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SA govt intensifies mass migration repatriations, crackdown on vigilantism
Jun 26, 2026
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Families, survivors of apartheid crimes fight Zuma, Mbeki’s court bid
Jun 26, 2026
Unknown duration
Johannesburg collapse risk spurs call for State to run city
Jun 26, 2026
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SAPS urges taxi industry to use influence to prevent disruption ahead of June 30 march
Jun 25, 2026
Unknown duration
South Africa producer inflation accelerates to 7.8% y/y in May
Jun 25, 2026
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/26/26 | ![]() SA govt intensifies mass migration repatriations, crackdown on vigilantism | SA govt intensifies mass migration repatriations, crackdown on vigilantism The South African government is accelerating its five-point migration strategy, marking significant milestones in the deportation, verification, and repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals across multiple provinces. Established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration is overseeing a strict enforcement mandate, with a focus to crackdown on legal violations, border security technology upgrades (including drones and satellite monitoring), legislative reforms, and strategic diplomatic partnerships across the African continent. Thousands of migrants are queuing in major cities for processing, ahead of the nationwide anti-immigration protests set for Tuesday. Fears of violence against foreign nationals are heightened as police and private security coordinate ahead of Tuesday's planned protests. While standard deportations continue through the Lindela Repatriation Centre, a growing number of African nations have actively requested the voluntary repatriation of their citizens. Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have all engaged with South African authorities to facilitate this process. To date, 15,162 Malawian nationals have been processed for repatriation, with more currently undergoing verification. To expedite this high volume, the government has extended the jurisdiction of the Musina Refugee Reception Office in Limpopo to handle verifications. Logistics are currently being activated to transition operations to a new Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre (TRPC) outside Musina. Once fully operational, the Ethekwini facility will close, and remaining Malawian nationals will transfer to Musina. This decentralised approach aims to relieve pressure on Lindela and fast-track clearances through the Beitbridge Port of Entry. The expansion is supported by international and local stakeholders, including the UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Red Cross, and Save the Children. The IMC issued a stern directive declaring June 30 a normal working day, explicitly warning civilian groups against taking the law into their own hands. The committee reiterated that no unauthorised individual has the right to demand identification or proof of nationality from anyone. Furthermore, authorities emphasised that blocking anyone from accessing clinics, hospitals, schools, or public services is a prosecutable offence and that violence, intimidation, or targeting individuals based on nationality is criminal and will face the full force of the law. The committee warned businesses hiring and exploiting undocumented migrants to bypass labour laws will be prosecuted under the Immigration Act. This warning follows recent anti-immigration protests in the Free State earlier this month, which were accompanied by the looting of shops. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has since opened criminal cases and enacted arrests linked to these incidents. Multi-disciplinary, intelligence-led operations spearheaded by the Deputy Ministers of Home Affairs, Police, and Employment and Labour are intensifying nationwide. The IMC stated that while continental migration presents deep complexities, South Africa's path forward must remain anchored in the Constitution, human rights, and the rule of law. The State remains resolute that it will not tolerate the circumvention of its immigration systems, nor will it permit acts of lawlessness against foreign nationals. | — | ||||||
| 6/26/26 | ![]() Families, survivors of apartheid crimes fight Zuma, Mbeki’s court bid | Families, survivors of apartheid crimes fight Zuma, Mbeki's court bid A crucial legal battle is set for the Constitutional Court on June 29, when 25 families and survivors of apartheid-era crimes, alongside the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR), will formally oppose an application lodged by former Presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki. The high-stakes hearing marks the latest hurdle in a decades-long struggle for truth and accountability. In March, the Gauteng High Court dismissed the application brought by Zuma and Mbeki to withdraw retired Justice Sisi Khampepe as chairperson of the Commission investigating alleged political interference in the prosecution of apartheid era crimes, known as the TRC Cases Inquiry. Zuma and Mbeki are seeking direct leave to appeal the majority judgment. The High Court originally threw out the former Presidents' review applications because they failed to get prior consent to sue a sitting or retired judge, a strict requirement under Section 47(1) of the Superior Courts Act. In response, Mbeki and Zuma bypassed regular appellate channels to file an urgent application directly with the Constitutional Court, alongside conditional applications in the Supreme Court of Appeal. The families and the FHR will ask the apex court to dismiss the former leaders' applications, arguing that they failed to establish a genuine basis for an urgent hearing, and that their case does not meet the strict legal criteria required for direct appeal or direct access to the Constitutional Court. The families say the merits of both the appeals and the underlying recusal review lack legal substance, noting that granting further delays deeply harms a process that has already been stalled for generations. The TRC Cases Inquiry was established after landmark Constitutional damages litigation launched by apartheid-era victims' families and the FHR in January 2025. The families argued that their constitutional rights were actively violated because the State failed to investigate and prosecute apartheid-era crimes. They alleged that successive administrations used political interference to unlawfully suppress the work of the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks. A partial settlement in that lawsuit led President Cyril Ramaphosa to officially establish the Commission on May 29, 2025. While the families respect the constitutional right of any citizen to approach the courts, they warn that strategic litigation is actively harming aging survivors and relatives. For these families, this is not an abstract academic exercise or a political chess match, they said, but a painful process concerning the State-sanctioned deaths, disappearances, torture, and systemic suffering of their loved ones. The families emphasise that the Commission has already lost significant momentum owing to ongoing court battles. | — | ||||||
