For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: SIU reveals corruption at Home Affairs; Ramaphosa defends SANDF deployment to fight organised crime; And, Energy Council asks for fiscal support towards continued electricity reform

SIU reveals corruption at Home Affairs

The Special Investigating Unit Acting head Leonard Lekgetho has called on the Department of Home Affairs to consider vetting of all its employees and strengthening its verification process before the issuance of visas.

This after its investigation revealed a disturbing picture of systemic corruption within the DHA, describing the country’s immigration system as been “treated as a marketplace”, where permits and visas were sold, traded and laundered.

Lekgetho was speaking during the release of the SIU’s interim report on the DHA, where he explained that officials enriched themselves by unlawfully issuing permits, using spouses as conduits to launder bribes.

He said syndicates operated with precision, exploiting weaknesses in verification and monitoring.

Lekgetho explained that a whistleblower brought forward to the SIU allegations that foreign nationals and South Africans fraudulently obtained asylum seeker permits and later used them to apply for permanent residence and ultimately citizenship.

Ramaphosa defends SANDF deployment to fight organised crime

Government is working to close funding gaps and strengthen the readiness of the country’s armed forces to assist the South Africa National Police Service in fighting organised crime, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his weekly letter to the nation today, Ramaphosa defended his decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force to support the Saps in tackling gang violence and illegal mining in the Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape.

Ramaphosa wrote that given the country’s history, where the apartheid State sent the army into townships to violently suppress opposition, it is important that the SANDF is not deployed inside the country to deal with domestic threats without good reason.

He argued that the recent deployment is necessary owing to a surge in violent organised crime.

Ramaphosa received criticism for this move, with some opposition parties claiming this is government’s admission that it has failed to strengthen the Saps.

Ramaphosa assured that the SANDF will be deployed in support of the Saps, operating under police command, with clear rules of engagement and for specific time-limited objectives.

He pointed out that the deployment of the SANDF will take place alongside other measures, such as strengthening anti-gang units and illegal mining tasks teams.

Police will also collaborate with the National Prosecuting Authority on multi-disciplinary task teams to target the leadership, finances, firearms and logistics of criminal networks.

And, Energy Council asks for fiscal support towards continued electricity reform

Ahead of the 2026 Budget that will be delivered on Wednesday, the Energy Council of South Africa has called on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to prioritise electricity grid delivery and fiscal support for reform in the power sector.

The council says it believes power sector reform is the foundation for economic growth and job creation in South Africa, especially considering the large amount of investment needed in transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Energy Council CEO James Mackay says energy security remains the single-most significant constraint to the Government of National Unity’s priorities, as outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2026 State of the Nation Address, which comprise inclusive economic growth, job creation, lowering cost of living and building a capable State.

He adds that while reform progress continues, adequate fiscal support for the electricity sector is critical to achieving the targets set out by the DEE under government’s Medium-Term Development Plan to 2029.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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