The Bulletin News

Sasol has commissioned Chinese multinational Envision Energy to carry out a design study for a green hydrogen system at Sasol 1 in Sasolburg, the company announced on 5 August 2026. The study will examine integration of renewables, storage and electrolyser technologies to support green hydrogen production, and — subject to study outcomes and investment decisions — that hydrogen could be used to produce eMethanol and potentially eSAF (electro‑synthetic aviation fuel) in Sasolburg.

Sasol 1, the company’s original liquid fuel‑from‑coal plant, was built in 1954 and gave rise to the town of Sasolburg. It was the world’s first commercial-scale application of the Fischer‑Tropsch process, chosen for its proximity to large coal deposits near the Vaal River and the Witwatersrand markets. Over subsequent decades, Sasol expanded with the Sasol 2 and 3 complexes in Secunda, which later became the world’s largest coal‑to‑liquid production complex.

Sasol began commercial green hydrogen production in June 2023 by using renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, aiming to develop value chains for industry and heavy‑duty transport. The company also has experience producing synthetic jet fuel, with its fuel approved for international commercial use in 2008 and used in a commercial flight in 2010. eSAF is produced from captured CO2, water and renewable electricity; Sasol intends to power its production with green hydrogen.

Danie Cronje, Sasol SVP for business building, described the Envision design study as “an important step toward more affordable green hydrogen production at Sasolburg,” saying global expertise will help evaluate contributions to lower‑carbon fuel and chemical value chains while leveraging existing industrial capabilities. Envision Energy senior vice president Kane Xu highlighted the role of AI‑enabled energy infrastructure and combined renewables, storage and hydrogen technologies in creating sustainable growth pathways.

Sasol framed the collaboration as part of ongoing South Africa–China engagement on energy innovation and lower‑carbon solutions. The project remains contingent on the design study’s findings and subsequent investment decisions.

In a compelling speech delivered at the Clean Air Community Dialogue on August 3, 2026, in Secunda, Deputy Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Bernice Swart, addressed the pressing issue of air quality and pollution in Secunda, where residents have expressed discontent with both Sasol and the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) over their contributions to environmental degradation.

Swart opened her remarks by emphasising the multifaceted importance of clean air, highlighting its essential role in human health, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity. “The quality of the air we breathe affects every aspect of our lives,” she stated, acknowledging the direct impact of pollution on communities, especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that while Secunda is a vital economic centre, contributing significantly to the national economy through industrial activities, this comes at a cost. “Economic activity cannot be separated from its impact on people and the environment,” she said, underlining that areas near industrial operations should not bear a disproportionate burden of health and environmental costs.

During the dialogue, community members voiced their frustrations over the solid pollution attributed to GMM and air pollution linked to Sasol, a major player in the area’s industrial landscape. Residents called for accountability and action from both entities, demanding full transparency regarding emissions and pollution incidents.

Acknowledging the challenges, Swart reiterated the government’s commitment to enforce the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, which aims to hold polluters accountable and improve air quality. She urged industries to take on a vital leadership role in this dialogue, advocating for compliance with emission standards, investment in cleaner technologies, and transparent reporting.

“Sasol and other industries must demonstrate stronger environmental leadership,” Swart asserted, listing specific measures such as developing emission-reduction plans and supporting community-level air quality monitoring. She underscored that investments in cleaner technologies not only curb pollution but can also lead to innovation and new economic opportunities.

The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of collaboration between government, communities, and businesses to craft actionable solutions to the pollution crisis. “Community members possess valuable lived experience,” she explained, highlighting the necessity of integrating their insights into air-quality planning and decision-making.

Swart’s speech closed with a call to action, urging stakeholders to engage in identifying urgent air-quality concerns and potential interventions, and advocating for the establishment of mechanisms for continuous community engagement. She emphasised that the future of Secunda should not present a choice between economic growth and environmental health, stating, “Through responsible leadership, technological innovation, effective regulation, and genuine partnership, we can achieve both environmental improvement and inclusive economic growth.”

As the dialogue continues, residents await tangible commitments from both Sasol and the Govan Mbeki Municipality, hoping that this renewed focus on clean air will lead to significant improvements in air quality and overall public health in Secunda.

Govan Mbeki Municipality has taken steps to address long-standing utility arrears, making significant payments to both Eskom and Rand Water in June 2026 while warning that substantial balances remain.

June payments and outstanding balances

• Eskom: The municipality paid R16 000 000 in June 2026. After this payment, Eskom’s outstanding balance remains approximately R7 056 544 335.39 (report recommendation 6.1; see page 7 of the municipal standing item).
• Rand Water: A payment of R73 004 287.17 was made in June 2026. The outstanding balance to Rand Water after that payment is R876 306 708.87

Context and arrangements:

The report (Standing Item on Eskom and Rand Water Accounts: June 2026) explains the municipality’s prolonged inability to meet its statutory 30-day payment requirement under the Municipal Finance Management Act and notes that a Financial Recovery Plan and negotiated settlement arrangements are being used to manage historic debt. Management has entered into Debt Settlement Agreements (DSAs) and Distribution Agency Agreements (DAAs) to structure repayments and avoid service interruptions.

