October 2026

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects took devices from pupils in three classrooms. He said one suspect had a firearm, and the others carried a pick, a knife and housebreaking implements.

Ledwaba said the suspects first entered a classroom where two male staff members were supervising pupils, and tied them up. They then tied up two female staff members who were sleeping in another classroom.Share

Ndlovu said the clinic brings primary healthcare closer to the people. He said government will make sure a doctor is always available. If there is no permanent doctor, visiting doctors will be deployed.

At the opening, Ndlovu urged the community to look after the clinic. He said: "We are building state-of-the-art facilities including this clinic".

Contralesa President Lameck Mokoena, a Kgoshi, took part in the handover. He said the clinic was finished in record time because no one stopped the project.

Residents said their struggle is over and they can now walk to the clinic. The community asked government to make sure the clinic has enough staff, medicine and security.Share

Zeder will declare the special dividend once it receives the proceeds. The company said it may keep some money to cover possible liabilities. November 30 is the extended long-stop date for closing the sale.

Zeder keeps a 48.6% interest in May Seed, a Turkish seed producer and distributor. It holds a 97.19% stake in Zaad International in Mauritius.

In the six months covered by its results, Zeder paid shareholders a special dividend of R108m. Net asset value per share fell 16.1% from a year ago to R1.41.

The attributable and headline loss per share narrowed to 2.8c from 10c. The loss before tax from continuing operations was R1m, compared with R3m before.Share

Qiagen and EQT said the offer comes through Crown NL Bidco B.V., a company backed by the EQT XI fund. Both of Qiagen's boards, the Supervisory Board and the Managing Board, will recommend that shareholders accept. The offer needs acceptance from 50% of share capital plus one share.

The price is a 40.3% premium to the closing price of €33.15 on 8 July 2026. That was the last trading day before market reports of private equity interest. It is also a 46.9% premium to the three-month volume-weighted average price.

The €10.8 billion figure is enterprise value. Including net debt of $1.1 billion, the value is $12.1 billion. One report put the deal at about €9.6 billion, which is an 8.6% premium to the last close.

Affiliates of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and CPP Investments are co-investors. Qiagen and EQT said Qiagen will keep operating independently under its current management, name and brand. If closing has not happened within 10 months, shareholders may get an interim dividend of up to $0.47 per share.Share

The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement included a promise to cut the general fuel levy. A briefing on the statement listed five takeaways from it.

In Tshwane, more than 400 people fell ill after water treatment plant problems. Residents of Bronkhorstspruit say the City of Tshwane did not tell them about the problems.

The Patriotic Alliance also banned its members from giving interviews to local media.Share

The podcast description says the economy is not growing and Famous Brands is fighting for every customer. It also says fuel costs threaten food inflation and interest rates are heading higher.

The episode covers other business topics too. These include the medium-term budget and the Reserve Bank's plan for ATMs.

Magda Wierzycka is in a standoff with Sygnia shareholders over a R600 million share incentive scheme. Franz Struwig of HisWay Labs said a railway sensor is priceless to an operator, though it is worth R6 to a thief.

Jean Pierre Verster of Protea Capital Management said Chinese cars are putting pressure on second-hand vehicle prices.Share

Jacqueline Borsboom, the agency's director of support to operations, said the arrangement gives Ukraine a structured framework. She said Ukraine can use procurement expertise, support services and an established industrial base. She also said there will be savings through economies of scale.

The agency held an event in Kyiv last week for about 150 Ukrainian companies. It covered how to register to compete for contracts. The arrangement also gives Ukraine a procurement channel beyond bilateral talks.

The move comes as relations between Kyiv and the United States worsen. Ukraine has complained of disruption to some intelligence sharing and its use of the Starshield satellite system. President Volodymyr Zelensky said a meeting in Oslo on Tuesday agreed to resolve these issues.

Russia has said that arms supplies to Kyiv only prolong the conflict.Share

Mbalula said the decision on the mayoral candidate will come after the 4 November local government elections. He said the mayorship is a matter for the national officials, not the region.

