Cyril Ramaphosa urged men to help end gender-based violence during an ANC campaign visit to Khayelitsha, where taxi leaders also called for action on rising fuel costs and disputes with the City of Cape Town.

The Justice Department says work is under way on a draft Bill that could change public access to South Africa’s National Register for Sex Offenders, as Ian Cameron’s 30-day naming campaign reaches its halfway point.

The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has raised concerns over repeated last-minute postponements of its oversight meetings and the lack of progress in securing additional funding for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The committee raised the concerns on Saturday while electing Mzimasi Mike Hala as its new co-chairperson representing the National Assembly. Hala fills the vacancy created after Malusi Gigaba was relieved of his responsibilities as co-chairperson and as a member of the committee. The election comes as the committee faces what it described as persistent challenges in carrying out its parliamentary oversight responsibilities, particularly amid growing pressure on the SANDF’s resources and operational capacity. “The committee also voiced disappointment at the lack of tangible progress in securing additional funding for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), despite widespread acknowledgement of the urgency of the matter,” it expressed. Committee warns about late postponements According to the committee, this was the second time it had received a request to postpone a meeting at short notice. While acknowledging that circumstances could require changes to the parliamentary programme, members warned that repeated late postponements make it difficult to manage an already demanding oversight schedule. The committee said Parliament’s oversight responsibilities require proper preparation, timely engagement and adherence to agreed schedules. It warned that repeated delays could push back discussions on critical issues and reduce the time available to address challenges facing the defence sector. Funding remains a major concern The committee also expressed concern over the lack of visible progress in resolving the SANDF’s funding crisis. It said there was a disconnect between widespread public acknowledgement of the force’s financial constraints and the limited progress emerging from discussions between the Department of Defence and National Treasury. The committee said engagements between the two institutions needed to produce concrete proposals and measurable progress towards a sustainable funding solution. “Adequate and sustainable funding is essential to maintaining the operational viability of the force and ensuring that it can fulfil its constitutional mandate,” the committee said. It warned that the SANDF’s financial difficulties could not continue to be acknowledged without meaningful action, given the implications for its operational capacity and ability to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities. Hala takes up leadership role Hala’s election follows a challenging period for defence oversight, which included the deaths of SANDF members deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as deployments in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Committee co-chairperson Phiroane Phala acknowledged Gigaba’s contribution during the period. “Dr Gigaba ably led the Committee through one of the most challenging periods for defence oversight. His leadership during this time, which included the deaths of SANDF members in the DRC and deployments in Gauteng and the Western Cape, was exemplary,” Phala said. The committee said it expected the Department of Defence and National Treasury to demonstrate concrete progress towards resolving the SANDF’s funding requirements. It stressed that the force’s financial challenges had direct implications for its ability to maintain operations and execute its constitutional mandate.

Coach Johan Ackermann praised the Bulls’ determination and singled out his backline, including debutants Luan Giliomee and Sango Xamlashe, after their 56-20 win over Stade Français on Saturday. The Pretoria Union scored eight tries, including a hat-trick by 20-year-old Cheswill Jooste in the Champions Cup pool 4 clash at Loftus. Utility back Giliomee entered the side after signing from the Sharks mid-season. He has enjoyed a prodigious rise through the Junior Springboks, Blitzboks, Sharks and then the SA A, all since February. Centre Xamlashe played for the Pumas and Griquas before moving to the Bulls, impressing Ackermann in training. Both had encouraging performances for the Bulls, especially helping the hosts open their opponents’ defences. Bulls earn bonus point “The win is the most important thing, and the bonus point is in the bag too,” Ackermann told SA Rugby Mag. “But it was a fight. It wasn’t as easy as the scoreline shows.” He said the Bulls were not clinical in the first half, and conceded too many penalties. But he would take any win in the Pretoria heat. “I’m proud of the fight of the players. We showed some good signs. A big part of our strength at Loftus is the altitude and the heat, and we back our conditioning. “We scored the tries we needed to make sure we weren’t chasing the game, and our defence held firm. We didn’t allow their first try until late on. It comes down to fight and determination.” Bulls backline lights up Loftus The coach praised his front row for a strong showing – Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Khutha Mchunu all playing until deep into the second half. But the backline tore up the field. Giliomee and Xamlashe received mentions while wing Sebastian de Klerk also had “a great game”. Ackermann said Jooste overcame illness earlier in the week to hit top form for his three tries and man-of-the-match performance. “He only got in on Thursday, got through training, and we selected him, and he backed it up with a good performance. “The challenge now [for him] is to stay humble and keep learning. There were still moments he could have made better decisions, but I’m pleased with where he is from a confidence point of view, and how he’s grown since starting senior rugby.”

