Polity.org.za Audio Articles

ตอน

• 
  DA calls for debate on GBVF as three suspects appear in court in Ekurhuleni cases 21.09.2026 3นาที

  DA calls for debate on GBVF as three suspects appear in court in Ekurhuleni cases Three suspects are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrates' Court on Monday, marking a major breakthrough in the investigation into a horrifying string of women's murders that has gripped the country. The South African Police Service (SAPS) announced the arrests of one man and two women over the weekend, following an operation by members of the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit, in connection with the murder of a ninth victim. Between July and September 2026, the bodies of nine women have been discovered dumped across the Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg. The discoveries over this two-month period have sparked national outrage, widespread community protests, and a large-scale police probe into whether a serial killer or multiple perpetrators are behind the atrocities. Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, confirmed that police are "fully seized" with all nine murder cases, promising that each is receiving priority attention. "We remain committed to ensuring that these investigations are pursued with the urgency and determination they require. Our investigators are following all available leads and are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice," Dimpane said. In response to the escalating crisis, parts of Ekurhuleni – including KwaThema and Nigel – are currently under localised lockdowns, with increased police visibility deployed to boost safety. The breakthrough comes amid surging political pressure on national and local government structures. Last week, DA mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni Khathu Rasilingwane, launched a full-scale petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves". In a direct bid to accelerate the investigation, Rasilingwane announced that the DA is offering an additional R500 000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and successful criminal prosecution of the murderer. Concurrently, the DA has written to the Speaker of Parliament Thoko Didiza, requesting an urgent debate of national importance on the escalating gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis gripping Ekurhuleni. DA spokesperson on Police Lisa Schickerling, insisted that Parliament must hold those responsible for protecting women and children strictly to account. "Violence and the threat of violence are a daily reality for women in our communities. These tragic deaths are part of a devastating cycle that demands urgent action from government, including the President, the South African Police Service, the Department of Justice, and other departments responsible for protecting women and bringing perpetrators to justice," Schickerling said. She highlighted that despite widespread calls for a multidisciplinary team and intensified focus from civil society, the vast majority of these cases have remained unsolved until this weekend's arrests. She emphasised that while GBVF has long been on Parliament's agenda, the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ekurhuleni demands immediate and specific intervention. Last week, Amnesty International South Africa called on the State to recognise femicide as a distinct crime, warning that failure to do so leaves the targeted killing of women largely unaddressed. Femicide, defined as the gender-motivated killing of a woman because she is a woman, is currently not classified as a separate offence under South African law.
• 
  Key African central banks set to keep high rates as buffer against shocks 21.09.2026 4นาที

  Key African central banks set to keep high rates as buffer against shocks African central banks from South Africa to Egypt are poised to keep their interest rates high for longer, seeking to shield their economies from shocks such as surging energy prices caused by the Iran war and to support their currencies. Of the 11 central banks due to deliver their interest-rate decisions over the next two weeks, seven are expected to hold, three hike and one is set to cut. "Africa's monetary-policy cycle is becoming increasingly uneven," Angelika Goliger, EY Africa chief economist, said. "While earlier disinflation has created room for rate cuts in some economies, renewed energy and food-price pressures mean central banks are likely to remain cautious." The escalating conflict in the Middle East has restricted global oil, diesel and fertiliser supplies causing prices to spike. Brent crude broke through $100 a barrel almost two weeks ago, compared with an average price of around $85 a barrel when most African central banks last deliberated on interest rates, and a super El Niño event is expected to devastate harvests, fuelling inflation. Food accounts for as much as 50% in some African countries' consumer price indexes. The US is also presenting an external risk to African economies. "With US monetary policy still relatively restrictive following September's first rate increase since 2023, African policymakers will be alert to exchange-rate weakness, capital outflows and imported inflation," Goliger said. "Even where domestic inflation is easing, these pressures are likely to limit the pace of rate cuts." Policymakers will also want to maintain a sizeable spread between the benchmark rate and annual inflation, which are among the world's widest, as a defence against current and future shocks. "Africa's been very resilient in part because interest rates started quite high," said Charlie Robertson, chief economic adviser at Equity Group Holdings Plc. "We've not had the cuts" in countries such as in Egypt, Nigeria or Kenya that the market was expecting, he said. "Instead high nominal rates have become a buffer." The upcoming interest-rate decisions will start with Nigeria and Morocco on Tuesday, followed by South Africa on Wednesday and Egypt, Ghana, Lesotho and Eswatini on Thursday, before Tanzania rounds out the cycle on October 8. Nigeria's monetary policy committee has room to ease but it is expected to remain cautious and retain its policy rate at 26.5% for a third straight meeting as recent fuel-price increases could reverse the downtrend in inflation. With price pressures building in Morocco as the effects of a good harvest fade and hefty fuel-price increases feed through, Bank Al-Maghrib will probably keep its policy rate at 2.25% for the next three meetings to monitor price dynamics, François Conradie, lead political economist at Oxford Economics, said in a note. "Egypt's still-high inflation and exposure to regional and energy shocks will also argue for patience rather than immediate easing," Goliger said. It could hold rates at 19% through the rest of 2026, with cuts becoming more likely next year, she said. External spillovers from the Iran war could also see Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania stand pat to further assess the risks to their forecasts. South Africa and its neighbours Eswatini and Lesotho, whose currencies are pegged to the rand, may raise their interest rates by a quarter point to prevent higher inflation from becoming entrenched. South Africa's central bank, in particular, has seen risks to its inflation forecast materialise. Rising energy prices, exchange-rate volatility and higher US interest rates could generate second-round inflation effects, said Goliger. To reinforce policy credibility, the MPC could increase the interest rate to 7.25%. Zambia will likely break from the pack and cut interest rates due to disinflation.
• 
  DA challenges Lamola to oppose ‘ANC’s race-based’ policies after US Apartheid 2.0 remarks 21.09.2026 3นาที

