The Democratic Alliance DA is considering disciplinary action against its former leader, John Steenhuisen, for allegedly bringing the party into disrepute. This follows Steenhuisen's accusations that former leader Tony Leon used his influence to facilitate deals between private companies, including Elon Musk's Starlink, and DA ministers. Leon has denied these claims. Political analyst Andre Duvenhage suggested that Steenhuisen's public spats and allegations of state capture have negatively impacted the DA, especially ahead of local government elections. Duvenhage believes Steenhuisen's actions stem from criticism regarding his handling of the agriculture portfolio. However, DA national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau stated that no formal charges have been laid against Steenhuisen and there is no evidence of wrongdoing by any DA public representative. Meanwhile, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized the DA, likening the allegations against Leon to state capture, despite the DA's previous stance against it. Duvenhage, however, views Leon's actions as lobbying rather than state capture, suggesting that any corruption claims should be pursued through legal channels.
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The Zimbabwe exemption permit coordinating committee has appealed to the South African and Zimbabwean governments to address a looming education crisis. This crisis affects thousands of Zimbabwean children whose families are being deported or are leaving South Africa. Edward Muchatuta, the organization's national coordinator, stated that children across several school grades risk losing years of education as they relocate to Zimbabwe and face difficulties transitioning into its education system. Grade 12 pupils, who have spent their entire schooling in South Africa and are preparing for the National Senior Certificate examinations, are particularly vulnerable. Pupils in Grades 10 and 11, who have followed South Africa's curriculum for over a decade, would struggle to adapt to Zimbabwe's system, potentially delaying their schooling by several years. Primary school pupils also face obstacles, with many unable to register for Grade 7 national examinations in Zimbabwe due to early registration closures. Most affected families are from low-income households, making it harder to support their children's education upon returning to Zimbabwe. The organization proposes emergency arrangements for affected pupils to continue the South African curriculum while in Zimbabwe, and the establishment of joint examination centers in Beitbridge and the Musina Repatriation Centre for matric pupils. Qualified teachers among returning Zimbabweans are willing to volunteer academic support if a frame
More than 150 suspects have been arrested in Westonaria during Operation Prosper, a joint effort by Gauteng police, the South African National Defence Force, and Sibanye Protection Services. Launched on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the operation aims to combat illegal mining activities and transnational criminal networks in the province. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the arrests for illegal mining-related offenses, stating that the crime scene remains active. Illegal mining continues to be a significant issue in South Africa, impacting infrastructure and communities. The Citizen previously reported that Johannesburg's M2 highway faces a potential collapse due to illegal sand mining near bridge support structures. Authorities, including the Johannesburg Road Agency JRA and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources DMPR, acknowledged this risk. The JRA attributed the problem to illegal mining adjacent to the road. DMPR spokesperson Solly Phetla stated that his department's Johannesburg team inspected the site but concluded the Department of Transport should address it, noting sand collection at bridges nationwide. Mining expert David van Wyk suggested that construction flaws, specifically the use of tailings waste instead of proper building sand, contributed to the M2 bridge's vulnerability. The JRA has identified extensive infrastructure defects beneath sections of the M1 and M2 motorways in Johannesburg's inner-city and Selby areas. Police investiga
The National Treasury has frozen equitable share transfers for July 2026 to 60 municipalities across South Africa due to persistent financial mismanagement and significant unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure UIFWE. This intervention, described as corrective, affects municipalities in all nine provinces, including major metros like Johannesburg and smaller towns. Municipalities were given prior notice and an opportunity to respond. Transfers will resume only when municipalities demonstrate compliance and provide proof of corrective action. The Treasury stated that this measure is necessary to enforce accountability, noting that continued non-compliance threatens financial sustainability. Despite years of support, many municipalities continue to adopt unfunded budgets, ignore UIFWE obligations, and fail to meet statutory commitments. Municipalities collectively owe Eskom R3.40 billion in interest and water boards R1.21 billion. The Auditor-General's 2024/25 report corroborates findings of persistent weaknesses in municipal financial management, highlighting R24.12 billion in fruitless expenditure since 2021/22, R145.21 billion in irregular expenditure including R40.14 billion in 2024/25, and R118.13 billion in unauthorized expenditure. Additionally, 116 municipalities adopted unfunded budgets in 2024/25, and 48 failed to pay third-party deductions on time. The Treasury also flagged ineffective Municipal Public Accounts Committees MPACs for failing to in