Join Carl Niehaus at the Economic Freedom Fighters voter registration table as he reflects on the profound significance of voting and the sacrifices made by South Africa's liberation heroes.

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has appealed to the South African Police Service's Political Killings Task Team to urgently investigate what it describes as a growing pattern of targeted killings involving its members following the murder of founding KwaMashu member and anti-illegal migration activist Gideon " Mfene" Thusini. The party says nine of its councillors, PR councillors and mayoral candidates have now been killed, while police have opened a murder investigation and say the motive for Thusini's shooting remains unknown.

Four men have been gunned down in cold blood in the Western Cape when unknown assailants opened fire as they stopped to fix a flat tyre. The shooting occurred in Nyanga on Saturday night, 01 August 2026. Shooting Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the Serious Violent Crime detectives have launched an investigation following the mass shooting in Nyanga. “Preliminary reports indicate that at approximately 21:55, the victims were travelling in a Toyota Avanza along Old Klipfontein Road when they stopped to repair a flat tyre. While they were attending to the vehicle, they came under attack by unknown gunmen who opened fire on them. “The victims sustained fatal gunshot wounds and were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel,” Traut said. Motive Traut added that the “unknown suspects” fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. “The motive for the attack is believed to be taxi-related; however, this will form part of the ongoing police investigation. “Four counts of murder have been registered for investigation by the Serious Violent Crime Unit,” Traut said. Information Traut urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the investigating team via the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS mobile application. All information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Missing EFF member Last week, the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) found the body of missing 51-year-old EFF member Aaron Makola in Mpumalanga, confirming that he was shot dead and dumped in a bush after vanishing earlier this month. The PKTT made the grim discovery in Delmas on Thursday, 30 July. According to the investigation, Makola was reported missing in Bronkhorstspruit on 10 July. His vehicle was subsequently found abandoned the next day, on 11 July. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the Gauteng PKTT commenced its investigation into the matter on Monday, 20 July, after engaging with the family and obtaining crucial information relating to his disappearance.

Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament (JSCFMP) has dismissed claims of governance issues in the rebuilding of the National Assembly (NA). This comes after the DA called for an urgent investigation into how the project was handled. The party claims there’s been no proof of a lawful transfer of the allocated billions of rand. It says there’s no record of Parliament taking over the project, following the 2022 fire. ‘Public knowledge’ However, the standing committee has hit back, saying it is public knowledge that the project had to be transferred from Public Works. In a strongly worded response, the Joint Standing Committee rejected what it called “attempts to characterise the rebuilding project as unlawful.” “The DA is clutching at straws. It is a matter of public record that the former Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Ms Patricia de Lille, supported the Development Bank of Southern Africa being appointed to manage the reconstruction project. Parliament subsequently concluded an agreement with the DBSA, acting co‑chairperson Cameron Dugmore said. Rebuilding The committee emphasised that the rebuilding was not a unilateral takeover but the outcome of “extensive engagements” between Parliament, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), and National Treasury. “DPWI itself acknowledged it lacked the institutional capacity to deliver a project of this scale and urgency,” Dugmore explained. “That is why Parliament assumed responsibility, with DPWI still represented on the governance structures.” Development Bank Parliament appointed the Development Bank of Southern Africa as implementing agent, concluding a formal agreement to govern the relationship. The committee said this decision was “collaborative and legally informed” within the framework of cooperative government, ensuring accountability in the use of public resources after an unprecedented disaster. Caution The Committee urged caution against conflating custodianship of government assets with authority to implement nationally significant infrastructure projects. “These functions serve different purposes and are governed by different legal and institutional frameworks,” the committee noted. Mandate Dugmore added that the DA’s statement “disregards information already placed in the public domain” and confirmed that the committee will conduct an in‑loco oversight visit to the parliamentary precinct on Friday. “We will continue to exercise our mandate to scrutinise expenditure and implementation. Oversight is our responsibility, but mischaracterisation of lawful processes will not go unchallenged,” he said. Cost Last year, The Citizen reported that more than R500 million had already been spent on repairing Parliament after the fire in 2022, with the total cost of the reconstruction project now projected to reach R4.4 billion. Sections of the National Assembly and Old Assembly buildings suffered major damage during the fire on 2 January 2022. The reconstruction was expected to be completed in late 2026, following delays that have extended the original deadline. Zandile Mafe, who admitted to starting the fire and was charged with terrorism and arson, was declared unfit to stand trial in December 2023.