  DA challenges Lamola to oppose 'ANC's race-based' policies after US Apartheid 2.0 remarks The DA has challenged International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola to oppose race-based policies within South Africa's own Cabinet, following his recent public condemnation of race-based entry systems while visiting the US. This after Lamola addressed the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, where he criticised certain US refugee and immigration frameworks, reportedly describing race-preferential entry systems as "Apartheid 2.0". Lamola argued that allocating opportunities or entry based on race undermines peaceful coexistence and revives historical injustices. DA spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith seized on Lamola's remarks, calling for consistency between South Africa's foreign rhetoric and its domestic policies. "If opposing race-based policies is now a matter of principle for Minister Lamola, and not merely a matter of diplomatic convenience, he must use his position in Cabinet and Parliament to condemn the ANC's own battery of race-based laws and policies back home," Smith stated. The party argued that the ANC continues to classify citizens by race and allocate economic opportunities along racial lines, which the DA claims divides and impoverishes citizens rather than empowering them based on actual need and merit. The DA reiterated its commitment to eliminating all forms of race-based policy to build a non-racial South Africa. The disagreement unfolds against a backdrop of escalating diplomatic tension between Pretoria and Washington. The South African government recently rejected unilateral visa restrictions introduced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US restrictions target individuals deemed complicit in land expropriation frameworks without compensation, systemic race-based discrimination and the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups. Lamola hit back at the US policy, defending South Africa's domestic legislation as a sovereign right and a constitutional imperative designed to heal past racial injustices rather than target minority groups. He expressed deep concern that Washington's actions rely on a "mischaracterisation" of South African policies, driven by fringe groups falsely claiming to represent the broader Afrikaner and other minority communities. To counter allegations of unchecked racial hostility, Lamola highlighted the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023, emphasising that South Africa maintains a stringent, legally binding framework to prosecute hate crimes across State and non-State actors. Despite Lamola's domestic defence, the DA maintained that the Minister cannot credibly lecture the global community on non-racialism while his party upholds race-based legislation at home. "We are delighted that Minister Lamola has now publicly adopted this principle too," Smith concluded, urging the Minister to prove his "genuine opposition" to racial categorisation by challenging the ANC's legislative framework in the Cabinet and in Parliament.
• 
  NSFAS opens 2027 applications, assures ‘major system upgrades’ after returning to board governance 18.09.2026 3นาที

  NSFAS opens 2027 applications, assures 'major system upgrades' after returning to board governance Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela announced on Friday that the 2027 National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) application cycle is officially open until November 18. Speaking at the launch event in Johannesburg, Manamela promised that funding outcomes will be communicated in December to give successful applicants certainty ahead of the 2027 academic registration period. "To all prospective applicants: do not wait until the closing date. Apply as early as possible. Applying early gives you time to verify your information, submit outstanding documentation, and seek assistance if you encounter challenges," Manamela urged. During the 2026 application cycle, NSFAS received a record-breaking number of applications from young South Africans. To cope with this pressure and address historical service delivery issues, Manamela revealed that NSFAS has spent the past year implementing crucial upgrades designed to improve data integrity, accuracy, and processing speeds for the 2027 funding cycle. He explained that student information will now be pulled directly from institutional systems to minimise errors and expedite funding decisions, and the scheme is introducing automated document verification and electronic document signing to shorten response times. Manamela said NSFAS is collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs to strengthen the verification of student registration and banking details. He announced that the development has officially commenced on a dedicated Loan Management System to administer student loans for middle-income households, and the administration of appeals has been restructured with clearer rules and strict timelines to rectify past administrative weaknesses. The launch follows a turbulent four-month institutional transition for the financial aid scheme. After navigating a period under strict State administration, NSFAS has officially returned to a board-led governance arrangement. Manamela noted that the public, parents, and tertiary institutions have closely watched these structural shifts, reassuring stakeholders that the interventions were entirely focused on stability and effectiveness. "The stability of NSFAS is not an end in itself. Behind every application is a young person whose future depends on this institution functioning effectively. Behind every funding decision is a student who wants to become a professional, an artisan, an entrepreneur, a teacher, a scientist, or a contributor to the economy and society. That is why the integrity, stability, and effectiveness of NSFAS matter," he said. Prospective students are encouraged to gather their identification documents, academic records, and parental proof of income immediately to submit their applications via the official NSFAS portal before the November 18 deadline.
• 
  Policing is political, DA says as it offers collaboration in East Rand murders 18.09.2026 1นาที

  Policing is political, DA says as it offers collaboration in East Rand murders The DA said on Friday that it is willing to work with anybody who "genuinely" wants to take action in delivering justice to the families of the women whose bodies were recently found across the East Rand, in Gauteng, as it stressed that policing is political. After the discovery of the body of a ninth victim in Ekurhuleni, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said women in the province needed more than just advice on how to avoid becoming victims. "We should be asking: what more can we do? The DA is ready to work with government, SAPS, communities and civil society to find these killers and prevent further deaths. But collaboration requires government to engage with criticism in good faith and not dismiss it as political opportunism because it doesn't like a mirror being held up to itself," he said. The DA has pledged a R500 000 reward for information that leads to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person/s responsible for the murders and has also launched a petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves" and to rather demand systemic accountability. However, the DA is urging the Gauteng provincial government to collaborate with willing participants to find the perpetrator/s of the murders. "Government says that it wants cooperation. Then it should welcome every credible effort to find these killers, protect women and address the failures that allowed this crisis to develop in the first place," said Msimanga. "The responsibility now lies with all of us, but particularly with those entrusted with the power and resources of the State, to make South Africa safer. "And yes, this is political. It is political because policing is political."
• 
  Amnesty International demands SA criminalise femicide to expose ‘hidden’ crisis 18.09.2026 2นาที

