Author: Larson Thebe
For the first time since December last year, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has recorded no new cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the province over the past week. According to the department, the milestone marks a significant development in the province’s ongoing efforts to contain and curb the spread of the disease. “This is the first week since December 2025 that the province has recorded no new FMD cases, signalling a positive shift in the province’s fight against the disease. It also provides encouragement that intensified vaccination and disease-control interventions are beginning to yield results,”…
Motorists have been warned to brace for steep fuel price increases at the pumps from 2 September. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced fuel price adjustments effective Wednesday, citing local and international factors behind the increases. This marks the second consecutive monthly fuel price increase, following the adjustment announced in August. Both grades of petrol, 93 and 95, will increase by R1.34 per litre. Diesel 0.05% sulphur will increase by R2.94 per litre, while diesel 0.005% sulphur will rise by R3.15 per litre. Wholesale illuminating paraffin will increase by R2.13 per litre, while the single maximum national…
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is recovering well at home after undergoing a minor surgical procedure, his office has confirmed. The Office of the Deputy President issued the update in response to weekend media reports concerning Mashatile’s health and his prolonged absence from some public engagements. “The Office reiterates the position communicated previously: the Deputy President became unwell while at home in Johannesburg and, under the supervision of his medical team, sought medical attention,” said Mashatile’s acting spokesperson, Keith Khoza. Mashatile was admitted for a minor surgical procedure and observation before being discharged. He is now continuing his recovery at home…
The Springboks bounced back in the second Test of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, beating New Zealand’s All Blacks 33–26 in front of more than 56,000 cheering supporters in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon. The victory helped the team level the four-match series at 1–1 following last weekend’s loss in Johannesburg and ensured that they returned to the number one spot in the world rankings, with New Zealand at number two. Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and captain Siya Kolisi scored the team’s tries, while man of the match Cheslin Kolbe converted all three tries and kicked…
The Gauteng Department of Health has welcomed the arrest of three women allegedly linked to the theft and illegal sale of medication used for legal termination of pregnancy services at Stretford Community Health Centre (CHC) in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg. The department said two boxes of Cytotec tablets, which are used as part of lawful Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) services, along with 24 loose tablets, were allegedly stolen from the health facility on Monday. According to the department, the suspects allegedly gained access to the medication after breaking a padlock securing a medicine cupboard. Gauteng Health spokesperson…
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is elated to be back and ready to face the All Blacks in the second of four matches in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in Cape Town on Saturday evening. Kolisi was declared fit on Monday and named captain after recovering from the injury he sustained during the Test against Argentina two weeks ago. “I feel good, strong, and I think the toughest part was more the mental battle. I think people always think it’s the injury itself. You know you’re always going to heal, but I think it’s the mental one. You know, you don’t know…
The former architect and principal agent responsible for the security upgrades at former President Jacob Zuma’s private residence in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, Minenhle Makhanya, has been ordered to pay the National Treasury R147.269 million. This follows a judgment secured by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) at the Special Tribunal, ordering Makhanya to repay the money over losses incurred during the controversial security upgrades. According to SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho, the amount represents the financial loss suffered by the National Department of Public Works (DPW) as a result of unlawful conduct during the project. “The judgment found that Makhanya’s appointment and subsequent…
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has survived a motion of no confidence brought against her by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The EFF accused Didiza of failing to protect Parliament by not opposing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s application to halt the work of the impeachment committee. This followed her filing of a notice at the Western Cape High Court stating that she had chosen to abide by its judgment, much to the fury of members of the impeachment committee. Ramaphosa had filed papers at the court seeking to have the Section 89 independent panel report reviewed, following a Constitutional Court judgment…
Police have seized cocaine with an estimated street value of more than R200 million at OR Tambo International Airport following an operation by a multidisciplinary team that intercepted two separate consignments. Police said that, in the first incident, two large travel suitcases were intercepted at the airport terminal. Upon opening them, officers discovered blocks of suspected cocaine weighing approximately 84 kilograms. In a separate interception at the cargo section, four boxes containing approximately 250 kilograms of suspected cocaine, packed into 220 blocks, were seized. No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are underway to identify and apprehend…
Police in the North West are investigating a case of arson following a fire that destroyed the school hall at Matlhare Mokautu Secondary School in Monakato township. According to the Department of Education, the damage is estimated at R5 million. The fire broke out after school hours on Friday, 21 August 2026. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and investigations are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. “The fire caused extensive damage to the school hall and its facilities. “The items damaged include the ceiling, roof, kitchen shelves, eight toilet sets, one urinal basin, four…