For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Trent Roebeck.

Making headlines: IFP unveils Mkhuleko Hlengwa as eThekwini Mayoral candidate; Petrol, diesel prices set for hefty increases from September 2; And, more than 6 000 people infected with Ebola in Congo

IFP unveils Mkhuleko Hlengwa as eThekwini Mayoral candidate

The IFP has officially declared its readiness for the upcoming 2026 local government elections, announcing Mkhuleko Hlengwa as its mayoral candidate for the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

Speaking at a media briefing, IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa revealed that the party will deploy a "two-horns" campaign strategy in the strategic metro.

Hlengwa will lead the charge alongside Sizwe Skhakhane, who has been announced as the party's eThekwini Deputy Mayoral candidate.

The IFP leadership expressed confidence in Hlengwa, noting that his “extensive experience, vibrant energy, and deep understanding of public administration” uniquely position him to lead a campaign focused on restoring effective, accountable, and people-centred governance to eThekwini.

Hlabisa confirmed that the IFP has successfully submitted all candidate lists to the Independent Electoral Commission, filing both its ward councillor and proportional representation lists a day before Friday's closing date.

Framing the scale of this year's participation as definitive proof of the IFP’s growing national footprint, Hlabisa highlighted that the party is launching a significantly larger campaign compared to the 2021 local government elections.

Petrol, diesel prices set for hefty increases from September 2

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed that the price of petrol, both 93 and 95 grades, will increase by R1.34 a litre from September 2, while the price of 0.05% sulphur diesel will increase by R2.94 a litre and the price of 0.005% sulphur diesel will increase by R3.15 a litre.

The price of illuminating paraffin will also increase by R2.13 a litre and the maximum retail price of liquefied petroleum gas by 69c/kg and by 79c/kg for the Western Cape.

This comes as the average Brent crude oil price increased from $82.37/bl to $87.88/bl as a result of the continued tension between the US and Iran, uncertainty regarding the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz and higher shipping costs.

The DMPR notes that the average international product prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin increased on the back of supply shortages caused by the continued conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as owing to lower global inventories of products. These factors led to higher contributions to the basic fuel prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by R1.28, R3.21 and R2.39, respectively.

And, more than 6 000 people infected with Ebola in Congo

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has passed the 6 000 mark, government data showed today.

The epidemic has become the largest in the central African country's history, surpassing the previous worst outbreak that lasted from 2018 to 2020.

It is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.

The number of people with confirmed infections has risen to 6 041, and 2 911 of them have died, the communication ministry said on X.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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