SPAR has recalled several yoghurt products sold nationally after a production-machine malfunction raised concerns about spoilage and possible stomach upset. The National Consumer Commission said the affected products were sold in SPAR stores from 15 June 2026 and carry a sell-by date of 9 August 2026 and a use-by date of 12 August 2026.
Browsing: Community updates
Johannesburg residents in parts of Sandton, Midrand, Soweto, Randburg, Lenasia and the inner city may experience low water pressure or a water shutdown or 12 hours on Friday, 17 July 2026. Rand Water is scheduled to conduct the second and final phase of planned maintenance between 07:00 and 19:00.
Rand Water’s 20% reduction in bulk water supply to Lesedi Local Municipality has been suspended while Gauteng government departments and the municipality develop a recovery plan for its outstanding water debt. The decision follows a high-level meeting involving the Gauteng Provincial Government, Rand Water, the Department of Water and Sanitation and Lesedi Local Municipality.
Zimbabwe says more than 60,000 of its citizens have returned from South Africa following the 30 June nationwide protests linked to the March and March movement and growing concern about immigration enforcement. The figures include people repatriated through government-supported processes and others who returned independently.
A woman has died after a shack fire tore through two structures in Pretoria West, making it the third major informal settlement fire reported in Tshwane this winter. The latest tragedy has renewed concerns about fire safety as colder temperatures drive increased use of heaters, electric blankets, candles and cooking appliances across Gauteng.
A 50-year-old man’s body was recovered from a Bryanston river on 16 June, prompting an investigation by Sandton police and renewed warnings about water safety across Gauteng. Emergency services were called to the Riverpark area after reports of a body in the river, where Johannesburg Water Policing and Diving Services conducted a recovery operation.
Gauteng is recording an average of 27 kidnappings every day as new crime statistics reveal a sharp rise in abductions, ransom-related crimes and online luring incidents across the province. According to the latest South African Police Service crime data, Gauteng recorded 2,452 kidnapping cases between January and March 2026, making it the country’s kidnapping hotspot.
Residents in Merafong on Gauteng’s West Rand continue to live in homes fitted with asbestos roofing, despite the material being banned more than a decade ago. Communities in Khutsong and Kokosi are among those affected, with civil society groups warning that prolonged asbestos exposure places families at risk of serious health conditions.
Malaria infections are rising sharply in Gauteng, with health authorities confirming a significant increase in both cases and deaths in early 2026. The Gauteng Department of Health has recorded 414 cases and 11 deaths between January and March, already surpassing fatalities reported for the entire 2025 year. The spike affects residents across the province, particularly those who travelled to malaria-endemic regions during the festive period. Officials warn that delayed diagnosis continues to drive fatalities, making early detection critical.
The City of Johannesburg is moving ahead with plans to rename four streets in the central business district (CBD) as part of a broader urban regeneration project. The changes affect residents, businesses, and commuters navigating the inner city, particularly around the Cathedral of St Mary the Virgin.