South African president and ANC leader navigating crises and BRICS diplomacy
Two Ghanaian nationals have submitted a petition to the International Criminal Court alleging repeated, widespread attacks on African migrants in South Africa between 2015 and 2026 and accusing South African authorities of failing to prevent or prosecute those responsible. The ICC has confirmed receipt; South Africa says the petition does not meet the court's threshold and insists domestic law can respond.
Kenya’s Deputy President has reiterated that intergovernmental coordination remains under his chair, amid ongoing speculation that his role may shift. Analysts say constitutional safeguards keep IBEC under the Deputy President, while some officials describe online claims as fake news.
Protests against foreign nationals in South Africa have intensified, prompting mass departures of foreigners and straining diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries. Nigerian citizens are evacuating, and Nigeria has removed Tyla’s Lagos date amid backlash over xenophobic sentiment.
A British family’s deaths in a July incident are being investigated as an extradition fight unfolds over a Zimbabwean man suspected of involvement. UK and South African authorities continue to pursue charges while tributes are paid at funerals in Bulawayo.
A wave of xenophobic protests in South Africa has intensified, targeting undocumented migrants and fueling violence, looting, and displacement. Governments are coordinating repatriation, while discussions on formal migration policy and regional dialogue are accelerating ahead of local elections.
As South Africa marks the 70th anniversary of the 1956 march for women’s rights, officials say gains in representation have not translated into security or economic equality. The day highlights ongoing gender-based violence and inequality, with data showing rising violence against women and continued gaps between political progress and daily realities.
An overloaded government ferry has capsized on Lake Kariba, killing dozens and forcing Zimbabwe to declare a state of disaster. Authorities have rescued 77 people and recovered multiple bodies; ticket records show 114 adult passengers and five crew, while the vessel’s capacity was 90. Search and recovery teams are continuing operations and families are holding funerals.
South Africa will host the SADC summit under the theme of resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation, focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, minerals transformation and regional value chains. Leaders will review regional stability, intra-regional trade, and progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area, with Ramaphosa set to take over as chair.
The Supreme Court has refused to rehear Donald Trump’s defamation and sex-abuse verdict cases involving E. Jean Carroll. The latest order leaves the $5 million defamation verdict intact and maintains a separate $83.3 million defamation award under review. The decision follows two earlier denials of petitions to reconsider.
Malawi has completed the repatriation of its nationals from South Africa, bringing home 56,723 people after four months of mass return transport. Many had laboured in South Africa’s farms and industries since 2019, facing harsh conditions before returning to Malawi’s villages and towns.
Survivors and descendants of Sharpeville victims push in Gauteng High Court to repeal the Indemnity Act of 1961, seeking civil and criminal redress for killings during protests. The case follows decades of struggle and new legal challenges.
Leaders from BRICS are meeting in New Delhi for a summit that will test ties between India, China and Russia while India balances relations with Western partners. Japan's Okinawa has held a governor race that is reflecting economic concerns. Several Asian policy and business events this week include a Philippine AI infrastructure plan, a Huawei trial in New York and Hong Kong's BIOHK2026 conference.
BRICS leaders have convened in New Delhi amid efforts to shape a new multipolar order. While a joint declaration has been reached, divisions on Middle East war, trade imbalances, and regional alignments remain. Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi are steering the bloc toward strategic autonomy, with tensions over balancing Western influence and internal disagreements evident.
BRICS leaders gather in New Delhi as Xi, Putin, Pezeshkian and others meet India for a pivotal summit. The talks focus on expanding trade in national currencies, energy cooperation, and reforms to global institutions, with tensions over the Ukraine war, Middle East conflicts, and US-dominated financial systems at the forefront.
BRICS leaders are gathering in New Delhi as tensions over Ukraine, the Middle East, and U.S.-China dynamics test the bloc’s ability to find common ground. Leaders push for reforms to global institutions, digital collaboration, and currency diversification, while facing fractures over sanctions and regional conflicts.
BRICS leaders gather in New Delhi amid tensions from the US–Iran war, amid broader global upheaval. The expanded bloc faces divisions over how to respond to Middle East conflicts, energy markets, and trade wars, while stressing a Global South-led reform agenda.
