Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
The Madlanga Commission has warned Witness F, who is testifying in camera, to avoid giving false evidence, cautioning that the commission has the means to independently verify facts, including through phone records. Witness F took the stand on Tuesday after a failed attempt to postpone his appearance. The commission dismissed his application and ordered him to begin testifying immediately. Although his identity has been withheld at his request, it is widely known in public circles. During proceedings, Witness F faced questions about WhatsApp communications showing he was in regular contact with alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and the late…
This was revealed by Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale, who briefed the media in Pretoria following festive-season anti-crime raids at correctional facilities across the country. Thobakgale said the department conducted a risk and threat assessment, which led to the transfer of both Matlala and convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester. “We conducted a threat assessment and, on that basis, concluded that in the interest of security — particularly for Mr Matlala’s own safety — he should be moved to eBokweni Supermaximum Facility, the safest correctional facility in the country,” Thobakgale said. The commissioner downplayed concerns raised by Matlala’s lawyers, who…
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says it will lobby aggressively in Parliament to secure support from other political parties for the harmonisation of elections in South Africa. Party leader Julius Malema announced the plan while delivering the closing address at the EFF’s elections preparatory workshop in Boksburg, arguing that the current electoral system is financially unsustainable and distracts political parties from service delivery. Malema said frequent elections and by-elections have placed an excessive financial burden on political parties, forcing them to prioritise campaigning over governance. “The DA is right — we need to fight this thing of permanent elections in…
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has warned of possible post-election violence if the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) does not address what the party describes as persistent failures and irregularities in the electoral process. The party raised these concerns during a weekend workshop in Boksburg, held as part of preparations for the upcoming local government elections. The workshop was attended by representatives from, among others, the IEC and Statistics South Africa. EFF Deputy President Godrich Gardee questioned the integrity of past election results, warning that unresolved issues could escalate tensions and potentially lead to violence if corrective measures are not implemented.…
The Gauteng crime wardens, popularly known as Amapanyaza, have officially been declared peace officers following corrective action taken after a Public Protector finding that their earlier designation was irregular. The announcement was made in Pretoria on Friday by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, and Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who is overseeing the remedial process. “I can confirm here today that I have issued a Gazette designating what used to be known as Amapanyapanya as peace officers,” Kubayi said. Premier Lesufi welcomed the swift implementation of the decision, praising the two ministers for acting with urgency. “I…
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has dismissed perceptions that black Africans are disproportionately targeted in the enforcement of South Africa’s immigration laws, saying such views are driven by how enforcement actions are reported. The BMA briefed the media in Pretoria alongside the Department of Home Affairs, where it released figures detailing the number of people and goods intercepted while attempting to enter or leave the country illegally. According to the authority, the largest number of undocumented migrants intercepted originate from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. These groups are often labelled economic migrants and have historically accounted for…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) narrowly retained Ward 57 in Centurion in a by-election following the passing of councillor David Farquharson last year. However, the victory has sparked controversy, with allegations that the party used racially charged messaging to influence white voters. During a heated City of Tshwane Council meeting on Thursday, Freedom Front Plus (FFPLUS) councillors accused the DA of resorting to fear-mongering tactics, citing messages sent on voting day that suggested “inferiors” could take control if white residents did not vote. FFPLUS councillor Mark Surgeon condemned the texts, saying they exploited racial insecurities and violated the principles of fair…
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona has claimed that murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala closely followed police work in the province because he admired the unit’s successes. Senona made the claim while attempting to justify why he forwarded a series of news articles and sensitive police-related information to Matlala over an extended period. He was testifying for a second day at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria, where he faced sustained questioning from Evidence Leader Advocate Adila Hassim and commissioners. Among the material Senona sent to Matlala was an eNCA news article quoting KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as saying…
Despite maintaining his innocence, KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona has admitted to being friends with accused criminal Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Senona told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria that his interactions with Matlala were limited to offering casual advice and, on one occasion, introducing him to individuals in the private security sector. He was responding to allegations by several witnesses that he helped Matlala secure a multimillion-rand SAPS tender, which was later cancelled following Matlala’s arrest on allegations that he ordered a hit on his former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane. Senona also acknowledged that his son had a close…
Action SA leader Herman Mashaba says his party is steadily increasing its number of public representatives — without directly contesting elections — through what he calls the Green Umbrella project. On Monday, Mashaba announced that two new political entities, the Creatives Congress Movement (a pressure group formed by arts practitioners) and the Azanian Independent Community Movement (a small party based in Taung, North West), have joined ActionSA. Mashaba claimed the North West group already controls seven council seats, which he said now effectively belong to ActionSA. A similar arrangement was previously struck with Forum 4 Service Delivery, whose leader, Mbahare…