1. BIKO INQUEST HALTED INDEFINITELY — FAMILY WINS URGENT COURT ORDER. Judge Jannie Eksteen granted the Biko family's urgent application for an indefinite postponement of the reopened inquest in the Gqeberha High Court, overturning inquest judge Isaac Madondo's earlier refusal. The family says hundreds of historical documents still require translation from Afrikaans. No resumption date has been set. Crime →

2. MANDELA MEMORABILIA: CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RESERVES JUDGMENT ON AUCTION BID. The Constitutional Court heard arguments over whether SAHRA can block the sale of 29 Mandela-linked items — including a handmade Robben Island key valued at R21 million — at a New York auction. Acting Justice Tembeka Ngcukaitobi challenged former warder Christo Brand's account. Two lower courts previously ruled against the state. Crime →

3. ANC CANDIDATE BLUNDER: MBALULA SAYS NO ONE TO BLAME AS INTERNAL BACKLASH GROWS. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula rejected the idea that any individual should be held responsible for the party's failure to submit 181 candidate nominations on time. At least nine NEC members have reportedly blamed Mbalula directly. The Electoral Court case is pending; the IEC's final candidate list is due 16 September. Economy →

4. MKHWANAZI COMMITTEE: TWO DAYS TO DEADLINE. The ad hoc committee investigating Lt Gen Mkhwanazi's allegations of political interference in policing continues deliberating on a draft report running to more than 700 pages. Its mandate expires on 11 September. Corruption →

5. MEYIWA TRIAL: VODACOM EXPERT CONTINUES CELLPHONE EVIDENCE. Vodacom data expert Tsholanang Golele continued testimony at the North Gauteng High Court on the admissibility of cellphone records belonging to the late Mabhungu Ntuli. Crime →

Sources: Daily Maverick · SABC News · EWN · IOL · The Citizen · TimesLIVE · Business Day · News24 — 9 September 2026Permalink

1. GDP CONTRACTS 0.2% IN Q2 — SIX-QUARTER GROWTH STREAK ENDS. Stats SA confirmed that the economy shrank in the April–June period, dragged down by mining (−3.0%), trade (−1.9%) and manufacturing (−1.8%). A surge in imports knocked 1.1 percentage points off GDP on the expenditure side. Finance, transport and government services were the only positive contributors. Economy →

2. ANC FILES ELECTORAL COURT PAPERS OVER CANDIDATE LIST EXCLUSION. The ANC formally approached the Electoral Court to have 181 ward and PR candidates in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State declared validly submitted despite missing the IEC's 28 August deadline. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula rejected claims the party was seeking preferential treatment. The IEC's final candidate list is due 16 September. Economy →

3. BIKO INQUEST: SIEBERT CROSS-EXAMINATION CONCLUDES IN GQEBERHA. Evidence leader Devandra Govender challenged former security branch captain Daniel Petrus Siebert on contradictions between his 1977, TRC and 2026 testimonies. Govender put it to Siebert that a hosepipe found in the interrogation room was intended to assault Biko, not for any scuffle. Crime →

4. MEYIWA TRIAL RESUMES AFTER INTERPRETER POSTPONEMENT. The murder trial of five men accused of killing Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa resumed at the North Gauteng High Court after last week's adjournment caused by the interpreter falling ill. Crime →

5. MKHWANAZI COMMITTEE: THREE DAYS TO DEADLINE. The ad hoc committee investigating Lt Gen Mkhwanazi's allegations of political interference in policing continues deliberating on its draft report. Its mandate expires on 11 September — its fifth extension. Corruption →

Sources: Stats SA · News24 · TimesLIVE · EWN · Daily Maverick · SABC News · The Citizen · IOL · eNCA — 8 September 2026Permalink

1. MAPISA-NQAKULA DISCHARGE APPLICATION DISMISSED — TRIAL CONTINUES. Judge Mashudu Munzhelele dismissed the former defence minister's Section 174 bid to have the corruption and money laundering case thrown out without presenting a defence. The Pretoria High Court found the State presented sufficient circumstantial evidence for a reasonable court to convict. She must now present her defence. Corruption →

2. ANC FACES EXCLUSION FROM UP TO 181 COUNCIL SEATS AFTER MISSED IEC DEADLINE. The ANC failed to submit all its councillor candidate lists before the 28 August deadline, blaming an IEC system glitch. The IEC rejected the claim and refused any extension. President Ramaphosa is considering an Electoral Court challenge. Affected municipalities are in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. Economy →

