Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called on the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA to take collective responsibility for the waterborne illness outbreak affecting residents in Bronkhorstspruit and Hammanskraal. The party has laid criminal charges against Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya and lodged complaints with the Public Protector and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), demanding accountability over the water crisis. Addressing journalists outside the Public Protector’s office in Pretoria, EFF Treasurer-General and Tshwane mayoral committee member Omphile Maotwe accused the DA and ActionSA of repeatedly protecting City Manager Johann Mettler from accountability. Maotwe alleged that failures to ensure adequate…

If released on bail, North West businessman Suleiman Carrim may flee the country to avoid facing contempt of court charges for failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission. This is the submission made by prosecutor Donald Shiko, who is opposing Carrim’s bail application in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court. A decision on the application has been deferred until Wednesday, with the state strongly arguing that Carrim should remain in detention. Shiko warned that the state would not be able to extradite Carrim should he flee to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he was heading at the time of his arrest.…

Trade is at the top of the agenda of the South Africa-Uganda Joint Commission of Cooperation, co-chaired by International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and his Ugandan counterpart, Adonia Ayebare, in Pretoria. The commission is the second-highest platform for diplomatic engagement between the two countries after state visits. Opening the commission on Tuesday, Lamola said discussions were expected to cover continental peace and security, immigration, cultural cooperation, trade and investment. The latter, he said, was particularly important. Lamola said the two countries had to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to grow their respective economies by leveraging key…

The government has stopped short of declaring a formal outbreak despite more than 400 reported cases of gastrointestinal illness in Pretoria East, with young children among the worst affected. The illnesses have been linked to the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works, which reportedly ran out of chlorine, raising concerns about water contamination, including the presence of E. coli bacteria. The affected areas include Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi. Most patients are reportedly children under the age of four. No deaths have been reported. Residents have been warned not to use tap water, including for bathing, brushing their teeth or…

A former police general has been arrested for the alleged unlawful possession of ammunition and may also face charges related to possessing documents linked to the investigation into the murder of Lieutenant-General Sindile Mafazi. National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the yet-to-be-named former officer was arrested during a raid at his home in Centurion by the SAPS National Cold Case Unit. “A 56-year-old former police general has been arrested for the unlawful possession of more than 100 rounds of South African Police Service (SAPS)-issued ammunition, including R5 and 9mm ammunition. “The arrest follows a search and seizure operation conducted…

The decision to allow the City of Ekurhuleni to buy electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) forms part of broader efforts to reduce electricity costs by enabling municipalities to secure competitive prices rather than relying solely on Eskom. Electricity Minister Sputla Ramokgopa announced at a media briefing in Pretoria that the city had been given the go-ahead following an application. Ramokgopa said the high cost of electricity was having a significantly negative impact on household incomes. “The high cost of electricity is eroding, if you like, the purchasing power of households, while also undermining the competitiveness of industry. With the…

Moves are afoot to help as many promising young quantity surveyors as possible make a smooth transition from university to professional practice and full professional accreditation. The South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP) is visiting institutions of higher education as part of its leadership fellowship programme. Through the initiative, it supports young people as they move from university into professional practice and, ultimately, towards professional accreditation. The SACQSP’s Registrar and CEO, Mfezeko Gwazube, said the need to transform the sector had prompted the initiative. “Firstly, we need to understand that many previously disadvantaged students in the quantity…

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…