October 2026

Ramaphosa said he does not suspect foul play in the water crisis. The ANC is making a final push for votes before the elections, which are on Wednesday next week.

The party will hold its Siyanqoba Rally in KuGompo City in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.Share

The two accused also face charges of contravening the National Prosecuting Authority Act. Johnson is the former head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC). Khan is a former senior crime intelligence official.

The court postponed the case to 2 February 2027. It ordered Johnson to surrender her passport.Share

Kuhle Zwakala, a political commentator at Stellenbosch University, said residents in townships want basic services. He said: "To be talking about electricity, water and sanitation issues 30 years into democracy is a shame." Oscar van Heerden, a senior research fellow at the Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership, said there is also an identity factor.

An Ipsos survey in March found that 38 percent of respondents believed their municipality was doing its job well. Nearly half felt that no party represented their views. More than 500 parties are registered with the electoral commission, and the MK party of former president Jacob Zuma is new to local elections.

Turnout is a worry. It was 46 percent of registered voters in the 2021 local elections and 58.6 percent in the 2024 national polls. The ANC fell below 50% in 2021. By February 2026, 74 of the 257 councils were run by coalitions or minority administrations.

Voters hold mixed views. Ntombekhaya Makeleni, a Khayelitsha resident who uses a bucket toilet, said she will vote. Nkanyiso Hadebe, 24, of Chatsworth, said he will not vote because voting changes nothing.Share

Motshekga briefed the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on a letter from President Cyril Ramaphosa that authorised the deployment. She said the situation required quick action after the Constitutional Court judgment on asylum seekers and protests. She said Parliament still had to be informed.

Committee members asked why Parliament received the letter only the week before. Motshekga said she had to act fast once the request came in.

She said: "When we got the request as an emergency, I had to call the Chief of Defence to get joint operations to prepare our people overnight." The Defence Force said a "misinterpretation" of the asylum seeker ruling risked spreading the protests to the rest of the country.Share

Van Wyk confirmed the arrests on Friday. She said the suspects will face charges including defeating the ends of justice and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The case goes back to 26 June 2018. Police said a former major-general allegedly assaulted a brigadier under his command, and the brigadier was injured.

Police also said one suspect, who worked for the National Prosecuting Authority at the time, allegedly interfered with the case. The case was reported at Silverton in Pretoria.

Police did not name Johnson. Reports said she was one of those arrested.Share

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the temporary relief in the mid-term budget. Treasury said the cut is the most immediate way to reduce financial stress on struggling households. It made the comments while responding to public views on the budget.

In December, the relief on petrol will be R1 and on diesel R1.50. The fuel levy part of the petrol price is R4.29 per litre.

Chris Axelson, head of taxation at National Treasury, defended the decision. He said: "When prices are going up, this was the one mechanism that can have the most direct impact to provide relief to households and businesses." He also said the relief dampens inflation when prices rise.

Treasury said the effect of scrapping the fuel levy can only be known once government changes the fuel price structure. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has yet to announce the November fuel prices.Share

Water and Sanitation Director-General Sean Phillips gave the keynote address at the signing. He said the Blue Deal supports national water-sector priorities. Phillips said: "In South Africa, the Blue Deal supports national water-sector priorities, including the National Water Action Plan".

The Dutch side was represented by the Dutch Water Authorities, known in Dutch as the Unie van Waterschappen. Its president is Jeroen Haan. The Steering Committee endorsed the strategic direction for Phase III on 7 October 2026.Share

Laboratory tests at the University of Pretoria's Veterinary Genetics Laboratory confirmed the virus. Surveillance in the area is now more intense. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture will issue updates on containment measures, movement restrictions and permits.

Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp said there is no proof of large-scale disease activity outside the property. He said the quick detection shows how the veterinary surveillance system works. His statement said: "While there is no proof of large-scale disease activity outside the said property, the department is focused on total vigilance".

The department said vaccinating while midges are active could spread the vaccine strain and worsen the situation. It advised owners to stable horses from two hours before sunset until two hours after sunrise to protect them from midges.Share

Cachalia said police have developed operational plans across all provinces. The briefing in KwaZulu-Natal dealt with the election readiness report for the province.