He said: "If the officials decide Loyiso is the right mayor, or Dada is the right mayor, that's the decision that will have been taken". Dada Morero is the incumbent Johannesburg mayor.

Reports said ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane and Johannesburg regional secretary Sasabona Manganye suggested Masuku should become mayor. They cited her position as regional chairperson and said "a woman on top" could be the best solution.

Mbalula also spoke about veteran member Frank Chikane, a mayoral contender who is not on the candidate list. Mbalula said this will be resolved after the election through a reprieve from the Electoral Commission of South Africa. He said he hopes the ANC wins outright control of Johannesburg to continue cleaning up the city.Share

NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said prosecutors will soon decide whether charges against Sibiya's accomplices could be pursued. He said more people could face arrest after further investigation.

Kganyago said: "If evidence is found after further investigation, possibilities are there that other people could be arrested."

Sibiya is accused of sexually grooming a minor and raping an 18-year-old woman.Share

Ramaphosa, who is also President of South Africa, said the work of the security organ remains indispensable for economic development and regional integration. He said Lesotho will make a valuable contribution to advancing the work of the organ.

Ramaphosa said the situation in the Eastern DRC is far from over and remains a matter of serious concern. He also urged solutions to the conflict in northern Mozambique.

He asked members to act on climate-related disasters, which he said are becoming a persistent threat to economic and social progress. He said: "Climate-related disasters are no longer occasional disruptions to our development."Share

The 2026 Voter Participation Survey also measured trust in other institutions in the Western Cape. It found 25% trust in Parliament and 20% trust in national government. Gauteng had the lowest support for democracy, at 28%.

Derek Davids, chief research specialist at the council, spoke at an IEC stakeholder event on Wednesday. He said the Western Cape figure for democracy "remains the highest throughout the country". He said the findings show people are not happy with what they get at the coalface of service delivery.

Michael Hendrickse, the IEC provincial electoral officer for the Western Cape, said the commission is preparing ballot papers. This follows a Constitutional Court ruling in the ANC's favour on candidate lists. He said ballot papers will be ready when special voting starts on 2 November.

Hendrickse said: "I think we are as ready as can be in terms of our preparations." Thirty-three parties could not submit candidates on time and got a chance to submit names. Eight Western Cape municipalities were affected by late additions.Share

Nedbank said the National Treasury is likely to lower its economic growth forecast for this year slightly. The bank expects the deficit to fall to 3% of GDP by 2029/30.

Nedbank said public debt has peaked at just over 78% of GDP. It expects debt to ease to around 75 percent by 2030.

The bank said the first half of the year was weak, with manufacturing and mining under pressure. It said the Middle East conflict and disruptions to global supply chains have made the economic climate harder since the February budget.

Nedbank also expects the statement to give details on the adoption of a fiscal anchor.Share

The forum took place on 21 October 2026. Speakers said a high stated intention to vote does not always become actual turnout.

They named two risks: economic pressure on households and how easily people can reach the polls. The forum did not link these risks to a specific number of voters.Share

Mantashe made the remarks about a municipal councillor accused of asking job seekers for sexual favours. A video of his comments on the North West campaign trail this month circulated widely. In it, he said: "This can’t be an ANC issue."

Mantashe said the ANC Women's League had not approached him directly to explain its concerns. He also said Xhosa linguists agree with his reading of the language he used. In his view, nothing he said needs an apology.

The league wants him to apologise in public and face disciplinary action over his response to the allegations.Share

The State prosecutor asked the court to postpone the matter for a formal bail application. Reports also said logistical challenges, including Carrim's travel arrangements, played a part. His lawyer said Carrim had a constitutional right to apply for bail at his first appearance.

The State alleges that two Absa vehicles were intercepted at the Beitbridge Border Post in July. It says they were being taken out of the country on fraudulent bank documents. Absa has since received the vehicles back.

Carrim was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in a separate matter. He allegedly failed to appear before the Madlanga Commission after he was subpoenaed. His bail application in that matter resumes in Pretoria on 28 October.

