Check out the biggest stories from Tuesday, March 10, 2026 that you might have missed in our simple daily news update.
In the news today there are concerns that South Africa may face real fuel shortages due to the Middle East war.
Meanwhile, a former ActionSA councilor says she has resigned after being forced to sign a contract that binds her to the party until the 2026 local government elections.
Additionally, North West businessman Suleiman Carime has claimed he was caught up in the friendship between Hangwani Maumela and Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
Weather tomorrow: 11 March 2026
The South African Weather Service has warned of heatwave conditions, extreme temperatures and fire danger in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and parts of the Eastern Cape. Full weather forecast here.
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Petrol-flow forward? South Africa may face fuel shortage due to Middle East war
While the Middle East war is likely to send fuel prices rocketing into the stratosphere – between R4 and R6 per liter for petrol – the bigger concern is that if the conflict drags on, South Africa could face real fuel shortages.
The last time this happened – in the crisis caused by the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, in which oil-producing countries stopped exports – there were queues at fuel stations around the world.
The country has almost ground to a halt, forcing the government to impose emergency rationing measures, including a ban on all fuel sales at nights and weekends, as well as reducing the national speed limit to just 80 km/h.
Today, many of those refineries have closed and suspicious transactions related to the fund, which is part of the Central Energy Fund group, are believed to have significantly depleted South Africa's emergency fuel back-up.
continue reading: Petrol-flow forward? South Africa may face fuel shortage due to Middle East war
ActionSA: Stop or Cough R200k
A former ActionSA councilor says she has resigned after being forced to sign a contract binding the party until the 2026 local government elections.
According to General Durand, who left the party on Monday, the councilors were asked to meet at a hotel in Johannesburg a few days earlier. At that meeting, he was presented with a contract indicating that if he left the party before the elections, he would be sued for R200 000.
Durand believes the contract is part of a witch-hunt exercise to find out which ActionSA councilors had applied to become DA councilors and which ones were planning to jump ship before the election.
continue reading: ActionSA: Stop or Cough R200k
'I was scared' – Carime explains why he paid Hangwani Maumela on Kat Matlala's behalf
North West businessman Suleiman Carime has again claimed he was caught up in a friendship between two men, this time Hangwani Maumela and Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
On Monday, Carim confirmed its business ties with Matlala to the Madlanga Commission R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) contract Providing medical services.
“Vusi and I agreed that if I advance R10 million, I will be paid an additional amount of R10 million over a three-year period. Repayments will be made equal to 10% of all payments received until the amount of R20 million is paid,” Carim told the commission on Monday.
However, he said only a net payment of R1.7 million has been received from Matlala so far. The commission has now found evidence that the net payment of R1.7 million was made after Carim was asked to pay Maumela R750 000.
He said he continued giving money to Maumela because he was “scared” after reading media reports about him and Matlala.
continue reading: 'I was scared' – Carime explains why he paid Hangwani Maumela on Kat Matlala's behalf
Flying may become ineffective as jet fuel prices rise by 70%
South African travelers should prepare themselves for a potentially significant increase in air ticket prices. Jet A1 fuel prices surged by up to 70% week on week at two of South Africa's three major airports.
Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport in Durban have both increased the price of a liter of Jet A1 fuel. Airlink Chief Executive De Villiers Engelbrecht confirmed the increase.
“Airlink was informed earlier today about the increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel at coastal airports,” he said. “Fuel supply agreements are confidential, but I can confirm that the increase is around 70% week-on-week.”
Jet fuel prices at OR Tambo International had not increased dramatically as of Tuesday afternoon, but airlines expect that to happen soon.
continue reading: Flying may become ineffective as jet fuel prices rise by 70%
Jill Scott ready to return to South Africa
American singer Jill Scott is set to perform in South Africa later this year as part of her 'To Whom This May Concern' tour.
Scott will perform in Pretoria on 7 November and Cape Town on 11 November.
The neo-soul artist last performed in the country in 2024 when she was one of the headliners delicious festival.
continue reading: Jill Scott ready to return to South Africa