It’s Thursday, 19 March 2026, and this is News Bite, your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Marcelle Gordon.
ActionSA has launched an investigation into allegations of tender rigging in Tshwane Municipality (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/actionsa-probe-tender-rigging-tshwane) after testimony at the Madlanga Commission by police sergeant Fannie Nkosi. The Commission heard claims that both the EFF and ActionSA were involved in efforts to influence a multi million rand security tender in the City of Tshwane.
The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee has now concluded its work, with KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi repeating his claim that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was improperly influenced to disband the Political Killings Task Team. Mkhwanazi says stronger protection is needed for those who expose police corruption, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticised Mchunu in a written submission, (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/ramaphosa-responds-writing-parliaments-ad-hoc-committee-questions) saying the Minister did not consult him before deciding to disband the unit.
At the same time, national police commissioner Fannie Masemola says Mkhwanazi’s contract is likely to be renewed for another term. (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories-videos/shouting-parliament-wont-fix-oversight-says-kzn-top-cop-mkhwanazi)
Mkhwanazi’s current term was due to end in March, and he says he will continue pushing for greater powers for provincial commissioners, arguing that the present SAPS structure restricts provincial police leadership.
Iran’s ambassador to South Africa is calling on fellow BRICS countries to stand with Iran (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/iran-calls-brics-nations-help) and help bring an end to the war in the Middle East. Speaking in Cape Town, Ambassador Mansour Shakib Mehr said attacks on Iran and threats against its leadership challenge both state sovereignty and international law.
Global energy markets remain under pressure after Brent crude surged above 110 dollars a barrel (https://www.enca.com/business-top-stories/crude-prices-surge-stocks-sink-iran-warns-regional-energy-strikes) following attacks on oil infrastructure in the Persian Gulf. Israel struck Iran’s main gas facility and Iran retaliated by hitting Qatar’s Ras Laffan oil facility, while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed sharply and the rand continues to weaken against a stronger dollar.
US President Donald Trump has also escalated the rhetoric, (https://www.enca.com/trump-threatens-destroy-irans-largest-gas-field) threatening to destroy Iran’s South Pars gas field if attacks on energy infrastructure continue. At home, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources says South Africa’s fuel supply remains stable for now, with government working to secure both crude oil and refined petroleum products.
Civil society organisations are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently appoint two judges to the Constitutional Court. (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/civil-society-urges-ramaphosa-appoint-concourt-judges) The Judicial Service Commission submitted its recommendations more than five months ago, and groups including Judges Matter, Freedom Under Law, Section27 and the Legal Resources Centre say the delay is worsening the backlog in delivering judgments.
The Ingonyama Trust Board is threatening legal action after the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development moved to dissolve it. (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/ingonyama-trust-threatens-legal-action-after-board-dissolution) The Minister says the board became legally dysfunctional after resignations left it without a quorum, while acting CEO Siyamdumisa Vilakazi blames the Minister for the crisis. KZN Premier Thami Ntuli has since backed the decision to dissolve the board.
IN OTHER NEWS…
· The Hawks in Gauteng have killed three suspected hijackers in a shootout in Crystal Park, Benoni, after police say the suspects had allegedly kidnapped a woman during a vehicle hijacking.
· Alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi Cat Matlala wants a separation of trials, (https://www.enca.com/news/matlala-wants-separation-trials) with his legal team arguing that this is the only way he can secure a speedy trial in the attempted murder case he faces with four others.
IN SPORT…
· CAF president Patrice Motsepe has defended the organisation’s integrity after Senegal was stripped of the 2025 AFCON title, while Senegal’s government is demanding an international investigation into suspected corruption.
· Closer to home, Golden Arrows and Stellenbosch FC played to a 1-1 draw (https://www.enca.com/sport/spoils-shared-battle-betway-premiership-top-8) in the battle for a Betway Premiership top eight place.