South Africa’s hopes of ending the 2026 Commonwealth Games athletics programme with a medal were dashed after the men’s 4x100m relay team was disqualified following the final in Glasgow. Team SA, comprising Mvuyo Moss, Cheswill Johnson, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine, had looked in superb form earlier in the day, winning their semi-final in 38.30 seconds to qualify fastest for the final and head into the medal race as one of the favourites. Disappointment However, things unravelled in the evening final. The quartet struggled to reproduce their semi-final performance and crossed the line in fifth place in a race won by Australia in 38.07 seconds. The disappointment deepened moments later when South Africa were disqualified, officially ending any hopes of a podium finish. The exact reason for the disqualification was not immediately confirmed, although it appeared as if one of the runners stepped outside his lane. For veteran Akani Simbine, it marked a bitter conclusion to the Games, with the experienced sprinter unable to add another Commonwealth relay medal to his collection after Team SA’s promising challenge came to an unfortunate end. Heading into Sunday’s final day of competition, Team SA had won 28 medals, made up of seven golds, 11 silvers and 10 bronzes. That was good enough for 11th place in the overall medal standings. How much of this year’s Commonwealth Games did you watch? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …

Kaizer Chiefs made a statement in their opening Betway Premiership match with a commanding 3-1 victory over newcomers Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday evening. A brace from Wandile Duba and a goal from Flávio Silva secured all three points for Amakhosi, who moved to the top of the league standings ahead of rivals Orlando Pirates on goal difference. It was the perfect start for new coach Fernando Da Cruz, easing the pressure ahead of a demanding run of fixtures. More importantly, Chiefs produced an encouraging display that has already given supporters plenty of reasons for optimism. Here are three things we learned from Kaizer Chiefs’ victory. Luke Baartman has arrived One of the biggest surprises in the starting lineup was 20-year-old Luke Baartman, who saw limited opportunities last season. The youngster justified Da Cruz’s faith with an outstanding performance, earning the Man of the Match award after playing a key role in Chiefs’ attacking play. Comfortable on the ball, composed under pressure and dangerous going forward, Baartman showed maturity beyond his years. If he continues performing at this level, he could become one of the breakout stars of the 2026/27 campaign. Kaizer Chiefs look sharp in attack Wandile Duba is ready to lead the line Duba once again demonstrated why he is one of Chiefs’ most exciting attacking talents. The 22-year-old’s movement, pace and clinical finishing caused Kruger United problems throughout the match, with his two goals highlighting his growing confidence. Beyond his finishing, Duba looked more composed in possession and made smarter decisions in the final third. His performance suggests he is ready to establish himself as a regular starter, provided he can maintain this level of consistency. Flávio Silva remains Kaizer Chiefs’ focal point Flávio Silva picked up where he left off last season by getting on the scoresheet once again. The Portuguese striker continues to prove his value as Chiefs’ leading forward and appears set to remain Fernando Da Cruz’s first-choice target man. His ability to hold up play, link with teammates and score goals gives Chiefs a reliable attacking outlet. With Silva in form, Duba thriving alongside him and new signing Langelihle Phili still to make his mark, Amakhosi have the potential to boast one of the most dangerous attacks in the Betway Premiership this season. Kaizer Chiefs now turn their attention to the MTN8 next weekend. Who was your best player?

Nedbank has appointed Nikos Angelopoulos, formerly MTN Group's CIO, to the same role at the bank.

Eskom recorded a daily energy availability factor of 80.24% on 20 July, its best single day since 20 September 2017.