Rhodes University has urged students and staff to take precautions with food and drinking water after more than 100 students reportedly fell ill with a gastrointestinal disease, with the source of the illnesses still unknown.

In the wake of devastating winds that tore through Soweto, both Regina Mundi Catholic Church and a local school are left grappling with the alarming aftermath.

Pressure is mounting on City of Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya after the DA and EFF opened cases against her over the Bronkhorstspruit water contamination crisis that has left more than 400 people ill. The EFF yesterday laid criminal charges against Moya at the Bronkhorstspruit police station, alleging negligence, dereliction of duty and failures in the management of water services, while demanding her resignation. DA and EFF open cases against mayor over water contamination The move follows similar action by the DA, which has accused the city of a catastrophic leadership failure rather than a simple infrastructure breakdown. Yesterday’s intervention by EFF Tshwane mayoral candidate Omphile Maotwe follows 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness recorded between 7 and 18 October, with most patients being children under four. Tests conducted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases detected pathogens including norovirus, campylobacter and shigella, while water quality tests revealed elevated levels of E. coli and coliform bacteria in water supplied from the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment works and affected reservoirs. DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink said this was not an infrastructure issue, but a complete failure of management and leadership. “It would have never happened under my leadership,” he said. “For three weeks, the water wasn’t treated and the public wasn’t informed.” Moya said Brink was exploiting the water crisis at a time when residents were concerned about their health and safety. Brink exploiting water crisis – Moya “Brink has chosen to amplify fears of another cholera outbreak without adequately explaining the scientific findings,” she said. “Let me be clear, cholera has not been identified as the cause of the gastrointestinal illness outbreak in Bronkhorstspruit.” On Monday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said: “No cholera bacteria were found in the sampled stools. Water quality tests conducted by the department on 14 October found high levels of E. coli and total coliforms in the water emanating from the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment works and in the Ekandustria [near Dark City] and Zithobeni reservoirs.” Water Institute of Southern Africa CEO Lester Goldman said the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis highlights the importance of ensuring drinking water treatment processes are properly operated, monitored and supported. “Safe drinking water is essential to public health and the professionals responsible for treating and monitoring water play a critical role,” he added. Goldman said while investigations into the Bronkhorstspruit incident continue, there’s a need to establish the circumstances that led to the failure of critical treatment safeguards and identify the measures to prevent a recurrence. Warning shot for region Tarryn Johnston, a water intelligence analyst specialising in governance diagnostics and collapse pattern interpretation, said this was a warning shot for the region. “While it is necessary that the mayor has admitted negligence regarding the three-week failure to chlorinate our water, public admissions do not fix systemic vulnerabilities,” said Johnson. “Deploying water tankers is a reactionary, short-term patch.” Johnston said upstream diagnostics that legally prevent infrastructure from running dry of essential purification agents need to be established to ensure communities are never again left exposed to waterborne pathogens. Motor Industry Staff Association CEO of operations Martlé Keyter said it was alarming that the city’s failed to warn residents. “The standards for water services require municipalities to notify communities when water is unsafe for drinking, cooking, washing or bathing,” she said. Alarming that city failed to warn residents “Yet residents of Zithobeni, Dark City, Rethabiseng, Sokhulumi and Bronkhorstspruit continued using tap water because they were never informed of the risks. “Families are now paying the price for that failure. Working parents have been forced to buy safe drinking water while covering the costs of medical treatment for the sick.” Keyter said keeping residents in the dark about untreated water was a betrayal. “Whether this was negligence, or a deliberate failure to communicate, someone must be held accountable. Our children are not collateral damage,” she said.

The African Congress for Transformation (ACT) says calls are growing for Ace Magashule to return and lead the Free State. Magashule served as Free State Premier for 10 years, but his tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and fraud. He is currently facing charges in the R255 million asbestos tender corruption case for fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). It is alleged that during Magashule’s tenure as Free State premier, the Department of Human Settlements irregularly awarded a joint venture between Sodi’s Blackhead Consulting (Pty) Ltd and Diamond Hill Trading an R255 million asbestos eradication contract, without following proper procurement procedures. The NPA alleges that although the contract was valued at R255 million, the work was largely not performed. Instead, the contract was subcontracted at significantly reduced amounts, with only a fraction of the funds reaching the final service provider. R230 million was paid out by the department, with the bulk of the funds being allegedly diverted through various entities, personal accounts, and trusts, and ultimately used to acquire luxury assets. Demand for Ace ACT secretary-general Ntando Ngoma-Mbutuma told The Citizen in a sit-down interview that Magashule did an excellent job as premier. “There is a demand for him to lead. I know in his own hometown of Ngwathe they want him to lead; I know, I know in Matjhabeng, where we are, they want him to lead. “A lot of opposition party leaders actually believe that things were better in his time, that even that political party he was heading at the time as chairman for multiple terms was more stronger when he was at the helm of its leadership. “I know that Metsimaholo wants him to lead,” she said. Ngoma-Mbutuma said Magashule was known as “Mr Service Delivery” when he was premier of the Free State. The dark cloud She said some people want Magashule back in government because they have realised there is a political plot against him. “People are now starting to realise why things panned out the way that they did for Ace Magashule, when he was secretary-general of the ANC at the time when conferences came; there are now charges placed upon him,” he said. Ngoma-Mbutuma said Magashule was starting to expose the rot inside the ANC. “Imagine me as the secretary-general of the party publicly exposing my president from within the party,” she said. According to Ngoma-Mbutuma, Magashule had spoken about a plan for the ANC and the DA to work together after the 2024 general elections. He allegedly spoke about this plan years in advance. “That was very prophetic of him to say, and now what is the best thing to do: remove this man who is talking radical economic transformation, remove this man who is associated with this other faction of Zuma.” Ngoma-Mbutuma said Magashule was one of several ANC leaders pushing the Radical Economic Transformation programme. She said RET is not a faction as the media described it; rather, she called it a programme the ANC should have implemented. She said although most RET leaders have left the ANC and formed their own parties, they remain united behind one vision. ANC on Ace comeback But Thabo Meeko, an ANC spokesperson in the Free State, told The Citizen that he does not believe Magashule is still a popular figure in the Free State, especially since he is no longer an ANC member. “Ace Magashule had a name in this province because he was a member of the ANC; outside the ANC, there is no name,” he said. Meeko said there are also no signs that Magashule is on a hard campaign in the Free State. He refused to comment further on the matter. Ready to serve In a recent interview with EWN, Magashule confirmed that people are calling for him to return to the spotlight and serve as mayor in one of the Free State municipalities. “I am available to serve.” He said he saw no problem moving from premier to secretary-general of the country’s biggest party to mayor of a small town in the Free State. “Those are people who do not understand politics, and those are people who do not understand how to serve,” he said.

