Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
The City of Tshwane has launched a new intervention aimed at empowering young people amid rising youth unemployment in the capital. Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya unveiled the Ithuba Youth Development Programme on Thursday, calling on the private sector to partner with the municipality in driving economic activity and expanding opportunities for young residents. The programme is designed to improve young people’s employability and support their participation in the mainstream economy. It will assist youth with practical needs such as obtaining driver’s licences and starting their own businesses, helping to remove common barriers to employment and entrepreneurship. Youth unemployment “a daily…
The Madlanga Commission has concluded that Vusimuzi Cat Matlala never intended to hand over any vehicles to the Ekurhuleni Metro. The commission found that suspended officials—Deputy Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, Head of Legal Services Imogen Mashazi, and City Manager Kemi Behari—colluded to have the municipality pay for the registration of Matlala’s vehicles under the guise of a donation, fully aware that the fleet would never be transferred. While previous testimonies showed Mkhwanazi played a central role in securing municipal funds for the registrations, Behari, whose two-day testimony ended on Tuesday, was identified as an enabler of wrongdoing. He wrote letters…
Radio presenter and entertainer Sibusiso “DJ Sbu” Leope has denied any involvement in alleged corruption at the embattled Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality after being named as a purported beneficiary of graft. The allegations were made by the municipality’s suspended head of legal services, advocate Kemi Behari, who claimed that Leope and his long-time business associate, Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza — a former ANC Gauteng provincial secretary — benefited from corrupt activities within the metro. Behari further alleged that attempts to take action against them were met with resistance. Behari made the claims while giving evidence in a process in which he sought…
Mounting calls have emerged for ActionSA and its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, to be held accountable following the fatal shooting of a man during the filming of his Moja Love reality television show in Windsor East, Johannesburg, on Sunday. According to Khumalo, the deceased — whom he identified as a Nigerian national — was killed during a confrontation with alleged drug dealers. “I can confirm that there was a shooting incident during an anti-drug operation yesterday. A Nigerian suspect was shot,” Khumalo said in a post on X. “We are facing violent resistance from drug syndicates, but we must…
The Madlanga Commission in Pretoria is investigating claims that Kemi Behari, suspended head of legal services at Ekurhuleni Municipality, used his position to protect Julius Mkhwanazi, the suspended deputy chief of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD). EMPD Chief Jabulani Mapiaye testified last year that Behari, together with a municipal HR official, went out of their way to shield Mkhwanazi from having to account for his actions. Behari took the stand on Monday, claiming he had been victimized after stopping what he described as a “looting spree” of lawyers colluding with municipal officials. He denied any involvement in withdrawing charges…
Police have reiterated their confidence that they have arrested the correct suspects in the murder of Warris Stark, popularly known as DJ Warras. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola addressed the matter during a media briefing in Pretoria, seeking to allay public concerns that the wrong individuals may have been apprehended in connection with the DJ’s killing. Doubts emerged after initial police reports described the suspected shooter as having dreadlocks. However, the first suspect arrested, Victor Majola, is bald, and weeks later a second suspect—also bald—was taken into custody. Masemola explained that investigators believe the shooter, whom police are convinced is…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has suggested that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) would have collapsed if not for his interventions. Speaking at the SARS National Command Center in Brooklyn, Pretoria, on Thursday, Ramaphosa said there were concerted efforts to rescue the institution, which he halted through measures including the establishment of a commission of inquiry. He described these interventions as part of the achievements of his early days in office—efforts he believes are often overlooked by critics. “People often refer to a period they call ‘Ramaphoria,’ and suggest that nothing significant happened then. But if there was anything we did…
The Madlanga Commission has heard further explosive testimony detailing the alleged extent of influence wielded by suspected criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala within the South African Police Service. Testifying in camera, Witness F described what he characterised as a high-level plot to arrest controversial gossip blogger Musa Khawula, who had published a series of posts critical of Matlala. According to the witness, senior police officials — including suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya — were involved in the operation. Witness F told the commission that in the days leading up to Khawula’s arrest, he sent the warrant of arrest directly…
As his tenure as Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Leader draws to a close, John Steenhuisen has moved to burnish a legacy that has been dogged by internal factional battles, financial controversies, and allegations of misconduct. Steenhuisen announced that he will not seek a third term as party leader, citing the growing demands of his role as Minister of Agriculture in the Government of National Unity (GNU). His decision follows months of heightened infighting within the DA, with critics calling for accountability over the alleged misappropriation of party funds and a damaging Cape Town court judgment against him for failing to…
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…