Tuesday, 15 September 2026 — the headlines that matter in South Africa today.
Top Headlines
- East Rand killings: sixth woman’s body found in Kwa-Thema, Ekurhuleni. President Ramaphosa vows “no stone unturned”; Kempton Park runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo has been positively identified; women are being warned not to walk alone. POWA calls it a national GBVF emergency. No arrest in the spree.
- ANC list war before the 2026 local elections: Fikile Mbalula and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma face off over vote-buying claims. Andile Lungisa says Mbalula ordered his removal from the ANC candidate list — the matter goes to the Johannesburg High Court. The IEC warns botched party lists leave voters without real choice.
- Treasury’s austerity plan: National Treasury briefs on constraining government spending and borrowing as debt service bites. Public-service payroll verification flags 891 potential ghost workers. The BRICS bank (NDB) hands South Africa R16.3bn to overhaul ailing metros.
- SAPS accountability: the Madlanga Commission turns to the JMPD over alleged bribery, criminal infiltration and corruption. Fannie Nkosi makes representations to the DPP over his charges. Julius Mkhwanazi and five co-accused are denied bail in the Emmanuel Mbense murder case.
- Courts and safety: seven accused in the R10 million Emfuleni electricity fraud case are granted R20 000 bail each. Harmony Gold investigates its 8th on-duty death in nine months. Home Affairs says green ID books will be phased out within two years.
Madlanga / Justice
- Madlanga Commission shifts to the JMPD — bribery, criminal infiltration and corruption in Johannesburg’s metro police are now on the stand.
- Fannie Nkosi (SAPS, linked to the commission) is fighting to escape his charges — representations to the DPP are on the table.
- Julius Mkhwanazi denied bail in the Mbense murder case — granted R10 000 bail in a separate matter, but he stays in custody.
- The SAPS bodycam tender is colliding with POPIA’s biometrics rules.
Why It Matters
The East Rand killings are gender-based violence and SAPS failure in one story — and Ramaphosa now owns the response. The ANC’s list war is the party eating itself before the 2026 local elections, while Treasury’s austerity memo and 891 ghost workers expose the money squeeze that decides whether the metros — propped up by a R16.3bn NDB loan — actually deliver.