Thursday, 27 August 2026

Eastern Cape has only 139 of 350 ambulances operating for 7.2 million people; officials say financial pressures and roughly R25 billion in medico-legal liabilities are blocking replacements.

The Department of Health warned that unvaccinated infants rose from 12.1% in 2017 to 36.3% between January and April 2026, prompting a national catch-up campaign.

The US Teen Safety Settlement will impose a default two-hour daily Facebook and Instagram limit for under-16s, block overnight access and hide engagement counts, with parental overrides.

Thirteen corruption-related cases are under investigation in Defence, with nine reportedly ready for prosecution; the portfolio committee cited procurement manipulation, financial irregularities and theft of public assets.

SAMWU plans legal action against Eskom’s proposed electricity-distribution agencies, warning they could privatise services, threaten municipal jobs and raise costs; correspondence gives authorities seven days to respond.