South Africa · 2026-W37 · Global Weekly Agenda

IEC says ANC missed candidate list deadline as ATM seeks to join court case

First published Sun, Sep 13

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa says the ANC failed to meet the deadline for submitting candidate lists, rejecting the party's claim that a system glitch was to blame. The commission said the ANC had not submitted candidates' lists for almost all municipalities two days before the deadline.1 2 3

The dispute is before the courts, and the African Transformation Movement is seeking to intervene in the ANC's late candidate submissions case. The IEC has publicly pushed back on the ANC's account of why the submissions were late.1 4 2

Attributed claim: Coverage of the dispute divides over whether the commission should accommodate the ANC. Daily Maverick, a centre-left outlet, framed the question as whether the Electoral Commission should bend the rules when parties fail to comply, while centre outlets eNCA and IOL reported the IEC's position that the ANC simply missed the deadline rather than being the victim of a system glitch.1 2 5

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said he will not resign unless the ANC tells him to. His statement came amid the candidate lists battle.6

South African police warn women after four bodies found in Kempton Park

First published Sun, Sep 13

Police in Kempton Park have warned women to exercise extreme caution after four bodies were found in the area. Investigators are probing possible links between the four murders, and the most recent victim was found wearing sports gear.1 2 3

The family of a missing Kempton Park runner is waiting to identify a battered body that was found. The family of a missing woman from Gauteng has urged the public to stop spreading unverified rumours about the case.4 5

Kempton Park police held a prayer intervention at a crime hotspot in the area.6

South Africa processes over 80,000 foreign nationals for deportation since June

First published Sun, Sep 13

South African authorities have processed more than 80,000 foreign nationals for deportation since June. The figure covers people who attempted to cross the country's borders without authorization.1 2

The interministerial committee on migration briefed the media on the processing figures and related enforcement efforts. The committee also reported stepping up its fight against organized crime linked to migration.3 4

Treasury plans new funding to repair border infrastructure, which the government has identified as a gap in controlling unauthorized crossings. The funding proposal follows the April to July period in which large numbers of people tried to enter the country illegally.5 2

Zuma swaps MK Party's eThekwini mayoral candidate as party-list probe deepens

First published Sun, Sep 13

Jacob Zuma has replaced the MK Party's mayoral candidate in eThekwini as an investigation into the party's candidate lists deepens. The change comes as the party prepares for local elections in the metro.1 2

An Ipsos poll places the MK Party in pole position in eThekwini, but the ANC says it will retain the metro. The DA has ruled out any coalition with the MK Party, saying it will never partner with MK in eThekwini.3 4

The MK Party's expected sweep of KwaZulu-Natal has little to do with the party itself, according to analysis. Pro-Russia accounts on X have promoted Zuma's MK Party, a report by CIR says.5 6

The eThekwini mayoral race features a field of candidates from multiple parties. The MK Party, also known as uMkhonto Wesizwe, is Zuma's new political vehicle.7 8

El Niño could cost Africa $20bn as South Africa faces preparedness scrutiny

First published Sun, Sep 13

BACKGROUND

Concern about a strong El Niño event in 2026 has been building across Africa for months. In August 2026, a preparedness alert was issued for Southern Africa, and meteorologists convened at the African Union level to prepare the continent for what was described as a Super El Niño event in 2026/2027. Attention also focused on the Greater Horn of Africa, where El Niño impacts were being tracked, and on African agriculture, including calls to strengthen seed systems and to use AI and intelligence to shield farms from the phenomenon.

That earlier coverage framed the coming El Niño as a continental risk requiring advance planning, with South African outlets examining what the rare 2026 event could mean for the country. This week's news continues that thread, focusing on South Africa's state of readiness and on the projected cost for Africa.

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

El Niño conditions are present, and South Africa is being urged to prepare now for their impact. The warning has put the country's preparedness under scrutiny, with critics saying it waits for disaster to strike rather than acting in advance.1 2 3

The economic stakes extend beyond South Africa: El Niño could cost Africa $20 billion, with the hardest-hit areas still to be identified. The Africa Report frames the cost as a continental risk, while South African outlets focus on domestic readiness.4 1

Attributed claim: Daily Maverick argues that South Africa must pay for prevention now, while ewn.co.za and Cape Town ETC emphasize that the country is waiting for disaster to strike. The disagreement is over whether the priority is upfront spending or emergency response.3 1 2

The New York Times describes the event as a 'Super Godzilla Monster El Niño' and explains how it could affect weather patterns. The framing differs from the African outlets' focus on cost and preparedness.5

In Kenya, Laikipia residents have been urged to raise the alarm early in flood-prone areas as the government steps up precautions ahead of anticipated El Niño rains. Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Muli called on residents to report risks early.6