President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa will contribute an initial $5 million to the continental response to the growing Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Central and East Africa.

Speaking at a high-level meeting of African health ministers on Monday, Ramaphosa warned that the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda poses a serious regional threat due to porous borders, active trade routes and ongoing humanitarian pressures.

He praised frontline healthcare workers for continuing to battle dangerous outbreaks despite difficult conditions, and called for stronger protection and support for medical staff.

Ramaphosa also commended the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention for coordinating Africa’s response together with the World Health Organisation.

More than 200 people have already died in what Africa CDC describes as the second-largest Ebola outbreak since the 2014 West Africa epidemic.

There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, but organisations including GAVI, CEPI and UNITAID are working to fast-track vaccine and treatment trials.

Ramaphosa said African countries have already pledged around 10% of the estimated $319 million needed for the June-to-November 2026 response plan, showing that the continent is taking responsibility for its own health security.

He called on African governments, businesses and international partners to urgently support efforts to contain the outbreak and strengthen Africa’s health systems.

My thanks to @Dr_JeanKaseya and Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar for convening today’s meeting of African Health leaders. We are facing an extremely serious and complex #Ebola outbreak in the #DRC. It will likely get worse before it gets better. What makes this response… pic.twitter.com/ypLunDBTic

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 25, 2026

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will introduce a new online declaration process for all foreign-registered vehicles entering or leaving the country from 1 June 2026.

Under the new rules, travellers will be required to declare their vehicles on the SARS Traveller Management System (TMS) before crossing South Africa’s borders.

SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu said the move forms part of efforts to modernise customs operations at ports of entry, improve compliance and strengthen border security.

According to SARS, the system will allow for improved risk-based screening, better coordination with authorities and faster processing for travellers.

Foreign vehicles temporarily imported into South Africa may receive temporary import permits valid for six months. These permits can be used for multiple border crossings during that period without needing to reapply each time.

SARS said the new process is aimed at frequent cross-border travellers, including people travelling for work, study, business or medical reasons.

Travellers are encouraged to complete the declarations online before arriving at the border to speed up processing. However, SARS said officials will still assist travellers who are unable to complete the process electronically.

The revenue service stressed that online declarations will not replace physical border inspections, and travellers will still need to present themselves to customs officials when entering or leaving the country.

Makhubu warned that motorists who fail to declare foreign-registered vehicles or provide false information could face delays and enforcement action at border posts.

More information is available on the SARS Traveller Declaration page and the SARS Customs and Excise website.

A case of public violence and assault is being investigated by Grabouw SAPS, after officers came under attack at a shebeen in the area.

Members of the Caledon Public Order Police were shutting down an illegal liquor establishment in the Covid Informal Settlement there yesterday afternoon when the violence broke out.  

The Western Cape SAPS’s Thembakazi Mpendukana said one of the officers was injured.

“According to reports, the members asked the people to leave the shebeen and as they split in separate directions, they started throwing stones and bottles to the police members leading to one of them getting hurt on the head and he received medical treatment,” said Mpendukana. 

In a statement, Grabouw SAPS Station Commander Colonel Coetzee said their station’s commitment to intensifying operations at local police stations will not waver because of this incident. 

“These establishments remain at the center of serious violent contact crimes, such as murder, assault, armed robbery, gender-based violence, and other criminal activities that continue to threaten the safety and wellbeing of our communities. We will not be intimidated or deterred by criminal elements seeking to undermine policing efforts and destabilise our communities,” said Coetzee.  

Police have not confirmed any arrests in connection with this case.

Coetzee’s statement on social media noted that two shebeens were closed and the owners thereof arrested. It is not clear at this stage whether the people reported to be arrested will face any charges in connection with the attack on the police officers.  

Further to this, Coetzee called on the community to unite against crime and work together to protect the community.  

The local Community Policing Forum also condemned the attack and called on police to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested soon.   

“Violence against police officials can never be justified,” read the CPF’s statement. 

A bloody and deeply disturbing weekend has been reported in Mitchells Plain, where two separate mass shootings left two people fatally wounded and five others injured on Sunday (24 May 2026).

In the first shooting incident, two people were gunned down, and two others injured during an alleged gang-related attack in Towerkop Street, Tafelsig.

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed that two cases of murder and two cases of attempted murder are being investigated.

“Police members attended to the crime scene where they found two males, 22 and 25, who were fatally wounded, and two others, both 25, who were wounded. The 22- and 25-year-old victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel, while the other victims were transported to a medical facility for treatment.”

Twigg further confirmed that three people were shot during a drive by shooting in 6th Avenue, Eastridge.

“According to reports the victims were standing in the road when a white vehicle drove past them and an occupant of the vehicle opened fire on them. The victims were transported to a medical facility for treatment. The motive for the attack is yet to be established.”

In both attacks, the suspects managed to flee the scene.

Meanwhile a post-mortem examination is being conducted to determine the cause of a woman’s death after her body was found dumped in Mitchells Plain. According to the police, the body of the unknown woman was found on Symphony Way, Town Centre, on Saturday morning.

Authorities have confirmed that over the weekend, more than 30 people were shot in areas including Hanover Park, Manenberg, Bishop Lavis, Delft, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Lavender Hill, Elsies River and Athlone, with many of the attacks believed to be gang-related.

A 13-year-old was also gunned down yesterday, and two others injured in Elsies River, adding to growing frustration as gun violence continues to claim innocent lives, including children.