Moosa Kaprey is remembered for supporting young activists, mobilising resources during the anti-apartheid struggle and serving the democratic movement across generations.

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the party wants an outright majority in Cape Town, where recent polls have produced differing estimates of its support ahead of the 4 November local government election.

Residents supplied by the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works in Tshwane have been strictly advised not to drink tap water or use it for cooking or bathing, as an investigation confirmed the water is contaminated, resulting in about 400 cases of gastrointestinal illness. An unusually high number of patients from Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi in the City of Tshwane’s Region 7 have presented with stomach cramps and diarrhoea since 13 October 2026. Bronkhorstspruit patients presented with stomach cramps and diarrhoea The Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works (BWTW) largely supplies the affected areas. Following the gastrointestinal illness outbreak, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi asked the department of water and sanitation (DWS) to investigate the quality of water from the BWTW. On Sunday night, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, Motsoaledi, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya received a consolidated update report on the matter. Reading a joint statement on Monday afternoon, Majodina confirmed that between 7 and 18 October, 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness were reported, with most patients being under four years old. No deaths have been recorded to date. Laboratory tests by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and BWTW water tests revealed that contaminated water caused the illness. The tests identified Norovirus, Campylobacter and Shigella but confirmed that no cholera bacteria were found. “The fact that mixed pathogens were found in the samples and the rapid spread point to a common water supply being the likely source of illness,” Majodina said. E. coli and total coliforms found in water supply Water quality tests conducted by DWS on October 14 found extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms in the water supply of the BWTW and Ekandustria (near Dark City) and Zithobeni reservoirs. According to the minister, an investigation revealed that a failure in the chlorine supply prevented proper chlorination between 24 September and 14 October. Mayor Moya said the city has issues with the supplier, as a monopoly supplier significantly increased chlorine prices, complicating the procurement process. “We take responsibility for the negligence because it was during that time that they ran out of chlorine,” she said. The mayor added that officials entrusted with managing the plants never informed city leadership about the chemical shortages. Majodina said that the Bronkhorstspruit River is heavily contaminated by sewage from dysfunctional wastewater treatment works upstream in Victor Khanye Municipality and local pump station failures. Mechanical failures at BWTW The DWS also found that mechanical failures at BWTW, including faulty pumps and cell filters, contributed to the systemic issues. Majodina said the investigation found that the city failed to warn residents that the water supplied wasn’t chlorinated and therefore shouldn’t be drunk or used for cooking, washing, bathing or even boiling. Moya said the city used WhatsApp, social media and councillors to reach residents in region 7. “But we’re not denying that it may not have been sufficient to get to the people that there is a problem more than us saying that the water cannot be drunk,” she said. To remedy the situation, the City of Tshwane reinstated chlorine at BWTW on 15 October but kept it closed for further investigation until reopening the treatment plant; however, the water wasn’t yet suitable for drinking. To provide safe water, the city has deployed up to 36 water tankers since 13 October, sourcing clean water from the Cullinan Water Treatment Works (WTW). ‘Don’t drink tap water or use for cooking or bathing’ Majodina added that regulatory accountability steps are being initiated against those responsible for failing to adhere to water service standards and failing to warn residents about unchlorinated water. In the meantime, residents of areas supplied by BWTW are strictly advised not to drink tap water or use it for cooking, bathing, brushing teeth, or washing food. The water should only be used for flushing toilets. “Previously stored water should be discarded, and water containers must be disinfected using household bleach. Drinking water obtained from water tankers should be stored in clean containers with lids,” the minister said. Patients experiencing symptoms are urged to seek immediate medical attention at local facilities like Bronkspruit Hospital or regional hospitals to prevent further spread. The Water Research Commission is also conducting an independent investigation into the cause of contamination, with a report due by 28 October.

The Molopo Regional Court in Mahikeng has handed a 31-year-old man, who raped his girlfriend in front of their three children, a life sentence. The court found that Ndamulelo Mashaba had subjected his girlfriend – a 28-year-old Botswana national – to threats, violence and severe intimidation in addition to the rape. Girlfriend forced to cross into South Africa illegally National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa said evidence before the court revealed that Mashaba forced the woman to cross into South Africa illegally at knifepoint in 2024. According to the evidence, Mashaba travelled to his girlfriend’s home in Botswana on 11 April 2024 and asked that the children visit him in Makgobistad, North West. The woman agreed and assisted with the children’s necessary border documentation. The court heard that while the family walked near the Molopo River on the Botswana side of the border, Mashaba took out a knife and threatened to stab his girlfriend. “She had previously told him that she wanted to end their relationship because of his abusive behaviour,” Mabasa said on Monday. “She blocked the attack, causing the knife to fall, but Mashaba forced her to cross into South Africa illegally and took her to his home.” Mashaba threatens, rapes and stabs lover At his home, Mashaba used a rope to hang the girlfriend in front of their children. Fearing for her life, she submitted to his demands and he then raped her in the children’s presence, Mabasa said. At a later stage, the woman asked for permission from the man to visit a neighbour, where she began disclosing the abuse. Mashaba arrived while she was recounting the ordeal and demanded that she leave with him. “When she refused, he struck her on the head with a beer bottle and stabbed her twice,” Mabasa said. “She collapsed, and he subsequently took her to a local clinic for treatment of her serious injuries.” Court rejects Mashaba’s claims During the trial, prosecutor Kefentse Diseko presented the evidence of two witnesses, who were prepared for court by victim preparation officer Themba Madiba. In challenging Mashaba’s defence of consent, Diseko highlighted the complainant’s forced removal from Botswana and the threats and violence she endured. The court accepted the complainant’s evidence and rejected Mashaba’s version and claim that the sexual intercourse was consensual. “It found that her apparent compliance resulted from duress and fear for her life and did not constitute consent,” Mabasa said. The court also declared Mashaba unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. “The NPA remains committed to pursuing justice for survivors of sexual violence,” Mabasa said. “Being in a relationship does not entitle anyone to sex, and submission under threats or violence is not consent.”

