ALSO READ: Steenhuisen lifts KZN FMD restrictions as 2.5 million vaccine doses rolled out nationwide

The DA said it had repeatedly warned about the city’s deteriorating financial and governance position since last year, after Ramaphosa visited Johannesburg and announced

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President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived at the Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium on Monday to lead the 2026 National Freedom Day Commemoration, marking 32 years of democracy under the theme Freedom and the Rule of Law: Thirty Years of Democratic Citizenship.

In his keynote address, Ramaphosa said government is working to undo the economic injustices of the past.

“We have begun to redress the economic injustices of our past, expanding ownership, control, and management of the economy beyond just a privileged few.”

He acknowledged progress but stressed that more must be done.

“The progress we have made is evident in the improvements in the income and quality of life of Africans, Coloured and Indian South Africans, and the gradual reduction in income inequality between the races. But this is not enough. There are many more hills to climb and rivers to cross.”

ALSO READ: Zandile

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Retired KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Achmat Naeem Jappie died this week, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya said, describing him as a distinguished jurist who served South Africa with honour and integrity.

Jappie was born in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape and moved to Durban shortly afterwards, where he lived until his death.

Maya said he was appointed to the Bench in 1998 and went on to serve for more than two decades.

During his judicial career, Jappie served as Deputy Judge President before later being appointed Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court. He also served as an acting judge of the Constitutional Court and had a short stint at the Labour Appeal Court, the Judiciary said.

The Judiciary said Jappie was widely admired for his calm temperament, fairness, humility and commitment to justice, and was respected by colleagues, legal practitioners and court users for his integrity and deep knowledge of the law.

Following his retirement in 2021, he continued to serve the country, including as chairperson of a Judicial Conduct Tribunal.

“His passing is a great loss to the Judiciary and the legal profession,” Maya said in a statement.

She extended condolences to his wife, Judge Soraya Hassim, his children, family, friends, colleagues and others touched by his life and service.

President Cyril Ramaphosa also paid tribute to Jappie, saying he had been a longstanding champion of justice through his contribution to South African jurisprudence and the administration of the courts.

In a message on X, Ramaphosa said he also appreciated Jappie’s service on tribunals dealing with judicial conduct and said the retired judge had helped entrench the rule of law.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa closed the 6th South African Investment Conference on Tuesday, saying R889.8 billion had been secured, and raising the five-year investment target from R2 trillion to R3 trillion.

“This conference has demonstrated that our economy is entering a new phase of growth,” Ramaphosa said.

“Having witnessed and heard the announcement of commitments of investment that will be made in our country, I can confidently say there is a strong case for investment in South Africa today.”

ALSO READ: WATCH: Tshwane metro buses grounded, Transport MMC provides return update

Ramaphosa described the structural reform programme being driven through Operation Vulindlela as having positioned the country more strongly for investment.

“Through the structural reform agenda, we have brought about a new era of hope and promise for South Africa, and positioned our

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Vetting of officers in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) started on Monday, implementing a pledge President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) as the force faces mounting scrutiny following allegations aired at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The annual vetting process, which will see about 3,500 EMPD officials screened over the next two to three months, started at the Alberton Internal Audit Department under the oversight of Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla.

ALSO READ: 669 initiation deaths, 124 penile amputations in almost a decade – Hlabisa

The initiative follows months of intense scrutiny of the metro police force after testimony before the Madlanga Commission detailed alleged corruption, a murder cover-up, unlawful appointments and political interference within the department.

Addressing the media on Monday, Lerutla conceded that public confidence in the EMPD had been severely eroded.

“There is a trust

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The federation said although there had been notable efforts to stabilise state-owned enterprises more needed to be done and these SOE’s required competent management and the deployment of progressive turnaround plans with the necessary support from the state.

ALSO READ: WATCH: State of the Nation Address 2026

COSATU highlighted the phasing out of load shedding and interventions to ensure electricity became affordable for consumers and the economy is expedited, the stabilisation and recovery of Transnet and Metro Rail over the past few years which have provided welcomed relief for thousands of jobs in mining, manufacturing and agricultural sectors, as some of the encouraging efforts.

“We remain deeply concerned by the state of

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak a national disaster, describing it as the “worst” South Africa has experienced. He made the announcement during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Cape Town City Hall in the Western Cape.