Former president Jacob Zuma’s appearance before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Cases Inquiry has been postponed following his recent hospitalisation. Zuma was scheduled to testify on Thursday, 22 October, before the judicial commission chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe. According to a report, the decision followed discussions between Zuma’s legal representatives and the commission. A new date for his appearance has not yet been confirmed. ZUMA’S HEALTH CONCERNS DELAY TESTIMONY The postponement comes amid concerns about the 84-year-old former president’s health, which also forced the MK Party to cancel its election manifesto launch in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. MK Party parliamentary leader John Hlophe previously acknowledged that cancelling the event was necessary given Zuma’s condition. Meanwhile, the Jacob Zuma Foundation has appealed for privacy, saying it would not provide minute-by-minute updates on his recovery. Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi criticised repeated media enquiries, describing them as an invasion of Zuma’s privacy and dignity. His health will now be a factor in determining when he can give evidence before the commission. MBEKI NEXT TO TESTIFY BEFORE TRC INQUIRY While Zuma’s appearance remains on hold, former president Thabo Mbeki is scheduled to testify on Monday, 19 October, and Tuesday, 20 October. The inquiry is investigating allegations that political interference prevented the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes referred by the original Truth and Reconciliation Commission. President Cyril Ramaphosa established the judicial commission in May 2025 to determine whether senior political figures or government officials influenced decisions to delay or abandon criminal prosecutions. The proceedings are expected to shed light on why several cases remained unresolved decades after the end of apartheid. ZUMA AND MBEKI’S LEGAL CHALLENGE Both former presidents previously challenged Khampepe’s appointment as chairperson, raising concerns about her impartiality because of her earlier involvement in the original TRC and the National Prosecuting Authority. However, the Constitutional Court dismissed their challenge in August, clearing the way for the commission to continue under her leadership. The inquiry is now examining whether political pressure influenced decisions not to prosecute individuals implicated in apartheid-era atrocities. For families who have spent decades seeking justice, the proceedings offer another opportunity to establish why certain cases never reached court. With Mbeki’s appearance approaching, attention will turn to his evidence while the commission works to secure a new date for Zuma’s testimony.

Fresh allegations about evidence in the murder of St Stithians learner Cameron Waldeck-Cooks have raised serious questions about how police handled the investigation. The 17-year-old Grade 11 learner was found dead alongside former St Stithians pupil Ethan Coetzee, 19, at a holiday home in Sabie, Mpumalanga, on 3 August. According to a report on Saturday, 17 October, Cameron’s family has questioned why police allegedly failed to secure crucial evidence that could shed light on her death. DISTURBING CELLPHONE EVIDENCE EMERGES The report details concerns about disturbing material allegedly found on Cameron’s cellphone, which her family believes could point to gender-based violence. It also raises questions about whether investigators properly preserved potential evidence. The full contents of the cellphone material and the circumstances surrounding the alleged investigative failures have, however, not been independently verified. ALLEGATIONS OF CONTROLLING BEHAVIOUR Earlier reports alleged that Coetzee had monitored Cameron’s cellphone and social media accounts during their relationship. A separate report previously cited a source who claimed Coetzee had access to her passwords and displayed controlling and jealous behaviour. Coetzee’s family disputed allegations against him. WHAT THE POST-MORTEM REVEALED Police initially opened an inquest following the discovery of the teenagers’ bodies. However, preliminary post-mortem findings indicated that Cameron had been strangled, prompting a murder investigation. Her parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, also appointed an independent forensic pathologist, whose preliminary findings indicated strangulation and suffocation. Coetzee’s death remains the subject of an inquest, with preliminary findings suggesting he may have died by suicide.

The Reserve Bank wants all of South Africa's ATMs white-labelled, with free transactions below a threshold, starting with a pilot in January.

Apple's first foldable iPhone carries a steeper local premium than its new HomeView, HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K.