Your Wednesday top stories | Treasury slammed, Home Affairs extends hours & SAMWU affiliates in court

Slain Lichtenburg cop Eunice Nortman laid to rest

Actress Asavela Mqokiyana arrested for clocking 198km/h

'This thing is out of our hands': SANTACO can't guarantee safety amid Cape taxi violence

Government’s finance watchdog sharply criticised the National Treasury over its handling of distressed municipalities. Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs extended its operating hours ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

In other legal developments, 14 South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) affiliates are due in court over charges of inciting public violence.

Govt’s finance watchdog criticises Treasury’s handling of distressed municipalities

The Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) has criticised the National Treasury for not adopting a more differentiated approach to dealing with distressed municipalities.

Government’s finance watchdog has told Parliament it believes the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) did not pay sufficient attention to the sustainability of the current local government fiscal framework.

Home Affairs extends operating hours ahead of local govt elections

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is extending operating hours at its offices to help eligible voters get the identity documents (IDs) they need ahead of next week’s local government elections.

The department said its offices will operate from 8am until 6pm from 2 until 4 November.

14 SAMWU affiliates due in court over charges of inciting public violence

Fourteen people affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday on charges of inciting public violence.

They were arrested following a demonstration, which saw the workers blocking the M1 highway near Braamfontein, in Johannesburg, on Monday.

Cameron wants Ramaphosa to axe Mchunu to contain his growing costs

Police Committee chairperson Ian Cameron has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire Minister Senzo Mchunu to contain his growing legal and salary costs.

Cameron said Mchunu’s legal costs and remuneration have now cost the State almost R6 million since he was placed on special leave in July 2025.

Water and Sanitation deputy calls for full probe into Bronkhorstspruit contamination crisis

Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Jack Bloom is calling for a full investigation into the Bronkhorstspruit water contamination crisis after more than 800 people fell ill from drinking it.

The crisis is linked to the City of Tshwane’s failure to chlorinate water at the Bronkhorstspruit Treatment Works for three weeks.

AKA murder trial: Defence questions credibility of detective’s evidence

Defence lawyers in the murder trial of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes have questioned evidence from a South African Police Service (SAPS) detective, after he admitted to not being trained in facial recognition.

Forbes was shot outside a restaurant on Durban’s Florida Road alongside his friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, in February 2023.

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Slain Lichtenburg cop Eunice Nortman laid to rest

Actress Asavela Mqokiyana arrested for clocking 198km/h

'This thing is out of our hands': SANTACO can't guarantee safety amid Cape taxi violence