Catch up on the biggest stories this Saturday, 7 March 2026, in our daily news update.
DA’s Helen Zille at Eyethu Shopping Centre in Soweto on 20 September 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi
In today’s news update, DA’s Joburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille says the current administration has failed to run the city, while mining magnate Patrice Motsepe has insisted he won’t join the political arena.
Furthermore, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has expressed concern about gang violence following a recent Westbury shooting.
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Here are your top stories of the day: 7 March 2026
Zille slams ANC over Joburg collapse, unveils five priority rescue plan [VIDEO]
DA federal leader and City of Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille says the ANC is “running Joburg like a party that knows the future is somebody else’s problem.”
Zille launched the party’s manifesto at Johannesburg City Hall on Saturday, as the country prepares for the local government elections later this year.
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‘False and ‘unfounded’, Motsepe denies ANC presidential ambitions
Billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe has, for the first time, publicly denied that he is campaigning for the leadership of the ANC, describing the rumours “false and unfounded.”
The ANC has been in the spotlight after intense lobbying by some in the party in favour of Motsepe running for the party Presidency at the 2027 elective conference.
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‘Where’s the army?’ – Cachalia confronted over SANDF deployment after Westbury shooting
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia faced sharp criticism as he was questioned about the delayed deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) following a fatal shooting in Westbury, Gauteng.
The minister was briefed on the incident during a visit to Sophiatown police station on Saturday, 7 March 2026, after five people were shot earlier in the week.
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SA needs 28 million vaccines at no cost to farmer to stop FMD, Steenhuisen says
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says the country will need 28 million vaccines at no cost to the farmer to stop the foot and mouth disease (FMD) crisis in the country.
Steenhuisen made the remarks during the Gauteng leg of the national mass vaccination rollout in Ekurhuleni.
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Giyani water project still incomplete after 16 years and R4.5bn
The protracted R4.5 billion Giyani bulk water project remains incomplete, 16 years after its inception in 2010, leaving the 55 communities in the Mopani region that are meant to benefit from it thirsty for years.
The project began in August 2014 after former president Jacob Zuma had visited the drought-stricken Giyani town to hand over a purification plant.
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![Zille slams ANC over Joburg collapse, unveils five priority rescue plan [VIDEO]](https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Helen-Zille-300x200.jpg)