Catch up on some of the biggest stories from Saturday, 22 August 2026, that you may have missed.
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In the news today, Free State police launched a manhunt after a missing four-year-old boy was found dead at a cemetery.
Meanwhile, a whistleblower reportedly helped prevent an alleged assassination of a senior Justice Department official.
Furthermore, 200 National Freedom Party (NFP) members defected to the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), including senior NFP leaders.
Weather tomorrow: 23 August 2026
The South African Weather Service says most parts of the country will experience cool to warm conditions on Sunday. Gauteng and North West will be fine and warm, while Mpumalanga and Limpopo will be fine and cool to warm. Full weather forecast here.
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Missing 4-year-old found dead in cemetery
Free State police have launched a manhunt after a four-year-old boy was found dead at a cemetery near Phahameng location in Winburg.
Police said they were called to the cemetery in Valkop on Friday after community members discovered the child’s body.
“On arrival at the cemetery in Valkop, police were alerted to the motionless body of a child. The child was discovered by members of the community.
“The victim was discovered with multiple injuries to the head and body, and a black t-shirt was found lying next to him.”
Alleged hit on Justice Department official foiled
A whistleblower’s intervention has reportedly prevented an alleged assassination of a senior official in the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
This was confirmed by minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.
Kubayi said the whistleblower approached her about an “intention to kill a senior official” in the department “who refused to sign questionable contracts”.
Prominent NFP members defect to IFP
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has welcomed 200 new members who have defected from the National Freedom Party (NFP) in a ceremony in Durban on Saturday.
IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa told those at the event that the cohort of those the party is welcoming consists of former members of the IFP who left the party years ago.
Eskom debt settled, but Pikitup remains a problem
The lights will stay on in Johannesburg after the city settled its R5.2bn debt to Eskom, with attention now turning to fixing other services.
The payment was confirmed by the national power utility on Friday.
“The City of Johannesburg (CoJ)/City Power (CP) has confirmed to Eskom that the current account in respect of July 2026, that falls due on 31 August 2026, of R1 860 379 885 will be paid on its due date. The CoJ/CP has further confirmed that it remains committed to the payment of all future current accounts on or before their respective due dates,” it added.
Sport minister mourns Zolani Tete
“South Africa has lost one of the finest fighters it has ever produced,” were the words of sports minister Gayton McKenzie hours after the shocking murder of former world champion Zolani Tete.
Tete was gunned down outside his Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, home on Friday evening. He was 38.
He had reportedly pulled into his driveway after arriving from the gym when he was confronted by armed men in balaclavas who opened fire on him and a 27-year-old passenger.
