Heritage Day & GBV: President Cyril Ramaphosa used his Heritage Day address to call gender-based violence and femicide “a national shame,” saying he is “ashamed of what we men are doing to the women of SA,” and promising an update on government steps and the Ekurhuleni killings. Sassa assassination plot: The DA says Sassa Eastern Cape manager Bandile Maqetuka was warned a hitman had been hired after he helped uncover a social-grant fraud syndicate, demanding answers from Minister Dina Pule. Medicine supply pressure: South Africa’s pharmaceutical industry warned that rising input costs are driving medicine shortages as the single exit price rises 2.88% from 1 October. FMD vaccine push: Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp says private firms will be allowed to manufacture foot-and-mouth disease vaccines using ARC intellectual property to expand capacity. US–SA diplomatic strain: International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola rejected “white genocide” claims as fake news, amid ongoing US visa restrictions and tensions. Local elections & trust: The IEC flagged declining public trust and urged parties to protect it ahead of the 2026 local government polls. Sports—Proteas start strong: South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs in the first ODI at Kingsmead, with Matthew Breetzke’s 112 and Keshav Maharaj’s 4/20.