October 2026

Baloyi said he wants to turn townships into priority economic zones that make their own electricity from rooftop solar panels. He also plans interest-free loans for women informal traders.

He would set up a new unit called Khumbul'ekhaya to work with Home Affairs and police on illegal immigration. Baloyi said he rules out working with the DA and the FF Plus.

Baloyi said his experience makes him the right person to rescue a city in trouble. He served two terms as mayor of Midvaal. He said MK would keep people in their posts only for as long as they delivered.Share

The Marrakesh Treaty would let accessible versions of published works be produced and exchanged across borders. Blind SA argues the delay has gone on for too long. It says adopting the treaty could immediately widen access to hundreds of thousands of publications across genres.

South Africa's libraries for blind readers hold about 40,000 titles. One online library in the US offers 1.3-million accessible books. Blind SA says converting an average novel into braille costs about R30,000 and takes about a month.

Blind SA president Christoffel de Klerk called the government's reasons for the delay "frivolous". He said the case shows the rights of blind and partially sighted people are not taken seriously. He said learners and students are hit hardest because they lack educational material.

The treaty was adopted on 27 June 2013. About 130 countries have acceded to it.Share

Chabalala, the DA mayoral candidate for Emfuleni, said the party wanted to build on its win in Emfuleni's Ward 28 on 27 May. He called the result the beginning of a new chapter for the party. He said residents were tired of unreliable water, sewage in homes and streets, poor roads and power disruptions.

Chabalala also said a functioning municipality was essential to attract investment and create jobs. He told supporters: "Emfuleni does not need more excuses. Emfuleni needs solutions."

Motsamai, the DA mayoral candidate for Lesedi, said the party would prioritise a steady water supply, upgrades to the electricity network and an end to sewage spillages. He also promised clean municipal finances, better infrastructure and action against corruption. He said two DA members died while fighting for access to water during the fires in Ratanda.Share

The accused include former Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh and Siyabonga Gama. They argue that delays and difficulties in accessing evidence have harmed their trial preparation. Prosecutor Santhos Manilall opposed the application.

The State has proposed arrangements for the accused to access the electronic evidence. It also offered R1.6m for software to break the deadlock. The State and defence software experts still disagree, so the court must decide the way forward.

The case concerns a Transnet procurement of 1,064 locomotives worth more than R54 billion. Prosecutors allege that Regiments Capital was irregularly brought into the deal. They say its contract value and scope rose to more than R305 million.

Prosecutors also allege a link to a R93.4 million payment to Trillian Asset Management in 2015. The State charges the accused with fraud, corruption, money laundering and breaches of the Public Finance Management Act.Share

Chardon spoke at the Paris Motor Show. He said Citroën is encouraged by its recent gains in South Africa, despite competition from established brands and Chinese manufacturers. He said the company is accelerating and has almost double-digit growth this year.

Chardon said the 2CV will be 100% electric and affordable. The concept has a target price in Europe of about €15,000, and a production model is expected within the next two years.

Chardon said: "This car is iconic. I think this could be an interesting lever for future growth in South Africa."Share

The EFF alleges that ANC structures used state-funded transport, logistics and catering to bring thousands of supporters and volunteers to the event. It says they wore party regalia. The EFF also says no other party got similar transport, meals or access.

The EFF further alleges that Ehlanzeni mayor Enoch Ishmael Terra Shabangu used his vote of thanks to urge attendees and TV viewers to vote for the ANC on 4 November. It says party messaging at the event would breach Section 67(1)(g) of the Electoral Act.

ANC Mpumalanga spokesperson Sasekani Manzini rejected the claims. She said the presence of people in ANC colours does not in itself show that government resources were used for party campaigning. In her words: "Our campaign activities are funded through party resources."

The commemoration took place on 19 October in the Nkomazi local municipality. Mozambican president Daniel Chapo, Graça Machel and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola attended.Share

Rumo appeared briefly in the KwaThema magistrate's court on Thursday. She is charged with defeating the administration of justice. Her co-accused, Bonginkosi Mndebele, 27, appeared in absentia because he is in hospital.

