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SAPS rejects 'false' claims over death of Nigerian national in custody

The South African Police Service has strongly refuted claims surrounding the death of a Nigerian national in Sunnyside, Pretoria, labelling the reports as misleading and baseless.

This response follows statements from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which alleged that two of its citizens were killed in South Africa, one purportedly by police officers during an interrogation. The Nigerian government has expressed severe concern over the incidents, linking them to a broader surge in anti-migrant protests and warning of unspecified actions if the situation is not addressed.

According to an official statement released by the SAPS, the tracking of the suspect was purely intelligence-driven and unrelated to public protests.

The SAPS said on 28 June, members of the SAPS Tshwane Drugs Team raided an apartment in Sunnyside, where a Nigerian national was arrested after being found in possession of illegal drugs.

The SAPS explained that while handcuffed and being escorted to a police vehicle, the suspect collapsed, and officers requested immediate medical assistance, but paramedics declared the man dead at the scene.

The recovered narcotics were officially booked into the SAPS 13 store as evidence.

Because the death occurred while the suspect was in police custody, standard oversight protocols were triggered immediately.

The SAPS highlighted that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate was called to the scene and authorities registered both an inquest case and a drug possession case.

Both a SAPS detective and an IPID investigator attended the postmortem examination.

The SAPS will continue leading the investigation pending the final results of the postmortem.

SAPS management has firmly rejected any attempts by social media users or foreign officials to link this custody death to anti-illegal immigrant protests, urging the public not to spread unverified information.

ConCourt strikes down refugee barriers, reaffirms non-refoulement

In a major victory for human rights advocates, the Constitutional Court of South Africa handed down a unanimous judgment on Tuesday, striking down highly controversial provisions of South Africa's immigration law.

The ruling concludes a fierce legal battle spearheaded by the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town and Lawyers for Human Rights, dealing a profound blow to restrictive border enforcement practices.

The apex court officially confirmed a 2025 Western Cape High Court declaration that multiple sections of the Refugees Act and its corresponding regulations are unconstitutional and invalid.

The case, Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town and Another v Minister of Home Affairs and Others (Case 126/2025), specifically targeted sections 4(1)(f), 4(1)(h), 4(1)(i), and 21(1B) of the Refugees Act, along with several subsections of Refugee Regulations GNR1707.

Under these contested provisions, asylum seekers entering South Africa via unofficial ports of entry or those failing to report to a refugee reception office within a strict five-day window were forced to demonstrate "good cause" before even being allowed to lodge an asylum application.

The Constitutional Court found that these mechanisms effectively created a legal trapdoor, potentially disqualifying vulnerable individuals from refugee status before the actual merits of their cases could ever be considered.

Justice Steven Majiedt reaffirmed the international legal bedrock of non-refoulement, which explicitly prohibits returning refugees or asylum seekers to countries where they risk facing persecution, torture, or death.

The Court decisively ruled that procedural non-compliance, such as missing a filing deadline or crossing a border at an unofficial point, cannot be used as an arbitrary checkpoint to block access to the asylum system.

Furthermore, the court criticised the "good cause" requirement for lacking clear definitions or uniform guidelines, leaving desperate individuals at the mercy of inconsistent administrative officials.

The Helen Suzman Foundation, which participated as an amicus curia (friend of the court) in both the High Court and Constitutional Court legs of the litigation, brought critical attention to how the law uniquely harmed minors.

The HSF argued that the procedural exclusions inflicted a "double harm" on the children of asylum seekers. If a parent failed to show "good cause", the child's independent status as a rights holder was effectively erased, locking them out of legal systems and vital social protections.

The Constitutional Court explicitly validated these arguments, confirming that the struck-down provisions unjustifiably limited children's fundamental constitutional rights and stripped them of the most basic protections they are entitled to while residing in South Africa.

The judgment did not hold back in its criticism of the government's legal defence. Majiedt reprimanded the Department of Home Affairs for advancing unsupported and sweeping allegations concerning Afghan and Bangladeshi nationals being heavily involved in human trafficking networks.

The apex court sternly warned State officials against leveraging "rhetoric that risks being perceived as xenophobic or racially charged", stressing that such arguments distort broader public narratives and place refugee communities in direct peril.

Reflecting its dissatisfaction with how the State handled the case, the Court scolded the respondents for litigating "exceptionally poorly" and slapped the department with an aggressive cost order, requiring them to pay the full legal fees of the applicants.

