Months of uncertainty surrounding the controversial Bodulo Mothong housing project could come to an end today when the Free State High Court delivers judgment in a closely watched legal battle that could determine the future of hundreds of vulnerable families awaiting relocation to safer living cond...
The US government has halted immigration applications for citizens from 19 nations including Afghanistan, Yemen and Haiti, an official memorandum said Tuesday, deepening the nation's sweeping crackdown on migration.
Authorities paused green card and citizenship processing, according to the memo, for people from countries already subject to travel restrictions announced in June by President Donald Trump.
Those 19 nations also include Venezuela, Sudan and Somalia.
Senior US officials have signalled in recent days they would starkly tighten restrictions on immigration, a move fuelled by the shooting of two National Guard soldiers last week.
The main suspect in the shooting, which killed one, is an Afghan national.
The man, who on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to murder charges, entered the United States during mass evacuations as foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.
"USCIS plays an instrumental role in preventing terrorists from seeking safe haven in the United States and ensuring that USCIS' screening and vetting and adjudications prioritize the safety of the American people and uphold all US laws," the memorandum said, referring to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The memorandum said the US had recently seen "what a lack of screening, vetting, and prioritising expedient adjudications can do to the American people," citing the suspected shooter in last week's attack as an example.
Trump, who campaigned for the White House on a pledge to deport millions of undocumented migrants, said on November 26, following the shooting that he planned to "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to fully recover."
US Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem also urged on Monday an expansion of the list of countries covered by the June travel restrictions.
"I just met with the President. I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies," she said on X, without naming which countries she believed should be included.
The travel restrictions currently also apply to Burundi, Chad, Republic of Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Iran, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Turkmenistan.
Also on Tuesday, US media reported federal authorities planned in coming days to launch a major immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that would focus on Somali immigrants, sparking pushback from local leaders who said state police would not cooperate.
"Our values and our commitments to the Somali community, to every community of immigrants and people in our city is rock solid and will be unwavering," said Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey.
The Presidency has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the Free State Provincial Men's Indaba tomorrow, December 4, at Limo Green Park, Bloemfontein, as part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign.
The Indaba, a flagship event aimed at mobilising men and boys as active partners in tackling gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), will convene over 4,500 participants, including representatives from government, political parties, faith-based organisations, the sports fraternity, civil society, and young men from across the province.
"The event is designed to foster robust dialogue, promote positive masculinities, and strengthen multi-sectoral partnerships to eradicate GBVF," Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to the President, said.
Magwenya added that it will begin at 9am at the Limo Green Park, Bloemfontein in the Free State.
He emphasised the significance of the Indaba’s theme: Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls working together to end GBVF: "It calls for a collective, society-wide response rooted in unity and shared responsibility."
The programme will provide a platform to challenge harmful gender norms, advocate for economic justice for women, and promote safe environments in communities and workplaces.
The President's participation is expected to galvanise support and reinforce the national commitment outlined in the National Strategic Plan on GBVF.
Thousands of Grade R practitioners are working in classrooms without the minimum NQF Level 6 qualification, according to a departmental audit. The Department of Basic Education has revealed that 7,294 unqualified Grade R practitioners are currently employed in public schools across all nine provinces in South Africa, and that only 2,121 of them are eligible for qualification upgrades.
These practitioners do not possess the minimum National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6 qualification required to teach at this level.
The figures were presented to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on Tuesday during a briefing on the status of regulations to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act as they relate to Grade R admissions.
The briefing also included updates on Sections 4 and 5 of the Children’s Amendment Bill of 2025.
In August, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, gazetted the first two sets of regulations under the BELA Act, 2024, for public comment.
Chief Director for the department of Basic Education, Enoch Rabotapi provided an update on the upgrading of qualifications for Grade R practitioners, emphasising that the BELA Act formally incorporates Grade R into basic education.
This means Grade R teachers must now hold qualifications equivalent to those of other educators.
“This process is meant to ensure that those already in the system but lacking the entry-level qualifications are supported to achieve them,” Rabotapi said.
He explained that the department first consulted with labour unions through the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), leading to the adoption of Collective Agreement 2 of 2025.
The agreement outlines measures for upgrading the qualifications of practitioners currently employed in schools.
He said the department has partnered with UNISA to facilitate the upgrading programme. UNISA was chosen for its distance-learning model, which allows practitioners to work while studying, and for its affordability.
Rabotapi said the ETDP SETA has also committed R66 million for the upgrading process during the current financial year.
Provincial education departments have been instructed to include the upgrading of Grade R practitioners in their annual performance plans.
Only then can ETDP SETA channel provincial allocations towards the further study of eligible practitioners.
