eNCA News Bite | R85m border tender voided, Witness D case widens and Mugabe back in court | 24 A…
It’s Friday, 24 April 2026, and this is News Bite, (https://www.enca.com/news-bite-podcast) your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Gareth Edwards.
The SIU welcomes ruling against R85m border wall tender, (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/siu-welcomes-ruling-against-r85m-border-wall-tender) after the Special Tribunal ruled against a controversial contract awarded to ISF Shula Joint Venture. The project was meant to help curb cross-border crime, including the smuggling and trafficking of stolen and hijacked vehicles into Mozambique, but the SIU says the tender was tainted by a fraudulent B-BBEE certificate and the work was left incomplete.
The Mugabe matter has been postponed, (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/update-mugabe-matter-postponed-firearm-still-missing) with Bellarmine Mugabe and Tobias Matonhodze back before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty (https://www.enca.com/top-stories/mugabes-son-co-accused-plead-guilty) last week to several charges linked to the shooting of employee Sipho Mahlangu. Mahlangu was shot twice in the back at the Mugabe residence in Hyde Park, and the court process now turns on a critical unresolved question: where is the firearm used in the shooting?
A high-profile bail decision is now just days away, as Julius Mkhwanazi and Kagiso Lerutla are expected to learn their fate (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/court-rule-bail-mkhwanazi-lerutla) on 28 April. The suspended EMPD deputy chief and Ekurhuleni city manager face charges including fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/julius-mkhwanazi-and-ekurhuleni-city-managers-case-postponed-bail-bid) The case has also drawn fresh attention after the magistrate revealed receiving a call from a police sergeant linked to the Madlanga Task Team.
South African athletics is facing a major governance reckoning, with Parliament’s Sport Portfolio Committee recommending that the Athletics South Africa board be dissolved. (https://www.enca.com/sport-top-stories/mckenzie-urged-dissolve-asa-board) The committee says ASA has failed in its duties, can no longer protect athletes’ interests, and has been damaged by governance failures, financial concerns and infighting. Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie now has 14 working days to respond.
Abroad, the US may increase refugee admissions for South Africans, (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/us-may-increase-refugee-admissions-south-africans) after President Donald Trump cut the 2026 refugee intake to a historic low. Many recent approvals have gone to white South African farmers, with Washington saying they face discrimination and violence, a claim Pretoria has firmly rejected.
Iran is not being blocked from the World Cup despite tensions with the United States. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iranian players are welcome at the World Cup, (https://www.enca.com/sport/us-says-iran-players-welcome-world-cup-amid-italy-uproar) but officials linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard could still be denied entry.
IN SPORT…
· It is derby weekend, and Orlando Pirates are chasing maximum points to stay on top of the Premiership table while Kaizer Chiefs are fighting for a top-three finish and a possible CAF Confederation Cup spot. All eyes are on FNB Stadium, where the Soweto Derby carries both bragging rights and serious league consequences. (https://www.enca.com/beyond-game-day-sundowns-soweto-derby-and-weekend-pressure-24-april-2026)
· Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie says funds have already been handed to SAFA for VAR, warning that failure to implement it next season could raise serious corruption questions. Fans are also being given a shot at the World Cup, with 16 supporters set to win the chance to travel in June by submitting a 30-second video, one winner per Premiership team.
That’s your News Bite (https://www.enca.com/news-bite-podcast) for 24 April 2026.
For developments on these stories and more, visit enca.com or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403.
