The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry continues its hearings in South Africa, revealing extensive allegations of police corruption, political interference, and the diversion of SAPS tender funds. Witnesses have implicated senior officials and criminal syndicates in a web of illicit activities.
South Africa's ambitious R440 billion transmission grid expansion program, the Independent Transmission Projects (ITP), has attracted significant global interest. International developers, including India's Adani Power and major Chinese state-owned firms, are among 17 entities vying to construct 14,000 km of new power lines to support the nation's energy transition.
South Africa's Proteas have established a strong position in the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, securing a 71-run first-innings lead. Kagiso Rabada's record-breaking maiden Test fifty as a No. 11 batsman was pivotal in their fightback.
Gauteng's crime prevention wardens, known as AmaPanyaza, will be phased out, retrained, and reassigned over the next three years, Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced. The 8,800 wardens will primarily become provincial traffic officers, addressing controversies surrounding their training and legal mandate since their 2023 inception.
The University of Johannesburg has launched Africa's inaugural Advanced Rescue Simulation Centre at its Doornfontein Campus. This 3,000m² facility offers high-fidelity training for emergency responders, featuring a survival pool, helicopter hoist systems, and urban search and rescue environments to prepare for complex disaster scenarios.
South Africa's National Gambling Board (NGB) is intensifying efforts to curb gambling advertising, specifically targeting influencers promoting betting to younger audiences. Acting CEO Lungile Dukwana highlighted the protection of minors and vulnerable populations as a 'number one' priority amidst a surge in online gambling.
Four South African rowers of color achieved a historic milestone on October 19, 2025, becoming the first crew from their nation to compete internationally at the renowned Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, marking a significant step for diversity in the elite sport.
South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has voiced serious concerns over patients exploiting the public health system by collecting medication from multiple facilities. This follows the discovery of large quantities of ARV drugs in a bus crash wreckage in Limpopo, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities and the need for integrated digital patient tracking.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has defended his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), citing its temporary nature, budgetary concerns, and the need for equitable resource distribution across the South African Police Service. His testimony before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee highlighted the team's alleged irregular operations post-2022 and duplication of efforts with new police structures.
Recent by-elections across South Africa on October 15, 2025, saw significant shifts in local political landscapes. The Patriotic Alliance secured wins in Johannesburg's Ward 29 and Swellendam's Ward 6, while ActionSA achieved a historic breakthrough in Ramotshere Moiloa's Ward 7 in the North West. The African National Congress successfully retained several wards in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Limpopo.
Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko announced the province's commitment to prioritizing hospital infrastructure maintenance and quality refurbishments. This initiative aims to enhance patient experience and address aging facilities, despite a challenging R67 billion budget for 2025/26, with ongoing projects across numerous healthcare institutions.
South Africa and the United Kingdom formalized a Memorandum of Understanding in London on October 14, 2025, aimed at accelerating infrastructure development in South Africa. The agreement focuses on optimizing public assets, fostering economic growth, and leveraging UK expertise in critical sectors.
The European Union has committed €11.5 billion ($13.3 billion) in investment to South Africa, announced on October 9, 2025, as part of the Global Gateway initiative. The funding targets clean energy, transport infrastructure, and healthcare projects, aiming to support South Africa's shift to a low-carbon economy and foster sustainable development.
The high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has resumed in the Pretoria High Court, with accused number one, Muzi Sibiya, taking the stand as the defense's first witness. The trial, which has seen numerous delays, continues to draw significant public attention in South Africa.
Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, testified before Parliament, asserting that Gauteng's AmaPanyaza crime prevention unit operates unlawfully. The Gauteng Provincial Government, however, maintains the unit is legal, citing its designation as peace officers under the Criminal Procedure Act.
OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa is currently facing extended processing times at passport control for both arriving and departing passengers. The delays are primarily attributed to technical issues with the Border Management Authority's Biometric Movement Control System, leading to longer queues and manual processing. Travelers are advised to arrive at least three hours early.
The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, predicting heavy downpours, hail, and damaging winds. Concurrently, a heatwave with temperatures soaring into the high 30s and low 40s Celsius is affecting the Western and Northern Cape, raising veld fire and health risks.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) led a march of hundreds through Cape Town's CBD on October 7, 2025, protesting increased municipal tariffs, including fixed charges for water, sanitation, and electricity. The union handed over a memorandum demanding a review of the 'anti-poor' charges and advocating for job creation and workers' rights.
Six South African activists, including Mandla Mandela, detained by Israeli authorities during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to Gaza, have been released and safely arrived in Jordan. They are scheduled to return to South Africa on October 8, 2025, following diplomatic efforts.
Six South African activists, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, are expected to return home via Jordan on Tuesday after being detained by Israeli forces during a Gaza aid mission. Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed their safe release, following their interception in international waters.
