For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: IEC confirms voter registration weekend in June; GDP increased by 0.4% in the fourth quarter; by 1.1% for 2025; And Madlanga Commission deadline extended

IEC confirms voter registration weekend in June

The Electoral Commission of South Africa today announced that a nationwide voter registration weekend would take place on June 20 and 21, ahead of the upcoming local government elections, the date for which has yet to be announced.

IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo was briefing the nation on the commission’s state of readiness as preparations gather momentum toward the elections.

He pointed out that the timing of the registration weekend aligns with the current planning assumption that the Commission must stand ready to administer elections whenever they are lawfully called. 

He said discussions with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa were at an advanced stage, assuring the public that an election date would be proclaimed after the registration weekend.

The municipal council term expires on November 1 and the general elections would fall between November 2 and the end of January 2027.

GDP increased by 0.4% in the fourth quarter; by 1.1% for 2025

South Africa’s GDP increased by 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, following an increase of 0.3% in the third quarter of 2025, Statistics South Africa has revealed.

The finance, real estate and business services industry increased by 1.4%, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for other business services; financial intermediation, insurance and pension funding; auxiliary activities; and real estate activities.

The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 0.9%, contributing 0.1 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for wholesale trade, motor trade, retail trade, food and beverages and accommodation.

The personal services industry increased by 0.4%, contributing 0.1 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for community services and other producers.

General government services increased by 0.4%. This was mainly due to increased employment in provincial and local government.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry increased by 0.4%. This was primarily due to increased economic activities reported for field crops and horticulture products.

Meanwhile, Stats SA reported that GDP increased by 1.1% for 2025, compared with GDP growth of 0.5% in 2024.

And Madlanga Commission deadline extended

The Madlanga Commission is now scheduled to submit its second interim report to the President on May 29 and its final report by August 31.

This followed the granting of an extension by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the request of the Commission owing to the number of persons who must still appear.

Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System in July 2025, following allegations made by South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about the existence and operation of a criminal syndicate that had allegedly infiltrated the criminal justice system.

The Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi and Advocate Sandile Khumalo, submitted its interim report to the President in December.

The commission has made several referrals concerning allegations of criminality, corruption, fraud, murder, perjury and other unlawful actions by officials and officers in the employ of the SAPS, the City of Ekurhuleni and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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