Immigration Overhaul: South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has rejected 6,126 fraudulent applications after processing 216,000+ requests, using biometric checks and passport verification to stop visa fraud before travellers arrive. Migration Costs: Home Affairs says repatriation/deportation spending has ballooned to about R292m (nearly $18.5m) and has asked Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia for reimbursement, with no responses yet. Local Governance Watch: The ANC says it can “rescue” Johannesburg but still hasn’t named mayoral candidates, as analysts question whether it can fix the metro after past service delivery failures. Courtroom Politics: The Constitutional Court dismissed an urgent bid to appeal the Western Cape ruling halting Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala impeachment inquiry, drawing MK and EFF criticism. Social Protection Oversight: Social Development Minister Dina Pule will conduct first-hand oversight visits at two SASSA offices in the Western Cape amid complaints about long queues and alleged queue-selling. Trade & Industry: India and SACU signed terms of reference to restart preferential trade talks, while South Africa’s energy transition push continues to court investment and grid upgrades. Climate Risk: El Niño threats are expected to peak late in the year, raising alarms for water and food security planning. Sports & Culture: SARA’s court fight against Public Protector findings on Gayton McKenzie continues, while WAFCON-related bonus/per diem disputes flare again around the Black Queens.