The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mr Kenny Morolong, will undertake a *working visit* to Nairobi, Kenya, from 08–12 March 2026. As part of the visit Deputy Minister Morolong will attend the TikTok 2026 Safer Internet Summit scheduled for 10-11 March 2026 in Nairobi,Kenya.

The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Kenya in the areas of information, communications and digital transformation.

Government welcomes the Johannesburg High Court’s sentencing of former Member of Parliament Vincent Smith to seven years’ imprisonment on charges that include fraud and corruption linked to receiving kickbacks from facilities management company Bosasa. Smith pleaded guilty to charges including contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 and the Income Tax Act.

Government notes the arrest this morning of three senior officials from the Department of Health in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of theft and fraud.

As the matter is under active investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), no further details can be disclosed at this stage.

A. Issues in the environment

Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, will brief members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The media briefing will take place as follows:

Date:   Thursday , 26 February 2026
Time:    10h00 - time changed to 11:20
Venue: GCIS, Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre, 1035 Francis Baard, Hatfield, Pretoria

Government welcomes the breakthrough made by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) following a thorough investigation into allegations of corruption within the Department of Home Affairs.

Government notes the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures released by Statistics South Africa, which show that headline inflation eased from 3,6 in December 2025 to 3,5 in January 2026.

Government welcomes the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) Quarter 4 of 2025 results, released by Statistics South Africa, which indicate an improvement in key labour market indicators. Employment increased by 44 000 in Q4 2025, while the number of unemployed persons decreased by 172 000. As a result, the official unemployment rate declined by 0,5 percent.

The improvement in employment reflects the resilience of the South African economy and the impact of targeted interventions aimed at stimulating growth, supporting businesses, and expanding labour market opportunities.

The South African journalists/media are invited to submit their entries for the 2026 SADC Media Awards competition. The SADC Media Awards competition is open to journalists from the SADC Member States. Entries are open in four categories: Photo Journalism, Print Journalism, Television Journalism, and Radio Journalism.