Tuesday, 15 September 2026

REPUBLIC OF CONGO SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN ENERGY AND ECONOMIC POSITION IN CENTRAL AFRICA

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

REPUBLIC OF CONGO SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN ENERGY AND ECONOMIC POSITION IN CENTRAL AFRICA

Republic of the Congo — The Republic of the Congo continues to rely heavily on its energy sector while seeking ways to broaden economic activity and strengthen its position in Central Africa.

Oil remains the foundation of the national economy.

The challenge is turning petroleum wealth into long-term development.

Oil at the Centre

The Republic of Congo is a significant oil producer.

Petroleum exports generate much of the country's foreign exchange and government revenue.

But dependence on oil exposes the economy to global price fluctuations.

When oil prices decline, government finances can come under pressure.

That makes diversification a major policy priority.

Agriculture

Agriculture offers one of the country's greatest opportunities.

The Republic of Congo possesses substantial land resources and favourable conditions for certain crops.

Yet much agricultural production remains small-scale.

Investment in roads, irrigation, storage and processing could significantly increase output.

Forestry

The Congo Basin rainforest is one of the world's most important ecosystems.

The country has a major responsibility to protect its forests while generating sustainable economic benefits.

Forestry can provide employment and export revenue if managed responsibly.

Regional Trade

Brazzaville's location along the Congo River gives the country an important commercial relationship with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The two capitals sit opposite one another across the river.

This creates opportunities for cross-border trade.

The wider Central African region also needs better transport links.

Energy

Oil and gas will remain important, but renewable energy could increasingly complement the traditional energy system.

Solar power could help rural communities where grid connections remain limited.

Young People

Employment is a major concern.

A young population requires jobs beyond government and oil companies.

Technology, agriculture, construction, tourism and logistics could provide alternative employment.

Economic Reform

The government faces pressure to ensure that public spending produces measurable development outcomes.

Infrastructure projects must generate economic value.

Healthcare and education require sustained investment.

The Republic of Congo has substantial resources.

The challenge is converting them into diversified economic opportunity.

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HOME AFFAIRS TO COMMENCE RELOCATION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES TO LINDELA REPATRIATION CENTRE

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

HOME AFFAIRS TO COMMENCE RELOCATION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES TO LINDELA REPATRIATION CENTRE

As directed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, the Department of Home Affairs will on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 at 05:00 commence the relocation of asylum seekers and refugees currently located outside the Department’s office on Che Guevara Road in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

A total of 278 individuals will be transferred to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, following engagements with relevant stakeholders and representatives of the affected communities. These engagements resulted in an agreement to proceed with the relocation.

The IMC presented the displaced communities with two options: returning to their areas of residence or relocating to Lindela. Following a series of consultations, the option of relocation to Lindela was agreed upon.

Law enforcement officers will escort the group during the relocation process. Che Guevara Road will also be cleared to ensure compliance with municipal bylaws and to maintain public order.

Gift of the Givers has secured food parcels to support the individuals during the relocation.

Government will continue discussions with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) regarding possible options to resettle the group in another country.

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EBOLA OUTBREAK SPREADS AS DRC FACES ONE OF ITS MOST SERIOUS HEALTH AND SECURITY CRISES

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

EBOLA OUTBREAK SPREADS AS DRC FACES ONE OF ITS MOST SERIOUS HEALTH AND SECURITY CRISES

Democratic Republic of Congo — The Democratic Republic of Congo is confronting an extraordinary combination of public-health and security emergencies as an Ebola outbreak continues to spread through multiple provinces while armed conflict and displacement complicate the response.

The latest figures from the World Health Organization show that the Bundibugyo virus outbreak has affected 61 health zones across six provinces. As of 7 September, the WHO reported 6,757 confirmed cases in the DRC and 3,267 deaths, with a crude case-fatality ratio of 48.3%.

The outbreak is particularly concerning because transmission remains active and geographically expanding.

A rapidly changing epidemic

The outbreak began in eastern Congo and initially centred on Ituri Province.

It has since expanded into North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Bas-Uélé and Tshopo.

The WHO says a newly affected health zone, Kayna in North Kivu, has brought the number of affected health zones to 61.

The geographic expansion means health authorities cannot concentrate all resources in one location.

Treatment facilities, laboratories, ambulances, protective equipment and trained personnel are required across a huge area.

The strain itself

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus species of Ebola.

This is important because the currently available Ervebo vaccine targets Zaire ebolavirus rather than Bundibugyo virus.

Clinical trials and other efforts are therefore being pursued to develop and evaluate protection against the strain responsible for the current outbreak.

That creates an extraordinary public-health challenge.

Health workers under pressure

The WHO has warned about shortages of trained health workers, operational partners and funding.

The scale of the problem is enormous.

WHO officials previously estimated that thousands more health workers are required as the epidemic expands.

Treatment centres also need to be established closer to communities.

A decentralised response is increasingly necessary because patients may otherwise have to travel long distances before receiving treatment.

Conflict makes the crisis worse

Eastern DRC is already affected by armed conflict.

M23 rebels control significant territory, including Bukavu, while numerous armed groups operate in mineral-rich areas.

This creates major difficulties for health teams.

Healthcare workers must operate in areas where movement can be dangerous.

