🇿🇦Week of October 12

South Africa and Mozambique proposed a joint counter-narcotics centre to fight cross-border crime, put forward at a meeting in Pretoria. Mozambique's interior minister used the meeting to call for stronger cross-border cooperation. Four other African countries joined South Africa in the effort to combat drug trafficking.1234

Police minister warns that Southern Africa is no longer merely a drug transit route but has become a production hub. Reporting also describes a new international mafia taking hold in South Africa.15

The Pretoria meeting produced a concrete institutional proposal — a joint South African-Mozambican counter-narcotics centre — alongside the wider push to bring additional African states into anti-trafficking cooperation.234

Suliman Carrim was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for evading a subpoena from the Madlanga Commission. He was remanded in custody after bail proceedings were postponed, and is to spend the weekend in Kgosi Mampuru Prison.123

The state asked that Carrim be held in custody pending a bail probe, arguing he could escape. It pointed to five bags of luggage, a trip described as spiritual upliftment to Dubai, and a disputed return ticket he failed to produce. Carrim denies fleeing South Africa.456

Carrim's health took centre stage in the bail application, and he says doctors backed the Dubai trip despite his no-show at the commission.78

The Constitutional Court ruled that 181 ANC councillor candidates may contest the municipal elections. The Independent Electoral Commission then extended that ruling to 32 other parties ahead of the elections.1234

The IEC held a briefing on the Constitutional Court judgment to set out its next steps. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula collapsed after the court victory over the 181 ANC candidates.562

Mbalula said the ANC will review the DA's role in the Government of National Unity. EWN columnist Malaika Mahlatsi argued the ConCourt ruling was fair but should not legitimise Mbalula's lack of accountability.78

South Africa will stop subsidizing imported vehicle kits, a policy shift aimed at pressing automakers to build more vehicles inside the country. The change was presented at SA Auto Week, where the message was that import subsidies are out and localisation is in.123

New rules for car manufacturers are coming to South Africa as part of the same move away from support for imported kits. The measures place automakers under pressure to expand local assembly rather than rely on bringing in kits from abroad.413

The shift is framed around the changing car and the changing career, with the opportunity described as growing as the industry moves toward more local production.51

Agriculture Minister Hlabisa warned that this summer's El Niño will bring extreme heat and drought risks, saying the situation is "going to be next level." The warning covers South Africa's coming summer season and the agricultural risks attached to it.12

Hundreds of people marched to Parliament over El Niño and hunger, linking the climate outlook to food security. The march put the drought risk on the streets as well as in ministerial statements.3

Aucamp warned that fuel costs and El Niño will hit both farmers and consumers. The two pressures are being presented together as a cost burden on the agricultural sector and on households.4

South African farmers are described as better placed to face El Niño, though risks remain. The assessment sets current preparedness against the warnings of extreme heat and drought.5