Catch up on the biggest stories this Wednesday, 11 February 2026, in our simple daily news update.
Melville residents collect water from emergency tanks at a property in Melville, 12 February 2026. The tanks are arranged for and sponsored by the community. Joburg Water and other concerned parties refill the tanks with fresh water regularly. Melville and the surrounding suburbs have been hit with water cuts due to poorly maintained infrastructure, with some residents experiencing no water supply for almost a month. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
News today includes that alleged underworld figure and tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has been allowed to physically consult with his legal team.
Meanwhile, Hours after President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged decisive action on South Africa’s water crisis during his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday, thousands of Gauteng residents remain without water.
Furthermore, the Gauteng police have arrested a female suspect for the killing of an e-hailing driver who was allegedly murdered inside a car in Pretoria West.
Weather tomorrow: 14 February, 2026
Valentine’s Day will usher in widespread thunderstorms across several provinces, with the South African Weather Service (Saws) issuing an orange level 5 warning for Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Parts of KwaZulu-Natal will experience hot and humid weather, while fire danger conditions are expected in places in the Northern Cape. Full weather forecast here.
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The cat is back: New revelation in Vusimuzi Matlala prison transfer court case [VIDEO]
Alleged underworld figure and tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has been allowed to physically consult with his legal team.
Matlala appeared in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Thursday, 12 February 2026, for a pre-trial conference, where the order was handed down.
Matlala is one of five accused in the matter. His co-accused include his wife, Tsakani Matlala, alleged hitmen Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama.
CONTINUE READING: The cat is back: New revelation in Vusimuzi Matlala prison transfer court case [VIDEO]
Will Ramaphosa’s decision degrade soldier morale? Professor explains why it could
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for domestic issues has the potential to degrade soldier morale.
This was the opinion of an academic who has spent years interviewing soldiers, including the SANDF members who returned from deadly combat action in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ramaphosa said during his State of the Nation Address on Thursday that the SANDF would be sent to fight gangsterism in the Cape Flats and illegal mining in Gauteng.
CONTINUE READING: Will Ramaphosa’s decision degrade soldier morale? Professor explains why it could
Gauteng water crisis continues as residents go 27 days without water despite presidential promises
Hours after President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged decisive action on South Africa’s water crisis during his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday, thousands of Gauteng residents remain without water.
Some areas have reportedly been without water for 27 days as of Friday.
Several areas across Johannesburg and Tshwane have been grappling with severe water shortages, with residents facing anywhere from 24 to 27 days without access to this basic service.
CONTINUE READING: Gauteng water crisis continues as residents go 27 days without water despite presidential promises
Can Ramaphosa deliver on his promise to modernise municipalities?
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plan to revamp municipalities has come under scrutiny.
During his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday, he said the government is continuing with consultations on the white paper on local government. The aim of this white paper is to make municipalities “modern” and “fit for purpose”, ensuring that residents can access government services without much hassle.
The paper also seeks to review the funding model for municipalities, as some struggle to collect revenue and, in turn, fail to deliver adequate service delivery.
CONTINUE READING: Can Ramaphosa deliver on his promise to modernise municipalities?
Gauteng police probe video depicting alleged car-seat murder
The Gauteng police have arrested a female suspect for the killing of an e-hailing driver who was allegedly murdered inside a car in Pretoria West.
The police launched a probe after a disturbing social media video depicting an alleged car-seat murder went viral, allegedly showing the final moments of a driver.
Saps provided an update on the crime later on Friday, confirming that the incident happened on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, and a female suspect was arrested.
CONTINUE READING: Gauteng police probe video depicting alleged car-seat murder
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: Zuma boycotts Sona | Witness D’s warning to Ipid | Looming pork price increase
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