
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula expressed confidence that the ANC would secure an outright majority in the Ethekwini metro in the upcoming November elections, avoiding the need for a coalition. However, the uMkhonto weSizwe MK party, through its national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu, dismissed this as delusional, stating that the ANC's era of majority power is over. Political analysts also cast doubt on Mbalula's prediction. Independent political economy analyst Sandile Swana noted that one-party dominance is a thing of the past in South Africa, with most metros now governed by coalitions. Analyst Daniel Silke suggested that any pre-election discussion about coalitions by the ANC would signal a weakness in its support base. The ANC's support in KwaZulu-Natal was previously impacted by the rise of the MK party, and the ANC lost sole control of Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Nelson Mandela Bay after the 2021 local government elections.
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Must ReadJohannesburg city officials have defended their R10 billion wage agreement with the South African Municipal Workers Union Samwu despite facing significant financial challenges. Mayor Dada Morero and senior management appeared before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to address findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa AG. Group CFO Tebogo Moraka explained that the city's creditor balance was approximately R7.5 billion at the end of May, with priority given to creditors of entities like City Power, Johannesburg Water, Pikitup, and Johannesburg Roads Agency. Moraka noted that prioritizing these entities, which are already in deficit, strains the city's finances, requiring selective payments based on monthly revenue. To improve revenue collection, a "revenue war room" has been formed, involving the CFO, city manager Floyd Brink, the COO, and managing directors of various entities. The city has also implemented measures to reduce financial waste, including weekly procurement and expenditure tracking. City manager Floyd Brink reported that Johannesburg still has R13.2 billion in unresolved unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, although R45.1 billion of such expenditure has been addressed in the last five financial years. Mbulelo Ruda, Johannesburg's group head of legals and contracts, stated that the Samwu deal, mandated by a CCMA ruling, aims for "justice redressed and institutional stability." He emphasized that the agreement's founding prin
Must ReadThe ANC in Johannesburg has submitted its list of mayoral candidate nominations to Luthuli House, with regional secretary Sasabona Manganye confirming the completion of their process. While Manganye did not disclose the nominees, reports indicate Loyiso Masuku is the Regional Executive Committee's top choice. Other names reportedly considered include activist Nhlanhla Lux, ANC veteran Reverend Frank Chikane, businesswoman Chichi Maponya, former MP Jabu Moleketi, Minister of Human Settlements Mamoloko Kubayi, Trade & Industry Minister Parks Tau, and businessman Tokyo Sexwale. Reverend Chikane has dismissed these reports as speculation, stating he does not comment on unconfirmed information. The ANC has not yet begun interviews for the mayoral candidates, a process expected to conclude by the end of June. Current Joburg mayor Dada Morero was not reportedly on the initial nomination list, though some insiders believe he could still be considered. Morero's inclusion in the Gauteng Provincial Task Team gives him influence within provincial ANC structures, and some speculate he might move to national government after local elections. Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast suggests that a credible mayoral candidate alone may not be enough for the ANC to regain support in Johannesburg, citing the party's damaged brand due to institutionalized corruption and its reliance on past liberation victories over service delivery. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula previously stated the part

The South African Police Service Saps has seized illicit goods valued at over R50 million and arrested more than 17,000 individuals nationwide in operations conducted between June 1 and June 7, 2026. Seizures include 90kg of suspected cocaine worth R36 million at Durban Harbour, illicit cigarettes valued at R3 million in Nelspruit, and R1.5 million in illicit tobacco in Limpopo. Additionally, illicit liquor worth over R9 million was confiscated in the Western Cape. During this period, 17,587 suspects were arrested, including 2,549 wanted individuals linked to serious and violent crimes. Among those apprehended were 2,399 undocumented foreign nationals, with the majority of arrests occurring in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Other arrests include 1,564 for assault, 153 for murder, 157 for attempted murder, 135 for rape, 567 for driving under the influence, 196 for dealing in drugs, 3,115 for possession of drugs, 499 for illegal liquor dealing, and 26 for human trafficking. Authorities also recovered 127 unlicensed firearms, 1,898 rounds of ammunition, over R21 million worth of contraband and various drugs, and 59 hijacked or stolen vehicles. These operations are part of the ongoing Operation Shanela, targeting organized criminal networks involved in illicit trade, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and other serious crimes.