The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, together with the Deputy Minister of Finance, David Masondo, will on Friday, 30 January 2026 jointly release the Quarter 3 Progress Report of Operation Vulindlela Phase 2.

The briefing marks the third quarterly update under Phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela and will provide an overview of progress made to date. It will highlight key reform milestones achieved across priority reform areas and facilitate discussion on the economic implications, emerging opportunities, and next steps arising from the reform agenda.

Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative of The Presidency and National Treasury aimed at 
accelerating the implementation of structural reforms to support economic recovery, inclusive growth, and job creation.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the briefing as follows:

Date: Friday, 30 January 2026
Time: 09h00 - 11h30
Venue: Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Sandton

Media enquiries: Ms Mandisa Mbele, Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 or mandisam@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 30 January 2026 receive the FIFA World Cup™️ Original Trophy during the FIFA World Cup™️ Trophy Tour at the Union Buildings, Pretoria.

The FIFA World Cup™️ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is bringing the most coveted prize in football to South Africa.

South Africa’s football story is rooted in defining moments, from first qualifying in 1998, to hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup™️.

After 16 years, South Africa has now qualified again for the FIFA World Cup™️, marking a powerful return to the global football stage.

The Trophy’s arrival represents hope, pride, memory, and momentum. It marks the symbolic beginning of South Africa’s return to the FIFA World Cup™️, a moment in which the future of South African football is placed, both physically and emotionally, into the hands of its people.

The FIFA World Cup™️ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola in South Africa is more than a tour; it is a homecoming.
The President will receive the Trophy as follows:

Date: Friday, 30 January 2026
Time: 13h30
Venue: Union Buildings, Pretoria

Members of the media wishing to cover the Welcome Ceremony are requested to submit their details to Makungu@presidency.gov.za and copy Patience@presidency.gov.za before 15h00 today, 29 January 2026.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

On 13 July 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.

This followed serious allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about the existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated the criminal justice system in South Africa. 

The Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC, submitted its interim report on 17 December 2025 in line with the delivery timelines that had been determined by the President. 

President Ramaphosa has studied the interim report and accepts its recommendations. 

President Ramaphosa further welcomes the referrals by the Commission of matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, as well as recommendations on the employment status and recommended suspension of individuals. 

The Commission, in accordance with its terms of reference, makes several referrals concerning matters that require immediate further investigation by the relevant and impacted law enforcement institutions, including criminal investigations. 

The Commission also makes recommendations in some instances for disciplinary measures to be taken against individuals alleged to be involved in wrongdoing including criminal acts and corruption. 

Clause 7 of the Commission’s Terms of Reference empowers the Commission to “consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies and, where appropriate, the Commission must make recommendations regarding the employment status of such officials including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations.” 

Clause 10.4 provides the Commission with the “power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover.” 

Clause 12 states that “the Commission shall, where appropriate, refer any matter for prosecution, further investigation or the convening of a separate enquiry to the appropriate law enforcement agency, government department or regulator.” 

President Ramaphosa expects all law enforcement agencies and other relevant criminal justice institutions to act with speed in implementing the recommendations of the Commission’s interim report. Such immediate action will help to restore public trust and strengthen operational capacity in the affected state entities tasked with fighting crime and corruption.

Where the Commission has said that there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, it has made referrals for investigation by the appropriate officials in the South African Police Service (SAPS), Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) or the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). 

The referrals relate to the following SAPS officials:

1. Major General Lesetja Senona
2. Major General Richard Shibiri
3. Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu
4. Brigadier Rachel Matjeng
5. Sergeant Fannie Nkosi

Prima facie evidence of wrongdoing was also found by the Commission with regard to the following current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality:

1. Suspended EMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi
2. EMPD Officer Bafana Twala
3. EMPD Officer Aiden McKenzie
4. EMPD Officer Kershia Leigh Stols
5. EMM former City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi 
6. EMM fleet manager/proxy Mr Chris Steyn
7. EMM Head of Department of Human Resources Ms Linda Gxasheka
8. EMM Head of Legal Adv Kemi Behari
9. Mr Etienne van der Walt

The matters highlighted for referral concern allegations of criminality, corruption, fraud, murder, perjury and other unlawful actions by officials and officers in the employ of the SAPS, City of Ekurhuleni and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD). 

Where IPID is already seized with certain matters, the Commission will make a referral to IPID on the status of their investigations and seek explanations for any delays.

President Ramaphosa has noted that some of the implicated individuals will return to the Commission to respond to allegations presented against them and that more witnesses are yet to deliver their evidence. 

While the Commission emphasises that, with the exception of EMPD Chief, Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, it has not yet heard the response of some of  the relevant persons listed above, the allegations against them remain prima facie allegations only and are not findings of the Commission. 

The nature of these allegations however warrants the referrals for further investigation and potential disciplinary, prosecutorial or regulatory action right away.

President Ramaphosa has directed the Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, and General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of the SAPS, to constitute a special investigations task team, with a leader who will report directly to General Masemola. The task team will institute investigations against people identified by the Commission for investigation.

