The National Freedom Party has initiated legal proceedings against KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Speaker, Nontembeko Boyce, over her refusal to remove expelled member Mbali Shinga. The case is set for a hearing on July 30, 2026.

Ngizwe Mchunu's public apology to Julius Malema follows a series of court rulings regarding defamation. As the legal battle continues, Malema seeks a six-month jail term for Mchunu's alleged contempt of court.

DA leader Geordin Hill‑Lewis has conceded that his once‑close bond with predecessor John Steenhuisen has been badly strained by the party’s bruising leadership shake‑up, admitting the fallout has left “scars” that will take time to heal. Hill‑Lewis, elected at the DA’s federal congress at Gallagher Estate in Midrand on 12 April 2026, succeeded Steenhuisen, who had been credited with growing the party’s popularity and ushering it into power through the Government of National Unity (GNU). Reshuffle The transition has been anything but smooth. In June, Steenhuisen dropped political bombshells, blasting his Cabinet demotion under Hill‑Lewis, defending himself over the party’s salary scandal, and warning of fractures inside the DA. The reshuffle saw him moved from agriculture minister to deputy minister of trade and industry, as Hill‑Lewis unveiled sweeping changes to sharpen the party’s role in governance and honour the mandate of 3.5 million voters. Rift Speaking ahead of the DA’s federal council meeting, Hill‑Lewis acknowledged the personal cost of his decision, the Sunday Times reported. “It’s going to take some time for John and me to find each other,” he said. “But I have a lot of affection for him. I always have. 100% support him in doing a great job [as deputy minister] in the trade & industry portfolio. I think he has a lot of talent and value to add there, and I genuinely wish him the best.” Unapologetic Despite that, Hill‑Lewis was unapologetic about sidelining his predecessor. “I think removing him was the right decision for the country and for the party. I’ll defend it to anyone,” he said. The federal council met for the first time since Steenhuisen alleged that a company owned by former DA leader Tony Leon was using its proximity to DA ministers to benefit clients. Scandal Hill‑Lewis dismissed claims that Steenhuisen’s remarks exposed misconduct in the DA, accusing political opponents of manufacturing a scandal. “It’s almost laughable. There is just one thing conspicuously and glaringly absent from any of this, and that is a single suggestion of any wrongdoing by anyone,” he said. “John made a comment; that comment was jumped on by our political opponents, and they made hay of it, but there was nothing there to sustain it.” ‘Leave controversy’ Hill‑Lewis said he had urged Steenhuisen to leave the controversy behind and focus on his new role. “I have spoken to John Steenhuisen. I said we have to focus on the positive work he has to do at trade & industry. He has to stop these distractions that give his political opponents the opportunity to have fun and try to make hay, even if there is absolutely no substance.” Hill‑Lewis criticised Steenhuisen’s public dispute with Leon, saying it had gifted rivals an unnecessary opportunity. “The public disagreement he’s had with the other former leader, Tony Leon, has absolutely not been helpful and has been jumped on by our opponents to try and sensationalise that which is really just nothing. Hopefully, it’s over now, and John can focus positively on the work that they have,” he said. Betrayal Steenhuisen accused Hill‑Lewis of betrayal in an interview with News24. “He gave my head to a baying mob of hyenas,” Steenhuisen charged, adding: “The hyenas have been circling for months, waiting for the moment to pounce. And now they’ve torn me down.” Confirming his demotion from Minister of Agriculture to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Steenhuisen described the move as a humiliating setback. Despite the bitterness, Steenhuisen insisted he remained committed to the party’s mission. Steenhuisen’s explosive remarks – especially his “hyenas” metaphor – have exposed deep tensions within the party. “I’ve been pushed aside, but I won’t be silenced,” he declared.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says Mandela Day is about serving others and living by Madiba’s values The president was speaking at the Mandela Day walk and run in Johannesburg on Sunday, 19 July 2026. Mandela Day Ramaphosa arriving at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg ahead of the Mandela Day Walk and Run 2026, where he is received by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Dr Naledi Pandor, Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Board, among other dignitaries. The president joined thousands of South Africans at the annual event and participated in the 5-kilometre walk in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the values of service, compassion and active citizenship. Community projects Ramaphosa highlighted governments, community projects across the country, including Saturday’s opening of 67 boreholes in Hammanskraal. Residents of Hammanskraal have for years complained about the quality of water in the area, an issue that got worse after the outbreak of cholera in 2023, which claimed many lives. In addition to complaints about not having clean water, residents also have no water for days. Honouring Madiba South Africans are being asked to donate more than the annual 67 minutes on Mandela’s birthday. and do more. “What we are doing today, we are doing in honour of Nelson Mandela, and in many ways, let’s see ourselves walking in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela. Every step you lift, every foot, or heel you put down, let us be doing it in honour of Madiba,” Ramaphosa said. “The values that he stood for, the principles that he upheld and the integrity that he lived by. So today, we celebrate. Yesterday, which was also a great day throughout our country, many people were doing good works.” During the launch on Mandela Day, Ramaphosa acknowledged that residents have endured many years of hardship due to a lack of access to clean water. “For far too many years, the people of Hammanskraal have endured immense hardship,” he said. “Many households have lived with uncertainty, not knowing when water would flow from their taps. Families have had to depend on water tankers and carry buckets… over long distances. Trust in government He noted that residents had lost trust in the government after it took years to deliver a reliable plan to provide clean water. “And we understand how many people also became sceptical, not believing that the government will be able to fulfil what we have said it will,” said Ramaphosa. “And you have every right to not believe in what the government said, but today this represents progress. Today is significant. Today, we are not merely announcing another plan. Today we are launching a project, in fact, three projects that will bring real lasting change to the community.” Borehole project According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Klipdrift 50-megalitre-per-day Package Water Treatment Plant is part of the Hammanskraal emergency water supply intervention, implemented by Magalies Water under the department’s direction.

