Opposition calls Godongwana’s fuel levy cuts ‘a scam’ as GNU offers muted support

Political reactions to Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement range from cautious GNU endorsement to fierce opposition dismissals of fuel levy cuts as electioneering.

Watch – Ferial Haffajee and Ernst Roets on Agoa, crosses and autonomy

Watch – Ferial Haffajee and Ernst Roets on Agoa, crosses and autonomy

‘We are here, Janine’ — my account of fatal Orient Beach shark attack

A fellow swimmer recounts Janine Lochrenberg’s fatal great white shark attack off Orient Beach in KuGompo, and how friends fought to save her.

Bronkhorstspruit water crisis exposes a national pattern of municipal failure and impunity

The Bronkhorstspruit water crisis, which has sickened about 450 people, exposes deep-rooted failures in local government, poor oversight and a culture of non-accountability that puts public health at risk. Despite promises of disciplinary action, political patronage and weak enforcement raise doubts that officials will be held responsible or that South Africa’s worsening water crisis will be resolved.

Former justice minister Brigitte Mabandla denies instruction to halt post-TRC prosecutions

At the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry into delayed TRC prosecutions, former minister of justice Brigitte Mabandla denied issuing any instructions to halt prosecutions to National Prosecuting Authority senior official Dr Silas Ramaite.

Rhodes students hit by gastro, thrusting Makhanda water system into spotlight (again)

‘Water colour alone is already a turn-off,’ says a Rhodes University student after more than 111 students reported cases of gastrointestinal illness. According to the university, this extends beyond its campuses, as Makhanda faces water contamination issues.

Mindshift

Rising revenue allows for fuel levy relief, El Niño readiness in Godongwana’s mini budget

This Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement is a big deal: debt stabilisation has been the elusive Holy Grail long pursued by Treasury, and is the metric that the markets and credit ratings watch like a hawk.

Watching the watchers — the Mother City’s expanding surveillance network demands voyeurism scrutiny

Cape Town’s multimillion-rand surveillance grid promises safer streets. However, unchecked technology, vague safeguards and historical precedent raise urgent questions about liberty and data privacy.

‘Who do I vote for?’ Reader questions answered on coalitions, councils and voting

With the 4 November elections approaching, we answer Daily Maverick readers’ key questions about local government, coalition stability and municipal accountability.

GBV and early childhood development get prioritised in mini budget of maximum efficiency

After deafening silence from the Presidency at the height of the Ekurhuleni horrors, we had a family meeting that said a lot of nothing. It seems President Cyril Ramaphosa is speaking with the national wallet.

Snake charmer

Openness or secrecy: media and evidence leaders square off at Madlanga Commission

Evidence leaders are desperate to put intelligence coordinator Dr Ntandazo Sifolo on the stand. They argue his testimony concerns classified reports on organised crime infiltration and can only be heard in total secrecy. Three media houses argue that less restrictive measures are possible and necessary.

Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement — Full Speech

On Wednesday, 21 October, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana laid out the government’s progress in implementing his Budget 2026.

SSA seeks to shut media, public out of R12m spy trial, citing intelligence risk

The State Security Agency wants the media and public banned from attending and reporting on the trial of former intelligence officials Thulani “Silence” Dlomo and Patrick Mshothola, claiming that it could expose intelligence sources, operational methods and classified information. Media organisations are fighting for access.

Trump Inc, American kleptocracy and the art of US State Capture

Something worryingly similar to South Africa’s State Capture is happening in the richest and most powerful country on the planet. And, as with Jacob Zuma, it’s about far more than one man; it is the entire family. This is a generational project of industrial-scale looting.

Jansen takes five wickets to leave Australia on the brink of heavy defeat

South Africa need six more wickets to secure an extraordinary second Test win over Australia at St George’s Park in Gqeberha with one day of the match remaining and a lead of 170 runs.

Another blow to Tolashe’s legacy as sacked spokesperson wins R1.5m and job back

The Department of Social Development has been ordered to reinstate former communications chief Lumka Oliphant, dismissed during Sisisi Tolashe’s tenure as minister, and pay her more than R1.53m in backpay.

Researcher Steven Gruzd met alleged killers at Airbnb, court hears, as Grindr link emerges

The circumstances of Steven Gruzd’s murder point to possible links to criminals targeting men who have sex with men, following a recent rise in ‘Grindr gang’ incidents.

Bafana boast centre-back riches as Mosimane weighs options for Kenya double-header

Pitso Mosimane faces a welcome selection headache as Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Olwethu Makhanya and other centre-backs compete for Bafana Bafana places.

Tshwane’s drinking water crisis a wake-up call for SA as sewage pollution sickens hundreds

More than 400 people, mostly children under four, contracted gastrointestinal illnesses after drinking contaminated tap water in Bronkhorstspruit, exposing failures in water treatment and municipal oversight. The outbreak highlights South Africa’s wider sewage crisis, with experts warning that failing wastewater systems threaten drinking-water safety and national water security.

A greyhound race in Sydney, French riots, and more from around the world

Moving, tragic, surprising, inspiring, terrifying, shocking ... a selection of recent images from our planet.

Four national polls show ANC decline, DA growth and MK drift

National polls are useful for checking the national pulse, but they blur the ANC’s decline across urban South Africa, particularly in Gauteng.

Mbeki’s Radio Freedom broadcast on eve of Cradock Four funeral played at Khampepe inquiry

One of the attachments to the bundle of papers former president Thabo Mbeki submitted to the Khampepe Commission of inquiry into delayed post-TRC prosecutions was a sound clip of a speech broadcast on the ANC’s Radio Freedom on the eve of the burial of the murdered ‘Cradock Four’, Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkonto and Sicelo Mhlauli.

New EU envoy red-flags rigid BEE, SA’s Ukraine ‘double standard’, but hails ‘deeper’ ties

EU ambassador Kristian Schmidt defends the principle of BEE while urging flexibility, highlights differences over Ukraine, and outlines deeper trade, investment and security ties with South Africa.

Bok Women face stern Ireland challenge in first clash in two decades

The Springbok Women face fifth-ranked Ireland in a double-header as part of a global series designed to provide consistent fixtures and raise performance standards, but injuries could complicate their task.

Former top cop Mphego’s path, from Selebi and Zuma scandals to ammo accused

Former police general Mulangi Mphego has been released on bail after being accused of unauthorised possession of ammunition. Before his arrest this week, his name had surfaced in various controversies, including an investigation into a murdered policeman and others involving ex-president Jacob Zuma and disgraced top cop Jackie Selebi.

SA’s URC teams face northern examination as club season ramps up

While the Sharks and Lions face tough overseas assignments in the next two weeks, the South Africa-based Bulls and Stormers should finish this block of URC matches on a high.

The many long journeys for cancer treatment far from home

The road to cancer treatment in South Africa often involves many encounters with healthcare workers and long journeys far from home. From pink iPhone covers to pink embroidery yarn, and cornstarch, Biénne Huisman hears the stories of people from vast corners of inland South Africa, and beyond, who travelled to Bloemfontein for specialist medical attention to treat their cancer. This is part 4 of Daily Maverick and Spotlight’s special series on cancer in South Africa.