Author: crediblesource

The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says the theft of ballot boxes and stationery at a voting station in KwaZulu-Natal will not affect the voting process. Empty ballot boxes and stationery were stolen from Amahlongwa Community Hall, a voting station in Umdoni Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The theft was discovered on Monday, 3 November, by IEC officials who arrived at the station to deliver ballot papers. KZN Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga confirmed the incident during a media briefing on the administration of special votes. Masinga said an investigation was underway to establish how the break-in occurred, despite a security guard…

Content creator Nkululeko Maxwell Makhanya has told the Durban Magistrate’s Court that he is unemployed and can only afford bail of R1 000. The 38-year-old appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court facing charges of incitement of violence and crimen injuria following his arrest on Sunday at an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party election rally at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban. During the proceedings, state prosecutor Nkululeko Msiya argued that, considering the seriousness of the matter, bail should be set at R10 000. However, Makhanya, through his lawyer, Muzonjani Zulu, told the court that he could only afford R1 000. Msiya…

With the 4 November local government elections approaching, various political parties have announced their mayoral candidates for the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Several parties including the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and ActionSA have announced their candidates. ANC – Cyril Xaba and other contenders The ANC has identified incumbent mayor Cyril Xaba, council Speaker Thabani Nyawose, former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Mina Soma-Lesoma and Maggie Govender as potential candidates. Xaba heads the party’s proportional representation list for eThekwini, but the party’s final mayoral selection remains a key…

When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the formation of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) in June 2024, longstanding political rivals agreed to govern together. A year later, the African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) continued to clash over land policy while cooperating on the national budget. This reflects the nature of the GNU, which has sought to balance political differences with the need for stability. The GNU followed the May 2024 general election, in which the ANC secured 40.18% of the vote, losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994. After negotiations, ten parties signed…

By Charmaine Nkosi As a student from Mpumalanga who moved to Durban to pursue higher education, I understand the importance of student accommodation. With limited space in university residences, many students rely on private accommodation to continue their studies. In 2023, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) introduced a student accommodation pilot project allowing landlords to register properties on its platform. The project became fully operational at the beginning of the 2025 academic year, contributing to the growth of student accommodation in the city. However, the expansion has raised concerns among residents in areas such as Glenwood, Umbilo, Manor…

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) hosted a workshop on understanding election-related data to help journalists prepare for South Africa’s local government elections on 4 November 2026. To kick off the workshop, researcher and Data lead at OpenUp, Carl Teffo shared insights into how journalists can use mapping tools to identify story ideas from the large amounts of data they encounter during and after elections. Award-winning data journalist and strategist Athandiwe Saba discussed how journalists can use numbers to develop meaningful stories that are accessible and understandable to the public. Saba also highlighted the Municipal Structures Bill and the…

KwaZulu-Natal police have confirmed that a foreign national was allegedly assaulted to death by a group of people in Durban. The incident happened on Thursday morning, 22 October 2026 and police have since opened a case of murder. KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said information available at this stage suggests that a group of people was marching on Dr Pixley kaSeme Street towards Maud Mfusi Street. Two males reportedly pulled off from the group and approached a man who was on the roadside. “It is further alleged that the victim was then assaulted by a group of around 50…

By Janelle Govender For years, Nkanyiso Patric Mchunu chose not to vote because he believed political parties made promises they failed to keep. “I’ve always felt like I can read through the lies in every manifesto,” he says, adding that voting never seemed to change anything in his community. This year, however, Mchunu has decided to participate in the local government elections, despite remaining sceptical about politicians. “I know I need to do better,” he says. “I don’t want to keep using that as an excuse to not take part.” First-time voters learning what their vote means As South Africa…

By Nokwanda Ncwane Hung councils, unpassed budgets, frequent changes in mayoral committee members and motions of no confidence have become common features of coalition governments in South Africa. As the country prepares for the 4 November local government elections, voters face an important question: will fragmented political representation strengthen democracy or create further instability that undermines service delivery? A hung council occurs when no political party wins more than 50% of the seats in a municipal council, making a coalition or minority government necessary. Coalition governments are not new in South Africa. They date back to the 1994 democratic administration,…

A surveillance analyst at King Shaka International Airport has told the Durban High Court that CCTV footage from the day rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes was murdered had been tampered with. Witness Sandile Khuzwayo made the revelation on Monday while testifying in the ongoing murder trial of the seven men accused of killing AKA and celebrity chef Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane. The pair were gunned down outside Wish Restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on 10 February 2023. Khuzwayo showed the court CCTV footage of a man resembling one of the accused following AKA and his entourage as the rapper arrived at…