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Presidency rebukes Eskom chair over criticism

South Africa's presidency rebuked the chairperson of Eskom for publicly questioning the plan to restructure the State power utility.

The authorities are committed to ensuring that Eskom doesn't end up in a worse financial position than its current one, with a broad range of interested parties involved in the discussions about the unbundling of the utility, presidency spokesman Vincent Magwenya said on Tuesday.

Magwenya's comments came in response to Eskom chairperson Mteto Nyati, who warned last week that plans to transferring the power company's transmission assets to an independent operator may trigger change-of-control provisions in lending agreements, create accounting complications and unsettle bondholders. Chief Executive Officer Dan Marokane in June said the unbundling needs to be handled in a way that's sustainable for the company.

"It is unfortunate that Mr. Nyati creates an impression as if there's a process that's underway without the inclusion of Eskom and at the detriment of Eskom," he said. "All of Eskom's concerns are well known and have been thoroughly discussed in government and with Eskom."

The dispute between the presidency and Eskom's board highlights growing tensions over the sequencing of the utility's break-up, with investors closely watching whether the transfer of transmission assets will weaken Eskom's balance sheet or alter protections for creditors.

President Cyril Ramaphosa last month backed a plan for the establishment of an independent transmission system operator, ending a century-old monopoly by Eskom and bringing in private producers and traders to create a liberalised electricity market.

The National Treasury is expected to appoint advisers in the coming weeks to begin negotiations with Eskom's lenders over the planned separation of the transmission business, Treasury Director-General Duncan Pieterse said last week. That process is likely to be central to determining how the restructuring can proceed without impairing creditors.

The presidency emphasised that the Eskom Restructuring Task Team includes representatives from Ramaphosa's office, the Treasury, the Department of Electricity and Energy, Eskom and the National Transmission Co. South Africa.

Eskom has said it supports the creation of an independent transmission system operator, but has argued that ownership of the transmission assets should remain with the utility during an interim period, until financial and creditor-related risks have been resolved.

The transmission business is particularly important to Eskom's finances because it contributes about 40% of the utility's earnings, according to Nyati. He said removing the assets before legacy liabilities are addressed could materially weaken Eskom's balance sheet.

The government remains committed to establishing a fully independent operator, Magwenya said. The reform is a key policy objective under the Electricity Regulation Act and is intended to support a competitive wholesale electricity market, investment and economic growth, he said.

Official unemployment rate rises to 33.6% in the second quarter

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has confirmed that South Africa's official unemployment rate increased by 0.9 of a percentage point to 33.6% for the second quarter, compared with 32.7% in the first quarter of this year.

Stats SA's Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows that the number of unemployed persons increased by 345 000 quarter-on-quarter to 8.5-million, while the number of employed persons decreased by 16 000 quarter-on-quarter to 16.7-million. This resulted in an increase of 329 000 in the labour force during the same period.

Discouraged job-seekers decreased by 227 000 quarter-on-quarter to 3.7-million, while other available job-seekers decreased by 49 000 quarter-onquarter to 861 000 and unavailable job-seekers decreased by 4 000 quarter-on-quarterto 44 000, resulting in a net decrease of 280 000 to 4.6-million in the potential labour force.

Those outside the labour force for other reasons increased by 72 000 quarter-on-quarter to 12.5-million.

Furthere, persons outside the labour force, which is the total of those in potential labour force and others outside the labour force, decreased by 208 000 to 17.1 million in the second quarter.

Stats SA points out that, in addition to the unemployment rate, other indicators of labour underutilisation were measured.

The combined rate of unemployment and time-related underemployment increased by 0.7 of a percentage point to 36.6%, while the combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force increased by 0.1 of a percentage point to 43.8%.

The composite measure of labour underutilisation, which combines time-related underemployment, unemployment and potential labour force as a proportion of extended labour force, remained unchanged at 46.3% in the second quarter.

These labour underutilisation measures highlight people in different situations with different degrees of attachment to the labour market, Stats SA states.

South African police sound alarm on political crime before vote

South Africa's acting police chief said she is deeply concerned about the potential for politically-motivated violence ahead of municipal elections on November 4.

South Africa has a long history of political violence, and several politicians have been murdered this year. That includes two councillors from the African National Congress, the biggest party, one Democratic Alliance candidate, two members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and two from the Economic Freedom Fighters. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the killings.

"There is absolutely no justification for taking the life of another person because of political differences or political contestation," Puleng Dimpane, the acting national police commissioner, told reporters in Pretoria on Friday.

"We are issuing a stern warning to anyone who is planning attacks, assassinations or acts of violence for political gain."

The local government poll is the first since the 2024 general election that saw the ANC lose the overall majority it had held since the end of apartheid. Polls show support for the party has declined further and it risks losing control of a number of towns and cities.

Voters' Roll Closed: Municipal elections proclaimed for Nov 4

South Africa is officially heading to the polls on November 4 for the highly anticipated 2026 municipal elections.

The announcement follows the official gazetting of the date by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa, signalling the formal closure of the voters' roll and the start of the election period.

The proclamation fulfils Hlabisa's responsibility under Section 159 of the Constitution, read alongside the Municipal Structures Act.

This legislation mandates that local government elections must take place within 90 days of the end of a five-year municipal term.

With the date now legally locked in, the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has officially closed voter registration.

Earlier this week, the IEC said following the gazetting, it will spend the coming weeks managing logistics, verifying candidate lists, and providing regular public updates on the road to the voting stations.

Hlabisa expressed his gratitude to citizens who actively registered during the IEC's final voter registration weekend.

He urged all South Africans to maintain a peaceful, free, fair, and credible election environment.

"I urge all South Africans, especially women, youth, persons with disabilities, and people in rural areas under different traditional authorities, to go out and strengthen our democracy by voting," Hlabisa stated.

ACTIONSA SETS SIGHT ON 'BROKEN MUNICIPALITIES'

ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont declared his party's operational readiness to contest the elections, aiming to target what the party describes as South Africa's "broken municipalities."

Beaumont revealed that ActionSA has radically transformed its electoral strategy since the 2021 municipal elections, moving from a regional player to a "formidable national contender".

ActionSA will contest just under 60 municipalities and over 2 000 wards this year, a staggering increase from the six municipalities it contested in 2021.

Following organisational growth after the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, the party has expanded its footprint deep into municipalities outside its traditional stronghold of Gauteng.

Beaumont highlighted that candidates were chosen through direct branch consultations to ensure local representation.

"These are not candidates who have never stepped foot in the wards they seek to lead," Beaumont emphasised. "Local problems require local solutions, championed by local leaders."

Mbalula heads to court, Integrity Commission over Dlamini-Zuma's vote-buying claims

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has announced legal action against party veteran Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, following allegations that he distributed money during the party's 2022 national elective conference.

Mbalula confirmed he will also refer the matter to the ANC Integrity Commission to clear his name.

During a recent appearance on the African Renaissance Podcast, hosted by former EFF MP Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Dlamini-Zuma levelled explosive allegations against high-ranking ANC officials, claiming that illicit financial influence heavily dictated internal election outcomes.

Specifically, she accused Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and ANC NEC member Ronald Lamola and Mbalula of participating in vote-buying during the ANC's 54th National Conference in 2017.

She also went on to accuse Mbalula of "dishing out money" at a clinic facility during the 55th National Conference in 2022 to secure his position and protect Cyril Ramaphosa's presidency.

Dlamini-Zuma alleged that a circulating audio recording directly implicated Lamola in these transactional activities.

Lamola issued a strong demand to Dlamini-Zuma to publicly retract claims linking him to vote-buying at the party's 2017 elective conference, categorically denying any involvement in vote-buying through phone calls, voice notes, or any other medium at any point in his career.

While emphasising his respect for Dlamini-Zuma's liberation struggle credentials, Lamola made it clear that a formal retraction is necessary to avoid escalating the matter legally.

Mbalula also denied the claims during a media briefing on Friday, stating that the damage to his reputation is too severe to handle through informal internal discussions.

He rejected any possibility of a quiet political compromise.

"There is no political solution to a charge that you have stolen money," Mbalula said. "It's either you accept you have stolen money, you have dished money, or otherwise you clear yourself."

