HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Fri 28 August 2026:

Here’s what’s happening in South Africa today: 👇🏼

◼️ Zuma’s architect ordered to repay R147m but ‘clearly did not act alone’: More than 10 years after the controversial Nkandla upgrades ballooned from a R27.8m security project to more than R216m, the SIU has secured a major victory, with architect Minenhle Makhanya now ordered to repay R147m for unlawful, wrongful and negligent conduct. The tribunal, however, found that Makhanya was not the only person responsible for the escalation of the project’s cost.
Read more here:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-27-zuma-s-architect-ordered-to-repay-r147m-but-clearly-did-not-act-alone/

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◼️ The DA received R104 million: The Democratic Alliance (DA) has received R104 million in political donations between 1 April 2026 and 30 June 2026, more than all other parties put together. R55 million of this money came from billionaire Capitec founder Michiel le Roux’s Fynbos Ekwiteit and Fynbos Kapitaal. Other big funders included Mr D Barnes, who donated R10 million to the DA, and four parties who donated R5 million each. These four parties were online gambling billionaire Martin Moshal, Ms J Slack Jell, Mrs R Slack Diamond, and Lombard Consolidated.
Read more here:
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/25896/the-da-received-r104-million-including-r55-million-from-a-well-known-billionaire/

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◼️ SIU warns parents behind Nsfas fraud could face criminal charges: More than 40 000 ineligible students received Nsfas funding after fabricated parental details were used to bypass eligibility requirements. It was found that relatives illegally allowed students to use their personal details to pretend they are the children’s biological parents or legal guardians, which is fraudulent.
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/education/siu-warns-parents-behind-nsfas-fraud-could-face-criminal-charges/

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◼️ No wildlife, no tourists: The warning comes amid increasing reports of wildlife being caught in wire snares and hunted with packs of dogs across South Africa’s conservation areas. According to conservation organisations, snaring remains one of the most widespread forms of poaching in the country. Unlike targeted hunting methods, wire snares indiscriminately trap animals regardless of species, age or conservation status. Many animals suffer prolonged deaths from severe wounds, infections, dehydration and starvation after becoming trapped.
Read more here:
https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-27-no-wildlife-no-tourists-bushmeat-poaching-hits-sa-economy/

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◼️ Warning to South Africans with banking apps on their phones: “Rather than trying to break into banking systems, many fraudsters now target customers directly using social engineering techniques designed to create fear, urgency, deception, and trust.” “A common tactic involves fraudsters sharing links to fake promotions or offers and persuading customers to click on them,” he said. “Following the prompts in these messages can result in malicious software being installed on a customer’s smartphone.”
Read more here:
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/banking/664674-warning-to-south-africans-with-banking-apps-on-their-phones-2.html

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