  Amnesty International demands SA criminalise femicide to expose 'hidden' crisis Amnesty International South Africa is urgently calling on the State to recognise femicide as a distinct crime, warning that failure to do so leaves the targeted killing of women largely unaddressed. Femicide, defined as the gender-motivated killing of a woman because she is a woman, is currently not classified as a separate offence under South African law. Instead, these deaths are categorised under general murder statistics, a practice that advocates argue masks the systemic nature of the crisis. South Africa continues to grapple with some of the highest femicide rates globally. According to the latest annual crime statistics, 5 578 women were murdered between 2023 and 2024 – an average of roughly 15 women killed every day. Despite these stark numbers, the true scale of the violence remains obscured. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has not published disaggregated crime data regarding the murder and assault of women and children since August 2025, citing internal accuracy concerns that require investigation. Amnesty International South Africa executive director Shenilla Mohamed emphasised that treating femicide as standard murder ignores the patterns of gender-based violence that typically precede it, such as stalking, rape, and intimate partner violence. Without a distinct legal category, these warning signs are tracked as isolated incidents. "You cannot fix what you are not tracking," Mohamed stated, noting that reliable data is a vital prerequisite for State accountability. While criminalisation alone will not instantly halt the violence, Amnesty International argued it provides a critical mechanism to hold the government accountable. Legally defining the crime would compel the State to allocate dedicated resources specifically tailored to combating and preventing femicide, track accurate, gender-disaggregated data to identify high-risk patterns and confront systemic failures in current institutional protection measures for women and girls. Mohamed said 33 countries have criminalised femicide. In Africa, only Gabon and Morocco have codified it into law. Amnesty International South Africa maintained that by failing to join these nations and properly record these targeted killings, the South African State is actively failing to protect its citizens from the most extreme manifestation of gender discrimination and inequality.
• 
  ActionSA suspends Tshwane ward candidate amid disciplinary probe 17.09.2026 2นาที

  ActionSA suspends Tshwane ward candidate amid disciplinary probe ActionSA has placed its Tshwane ward candidate and disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo on precautionary suspension with immediate effect, following his arrest in a contempt of court matter. The decision was announced on Thursday by ActionSA Gauteng provincial chairperson Funzi Ngobeni, who clarified that the suspension regulates Teffo's participation and status within the party while an internal disciplinary process is underway. Notably, the party's internal investigation into Teffo was already in progress prior to his arrest on Tuesday. ActionSA emphasised that the precautionary suspension does not constitute a finding of guilt. "Teffo will have an opportunity to respond to the matters before the Provincial Ethics and Disciplinary Officer (PEDO), and the process must be allowed to run fairly," Ngobeni stated. While the suspension remains in effect, Teffo is barred from participating in any ActionSA campaigns or party activities, representing or speaking on behalf of ActionSA and presenting himself as an active representative of the party. According to Ngobeni, concerns regarding Teffo's conduct were initially referred to the party's PEDO earlier this month. The referral followed an incident where Teffo appeared at the Johannesburg High Court wearing ActionSA regalia. When the party's Tshwane structures requested an explanation regarding the courtroom appearance, Teffo's subsequent response prompted further scrutiny. Following an initial review, PEDO determined that a prima facie basis existed to move forward with a formal disciplinary process. Teffo's arrest earlier this week introduced new variables that ActionSA's Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) had to evaluate. After reviewing advice from PEDO alongside these latest developments, the PEC concluded that a precautionary suspension was the most appropriate course of action while the internal process concludes. PEDO has been instructed to expedite the matter and report its findings back to the PEC urgently. ActionSA reiterated its stance on public accountability, asserting that its candidates and public representatives must answer for their actions when serious questions are raised. However, the party maintained that it would respect due process. "We will not replace a proper disciplinary process with a trial through the media. We will communicate further once the disciplinary process has reached the appropriate stage."
• 
  DA launches petition to reject SAPS safety warnings as body of ninth woman found 17.09.2026 2นาที

  DA launches petition to reject SAPS safety warnings as body of ninth woman found DA mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni Khathu Rasilingwane has launched a full-scale petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves". The launch on Thursday follows the grim discovery of a ninth body in the region, signalling what Rasilingwane describes as a rapidly escalating crisis. She condemned recent sentiments from the South African Police Service (SAPS) that place the burden of safety on women, arguing that advising women to take better precautions reflects a fundamental failure by leadership to comprehend the daily fear and suffering experienced by residents. "All that the government offers is an undefined 'lockdown' and a police 'task team.' This is inexcusable," Rasilingwane said. "It is a failure to understand pain and suffering, living in fear every day – not just this week." In response to the killings, Rasilingwane announced on Wednesday that the DA is offering an additional R500 000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and successful criminal prosecution of the murderer. Titled "Action, Not Advice", the DA's petition demands that law enforcement shift its focus from policing women's behaviour to actively combating violent crime. Rasilingwane stated that the SAPS receives billions of rands in taxpayer funding specifically to protect citizens, and it must deliver on that mandate. The DA has directed an urgent demand to Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia, calling for a substantial increase in police resources, an immediate clearance of the DNA evidence backlog to expedite criminal identification, and the release of reliable gender-based violence and femicide statistics. The party has urged all South Africans to sign the petition to demand systemic accountability. President Cyril Ramaphosa officially declared the murders a national crisis, ordering that the investigations receive the highest level of priority from government and law enforcement. A multidisciplinary specialised team has been deployed to work around the clock to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Deputy President Paul Mashatile also broke his silence on the matter, urging law enforcement agencies to collaborate closely with communities and stakeholders. Mashatile stated that gender-based violence has no place in South African society, adding that men must be at the forefront of condemning these crimes and protecting women and children.
• 
  South Africa's consumer confidence rises despite economic uncertainty, survey shows 17.09.2026 1นาที