What the tables show

• Eskom accounts:
• The detailed billing table lists account-level opening balances, monthly billing and interest components. The municipality cites limited revenue collection and cash flow constraints as the primary barriers to full settlement.
• Rand Water accounts:
• The Item tabled in council includes a month-by-month account analysis and the DSA payment schedule, showing planned monthly/quarterly payments (many months include R70 million quarterly commitments) and recorded payments to date. As at 30 June 2026, the Rand Water ledger and proof of payments are appended to the report.

Financial implications:

Municipal officials acknowledge that meeting financial obligations remains a “serious challenge” given the current financial position. Eskom’s debt — now in the billions — represents the most significant operational risk. The municipality reports prioritising Eskom and Rand Water payments where cash allows and continuing engagement with the creditors to maintain service delivery.

What this means for residents

• Essential electricity and bulk water supply remain dependent on continued adherence to DSAs and improved municipal cash flow and revenue collection.
• While recent payments reduce immediate short-term risk, the scale of remaining debt — especially to Eskom — implies longer-term fiscal pressures and the need for sustained recovery measures.

The Sasol Highveld Photography Club kicked off July with its monthly club meeting, where members gathered to showcase their latest work, receive constructive critiques, and celebrate outstanding photographic achievements.

The evening’s judging was conducted by Lynette Taljaard from the Kriel Photography Club, who served as the guest judge. Her valuable feedback and detailed critiques provided members with practical advice on improving both their technical and creative photography skills.

The club encourages photographers of all experience levels to enter images into a variety of categories each month. Members are graded according to their individual skill levels and accumulate points throughout the year. As photographers improve and earn more points, they progress to higher grading levels within the club.

Constructive critique forms an important part of every judging evening. By listening to the judge’s comments and applying the advice to future work, members continually develop their photographic abilities and artistic vision.

Photographs are awarded certificates based on their quality relative to the photographer’s grading level. These include Bronze, Silver, Gold, and the prestigious Certificate of Merit (COM). A Bronze award indicates that several aspects of the image require improvement, while Gold recognises excellent execution. The coveted Certificate of Merit is reserved for photographs that demonstrate exceptional quality and meet the highest standards for the photographer’s level.

Several members were recognised for their outstanding images during the July meeting.

Monthly award winners:

• Best Junior (Certificate of Merit): Behind the Smoke by Ina Annandale (Monochrome) – 12 points.
• Best Senior (Certificate of Merit): Life Inside by Leon Pelser (Monochrome) – 15 points.
• Best Set Subject (Certificate of Merit): Juggling Joker by Ina Annandale – 13 points.

The Sasol Highveld Photography Club continues to provide an encouraging environment where photographers can learn from experienced judges, receive valuable feedback, and refine their skills while enjoying the fellowship of fellow photography enthusiasts.

The club welcomes anyone with an interest in photography, whether they are beginners looking to learn or experienced photographers wishing to challenge themselves and grow through regular competition and critique.

Here is a selection of the winning photographs

The Best Junior photograph is “Behind the Smoke” by Ina Annandale

The Best Senior photograph is “Life inside” by Leon Pelser

The Best Set Subject photograph is “Juggling Joker” by Ina Annandale

The following photographs were awarded Com and Gold

CATEGORY – SCAPES

CATEGORY – MONOCHROME

CATEGORY – SET SUBJECT

CATEGORY – PHOTOJOURNALISM

CATEGORY – PICTORIAL

CATEGORY – NATURE

CATEGORY – NATURE, BIRDS ONLY

A landmark change is looming for about 16 million South Africans as the Department of Home Affairs prepares to phase out the green barcoded ID book. Minister Leon Schreiber announced a roadmap toward retiring the document while speaking at the Xpatweb Global Mobility Conference in Bryanston on 21 July 2026.

Schreiber said the decision follows a rapid roll-out of Smart ID services as part of a wider push to digitise Home Affairs. Through a bank partnership, access to Smart ID services rose by 250% in 19 weeks, he said, calling it a key achievement of the Home Affairs @ Home modernisation programme. The minister framed the shift as part of a move away from paper-based systems to faster, less bureaucratic document services.

More than 422,000 people have already obtained Smart IDs via participating banks in just over four months, Schreiber noted, without needing to fill in paper forms, schedule appointments, or queue at offices. He emphasised these gains were delivered without extra staff or additional cost to taxpayers. The department aims to expand from roughly 300 bank branches offering the service to over 750 before the end of 2026, a step Schreiber linked to the planned withdrawal of the green ID book.

Schreiber also argued the phase-out would reduce fraud and identity theft and diminish an incentive for illegal immigration. He has previously warned that the green ID book is highly susceptible to fraud; during a June 2026 briefing he cited research indicating it is the continent’s most commonly abused identity document. The physical photo page, he said, can be altered or swapped, increasing theft risk if the book is lost or stolen.

