South Africa’s current affairs, beyond the headline.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has used a wide-ranging interview on The Motherhood Network to set out how he believes local government should work, defend his position on immigration and argue that corruption and weak state capacity — rather than foreign nationals — sit at the heart of many of South Africa’s failures. The interview, hosted by Nandi Madida and published on 18 October, has drawn significant attention online. It forms part of The Motherhood Netwo

South Africa is heading into the 4 November local government elections under the shadow of a disturbing rise in suspected political assassinations, with researchers warning that the violence is increasingly tied not only to party rivalry, but to the value of local political office itself. At least 43 people were killed in 45 suspected political attacks between January and the end of September 2026, according to research by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised

Three police officers attached to Polokwane International Airport have been arrested in connection with allegations that they helped undocumented foreign nationals evade lawful processing after being intercepted near Polokwane. The officers, two men and a woman aged between 44 and 49, face charges of defeating the administration of justice and contravening section 49 of the Immigration Act. They were arrested by the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, assisted by the Pol

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has returned to work after a six-month precautionary suspension, telling senior officers that his priority is to restore focus, strengthen institutional integrity and lead the South African Police Service through a period of intense scrutiny. Masemola resumed his duties on 19 October after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his suspension following the withdrawal of criminal charges against him. Addressing colleagues at the T

North West businessman Suliman Carrim will remain in custody until 28 October after the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court postponed its decision on his bail application, in a case that has become as much about his conduct before the Madlanga Commission as it is about the circumstances of his arrest. Carrim, 49, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 16 October shortly before he was due to leave South Africa. He is facing a charge of contravening the Commissions Act after