August 07, 2026.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines:

Voters’ Roll Closed: Municipal elections proclaimed for Nov 4

South African police sound alarm on political crime before vote

And, Congolese authorities hand over 15 prisoners to M23 rebels

South Africa is officially heading to the polls on November 4 for the highly anticipated 2026 municipal elections.

The announcement follows the official gazetting of the date by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa, signalling the formal closure of the voters' roll and the start of the election period.

The proclamation fulfils Hlabisa’s responsibility under Section 159 of the Constitution, read alongside the Municipal Structures Act.

This legislation mandates that local government elections must take place within 90 days of the end of a five-year municipal term.

With the date now legally locked in, the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa has officially closed voter registration.

South Africa’s acting police chief said she is deeply concerned about the potential for politically-motivated violence ahead of municipal elections on November 4.

South Africa has a long history of political violence, and several politicians have been murdered this year. That includes two councillors from the African National Congress, the biggest party, one Democratic Alliance candidate, two members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and two from the Economic Freedom Fighters. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the killings.

Acting national police commissioner Puleng Dimpane said there is absolutely no justification for taking the life of another person because of political differences or political contestation.

She issued a stern warning to anyone who is planning attacks, assassinations or acts of violence for political gain.

Democratic Republic of Congo authorities released 15 prisoners and handed them over to rebels from the AFC/M23 movement on Friday, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which facilitated the first known transfer of prisoners under last year's deal to end fighting in the east.

The handover marked one of the first concrete steps in implementing the agreement the government and the rebels signed last year in Qatar. It follows months of talks over the names of detainees to be freed.

The ICRC said in a statement the 15 people left the government-held city of Beni in a convoy last night and travelled through Uganda before being handed over to AFC/M23 in Rutshuru territory in eastern Congo.

The ICRC said it did not know whether the prisoners belonged to the rebel group, but that they had agreed to be transferred. A spokesperson for AFC/M23 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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