  South Africa's consumer confidence rises despite economic uncertainty, survey shows South Africa's consumer confidence improved in the third quarter, a survey showed on Thursday, although consumer spending is expected to remain subdued in the coming months due to uncertainty stemming from the war in the Middle East. The consumer confidence index, sponsored by First National Bank (FNB) and compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research, improved to minus 13 points from minus 19 in the second quarter. The Middle East conflict, which is now in its seventh month, has put pressure on South African household budgets through higher fuel prices, uncertainty over interest rates and fears of inflation. "Shoppers will likely remain cost-conscious and prioritise necessities over discretionary spending in the run-up to the festive season, suggesting that consumer spending growth will remain muted and that value-for-money retailers may outperform higher-end brands," FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya said. The rebound in the quarter was largely driven by stronger confidence among lower-income households, which were more insulated from recent interest rate hikes and benefited from lower food inflation, the survey showed. The interest rate hike announced by the central bank in May has disproportionately affected middle- and high-income consumers due to a greater exposure to formal sector bank credit and higher spend on durable goods purchases, Matikinca-Ngwenya added.
• 
  South African inflation expectations stabilise in third quarter 16.09.2026 1นาที

  South African inflation expectations stabilise in third quarter South African inflation expectations stabilised in the third quarter, a survey showed on Wednesday, after a steep rise in the previous quarter because of the oil price shock triggered by the Iran war. The quarterly survey is commissioned by the central bank and guides its thinking on the appropriate level of interest rates. The average forecast of analysts, business people and trade union officials was for headline consumer inflation of 4.4% this year, unchanged from the second-quarter survey. The average forecasts for 2027 and 2028 declined to 4.0% and 3.8%, respectively, from 4.2% and 3.9%. Those forecasts are important as the central bank says interest rate changes affect the economy with a lag of about 12 to 24 months. Inflation stood at 4.3% year on year in July, the latest month for which price data is available. The central bank targets inflation of 3% with a 1-percentage-point tolerance band either side of that. The bank surprised investors and economists by keeping its main lending rate unchanged in July after its first rate hike in three years in May. Its next rate announcement is scheduled for September 23.
• 
  Govt rejects US visa restrictions, while domestic actors are emboldened 16.09.2026 4นาที

  Govt rejects US visa restrictions, while domestic actors are emboldened The South African government has rejected unilateral visa restrictions imposed by the US, framing its domestic legislation as a constitutional imperative to heal past racial injustices rather than target minority groups. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola hit back at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement, stating that South Africa retains a sovereign right to enact laws aimed at improving the plight of historically excluded citizens. The US restrictions target individuals deemed responsible for, or complicit in, policies enabling land expropriation without compensation, race-based discrimination, and the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups. The policy directly penalises those Washington holds accountable for land confiscation frameworks and the incitement of racial violence. Lamola expressed deep concern over Washington's unilateral actions, arguing that the US visa restrictions align with a "mischaracterisation" of South African policies. He said these measures appear to be driven by fringe groups who wrongly claim to represent Afrikaners and minorities as a whole. Lamola defended South Africa's legal frameworks, specifically highlighting the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023. He emphasised that this legislation sets a stringent, binding framework to eradicate hate speech and prosecute hate crimes across both State and non-State actors. "It is our sovereign right to put in place laws that address the nation's concern over centuries of racial injustice. We maintain that challenges in our bilateral relations with the USA can only be resolved by constructive engagement through State actors on both sides of the diplomatic channel, not unilateral acts," Lamola explained. The Minister further asserted that the South African government remains "actively seized" with combating crime, emphasising that security challenges affect all citizens universally and do not target anyone based on race, colour, or social origin. ECONOMIC FALLOUT In contrast to government's stance, the Solidarity Movement has urged Pretoria to drop its "political pride" and "engage honestly" with upcoming proposals to defuse the row. Solidarity Movement chairperson Flip Buys said the diplomatic friction is not new, but rather a continuation of a long-running dispute tracing back to 2010 when South Africa joined the BRICS bloc. Buys warned that further escalation would directly hit ordinary workers, farmers, and businesses, rather than the politicians he says are responsible for the impasse. The Solidarity Movement believes South Africa's current domestic policies run counter to various international conventions. Buys said alienating the US poses severe risks to the local economy. The movement maintained that "practical, achievable solutions exist" that would not require South Africa to surrender its independence. "We are not taking sides between Pretoria and Washington; we are taking South Africa's side," averred Buys, adding that the Solidarity Movement will release a comprehensive set of proposals within the coming week aimed at ending the protracted dispute. Joining the critique, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel confirmed that the organisation is actively fighting the new Expropriation Act in the Western Cape High Court, arguing that it "dangerously" enables expropriation without compensation. AfriForum has tied the US diplomatic dispute directly to local controversies, including rural farm safety and political rhetoric. Kriel welcomed the US punitive measures against figures who incite ethnic violence, taking aim at EFF leader Julius Malema. Kriel urged government to seriously evaluate the combined proposals of AfriForum and Solidarity. "It is in the interest of everyone in the country to help prevent South Africa from being punished due to the reckless policies and actions of a...
• 
  ANC loses case against IEC, calls for ‘calm, discipline’ from members 16.09.2026 2นาที

