It’s Wednesday, 11 February 2026, and this is News Bite, your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Marcelle Gordon.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero in the cross hairs of Johannesburg’s water crisis, as the Democratic Alliance announces it plans to take Joburg Water to court.
Morero says he does not believe the situation has reached the stage where a national disaster needs to be declared. But communities across Gauteng’s three metros say they have endured an on-again, off-again water supply for months, some without water for weeks. Residents of Emmerentia and the Parks suburbs joined the Water Crisis Committee in protest, as frustration spilled onto the streets.
The protest coincided with news that SAMWU’s unprotected strike at Joburg Water has been brought to an end, after workers downed tools over unpaid bonuses.
Morero held a press briefing addressing how the city is managing the crisis, admitting that funding constraints remain a major obstacle. Both the City and Rand Water have faced heavy criticism for poor communication during the ongoing water crisis.
The city has also acknowledged a billing blunder amid water outages, advising residents on what steps to take if they were charged during supply disruptions.
Meanwhile, the DA says the city failed to implement its turnaround strategy and did not fulfil its constitutional duty to provide clean, reliable water.
More fireworks at the SAPS Ad Hoc Committee, where forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan threatened to withdraw his cooperation after accusing MPs of interrogating him beyond agreed parameters.
The grilling continued, with ActionSA MP Dereleen James accusing O’Sullivan of lying under oath regarding alleged payments. O’Sullivan, in turn, accused KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of lacking the necessary security clearance to manage informants, arguing that this function belongs strictly to Crime Intelligence and the Secret Service Account.
The Judicial Inquiry into why recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission were not implemented has resumed in Johannesburg. Justice Sisi Khampepe is hearing opening statements from survivors and families of apartheid victims.
Families are also responding to former President Jacob Zuma’s application to appeal Khampepe’s decision to remain as Chairperson, after Zuma and Thabo Mbeki failed in their attempt to have her recuse herself.
More than 20,000 people are murdered in South Africa each year, and with police recovering roughly 100 illegal firearms weekly, gun violence remains central to the country’s crime crisis.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the scourge in his upcoming State of the Nation Address, as eNCA’s Dasen Thathiah examines how gun violence has rocked communities nationwide.
IN OTHER NEWS
· In KwaZulu-Natal, four suspects have been gunned down in a shootout with police in Durban, after being tracked to an informal settlement in Inanda. Police say the suspects were wanted for murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.
· Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has approved draft laws to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office until at least 2030, scrapping direct presidential elections and extending presidential terms from five to seven years.
SPORT
· The Proteas survived a double Super Over to beat Afghanistan in a T20 World Cup thriller, in the first-ever double Super Over in tournament history. South Africa posted 187 for six, with fifties from Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, before Afghanistan matched the total. Lungi Ngidi and Captain Aiden Markram reflected on the dramatic victory.
· In football, AmaZulu advance to the Nedbank Cup round of 16, beating Polokwane City 2–1 after extra time.
· And it’s crunch time for Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who says the club needs perfection to stay in the Premier League top-four race following defeat to Manchester City.
AND FINALLY…
Today marks 36 years since Nelson Mandela walked out of Victor Verster Prison, after 27 years behind bars. At the time of his imprisonment, it was illegal to publish or display his image or quote him publicly. Justin de Allende, a member of Mandela’s reception committee, reflects on the historic moment and the decisions taken that day.
That’s your News Bite for Wednesday, 11 February 2026.
For developments on these and more, visit enca.com or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403.