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Finance · Government & policy
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development has welcomed the allocation of R3.8 billion over the 2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period to recruit 3 552 social workers to strengthen prevention efforts in response to rising murders and attacks on women.
The allocation was announced by the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, during his presentation of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament on Wednesday. It forms part of government’s response to the unacceptably high levels of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa.
Ms Masango has welcomed the allocation, emphasising the importance of strengthening social work services to prevent violence, support vulnerable individuals and families, and intervene before situations escalate into abuse and loss of life.
She said: “The allocation is a significant step towards strengthening the country’s capacity to prevent GBVF. Social workers play a critical role in identifying risks, providing psychosocial support and intervening in vulnerable households and communities. We need to strengthen these services so that prevention is not merely an aspiration, but a practical intervention that reaches people who need it.”
Ms Masango further emphasised that the impact of the funding would depend on effective implementation, including the timely recruitment and deployment of social workers to areas where the need is greatest. She added that the committee will keep a close watch on this.
She also welcomed the following announcements by Minister Godongwana:
R186 million allocation to strengthen forensic services and investigative capacity.
Plans to expand the number of sexual offences courts from 55 to 101 and increase the number of Thuthuzela Care Centres from 72 to 80 by the 2028/29 financial year.
Ms Masango said the measures must be implemented in a coordinated manner to ensure that prevention, victim support, investigations and access to justice reinforce one another.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Oct 22 · 19:55·APO Group
Logistics · Government & policy
The Select Committee on Security and Justice today concluded its detailed review of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) 2025/26 annual report. The committee expressed its profound concern over the persistent audit findings raised by the Auditor-General.
While the committee welcomes the sixth consecutive unqualified audit opinion on the financial statements, it strongly emphasised that financial cleanliness cannot mask severe governance, compliance and performance delivery failures. “Behaviour and cultural change are important in the institution,” said Committee Chairperson Ms Jane Seboletswe Mananiso.
“The committee highlights with alarm the increase in material findings on reported performance information, which rose by 35.71 per cent, from 14 findings in the previous cycle to 19.
“The Auditor-General’s report underscores that adequate supporting evidence was frequently absent, causing reported achievements in vital operational areas – such as 10111 emergency call centre handle rations, firearm recovery and detective detection rates – to be overstated, unverifiable or material inaccuracy. This is extremely concerning,” said Ms Mananiso.
Furthermore, she said committee members raised concerns about capacity and technology. “It should be prioritised, as it will have an impact in fighting crime and improve levels of safety. The SAPS must look at the whole ecosystem of digitising its workflow. They must procure a system that is fit for purpose and that is integrated.”
The committee noted the remarks of Prof Firoz Cachalia, the Acting Minister of Police, who said that performance targets must be realistic. The committee also confirmed its ongoing commitment to critically assess the department’s annual performance plans. The committee also noted that the SAPS has a recovery plan, that speak to fleet strategy and infrastructure management, to turn around the institution.
Ms Mananiso said that severe control breakdowns continue to plague internal administration and operations, supply chain management and consequence management. The committee notes the identification of a new material irregularity concerning the ineffectiveness and underutilisation of the Investigation Case Docket Management System, alongside ongoing material irregularities tied to forensic examination delays, unlawful detentions exceeding 48 hours and struggling 10111 command centres. Furthermore, non-compliance with procurement prescripts drove up irregular expenditure, highlighting a systemic failure to implement effective preventative controls and post-audit action plans.
Several committee Members urged the SAPS to prioritise the Community Policing Forums as they assist with crime prevention on the ground, said Ms Mananiso.
While welcoming Finance Minister Mr Enoch Godongwana’s allocation yesterday of R186 million to boost investigations and forensic capacity, the committee demands that these funds address immediate and critical challenges like fleet management turnaround times. The committee will closely monitor how these funds are spent. The committee furthermore calls for urgent accountability regarding lifestyle audits, vacancies and intergovernmental friction between SAPS and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
Ms Mananiso said that the committee also requested a post audit action plan from the SAPS regarding all commitments made at the meeting. “In conclusion, the committee insists on rigorous internal reforms, particularly in light of the Madlanga Commission and parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee testimonies and expects a drastic improvement in future audit outcomes.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Oct 22 · 19:49·APO Group
Government & policy
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Mr Jan de Villiers, on Thursday welcomed efforts to identify ghost workers and improve efficiency in the public sector.
The Chairperson responded to announcements in the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) that the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, tabled on Wednesday.
The MTBPS stated that 4 323 high-risk, suspicious payroll cases so far have been identified across national and provincial departments. National Treasury is consolidating findings that will be made public in next year’s budget. It is working with the Financial Intelligence Centre to investigate high-risk officials.
The Chairperson said the cooperation between Treasury, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and the Department of Home Affairs is encouraging. “The committee had several meetings since last year to discuss the integrity of government’s payroll system and had been calling for action on ghost workers. Identifying payroll irregularities is the first step,” the Chairperson said. “It must be part of a broader accountability process.”
