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6 days ago
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News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day.
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature.
DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille addressed a crowd of supporters in Dobsonville, Soweto, where she announced several ActionSA councillors crossing the floor.
Mashaba ‘is a dictator’: ActionSA councillor defects to DA, along with Soweto branches
- Former ActionSA PR councillor Mandla Nyaqela defected to the DA, accusing ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba of running a “dictatorship”.
- ActionSA dismissed Nyaqela’s claims, stating his departure was due to performance concerns and pending disciplinary actions.
- DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille is poised to join the Johannesburg council as a PR councillor, following Bea Campbell-Cloete’s election as Ward 102 councillor.
A widely shared image of a female “SANDF soldier” asleep with a rifle has racked up tens of thousands of views after being posted by a right-wing, racially charged X account.
Is this a crime-fighting SANDF soldier caught sleeping on duty? Here’s what we found
- A widely shared image of a female “SANDF soldier” asleep with a rifle is likely AI-generated, showing visual anomalies like a non-existent flag and mismatched boots.
- The image is circulating on social media and WhatsApp with captions framing it as evidence of military decline and state failure, reinforcing political tropes.
- Despite being an obvious fabrication, the image continues to circulate, highlighting how easily misinformation can spread, especially when tied to political anxieties.
The Madlanga Commission is considering stricter measures after delays linked to evidence involving Brown Mogotsi and his alleged handler.
Phando Jikelo/RSA Parliament
Brown Mogotsi’s ‘handler’ sparks Madlanga Commission ire with ‘unacceptable’ sick note
- The Madlanga Commission is investigating claims of corruption and criminal infiltration within the justice system, focusing on accusations made by KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
- A key witness, an alleged Crime Intelligence “handler”, postponed his testimony using a questionable sick note, prompting the commission to consider stricter measures for verifying medical excuses.
- The commission is scrutinising the role of Brown Mogotsi, who claimed to be a Crime Intelligence agent, and his relationship with the handler, particularly regarding allegations of soliciting money and spreading misinformation.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter at a News24-Standard Bank budget event in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
‘One bad decision can undo everything’: Kieswetter’s warning on SARS successor
- Outgoing SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter emphasised the importance of appointing a successor with integrity to maintain economic reforms and prevent the capture of SARS by political interests.
- Kieswetter highlighted the government’s “execution problems” in combating the illicit economy, which has grown significantly and costs the country billions in potential tax revenue.
- BLSA CEO Busisiwe Mavuso expressed concerns about potential “state capture 2.0”, but acknowledged that reforms have positioned South Africa differently than during the Zuma era, unlocking private investment in key sectors.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Edward Kieswetter arrive at the 2026 Budget Speech at Nieuwmeester Dome on 25 February 2026 in Cape Town.
Ziyaad Douglas/ Gallo Images
Mpumelelo Mkhabela | State turns to private sector, but risks new form of state capture
- The South African state is unburdening itself of responsibilities due to being overloaded and lacking capacity, leading to poor delivery and increased debt.
- The government is increasingly relying on public-private partnerships (PPPs) to tap into the private sector’s skills and money, especially in areas where the state has weakened.
- While PPPs can be revolutionary, there’s a danger of “legalised state capture” by private interests if regulations lack safeguards, clear accountability, and responsibility allocation.
Kagiso Rabada strikes.
Prakash Singh/Getty Images
FIRST TAKE | Proteas have the synergy and punch to break World Cup curse
- The Proteas secured a dominant nine-wicket victory against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup Super Eight, boosting their semi-final chances.
- Aiden Markram’s explosive batting and Lungi Ngidi’s consistent wicket-taking have been key to the Proteas’ success in the tournament.
- The Proteas’ comprehensive performance against the West Indies suggests they have a strong chance of breaking their World Cup curse this year.
Access to weight-loss medicines like Ozempic and Mounjaro remains limited in SA.
Peter Dazeley/Getty Images
Obesity medicines, like Ozempic, are needed in SA’s public sector. Can our government provide them?
- Access to weight-loss medicines like Ozempic and Mounjaro is limited in South Africa due to high costs, creating inequity between those who can afford them and those who medically need them.
- The WHO urges countries to provide equitable access to GLP-1 receptor agonists, prioritising clinical need over affordability, to reduce weight-related illnesses and deaths.
- While generic versions of these medicines are expected to lower prices in the coming years, the South African government is considering including GLP-1s on the National Essential Medicines List to improve public sector access.
*These summaries were written with the support of Gemini Pro AI.
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