Moosa Kaprey is remembered for supporting young activists, mobilising resources during the anti-apartheid struggle and serving the democratic movement across generations.

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the party wants an outright majority in Cape Town, where recent polls have produced differing estimates of its support ahead of the 4 November local government election.

Residents supplied by the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works in Tshwane have been strictly advised not to drink tap water or use it for cooking or bathing, as an investigation confirmed the water is contaminated, resulting in about 400 cases of gastrointestinal illness. An unusually high number of patients from Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi in the City of Tshwane’s Region 7 have presented with stomach cramps and diarrhoea since 13 October 2026. Bronkhorstspruit patients presented with stomach cramps and diarrhoea The Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works (BWTW) largely supplies the affected areas. Following the gastrointestinal illness outbreak, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi asked the department of water and sanitation (DWS) to investigate the quality of water from the BWTW. On Sunday night, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, Motsoaledi, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya received a consolidated update report on the matter. Reading a joint statement on Monday afternoon, Majodina confirmed that between 7 and 18 October, 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness were reported, with most patients being under four years old. No deaths have been recorded to date. Laboratory tests by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and BWTW water tests revealed that contaminated water caused the illness. The tests identified Norovirus, Campylobacter and Shigella but confirmed that no cholera bacteria were found. “The fact that mixed pathogens were found in the samples and the rapid spread point to a common water supply being the likely source of illness,” Majodina said. E. coli and total coliforms found in water supply Water quality tests conducted by DWS on October 14 found extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms in the water supply of the BWTW and Ekandustria (near Dark City) and Zithobeni reservoirs. According to the minister, an investigation revealed that a failure in the chlorine supply prevented proper chlorination between 24 September and 14 October. Mayor Moya said the city has issues with the supplier, as a monopoly supplier significantly increased chlorine prices, complicating the procurement process. “We take responsibility for the negligence because it was during that time that they ran out of chlorine,” she said. The mayor added that officials entrusted with managing the plants never informed city leadership about the chemical shortages. Majodina said that the Bronkhorstspruit River is heavily contaminated by sewage from dysfunctional wastewater treatment works upstream in Victor Khanye Municipality and local pump station failures. Mechanical failures at BWTW The DWS also found that mechanical failures at BWTW, including faulty pumps and cell filters, contributed to the systemic issues. Majodina said the investigation found that the city failed to warn residents that the water supplied wasn’t chlorinated and therefore shouldn’t be drunk or used for cooking, washing, bathing or even boiling. Moya said the city used WhatsApp, social media and councillors to reach residents in region 7. “But we’re not denying that it may not have been sufficient to get to the people that there is a problem more than us saying that the water cannot be drunk,” she said. To remedy the situation, the City of Tshwane reinstated chlorine at BWTW on 15 October but kept it closed for further investigation until reopening the treatment plant; however, the water wasn’t yet suitable for drinking. To provide safe water, the city has deployed up to 36 water tankers since 13 October, sourcing clean water from the Cullinan Water Treatment Works (WTW). ‘Don’t drink tap water or use for cooking or bathing’ Majodina added that regulatory accountability steps are being initiated against those responsible for failing to adhere to water service standards and failing to warn residents about unchlorinated water. In the meantime, residents of areas supplied by BWTW are strictly advised not to drink tap water or use it for cooking, bathing, brushing teeth, or washing food. The water should only be used for flushing toilets. “Previously stored water should be discarded, and water containers must be disinfected using household bleach. Drinking water obtained from water tankers should be stored in clean containers with lids,” the minister said. Patients experiencing symptoms are urged to seek immediate medical attention at local facilities like Bronkspruit Hospital or regional hospitals to prevent further spread. The Water Research Commission is also conducting an independent investigation into the cause of contamination, with a report due by 28 October.