  ANC loses case against IEC, calls for 'calm, discipline' from members The Electoral Court has delivered a blow to the ANC ahead of the November 4 local government elections, after it dismissed the party's appeal against the Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC's) rejection of 181 of the ANC's candidate nominations, across six municipalities. The ANC argued that it had met the August 28 deadline to submit these and all its other candidates on the IEC's Online Candidate Nomination System but cited "technical failures" that had allegedly blocked final confirmation of the 181 nominations in question. The party has stated that it did not ask the Commission to condone late nominations, but only sought the inclusion of names that were already on the system by the 17:00 deadline, with no amendments or reordering of any lists. However, the Electoral Court ruled against the ANC's argument on Wednesday, which the party says it will appeal. Following the ruling, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party's legal team will engage the court on questions from the judgment. She further stressed that the party respected the court and the judicial process and urged ANC members to "remain calm and disciplined" and not issue public statements as the legal process is ongoing. "We have consistently maintained that this matter is not about seeking preferential treatment for the ANC, nor about asking the Electoral Commission to change the rules for the benefit of our organisation. It concerns the legal status of candidate information that the ANC maintains was captured into the IEC's electronic system before the prescribed deadline," she reiterated. Meanwhile, ANC Government of National Unity partner the DA welcomed the court ruling, adding that "deadlines are deadlines". The DA said the ruling was good for the fairness of elections and political party equality. "The ANC is facing mounting internal and external pressure about this major operational failure, and the court case it brought lacked merit and substance, and appears to be more of a PR exercise than a legal one. The candidate submission process is now complete. All parties' candidates are final and will be published by the IEC later today," it said.
• 
  Majodina apologises over heated confrontation with E Cape resident 15.09.2026 2นาที

  Majodina apologises over heated confrontation with E Cape resident Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has issued a formal apology to the residents of Kouga, and the broader South African public, following a highly contentious confrontation with a local resident in the Eastern Cape. The incident, which has sparked widespread public outcry, has already resulted in official ethics complaints from opposition parties and intensified political tension ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 4. The confrontation took place last week during Majodina's visit to the Kouga local municipality for the launch of the upgraded Loerie sewer pump station. According to the Minister, the community engagement session was convened to promote accountability and provide feedback following the completion of the government project. However, the interaction quickly deteriorated. "In the heat of the moment, I reacted after being subjected to profane language," Majodina explained on Tuesday. "I take full responsibility for my conduct and deeply regret responding by using the same words directed at me." The Minister's conduct immediately drew criticism from opposition parties. Both the DA and ActionSA have laid official ethics complaints against Majodina. With the municipal elections less than two months away, opposition parties are leveraging the incident to question the governing party's leadership style and accountability. While acknowledging her lapse in composure, Majodina emphasised that public representatives must be held to high standards, even under provocation. "While public representatives are human and can, like anyone else, experience moments of frustration, this does not diminish the responsibility we carry to remain composed. I accept that responsibility and will continue to learn from this experience," Majodina stated. She appealed to the public to maintain "reciprocal respect" during difficult or emotionally charged engagements to ensure interactions remain constructive. Majodina reaffirmed her commitment to her portfolio, stating she remains dedicated to listening to community concerns and serving South Africans with "humility, accountability, and dedication".
• 
  Complete overhaul of appointment process essential to save Joburg, warns CDE 15.09.2026 4นาที

  Complete overhaul of appointment process essential to save Joburg, warns CDE The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has issued an urgent directive to political parties ahead of the upcoming November local government election, warning that Johannesburg's compounding infrastructure and management crisis will never be resolved without a complete overhaul of how municipal leaders and boards are appointed. In its newly released third Johannesburg Matters series report, the think tank urged all contesting political parties to publicly commit to transparent, competitive and merit-based appointments. Furthermore, the CDE demands that political office-bearers be kept out of procurement, appointments and daily operational decisions. "If there is a coalition, this commitment must be a non-negotiable component of the coalition agreement. No turnaround strategy will succeed if the institutions responsible for implementing it remain weak, politicised, and poorly led," said CDE executive director Ann Bernstein. Since 2016, the City of Johannesburg has cycled through nine mayors and eight coalition administrations. According to the CDE, this constant shifting has transformed crucial city entities into political "fiefdoms" controlled by competing factions. In these environments, cadre deployment and political allegiance routinely override professional skills and experience. The consequences of this patronage system are laid bare in the city's profound leadership gaps, with the CDE noting that zero professionally qualified engineers currently sit on the board of Johannesburg Water. Bernstein said at least seven of the city's 24 most senior management positions are filled by temporary, acting appointees and added that persistent vacancies continue to plague critical operational fields, including engineering, finance, ICT, project management and supply-chain oversight. "Senior appointments and board positions cannot continue to be treated as political bargaining chips," Bernstein urged, stressing that the city must decisively sever the link between shifting political coalitions and administrative hiring. To reverse the decay, the CDE argues that Johannesburg requires a highly capable city manager selected through a rigorous, transparent and competitive process built to match the enormity of the turnaround challenge. Bernstein urged the municipality to start immediately with Johannesburg Water, City Power, and Pikitup. She explained that these newly structured boards – built around an experienced, appropriate chairperson – must secure highly capable CEOs and must rigorously hold management teams accountable for measurable operational results. Additionally, the CDE advises that the incoming provisional government identify the city's mission-critical positions and conduct an immediate audit of the personnel occupying them, ideally before officially taking office. Recognising that permanent, high-quality recruitment takes time, Bernstein noted that some interventions cannot wait while infrastructure faces imminent collapse. To prevent further deterioration, the CDE advocates for innovative and speedy interim measures. A new administration may need to inject independent technical and professional expertise into specific, time-limited assignments while permanent leadership is being finalised. However, Bernstein emphasised that these emergency arrangements must remain subject to strict agreed targets, full transparency and clear accountability. "Appointing capable people will not repair a water pipe or solve the City's financial problems overnight," Bernstein said. "But none of the wider reforms required to turn Johannesburg around will succeed if the institutions responsible for implementing them remain weak, politicised, plagued with corruption and poorly led. People trump policy." Full report attached.
• 
  East Rand killings: Ramaphosa promises ‘no stone left unturned’ as ANCWL calls for debate on death penalty, castration 15.09.2026 5นาที

