RC 261022SAfmCathy Mohlahlana
Thursday, 22 October 2026
Fuel levy relief in the mini-budget led the morning, alongside Sudan drone deaths, stalled promises of labour inspectors, and a Bronkhorstspruit water-contamination crisis.
- 06:00
From 4 November, the diesel levy drops by R3 a litre and the petrol levy by R1.50, with relief until December and a scaled-back phase until early January; the intervention is expected to cost government R10 billion.
- 06:52
Two drone strikes reportedly killed more than 300 people in the Abyei region, including mourners on a truck heading to a funeral; the army is accused but says it does not target civilians.
- 06:55
The president's February promise of 10,000 extra labour inspectors still has no credible plan, Saftu's Zwelinzi Vavi says, with no headcount or budget figure given in the finance minister's speech.
- 07:10
More than 400 people were treated for gastrointestinal illness in Bronkhorstspruit after unchlorinated water was supplied; the Human Rights Commission has launched a water rights tracker covering all 144 water authorities.
- 07:23
A bomb threat on a flight prompted an emergency response at King Phalo airport in East London; Airports Company South Africa confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe.