An investigation reveals a devastating crisis at the University of South Africa (Unisa), where staff deaths and alarming burnout rates signal a breakdown in academic support and wellbeing.

Tadej Pogačar joined cycling royalty by winning his fifth Tour de France title, while Mathieu van der Poel took a thrilling victory on the final stage in Paris.

The Hawks have arrested two suspects in Musina over alleged fraud and corruption in the unlawful processing of late birth registrations, a case officials warn undermines South Africa’s identity system. The two suspects, aged 37 and 40, were handcuffed on Sunday, 26 July 2026, following an investigation into an incident allegedly committed on 10 July 2019 at the Malamulele Office of the Department of Home Affairs. Birth certificates It is alleged that a Home Affairs official attached to the Births and Deaths Registration Section unlawfully facilitated the issuance of late registration of birth certificates for two children without complying with the prescribed legal procedures. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Avele Fumba said it is further alleged that the process was influenced by the receipt of a bribe, the amount of which is yet to be determined. “According to the investigation, one suspect allegedly approached his cousin for assistance in obtaining late registration of birth certificates for his biological children following the passing of their foreign national mother, purportedly to enable the children to gain admission to school. “It is alleged that the cousin provided a copy of her identity document, after which the documentation was allegedly processed, resulting in the issuance of the birth certificates on the same day without the required legal procedures being followed,” Fumba said. Irregularities Fumba added that alleged irregularities came to light when a school official, while processing the children’s admission, noticed discrepancies on the birth certificate indicating the cousin as the children’s mother, despite knowing she was not their biological parent. He said the matter was reported to the Department of Home Affairs, which subsequently led to a criminal investigation by the Hawks. “Upon completion of the investigation, a J50 warrant of arrest for three suspects was issued. Two suspects were successfully traced and arrested in Musina and Tshikhudini (Muswodi), while efforts to trace and arrest the third suspect are continuing. “The two arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on 27 July 2026 to face charges of fraud and corruption,” Fumba said. Identity management Hawks provincial head Major General Gopz Govender warned that South Africa’s identity management system relies on strict adherence to the law and ethical conduct by officials. He stressed that the Hawks will “continue to act decisively against anyone who allegedly abuses public office.”

Malaysia will host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang from October 2-4, 2026, after the race was cancelled in April due to the Middle East war. Formula 1 organisers confirmed the move on Sunday, marking Sepang’s return to the calendar for the first time since 2017. Malaysian Grand Prix Positioned between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, this event, which is subject to final agreements and official sign-off, will become the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The original F1 calendar featured 24 races but those in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled because of the war. Upcoming events in neighbouring Qatar and Abu Dhabi also remain in doubt. Agreement Positioned between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, this event, which is subject to final agreements and official sign-off, will become the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. “This agreement, reached between Formula 1, the FIA, the Government of Bahrain, and the Government of Malaysia, allows Formula 1 to preserve a Grand Prix that would otherwise not have happened. The rest of the schedule for 2026 remains unchanged,” F1 and motorsport’s world governing body said in a statement. Sepang – which made its debut as an F1 venue in 1999 – is one of Formula 1’s most iconic and challenging circuits, known for its passionate fans, exciting racing and unpredictable weather. Information regarding the release of tickets for the event will be announced soon. F1 Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, welcomed the news. “Once again, the sport has demonstrated its ability to adapt, find solutions, and deliver, creating an exciting moment for everyone who follows Formula 1. “I would like to express our sincere thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, as well as their respective governments for making this extraordinary outcome possible through their vision, commitment, and decisive action. “Of course, I would also like to thank FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem for his partnership and collaboration throughout the process,” Domenicali said. Sepang Ben Sulayem was also proud of the news. “I am incredibly proud of the collaboration that will enable Malaysia to host the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the iconic Sepang circuit later this year.” Sepang has also been the venue for a MotoGP race since 1999. F1 indicated that Bahrain would cover a large part of the costs involved in rescheduling the race. The Sepang International Circuit. Picture: F1 Other races Uncertainty continues to cloud the end of the Formula 1 season, with the final two races in Qatar (Nov 29) and Abu Dhabi (Dec 6) at risk of cancellation. Organisers are weighing contingency plans, including staging back‑to‑back Grands Prix in Las Vegas or shifting the finale to Europe. Sources within the paddock told AFP that Imola in Italy and Portimao in Portugal are the most likely European candidates should the Gulf rounds be scrapped. No final decision is expected before late September or early October, as authorities monitor developments before committing to replacements.

