HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Thu 19 February 2026:

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

◼️ Conned into combat: Four South African men conscripted to fight for Russia have returned home, and at least 13 others remain stranded in Ukraine. One of the men exclusively told News24 that they had been left without food, resources or clear communication after they were “fired” by their Russian commanders. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said President Cyril Ramaphosa had communicated with President Vladimir Putin to collaborate on the return of the
men, who were lured to Russia under false pretences.
https://www.news24.com/southafrica/conned-into-combat-4-return-home-but-sa-men-still-trapped-in-war-zone-plead-for-help-20260218-1285

————-
◼️ Warning to people who drink tap water: Turton questioned a “failing state” for accusing the consumer of using too much water when the sole obligation of that state was to provide such services. “If 50% of the water is lost to leaks and illegal connections, calculations that divide total consumption into the total population serviced will reflect that 50% leakage as a high consumption per capita,” he said.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/science/629765-warning-to-people-who-drink-tap-water-in-south-africa.html

————-
◼️ Negligence, crumbling infrastructure blamed for escape of 284 prisoners: Police Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale has blamed crumbling infrastructure at police stations and negligence as the main factors leading to the escape of 284 prisoners in just eight months last year. Prisoners escaped most often from police station cells, courts at docks, rooms or passages, and through wrongful release at courts and police stations.
https://iol.co.za/capetimes/news/2026-02-19-negligence-crumbling-infrastructure-blamed-for-escape-of-284-prisoners/

————-
◼️ Government wants to disarm law-abiding South Africans: “Lawfully armed citizens are vetted, trained, and licensed. They are not the problem. They are often part of the solution,” he said. Cameron added that in South African communities where criminals ignore the law, responsible self-defence matters. Cameron has repeatedly labeled the 2025 Bill a dangerous assault on the right to safety in a country which is riddled with crime.
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/17827/the-government-wants-to-disarm-law-abiding-south-africans/

————-
◼️ Criminals have a new target in SA: New regulations for the industry are set to take effect on 11 March, including mandatory safety features such as panic buttons in vehicles and visible branding to identify e-hailing cars. However, Masakale warned that implementation presents challenges for drivers. He explained that the panic button issue—we have found it to be a cost to the driver. Most of our drivers cannot even afford to shoulder that cost,” he said.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/851180/criminals-have-a-new-target-in-south-africa-3/

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22