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.

The South African Police Service (Saps) has arrested 17,914 suspects nationwide in just one week, delivering major blows to drug trafficking networks, recovering illegal firearms and seizing raw cocaine worth more than R200 million at OR Tambo International Airport. It comes as law enforcement ramps up operations ahead of the festive season. Saps said they made the arrests through the nationwide Safer Festive Season operations and Operation Shanela II. Operation Shanela II Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said Operation Shanela II continues to target violent crime, organised criminal networks and drug syndicates across the country. “As the country approaches the festive season, the Saps has intensified its crime-fighting efforts through nationwide Safer Festive Season operations alongside Operation Shanela II,” Van Wyk said. Of the suspects arrested, 2,851 were wanted individuals traced and apprehended by detectives for offences ranging from organised crime and drug trafficking to other serious crimes. Drug busts The latest operations dealt a significant blow to the illicit drug trade, with 267 alleged drug dealers arrested and another 3,039 suspects detained for possession of drugs. The Western Cape recorded the highest number of drug possession arrests, with 1,841 suspects taken into custody. “The ongoing fight against the illicit drug trade has delivered significant victories,” Van Wyk said. Among the biggest breakthroughs was the seizure of raw cocaine valued at more than R200 million at OR Tambo International Airport. The drugs had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil. Drug labs Police also dismantled two drug laboratories during intelligence-driven operations in Gauteng and North West. In Krugersdorp, authorities uncovered a multi-million-rand drug manufacturing facility where large quantities of Mandrax and ecstasy tablets were seized and five suspects arrested. Another four suspects were arrested in Ramokokastad after officers uncovered a suspected clandestine laboratory linked to the manufacture of Mandrax and crystal meth. Key arrests The crackdown also led to the recovery of 164 illegal firearms, 1,425 rounds of ammunition and 765 dangerous weapons, while 57 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered. “These successes illustrate the SAPS’s unwavering commitment to pursue those who threaten the safety, security and well-being of communities across the country,” said Van Wyk. Key arrests during the week included 140 murder suspects, 151 attempted murder suspects, 266 rape suspects, 80 armed robbery suspects and 679 motorists arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, underscoring the scale of the nationwide crime-fighting operation.

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has urgently closed a stretch of the N12 freeway again after a renewed outbreak of violent protest action near Lenasia and Nana’s Farm, with authorities warning motorists to avoid the area amid reports of vehicle stoning. According to JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla, authorities shut down roads that had previously been cleared and reopened after protesters returned to the freeway. Road closed Fihla said protesters have barricaded sections of the route with burning tyres and debris. “Despite earlier efforts to clear and reopen the roads, rioting has flared up again,” said Fihla. “Protesters have resumed barricading the roadway with burning tyres and debris, with reports of passing vehicles being stoned, posing an immediate threat to the safety of road users.” The N12 freeway, in both eastbound and westbound directions, has been closed with immediate effect between K43 (Klipspruit Valley Road) and Abubakar Asvat Drive. Monitoring Fihla stressed that motorist safety remains the primary concern as law enforcement officers work to contain the situation. “Law enforcement personnel are on the ground to contain the violence, protect motorists, and secure the precinct,” he said. Alternate routes Motorists have been strongly advised not to approach the affected section of the N12 and to make use of alternative routes. R554 (Nirvana Drive) Golden Highway (R553) Impala Road (R558) Chris Hani Road Main Road through Eldorado Park “Motorists are strongly warned NOT to approach the N12 between Klipspruit Valley Road and Abubakar Asvat Drive,” Fihla said. “Please divert immediately.” Warning He further cautioned drivers against bypassing road closures or moving near protest gatherings. “Do not attempt to force entry through closed intersections or near crowd clusters,” he warned. Motorists already in the area have been urged to lock their doors, close their windows, stay alert for thrown objects, and strictly follow diversion routes and instructions from officers on the ground. Further updates are expected as emergency units continue efforts to secure the affected stretch of freeway.

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.