A frustrated Facebook comment has taken aim at SASSA’s grant review process, with beneficiary Hester Viljoen asking “how on earth does sassa expect the elderly, to go to sassa offices without money,” after raising concerns about beneficiaries who live far from the nearest office. Viljoen’s comment has struck a nerve online, tapping into frustration many beneficiaries feel toward a system that flags them for review but, in their view, doesn’t account for the practical cost of complying. What SASSA says the reviews are for According to SASSA’s official statement, reviews and eLife Certification exist to confirm beneficiaries’ continued eligibility, prevent payments to deceased or otherwise ineligible beneficiaries, and detect fraud. These processes, the agency says, help protect public funds and maintain the integrity of the social assistance system. Dr Letsatsi has said SASSA sends bulk SMS notifications to all beneficiaries targeted for reviews, after which their grants are scheduled for payment on a fourth day of the normal payment cycle rather than being withheld entirely. A system beneficiaries say feels out of touch Despite SASSA’s reasoning, Viljoen’s comment suggests beneficiaries experience the process very differently on the ground. She argued that pensioners cannot simply produce transport money on demand, especially when offices sit up to 40km away. Her call for SASSA to send review notices “at least 3 months before” they take effect suggests a simple fix that many beneficiaries feel has been overlooked. Win R2 000 in the South African SASSA grant survey If you receive a SASSA grant and want to share your story, we want to hear from you. Take part in our survey and stand a chance to win R2 000. Your responses help us tell the stories that matter.

Dricus du Plessis returned to the winner’s circle after a dominant unanimous decision win over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman this weekend. Because the UFC does not publicly disclose official fighter purses unless mandated by a state athletic commission, his exact earnings are based on industry standards, his tier as a major headliner, and his contract trajectory. Having lost his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev in late 2025, Du Plessis was no longer on a champion’s contract (which previously netted him base purses of around $1 million per fight). However, as the No. 2 ranked middleweight headlining a major Fight Night card, his base pay remains firmly in the elite tier, likely between $500,000 to $750,000. Big payday for Dricus du Plessis The UFC promotional guidelines compliance pay is estimated at $21,000, while the Du Plessis-Usman bout was officially awarded Fight of the Night. In a rare move for this specific card, the standard post-fight bonus was doubled to $100,000. It means his estimated earning were likely between $620,000 and $870,000, meaning a minimum return of R11.2 million but potentially as much as R15.7 million. What’s next? After the fight, Du Plessis immediately stated that he wanted a shot at reclaiming his belt, but UFC president Dana White wasn’t willing to get drawn into that just yet. “I don’t think about that tonight. He just fought a great fight, looked good, and we’ll go back to the lab on Tuesday and start kicking it around,” White said. The judges scored the fight for Du Plessis via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46.

Acting CEO Fathima Gany tells TechCentral the Post Office can survive - but only if government honours its funding promise.

ERP specialist Astraia Technology is iOCO's second purchase in four months as dealmaking accelerates.