Ramaphosa said the declaration would enable government to mobilise all necessary state resources to contain and eliminate the crisis.

ALSO READ: IPID investigator breaks down over intimidation, while providing more details of Witness D and Mkhwanazi

“This disease is damaging our economy, resulting in export bans, trade restrictions and devastation of herds,” he said.

The government plans to vaccinate up to 14 million cattle, requiring 28 million vaccine doses over the next 12 months.

Ramaphosa said the state would centrally facilitate vaccine procurement to ensure the correct vaccines are secured for the specific strains present in South Africa.

“We will work closely with

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ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday he was awaiting a report into the alleged discovery of ballot papers linked to the party’s contentious Greater Johannesburg conference that took place in December.

Ballot boxes believed to be from that regional elective conference were reportedly found at a private residence in Pretoria on Sunday, triggering complaints to both the police and senior party structures.

“This matter has to be processed and then I’ll get the report. Much as you would respond, allow me to get the report first. I know you would like an instant answer, but some of these matters, one has to give consideration to,” Ramaphosa told the SABC on the sidelines of the party’s NEC lekgotla in Ekurhuleni.

The alleged discovery has reignited controversy surrounding the conference, which saw Johannesburg MMC for Finance Loyiso Lugayeni-Masuku defeat incumbent regional chair and current Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero in a fiercely contested leadership race.

The outcome has been disputed by Morero and his allies, who claim the process was manipulated to predetermine the result.

Morero has formally accused the ANC’s own electoral officials and the appointed election service provider of rigging the conference, alleging conflicts of interest and procedural violations that he says undermined the integrity of the vote.

In a letter addressed to Gauteng Provincial Task Team (PTT) convenor Hope Papo and ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula last week, Morero demanded an investigation into the conference.

Central to Morero’s complaint is the Election Management Consulting Agency of Africa (EMCA), which was contracted to oversee the electoral process.

He alleges that EMCA was conflicted and that its founder and CEO, Noluthando White, ensured Masuku’s victory.

White is employed by the City of Johannesburg and previously worked as a media liaison officer in Masuku’s office during her tenure as MMC for group corporate and shared services.

“The severity of the alleged transgressions by the election agency necessitates clarification from the provincial task team regarding their appointment process,” Morero wrote, warning that the conduct of the agency threatened the ANC’s internal democratic processes.

He further questioned whether White had disclosed her employment with the City of Johannesburg at the time of EMCA’s appointment, calling the situation “particularly troubling”.

Another allegation accused EMCA of “systematic opacity”, alleging a refusal to provide essential information and concluding that the cumulative evidence pointed to electoral manipulation and constitutional disregard.

White has rejected the allegations, stating that she is employed under the Office of the Speaker of Johannesburg, Margaret Arnolds, and denied any political, professional or personal alliance with Masuku.

She also said records show she resigned as an EMCA director in September 2021, making it “factually incorrect” to suggest she influenced the company’s role in the ANC Johannesburg conference.

ANC convenor of deployees in Gauteng, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, was among senior figures who visited the Pretoria house where the ballot papers were allegedly found, to assess the situation first-hand.

According to reports, the ballots were allegedly discovered opened at the residence of an official linked to the administration of the conference.

The Mail & Guardian reported a source saying attempts had been made to burn the papers, raising serious questions about why they were stored at a private home rather than secured through official party channels.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly condemned the killing of Marius van der Merwe, widely known as Witness D in the ongoing investigations linked to the Madlanga Commission.

Van der Merwe was shot multiple times in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home on Friday evening.

In a statement, the President described the murder as a direct attack on the rule of law and the pursuit of justice in South Africa.

He said that the death of van der Merwe, who had been a key witness in exposing corruption and criminal networks, represented a grave setback for accountability and transparency.

Ramaphosa stressed that the government would not allow intimidation or violence to silence those who come forward to testify in commissions of inquiry or criminal proceedings.

He noted that Witness D had played a critical role in assisting investigators and that his courage in standing up against wrongdoing should be honoured, not punished.

The President extended his condolences to van der Merwe’s family and friends, acknowledging the pain and trauma they are enduring, and assured them that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to pursue the perpetrators with urgency.

