South Africa has recorded four additional laboratory confirmed Mpox cases, taking the national total from 18 to 22 as of 22 September 2026. Gauteng has recorded three cases, while 18 are in the Western Cape and one is in KwaZulu Natal.
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Gauteng police arrested ten suspects and recovered nine firearms after a shootout in Cleveland, Johannesburg, on Monday, 21 September 2026. The confrontation occurred at approximately 19:36 after officers on patrol attempted to intercept a Hyundai H100 fitted with blue lights and a siren. One suspect was fatally shot, two others fled on foot, and police have opened several criminal cases as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The South African Police Service has warned Gauteng residents not to circulate unverified suspect photographs linked to the murders of nine women in Ekurhuleni, saying it has not released any official wanted posters or identikits. The warning, issued on Friday, 18 September 2026, comes as investigators examine the deaths and social media users circulate images alleging that certain individuals are involved. By Monday, 21 September, police had also arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Gracious Nkomo in Dawn Park, while a separate discovery of a woman’s body in Soweto remained under investigation.
South Africa has recorded 18 confirmed mpox cases and one probable case as of Thursday, 17 September 2026, prompting the Department of Health to urge residents to watch for symptoms and seek medical care. Fifteen cases have been reported in the Western Cape, three in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu Natal, with most infections concentrated in Cape Town. The department issued its warning on Friday, 18 September, after 13 of the 19 cases were recorded within five weeks, raising concern about recent local transmission.
Johannesburg Water has intensified measures to protect the city’s water supply as forecasts of hotter and drier conditions linked to El Niño raise concerns about water availability. In a statement reported on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, the utility said it was managing reservoir levels, strengthening pressure controls and prioritising leak repairs across Johannesburg. The interventions aim to balance available water with demand while reducing losses from a supply system that is already under pressure.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has reported progress on the province’s e toll debt, Gautrain expansion plans and lifestyle audits during a state of governance briefing on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. Speaking about transport, government accountability and public safety, Lesufi said Gauteng had paid R13 billion of its R20 billion e toll debt as of June and completed lifestyle audits for all provincial government CEOs and heads of department. He also announced further administrative progress on Gautrain expansion and outlined plans to strengthen the police response to recent murders of women in Kempton Park.
The South African Police Service arrested a 45 year old suspected drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday, 7 September 2026, after allegedly finding two kilograms of suspected cocaine worth more than R800 000 in his luggage. The traveller was allegedly heading to Hong Kong, China, and became the second suspected drug mule arrested at the Gauteng airport in four days.
The Gauteng Transport Inspectorate found 296 minibus taxi drivers operating without valid driving licences and 268 minibuses without valid licence discs during enforcement operations across Gauteng in August 2026. Inspectors also impounded 13 taxis and discontinued 84 vehicles after finding roadworthiness and compliance problems.
A potential class action is being investigated after nearly 500 women contacted a South African law firm over a recalled batch of Yaz Plus birth control pills that allegedly caused unintended pregnancies. The affected contraceptive batch was recalled in November 2024 following a packaging error, and legal investigations are continuing during 2026.
South Africa’s electricity tariffs have increased by more than 900% since 2007, according to Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. Speaking ahead of the release of the government’s new electricity pricing policy for public comment, the minister said tariffs had risen from about 19 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2007 to more than R3.70 per kilowatt-hour today. The announcement is significant for households, businesses and industries across Gauteng, where electricity remains a major monthly expense and an important driver of economic activity.