The National Prosecuting Authority said Carrim is expected to face charges of theft and money laundering, and that it is still finalising them. The state opposes bail and calls him a flight risk.Share

Godongwana spoke at a media briefing ahead of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday. He said R186 million was reprioritised to forensic services and investigative capacity in the criminal justice response.

The final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is now due on 25 January 2027. The original deadline was 16 November.

Godongwana said the allocations match the growing numbers of sexual offences courts, care centres, victim support programmes and shelters for survivors. He also said the quarterly reporting process and the arrests already made after the commission's work are an important innovation.Share

Ashley Tabisher, accused number 12 and a former anti-gang unit officer, questioned Jantjies about WhatsApp messages from October 2019. Adonis is accused number ten in the trial.

Prosecutors say the messages show Modack told Jantjies to get information from the anti-gang unit about planned raids at his home. Jantjies also told the court that Modack agreed to pay for a bail application for Adonis.Share

Sanders said the footage shows Gwabeni, aged 36, trailing the rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes on the day of the murders. Forbes and chef Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane were shot in February 2023. Gwabeni's lawyer, William Nicholson, objected to Sanders identifying his client in court.

The seven accused face charges that include murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. All of them pleaded not guilty. Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi is hearing the trial, which continues.

The court also heard evidence about vehicles. Imraan Khan said in an affidavit that Gwabeni leased a BMW from him. Sonwabile Bani confirmed in testimony that vehicles Gwabeni leased belonged to him.Share

Malema said the EFF would put land into residents' hands and provide electricity, water and good roads if it gains power in Buffalo City. He said: "The government must just transfer the land into your hands. We want you to have electricity, water and good roads."

Malema also said the legislation requires eviction authorities to find alternative land for affected people. He said the EFF has been fighting evictions alongside residents, using EFF lawyers.

Brenda Fuba, a 68-year-old homeowner who has lived in the village since 2011, said residents live in fear of demolition. Some land parcels in Bhongweni belong to the Agricultural Research Council and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

Malema also spoke to Nozipho Magadlela, a 44-year-old unemployed hospitality graduate of Walter Sisulu University. He said an EFF-led government would fight nepotism so that people get jobs based on their qualifications.Share

The order follows a DA billboard that showed the three men next to the message "You can stop the water tanker mafia." The order also bars statements that imply they are complicit in such a mafia. Xaba, Mbhele and Msweli were the applicants.

Their legal team argued that the billboard and similar references in statements and social media posts were defamatory. Judge DJ Nzimande said the order will not curtail the DA's right to free speech.

Haniff Hoosen, the DA mayoral candidate, spoke outside court after the ruling. He said: "For me, and for the DA personally, I think this for us, is a victory in terms of accountability".

Hoosen also said Durban has 13 000 active water leaks and that 65% of the city's water goes down the drain. He said the municipal leadership caused the water crisis through failed performance.Share

SASSA said the new dates aim to prevent disruptions to payments during the local government election period. It said it will process payments according to the revised schedule.

Beneficiaries whose grants are under review get a separate payment date. That date is Thursday, 5 November.Share

Masemola said: "We will be filling the post immediately; it is one of the priorities that I will be attending to now, and we will be filling it soon".

Sibiya was arrested last month at a Sandton strip club. He faces several charges, including human trafficking and firearm control charges. He is also accused of raping an 18-year-old woman and sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl.

The Randburg Magistrates Court denied him bail on Tuesday. The court cited concerns about possible witness interference, alleged threats and evidence of a wiped cellphone.Share

Mulder said foreign nationals cannot just enter the country without proper documentation. He said people are welcome to come if they apply and arrive with the necessary visa or permit.

He answered questions from party members on the campaign tour. Mulder said: "You cannot just allow people to stream into a country and take no action in terms of what should be done."Share

Godongwana said Treasury is working to fix policy and regulatory problems, including in mining. The Minerals Council South Africa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources are in ongoing talks with Treasury on mining regulation.