In related digital reforms, Home Affairs is continuing to roll out an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to replace paper visa applications with automated checks using machine learning. Launched in pilot in late 2025, the ETA has processed over 203,000 applications and flagged more than 5,700 fraudulent submissions before travellers could board flights. Schreiber highlighted the system’s ability to perform rapid, large-scale cross-checks that would be impossible to do manually.

The department plans gradual expansion of the ETA to more countries and visa types. Schreiber acknowledged ongoing work but said the recent changes show Home Affairs is shifting toward a modern, digital-first service model. Xpatweb MD Marisa Jacobs said the initiatives and new technologies will benefit departmental staff, citizens, visitors and the broader South African economy.

In recent days, Govan Mbeki Municipality has found itself at the center of controversy following allegations circulating on social media that municipal officials have deliberately closed water valves, causing disruptions in the water supply for residents of Secunda. The Democratic Alliance (DA) councillors are being unfairly blamed for these claims, which have sparked public outrage and led to derogatory comments directed at local representatives.

Amidst this turmoil, videos purporting to show “proof” that water valves are closed have been shared widely online. However, these videos misrepresent the situation, as there is no indication of which direction the valves should be turned, nor do they provide clear markers for open and closed positions. Residents have been urged to refrain from taking matters into their own hands, as tampering with municipal infrastructure is not only unlawful but also punishable by law. There have even been distressing suggestions of violence against councillors, including threats directed towards Cllr Chamberlain’s home.

In response to these distressing allegations, the municipality has taken proactive steps to ensure accurate information is circulated. The Director of Civil Engineering led a technical team to conduct a thorough inspection of the water distribution system. The results of the investigation confirmed that no valves had been closed intentionally and that there had been no deliberate disruption to the water supply. The technical team verified the conditions of key network sections and assured residents that the water distribution system was functioning as it should.

Residents are reminded that the first notice regarding potential water supply changes was posted on the Bulletin in May, allowing ample time for awareness and preparation. Contrary to claims made by certain organizations, the Mayor did not merely issue a two-day notice. The assessment also established that water pressure is gradually recovering, with some residents in higher-lying areas still experiencing reduced pressure as the system stabilizes.

The municipality urges residents to report any tampering with water infrastructure to the municipal Call Centre at 0800 060 046 or via WhatsApp at 083 790 0659. Gathering this information is critical for ongoing investigations that aim to protect the integrity of the water supply system.

As the situation continues to be monitored, Govan Mbeki Municipality expresses its gratitude for the patience and cooperation of residents during this challenging period. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to rely on official municipal communication channels for accurate updates and to avoid spreading unverified rumors that can incite unnecessary unrest and concern.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has ramped up a sustained cleanup of corrupt officials, resulting in the dismissal of seven employees so far in 2026 and at least four arrests, the minister told Parliament. Schreiber warned that the campaign is intensifying and that both officials and members of the public who pay for illicit services should expect to be held to account.

“Every crooked official and complicit member of the public must know that it is now only a matter of time until their turn arrives,” he said. “As our crackdown accelerates, the days of sleeping soundly are over for the corrupt. Sooner than you think.”

Recent operations have yielded a series of arrests. In May 2026 alone six suspects were detained in connection with Home Affairs-related corruption and fraud. One arrest involved a naturalised South African accused of falsely claiming paternity for five foreign children, which led to their registration on the National Population Register under a naturalised South African identity document. A separate operation at the White River branch led to the arrest of a senior immigration officer on allegations that he demanded payment before returning identity and travel documents to a Mozambican national.

In July 2026 a Border Management Authority official was arrested after an investigation by SAPS, the Ladybrand Detectives and the DHA’s Counter-Corruption unit. The official allegedly took R600 to unlawfully endorse a Lesotho national’s passport at the Maseru point of entry.

Schreiber told MPs that the department has referred 212 cases against Home Affairs employees to law enforcement for further investigation or prosecution since April 2023. He said the DHA has adopted a multi-disciplinary approach — including a strengthened Branch: Counter Corruption and Security Services — to tackle passport fraud and other offences.

That effort has produced convictions and dismissals. Investigations that started in 2023 led to the arrest of a passport fraud syndicate kingpin and 26 others. Over the last three financial years the DHA dismissed 114 officials: 43 in 2023/24, 49 in 2024/25 and 22 in 2025/26. Schreiber noted that eight officials have been convicted and handed a combined 97 years’ imprisonment, with individual sentences ranging from four to 18 years; in one case an official was ordered to repay bribes on top of a 10-year jail term.

He pointed to earlier convictions for selling birth certificates, issuing fraudulent death notices and attempting to bribe investigators — including a case where an official offered R10,000 to halt a probe and received three years’ direct imprisonment from the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

“We will not rest until we have rid Home Affairs of every single rotten apple through this combination of dismissals and criminal convictions,” Schreiber said.

The minister’s remarks underscore a clear message to South Africans tempted to shortcut official processes: using cash or contacts to obtain documents or services at Home Affairs now carries a much greater risk of detection, prosecution and severe punishment.