🇿🇦South Africa

XENOPHOBIA: ‘Not South African enough’ — how police allegedly target citizens and migrants across Joburg

Johannesburg police are accused of using xenophobic profiling against both foreign nationals and naturalised South African citizens.

ROVING REPORTERS: From stars to soil — ecologist Yadvinder Malhi brings physics to the living world

Science explorer Yadvinder Malhi set out to understand the universe through the fundamental laws of physics. His journey instead led him into the complexity of the living world, where forests, animals, people and places are bound together in ways that continue to surprise him. He’ll present his research at the Oppenheimer Research Conference in Midrand, which runs from 7 to 9 October.

JSC under the gun — mountain of interviews, judicial ethics crisis on October agenda

Besides interviewing 44 candidates for 22 vacancies at 11 superior courts across the country, the Judicial Service Commission must pass reforms to its interviews and ethics processes, and also decide the fate of two judges facing allegations of bribery.

DUTY OF CARE: Sky postmortem reveals grim final hours of SAPS arson detection dog

The postmortem report on police dog Sky, a female Belgian Shepherd trained to detect arson accelerants, paints a grim picture of the service dog’s final hours and raises fresh questions about how she was left in such a condition.

How SA business can monetise relationships with BRICS economies

South African business is entering a more ambitious phase of its engagement with BRICS, one increasingly defined by deal-making, trade facilitation, investment mobilisation and measurable commercial outcomes.

TIPPING POINT: What a load of rubbish — Gqeberha waste transfer stations buckle under neglect

Broken-down trucks, locked gates and overflowing skips have left Gqeberha’s Walmer and Strandfontein waste stations struggling, raising concerns about pests, pollution and municipal accountability.

ANALYSIS: Joburg election posters — the good, the bad and the embarrassing

With so much of Johannesburg falling apart, it is astounding how few of the parties contesting for votes there focus on local issues in their election posters. The posters reveal how many of them cannot articulate a message that will resonate with voters in the major battleground of this election.

AFTER THE BELL: Make or break the gig economy — contracts, terminations, reasonable expectations and workplace miscommunication

A Labour Appeal Court ruling highlights how poor communication between managers and employees can turn a contract renewal into a legal dispute. As workplaces become more flexible and less personal, clear communication about job security matters more than ever.

BAIL BID: Uphill battle for Sibiya as State lays ‘very strong’ case in rape, trafficking scandal

Senior cop Shadrack Sibiya is fighting to stay out of jail over charges including rape, trafficking and sexual grooming of a child while, at the same time, taking on two disciplinary processes that could cost him his job with the police.

LEARNING CURVE: Online schools are growing faster than South Africa’s rules

South Africa’s online schools offer pupils a route to the National Senior Certificate, but the sector has no dedicated regulatory framework. As the government works on new rules, Umalusi has introduced interim requirements to protect the credibility of matric.

SOCCER & CRIME: If economic crimes in sport don’t matter, it doesn’t bode well when it does…

The Manchester City Football Club financial cheating scandal has rocked world soccer. Beyond the sport, it offers a window into corporate crimes and why they matter.

Sound of Silence: For whom the bell tolls — NMB’s oldest church mourns stolen 200-year-old relic

A 200-year-old mission bell has been stolen from Bethelsdorp’s Van der Kemp Memorial Church – and residents fear it could be lost to scrap dealers.

Analysis: Starlink still no closer to SA market access, despite proposed new telecom law

There are two vital updates happening in South Africa’s electronic communications laws and regulations, and neither of them makes it easier for SpaceX to bring Starlink into the country.

ECOLOGICAL ALARM: Beautiful region, scary findings: CapeNature’s latest report card

The Western Cape’s environment is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places on earth, and much of it is cared for – as best they can – by CapeNature. Each year they bring out a detailed report on human impact. It’s hard not to conclude that it would be a lot better without us.

EXCLUSIVE: Dada Morero recorded planning big pre-election spending — ‘We are 50 days away’

Joburg Mayor Dada Morero has denied wanting to spend the City’s limited budget on infrastructure projects that look good ahead of the elections to ‘control the political narrative’.

Older persons are still carrying families, now we must help carry them

In South Africa, long after formal employment ends, many older people continue to raise children, manage homes, care for relatives and hold families together financially. While policy may describe older persons as dependents, the reality is that their labour has not stopped; it has simply changed.

COLLECTIVE WELLBEING: Renewable energy was promised as a path to prosperity — what happened?

South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme has delivered infrastructure at scale, but its corporate, market-driven design prioritises private capital accumulation over community development.

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Navigating ballots, candidates, and wards: Your guide to the 2026 local government elections

The countdown to the 2026 local government elections is on. Still unsure about how voting works, who is contesting your ward or what will be on your ballot? This guide has you covered.

GROUNDUP: SRD grant is not keeping people out of work, evidence shows

New research challenges the idea that South Africa’s SRD grant discourages people from seeking work. The evidence suggests cash support can help people look for jobs, but lasting employment still depends on whether those jobs exist.