3. SEVERE STORMS CONTINUE — SAWS ORANGE WARNING FOR MONDAY. After Saturday's flooding and road closures, SAWS issued a fresh Orange Level 5 warning for Gauteng on 7 September, with damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning forecast. OR Tambo-bound flights were diverted on Saturday. Infrastructure →

4. STATS SA Q2 GDP RELEASE CONFIRMED FOR TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER AT 11h00. The data will show how the economy performed between April and June 2026. National Accounts rebasing and benchmarking results are due separately in October. Economy →

5. PHALA PHALA SECTION 89 REVIEW: JUDGMENT RESERVED. The Western Cape High Court heard final arguments in Ramaphosa's application to set aside the Section 89 panel report. Judge President Mabindla-Boqwana has undertaken to fast-track the ruling. No date has been set. Corruption →

Sources: EWN · TimesLIVE · News24 · The Citizen · IOL · Mail & Guardian · SABC News · Stats SA — 7 September 2026Permalink

1. SAPS COMMEMORATION DAY: RAMAPHOSA HONOURS 12 FALLEN OFFICERS AT UNION BUILDINGS. President Ramaphosa addressed the annual SAPS Commemoration Day, warning that attacking police officers is “attacking the integrity of the State.” Twelve officers killed in the line of duty during 2025/26 were honoured — a significant decline from 27 the previous year. Nine of the twelve were from Gauteng. Crime →

2. SEVERE STORMS BATTER GAUTENG, NORTH WEST AND NORTHERN CAPE. An Orange Level 6 warning for severe thunderstorms brought flooding, road closures and structural damage across multiple provinces. Homes were damaged in Setlagole village near Mahikeng and Sol Plaatje Municipality. Several Johannesburg roads were closed and vehicles submerged. Infrastructure →

3. MAPISA-NQAKULA: DISCHARGE RULING STILL EXPECTED TOMORROW (7 SEPTEMBER). The Gauteng High Court is expected to deliver its Section 174 discharge ruling in Mapisa-Nqakula's R4.55 million corruption and money laundering trial on Sunday 7 September. No indication the date has moved. Corruption →

4. CORRECTION: GDP RELEASE IS TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER, NOT MONDAY. Yesterday's entry incorrectly stated the Stats SA Q2 GDP release was due on Monday 8 September. 8 September 2026 is a Tuesday. The release time and date are confirmed: 11h00, Tuesday 8 September. Economy →

5. MEYIWA TRIAL: EXPECTED TO RESUME 9 SEPTEMBER. The trial of five accused in the murder of Senzo Meyiwa is expected to resume on Tuesday 9 September at the North Gauteng High Court. Crime →

SUPERSEDED — Item 3 overtaken: the discharge application was dismissed on 7 September. See 2026-09-07-mapisa-nqakula-discharge-dismissed.

Sources: IOL · SABC News · EWN · TimesLIVE · Daily Maverick · Stats SA — 6 September 2026Permalink

1. MKHWANAZI AD HOC COMMITTEE: FINAL DELIBERATIONS BEFORE 11 SEPTEMBER DEADLINE. The ad hoc committee investigating Mkhwanazi's allegations of political interference in the criminal justice system is deliberating on its draft report, with members divided on whether Senzo Mchunu disbanded the Police Khayelitsha Task Team to shield cartels. The committee's mandate expires on 11 September. Corruption →

2. MEYIWA TRIAL: VODACOM EXPERT TESTIMONY CONTINUES FOR SECOND DAY. Vodacom forensic analyst Tsholanang Golele returned to the stand at the North Gauteng High Court. The court must also recall a previous Vodacom expert to address a discrepancy between Vodacom's evidence and police analyst evidence regarding communications between accused no. 5 and singer Kelly Khumalo. Crime →

3. MAPISA-NQAKULA: DISCHARGE RULING EXPECTED SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria is expected to deliver its ruling on the former defence minister's Section 174 discharge application in her R4.55 million corruption and money laundering trial. Her defence argued the state proved money changed hands but not the quid pro quo. Corruption →

4. MADLANGA COMMISSION: IN RECESS UNTIL 15 SEPTEMBER. The commission went into a two-week break after Day 171. Recent testimony included allegations that police officers worked directly with cartel members and that alleged cartel boss Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala invoked his right against self-incrimination on the R360 million SAPS Medicare24 tender. Evidence closes 2 October; the final report is due 16 November. Corruption →

5. STATS SA: Q2 GDP FIGURES DUE 8 SEPTEMBER. Stats SA will release second-quarter 2026 GDP data at a media briefing in Tshwane on Monday. Economy →

Sources: PMG · SABC News · eNCA · TimesLIVE · IOL · Daily Maverick · Stats SA — 4–5 September 2026Permalink

