Municipal Funding Crackdown: National Treasury has withheld the July equitable share for 69 municipalities after years of Auditor-General warnings, with irregular spending and deterioration blamed for pushing metros like Johannesburg closer to collapse. Migration & Xenophobia Fallout: South Africa’s anti-immigrant unrest is driving mass departures, with more than 78,000 Zimbabweans reportedly returning home; experts say success should be measured by lawful processing, not just numbers. Court & Crime: A British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage wanted in the UK for the murder of his wife and two daughters was arrested in Johannesburg and faces extradition plus an illegal firearm charge. Business & Jobs: eThekwini and the business sector are launching a skills programme to fill roles left vacant after foreign nationals’ departure, targeting textiles, machinists and hospitality. Retail Tech: Woolworths rolled out an AI-powered shopping assistant for its on-demand delivery platform, joining other retailers moving to personalised online grocery. Construction Skills: cidb, with the University of Johannesburg, launched a Certificate in Construction Management to boost contractor capability and infrastructure delivery. Transport Costs: Government is reviewing the Road Accident Fund funding model, with a possible vehicle-linked fee under consideration as EVs rise. Youth & Education: Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim urged better collaboration to address NSFAS-related funding pressures at Unisa, while entrepreneurship education faces scrutiny over whether it creates real jobs. Energy & Climate Risk: South Africa is bracing for a developing Super El Niño, with agriculture-linked drought and yield risks highlighted.