Cachalia said South Africans must have the chance to express their views at the ballot box without intimidation. He also said it is important that the outcome can be called free and fair.Share

Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said the partnership removes barriers to direct access to the platforms. He said it allows instant action against people who spread disinformation. He also said a technically flawless election can still lose public trust if citizens are overwhelmed by disinformation.

Microsoft South Africa joined the partnership. Abongile Vanda, its Director of Government Affairs, said: "Free, fair and credible elections depend on people being able to trust the information they see."

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is developing fact-checking technologies. Its researchers say generative AI has industrialised the creation of fake media. They say this floods networks with synthetic video, voice clones and emotive narratives meant to manipulate voters.Share

Nomvalo is the eighth MK Party secretary-general to be axed in less than three years. He said at least six fabricated intelligence reports were produced to undermine him. He also denied the allegations in the party's removal statement, including a claimed R20 million payment to the Birchwood Hotel that he said did not take place.

Nomvalo said his wife was hospitalised with severe depression because of the campaign. He said he had learnt that Mxolisi Phakathi, Zandile Gumede, Mdelani Mbambo and Sizwe Zuma had drafted letters to remove him. He said the motive behind the lies in the party statement was to humiliate and embarrass him.

The MK Party said in a media statement that it relieved Nomvalo of his duties over concerns about the councillor selection process, internal factionalism, dual remuneration and delays in campaign materials. Nomvalo also said the party had no money in its bank account when he took the job. He said it was on a final warning from the Electoral Commission of South Africa.

Nomvalo said Zuma committed to speed up the appointment of Duduzane Zuma as first deputy president. Of those around Zuma, he said: "I will never be destroyed by drunkards and womanisers who are masquerading as religious leaders."Share

Reports differ on the exact charges. One outlet said the charges are assault, defeating the ends of justice and contravening the NPA Act. Others spoke of defeating the ends of justice, and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Johnson faces a charge under the NPA Act.

The case relates to an email sent in 2018 from Johnson's private Gmail address. It disclosed the contents of an assault docket against Khan. The case against Johnson over the email was opened in 2022.

The NPA alleges that Johnson gave information to Khan that she was not supposed to give, so he could prepare. NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said prosecutors told the court the offence was not committed while Khan was on bail. He said bail was granted because it is a Schedule one offence.Share

The State alleges that Makwetla failed to declare home security upgrades that Bosasa provided in 2015. It says he should have declared them to Parliament. The State says this broke his ethical duty as a member of Parliament.

Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), gave the details of the postponement. IDAC is the body prosecuting the case.Share

Dlomo's lawyer, Advocate Muntu Sithole, asked the court to discharge the three counts and return a not-guilty plea. Sithole argued that the State can only prove its case if Dlomo takes the stand and incriminates himself. He also said the prosecution's evidence left nothing to find Dlomo guilty of.

Prosecutor Terry Motau said Dlomo, as head of the CDSO, was not authorised to sign the R12 million contract. The prosecution says the money was withdrawn for Operation Mayibuye and that only a portion went to the intended operation. It also says documents used to justify the payments were falsified.

The National Prosecuting Authority says Dlomo and co-accused Patrick Mshothola used a private company without its owner's knowledge. It says they paid the company R12 million in three tranches. The prosecution says the alleged owner denied signing the contract.

Judge Munzhelele said the defence was treating Dlomo's signature and involvement as a procurement issue. The trial is expected to run from 8 to 25 March 2027.Share

The Electoral Court ruled on Friday that the law allows single-name proportional representation lists. It also allows parties to add names after the election under Item 17. The court found the practice was not fraudulent, unconstitutional or unlawful. Judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood presided, and Judge Lebogang Modiba and Professor Moses Phooko concurred.

The court heard the matter on 13 October. The DA argued that the four parties used Item 17 as a planned strategy to keep candidates hidden from voters until after the count. Opposing parties said the DA had used the same practice itself, including in the current elections.

The DA says it will argue its constitutional challenge before the Electoral Court. Mangcu-Lockwood wrote that a matter of such weight needs careful handling, not "a rushed jolt". DA federal council chairperson Ashor Sarupen said the ruling exposes a serious gap in electoral law.

GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron said the case was an attempt to brand four opposition parties as fraudsters. ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont called the case stillborn. He said granting the DA's request would have disenfranchised 25% of the electorate from council representation.Share

The report says freight logistics reform is bearing fruit. It links the reform to operational improvements and a return to profitability at Transnet. Transnet announced a R4.6 billion profit for the year ended 31 March 2026 in September, after a net loss of R1.9 billion the year before.

The report says significant momentum was built on restructuring state-owned enterprises. It says key decisions were taken on the vertical separation of Eskom and Transnet. It also says continued reform has strengthened South Africa's resilience to external shocks and renewed confidence in the growth trajectory.

The report says progress remains uneven in some areas. It adds: "These reforms will be the most important drivers of investment in the medium term, laying the basis for higher growth and job creation". The findings are the report's own description and are not independently verified.

Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative of the National Treasury and the Presidency. It aims to speed up structural reforms.Share

Reports said about half of the airport's staff could not get to work in some areas because they had no transport. The shortage is linked to ongoing deadly taxi violence in Cape Town. Operations are slowly returning to normal after hours of disruption.

Passengers had mixed views. One unnamed passenger said the airport should have been better prepared and that ACSA should have backup staff. An unnamed traveller said airport staff did what they could in difficult circumstances and that the disruption was out of their control.Share

DA Federal Council Chairperson and Campaign Manager Ashor Sarupen said the party's immediate priority is to get its supporters to the ballot box. He said the DA has run an extraordinarily long 18-month campaign.

Sarupen said the DA was the first party out of the blocks to make voters understand its offer, its mayoral candidates and its track record. He said the party hopes to turn this extensive campaign into votes.

Sarupen said: "We are calling for every single DA voter to get out to vote on Wednesday."Share

The unit hoped to seize a Bentley Continental GT, one of the vehicles forfeited by Maumela. Reports said this was the target of the visit. The unit said it would revert later.

The vehicle is part of a final forfeiture order from the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, granted in July. The Asset Forfeiture Unit obtained the order. It covers four Lamborghinis and a Bentley Continental GT, among luxury assets worth hundreds of millions of rands.Share

Tau said government is confident the US will respond favourably to the offers South Africa made in talks. He said two rounds of talks between senior officials made substantial progress on the issues. Tau said, "We are ready, whatever the decision."

If US concerns remain, South Africa will have 60 days to address them before any suspension could take effect, Tau said. A suspension could be full or partial.

Tau gave figures on trade ties. Bilateral trade between South Africa and the US was $28.8 billion in 2025. About 600 American companies operate in South Africa and support 134 600 jobs, and US companies made investment commitments of more than $5 billion in the last year.

South Africa supplies 12 of the 50 minerals the US considers critical. Under AGOA, more than 1 800 products have duty-free access to the US market. More than 5 000 products are eligible under the Generalised System of Preferences.Share

The cuts follow temporary fuel levy relief announced last week: R3 a litre on diesel and R1.50 a litre on petrol. Without that relief, wholesale diesel would rise by an estimated R1.32 to R1.42 per litre. Petrol would rise by more than a rand per litre.

The estimates do not yet include a possible rise in the slate levy, which is now 87.66c per litre. The Slate Fund refunds fuel importers and had a negative balance of R10.5 billion at the end of August. Reports said the levy may need to rise for another month, which would cut into the relief.

Oil prices and the rand also weigh on the outlook. Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe will announce the final adjustments.

Fuel prices have risen sharply since December 2025: around R8 a litre for 95-octane petrol and more than R12 per litre for diesel. Petrol reached a record R30.25 per litre in Gauteng and R29.38 at the coast.Share

KwaZulu-Natal has 165 of the high-risk stations, the most of any province. Of these, 124 are in the eThekwini District. Gauteng has 119, including 75 in the Johannesburg district.

The Western Cape has 33, all in the City of Cape Town. Mpumalanga has 11. The Eastern Cape has three, all in the OR Tambo District.

