Dr. Blade Nzimande, South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, will host a significant gathering this month. The BRICS Education Senior Officials Meeting and the 10th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education will take place from July 12 to 13 at the Skukuza Safari Lodge in Mpumalanga.

The NonAligned Movement (NAM) provides a sense of unity for developing nations amidst the division and challenges present in today’s world. Deputy Minister Alvin Botes will be leading South Africa’s delegation to the NAM Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau (CoB) in Baku, Azerbaijan, on July 5th and 6th, 2023. The conference’s theme, “NAM, United and steadfast in confronting emerging challenges,” highlights the discussions on various global issues.

Law enforcement and private security in Bloemfontein have collaborated to successfully arrest five individuals suspected of participating in stock theft. This operation highlights the importance of teamwork in preventing criminal activities and ensuring the safety of the community. ## The Arrest

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr. Gwede Mantashe, has announced fuel price adjustments that will take effect on July 5, 2023, in South Africa. The adjustments consider both local and international factors, alongside the nation’s fuel prices, which are determined monthly.

South Africa is gearing up to host the 15th BRICS Summit, which will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from August 22 to 24, 2023. The summit’s theme emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnership between BRICS nations and the African continent.

The Limpopo Presidential Imbizo, scheduled for Friday, 14 July 2023, provides an important platform for dialogue and interaction between the government and people of Limpopo Province. This event, taking place at the Motodi Sports Complex in Ga Motodi village, under the Sekhukhune District, highlights the government’s commitment to public engagement and effective communication.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has introduced an online service that has made licence renewal more convenient and efficient. The platform has gained popularity due to its userfriendly and costeffective approach, processing over 50,000 transactions each month. With realtime updates and direct transactions on the Natis system, the platform eliminates costly intermediaries and streamlines the renewal process.

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) manages the Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprise (SMME) Booster Fund for the Western Cape Government (WCG). The fund has been a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in the Western Cape since 2019. Applications for the 2023 SMME Booster Fund close on 11th July 2023.

The BroadBased Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Commission collaborated with the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) to host a virtual dialogue on June 28, 2023. The event aimed to address challenges faced by South African youth concerning opportunities, inclusion, and economic transformation. The dialogue, held during Youth Month, brought together stakeholders from various youth organizations, the Department of Small Business Development, and the BBBEE Commission.

Water meter theft is a significant challenge in Cape Town, South Africa. The issue affects various neighborhoods, with multiple areas experiencing a high incidence of theft. ### The Extent of the Problem

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have successfully recovered R1.9 million that was unlawfully claimed from the Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSeta) by Lerato Raphael Mokoteli, a Bloemfontein pastor. The fraudulent funds were obtained between 2016 and 2019. Mokoteli has repaid the full amount to AgriSeta as part of a guilty plea agreement with the State.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched an investigation into the recent allegations of assault involving members of the Protection Security Services in the South African Police Service (SAPS). This comes after the IPID Executive Director received a complaint from Members of Parliament, Mr. Whitfield and Mr. Terreblanche, regarding an incident that occurred on the N1 North in the Sandton Police Station precinct.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has addressed an unfortunate event involving members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) attached to his protection detail and unarmed civilians. In his statement, Mashatile expressed his disapproval of any unnecessary use of force, specifically against unarmed individuals.

South Africa is making strides to address the issue of unemployment and generate job opportunities for its citizens. Minister of Employment and Labour, T.W Nxesi, is taking the lead in hosting a Jobs Fair and an Employer Breakfast Session from 6th to 7th July 2023, at Johannesburg’s NASREC. The objective of these events is to connect job seekers with potential employers and provide different forms of employment and learning opportunities.

On Sunday night, 2 June 2023, a headon collision between a minibus taxi and an articulated truck claimed the lives of 15 people on the N10 at Middelburg in the Eastern Cape. The minibus taxi carrying 15 passengers, including the driver, was traveling from Cradock to Middelburg when it collided with a truck. The accident resulted in the death of all the taxi’s occupants, comprising nine females, four males, and two children. The truck driver was admitted to the hospital.