HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Mon 03 August 2026:

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

◼️ How Africans were lured to fight for Russia: This account of a Zimbabwean prisoner of war (POW) told of a familiar passage for most of the dozen African POWs interviewed about how they ended up fighting in Russia’s war in Ukraine and how they survived the hellish front line. Their motivations were strikingly similar. While a few were lured by Russian citizenship, a classic honeytrap, or an escape from a visa-related prison sentence, most were simply seeking employment and a brighter financial future. Nato officials say that approximately 24,000 foreign mercenaries from 44 countries are fighting with Russian forces, the majority of whom are believed to come from Africa.
Read more here:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-02-how-africans-were-lured-to-fight-for-russia-and-sent-to-ukraines-deadliest-fronts/

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◼️ What makes your home a target for criminals: Homeowners in South Africa are being warned that there are some aspects of a home that make it an attractive target for opportunistic criminals. Home-related crime remains high across the country. According to SAPS data, the country recorded 32,387 home burglary cases between January and March 2026. This works out to roughly 360 incidents a day. Additionally, the SAPS recorded 4,507 house robberies over the same period—or 50 every day.
Read more here:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/868369/what-makes-your-home-a-target-for-criminals-in-south-africa/

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◼️ Fines between R6,000 and R30,000 looming: Eskom’s grace period for direct customers to register residential rooftop solar power systems is ending in two months, after which the power utility is expected to begin a compliance crackdown. Eskom and several municipalities have policies that dictate small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) systems must be registered.
Read more here:
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/660535-fines-between-r6000-and-r30000-looming-for-people-with-unregistered-solar-panels.html

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◼️ Fake overseas job scams: According to the department, victims are often promised attractive salaries, free travel and overseas employment. Instead, many are subjected to long working hours, intimidation, violence and debt bondage. Some survivors have also reported being forced to recruit friends and family members, helping traffickers expand their criminal networks.
Read more here:
https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-01-south-africans-warned-over-fake-overseas-job-scams-as-traffickers-target-youth/

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◼️ Good news in SA’s fight against TB: National health spokesperson Foster Mohale said plans and preparations are already in place to ensure an expedited roll-out once it is approved. “The Department of Health welcomes progress made towards a new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine and confirms preparatory work to ensure timely access for South Africans as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate this epidemic.
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/health-department-gears-up-breakthrough-tb-vaccine/

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