Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

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.…

Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala says he now hates fellow criminally accused Brown Mogotsi, whom he accuses of causing significant problems in his life. Matlala made the admission while testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, after acknowledging that he had been swindled by Mogotsi, who has been described as an alleged fixer and imposter. When Evidence Leader Mahlape Sello asked whether he remained in contact with Mogotsi, Matlala was unequivocal. “I don’t have a relationship, actually I hate him,” Matlala said. “He caused me a lot of problems in my life,” he added. ‘I realised these guys are…

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was forced to repeatedly intervene on Monday as it sought answers from alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, whose evidence was at times hindered by objections from his lawyer, Anelene Van Der Heever. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga had to rein in Van Der Heever after she repeatedly interjected while Evidence Leader Mahlape Sello questioned Matlala about his alleged relationships with senior police officials and other key figures. At one point, Justice Madlanga reminded the lawyer that Matlala, not his legal representative, was the witness before the commission. “Miss Van Der Heever, you are not…

Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is expected to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission. The inquiry said on Sunday that it had brought forward Matlala’s testimony and scheduled it for two days, after initially postponing it to September. “The commission will on 17 and 18 August 2026 hear the testimony of Mr Vusimuzi Matlala. Mr Matlala first appeared before the Commission on 15 July 2026 but, in terms of a ruling handed down by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, his testimony was postponed…