CAPE TOWN, Western Cape – June 12, 2025 – Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile delivered oral replies to questions in the National Assembly today, addressing government efforts in agricultural support, strategies to combat organized crime, interventions for water supply challenges, the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS, and the outcome of a recent police disciplinary inquiry.

Agricultural Sector Support

Responding to a question on accelerating agricultural support and commercial bank contributions, the Deputy President acknowledged agriculture’s importance for economic growth, food security, and job creation, particularly in rural areas. He stated that the government supports smallholder farmers through the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), which aims to enhance production, promote agro-processing, and improve market access through capacity building, land reform acceleration, and financial assistance.

Mashatile highlighted the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in boosting productivity and sustainability. He referenced a recent engagement at the Nampo Harvest Day on May 15, 2025, where discussions with organizations like AFGRI emphasized accelerating support for new era farmers through mentorship and training, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas.

Regarding access to funding for small-scale farmers, the Deputy President detailed supporting instruments such as the grant-based Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and the loan-and-grant-based Blended Finance Scheme (BFS). CASP is administered by Provincial Departments of Agriculture, while BFS is managed in collaboration with financial institutions including the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), ABSA, and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). These schemes provide a mix of grants and loans, specifically targeting majority black-owned enterprises in the agricultural value chain.

The Deputy President also addressed leveraging trade agreements, including the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to boost intra-Africa trade and provide market access for smallholder farmers. He noted ongoing consultations through the Agricultural Trade Forum (ATF) and the Department of Agriculture’s membership in the AfCFTA National Implementation Committee (NIC). Similar arrangements are in place with the European Union and BRICS partners. Mashatile mentioned a recent working visit to Japan, in which the Minister of Agriculture participated, aimed at expanding agricultural market access for products such as citrus and avocados.

Combating Organized Criminal Networks

Addressing strategies implemented by the Justice, Crime-Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cabinet Committee to dismantle organized criminal networks, Deputy President Mashatile acknowledged the high levels of gang-related violence. He stated that the JCPS Cabinet Committee coordinates efforts across various departments involved in justice, crime prevention, and security.

He outlined the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Anti-Gang Strategy, supported by an Anti-Gang Action Plan, which focuses on intelligence gathering, proactive policing, community engagement, and stakeholder collaboration. SAPS is reportedly enhancing its Anti-Gang Units to investigate gang-related cases.

The Deputy President also mentioned the SAPS National Crime Combating Forum (NCCF) and its new Overarching Crime Combating Strategy, Operation Shanela II, for the period April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2029. He cited the apprehension of 2,214 wanted suspects for various crimes between May 26 and June 1, 2025, through Operation Shanela.

Integrated policing efforts were highlighted, including the approval of the National Policing Policy (NPP) on May 15, 2025, which aims to strengthen police service delivery. This policy is supported by the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy. Mashatile cited the Olerato Mongale case as an example of successful multidisciplinary team mobilization by SAPS. According to a recent SAPS statement, ongoing operations have led to the arrest of 13,633 suspects for various crimes, including gender-based violence and femicide.

Mashatile, as Chairperson of the JCPS Cabinet Committee, stated his commitment to continued engagement with the Minister of Police, the National Commissioner, and MECs for Community Safety in provinces, particularly KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, to address organized crime and gang-related killings. He noted that interventions are making progress, with recent fourth-quarter statistics showing decreases in most crime categories, but acknowledged that more work is required.

He further indicated that efforts to combat gang-related criminality involve eradicating illegal guns and increasing control over lawfully acquired firearms. He reported 4,023 incidents of unlawful possession of guns and ammunition in the fourth quarter of 2024/2025 and stated that 128 illegal firearms were seized and 82 individuals arrested through Operation Shanela as of May 23, 2025. The Minister of Police has confirmed that eradicating illegal firearms and tightening control over legally owned firearms are immediate priorities.

Finally, the Deputy President stated that SAPS is reorganizing its Visible Policing (VisPol) into two distinct divisions: VisPol and Operational Response Services (ORS), as part of a larger process to optimize resources and improve service delivery.

Addressing Water Shortages

On interventions by the Water Task Team to address water supply challenges, Deputy President Mashatile indicated that the team is working with municipalities to manage water issues. He stated that the Water Task Team has assessed water supply services in 105 non-performing municipalities, with the Department of Water and Sanitation submitting short-, medium-, and long-term solutions for these municipalities.

A recent meeting of the Water Task Team emphasized enhancing municipal service management and financial stability in the water sector. This includes ring-fencing revenue from water sales and separating Water Services Authorities from Providers through Operation Vulindlela reforms. The Department of Water and Sanitation has also strengthened controls for funding allocation to maximize value in addressing water service needs. Oversight structures, including Project Steering Committees and Technical Steering Committees, have been established for large strategic projects.

