eNCA News Bite | Igbo king, Trump, Gauteng shake up | 2 April 2026

It’s Thursday, 2 April 2026, and this is News Bite, your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Marcelle Gordon.

Cabinet has condemned the so-called coronation of an Igbo King in the Eastern Cape, after videos and photos circulated showing Chief Solomon Eziko being crowned in KuGompo City. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says cabinet expressed its disgust at the matter, as outrage over the ceremony spread across the country. 

A new Stats SA report released with UNICEF says malnutrition among children up to the age of four remains a major driver of child poverty. While multidimensional child poverty has eased slightly over time, primary school-aged children remain the most affected, with rural communities still carrying the heaviest burden because of weak basic infrastructure. 

Donald Trump says it will take another two to three weeks to wind up the Middle East war, but his latest address has done little to clarify either the legal basis for attacking Iran or what an exit strategy would look like. Markets were rattled after oil jumped to 106 dollars a barrel, while pressure continued to build around the Strait of Hormuz as Iran tightened its grip on the crucial shipping route. 

Britain is now due to meet with 35 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the UAE, to explore how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East Institute senior fellow Professor Ross Harrison says Trump cannot claim victory in the war against Iran unless the shipping waterway is fully reopened.

Easter traffic is already building, with authorities preparing for heavy volumes on major routes, including the N1 as pilgrims head to Moria. At the Lebombo border post, more than 18,000 people have been processed in the last 24 hours, with the Border Management Authority saying planning around the N4 toll route has helped it prepare for the rush. 

In Gauteng, EFF’s Nkululeko Dunga is the province’s new Finance MEC, while Lebogang Maile has been moved to Education, Sport, Arts and Culture. Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the reshuffle was necessary to prevent a looming financial crisis, warning that failure to pass a budget by 31 March would have left the province unable to pay teachers, nurses and other essential bills. 

 

The SANDF and SAPS have also been deployed to crime hotspots in the northern parts of Gqeberha and Humansdorp, while troops hit the ground in the Western Cape after at least 10 people were shot dead in areas around Cape Town. Residents in Mitchells Plain say the extra boots on the ground are welcome as gang violence continues to bite. 

 

IN OTHER NEWS…

· The Presidency has appointed Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new SARS commissioner as Edward Kieswetter’s term comes to an end. 

· SARS has also announced that it collected more than R2 trillion in revenue for the first time on record, up from around R1.8 trillion in the previous financial year as tax compliance improved. 

· NASA’s Artemis II mission has successfully launched, with the crew set to spend 24 hours in orbit before beginning a 10-day mission around the moon. 

 

IN SPORT…

· The Proteas women will head into Saturday morning’s decider in Wellington with the ODI series against New Zealand level at 1-all after a tight loss to the White Ferns.

· Rassie van der Dussen has announced his retirement from international cricket after missing out on Cricket South Africa’s contracted players list for next season, though he is expected to continue in franchise cricket.

· There is also a big Easter rugby weekend ahead, with the Bulls travelling to Scotland to face Glasgow Warriors and the Stormers in Toulon for a heavyweight Champions Cup clash. The recent breakdown suffered by Toulon’s coach has meanwhile reignited conversation about mental health support in rugby.

· And Tiger Woods has turned down the captaincy of the 2027 Ryder Cup team as he steps back from golf-related duties to focus on his health after his recent arrest in Florida. 

That’s your News Bite for 2 April 2026.

For developments on these stories and more, visit enca.com or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403.