Eswatini repatriation of US deportees raises concerns

Eswatini has repatriated 10 of its 31 deportees from the US, probably through South Africa, and there are rumours that they were released through informal border crossings.

US imposes sanctions on ICC hours after South African judge wins Nobel Peace Prize

Hours after South Africa’s Navi Pillay, a former judge of the International Criminal Court, was named as this year’s recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the US slapped sanctions on the court.

Anti-immigrant mob is fuelling a dangerous anti-constitutionalist fire

A dangerous element landing with the population now is that the Constitution and the judiciary that upholds our republic’s founding document are a luxury. The anti-immigration lobby is driving this sentiment.

SA’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Judge Navi Pillay on Gaza, power and international justice

In a world where readiness is key, Redi Tlhabi and her crew dissect the art of preparedness with a mix of sharp insights and a sprinkle of wit that keeps you both informed and entertained.

What to know about the refugee ruling that sparked riots in Durban and Soweto

Violent protests erupted in Durban and Johannesburg this week following widespread misinformation about a Home Affairs directive on how asylum seekers should be processed. Here’s what you need to know.

Weight of prejudice

Navigating ballots, candidates, and wards: Your guide to the 2026 local government elections

The countdown to the 2026 local government elections is on. Still unsure about how voting works, who is contesting your ward or what will be on your ballot? This guide has you covered.

SA’s Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for championing peace and international law

South African judge Navi Pillay won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting peace and international law, from opposing apartheid to serving on international courts.

SA helps feed China’s huge desert fish-farming boom

As China turns desert groundwater into fish farms in Xinjiang, South Africa’s sardines and anchovies are contributing to this ‘Blue Miracle’ – revealing how modern aquaculture shifts its costs across oceans, ecosystems and people.

The price paid beyond the plate — the huge costs of farmed seafood

Much of the fishmeal and fish oil that support imported farmed salmon and other seafood consumed in South Africa comes from global supply chains linked to pollution, labour abuses, overfishing and food insecurity in poorer countries.

Jane of Waterfall speaks to the tall tailless

A letter from Jane of the soon-to-be-captured Waterfall baboon troop in Simon’s Town.

Former ‘crown prince of the Kruger’ Park found guilty of rhino poaching

A decade-long trial has ended in the conviction of two former Kruger National Park employees for the killing and dehorning of a white rhino in 2016.

Anti-immigrant mob threatens to burn women and children in Pretoria

Home Affairs has backtracked on reopening the asylum system after violent clashes in various cities. In Pretoria, anti-foreigner groups made violent threats before they were dispersed.

High court orders ANC to reinstate Andile Lungisa after unlawful removal

With elections less than a month away, the high court has ruled that the ANC’s removal of Andile Lungisa from its Nelson Mandela Bay candidate list is unlawful, ordering the party to reinstate his name and pay his legal costs.

Anrich Nortje’s impressive Test cricket return hands Proteas narrow advantage over Aussies

After a three-year absence, Anrich Nortje’s pace helped reduce the visitors to 124-6, but Pat Cummins and Matt Renshaw fought back with an unbeaten 63-run stand in first innings of first Test before bad light stopped play. South Africa will be hoping to pick off the rest of the Aussie batting line-up when play resumes on Saturday. At close of play, Australia, who elected to bat first, were 187-6 (Matt Renshaw 46*, Pat Cummins 33*, Wiaan Mulder 2-31, Anrich Nortje 2-40).

Private conversation is no shield for racist language such as the k-word, SCA rules

The Supreme Court of Appeal has made an important ruling on racist language used in private, finding that even conversations between white people can amount to hate speech. As such, it upheld a R500,000 order against a businessman over his repeated use of the k-word.

Rising tide of cancer diagnosis rates — inside the science, risk factors, human toll

It isn’t always easy to know what to believe when it comes to cancer. In part 2 of a Daily Maverick and Spotlight special series on cancer, Biénne Huisman asks whether cancer cases are on the increase in South Africa, and why. On the way, she visits academic corridors and a Limpopo citrus orchard, all while trying to make sense of the available data.

Home Affairs scraps asylum seeker directive after violence in Durban and Soweto

The Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn its directive regarding the intake of asylum-seeker applications. This follows severe operational strain on Refugee Reception Offices and violent protests in Durban and Soweto. The department will start from scratch to draft a sustainable plan that meets the requirements set by the Constitutional Court.

Sharks and Lions face early tests for United Rugby Championship playoff credentials

SA clashes offer an early gauge of franchises’ prospects in what looks to be a demanding season.

Eastern Cape deputy judge president position to remain unfilled, says JSC

The Eastern Cape judicial division has been without a permanently appointed deputy judge president for over a year and a permanently appointed judge president for almost three years. On Friday, the Judicial Service Commission announced the deputy judge president position will remain unfilled.

School transport crisis puts 71,000 Western Cape learners at risk as fuel costs soar

A one-day school bus operator strike on Tuesday over soaring fuel prices has left thousands of Western Cape learners facing an uncertain route to school. Operations have temporarily resumed pending provincial feedback, with rural families bearing the brunt of further disruptions.

European Parliament bans far-right politician’s SA exhibition

A Belgian far-right politician referred to by a former colleague as “an unadulterated Hitler fanatic” had an exhibition about South Africa blocked by Brussels in September, it has emerged.

A Vote of No Confidence

Ten cars torched as xenophobic violence erupts in Soweto

Ten cars were set alight in Orlando West, Soweto, on Thursday following violence between community members and foreign shop owners.

Ramokgopa plays the gas procurement trump card from his energy plan deck

A year ago, Daily Maverick declared wind as the early winner in Electricity Minister Ramokgopa’s Integrated Resource Plan 2025. Now, a new leader has emerged – straight out of Gwede Mantashe’s liquefied gas dreams.

Priced out of Cape Town? Here’s what political parties say they’ll do about Airbnbs and rent

Daily Maverick asked some of the major parties gunning for Cape Town’s mayoral seat how they viewed Cape Town’s housing shortage – and how they planned to address it. Here’s what they had to say.

In the shadow of ‘Sandpapergate’, Australia are back in SA for overdue Test series

Australia and South Africa resume Test hostilities on local soil for the first time since 2018 when they clash at Kingsmead in Durban, starting on Friday.

This Mthatha artist turns shapes and lines into evocative African stories

Emotives Africa makes patterns, prints and artwork for brands that want an African aesthetic that isn’t clichéd.

Property owners spend millions on diesel as Joburg CBD power outages drive away tenants

Johannesburg’s electricity crisis is increasingly threatening years of work to regenerate the inner city.