  East Rand killings: Ramaphosa promises 'no stone left unturned' as ANCWL calls for debate on death penalty, castration President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday issued assurances to the public that the recent spate of murders of women in the East Rand area, in Gauteng, will be prioritised as a seventh body was revealed by police, this time in Clayville, a few hours after the discovery of a sixth body in Springs. On Monday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) issued an urgent safety warning to women in and around Kempton Park, following the discovery of five women's bodies over a period of about two months. Preliminary evidence gathered by the SAPS revealed "deeply concerning similarities" across all five crime scenes, with the bodies of the women discovered half-naked with visible bruising, and dumped within the same immediate vicinity. While SAPS has stopped short of officially declaring the presence of a serial killer, authorities admit the striking similarities are sufficiently alarming to warrant immediate public mobilisation and an intensified criminal investigation. The body of Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo was identified by her family on Monday, after she went missing last week while on a run near her home in Rhodesfield. In a statement, Ramaphosa said government shared the heightened concerns of South Africans following the spate of murders. "I speak for all of us as I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo and to all families and communities affected by the killing of women recently found in and around Kempton Park. These incidents are causing fear and uncertainty in our communities, and especially among women. Our law enforcement agencies are working urgently to establish the facts, keep communities safe and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice," the President assured. He was briefed on the investigation by the Police Minister and the acting National Police Commissioner, and said he had asked that these cases be prioritised. "…and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice. Our law enforcement agencies are undertaking this work in partnership with citizens, on whom we depend for any information that may help end these attacks on women," Ramaphosa stated. DEATH PENALTY AND CASTRATION As he called on South Africans to respect the rights of women and girls and ensure their safety, the ANC's Women's League (ANCWL) said it was "dismayed" by the continued violence against women. It called for national budget funding in addressing gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and further suggested that police stations be repurposed to prioritise GBVF cases. Another demand includes a debate on the reintroduction of the death penalty and castration to deter certain crimes. "These measures must be publicly ventilated and critically examined as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat and prevent GBVF. It is imperative that we pursue a decisive firm stance against those who believe they can commit these heinous acts with impunity. The safety and dignity of all citizens must be prioritised through action, accountability, and decisive policy implementation," the ANCWL stated. ELECTIONS AND ACTION PLAN DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis used news of the killings to point out the "failures" of the SAPS, under an ANC government, to protect citizens. "We see the human cost of that failure in Ekurhuleni. The discovery of the bodies of six women since July is horrifying. My thoughts are with every family waiting for answers and justice. Women should not have to live in fear of going for a run, walking home or simply moving through their own communities," Hill-Lewis said. In electioneering mode, he promised that DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane will act to improve the metro police service, visible policing, lighting and surveillance and improve relationships with SAPS and communities. He said the November elections will present Ekurhuleni w...
• 
  SAPS deploys task team as political outrage mounts over murder of 5 women 14.09.2026 3นาที

  SAPS deploys task team as political outrage mounts over murder of 5 women The South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued an urgent safety warning to women in and around Kempton Park, specifically in the Rhodesfield area, following the discovery of five women's bodies over a period of about two months. Preliminary evidence gathered by the SAPS has revealed "deeply concerning similarities" across all five crime scenes. The bodies of the women were discovered half-naked with visible bruising, and all were dumped within the same immediate vicinity. While SAPS has stopped short of officially declaring the presence of a serial killer, authorities admit the striking similarities are sufficiently alarming to warrant immediate public mobilisation and an intensified criminal investigation. In response, acting National Commissioner of the SAPS Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, has ordered the immediate establishment of a dedicated multidisciplinary task team. The specialised unit will be led by Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major-General Mbuso Khumalo, who has been ordered to ensure that "no stone is left unturned". The task team will pull resources from elite divisions, including the murder and robbery unit, the investigative psychology unit (SAPS serial killer experts) and localised intelligence and forensic disciplines. "The safety of women remains a priority for SAPS, and the police will not wait for further incidents before taking decisive action," the police statement read, assuring the community that maximum resources are being deployed to bring those responsible to justice. The SAPS has strongly urged women in Kempton Park, Rhodesfield, and surrounding suburbs to alter their daily routines to mitigate risks. The police are making an urgent appeal to residents, motorists, security personnel, and commuters who frequent the Rhodesfield area. Anyone who may have noticed suspicious vehicles, individuals, or unusual activity over the past two months is urged to come forward. DEMAND OF ACCOUNTABILITY The gruesome crime scenes have sparked widespread political outrage and renewed calls for government accountability regarding South Africa's rampant gender-based violence crisis. DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane announced that her party will pressure the City of Ekurhuleni to conduct immediate safety risk assessments in the affected zones. "We cannot allow fear to become part of everyday life for women in Ekurhuleni. Every woman deserves to return home safely to her family," Rasilingwane said. RISE Mzansi National Assembly Whip Makashule Gana expressed "profound shock" at the killings, urging SAPS and government stakeholders to maintain total transparency with the public as the investigation unfolds. Gana underscored the systemic nature of the violence, noting that South Africa's femicide rate is roughly five to six times higher than the global average, claiming the lives of approximately 4 000 women every year. "All hands-on deck, not just policing, are required to end gender-based violence and femicide," Gana stated.
• 
  Ramaphosa greenlights SIU probe into eThekwini municipality, North West Transport Investments 14.09.2026 2นาที

