President Cyril Ramaphosa will, on Friday, 31 July 2026, officiate the commencement of commercial operations at the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility near Bethal in Mpumalanga.

The commencement of commercial operations marks an important milestone in South Africa's efforts to strengthen energy security, advance infrastructure development and drive inclusive economic growth through investment in renewable energy.

Three years after the investment commitment associated with the Seriti Green project was announced at the South African Investment Conference, the commencement of commercial operations represents a significant milestone in translating investment commitments into operational infrastructure that contributes to South Africa's long-term economic development.

Located in Mpumalanga, South Africa's traditional energy-producing region, the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility demonstrates the practical implementation of South Africa's Just Energy Transition.

The project combines renewable electricity generation with significant investment in transmission infrastructure, long-term regional operations, local supplier participation, skills development and community investment.

The first phase of the project entails 155MW of wind generation and forms part of a planned 900MW renewable energy programme that will contribute additional renewable electricity generation capacity while strengthening South Africa's energy system.

The event also showcases how collaboration between government, the private sector, investors and local communities is supporting infrastructure-led growth, expanding energy capacity, creating employment opportunities and contributing to regional economic development.

President Ramaphosa will officiate the commencement of commercial operations at the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility as follows:

Date: Friday, 31 July 2026
Time: 10h00
Venue: Seriti Green’s Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility, Bethal, Mpumalanga

Members of the media wishing to cover the event are requested to RSVP by completing the attached form and submitting to newsdesk@journalismweb.co.za before Monday, 27th July 2026.

Media accreditation enquiries: Dean McCoubrey at 083 4554 808/Patience Mtshali at 083 376 9468

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Thursday 23 July 2026, released the National Water Action Plan following a meeting of the National Water Crisis Committee (WATERCOM) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 

The National Water Action Plan (NWAP) sets out a focused, programmatic series of actions to ensure a reliable supply of quality water to all South Africans, aiming to address the root causes of the water supply challenges in many municipalities.

The Plan outlines strategic interventions to address the water crisis over the short, medium and long term. 

The NWAP outlines a strategy to increase investment in infrastructure, including through private sector investment; to implement legal and regulatory reforms to improve municipal service delivery; and to address corruption and criminality in the water sector.

The NWAP was developed by WATERCOM, which was established following the 2026 State of the Nation Address in response to increasingly severe water supply interruptions in several parts of the country. 

WATERCOM is chaired by the President and includes a range of government departments and public agencies responsible for implementing the Plan as well as the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). 

The Plan was informed by extensive consultation with stakeholders across all three spheres of government – national, provincial and local – and associations such as SALGA. 

WATERCOM is working with municipalities to mobilise resources, expertise, and new partnerships to stabilise failing systems, recover critical services and expand access across the country. It will ensure a coordinated approach to the institutional and financing reforms necessary to achieve water security, including ring-fencing water revenues to ensure adequate maintenance of water assets and increasing investment in bulk water and distribution infrastructure. 

In doing so, it will build on the work already being done by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the National Treasury, among others, to address the challenges in the water sector. 

In releasing the Plan, President Ramaphosa said: “By acting boldly and decisively to improve the performance of Eskom and reform our energy system, we were able to end load shedding and achieve a secure and reliable energy supply. Now, we are applying the same approach to the water crisis that has been unfolding in many parts of our country. The National Water Action Plan outlines a clear, practical and focused approach to ensure water security for all South Africans, no matter where they live.”

Government is firmly committed to ensuring a reliable supply of quality water for all South Africans. The Plan will bring together all spheres of government and social partners to achieve this objective.

Background Note

Too many municipalities, communities and businesses can no longer rely on safe, reliable water services – threatening public health, economic activity, and social stability. 

The scale of the challenge now demands an urgent national response and a fundamental shift in how water services are managed.

The National Water Action Plan (NWAP) sets out a focused programme of priority interventions designed to establish new foundations for sustainable water service delivery. 

Dedicated teams have been mandated to drive implementation, accelerate results, and catalyse long-term reform. 

The NWAP identifies the root cause of the crisis as an inappropriate delivery model for water services. This is characterised by the absence of ring-fencing as water revenues are often used to fund other municipal functions, reducing the resources available for water infrastructure maintenance, investment and hiring skilled staff. 

Additionally, diffuse accountability weakens incentives for effective and financially sustainable water management and service delivery as municipal water and sanitation departments are typically responsible for technical functions but have limited control over billing, revenue collection, and asset protection. 

This points to a clear path to address this challenge, aligned with successful models and adapted to South Africa’s context. 

WATERCOM will meet regularly to oversee the implementation of the Plan and to hold the responsible departments and agencies accountable for delivery.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has communicated to Gauteng South Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Andrew Chauke that he has been exonerated by the Nkabinde Panel of Enquiry that probed the Director’s fitness to hold office.

President Ramaphosa established the Enquiry on 29 September 2025 in terms of section 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act of 1998.

The mandate of the Enquiry was to investigate and determine whether Adv Chauke was fit and proper to continue to hold office in the context of certain serious allegations regarding his fitness and propriety to hold such office.

President Ramaphosa placed Adv Chauke on suspension with effect from 20 July 2025, pending finalised of the Enquiry.

The Panel chaired by Justice Baaitse Elizabeth Nkabinde considered extensive oral evidence, documentary evidence, expert opinions, witness statements and legal submissions.

The Panel has found that there was no credible evidence upon which it could conclude that Adv Chauke had taken prosecutorial decisions as alleged in respect of the Cato Manor matter, or that he had acted unlawfully in the performance of his coordination functions.

The Panel has also found that Adv Chauke’s decision to provisionally withdraw the murder and related charges against former Crime Intelligence head, General Richard Mdluli, and to refer the matter to an inquest was not irrational.

In view of these and other findings that exonerate Adv Chauke, President Ramaphosa is satisfied that there is no basis upon which to conclude that Adv Chauke is unfit to hold office as Director of Public Prosecutions.

The President has thanked Adv Chauke for his cooperation throughout the enquiry process and expressed his trust that the finalisation of this matter will enable Adv Chauke to continue discharging his constitutional and statutory responsibilities with dedication and integrity in service of the National Prosecuting Authority and the nation.

President Ramaphosa has also reiterated his appreciation to Enquiry Chairperson Justice Nkabinde, assisted by Adv Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere SC and Attorney Matshego Ramagaga for the manner in which they undertook their task.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria