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.
Browsing: Community updates
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.
South Africans across the country are turning purple this week to stand against gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide. Women for Change is leading the campaign and is asking people to wear purple, tie ribbons in visible places, and switch their profile pictures to purple to show unity.
Gauteng households and businesses will once again need to adjust their routines this week as load reduction continues across several communities in the province. While many residents have become used to scheduled electricity cuts, the impact remains deeply felt. Outages influence school morning routines, disrupt remote and shift work, reduce operating hours for small businesses, and can heighten safety risks in the evenings.
South Africa’s electricity crisis has entered a new phase. Eskom revealed that most of the country’s load reduction cases are concentrated in only four provinces, and Gauteng tops the list.
The power utility’s latest briefing to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy exposed how infrastructure failures, theft, and overloading are placing the national grid under serious strain. These problems have turned localised blackouts into an everyday occurrence for many South Africans.