It’s Friday, 13 February 2026, and this is News Bite, your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Marcelle Gordon.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announces major action points in the State of the Nation Address, but opposition leaders say they’ve heard it all before.
Communities that have taken to the streets over ongoing water outages would have felt vindicated watching the State of the Nation Address on Thursday night. The President acknowledged that poor planning and inadequate maintenance of municipal water systems are driving the crisis, admitting that governance failures lie at the heart of collapsing infrastructure.
Ramaphosa has directed the Ministers of Water and Cooperative Governance to prioritise the crisis and announced the formation of a National Water Crisis Committee, which he will chair himself. He also pledged R156 billion for water infrastructure upgrades amid worsening shortages.
The President pointed to repeated findings by the Auditor-General that insufficient accountability, poor financial management and governance have become the hallmark of local government.
But for EFF leader Julius Malema, it was “nothing new”. Malema accused Ramaphosa of recycling promises in SONA without execution, questioning whether implementation will follow rhetoric.
Government steps up its fight against organised crime.
Ramaphosa described organised crime as the most immediate threat to South Africa’s democracy and economic development, announcing that the SANDF will be deployed to gang-ridden areas as part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal syndicates.
UDM leader and Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa welcomed the move, but political analysts have warned that SANDF deployment alone won’t fix the gang crisis without systemic policing reform.
Government confirms a nationwide vaccination drive to tackle Foot and Mouth Disease.
Following weeks of pressure from farmers, the President announced a nationwide push to vaccinate South Africa’s 14 million cattle, requiring an estimated 28 million vaccine doses to contain the outbreak.
The move follows mounting concern from the farming community and previous warnings about the economic impact of the disease.
A senior IPID investigator lays bare the dangers of fighting corruption in law enforcement.
Nomsa Masuku testified at the Madlanga Commission, describing the risks faced by investigators working on high-level corruption cases. Her testimony centred on the murder of Emmanuel Mbense, whose body was discovered in April 2022.
Masuku told the commission that IPID investigations have positively linked members of EMPD and SAPS to the killing. The case was first exposed to the commission by Marius van der Merwe, who was himself murdered in December last year.
Parents demand answers after the death of a Grade R pupil at Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville.
A five-year-old child allegedly suffocated after being locked alone in a classroom during a school event. The family believes there has been an attempted cover-up due to conflicting accounts of what happened.
The school community protested outside the premises, demanding accountability from the Gauteng Education Department, as officials attempt to piece together the sequence of events.
IN OTHER NEWS
· Former US President Donald Trump has scrapped a landmark climate ruling introduced under Barack Obama, dismantling a key legal framework used to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
· And in Asia, South Korea’s intelligence agency reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be preparing for a fourth generation of dynastic rule, reportedly designating his 13-year-old daughter Kim Ju Ae as heir.
SPORT
· There was drama at the T20 World Cup in Colombo, where Zimbabwe beat Australia by 23 runs, marking the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
· South Africa face New Zealand in a crucial Group D clash, with both teams level on four points. Ryan Rickelton says their previous super over win against Afghanistan has boosted confidence heading into the encounter.
· At Willowmoore Park, Laura Wolvaardt marks her 10-year anniversary as an international cricketer, as the Proteas Women take on Pakistan in the second of their T20 series, leading 1–0.
· And in the English Premier League, Arsenal dropped points in a 1–1 draw at Brentford, allowing Manchester City to close the gap to four points in the title race.
That’s how we wrap today’s News Bite.
For developments on these and more, visit enca.com or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403.