Browsing: Gauteng News

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.

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.

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.

South Africa is seeking to strengthen its position as a cloud-computing and artificial-intelligence hub, with new technology investments announced in Johannesburg and planned digital-skills support for Gauteng. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country’s digital growth strategy must combine infrastructure investment, job creation and support for small businesses with safeguards for privacy, data security and national sovereignty.

Three people have been arrested after gunfire erupted during Johannesburg’s 30 June anti-illegal immigration protest, bringing a tense end to what had largely been a peaceful day of demonstrations. Police confirmed that two people, including a 17-year-old, were injured after shots were allegedly fired at protesters in Hillbrow following the official conclusion of the march.

Police are investigating two separate gun incidents reported within days of each other after a woman was safely disarmed at her Pretoria home and social media influencer Ricardo Spies died following a shooting outside a restaurant in Witbank. Although the incidents are unrelated and occurred in different provinces, both remain under active investigation and have renewed attention on responsible firearm ownership and emergency response procedures.