This compilation of articles covers three distinct events in South Africa: an inquiry into the deaths of soldiers in the DRC, a court ruling on refugee law, and a mass shooting in Ngcobo.

Inquiry into DRC Troop Deaths: The South African government has initiated a military board of inquiry to investigate the deaths of 14 SANDF soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The inquiry will commence after the withdrawal of SANDF troops from the region. Deputy Minister of Defense Bantu Holomisa emphasized that the mission's success should not be judged by a single incident. Defense analyst Ricardo Teixeira has raised concerns about the transparency of an internal SANDF-led inquiry, advocating for parliamentary oversight to ensure accountability. Teixeira highlighted past operational failures, including intelligence inadequacies and equipment shortages. The inquiry aims to address whether risks were underestimated and why warnings from lower-ranking officers were seemingly ignored, with the goal of restoring public trust and improving future deployments.

Refugee Act Ruling: The Western Cape High Court has declared sections of South Africa's Refugee Act unconstitutional, following a challenge by the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town. The court scrutinized Section 4 of the Act, which barred people from applying for refugee status if they entered the country illegally, failed to report to a refugee office within five days, or were suspected of using fraudulent documents. Human Rights Groups like Lawyers for Human Rights welcomed the decision. Nabeelah Mia, head of Lawyers for Human Rights’ Penal Reform Unit, said these provisions blocked people from accessing the asylum system based on how they entered the country. The ruling has been referred to the Constitutional Court for confirmation. Until the Constitutional Court rules, asylum seekers remain at risk. Mia stressed the need for better systems and training within the Department of Home Affairs to distinguish between genuine asylum seekers and those attempting to abuse the system. Concerns remain over continued deportations that could breach international law obligations.

Mass Shooting in Ngcobo: A mass shooting in Mangweni location, Ngcobo, has resulted in three deaths and two injuries. The incident occurred on the evening of 15 May 2025, when two armed men stormed a home where family members were mourning a relative's death. Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso has urged the community to assist police in tracking down the suspects. The police have mobilized their full resources to trace the suspects and a team of detectives are on the ground. The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit in Ngcobo is investigating three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Authorities have appealed to the public for any information that could aid the investigation.