Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has accused unidentified adversaries of attempting to undermine preparations for the G20 Leaders' Summit after a widespread electricity failure affected critical government installations in Tshwane. The outage disrupted neighborhoods including Groenkloof, Muckleneuk, Arcadia, and the Union Buildings, prompting the rapid deployment of repair crews who successfully restored service.
Lesufi characterized the incident as part of a pattern targeting strategic infrastructure during nationally significant events. He emphasized that provincial authorities have assembled resources and personnel to counter such disruptions ahead of the gathering at Nasrec Expo Centre. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia joined...
Electricity has been restored to major areas of Tshwane after a widespread outage disrupted the central business district and surrounding neighborhoods, including the Union Buildings, just ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit. City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed technicians were dispatched immediately to investigate the power failure, which affected Groenkloof, Muckleneuk, Arcadia, Sunnyside, and several other districts.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi attributed the blackout to potential sabotage by unidentified adversaries attempting to undermine preparations for the international gathering. He emphasized the province's resilience in responding to such incidents and maintaining operational readiness for the summit.
Authorities...
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has clarified that violence researcher Mary de Haas holds no employment or professorial position at the institution following her parliamentary testimony regarding alleged criminal infiltration within police services. Corporate Relations Executive Normah Zondo confirmed that de Haas retired from the former University of Natal in 2002 as a senior lecturer in social anthropology and currently serves only as an unpaid honorary research fellow in the School of Law.
Lawmakers questioned de Haas about her credentials after she appeared before an ad hoc committee investigating police corruption claims, where she advocated for dissolving the Political Killings Task Team over alleged misconduct. Members...
Transnet has completed production of its 200th Traxx 23E locomotive as part of a broader initiative to modernize freight rail infrastructure across South Africa. Group Chief Executive Michelle Phillips described the milestone as evidence of sustained investment aimed at reducing business costs and supporting economic expansion through enhanced freight capacity.
The electric locomotives, manufactured domestically by Transnet Engineering with over 60 percent local content, represent progress in a 240-unit procurement program expected to conclude by mid-2026. Production accelerated after operational improvements introduced round-the-clock manufacturing schedules and resolved supply chain bottlenecks, delivering 43 units during the...
UEFA has approved Barcelona's request to host Champions League fixtures at their partially renovated Camp Nou venue, ending more than two years of playing elsewhere. The Spanish champions will face Eintracht Frankfurt at the historic ground following its reopening against Athletic Bilbao in domestic competition.
Construction setbacks and licensing issues repeatedly forced Barcelona to delay its planned return, including embarrassing early-season matches at its 6,000-capacity training facility. The club has been using the 55,000-seat Olympic stadium on Montjuic hill as its temporary home.
Camp Nou will initially accommodate 45,401 spectators before expanding to 105,000 capacity once the upper sections are finished. The prolonged...
South African citrus producers achieved record exports of 203.4 million cartons during the 2025 season, representing a 22 percent increase over the previous year and surpassing industry projections. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen credited growers and workers for navigating logistical obstacles and weather challenges to reach the milestone, which generated approximately R35 billion in revenue while supporting around 140,000 jobs across production and distribution networks.
Valencia oranges led shipment volumes with 79.3 million cartons, followed by significant gains in soft citrus varieties, lemons, and navels. European Union markets absorbed the largest share of exports despite reduced volumes, while China recorded a 30 percent...
South Africa's health department has approved adding lenacapavir to its Essential Medicines List following regulatory clearance that made the nation the first on the continent to authorize this injectable HIV prevention treatment. The twice-yearly shot demonstrated exceptional efficacy in clinical trials, achieving complete protection among female participants and reducing infection risk by 96 percent in studies involving men and transgender individuals.
Authorities plan to begin distribution as early as March 2026, targeting a population where approximately 7.8 million people currently live with HIV. While the medication costs around R700,000 annually in wealthier markets, generic licensing agreements could reduce prices to...
CAF has dismissed Orlando Pirates' protest against FC St Eloi Lupopo while imposing fines totaling approximately R430,000 on the South African club for misconduct during their Champions League preliminary round encounter. The continental football body confirmed that disputed Congolese players Molia and Kashala were properly registered and eligible, rejecting claims they should have been barred from competing in the tie that ended 3-1 on aggregate in Lupopo's favor.
The disciplinary committee penalized Pirates around R344,000 for spraying chemicals in the visiting team's locker room and another R86,000 for denying proper accreditation. While CAF maintained coach Guy Bukasa Misakabu's six-month suspension from an unrelated under-20...
More than 600 undocumented foreign nationals were detained during a joint enforcement operation in Mayfair, according to Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku. The sweep involved metro police, national law enforcement, and immigration authorities, resulting in the apprehension of over 400 men and 217 women who are being processed under legal protocols.
Tshwaku emphasized that undocumented populations pose security risks to the city while highlighting dangerous overcrowding conditions in targeted buildings. Officials identified confined residential spaces housing excessive numbers of people as potential catastrophes due to fire hazards and health violations. The action forms part of Johannesburg's broader enforcement...
