South Africa's military does need more funding, but greater accountability must come first, Democratic Alliance MP Nicholas Gotsell argues. In this opinion piece, Gotsell says National Treasury cannot be blamed for every challenge facing the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) while questions remain over leadership, spending priorities and parliamentary oversight.

As the 2026 Local Government Elections draw near, the ANC intensifies its campaign to reclaim key municipalities from the DA, including Cape Town, aiming to reshape the political landscape in the Western Cape.

Siya Kolisi of South Africa poses for selfies with fans before the 2026 Nations Championship match between South Africa and Scotland at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team’s Argentinian driver Valentin Perrone (C, flying head over heels through the air) and Spanish driver Marcos Uriarte (R, falling on the racetrack) crash during the Moto3 race at the Sachsenring race track in Hohenstein-Ernstthal near Chemnitz, eastern Germany, on July 12, 2026, ahead of the German Motorcycle MotoGP Grand Prix. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP) Community members loot Beyond Borders Carriers (BBC) transporting Tiles along Ekandustria road near Ekangala in Tshwane, 10 July 2026. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen A spectator sporting a hat with strawberries and tennisballs on her necklace smiles as she poses for a photo on the fourteenth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 12, 2026. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) People gather in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 12, 2026, to protest against sexual assaults reported during the San Fermin festival. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (From L) South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s President’s wife Tshepo Motsepe, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and France’s President’s wife Brigitte Macron pose on the steps of The Elysee Presidential Palace ahead of an official state dinner in Paris on July 10, 2026. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) Mourners gather for prayers after the announcement of the death of Qatar’s former leader Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at the Imam Mohammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Doha on July 12, 2026. Qatar’s government on July 12 announced the death of Sheikh Hamad, who led the country from 1995 to 2013. He was 74, according to a government website. The former leader was seen as one of the key architects of modern Qatar and led the country during a period of rapid economic growth. He took power in June 1995, overthrowing his father in a bloodless coup while the latter was abroad. (Photo by Mahmud HAMS / AFP) Isizwile Womens singers and dancers cheer thousands of runners during the sold-out 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Durban 10K in Durban on Sunday. Around 10,000 participants, including elite athletes, club runners and social entrants, took to the streets of Durban, with the race starting near Suncoast and finishing on the city’s beachfront promenade. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal A smoke plume billows during an Israeli strike on an industrial area in Gaza City on July 12, 2026. Gaza’s civil defence and hospitals said an Israeli drone strike and gunfire killed five people and injured several others on July 12. A ceasefire remains in place between Israel and Hamas, but it has not halted violence in Gaza, and efforts to secure a lasting agreement to end the war have stalled. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP) Protesters march during an anti-migration demonstration in Norwood on July 11, 2026. Protests that began with groups like March and March have since spread to ordinary residents taking to the streets, as anti-migrant sentiment continues to spread across South Africa. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP) Law enforcement conduct a multidisciplinary operation under Operation Prosper at Bundu Inn in Mohlakeng on July 10, 2026 in West Rand, South Africa. This is part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining and related criminal activities in the West Rand District. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo) A ballet dancer on the festival grounds at the Free State Arts Festival (Vrystaat Kunstefees /Mofetanyane wa Bonono wa Freistata) at University of the Free State on July 09, 2026, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The annual multi-disciplinary festival brings together local and international creatives to celebrate visual arts, theatre, and literature serving as a vital cultural hub in the region. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) Women use electric fans to cool off during a heatwave in Paris on July 10, 2026. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP) People pose as they arrive to attend the “Bal des fous” festive event at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, French Riviera, on July 12, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) German cycling enthusiast Dieter ‘Didi’ Senft, nicknamed “El diablo” cheers as the pack of riders (peloton) cycles during the 9th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 154,6 km between Malemort and Ussel in central France, on July 12, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) A “recortador” (bull leaper) performs with a bull in the Plaza de Toros bullring during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 11, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP) Cosplayers pose for pictures outside the venue of the Bilibili World 2026 in Shanghai on July 12, 2026. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) Crew on the USCGC Eagle climb the rigging during the Sail Boston Parade of Sail in Boston Harbor in Boston, Massachusetts on July 11, 2026. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) Residents wade through floodwaters after heavy monsoon rains in Chattogram on July 12, 2026. Flash floods triggered by an active monsoon affecting parts of India and Bangladesh have killed 50 people in Bangladesh’s Chattogram Division over the past week, the government said. (Photo by Rabin Chowdhury / AFP) MORE PICTURES: Joburg Ballet brings The Bacchae to life in African-inspired production