GROUNDUP: Airbnb bylaw doesn’t do enough to address Cape Town’s housing crisis

Only primary residences should be allowed on Airbnb.

Made with purpose: A collaboration creating opportunities for young South Africans

Daily Maverick has collaborated with HopeTown, a community organisation based in Ocean View, Cape Town, to produce a limited-edition tote bag that supports skills development and creates practical work opportunities for young South Africans.

South African rand weakens as investors assess manufacturing survey, vehicle sales - reuters.com

South African rand weakens as investors assess manufacturing survey, vehicle sales reuters.com

Mass shootings expose a failure of leadership, intelligence and accountability

When mass shootings become commonplace, reactive policing is no longer enough. The state must transform Crime Intelligence and hold police leadership accountable before the next tragedy unfolds.

Egyptian police arrest all six journalists of investigative outlet

Egyptian police arrested six journalists from a fact-checking and investigative media outlet, accusing them of spreading misinformation on behalf of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, which the publication denied.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell wins appeal against charity trustee ban

Supermodel Naomi Campbell on Thursday won her appeal against a five-year ban from being a charity trustee, with a London tribunal ruling that the misuse of funds at the charity she founded had been concealed from her.

Spanish king to visit disputed enclaves, testing Morocco ties after border crisis

Spain's King Felipe will visit the disputed North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla this month, sources in the royal household said on Thursday, a move that could further strain tense relations between Madrid and Rabat following a border crisis this summer.

England striker Toney pleads not guilty to assault at London nightclub

England striker Ivan Toney pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a charge of assault at a Soho nightclub in December, British media reported.

EARLY MOMENTUM: Bafana’s seven-goal start gives pleased Pitso a solid platform to build on

Bafana Bafana began their quest to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations under Pitso Mosimane with a 2-1 win over Guinea and a 5-0 drubbing of minnows Eritrea. The Bafana coach expressed his joy with the winning start to his second tenure in charge of the team, saying he would build on the foundation laid by predecessor Hugo Broos.

Joburg crisis cannot be solved without competent City leadership

Finance minister Enoch Godongwana announced this month that the National Treasury is developing an “intensive intervention” to help rescue Johannesburg. The Treasury intends to work with the City for three years, irrespective of which party emerges from the local government elections on 4 November.

CRÉATION AFRICA: From sneakers to spreadsheets — Lindelani Nedoboni’s S.W.A.N.K Jozi journey

What began as a group of teenagers from Soweto chasing the latest fashion trends eventually became a successful fashion brand. The hustle has grown into a business that has forced its founder to learn an entirely different game.

FOOD BASKET: R20 sugar saving highlights SA’s food affordability crisis as grants fall short

A R20 saving on value-brand sugar exposes how packaging and marketing can drive up food prices, while civil society urges the government to rethink grants and its nutrition policy.

When VW sneezes, Nelson Mandela Bay catches a cold

When a major manufacturer falters, the impact does not stop at the factory gate. Volkswagen’s 75-year history in Kariega shows what is at stake as Nelson Mandela Bay’s manufacturing base comes under growing pressure.

WHAT’S COOKING: Chipolatas and mash — they’re bangers, but smaller

Pork chipolatas – essentially they’re baby pork bangers even though they’re never called that – can be a fun alternative to conventional bangers for this family favourite.

South African factory mood improves in September as new orders rebound, PMI shows - reuters.com

South African factory mood improves in September as new orders rebound, PMI shows reuters.com

ESCAPE: Bangkok, a fever dream in neon and sepia, feeds hungry souls

Thailand’s capital is the world’s most visited city, a place where monks in saffron robes rest in the shade of towering malls, and heritage-inspired meals are served in former family shophouses.

South Africa: Gauteng property market shows signs of recovery amid national sales slump - Zawya

South Africa: Gauteng property market shows signs of recovery amid national sales slump Zawya

Mofokeng brace helps South Africa crush Eritrea

Kenya automatically qualify from the mini-league as AFCON co-hosts with Tanzania and Uganda. That leaves the other three countries fighting for one qualifying place. South African players celebrate the 1-0 victory in the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between South Africa and South Korea at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 24, 2026. (Photo by Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP)...

Paramount gets court green light on Warner Bros deal, names Mattel’s Kreiz co-CEO

Sept 30 (Reuters) - A US judge entered an order on Wednesday allowing Paramount to close its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros, ending a months-long holdup, as the company named Mattel's Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO to help run the combined business.

Swiss glaciers lose more than 5% of ice after record heatwave

LES DIABLERETS, Switzerland, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Swiss glaciers are shrinking rapidly after suffering one of their worst years of ice loss during a record-breaking European heatwave.

AI agents tried to hack Canadian government website, research firm says

Sept 30 (Reuters) - AI agents tried to hack into a Canadian government website, an AI research firm said on Wednesday.

