RC 260916SAfmAshraf Garda
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
The episode centred on election uncertainty, escalating South Africa-US tensions, gender-based violence and practical policy debates affecting refugees, healthcare and mining safety.
- 15:10
The Electoral Court dismissed the ANC’s appeal over candidate submissions, allowing the IEC to proceed; 5,096 candidates were disqualified and nearly 140,000 will contest November’s local elections.
- 15:13
The IEC said special-vote applications open on 21 September, while Johannesburg’s PR ballot will feature 75 parties and ward 18 has more than 60 councillor candidates.
- 16:13
The ANC Women’s League called for a national debate on reintroducing the death penalty and alternatives such as castration, despite the death penalty currently being unconstitutional.
- 17:05
South Africa rejected new US visa restrictions targeting people accused of race-based discrimination and uncompensated land seizures, while Washington described the move as the first of further escalation.
- 15:55
Legal refugees displaced from Durban were sent to Lindela after being chased from communities, although Home Affairs had verified all 450 original group members as documented refugees or asylum seekers.