The DHA formally noted the decision, stating that it respects the authority of the Constitutional Court. Department officials confirmed they would study the judgment thoroughly to analyse its full regulatory implications before drafting an altered legislative pathway.

"We remain committed to protecting the integrity of South Africa's immigrati...

Nigeria says two citizens killed as anti-migrant violence surged in South Africa

Nigeria said two of its citizens were killed in South Africa, one of them by police, during a surge in anti-migrant violence, and threatened to take unspecified action if authorities did not address the situation.

There was no immediate response from South Africa's government, which has contested some similar accounts from other countries. The main police watchdog said it was investigating the report.

Nigeria's foreign ministry said on Sunday one man was killed in front of his shop in the northeastern city of eMalahleni by unidentified criminals.

It gave no more details on the incident, which it said took place on Sunday, June 28 — on a weekend when tensions were building up ahead of nationwide anti-migrant rallies last week.

The Nigerian ministry said another man, Emeka Iroegbu, was killed by police officers in Pretoria during an interrogation the same day. It did not say whether the incident was linked to the unrest.

South Africa's Independent Police Investigative Directorate, an oversight body, said it had received a report on the incident last week. "Our investigation is underway," the body's spokesperson, Lizzy Suping, said on Monday.

South Africa deployed its army to bolster security during the protests, which were mostly peaceful but at times turned violent.

Vigilantes have attacked foreign nationals and looted foreign-owned shops on numerous occasions in the last few months, as South Africans blame immigrants for problems such as crime and unemployment. Migrant rights groups say foreigners are being used as scapegoats for deep-rooted problems.

Mozambique said that five of its citizens were killed in xenophobic attacks in late May. South Africa said the number was only two.

Ghana said last week one of its citizens was fatally wounded in a shooting during the anti-immigrant demonstrations. South Africa said his killing was not related to the protests and accused Ghana of spreading misinformation.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks against migrants. Police said they arrested 900 people during last week's protests.

Nigeria's foreign ministry said on Sunday: "We wish to place the Government of South Africa on notice that if the situation continues to persist, all options remain on the table, some of which will be activated if the uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance... against foreigners is not addressed."

"The continuing pattern of such terrible incidents is clearly evidence of complicity on the part of security operatives... which raises the question of state responsibility under international law," the ministry added.

DA demands immediate lifestyle audit following Dina Pule's controversial return to Cabinet

A fierce political battle has ignited following President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent Cabinet reshuffle, which saw the controversial return of Dina Pule as the new Social Development Minister.

The DA has formally written to the director-general in the Presidency and secretary to Cabinet, demanding an immediate, comprehensive lifestyle audit of the newly appointed Minister. Conversely, the ANC Women's League has fiercely defended the appointment, praising Pule's leadership credentials.

The DA completely rejected and condemned Ramaphosa's decision, declaring Pule utterly unfit to hold office. The opposition party pointed directly to her track record of unethical conduct, which previously led to her removal from Cabinet in disgrace.

DA spokesperson on Social Development Nazley Sharif highlighted the severity of Pule's past transgressions, which include serious findings of maladministration by the Public Protector, criminal investigations and misleading Parliament, a formal reprimand by the Speaker for bringing Parliament into disrepute and unlawful payments totalling R10-million.

Sharif emphasised that Pule previously facilitated a scheme allowing her boyfriend to unlawfully benefit from R6-million in taxpayer funds.

"For this reason, no one can trust Dina Pule with State resources, and the DA demands that upon her coming into office a lifestyle audit must immediately be conducted," Sharif stated. "This will provide a baseline upon which her Ministerial tenure may be measured."

The DA vowed to protect social assistance beneficiaries, noting that Pule was previously fired by former President Jacob Zuma because her conduct was too severe to tolerate.

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

In stark contrast, the ANCWL warmly welcomed the appointment, expressing absolute confidence in Pule's leadership abilities and governance acumen.

ANCWL secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba dismissed public criticism and media reports attempting to vilify Pule over past transgressions. Aligning with the sentiments of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, Nqaba stated that Pule successfully underwent a rigorous corrective process 13 years ago.

The league highlighted Pule's strong political and governance profile.

