Update@Noon

Tiyani Hlungwani , former crime intelligence finance and administration manager is currently giving evidence before the Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations of criminality in the criminal justice system. He says he became a target after refusing to process a fraudulent 45 million rand payment for a "grabber machine",  allegedly linked to the ANC's 2017 Nasrec conference..

President Ramaphosa has directed the police minister and national commissioner to form a special task team for immediate probes into implicated SAPS and Ekurhuleni Metro officials to restore public trust, as the presidency has welcomed the Madlanga Commission's interim report. On the 13th of July 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System. This followed serious allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about the existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated the criminal justice system in South Africa.  The Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC, submitted its interim report on the 17th of December 2025 in line with the delivery timelines that had been determined by the President. The presidency says president Ramaphosa has studied the interim report and accepts its recommendations.  

The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) in KwaZulu-Natal says it's concerned about the late payment of salaries to municipal workers in the Impendle Local Municipality. The party has also raised alarm by the failure to remit third-party deductions on its members. The municipality is facing severe financial distress following its failure to pay employee salaries for January 2026. According to the Cogta, this is a repeated inability to meet financial obligations, as this follows a similar default in May 2025 and a narrowly averted crisis in December 2025. SAMWU KZN Provincial Secretary Nokubonga Dinga reacts.   

ANC Ekurhuleni says it's devastated and in disbelief following the passing of Ekurhuleni MMC for Roads and Transport, Andile Mngwevu. The party adds that the recovery of his remains marks closure to a long and painful chapter of searching.. Mngwevu died when his car was swept away by floods in Chókwè, Mozambique.He was with three other people.After a week-long search and rescue operation, their mortal remains were recovered on Tuesday. The ANC’s Ekurhuleni Regional Secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi says they are deeply saddened by Mngwevu’s passing. ANC Ekurhuleni Regional Secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi reacts 

 The Ad Hoc committee investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the criminal  justice system says, North West business man Brown Mogotsi, wants to appear before it on conditions. The Committee says he wants to be protected by his own personal security, but must be funded by Parliament. Mogotsi was initially schedule to testify before the committee this week. 

COSATU has described the delayed salaries at Impendle Local Municipality in KZN as a serious crisis, calling on the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to intervene urgently and ensure workers are paid. The municipality is facing severe financial distress following its failure to pay employee salaries for January 2026. According to the Cogta, this is a repeated inability to meet financial obligations, as this follows a similar default in May 2025 and a narrowly averted crisis in December 2025. The department's assessment confirms a critical liquidity crisis. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) national spokesperson Zanele Sabela reacts. 

The IFP in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature says it fully supports and applauds the call by His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini to rename the KwaZulu-Natal Province to KwaZulu. In addition, the party says His Majesty’s call should further empower the Provincial Government, particularly the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, to urgently review and correct indigenous place names that have been incorrectly written or distorted over time.  Blessed Gwala, IFP National Chairperson

Western Cape police have launched a manhunt for a gunman after three men between the ages of 40 and 45 were shot and killed in Gordon’s Bay on Tuesday evening. Police say official reports indicate that the deceased men were in the parking lot at Gordon’s Bay Mall at approximately 21:30 when unknown gunmen travelling in a vehicle approached them and shots were fired. Two victims died inside the vehicle and another outside the car. The suspects later fled in their vehicle. Police say they have registered a triple murder docket for investigation. The incident is believed to be gang-related. Brigadier Novela Potelwa explains. 

South Africa welcomed just under 10.5 million visitors between January and December 2025 an increase of 17.6 percent compared to the previous year. The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille says this is the highest figure preceding that of 2018. She says between 2019 and 2025 the number of visitors coming into the country have gone up by 26 percent. De Lille was speaking at a media briefing, reflecting on 2025 tourism and the road to Meetings Africa 2026 in Pretoria this afternoon...

Defence witness Makhosonke Zungu is back on the witness stand at the Senzo Meyiwa trial at the High Court in Pretoria.  On Monday Zungu told the court he didn't come to testify on behalf of the state as he was uncomfortable with what they allegedly wanted him to say in court. Zungu has since been called to testify at the High Court in Pretoria on behalf of the defence - where five men are on trial for the 2014 murder of the Bafana Bafana captain. SABC's Pearl Magubane has the details