Sascoc Governance Crisis: Sascoc president Barry Hendricks has been suspended with immediate effect after a retired judge found “prima facie evidence” from anonymous complaints, with first vice-president Lwandile Simelane stepping in while the judicial process continues. Election Rules Clash: The DA has gone to court to oppose the ANC’s push to allow late candidate nominations for municipal elections, arguing “rules are rules” and deadlines must apply equally; 181 ANC candidates were affected by an IEC online system issue. Electricity Cost Warning: Energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says electricity prices are unlikely to drop soon, with reforms aimed at reducing medium- to long-term cost pressures and tariffs based only on “efficient and prudent costs.” Economy Slips Again: Stats SA reports GDP contracted 0.2% in Q2 2026, ending a six-quarter growth streak, with mining, manufacturing and trade/catering hit and imports rising faster than exports. BRICS Summit Focus: Ahead of the New Delhi summit, leaders are set to prioritise resilience in food, energy, health and supply chains, with consensus on a joint statement still uncertain. Sport Leadership Fallout: Sascoc’s wider leadership troubles continue, following earlier suspensions in Athletics SA and Swimming SA. Agriculture Trade Win: South Africa secured China market access for cherries via a new protocol, with hopes of investment and about 600 jobs.