Author: Gomolemo Mothomogolo
Zandile Msholo, defence lawyer for accused number five in the murder of Senzo Meyiwa, has brought into questioned the sobriety of the Orlando Pirates goalkeeper’s close friend who was there on the night he was murdered. Meyiwa was shot and killed at his musician girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo’s home on 26 October 2014 in what was alleged to have been a botched robbery. Five men – Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya (accused No 1), Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi (No 2), Mthobisi Prince Mncube (No 3), Mthokoziseni Maphisa (No 4) and who is accused No 5. Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli. They have been pleaded not guilty to…
The application by singer Kelly Khumalo’s lawyer Advocate Magdalene Moonsamy, to be admitted as a ‘watching brief’ in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial was unsuccessful yet again. The singer’s lawyer Advocate Magdalene Moonsamy wrote a three- page- letter to the court requesting to be admitted in the case as watching brief and to have access to contents of the case. But state prosecutor George Baloyi, defense lawyers Advocate Tshepo Thobane and Advocate Zandile Mshololo rejected the request. Baloyi told court that the request was “undesirable” and the situation was different because Kelly Kelly could be called to testify. The legal…
The South African Security Agency has assured the country that it is on top of its game when it comes to terrorist threats even on the alleged presence of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) members in the country. This assurance came from The Presidency during a media briefing in Tshwane on Sunday. The briefing was held in the light of recent US Department of Treasury’s sanction on alleged members of ISIS in South Africa accusing them of “having provided technical, financial, or material support to the terrorist group (ISIS)”. The South African government has acknowledged that the security…
South African Police Union (SAPU) is calling for amendments to the law in order to make the killing of police officers as acts of treason, said the union’s regional chairperson Michael Baloyi. This follows the brutal murders of two police officers in the line of duty this week. Mabopane Rapid Rail Policing Unit (RRPU) officer, Sergeant Tumelo Losaba was gunned down in an alleged botched robbery at his home on Sunday. While Sedibeng District’s Essential Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) officer, Sergeant Vuyani Ngcobo was also shot and killed when he was following up on information of drug peddling in the…
The Public Servants Association(PSA) has threatened to intensify demonstrations if the government doesn’t put a “decent” offer on the table.nThe union marched to the National Treasury demanding a 6.5% salary hike. The government has offered workers a 3% salary increase. PSA chief negotiator Jannie Oosthuizen urged the government to put a “decent” wage offer on the table. “We are demanding a decent wage offer for our members working for the government. The employer has offered 3% and they even have the arrogance to say they will implement unilaterally. We see it (offer) as an attack on collective bargaining and the…
The City of Tshwane said it will need about R150 million to relocate residents of Eerste Fabrieke and other informal settlements in and around Mamelodi that were affected by flooding in 2021 and again earlier this year. However, the City has also confirmed that the Gauteng Government is committed to using a grant to acquire land earmarked for the relocation and the transaction is at “final stage”. The City of Tshwane Human Settlement Department’s group head, Nonto Memela said during a community meeting in Mamelodi that the city will assist with funding for the relocation and for everything including the…
The City of Tshwane said it will need about R150 million to relocate residents of Eerste Fabrieke and other informal settlements in and around Mamelodi that were affected by flooding in 2021 and again earlier this year. However, the City has also confirmed that the Gauteng Government is committed to using a grant to acquire land earmarked for the relocation and the transaction is at “final stage”. The City of Tshwane Human Settlement Department’s group head, Nonto Memela said during a community meeting in Mamelodi that the city will assist with funding for the relocation and for everything including the…
By Gomolemo Mothomogolo A man from Mabopane has been battling to get his Identity back for more than 20 years, after his ID was allegedly cloned, as the scam is popularly called. The 43-year-old Michael Maluleke said he battled for two decades to obtain his identity document despite being a South African and in possession of a valid birth certificate. But even that too turned into a nightmare as there is another person using the same ID numbers in the Department of Home Affairs system. Maluleke’s mother, Mercy Maluleke said obtaining an identity document for her son wasn’t easy from…
By Gomolemo Mothomogolo LGBTQI+ community braved the streets of Sandton and raised their voices against homophobia and hate crimes despite threats of a terrorist attack reported by the United States Embassy in South Africa. Hundreds of members of the queer community were dressed in rainbow colored attires when they took to the streets for the 33rd Johannesburg Pride march on Saturday in Sandton. A Zambian refugee and queer activist, Anold Mulaisho complained about the asylum application process in South Africa. “When it comes to us queer refugees and migrants we feel as if we are living in an open prison.…
By Gomolemo Mothomogolo Deputy Minister of State Security, Zizi Kodwa says the terrorists threat notice issued by the US embassy “created unnecessary anxiety and panic” in country. Earlier this week, the US government issued a notice of a possible terrorists attack that it said would be unleashed at “ large gatherings” in greater Sandton area this weekend. But the US embassy couldn’t confirm nor provide information on the exact target of the alleged terrorist attack. “There is no information regarding the timing, method or target of the potential attack. The US embassy has advised staff to avoid crowds of people…