| 6/26/26 | ![]() Johannesburg collapse risk spurs call for State to run city | Johannesburg collapse risk spurs call for State to run city South Africa's government may soon need to make the politically fraught decision to take control of Johannesburg to avert the city's financial collapse, according to a consultant appointed by two of the country's leading business groups. While such a move would be difficult for the ANC before crucial local elections in November, it may have little choice but to act, Lael Bethlehem, a partner at Genesis Analytics, said during the presentation of a study commissioned by Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) and Business For South Africa. "The City of Johannesburg is essentially bankrupt," Bethlehem said Thursday. "We may have a situation where they may not be able to limp on until November and the government will have to implement" a takeover plan, she said. Her presentation came a day before a Friday deadline set by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for the city to explain how it will address financial shortcomings or lose R8-billion in annual State funding, or about a 10th of its budget, a letter seen by Bloomberg showed. Mayor Dada Morero will respond next week, his spokesperson, Khathu Mulaudzi, said. Run by an ANC-led alliance, Johannesburg has descended deeper into dysfunction in recent months and is expected to be among the fiercest battlegrounds in the Nov. 4 municipal vote. The DA, a partner of the ANC in the national coalition government, has nominated former party leader and Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate. The city owes hundreds of millions of dollars to state-owned power and water utilities and has been threatened with power cuts. It has also run out of fuel for vehicles used to provide essential services, such as road repairs. Godongwana, in an earlier warning letter, instructed Morero to cancel what he called an "illegal" wage deal to pay city workers an additional R10.3 billion over the next two years. Even so, Johannesburg plans to increase its workforce by about 1 700 people this financial year to more than 40 000, a review of its budget documents by Bloomberg showed. The deterioration in Johannesburg's finances has alarmed business and the government because the city of 4.8-million people is the economic hub of South Africa, contributing about 16% of gross domestic product. A financial collapse would reverberate across the national economy, impacting growth and tax revenue. "The state of the city has become a matter of national importance," BLSA Chief Executive Officer Busi Mavuso said as she introduced the presentation. Afterward, she said it had left her "with a profound sense of disbelief and sadness. How did we get here?" Bethlehem's analysis showed that despite spending more per resident than South Africa's seven other major metropolitan areas, Johannesburg lags almost all of them on most measures of financial health and performance. Johannesburg has 8.5 employees for every 1 000 inhabitants, compared with a national metropolitan average of 6.4. It loses 45% of its water to leaks and theft compared with about a quarter in Cape Town. Almost a third of its power is stolen or wasted versus 11% in Cape Town and it's adding housing units at less than half the rate of its coastal rival. Over the past decade, the city has added 108 000 jobs while its working-age population has grown by 850 000. That's a third of the number added in Cape Town, which has had lower overall population growth. Operating expenditure has almost doubled since 2010, while capital investment has fallen 13%. "The City of Johannesburg has a large budget. Lots of money is being spent, it is just being spent wrongly," Bethlehem said. "You cannot run a city by spending all of your income on operating expenditure and so little on capital." The city's decline has also weighed on property values. Adjusted for inflation, property prices in Johannesburg have fallen by a fifth since 2010, compared with a 34% rise in Cape Town. The options for the government should ... | — | ||||||
| 6/25/26 | ![]() SAPS urges taxi industry to use influence to prevent disruption ahead of June 30 march | SAPS urges taxi industry to use influence to prevent disruption ahead of June 30 march The South African Police Service (SAPS) has called on the country's taxi industry to reject any attempts to destabilise South Africa or disrupt economic activity ahead of a planned nationwide protest against undocumented immigration on June 30. Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane made the appeal during high-level engagements with South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) president Abner Tsebe and his leadership team. The meeting was prompted by the upcoming march demanding that undocumented foreigners leave the country. Highlighting the massive influence of the taxi industry, Dimpane urged operators to stand firmly with law enforcement and the public. "The taxi industry is the backbone of public transport in South Africa. Every day, millions of people rely on taxis to get to work, school, hospitals and places of business. It is for this reason that we are appealing to every taxi association, every taxi owner, every operator and every driver across the country to ensure that June 30 remains business as usual," she said. SAPS has specifically requested that taxi operators maintain normal transportation routes for all commuters; reject any calls to block national, provincial, or local roads; and to prevent criminal elements from "hijacking the industry for unlawful gains". The SAPS urged the taxi industry to actively oppose any form of passenger or driver intimidation. Dimpane expressed optimism following the engagement, noting that Santaco's leadership responded positively to the security briefing. "Our economy must continue to function. Our people must continue to go to work," Dimpane added, thanking Santaco for adding its voice to calls for peace and respect for the rule of law. She assured citizens that nationwide security deployments are finalised. While the SAPS will protect the constitutional right to peaceful and lawful protest, a zero-tolerance policy will be enforced against lawlessness, she stressed. Security forces remain on high alert to handle any attempts at infrastructure damage, public transport blockades, or violence. | — | ||||||
| 6/25/26 | ![]() South Africa producer inflation accelerates to 7.8% y/y in May | South Africa producer inflation accelerates to 7.8% y/y in May South Africa's producer inflation quickened to 7.8% year on year in May, up from 4.8% in April, statistics agency data showed on Thursday. The Producer Price Index increased 2.6% month on month in May, Statistics South Africa said. | — | ||||||
