Higher borrowing costs, weaker consumer confidence and softer economic conditions are weighing on housing demand and are likely to restrain market activity through the remainder of the year.

US President Donald Trump expresses optimism for a negotiated peace deal with Iran as hostilities pause for a third consecutive day. Will renewed diplomacy end the conflict that has rattled the region?

A 25‑year‑old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of murder in connection with an arson attack that claimed the life of a one‑year‑old infant at his aunt’s homestead in the Eastern Cape. Yongama Notshila appeared in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Mthatha, on Monday, 27 July 2026, where the sentence was handed down. Sentence The court convicted and sentenced Notshila to five years for attempted murder, three years for possession of dangerous weapons, five years for each of the two counts of arson, and 20 years for murder. It ordered the sentences on other counts to run concurrently with the murder sentence. In his guilty plea explanation contained in the agreement with the State, Notshila admitted that he believed his aunt was responsible for the ill health of his uncle and grandmother, imputing witchcraft. Murder On the day of the incident on 13 September 2020, he explained that he armed himself with a spear and a bush knife and went to his aunt’s homestead. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tiyali said that upon arriving at the homestead, Notshila came across his aunt’s two children, who ran towards one of the rondavels at the homestead. “He hacked one of them with the bush knife, but they both managed to escape to the neighbouring homestead. Notshila then set two grass-thatched rondavels alight. A one-year-old girl, who had been sleeping in one of the rondavels, died in the blaze.” Mental illness Tiyali said that after his arrest, Notshila’s trial was delayed due to him demonstrating mental illness. “As a result, the accused was referred to Fort England Hospital for medical observation where a panel finding was that he had a mental condition due to substance use disorder but has capacity to understand court proceedings and make a proper defence.” In mitigation of sentence the defence submitted that the accused has been in custody since September 2020, a youthful first offender, had a poor background after losing his mother who died when he was 14 and that substance abuse played a role in the commission of the crime. NPA Tiyali said the court considered those factors and sentenced him to 20 years. “Welcoming the sentence, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, said the sentence demonstrates that perpetrators of violent crimes will be held fully accountable for their actions against vulnerable members of society.” The NPA said it remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of serious violent crimes are successfully prosecuted and that justice is delivered for victims, their families, and affected communities.

Nearly a month after the national March and March movement’s 30 June deadline, many foreign nationals from Malawi and Nigeria are still waiting to return home. Three weeks after the initial march, hundreds of foreigners continue to arrive at the Malawi high commission to catch a bus back home. Malawi and Nigeria nationals still waiting to return home Yosef Mustafa, from the Institute for Islamic Services, who serves lunch to the waiting foreigners, said just as they thought the situation was getting better, it was getting worse. “Two days ago, we experienced an unfortunate incident when newborn babies were brought in from Potchefstroom, twins who were held with their parents at the embassy, are now sleeping outside in the cold. “There are many pregnant women. While we were feeding them, two fainted and had to be taken to hospital,” Mustafa said. He added it was sad that there was nothing more the embassy could do for the women, especially the pregnant women sleeping in the cold. “We are hoping for the best and the situation to subside,” he said. Farmer drives to help workers reapply for permits A Delareyville, North West, farmer, who didn’t want to be named for fear of reprisals, said he drove to the high commission to help his worker struggling to reapply for his work permit because his passport expires in six months. “The other workers were at the busy department of home affairs to try and get answers,” he added. The farmer said he immediately sent one of his workers who did not have a permit home when the unrest broke earlier in the month. “The problem is many of these foreigners have been working for me for years and have become part of the business and know what they do. “To start over and train new workers will be a huge setback. I have spent a few thousand to keep my workers’ paperwork up to date and keep them in the country,” he added. Kubayi warns against individuals impersonating home affairs officials On Sunday, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said during the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) update on the implementation of government’s five-point plan on migration management, she learnt of incidents involving individuals conducting unauthorised identity checks on foreign nationals and businesses falsely claiming to be officials from home affairs. “We have observed there are still individuals who impersonate home affairs officials and target foreign nationals and some businesses for these illegal identity searches and, sometimes, extortion,” she said. Kubayi added the SA Police Service (Saps) has been requested to probe incidents brought to the attention of the IMC and confirmed law enforcement had arrested seven suspects in Polokwane. “We are glad to report our law enforcement authorities acted swiftly in arresting seven of these individuals in Polokwane and we would like to issue a stern warning to everyone who is involved in this to stop,” she said. Kubayi added integrated operations involving Saps, the Border Management Authority, home affairs, the Hawks and other law enforcement agencies continue to target criminal networks that exploit migration vulnerabilities.