The Chairperson pointed out that creating a ghost worker often involves collusion among officials with access to personnel and financial systems. “Having these fictitious employees on the payroll is more than just an administrative error. These cases do not just fall from the sky. They are created through organised criminal activity within the state. It is not something that one person can easily do, and investigating them must include identifying who authorised improper payments and who benefited. It cannot just be about simply removing names from the payroll.”
He further stressed that verifying officials also cannot just be a once-off. “Payroll systems must be strengthened. The committee will expect clear reporting on all confirmed irregularities, the number of employees removed and all monies recovered. Also important are the number of cases we want to see referred for criminal investigation and prosecution once wrongdoing is confirmed.” The Chairperson acknowledged the public’s frustration about corruption and stressed the importance of visible outcomes and accountability.
Mr de Villiers also welcomed the announcement on early retirement and voluntary exits to renew the public service and create opportunities for younger employees. In his speech, the Minister of Finance said government can potentially save an average of about R4.4 billion annually over 2027/28–2029/30.
The Chairperson, however, cautioned that this must be done responsibly without losing much-needed critical skills and institutional knowledge. He said reforming the public service must result in a professional public service with merit-based appointments that uses public money responsibly and delivers the services South Africans are entitled to receive.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Oct 22 · 19:44·APO Group
SaaS · Education
The Principal Secretary for Basic Education, John Ololtuaa, today received a courtesy call from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Kenya Country Representative, Fatima Mohammed Cole, to discuss areas of collaboration between the two institutions in advancing refugee education in Kenya.
The partnership seeks to strengthen the integration of refugee learners into Kenya’s education system while ensuring that both refugee and host-community children have equitable access to quality education and opportunities that support their learning, well-being, and future prospects.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Education, Kenya.
Oct 22 · 19:33·APO Group
Energy · Government & policy
1. Within the past 90 days, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of wind turbines and their parts and components on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 […]
The post Adjusting Imports of Wind Turbines and Their Parts and Components into the United States appeared first on The White House.
Oct 22 · 19:32·The White House
Real estate · Banking
LOWERING COSTS AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to lower the costs of single-family homeownership and mortgages and promote innovation throughout the housing market. RESTORING THE AMERICAN DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP: President Trump is removing unnecessary red tape and making homeownership more affordable for all Americans. DRAMATIC ACTION TO DECREASE […]
The post Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Decreases Housing Costs for Americans appeared first on The White House.
Oct 22 · 19:25·The White House
AI · Education
What changes when girls move from simply using technology to learning how to build with it?
The Ministry of Education has launched the Liberia Girls Can Code and Artificial Intelligence Initiative 2026, creating a pathway for 1,000 girls and young women to develop practical digital, technical, and entrepreneurial skills.
The first 600 participants will come from Bomi, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Lofa, and Maryland Counties, with training combining hands-on learning, mentorship, problem-solving, and exposure to opportunities in technology, STEM, entrepreneurship, and further education.
Implemented in partnership with UN Women and other stakeholders, the initiative responds to barriers that continue to limit girls’ participation in the digital economy, including access to devices and connectivity, financial constraints, geography, limited exposure to technology, and online safety concerns.
Launching the initiative, Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah emphasized the importance of preparing girls to participate in shaping the technologies that will increasingly influence how Liberia learns, works, and develops.
The ambition is clear: more Liberian girls equipped to create, innovate, solve problems, build businesses, pursue further study, and enter emerging careers.
Liberian girls can code. Liberian girls can innovate. Liberian girls can lead.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Education: Republic of Liberia.
Oct 22 · 19:19·APO Group
Healthcare · Travel
When the Ebola outbreak struck Ituri province, the Lita General Reference Hospital (HGR) found itself on the front line, facing unprecedented pressure. Dilapidated infrastructure, a shortage of beds, and the absence of a functional laboratory made patient care extremely difficult, both for Ebola patients and for others not affected by the Bundibugyo virus. “From the very beginning, internal medicine unit was urgently targeted to receive Ebola patients, and it was not easy. We had to put two patients together on the same bed,” recalls Dr Alphonse Abekani Jawotho, the hospital’s medical director.
This situation had a considerable impact on attendance at this referral health facility. The maternity ward, which averaged 80 deliveries per month, saw that number cut in half in the first weeks after the outbreak was declared. In June, only 42 deliveries were performed, reflecting the community’s mistrust of a hospital that had become an Ebola treatment centre.
To expand capacity and provide facilities that met safety standards in the context of the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) installed three tents and supplied 29 beds and mattresses for maternity and pediatrics. Beyond beds, support included essential equipment such as oxygen concentrators, monitoring devices, personal protective equipment (PPE), and medicines. “The PPE we received was sufficient to cover our needs for three to four months,” notes Dr Jawotho. The hospital also received two new ambulances dedicated to the Ebola response, while the old ambulance continues to serve other patients.