"Her wealth of experience in governance makes her an exemplary candidate for this position," Nqaba opined. "We are convinced that Comrade Dina will make a meaningful contribution to the country's social development, and we pledge our full support to her."

The ANCWL concluded that her return to the executive represents a significant milestone for gender equality and the advancement of women into strategic State roles.

Home Affairs boosts border force with 301 new immigration officers

The South African Department of Home Affairs has initiated a major recruitment drive to hire 301 additional immigration officers, aiming to drastically bolster the country's border security and law enforcement capabilities.

This deployment addresses a long-standing personnel deficit that has strained the department's capacity to police national immigration laws effectively.

Currently, the department operates with a skeleton force of just 868 frontline immigration officers tasked with managing compliance across the entire country.

Through extensive internal financial reprioritisation, achieved despite severe, ongoing budgetary constraints, the department is expanding its operational workforce to 1 169 officers.

This targeted expansion will immediately increase the nation's frontline enforcement capacity by 35%.

This recruitment drive integrates into the broader "Home Affairs @ home" reform framework. The strategy focuses on building a secure, digital, and fit-for-purpose immigration system that strictly aligns with national interests.

The modernisation plans aim to implement modern systems, such as the Electronic Travel Authorisation, to seamlessly verify and enforce lawful entry at all ports of entry.

It will also invest in physical, on-the-ground law enforcement personnel to ensure statutory compliance across all provinces.

The department is actively collaborating with the National Treasury to source additional funding. These secured resources will finance ongoing digital transformation projects and capacity-building initiatives.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber emphasises that this initiative represents a critical turning point for national security.

"For too long, just 868 frontline Immigration Officers have been responsible for enforcing our immigration laws across the entire country," Schreiber stated. "By appointing 301 additional Immigration Officers, we are now making one of the biggest investments in immigration enforcement capacity in years, strengthening our ability to uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of South Africa's immigration system."

With job specifications and requirements being finalised, the department expects to open application portals soon to rapidly onboard the cohort.

AfriForum launches PAIA application over grim municipal stats

Lobby group AfriForum has launched a formal Promotion of Access to Information Act application targeting the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, following the Auditor-General's (AG's) 2024/25 consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes.

The legal application seeks to uncover records concerning the appointment, oversight, and accountability of senior municipal officials across South Africa's local governments.

The move follows a scathing municipal audit report that exposed widespread financial distress, infrastructure collapse, and a systemic lack of consequences for poorly performing administrators.

AfriForum's application comes on the heels of the AG's findings, which it says paint a grim picture of an ongoing accountability crisis. The AG report highlights that only 39 out of 257 municipalities (15%) managed to achieve a clean audit.

Further stagnation gripped 57% of municipalities compared with the 2020/21 cycle, while 15% regressed, including three major metropolitan municipalities.

Operational uncertainty faces 54 municipalities, while 62 are in severe financial distress. A total of 116 municipalities adopted completely unfunded budgets, illegally committing to billions in spending without revenue sources.

The report further notes that municipalities spent R1.6-billion on private financial consultants, yet 76% of those municipalities still submitted financial reports marred by material errors.

"Eskom debt continues to spiral, audit outcomes remain poor, critical infrastructure is collapsing, and debt relief programmes have largely failed to restore municipalities to financial sustainability," AfriForum states.

A core driver behind the decline of local government is the appointment of politically connected individuals to high-ranking administrative positions, the organisation believes.

Rather than staffing municipalities with qualified professionals, AfriForum argues that failing officials are simply shielded from accountability.

AfriForum's adviser for local government affairs Deidré Steffens criticises the lack of gatekeeping in municipal hiring.

"Instead of ensuring that municipalities are managed by suitably qualified and competent professionals, officials with questionable track records often appear to move from one municipality to another without meaningful accountability."

To uncover the mechanics behind this systemic failure, AfriForum's PAIA application demands that Cogta hand over comprehensive records, such as the records of previously dismissed municipal officials and ongoing disciplinary proceedings.

It wants inquiries into unlawful appointments, competency assessments, and exemptions from basic qualification requirements, and detailed files on financial misconduct investigations and State interventions in failing municipalities and compliance data regarding the Municipal Debt Relief Programme.

The group also wants evidence of municipal corruption and maladministration cases formally referred to law enforcement agencies. AfriForum's goal with the PAIA application is to establish whether State oversight mechanisms are working or if they have completely broken down, it says.

