Opposition parties and civic organisations erupted in protest as the Msunduzi Municipality pushed through the 2026/7 budget, which saw residents hammered by steep increases in water, electricity and sanitation hikes.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry investigating corruption within the criminal justice system confirmed it was in discussions with the presidency to have its end-of-the-month deadline to submit its report extended. President Cyril Ramaphosa had already extended it once because of the volume of evidence.

In the face of widespread municipal collapse, including eight metros, the National Treasury decided to withhold the July equitable share transfer on 66 municipalities.

The sewerage crisis engulfing Albert Falls Dam should have been an opportunity for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs to take the lead. Instead, its response – like those of the other stakeholders – has been largely to point elsewhere.

Former president and leader of the MK Party, Jacob Zuma, disbanded the party’s presidential task team(PTT) within an organisation that has become known for frequent changes to its leadership structure.

The DA called for the disbandment of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), following the dramatic resignation of its head, Advocate Anthea Johnson, and explosive revelations at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

South Africa’s official unemployment rate rose to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32.7% in the first quarter, according to Statistics South Africa. It has now remained above the 30% threshold for over five years.

Pietermaritzburg businesses and residents braced for widespread disruption to electricity, water, refuse collection and frontline services as Samwu workers prepared to strike at Msunduzi Municipality. The strike comes less than two months after industrial action crippled service across the city for three weeks.

Turning around failing municipalities, restoring basic service delivery and holding elected leaders accountable were at the centre of the ANC’s local government election manifesto, as the governing party sought to convince voters it could still fix the country’s increasingly troubled municipalities.