Electricity & Municipal Finance: Eskom says municipal arrears have climbed to R119bn, warning unpaid bills threaten its finances as it backs the move toward an independent Transmission System Operator. Renewables & Grid Reform: Eskom reports its best system performance in nearly a decade, with 441 days without load shedding and record availability, while analysts warn curtailment payments to IPPs are slow and push for cheaper daytime power to unlock storage and demand. Freight & Rail Investment: Private freight operator Traxtion has taken delivery of the first eight Wabtec locomotives for its R3.4bn rail upgrade, signalling momentum for third-party rail access. Cybersecurity: Interpol flags South Africa as Africa’s top cybercrime hotspot, with AI driving 55% of attacks and ransomware and phishing concentrated heavily in the country. Agriculture & Food Costs: Grain SA’s food inquiry testimony argues wheat is a small share of bread prices, with the rest driven by broken logistics and state systems. Trade & Industry: dtic highlights SADC Industrialisation Week’s push for regional value chains, including beneficiation of agricultural products and critical minerals. Logistics for Meat Exports: Safla and Amie SA sign an MoC to tackle port, border, veterinary and connectivity constraints hurting meat trade. Vehicle Market: Naamsa reports July new-vehicle sales up 11.9%, with Toyota leading as fuel costs ease and electrified demand grows. Rural Safety: The ATM calls for an Eastern Cape stock theft and rural crime task team amid allegations of syndicates and police interference. Procurement Scrutiny: eThekwini’s CIID faces questions over a R31m software purchase as councillors demand a report on related SAPO transactions.