Mbalula pointed out that Dlamini-Zuma did not raise these concerns during the 2022 conference, noting that his home has never been raided, nor has any evidence of illicit cash been found.

Defending his decision to pursue litigation, Mbalula referenced historical instances of ANC leaders making public claims that failed under legal scrutiny.

He cited former President Jacob Zuma's unproven allegations that Derek Hanekom was an apartheid-era informer and that Ngoako Ramatlhodi was a "sellout" at the Zondo Commission.

Mbalula argued that if Hanekom had not challenged Zuma in court, those damaging claims would have permanently been accepted as historical facts.

While emphasising that he has no animosity toward the African Renaissance Podcast or public political debates, Mbalula warned that senior party leaders must not use media platforms to denigrate colleagues without substantive evidence.

He said while he respects the "unmatched struggle history of elders" such as Dlamini-Zuma, he said must exercise "their advisory roles cautiously and guide the current leadership rather than launching unsubstantiated personal attacks".

NSFAS accuses former board member of stealing laptops meant for needy schools

In a significant move towards organisational accountability, employees of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have officially opened a criminal case of theft against a former board member for allegedly stealing laptops that were meant for under-resourced schools in the Eastern Cape.

The incident goes back to March, during an Eastern Cape Donation Drive, when the former board member, who was leading the scheme's official delegation, allegedly intercepted and kept ten laptops instead of delivering them to the pre-identified schools.

According to NSFAS, a total of 30 laptops had been earmarked for distribution across six high schools and each school would receive five laptops intended for communal student use.

NSFAS Administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula expressed shock and indignation over the allegations and questioned how a leader in an organisation that aims to assist economically deprived communities could commit such an act.

However, Mathebula highly commended the NSFAS staff for taking a stand and pursuing justice for the affected students.

"This act by our colleagues is exemplary. It testifies to the fact that we are turning the corner as an organisation, as employees are reclaiming their organisation from the grubby hands of those who have been manipulating it for their own self-enrichment while our children suffered the indignity wrought by poverty," Mathebula said.

He stressed the need for the scheme to strictly be associated with high-calibre leaders and employees.

Highlighting the harsh realities faced by children from impoverished backgrounds, Mathebula condemned the abuse of institutional power.

"It is therefore appalling to learn that someone used his position of privilege, being a board member, to steal from the same needy children. It doesn't get worse than that," he added.

Lamola threatens legal action over Dlamini-Zuma's election-buying claims

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and ANC NEC member Ronald Lamola has issued a strong demand to ANC veteran Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to publicly retract claims linking him to vote-buying at the party's 2017 elective conference.

This after Dlamini-Zuma's appearance on the African Renaissance Podcast, hosted by former EFF MP Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, during which she levelled explosive allegations against high-ranking ANC officials, claiming that illicit financial influence heavily dictated internal election outcomes.

Specifically, she accused Lamola and ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula of participating in vote-buying during the ANC's fity-fourth National Conference in 2017.

She also went on to accuse Mbalula of "dishing out money" openly at a clinic facility during the fifty-fifth National Conference in 2022 to secure his position and protect Cyril Ramaphosa's presidency.

Dlamini-Zuma alleged that a circulating audio recording directly implicated Lamola in these transactional activities.

Responding with an open letter, Lamola expressed "deep concern and disappointment" over the remarks made by Dlamini-Zuma, a leader he says he has "long held in high esteem throughout my years of political activism".

He categorically denied any involvement in vote-buying through phone calls, voice notes, or any other medium at any point in his career.

Lamola pointed out that his voice and distinctive manner of speech are widely recognised across the party's structures.

He argued that any "fair-minded individual" could easily discern that the voice on the audio recording does not belong to him.

While emphasising his respect for Dlamini-Zuma's liberation struggle credentials, Lamola made it clear that a formal retraction is necessary to avoid escalating the matter legally.

"I believe our movement has internal mechanisms and a culture of comradely engagement that should be exhausted before legal routes are pursued," Lamola stated. "It is not in my nature to turn every political disagreement into a courtroom battle."

