Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on July 3 briefed media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held earlier this week, noting that former President Jacob Zuma’s actions on a visit to India were a “middle finger” to South Africans.  

Ntshavheni was questioned on Cabinet’s response to widely circulated images which showed Zuma and South Africa's High Commissioner to India Anil Sooklal cavorting with one of the Gupta brothers in the country.

Given that the Gupta family was implicated in South Africa’s State capture and that the government had applied for mutual assistance to bring them back to face the consequences of their criminal acts, Ntshavheni decried the fact Sooklal, as a representative of the government, was associating with known fugitives instead of assisting with repatriation, especially while on a taxpayer salary.

She informed that International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola had requested a report from the official, and that “drastic” steps would be taken to ensure that South Africa’s laws were not undermined.

Regarding Zuma, Ntshavheni said that while travel privileges were extended to former State Presidents, government does have the discretion to refuse if this is being abused.

She pointed out that this was not the first instance of Zuma undermining the country’s laws. While the government was not privy to his travel itinerary, but only to the request to fund it, it was now reviewing the incident, Ntshavheni averred.

She also said the incident was disrespectful to citizens who had lost considerable money to the Gupta family’s alleged involvement in corruption.  

IMMIGRATION

Ntshavheni said Cabinet had “expressed its appreciation to those who participated in peaceful protests against unregulated migration” on June 30, and also commended the National Joint Operations and Intelligence Structures (Natjoints) for enforcing this.

However, Cabinet also expressed condolences to the friends and family of two Mozambican nationals and one Malawian national who lost their lives in the early days of the protests.

Ntshavheni also called on South Africans to respect the rule of law and not intimidate foreign nationals by requesting proof of identification, either at their residences or places of business. She pointed out that there was a dedicated team of Deputy Ministers undertaking inspections; and also called on South Africans to stop employing undocumented migrants. 

Cabinet also commended the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee implementing the Comprehensive Approach to Managing Migration, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month.

Cabinet received an update on the implementation of the five pillars of the Comprehensive Approach, with progress in the law pillar including increased labour inspections at companies suspected of employing undocumented foreign nationals.

There was also the re-establishment of the Immigration Specialised Court in Durban (that worked to process deportations that were being facilitated at Sherwood, in Durban), the Immigration Court at OR Tambo International Airport and the reactivation of a court at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp.

Moreover, to support repatriation initiatives of home countries, the IMC set up a temporary repatriation centre in Musina. Cabinet expressed appreciation to nonprofit organisations including Gift of the Givers, Ashraful Aid and Mahlasela Foundation.

Further, Since June 7, the Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted more irregular migrants attempting to enter the country unlawfully, comprising of undocumented migrants, undesirable persons and refusals due to non-compliant travel documents.

Lastly, Natjoints has reported on criminal cases opened against criminality including public disorder and incitement-related criminal cases that have been registered, suspects arrested, and cases that are before the courts and those under active investigation.

Ntshavheni informed that, on July 2, some IMC members conducted an inspection-in-loco on the Limpopo-Zimbabwe border to appreciate the scope of work for the IMC work-stream on border infrastructure improvements.

Ntshavheni posited that repatriation was initiated by other countries, and that South Africa was requested to provide support to prevent a humanitarian crisis. She emphasised that those leaving had to be processed in the country first, to prevent any fugitives leaving, South African children being properly dealt with, et cetera.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Cabinet welcomed South Africa’s improvement in global competitiveness, with the country rising ten spots to fifty-fourth in the 2026 World Competitiveness Yearbook.

Ntshavheni said this was bolstered by progress in government efficiency, growing business confidence and enhanced infrastructure management.

Cabinet commended the successful hosting of the South Africa Infrastructure Summit and Expo last month, acting as a platform to advance partnerships, mobilise investment and accelerate the implementation of strategic infrastructure projects.