| 6/25/26 | ![]() Pretoria pushes back against US criticism on diplomatic engagements | Pretoria pushes back against US criticism on diplomatic engagements South Africa has issued a formal rebuke following critical remarks made by U S Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III regarding the African nation's foreign policy alignments. On Thursday, the country's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) delivered a firm message clarifying its sovereign stance and the strategic distinction between non-alignment and passive neutrality. The friction escalated after Bozell III took to social media to criticise South Africa's active diplomatic engagements with China and Iran. "The Government of South Africa rolls out the red carpet for Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, while Deputy President Paul Mashatile is in Beijing deepening ties with China. Pretoria calls this 'non-alignment'. We call it what it is: a choice. The South African people deserve an honest conversation about who their government is choosing to stand with. #NotSoNonAligned" he posted on X. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola's Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said while government purposefully avoids public disputes with resident envoys, the ambassador's remarks required an immediate reaffirmation of the country's foundational foreign policy. "As a sovereign nation, South Africa pursues an independent foreign policy firmly anchored in the principle of non-alignment," Phiri said. Pretoria explicitly challenged the premise of the American critique by drawing a sharp line between being non-aligned and being neutral, saying it refuses to be drawn into contemporary superpower contestations or be forced to choose sides. The State prioritises inclusive, global dialogue, international peace, and its own national interests above external strategic agendas, Phiri said. Pretoria pointed out that it reserves the right to cultivate and maintain bilateral relations across the entire global spectrum without external validation. A central pillar of South Africa's pushback was pointing out what it terms an inherent contradiction in US foreign policy communication. The Ministry noted the irony of South Africa being publicly scrutinised by Washington for engaging with Beijing and Tehran, when the U S government maintains highly active, direct interactions and formal channels with China and Iran. Last week, Lamola had publicly welcomed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding signed directly between the United States and Iran aimed at fostering regional stability, highlighting Washington's own pragmatic engagements with the nations it critiques others for hosting. The diplomatic rift underscores a broader, ongoing tension between Pretoria and Washington, which has faced multiple structural strains over international legal disputes, trade terms, and differing global alliances. Moving forward, the South African government reiterated its unwavering commitment to using established, formal diplomatic channels to engage with the U S. The Ministry called for mutual respect, expressing trust that proper diplomatic protocols will be strictly upheld by resident envoys in the future. | — | ||||||
| 6/24/26 | ![]() DA leader reflects on party's inspiring heritage, leadership push in new coalition era | DA leader reflects on party's inspiring heritage, leadership push in new coalition era As the DA marks its twenty-sixth birthday, now under the leadership of newly elected federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, he says the occasion serves as a reflection of the party's historic roots and a forward-looking commitment to its future in South African governance. Hill-Lewis noted that the party's story was intertwined with the South African liberal tradition, noting the formation of the Progressive Party in 1959 and Helen Suzman being the party's only Member of Parliament in 1961. He said this foundation established a "lasting inheritance for the DA". "Now we stand on the brink of a new era, one in which the DA will strive to take the final step to become the largest party in South Africa, which will then be able to lead governing coalitions. We can afford to set ourselves such ambitious targets only because of the immense efforts of the great South Africans who went before us. Becoming the largest party will be as hard a task as we have ever undertaken," Hill-Lewis said. He believes that voters are looking for a reversal of decline and further believes that the DA has established an exceptional governance record to ensure this happens. As the party celebrates its milestone, Hill-Lewis emphasises that its overarching mission is to continue taking the necessary steps to eventually become the largest party in South Africa. "On the DA's birthday, we honour those who built this party: those who stood alone, those who fought for democracy, those who governed well, and those who kept believing when hope was hard to find. Now it is our responsibility. South Africa can work — for everyone. And together, we are proving it," he declared. | — | ||||||
| 6/24/26 | ![]() Outa warns of entrenched S African municipal crisis, as no metro achieves clean audit | Outa warns of entrenched S African municipal crisis, as no metro achieves clean audit Not a single metropolitan municipality in South Africa achieved a clean audit for the 2024/25 financial year, according to the latest Auditor-General (AG) reports, with the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) warning that this failure points to an entrenched crisis in local government. Metros represent 54% of total local government expenditure and serve millions of citizens, therefore, Outa says their financial regression directly threatens both community service delivery and the national economy. While 61% of municipalities achieved unqualified audits, severe underlying issues persist. Outa highlights a "toxic combination" of over-reliance on external consultants, poor budget execution, and a systemic lack of consequence management. The AG's report reveals a severe lack of financial and performance discipline across the country. Only 39 out of 257 municipalities achieved a clean audit status, 17 municipalities received unqualified opinions with findings, leading to complacency rather than improvement and 225 municipalities spent a combined R1.61-billion on financial reporting consultants. The report also highlighted major flaws in compliance and performance reporting. Outa executive Julius Kleynhans notes that the AG report exposes problems far deeper than poor financial administration. The steady erosion of institutional capability explains why service delivery deteriorates despite rising municipal budgets, he says. Municipalities routinely bypass internal capacity in favour of expensive private contractors. Spending R1.61-billion on financial consultants highlights a failure to build internal skills. This practice creates a cycle of dependency without fixing underlying accounting errors, Kleynhans says. He points to a weakening culture of transparency and institutional integrity that plagues local leadership and allows compliance failures to go unpunished. He adds that without automatic consequence management for officials who ignore laws or lose public money, financial drift remains the norm. Further, many local governments fail to implement credible, funded, and service-delivery-based budgets and traditional budgeting structures allow bloated historical costs and wasteful contracts to be rolled over annually without review, Kleynhans notes. SOLUTIONS To make clean audits the standard rather than the exception, Outa advocates for immediate review of all expenditure categories and existing contracts from scratch to eliminate waste. Outa wants to mandate immediate legal and disciplinary action against officials and contractors who abuse procurement systems, and to fill critical vacancies with qualified professionals to eliminate dependency on external financial consultants. The organisation wants the urgent deployment of sustained provincial and national intervention teams to monitor metropolitan expenditure. Without rebuilding basic institutional capability and enforcing strict discipline, any future audit improvements will remain entirely superficial, it warns. | — | ||||||
