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Gauteng is facing a severe cold front with freezing temperatures, heavy rain and hazardous driving conditions. Here’s what you need to know, who to call and how to stay safe.

City Power is working to restore electricity to thousands of Johannesburg residents after more than 2 400 outage calls were recorded during one of Gauteng’s coldest weather events in recent years. The utility said freezing temperatures, wet weather and increased electricity demand have placed severe pressure on the network, resulting in widespread outages across the city. Residents and businesses have been urged to reduce electricity usage during peak periods while technical teams continue restoration efforts under difficult weather conditions.

Gauteng residents could see light snowfall as an intense cold front sweeps across South Africa, bringing freezing temperatures, rain, strong winds and the possibility of snow in parts of the province. Snow Forecast issued for Monday, 10 August, and Tuesday, 11 August 2026, indicate that southern and eastern Gauteng, including Johannesburg, could experience light snowfall while temperatures are expected to fall to some of the coldest levels recorded in recent years. The severe weather system has already brought snowfall to parts of the Eastern Cape, with the South African Weather Service issuing high-level warnings for disruptive snowfall in several provinces.

More than 60 minibus taxis have been taken off Gauteng roads after transport authorities uncovered widespread licensing violations and serious vehicle defects during a week of stop and search operations across the province. The operations took place between 27 July and 2 August 2026 and targeted major public transport corridors in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

South Africans who have not registered for the 2026 Local Elections have until midnight on Friday, 7 August 2026, to complete the process before the voters’ roll closes.

South Africa has recorded its strongest electricity system performance in almost a decade, according to Eskom, with the power utility reporting zero diesel use for two consecutive weeks, its lowest unplanned outages in eight years and 441 consecutive days without load shedding. The update was released on Monday, 3 August 2026, and reflects Eskom’s operational performance between 24 and 30 July. The improvements matter for households, businesses and industries across Gauteng because a more stable electricity supply reduces pressure on the national grid, lowers operating costs and improves energy security.

South Africa’s Cabinet has approved extending the validity of driving licence cards for light motor vehicles from five years to 10 years, marking a significant policy change for millions of motorists. The decision was announced on Thursday, 30 July 2026, during a post Cabinet media briefing.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the members of South Africa’s National Council on Gender Based Violence and Femicide for a three-year term beginning on 1 August 2026. The appointments were announced on Friday, 31 July 2026, ahead of Women’s Month and follow the government’s recent classification of gender based violence and femicide as a national disaster. The National GBV Council will coordinate the country’s response to GBV across national, provincial and local government while providing strategic leadership to reduce violence against women and children.

A strengthening El Niño could expose South Africa to drought, intense heat and severe summer thunderstorms during the final months of 2026, with households, farmers and emergency services urged to monitor official seasonal forecasts.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has officially opened a new Smart Driver Licence Testing Centre at Gautrain Sandton Station in Johannesburg, introducing a fully cashless and appointment based licensing service aimed at reducing corruption and improving access for motorists.