News as at
August 3, 2026, 8:08 pm
Zimbabwe Declares National Disaster After South Africa Bus Tragedy Claims 11 Lives
- [New Zimbabwe] THE Zimbabwean government has declared the recent bus crash in South Africa a national disaster after 11 Zimbabwean citizens lost their lives while returning home from Cape Town. Authorities are now working to identify the victims and facilitate the repatriation of their remains.
Activists Go Door-to-Door to Counter Xenophobia in Yeoville
- [GroundUp] "Yeoville has become a hotspot for these xenophobes. They are instilling fear in immigrants"
Diesel Hike Could Send Food Prices Higher
- [Scrolla] · Petrol prices are expected to stay almost unchanged in August, while diesel could rise by as much as R1.91 a litre because of higher global fuel prices.
Western Cape's Driest July in Decades Hints At Parched Summer As El Niño Looms
- [Daily Maverick] Though not El Niño-related, the Western Cape's dry spells in July are not helping South Africa as it prepares for the predicted monster El Niño, which is expected to be felt far and wide.
How White Farmers Still Dominate Land Ownership in South Africa in Spite of Land Reform - New Research
- [The Conversation Africa] More than 30 years after South Africa achieved democracy it remains one of the world's most unequal countries. The democratic transition has not produced the transfer in wealth and ownership from a white minority to Black majority population that many had hoped for.
After Long Wait for Anaesthetics, Water Shortages Still Halt Dental Care At North West Clinic
- [Health-e] Patients at Itsoseng Community Health Centre in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in North West waited months for dental care because of anaesthetic shortages. Now stock has arrived, but intermittent water supply means some dental procedures still cannot be performed.
Fake Hit, HIV Case and Corruption Battles Rock Gauteng Courts
- [Scrolla] Brown Mogotsi returns to court after failing to win bail, while alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's trial within a trial also continues. A Pretoria man accused of deliberately infecting his former girlfriend with HIV is expected back in court as the Democratic Alliance calls for the anti-corruption unit to be scrapped.
Andrea Johnson's 'Project Diversion' a Personal Project Against Top Cops, Inquiry Told
- [Daily Maverick] What began as an examination of whether former Idac head Andrea Johnson had exercised poor judgement has evolved into a far more serious question: was Project Diversion, from its inception, driven by predetermined objectives rather than evidence?
'Unique in Our Jurisprudence' - the Price of the State's Refusal to Pay Fred Daniel
- [Daily Maverick] Following the historic ruling of Judge Neil Tuchten in September 2025, which found that conservationist Fred Daniel had been the victim of a violent campaign - led by former deputy president David Mabuza - to bury his revelations of State Capture in Mpumalanga, the South African government doubled down on its strategy of deferment and denial. But now, with its refusal to pay cost orders and its non-compliance with the rules of appeal, the government may be running out of road.
Sewer Project Leaves Flagstaff Without a New School
- [GroundUp] Residents say officials promised the two developments could coexist
Media Alert - Higher Education Committee to Conduct Oversight Visits to Mpumalanga University and Tvet Colleges
- [Parliament of South Africa] The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education will from tomorrow until Friday conduct oversight visits to the University of Mpumalanga and the various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in the province.
President Appoints Members of National Council On GBVF
- [SAnews.gov.za] President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed members of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide for a period of three years, effective from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029.
Government Congratulates the SABC On Its 90th Anniversary
- [SAnews.gov.za] Government has congratulated the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on the historic milestone of its 90th anniversary.
SAPS Intercept Cocaine Worth an Estimated R28 Million At OR Tambo
- [SAnews.gov.za] The South African Police Service (SAPS), working together with key law enforcement partners, has intercepted a consignment of cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport.
South Africa Prepares for Potential New Adult TB Vaccine
- [SAnews.gov.za] The Department of Health has welcomed progress towards a new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, while confirming preparatory work to ensure timely access for South Africans as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
The R31 Million Question - DA to Question Minister Mckenzie On FIFA Spending
- [DA] On Tuesday, 4 August, Minister Gayton McKenzie and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will account to Parliament on its FIFA World Cup 2026 delegation and related expenses.
