Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
It has been a relatively smooth first day for schools in Gauteng as they reopen following the festive season break. Not even the outstanding admission of several thousands could disrupt activities. Basic education minister Angie Motshekga and the education MEC Matome Chiloane visited Kgatoentle Secondary School in Ga-Rankuwa. The provincial education department said it had already placed some 20 000 or so learners whose parents failed to apply on time and were allowed an opportunity to do so in December. “We opened the system on the 18th of December to allow parents who missed the initial deadline to apply and…
Education quality assurance authority uMalusi has given a resounding endorsement of the 2023 grade 12 final year results set to be released this week by basic education minister Angie Motshekga. uMalusi briefed the media in Pretoria and said the exams passed the credibility test overwhelmingly with little to no incidents. The entity’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Mafu Rakometsi said a crackdown on criminal groups selling fake matric certificates was gaining momentum with a dozen or so people arrested at the end of 2023. “Eleven suspects have been arrested by the South African Police Service on different dates. The first two suspects…
The City of Tshwane has called on communities in and around Centurion to stay indoors as long as possible as it tries to get rid of a foul smell that residents have complained about. The municipality has blamed the odour on illegal dumping of oil by a chemical disposing company and vowed to press criminal charges against the company. “Recently, the City of Tshwane has received various complaints regarding a noxious odour being detected in various neighbourhoods in Centurion. Investigations have since revealed the source as illegal dumping of oil by a liquid waste disposal service provider in the vicinity…
As South Africa gets praise internationally for hauling Israel before the International Court of in the Hague, back home a pro-Israel lobby has questioned the move spearhead by International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor who has become the face of the pro-Palestine movement. As the South African team started presenting arguments to a 17-member bench, the Jewish Board of Deputies accused the government of antisemitism. The group claimed South Africa was too close to liberation movement Hamas and dragged prominent British politician Jeremy Corbyn into its criticism of the government alleging that he joined the South African team at the court…
While traffic is at its lowest in Johannesburg since most people travelled to far-flung provinces for the festive season, road safety remains a major concern. In the latest incident a woman in her 20s was killed this morning in Fourways when a sedan plunged into a residential wall. Emer-G-Med paramedics responded to the accident and spokesperson Kyle van Reneen said there was no other vehicles involved in the crash and the cause is yet to be established. “On arrival on scene paramedics were met with mayhem as the remains of a sedan rested on the sidewalk, having ploughed through a…
The five men arrested in connection with the mob killing of five suspected criminals in Diepsloot will be spending Christmas behind bars. The Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday postponed their bail hearing to the 28th of December. The court initially wanted to move the case to early next year but defence lawyers objected indicating that the accused had been in detention for long and hoped to be back with their families for Christmas. Defence lawyer Jimmy Baloyi said it was disappointing that the men won’t be released for Christmas. “We are very disappointed. We were hoping that today judgment will…
As Cosmo City Extension 8, Northwest of Johannesburg, goes into a third day without power and no explanation from Eskom, residents complain that authorities have ignored their electricity problems for more than two years. On Tuesday night, residents blocked roads with burning tyres and stones. Activists say they have been complaining for a long time, but authorities have ignored them. “We’ve been suffering with no electricity for more than two years. When we log calls they cancel our calls, when we speak to Eskom management they’re not doing anything about our matter, we are tired. We want even the Premier…
The defence in the case against five men accused of involvement in the mob killing of seven suspected criminals in Diepsloot has raised concern about avoidable delays in the matter. The case was once again rolled over to Wednesday for final arguments as part of continuing bail hearing that started on Monday. The past two days saw Court 9 of the Randburg Magistrate’s Court entertain bail pleas by the accused through affidavits read by their lawyers and yesterday the state opposed the applications with lead investigator Colonel Albert Jam Jam. Defence lawyer Jimmy Baloyi addressed the court about how easily…
The defence in the case against five men accused of killing seven suspected criminals Diepsloot, Northwest of Johannesburg is confident they will be released soon. Their bail hearing started on Monday at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court and was rolled over to Tuesday. Three of the accused already gave reasons through affidavits read to the court by their lawyer Jimmy Baloyi. They have all denied any involvement including that they were anywhere near the scene of the alleged mob attack at the beginning of the month. “There’s no evidence against my clients at this stage. There hasn’t been anything that the…
Former president Jacob Zuma will be campaigning against the ANC ahead of next year’s general elections. Zuma said he decided to throw his weight behind the newly formed uMkhonto Wesizwe party as part of an attempt to rescue the ANC from white capital which he said hijacked the ruling party by sponsoring the campaign of his adversary and successor Cyril Ramaphosa in 2017. Zuma briefed the media in Orlando East, Soweto where his daughter Dudu read a statement on his behalf as he said he was not feeling well. He was adamant he remained a loyal ANC member and that…