SA NEWS HIGHLIGHTS — Wednesday 28 October 2026
Top Headlines
- Seven days to the local government elections (4 November): Ramaphosa takes the ANC campaign into eThekwini, Cosatu intensifies its push, and Home Affairs extends branch hours so people can get IDs in time to vote.
- Suliman Carrim granted R100 000 bail in the Madlanga Commission contempt case — the court said there was not enough evidence to keep him in custody. He is the first person criminally charged out of that Commission's work.
- Mini-budget (MTBPS) lands with a boost: Moody's calls Godongwana's plan credit positive and says SA's upgrade path stays intact — even as the rand softened and oil climbed.
- Bronkhorstspruit/Tshwane water crisis deepens: no chlorine for three weeks, 833 people sick, and posters promising "5 More Years" going up while the taps run dirty.
- Police reset: Police Minister Cachalia launches a police reform council as the crime crisis bites, while the Hawks probe a security breach at Tuynhuys after a man was arrested inside the restricted grounds.
Madlanga, Justice and Accountability
- Carrim bail ruling: R100 000, evidence held insufficient — the contempt case against him continues.
- JCC bribery complaint against an acting judge hits a quorum snag — the watchdog cannot sit.
- Ex-SAPS General Mphego's court bid fails in the Sindile Mfazi murder probe.
- Khampepe Commission of Inquiry (TRC cases) sitting today; Senzo Meyiwa trial continues.
- Maimane on the campaign trail: "State capture never ended, it just moved to municipalities."
Money and Cost of Living
- Take-home pay is up but spending power is still shrinking — salary rises are being eaten by living costs.
- SARS is now going after influencers' free gifts and TikTok earnings.
- FNB fined R1 million for a POPIA breach after sensitive customer data was exposed.
Why It Matters
With the election a week away, the money story (a mini-budget Moody's likes) and the water story (a metro that cannot keep chlorine in the pipes) are pulling in opposite directions — and the Carrim ruling just told every Madlanga witness that contempt has a price, but not a cell.