  Ramaphosa greenlights SIU probe into eThekwini municipality, North West Transport Investments President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a new proclamation and a key amendment empowering the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe deep-seated allegations of serious maladministration, corruption, and irregular expenditure at the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and the North West Transport Investments (NTI), with a direct mandate to recover financial losses suffered by the State. Ramaphosa amended an existing proclamation to expand the ongoing investigation into the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. The initial 2024 proclamation authorised the SIU to investigate the municipality's procurement of security and VIP protection services. The new amendment extends the investigation period and brings contracts CMS 0031, 1C15104, 1C18709, 1C20359, 1X31747 and 1C29300 under forensic scrutiny. The SIU will evaluate whether these contracts, and any subsequent extensions or variations followed a fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, and cost-effective framework, or if they resulted in irregular expenditure. If the investigation uncovers evidence of criminal conduct, the SIU will hand the files over to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution. Additionally, the SIU is fully authorised to initiate civil action in the High Court or the Special Tribunal to recover stolen public funds and assets. In the North West, the SIU will investigate the affairs of the NTI, alongside its wholly-owned subsidiary North West Star, and the Atteridgeville Bus Service. According to SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho the investigation will target procurement, contracting, and payment processes related to contracts handled by Zentrafor Fuel Limited, trading as FuelU, services rendered under a vehicle rental agreement dated July 28, 2023 and operations outlined in a Sub-Contractor Agreement dated July 7, 2023. The SIU's scope extends to systemic operational flaws. Investigators will scrutinise the receipt, processing, approval, and payment of claims submitted by Transnat Coachlines, Ziggy Investments, and their subsequent Joint Venture. The unit will check if these transactions breached National or Provincial Treasury guidelines. Crucially, the probe will also dissect the actions of the Business Rescue Practitioner appointed on 21 July 2022, alongside their agents and NTI employees. The SIU aims to determine whether corrupt individuals or entities received undue benefits, resulting in severe losses to the NTI or the State.
• 
  Ramaphosa touts BRICS success, vows to build on $10-billion SA-India economic ties 14.09.2026 4นาที

  Ramaphosa touts BRICS success, vows to build on $10-billion SA-India economic ties President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to leveraging its BRICS membership to drive domestic economic growth, expand trade and solidify bilateral ties with India. Following the conclusion of the eighteenth BRICS Summit, held over the weekend in New Delhi, in India, Ramaphosa detailed how South Africa is capitalising on its strategic partnerships to boost investment and modernise key domestic industries. India currently stands as South Africa's fourth-largest trading partner. The economic footprint between the two nations is already substantial, with more than 150 Indian companies investing over $10-billion in South Africa, a move that has generated more than 18 000 local jobs. Prominent South African enterprises, including Naspers, FirstRand Bank, Sanlam, and Momentum, maintain a significant investment presence in India. To build on this foundation, the summit hosted the South Africa-India CEOs Roundtable, bringing together captains of industry from both nations. Ramaphosa also engaged in targeted bilateral discussions with individual Indian firms looking to either expand their footprint in South Africa or venture into new local markets. According to the President, Indian business leaders highly commended South Africa's ongoing structural reforms, particularly those targeting the energy, logistics, telecommunications, water, and visa sectors, as well as advancements in public digital infrastructure. Ramaphosa emphasised that the two nations possess "highly complementary capabilities" that can unlock massive value when combined, noting that India's globally recognised strengths in pharmaceuticals, health technology, IT, and fintech are positioned to support South Africa's ambitions to localise vaccine and medicine production while modernising its public service systems. He said South Africa's reserves of critical minerals are primed to feed India's rapidly expanding renewable energy, electric vehicle, and battery value chains. Ramaphosa stressed that a key priority remains ensuring the processing and beneficiation of these minerals happen on South African soil. He explained that to translate this immense potential into reality, both nations have committed to working toward restoring direct commercial flights between South Africa and India, alongside fostering closer collaboration between their respective business chambers. Addressing scepticism regarding the domestic relevance of international summits, Ramaphosa countered that BRICS membership yields direct, tangible rewards for South Africa's economy. More than one-fifth of South Africa's total global trade is conducted with fellow BRICS nations. Furthermore, as a shareholder in the New Development Bank, South Africa directly accesses crucial development finance to fund major domestic infrastructure projects in energy, water, and transportation. Participation in the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement also secures South Africa access to a $100-billion liquidity pool in the event of a currency crisis. Beyond the economic balance sheet, Ramaphosa underscored the geopolitical weight of the bloc, noting that BRICS provides a platform for cultivating a fairer, more inclusive multilateral world order that operates under international law with the United Nations at its centre. Through institutional cooperation in science, research, and education, alongside grassroots platforms like the BRICS Youth Council and the BRICS Network University, the bloc continues to drive sustainable development. "Through BRICS, we will continue to add our voice to the growing call from the Global South for an inclusive world order rooted in mutual respect and shared prosperity," Ramaphosa said. "And we will continue to use our membership of BRICS to develop our economy and improve the lives of our people."
• 
  Ramaphosa calls for BRICS members to invest in productive capacity 11.09.2026 2นาที