He urged Dlamini-Zuma to reconsider her statements, and urged her to do the "honourable thing" and issue a public retraction and apology "in the interest of organisational discipline and unity".

Madlanga report recommends suspension of Shadrack Sibiya, others

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the extensive recommendations and referrals detailed in the Second Interim Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, also known as the Madlanga Commission.

Submitted to the President on May 29, the second report marks a pivotal advancement in uncovering systemic corruption, following the initial interim report delivered on December 17.

The Commission has recommended immediate disciplinary action and criminal investigations, potentially leading to prosecution against Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, Witness G, Sergeant Fannie Nkosi and Brown Mogotsi.

Beyond individual prosecutions, the Commission has called for a deep systemic cleanup.

The inquiry was originally sparked by damning allegations raised by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on July 6, 2025.

A final, comprehensive report is expected to conclude the inquiry on November 16.

The second interim report explicitly revisits the preliminary findings made against the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the first report.

Spokesperson to the President Vincent Magwenya said after hearing directly from the implicated parties, the Commission has confirmed nearly all of its original recommendations, citing strong prima facie evidence.

Additionally, the report introduces urgent new directives stemming from fresh evidence gathered since the beginning of 2026.

The latest report has directed the Office of the Inspector General for Intelligence, or an equivalent authorised body, to launch an immediate investigation into a suspected "off-the-books" operation within Crime Intelligence.

This specific unauthorised operation allegedly involved both Mogotsi and Witness G.

Magwenya explained that these decisive actions are driven by the Commission's strict legal mandates, noting Clause 10.4, which empowers the Commission to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent prosecution decisions based on unfolding evidence.

Clause 12, authorises the referral of any matter to law enforcement, government departments, or regulators for prosecution or separate inquiries.

Magwenya said the newly identified individuals and networks will be handed over to the SAPS special investigations task team, which was established immediately after the first interim report.

Godongwana responds to court judgment declaring PIC CEO's suspension invalid

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has noted the High Court judgment declaring the suspension of Public Investment Corporation (PIC) CEO Patrick Dlamini invalid and unlawful.

In a media statement, the Minister says this judgement vindicates the actions taken by the National Treasury and Cabinet to restore governance at South African's largest asset management institution.

"These actions were both good and necessary, triggered in part by the hasty removal of Mr Dlamini without due consultation and process," the statement says.

The Minister underscores that the PIC occupies a critical position within South Africa's financial system.

"As the country's largest asset manager and the custodian of a substantial portion of public sector retirement funds, trust in its governance is of systemic importance," the Minister says.

Newswire Reuters reported on August 4 that the South African High Court had declared Dlamini's suspension by the PIC board invalid, ordering his reinstatement at the helm of the embattled State asset manager.

The PIC's board suspended Dlamini last month after a whistleblower complaint against him, though it said at the time that the precautionary suspension did not amount to a finding of wrongdoing.

The High Court ruled that the board did not follow due process in suspending Dlamini, a copy of its decision showed.

South African private sector growth slows slightly in July, PMI shows

South Africa's private sector expanded for a second straight month in July, though at a slightly slower pace as weaker employment growth and renewed stock drawdowns offset a return to output growth, a business survey showed on Wednesday.

The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 50.3 in July from 50.5 in June, a survey by S&P Global showed.

The 50-mark separates growth from contraction.

Employment growth slowed sharply to a six-month low despite a first increase in backlogs of work since September. Supply chains remained stretched, with vendor delivery times lengthening for a seventh month, though the deterioration was the softest since February.

New orders contracted for a third consecutive month as cautious consumer spending, protests and clients switching to cheaper imports weighed on sales. Export demand provided some support, rising for a second straight month, though less strongly than in June.

However, the survey noted that South African businesses enjoyed more breathing room in July, following the cost squeeze over the second quarter, as a drop in fuel prices helped to lower the rate of input price inflation and reduce second-round wage effects.

"This supported a modest revival of business activity, although sales continued to be hampered by client caution and a difficult trading environment," said David Owen, Principal Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Output rose for the first time in three months, ending a two-month run of contraction, although the increase was only marginal.