Rabotapi said all eligible practitioners must apply to UNISA for the Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase, as the university has discontinued the Grade R diploma.
The diploma, previously intended for upgrading purposes, has now lapsed following guidance from the departments of Basic Education and Higher Education.
“Those who do not meet the entry requirements for the BEd Foundation Phase will be redirected into a one-year Higher Certificate in Education. Upon completion, they may enrol in the BEd programme, provided they have a matric qualification,” he said.
He said because UNISA’s standard application period had already closed, the department negotiated a special window for Grade R practitioners.
Applications were initially accepted from October 1 to 10, and the deadline has now been extended to December 19, 2025.
Rabotapi said that many practitioners are currently employed on stipends because they are not fully qualified educators.
Those who have already obtained a Grade R diploma meet the minimum requirement and may be absorbed into vacant posts as they arise.
He said the department has also worked with provinces to categorise practitioners according to eligibility.
“Exclusions include individuals over 60, who would be unable to render sufficient service after qualifying, and those without a matric, who cannot enrol at a university.”
He said following verification, 2,121 practitioners have been confirmed as eligible for upgrades.
According to him, UNISA has established a dedicated application process, and provinces have been tasked with ensuring all eligible practitioners submit applications.
“We are concerned about the slow application rate,” Rabotapi said.
“We welcome UNISA’s extension and are contacting practitioners directly to encourage them to apply. We are receiving a positive response as we continue monitoring the process.”
South Africans are carrying a debt load of about R2.6 trillion, which works out to roughly R43 000 for every man, woman, and child.
Yet, for the first time in a while, households are falling behind slightly less.
This is according to the Eighty20 Credit Stress Report, compiled with XDS, for the third quarter of 2025.
Overdue balances dropped by R3 billion in the quarter, bringing the total overdue amount to R212 billion.
The number of loans in arrears fell by almost 90 000, pulling the share of overdue loans down to 33.1%, the lowest point since early 2023.
At the same time, one million more loans were paid on time, continuing a seven-quarter streak of improvement.
That means just over 8% of all debt is now past due, down from 8.3% in the previous quarter. Most of the improvement came from people catching up on personal loans and vehicle finance instalments.
The Mass Credit Market: still under strain, but stabilising
The employed lower-middle-income group – mostly women with store accounts and sometimes credit cards – now numbers 8.6 million people.
They took out more than 2.1 million new loans in the quarter, most of them retail and personal loans.
This group owes R113 billion in total, about R13 000 per credit-active person.
Overdue balances climbed 6% from last year, and just over half of the group is still in default. However, this is an improvement from last year, with defaults down 7% in relative terms.
Middle Class Workers: steady, but feeling interest-rate pressure
The 4.1 million middle-income earners with families, mortgages and frequent shopping routines held 12.9 million loans this quarter.
They took up 1.2 million new loans, with personal loans making up nearly three-quarters of the total.
Their total debt has risen to R541 billion, around R130 000 per person.
Overdue balances rose 5.5% year-on-year, but fewer people in the segment are defaulting. The share of those with at least one loan in default fell to 41.5%.
Heavy Hitters: spending big and borrowing big
South Africa’s wealthiest 5% – the Heavy Hitters – continue to grow their borrowing faster than other groups.
There are now 2.2 million credit-active individuals in this segment, up 4% from last year.
They took out 693 000 loans this quarter, including 91 000 vehicle finance agreements.
That means this small group accounted for nearly two-thirds of all new car and asset finance loans.
Their home-loan balances climbed to R1 trillion, which is more than seven times the total debt load of the Middle Class Workers.
Vehicle finance hits five-year high
South Africans are buying cars again – or at least financing them more aggressively. New vehicle asset finance loans rose to 139 000 this quarter, the highest in five years.
Loan terms are also getting longer. Nearly 16% of new car loans now stretch beyond seven-and-a-half years, compared to 12% a year ago.
Longer terms usually mean lower monthly payments, suggesting lenders are helping consumers manage stretched budgets.
Defaults improve even as debt grows
The total number of credit-active consumers grew almost 4% over the year.
While overdue balances climbed 9%, fewer people have fallen three months or more behind on payments.
The share of consumers with at least one serious default dropped to 40.4%, continuing an improvement seen since late 2023.
Default levels are lowest among Heavy Hitters, Humble Elders and Comfortable Retirees. The Mass Market remains most vulnerable, with 51% in default.
Debt consumes nearly a third of income
On average, South Africans spent 28% of take-home pay on loan repayments in quarter three. For every R10 earned, almost R3 went straight to banks.
Heavy Hitters spent the most – nearly half of their income.
