for her safety, Mdlovu fled her stall on foot.

Nkosi grabbed the large pot filled with boiling oil from the stall and gave chase.

Upon catching up to her, Nkosi poured the scalding oil directly over Mdlovu's body, inflicting severe burns.

An alert motorist driving past witnessed Nkosi chasing Mdlovu and dousing her in hot oil. The eyewitness immediately intervened and called for assistance, allowing police officers to arrive swiftly and arrest Nkosi near the scene. Mdlovu was rushed to a local hospital via ambulance for emergency treatment.

Justice Served in Court

During trial proceedings, State Prosecutor Simon Mamabolo successfully argued against bail, keeping Nkosi in custody throughout the legal process. Although Nkosi pleaded not guilty, the prosecution presented overwhelming testimony from the victim, the eyewitness, and medical experts detailing the severity of Mdlovu’s burn injuries.

In arguing for aggravation of sentence, the State underscored that Mdlovu was an innocent bystander providing for her family when she became the target of unprovoked violence.

"The successful prosecution and sentence underscore the NPA's commitment to holding perpetrators of violent crime accountable and ensuring justice for victims. The sentence sends a clear message that senseless acts of violence against innocent members of society will not be tolerated and will attract serious consequences." — National Prosecuting Authority Statement

In addition to his 15-year direct imprisonment sentence, the Nelspruit Regional Court declared Nkosi unfit to possess a firearm.

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Saturday, 8 August 2026

Pikitup Workers Deploy Over Long Weekend to Clear Mounting Waste Backlogs

KASiBCAFRiCA©®™
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

Pikitup Workers Deploy Over Long Weekend to Clear Mounting Waste Backlogs

By : KasiBC Africa News

KASIBCAUDIO

8 August 2026

JOHANNESBURG — Pikitup, the City of Johannesburg’s official waste management entity, has announced that operations will continue uninterrupted throughout the upcoming Women's Day long weekend. Teams will work through the public holiday on Monday, 10 August, in an intensive effort to clear severe refuse backlogs caused by an ongoing casual worker strike.

All Pikitup depots across Johannesburg are scheduled to operate continuously over the long weekend to restore normal refuse removal schedules.

Targeted Depots & Recovery Timeline

While all facilities are operational, Pikitup has identified five depots that have borne the brunt of the strike disruptions:

Marlboro Depot

Randburg Depot

Waterval Depot

Roodepoort Depot

Avalon Depot (Soweto)

Barring any further operational interference, Pikitup anticipates that 11 out of its 12 depots will completely clear their backlogs by Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

Due to significant operational backlogs in Soweto and surrounding areas, the Avalon Depot is projected to clear its outstanding collection backlog by Friday, 14 August 2026.

Escorted Operations Amid Intimidation and Violence

The clearance plan remains contingent on worker safety and protection of municipal infrastructure. Operational disruptions escalated earlier this week following incidents of intimidation, death threats, and physical attacks targeted at Pikitup staff:

Vehicle Attacks: Collection trucks were targeted with stones in hot spot areas.

Illegal Dumping Incident: In Chiawelo, Soweto, striking workers forced a fully loaded compactor truck to dump its waste load directly onto the public road.

To safeguard workers and municipal assets, law enforcement agencies will maintain a strong presence, providing continuous police escorts for Pikitup trucks and collection crews.

"Pikitup apologises for the inconvenience caused by the ongoing casual worker strike and assures residents that every effort is being made to resolve the situation and restore normal waste collection services." — Pikitup

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Acting National Commissioner Urges Reiger Park Community Not to Harbour Killers of Fallen Anti-Gang Unit Officers

By : KasiBCAfrica News

KASIBCAUDIO

7 August 2026

REIGER PARK, EKURHULENI — Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has issued a impassioned appeal to the residents of Reiger Park and surrounding areas to assist law enforcement in tracking down the perpetrators responsible for the ambush and brutal killing of two Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) members.

The ambush took place on Friday, 7 August 2026, when officers who were part of a local crime prevention patrol moved towards the sound of gunshots in the area and were caught in a fatal attack. Two civilians were also killed during the incident, bringing the total death toll of the shooting to four.

In response, specialized police units—including Crime Intelligence, elite tracking teams, crime scene management, and the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation)—have been deployed to hunt down those involved.

SAPS Appeal: "If You Know Something, Say Something"

Lieutenant General Dimpane emphasized that community cooperation is vital to breaking the wall of silence around violent gangs operating in Ekurhuleni.

"We know that someone saw what happened. Someone knows who pulled the trigger, who planned this attack, or where the suspects are hiding. We are pleading with the community not to protect ruthless criminals who have no regard for human life. Your silence only emboldens those who continue to terrorise your community."

— Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, Acting National Commissioner

Dimpane reminded residents of the heavy sacrifice police personnel make daily when serving on the frontlines:

"Our members are not just police officers. They are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters who leave their homes every day knowing they may not return, all in the service of protecting South Africans. Today, two families are mourning because these brave officers answered a call for help."

— Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane

Key Actions Taken by Law Enforcement

Maximum Resource Mobilization: Specialised investigative units have been deployed across Ekurhuleni to pursue leads.
Inter-Departmental Intelligence Operations: Crime Intelligence and the Hawks are conducting joint tracking efforts.
Protection of Informants: SAPS assures community members that all information shared via official channels will be treated with strict confidentiality.

SAPS management reaffirmed that law enforcement will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all individuals implicated in the ambush face the full weight of the law.

How to Report Confidential Information

Members of the public with any information regarding the suspects or the incident are urged to contact:

Crime Stop Hotline: 08600 10111
MySAPS App: Download and submit anonymous tips directly to SAPS investigators.

For additional context on community challenges and ongoing security developments in the area, watch this report on Reiger Park shooting updates, which covers community responses and law enforcement efforts in previous violent incidents within the neighborhood.

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Thursday, 13 August 2026