Join the Western Cape Government as it launches its first Infrastructure Ministerial Roundtable on July 30, gathering leaders from various sectors to unlock investment and accelerate infrastructure delivery for regional economic growth.

Fifteen female law students have been packing the public gallery at the Johannesburg High Court to observe the trial of Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and his four co-accused.

We bring you a visual snapshot of the day’s news events, featuring mourners paying tribute at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate following the deadly attack near the city’s Pride parade, a devastating wildfire that has forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in France’s Gironde region, South Africa’s Zelme Daries competing in the women’s all-around gymnastics final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and other compelling images from around the world. Two firefighter helmets and a fire hose are pictured on the ground as a forest fire rages in Saint-Jean-d’Illac, some 30km from Bordeaux, on July 26, 2026 as a wildfire has been ravaging the forest north of the Arcachon Basin (Gironde). The 220,000 people evacuated due to the massive wildfire in France’s Gironde region will not be able to return home “until the fire has been brought under control”, the local prefect said, also ruling out any normal workday on Monday in the affected towns, ahead of a possible worsening of the situation on Tuesday due to an expected rise in temperatures. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP) South Africa’s Pieter Coetze swims to win the Men’s 200m Backstroke Final during the swimming event at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, on day three of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) An aerial view shows residential buildings partially submerged in floodwaters after heavy monsoon rains induced a rise in the water level of the River Ravi in Pakistan’s Muridke on July 27, 2026. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) South Africa’s Erin Gallagher (L), Australia’s Alex Perkins and New Zealand’s Hazel Ouwehand celebrate during the Women’s 50m Butterfly Medal Ceremony at the swimming event at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, on day two of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 25, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) This photograph shows a damaged interior view of the Agricultural Bank of Sudan after it was reportedly targeted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Obeid on July 27, 2026. The war between the army and the RSF — former allies before they fell out in a power struggle — erupted in April 2023 and has since killed over 200,000 people, aid workers estimate. It has also caused the world’s largest hunger and displacement crises. In El-Obeid alone, a city of about half a million people which the UN says has doubled in sized because of displacement, only a fraction have reliable access to food. (Photo by AFP) Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Nthabiseng Zandile Nzama appear before the Gauteng South High Court in Johannesburg, 27 July 2026. They are standing trial on charges relating to the attempted murders of businessman Joe Sibanyoni and five others, media personality Tebogo Thobejane and three others, and musician DJ Vettys and two others. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen Yoga enthusiasts practice at a lotus pond in Gucun Park in Shanghai, east China, on July 26, 2026, to avoid the midday heat during the dog days of summer. (Photo by Yang Jianzheng / IC photo / Imaginechina via AFP) Zelme Daries of Team South Africa competes in Floor Exercise during the Women’s All-Around Final on day three of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at The Arena on July 26, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. Daries finished 13th in the competition, with her older sister Naveen Daries taking 10th position. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) A woman walks past a large billboard pledging revenge against US President Donald Trump along Jomhouri Street in central Tehran on July 27, 2026. Iran’s foreign ministry said on July 27 that the US was not involved in recent talks with Oman over the administration of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Traffic through the vital global shipping route has been under Iranian control since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on February 28. (Photo by AFP) Youth and students dance at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph to mark the 73rd anniversary of the end of the Korean War in Pyongyang on July 27, 2026. (Photo by KIM Won Jin / AFP) Pallas’s cat Azu, a species considered to be the world’s oldest living feline, is seen in her enclosure at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe on July 27, 2026. Pallas’s cat Azu gave birth to five kittens on May 12. (Photo by PAUL MILLER / AFP) People pay their respects in front of landmark Brandenburg Gate where flowers, condolence placards and a huge rainbow flag have been arranged on the ground, on July 27, 2026 in Berlin two days after a car ramming attack that killed one person and injured 29 near the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade. German police announced on July 26, 2026 that they had shot and killed the chief suspect in what officials described as a deadly Islamist attack near the Berlin Pride parade the night prior, the latest ramming assault to hit the country. The attack late on July 25 — the first such incident to target the German capital’s LGBTQ community, killed one woman and wounded 29 others. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP) Silver medallist South Africa’s Aimee Canny (L), gold medallist Scotland’s Angharad Evans and bronze medallist Australia’s Sienna Toohey celebrate during the medal ceremony for the Women’s 100m Breaststroke Final at the swimming event at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, on day three of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) Imported iron ore is seen at the ore terminal of Qingdao Port in Shandong province, eastern China, on July 27, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP) Kris Mihaylov of Team South Africa and Edward Mildred of Team England compete during the Men’s 200m Butterfly – Heats on day four of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Tollcross International Swimming Centre on July 27, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Tudor Pro Cycling Team’s French rider Julian Alaphilippe interacts with the crowd as he cycles up Rue Lepic on the ascent of the Butte de Montmartre during the 21st stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 88,7 km starting and finishing in Paris, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP) Maximiliano Torres clears snow from the roof of a restaurant affected by a several storms near the Argentina-Chile border in Puente del Inca, Mendoza province, Argentina on July 26, 2026. Snowfall is forecasted for the next few days on the Andes mountains forcing the clousure of the international road between Argentina and Chile where dozens of trucks are stranded according to local authorities. (Photo by Andres LARROVERE / AFP) 1/17