BRICS leaders have adopted the New Delhi Declaration, calling for maximum restraint in the Middle East, protection of civilians and nuclear facilities, and opposing unilateral trade measures. The statement has avoided naming the US, Israel or Iran and authorised a payments task force to ease local‑currency settlements among members.
The US has announced visa restrictions for foreign nationals it finds responsible for or complicit in race-based discrimination, uncompensated land seizures or incitement of violence against minority groups in South Africa. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the measures respond to concerns about land-expropriation laws, affirmative-action policies and violent rhetoric; Pretoria has rejected the allegations.
Nusrat Osman has been rescued in a police operation in Blantyre after being abducted last week. Four suspects were killed in the clash, and a senior officer was wounded. Osman has been reunited with her family and is undergoing medical checks.
Xi has approached China-India relations with a strategic, long-term view, urging high-quality cooperation and expanded people-to-people and business ties. Modi thanks Xi for hosting the summit as BRICS eyes broader collaboration. Both leaders reaffirm a peaceful boundary settlement, while trade, supply chains and market access remain on the agenda.
Police have found a ninth body in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, as investigations intensify into a series of murders of women in the area. Authorities are considering all possibilities, including multiple suspects or separate perpetrators, and have issued a public warning amid rising femicide and violent crime concerns.
Shadrack Sibiya, the suspended deputy national police commissioner, has been charged with rape, trafficking and grooming a minor. He faces additional allegations linked to political killings investigations and a controversial health tender within the Madlanga Commission inquiry. The case sits amid ongoing scrutiny of police corruption and gender-based violence in South Africa.
The South African government has addressed Washington’s five asks on sanctions and refugee policy; the US is reassessing its stance as Pretoria says it has fulfilled parts of the demands while others remain under discussion. New travel sanctions remain disputed as both sides push for a resolution.
A spate of killings of women in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, has sparked national alarm over gender-based violence. Nine bodies have been found in two months; authorities are reviewing cases, and no definitive links have been established. Investigations include potential serial-killer links, police actions, and public safety advisories.
Two separate mass shootings in South African townships have killed at least 27 people and wounded scores. One attack at a tavern in Wedela, southwest of Johannesburg, has left 17 dead; a second attack in Lwandle, near Cape Town, has left 10 dead. Police have launched investigations and are searching for multiple suspects.
A helicopter carrying six people, including businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lulu, has crashed near Marondera in Zimbabwe. Authorities say there are no survivors. Investigations are underway to determine the cause.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2026 Peace Prize to South African jurist Navi Pillay for her decades-long work enforcing international law, including leadership at the Rwanda tribunal, service on multiple international courts and chairing a UN inquiry that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza. Pillay received the news while attending a legal forum in Nuremberg.
Formula One has signed a 10-year agreement with Rwanda to host the African Grand Prix on a new, purpose-built FIA Grade 1 circuit in Bugesera, about 40km south of Kigali. The deal, announced in Kigali, has set the first race for the early 2030s and forms part of a wider development to drive tourism, jobs and motorsport training while prompting sportswashing concerns.
National Police Commissioner Masemola has returned to work after a six-month suspension tied to a health-services contract case. Prosecutors have dropped the charges, Ramaphosa has welcomed the return, and the Madlanga Commission continues to scrutinize police investigations.
A 40-year memorial in Mbuzini marks the Mbuzini plane crash that killed Mozambican leader Samora Machel and 34 others. Officials emphasise the right to truth as new remarks underscore unresolved doubts about the crash and its causes, with the event drawing ties between Mozambique and South Africa and reaffirming commitments to memory, peace and development.
Police say a man was assaulted during a march in Durban's city centre; the death is linked to months of anti-immigrant protests in South Africa. Authorities warn thousands of migrants have fled the country amid ongoing tensions and violence tied to anti-immigrant demonstrations.
Lula has secured a fourth term after a runoff in which he gained about 4.4 million votes more than Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is contesting the results, calling for annulment, while Lula’s victory is recognized by many world leaders. The extension of voting hours sparked controversy, with courts extending voting to address transport and weather issues.