It’s Monday, 20 April 2026, and this is News Bite, (https://www.enca.com/-bite-podcast) your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Gareth Edwards.
Suspended deputy EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi has appeared in court after his weekend arrest, (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories-videos/julius-mkhwanazi-appear-court-after-weekend-arrest) as the Madlanga Commission fallout keeps widening around alleged corruption inside policing structures. In the same matter, Kagiso Lerutla has also appeared in court (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/ekurhuleni-appoints-acting-mm-amid-kagiso-lerutla-arrest) after being arrested at OR Tambo International Airport, (https://www.enca.com/top-stories/another-senior-ekurhuleni-official-arrested) with both men now facing charges including fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
South Africa is mourning Cynthia Shange, the legendary actress and former beauty queen, who has died at the age of 76 (https://www.enca.com/lifestyle-top-stories/legendary-actress-cynthia-shange-dies-76) after a short illness. Her career stretched from the Miss World stage to beloved productions including Udeliwe, Shaka Zulu and Muvhango, leaving behind a cultural legacy that spans generations.
Back in Ekurhuleni, Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has appointed Tsholofelo Koopedi as acting city manager (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/ekurhuleni-appoints-acting-mm-amid-kagiso-lerutla-arrest) following Lerutla’s arrest, in a bid to steady the metro’s administration. The IEC is also sounding the alarm over a 30 percent drop in voter participation, (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories-videos/iec-steps-voter-drive-participation-drops-30) with KwaZulu-Natal among the provinces causing the greatest concern ahead of municipal elections.
Health officials in Gauteng are warning over a malaria surge (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/malaria-cases-surge-gauteng) after 414 cases and 11 deaths were recorded in the first three months of the year, with travel to high-risk areas a major concern.
In international news, Pope Leo XIV (https://www.enca.com/opinion/pope-leo-xiv-draws-100000-angola-mass-condemns-corruption) has condemned corruption during a major Mass in Angola, while also criticising the exploitation of Africa’s natural resources. And in Japan, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/tsunami-warning-major-quake-hits-northern-japan-shakes-tokyo) off the northern coast has triggered a tsunami warning and fresh fears of aftershocks.
IN SPORT…
· The Blitzboks (https://www.enca.com/sport/blitzboks-end-hong-kong-curse) have finally broken their Hong Kong curse, crushing Argentina 35-7 to win the title for the first time.
· The Proteas Women have gone 2-0 up in their T20 series against India after half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus powered South Africa to an eight-wicket win.
· India’s Shafali Verma reached her 100th T20I, but the milestone ended in defeat as South Africa completed another confident chase.
That’s your News Bite for 20 April 2026.
For developments on these stories and more, visit enca.com or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403. (https://www.enca.com/)