Get the Daily Lotto results as soon as they are drawn on The Citizen, so you can rest easy and check your tickets with confidence. Estimated Daily Lotto jackpot for Sunday, 12 July 2026: Daily Lotto: R300 000 Daily Lotto results for 12 July 2026: The winning Daily Lotto numbers will appear below after the draw. Usually, within 10 minutes of the draw. You might need to refresh the page to see the updated results. Daily Lotto: 01, 13, 16, 18, 34. For more details and to verify the Daily Lotto results, visit the National Lottery website. How to play Daily Lotto in SA? If you are buying a ticket in-store: Pick up a betslip in any lottery store. Choose five numbers between 1 and 36 or ask for a Quick Pick. Entries cost R3 each. You can play a max of R150, but you are allowed to play multiple boards. Select how many consecutive draws you wish to enter, up to a maximum of 10. Leave blank for a single draw. Take your betslip to the teller to pay for your ticket. Write your details on the back of your ticket in case you need to claim a prize. If you do not sign your ticket and you lose it, anyone can use it to claim the prize. If you are playing online: Set up a lottery account here and make a deposit to pay for tickets. Choose five numbers from 1 to 36 or select ‘Quick Pick’ to generate a random set. Repeat this on as many boards as you want to play. Decide whether to enter a single draw or multiple draws. Confirm and pay for your entry. What time is the Daily Lotto draw? The Daily Lotto draws take place shortly after 9pm every evening, and tickets can be bought until 8:3

A song by Ghanaian artist Mozato condemning South Africa has become a viral TikTok soundtrack. The song has also racked up streams on sites like Spotify and YouTube. GHANAIAN ARTIST’S SONG ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA GOES VIRAL On TikTok, Ghanaian artist Mozato’s song Shame on You, has become a trending sound in South Africa. The song was released last month and features lyrics criticising social and political issues, particularly those affecting foreign migrants. It also admonishes the country for its crime, poverty and corrupt leadership While the song was intended to shame South Africans, as the name suggests, it has had quite the opposite effect. In fact, many South Africans are loving the catchy reggae-inspired tune and are calling on the Ghanaian artist to perform it live in the country. @mozato_ Do you love this song South Africa shame on you by Mozato? #fyp #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #togolais228🇹🇬 #ewenyigbatv #southafrica @Giovani.Caleb ♬ original sound – mozato OVER 50 000 FOREIGN MIGRANTS REPORTED IN RECENT WEEKS Meanwhile, figures suggest that the South African government has deported and repatriated over 50 000 foreign nationals in recent weeks. This comes after anti-illegal immigrant groups staged a protest on 30 June, citing frustrations that migrants contribute to social concerns like high unemployment, elevated crime levels and the collapse of public services like hospitals and schools. Many of the immigrants who left South Africa have returned to countries like Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Other countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya have flown their citizens home in repatriation efforts. 

Mbekezeli Mbokazi has shown off his new ride – a R1,2 million Toyota Hilux GR-Sport.  The Bafana Bafana star, who plays for Chicago Fire in the MLS, recently returned from his debut at the FIFA World Cup. MBOKAZI SHOWS OFF NEW MONSTER RIDE On TikTok, clips of Mbekezeli Mbokazi driving his new car, a Toyota Hilux GR-Sport, have gone viral The 20-year-old appeared behind the wheel of the R1,2 million monster truck whilst on a break in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal. During a reveal, the young star showed off his dance moves before driving off into the sunset. Fans were quick to compare the strong, sturdy vehicle to Mbokazi’s nickname – TLB, which is a construction vehicle known as Tractor-Loader-Backhoe in construction. His car reveal comes barely a year after he purchased an Audi RS3, which is worth around R1,5 million. @the__weekend08 Mbekezeli Mbokazi buying his new Toyota Hillux : congratulations 🎊 TLB 🇿🇦🚜 on your 1 million + car 🚗 #mbekezelimbokazi #tlb #toyotahilux #mbokazi #chicagofire ♬ Izospana – Sam Deep & Thatohatsi & Zuma HOW MUCH DOES HE EARN? Mbekezeli Mbokazi has recently returned from the FIFA World Cup, where he received around R2 million as a player bonus. Additionally, the national team were gifted R5 million by Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie to split amongst themselves, after making it out of the group stages. The former Orlando Pirates player earns a basic of R10 million a year at his MLS club, Chicago Fire. According to reports, Italian club Napoli and the English Premier League’s Nottingham have both expressed interest in signing him.

The Long March 10B booster was snared by a net at sea, boosting China's reusable rocket ambitions.

The engineering that keeps soldiers alive in landmine blasts should protect commuters, too, writes Dithoto Modungwa.