LGE 2026: Who answers when Joburg residents’ service delivery concerns go unresolved?

Johannesburg’s mayoral candidates have promised sweeping interventions to tackle the city's electricity crisis, with proposals ranging from a multibillion-rand infrastructure investment drive to renewable energy, improved maintenance and tougher action against cable theft and corruption.

Traffic law-enforcement officers from the Gauteng Traffic Inspectorate (GTI) conducted another week-long, inter-provincial road safety and traffic operation in key areas where non-compliance was continuously observed among motorists. The Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, warned that these operations will continue throughout the festive period. Zero Tolerance “We wish to state these operations will remain ongoing for the entire festive period,” the MEC asserted. “GTI has been instructed to scale up joint operations with local municipal metro police departments as well as the South African Police Service (Saps) to enforce traffic laws, maximise public safety, and prevent criminal activity,” the MEC added. “There will be zero tolerance for unroadworthy vehicles, reckless behaviour, or criminality on Gauteng’s roads ahead and during the holiday season,” she emphasised. Continuous non-compliance This follows the GTI logging over 1 500 traffic infringements, issuing dozens of vehicle discontinuation notices, and effecting arrests as part of a push to improve road safety and eliminate unlicensed public transport operators. Officials from the South African Police Service, Home Affairs, Merafong Traffic, Rand West Traffic, North-West Traffic Police, Gauteng Transport Inspectorate, and the National Traffic Police were involved in the seven-day operation. Officers issued both handwritten notices and advanced digital e-Force devices to enforce compliance under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) framework. Infringement notices According to Diale-Tlabela, the e-Force system lets traffic officers instantly verify driver licences, vehicle registration status, and active warrants. The system also accounted for more than half of all logged violations during the week. A total of 712 notices were issued in the City of Johannesburg, with 697 in the City of Tshwane, 123 in the City of Ekurhuleni, and 30 issued on the North-West corridor. Non-Compliant minibus taxis Diale-Tlabela said that a central pillar of the week’s campaign was strict enforcement of public transport regulations, specifically targeting non-compliant minibus taxi operators and unroadworthy vehicles. Authorities issued 34 discontinuation notices to unroadworthy vehicles, preventing them from operating until mechanical and safety defects are fully rectified. Further inspection of public transport operations highlighted major administrative and safety violations on commuter routes. Invalid operating licenses Non-compliance continues among taxi drivers: 61 taxis were found operating without valid licence discs, 59 taxi drivers were operating without valid driving licences, and 27 minibuses were impounded. Two individuals were also arrested after one was discovered driving under the influence of alcohol and another for contravention of the Immigration Act. Concluding her remarks, the MEC said these collaborative operations reinforce law enforcement efforts to promote road safety, ensure compliance with traffic laws, and combat criminal activity across the province.

Kylie Jenner made her Victoria’s Secret runway debut at the show in Los Angeles on Sunday night, wearing a Jacob & Co. Fantasy Bra that Forbes values at $50 million. The price tag makes it the most valuable the brand has ever commissioned. It is also the first Fantasy Bra on the runway since 2018. According to Jacob & Co., the piece took more than 1 000 hours and 15 artisans to build. It is made of 3 218 individually cast parts and 4 410 natural diamonds, with no fabric beneath. Forbes reports it contains 1 373 carats of diamonds in total, set on an 18kt white gold armature. At the centre hangs a 75.54-carat Natural Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond, surrounded by white diamonds in six shapes, including the house’s signature Angel-Cut. Forbes adds that the cups were made to Jenner’s measurements and the fringe was built to move as she walked. Where the Fantasy Bra came from 4,410 diamonds, no fabric: inside the $50 million Fantasy Bra from “Jacob the Jeweler.” Picture: Instagram, @victoriassecret The first Fantasy Bra was worn by Claudia Schiffer in a magazine advertisement in 1996, and was worth $1 million. The idea was simple and shameless, in that it paired a lingerie show with a piece of genuine high jewellery. Victoria’s Secret typically offered jewellers a choice of themes, then handed over the design, and houses including Damiani, Harry Winston, and Hearts on Fire all took a turn. Mouawad became the best-known partner. The Lebanese house made the bra for almost every year from 2001. Who wore what: 1996: Claudia Schiffer, the first Fantasy Bra (about $1 million).1999: Heidi Klum wore the Millennium Bra.2000: Gisele Bündchen wore the Red Hot Fantasy Bra, valued at $15 million.2001: Heidi Klum wore the Heavenly Star Bra, valued at $12.5 million.2003: Heidi Klum wore the Very Sexy Fantasy Bra, valued at $11 million.2004: Tyra Banks wore the Heavenly 70 Fantasy Bra, her second time in a Fantasy Bra.2005: Gisele Bündchen wore the Sexy Splendor Fantasy Bra.2007: Selita Ebanks wore the Holiday Fantasy Bra ($4.5 million).2008: Adriana Lima wore the Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra.2009: Marisa Miller wore the Harlequin Fantasy Bra ($3 million).2010: Adriana Lima wore the Bombshell Fantasy Bra ($2 million).2011: Miranda Kerr wore the Fantasy Treasure Bra.2012: Alessandra Ambrosio wore the Floral Fantasy Bra ($2.5 million), designed by London Jewelers.2013: Candice Swanepoel wore the $10 million Royal Fantasy Bra, a Mouawad piece with 5 400 gems.2014: Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio each wore a Dream Angels Fantasy Bra, the first time two were worn in one show.2015: Lily Aldridge wore the Fireworks Fantasy Bra ($2 million, Mouawad).2016: Jasmine Tookes wore the Bright Night Fantasy Bra, designed by Eddie Borgo.2018: Elsa Hosk wore a $1 million Dream Angels bra by Atelier Swarovski, which took 930 hours.2026: Kylie Jenner, Jacob & Co., $50 million. Kar-Jenner cameo View this post on Instagram A post shared by JACOB & CO. (@jacobandco) This is the first time Victoria’s Secret has given the bra to a star rather than a model. Chief creative officer Adam Selman told US Vogue she is a “cultural powerhouse” with a huge following. Jenner has about 380 million social media followers and posted a picture of herself in the bra on Instagram Stories during the show, captioned “best day ever”. The jeweller behind it: Jacob & Co. Jacob Arabo, better known as “Jacob the Jeweler”, was born in Tashkent, then part of the Soviet Union, and emigrated to New York with his family at 14. He founded his business in 1986, at 21, under the Jacob & Co. name. The nickname has a hip-hop origin story. The Notorious B.I.G. is credited with coining it and introducing him to his entertainment circle. That circle became a client list. It includes Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Drake, 50 Cent, Madonna, Rihanna, Pharrell, Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Michael Jordan and Canelo Álvarez. The brand has since moved well beyond bling. It launched the Five Time Zone watch in 2002, opened a flagship at 57th Street and Park Avenue in 2004, and set up a Geneva watchmaking arm in 2007. It later produced the Epic SF24 and the Astronomia Tourbillon, both in 2013.