  Ramaphosa calls for BRICS members to invest in productive capacity President Cyril Ramaphosa, during an address to the BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue, held in India this week, called for the bloc to direct investment towards manufacturing and beneficiation, industrial technologies, energy systems, infrastructure and logistics. Africa must not only supply the minerals on which the next generation of industries depends, while value addition and manufacturing take place elsewhere. "If we are to change where value is created, we must also change where investment is directed. Companies must invest not only to access markets, but also to establish production facilities and develop local capabilities," he said. BRICS countries were at an inflection point. With the global economy being reshaped, trade patterns shifting, technological advances accelerating and climate pressures increasing, countries and companies must reconsider where they source, produce and invest. For the BRICS bloc, this was an opportunity to shape a more resilient, diversified and inclusive economic future for the Global South, Ramaphosa said. Developing economies have participated in global value chains mainly as suppliers of raw commodities. Value creation, technology and higher-value manufacturing remained concentrated elsewhere. "We must not reproduce that pattern within the expanded BRICS. Our ambition must extend beyond increasing intra-BRICS trade to deepening the productive relationships between our economies." BRICS must be a platform through which investment and trade reshape existing economic patterns and transform the destinies of its countries and peoples, said Ramaphosa. He called on BRICS countries to turn the ambitions of the bloc into commercial relationships and productive partnerships. The work of the BRICS Business Council and the Working Groups was essential to turning the ambitions of BRICS into meaningful economic cooperation, he added. "The question is not whether there is potential, but whether we have the ambition, the instruments and the partnerships to convert this potential into economic value for our people. Our shared task is to translate the ideas, recommendations and partnerships developed through the council into tangible economic growth and development. "Our economies have confronted profound challenges [since the formation of the BRICS Business Council in 2013], yet we have also shown that adversity can create opportunity. Resilience is not simply the capacity to withstand disruption. It is the capacity to transform disruption into new capabilities and partnerships," he said.
• 
  Nigeria suspends official visits to SA over xenophobic attacks 11.09.2026 4นาที

  Nigeria suspends official visits to SA over xenophobic attacks The Nigerian National Assembly has officially suspended all official visits to South Africa and has initiated a complete boycott of South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities. This directive follows intensive consultations between the leadership of the country's Senate and the House of Representatives and is a response to reports of xenophobic violence, intimidation and the targeted destruction of property belonging to Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa. In an official communication conveying the directive, the Clerk to the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana, expressed the legislative body's "profound concern" over the escalating hostility, noting reports of Nigerian citizens being killed, injured, displaced, and forced to abandon their homes, investments, and legitimate businesses due to recurring violent attacks. Of particular frustration to Nigerians is the "systematic failure" of South African authorities to curb the violence. The National Assembly pointed out that despite repeated appeals from the federal government of Nigeria and regional stakeholders demanding decisive measures to protect foreign nationals and bring perpetrators to justice, the attacks have persisted with minimal legal accountability. The National Assembly acknowledged ongoing federal interventions, including State-backed efforts to evacuate vulnerable Nigerian nationals. The National Assembly emphasised that such emergency measures underscore the gravity of the crisis and reinforce the constitutional responsibility of Nigerian State institutions to safeguard the lives, dignity and interests of citizens abroad. Following the joint resolution by parliamentary leaders, the suspension of engagements takes effect immediately and remains in force until further notice. The ban is comprehensive and applies to all planned visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its standing committees, lawmakers, and administrative staff. Participation in conferences, seminars, workshops and parliamentary exchanges hosted, organised, or co-sponsored by the Parliament of South Africa is strictly prohibited. The National Assembly pointed out that the restriction applies to physical travel and online or virtual meetings hosted by South African legislative institutions. The National Assembly has urged the leadership of State Houses of Assembly across Nigeria's 36 states to adopt similar retaliatory measures. The Clerk made it clear that no official delegation or individual may bypass this directive without prior express approval from the National Assembly leadership. Further, all existing invitations and proposed programmes are to be immediately reviewed. The legislative leadership described the boycott as a firm, measured response aimed at prioritising the welfare and dignity of Nigerians. While the National Assembly values parliamentary diplomacy and inter-State cooperation, it maintained that these relationships must be anchored on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the rule of law. Officials clarified that this decision is not an attempt to permanently dismantle Nigeria's deep-rooted historical and diplomatic ties with South Africa. Instead, it serves as an "unambiguous expression of protest" against the unsafe environment confronting Nigerians in South Africa. The House of Representatives and the Senate have urged the South African government to fulfil its fundamental international obligations. They called on South Africa to halt existing violence and prevent future xenophobic outbreaks against African nationals, conduct thorough investigations into all reported incidents of targeted violence, and arrest and prosecute suspects to the full extent of the law to restore confidence and goodwill between the two economic powerhouses. The House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments closely. While Nigeria remains open ...