Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane has disclosed that over 200 housing projects across the country are currently stalled.
This follows Simelane’s responses to a series of parliamentary questions from MPs of the MK Party and the EFF, detailing the current housing crisis.
Asked by the MK ...
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen on Tuesday reiterated the department’s intention to vaccinate 80% of the national herd by December.
Speaking at the meeting of the Agriculture Portfolio Committee to give an update on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Steenhuisen said they have more than enough vaccines to not only do the initial doses, but to do secondary doses.
“I do not want anybody to be under the illusion or misapprehension that there will not be enough vaccines. We are procuring vaccines at scale, and there will be plenty of vaccines to meet that target by the end of the year,” said Steenhuisen.
Dr Botlhe Modisane, chief director for animal health, said there was a total of 1,152 outbreaks of FMD mainly in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and a slight increase in the Eastern Cape as of March 20.
The latest outbreaks were in KwaZulu-Natal, the North West, and Limpopo, and 35,000 doses were distributed to manage the latest outbreaks in the affected provinces.
Modisane ascribed the increase in the outbreaks to the detections as reports were received from provinces.
Suspicious cases remain unconfirmed at a feedlot in the Northern Cape and a suspected case has been reported in the Western Cape.
“Many highly suspected outbreaks are based on clinical signs and are still waiting for laboratory confirmation.”
Modisane also said of the 2.5 million doses of vaccines received, 1.17m have been used, and 1.35m were to be distributed.
“We have done over a million animals at this moment with the 2.5m doses we received.”
Modisane also said the department has placed an order for an additional two million vaccines with supplier Dollvet.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority issued a permit for the importation of the vaccines on Monday.
“We also placed an order already for 1.5m of vaccines. It will arrive anytime from tomorrow (Thursday) onward,” he said, referring to an order with supplier Biogenesis Bago.
Modisane added that there was an intention to do booster vaccination throughout the country after six months.
“Whenever there are challenges regarding potential reinfection, we must revaccinate the herds.”
MPs wanted a report on the economic impact of FMD, raised concerns about the shortage of land to quarantine infected animals, asked questions about the under-reporting of reported cases of infections, and the compensation of farmers who lost animals, among other things.
ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said he was pleased to hear there were enough vaccines to handle the outbreaks and follow-ups.
“We discovered there is a shortage of vaccine and people who have not yet had herds infected were distressed that they will not access vaccines. When the minister says that we will meet our 80% target by the end of the year, that is reassuring,” he said.
“What is less reassuring is that organisations that were litigating against the department when they were instructed by a court to undergo arbitration,” said Trollip, adding that the arbitration was not successful and the litigation was set to proceed.
In response, Steenhuisen said the under-reporting was initially due to people not wanting to report for fear that animals would be quarantined in the absence of vaccines and the effect on production.
“With advent of vaccines arriving, we see greater level of reporting and people come forward to seek treatment.
“This is, obviously, a good thing and certainly part of the communication strategy the department and provinces roll out in encouraging people to report cases of FMD.”
He also said it might be worthwhile to invite Land Reform and Rura Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso to discuss the issue of access to land.
Responding to a question about payments for the vaccine, Steenhuisen said the department will adhere to the Public Finance Management Act guidelines for purchasing goods and services.
Director-General Mooketsa Ramasodi said the Animal Act has a provision for compensation of farmers when a person loses an animal due to the control of a disease.
“We are in discussions with the National Treasury on how we respond to the environment of lost animals,” said Ramasodi.
Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester is contesting his status as an escapee, maintaining that he was lawfully released from prison in 2022.
Bester appeared in the High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, bringing an urgent application to challenge the warrants of sentence that authorise his continued detention.
He is facing multiple charges tied to his escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in May 2022, where he staged his death in a prison cell fire.
The body of Katlego Bereng was later found in the cell.
His criminal trial is scheduled to take place in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein from 20 July to 18 September 2026.
After fleeing South Africa, Bester was arrested in Tanzania in April 2023 alongside his former partner, Nandipha Magudumana, and deported back to SA.
At the time of the escape, he was serving a life sentence for rape and the murder of his girlfriend, Nomfundo Tyhulu, in 2011.
Thabo Bester challenges sentence warrants
Central to Bester’s argument is the legal validity of the warrants of sentence issued against him.
He maintained that his rights were being infringed upon, as the courts have not yet determined whether his “release” from Mangaung Correctional Centre was lawful.
Bester accused the department of correctional services (DCS) of disregarding his constitutional rights on the basis of his conviction.
“So, basically, what they’re arguing is that because I am convicted of rape and murder – which is being challenged in a different court – they feel that I have no rights, that I cannot defend myself in this manner and that the warrants are absolute.
