Top headlines
- Five days to the local government elections: 2.6 million special votes are being cast, the national results centre is open, and matric exams are suspended for election week.
- Ramaphosa says he is not worried by predictions of an ANC collapse, and again urged South Africans to vote next week.
- NICOC acting coordinator Dr Ntandazo Sifolo has agreed that declassified intelligence documents can be used in OPEN Madlanga Commission hearings — including an intelligence brief titled “Questionable Credibility of IDAC”. Some documents stay closed and can only be used in camera.
- Suliman Carrim was granted R100 000 bail in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on contempt charges, with 12 conditions including 48 hours to arrange his next Madlanga appearance. His passport stays with the investigating officer. He remains in custody on separate car theft charges and faces a bail bid in Musina on Friday.
- Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia is moving to appoint Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as head of the Hawks.
- Cat Matlala and his wife’s R95 000 Waterkloof lease fraud case has been postponed to February 2027.
Economy and service delivery
- South Africa’s R371bn GDP gap exposes the limits of headline growth.
- Hawks secured a High Court order to preserve vehicles linked to Eskom copper theft.
- Environmental groups protest at Eskom offices over tariff hikes; Joburg ratepayers question value for money as billing complaints pile up.
- Durban unveiled as host city for SA’s R500bn Olympic bid.
Why it matters
The Commission’s fight is now about what the public is allowed to SEE: NICOC opening documents to open hearings — after media forced the issue — is the difference between a commission that informs voters and one that hides behind “in camera”. And with five days to the poll, the Mkhwanazi Hawks appointment is the state security story to watch, not the campaign rhetoric.