Middle Class Workers committed just over a third.
The Mass Market spent 19%, while Comfortable Retirees used 22% of their income on servicing debt, up from 20% a year ago.
The net result is that consumer credit markets expanded, with more active accounts and larger balances across most categories. Vehicle finance was particularly strong, reaching the highest levels in three years.
Suspended deputy police commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, will not be appearing at the Madlanga Commission after he called in sick, commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels confirmed to IOL.
Michaels said Sibiya was scheduled to testify on Thursday but he's informed the commission that he was ill, and therefore cannot testify.
“Sibiya was served with a subpoena to appear before the commission this Thursday, December 4.
“He has called in sick… So of course his testimony will have to stand over until next year, 2026, because this is the last week of the commission's hearings,” he said.
According to Michaels, Sibiya was served with rule 3 informing him of serious allegations against him.
Several witnesses have accused Sibiya of orchestrating the disbandment of the KZN Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
According to testimony already before the commission, Sibiya allegedly pushed for the team to be shut down and subsequently demanded that all PKTT dockets be transferred to his office.
About 121 dockets were reportedly moved under his instruction — only to be quietly returned to KZN months later, with no clear explanation of what had happened while they were under his control.
What the commission heard was that the dockets gathered dust at the national office.
The commission has also heard disturbing claims about Sibiya’s alleged proximity to powerful criminal figures, including Gauteng tycoon Vusimuzi “CAT” Matlala and alleged underworld businessman, Katiso “KT” Molefe.
Last month, Witness C testified that Matlala allegedly delivered cash to Sibiya through Sergeant F. Nkosi, a police officer under Sibiya’s supervision.
According to the witness, Matlala would hand over bundles of cash to Nkosi, who in turn allegedly passed the money to Sibiya - payments described as routine, informal and undisclosed.
The commission via its evidence leaders and Sibiya’s legal team will decide on the new date.
Meanwhile, Sibiya has denied any wrongdoing in the matter and also dismissed claims that he was in cahoots with the criminals.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has announced that the preparations for the party's 5th National General Council (NGC) are going smoothly.
The ANC's 5th National General Council (NGC), set to take place from December 8-12, 2025, will focus heavily on organisational renewal and ethical leadership.
This agenda was announced by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on Monday at a media briefing to discuss the party's readiness for the important gathering of NEC members.
The NGC is a vital forum for assessing the ANC's progress and its future strategic direction.
The five-day event will be held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, where the party's top brass is expected to map out some of its key policies flowing from the last ANC elective conference.
It comes at a time when some of the regional structures are preparing for their regional conference, with some key regions yet to hold their conferences.
At the weekend, Mbalula indicated that all regional structures have been directed to conclude their conferences before the NGC, with Johannesburg and Tshwane set to hold theirs from Wednesday to Friday.
On Sunday, regions and branches met in Cape Town to discuss their report to the NGC, after the party's NEC reconfigured the Western Cape's provincial leadership in an attempt to offset further electoral decline ahead of the next local government elections.
Mbalula said the party has improved its coordination between various local and provincial structures, which has contributed to smooth preparations.
"Preparations for the NGC are at an advanced stage with all logistical arrangements aligned to the directive of the National Executive Committee. The ANC is fully ready to host the delegates, stakeholders, and observers... Coordination between national and provincial structures has improved significantly," he said.
Mbalula, flanked by the party's national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, addressed the media after a one-day ANC NEC meeting, saying the upcoming five-day NGC will prioritise the party's renewal and governance issues.
According to Mbalula, the NGC's agenda includes evaluating the progress of organisational renewal, government performance, socio-economic reconstruction, and the execution of key resolutions adopted at the 22nd national conference. He emphasised that "A special focus will be placed on governance, especially local government interventions and economic strengthening of the ANC in communities."
The ANC, through Mbalula, expressed encouragement following President Cyril Ramaphosa's Sunday address, which reported on the recent G20 Summit.
"We welcome the president's address to the nation last night, particularly its focus on renewal and stability," Mbalula stated.
He added that Ramaphosa's message is consistent with the spirit in which the ANC is approaching the NGC and "reinforced confidence in the country's direction and the ANC leadership role in ensuring a better life for all."
The NGC logistics have been simplified, according to Mbalula, due to the party's recently improved financial health. This improvement follows a prolonged period of financial difficulty, which had led to various issues, including repeated delays in paying employees.
Mbalula affirmed: "As previously stated, the ANC has stabilised its financial situation and is making significant strides in meeting its operational obligations. The organisation's finances are getting better, bolstered by stronger systems, better compliance, and renewed donor confidence."