“There is no warrant in the world that is absolute. A warrant may be amended in terms of the Correctional Services Act, through executive power, or by way of an application to the court,” Bester said on Tuesday.
He argued that no court had confirmed that the warrants were violated when he was returned to South Africa.
“The criminal court can come to an understanding that there was executive power that released me and that executive power then makes the warrants no longer valid.”
Constitutional rights
Bester told the court he is already being treated as guilty of escaping, despite the issue not yet being decided in court.
He further contended that this classification undermines his ability to receive a fair trial, claiming he is being treated as a sentenced prisoner rather than an accused person.
The convicted offender added that the prison escape trial is effectively “moot”, as he will continue serving a sentence irrespective of the outcome.
“It basically puts the judiciary itself in a position where the proceedings are not relevant to the current status that I am in because of the fact that my constitutional rights are violated by the respondents.”
‘Not a typical escape’
Bester also accused the correctional services department of acting beyond its role.
“They are basically opening a charge as a complainant, they are taking a decision as a judge and then they are also executing it.”
Bester maintained there is “overwhelming evidence” that he did not escape.
“The escape is not a typical escape where a person broke out of a wall and jumped, it’s a situation where somebody has been out for a very long time and then they decide that this person escaped.”
He insisted he was not responsible for the circumstances surrounding the staged death, reiterating his claim that his “release” was lawful.
“Whatever they allege with bodies and whatever, that has nothing to do with me.”
Bester cited the 2021 release of former president Jacob Zuma on medical parole, which was later ruled unlawful after former correctional services national commissioner Arthur Fraser overruled the medical board’s recommendation.
“The Constitutional Court found that the respondents released the person unlawfully, but there was executive power and authority used, meaning that the person serving was not at fault.”
Bester further alleged that he has been held in solitary confinement for three years due to being classified as a high-profile inmate linked to an “alleged escape”.
“The point is that why am I going to a criminal trial where I am already guilty of a crime where I am supposed to defend myself.”
State pushes back
The DCS opposed the urgent application, arguing that Bester’s detention remains legally valid.
“It was lawful then, it is lawful now and continues to be lawful,” the department’s lawyer told the court.
He emphasised that the warrants committing Bester to prison have not been legally set aside.
“It is a warrant that cannot be ignored,” the lawyer said.
The state also argued that the application lacks urgency, highlighting that Bester waited years after his arrest to approach the court.
“He only decided to do that when it suits him, when there is a looming trial in November or December of last year.
“Now, that approach is impermissible. It means he is a man who has been sitting on his laurels for three years. He is a man who creates his own urgency.”
The court has reserved judgment.
Prison transfer
Earlier this month, Bester’s attempt to challenge his transfer to eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal was dismissed.
The court ruled on 3 March that there were no grounds to move him back to Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where he had been held in the C-Max high-security section.
A similar application had already been struck from the roll in February.
His transfer in January followed a threat and risk assessment conducted by correctional authorities.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has not clarified the potential risks associated with thousands of packs of Citro-Soda, which are being recalled over contamination concerns.
Sahpra briefed the media on the recall of specific batches of Citro-Soda Regular products on Tuesday.
Risks
According to Sahpra, the recall follows the identification of a potential risk of foreign material contamination during an inspection at the Adcock Ingram Clayville manufacturing facility in Johannesburg.
Citro-Soda is a fast-acting, effervescent granule treatment used to treat heartburn, stomach acidity, and urinary tract infections.
Products affected
As a precautionary measure, Sahpra said it took regulatory action to recall the affected batches.
The recall is limited to specific batches of the following Citro-Soda Regular products
Citro-Soda Regular 60 g
Citro-Soda Regular 120 g
Citro-Soda Regular 4 g x 30 Sachets
No specifics
Sahpra CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, was not specific about the effects the contaminated materials could have on patients.
“We’re not sure. We haven’t received any ADRs (adverse drug reactions) at this point. Some of the particulates we’re noting, we’re not sure of the type of reactions they could have.”
Sahpra assured the public that it is monitoring the situation and engaging with the manufacturer to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements.
“Retail pharmacies, wholesalers, and distribution centres have been instructed to cease the sale of affected batches and to return all stock to their respective suppliers. Consumers who have purchased the affected products are advised to return them to the nearest health facility, pharmacy, or store.”
Adverse effects
Semete-Makokotlela said people who may have consumed the affected products and are experiencing any adverse side effects are urged to visit their nearest health facility and report such incidents to Sahpra.
