Author: Larson Thebe

South Africa has announced what it described as a strong playing XI for the much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia starting on Wednesday at the Lords Cricket Ground in London. Temba Bavuma will marshal the team, which is made up of many first-time finalists, who’ll also be playing for the first time at the historic venue regarded as the home of cricket. Ryan Rickelton will lead the Proteas batting line-up, followed by captain Bavuma, who are under pressure to combine to register decent runs, as they’ll face the Aussie onslaught. The selectors decided to stick with Wiaan Mulder…

The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) said five people have lost their lives since the weekend in three separate fire incidents. The EMS said the incidents happened in Mayfair, Mapetla and Braamfischer, as the residents were trying to keep warm during the extreme cold conditions. The deceased, including two children between the ages of six and eight, died from smoke inhalation, others were found dead after a fire ravaged their house. The deaths come as the EMS has cautioned residents, especially those in informal settlements, to exercise caution when using heating devices. “Residents are urged to continue to…

In an unexpected move, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has replaced its president, Vuyo Zungula, by appointing Professor Caesar Nongqunga as the new president. Zungula has been leading the party since its inception seven years ago, helping the party garner representation at local, provincial and national government legislatures. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Zungula for his remarkable service over the past seven years. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in registering the party, advocating for the voiceless, and firmly establishing the ATM on the political landscape of South Africa. Under President Zungula’s stewardship, the ATM has grown from…

The presiding officer in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Ratha Mokgoatlheng, has apologised for the racist remarks he made during the trial last week.  The remarks were made during the heated argument when the legal representative Charles Mnisi, requested for the proceedings to be postponed on Monday, as he’ll be travelling back from the Comrades Marathon from Durban. The judge didn’t take lightly to the request by Mnisi.  “This is what happens in South Africa run by blacks. I can tell you now, even if you call Uncle Tom, I don’t think a white advocate will ever have the gall to…

Tete Dijana has won his third Comrades Marathon after he won this year’s marathon in Durban on Sunday. This year’s ultra marathon edition was a down run, between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Dijana, who’s from Mafikeng, won in a time of 5 hrs 25 min 28 sec, to beat his closest rival and Nedbank teammate, Piet Wiersma of Netherlands who finished 5 hrs 25 min 33 sec. The finish was a replica sprint finish of the 2023 marathon, which was won by Dijana. Russia’s runner Nikolai Volkov finished third in a time of 5 hrs 29 min 42 sec. Dijana’s win…

Following a rising demand for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and pressure on centralised services because of historic equipment constraints and staff shortages, the Gauteng Department of Health said it is actively modernising and strengthening diagnostic imaging services across the province. The department said the upgrades are done with a particular focus on MRI capacity in public health facilities. MRI is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body’s internal structures. It’s used to diagnose various medical conditions, monitor treatment, and assess soft tissue, bone, and blood vessels.…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has met with the Judiciary, amid criticism against the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) following Ramaphosa was supported during the high-level engagement by Justice and Constitutional Development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, her deputy Andries Nel, several ministers, while the Judiciary was represented by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and Heads of Court. This important engagement brought together the Executive and the Judiciary to reaffirm their shared commitment to building a stronger, more effective justice system, firmly anchored in the values of South Africa’s Constitution. The engagement comes after scathing criticism against the NPA after it experienced setbacks in the Timothy…

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned about an intense cut-off low system, associated with severe and extreme winter weather, across most parts of the country until next week. “The service warned that the extreme conditions will start this weekend, with snowfalls possible over all provinces, except Limpopo. Early on Saturday morning, this system will begin affecting the Western and Northern Cape. By Monday, 9 June 2025 and Tuesday, 10 June 2025 this extensive and severe winter weather system will have shifted further east over South Africa, affecting the central and eastern provinces,” read a statement from SAWS. In…

The Department of Social Development has defended the Basic Income Grant support policy meant to cushion millions of unemployed South Africans between the ages of 18-59. This was revealed at the sitting of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development in parliament, when the Department presented its progress in the development of the policy. The Department said that remarkable progress has been made on the policy, with its first draft having been presented to the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster Cabinet Committee (SPCHD) in November last year. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, the Department’s Acting Chief Director for Communications…

A DNA analysis has confirmed that the human remains found in Rust De Winter, Gauteng, earlier this month, are of Pretoria journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli. According to the national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the human remains were analysed and matched with the reference sample of the biological relatives of the deceased. “A positive DNA match thus confirms that the discovered remains are that of the missing couple. The SAPS has already notified both families and is pleased to have assisted to provide closure to both families,” said Mathe. Seven suspects arrested in this case are…