General Information
Johannesburg is the most populous city in South Africa. The City of Johannesburg itself has a population of 5,538,596, while the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality has a population of 6,599,190, making it one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, and seat of the country's highest court, the Constitutional Court. Situated on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand hills, the city has long been at the epicentre of the international mineral and gold trade. The richest city in Africa by GDP and private wealth, Johannesburg functions as the economic capital of South Africa and is home to the continent's largest stock exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
- Population: 5,900,000+ (Metro Area)
- Area: 1,645 km²
- Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
- Coordinates: Latitude: -26.204444885254, Longitude: 28.045555114746
- Timezone: Timezone info not available
- Current Local Time: ailab
Sandton
Business towers, upscale malls, Nelson Mandela Square, and city nightlife.
Johannesburg CBD
Downtown streets, Commissioner Street, Gandhi Square, and real urban life.
Soweto
Township streets, Maponya Mall, Protea North, and cultural walking tours.
Rosebank & Melrose Arch
Shopping areas, nightlife, and modern mixed-use districts.
Johannesburg Latest News
IOL
Unethical or unlawful? Human Settlements probes Cape Town's sale of Annandale land
Dunoon is one of the most overcrowded, under-serviced settlements in this city, and this land was close enough, big enough, available.
IOL
Western Cape launches South Africa’s first public healthcare rewards pilot
The Western Cape’s WOWRewards pilot will offer eligible public healthcare users in Mitchells Plain up to R100 a month for completing approved preventative-health activities.
The Citizen
ANC axes three Ekurhuleni councillors in pre-election crackdown, orders another to step aside
The ANC in Ekurhuleni has expelled three councillors with immediate effect for allegedly backing political organisations contesting elections against the party, while a fourth councillor has been ordered to step aside as the governing party tightens discipline ahead of next month’s local government elections. Thato Mashiane, Thembinkosi Lubisi and Sibusiso Dlamini had their ANC membership terminated after the Regional Working Committee (RWC) found they had committed serious violations of the party’s constitution, including supporting or campaigning for organisations opposing the ANC’s officially endorsed candidates. Expulsions The Office of the Regional Secretary, Moipone Mhlongo, formally communicated the expulsions on 9 October 2026 after the ANC considered disciplinary findings, organisational reports and representations from the affected members. According to the ANC, the decision follows Notices to Show Cause issued on 2 October and stems from findings contained in a Special RWC report into the recall of ANC councillors. “The findings include supporting or joining political organisations contesting elections against the ANC’s officially endorsed electoral mandate, campaigning for or acting as an agent of entities opposing officially endorsed ANC candidates, and failing to comply with official organisational policies, directives and duties,” Mhlongo said. Discipline Mhlongo described adherence to its constitution, organisational discipline and loyalty to party resolutions as non-negotiable obligations of membership. “The decisions reflect the organisation’s commitment to ensuring accountability and compliance with its rules and procedures,” Mhlongo said. The expulsions come as the ANC intensifies preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections and seeks to tighten internal discipline amid growing political competition in Gauteng’s key metro municipalities. Disruptions To prevent disruptions to governance and service delivery, the ANC has already identified interim replacements in affected wards. Councillor Thabang Jiyane has been designated acting councillor for Ward 2, ANC Chief Whip Pelisa Nkunjana for Ward 71 and Councillor Lumka Poki for Ward 52. The expulsions come against the backdrop of ongoing internal tensions within the ANC in Ekurhuleni, where a prolonged leadership battle has exposed deep divisions in the regional structure. The conflict centred on regional chairperson Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and former regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi, whose relationship deteriorated amid disputes over leadership decisions and the composition of the mayoral committee, which reduced the EFF representation and the red berets’ withdrawal from the coalition Stand-off The stand-off prompted intervention from higher ANC structures and fuelled uncertainty within the region ahead of the 4 November local government elections. Dlabathi ultimately resigned as regional secretary in September. The move further highlighted fractures within the party as it prepared for a crucial electoral contest. Step-aside In a separate development, the RWC has instructed Ward 79 councillor Njabulo Mbonani to voluntarily step aside with immediate effect and has been given 48 hours to confirm his acceptance of the directive. Alderman Dorah Mlambo has been earmarked to act in the position pending the necessary legal and administrative processes. IEC Mhlongo said it has formally approached the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the City of Ekurhuleni to declare the vacancies created by the organisational decisions. As the party prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections, Mhlongo said the ANC remains focused on “strengthening its structures, upholding accountability and ensuring that municipal governance and service delivery remain central to its work among the people of Ekurhuleni.”
