Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

Communities across South Africa’s North West province are calling on government to intervene and force mining companies to comply with their legally binding Social Labour Plans (SLPs), which are meant to ensure that host communities benefit from mining operations. Residents say their frustration has grown due to what they describe as ongoing exploitation by mining companies, including failures to rehabilitate land after minerals are exhausted, prioritise local residents in hiring, support local entrepreneurs, and contribute to the development and maintenance of public infrastructure. While Social Labour Plans are mandatory for all licensed mining companies, communities argue that enforcement has been…

The government has announced that it will take steps to rein in dissident groups and individuals who are actively lobbying the administration of United States President Donald Trump to take adverse action against South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement in response to recent calls by right-wing groups urging Trump to intervene in South Africa with the aim of toppling his government. These renewed calls follow the United States’ invasion of Venezuela, which resulted in the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Over the years, right-wing groups in South Africa have promoted false claims of a so-called…

There was widespread outrage following Bafana Bafana’s CAF group-stage defeat to Egypt in Morocco, with much of the anger directed at Burundian referee Pacific Ndabihawenimana after several controversial decisions. The referee awarded Egypt a soft penalty in the first half, while denying South Africa what appeared to be a clear penalty in the final minutes. Head coach Hugo Broos did not hold back in his assessment of the officiating.“Take the first penalty — even Mo Salah said to me after the game he was surprised it was given. It was ridiculous, really ridiculous,” Broos said. “Then look at our penalty:…

The government is seriously considering issuing licenses to small-scale miners as part of efforts to curb escalating illegal mining in the North West. On Monday, a high-level delegation led by North West Premier Lazarus Mogotsi and Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia visited Bapong Ba Mogale, one of the areas worst affected, where residents say they are living in fear. They were joined by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, North West Community Safety MEC Wessels Morweng, and Economic Development MEC Oageng Molapisi. The delegation held lengthy discussions with the local traditional authority over the ongoing crisis. Police have arrested more…

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has assured the public that the suspects in the murder of DJ and businessman Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock will be arrested imminently. Masemola confirmed that the alleged shooter has been identified and is being actively pursued, with an arrest expected before Monday. The Commissioner made the remarks on the sidelines of a ceremony in Pretoria, where 162 vehicles were handed over to SAPS Gauteng. “We will go and catch him, wherever he is,” Masemola said. Warras, 40, was shot and killed on Tuesday outside the Zambezi Building in Johannesburg’s CBD. CCTV footage captured the…

The South African government has once again asserted its sovereignty in response to pressure from the Trump administration following the arrest and deportation of seven Kenyan nationals in Johannesburg. The individuals were found working unlawfully while processing refugee applications for white Afrikaners seeking relocation to the U.S., linked to claims of racial persecution and state-backed land grabs. In a carefully worded statement, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) emphasized that the deportations were fully compliant with South African immigration and labor laws, and that Washington’s threats were unwarranted. “The recent deportation of seven Kenyan nationals by the Department…

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning of heavy rainfall expected over the coming weekend and throughout the summer season. On Thursday, the service briefed the media in Pretoria, attributing the severe weather conditions to La Niña — a climate pattern in which cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures occur in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon typically results in above-normal rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds over parts of South Africa. The briefing was addressed by two senior weather forecasters and a scientist, who urged the public to take weather warnings seriously. Senior Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela said…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has renewed its call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi, following what the party describes as damaging testimony she gave before the Nkabinde Commission of Inquiry. MKP Acting Parliamentary Leader Des van Royen on Wednesday lodged formal complaints with the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), citing evidence presented under oath at the commission. “This is not the first time we are calling for her removal,” van Royen said. “We already called for her suspension in June due to similar issues.…

City of Tshwane Deputy Mayor Bonzo Modise has been re-elected as the ANC’s Tshwane regional chairperson following the party’s long-delayed regional conference in Centurion. Modise was declared the winner after his challenger, Frans Boshielo, failed to secure the required 25 percent nomination threshold to qualify for the ballot. The conference had been postponed four times before finally proceeding this week, largely due to internal disputes and a series of court challenges. Attempts to interdict the gathering were ultimately unsuccessful. In other outcomes, George Matjila was elected regional secretary after being nominated unopposed. City of Tshwane MMC for Transport Tlangi Mogale…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has compared the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Helen Zille to an “old Ford Cortina,” saying Johannesburg needs fresh leadership rather than a “failed pensioner.” Speaking at the ANC’s Tshwane regional conference in Centurion on Saturday, Lesufi, also co-convener of the ANC’s Provincial Task Team, urged party members to end factional battles and focus on reclaiming control of the three metropolitan municipalities. “We can’t continue to squabble amongst each other when we should all be working to regain power. We lost power, comrades,” Lesufi said. Addressing DA plans to bring Zille to Johannesburg, he added: “Johannesburg does not…