An education technology expert has warned that delays in issuing school reports in Gauteng highlight the fragility of critical digital infrastructure in the education sector. The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed that term two reports would be delayed due to technical difficulties with the South African Schools Administration and Management System SA-SAMS. Willem Kitshoff, CEO of the D6 school communications application, stated that this issue is more than a temporary outage, pointing to the education sector's reliance on a single national platform. He raised concerns about data governance, protection, and accountability, given that SA-SAMS contains sensitive personal data for millions of learners, parents, and staff. Kitshoff called for greater transparency regarding the system's operation, costs, and future modernization. He emphasized the need for a fundamental shift in how education technology systems are designed, supported, and maintained, advocating for systems designed for continuity and resilience rather than just functionality. Kitshoff suggested that the private sector could partner with the government to strengthen these systems, improve underlying architecture, and embed stronger continuity mechanisms. He views the current disruption as a catalyst for reform, urging a move from reactive fixes to long-term resilience planning, collaboration, and modern infrastructure.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
ActionSA's Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, and his co-accused, Duma Radebe, the chairperson of Gauteng Anti-Crime Units, have been acquitted of all charges, including assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and the pointing of a firearm. The Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court granted them a discharge under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, finding them not guilty. The charges against Khumalo stemmed from a televised anti-drug raid on 19 December 2025, during which a suspected drug dealer in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, alleged that Khumalo and others assaulted him and threatened him with a firearm at his home. Following their arrests in January 2026, Radebe was granted bail of R500, while Khumalo was released on R2,000 bail. Khumalo expressed his elation on X, stating that justice had prevailed. During the trial, the complainant, Bongani Radebe, testified that he was physically assaulted, struck and beaten with a firearm, had a weapon pointed at him, and had a plastic bag placed over his head during the raid, which he claimed lasted between 45 minutes and an hour.
Tenderpreneur Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala has pleaded guilty to charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering after reaching a plea deal with the state. Matlala appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The charges are related to a R228 million contract awarded to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District. This contract is part of a larger R360 million health services tender with the South African Police Service Saps that involved 17 accused, including suspended national police commissioner Fannie Masemola. Investigations found the tender to be irregular, with R50 million paid out before its cancellation in May 2025. According to the state, Medicare24 Holdings managing director James George Murray and Captain Brian Cartwright are accused of assisting Matlala in preparing the bid submission. Cartwright allegedly helped draft bid evaluation committee minutes and submitted documents to the bid adjudication committee. Nine police officers on the bid evaluation committee are accused of failing to identify concerns during the evaluation process. Senior procurement officer Tumisho Nehemiah Maleka is accused of not properly scrutinising the submission. Additionally, Matlala's alleged girlfriend, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, from Saps' forensic services division, is accused of facilitating purchase orders and receiving R900,000 in bribes. Authorities also allege that funds were laundered through financial movements involving Matlala, M
Electoral Commission of South Africa IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya emphasized the importance of youth participation in the upcoming November 2026 municipal elections during the National Learner Leadership Summit. Moepya stated that voting is a constitutional imperative and a tool for shaping the nation's future, echoing Nelson Mandela's sentiments on freedom and self-determination. He highlighted that Section 19 of the constitution guarantees free, fair, and regular elections, asserting that government must reflect the will of the people. Moepya warned against disengagement, noting that municipal elections directly impact local communities. He acknowledged Human Sciences Research Council data indicating a decline in political efficacy among 18- to 24-year-olds, but countered that apathy harms communities, not just politicians. While recent voter registration saw many young people register, millions remain unregistered, effectively excluding themselves from critical decisions. Moepya concluded by urging the youth of 2026 to be purpose-driven, emphasizing that their collective participation, as the largest demographic block, can move the nation.