Early childhood development legacy projects in Ekurhuleni, worth R57 million, have stalled, according to the Sowetan. The municipality's initiative, intended to benefit young children, has been derailed by poor management, disputes over salaries, and vandalism at project sites. As a result, children who were meant to benefit from the facilities have been left without access, with the report indicating the projects remain in limbo and their completion uncertain.

Sowetan has selected its top three reads for today, highlighting articles that readers should not miss. The specific topics of these articles are not detailed in the blurb.

Sowetan's AM Check-in highlights its top three reads of the day, led by reports of threats made against a commissioner involved in the Madlanga commission, which have raised alarm. The blurb provides limited detail beyond noting the threats and their significance. The development is presented as one of the publication's most important stories for readers to follow.

A Gauteng school project worth R116 million is under scrutiny due to allegations of ghost structures and phantom payments. Questions have arisen regarding how payment certificates were processed despite discrepancies between the certified work and the actual conditions observed at the site, according to TimesLIVE.

On July 4, 2026, key news stories included South Africa's unsuccessful bid to ban rhino horn exports, a deadly fire in Durban resulting in one fatality, and a legal review prompted by former President Zuma's meeting with the Gupta family. These events highlight ongoing environmental, safety, and political issues in the country.

The City of Ekurhuleni's revised R71 billion budget has been passed after the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF+) voted in favor, despite their previous opposition. They argued that failing to pass the budget could have led to the metro entering administration, which would have resulted in oversight by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).