The Gauteng legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has applauded the police for its breakthroughs in apprehending suspects linked to several high-profile murder cases, including for the killing of City of Ekurhuleni chief auditor, Mpho Mafole.

“These developments reflect the commitment and capability of law enforcement in pursuing justice and dismantling criminal networks that threaten public safety and the rule of law,” committee chairperson Bandile Masuku said in a statement on Thursday.

“However, while these successes are commendable, the committee emphasises that all victims of crime regardless of their public profile deserve equal attention, protection and justice. The fight against crime must be consistent and inclusive.”

Thabani Ntshalintshali appeared in court on Wednesday in connection with the murder of Mafole, who was also a popular Kempton Park DJ. Mafole was gunned down in the town last month.

Police are still looking for Ntshalintshali’s alleged accomplice, Hlanganani Agripper Mncwango.

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The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) is set to go on strike at the Gautrain following a following a deadlock in wage talks with the Bombela Operating Company (BOC), which manages the rail system.

“Wage negotiations deadlocked on the 9th of June 2025 and Numsa filed a dispute with the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) which was heard yesterday,” Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said in a statement 

“Unfortunately, parties were still unable to find one another due to the arrogance of the Bombela Operating Company (BOC) management which has resulted in a certificate to strike being issued.”

She said the BOC management failed to present a meaningful offer, only proposing a 4.2% increase, and that CCMA facilitation led by a senior commissioner did not produce any positive outcome.

Numsa members are sticking to their demands, which include a 7% wage increase across the

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The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that it will not be renewing the contract of long-serving city manager Imogen Mashazi.

Mashazi, who became the metro’s first female city manager in December 2016, will step down at the end of her term later this year, capping nearly a decade in the top administrative post and over 30 years of dedicated public service.

The decision not to renew her contract comes amid shifting political dynamics in the city’s coalition government, but it has also sparked a wave of reflection on the legacy of one of one of the most respected senior administrators in South African local government.

A former nurse and healthcare administrator, Mashazi rose through the ranks from primary healthcare director to chief operations officer before being appointed city manager in 2016.

Under her leadership, Ekurhuleni gained a reputation for administrative stability, strong financial governance and developmental local

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The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has delivered a R65 billion no frills budget, with an improved credit rating and outlook, radically increased spending on maintenance as well as plans to get hostels and informal settlements to pay for the service they receive.

“From the outset, we seek to present a realistic budget outlook that can be practically implemented and monitored, taking into consideration the current state of our city’s environment,” finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi said as he delivered the budget and the Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework.

Dlabathi noted that the budget spelt out how priorities announced by Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza in this State of the City Address almost two months ago would be funded.

Ahead of the delivery of the budget speech, Xhakaza who recently survived a motion of no confidence, took to the podium to announce that the budget, the first under his multi-party coalition

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Gauteng finance and economic development MEC Lebogang Maile has cautiously praised the performance of the province’s metros, but believes that more needs to be done to ensure all-round improvement.

Maile briefed the media at the Gauteng legislature on Thursday on the audit outcomes of municipalities across the province during the 2022/2023 financial year.

In relation to performance reports, Maile said the quality of submitted performance reports improved from 50% to 54% and residents were engaged during public participation sessions in setting priorities.

He said that in some instances the related performance targets were then either revised or not prioritised, resulting in communities not receiving the desired services.

By not achieving targets, this further affected the adequacy of basic services delivered to communities.

Maile said that despite the inclusion of the National Treasury’s common performance indicators in the performance reports, greater urgency was required from accounting officers, mayors and

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ActionSA has announced that it is in talks with the ANC to work hand-in-hand to topple the DA from power in the City of Tshwane and later in Ekurhuleni.

On Thursday, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said should they get a mandate, they will unseat DA’s Cilliers Brink as the Executive Mayor of Tshwane.

“Ekurhuleni and Tshwane will be next. As ActionSA, we are busy consulting with our structures. Yesterday, I had a very successful meeting with our PEC [Provincial Executive Committee] in Gauteng. Early next week, we’ll have meetings with our REC [Regional Executive Committee] in Tshwane and our caucus,” he said.

Mashaba has described the party’s relationship with the DA in Tshwane as toxic and abusive, despite the fact that the two parties run the metro together.

He confirmed that discussions with the ANC to possibly work together to take out the DA from power had begun.

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THE Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), have praised the approval of the budget for the city of Ekurhuleni, but says it has been stolen by the African National Congress (ANC), after the part had repeatedly rejected it.

In a statement on Friday, EFF chair Leshaka Manamela said while the party welcomed the budget presented in an extraordinary council meeting, its handling was an effort by the ANC to claim political glory solely and disingenuously for the tabling of the budget.

Manamela said it was no coincidence that the budget was tabled merely two days after the removal of the EFF’s member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for finance, Nkululeko Dunga.

“Our people must see Doctor Xhakaza and his ANC cronies and allies for what he is, a scavenger waiting to claim victories he has not worked for,” Manamela said.

He said the budget that has been approved by the

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THE City Council of Ekurhuleni has confirmed the election of the ANC’s Metropolitan Convener Nkosindiphile Xhakaza as the new Executive Mayor, following lengthy delays and the threat of the metro being placed under administration.

In an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday in Germiston, Xhakaza was elected unopposed, after the municipality had been without a Mayor for two weeks following the removal of African Independent Congress (AIC) councilor Sivuyile Ngodwana from office by means of a motion of no-confidence.

The Metro has been marred by ongoing political disagreements, leading to multiple postponements to vote for Ngodwana’s replacement.

Xhakaza was appointed last year by the ruling-party’s NEC as the Convener for Ekurhuleni, following his defeat against Mzwandile Masina for the position of Ekurhuleni regional chairperson.

He previously served as a council member in the municipality since 2011, including the MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy; Finance, Economic Development and ICT;

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The U.S. Geological Survey, which records earthquakes around the world, recorded a 5.0 magnitude earthquake at 2:38 a.m. local time.

It said the epicenter was 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from Alberton, a town on the southeastern outskirts of Johannesburg..

There were no immediate reports of casualties or any significant damage. An earthquake of that strength is classified as minor but would be clearly felt and might cause small damage to buildings.

Residents who lives close to the epicenter said the shaking felt like being on a moving train and lasted for about a minute.

Many people in Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, said on social media they awoke to find the walls of their homes shaking. Local media published videos showing the moment the quake struck.

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During a media briefing, Dunga stated that he and his colleagues in the newly formed government have identified critical matters within the city that demand immediate attention.

“We have noted with concern the issue of non-payment of service providers on time. Currently, the city has just over R200 million in unpaid invoices. This has serious implications for the ability of the city to deliver services, and on employees of the service providers,” said Dunga.

Dunga announced that the city will be hosting an Imbizo to address the issue of unpaid service providers, as this situation has severe consequences for the city’s ability to provide essential services.

Municipal officials responsible for the payment process will attend the Imbizo, and service providers who have not received payment in over 30

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