Woolworths has been named the Official Supermarket Supporter of the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup and the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup, with both tournaments set to be hosted by Australia. World Rugby announced the multi-tournament agreement as preparations continue for the next two editions of the international competitions. The partnership will involve Woolworths supporting both events through its retail operations in Australia and New Zealand. The retailer operates more than 1 000 stores in Australia and more than 180 in New Zealand. READ | Springbok star’s twin brother switches to Rugby World Cup 2027 rivals Woolworths partnership covers two tournaments World Rugby Chief Revenue Officer Michel Poussau said the agreement would help connect the tournaments with communities beyond the stadiums. “Rugby World Cups are about far more than the action on the field. They bring people together, unite communities and create moments of connection that become lifelong memories,” Poussau said. The retailer, which first opened in Australia in 1924, serves customers across metropolitan, regional and remote communities in Australia and New Zealand. Men’s Rugby World Cup set for 2027 The 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup will feature 24 nations competing over six weeks across seven host cities in Australia. The expanded tournament will bring together more teams than previous editions as they compete for the Webb Ellis Cup. Tickets are available through the official Rugby World Cup ticketing website. Ticket-inclusive hospitality and travel packages are also available through Rugby World Cup Experiences. Australia will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029, making it the host country for both major tournaments within a three-year period.

The Johannesburg city debt relief programme for 2026 is nearing closure for applicants. The city has at its disposal the ability to wipe off billions in municipal debt. This is offered to pensioners, indigent households and other qualifying customers. The closing date for applicants is Saturday 31 October 2026, less than a fortnight away. Launched back in November 2025, the initiative has attracted more than 18 000 applications, representing approximately R2 billion in outstanding debt. Accordingly, the city debt relief programme has already approved R1.2 billion in write-offs, it says … CITY DEBT RELIEF PROGRAMME To the uninitiated, the programme offers eligible customers a write-off of up to 50% of qualifying debt. This is alongside the cancellation of 100% of interest and associated penalty fees. SASSA grant recipients and pensioners under the Extended Social Package (ESP) may qualify for a full write-off of their outstanding debt. By the end of July, approved relief included R674 million for ESP beneficiaries, R205 million for elderly pensioners. “The level of relief granted depends on the customer category, qualifying debt and the applicable conditions of the programme,” the City of Joburg confirmed. WHO AND HOW TO QUALIFY? If you fall within elderly social grant eligibility, you almost certainly will be approved for city debt write offs. Image: File City debt relief programme applicants must own and occupy the property concerned. This must be used primarily as a home rather than for commercial or investment property. Their meters must be properly functioning and billing records accurate and up to date. The same applies for state pensioners and ESP beneficiaries, who must also meet the applicable household income requirements. Supporting documents vary according to the applicant’s category. But they must include valid proof of identity or South African citizenship, income documentation, proof of residence and meter verification. Applications can be submitted online through the City’s website, by email to DebtRelief@joburg.org.za or in person at a municipal customer service centre before next Saturday 31 October 2026. WHAT ABOUT CAPE TOWN AND DURBAN? Johannesburg is not alone in providing a city debt relief programme to customers struggling with municipal debt. Since 2025, Cape Town has been running a special R2.2-billion write-off initiative, covering historical debt. The City also provides ongoing indigent benefits, including rates relief, free basic water and refuse collection for qualifying households. In Durban, eThekwini Municipality introduced a special debt relief programme in 2025 that offered a 50% write-off of qualifying debt. In July 2026, the municipality reinstated the programme for a limited group of customers whose disputes over electricity, water or property rates accounts remained unresolved. But what do you think? Would you consider applying to a city debt relief programme in your province? Do you have an experience in how they work? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …

AI revenue at SpaceX grew almost tenfold to $7.56-billion, more than half of total revenue.

The Reserve Bank wants every ATM unbranded and shared. Banks say they're working with it but won't discuss detail.