Masemola said police have increased deployments, with specialised units on standby. He said the South African National Defence Force and the State Security Agency also support election security.

Masemola said two people were attacked and killed in connection with violent marches around Durban. He said 16 vehicles were burnt or damaged. The police service has a court application on marches in KwaZulu-Natal and awaits the court's decision.

Masemola said the application does not aim to stop lawful marches or the right to protest. He said it aims to ensure that people follow the law.Share

Neil Timmers scored a career-best unbeaten 107 off 55 balls for the Lions. He and Rassie van der Dussen, who made 48 not out, put on an unbeaten partnership of 132 runs. Zubayr Hamza opened the innings and scored 45.

The Storm batted first and made 198-6 in 20 overs. Opener Ronan Herrmann scored 62 and his partner Kabelo Sekhukhune made 45. Bjorn Fortuin took 2/33 for the Lions.Share

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner say recent demonstrations led to violence, road blockades and property damage. The application asks the court to stop further protest action by the group.

Authorities said unlawful conduct will not be tolerated.Share

The claim about China comes from the mining company. It says the embargo stops it from using mapping technology in its exploration work.

Bill Gates backs the company. The request for help went to Washington.Share

Ramaphosa toured sites in the eThekwini area, including Montclair, Cornubia, Tongaat and Hambanathi. He handed over houses at Cornubia and addressed members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and ANC supporters. SADTU members presented nine grievances to him.

Addressing candidates in Hambanathi, Ramaphosa said: "don't steal money for development." He said the ANC has the policies, capacity and experience to deliver meaningful development. He also said many people told him during the campaign that they had no jobs.

Ramaphosa said the renewal of the ANC would be judged in the wards, not in Luthuli House. Polls cited in reports say the ANC could lose the eThekwini metro for the first time, to the MK Party founded by former president Jacob Zuma.

At Cornubia, 145 houses are under construction in phase 2. Ramaphosa said 460 permanent homes should be complete there by mid-2027. A further 500 units are planned for refurbishment at Montclair.Share

Anthropic signed a $45bn deal to rent computing power from the first building at the West Virginia site. That deal makes up more than 40 per cent of Nscale's $103bn revenue backlog. Nscale said Anthropic could walk away if financing is not secured by a deadline.

Records seen by reporters show building issues and regulatory scrutiny at the site. Authorities issued stop-work orders over flooding and stormwater controls. The campus covers 2,250 acres and is billed as having 8GW of power capacity.

Reports also say the two companies are in talks to double the Anthropic deal. That would add a second building, and possibly a third.Share

The Weather Service said below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures are likely in parts of the country. It linked this to a developing El Niño pattern. Senior forecaster Tokelo Chiloane made the claim about the El Niño influence.

Chiloane advised the public on precautions for the voting period. He said: "Carry umbrellas or raincoats where showers and thundershowers are expected."Share

The money went to permanent residents and refugees. The department said it spent R1.12bn on permanent residents, including R931.5m on old-age grants and R134.5m on child support grants. It spent R150.8m on refugees, made up of R105.8m on child support grants and R32.7m on old-age grants.

The department also reported on social relief of distress (SRD) grants. It paid R10.6m to qualifying foreign nationals, which is 0.03% of the total SRD grant budget.

The department said the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) must by law help qualifying citizens, permanent residents and recognised refugees. It repeated its rule on people in the country unlawfully. The department said: "Sassa does not provide social grants or SRD benefits to illegal immigrants or any person unlawfully present in the republic."Share

Tshuma is 46. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and to contravening the Immigration Act. He said in court that he does not remember signing a plea and sentence agreement. One report said he blamed sleep deprivation.

The state said there is no evidence that Tshuma lacked the mental capacity to understand the proceedings. It argued that nothing justifies a state-ordered mental health assessment. The state asked that the plea and sentence agreement be finalised.

Tshuma is accused of killing his wife and two daughters in Bedford, Bedfordshire, in July. He faces three counts of murder in the UK. He is accused of entering South Africa illegally days later, and police arrested him in Kensington, east of Johannesburg, on 10 July.

The UK Crown Prosecution Service applied for his extradition. The matter returns to court on 10 November.Share