Stories from Johannesburg · South Africa

The City of Johannesburg borrowed 5 billion rand from financial institutions over the past year to fund infrastructure projects. The city is currently spending over 1 billion rand more than it collects in income. Experts warned that this debt cycle is unsustainable.

Safara has refuted allegations of malpractice, corruption, and maladministration in municipalities and states. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) stated yesterday that it investigated a series of such allegations.

Le Behan Maile stated that a province requires $25 billion to build 200 schools to address existing backlogs. Maile provided this briefing to the media regarding school overcrowding and current interventions in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The Independent Policing Union of South Africa has called for the precautionary suspension of the National Commission. The movement also seeks an end to the current business rescue process. Recent Auditor General findings have exposed widespread financial mismanagement and irregular practices within the institution. They are also calling for an end to the business rescue process following reports of financial mismanagement. The union claims the entity is effectively dead due to misappropriation of funds and continuous bailouts. The source stated that the country can no longer sustain the services of the entity. The Democratic Postal and Communication Workers Union plans to hand a memorandum to the Communications Minister and National Treasury in Pretoria. The request comes amid discussions regarding the source of funding within the current fiscal climate.

Makuta Safara has stepped aside as chairperson of the South African National Editors Forum. The move comes pending an investigation by the Special Investigations Unit. The investigation follows allegations of misappropriation of lottery funds involving Safara and others. Sonnef Chairperson Makuru Safari has stepped aside pending an investigation into allegations of lottery fund misappropriation. The investigation is being conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Safari has denied the claims regarding the misappropriation of funds. The decision comes as Bellamine Mugabe and a co-accused face sentencing today. The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) has welcomed the decision of Malkudu Sifara to step aside from their position. The investigation linked a company associated with the editor to National Lottery Commission funds intended for journalism training.

Finance Minister Edan Godungwada announced a suspension of the 93 cents per litre diesel tax from May 6 to early June 2026. The measure aims to protect the economy from steeply increasing oil prices. The relief will reduce the diesel tax level to zero during this period. The suspension is expected to last until early June 2026. South Africa will decrease the general fuel level from 96 cents per litre to zero per litre. The fuel tax will remain at 110 cents per litre. Agriculture Minister John Stan Hasen is currently in Argentina to secure foot and mouth disease vaccines and travel to Brazil for agricultural import deals. He met with the biosecurity agency in Argentina to study their foot and mouth disease control methods. South Africa signed a cooperation agreement with Argentine vaccine manufacturer Biogenesis Bego to secure the supply of foot and mouth disease vaccines.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recovered more than 3 million rand in stolen Lotto funds intended for community development. The SIO stated that repayment and settlement agreements do not absolve the entities of their obligations. The money had been diverted into private enrichment schemes used for luxury property purchases. The recovery is part of efforts to increase enforcement and deter illegal activity. Improved infrastructure and visible enforcement are expected to intercept and deter future illegal activities, according to the report. SIU spokesperson Savi Mahoto confirmed that the funds were returned along with signed acknowledgments of debt. The organization noted that these settlements do not absolve individuals from criminal referrals. Public Interest Essays has formally registered a criminal complaint regarding the matter.

South African boxers Lerato Dlamini and Siko Kotole are preparing for major international bouts in May. Dlamini is scheduled to face Mikito Nakano in Tokyo on May 6th.

The Office of the Auditor General in Johannesburg is evaluating audit-related matters following implications of officials at the Matlanga Commission. Some allegations presented as evidence before the Commission may not have been identified during the previous auditing cycle.

Commodity resource stocks declined by more than 5 percent today. The drop was driven by weaker prices for gold, platinum, and palladium. Oil prices were the only commodity in the sector that did not move to the downside.