A specialist unit with engineers has been established within the Department of Water and Sanitation to closely monitor and oversee priority and large intervention projects. The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has recommended a collaborative development of a comprehensive Water Debt Management Plan by the Department of Water and Sanitation, National Treasury, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. This plan includes strategies such as top-slicing the equitable share and the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to address rising municipal water debt.

The National Treasury is also considering invoking Section 216 of the Constitution against defaulting municipalities, which could result in the withholding of equitable share payments and negotiation of repayment agreements with water boards. The Department of Water and Sanitation can withhold or stop grant funding for poor performance by municipalities acting as implementing agents, in line with Section 17 of the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA). Unspent funds are reallocated to other municipalities or returned to the National Revenue Fund at the end of the municipal financial year.

Mashatile also referenced the launch of the “Clean Cities and Towns Campaign” at Kliptown in Soweto last week, aimed at accelerating service delivery, including the provision of clean water and electricity connectivity. This campaign is planned for expansion to all provinces.

Combating HIV/AIDS

Addressing the continuation of HIV/AIDS combating efforts following the withdrawal of PEPFAR and other funds, Deputy President Mashatile stated that the withdrawal of approximately R8 billion annually from the US Administration would impact support for individuals with HIV/AIDS, STIs, and TB, particularly in rural and impoverished communities.

He assured that the government has initiated funding from its own capacity for the HIV/AIDS program to mitigate the impact of the PEPFAR withdrawal on the purchasing and distribution of anti-retrovirals. Contingency plans are reportedly in place, and SANAC is engaging with the Minister of Finance to discuss potential funding gaps from the fiscus.

The Deputy President stated that the South African government is intensifying its HIV and AIDS response, providing prevention, treatment, TB, and STI services across public health facilities. He highlighted the “Close the gap” campaign launched by the Minister of Health under SANAC on February 25 of this year, aiming to initiate 1.1 million people on Anti-retroviral Treatment by December 2025 to achieve UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. This campaign complements other SANAC initiatives, including the “Better Man 4 Tomorrow” Men’s Campaign, “Zikhala kanjani” National Youth HIV Prevention Campaign, and the “End TB” Campaign.

Mashatile affirmed continued collaboration with partners and noted that PEPFAR colleagues paid through the Centre for Disease Control remain operational in the country. He reiterated previous assurances that measures are being taken to prevent negative effects from the PEPFAR support withdrawal, with SANAC finalizing a country sustainability framework for the HIV, TB, and STI response. The government’s priority is to ensure continued access to anti-retrovirals for all South Africans on treatment and to initiate new patients as planned.

Land Reform and Agricultural Development Targets

Regarding performance targets for land reform and agricultural development, Deputy President Mashatile stated that the government is accelerating the Land Reform Programme through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Agriculture and Land Reform. The aim is to improve agricultural production, ensure food security, and expedite land redistribution to address inequality, poverty, and unemployment.

For the 2025/2026 financial year, the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has allocated over R500 million to acquire and allocate 44,000 hectares of land for redistribution and security tenure programs. Land redistribution efforts will focus on rural and urban areas with high levels of landlessness and poverty. Additionally, the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights aims to settle over 280 claims in the same financial year.

Through programs like the Backlog Reduction Strategy, the government is focusing on expediting the resolution of outstanding land claims, particularly old-order claims, by improving policies, standard operating procedures, increasing funding, and enhancing turnaround times.

Mashatile emphasized infrastructure development as a crucial component of the land reform strategy, especially in rural areas, fostering land redistribution and agricultural support initiatives. Government programs in this area include the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme, led by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the South African National Defence Force. Over the medium term, the focus remains on improving agricultural production, revitalizing infrastructure, accelerating reform, finalizing land restitution claims, and increasing research and development capacity.

Police Disciplinary Inquiry Outcome

Finally, Deputy President Mashatile addressed the outcome of a police disciplinary inquiry that acquitted eight members of the SA Police Service’s Very Important Person Protection Unit following an alleged assault on the N1 highway. He reiterated his confidence in the independence and impartiality of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system, condemning any interference with legal and disciplinary processes.

Mashatile clarified that the Office of the National Commissioner of Police was responsible for the disciplinary processes of the eight members, and he was not involved. He also stated that he has not attempted to arrange a meeting with the complainant, citing that the matter is sub judice and that any engagements could be prejudicial to the parties, as the protectors are still due to appear in court.

He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law and reiterated his stance against police brutality and any form of violence directed at community members, particularly by those entrusted with upholding the law.