RC 260902702Joanne Joseph
Wednesday, 2 September 2026
A news-heavy afternoon covered Phala Phala litigation, organised crime, election preparations, school infrastructure and undocumented workers, alongside lighter rugby and spring conversations.
- 15:49
The Labour Department said a Midrand construction-site operation found about 300 undocumented foreign workers among roughly 500, with 49 arrested and the employer facing fines of R10,000 per worker.
- 16:20
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said provinces would immediately procure foundation-phase materials to avoid textbook shortages in January 2027, while legal advice examines procurement and governance concerns.
- 17:22
The IEC received 142,072 nominations for 10,526 municipal council seats and will publish confirmed candidates on 16 September; Johannesburg’s PR ballot could feature at least 80 parties.
- 16:41
Airlink withdrew its application for a third rugby flypast over FNB Stadium while the Civil Aviation Authority investigates last week’s Cape Town stadium flypast and prepares a report.
- 17:17
In the Phala Phala review, Ramaphosa’s lawyers argued the parliamentary panel relied on untested hearsay and that he acted properly by reporting the burglary to his security chief.