RC 261104SAfmCathy Mohlahlana
Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Local government election day dominated the episode, with polling stations opening nationwide, security concerns in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, and fallout from the US decision to exclude South Africa from AGOA.
- 06:09
Some 29.2 million voters are registered for the 2026 local government elections, with 546 parties and close to 130,000 candidates contesting just over 10,000 council seats. About 1.4 million cast special votes earlier this week.
- 06:06
Trump has informed the US Congress that South Africa and Rwanda will be excluded from AGOA from next year. Trade minister Parks Tau says government has been preparing for losing the benefits and is meeting individual companies.
- 08:58
An SABC News research head estimates 75 to 80 hung councils will emerge from this election, up from about 70 in 2016 to 2021, meaning coalition negotiations will decide control of many municipalities.
- 07:05
Former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has appealed to the Johannesburg High Court after the Randburg Magistrates Court refused him bail last month. He faces rape, human trafficking and sexual grooming charges.