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In today’s episode, civil society organisations have finally been given a platform in Parliament, with Accountability Now calling for rampant corruption to be stopped immediately during submissions to the SAPS Ad Hoc Committee. Advocate Paul Hoffman told MPs that urgent action is needed to arrest corruption within the criminal justice system, while groups including GunFree SA are also scheduled to make representations.
The human cost of extreme weather continues to mount, with the death toll from the devastating Limpopo floods rising to 25, and three people still unaccounted for. The fatalities span ten municipalities after weeks of severe storms caused widespread destruction. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as more rain is forecast in parts of the province.
In Mpumalanga, authorities have issued urgent warnings after describing the Senteeko Dam as a ticking time bomb. A thin concrete slab is all that is holding back 1.8 million cubic litres of water, prompting officials to warn residents near Barberton to evacuate. The Department of Water and Sanitation says the dam is on the verge of collapse.
Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has told Parliament that South Africa faces a R400-billion maintenance backlog for water and sanitation, while just R26-million has been budgeted for these services in the 2025/26 financial year, including municipal grants.
Politics in Johannesburg is heating up ahead of the local government elections, with Herman Mashaba not ruling himself out of the race to become Joburg mayor. The comments follow reports that the DA has tipped Helen Zille as a potential candidate, setting the stage for a highly contested battle for control of the struggling metro.
In other news, we’re keeping an eye on…
· The State has opened a case against the March and March movement, Operation Dudula and the MK Party, accusing the groups of inciting public violence at Addington Primary School in Durban.
· KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Lesetja Senona is appearing before the Madlanga Commission, after his testimony was postponed last year. Senona denies helping alleged Big Five cartel member Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala secure a R360-million SAPS tender.
SPORTS
· In big money news for local football, Orlando Stadium has been renamed the Orlando Amstel Arena, following a new sponsorship agreement announced by Orlando Pirates.
· Cricket fans will not have long to mourn the end of the SA20, as the Proteas return to action against the West Indies in a three-match T20 series starting in Paarl tonight, serving as final preparation for next month’s T20 World Cup.
· In rugby, the Springboks will begin their 2026 international season against England at Ellis Park in July, with coach Rassie Erasmus confirming his focus on building squad depth ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Erasmus also confirmed that assistant coach Tony Brown will remain with the Bok setup until the end of his contract.
· In surfing, Jeffrey’s Bay will not be part of the World Surf League schedule this year, after Kouga Municipality confirmed that available funding was insufficient to host the event.
That is your News Bite for 27 January 2026. For developments on these stories and more, visit enca.com or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403.