Former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya will remain behind bars after the Randburg Magistrate’s Court denied his bail application on Tuesday, 20 October. The 59-year-old faces serious charges, including rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking. Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe ruled that Sibiya failed to prove exceptional circumstances justifying his release. COURT DENIES SHADRACK SIBIYA BAIL Mkhasibe raised concerns about alleged witness intimidation and the destruction of evidence during her ruling. “The finding of the court is that the applicant failed to show exceptional circumstances that permit the applicant’s release on bail. As a result, bail is refused,” she said. WATCH | NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the outcome of Shadrack Sibiya's bail application is in line with what the prosecution had sought, adding that the State is ready to proceed should there be an appeal or as the matter moves toward trial. pic.twitter.com/oKQgZU7oHZ— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 20, 2026 The magistrate also referred to allegations that Sibiya threatened the family of a 16-year-old girl he is accused of sexually grooming. The State argued that releasing the former police boss could place witnesses at risk and compromise the investigation. The court found that Sibiya’s alleged conduct raised concerns about possible interference with evidence. “There is no bail condition that can be imposed to ensure that he complies,” the court said. R20 000 BAIL OFFER FAILS Sibiya’s legal team had proposed bail of R20 000, arguing that strict conditions could address the State’s concerns. His lawyer, advocate Estelle Kilian SC, also offered to surrender his passport and ensure he had no contact with witnesses. However, the court rejected the proposal. The ruling followed three weeks of arguments during which prosecutors presented evidence relating to the alleged offences. Sibiya is accused of raping an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel and sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl. He has denied the allegations, maintaining that his sexual encounter with the older complainant was consensual. The former general also faces a firearm-related charge arising from his arrest. WHEN WILL SIBIYA RETURN TO COURT? Sibiya, who was arrested on 21 September, remains detained at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria. He resigned from the South African Police Service on 12 October amid disciplinary proceedings. His criminal case has been postponed to 24 November 2026 for further investigations. Sibiya remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Siwelele FC have decided to retain the services of coach Lehlohonolo Seema who had been suspended by the management. Seema was suspended alongside his then assistant Willem Jackson following the team’s 3-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs on 6 September. Siwelele then roped in the legendary Godfrey Mosoetsa on interim basis, and he has been in charge since then. Now, addressing Siwelele fans in Sunday’s general meeting, club boss Calvin Le John, said Seema is still part of the club. The former Lesotho and Orlando Pirates captain had been with the Siwelele first team since the purchase of the SuperSport United status. He helped Siwelele avoid relegation last season but the team failed to take off this term but that can be attributed to the number of good players they sold. SEEMA RETURNS TO SIWELELE AS DDC HEAD COACH “He’s still part of us. Some people will say we have demoted him. He will be our new coach for the DDC, and he will continue,” said Le John as per FARPost. WILL SEEMA EVER RETURN TO HIS PREVIOUS ROLE AT THE CLUB? Let us know in the comment section below…

A researcher says the agents worked from start to finish without any human supervision at all.

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