Thousands of people reclaimed the streets of Johannesburg on Sunday as they took part in the 2026 702 Jozi My Jozi Walk The Talk. Participants experienced some of the city’s landmarks and regeneration precincts along 5km, 8km and 15km routes that celebrated Johannesburg’s history, culture and community spirit. Here is a selection of photographs capturing the atmosphere, colour and energy of the event. Over 17 000 walkers take part in the 702 Walk the Talk, which started at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, 26 July 2026. The city takes the lead in bringing financial institutions together to invest in restoring, maintaining and revitalising the city’s infrastructure, public spaces, helping create a cleaner, safer and more vibrant city while setting an example for other South African cities Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha and other cities to emulate. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal The event featured three routes, namely a 15km Mandela Bridge route), the 8km Main Street route, and the 5km Victoria Yards route. Picture: Nigel Siubanda/The Citizen Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein. The event partnered with homelessness organisations MES and U-Turn to encourage dignified giving through Mi-change blockchain vouchers, which provide homeless people with access to meals, hygiene facilities, clothing and shelter. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Nigel Siubanda/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Absa Group CEO Kenny Fihla gestures as he joins over 17 000 walkers in the 702 Walk the Talk. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Members of the JMPD keep a close watch on walkers. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen People with prams and little children joined in the fun of the event. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen 1/24

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will institute criminal proceedings against the person who exposed the identity of an anonymous witness. Commission chairperson, retired Constitutional Court Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, announced the decision on Monday. Witnesses testified anonymously The commission has heard testimony from several anonymous witnesses since hearings began in September last year. Many witnesses requested anonymity because they feared for their lives. One of them, Marius van der Merwe, testified under the alias “Witness D”. Gunmen killed him weeks after he gave evidence to the commission. Commission takes action Madlanga said the law prohibits anyone from revealing the identity of an anonymous witness. “Consequently, the commission is going to institute criminal proceedings against that person. This is a matter the commission takes very seriously and it simply must act in these circumstances.” The commission did not identify the person. It also did not say when it would lay charges. Inquiry continues President Cyril Ramaphosa established the Madlanga Commission in 2025. The inquiry is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system. It followed allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

SA schools First XV action returned this past weekend, with several results leading to noteworthy changes in the latest Top 20 rankings. While the top three remain unchanged, there has been significant movement elsewhere in the standings, both inside the top 10 as well as the the rest of the top 20 following another thrilling round of schoolboy rugby. Disclaimer: Note these are not official rankings and are based on the SA School Sports rankings website based on games played this season. ALSO READ: SPRINGBOKS NEW ERA | LEADING CANDIDATES AS NEXT COACH AND CAPTAIN PAARL GIM CONTINUE TO LEAD THE WAY Paarl Gimnasium tightened their grip on top spot in the SA Schools First XV rankings after increasing their rating to 21.764 points following a convincing 52-24 victory over Rondebosch. The Western Cape powerhouse remains the benchmark in South African schoolboy rugby. However, there is little room for complacency with several traditional giants still breathing down their necks. Stellenberg continue to punch above their weight after securing a ninth consecutive home victory to preserve their unbeaten home record this season. They remain second after edging a courageous Outeniqua side 26-21. Meanwhile, fellow Western Cape heavyweights Paul Roos retained third place after sealing a dramatic 38-34 away victory over SACS, scoring the match-winning try with the final play of the game. As a result, the Western Cape still boasts South Africa’s three highest-ranked First XV sides. Although the top three remain unchanged, there was plenty of movement immediately below them. PAARL BOYS MAKE THEIR MOVE The biggest change inside the top 10 sees Paarl Boys’ High leapfrog both Garsfontein and Grey College to climb from sixth to fourth. They earned that rise after dismantling Durbanville 56-7. Consequently, Garsfontein slip to fifth, while Grey College drop to sixth despite crushing Harrow 94-0. Affies remain seventh following a convincing 40-12 victory over Maritzburg College. Monument also held onto eighth after defeating Middelburg 68-35 in a high-scoring encounter. Meanwhile, Northwood climb one place to ninth after brushing aside Glenwood 82-23. As a result, Hilton College slip one position to complete this week’s top 10. CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE TOP 20 Westville climb one place to 11th after moving ahead of Maritzburg College. Meanwhile, DHS rise two places from 14th to 12th, despite being held to a 21-21 draw by Jeppe. Maritzburg College consequently fall two positions to 13th. Outeniqua continue their steady rise, climbing two places to 14th after pushing Stellenberg all the way in a narrow five-point defeat. Rondebosch remain 15th. Oakdale suffered the biggest drop inside the top 20 after losing 31-24 to HTS Drostdy, falling three places from 13th to 16th. Michaelhouse remain 17th. Further down, Wynberg return to the top 20 in 18th place. Graeme College climb to 19th, while Waterkloof drop from 18th to 20th as they round out the top 20. Grey High School are the side to fall out of this week’s Top 20 altogether. RankTeamPts1PAARL GIM21.7642STELLENBERG20.6133PAUL ROOS GYM20.0004PAARL BOYS HIGH19.5085GARSFONTEIN19.4386GREY COLLEGE19.3507AFFIES19.1218MONUMENT17.6009NORTHWOOD17.50710HILTON COLLEGE17.27711WESTVILLE17.09412DHS16.92313MARITZBURG COLLEGE16.91414OUTENIQUA16.86715RONDEBOSCH16.74316OAKDALE16.72517MICHAELHOUSE16.60718WYNBERG15.54519GRAEME COLLEGE15.48720WATERKLOOF15.460 WHICH SA SCHOOLS FIRST XV TEAM DO YOU THINK WILL FINISH TOP OF THE RANKINGS COME THE END OF THE SCHOOL RUGBY SEASON? Give us your prediction in the comments below …

Vodacom has cut its dividend payout policy to at least 65% of headline earnings, from at least 75% previously.

Local lenders have gone from building everything in-house to buying the start-ups that outran them.