For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: DA says SA-made tech in Russian drones an international law violation; Nearly 80% of township businesses unregistered, report shows; And, Madagascar's military takes power, fleeing president impeached

DA says SA-made tech in Russian drones an international law violation

The Democratic Alliance today submitted urgent written questions to Minister in the Presidency and the National Conventional Arms Control Committee chairperson to obtain the full findings of the Conventional Arms Control investigation into the alleged use of South African technology in Russian drones.

The party noted a recent media report that said laser range-finding equipment manufactured by South African firm LightWare Optoelectronics had been recovered from Russian suicide drones used in the war against Ukraine.

DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh said the use of South African-made tech in Russian war drones was alarming and threatened South Africa’s “already fragile” international standing, risked complicity in violations of international law, and shredded the country’s claimed neutrality.

He said it also raises hard questions about the integrity of South Africa’s national arms-control regime, notably the performance of the Directorate: Conventional Arms Control and the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, and whether South African technology is being diverted into weapons systems that may be used to commit war crimes.

Hattingh pointed out that LightWare had stated its product was civilian and that any military use would be an illicit diversion.

The DA wants to know whether the entity involved was authorised to export dual-use goods, and if not, what penalties will be pursued under the NCACC Act, which allows authorities to enforce end-user controls, post-shipment verification, and, where necessary, refusals, suspensions, or cancellations.

Nearly 80% of township businesses unregistered, report shows

Despite being worth almost R1-trillion and creating significant employment opportunities, South Africa’s township informal economy largely remains underserved by traditional financial institutions.

With this in mind, Standard Bank released its inaugural ‘Township Informal Economy Report’ on October 14, providing insights into the sector and highlighting both the resilience of township entrepreneurs and the systemic barriers that continue to hold them back.

In a media release, Standard Bank noted that the findings reveal that nearly 80% of surveyed township businesses are unregistered.

According to Statistics South Africa, unregistered businesses are those that operate outside formal regulatory frameworks including value-added tax registration, labour regulations and tax compliance.

And, Madagascar's military takes power, fleeing president impeached

An army commander who led a mutiny in Madagascar said the military had taken power after President Andry Rajoelina was impeached by lawmakers and forced to flee the country following weeks of youth-led protests.

Rajoelina had refused to step down despite escalating Gen Z demonstrations demanding his resignation and widespread defections in the army.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina declared on national radio that the military was dissolving all institutions except the lower house of parliament or National Assembly.

Randrianirina later told reporters that a committee led by the military would rule the country for a period of up to two years alongside a transitional government before organising new elections.

In a day of turmoil for the nation off southern Africa's coast, the 51-year-old leader, whose whereabouts are unknown, earlier sought to dissolve the lower house by decree.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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