These investments enabled the hospital not only to respond immediately to Ebola but also to ensure continuity of care for the wider population, improving patient comfort and reducing exposure risks.
With these reinforcements and measures that reassure the community, Lita Hospital is gradually regaining its clientele. When four year old Dieuveille* was injured in a traffic accident, his mother did not hesitate to travel 12 kilometers from Limani, in the Nizi health zone, to Lita. Suffering from trauma, the boy has been treated in pediatrics for 10 days. “We are no longer afraid to come to the hospital here. Moreover, the staff are doing their job well. Since we arrived, my son is getting better, and I hope we can go home soon,” says Aimerance, Dieuveille’s mother.
The quality care praised by Aimerance stems from an intensive training conducted for more than 600 health workers across all categories, from internal medicine to maternity to hygiene staff. Additionally, a borehole was also installed to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. These improvements transformed the way pregnant women and newborns are cared for, while guaranteeing free pediatric services.
The Lita experience illustrates a holistic approach to epidemic response while ensuring continuity of primary health care. “The Lita health zone will play a central role in managing not only Ebola virus disease but also in strengthening the health system,” says Dr Célestin Kambale Ndaliko, WHO field coordinator in the Lita health zone.
WHO, alongside other partners, helped reinforce basic services within the hospital. Coordination under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with community committees, integrated these gains into a sustainable dynamic. “The Ebola response served as a lever to profoundly transform the overall quality of our local health system. We moved from a one off emergency response to a dynamic of sustainable consolidation of our infrastructure,” emphasizes Dr Patience Pacifique Lokengama, chief medical officer of the zone.
Investments improved biosafety, hygiene, access to safe water, and medical waste management, strengthening community trust in the facility. Key services were particularly consolidated. Pediatrics and neonatology now welcome children in safer conditions, with reorganized care pathways. Maternity benefits from access to water and sanitation, ensuring more dignified and secure deliveries. Finally, the establishment of triage and IPC circuits allows suspected cases to be isolated quickly without interrupting general care.
Lita is no longer just an Ebola response centre: it has become a health hub attracting patients beyond its zone, a model of resilience and solidarity for the entire region.
In maternity, services are gradually returning to normal. In September, 56 deliveries were performed. Miriam, 39, a resident of Linji in the Nizi health zone, has just given birth at Lita’s maternity ward. Rocking her newborn gently, she expresses satisfaction with the care she received. “I can see that the service has improved. As soon as you arrive, you go through triage, and if you don’t show signs of Ebola, you are quickly redirected. And everything goes very well,” says Miriam. “The beds are very comfortable,” she adds with a hearty laugh.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Oct 22 · 19:10·APO Group
Government & policy
Aerial view of the completed NH Scott Park aquatic facility in DeKalb County, Georgia. Completed NH Scott Park project highlights Georgia Classic Pool’s growing commercial pool capabilities, led by Commercial Pools Division leader Danae Vance. Danae took ownership of this project, worked through the challenges and kept pushing it forward. We’re extremely proud of what she and the entire team accomplished.” — Vance Do
Oct 22 · 18:51·EIN Presswire
Real estate · Government & policy
Manufacturer of the patented Aqua-Barrier® cofferdam system marks three decades of helping contractors, municipalities and property owners protect investments. WALLER, TX, UNITED STATES, October 22, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / -- HSI Services Inc., manufacturer of the patented Aqua-Barrier® water-inflated cofferdam system, is celebrating 30 years of providing innovative, dependable water-management solutions for constr
Oct 22 · 18:51·EIN Presswire
SaaS · Government & policy
Australian software engineering company helps modernise critical public services, reduce the national cost of accessing government services and build local digital capability in Fiji
Oct 22 · 18:51·GlobeNewswire
Sports · Government & policy
The Eritrean Cycling National Team which is participating at the Africa Cycling Championship 2026 in Kisumu, Kenya, has sealed gold and silver medals at the individual time trial race that was conducted yesterday, 20 October.
The Eritrean Cycling National Team was represented at the race by Athlete Yafiet Mulugeta at the under 23 category and by Olympian Merhawi Kudus and Athlete Hebron Berhane.
Accordingly, Athlete Yafiet Mulugeta, won a Gold Medal at the under 23 category and that Eritrea has won gold medal in this category for the first time after 2015 in the Africa Cycling Championship.
Olympian Athlete Merhawi Kudu also won Silver Medal. It is to be recalled that Merhawi Kudus has been the winner of Gold Medal in 2025.
At the elite male group, Merhawi Kudus won second place by finishing the30.6 km race by 40 minutes and 23 seconds while Hebron Berhane took 10th place.
The Africa Cycling Championship will conclude on Sunday, 25 October.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Oct 22 · 18:48·APO Group