This afternoon, 17 illegal miners emerged from two shafts in Stilfontein, identified by police as being from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Lawyers for Human Rights has criticised the slow rescue efforts for those still underground in an abandoned shaft at the Buffelsfontein gold mine, nearly two weeks after a task force was formed. Mametlwe Sebei is an attorney at Lawyers for Human Rights The ANC Women's League will march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria tomorrow to deliver a memorandum to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Under the theme "United for Justice: Ending GBV and Femicide in Our Lifetime," the march is part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The League Secretary-General Nokuthula Nqaba says they want stricter no-bail measures, mandatory training for police and judicial officials, and increased funding for shelters and counseling centers. ESKOM Group Executive for Distribution, Monde Bala says the power utility has made significant progress in addressing the issue of non-paying customers, having reached out to 400,000 individuals as part of their efforts. The power utility says the introduction of a prepaid meter upgrade is a proactive step towards eliminating illegal electricity connections.

Has the opportunity passed for the National Assembly to hold the President accountable for the Phala-Phala farm saga? This question was a central theme during the EFF and ATM's efforts to bring the issue back to the Constitutional Court. The ATM argued in court that it was unreasonable for the ANC to wait for the completion of investigations concerning President Cyril Ramaphosa's conduct. ATM Leader Vuyo Zungula says the ANC abused its majority to protect Ramaphosa in Parliament. MK Party Leader Dr John Hlophe has written a memoir titled "Defying The Gallows," reflecting on his life and leadership. In the book, Hlophe describes his impeachment, which he considers unconstitutional, as one of the challenges he faced. Known for his brilliance as well as controversies, Hlophe's journey from the judiciary to politics is closely linked to former President Jacob Zuma, who made a surprising comeback in this year's election. Hlophe admits that at one point he considered joining the EFF but ultimately found his place in the MK Party. He asserts that the MK Party will endure beyond Zuma's influence.

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa says government is considering whether to declare the incidents of foodborne illnesses a National Disaster. The rising cases have been classified as a national disaster. Since September this year, at least 890 incidents have been reported, claiming the lives of 22 people this year alone. The South African government has welcomed the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. The Hague-based court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. SAHRC has taken former DA MP Renaldo Gouws to the equality court for alleged hate speech. The SAHRC wants Gouws to apologise and pay damages for his use of the K-word. The uMkhonto we Sizwe party is turning 1 next month. MK party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela reflects on the party’s first year of existence.

Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, has reassured entrepreneurs that his office will ensure municipalities fulfill the 21-day requirement for spaza shop registration. According to Maile, foreign nationals who possess a valid work permit will also be permitted to register their spaza shops. Former Police Minister Bheki Cele says the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is in charge of keeping an eye on closed mines to stop illicit activities, the police are not responsible for this task. Cele says, those who have not yet come out of the Stilfontein mine are not stuck and do not plan to do so. According to him, the police's job is to uphold the law

The nation is divided on whether the human rights of the illegal miners who remain underground at Stilfontein mine in North West have been violated by the government. Bench Marks Foundation General Manager Busi Thabane says this is a humanitarian crisis. The South African Police Services has confirmed that it has stopped the process of providing food and water to illegal miners still underground at a mine shaft in Stilfontein in the North West. SAPS Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says no one is trapped underground and SAPS will not be negotiating with criminals KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has convened an urgent meeting with 54 municipalities to discuss spaza shops. At least 23 people have died countrywide since the start of October after buying food from spaza shops. In KwaZulu-Natal, three siblings from the Ndlovu family from uMzumbe on the South Coast, died from suspected food poisoning after eating a meal bought at a spaza shop. Ntuli says the provincial government is taking a zero tolerance approach to spaza shop owners who are selling counterfeit goods which put communities at risk. And The South African National Civic Organization in KwaZulu-Natal is cutting ties with the ANC in the province.

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has withdrawn the SABC Bill, stating that after extensive consultations and public input, the current version does not benefit either the SABC or the South African public. The bill was initially introduced by former Minister Mondli Gungubele in 2023 as a replacement for the outdated Broadcasting Act of 1999. Gungubele criticized Malatsi’s decision to withdraw the SABC Bill as “illogical and counterproductive,” expressing concern that the minister may not have read the bill in its entirety. Former DA leader and GNU negotiator Tony Leon says all the ministers from the DA were appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. He emphasises that no minister should attempt to implement their own party policies instead of those of the GNU. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Ebrahim Rasool as the ambassador to the United States. Rasool previously held this position from 2010 to 2015. His appointment comes as the U.S. prepares for a new Republican administration following Donald Trump’s election victory.

Advocate Dali Mpofu is the latest politician to switch from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. Mpofu believes that the MK Party represents the fastest and most direct path to the total liberation of Africans and emphasises that he is not motivated by a desire for positions. He stated that he attempted several times to arrange a meeting with Julius Malema, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Despite this, Mpofu has no regrets about his decision and insists that he did not join the MK Party for personal gain. ANC First Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane says the Government of National Unity is not reliant on the Democratic Alliance (DA). She reiterated that the GNU agreement is with ten parties and not only with the DA. Regarding spaza shops, Mokonyane insists that all spaza shops nationwide should be closed until they are properly legalized. This call for action comes in response to recent incidents where children lost their lives after consuming contaminated food from local spaza shops.

