Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

In a move likely to spark debate across South Africa, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has voiced significant concerns over the unregulated podcast sector, arguing that it is damaging the moral fabric of society. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Mbalula insisted that the content proliferated by these platforms is not only provocative but poses a risk to the younger generation who may be influenced by the unfiltered dialogue prevalent in many podcasts. “When you go out as a member of the ANC, deliberately wide open, you go out of your way,” Mbalula lamented, referencing ANC leaders,…

African National Congress (ANC), Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of using dubious polling methods to sway public opinion against the ruling party. Addressing the media in Johannesburg on Monday, Mbalula refuted claims stemming from recent polls suggesting a sharp decline in support for the ANC, particularly those conducted by the Institute of Race Relations. “Polls. We are not arguing with polls. But if, as newspapers, you take a DA poll and then you call it a DA poll, and then you say, the DA says no, poll says this, and I saw Helen Zille was…

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has issued a stark warning regarding the implications of foreign funding for South African political parties, expressing concern that such financial influences could endanger the country’s sovereignty. The warning came during a media briefing held in Centurion on Tuesday, where the commission underscored the need for corporate South Africa to boost contributions to the Multiparty Democracy Fund. Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo articulated that the current contributions to the fund are disappointingly low. He attributed this shortfall primarily to a lack of tax incentives for potential donors. “There have not been substantial contributions into the…

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…