News as at
February 1, 2026, 11:28 am
South Africa Expels Top Israeli Diplomat for 'Violations of Diplomatic Protocol'
- [allAfrica] Cape Town -- South Africa has declared Israel's top diplomat in the country persona non grata, ordering him to leave within 72 hours following what officials described as repeated breaches of diplomatic norms.
All of Africa Today - January 30, 2026
- [allAfrica]
Parents Fear for Children As 94% of Gauteng School Transport Fails Tests
- [Scrolla] Inspectors found 94% of scholar transport vehicles in Gauteng failed roadworthiness tests at Jabulani testing station in Soweto last week. Johannesburg Metro Police Department impounded about 50 unroadworthy taxis in Alexandra on Friday morning, bringing school transport services to a complete standstill.
Why the Rand Exchange Rate Matters
- [GroundUp] The Reserve Bank points out that inflation is lower thanks to the strength of the rand
Israeli Chargé d'Affaires Declared Persona Non Grata
- [Govt of SA] The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has informed the Government of the State of Israel of its decision to declare Mr. Ariel Seidman, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Israeli Embassy, persona non grata.
Teen Can't Get Smart ID Because System Won't Accept Click Sounds in His Name
- [Scrolla] Lesle Jansen says her son !Khūboab Lawrence cannot get a smart ID because the system does not process the special characters in his name. The characters are click sounds used in Khoekhoegowab, the Nama people's language, and are an important part of Lawrence's name.
Reform Agenda Improves Lives of Citizens
- [SAnews.gov.za] The structural reforms being implemented by government to support inclusive economic growth and job creation are beginning to have a measurable impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Deadline Looms for NSFAS Rejected Students to Appeal
- [SAnews.gov.za] Students, including first-time applicants and continuing students, who were rejected by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for funding, have until 31 January to appeal the decision.
Thabo Bester Transferred to Ebongweni Correctional Centre
- [SAnews.gov.za] Convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, has been transferred to the super maximum eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad.
Centurion Home Affairs Office Relocated to Centurion Mall
- [SAnews.gov.za] The Department of Home Affairs will from today relocate its Centurion office to Centurion Mall, with the new office opening to the public on Monday.
Condolences After 11 Die in Isipingo Crash
- [SAnews.gov.za] The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has conveyed its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the 11 passengers who lost their lives in a road crash in Isipingo, Durban.
Where Has All Our Money Gone? a Look At Government's Wasted Billions
- [GroundUp] Auditor-General has condemned "no-consequence culture" in government
Explainer - How Much South African MPs Earn and What They Do for It
- [Africa Check] EXPLAINER: How much South African MPs earn and what they do for it
25 Years Ago Their Land Was Taken From Them. They Still Haven't Been Compensated
- [GroundUp] The community of Ha Rapokolana was moved for the Mohale Dam which supplies water to South Africa
Cape Town to Spend R115m On Wall to Protect Motorists On N2 'Hell Run'
- [Daily Maverick] The City of Cape Town has passed an adjustment budget that will see R115m spent on building a security wall on the N2 'Hell Run', as well as pedestrian crossings, improved lighting, landscaping and access control.
11 Killed When Taxi, Truck Crash in Durban
- [Scrolla] The crash happened between M35 and R102 at Lotus Park near Isiphingo on Thursday morning between a taxi and truck. Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said preliminary reports show the truck was not roadworthy and the taxi's PrPD expired in 2023.
Ramaphosa Appoints Special Task Team to Probe 'Murder, Corruption' Against 14 Officials
- [Daily Maverick] President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to establish a special investigations task team to urgently investigate a number of officers implicated in the country's law enforcement scandal.
January Food Prices Rise Again After December Dip
- [Scrolla] The average household food basket rose by R67.99 in January showing prices increased again after a brief dip in December. Households now spend about R5,401 a month on basic food entering January already stretched by school costs, debt and bills.
De Kock Blasts SA to Series Victory
- [Scrolla] Quinton de Kock's explosive 115 off 49 balls led South Africa to a commanding seven-wicket win over the West Indies in the second T20 international at Centurion.
Reserve Bank Keeps Repo Rate At 6.75 Percent
- [SAnews.gov.za] The South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee has kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.75%.
Has the DA Drifted to the Right?
- [Daily Maverick] A common perception of the Democratic Alliance is that it has gradually drifted to the ideological right over the last decade. We examined the evidence.
Parents Exhume Son's Remains Five Years After State Mistakenly Buried Him
- [GroundUp] In 2021, Msindisi Phike was buried by the state as a pauper while his family was still waiting for his DNA results to be completed
Public Comment Sought On Proposal to Classify Performers As Employees
- [SAnews.gov.za] The Department of Employment and Labour has invited public comment on a proposal to classify performers in South Africa's advertising, artistic and cultural sectors as employees -- a move aimed at strengthening protections for vulnerable workers in the creative industries.
Call to Scrap 'Apartheid-Era' Passport Control With Lesotho
- [GroundUp] A human rights organisation has petitioned South Africa's Parliament to scrap passports at Lesotho borders
Philippi Massacre - Families to Bury Loved Ones This Weekend
- [GroundUp] At the memorial service for Mfanelo Songxengo, one of nine victims shot two weeks ago, community members blamed poor policing for the murders
Touring Cape Town's Secret Underground Tunnels
- [GroundUp] The water flows all year round in the historic canals under the city's streets
EC Farmers Fear a Second Wave of FMD Amid Struggle to Contain Rapid Spread
- [Daily Maverick] A lack of vaccines, new strains of disease and the unopposed spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has Eastern Cape farmers on their knees, praying they do not see a second outbreak of the financially devastating disease.
Who Killed the SA Film and Television Industry? Spoiler Alert - - the Government
- [Daily Maverick] An industry that once employed almost 32,000 people and generated more than R7-billion per annum has been halted by inaction within the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. Something has to be done, or South African filmmaking will be killed off - perhaps forever. Part one of, yes, a series.
Tribute for Ekurhuleni MMC Andile Mngwevu
- [SAnews.gov.za] Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has paid tribute to Ekurhuleni's Member of the Mayoral Committee for Roads and Transport (MMC) Andile Mngwevu for being a dedicated public servant, whose work in transport planning made a real difference in the lives of residents.