Ramaphosa said that the killing highlighted the need for stronger witness protection measures and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding individuals who risk their lives to uphold justice.

He called on communities to support the police in their investigation and to reject any attempts to normalize violence as a means of silencing truth.

The murder of Witness D is not only a tragedy for his loved ones but also a blow to the nation’s collective efforts to build a society based on accountability and respect for the law, the president said.

Ramaphosa urged the criminal justice system to act swiftly and decisively, saying that justice delayed would only embolden those who believe they can undermine the state with impunity.

He reiterated that the government will continue to strengthen institutions tasked with fighting corruption and organized crime, and that the death of van der Merwe must serve as a rallying point for renewed determination to protect whistleblowers and witnesses.

Ramaphosa said the nation could not allow fear to dictate the future and that the sacrifice of Witness D must inspire South Africans to remain steadfast in defending the values of justice, accountability, and democracy.

According to police, Van der Merwe was gunned down shortly after 20:30 on Friday night as he arrived at his Gauld Street home with his wife. 

He was shot multiple times with an AK-47 rifle while attempting to open the gate. 

His wife, who was in the car with him, escaped unharmed. 

Police confirmed that nothing was taken from the scene, and Van der Merwe’s firearm, cellphone and wallet were found on his body, strongly suggesting a targeted hit. 

A massive police manhunt is now under way. 

SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola deployed specialists from ballistics, crime intelligence and the serious and violent crime units to Brakpan overnight. 

Masemola is expected to brief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on the investigation and discuss enhanced security for all commission participants. 

He has also instructed NATJOINTS co-chair Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili to convene an urgent weekend meeting to review protective measures for witnesses and officials. 

The assassination has triggered strong political reactions across Ekurhuleni and the province. 

The ANC in the Ekurhuleni Region said it was “outraged” by the murder, describing it as a “direct assault on justice, accountability and the rule of law”. 

Regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi said the killing came at a time when the EMPD was under “intense scrutiny” and urged police to track down the perpetrators “without delay”. 

“The ANC in Ekurhuleni is adamant that no act of intimidation, violence, or criminality will derail the work of the Madlanga Commission or silence those committed to exposing wrongdoing. The fight against corruption must continue without fear, favour or compromise,” Dlabathi said. 

The commission itself released a statement expressing “profound sadness” at the murder and acknowledging Van der Merwe’s contribution to exposing serious wrongdoing in the EMPD. 

Opposition parties echoed the outrage. 

The African Christian Democratic Party in Ekurhuleni said it was “horrified” by the killing and called for immediate, round-the-clock protection for Van der Merwe’s family. 

ACDP councillor Palesa Yates said that whistle-blowers and truth-tellers need protection, referencing previous high-profile assassinations, including those of forensic auditor Mpho Mafole and health department whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who exposed wrongdoing and looting withing Gauteng heath department, specifically Thembisa Hospital.  

Civil society groups have also weighed in, with the Whistleblower House calling for urgent reform. 

Executive director Ben Theron said South Africa had no functional system to protect whistleblowers. 

“The lawbreakers in the last few years have been dithering on the Whistleblowers Protection Act. There are no facilities as of right now, where we protect whistleblowers. How do you trust the Police if they are the ones at the moment being corrupt and their infighting?” Theron said. 

The killing of Witness D marks one of the most serious escalations yet in the threats facing those testifying before the Madlanga Commission and raises urgent questions about the safety of whistleblowers, the integrity of investigations, and the resilience of South Africa’s fight against corruption. 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has accused the City of Cape Town of perpetuating apartheid-era inequalities by directing municipal resources toward affluent, predominantly white areas while neglecting poor black communities in townships and informal settlements.

Responding to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, Ramaphosa acknowledged that while the municipality excelled in financial management, it was the worst-performing metro in ensuring equitable service delivery.

“Census data shows that in the decade between 2011 and 2022, Cape Town performed worse than the average of all metros in expanding access to services such as refuse removal, piped water, electricity and flush toilets,” he said.

He added that an analysis of the city’s budget suggested that the per capita investment in infrastructure and service delivery was significantly lower in townships and informal settlements than in the suburbs.

The president’s response was in sharp contrast to what he told

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