Jayden Adams was fondly remembered by his Bafana Bafana teammates as he was laid to rest over the weekend. The 25-year-old’s funeral service took place in Stellenbosch Attending were friends, family and dignitaries like the Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie, Bafana coach Hugo Broos, SAFA President Danny Jordaan and CAF and Sundowns President Patrice Motsepe. JAYDEN ADAMS REMEMBERED BY TEAM MATES On Instagram, several Bafana Bafana players have paid tribute to Jayden Adams following his shock death, reportedly due to suicide, earlier this month. The tragedy came just weeks after the national team returned from the FIFA World Cup, where they made it to the Round of 32. Oswin Appollis, who spent time with Jayden in the US, after the tournament, posted clips of them dancing and spending quality time together. “My brother”, he captioned the post. Lyle Foster – whose own mental health struggles had made headlines – shared on his IG account: “I love you, my brother. Rest with God”. Teboho Mokeoena also referred to Jayden Adams as his “brother”, as did Iqraam Rayners, who was one of the first friends to pay his respect. He shared: “It doesn’t feel real, and I don’t know if it ever will. You weren’t just a friend—you were my brother, my blood, someone I could count on through the good times and the bad. We shared so many memories, so many laughs, and moments that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.  “Your loyalty, your strength, and the way you looked out for the people you loved will never be forgotten. My heart is broken knowing I won’t hear your voice, see your smile, or make more memories with you. But I’m grateful for every moment we had together. Thank you for being the brother you were to me. You left a mark on my life that nothing and no one can ever replace” ‘NOT ENOUGH HELP FOR ATHLETES’ Meanwhile, former Bafana Bafana star Brent Carelse has called on the national team to provide more mental health support for players. “So many of them [athletes] struggle. Everybody just expects them to be at their best at all times, and sometimes that’s not the case Carelse highlighted the case of Lyle Foster, who admitted to suffering from severe depression in 2023. Foster’s club, Burnley FC, provided him with professional support amid his health struggle. Carelse added: “In that team environment, a lot of people don’t understand that we as footballers and sports people spend more time with our teammates than we do with our family. “Not enough is being done to detect it at an early age as well, and also to help these athletes when they go through trauma and other things such as alcohol or drug abuse, or financially… There is not enough help for the athletes.”

Over the past few weeks, hundreds of South Africans who have applied to the US refugee resettlement programme have received letters of rejection. The letters from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that the applicants were “ineligible” and that the decision could not be appealed. The news comes amid a report that the US State Department has significantly increased the intake of refugees in the current fiscal year. ‘THIS IS NOT AN IMMIGRATION PROGRAMME’ On his YouTube channel, US analyst Chris Wyatt shared that up to 1000 applicants of the refugee resettlement programme had been rejected for various ineligibility reasons. Some included individuals who had applied to the programme while living in another country. Others were in possession of a safe-haven passport. Wyatt chastises those who thought that being “white” or an “Afrikaner” guaranteed their success and placement. He said: “Being a victim of crime, just like ‘white genocide’, is not a basis for refugee status. Being a victim, or a potential victim of persecution, is”. He added: “This is not an immigration programme. You must be an Afrikaner or racial minority living in South Africa, and must be able to articulate a past of persecution based on race or a legitimate fear of future persecution REFUGEES: REJECTION AND REVOKING STATUS Applications have been rejected, and some individuals have had their status revoked for the following reasons:  The UCIS can revoke applications based on the following: Fraud and misrepresentation  Ineligibility Security and terrorism concerns Criminal history The UCIS has stated that it is under no obligation to grant an appeal to a rejected refugee applicant. However, in rare cases, the application may be reviewed if evidence is missing or a factual error is found. This is entirely discretionary.

South Africa's mobile operators have won 700MHz of prime spectrum, with Wi-Fi confined to the lower 6GHz band.

The operators want the high court to set aside regulations that will force automatic rollover of unused data bundles.