AfriForum's Kallie Kriel says that if the government doesn't accede to their demands on the BELA Act, they'll be left with no option but to head to the courts. Union Solidarity and Lobby Group AfriForum marched against clauses 4 and 5 of the BELA Act, stating that the act takes away the right of the school governing bodies to make important decisions about admissions and language. Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina has reiterated that the water crisis in Gauteng is self-inflicted. She says municipalities were warned as early as June to take care of the water infrastructure in the province. The world is closely watching as voters choose between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican contender Donald Trump in one of the most fiercely contested US presidential elections in recent history. This as voting is currently under way in several states of the US. African Nations are among those watching closely as they wonder how the election outcome will impact the continent. SABC News Correspondent Sherwin Bryse-Pease is reporting live from Manhattan

The EFF Students Command Council has expelled one of its members, Kganki Mphahlele, for bringing disrepute to the organisation and its leaders. This decision comes after Mphahlele made critical comments about EFF leader Julius Malema on X. Mphahlele has stated that he will reluctantly accept the expulsion, as he believes this action is more about ideological differences and personal vendettas than anything else. Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala says the department plans to accelerate the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to create millions of job opportunities, highlighting its importance in poverty alleviation and skills development. Tensions within the Government of National Unity have escalated in recent weeks, particularly between the ANC and the DA. The primary point of contention concerns whether government decisions can be made unilaterally, as the DA claims the ANC is doing, or if these decisions require consensus. Roelf Meyer, a member of the Government of National Unity under President Nelson Mandela, says any party that chooses to leave the GNU will face consequences

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza says the department will revoke the identity documents of former Miss South Africa contestant, Chidimma Adetshina and that of her mother. This decision comes after they failed to meet the deadline to provide reasons for why the revocation should not occur Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero says a decision regarding Kabelo Gwamanda's dismissal will be made after legal team advice is received on Thursday. Morero says the charges against Gwamanda are serious and require urgent action. National Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola says it is concerning that 900 000 suspects have been arrested since the inception of Operation Shanela in May last year. And Controversial pastor Paseka "Mboro" Motsoeneng and his co-accused bodyguard are scheduled to return to court on November 11. They are facing charges of kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm, discharging a firearm, assault, and malicious damage to property. However, Mboro claims that the allegations against him are all false.

The DA is accusing the ANC of violating GNU agreements. This comes after Ramaphosa referred to Russia as a "valuable ally and friend" during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Brics 2024 summit. DA Federal Executive member Willie Aucamp and ANC NEC member Mzwandile Masina speak on policy disputes in the Government of National Unity. And Build One SA has expressed disappointment about basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube deciding not to immediately scrap the 30% minimum pass mark. BOSA Leader Mmusi Maimane says it is important that the quality of education learners are receiving, is of a high standard.

Interview with Pule Mabe on charges relating to the alleged Enviro mobi tender fraud involving him, his wife and 5 other co-accused. They are facing a combined 16 counts of fraud, money laundering and the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. Mabe has since denied the charges. The GNU recently marked 100 days since its formation.The department of Planning, Monitoring and evaluation plays a central role in policy coordination, ensuring policy alignment amongst various ministries within the GNU with different political interests and ideologies. Is there policy coherence? Maropene Ramokgopa is Minister in the Presidency: The department of Planning, Monitoring and evaluation. Former Kwazulu Natal Premier Willies Mchunu quits the ANC Willies Mchunu talks to Face the Nation about his decision to quit as a member of the African National Congress.

Gauteng province is experiencing an increase in food poisoning cases, with four reported in October. The latest incident affected 25 students from Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary School in Bronkhorstspruit, who fell ill after allegedly eating snacks from street vendors outside the school. The Special Investigating Unit saved the South African government about R8 billion in the 2023/24 financial year. The unit achieved a record cash recovery of R2.28 billion, the highest in its 27-year history. The NSFAS investigation came to around R191 million by the end of the financial year. Meanwhile, Universities and TVET colleges have been flagged as the main culprits contributing towards the late submission of financial statements of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to Parliament. And Residents of the Helen Joseph Women's Hostel in Alexandra are fearful due to increasing incidents of rape and robbery. The living conditions are dire, with overflowing sewage, broken toilets, and leaking roofs. Today, they marched to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi's office to deliver a memorandum of demands.

Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams stated that her department cannot intervene in the operations of foreign-owned spaza shops, as the responsibility for issuing licenses and permits lies with municipalities. ANC NEC member Mzwandile Masina says the Government of National Unity (GNU) is a work in progress. Masina emphasizes that the ANC is committed to not backing down on transformation. ANC KZN Secretary Bheki Mtolo says Former KZN Premier Willies Mchunu is an outstanding leader of the ANC and he will never adhere to the principles of the MK Party but may sympathize on an individual level with Jacob Zuma.

Today in Parliament, Public Protector Adv Kholeka Gcaleka clashed with her impeached predecessor, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. The disagreement arose when Mkhwebane questioned Gcaleka about security matters concerning the CEO of her office, Thandi Sibanyoni. The ANC and Action SA reached an agreement in Tshwane, resulting in Dr. Nasiphi Moya being elected as the new mayor. Moya secured 122 votes with the support of the ANC and the EFF, defeating the former DA mayor, Cilliers Brink, who received 86 votes. However, ANC Gauteng Secretary Thembinkosi Nciza has denied ongoing discussions for power sharing in Gauteng where ANC takes Johannesburg, Eff Ekurhuleni and ActionSA in Tshwane. And Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi is concerned about the high number of people who cannot access housing.

Investigations are underway after the deaths of 5 children in Naledi, Soweto, due to suspected food poisoning from items purchased at a local spaza shop on Sunday. The children were between 6 and 10 years old. One child is still in ICU. Ennie Makhafola, City of Johannesburg MMC for Health and Social Development, says the city has 28 spaza shops on record and inspections have been conducted. ANC NEC member Sibongile Besani says the party has accepted the explanation from ANC Gauteng Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi regarding his remarks about the GNU. Lesufi was called to the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg on Monday to discuss the comments he made publicly about the GNU. Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Zane Dangor, says South Africa will submit evidence to the International Court of Justice on October 28th to support its claim that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine.