Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke presented the 2024-25 local government audit outcomes to Parliament, highlighting a concerning trend of governance failures and increasing reliance on consultants in South African municipalities. While some improvements were noted, such as a reduction in municipalities receiving disclaimer audit opinions from 29 to eight, seven of these eight are repeat disclaimers, indicating persistent issues. Notably, metros, which manage 54% of the local government's expenditure budget and serve nearly 40% of the population, are reportedly regressing. The City of Cape Town experienced non-compliance in supply chain management, while eThekwini Metro continues to face challenges with procurement non-compliance and inefficient spending on infrastructure projects. The City of Joburg received a qualified audit opinion, a decline from previous years, with concerns raised about weak financial governance and procurement issues within its entities. Maluleke also pointed out a significant increase in municipalities using consultants for financial statements, with spending rising from R586 million across 179 municipalities a decade ago to R1.6 billion across 225 municipalities in the current audit cycle. This reliance is attributed to a lack of skills within municipalities, with no clear plans for skills transfer or building internal capabilities. Overall, governance failures and a lack of discipline have led to R145.21 billion in irregular expenditure over four year
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Gauteng police have arrested three Lesotho nationals in connection with a mass shooting at the Jumpers informal settlement that left 13 people dead and 14 injured earlier this month. The arrests were made on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, following a joint operation involving various police units and the South African National Defence Force. The South African Police Service Saps Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, mobilized resources for the investigation. The shooting, which occurred on June 9, 2026, involved at least 10 heavily armed individuals and is suspected to be linked to illegal mining turf wars. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects were apprehended at KwaMaiMai informal settlement, and one was found with over a hundred 9mm live ammunition. The trio, aged 26, 32, and 36, are expected to appear before the Johannesburg court on June 25, 2026, facing charges of murder and attempted murder. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend additional suspects. In a separate incident, Eastern Cape police arrested four men for a masked attack on June 6, 2026, in KwaDwesi, where four people were killed and two wounded.
Mosa Allen Dlamini, 34, received a 20-year direct imprisonment sentence from the Polokwane Regional Court for his involvement in smuggling stolen vehicles across Limpopo's borders into neighboring countries. Dlamini admitted to acting as a runner, transporting these vehicles and falsifying registration plates and tampering with engine numbers to hide their origins. He was arrested three times between August 2024 and February 2025 by the South African Police Service in Polokwane, Musina, and Louis Trichardt. Investigations revealed the vehicles were stolen in and around Pretoria and Johannesburg during 2024. State Advocate George Sekhukhune emphasized that Limpopo is increasingly used as a gateway for vehicle-smuggling syndicates and argued for a deterrent sentence. The Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga, commended the prosecution and investigating team, reaffirming the National Prosecuting Authority's commitment to dismantling criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and cross-border smuggling.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia met with private security industry leaders to strengthen South Africa's security in anticipation of the June 30 anti-illegal-immigration march. This meeting aims to create a unified front against potential violence and instability. Protests against undocumented foreigners have been ongoing in various parts of the country, with groups like March and March and Operation Dudula confronting migrants. Some foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, Nigerians, and Malawians, have opted for voluntary repatriation before the June 30 deadline. The civil society advocacy group, March and March, views this date as a critical point, citing the state's failure to enforce immigration laws. Police spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi stated that Cachalia emphasized the responsibility of all stakeholders to maintain South Africa's stability, peace, and safety. Cachalia acknowledged immigration-related tensions but stressed that collaboration is essential to prevent unrest, noting that threats of violence pose a significant risk to national security, especially given the impact of the July 2021 unrest. Mogotsi added that developments leading up to June 30, 2026, have involved various forms of mobilization that could undermine South Africa's regional and global standing. The meeting highlighted the importance of combining public and private sector capabilities and resources. Representatives from the private security industry welcomed the call for collaboration and p