TOP HEADLINES
- Hawks boss Lebeya fights back at Madlanga Commission — calls himself "incorruptible" as images of the "Big Five" cartel figures are shown to the inquiry (SABC).
- Ramaphosa heads to court: urgent bid to set aside the Section 89 Phala Phala panel report and halt Parliament's impeachment process; his lawyer calls it "political war" (IOL/SABC/Citizen).
- Diesel prices shoot up more than 11% from today — new inflation threat hits consumers and transport costs (Moneyweb/Citizen).
- Serial killer Rassie Nkuna sentenced to four life terms; dismissed cop Jacob Chego also gets life for the Mogashoa couple murders committed in front of their children (IOL/SABC).
- ANC risks being locked out of municipal races as IEC stands firm on candidate-list deadline and denies granting an extension (Citizen/SABC).
MADLANGA / JUSTICE & ACCOUNTABILITY
- Lebeya questioned on his relationship with "Malcolm X" — says the alleged cartel figure phoned him on the day of a Hawks operation.
- Feroz Khan saga drags on: Commission has ordered an independent medical assessment after his sick-note delayed testimony.
- SIU freezes former municipal IT manager's pension over a R5.27m fraudulent software tender (IOL).
- Former mayor and municipal manager arrested in a R2m KwaZulu-Natal fraud case (IOL).
- eThekwini City Manager breaks silence on alleged Durban Metro Police job-selling scandal (IOL).
WHY IT MATTERS
Accountability is moving on two fronts: Ramaphosa battles the Phala Phala panel in court while the Madlanga Commission puts the Hawks' top cop under the spotlight. Diesel up 11% squeezes every household, and the IEC's hard line on ANC lists sets the tone for the municipal elections. Watch the Commission — Feroz Khan's medical assessment could finally force his long-delayed testimony.