Afternoon Drive

Friday, 18 September 2026

A heavy Friday episode examined gender-based violence, institutional accountability, strained US–South Africa relations and Swimming South Africa’s long-running athlete controversies.

1. 15:01

   A 14-year-old boy appeared in Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court accused of murdering 10-year-old Octavia Swartz; the case was postponed to Monday for a bail application, with more charges possible.

2. 15:24

   The Constitutional Court invalidated the Public Procurement Act, allowing municipalities to retain procurement frameworks within constitutional limits; Geordin Hill-Lewis said a replacement law would require a fresh parliamentary process.

3. 16:28

   Former Olympic swimmer Ryk Neethling said Swimming South Africa’s athlete-management failures date back decades, recalling threats and inadequate support before South Africa’s 2004 relay gold.

4. 17:12

   International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola travelled to Washington to address visa restrictions and disagreements over transformation and land expropriation, while also leading South Africa’s UN General Assembly delegation.

Permalink for this episode