Black-market peptides warning: The South African Pharmacy Council cautions that popular peptides for weight loss and diabetes management are often Schedule 4 medicines that should only be made, prescribed and sold by authorised providers—buying from unregistered sellers can be unsafe and unethical. School feeding scandal: eNCA’s Checkpoint alleges discarded fryer oil (“lalaza”) from a black-market supply chain is being served to Gauteng learners under the R11 billion National School Nutrition Programme, sparking outrage over food quality and oversight. Sewage crisis hitting water: In Matlosana, failing wastewater infrastructure is blamed for raw sewage and polluted waterways feeding the Vaal River, with residents reporting worsening conditions for people and cattle. SASSA grant dates: SASSA says November social grant payment dates are being reviewed due to local government election clashes, while October dates are confirmed. Medicine price rise: Private-sector medicine prices increase by 2.8% from Thursday, with state-supplied medicines unaffected. Health misinformation alert: A resurfacing WhatsApp/Facebook hoax claims criminals offer free blood sugar tests then inject people with HIV; fact-checkers say it’s false. UCT climbs in rankings: UCT improves to joint 147th globally in the THE 2027 World University Rankings, returning to the global top 150. Allergy season guide: Spring pollen levels are rising; hay fever sufferers are advised on triggers and symptom management.