This episode of The John Brown Files examines four major stories in South Africa: former president Thabo Mbeki’s criticism of Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC, a deadly cash-in-transit robbery in Gqeberha, approved salary increases for public office-bearers, and the arrest of nine Zimbabwean men over an alleged plan to travel to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Mbeki says Ramaphosa would be right to step down as ANC president if reports that he is considering resigning are true. His comments follow the ANC’s poor performance in the 2026 local government elections. Mbeki argues that the party’s leadership must take responsibility for its record and ask whether it remains capable of leading the ANC. He points to persistent economic weakness, unemployment, poverty, violence and crime, as well as the party’s loss of public support. He challenges ANC leaders to identify positive achievements from Ramaphosa’s time at the helm.
The election results underline the scale of the party’s setback. The ANC’s national vote share fell from 45.59 per cent in 2021 to 30.76 per cent in 2026. It remained the largest party, ahead of the DA on 24.64 per cent, the MK Party on 9.76 per cent, the EFF on 6.22 per cent and ActionSA on 5.67 per cent. Although the ANC won outright majorities in 53 municipalities and the most seats in 128, many councils now require coalition agreements. The MK Party took control in eThekwini, while the DA made gains in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, where no party won a majority. Reports that Ramaphosa may resign remain disputed: ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has rejected them, and Ramaphosa has questioned their source. The speculation concerns his ANC leadership role and is not confirmation that he is leaving the presidency.
In Gqeberha, five suspected cash-in-transit robbers were killed after an attempted robbery led to a high-speed police pursuit and a shootout. An armed group reportedly targeted a security vehicle near a scrap-metal site on Monday morning. The Hawks say suspects opened fire on police during the chase. Other members of the group escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. Two firearms belonging to security guards were reportedly taken during the robbery, but neither the guards nor police officers were reported injured. Authorities have not confirmed how many suspects remain at large or identified those who escaped. The investigation is continuing as police work to establish what happened to the money and firearms.
The programme also covers President Ramaphosa’s approval of salary increases for public office-bearers for the 2026/27 financial year, effective from 1 April 2026. Members of the national and provincial executive and legislatures, premiers and permanent delegates are set to receive a 3.5 per cent rise. Judges, magistrates, traditional leaders and Khoi-San leaders are due to receive 4 per cent. The Presidency says the decision followed a recommendation by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers, which considered duties, affordability, inflation, wage settlements and other factors. A Cabinet minister’s annual salary will rise from R2,800,225 to R2,898,233, while a National Assembly member’s will increase from R1,326,792 to R1,373,230. The announcement comes amid serious economic challenges acknowledged by the Presidency.
Finally, nine Zimbabwean men have appeared in Gauteng courts after being arrested in an intelligence-led operation over an alleged attempt to travel from South Africa to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war. Five were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport and four at a hotel in Bruma. The operation involved the Hawks, SAPS Crime Intelligence, Interpol and international law-enforcement agencies. The men face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. The state alleges they were preparing to leave for the conflict, but authorities have not publicly identified which side they allegedly intended to join, their destination, or who may have arranged the travel. Their cases were postponed for legal representation; the five airport suspects’ bail application was postponed until 17 November.
Together, the stories raise questions about accountability and public confidence in the ANC, the search for suspects still at large, the fairness of higher official salaries during economic hardship, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged war-related travel plans. The episode invites viewers to consider which issue could have the greatest impact on South Africa and what those responsible should do next.