By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Maroelamedia
Nearly half of South Africa’s sanitation systems are in a critical state, while water outages and concerns about drinking water quality are increasing. WaterCAN attributes the deterioration to years of poor management and inadequate maintenance, with serious consequences for communities.
Eastern Johannesburg neighbourhoods have faced at least 10 water-related health alerts since December 2025, with outages lasting up to two weeks. Councillors accuse poorly supervised contractors of damaging pipes during sewerage works, reports Daily Maverick, as a major pipeline replacement programme is being prepared.
🇿🇦 South Africa · Source: Daily Maverick ·
The first phase of the Marsa Ben M’Hidi seawater desalination plant in Tlemcen is expected to produce 150,000 cubic metres of drinking water per day. Studies and plans are complete, while site development precedes concrete pouring, according to APS.
🇩🇿 Algeria · Source: Algerie Eco ·
South Africa’s Public Protector is investigating Tshwane municipality’s handling of unchlorinated water that made 408 residents ill, mainly children under four. Complaints include the lack of a warning, plant oversight and a chlorine shortage, according to the ombud.
🇿🇦 South Africa · Source: Sowetan ·
Manchester United plans to build a 100,000-seat stadium near Old Trafford, at a cost of more than £2 billion. The project is part of a £7.3 billion-a-year Greater Manchester regeneration programme, while supporters are being consulted on the final design.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Source: Tuko ·
Jacob Zuma sacks MK party secretary-generalJacob Zuma, leader of South Africa’s uMkhonto weSizwe party, has sacked his secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo, who was also removed as a member of parliament. The leader accused him in particular of making unauthorised internal changes, delays in the election campaign and receiving two salaries, TimesLIVE reports.
Eswatini exports rise 14.1% to 4.2 billionEswatini’s exports rose by 14.1% in September 2026 to 4.2 billion emalangeni, driven notably by sugar and drink concentrates. The trade surplus reached 687.9 million emalangeni, compared with 372 million in August, according to the Central Bank of Eswatini’s report on recent economic developments.The week in Africa
Be the first to get our letter in English: the essentials from every region of the continent, free.
