The EFF says MTN and Vodacom's legal challenge against ICASA's unused data regulations threatens consumer rights and has urged the regulator to defend the protections in court.

A 22-year-old man is expected to appear in court on an arson charge after police arrested him in connection with a fire that destroyed a family homestead and property worth an estimated R1.5 million in Rooival village. Police allege the suspect attempted to stop residents from extinguishing the blaze before fleeing the scene.

Six Free State municipalities have failed to pay employees’ salaries, highlighting the deepening financial crisis facing local government in the province. The six are part of 16 municipalities in the province that National Treasury withheld its equitable share allocations. Equitable share allocations are unconditional financial transfers from national government revenue given to provincial and local governments. This was done to enforce fiscal discipline, address massive unauthorised and wasteful expenditure, and force local councils to pay overdue debts to major creditors like water boards and Eskom. The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) has blamed Treasury’s decision for the failure and delay to pay salaries. Free State municipalities heading for disaster The union noted that the municipalities that have communicated their inability to pay salaries or confirmed further delays are: Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality; Mantsopa Local Municipality; Mafube Local Municipality; Kopanong Local Municipality; Mohokare Local Municipality; and Masilonyana Local Municipality. “When National Treasury announced the withholding of the July 2026 equitable share, SAMWU warned that the decision would have serious and entirely foreseeable consequences. “We cautioned that municipalities would be unable to pay workers’ salaries, pension and medical aid contributions, honour third-party deductions, pay service providers and sustain the delivery of essential public services,” said the union. “National Treasury nevertheless assured the country that its decision would have no impact on service delivery. That assurance has now been exposed as dangerously detached from the lived realities of municipalities, workers and communities.” No salaries, no increases The union added that workers were supposed to receive their salaries on 24 July 2026, including scheduled salary increases. However, the employees were left without their salaries and without the increases. “Workers had planned their lives and financial commitments around receiving these salaries and increases. They now face the double injustice of being denied both the wages they have already earned and the salary adjustments they were entitled to receive,” said the union. The union further noted that workers in some municipalities in the province have not received salaries dating back to June 2026, with Kopanong Local Municipality not giving any communication to employees. “SAMWU has also received reports that workers at Kopanong Local Municipality have not been paid, despite the municipality having issued no formal communication explaining the situation to employees.” Unfair treatment The DA in Mantsopa have criticised the Local Municipality for the delay of salaries, arguing that “employees should not be left uncertain about whether they will receive their salaries on time.” “Every employee has financial commitments, including bond repayments, rent, school fees, transport costs, and other essential living expenses that depend on receiving their salaries when due.” DA Councillor Erica Moir said it is concerning whether the delay will apply to every employee. “The Municipality must provide clarity on whether all categories of employees will be affected equally, including the Mayor, councillors where applicable, senior management, directors, managers, administrative staff, general workers, and cleaners. “If some employees receive their salaries on time while others are expected to wait, it would create a perception of unequal treatment and undermine trust within the municipality. Fairness requires that all employees be treated equally during times of financial hardship.” Moir noted that the delay in paying employees is a violation of the municipality’s Human Resources Policy. “Municipal policies are adopted to provide certainty, consistency, and accountability, and they should be adhered to by the Municipality itself.” Other provinces hit with delays SAMWU noted that while Free State municipalities are hit the most with delays, the issue has spread to other provinces. In the Northern Cape, workers at Thembelihle, Renosterberg, and !Kheis municipalities have experienced delayed salary payments, while workers at Kareeberg Local Municipality have been informed that they will only receive payment on Monday. In KwaZulu-Natal, workers at iMpendle Local Municipality are also affected by delayed or non-payment of salaries. In the North West, workers at Tswaing Local Municipality remain affected, with outstanding June and July salaries delayed while the municipality awaits the balance of its equitable share allocation. In Limpopo, Mopani District Municipality managed to pay workers despite not receiving its equitable share. However, the municipality’s ability to pay salaries next month is now in serious doubt. “This demonstrates that even municipalities that have temporarily shielded workers from the immediate consequences are being pushed towards a financial cliff,” said the union.