The Dlamini Dilemma Exposes Fingerprints of Suspended PIC CEO All Over Harith's Lanseria Deal
- [Daily Maverick] An October 2025 update letter to the Government Employees' Pension Fund sought permission to pay, and explained that the Public Investment Corporation had been ordered to pay, Acapulco R411m (plus costs). It was signed by CEO Patrick Dlamini, two months before commissioning PwC to do a forensic investigation into the matter. Daily Maverick has seen the document.
South Africa's Privacy Laws Are Evolving, but Vulnerable People Are Being Left Behind
- [The Conversation Africa] Imagine receiving a message from your bank about suspicious activity on your account, only to discover that someone has accessed your personal information after an organisation you trusted suffered a data breach. Or finding that your medical records or identity details have been exposed online without your knowledge. As more South Africans use digital services for banking, healthcare, education and social media, such incidents are becoming an increasing concern.
Outa Wants High Court to Put the Brakes On New Traffic Fine System
- [Daily Maverick] The civil action group is seeking an urgent interdict to stop the roll-out of the new Aarto system, in which car owners with unpaid traffic infringements face blocked licenses, sales, or transfers. They argue in court papers that President Cyril Ramaphosa acted unlawfully and irrationally in proclaiming the new scheme.
Africa's Energy Crossroads: What Namibia's Rise and South Africa's Debate Mean for the Continent
- [allAfrica] Africa stands at one of the most consequential moments in its modern economic history.
GMOs and Precision Farming Bring Food Prices Down.
- [Daily Maverick] Better yields have ensured there's plenty of food for South African tables,
South African Singer Tyla Cancels Lagos Performance Amid Xenophobia Backlash
- [Vanguard] South African singer Tyla has removed Lagos from the schedule of her upcoming APop world tour following online backlash from some Nigerians over renewed reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
Tyla's Lagos Concert Disappears From World Tour Amid Boycott Calls
- [Premium Times] The Grammy-winning South African singer's December Lagos concert no longer appears on her official world tour itinerary following days of backlash and boycott calls.
Did Cape Town's Gunshot Detection System Work? Why Jury Is Still Out On What Shotspotter Achieved
- [The Conversation Africa] In mid-2026 Cape Town's city council ended the use of ShotSpotter, a US-developed gunshot detection system and a form of dragnet surveillance. The system was first piloted in 2016. The council said it was reviewing a renewal of the contract. The acoustic system was marketed as being able to detect and alert police officers to gunfire within 60 seconds.
Meet 'Miss Tee', the Community Leader Getting Stinkwater Residents Moving With Free Aerobics Classes
- [Health-e] Every weekend up to a 100 children, teenagers and women gather at Refentse Primary School in Stinkwater, north of Pretoria, for free aerobics classes.
South Africans Lose Hundreds of Millions of Rands to Morita Forestry Investment Scam
- [GroundUp] Social media influencers helped make the scam possible - and were rewarded handsomely
Reforming Prescribed Minimum Benefits Is the First Step to Affordable Medical Cover
- [spotlight] With plans in motion to roll out universal health coverage in South Africa, Dr Katlego Mothudi, of the Board of Healthcare Funders, argues that revising the compulsory prescribed minimum benefits that medical schemes must provide can be a tool to deliver meaningful improvements today while laying the foundations for a more sustainable healthcare system tomorrow.
This Government Grant Could Pay Toward Your First Home
- [Scrolla] A government grant of up to R169,000 for first-time home buyers is opening again next week. You could qualify if your household earns between R3,501 and R22,000 a month.
Justice Minister Hunts for Outsider to Fix Anti-Corruption Unit
- [Scrolla] Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption's new acting head will likely come from outside the unit, with an announcement expected next week. The reset includes lifestyle audits for all staff, a full case audit, and disciplinary action against three senior officials already suspended.
