Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

The City of Tshwane is re-evaluating its collaboration with the right-wing pressure group Afriforum, following a recent court decision that has led the municipality to halt the collection of a controversial cleansing levy. This monthly charge, introduced in July, targeted properties that do not utilise the city’s official waste management services but were still benefiting from local landfill sites, which the municipality described as an “undue benefit.” Afriforum successfully mobilised Pretoria residents and businesses against the levy, taking the matter to court and subsequently securing a ruling that bars the city from enforcing the charge. This setback has prompted the…

City of Tshwane The Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya has described the state of the metro after the DA’s ouster as a mess. Moya and her mayoral committee members provided an update of what the new coalition government has achieved in the 8 months in office and said the municipality had almost collapsed. “ The fact that we inherited an unfunded budget that has not been funded forat least three years, it gives you an idea. The assets under construction to the tune of billions, it tells you that this was a mess,” said Moya of some of the problems she inherited.…

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) is making strides towards a significant subsidy proposal aimed at transforming the country’s taxi industry. During a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday, officials expressed the urgent need for government support, citing that the private taxi sector, which transports an estimated 70 percent of the workforce, has been left without the financial assistance enjoyed by other public transport forms. The move comes on the heels of another distressing episode involving violence against e-hailing drivers at Maponya Mall in Soweto, allegedly perpetrated by taxi operators. The council believes that financial support could be a…

In a poignant address on Monday in Johannesburg, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) accepted cautious responsibility for a recent violent incident that resulted in the tragic death of 27-year-old e-hailing driver, Mthokozisi Mvelase. The violence erupted at Maponya Mall in Soweto, where taxi operators reportedly went on a rampage, leading to the death of Mvelase and injuries to another driver, along with the destruction of vehicles. Speaking at a media briefing that laid bare the anguish and grief following the violence, SANTACO President Abner Tsebe stated, “We gather here today, colleagues, under very painful circumstances… Our nation witnessed…

In a significant diplomatic exchange, Russian President Vladimir Putin has briefed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the outcomes of his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump, as both leaders continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The call, which took place on Monday, highlights South Africa’s active role in the global diplomatic landscape, particularly amidst the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The unusually prestigious dialogue comes on the heels of President Ramaphosa’s concerted efforts for peace, which included direct conversations with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The South African leader’s…

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has voiced her concerns regarding the overwhelming burden that illegal migration cases are placing on court systems across South Africa. During a recent oversight visit to the Randburg Magistrates Court, Kubayi noted that the sheer volume of cases related to illegal immigration has become an increasing challenge for the judiciary. “There is a need for collaboration between the Department of Justice, the judiciary, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the South African Police Service (SAPS), and Home Affairs,” said Kubayi, as she emphasised the importance of streamlined processes for addressing these cases. The minister…

Day 2 of the first convention of the National Dialogue started at Unisa in Pretoria amidst significantly reduced interest in the event. The hall which was packed to the rafters on the first day was evidently half full on the second with no explanation as to where the rest of the delegates, who were transported from all 9 provinces and accommodated in hotels with the taxpayer money had gone. Most of the participants took issue with how the event had been organised including that there was no clearly identified agend to be discussed nor a sound structure of how such…

The Chief Executive Officer of City Power, Tshifularo Mashava, delivered an inspiring address at the City Power 2025 Schools’ Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management competition. The event, held on Wednesday, not only celebrated the innovative spirit of young minds but also marked the launch of the Energy Performance Certificate for municipal buildings in the City of Johannesburg. From humble beginnings to the topMashava, who hails from the rural Vhembe district in Limpopo, shared her personal journey from childhood to leading one of South Africa’s most forward-thinking energy entities. “I’m a child of Africa, I’m a child of the village,”…

Maponya Mall in Soweto has reopened following a day of unrest linked to violence between local taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. Law enforcement agencies have established a formidable presence around the shopping centre as tensions persist in the surrounding Pimville area, where angry residents have taken to the streets in protest.The unrest was ignited by the tragic death of 27-year-old Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase, who was shot and burned inside his car on Wednesday night. Having moved to Gauteng from KwaZulu-Natal just two weeks prior, Mvelase had entered the e-hailing business only days before his untimely death. His family is mourning…

In a groundbreaking event held at its headquarters on Wednesday, City Power marked significant milestones in its dedication to a sustainable energy future by announcing the winners of the 2025 Schools’ Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) competition and launching the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the City of Johannesburg. The gathering united learners, educators, municipal officials, and energy professionals, all celebrating educational-driven climate action. As City Power transforms into a fully-fledged energy company, it aims to champion a just and sustainable energy transition by fostering awareness, innovation, and environmental stewardship among high school learners through its schools competition.…