For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: DA demands national intervention in Joburg and Ekurhuleni; Parly committee flags SIU’s ‘inadequate’ funding model; And, African countries warn citizens of xenophobic attacks in South Africa

DA demands national intervention in Joburg and Ekurhuleni

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng has renewed its push for national intervention in the City of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni municipalities, citing a collapse in service delivery driven by severe financial mismanagement.

Gauteng DA leader Solly Msimanga has formally requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa place the City of Johannesburg under financial administration.

The DA’s call follows a recent letter by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, which warned of possible violations of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

The City of Johannesburg is reportedly facing a severe financial crisis, with recent reports indicating it is technically bankrupt, owing creditors roughly R25.2-billion while holding only R3.9-billion in cash.

Simultaneously, the DA in Gauteng has raised alarm over the state of Ekurhuleni, alleging that the metro is in a full-blown crisis with billions owed to service providers.

DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane laid a complaint with Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, calling for an urgent investigation into corruption allegations in the City of Ekurhuleni.

In its submission, the party set out allegations that officials within the City of Ekurhuleni may have influenced City Council votes in exchange for directing funding to the political parties of certain councillors.

Parly committee flags SIU’s ‘inadequate’ funding model

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development has requested a dedicated, in-depth presentation on the Special Investigating Unit’s funding model and broader fiscal constraints, signalling a major push to overhaul how the anti-corruption body is financed.

Following a briefing on the SIU’s Annual Performance Plan and budget for the 2026/27 financial year, the committee expressed serious concerns that the current funding structure directly constrains the unit’s workforce and limits its ability to effectively carry out its mandate.

Despite facing financial risks, the SIU presented an aggressive agenda for 2026/27, aiming to recover cash or assets worth R2-billion, doubling its 2025/26 target of R1-billion.

Furthermore, the SIU set a target of R6-billion in contracts to be set aside or declared invalid, an increase from R5-billion in the previous year.

However, this high-performance strategy is severely hindered by budget constraints, said committee chairperson Xola Nqola.

He pointed to the allocated grant of more than R487-million for 2026/27, saying it falls significantly short of operational requirements.

Nqola emphasised that members were unanimous in their concern regarding the SIU's financial model.

And, African countries warn citizens of xenophobic attacks in South Africa

African countries including Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have warned migrants in South Africa to be cautious and remain indoors due to attacks targeting foreigners, and Ghana has lobbied the African Union regional bloc for action.

South Africa has seen a wave of protests against illegal immigration which have been accompanied by instances of violence against migrants from other sub-Saharan African countries in South Africa, which has the largest economy on the continent.

Migrant rights groups say they are being scapegoated by South Africans who blame them for the country's economic problems, namely high unemployment which hovers at over 30% and disproportionately affects the Black population.

Ghana said it had facilitated the safe return of a citizen who was seen being targeted in a video that went viral while Nigeria also said it was repatriating at least 130 citizens after the deaths of two Nigerians.

Ghana's statement did not identify the incident it was referring to, but one video circulating on social media showed a Ghanaian man being harassed by a crowd of people who demanded to see his papers and then questioned their authenticity.

Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo met South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday and called for calm, while Ghana's government wrote to the African Union asking it to take up the issue.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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