Cabinet commended the successes of the ninth Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) Summit for Heads of State or Government last month, with member States reaffirming their commitment to Sacu as an engine to drive regional economic integration, industrial and economic diversification, expanded intra-regional trade and investment, policy harmonisation and sustainable economic development.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile concluded a successful working visit to China last month, during which he reinforced the country’s position as a gateway to sub-Saharan Africa for trade, investment and industrial cooperation.

The strengthened partnership is expected to attract increased investment, expand opportunities for local businesses and support inclusive economic growth that create jobs, Ntshavheni said.

CABINET DECISIONS

Cabinet approved the publication of the draft Strategic Petroleum Stocks Policy for public comment, which aims to strengthen energy security and minimise the economic impact of supply shocks.

Cabinet approved the Integrated Social Facilitation Framework as a binding national policy instrument to standardise and institutionalise community engagement in infrastructure delivery across all spheres of government, State-owned entities and infrastructure development stakeholders.

The framework aims to address community protests, project disruptions, vandalism, delays and security risks by promoting structured community participation throughout the infrastructure project lifecycle.

Cabinet also approved the release of the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Report for public comment.

The report emphasises the need for South Africa to avoid over-reliance on foreign funding and build local funding capacity to mitigate threats posed to the country’s research programmes and guard scientific sovereignty.

Cabinet approved the submission of the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Industry to Parliament for ratification, a legally binding regional agreement aimed at developing a diversified, innovative and globally competitive industrial base across Southern Africa, to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Lastly, Cabinet approved the submission of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction to Parliament for ratification, a legally binding UN instrument designed to promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in international waters.

BILLS

Cabinet approved the publication of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill, 2026 for public comments, which seeks to amend the National Environmental Management Act, 1998, to strengthen environmental compliance and enforcement.

Cabinet approved the submission of the Electronic Deeds Registration and Recordal Systems Amendment Bill to Parliament, which seeks to amend previous Acts to modernise the legislative framework governing deeds registration and recordal systems.

The proposed amendments are largely technical in nature and are intended to strengthen the security of title and improve the administration of land and property rights for the benefit of landowners and rights holders, Ntshavheni explained.

UPDATES TO CABINET

Cabinet was briefed about the National Security Council 2026/2027 approved National Intelligence Estimates, national intelligence priorities and considered the national intelligence estimates implementation plan.

Cabinet noted that the national intelligence structures are continuing to make inroads in the implementation of National Intelligence Estimates.

In due course, and on the advice of the National Intelligence structures, the Minister in The Presidency will release the 2020-2021 National Intelligence Estimates and Priorities.

Cabinet has noted the Advisory Note of the Public Service Commission (PSC) on the participation of public servants in political party study groups and other related engagements and urged the PSC to consult more broadly on all mechanisms to support members of Parliament to prepare for study groups.

Cabinet received a progress report on the implementation of reforms aimed at strengthening State-owned enterprises.

Ongoing progress in driving implementation of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) reform programme includes key initiatives that focus on strengthening governance, enhancing sustainability and increasing accountability across SOEs, Ntshavheni said.

Through the SOE Performance Monitoring Framework, performance of 72 Schedule 2, Schedule 3A and Schedule 3B entities were assessed during the 2025/2026 financial year, with several governance challenges identified, and these requiring targeted interventions.

Cabinet noted two reports developed by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, which assess the gap between South Africa’s inclusive education policies and the lived realities of children and young people with disabilities.

Key recommendations include reforming education legislation or promulgating regulations in accordance with the South African Schools Act to enforce the right to equal, equitable and quality education for children and young people with disabilities.

The reports also recommend that higher education institutions introduce compulsory inclusive and special-needs education courses for students training to become teachers.

Cabinet received and considered Parliament’s approved yearly update on the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) recommendations.

In June 2003, Parliament approved the granting of reparations to TRC-identified victims.

Cabinet noted progress in the implementation of these measures. The outstanding draft regulations relating to health and community rehabilitation are at various stages of finalisation.

Also, 17 455 of the 21 676 TRC-identified victims who applied for once-off individual reparations have received their R30 000 grant. The total amount paid for final once-off individual reparations is nearly R500-million.