Author: Larson Thebe

Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis has expressed mixed feelings after the team was held to a 1-1 draw by a 10-player Tanzania in a 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group C match played at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco. The defending African champions went into the match as favourites, against the lowly ranked east African nation. But the Twiga Stars took advantage of Banyana Banyana erratic performance and took the lead in the 24th minute through Opah Clement’s goal. Banyana Banyana regrouped after the first half break and equalized through Bambanani Mbane following a corner kick…

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday night, following allegations of political interference and corruption in the South African Police Service (SAPS). The allegations were made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a media briefing in Durban on Sunday. Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and Deputy Police Commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, of corruption, interfering in high profile police investigations and having links with criminal syndicates. He also alleged that Mchunu disbanded the political task team in the province, which he said, “had uncovered a drug cartel with links to high-profile politicians, businesspeople, and members of…

Apartheid-era police officer Johan Marais has been sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment by the Pretoria High Court for the murder of student activist, Caiphus Nyoka, in 1987. The sentence comes after Marais, who is a former Section Leader of the Reaction Unit 6 in Dunnottar. pleaded guilty and was convicted of premeditated murder of Nyoka. Delivering judgment, Judge Mokhine Mosopa, said the sentence fit the punishment, serve as a deterrent and retribution, adding that Marais has failed to apologise to Nyoka’s family, 37 years after the incident. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, has welcomed the…

The Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza has asked three parliamentary portfolio committees to urgently consider scathing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. This after Didiza earlier said she had received two letters from political parties requesting a snap debate on the issues raised by General Mkhwanazi, in accordance with the Rules of the National Assembly. “The speaker has today asked the portfolio committees on Police, Justice and Constitutional Development and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to consider, on an urgent basis, in terms of their respective mandates the wide ranging allegations regarding security…

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has dismissed reports that it is planning to cancel the social grants of beneficiaries. The agency’s comments come as it is currently undertaking to ascertain the eligibility of identified beneficiaries suspected of having additional income that was not disclosed. Speaking on YouFM Newshour, SASSA spokesperson Andile Tshona, said the grants are delayed momentarily until a ‘suspected’ beneficiary has successfully completed the review process. These comes after the agency requested about 210 000 suspected beneficiaries to verify their accounts before payment was made. “The way it has been communicated out there is wrong, like we…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made 11 changes to the squad that will face Italy in the second Castle Lager Incoming Series Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon. The team will be captained by Salmaan Moerat in the absence of Siya Kolisi and includes three uncapped players on the bench, and will feature only seven players from the side that defeated Italy 42-24 at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria last week Notable inclusion Willie le Roux, who will become the eight Springbok centurion, and the return of local favourite, Makazole Mapimpi, from a long-injury…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the reform of global institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council. Ramaphosa was addressing the Peace, Security and Global Governance Session of the 17th BRICS Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The President said the world is witnessing changes of global dynamics, i.e., politically, economically, technologically, and environmentally, which he accused these organisations are failing to become accustomed to. He highlighted the failure of these institutions to resolve conflicts, especially in the Middle East and other parts of the world, and finance institutions failure to ensure the development of world poor countries. “As conflicts…

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has implored municipalities to ensure that the funds allocated for disasters are only meant for such purposes. Hlabisa was addressing the media in Sandton, on the details of the funds released to municipalities and provinces for disaster interventions following the various snowfall and floods that occurred in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and the severely affected Eastern Cape. Last month, a total of 107 people died due to disasters, 103 in the Eastern Cape, three in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Western Cape. The Minister said the Disaster Management Act highlights…

The North West Department of Education has scooped ten trophies at the 2025 ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod music championship which were held at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg. The province was represented by a contingent of 19 schools, 26 Choirs competing in 26 categories. The competition brought together learners from General Education and Training to Further Education and Training, displaying their musical talents across all provinces. Reoleboge Special School from Moruleng Village in Moses Kotane Local Municipality obtained the first position in the Special Schools (SID), Own Choice category, while Kamogelo Primary School from Migdol under…

The Portfolio Committee on Community Safety in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature has issued a strong warning to victims of crime, particularly victims of gender-based violence (GBV), urging them not to withdraw criminal cases against perpetrators. The committee said its appeal comes amid growing concern over a disturbing trend that undermines efforts to combat GBV and hold perpetrators accountable. The committee made the appeal during its oversight visit at the Fochville Police Station, which was followed by a stakeholder engagement session held at the Greenspark Community Hall. “The committee was alarmed by a report from the Station Commander of Fochville Police…