The National Prosecuting Authority alleges that Rumo, Mndebele and a third suspect met on 7 October. It says they agreed to stage the kidnapping because they had money problems. The authority also alleges they contacted her family and demanded money for her release.

The authority alleges the family could not pay, so the group released Rumo on 12 October. She was left along Vlakfontein Road. It is also alleged that Rumo pointed out Mndebele to police after her arrest.

The court postponed the matter for bail investigations and for Mndebele to appear.Share

Police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said the victims were a 50-year-old man, his 59-year-old wife and their 58-year-old friend. They left the casino at about 11pm. Police said they were robbed on Bartlett Road.

Netshiunda said Ndovela is the owner of the white VW Polo used in the robbery. Detectives from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit arrested him on Monday.

The court remanded Ndovela in custody. He is expected back in court on 27 October for a formal bail application.Share

Groenewald answered a question from ANC MP Kgomotso Ramolobeng. He said the escape exposed non-compliance with standard security procedures. He said investigations by the department indicated that Madiba was assisted to escape.

Eight correctional services officials at Rooigrond received notices of contemplated suspension. Groenewald also said the facility needs better security lighting and surveillance cameras.

Groenewald said the department checks staff during shift changes. In his words: "Furthermore, parades are being conducted during change of shifts to ascertain staff fitness for duty and/or adherence to handing/take over procedures".Share

Cachalia said SAPS has struggled somewhat because these technologies evolve fast. He also said the service depends on the State Information Technology Agency for its IT.

He said: "Clearly, a greater rollout of surveillance technologies in communities can greatly improve safety in the short to medium term."

Cachalia said investing in the technological ability of the police would form part of his "reset agenda". He described it as a multiyear turnaround strategy for the police.Share

Revised guidelines for compounding pharmacies are not expected until February or March next year. Stavros Nicolaou, chairperson of the Pharmaceutical Task Group, said the court order could lose its momentum if the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) and the South African Pharmacy Council do not follow up quickly. He said the rules take too long and that regulators should ban or restrict compounding pharmacies for weight-loss jabs, as other countries have done.

Nicolaou also said retatrutide is sold openly around the world, including in South Africa. Daphne Fafudi, head of regulatory compliance at Sahpra, said fake medicines are getting out of control. She said people die without it coming to Sahpra's attention, and that the authority has received around 600 complaints so far this financial year about fake medicines sold through informal supply chains.

Gene Ravele, a South African Revenue Service official, said poor coordination between enforcement agencies is the biggest problem that organised crime exploits. Nakampe Masiapato, head of the Border Management Authority, said police detectives and prosecutors are often generalists who are ill-equipped for specialised pharmaceutical cases. Fafudi told consumers: "If you cannot trust the source, do not trust the medicine."Share

Retail turnover rose 4.2% and distribution turnover grew 9.2%. Revenue from preferred bulk contracts rose 19.3%. The retail margin improved by 90 basis points, while retail comparable costs rose 3.6%.

Group CEO Bertina Engelbrecht said the focus is on tight cost management and margin gains, helped by supplier relationships. Clicks says the year had constrained consumer spending and aggressive discounting by competitors. It calls its performance resilient.

The group opened 41 new stores and 60 pharmacies during the year. It plans 40-50 new stores in the 2027 financial year and has a medium-term target of 1 200 stores. It also plans 10-15 UniCare specialised pharmacies over the medium term.

The ClubCard loyalty programme has 13.1 million active members. Clicks paid them R976 million in cashback rewards. The group will pay R507 million for a further 35.3% interest in ARC Store, which takes its holding to 61%.Share

Pick n Pay withdrew the restructuring consultation process it announced in May. It did so after reaching an agreement with Saccawu, which the retailer calls its primary labour partner.

The company also has a change of leadership. Spencer Sonn, a Woolworths executive, is the incoming chief executive, and Sean Summers is the outgoing chief executive.Share

The suspect is Akilesh Gupta, a foreign national. Police arrested him and charged him with murder and contravention of the Immigration Act. Police named him as the driver of the white BMW SUV.

