Stories from 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.

A demonstration organized by the March & March collective gathered several hundred people in front of the presidency in Pretoria. The group attempted to march toward the President's office building. Protesters in Pretoria have begun blocking access to healthcare facilities, including hospitals and schools, according to a report. The demonstrators are targeting foreign nationals, claiming they have occupied spaces intended for women and other residents. Authorities and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are engaging to find solutions. A formal letter has been sent requesting dialogue between the involved parties. Mukandua expressed concern regarding the safety of refugees and foreign nationals facing attacks. The organization has issued a statement calling the incidents coordinated xenophobia.

The N2 highway is currently blocked and closed approximately 25 to 30km north of Mthatha on the Mthatha-Qumbu run. Travelers attempting to go between Kokstad and Mthatha are advised to delay travel as nothing is getting through the area.

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 March in March movement and other political parties marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to submit a memorandum of demands to the government. The group cited concerns regarding crime and job availability as primary motivations for the protest. Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of March on March, and Sharon Ekambaram from Kopano Nang Africa Against Xenophobia are addressing tensions regarding immigration. The groups are calling for South Africans to be prioritized in the country. They cited problems brought by a large influx of illegal immigrants. The discussion focused on the impact of these movements on South African lives. The event is part of a broader discussion on the global issue of migration and its impact on South Africa. Groups marched in Pretoria targeting Black African migrants seeking refuge in South Africa.

South African measles vaccination coverage has fallen to 76 percent, according to reports. The coverage rate for the first dose is 27 percent, while the second dose stands at 119 percent. This falls significantly below the 95 percent coverage rate required for measles immunity.

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.

A case involving the manic use of explosives possession has been adjourned to Thursday. The proceedings are scheduled to take place at the Massina Magistrates Court in Limpopo.