AfriForum emphasises that taxpayers have a fundamental right to know how their local governments are being run and by whom.

"Citizens deserve to know whether officials responsible for poor governance are being held accountable or simply being recycled through the local government system," Steffens states.

"They also deserve transparency on whether appointment processes are being properly monitored and whether intervention measures are producing any meaningful results."

DA wants inquiry over high commissioner meeting with Zuma, Gupta in India

The DA has called on International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola to launch an urgent departmental inquiry into whether South Africa's High Commissioner to India Anil Sooklal received official written instructions meet with with former President Jacob Zuma and fugitive businessman Ajay Gupta in India.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni openly reprimanded Sooklal for hosting the pair, however, the narrative shifted during a subsequent parliamentary portfolio committee meeting, where data emerged suggesting Sooklal acted under direct written orders from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

DA Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith, questioned the contradiction and said his party views the incident as a severe breach of diplomatic protocol and a sign of institutional capture within South Africa's foreign service.

The DA maintains that if Dirco issued instructions to formally receive a "corruption-accused fugitive" alongside the former president, it represents a "subversion of South African foreign policy".

The party wants Lamola to investigate the origin of the alleged written instructions and if Sooklal acted without permission, calling for immediate disciplinary action against him if he did.

The DA asserted that if Lamola or top department officials authorised the reception, they must be removed from their posts.

The DA is submitting a targeted batch of written parliamentary questions to Lamola.

The party emphasises that State resources and foreign missions must not be used to accommodate individuals linked to State capture, and further argued that allowing such diplomatic engagements compromises South Africa's commitment to the rule of law on the international stage.

South Africa deploys troops to bolster security during anti-migrant protests

South Africa has deployed more than 3 000 soldiers nationwide to bolster security and support police this month during anti-migrant protests that organisers have vowed to hold every week, a letter signed by the president showed on Friday.

Protesters marched across cities on Tuesday, with some demonstrations hit by violence, and an anti-migrant movement says it will march again every Thursday to press its demands for the government to take a tougher stance on undocumented foreign nationals.

In the letter sent to the parliamentary speaker, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the deployment of 3 405 members of the South African National Defence Force began on June 28 and would cost an estimated 54.6-million rand ($3.37-million).

"Members of the SANDF ... will be on standby for any eventualities," said the letter, which was published by parliament.

Thousands of demonstrators draped in national flags, some wielding wooden weapons, took to the streets on Tuesday. The protests were mainly peaceful, but a handful descended into violence and looting of shops.

Police arrested more than 900 people for offences including immigration violations, public violence, robbery and harbouring undocumented migrants. Soldiers were deployed to an inner-city part of Johannesburg where many migrants stay.

The protests followed months of unrest that have drawn international criticism as foreigners have been driven from their homes and seen their businesses and property vandalised.

Immigrants are blamed for taking jobs, driving crime and putting pressure on public services, claims that social scientists say lack evidence.

The immigrant population stands at about 3-million or about 4% of the total, according to StatsSA, a relatively low share by global standards.

Hill-Lewis defends GNU but warns ANC over mandate

In his first major address since assuming the leadership of the DA, Geordin Hill-Lewis has declared that South Africa has entered a "second transition" that demands a "fundamentally new type of political movement".

Speaking in Sandton on Thursday, Hill-Lewis called for an "honest, unvarnished assessment" of post-1994 politics.

He framed the upcoming era as a critical shift away from the apartheid-era legacy of "organised dependency" and subjecthood, urging a return to the collective, self-determined future South Africans chose in the 1990s.

Addressing the practical question of why the DA governs alongside the ANC, Hill-Lewis defended the Government of National Unity as the only viable choice to block "destructive populists".

However, he warned that the ANC must accept that it did not win an outright mandate, but rather a mandate to negotiate and compromise.

"The alternative was to allow destructive populists into power," Hill-Lewis stated. "We could not, and will never allow that. We were also determined to show South Africa what the DA can do in government, and we have had real successes in putting the citizen at the centre of policymaking."

While acknowledging that the DA has not always got everything right, he drew a sharp line on accountability.

"Our worth isn't measured by the mistakes we make – it is measured by how quickly we identify and correct them. Under my leadership, the DA will not tolerate poor performance. Because my first loyalty is to the Constitution and to the citizens of this country."