| 6/24/26 | ![]() Ramaphosa taps former Treasury Budget Chief as economic adviser | Ramaphosa taps former Treasury Budget Chief as economic adviser President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed former National Treasury budget chief Michael Sachs as his economic adviser, bringing a respected fiscal policy technocrat back into the government as the country seeks to accelerate growth and deepen economic reforms. Sachs, who headed the Treasury's budget office between 2015 and 2017, is expected to assume the role in the coming weeks, presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said by phone on Wednesday. Sachs confirmed his appointment when contacted by phone. The appointment fills a vacancy left by Trudi Makhaya, who served as Ramaphosa's economic adviser from 2018 until 2023, and places a former senior Treasury official at the center of economic policy-making as the president seeks to lift growth in Africa's most industrialised economy. While the government has made progress in restoring electricity supply, improving public finances and advancing reforms in the energy and logistics sectors, economic growth remains too weak to significantly reduce unemployment, poverty and inequality. The South African economy has expanded by an average of less than 1% over the past decade. Sachs played a key role in shaping South Africa's budgets during a turbulent period for public finances under former President Jacob Zuma. He left government in 2017 and has since worked in academia. His return reinforces the influence of Treasury-trained policymakers within Ramaphosa's administration at a time when the government is attempting to translate improving macroeconomic indicators into stronger economic growth. South Africa expects public debt to stabilise this fiscal year after years of rapid increases, while recent credit-ratings actions have reflected an improving fiscal outlook. Even so, the economy has struggled to achieve sustained growth above 2%, limiting the government's ability to tackle one of the world's highest unemployment rates. | — | ||||||
| 6/23/26 | ![]() Surge in registrations for S Africa's 2026 local elections | Surge in registrations for S Africa's 2026 local elections The Electoral Commission of South Africa recorded 2.9-million new registrations during the first voter registration weekend on June 20 to 21. This drive increased the national voters' roll to 28.5-million citizens ahead of the local government elections on November 4. However, political parties balanced optimism over youth turnout with deep alarm over localised violence and procedural integrity. ActionSA expressed dismay over the targeted killings of political figures during the registration drive. Cape Town mayoral candidate Dereleen James noted that five councillors and candidates lost their lives across the country over the weekend. The reported casualties included two political candidates killed in Cape Town, another two on the West Rand and the murder of a ward councillor in Gqeberha. James emphasised that political violence threatens active citizen participation and undermines constitutional democracy. The party called on the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to prioritise these investigations swiftly. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs raised urgent concerns regarding electoral integrity. A social media video surfaced showing an IEC official allegedly holding multiple identity documents at the Okela Primary School registration station. Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane warned that such incidents risk undermining election credibility. The committee directed the IEC to urgently investigate the station, submit a formal report outlining remedial actions, and deliver a comprehensive review of lessons learned from the weekend. SURGE IN YOUTH REGISTRATION Meanwhile, both the ANC and the IFP found encouragement in the high turnout of young citizens. Registrants between the ages of 16 and 29 accounted for 785 078 of the total transactions. IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa stated the numbers show a growing awareness among youth. He urged party structures to intensify mobilisation before the second voter registration weekend on August 1 and 2. The ruling party called the weekend a victory for democratic resilience. The ANC congratulated the IEC staff and volunteers, while reaffirming its focus on strengthening service delivery at municipal level. | — | ||||||
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| 6/23/26 | ![]() Ekurhuleni budget passed after major ANC concessions | Ekurhuleni budget passed after major ANC concessions The DA used its voting leverage to force major budgetary concessions from the ANC in Ekurhuleni after three failed budget votes threatened a provincial administration takeover. Key budget concessions secured by the DA include increased property rates to be capped at just 1.5%, legal protection for infrastructure funding for roads, electricity, water, and sanitation and a new specialised unit to be established to fight illegal connections and power theft. A monthly service delivery tracking dashboard will be published for public transparency, non-essential luxury spending will be frozen to prioritise basic services and stricter financial oversight and consequence management protocols are now mandatory. The City of Ekurhuleni's proposed R71-billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year was in limbo following repeated deadlocks in the municipal council. Opposition parties, including the DA, EFF, and ActionSA, had continuously voted down the budget owing to concerns over aggressive tariff hikes and unrealistic financial assumption. DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga stated the intervention prevents a provincial administration takeover, which would have handed metro control to a Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC from the EFF. The DA maintains this is a victory for residents rather than the ANC, proving the opposition can enforce fiscal discipline and protect South Africa's fourth-largest metro from financial collapse. | — | ||||||
| 6/23/26 | ![]() Family of Zambia's ex-leader should choose his burial site, South Africa court says | Family of Zambia's ex-leader should choose his burial site, South Africa court says A South African appeals court ruled on Tuesday that the family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu should decide where he is buried, overturning a lower court's order that Zambia's government could repatriate Lungu's body for a state funeral. Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died in South Africa a year ago while undergoing medical treatment. His body has remained in South Africa since, as his family and the Zambian government have wrangled over whether he should be buried at a site designated for Zambia's former presidents in the capital Lusaka, or privately in South Africa as his family prefers. Lungu and his successor, current President Hakainde Hichilema, were longstanding political rivals, and his family says Lungu would not have wanted Hichilema to be present at his funeral. In its judgment on Tuesday, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal said the Zambian government had failed to show it had a legal right under South African law to override the family's wishes on where and how Lungu should be buried. It also rejected Zambia's argument that a binding agreement had been reached with the family over the funeral, saying that evidence pointed to ongoing negotiations rather than a final deal. Zambia's Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha did not answer a phone call seeking comment on Tuesday's ruling. South Africa's government has said it has an obligation to respect the wishes of Lungu's family, but it also said it felt a state burial in Zambia would be the most fitting outcome for the former leader. Lungu drove Zambia deeply into debt during his roughly six years in power. The country defaulted on its international debt in 2020, precipitating his election loss. Hichilema will seek re-election for a second five-year term at an election in August. | — | ||||||
