Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

North West businessman and politician Carrim may have feigned illness to avoid testifying before the Madlanga Commission, where a litany of allegations of criminality have emerged against him, the court has heard. The allegation was made by prosecutor Donald Shiko, who is opposing Carrim’s release on bail following his arrest at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, shortly before he was due to board a flight to Saudi Arabia via Dubai. During cross-examination, Shiko insisted that Carrim did not appear to be ill, suggesting that his planned trip to the Middle East was itself an indication that he was well…

Transnet Engineering has signed a multi-billion-rand agreement worth more than R6 billion with global transport technology provider Wabtec Corporation, in a move aimed at improving South Africa’s freight rail performance and supporting Transnet’s broader turnaround strategy. The 10-year agreement was signed at a ceremony in Pretoria on Thursday and is intended to address persistent freight and logistics challenges by improving locomotive reliability, performance and maintenance. The deal will also focus on modernising and upgrading South Africa’s freight locomotive fleet, while strengthening technical expertise and supporting skills development within the local workforce. Transnet Engineering, a subsidiary of state-owned logistics company Transnet,…

Controversial businessman and former African National Congress (ANC) North West regional treasurer Suliman Carrim was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday night after failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The 49-year-old was detained shortly before he was due to board an international flight, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed. She said Carrim was arrested for failing to appear before the commission. Carrim was expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Friday, although authorities had not released further details about the proceedings at the time of reporting. Previous testimony examined business dealings Carrim previously…

The Madlanga Commission has rejected claims by controversial fixer Serge Cabonge that one of its members promised to shield him from appearing before the inquiry. The commission said none of its officials had contacted Cabonge, contradicting claims he allegedly made in a telephone recording played at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court this week during the bail hearing of former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. “The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, rejects outright the allegations purportedly made by Mr Serge Cabonge regarding ‘a man who…

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula collapsed shortly after addressing the media following the party’s victory in its legal battle against the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) over the submission of candidate lists for the upcoming local government elections. The Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the ANC after the party challenged the exclusion of 181 of its candidates from the elections, paving the way for them to be included on the ballot for the November polls. An emotional Mbalula welcomed the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the supremacy of the Constitution. “The Constitution has spoken, and it has spoken for the…

The African National Congress (ANC) has won its Constitutional Court battle to have 181 candidates included on the ballot for South Africa’s local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026. In a majority judgment delivered on Thursday, 15 October, the Constitutional Court ordered the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to take the necessary steps to include the ANC’s candidate lists and nominations on the ballot. The judgment was delivered by Justice Rammaka Mathopo, who granted the ANC leave to appeal the Electoral Court’s ruling last month and set aside its order. The legal dispute centred on the ANC’s failure…

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) may have to reprint ballot papers for wards affected by the African National Congress (ANC)’s court challenge if the Constitutional Court rules in the party’s favour. The apex court reserved judgment this week after hearing oral arguments in the matter. Briefing the media in Centurion, the IEC said it was awaiting the court’s decision and would have no choice but to reprint the affected ballot papers should the ruling go against it. IEC deputy chief electoral officer Masego Sheburi confirmed that a significant proportion of the ballot papers had already been printed and…

The taxi industry has expressed concern about what it describes as excessive policing by the government. Operators cite, among other issues, the impounding of their vehicles for non-compliance, arguing that the industry has become a soft target for law enforcement authorities. The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) launched a Transport Month campaign in Pretoria, using the opportunity to raise the industry’s concerns with the government. SANTACO Tshwane regional chairperson Sipho Rasepae told officials that the taxi industry had long been mistreated by the government and called for change. “I’m requesting an urgent meeting. We need to talk; it cannot…

Authorities in Gauteng have embarked on an ambitious programme to refurbish seven bridges across the City of Tshwane as part of ongoing efforts by the provincial Department of Roads and Transport to preserve critical road infrastructure, improve road safety, support local economic development and strengthen service delivery across the province. MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela on Tuesday led a groundbreaking ceremony in Atteridgeville alongside Tlangi Magale, the City of Tshwane’s Mayoral Committee Member responsible for Transport. In a statement, the department said the rehabilitation of the seven bridges was aimed at restoring their structural integrity and bringing them up to an acceptable…

Taxi associations have been urged to take greater responsibility for disciplining drivers whose misconduct threatens the reputation, sustainability and business interests of the taxi industry. South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Tshwane regional chairperson Sipho Rasepae made the call during the launch of the organisation’s Transport Month campaign on Tuesday, which aims to ease congestion in Pretoria’s CBD by promoting responsible conduct among public transport operators. The campaign focuses on educating taxi drivers who stop or park indiscriminately, often obstructing traffic and disregarding other road users. Rasepae said taxi associations needed to address misconduct within their ranks and ensure that…