Hill-Lewis issued a stern warning to his coalition partners, asserting that the ANC must accept that it no longer holds an exclusive mandate to govern. The 2024 election, he argued, was a mandate to negotiate, compromise, and share decision-making.

"On business licensing, on industrial strategy, on the review of BEE – the ANC has proceeded as though the election result meant nothing. We will not accept that," he warned.

Moving forward, Hill-Lewis announced that the DA will not remain silent when the ANC refuses to consult. The party intends to make its internal positions within the GNU fully public, he added.

"This is not meant as a threat," he clarified. "It is a matter of basic respect for democracy. We have a mandate from the citizens who voted for us, and we are honour-bound to tell them what we are doing with their trust."

Explaining his decision to remain outside the national cabinet, Hill-Lewis emphasised his complete independence from the State executive.

"I chose to remain outside the Government of National Unity for the simple reason of independence. I do not owe my position to President Cyril Ramaphosa. I owe it to the millions of people who voted for us and to the millions who have not yet voted for us."

He spoke candidly about the emotional weight of encountering black voters who he said appreciate the DA's governance but are not yet ready to cast their vote for the party.

"This cuts me deep," Hill-Lewis admitted. "But it also inspires me to do better. To build a truly citizen-centred party in which every person feels welcome – no matter where they come from, the colour of their skin or the language they speak. A party that is truly for all the people."

Looking ahead, the DA leader expressed deep optimism about a growing class of young South Africans who reject State dependency.

"The DA, under my leadership, will be a party for them," he promised. "We want you to thrive, for your lives to be better, and we will be the party of your flourishing."

Hill-Lewis spoke about an audacious goal: leveraging this new approach to transform the DA into the largest political party in South Africa and the leader of a future national coalition government.

"I know that this is an ambitious goal. But I believe we can achieve it if we build the right kind of party... But none of that matters if we do not move with the urgency that this moment demands. Before I close, I want to s...

Johannesburg faces R2.1bn funding gap as its bills mount

Johannesburg is starting a new financial year with a multibillion-rand budget that's not fully funded, potentially deepening a crisis that's already left it unable to pay for power and fuel supplies.

South Africa's biggest city is facing an unfunded budget gap of about R2.1-billion for the year starting July 1, according to a framework seen by Bloomberg News. The National Treasury attributed the shortfall to city revenue projections that appear overstated relative to audited results, according to the document.

The metro forecasts an overall budget deficit of R7-billion for this fiscal year.

The Treasury advised city authorities to narrow the gap by improving revenue collection and rationalizing the 6-kiloliter free water allowance for non-indigent households. It also recommended resolving affordability concerns over the second phase of a personnel finance agreement, which requires a binding decision by the city council before the final budget can be approved, the framework shows.

The Treasury declined to comment, citing confidentiality, while the city didn't respond to multiple requests for comment.

Johannesburg is on the verge of financial collapse, owing hundreds of millions of dollars to state power and water utilities and facing looming power cuts due to unpaid bills. South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has also threatened to stop 8 billion rand in state funding because the city signed a R10.3-billion wage deal that he says is illegal and unaffordable.

Run by an African National Congress-led alliance, Johannesburg has descended deeper into dysfunction in recent months and is expected to be among the fiercest battlegrounds in the November 4 municipal vote.

The deterioration in its finances has alarmed business and the government because the city is South Africa's economic hub, contributing about 16% to the nation's gross domestic product. A financial collapse would reverberate across nation, impacting growth and tax revenue.

The city council discussed the turnaround framework on June 24, with several councilors stressing implementation is key to recovery and calling for metro authorities to provide regular, transparent updates.

The blueprint showed the city had just five days of cash to cover costs in March, far short of the Treasury's minimum 30-day benchmark for the new financial year. It comprises six pillars including measures to protect and grow the city's revenue base, strengthen financial governance and stabilize labor relations.

Godongwana's warning that he may withdraw funding adds to a litany of mismanagement and corruption scandals that have beset the city. If he carries out the threat, Johannesburg's finances are likely to deteriorate further, possibly requiring the appointment of an administrator by the provincial government.

Moody's Ratings in April placed the city's Ba3 credit rating on review for a possible downgrade after the Johannesburg Stock Exchange suspended the municipality's debt securities over its failure to publish audited financial statements.

Last week, the city repaid a R1.44-billion bond, prioritising investors amid its financial struggles.