It’s Friday, 27 February 2026, and this is News Bite, your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Marcelle Gordon.
The safety of sanitary products is under the spotlight after a University of the Free State study found harmful substances in major brands; a concern made even heavier by the reality that many women and girls rely on pad donations, with around 30% affected by period poverty.
The National Consumer Commission says it’s engaging with the university and will expand testing across multiple brands; including tampons.
Paul O’Sullivan says he hasn’t ruled out returning to Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee after his chaotic exit from testimony on Thursday.
In an interview with Heidi Giokos, he says he’ll resume if invited; but wants the committee’s tone to change.
The EFF says it plans to open a criminal case of contempt against him, while parties across the spectrum have weighed in on what happened inside that room.
And it’s “lights, camera, nominations” in the Democratic Alliance leadership race. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga have officially accepted nominations after John Steenhuisen withdrew from re-election.
The DA will elect a new leader at its congress in April.
In the Eastern Cape, unemployed qualified doctors protested outside the provincial legislature in Bhisho ahead of the State of the Province Address, calling for action on jobs. The province’s unemployment rate is 42.5%, and it reportedly lost around 79,000 jobs in 2025.
In the US, Hillary Clinton told a congressional committee she doesn’t remember ever meeting convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and says she has no connection to him or his properties.
She testified for seven hours behind closed doors, while the Republican-led committee says it has no plans to call President Donald Trump despite his name appearing extensively in the files, with reports now claiming the Department of Justice withheld portions containing other allegations involving the President.
IN OTHER NEWS WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON
· Two men linked to the looting of Tembisa Hospital are back in court, as the SIU says it has already recovered R13.5 million from a former hospital official.
· Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe was scheduled to return to the eKapa mine in Kimberley as efforts continue to locate five missing mineworkers. The company has applied for liquidation and shut down operations, with workers heading home without pay.
SPORTS
· There’s a lot at stake in Saturday’s Soweto Derby as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates chase league honours, with Chiefs trailing Pirates by eight points but holding a game in hand. Banyana Banyana face Zimbabwe in the Women’s COSAFA Championships as preparations continue for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
· And the Proteas remain the only unbeaten team left in the T20 World Cup. Captain Aiden Markram top-scored with an unbeaten 82 off 46 balls as South Africa chased down 176 against the West Indies to win by nine wickets; but he says the team isn’t getting ahead of itself. South Africa next face Zimbabwe on Sunday.
That’s your News Bite for 27 February 2026. For updates on these stories and more, visit enca.com or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403.