1. PHALA PHALA: JUDGMENT RESERVED AFTER THREE-DAY HEARING. The Western Cape High Court reserved judgment in President Ramaphosa's bid to set aside the Section 89 panel report. On the final day, advocate Dali Mpofu for the MK Party argued the court lacks jurisdiction and that Ramaphosa is “unsaveable.” No date for judgment has been announced. Corruption →

2. PEET VILJOEN: BID TO STRIKE CASE OFF ROLL DISMISSED. The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court dismissed Viljoen's application to have his ~400-charge fraud case struck from the roll. The matter was postponed to 30 October. The defence had argued the state was not ready and Viljoen would languish in custody. Crime →

3. MEYIWA TRIAL: VODACOM EXPERT CONTINUES CELLPHONE TESTIMONY. Vodacom forensic analyst Tsholanang Golele continued testifying on whether the late Mabhungu Ntuli's cellphone records contradict accused no. 3 Mthobisi Mncube's alibi. The court is still deciding whether to admit the additional evidence. Crime →

4. ILLEGAL MINING: ZAMA ZAMA OPERATIONS DESTROYING JOBURG INFRASTRUCTURE. A major report highlighted how illegal mining is creating sinkholes and collapsing roads across Johannesburg, with underground blasting damaging electricity and water infrastructure. An estimated 34,000 irregular miners operate in South Africa. Infrastructure →

5. DURBAN: MARCH AND MARCH CLASHES WITH REFUGEE CAMP. At least four refugees were hospitalised after the anti-immigration group March and March raided a camp of mainly Congolese refugees outside the Durban Home Affairs refugee office on Che Guevara Road on Wednesday. The group has said it intends to return. Crime →

Sources: EWN · Daily Maverick · IOL · SABC News · The Citizen · TimesLIVE · GroundUp · AFP — 3–4 September 2026Permalink

1. PHALA PHALA: WESTERN CAPE HIGH COURT HEARING BEGINS. President Ramaphosa's bid to set aside the Section 89 panel report on the Phala Phala matter opened in the Western Cape High Court today. Advocate Wim Trengove argued that reporting the 2020 farm theft to the head of the Presidential Protection Service was reasonable and not done in bad faith. The hearing is expected to continue until Thursday, 4 September. Corruption →

2. STATS SA: VICTIMS OF CRIME SURVEY SHOWS LOW TRUST IN POLICE. The 2025/26 Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey found 1.08 million households were victims of housebreaking, with fewer than half reporting to police. The most common reason: a belief that police would not act. Theft of personal property was the most widespread individual crime at 1.4 million incidents, with only 37% reported. Crime →

3. IEC: OVER 140,000 CANDIDATES ENTER VETTING FOR NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. The Electoral Commission has begun vetting more than 140,000 candidates who submitted nominations by last Friday's deadline. They are contesting approximately 10,500 council seats in the 4 November municipal elections. The final candidate list is expected on 16 September. Home →

4. BIKO INQUEST: FORENSIC EVIDENCE OF REPEATED ASSAULTS. The reopened inquest in the Gqeberha High Court heard testimony on Monday that Steve Biko's injuries point to repeated, brutal assaults over several days — contradicting the apartheid-era police account of a single scuffle. Dr Paul Hersch testified that his late father's recommendation that Biko be examined by a neurosurgeon had been ignored. Crime →

5. RESERVE BANK: NATIONAL PAYMENT SYSTEM BILL TO GO OUT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. Governor Lesetja Kganyago said the long-awaited NPS Bill, which would replace the 1998 Act and move regulation from an entity-based to an activity-based model, will soon go out for public comment. The reform would let the SARB licence fintech payment activities, not just banks. Economy →

Sources: EWN · Business Day · Daily Maverick · TimesLIVE · TechCentral · Stats SA — 1–2 September 2026Permalink

IEC BEGINS VETTING OVER 140,000 CANDIDATES FOR NOVEMBER MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

The Electoral Commission of South Africa has begun vetting more than 140,000 candidate nominations submitted by the 29 August deadline for the 4 November 2026 local government elections. The candidates are contesting approximately 10,500 council seats nationwide.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the commission is verifying that candidates completed acceptance-of-nomination forms, that parties and independents paid the required deposits, and that independent candidates submitted the required voter details.

The final vetted candidate list is expected to be published on 16 September, providing the clearest picture yet of the political field ahead of election day. The SABC has separately reported that nominations rose approximately 43% compared with the 2021 elections.

