Author: Larson Thebe
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola says his return to duty presents an opportunity for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to redeem itself, adding that he is not seeking revenge. Addressing the media in Pretoria on Monday, Masemola said his return to office was an opportunity for the SAPS to reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law, institutional stability, accountability and the national interest. Masemola was suspended following his appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to an alleged contravention of the Public Finance Management Act in connection with a R360 million SAPS Medicare24 tender linked…
The Department of Health has announced that the number of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases in the country has risen from 22 to 26 following the confirmation of four additional cases. According to department spokesperson Mohale, the Western Cape has recorded 18 cases, followed by Gauteng with three, the Eastern Cape with two, the Free State with two and KwaZulu-Natal with one. “Of the 18 cases reported in the Western Cape, two were imported cases involving foreign nationals visiting South Africa, while the remaining 16 were linked to local transmission. “Twenty-five of the 26 cases involve males, aged between 23 and 50,…
Four people, including three Malawian nationals and a South African, have been arrested in Stilfontein, North West, following a police raid on a farm where a suspected illegal liquor manufacturing plant was discovered. The value of the illicit liquor is estimated at R1.4 million. Police said they acted on a tip-off when they raided a farm in the Rietfontein area of Stilfontein. “As police approached the premises at approximately 22:00, several suspects fled in different directions. However, police managed to apprehend four suspects aged between 28 and 54. “Three of the suspects are believed to be undocumented foreign nationals from…
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has welcomed the arrest of North West businessman Suliman Carrim over his failure to appear before the commission as required. Carrim, 49, was arrested by the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) at OR Tambo International Airport last night, shortly before he was due to board an international flight. According to commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels, the arrest followed repeated failures by Carrim to appear before the commission and provide information and documentation requested under the applicable regulations. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga announced during proceedings on 14 August 2026 that criminal charges would be laid against…
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is set to return to the helm of the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Monday, 19 October 2026, following the withdrawal of criminal charges that preceded his precautionary suspension. President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted Masemola’s suspension, bringing an end to a six-month period in which Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane served as acting national police commissioner. Masemola was suspended in April after appearing before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to an alleged contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The National Director of Public Prosecutions instructed prosecutors to withdraw the charges on…
A 56-year-old Border Management Authority (BMA) official has been arrested at the Maseru Port of Entry after allegedly being found in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals, without the lawful holders being present, as well as R2,100 in cash. According to the BMA, the arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation conducted in conjunction with other law enforcement authorities. “The operation was initiated after information was received from the State Security Agency regarding several Lesotho nationals’ passports that had been placed under monitoring. “Intelligence indicated that the passports had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand for the purpose…
The case against Atteridgeville pastor Caiphus Mkhawane and his two wives, Tsako Makhubela and Amanda Mnguni, has been postponed by the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court to allow for legal aid representation and further bail investigations. The trio appeared briefly in court today on several serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and fraud. In addition, Mkhawane and Makhubela face charges of human trafficking, premeditated murder, rape, two counts of kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances. It also emerged in court that the accused had taken out several funeral policies in the name of the victim, who is the mother of the…
Suspended deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya has resigned from the South African Police Service (SAPS) with immediate effect, with police classifying his departure as a dishonourable discharge because disciplinary proceedings were ongoing. Sibiya tendered his resignation on Monday, shortly after his internal disciplinary hearing began. His legal representative submitted the resignation letter during the proceedings, according to SAPS. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Sibiya’s employment with the service had been terminated. “As the former senior officer had an ongoing disciplinary case against him at the time of his resignation, his departure from the Service is…
The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Justice Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, has dedicated her award to survivors of international crimes. Pillay was announced as this year’s winner by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo, Norway, on Friday, in recognition of her “work to promote peace and international law”. The 85-year-old Pillay addressed her first media briefing in Nuremberg, Germany, since being announced as this year’s recipient. “Let me dedicate this award to all the survivors of international crimes, as well as to practitioners and defenders of international justice, whose compassion and courage continue to ensure that impunity will not be allowed…
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will reconvene its postponed 15th National Congress on Monday at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, just over a month after the initial congress collapsed. Last month’s congress, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, was expected to elect new leadership but was marred by delays, disputes over delegates’ credentials and infighting among the federation’s affiliate unions. Central to the dispute were the candidacy and suspension of the federation’s first deputy president, Mike Shingange, who had been suspended by his union just two days before the congress. Shingange approached the Labour…