HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Tue 13 October 2026:

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

◼️ Lamola warns of new ‘scramble for Africa’: “Our continent has long supplied the raw materials that have generated prosperity elsewhere, while most Africans continue to live in conditions of deprivation.” He said Africa must reject partnerships that perpetuate economic dependence and resource extraction without meaningful development. Lamola also criticised a global financial system he said continues to work against developing nations. “In recent years, 25 African countries have spent more on servicing debt than on the health and education of their people.”
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/lamola-warns-new-scramble-for-africa-global-powers-chase-critical-minerals/

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◼️ Government rejects claims Mkhwanazi is protecting Zulu-speaking criminals: The government was responding to claims that police in the province, under Mkhwanazi’s leadership, were giving preferential treatment to Zulu-speaking criminals in Durban during recent protests. The allegations come amid violent demonstrations in KZN and Gauteng last week, during which several cars and houses were torched and shops looted. Thirty people had been arrested since Thursday in connection with public violence and alleged attempts to destabilise communities.
Read more here:
https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-10-11-government-rejects-claims-mkhwanazi-is-protecting-zulu-speaking-criminals/

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◼️ South Africa watches R41 billion disappear into thin air every year: Around R26 billion worth of treated water is lost annually, while electricity distribution losses in major metros cost municipalities more than R15 billion a year. The figures were released by the National Treasury in March 2026 and show the scale of the financial pressure facing the country’s municipalities. This creates a cycle in which consumers face higher bills while municipalities continue to struggle with infrastructure losses and unpaid accounts.
Read more here:
https://dailyinvestor.com/south-africa/158526/south-africa-watches-r41-billion-disappear-into-thin-air-every-year/

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◼️ Big changes for visa applications in SA: Appeals made against visa rejections based solely on missing the 60-day deadline will be overturned, which will allow the original visa applications to be adjudicated. In cases where the primary applicants’ rejections have resulted in secondary rejections for family members, the applicants’ dependents can now have their visas processed with the primary applicants’.
Read more here:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/879160/big-changes-for-visa-applications-in-south-africa/

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◼️ WhatsApp messages to friends and business partners that could land people in jail: President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act into law on 9 May 2024. It criminalised hate speech on social media. It specifies that an offence constitutes a hate crime where the offender is inspired by prejudice towards a victim due to specific or perceived characteristics. Such characteristics include race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and HIV status. The Act defines hate speech as the intentional publication of material that can provoke or promote hatred.
Read more here:
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/internet/671845-whatsapp-messages-to-friends-and-business-partners-that-could-land-people-in-jail-in-south-africa.html

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