governancelatest news & developments
The NPA says suspended SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola was charged in his personal capacity and that there was insufficient evidence to sustain a prosecution over the R228 million Medicare24 contract.
FANNIE MASEMOLA

NPA: ‘Buck stops’ argument did not justify charges against Fannie Masemola

The NPA explains why it says the case could not stand.

  • Rapula Moatshe
5 min read
KZN MKP MPL Nkosinathi Mthethwa was expelled from the party last week and lost his seat in the provincial Legislature. But the party now wants him reinstated.
MKPARTY

MK Party clash with KZN speaker over bid to reinstate KZN MPL

The MK Party removed Nkosinathi Mthethwa as an KZN MPL last week but now want him reinstated.

  • Willem Phungula
4 min read
Businessman Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama is facing a criminal case after a video emerged on social media showing him allegedly threatening women during an altercation at a Sandton restaurant.
PROCUREMENT

Mudzinganyama case triggers government contract probe

eThekwini says Moriel Infrastructure Group’s R16.1m North Park Sewer Project is 95% complete, as investigations continue into contracts linked to businessman Lawrence Mudzinganyama

  • Rapula Moatshe
6 min read
Delegates at Cosatu's 15th National Congress. The conference collapsed after a quorum dispute linked to delegate credentials.
COSATU CONGRESS

Cosatu succession war: Why the historic Congress collapse matters

Cosatu’s 15th national congress collapse exposes leadership divisions and renewed tensions within the ANC-SACP alliance.

  • Rapula Moatshe
5 min read
AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is challenging the Ingonyama Trust board’s authority to convene traditional leaders without his approval.
MISUZULU KAZWELITHINI

King Misuzulu clashes with Ingonyama Trust board over business indaba

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini says he had no say. The board says the event is going ahead.

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
Nqobani Mzizi.
GOVERNANCE

SAFA: When the ballot does not end the governance question

SAFA’s election may have settled who leads the association. It has not settled the deeper governance question.

  • Nqobani Mzizi
7 min read
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has previously stressed that SETAs should no longer be viewed as grant-disbursing agencies or bursary administrators but as strategic economic institutions responsible for aligning workplace learning with industry demand.
THE EDITORS INTERVIEW

Manamela bets on SETAs overhaul to tackle youth joblessness

In an exclusive sit-down with The National, Manamela reveals his plans to overhaul a skills system that has barely changed since 2000 — and what comes next.

  • Siphelele Dludla
6 min read
Municipalities forfeited R1.5 billion in unspent municipal infrastructure grants over the past three years due to poor planning and lack of capacity.
AUDITOR GENERAL

Punished twice: no water, no power — and R1.5bn in infrastructure grants unspent

Municipalities forfeited R1.5bn in infrastructure grants over three years as poor planning and capacity failures left communities battling worsening basic services.

  • Rapula Moatshe
5 min read
Mosotho Moepya, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), said there will be 142,072 candidates contesting for over 10,500 council seats in the November 4 local government elections.
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

2026 elections: IEC rejects grace period for 2,274 incomplete nominations

More than 142,000 candidates are gearing up for the November local elections.

  • Wendy Jasson Da Costa
5 min read
My Vote Counts says the R200,000 disclosure threshold and incomplete donor details make it harder for voters to trace political influence ahead of the November 4 local government election.
ELECTIONS

Who funds SA political parties? The push for full transparency

Political funding rules leave voters in the dark, says My Vote Counts.

  • Wendy Jasson Da Costa
4 min read
Wits Study Puts the Limit on Government Spending and Economic Growth
GOVERNMENT

New Wits research puts the optimal government spending threshold at 11%–20%

A Wits study of 63 countries finds an inverted U-shaped relationship between government consumption and economic growth, with an estimated optimal range of 11% to 20%, depending…

  • Yogashen Pillay
4 min read
The R1 billion chaired by retired Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has failed to yield significant progress in tackling state capture cases.
MADLANGA COMMISSION

Madlanga vs Zondo: Fast-tracking justice after years of slow crawl

The Madlanga Commission is moving quickly to address state capture allegations, contrasting sharply with the slow implementation of the Zondo Commission's recommendations.…

  • Rapula Moatshe
4 min read
(From left) Commissioner Adv. Sesi Baloyi SC, Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and Commissioner Adv. Sandile Khumalo, SC in consultation during a hearing of the probe into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system on August 17.
SOUTH AFRICA

Strengthening SA's security: The path forward after Madlanga

Exploring challenges faced and the necessary structural changes required to enhance institutional integrity and combat organised crime.

  • Dr. Reneva Fourie
6 min read
While ACSA has survived a tumultuous period, the assignment now is turning recovery into generational progress, says the writer.
AVIATION

ACSA’s next flight must be about leadership that outlives its leaders

As Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) embarks on a new strategic direction, the importance of effective leadership becomes paramount.

  • Nicholas Maweni
5 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa has been asked to proclaim an SIU probe into the Public Investment Corporation's investment in Daybreak Foods. The company is currently in business rescue.
GOVERNANCE

PSA, pension watchdog questions need for new SIU probe into PIC, Daybreak matter

Democratic Alliance MP Andrew Bateman calls for an SIU investigation into the Public Investment Corporation's management of Daybreak Foods amid serious allegations of…

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
5 min read
The coalition bill is not likely to be passed before the November local government elections
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Coalition Bill delay leaves voters to rein in political deal-making

With the Coalition Bill unlikely to pass before the local government elections, experts say voters need to hold political parties accountable.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
4 min read
South African Airways (SAA) has committed to improving its audit outcomes for its 2026/27 financial year and to improving its operation financial sustainability/.
AIRLINES
Breaking News

Leadership shake-up at SAA: Matshela Seshibe placed on special leave

SAA's Acting Group CEO Matshela Seshibe has been placed on special leave pending an internal investigation, following governance concerns raised by Parliament. The airline…

  • Edward West
3 min read
The court has temporarily suspended the appointment of NSFAS Administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula pending the outcome of a review application.
NSFAS

NSFAS board reinstated by court as Mathebula's appointment put on hold

The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria has ordered the reinstatement of the NSFAS board pending the outcome of an application to set aside the appointment of administrator Hlengani…

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
4 min read
The Telkom Tower Complex (TTC) is one of three significant state-owned properties in the Tshwane inner city,
GOVERNMENT SPENDING

SAPS slated for hefty R441m annual Tshwane lease bill while state-owned properties stand empty

Members of Parliament are scrutinising the South African Police Service (SAPS) for spending over R63 million monthly on private property leases while significant state-owned…

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
4 min read
A draft report from the Scopa inquiry into the Road Accident Fund has made findings on governance failures during the tenure of former CEO Collins Letsoalo.
ROAD ACCIDENT FUND

Inside the Scopa inquiry draft report: Staff purges and governance challenges at the RAF

A draft Parliamentary report has unveiled critical governance failures at the Road Accident Fund, including prolonged employee suspensions and questionable recruitment practices.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
4 min read