Oyisa George

The Mowbray Muslim Cemetery Board election has moved into the counting and verification phase after the online voting process closed on Tuesday afternoon. The election, which is being overseen by an independent panel appointed by the court, saw 53 candidates contesting 11 positions following a lengthy legal dispute over the governance of the cemetery. Speaking to VOC News, chairperson of the independent election panel, Attorney Ighsaan Higgins, says the physical […]

The Supreme Court of Appeal is considering government’s appeal against a High Court judgment that declared several regulations governing the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant unconstitutional and invalid. The case focuses on issues including the online-only application system, the exclusion of potential beneficiaries and whether the grant should be expanded. Speaking to VOC News, Siyanda Baduza, Junior Basic Income Researcher at the Institute for Economic Justice, says the outcome […]

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is urging voters in the Western Cape to familiarise themselves with key election deadlines and special voting arrangements ahead of the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections. Speaking to VOC News, IEC Western Cape Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse says the commission is currently finalising the voters’ roll after the recent objection period. Political parties have until 5pm on Friday to submit their candidate nominations, […]

Three South African students are celebrating a major international achievement after their team won a global space design competition at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Zayaan Abdurahman, Benjamin Honigwachs and Dean Weich were part of Team ZA, which competed against students from around the world to design a spacecraft capable of carrying 3,000 people. Speaking to VOC News, Abdurahman described the moment they were announced as winners as “a […]

South Africa’s food inflation has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade, but rising fuel costs and global tensions could threaten the relief for households. Statistics South Africa says food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation slowed to 0.9% last month, with lower prices for meat and cereal products helping to ease pressure on consumers. Speaking to VOC News, Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa chief economist Wandile Sihlobo […]

South Africa has recorded 26 politically motivated killings this year, raising concerns about political violence and the safety of candidates and voters ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. Speaking to VOC News, University of the Western Cape School of Government professor Lisa Thompson says political killings have become a recurring feature of local government elections, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where the figures remain especially concerning. “Local government has become a […]

The R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund is facing renewed scrutiny over slow disbursements and concerns about the state’s ability to properly verify businesses applying for financial support. Speaking to VOC News, analyst Sandile Swana says only R83.9 million in applications had been approved, with R57 million actually disbursed to about 930 spaza shop owners. Swana says the figures raise questions about the implementation of the fund, particularly given the […]