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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa names new environment, deputy trade ministers; Macpherson claims breakthrough against construction mafia as arrests, convictions rise; And, Tanzania president names new prime minister after disputed election

Ramaphosa names new environment, deputy trade ministers

President Cyril Ramaphosa has named new environment and deputy trade ministers, appointing people from his party's main coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance.

Ramaphosa's office said in a statement that Willem Aucamp would be forestry, fisheries and environment minister, and Alexandra Abrahams one of two deputy trade, industry and competition ministers.

Aucamp replaces the DA's Dion George, and Abrahams fills a position left vacant since June, when Ramaphosa fired the DA's Andrew Whitfield for breaking cabinet rules by travelling abroad without his permission.

The DA said it had requested Aucamp and Abrahams' appointments, which bring the number of its positions in Ramaphosa's cabinet back to 12, the same number it had when the coalition was formed in June last year.

Macpherson claims breakthrough against construction mafia as arrests, convictions rise

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has touted significant progress in cracking down on the “construction mafia”, with hundreds of arrests and convictions helping to stabilise the sector.

The construction mafia refers to criminal groups that demand a share of project contracts or payments, often through intimidation or violence.

Speaking at the 2025 National Construction Summit, in Gauteng, today, the Minister said law enforcement and industry partnerships had begun to turn the tide against the criminal networks that had long disrupted building projects, extorted contractors and delayed public infrastructure delivery.

Government’s response began with the signing of the Durban Declaration in 2024, a joint initiative between the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the South African Police Service and the National Treasury.

The declaration was government’s line in the sand, a commitment to restore law and order to construction sites and end the reign of terror that was choking investment, delaying delivery and putting lives at risk.

Macpherson said the department have seen over 770 cases of construction-related extortion and intimidation reported across the country.

Of those, 241 arrests have been made and, most importantly, 176 individuals have been convicted.

He said KwaZulu-Natal – previously regarded as the hotspot of construction-related crime – had experienced a “massive drop” in site disruptions. Incidents had reportedly declined from more than 60 a month last year to fewer than ten a month currently.

And, Tanzania president names new prime minister after disputed election

Tanzania's leader chose a longtime loyalist as prime minister today, after a disputed presidential election in the East African country prompted clashes in which rights groups say hundreds of protesters were killed.

The parliament backed the appointment of former finance minister Mwigulu Nchemba in a near-unanimous vote, as expected given that President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the landslide winner of the October 29 vote.

Nchemba, who also served in the cabinet of Hassan's predecessor John Magufuli, said he would work diligently in his new post.

Tanzania has predicted that the economy will grow 6% this year, partly driven by infrastructure projects such as roads, railways and power generation. Budget spending is expected to rise about 12% this fiscal year to fund the projects amid cuts in aid from international partners including the United States.

Opponents say Hassan's government rigged last month's election, which triggered unrest over the exclusion of her main challengers.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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