Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala has expressed frustration at being implicated in too many investigations, which he claims makes it nearly impossible for him to answer questions honestly. Matlala continued his testimony at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, where he pulled out all the stops to avoid answering questions about his relationship with former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona. Matlala claimed that he had been visited by a police task team and prison officials to be questioned about his dealings with Senona. On Tuesday, Matlala experienced similar difficulties when addressing his relationship with suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner…
Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala caused a stir at the Madlanga Commission when he used an example that appeared to suggest he could shoot Evidence Leader Mahlape Sello. While this was purely an example used by Matlala in an effort to explain his reluctance to answer questions about his dealings with controversial businessmen Hangwani Maumela and Suleiman Carrim, the reference to possibly shooting the Evidence Leader got the room talking, with many others expressing their views on social media. “Commissioner, if I can make an example and I say to you that tomorrow I’m going to shoot you, obviously…
Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has revealed that he and the late taxi boss Jotham Mswazi Msibi were planning to jointly buy a private jet, but the venture did not materialise. Matlala revealed this while responding to questions about whether he knew Msibi and others suspected of being part of a cartel that has come to be known as the Big Five. Matlala confirmed that he rendered security services to Msibi and that he only came to know the other individuals, including fellow accused criminal Katiso Molefe, as well as relatively unknown figures identified as Ignatius Mthakathi and Andrew…
Rights groups have called on the South African government to reject what they believe is an Israeli fossil fuel grab in the Orange Basin, warning that, if allowed, it could result in human rights and environmental risks. Israeli company Navitas Petroleum plans to operate in a strategic and potentially profitable offshore oil block in the Orange Basin. In a joint letter to Mineral Resources and Petroleum Minister Gwede Mantashe and other authorities, the groups warn that granting petroleum rights to Navitas Petroleum would undermine South Africa’s human rights and environmental commitments. Navitas is linked to the Israeli government, which Pretoria…
The newly formed United Progressive People Alliance (UPPA) has challenged the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to demand greater accountability from City of Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya over allegations involving a company contracted by the municipality. The allegations centre on claims that the company carried out renovations, including work on a swimming pool, at Moya’s private residence, as well as security upgrades at her home in the Eastern Cape. UPPA says it is not enough for the two parties to condemn the allegations publicly while taking no further action. “UPPA notes that both the African National…
Investigations into several deadly building collapses in Gauteng and the Western Cape have identified non-compliance, inadequate oversight and poor record-keeping as major contributing factors. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson briefed the media in Pretoria, outlining findings from investigations into a series of building collapses that have claimed dozens of lives and injured scores of people. Macpherson said some investigations were hampered by the absence of basic records, including documentation identifying those responsible for the design, construction and supervision of buildings. “On 6 May 2024, a multi-storey residential building under construction in George collapsed, claiming 34 lives,” the minister…
National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams has accused the City of Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for safety, JP Smith, of ordering a hit on him. Adams, who is testifying at the Madlanga Commission, claims Smith, who is also the deputy chairperson of the DA’s Federal Council, sent a junior councillor to incite a former gang boss against him. Adams claims more than one person, including the gang leader whom he said does business with the City of Cape Town, has confirmed under oath that JP Smith wanted him killed. “The Alderman JP Smith, I think he’s the deputy federal…
DA Federal Chairperson has labeled the leadership of ActionSA as schizophrenic for taking credit for improved service delivery in the City of Tshwane. Solly Msimanga was one of the speakers at the launch of the DA’s Working for All tour aimed at promoting the party’s manifesto ahead of the November local government elections. Tensions have reached boiling point between the former allies who are now rivals in the Tshwane council with the DA believing it was betrayed when ActionSA for which a deputy mayor position was created and occupied by Nasiphi Moya only for her to emerge as mayor in…
Suspected members of the so-called Big Five cartel may have been involved in unlawful activities, among other alleged crimes. Evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission shows that the late taxi boss Mswazi Msibi and businessmen Steve Motsomi, Ignatius Mthakathi and Katiso Molefe may have been involved in the unlawful sourcing and sale of signal jammers and grabbers — devices the commission believes may not be intended for civilian use. In the absence of a witness, Evidence Leader Mathew Chasckolson used WhatsApp chats between Sergeant Fannie Nkosi and the late taxi boss Mswazi Msibi to support the allegation that they may…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has used the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Durban to make a strong call for greater African economic independence, urging the continent to reclaim control of its natural resources and use them to finance its own development. In a wide-ranging special lecture delivered at the summit, Ramaphosa argued that Africa must move beyond exporting raw materials and importing finished products if the continent is to achieve its long-term development ambitions. He said colonialism had left behind economic and infrastructure systems designed primarily to extract Africa’s resources rather than promote trade and integration between African economies.…