Suspended Pretoria Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges linked to alleged Bosasa-funded security upgrades at his Gauteng home, valued at about R200,000.

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says Eskom’s 9.01% increase for municipal bulk purchasers does not automatically translate into the same increase for Cape Town households, while the City expands support for vulnerable consumers and explores independent power supplies.

A 26-year-old Mozambican national who attempted to bring a military-grade explosive device into South Africa through the Lebombo Port of Entry, which posed a threat to national security, has been sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment. Antonio Charles Mugabe appeared before the Boschfontein Regional Court on Monday, 26 October 2026, where he pleaded guilty to charges of possession, transportation and importation of an explosive device into South Africa. Cross-border crime The Hawks have described it as a major victory against cross-border crime and a stern warning to criminals exploiting the country’s borders. The conviction stems from an incident on 23 August 2026 at the Lebombo Port of Entry in Komatipoort, where a joint border security operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) intercepted the dangerous device before it could enter the country. During routine screening and inspections of travellers arriving from Mozambique, officials identified a suspicious object hidden inside Mugabe’s travel bag. Mortar bomb A search revealed a 60mm mortar bomb, a military-grade explosive device that authorities said posed a serious threat to public safety and national security. The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Nelspruit subsequently took over the investigation, leading to Mugabe’s successful prosecution and conviction. Welcoming the sentence, Mpumalanga Hawks Provincial Head Major General Nico Gerber praised the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies involved in the case. “This sentence is a decisive victory for justice and a stern warning to anyone who seeks to use our borders as conduits for dangerous weapons and explosives,” said Gerber. “The interception of a military-grade mortar bomb at one of our country’s busiest ports of entry prevented a potentially devastating threat from entering our communities.” Protecting SA Gerber said the successful operation demonstrated law enforcement authorities’ commitment to protecting South Africans from dangerous criminal activity. “Those who engage in the illegal movement of explosives must know that the Hawks, together with our law enforcement and prosecution partners, will relentlessly pursue them, dismantle their criminal activities and ensure that they face the full might of the law,” he said. “Border security remains a priority, and we will continue to act decisively against individuals whose actions endanger the safety, security and stability of South Africa.” The Hawks said the case highlights their ongoing commitment to combating serious organised crime and preventing dangerous explosives and weapons from finding their way into South African communities.

Illegal drag racing has come under renewed scrutiny in Mpumalanga after a fatal incident in the Nkomazi Local Municipality allegedly claimed a life, prompting a strong warning from provincial authorities that reckless racing on public roads will not be tolerated. Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Jackie Macie condemned the practice in the strongest terms following the incident, which allegedly occurred on Sunday, 25 October 2026, on the D1657 Road at Ritcher’s Hoek between Malelane and KaMhlushwa. Racing tracks Macie said public roads should never be used as racing tracks, warning that illegal drag racing places motorists, pedestrians and spectators in grave danger. “We cannot allow our roads to be turned into arenas of lawlessness and dangerous stunts that cut short the lives of innocent people,” said Macie. “Illegal drag racing is a serious violation of traffic laws and an extreme display of recklessness.” The MEC said the alleged fatality highlights the devastating consequences of motorists engaging in unlawful racing on public roads. Accountability While extending condolences to the affected family, Macie stressed that accountability must follow. “We send our deepest condolences to the bereaved family, but we also declare that those responsible must face the full might of the law,” he said. The incident has renewed concerns about illegal racing hotspots across the province, with Macie calling for a tougher law enforcement response. Illegal racing He urged law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service (Saps) and traffic authorities, to intensify efforts to tackle illegal drag racing and bring offenders to book. “Members of the public are urged to report any planned or ongoing illegal racing activities to ensure public safety.” The provincial government has reiterated that illegal drag racing remains a serious threat to road safety and warned that participants could face the full consequences of the law.

More residents of Orania are choosing to leave the Afrikaner-only town to take up refugee status in the US. The programme is open to South Africans of minority race groups – predominantly white – who are “victims of racial persecution”. ORANIA RESIDENTS TAKING UP REFUGEE STATUS – HERE’S WHY According to a new report, a small percentage of residents in Orania have been granted refugee status in the US.  Orania Movement leader Joost Strydom predicts this to be around 5% of the 2 900 population he believes have left the Afrikaner-only town to pursue bigger and better opportunities in America Strydom stated that families were interested in applying to the refugee resettlement programme, as the US boasted a “powerful economy” compared to Orania. He added in a Facebook post: “America has a lot to offer. This is the most powerful economy in the world. There are definitely many safe places in the USA, and there are welfare services for Africans who arrive there. Housing, food, and medical care are paid for by the U.S. government for a number of months, and there are other benefits.  He continued: “There are many places out there with better service delivery and obviously without an ANC government. Orania can’t compete with all those economic benefits. Orania is still small and is still very strong under the ANC government’s influence”. Strydom added that many Afrikaner families saw Orania as a “stepping stone” to other opportunities. We are also saddened by each of these individuals who had to seek greener pastures beyond their native land. The reality is that with every person who leaves, fewer and fewer Afrikaners remain in South Africa. CALL TO STAY AND ‘BUILD’ Joost Strydom appealed to those considering leaving from Orania or elsewhere in South Africa on the refugee programme, or of their own accord, to consider staying behind. He shared: “We cannot give you anything; we ask that you come and help build. Come and help build for those who choose to live in South Africa. Come help build for Afrikaners who believe that we belong here on this continent. “Yes, we are sad about everyone leaving…they made a choice. If we want to survive as Africans in Africa, we must choose to build on something where our people can have opportunities again, where our children can go to school and study in Afrikaans, and where we can protect our culture”. Strydom listed attractions such as Orania’s high-quality education, training facilities, and booming tourism sector. He added, “All these things contribute to us being able to build a bigger and stronger economy. We choose to stay here and build a future for our people. What is your choice?”. WHAT RACIAL PERSECUTION DO THEY FACE? Orania is located in the Northern Cape,  with a population of around 3000 individuals. The Afrikaner-only town was built on private property in 1963. It is self-sufficient, with its own businesses, schools, hospitals, and even currency.  So, how do residents qualify to enter the refugee programme? Like other applicants, those from Orania must meet the following criteria… Be South African Be of Afrikaner ethnicity or be a member of a racial minority in South Africa Must be able to articulate an experience of persecution or fear of future persecution.  In line with US President Donald Trump’s claims of “racial discrimination”, South Africans interested in the refugee resettlement programme must prove that they have been “persecuted” in their applications. In the Statement of Interest form, applicants are required to specify if the “persecution” was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, membership of a social group, or a fear of “future harm”. Other questions included when the prospective “refugee” would like to travel to the US, how many family members they would like to bring, and if interested parties have a valid passport.

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 R500 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 3, 14, 19, 27, 28 Draw date: 26 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.

Absa says customers who hand banking credentials to an AI agent may be held liable, as local banks keep outside agents out.

Paris Mashile led Icasa's fight to cut mobile termination rates, and admitted when the regulator fell short.