Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
South Africa is the latest country to join the push for reparations for the grave crimes of slavery and colonialism. African governments and their counterparts in the diaspora are mounting the strongest-ever campaign for accountability for both colonialism and slavery, which Western powers perpetrated over centuries. South Africa has endorsed the campaign led by Ghanaian President John Mahama, despite fierce resistance from European countries. South Africa’s experience in negotiating peace in instances such as its own transition from apartheid to a mass-based democracy, as well as in Sudan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is widely expected…
South Africa is prepared to deal with any cases of the Ebola virus should they be detected within its borders. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi made the assertion during a media briefing in Pretoria, where he said the government is particularly concerned about the current Bundibugyo strain identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for which there is currently no approved vaccine. “Yes, we are worried, very worried about Ebola, especially the Bundibugyo strain, because it doesn’t have any vaccine whatsoever, whereas the other strains do have a vaccine, and that’s what is worrying us. Theoretically, yes, it can go…
The National Treasury has warned that, if left unchecked, non-compliance by municipalities could lead to the collapse of businesses, including state entities. The warning follows a decision to withhold funds from 69 municipalities across several provinces for various breaches of regulations. The Treasury said during a media briefing in Pretoria that among the entities that faced collapse as a result of non-payment by municipalities were two water boards, which have since been paid and are now financially stable. The affected municipalities have been instructed to take immediate remedial action, including providing documentation to support any claims they make, as well…
EFF leader Julius Malema has dug in his heels, insisting that his relationship with suspended deputy head of crime intelligence Major-General Feros Khan is normal and that there was nothing untoward about their dealings. Malema’s denial is contained in an affidavit he deposed to the Madlanga Commission in response to allegations made against him based on Khan’s WhatsApp chats. The commission has heard evidence alleging that Major-General Feros Khan used Malema in an attempt to “trick” the then Inspector-General of Intelligence, Setlhomamaru Isaac Dintwe, into making false statements in 2021. According to the chats presented by Evidence Leader before the…
The Madlanga Commission continues to comb through the WhatsApp messages of Major-General Feros Khan, the suspended deputy head of crime intelligence, while he remains bedridden in hospital after being shot. Evidence leader Adila Hassim used the chats to demonstrate how Khan allegedly used his influence within the police and other government departments to enrich himself and his associates. In one of the messages, Khan suggests to his associate Ismail Vally, who owns Kaizen Motor Spares, that they had undercharged in their bid for a police car parts tender that was being managed and adjudicated by the National Treasury. He suggested…
It has been exactly a year since KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi delivered an explosive media briefing exposing political interference, corruption within the SAPS, as well as the alleged capture of South Africa’s criminal justice system by drug cartels. Among the developments since then are the following: Probes President Cyril Ramaphosa established a commission of inquiry, which has become known as the Madlanga Commission, named after its chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Parliament is also investigating the allegations. To this end, it has established a multi-party ad hoc committee with the power to subpoena witnesses. Suspensions The President placed Police…
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has categorically denied having any dealings with Resolve Communications, the public relations firm owned and chaired by former Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon. Malatsi’s denial follows allegations by another former DA leader, John Steenhuisen, who has claimed that Leon pressured DA deployees in the Government of National Unity (GNU) to secure deals for entities that are clients of his PR firm. Steenhuisen, who was replaced as DA leader and later moved from his position as Minister of Agriculture to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, has suggested that his demotion was the…
The Madlanga Commission has postponed the testimony of alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, whom it had summoned to appear before it on Tuesday morning. The Commission said Matlala’s legal representative will be physically present on Tuesday when the postponement will formally be effected. “Due to the heightened media and public interest in the testimony of Mr Vusimuzi Matlala, the Commission wishes to advise that whilst Mr Matlala has been subpoenaed to appear before it on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, the evidence leaders will request that his testimony be postponed to a date to be determined,” said Madlanga Commission spokesperson…
Anti-immigration groups have accused the government of attempting to silence them after their representatives were removed from the National Dialogue. The groups say the dialogue process has stalled since a contentious national convention held at Unisa earlier this year, which reportedly descended into a heated exchange and forced organisers to postpone the remainder of the programme. The next phase was expected to consist of community-based mass meetings, where South Africans would contribute ideas on the future direction of the country. The groups, which have recently operated as a united front under the March and March movement, said in a joint…
As General Firoz Khan recovers in hospital, the Madlanga Commission is unpacking what appears to be a web of criminality in which he is at the centre. According to WhatsApp chats, Khan appears to have worked with, among others, businessman Mo Sayeed and Molefe Fani, the suspended SAPS Divisional Commissioner for Procurement. At the time of their dealings, Fani was, according to the chats, working for the National Treasury. Central to Friday’s proceedings were WhatsApp conversations recovered from Khan’s cellphone, which police seized on 10 May when he was arrested on corruption charges linked to an alleged illicit precious metals…