US Supreme Court sides with Tennessee to allow its first execution of a woman in 200 years

Sept 30 (Reuters) - The US Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that Tennessee could proceed with its first execution of a woman in 200 years, clearing the way for Christa Pike to be put to death by lethal injection for murdering a schoolmate as an 18-year-old three decades ago.

IN PICTURES: Historic-low water levels reveal shipwreck in Germany, and more from around the world

Moving, tragic, surprising, inspiring, terrifying, shocking ... a selection of recent images from our planet.

NATIONAL UNHEALTHY INSURANCE: R182m NHI spin deal is a warning of what’s to come

If R182m meant for an already buckling health system can be poured into PR with so few checks, imagine the risks when the NHI becomes the country’s single, centralised purchaser of healthcare.

FORMULA FOR FAILURE OP-ED: Fenced in — why City Power’s ‘ringfencing’ in Joburg is a 30% revenue grab

City Power’s new 70/30 revenue split isn't ringfencing; it’s an arbitrary top-line tax. Without structural funding reform, Johannesburg’s power utility faces guaranteed insolvency.

MADLANGA COMMISSION: Sibanyoni’s Putco bid puts focus on political access, business interests

Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni’s January 2024 meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Gwede Mantashe, and his apparent demand for a 30% stake in the bus company Putco, have brought into question the tax boss’s political reach and his business interests.

CRIMINALISING SURVIVAL OP-ED: Blunt-force justice — new bill proposes excessive punishment for artisanal mining

The General (Mining) Laws Amendment Bill proposes penalties of up to 30 years’ imprisonment and a R100-million fine for unlicensed mining. But the Bill fails to distinguish between violent criminal networks and vulnerable, subsistence artisanal miners.

WILD OMISSION: South Africa’s lion bone trade — the consequences the government never considered

South Africa exported thousands of captive-bred lion skeletons to Asian markets – but never studied whether the trade fuelled demand, enabled laundering or increased pressure on wild lions.

Why I’ll wear black, not pink, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This October, I will wear black, not as a symbol of despair, but as an act of reflection and, frankly, of grief. To mourn the preventable suffering we have allowed to become normal.

Freedom Front Plus’ apartheid killers should not be elected councillors nor mayoral candidates

The Freedom Front plus should withdraw William Harrington’s mayoral candidature in Nelson Mandela Bay.

POLLUTION LEGACY: State refinery ‘renaissance’ plan raises fresh questions over pollution, health and taxpayer risk

News that the country’s largest fuel refinery is to be reopened – and expanded considerably – has stirred Durban fence-line communities who fear a resumption of noxious petrochemical fumes seeping in to their homes and lungs.

HELL IN HAVANA: Struggling SA medical students endure Cuba misery — US embargo blamed

One toilet for 13 students. Days without water. No oversight visit since 2022. Inside the SA health department’s medical training programme in Cuba.

False white genocide claims divide us and obscure the wider crime crisis

South Africa’s violent crime crisis must be understood within the country’s enduring inequalities and divided history, rather than through racialised narratives of white victimhood. South Africans must reject divisive foreign intervention and work together on crime, corruption, inequality and nation building.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE: South Africans find voice in data centre dialogue, demand more transparency

A civic engagement hosted in Cape Town’s St George’s Cathedral brought all the known data about data centres under one roof for concerned citizens to have an informed discussion.

SHARE WITH US: Baboons on your radar: What do you really know?

A deep-dive series examines Cape Town’s escalating baboon conflict from the perspectives of authorities, scientists, residents, conservationists and the baboons themselves.

MOTORSPORT REVIVAL: Kyalami’s racing heritage helps secure world-renowned endurance race for SA

The Michelin 24H Series will be relocated from Dubai to South Africa in 2027 due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region. Kyalami’s rich motorsport history and world-class facilities made it the clear choice, bringing the series’ first-ever African event to the Midrand circuit.

Protesters against illegal immigration in South Africa call for more deportations - AP News

Protesters against illegal immigration in South Africa call for more deportations AP News

Watch — Debating AI’s existential risk

Hundreds in South Africa Join Protest March Against Undocumented Migrants - nta.ng

Hundreds in South Africa Join Protest March Against Undocumented Migrants nta.ng

ALSTOM S.A: Alstom to support the modernisation of Gautrain, Gauteng Province’s higher-speed express commuter system in South Africa - The Manila Times

ALSTOM S.A: Alstom to support the modernisation of Gautrain, Gauteng Province’s higher-speed express commuter system in South Africa The Manila Times

BHEKISISA: How Kwanele Asante’s 20-year fight for patients’ voices reached the UN

You may not know her name, but South African lawyer and bioethicist Kwanele Asante has spent two decades pushing health institutions — from Soweto to the United Nations – to listen to the people their policies are meant to serve. Sean Christie traces a life defined, from birth, by healthcare.