HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Tue 18 August 2026:

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

◼️ March and March to meet AfriForum to ‘learn’ from its advocacy strategies: The leader of the controversial anti-migrant movement March and March, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, says the organisation will meet with AfriForum on Tuesday to learn more about the civil rights group’s advocacy strategies. This is despite the differences between the two organisations. “We’re working with anyone who’s a South African. We work with them. AfriForum is South African. We’re not against anyone because of their race,” Jacinta said.
Read more here:
https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-18-march-and-march-to-meet-afriforum-to-learn-from-its-advocacy-strategies/

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◼️ EFF, ANC target DA’s Mark Burke over R4bn crypto company allegations: The EFF said the allegations are scathing. “This is not a paperwork error. It is the unauthorised use of other people’s money and identities, the concealment of offshore accounts, and deception of the central bank. That is financial crime, plain and simple.” “The DA markets itself as the party of clean governance and financial discipline. Yet its own finance chairperson is implicated in a scheme that undermines the very principles they claim to uphold.”
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/politics/eff-anc-target-das-mark-burke-crypto-company-allegations/

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◼️ 2,523 South African police guns were stolen and lost, including a grenade launcher: These were mostly 9 x 19 mm Parabellum pistols, but also included 66 Vektor R5 rifles, 19 shotguns, 4 R1 rifles, and a grenade launcher. He added that 194,920 rounds of official SAPS ammunition were reported as stolen or lost over the four years. “The South African Police Service has implemented measures to prevent the theft, loss and unauthorised use of official firearms and ammunition,” Cachalia said.
Read more here:
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/25325/2523-south-african-police-guns-were-stolen-and-lost-including-a-grenade-launcher/

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◼️ No data, no deadline, no dedicated funding: SA’s blind and deaf children face an ECD crisis: South Africa does not know how many blind and deaf children are missing out on early childhood development – and the government cannot say when it will have a national framework in place to ensure they are included. This comes a quarter of a century after the gazetting of a government blueprint on inclusive education.
Read more here:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-17-no-data-no-deadline-no-dedicated-funding-sa-s-blind-and-deaf-children-face-an-ecd-crisis/

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◼️ Why do Joburg’s taps keep running dry?: According to the Gauteng Water Security Dashboard, between June 2025 and June 2026, the city recorded 50 536 water pipe leaks, an average of almost 140 leaks per day. In the 2025 financial year, Johannesburg reported to the Auditor-General (AG) that it had lost over 207 billion litres of water. City manager Floyd Brink has disclosed that over the past five years, Johannesburg has spent at least R650 million on water tankers. However, when GroundUp requested these details, Johannesburg Water refused to provide additional information on tenders and related procurement.
Read more here:
https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/why-do-joburgs-taps-keep-running-dry/

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