| 6/22/26 | ![]() Salga demands intervention in political attacks ahead of local elections | Salga demands intervention in political attacks ahead of local elections The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has issued an urgent call for stronger measures to curb political violence and killings following a bloody weekend that left four politically affiliated individuals dead across three provinces. The attacks come as the country prepares for the 2026 local government elections, raising alarm bells over the safety of democratic processes. The latest wave of violence struck communities in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Gauteng. In Cape Town a by-election candidate was targeted and shot dead, in Gqeberha a ward councillor was gunned down, and in the West Rand two men affiliated with a political party were killed. Salga has extended its condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in these attacks, condemning them as callous acts of violence and warning that these deadly incidents are not isolated occurrences but part of a deeply concerning, cyclical pattern of violence that historically intensifies around election periods. Data from Salga's Municipal Violence Incident Reporting system reveals hundreds of incidents, ranging from threats and intimidation to assassinations, recorded in the local government sphere from 2000 to date. The organisation emphasises that political violence directly undermines the foundations of South Africa's democracy and discourages competent citizens from serving in public office, while it erodes the integrity of electoral processes. In response to the escalating crisis, Salga is demanding that political killings be treated as priority crimes. The association called on law enforcement agencies to launch urgent, decisive probes into the weekend's assassinations to apprehend those behind them. It also wants law enforcement to deploy heightened police presence and security forces in identified violence hotspots and fast-track cases through the courts. Salga notes that the consequences for these crimes must be visible enough to send an "unequivocal message that violence has absolutely no place in democratic contestation". Beyond police intervention, Salga places a heavy responsibility on political organisations, candidates, and local communities to uphold the values of peaceful democratic contestation. The association states that political parties must act decisively against internal intimidation, inflammatory conduct, and factional violence. As the 2026 local government elections draw closer, Salga states it remains committed to working alongside the government, law enforcement agencies, and all relevant stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming polls and ensure the safety of both councillors and communities. | — | ||||||
| 6/22/26 | ![]() Police deployed as anti-migrant deadline looms | Police deployed as anti-migrant deadline looms South Africa will deploy more police this week to deter possible violence before a June 30 deadline set by xenophobic protest groups for foreigners to leave the country. "There has been mobilisation around this issue over a period of time and we expect it to continue after June 30, so we have plans in place," Firoz Cachalia, the acting police minister, said in an interview with State-owned broadcaster SAfm on Monday. Vigilantes have in recent weeks carried out attacks on foreign nationals in several parts of the country, prompting Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe to help more than 3 000 of their citizens to return home. More protests by anti-immigrants groups are planned in South Africa's eastern KwaZulu-Natal province on Monday. The demonstrations have stoked fears of a recurrence of violence in KwaZulu-Natal and the commercial hub of Gauteng in July 2021 that followed the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma. The week of deadly riots marked the worst civil unrest in South Africa since the end of White-minority rule in 1994, leaving more than 300 people dead and thousands of businesses looted or burned down. "We don't want a repeat of that, so we're not going to take any chances," Cachalia said. "We have good information about the levels of mobilisation and the places of mobilisation around this issue." Xenophobic attacks are a regular occurrence in South Africa, with foreigners being blamed for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. Gross domestic product in the continent's largest economy expanded by an average of less than 1% annually over the past decade, and the country's jobless rate is among the highest in the world. In addition to deploying officers to potential hotspots, police ministry officials will meet with provincial and city leaders, private security companies and community policing forums to ensure that "the political leadership and the leadership in civil society is prepared for any eventuality," Cachalia said. | — | ||||||
| 6/22/26 | ![]() Ramaphosa urges African health sovereignty, self-reliance in wake of Ebola outbreak | Ramaphosa urges African health sovereignty, self-reliance in wake of Ebola outbreak President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the critical need for African nations to establish self-reliance during health emergencies. Stressing that health security is deeply tied to economic development, Ramaphosa believes Africa can no longer afford to be at the "back of the global queue" for vital medical supplies, as witnessed during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Writing in his weekly newsletter to the nation on Monday, Ramaphosa urged the continent to build the capacity to protect itself before the next global crisis strikes. He outlined a comprehensive strategy to fortify domestic health systems, emphasising that preparation cannot wait until an outbreak occurs. He suggested the establishment of public health institutes in every African country and that every community health worker must be empowered with proper resources, alongside the deployment of early tracking systems to detect new diseases, and the manufacturing of local diagnostics, medicines, and vaccines. He also urged for the strengthening of the African Medicines Agency to standardise regulation and the creation of centralised procurement systems to guarantee steady demand for local producers. He highlighted that African nations are already shifting from passive recipients of aid to active managers of their own crises, noting that continental leaders have officially agreed to establish the African Epidemics Fund and that African nations are actively self-funding responses to recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. South Africa has pledged $13.5-million to the Africa CDC to treat and limit the spread of Ebola. Ramaphosa warned that the spread of dangerous diseases severely disrupts economies, arguing that health security is directly linked to continental development, safety, and economic stability. As the appointed African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, Ramaphosa stated that South Africa will continue to demand a fair global pandemic agreement built on equal partnership rather than charity. He urged governments not to let their guard down, despite other pressing domestic challenges such as unemployment, poverty, crime, and corruption. | — | ||||||