“The safety and well-being of the public remain our highest priority. Sahpra will continue to act decisively and transparently to ensure that all health products on the market meet the required standards of quality, safety and efficacy.”
Sahpra said it will continue to monitor this recall to ensure that all affected batches are destroyed.
Expose
The regulator urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing the products, which could still be available in some shops across the country.
The recall was first announced last week, 20 March 2026, in an expose on Carte Blanche.
Carte Blanche raised questions about potential contamination of Citro-Soda lemon flavour products at Adcock Ingram’s Clayville manufacturing plant.
At least 12 high-ranking police officers and a company director have been arrested in connection with the awarding of an irregular R360 million tender to attempted murder accused tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District.
The group was handcuffed by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) in a series of raids on Tuesday night.
Arrests
IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the arrests are linked to a tender awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District.
Matlala allegedly bribed top police officers, including generals, to facilitate the award of the contract.
“All accused are expected to make their first appearance before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges of corruption, fraud and the Contravention of the PFMA (Public Finance Management Act).”
Contract
The irregular contract, which was awarded in 2024, has been at the centre of proceedings of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and a parliamentary inquiry into crime networks infiltrating the South African Police Service (Saps) and the country’s criminal justice system.
In November last year, Matlala reluctantly explained how his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, was awarded the R360 million South African Police Service (Saps) health services contract.
While the contract was advertised for R360 million, R600 million was available in the Saps budget.
Saps chief financial officer (CFO), Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that the contract was flagged as a possible irregular expenditure in the first week of March 2024 and confirmed as irregular in May.
Medicare24
R466 million was disclosed as irregular expenditure.
The idea of Medicare24 Tshwane District came through Mike van Wyk, who lives on the same estate as Matlala.
The deal between Matlala and Van Wyk is between a franchisor and its franchisee, with Van Wyk owning Medicare24 Holdings.
The agreement was that Matlala would register his company under Medicare24 Holdings and pay a management fee to the company on every contract secured by Medicare24 Tshwane District.
Charges
Matlala is already facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, money laundering, and defeating the ends of justice, related to the shooting of his former lover, actress Tebogo Thobejane, in 2023.
Thobejane’s vehicle was allegedly shot at. She sustained injuries after her vehicle was ambushed.
Matlala was also implicated in the Thembisa Hospital corruption saga, in which the Special Investigations Unit revealed that he benefited from at least R13 million through procurement deals.
He single-handedly redefined the purpose of the Woolworths shopping bag, so much that the retailer reworked it.
With Local Government Elections on the horizon, the government is ramping up efforts to rebuild trust and fix failing municipalities, placing governance reform at the centre of its agenda.
Building on calls by CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa for municipalities to strengthen governance systems and restore public confidence ahead of the 2026–2027 elections, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to sweeping reforms. Central to this is the near-complete review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government, alongside ongoing work to improve municipal funding models and staffing frameworks.
The Free State Provincial Government, together with the provincial Department of CoGTA, took a decisive step by hosting a Consultative Engagement on the Draft White Paper on Local Government at Bloemfontein City Hall on 24 March 2026.
MEC Saki Mokoena did not mince words about the scale of the crisis, highlighting mounting service delivery backlogs, crumbling infrastructure, financial strain, governance failures, and rising community expectations.
The revised White Paper seeks to confront these challenges through a bold reform agenda focused on ethical leadership, accountability, financial sustainability, and responsive service delivery. It also prioritises stronger collaboration with communities and traditional leaders to build a more coordinated and capable local government system.
Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka of the Barolong boo Seleka Royal House underscored the need for unity, saying the process demands collaboration across all sectors to secure a better-functioning future for local government.
The engagement further highlighted the critical role of traditional leaders in governance, particularly within municipal structures. Deputy Minister Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe pointed to legislative provisions that enable their participation and potential assignment of municipal functions.
Ultimately, the success of these reforms will depend on implementation, accountability, and the ability to deliver visible improvements in people’s daily lives. As South Africa navigates complex governance challenges, the revised White Paper stands as both a blueprint for change and a test of the government’s commitment to rebuilding public trust.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has called on South Africans to unite in defending the country’s democracy.
Speaking at the people’s march in Johannesburg on Saturday, Mbalula said the movement marks the start of a broader effort to unite the country.
Led by the ANC and its alliance partners, the march honoured victims of the Sharpeville Massacre while commemorating 30 years of South Africa’s constitution.
Mbalula urged citizens to play an active role in defending the country’s democratic values alongside government.
"This is the beginning of uniting our people in defence of South Africa, our sovereignty and our democracy. The national executive committee of the ANC took a decision that we must not defend South Africa in board rooms, but we must take our people along.”