Sources: EWN · SABC News · ECR · Bona — 28 August–2 September 2026Permalink

1. SIU: RAMAPHOSA APPOINTS LEONARD LEKGETHO AS PERMANENT HEAD. President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Leonard Lekgetho as head of the Special Investigating Unit, effective 1 September 2026. Lekgetho has been acting head since February and has served in the SIU for 19 years. The Presidency said the permanent appointment was intended to provide stability to the unit. Corruption →

2. FUEL: PETROL UP R1.34, DIESEL UP R2.94–R3.15 PER LITRE FROM WEDNESDAY. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed steep fuel price increases effective 2 September. Inland 95 ULP rises to R26.92/litre and diesel (50 ppm) to R30.05/litre. The increases are driven by elevated international refined-product prices and a higher government slate levy. Economy →

3. MADLANGA COMMISSION: RECESS FROM 3 TO 11 SEPTEMBER. The commission will take a seven-working-day recess after hearings on Wednesday, resuming on 14 September. The break is to allow two commissioners to honour prior commitments. The evidence-close deadline of 2 October and the 16 November reporting deadline remain unchanged. Corruption →

4. PHALA PHALA: WESTERN CAPE HIGH COURT TO HEAR RAMAPHOSA REVIEW FROM 2 TO 4 SEPTEMBER. The President's bid to set aside the Section 89 independent panel report on the Phala Phala matter is expected to be heard starting tomorrow. The Constitutional Court previously declined to hear appeals while this review was pending. Corruption →

5. SASSA: GOLD CARD DEADLINE PASSED — BLOCKED CARDS NOW IN EFFECT. The 31 August deadline for grant recipients to swap gold cards for Postbank black cards has passed. Beneficiaries who missed the deadline retain their grants but cannot access funds until they collect a replacement card. Inequality →

Sources: The Presidency · SAnews · CarMag · AutoTrader · The Citizen · eNCA · News24 — 31 August–1 September 2026Permalink

1. MEYIWA TRIAL: JUDGE MOKGOATLHENG EXPECTED TO RULE ON LATE CELLPHONE EVIDENCE. The Pretoria High Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on whether the state may introduce the late Mabhungu Ntuli's cellphone records to challenge accused no. 3 Mthobisi Mncube's alibi. The ruling was postponed from 28 August after the judge attended a family memorial. Crime →

2. TEMBISA HOSPITAL FRAUD: SUSPECT APPEARS AT PALM RIDGE ON R635-MILLION TENDER CHARGES. A 37-year-old man arrested by the Hawks at OR Tambo International Airport on 28 August appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on charges of fraud, corruption, forgery, PFMA violations and money laundering linked to the Tembisa Hospital procurement scandal. The SIU has estimated total losses at the facility at over R2 billion. Corruption →

3. SASSA GOLD CARD DEADLINE: NEARLY 70,000 BENEFICIARIES STILL TO COLLECT REPLACEMENT CARDS. Today is the final day for SASSA grant recipients to replace their old gold cards with Postbank black cards. Postbank has said the deadline will not be extended. Beneficiaries who miss it retain their grants but cannot access funds until they collect a new card. Inequality →

4. PEET VILJOEN: TRIAL ON ~400 CHARGES SET FOR 4 SEPTEMBER. The disbarred Pretoria attorney, in custody since his bail was refused on 17 August, is expected back in court on Thursday for the state to disclose the case docket. He faces fraud, corruption, theft and forgery charges tied to the sale of municipal properties worth R27 million. Crime →

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1. PHALA PHALA: HIGH COURT DISMISSES APPEAL — RAMAPHOSA REVIEW HEARING SET FOR 2–4 SEPTEMBER. The Western Cape High Court dismissed the MK Party and United Africans Transformation's application for leave to appeal the interim interdict halting the Section 89 impeachment inquiry. Ramaphosa's substantive review of the independent panel report will now be heard from 2 to 4 September. Corruption →

2. 41 JOBURG AMBULANCES IDLE FOR SIX YEARS WHILE RESIDENTS WAIT. Forty-one ambulances purchased by the City of Johannesburg in 2019 for roughly R1 million each have never been deployed because the city lacks an EMS operating licence from the Gauteng Department of Health. An application submitted in July 2026 is under review. Infrastructure →

3. BIKO INQUEST: DAILY MAVERICK EDITORIAL WARNS DELAYS RISK "COLLECTIVE AMNESIA." An opinion piece published on 30 August argued that procedural hold-ups in the reopened Steve Biko inquest — including the funding dispute resolved only after ministerial intervention — risk undermining the case before substantive testimony begins. The inquest resumes after the investigating officer's testimony earlier this week. Corruption →

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