| 6/19/26 | ![]() Home Affairs extends hours for voter registration weekend | Home Affairs extends hours for voter registration weekend The Department of Home Affairs will extend its operating hours nationwide this weekend to support the Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC's) Voter Registration Weekend. All Home Affairs offices across the country will open on Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00. Citizens are urged to visit their nearest branch to apply for a new card or collect their ready documents. More than 370 000 Smart ID cards currently sit uncollected at Home Affairs offices. Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber emphasised that this initiative aligns with the department's long-term "Home Affairs @ home" vision to make services more accessible. "By extending operating hours nationwide during Voter Registration Weekend, Home Affairs is making it easier for citizens to obtain the Smart ID Cards they need to register and participate in our democracy. We are bringing services closer to the people while advancing our commitment to delivering dignity for all," Schreiber said. The Electoral Commission has confirmed total readiness across all 23 706 voting stations nationwide, with 22 718 permanent stations, 960 temporary stations and 28 mobile stations for remote communities. The national voters' roll has grown to 28-million registered voters, up from 27.7-million during the 2024 general elections. While online registration remains a vital growth driver, physical registration is crucial for the upcoming local government elections. In local government elections, voters must vote at the specific voting district where they are registered. There is no legal mechanism to vote outside your registered district. The IEC urges all citizens to use this weekend to update their address details, and ensure they are placed in the correct ward segment. | — | ||||||
| 6/19/26 | ![]() ANC hails ‘milestone’ as Post Office applies to exit business rescue | ANC hails 'milestone' as Post Office applies to exit business rescue The ANC has welcomed the South African Post Office's (SAPO) application to exit business rescue, hailing the move as a critical turning point in restoring the State-owned entity to operational health. The decision marks a significant step in a broader turnaround strategy designed to ensure SAPO can fully discharge its national postal and digital mandates. Central to this milestone has been a major R381-million government investment injection. The ANC emphasised that this financial support played a pivotal role in maintaining continuous daily operations, safeguarding jobs, and providing relief to 5 956 employees who faced severe economic uncertainty. According to the ruling party, the structural progress achieved during the rescue process is aimed at transforming SAPO into a "highly viable, service-oriented institution". Beyond fixing internal operations, the party explained that this stabilisation is a key component of a larger national agenda, intended to rebuild public trust in key national institutions while restoring confidence in government's overall capacity to manage State-owned enterprises. Ultimately, a revitalised Post Office is expected to contribute meaningfully to local economic development, job creation, and broader economic transformation, the party said. Reaffirming its position on State-owned infrastructure, the ANC believes that the Post Office remains one of South Africa's most vital strategic entities. The formal application to exit business rescue is seen as a development that instils long-term hope, stability, and commercial credibility back into the institution, the party said. | — | ||||||
| 6/19/26 | ![]() Dean Macpherson urges police to find xenophobic agitators | Dean Macpherson urges police to find xenophobic agitators Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson called on law enforcement agencies to act against those responsible for violence against migrants, warning that the attacks are tarnishing the country's international reputation. "We have duty and responsibility to protect the vulnerable, we have a duty and a responsibility to enforce our immigration laws," Macpherson told reporters at a Foreign Correspondents' Association of Southern Africa event at Bloomberg's office in Johannesburg on Friday. "But we also have a duty and responsibility to find those that are agitating for violence and hatred, and of course, international perception is important." South Africa's cabinet is due to discuss the matter on Friday as a June 30 deadline set by anti-immigration protesters for foreigners to leave approaches. The tensions have prompted Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe to assist more than 3 000 of their citizens to return home. The unrest reflects a broader rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, with foreigners increasingly blamed for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. At 32.7%, South Africa has one of the highest jobless rates in the world. The demonstrations have stoked fears of violence on a scale that erupted in South Africa in 2008, when 62 people died and more than 50 000 others were forced to flee their homes in a wave of xenophobic attacks. It has also sparked anger across the continent and calls for retaliation against South African businesses. "We've seen some statements, fairly or unfairly against South Africa, but you know we have to deal with that, and we also have to protect the image of the country" Macpherson said. President Cyril Ramaphosa on June 7 announced plans to clamp down on illegal immigration. Over the past month at least 7 400 undocumented migrants have been arrested for contravening immigration laws. "We have to allow the law enforcement authorities to drive law enforcement and not individual citizens of the country," Neville Matjie, Brand South Africa chief executive officer, said at the same event. | — | ||||||
| 6/18/26 | ![]() Floods inflict record R9bn damage on Cape | Floods inflict record R9bn damage on Cape Recent flooding in South Africa's Western Cape province, which includes the tourist hub of Cape Town, caused more than R9-billion of damage, a total that's expected to rise once final assessments are completed. "Our infrastructure budget for this year is 10 billion rand and the cost of the storm damage means that the whole provincial budget will have to be re-prioritised," Deidré Baartman, the region's finance minister, told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday. Torrential rains that lashed the province last month inundated a number of informal settlements and at least 12 people lost their lives. At least 231 000 people were directly impacted by the inclement weather, and some 3 690 required temporary shelter, according to the provincial disaster management agency. The Western Cape government will approach the national cabinet to free up at least R100-million in disaster funding that can be used to repair infrastructure, according to Premier Alan Winde. "Never before, have we had such a cost caused by storm damage," he said. South Africa is facing increasingly intense and frequent storms as climate change amplifies extreme weather, raising the risk of flooding, infrastructure damage and economic disruption. Earlier this year, the Kruger National Park in the northeast of the country, was forced to shut after the worst flooding since at least 2000 inundated large parts of the wildlife reserve. | — | ||||||
