The Weekend View

One woman has died, while her child and partner sustained serious burn wounds following a fire that destroyed between 13 and 14 shacks at the Swapo Informal Settlement in Copesville, Pietermaritzburg. KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma says he was contacted by a distressed community leader at around 3:30 this morning. Duma says teams from his office, provincial and national human settlements departments have been assigned to work with the Msunduzi Municipality to assist affected residents. He says the fire has caused further emotional and financial trauma for families already facing socio-economic challenges. Ndabezinhle Sibiya is the spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements.

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and alleged Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, has welcomed the final extension of its deadline announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Commission says the extension to 25 January 2027 will allow it to hear outstanding testimony and finalise its report. The Commission's Spokesperson is Jeremy Michaels

Police say two suspects have been arrested, while three others were fatally wounded following a 72-hour operation into the murder of two police officers in Libode, near Mthatha. The officers were killed while responding to a robbery at a spaza shop. Police say an AK47, three handguns and ammunition have been recovered. Charges including attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition are being investigated. Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana Explains 

For South Africa's landlords, few situations are as financially damaging as a tenant who stops paying rent but remains in the property. While their rental income has come to a stop, they'll still have to cover rates, levies, insurance and in some cases, monthly bond repayments. But even after cancelling the lease, the way South Africa's eviction laws are structured, it means that a landlord cannot simply remove the tenant or change the locks after months of non-payment.  According to Grant Smee, CEO of Only Realty Property Group, this is why proposed amendments to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, better known as PIE, will be closely watched by landlords across the country. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Grant Smee, CEO of Only Realty Property Group 

Applications for special votes for the 2026 Local Government Elections will open on Monday, the 21st of September. The IEC says the application period will close on the 12th of October at 5pm. Special votes are available to registered voters who cannot physically travel to their voting station, as well as essential service workers, media personnel and voters who can reach their voting station but cannot vote there on election day. Meanwhile, the IEC has published the final candidate lists, showing the ANC has no candidates in six municipalities. The Electoral Court has dismissed the ANC's challenge over 181 excluded candidates. The party says it intends to appeal. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo 

US President Donald Trump says he is banning three major news outlets – CNN, MS NOW and Politico – from the White House in his latest threat to the independent press. The move is almost ​certain to face legal challenges as free-speech experts said it conflicts with the US Constitution's First Amendment protections for free speech and a free press. Here is a snippet of President Trump taking a question over the ban. Here is a snippet of President Trump taking a question over the ban

The National Health Department has warned of the rapid increase in MPOX  cases, with 18 confirmed cases and one probable case recorded across South Africa. The department says the Western Cape has recorded the highest number of cases, while three have been reported in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu-Natal. Health officials say people who have been in close contact with an infected person are urged to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days and seek medical attention if they become ill. Ednah Baloyi - Director for Malaria and Vector-Borne Diseases at the National Health Department elaborates...

Disaster Management Teams in KwaZulu-Natal have been on standby for any eventuality overnight as persistent rains continue to batter various parts of the province. In eThekwini, disaster teams have opened the Isipingo Canal in order to prevent flooding along the R103 of the Industrial area. Mud slides have also been reported in Umsinga where stones have fallen onto the R33 road due to prolonged rainfall. Motorists have been warned to exercise caution on the roads while local residents are advised to keep away from low lying areas. Here is the spokesperson for the department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Siboniso Mngadi

Social movements including various sectors of society have expressed great displeasure and impatience towards law enforcement authorities setting deadlines for meaningful engagements aimed at effectively dealing with the murder of women and children. In Ekurhuleni, many took to the streets leading pickets at various police stations. This follows the discovery of a woman's body in Villa Liza in Boksburg on Thursday- bringing to NINE the number of women's bodies discovered across Ekurhuleni since July this year. We caught up with Convenor of the GBV Community Forum Keamogetswe Masike ahead of a planned shutdown next week in Ekurhuleni

Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder says coalition governments could become the new norm in municipalities after the November elections.  He was speaking in Pretoria today as the party launched its 2026 local government election manifesto, outlining a ten-point plan focused on service delivery, accountability and tackling maladministration.  Zara Groenewald reports.