Cabinet 'committed' to jobs, justice, basic services
Cabinet has reaffirmed its commitment to driving an inclusive economy that creates job opportunities for all South Africans.
This comes as the country’s unemployment rate rose to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, up from 31.9% in the previous quarter, leaving 291,000 more people out of work.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, addressed the media following this week’s cabinet meeting, attributing the rise partly to new graduates entering the job market.
"Five of the 10 industries tracked by Stats SA recorded employment increases, particularly in transport and finance. However, most jobs were lost in the trade and construction sectors. Cabinet remains committed to driving economic growth that creates jobs."
To strengthen the country’s legal frameworks, Cabinet also approved the submission of the Extradition Bill to Parliament.
The bill will modernise South Africa’s laws and align it with international norms, enabling the country to better prosecute global crimes.
"The Act is not in line with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, modern extradition practices, and it does not cater for all procedures being followed internationally," said Ntshavheni.
"It clarifies the role of magistrates in extradition proceedings and provides for a provisional arrest, surrender of a person sought by an international entity in respect of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity."
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the International Cooperation in Criminal Matters Amendment Bill, which will bolster international collaboration in criminal investigations, evidence collection, and sentence enforcement.
-Economy matters-
Cabinet has called on the public to contribute to shaping the Economic Transformation Fund, which aims to support small businesses, job creation, and skills development in underprivileged areas.
The minister said the Transformation Fund will advance constitutional commitment to economic redress and transformation as part of reversing the skewed policies of the apartheid era.
"Cabinet has noted the interest in the Transformation Fund and encourages South Africans to actively participate in the consultation process as announced by the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition."
-Basic Services-
Ntshavheni said the clean water supply project in Hammanskraal is on track.
This as the first module of the system is already supplying water to some areas, with full completion expected by August 2025.
"Cabinet received an update on the ongoing interventions to ensure the provision of clean drinking water to the community of Hamanskraal. The package plant is being constructed in four modules, and the first module was completed in November 2024 and started supplying water in some areas."
In Emfuleni, more than R7 billion will be invested over the next seven years to repair sewage systems, upgrade pump stations, and reduce pollution.
"There has been a problem of sewage polluting communities in Emfuleni for a long time. This work has resulted in a major reduction in sewer spillage in communities of Emfuleni as well as an improvement in the levels of effluent from the wastewater treatment works."
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