| 6/18/26 | ![]() ANC slams DA’s proposed GNU reshuffle as ‘populist, contradictory’ | ANC slams DA's proposed GNU reshuffle as 'populist, contradictory' The ANC on Thursday launched a scathing attack on its coalition partner the DA, claiming its recent Cabinet reshuffle proposals expose "deep political contradictions and a selective respect" for South Africa's Constitution. The political friction erupted following a request by DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis for President Cyril Ramaphosa to execute a reshuffle of the DA's team within the Government of National Unity (GNU). On Wednesday Hill-Lewis asked Ramaphosa to remove John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture and replace him with Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Willie Aucamp. Hill-Lewis requested that Ramaphosa move Steenhuisen to the role of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic); David Maynier to the position of Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; and Alexandra Abrahams to Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy. Hill-Lewis also wants Yusuf Cassim to be appointed as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, and Jack Bloom to take up the position of Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation. The ANC countered the DA's public announcement, reminding it that appointing and removing members of the national executive is the sole constitutional prerogative of the President. The party stated that executive deployments are not subject to the directives of opposition parties, lobby groups, or coalition partners. According to the ANC, by framing these internal deployment decisions as a direct expectation for presidential action, the DA is showing a "selective and opportunistic respect" for the Constitution. This public reshuffle has raised serious questions within the ANC regarding the DA's genuine commitment to the GNU's foundational Statement of Intent, the party warned. The ANC emphasised that all parties entering the GNU agreed to respect the country's constitutional architecture. It argued that the DA cannot claim to commit to the GNU while ignoring the authority and responsibilities of the President. The ANC expressed deep concern over the DA's willingness to use vital economic portfolios to settle internal party friction. Specifically, the ANC criticised the proposal to move Steenhuisen to the dtic, explaining that the dtic is a critical engine for industrialisation, job creation, investment, and economic transformation, and it should not be treated as a "convenient dumping ground for political under-performers or factional opponents". Moreover, the ANC took the opportunity to stress that government's foremost responsibility is "true equal opportunity", which cannot exist without dismantling the structural barriers left behind by centuries of colonialism and apartheid. It slammed the DA's ongoing opposition to broad-based black economic empowerment and other transformation frameworks, accusing the party of actively trying to reverse South Africa's progress toward a non-racial and inclusive society. While Ramaphosa reflects on these proposed adjustments, the ANC maintains that it remains committed to engaging parliamentary parties to ensure national stability, growth, and nation-building. | — | ||||||
| 6/18/26 | ![]() Impeachment committee opposes Ramaphosa’s interdict | Impeachment committee opposes Ramaphosa's interdict Parliament's Section 89 Impeachment Committee has resolved to formally oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa's urgent court application to halt its inquiry. Following a crucial legal briefing, the committee confirmed it will file a notice to oppose the interdict ahead of the Friday deadline. The decision sets up a high-stakes constitutional showdown in the Western Cape High Court, scheduled for July 15 and 16. In a bid to present a unified legislative front, the committee has requested that National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza join them in defending Parliament's constitutional mandate. Ramaphosa launched his urgent application last week, aiming to block the committee from proceeding with the impeachment process tied to the Phala Phala scandal. Committee members emphasise that they remain legally bound by the Constitutional Court's directives until a competent court orders otherwise. The committee's legal strategy will focus on explaining its constitutional obligations clearly to the court, protecting its institutional capacity to function independently and resisting any form of executive interference. The committee will meet on Wednesday to consider its draft terms of reference and outline the process for appointing independent evidence leaders. ActionSA said the committee's decision followed a formal letter it sent to Didiza and Impeachment Committee chairperson Makashule Gana, which urged Parliament to resist any attempts to frustrate the implementation of the Constitutional Court's judgment on the Phala Phala matter. ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip hailed the committee's decision as a victory for constitutional accountability and parliamentary independence. "Parliament has a constitutional duty to hold the executive accountable, to exercise oversight over the conduct of public office bearers, and to ensure that no person, regardless of their office, is placed beyond scrutiny," Trollip stated. "The Section 89 Committee exists precisely to determine whether the conduct of the President warrants the serious constitutional consequences contemplated by Section 89 of the Constitution. That process must be allowed to proceed without interference, delay, or political shielding." Trollip also aimed sharp criticism at certain political parties within the newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU). He accused them of "prevarication" and "speaking out of both sides of their mouths" by professing support for accountability while avoiding a clear position on the President's attempt to halt the inquiry. ActionSA has called on Didiza to ensure that the National Assembly robustly defends its constitutional powers by reflecting the committee's opposition to the interdict. Warning against legislative complacency, Trollip reminded the Speaker that the apex court had already found Parliament failed South Africans once in its handling of the Phala Phala matter, adding that Parliament must not place itself on the wrong side of the Constitution a second time. | — | ||||||