CCTV footage of the incident surfaced online after the crash. Nortman was a police officer in the North West.Share

Buah said the government does not plan to take mines from foreign companies. He said considerations for Tarkwa differ from those for Damang. He suggested some big gold mines with many years of life left might be best run by an international company.

Gold Fields is in arbitration with Engineers and Planners, a company that belongs to the brother of President John Mahama. The company seeks more than $700 million (R11 billion) for alleged underpayment at Tarkwa and Damang. Gold Fields rejects the claims.

Gold Fields had to return the Damang mine to the state six months ago. It has submitted a 20-year mine plan for Tarkwa. The miner said the future of the mine is a material uncertainty for investors.

Buah expects parliament to approve revised mining law by the end of the year. The law would shorten leases, give government more say over renewals and end bespoke fiscal agreements.Share

Godongwana spoke while presenting the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. He said: "We must aim to shift away from pre-approvals. Instead, we must assess transactions for legitimacy and tax compliance."

The first draft would have required crypto asset service providers that facilitate cross-border transactions to get approval from the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank.

Marius Reitz, General Manager for Africa at crypto platform Luno, said Treasury deserves applause for taking feedback into account. He said that going ahead with the draft would have made South Africa an outlier. He also said early gains made through the financial sector conduct authority would have been lost to the industry.Share

Police received information on the location of a bakkie at about 6.30am on Thursday. The sergeant's body lay about 100 metres from the bakkie. Police have opened an inquest docket.

The woman was declared dead at the scene in Martinique village on Wednesday. Police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the motive is unknown at this stage, but domestic violence cannot be ruled out.

Limpopo police commissioner Lt-Gen Jan Scheepers said the incident was an act of gender-based violence and femicide.Share

The Gauteng Education Department placed the teacher on precautionary suspension. It also arranged psychological support for the child and the family.

The allegation is that the rape happened on school premises earlier this month. The case has raised questions about how the school and officials handled the matter after the family first raised concerns.Share

National Treasury said a Synthetic Financial Centre would strengthen South Africa's position as a leading African financial and investment hub. Comments go to the Financial Surveillance Department of the Reserve Bank.

Stuart Theobald, executive chairperson of consulting firm Krutham, said South Africans have lost out on assets that local firms could have managed. He said this happened because assets went to financial institutions abroad as exchange controls relaxed.

Theobald said the centre would allow local companies to become specialist international financial services providers.Share

The R270m paid to top managers equals R5.2m a week. Former commissioner Edward Kieswetter received R11.83m in the financial year. Five executive positions together cost R33.03m, down from R33.11m in 2024/25.

Net tax revenue rose 8.4% on the previous financial year. Gross collections were R2.468-trillion and Sars paid R457.9bn in refunds. Personal income tax brought in R793.9bn, value-added tax R500.6bn and company income tax R349.3bn.

Overall personnel spending was R9.34bn, including R627.99m in performance rewards across the workforce. The cost of collection was 0.75% of net tax revenue. The Auditor-General of South Africa gave Sars a clean audit outcome.

Sars referred 211 cases to the National Prosecuting Authority, with a combined potential loss of R4.37bn. It secured 135 guilty verdicts, including 12 custodial sentences totalling 77 years. Its AI assistant Lwazi answered 2.7-million taxpayer questions. Johnstone Makhubu is the new commissioner, in a five-year term that began in May.Share

Godongwana spoke on Thursday at a breakfast in Cape Town after the medium-term budget policy statement. He said the date follows the fuel price change on the first Wednesday of the month. He said: "These people are leading with elections when the date has got nothing to do with elections at all".

The levy will fall by R3 per litre for diesel and R1.50 per litre for petrol. The cut runs from 4 November until December. Opposition MPs, including the EFF, called it an attempt to appease voters.