Patients can also be displaced from their communities.

Displacement increases the risk of disease transmission because large numbers of people may live in crowded conditions.

A Second Tragedy in Bukavu

The health emergency is occurring alongside another devastating tragedy.

A fire in Bukavu killed at least 26 students at two schools, with dozens more injured. Provincial authorities reported that the victims included 19 girls and seven boys.

The fire began at a nearby house and spread rapidly through a densely populated area.

The disaster placed additional pressure on already overstretched medical services.

Children and Education

The Ebola outbreak has also disrupted education.

Parents in some affected areas have been reluctant to send children to school because of fears of infection.

Yet closing schools creates another long-term problem.

Children who miss months of education may fall behind academically.

Authorities therefore face a difficult balance between disease prevention and maintaining education.

The Mineral Economy

While the country is confronting an emergency, DRC remains one of the world's most important sources of critical minerals.

The country possesses enormous deposits of cobalt, copper, lithium and tantalum.

The government is now seeking greater control over geological information.

A $180 million contract with Spanish company Xcalibur is part of an effort to build a national geological databank and improve knowledge of the country's mineral resources.

That strategy could strengthen the government's negotiating position with international mining companies.

The International Dimension

DRC's mineral resources have become increasingly important as the United States, China and other economies compete for access to critical minerals.

Cobalt and copper are essential to batteries, electronics, renewable-energy systems and other technologies.

The country therefore occupies a strategically important position in the global economy.

What happens next?

The immediate priority is stopping Ebola transmission.

That requires funding, personnel, community cooperation, treatment capacity and reliable disease surveillance.

The longer-term challenge is rebuilding the country's health system.

The current outbreak has exposed weaknesses that extend beyond Ebola.

Hospitals, clinics and healthcare workers must be able to provide ordinary medical services while responding to epidemics.

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SEVEN ACCUSED LINKED TO EMFULENI MUNICIPALITY ELECTRICITY FRAUD GRANTED BAIL

SEVEN ACCUSED LINKED TO EMFULENI MUNICIPALITY ELECTRICITY FRAUD GRANTED BAIL

The Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court has granted bail of R20 000 each to seven accused persons linked to the multimillion-rand electricity fraud scheme involving the Emfuleni Local Municipality.

The accused were released on strict bail conditions, including that they must attend all court proceedings until the matter is finalised, reside at the addresses provided to the court, and notify the investigating officer of any change of address. They are further required to report twice weekly at the Vanderbijlpark Police Station, every Monday and Friday between 06:00 and 18:00.

In addition, the accused are prohibited from leaving the country and have been ordered to surrender their passports to the investigating officer. They may not apply for new travel documents and are prohibited from interfering with witnesses or the ongoing investigation.

The accused, namely David Seneekal (31), Caroline Smangele Maduna (39), Kenneth Zongezile Mahobe (35), Hlawutelo Baloyi (29), Pule Meshack Masilo (36), Andries Bafana Maduna (48), and Sibusiso Patrick Tshabalala (46), face charges of fraud, theft of electricity valued at approximately R9.9 million, fraud and theft involving a further R150 000, money laundering, and tampering with essential infrastructure.

It is alleged that between February 2024 and June 2026, the Emfuleni Local Municipality disconnected the electricity supply of businesses and residents whose accounts were in arrears. The accused allegedly approached affected business owners and residents and offered to reconnect their electricity supply in exchange for payment.

After receiving payment, the accused allegedly unlawfully reconnected the electricity supply and manipulated municipal records to reflect a reduced outstanding balance on the affected accounts.

In subsequent months, however, the affected consumers' municipal accounts allegedly reverted to reflecting the original outstanding amounts that had appeared before they were approached by the accused. Despite this, their electricity supply remained connected through the alleged illegal reconnections.

The affected complainants reported the matter to the municipality. Following an internal investigation, the municipality referred the matter to the South African Police Service for criminal investigation. The seven accused were subsequently arrested on 21 August 2026.

The State opposed the accused's release on bail. However, the court found that their release was in the interests of justice and granted bail subject to the conditions imposed.

The matter was postponed to 18 September 2026 for the bail judgment of the eighth accused, Janitha Van Reenen Coetzee.

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MESSAGE BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT PAUL MASHATILE ON HIS PROGRESSIVE RECOVERY

MESSAGE BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT PAUL MASHATILE ON HIS PROGRESSIVE RECOVERY

Fellow South Africans, as many of you know, I recently underwent a minor medical procedure. I am pleased to share that my recovery is progressing well, and I am regaining strength each day.

On the advice of my doctors, I will continue resting until advised otherwise while work and delegated responsibilities continue to be underway in the capable team in my office with other stakeholders in government, business and other sectors.

I wish to thank my family, the medical team who continue to care for me, my team in the office, my colleagues in government, and in the ANC, and most importantly, President Ramaphosa and all South Africans who have sent messages of support.

Your prayers and encouragement have been a source of strength.

Let us continue working together for the progress of our country. I assure you that I remain dedicated to the responsibilities entrusted to me, and I look forward to returning to my duties in full, serving our nation with renewed energy and commitment.

Thank you, and may God bless South Africa.

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Tuesday, 15 September 2026