The Gauteng government has extended its support to the family of the late Ekurhuleni MMC for Roads and Transport, Andile Mngwevu, following the grim discovery of his body in Mozambique. Mngwevu, a 40-year-old politician, had gone missing after the car he was traveling in with friends was swept away by devastating floods in the Chokwé region of Mozambique. His family expressed profound devastation upon learning of the recovery of his body after an extensive search operation.

Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson for Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, conveyed the government's deep sadness regarding the incident and assured the family of their assistance during this difficult period. Mhlanga also offered condolences to the families of others involved in the same incident, whose identities are still awaiting confirmation. One individual survived the ordeal and has been actively assisting the search and rescue teams.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape, families of the 18 victims killed in the 2024 mass murder in Ngobozana Village, Lusikisiki, continue to seek closure as the trial against six accused men proceeds. Despite delays, the families remain hopeful that justice will ultimately be served. The trial resumed recently after a recess in September 2025, moving forward with significant proceedings.

During the resumption, Advocate Zama Somahela, representing accused number four, Bonga Hintsa, cross-examined State witness Lwando Abi. Somahela argued that Hintsa never received instructions from the alleged mastermind, Mzukisi Ndamase, to carry out an attack on the Sinqina household, a claim vehemently rejected by Abi. David King, a spokesperson for the families, acknowledged the slow pace of the legal proceedings but conveyed optimism that a judgment would eventually be delivered, bringing the families the closure they desperately seek.

In KwaZulu-Natal, a significant number of struggling municipalities are reportedly refusing assistance from the provincial treasury to stabilize their finances, as revealed by Finance MEC Francois Rodgers to Parliament. This disclosure came during an oversight visit by the Cooperative Governance Committee, which was scrutinizing the auditor-general's municipal audit findings for 2024. Rodgers noted improvements in financial management where the national treasury had withheld grants from municipalities failing to honor payment agreements with entities like Eskom and water boards.

However, MEC Rodgers highlighted that many councils have adopted unfunded budgets, and outstanding debt to Eskom remains the most formidable financial challenge. He also expressed frustration over the provincial government's lack of legislative powers to enforce corrective actions. Efforts to deploy support teams to these distressed municipalities have frequently been met with resistance from local municipal leadership. Rodgers specifically cited Amajuba, Ugu, and Zululand district municipalities as examples of those that declined assistance, contrasting their situation with municipalities that embraced treasury support and consequently achieved clean audits.