Gender-based violence crackdown: South African police are planning a “lock down” around Kempton Park and nearby areas as they hunt the killer(s) of eight women found dead in the Ekurhuleni region over two months, with acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia saying a multidisciplinary specialist team is in place and urging the investigation to deliver answers for families. Municipal service funding: Government-backed financing is moving to stabilise failing metro services, including a reported R16.3bn loan to fix municipal systems in eight major metros, alongside further Treasury lending for metro trading services. Fisheries controls: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has imposed a temporary sardine catch limit of 25% of 2026 TAC for permit holders until 2 October, as it investigates mass mortalities linked to pilchard herpesvirus. Cyber and security partnerships: Huntress is expanding into Africa via a distribution deal with QBS Software Africa, starting in South Africa and rolling out 24/7 SOC and its agentic security platform to MSPs and VARs across Sub-Saharan Africa. Energy access debate: Schneider Electric argues Africa’s electrification progress should be measured by reliable power, not just grid connections, warning that outages can leave “connected” communities still without dependable electricity. Trade and investment: Solar Industries has signed to acquire South Africa’s Omnia Holdings for about $1.4bn, aiming to expand its southern Africa footprint and add agricultural chemicals production capacity. Logistics and safety on the ground: Cape Town is facing growing pressure over delivery riders parking on pavements without proper facilities, raising public safety and public health concerns. BRICS after New Delhi: Coverage of the 18th BRICS Summit highlights how the bloc is trying to expand influence over trade, finance and technology rules despite internal contradictions and rivalries.