Godongwana also spoke about problems in municipalities. He said they are deeper and more complex than broad cost drivers, and they affect investment and development. He said a close friend in business told him a rezoning licence takes 80 days in one municipality and sometimes 200 days in another.Share

Godongwana spoke on Wednesday when he tabled the mid-term budget in Parliament. He said government is recapitalising the contingency reserve because recent disasters depleted it.

Treasury named natural disasters as a risk to spending. It said disaster costs could affect other spending priorities. It also said climate change could add risk through prolonged drought and water-security pressures.

Treasury said a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, together with El Niño, is likely to affect producer costs and output. It said this could weaken domestic growth further.Share

Acting chief human capital officer Lourens Erasmus issued the internal communique. September salaries were paid around 2 October.

An insider with close knowledge of the situation said the airline is running out of money and may soon be grounded. Another unnamed source said some service providers now demand prepayment, and that the airline runs only on bank credits.

SAA spokesperson Mphilo Dlamini said management is taking measures to manage the sustainability of the business. He also said geopolitical developments raised operating costs, especially fuel, and put pressure on liquidity.

The government gave SAA a R1bn guarantee in August 2026 for its immediate working capital needs. The airline also holds R223m in other guarantees, tied to unflown-ticket liabilities and corporate letters of credit. The National Treasury medium-term budget policy statement said a global jet fuel price shock widened the airline's fiscal exposure in 2026.Share

The JSE All Share index closed at 108,526 points on Thursday, down 1.0%. The Top 40 index fell to 100,543, down 1.2%.

The rand ended at R16.37 to the US dollar, stronger than R16.39 the day before. Gold was at $4,038 an ounce, down 2.7%. Brent crude was at $113.53 a barrel, up 4.3%.Share

Under the deal, Zuckerberg receives non-voting shares that he can sell. This could help him pay a multi-billion-dollar tax bill. He can sell 20 percent of the Class C shares straight away, which equals 10 percent of his overall economic stake.

He commits to remain a California resident, or live wherever Meta keeps its headquarters, for eight years. A Meta filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission says he told a board special committee he was evaluating a move of his primary residence out of the state.

The committee concluded it was "critically important" that Zuckerberg stay in a leadership role and manage the company from its California headquarters. Meta said in the filing that his voting power could drop to approximately 53 per cent or lower if he must sell a large part of his shares to pay higher taxes. He now holds more than 60 per cent of the votes, mostly through super-voting shares.

Californians vote on Proposition 40 on 3 November. Political analysts say it is far from certain to pass.Share

The deal ties Zuckerberg's residence to his ability to sell shares. Zuckerberg is the chief executive and controlling shareholder of Meta.Share

The team says the system concentrates ions at an electrode interface, which overcomes limits on how fast phosphate moves to the electrode. They say it uses little energy and material, which suits small, decentralised water treatment. Phosphate runoff drives algal blooms in South African dams and rivers, so a low-power option could help small communities without grid power. The source gives only a short summary of the work, so the performance claims are unverified, and lab-scale results may not carry over to field conditions.Share

The team used volumetric spore traps and counted daily pollen under a microscope. Grass pollen was the most common type in every biome. Exotic trees such as cypress, plane, mulberry and birch were also common. Tree pollen seasons ran from July to September, while grass and weed seasons differed between biomes. Bloemfontein had the highest yearly pollen total and Gqeberha the lowest. The authors say the calendars give baseline data for treating allergic disease.Share

The authors find that this route is favoured over the bacterium becoming hypervirulent. They suggest it may help emerging strains spread in healthcare settings. The plasmids involved can pass between bacteria. The study is peer-reviewed. Only a short summary was available to us, so the sample size and methods are not known.Share

The panel discussion was hosted by the current affairs team of Lesedi FM. Candidates also raised the formalisation of informal settlements as a challenge in the metro.

Benjamin Leve of the Active African Christian United Movement spoke about substance abuse. He said there is a lack of action to eradicate it. He also said the church is a solution and not a problem, and that the movement is bringing godly governance.

Leve said: "We are contesting these elections for the first time."

Independent candidates said they want to be councillors who account for their performance rather than rely on promises.Share