Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
South Africans can expect an improved voting experience during the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections, with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) introducing measures aimed at reducing long queues at polling stations. The commission acknowledged the frustration caused by lengthy queues during the 2024 general elections and said it had analysed the experience to identify ways of improving efficiency. The IEC launched its National Results Operation Centre at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, signalling its preparations for the upcoming elections. IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the commission had learnt valuable lessons from the previous elections and had…
The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court has granted controversial North West businessman Sulliman Carrim bail of R100,000. Carrim made a brief court appearance on charges of contempt of court linked to his failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission. The State, led by prosecutor Donald Shiko, opposed bail, arguing that Carrim had been intercepted with five “voluminous” bags of luggage and had initially held a one-way ticket without a return booking. The State also argued that he had tailored his testimony under cross-examination. The court, however, found that he had provided sufficient grounds for his release, subject to stringent bail conditions, after…
The City of Tshwane has reported progress in its efforts to stabilise water supply, with water gradually returning to households in parts of Garsfontein and Elardus Park. Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya provided the update following a meeting of the City’s Water Management Committee, which reviewed rehabilitation work at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works and water supply conditions across the municipality. Although significant challenges remain, Moya said rehabilitation work at the treatment works is advancing. According to the technical team, cleaning of the larger reservoir has been completed, while work on the smaller reservoir continues. Additional equipment is required to…
Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Mudzinganyama, who is facing charges over allegations that he threatened women in Sandton, will no longer be able to bid for or participate in government tenders. This follows the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) blacklisting his company, Moriel Group, from doing business with the state. During a joint media briefing with Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson in Pretoria, the CIDB said the company was among 60 non-performing contractors barred from doing business with the state. Mudzinganyama made headlines after being captured on camera allegedly threatening a group of women at Vlamo Restaurant in Sandton, Johannesburg. “I will…
The government has vowed to continue its crackdown on non-compliant construction companies accused of misrepresenting their contractor grades, contributing to project delays and cost overruns. The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has announced the removal of 15 companies from its Register of Contractors for allegedly submitting false information to inflate their grading levels unlawfully. The latest action brings to 65 the number of contractors barred from tendering for public projects. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and its agencies briefed the media in Pretoria. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson warned that contractors who obtain government contracts through…
African governments must strengthen vigilance over foreign military and intelligence activities on the continent following reports that Ukrainian specialists have supported anti-Russian operations in conflict zones. The reports raise serious questions about national sovereignty, regional stability and the risks of importing the Russia–Ukraine war into Africa. The concerns follow a September 2026 investigation by CNN journalist Ivana Kottasová, which reported that Ukrainian drone specialists had been deployed in Mali to assist Tuareg separatists fighting Malian government forces and Russian personnel. The investigation also examined Ukrainian activities in Libya and reported the presence of specialists in Sudan. Read the CNN investigation.…
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has urged residents of Bronkhorstspruit to wash their hands frequently, despite the severe water shortages affecting the area following the decommissioning of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works (BWTW). The plant operated without chlorination from 24 September to 14 October 2026 due to supply issues. The unchlorinated water mixed with sewage pollution from failing upstream wastewater infrastructure, resulting in extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms. More than 800 people, many of them young children under the age of four, have suffered from gastrointestinal illnesses linked to the contamination. Majodina said hygiene must…
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has been urged to take action against loan sharks who withhold people’s identity documents, potentially preventing them from voting on election day. Kim Medupi, a permanent delegate to the National Council of Provinces representing the North West, raised the concern during a visit to the IEC’s headquarters in Centurion, where a parliamentary delegation assessed the commission’s readiness for the upcoming local government elections. Medupi identified the North West as one of the provinces where unregistered lenders commonly withhold borrowers’ identity documents. “Indeed, the issue of our loan sharks, or bo-mashonisa and bo-mochonisa, is…
Residents in Pretoria’s central business district (CBD) have been urged to boil tap water before drinking it following the decommissioning of another reservoir found to be defective. The City of Tshwane’s Mayoral Committee Member for Health, Tshegofatso Mashabela, said the warning follows the detection of microbiological failures at the Findlay Reservoir. This comes just days after tap water in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding areas was declared unsafe for human consumption because of severe bacterial contamination and inadequate chlorination at the local water treatment plant. At least 400 people, mostly children, were reportedly treated for gastrointestinal illnesses. “The City of Tshwane Department…
Taxi fares will not be hiked as a result of recent fuel price increases, at least for now. This is after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a reduction of the fuel levy as part of a range of measures aimed at cushioning citizens against the effects of the rapid rise in fuel prices driven mainly by the war in the Middle East, particularly the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Houthi freedom fighters. The fuel levy, announced by Godongwana on Wednesday, will be reduced by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R3.00 per litre for diesel from 4 November…