Establishing a special unit is critical to ensure that these investigations take place as a matter of urgency.

President Ramaphosa would like to express his deepest appreciation to the Commission chairperson, retired Justice Madlanga, Commissioners Baloyi and Khumalo, and to all the Commission staff for their diligent work in the delivery of the interim report. 

The President looks forward to the finalisation of the Commission’s work and its contribution to the effective functioning of law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system.  

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa today met with Ministers and senior business leaders under the Government Business Partnership, formally commencing Phase Three of the partnership with a shared commitment to placing economic growth at the centre of the partnership’s work in 2026.

The meeting reviewed progress achieved during Phase Two, during which important gains were made in stabilising the energy and logistics systems. These advances, together with a number of other achievements, contributed to improved sentiment towards the end of 2025. Investors are increasingly responding positively to South Africa’s economic trajectory and recognising policy credibility.

Significant developments include South Africa’s removal from the FATF grey list, a steady reduction in inflation towards the 3 per cent target, a successful and oversubscribed sovereign Eurobond issuance, a firmer Rand and an upgrade to South Africa’s sovereign credit rating by S&P — the first in more than two decades.

During Phase Two, coordinated interventions and policy reform improved operational performance, particularly at Eskom. The recent commencement of the Durban Pier 2 terminal concession and the opening of the rail network to private operators further demonstrate the momentum that has been achieved. The Partnership agreed that the focus in these two areas must now shift decisively from crisis management to the urgent implementation of government’s structural reform agenda. Establishing commercially viable, competitive markets in these network industries is essential to mobilising the additional investment required for growth.

Against this backdrop, Government and business agreed that the central framework for Phase Three of the Partnership will be anchored in “Inclusive Growth, Jobs and Confidence”. In a rapidly changing global environment characterised by economic realignment, heightened competition for capital and increased uncertainty, the Partnership agreed that a disciplined focus on competitiveness and inclusive growth is essential. All actions under the Partnership will be assessed against their ability to grow the economy, support job creation and strengthen confidence.

Government and business further agreed that crime and corruption remain among the most significant deterrents to confidence, investment and economic growth. While progress has been made in strengthening institutional capability — including through FATF-related reforms and improved coordination — there is agreement that a more ambitious crime and corruption focus is necessary to support Government’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system. Tackling organised crime, corruption and weaknesses in the criminal justice system will therefore become a more central focus of the Partnership’s work in 2026, recognising the direct link between the rule of law, societal and investor confidence, and growth.

Priority activities for Phase Three include support for Government’s energy market reform, including the launch of a competitive South African wholesale electricity market, grid expansion and the publication of a clear roadmap for Eskom’s unbundling which clarifies the approach to establishing an independent Transmission System Operator in line with the Electricity Regulation Act. Another priority for this year is to accelerate reforms in the transport and logistics sector, including greater private sector participation, to increase investment and improve competitiveness and efficiency.

Youth employment interventions in other sectors will build on the model of close coordination between Government and business, which resulted in the successful introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which removes a key bottleneck to increasing international tourist arrivals and supports job creation.

Across all priority areas, the emphasis will be on execution and delivery in support of growth. Government and business agreed that this year should represent a decisive turning point for South Africa’s economic trajectory, and an opportunity to achieve lasting progress and shared prosperity.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “After two years of hard work, we can definitively say this partnership has been a success. While we have achieved much, there is much that we need to do. As this partnership evolves and as the focus of our work shifts, we remain firmly committed to acting together and with purpose to serve the needs of our country.”

Adrian Gore, Group CEO of Discovery and co-convener of the business delegation, said: "South Africa is turning the corner. We must act decisively to convert this momentum into investment and jobs. “Growth, Jobs, Confidence” sits at the heart of our approach and needs to be the filter for every decision in 2026. If an action does not advance these objectives, it should not proceed. If it does, we should move quickly and back it fully. Business is fully committed to supporting this.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@presidency.gov.za

For Business: Dani Cohen on 082 897 0443 / dani@prologconsulting.co.za OR Sandra Sowray on 079 167 6863 / sandra@prologconsulting.co.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Adv Dinkie Portia Dube as Deputy Public Protector of the Republic of South Africa for a term of seven years, effective from 1 February 2026.

The President has made this appointment in terms of section 2A(1) of the Public Protector Act, 1994 (Act 23 of 1994), on the recommendation of the National Assembly.

Adv Dube has more than 20 years of experience in the public sector with expertise in oversight, complaints management and investigation.

She is currently the Director-General of the Public Service Commission, before which she served as the Chief Director: Operations in the Office of the Military Ombudsman.

Between 2011 and 2014, Adv Dube was the provincial director of the Gauteng Office of the Public Protector South Africa.

Her professional experience includes complaints resolution in the then Department of Trade and Industry’s Office of Consumer Protection and a tenure as a legal officer in the South African Human Rights Commission.

President Ramaphosa wishes Adv Dube well in her new role in the Public Protector as a supreme administrative oversight body with the power to investigate, report on and remedy improper conduct in all matters of the State.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria