Top Stories
SAPS IN CRISIS ANALYSIS: 72 hours of cop controversies: From Masemola’s court appearance to suspended colleague’s claims
South Africa’s police experienced a wild 72 hours, and that’s really saying something. National Commissioner Fannie Masemola has appeared in the dock a day after another senior colleague did the same. Meanwhile, a suspended provincial police boss held a ‘rogue’ press conference and levelled cover-up claims.
AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY: Justice department moves to shield court officials from cameras after Malema’s post-sentencing outburst
Whether his comments and insults were meant as threats or not, judicial authorities are not taking them lightly, and EFF leader Julius Malema’s remarks following his sentencing could have a lasting impact on court proceedings.
ACCOUNTABILITY FAILURE: Déjà vu in the Bay — NMB again faces funding cutoff amid governance chaos
Nelson Mandela Bay is again under threat of losing National Treasury grant funding after missing key deadlines and failing to submit required financial governance documents.
JSC rescues SA judiciary’s reputation with Mbenenge ruling, but stumbles over identity politics
The Judicial Service Commission rectifies the Mbenenge misconduct decision, enhancing the reputation of the judiciary, but struggles with identity politics in judicial appointments, undermining merit-based evaluations.
Why SA’s municipal decay is a followership crisis
Rather than the failures of incumbent municipal leadership, the deeper, more pressing matter confronting local governance in South Africa is the apparent lack of willingness and/or ability among South Africa’s citizen followers to vote competent and ethical leadership into power.
TRADE DYNAMICS: China’s promise of duty-free access to SA fruit is a decade-long gamble
South Africa successfully negotiated for five stone fruits from South Africa to be exported to China duty-free, but such access for other fruits could take up to 10 years.
The Great Decoupling — why global markets are shrugging off war and fear
Global markets have shrugged off both war and tariffs. For the moment, the optimists are winning.
BUMPY RIDE: Creecy calls for calm – can the dragons snapping at SAA’s heels be tamed?
You know the story about the state-owned national carrier that was turning a corner in its finances, and then the CEO who steered the company away from business rescue resigned before he could present to the parliamentary portfolio committee? Buckle up for the turbulent times.
BUSINESS REFLECTION: After the Bell: Have you thought about ditching your car yet?
As fuel costs soar, it’s probably time to get real about our dependency on the internal combustion engine in urban South Africa, and potentially shifting to alternatives. Think solar power, scooters and a much quieter Sandton Drive.
Peru election chief resigns as vote count drags on
LIMA, April 21 (Reuters) – The head of Peru’s electoral authority, Piero Corvetto, resigned on Tuesday pressure grows over the long delayed results from the country’s April 12 general election.
Meta to start capturing employee mouse movements, keystrokes for AI training data
NEW YORK, April 21 (Reuters) – Meta META.O is installing new tracking software on U.S.-based employees’ computers to capture mouse movements, clicks and keystrokes for use in training its artificial intelligence models, part of a broad initiative to build AI agents that can perform work tasks autonomously, the company told staffers in internal memos seen by Reuters.
CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT: Will the controversial lease of a municipal transformer come back to bite Bay mayor?
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe’s admission in Parliament that the R25m transformer lease to Coega Steels was irregular has triggered a council motion calling for consequence management, intensifying political pressure over the controversial deal.
DARK DAYS: R35m streetlight scandal: Calls grow for forensic probe into NMB electricity department
Nelson Mandela Bay is facing renewed scrutiny as politicians demand a full forensic investigation after 21 officials are implicated in a scandal involving R35m in mismanaged streetlight contracts.

News24 | Three Gauteng municipalities linked to Klip River catchment pollution criminally charged
Criminal proceedings are at an advanced stage against the City of Johannesburg, the City of Ekurhuleni and Mogale City over wastewater pollution linked to the Klip River system, the Department of Water and Sanitation has confirmed.
News24 | Here are the Powerball and Powerball Plus results
Here are the Powerball and Powerball Plus results.

Severe storms with heavy rain, strong winds and lightning expected
Curious about what the skies hold? Discover the latest outlook for all nine provinces across South Africa this Wednesday, 22 April 2026.

Ramaphosa appoints South Africa’s new ambassador to United Nations – report
According to reports, a seasoned diplomat will represent South Africa at the United Nations in New York during a critical year for global politics.

News24 | Extortion threat hits rubbish collection in Cape Town’s informal settlements
Extortion threats are affecting rubbish collection in informal settlements in Nyanga, Philippi, and Samora Machel, according to the City of Cape Town.
News24 | France is in talks to lend SA almost R2bn for cities
France is in talks to lend South Africa money to support a programme to regenerate its rundown cities, the European country’s ambassador said.