Oyisa George

Civil society groups and opposition leaders are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) translates into real improvements in the lives of South Africans. The Budget Justice Coalition (BJC) says ordinary citizens will have little to celebrate if the president’s announcements are not matched by adequate funding. “The President is likely to highlight stabilising debt, a slightly improved GDP outlook, and energy, […]

As South Africa prepares for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, political leaders are calling for urgent action on local government, crime, and economic growth. Political analyst Sanusha Naidu told VOC News that the address will be closely scrutinised. “The SONA is about more than achievements — it’s about setting out the roadmap for 2026. Citizens want clarity on how the government will restore […]

Cape Town marked the one-year anniversary of the Tafelberg matter in the Constitutional Court on 11 February — a date that also commemorates 60 years since District Six was declared a White Group Area and 36 years since Nelson Mandela’s release. The case continues to highlight the city’s ongoing struggle for spatial justice and equitable housing. Zacharia Mashele, Media and Communications Officer at Ndifuna Ukwazi, said the case demonstrates how […]

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a nationwide recall of selected ButtaNutt peanut butter products after tests revealed aflatoxin levels above the permitted limit. The affected batches were manufactured on 15 January 2026 and distributed across Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by certain fungi and may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. NCC Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu urged […]

The Western Cape Government has set aside R100 million to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and protect the province’s livestock industry. Premier Alan Winde and the provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, provided an update on Sunday. “We are acting swiftly with all stakeholders to get ahead of this outbreak. The Western Cape Government has set aside R100 million to procure sufficient vaccine […]

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced the establishment of a specialised task team in response to the interim report of the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry. Speaking to the media in Pretoria on Friday, Advocate Andy Mothibi said the team will comprise investigators and state advocates who will conduct prosecutor-guided investigations. “This model is designed to ensure swift and effective investigations, with prosecutors and investigators working closely to manage […]

Cape Town residents could soon access a new appointment-only Home Affairs office at the Civic Centre on Hertzog Boulevard. The move is intended to ease pressure on the busy Barrack Street office and improve access to services. The proposed office will be located on the second floor of the Civic Centre. The Department of Home Affairs will lease the space from the City and begin internal construction and operational preparations […]

Cape Town motorists may soon face stricter enforcement on the roads, as the City considers rolling out AI-powered traffic cameras to detect seatbelt and cellphone offences. Speaking to VOC News, Traffic Services spokesperson Kevin Jacobs said the technology, which has already been piloted on Phillip Kokozana Drive, is capable of capturing multiple violations simultaneously. “The technology is very effective at detecting multiple offences, and we believe it will significantly improve […]

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says intensified security operations in the Western Cape have highlighted both progress and deep-rooted challenges within the province’s correctional system. Addressing the media on Monday, National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, outlined the outcomes of the 2025–2026 festive season security intervention, known as Operation Vala, as well as findings from investigations into serious incidents at Western Cape correctional centres. Thobakgale […]