Stay informed with our essential overview of the key events and discussions set to shape the week in South Africa – covering developments in parliament, government, international affairs, and the economy.
Monday – 21 September 2026
- Mkhwanazi Ad Hoc Committee Reconvenes After Missed Deadline
Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi failed to meet last Wednesday to finalise its draft report and will reconvene on Monday. The Committee has been granted a seventh extension, now required to circulate its report by 30 October, and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has publicly criticised chairperson Soviet Lekganyane over the repeated delays. The Committee’s credibility is under strain, and further slippage will keep questions about police leadership and political interference unresolved well into the fourth quarter.
- Special Votes Applications Open Ahead of Local Elections
Applications for special votes for the 4 November local government elections open on Monday and run until 12 October. Registered voters unable to attend their voting station on election day (due to travel, illness or disability) may apply for a home visit or to vote early at their registered station. With special vote registration now live, the local government election cycle formally enters its operational phase.
Tuesday – 22 September 2026
- Madlanga Commission Turns Focus to JMPD
The Madlanga Commission will this week examine links between criminal networks and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officers alleged to have colluded with criminal syndicates. The Commission’s final report deadline has been extended for a second time, moving from 16 November 2026 to 25 January 2027.
Wednesday – 23 September 2026
- Stats SA Releases August Consumer Inflation Data
Statistics South Africa will publish August’s consumer price index on Wednesday morning. Headline inflation eased to 4.3% year-on-year in July from 5.0% in June, and economists expect a modest uptick in August driven mainly by higher fuel prices, with food inflation providing an offsetting effect. The August inflation publication lands just hours before the Reserve Bank’s rate decision and will shape market expectations into month-end.
- Reserve Bank MPC Announces Interest Rate Decision
The Monetary Policy Committee, chaired by Governor Lesetja Kganyago, will announce its repo rate decision on Wednesday afternoon. The announcement has been brought forward a day due to the Heritage Day public holiday. The Committee is weighing elevated oil-price pressure, with crude prices spiking above $105 a barrel amid Middle East tensions and a recent US Federal Reserve hike, against a domestic economy that contracted 0.2% in the second quarter. Market pricing leans toward a 25-basis-point hike, though several analysts expect the Bank to hold.
Thursday – 24 September 2026
- President Ramaphosa to Deliver Heritage Day Keynote Address
South Africa marks Heritage Day on Thursday, with the national commemoration taking place at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the keynote address as part of Heritage Month, which centres on social cohesion and national identity.
Friday – 25 September 2026
- Qualifying Ward Candidates Receive Official Certificates
The Independent Electoral Commission will issue official certificates to qualifying ward candidates on Friday, following Wednesday’s signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct by contesting parties committing to peaceful, free and fair campaigning. Certification formally confirms candidates’ eligibility to contest the 4 November local government elections.