December 05, 2025.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost

Making headlines:

Loyiso Masuku replaces Dada Morero as ANC Joburg chair

Home Affairs extends operating hours over festive season

And, Congo fighting flares within hours of Trump's peace deal ceremony

Loyiso Masuku replaces Dada Morero as ANC Joburg chair

Loyiso Masuku has been elected as the African National Congress Johannesburg region chairperson, replacing Dada Morero.

The party held day two of its sixteenth Johannesburg regional conference in Sandton, where Masilo Serekele was elected the new regional deputy chairperson; Sasabona Manganye was elected the new secretary; Lerato Bob was elected the regional deputy secretary and Maxwell Nedzamba was elected the regional treasurer.

The ANC underwent a significant leadership reconfiguration in Gauteng, earlier this year, led by the National Executive Committee, to improve organisational effectiveness, strengthen community ties, and prepare for the 2026 local elections.

It said its aim was to bring in experienced leaders and veterans into restructured Provincial Executive Committees and regional structures.

Home Affairs extends operating hours over festive season

The Department of Home Affairs offices will operate until 6pm from December 8 to 19 and January 5 to 16 for applications and document collection.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the additional 2 hours of operation formed part of “continued commitment”.

Schreiber pointed out that services offered during the extended hours would be available at offices equipped to process smart ID cards and passports.

He advised clients to book application or collection appointments before visiting offices, using the Branch Appointment Booking System, available on the Home Affairs website.

“…those without a booking may still visit offices as walk-ins,” he added.

Congo fighting flares within hours of Trump's peace deal ceremony

Fighting raged in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo today, a day after US President Donald Trump hosted Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Washington to sign new deals aimed at ending years of conflict in a region rich in minerals.

Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda's Paul Kagame yesterday reaffirmed commitments to a US-brokered deal reached in June to stabilise the vast country and open the way for more Western mining investment.

On the ground however, fierce fighting continued with the warring sides blaming one another.

The Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebel group, which seized the two largest cities in eastern Congo earlier this year and is not bound by the Washington agreement, said forces loyal to the government were conducting widespread attacks.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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