Asked how other African countries unlock private investment, he said: "I am sure Rwanda does not have the same Constitution as us." He also said environmental groups can take projects to court until developers give up.

Godongwana said companies that found gas in Namibia first tried in South Africa and failed several times for this reason. He said private sector investment is a policy issue, not a fiscal one.

The Department of Electricity and Energy announced a six month delay to private investment in building transmission infrastructure. The launch of the SA Wholesale Electricity Market faces an initial delay of one year.Share

An unknown caller told airport officials that a bomb was on an aircraft at King Phalo Airport. The report is an allegation.

A court ordered the DA to remove a billboard in Durban. The party unveiled the billboard on 28 September.

In the Nafiz Modack trial, co-accused Amaal Jantjies insists she acted on instructions from Yannick Adonis. Prosecutors allege the two took part in a series of conspiracies to murder police officer Charl Kinnear in November 2019.

Johannesburg plans to disconnect communities with illegal water connections, as supply systems are under pressure, the city said. Media houses warned the Madlanga Commission that a proposed private hearing may affect its final report.Share

The illness affects 111 people at Rhodes University in Makhanda and 23 inmates at St Albans Correctional Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay. Rhodes University reported the illness in a media alert on 20 October.

The Department of Water and Sanitation, the Eastern Cape provincial government, the Makana municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality issued the joint statement. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases and Amatola Water are part of the technical team, and the institute collected samples.

The statement said laboratory results of all samples are still pending. It said the results will be shared as soon as they are available. It urged residents with symptoms to seek medical attention early.Share

Maotwe said the city is fighting a losing battle against the growing number of informal settlements. The EFF also claims the City of Tshwane is failing to curb their rapid growth across the metro.

The metro previously said it would need R28 billion to eradicate informal settlements.

Maotwe said residents should take up land that no one occupies. In her words: "our people are reduced to being sardines; cramped in squatter camps as if they’re pigs, our people must go and occupy that land."Share

SAHRC spokesperson Wisani Baloyi said the Commission remains concerned about the growing challenges facing journalists and media institutions. He said economic and financial pressures continue to undermine independent journalism, leading to staff cuts and reduced newsroom resources.

Baloyi also said journalists face intimidation, harassment, physical threats and violence from powerful actors who want to silence critical reporting.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said a lot had since been done to improve media freedom. She said: "We raise our banner in recognition of the editors and journalists, honouring them for their fight against apartheid,"Share

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tabled the statement in a joint sitting of parliament on Wednesday. The statement says investor confidence in the Land Bank remains weak. It says the bank has limited access to funding, which constrains its core agricultural lending. The Land Bank's outstanding debt fell from R40bn in March 2020 to R6.9bn in March 2026.

The statement says Denel's main fiscal risk is whether it can stabilise operations and generate enough cash without more state support. Government gave Denel guarantees of R660m and $14m for secured contracts. It also says Transnet remains a material medium-term fiscal exposure because of its weak financial position. Eskom's fiscal risk has eased.

SAA received a R1bn government guarantee in August 2026 for working capital. It also has R223m in guarantees linked to unflown-ticket liabilities and letters of credit. The government guarantee portfolio stood at R982.4bn in March 2026 and R960.6bn in June 2026. The statement also set aside R2.2bn for the Ithala Development Finance Corporation.Share

The lunch took place at Axel Springer's Berlin headquarters, people familiar with the discussions said. Döpfner reportedly suggested a plan similar to the US deal brokered by President Donald Trump for TikTok's American arm. Kushner is the US ambassador to France.

The proposal was passed to European Commission officials, but it reportedly failed to gain traction. Officials on the Commission's tech side reacted without enthusiasm, and the topic was dropped, the reports said.

ByteDance, the Beijing-based owner of TikTok, said no formal acquisition talks had taken place. Axel Springer said it has long backed a European solution on the US model. The company said it would gladly take part as a key media player.

Döpfner has publicly called TikTok "one of the most dangerous propaganda machines". He has argued that it should be sold to democratic shareholders or banned in Europe.Share