Traffic resumed on sections of the N2 and R61 after protests disrupted roads in parts of the Eastern Cape. The source reports that tensions remain high in some areas and motorists are urged to exercise caution.
At a conference in Pretoria, Lamola called for an equal Africa-Europe partnership focused on economic transformation. He advocated practical cooperation, including investment in mineral processing and manufacturing.
The excerpt says four Republican and three Democratic members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee urged President Donald Trump to reverse a diesel supply deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing it violates a law banning Russian energy imports. Additional details about the deal were not included in the source data received by Planet Briefing.
The source describes the Borana Gadaa system as a model for peaceful power transitions, accountable leadership, inclusive governance, and public participation in African elections. It provides no specific election or current event details.
The source describes government plans to bring provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 into force. Further details about the provisions and timing were not included in the source data received by Planet Briefing.
The source describes statistics on further education and skills in England for the 2025–2026 academic year, including apprenticeships and adult further education.
At the 8th Social Justice Summit at Stellenbosch University, Deputy Minister Namane Dickson Masemola called for stronger national and provincial support for municipalities. He cited financial distress, weak governance and service-delivery problems affecting communities.
South Africa’s Department of Basic Education called for efforts to strengthen girls’ confidence and leadership at an International Day of the Girl Child commemoration in Potchefstroom. The event also addressed barriers to girls’ participation in education and leadership.
Two former Home Affairs employees arrested for fraudulently issuing passports The Department of Home Affairs has welcomed the arrest of two former officials linked to a syndicate that fraudulently issued South African passports to foreign nationals for up to R100 000 each. The officials allegedly exploited weaknesses in an outdated manual process to issue passports through a loophole known as "photo swapping". This involved using the identity details of legitimate South African citizens to obtain passports bearing photographs of foreign nationals. The arrests follow a joint investigation by the department's Counter Corruption Unit and the Hawks, which uncovered the syndicate in 2022. “This case is a powerful example of why we are digitally transforming Home Affairs. Under the department's ongoing digital reforms, biometric verification now links applicants to their identities throughout the application process, including when photographs are captured. This closes the loophole that previously enabled criminals to substitute a foreign national's photograph for that of a South African citizen. “The same approach underpins the department's Digital Partnership with banks, which is expanding access to Smart ID Cards through secure, digitally integrated processes,” Home Affairs said. Home Affairs said that, by automating identity verification and reducing human discretion, it is systematically removing
Illustrative image: Officers from Dudley Police held a police surgery this week for the over 60's. On offer was a host of crime prevention advice and a few home security goodies. This image forms part of the West Midlands Police 'Photo of the Day 2012' project. We will be adding a new photo every day of the year to highlight the breadth of work carried out by police officers and staff across the West Midlands. For more photo of the day images, please visit this link. bit.ly/ypEaRZ . — West Midlands Police from West Midlands, United Kingdom/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
The South African Police Service (SAPS) launched its National Safer Festive Season campaign in Mpumalanga alongside ongoing Operation Shanela. The source reports arrests and weapons seizures during the preceding week; additional details were not included in the source data received by Planet Briefing.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile called for stronger implementation of South Africa’s District Development Model, with success measured by its impact on communities. The statement was delivered at the 8th Social Justice Summit at Stellenbosch University.
UNHCR has received $3 billion of the $8.5 billion it says it needs this year, while 117 million people are forced from their homes. Its chief warns the global support system for asylum-seekers risks buckling.
The South African Police Service says Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya resigned after disciplinary proceedings began and that his employment ended with immediate effect on 12 October 2026.
Illustrative image: President Alberto Fernández held a meeting this noon at the InterContinental Hotel in São Paulo with the president-elect of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who yesterday won the election against Jair Bolsonaro. — Casa Rosada/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5 ar
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva led a large rally on Avenida Paulista in São Paulo to relaunch his campaign two weeks before the October 25 runoff, where he trails Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. He told the largely young crowd, “This country cannot lose its democracy.”
South Africa’s deputy minister for forestry, fisheries and the environment urged cooperation to cultivate medicinal plants. The excerpt says 154 commonly used species are at risk of extinction from overuse.
eThekwini Municipality is holding roadshows to gather views on proposed amendments to its retail-markets and informal-trade bylaws. The first session is scheduled for 13 October 2026 at iTRUMP Hall in Durban.
Applications for special votes in South Africa’s Local Government Elections close at 5 pm on 12 October 2026; the election is scheduled for 4 November 2026. Eligible voters can apply online, by SMS for a voting-station special vote, or in person at a local IEC office.
Illustrative image: El presidente de Argentina Javier Milei fue recibido por la presidenta de la Bolsa de Valores de Nueva York, Lynn Martin — Argentina.gob.ar/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Javier Milei’s government launched a programme offering Argentine nationality for a US$350,000 Treasury contribution or the purchase of a US$800,000 bond. Constitutional lawyers and the opposition are challenging it, with the opposition seeking to block it in Congress.
Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala will open and hand over the Ndwedwe SAPS victim support centre in KwaZulu-Natal. The source says it is intended to provide a confidential, respectful space for victims of gender-based violence to be interviewed and give statements.
The excerpt says South Africa is releasing approximately 2.5 million hectares of state-owned land to black farmers through the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the initiative includes title deeds and aims to expand commercial farming.
The source describes how to complete a pupil numbers return for academic year 2027 to 2028. Further details were not included in the source data received by Planet Briefing.
Police were commended for interventions to maintain law and order in KZN. The source reports 30 arrests across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, including people allegedly involved in threats to disrupt football matches in Durban.
The South African Police Service is launching its National Safer Festive Season Operations in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga. The stated aims include crime prevention and community safety during the festive season.
