Ronica Ragavan and Pushpaveni Govender were convicted in a case involving the alleged misuse of rehabilitation funds linked to Optimum Coal Mine and Koornfontein Mines. Raphela was acquitted, with sentencing set for 1 December 2026.

Jonkershoek residents allege that law-enforcement officers threatened them and fired during a demolition operation.

Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix for the first time in his career on Sunday to complete a perfect weekend where he also finished first in the sprint and was on pole for both races. Red Bull’s Verstappen finished 7.335sec ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with championship leader Kimi Antonelli third for Mercedes after 62 laps under the lights of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The four-time world champion had previously never won or even achieved a pole position in nine previous attempts going back to his debut for Toro Rosso in 2015. ‘Race was very good’ “It has taken a while but I think this race was very good,” said a delighted Verstappen, who was celebrating back-to-back wins after triumphing in Malaysia seven days ago, his first victory of 2026. “We had pace when we needed to have it on the soft tyre and the medium. So of course very happy to win here.” The McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were fourth and fifth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who dropped from third on the grid to sixth after botching his tyre strategy with his Ferrari team. Liam Lawson’s RB was seventh, Nico Hulkenberg eighth in the Audi and George Russell, who started from the back of the grid because of engine penalties, came home ninth in his Mercedes. Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull, who started from the pit lane, rounded out the points scorers in 10th.

South Africa’s precautionary sardine catch limit will end on 30 October 2026, according to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The department also said it had received no new sardine mortality reports for a month. The limit took effect on 3 October. Scientists will reassess the position on 27 October, or sooner if material new evidence emerges. “Each sardine right holder may harvest no more than 33% of its remaining uncaught 2026 directed sardine total allowable catch, in the applicable management area west or east of Cape Agulhas. “The measure limits the rate of sardine removals while further scientific information is gathered and processed,” the department said. The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group will lead the reassessment. The department said fishing still played a useful role in the research. “The fishery remains an important source of samples for laboratory testing and information on where sardines are being encountered,” the department said. No new dead sardine reports since 10 September The DFFE confirmed that it had received no further reports of dead sardines after 10 September. “The absence of further reports indicates that the acute mortality phase has ended,” the department said. Officials still urged vigilance along the coast. “Surveillance continues, and coastal authorities, fishers and members of the public are encouraged to report any new sightings promptly,” the department said. Laboratory tests and survey on sardine health The department said more testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) is underway, and results are expected in the coming week. It added that tests covered samples collected before, during, and after the die-off. “Results will be considered alongside fish health and environmental information, as detecting viral material alone does not establish active disease,” the department said. Moreover, an end-of-year hydroacoustic survey will begin in early November and cover the coast from Hondeklip Bay to Port St Johns. It will give the first independent estimate of sardine numbers and spread since the die-off. Work on the wider response also continues. “The DFFE and its partners continue work under the coordinated response plan, including monitoring possible effects on sardine-dependent predators and the wider marine ecosystem,” the department said. Is it safe to eat sardines? Public health advice The department said sardine products sold through regulated channels are safe and the virus posed no known threat to people. “PHV is a fish virus and is not known to infect people,” the department said. “Members of the public should nevertheless not collect or consume dead or dying sardines found on beaches or floating near the shore, feed them to animals, or use them as bait,” the department cautioned.

Following their MTN8 final defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates will be eager to dust themselves off and get back to winning ways. The Buccaneers have little time to dwell on their disappointment as they prepare to face TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday evening. A victory could see Pirates move above Sundowns at the top of the league standings, providing some consolation after missing out on another MTN8 title. After seven league matches, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men have won six and drawn once, underlining their impressive start to the campaign. However, their challenge will be to ensure that Saturday’s defeat does not affect their confidence and momentum in the league. TS Galaxy could capitalise if the Soweto giants struggle to put their MTN8 heartbreak behind them. The Rockets will be hoping to make life difficult for Pirates as they look to return to domestic action with a positive result. When Do Orlando Pirates Play TS Galaxy? Pirates host TS Galaxy on Tuesday evening at the Orlando Amstel Arena. The Buccaneers have enjoyed success against the Rockets in recent meetings, including an emphatic 5-0 victory at the Mbombela Stadium earlier this year. With only three days between the MTN8 final and their next league fixture, changes to the Orlando Pirates starting XI could be expected. The likes of Mohau Nkota and Thalente Mbatha could be in contention for their first starts of the season after recently recovering from injuries. Ouaddou will also have to manage his squad carefully, with Pirates set to turn their attention to the CAF Champions League preliminary round next weekend. The clash against Galaxy therefore presents an opportunity for the Buccaneers to respond immediately to their cup disappointment while maintaining their strong start to the league campaign. Will the Buccaneers bounce back?

Drug crime in Gauteng is up 8.7%. According to the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) recent data, 11 619 drug-related crimes were reported in Gauteng between April and June 2026. But in a handful of police precincts, drug-related crime has increased by concerning figures. Drug-Related Crimes Up Significantly In Gauteng, drug-related crime is trending upward. About 76% of precincts reported a rise or no change in this kind of crime. Eden Park, however, recorded a 57.7% increase in drug crimes between April-June 2026 and the same period last year. Sebokeng in Sedibeng experienced the second-highest increase in the province. In one year, drug-related crime in the area rose 45.1%. Only 35 of the province’s 146 SAPS precincts recorded a decrease. Some of these weren’t even that substantial. Rosebank, for example, had drug-related crimes drop from 1 in the first quarter of 2025 to 0 in the first quarter of 2026. In Muldersdrift on the West Rand and Fairland in Johannesburg, drug-related crime also decreased by 1 incident, from 3 reported in the first quarter of 2025 to 2 reported in the first quarter of 2026. Police Precinct# Drug-Related Crimes% IncreaseEden Park11257.7%Sebokeng14845.1%Soshanguve9633.3%Sharpeville18329.9%Duduza10526.5% Johannesburg Central is Gauteng’s drug capital. In 3 months, 358 drug-related crimes were reported in Johannesburg, up 5.9% from the same time last year. Tembisa was next with 309 drug-related crimes, a 6.9% decrease from the year before. The township was 1 of only 3 precincts in the province’s top 10, where drug-related crimes decreased. In areas like Krugersdorp, Tsakane, Kliptown, and Orange Farm, all in the top 10, drug-related crimes are up double digits. Reporting Drug Crimes Drug-related crimes are frequently underreported. A 2025 study suggests all crime in South Africa, not only drug crime, is underreported. Therefore, when drug reporting spikes, it can point to more production, distribution and use rather than more informed policing efforts. Impact of this Worrying Trend The impact of drug-related crimes on a community is far-reaching. According to data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2026, the number of people using drugs rose to 331 million in 2024, up 34% from a decade earlier. Seizures, production, and cocaine use also reached record highs in 2024. But as UNODC highlights in its report, besides impacting communities and families, drug use impacts healthcare, social services and the criminal justice system. Drug use drains resources. Furthermore, the report spotlights three areas where drug abuse has real financial and social impact on communities. Shoplifting: Affects shrinkage and raises grocery prices. Increase in car accidents: Drives up insurance premiums in addition to taxes and levies like the Road Accident Fund. Public drug use: Promotes drug use and drains healthcare and policing resources.

Cybersecurity is Shoprite’s top-ranked risk, and the only one whose controls it rates as partially effective.

Standard Bank will buy as much as 4.99% of Nigeria-focused fintech OPay as it files to list in New York.