Legendary striker Jerry Sikhosana has expressed his frustrations at how his former club Orlando Pirates treat him. Sikhosana cemented his legendary status in the mid-1990s, and helped Pirates win the CAF Champions League in 1995. The now 57-year-old scored the only goal of the game in the second leg of that final against ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan. Sikhosana was signed by Pirates from Witbank Aces in 1993, and he left the Soweto giants in 1998. However, he returned for a second stint between 2000 and 2001. At the time he left, Sikhosana had scored 44 goals in 125 official games for the Sea Robbers, and he’s never been part of the club’s setup in any capacity. Now, speaking on Chillers Punch podcast, Sikhosana expressed how painful it has been for him to not even be treated as a legend he is by Pirates. He recalled how he once had to queue for a match ticket with the rest of the fans, and also being given a VIP ticket by Kaizer Chiefs Marketing Director Jessica Motaung. JERRY SIKHOSANA FEELS UNWANTED BY ORLANDO PIRATES “You look at the Pirates jersey with a star, and the first impression should be, ‘thank you Jerry Sikhosana, you gave us a star’,” said Sikhosana. “But you’d go to the stadium, fold my arms and queue with the supporters to go and buy a match ticket. I swear to God that’s what is happening. “I was once in Durban with Brian (Baloyi). We moved to a suite, I bumped into Thandi (Merafe), and she looked down. “I then saw Eddie (Edward Motale) and Lucky (Lekgwathi), and they wearing these new Pirates tracksuits, and you could see that these are the two legends that were picked for that game. “And they were like, ‘and what about the uniform?’, and asked them ‘what uniform? I’m not a Pirates legend. I’m just wearing my clothes’. “Chiefs legends wore their own uniform. I wouldn’t wear the Pirates merchandise. All I wanted there was to ask for a ticket as a Pirates legend but I was deprived and Chiefs gave me.” WATCH THE SNIPPET OF THE INTERVIEW BELOW… Jerry Skosana says he’s sidelined at Orlando Pirates as a legend. pic.twitter.com/ffffgVHXUQ— Meshack Bevhula (@MeshackBevhulas) October 19, 2026

Huis Marais, the men-only official residence of Stellenbosch University, has apologised to the public after a streaking incident upset the local community. HUIS MARAIS SORRY FOR STREAKING INCIDENT On its social media platforms, Huis Marais issued a statement apologising to the public. This is related to an incident last week where a group of nine male students and residents stripped off their clothes and ran around the residence and the Huis Visser building. According to the statement, the incident resulted from a lost bet among the quad cricket-playing pals. “Huis Marais does not condone this behaviour. We understand the impact this has on the residence, the Validus Cluster, and the Stellenbosch University community.  “We acknowledge the role that incidents like this play in the perpetuation of GBV culture, particularly in the current climate of the country” Huis Marais apologised to those who had witnessed the streaking as well as the repercussions the incident had on its reputation. It revealed that an internal disciplinary meeting resulted in sanctions being imposed and a deduction from the honoraria of the house committee members.  The statement continued: “We feel it is important to state that all the residents turned themselves in immediately after the incident was reported. They too, acknowledge the recklessness of their actions and the negative impact they have had on the people affected by the incident.  “However, we want to make it clear to those affected that the initial intent behind their actions was not to harm, harass or offend anybody. This is not who we are and does not align with our values. CONTROVERSIAL INCIDENTS OVER THE YEARS Huis Marais, a men’s residence at Stellenbosch University, has faced several controversies over the years, including allegations of initiation abuse, debates over gender transformation, and the 2022 incident in which a student urinated on a fellow student’s belongings.  Student Theuns Do Toit made deadlines when he was filmed entering the room of black student Babalo Ndwayana,  whilst intoxicated, and urinating on his belongings, including his laptop and textbooks. A video of the incident went viral, triggering widespread outrage and allegations of racism. Not long after, Du Toit was expelled by Stellenbosch University following a disciplinary hearing. The committee also criticised Huis Marais’s leadership, particularly its excessive drinking amongst students. A criminal case against Du Toit was heard at the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court last year; however, he was found not guilty of crimen injuria and malicious damage to property.

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

Samro now requires members to disclose AI use in songs but sets no minimum human contribution.