The Citizen
‘He had something to be afraid of’: Sibiya must still face criminal investigation, Cameron says
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has called on the South African Police Service (Saps) to investigate any alleged criminal conduct involving suspended Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya and pursue charges where warranted. Sibiya resigned from the Saps on Monday, following disciplinary proceedings against the now-former deputy national police commissioner. Resignation His disciplinary hearing had been scheduled to commence on Monday, 12 October 2026, as Saps pursued its internal process amid a separate legal challenge. However, instead of proceeding with the inquiry, Sibiya’s lawyers submitted his resignation letter at the outset of the hearing. Accountability Cameron warned that Sibiya’s departure from the Saps must not shield him from accountability. He welcomed Sibiya’s departure as a step towards restoring integrity in the police service and ensuring that officers entrusted with enforcing the law uphold the Constitution and the Saps Code of Conduct. “The committee has always highlighted that rogue elements must be surgically removed from the system to enable it to operate effectively. The resignation on the eve of a disciplinary process points to the fact that he had something to be afraid of,” Cameron said. Saps reforms He said Sibiya’s departure should spur broader reforms within the Saps. “These should include competency and lifestyle audits, particularly at senior management level, to strengthen accountability and integrity within the service. “A country that has police officers who are criminally compromised cannot effectively fight crime. Unfortunately, the inability to fight crime has broader socioeconomic implications for the country, affecting everyone, particularly the poor,” Cameron said. Criminal conduct Cameron also commended the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System for exposing troubling practices within the SAPS. Cameron stressed that Sibiya’s discharge must not end efforts to secure accountability. He called for any potential criminal conduct to be properly investigated and for appropriate legal action to follow where warranted. Disciplinary action Sibiya has received three separate disciplinary notices before his resignation, each dealing with distinct allegations and following its own schedule. He has faced scrutiny over various allegations raised during investigations into alleged criminality, corruption and interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system. The former senior police official was accused of colluding with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the political killings task team (PKTT), allegedly to shield organised crime syndicates from investigation, among other allegations. Madlanga Commission Testimony before the Madlanga Commission has further painted Sibiya as having close ties to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a controversial businessman currently facing several criminal charges. Sibiya has also been charged of sexual grooming, human trafficking and rape involving a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman. He is currently in custody as he seeks bail. Additional reporting by Molefe Seeletsa
The South African
Halala! Music executive Munya Chanetsa ties the knot [photos]
Munyaradzi Chanetsa, a music executive, beamed with gratitude as he reflected on his wedding day via Instagram recently. The 42-year-old is an accomplished figure in Africa’s music industry, where he proudly advocates for artists’ rights and development. In 2020, he spearheaded the Happy Endings project alongside music producers Cuebur and BokkieULTS, remaking Mbube, the iconic song by Solomon Linda, featuring the Mahotella Queens. The objective of the project was to ensure that a portion of the earnings went to the Linda family, as Solomon never enjoyed the rewards of his brilliant work. Additionally, Munya hosts educational workshops for artists, equipping them with the knowledge they need to protect their creative work and earn a sustainable living from it. MUNYA CHANETSA TIES THE KNOT The Zimbabwean native happily shared a photo showcasing the newlyweds’ hands decorated with wedding rings. The post was paired with a meaningful Bible verse: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from the Lord.” Munya also thanked his followers for the outpouring of “well wishes” as the lovebirds usher in this new chapter of their lives. “My wife and I are overwhelmed by all the love and well wishes, and want to express extreme gratitude for all the love,” he wrote. FANS CONGRATULATE THE NEWLYWEDS Mzi_Patrickk: Congratulations. Wishing you a lifetime of ever-growing love. Pule Mokoa: Congratulations, my bro! Nunurai_: Congratulations, Munya. N4dup: Awwww congrats. Nqubeko Nonto: Congratulations to you both. MUNYA ON WHY HE’LL TRAVEL WITH HIS FUTURE KIDS In a YouTube interview with Si Jones, Munya briefly shared his thoughts about fatherhood, emphasising that travelling with his future children would be a priority. He believes exposing them to different cultures will inspire them to be more “culturally appropriate” and respectful of people from diverse backgrounds.
The South African
Mbuso Zulu on growing up in a ‘family of prisoners’ even his grandmother [video]
In a resurfaced clip from Skeem GP’s podcast, Mbuso Zulu, an ex-convict from KwaZulu-Natal, revealed that he and most of his paternal family members, including his grandmother, father, and uncle, have been imprisoned at some point in their lives. FAMILY OF PRISONERS In a Facebook clip shared by Chromocloud, Zulu told Skeem GP that although he does not blame his father for his criminal past, it was the stories he heard about his father’s influence that ultimately drove him down that path. Mbuso’s grandparents were hardly around during his childhood. His grandmother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling marijuana, while his grandfather was often away because he was a polygamist. This vacuum forced his father, Mafuku Themba Ncanana, to embrace crime as a means of survival, since his own mother was now imprisoned. Ncanana was already serving his 15-year prison sentence when Mbuso was born. His crimes included business robberies and cash-in-transit heists. According to Mbuso, he grew up around drugs and AK-47 firearms, which his father kept at home. LIFE AFTER PRISON Mbuso’s life has taken a positive turn since his release in September 2024. The 34-year-old recently joined SABC 1’s Uzalo as Cash Money. He has also established the Usengashintsha Foundation and serves as a brand ambassador for Xap Xap Clothing. Before his father passed away, Mbuso said he always encouraged him to prioritise education, as he did not wish his son to follow in his footsteps.
TechCentral
Africa Bitcoin Corporation board quits in shareholder clash
Four of Africa Bitcoin's six directors have resigned after a shareholder group moved to remove them.
TechCentral
Capitec is setting traps for scammers’ mule accounts
The bank is holding money in detected mule accounts without visibly blocking them, leaving syndicates empty-handed.