Five Years On, Public Protector’s Livingstone Hospital Recommendations Under Scrutiny

The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Social Services, Desery Fienies, has raised concern over delays in implementing recommendations made by the Public Protector in 2021 to address poor conditions at Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

The concerns come five years after the investigation, which identified serious shortcomings in staffing, infrastructure, equipment and essential medical supplies at the hospital.

The Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka reportedly revisited the hospital on Thursday, 22 October 2026, and reportedly raised concerns about delaysREAD MORE

The initiative aims to help Nigerian exporters identify international markets, access reliable trade data and support the country’s ambition to build a US$1 trillion economy by 2030

Nigeria has launched its 2026 Trade Intelligence Tools to strengthen exports, attract investment and improve the competitiveness of domestic businesses. The initiative was inaugurated in Abuja by Jumoke Oluwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who said the tools would provide exporters with information on potential markets, tariffs and international trade requirements, reports News AgencyREAD MORE

Flights to Nacala will operate three times a week and create additional opportunities for trade, tourism and investment

Ethiopia has expanded air links with Mozambique by launching a new route from Addis Ababa to the city of Nacala. This was reported by Prensa Latina, a TV BRICS partner.

Nacala has become the third city in Mozambique to be connected to Ethiopia by direct air services, after Maputo and Beira. Flights will operate three times a week.

Mozambique’s Ambassador to Addis Ababa NunoREAD MORE

Five suspects, including teenagers, have been arrested following an armed robbery targeting a 20-year-old e-hailing driver in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, after a dashcam video of the incident sparked outrage on social media.

The arrests come after African Times reported on Wednesday that South Africans were demanding action against the suspects seen in the viral footage, which captured the moments leading up to the attempted robbery.

Gauteng police confirmed on Thursday that members of Eldorado Park Crime Intelligence, detectivesREAD MORE

TV BRICS will provide information support to the development of Russian-African business ties aimed at strengthening international relations and enhancing the public image of the BRICS countries and the Global South

The TV BRICS International Media Network will provide information support for the development of Russia–Africa business ties aimed at strengthening international relations and enhancing the national image of BRICS and Global South countries. At the Economic and Humanitarian Forum held as part of the Third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow,READ MORE

Victims of gender-based violence, abused children and communities battling high crime rates could receive faster police assistance following the handover of 1,087 vehicles to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the vehicles were intended to strengthen frontline policing and ensure that people in distress were not left waiting for help because officers lacked the transport needed to reach them.

Speaking at the official handover at the SAPS Academy in Benoni, Gauteng, on Thursday,READ MORE

Initiatives include the development of independent payment systems, the creation of a logistics hub in Egypt, and cooperation between Russia and South Africa on the development of railway technologies

The BRICS countries are developing an independent payment infrastructure, creating tools to attract investment and expanding industrial cooperation. This was stated by Russian Minister of Economic Development Maksim Reshetnikov at the session “The BRICS Platform as a Catalyst for Russian-African Business Cooperation” at the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow.

According toREAD MORE

The Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final draw has produced four exciting encounters, keeping South Africa’s traditional football giants apart as eight clubs battle for a place in the semi-finals and a share of the competition’s lucrative rewards.

Orlando Pirates will face Sekhukhune United, Kaizer Chiefs take on Siwelele FC, Mamelodi Sundowns meet Golden Arrows, while Stellenbosch FC will lock horns with AmaZulu FC.

The quarter-final matches are scheduled for the weekend of November 6–8, with venues still to be confirmed.

TheREAD MORE

South Africa’s real spending on research and development (R&D) declined by 1.9% in 2024/25, despite total expenditure rising to R44.2 billion, with falling business investment raising concerns about the country’s ability to sustain innovation and economic growth.

The latest National R&D Survey, released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on Thursday, found that R&D spending increased in nominal terms to R44.237 billion. However, after accounting for inflation, expenditure declined, while research spending as a proportion of gross domestic productREAD MORE

The Police Ministry has stepped up engagements with police leadership, provincial governments and the private security industry to strengthen election security, as South Africa prepares for local government elections in six days.

The ministry said the engagements were aimed at ensuring that the elections take place in a safe, secure and peaceful environment, with law enforcement agencies working together to prevent intimidation, violence and disruptions during the electoral period.

The ministry confirmed that it had been receiving regular briefings fromREAD MORE