Grammy-winning singer Tyla has revealed that she almost turned down the opportunity to perform South Africa’s national anthem at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tyla performed ahead of the tournament’s opening match between South Africa and Mexico. the first south african pop star to reach this stage, now serving vocals at the world cup. pic.twitter.com/8KSuPmHKHE— fan ✶ tyla iconic (@tylaiconic) June 11, 2026 Speaking to Big Boy on Big Boy TV, the singer said the scale of the event made her nervous. “Too big, like the World Cup. And also all the times I’ve watched people perform the national anthem, especially the American one. Like singing the national anthem is not that easy. So I was very nervous about it.” She said her initial reaction was to decline the offer. “At first, I honestly was like, ‘No, I don’t think so. I don’t think I’m ready.'” However, Tyla said she realised she would have regretted passing up the opportunity. “If I didn’t do it, I feel like I would have regretted it. But when I got the offer, I just felt it was too big for me.” ‘It was so heartwarming’ Reflecting on the performance, Tyla said it was a special moment. “It was so heartwarming. And just seeing South Africa, like our team, Bafana Bafana, there. And just knowing that people back home are watching me sing our national anthem.”

South African golf great Ernie Els has appealed to the public to help locate his missing 5-iron. Els competed at the Senior Open at Gleneagles in Scotland over the weekend. He finished in a tie for 14th place on 1-under par, nine shots behind American Jelly Kelly who claimed the title. READ | LIV Golf UK: Here’s how much the all-SA Southern Guards GC team earned Beloved club However, since arriving in Portugal, Ernie Els discovered to his horror that his beloved 5-iron was not in his golf bag. Without laying blame as to how it went missing, the 56-year-old four time Major winner, took to social media to appeal to anyone who may have seen the club, to please get in touch. Els posted: “Please DM me if you come across my @srixongolf 5-iron. I’d be so grateful for its return, thank you.” We’re willing to bet there’s a nice reward waiting for anyone who is able to provide information leading to its return …

The latest SASSA Children’s Grants amendments, which serve more than 13-million households with needy children, sparked a heated debate on Facebook this week, with several commenters arguing the system needs a serious rethink. Under the amendments, the SASSA Child Support Grant now pays R580 per month, up R20 from R560 in April 2026, with the next payment diarised for Thursday 6 August. The Foster Child Grant also increased, rising by R40 to R1 290, though SASSA confirmed that foster parents may claim only one grant per child. SASSA has also revised who qualifies. A single caregiver applying for Child Support could previously earn up to R5 100 a month and still qualify; that threshold has now risen to R5 800. For married couples, the limit increased from R10 200 to R11 600 per month. The changes come as Minister Dina Pule takes over the Department of Social Development after President Ramaphosa fired former minister Sisisi Tolashe, with beneficiaries hoping for a smoother ride ahead. Facebook users push back hard But the reaction under the article told a different story to the one SASSA was hoping for. One commenter, Sheldon Heuer, argued that “communism causes dependency on the state,” suggesting the grant system fosters reliance rather than resolving hardship. Others took direct aim at family size. Godfried Rheeder said grant payments should stop after one child, while Annemarie Kühn claimed the system “phases kids grants out” and that “the mom just gets more kids”, a common but contested claim among critics of the grant. Pat Redford went further, arguing taxpayer money would be better spent preventing unwanted pregnancies rather than expanding grant support. Melanie Erasmus echoed the sentiment, telling caregivers to use protection and “take responsibility” for their choices if they can’t afford more children. A divided public, an unmoved system The comments reflect a broader, ongoing tension in South Africa’s welfare debate, between those who see Child Support Grants as an essential lifeline for vulnerable families, and others who believe the structure inadvertently encourages dependency or larger families. For now, the amendments stand as published, with the next Child Support Grant payment due on Thursday 6 August. Whether public pressure translates into policy change remains to be seen. 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.

Gen Digital and Avert IT Distribution on why African businesses need a new approach to cybersecurity.

Spectrum that regulator Icasa set aside for the long-dead wholesale open-access network remains unassigned.