The Molopo Regional Court in Mahikeng has handed a 31-year-old man, who raped his girlfriend in front of their three children, a life sentence. The court found that Ndamulelo Mashaba had subjected his girlfriend – a 28-year-old Botswana national – to threats, violence and severe intimidation in addition to the rape. Girlfriend forced to cross into South Africa illegally National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa said evidence before the court revealed that Mashaba forced the woman to cross into South Africa illegally at knifepoint in 2024. According to the evidence, Mashaba travelled to his girlfriend’s home in Botswana on 11 April 2024 and asked that the children visit him in Makgobistad, North West. The woman agreed and assisted with the children’s necessary border documentation. The court heard that while the family walked near the Molopo River on the Botswana side of the border, Mashaba took out a knife and threatened to stab his girlfriend. “She had previously told him that she wanted to end their relationship because of his abusive behaviour,” Mabasa said on Monday. “She blocked the attack, causing the knife to fall, but Mashaba forced her to cross into South Africa illegally and took her to his home.” Mashaba threatens, rapes and stabs lover At his home, Mashaba used a rope to hang the girlfriend in front of their children. Fearing for her life, she submitted to his demands and he then raped her in the children’s presence, Mabasa said. At a later stage, the woman asked for permission from the man to visit a neighbour, where she began disclosing the abuse. Mashaba arrived while she was recounting the ordeal and demanded that she leave with him. “When she refused, he struck her on the head with a beer bottle and stabbed her twice,” Mabasa said. “She collapsed, and he subsequently took her to a local clinic for treatment of her serious injuries.” Court rejects Mashaba’s claims During the trial, prosecutor Kefentse Diseko presented the evidence of two witnesses, who were prepared for court by victim preparation officer Themba Madiba. In challenging Mashaba’s defence of consent, Diseko highlighted the complainant’s forced removal from Botswana and the threats and violence she endured. The court accepted the complainant’s evidence and rejected Mashaba’s version and claim that the sexual intercourse was consensual. “It found that her apparent compliance resulted from duress and fear for her life and did not constitute consent,” Mabasa said. The court also declared Mashaba unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. “The NPA remains committed to pursuing justice for survivors of sexual violence,” Mabasa said. “Being in a relationship does not entitle anyone to sex, and submission under threats or violence is not consent.”

It’s time for today’s Daily Lotto draw! Could tonight be your lucky night? The Daily Lotto jackpot is once again up for grabs – and it stands at an estimated R400 000. Remember: The Daily Lotto jackpot prize money is guaranteed to be given away even if no one matches all five numbers. All it takes is a ticket to turn your dreams into reality because, as the saying goes, you’ve got to be in it to win it! The winning numbers will be updated below as soon as they’re drawn. MONDAY’S DAILY LOTTO NUMBERS 6, 9, 11, 16, 31 Draw date: 19 October 2026 Did you miss a draw and wonder if you won? Click here to view every past Daily Lotto result since Sizekhaya took over as National Lottery operators on 1 June 2026. For more details and to verify the winning numbers, visit the National Lottery website. You must always confirm the official winning numbers on the National Lottery website.

2026 local government elections are just two weeks away, along with the additional public holiday given to South Africans. For those who’ve been living under a rock, 2026 local government elections take place on Wednesday 4 November 2026. Better still, the Electoral Commission (IEC) insists everything will go off without a hitch, so you won’t be wasting too much time in queues on your bonus day off. Nevertheless, there are still a few things you can do to make the process as timeous as possible … 2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS At a recent event in Midrand, all participating parties committed to the electoral code of conduct. IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the commission had worked on its voter management devices after being made ‘painfully aware of the technical challenges in 2024.’ Contrary to the massive delays two years ago, both voter registration weekends ahead of 2026 local government elections went ‘exceptionally well,’ said Moepya. As such, the IEC confirms that: The results system has completed end-to-end testing. Parties verified this with independent experts between 5 and 12 October. Voting station layouts have been improved to speed up queues. More than 60 000 staff have been trained. MIDRAND OPERATIONS CENTRE FAILURE There are a few precautions you can take before voting that could save you time on the day. Image: File Back In 2024, the results leaderboards at the Midrand operations centre failed for about two hours. The IEC insisted the results weren’t affected, but it did lead to a number of parties challenging the validity of the election. Furthermore, the embattled ANC claims technical glitches on its online platform stopped it from submitting its full councillor list recently. This accusation was disproved in the Electoral Court. However, the ANC is escalating the matter to the Constitutional Court. Separately, the IEC has approved 2.6 million special-vote applications have been approved. It also warns of fake voting information and bogus announcements online, so stick to official IEC channels only. HOW TO VOTE IN 2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS Before you cast your vote in the 2026 local government election, check your nearest station. In this iteration, you can only vote at the station where you’re registered, even if you’ve moved. SMS your ID number to 32810, or WhatsApp ‘Hi’ to 060 088 0000. If you’re not on the voters’ roll, it’s too late, you can’t vote. On the day, a fortnight from now, bring your valid identify document: A smart ID card, a green barcoded ID book or a valid temporary ID certificate will all be accepted. Note that driver’s licences, passports, student cards and photocopies of IDs will not be. Voting stations are open from 7am to 9pm on 4 November, but may stay open longer if necessary. Approved special voters can do so on 2 and 3 November, 8am to 5pm. At the station. An official will check your ID against the roll, you receive your ballots, and your indelible thumbnail ink mark. Finally, SASSA beneficiaries should note that payment dates were moved to 30 October, 2 November and 3 November, so grants no longer land on voting day for 2026 local government elections. But what do you think? Do you think voting will be glitch free like the IEC promises? Did you have a good experience during the 2024 national elections? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …

A previously committed amount of R3.8-billion for modernisation and for creditors still owed money was never released.

Samro now requires members to disclose AI use in songs but sets no minimum human contribution.