The Springboks have dominated world rugby over the last few years, to the point that opponents like archrivals the All Blacks have been left playing catch up. Besides winning back-to-back World Cup titles and holding a firm grip on the No 1 spot in the World Rugby rankings, the Springboks have also built remarkable depth and a powerful team culture. It’s in this regard that former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes the Springbok coaching group deserve high praise. “He (Rassie Erasmus) has built cohesion. When he adds these young guys in, he doesn’t throw them in ad hoc. He surrounds them with a core of people that are the cohesive unit. “So, if we just looked at it selection-wise, you might say he is taking some risk, but he’s clever…. The coaching group are clever. It’s not just Rassie; the whole group need to be given credit. “They are good at making sure, OK, we’ve got a solid block here of people that know what we want, how we want to do it … and we’ll just drip-feed in some more people.” All Blacks soon set to face the Springboks in four Tests Looking ahead to the upcoming greatest rivalry series, Hansen ultimately predicted a 2-2 draw. “It’s going to be fantastic to sit back and watch because there are contrasting styles. “We’ll learn a little bit more about the All Blacks team and about the South African team because they’re going to have to front up against each other four times.” Test fixtures Saturday, 22 August: First Test, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 17:05 Saturday, 29 August: Second Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – 17:05 Saturday, 5 September: Third Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg – 17:05 Saturday, 12 September: Fourth Test, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States – TBC

The 32-year-old Shalulile brought an end to a glittering six-year spell at Sundowns. Young Africans, popularly known as Yanga, fought off interest from clubs in South Africa, Egypt, Sudan, the Gulf region, and rivals Simba SC to secure his signature. PETER SHALULILE REUNITES WITH MANQOBA MNGQITHI The move sees the Namibian reunite with Manqoba Mngqithi, who coached him during one of the most successful periods of his career at Mamelodi Sundowns. Their existing relationship reportedly played a key role in convincing the striker to move to Tanzania. “THANK YOU GSM. THANK YOU BILLIONAIRE. The best striker in Africa PETER SHALULILE is our asset the citizens,” the club beamed on social media. Yanga moved quickly after the departure of Prince Dube, identifying Shalulile as the ideal replacement to lead their attack. The experienced forward now arrives with the responsibility of spearheading the club’s challenge in both domestic and continental competitions. During his time at Sundowns, Shalulile established himself as one of the greatest strikers in the club’s history. He helped the Brazilians win five consecutive Betway Premiership titles, as well as the MTN8, Nedbank Cup, and the inaugural African Football League. YOUNG AFRICANS LAND PSL LEGEND Shalulile leaves Chloorkop after scoring an incredible 136 goals in all competitions. He also netted 133 goals in 298 Premier Soccer League appearances, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer of the PSL era after surpassing Siyabonga Nomvethe. The prolific striker also became the first player representing a South African club to score 20 goals in the CAF Champions League. His relentless pressing, intelligent movement and clinical finishing made him one of the continent’s most feared forwards. As captain of the Namibia national team, Shalulile also brings leadership and experience to Young Africans. The Tanzanian giants will now hope the veteran striker can fire them to another league title and a strong CAF Champions League campaign.

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has warned sanctions and Entity List designations are now on the table.

Apple's incoming CEO has said he is committed to building on the company's momentum in the entertainment business.