Johannesburg News: Politics, Crime, and Culture in South Africa's Largest City

When you think of Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic powerhouse and most populous city, known for its mining history, vibrant street life, and deep political tensions. Also known as Joburg, it’s where the country’s biggest decisions are made—and sometimes, where they fall apart. This isn’t just another city. It’s the stage for national drama: courtrooms buzz with high-profile trials, police stations face public distrust, and protests echo through the streets like thunder.

Take Julius Malema, the fiery leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, a political force that reshaped South Africa’s opposition landscape. His 2025 conviction on five firearm charges in East London didn’t just make headlines—it exposed how deeply politics and gun culture are tangled in places like Johannesburg. Meanwhile, the Madlanga Commission, a major inquiry into police corruption and political interference in South Africa’s justice system, began with explosive testimony from KwaZulu-Natal’s top cop, directly naming ministers and accusing them of protecting criminal networks. These aren’t isolated events. They’re symptoms of a system under pressure, and Johannesburg sits right at the center.

But it’s not all conflict. Johannesburg is where Afrobeats artists drop global hits, where women’s cricket teams make history on international stages, and where everyday people fight for accountability in a system that often feels stacked against them. You’ll find stories here about court rulings that shake the foundations of power, police scandals that spark national outrage, and cultural moments that redefine what it means to be South African today.

What you’ll find below isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a window into the real Johannesburg—the one you don’t see on tourist brochures. The one where justice is fought for, not handed out. Where power is questioned. Where lives change because someone dared to speak up.