| 6/17/26 | ![]() Labour unions urge workers to shun anti-migrant protests | Labour unions urge workers to shun anti-migrant protests South Africa's biggest labour unions on Wednesday urged workers not to participate in anti-immigrant protests that have seized the country, and said they could face consequences if they skip work to attend. South Africa is on edge ahead of a June 30 deadline which anti-immigrant groups have given for all undocumented foreigners to leave the country. Protests and potential civil unrest are expected, after weeks of sometimes violent xenophobic attacks. Four major unions including the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), which represents around 2-million people, said in a statement that workers would not be protected if they do not go to work on June 30. "We urge workers to report for duty and not place their employment at risk," they said. The unions echoed President Cyril Ramaphosa's call on Tuesday not to scapegoat migrants for South Africa's problems. "Removing foreign nationals from workplaces, communities or public spaces will not reopen factories, repair municipalities, strengthen public healthcare or create sustainable jobs," said the unions COSATU, FEDUSA, SAFTU and NACTU. Africa's largest economy has more job opportunities than many other African countries and has long attracted large numbers of foreign workers. Some politicians have seized on the issue in recent months to blame such migrants for widespread poverty and crime. South African media outlets reported on Wednesday that clashes had erupted between police and thousands of Malawians awaiting repatriation in the coastal city of Durban. Police fired stun grenades and teargas after a crowd became agitated, said News24. Malawi said earlier in the week that 10 000 of its nationals were in distress and hoping to return from South Africa. While the country has been organising buses to bring them home, it put out a public call for donations to assist with the effort. "Government is resolute in its commitment to bring home every Malawian who wishes to return from South Africa," the government said. "However... the scale and urgency of the operation have created unprecedented financial, logistical, and humanitarian demands." Other countries including Ghana, Nigeria and Mozambique have also repatriated citizens due to safety concerns. | — | ||||||
| 6/17/26 | ![]() South African inflation rises less than expected in May | South African inflation rises less than expected in May South African inflation rose by less than expected in May, which analysts said reduced the likelihood of another central bank interest rate hike next month. Headline consumer inflation quickened to 4.5% year on year from 4.0% in April. That was the highest reading since July 2024. Economists polled by Reuters had expected 4.7%. The rise was mainly driven by fuel price increases linked to the Iran war. Annual core inflation, which strips out volatile items like food and energy, was 3.8% in May, in line with forecasts. Standard Bank economist Elna Moolman said the downside surprise largely emanated from food prices, which were flat in month-on-month terms in May. "This data, alongside the decline in oil prices in response to the imminent signing of an interim peace deal between the US and Iran, means that the upside risk to the inflation trajectory has subsided," Moolman added. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) targets inflation of 3%, with a 1 percentage point tolerance band either side. At its last monetary policy meeting in May it raised rates for the first time in three years and is next scheduled to review its policy stance on July 23. Independent economist Elize Kruger said the data showed no clear indication of second-round inflation impacts and with the US-Iran peace deal "there is a growing probability that the SARB could steer away from another interest rate hike in July". | — | ||||||
| 6/17/26 | ![]() DA reshuffles GNU team: Aucamp replaces Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister | DA reshuffles GNU team: Aucamp replaces Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has officially requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa remove John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture, in a reshuffling of the party's Government of National Unity (GNU) team, with Willie Aucamp proposed to take over Steenhuisen's role. Aucamp moves from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to become the Minister of Agriculture. Hill-Lewis said his immediate focus would be to resolve ongoing legal proceedings relating to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and accelerate market expansion for agricultural exports. Steenhuisen will assume the role of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. Meanwhile, David Maynier will take up the position of Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, stepping in to fill the vacancy left by Aucamp. Alexandra Abrahams moves from Trade, Industry and Competition to take up a key position as Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy. Yusuf Cassim is appointed as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, bringing his extensive background in student politics to the post, while Jack Bloom, a veteran of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, will take up the position of Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation. In his formal correspondence to Ramaphosa, Hill-Lewis emphasised that these structural adjustments followed a careful assessment of the DA's executive team performance. "It is my judgement that the renewed team announced today will strengthen the DA's contribution to government and give better effect to the mandate received from 3.5-million voters," Hill-Lewis explained. He added that public office required high performance, absolute integrity, and responsiveness to create an open, opportunity-filled society for all South Africans. | — | ||||||
| 6/15/26 | ![]() Fitch upgrades Eskom to B+, in line with South Africa's credit rating | Fitch upgrades Eskom to B+, in line with South Africa's credit rating Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded State-owned Eskom's credit rating to B+ with a stable outlook, up from a B rating, in line with the recent improvement in South Africa's sovereign credit rating. Specifically, Fitch upgraded Eskom's long-term Issuer default ratings to B+ with a stable outlook; its senior unsecured debt to B+ with its recovery rating of RR4 unchanged; and Eskom's guaranteed senior unsecured debt to BB from BB-. Eskom continues to stabilise its operations and strengthen financial management under its ongoing turnaround plan, the utility says. The relationship between Eskom and the South African government is strong across key support factors, including oversight, policy role, and the precedent of support, with Eskom's rating positioned below the sovereign in line with this framework. Eskom views the upgrade as a positive signal of improving macroeconomic conditions and continued recognition of the utility's central role in South Africa's energy system. The utility remains focused on strengthening operational performance, improving liquidity and access to funding, and delivering on its turnaround plan in support of long-term financial sustainability, it says. It also focuses on how rating agencies view its risk profile, owing to its need to access the capital markets. "Our focus remains on execution. We continue to implement our turnaround strategy at pace to restore operational and financial stability, maintain energy security and position Eskom for sustainable long-term growth that supports the economy," says Eskom Group CE Dan Marokane. "Eskom, and South Africa, now has a stable electricity platform to operate and grow from, which has advanced grid stability, market liberalisation and the integration of renewable energy," he says. | — | ||||||
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