Author: Larson Thebe
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has formally withdrawn the charges against National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. The withdrawal follows a review of the charges laid against Masemola and his subsequent arrest by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) for alleged violations of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). “In reviewing the matter, the NDPP, Advocate Andy Mothibi, invoked Section 179(5)(c) of the Constitution, read with Section 22(2)(b) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act 32 of 1998. “These provisions empower the NDPP to intervene in any prosecution process where the NPA’s policy directives have not been complied with. The NPA…
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and five co-accused have been denied bail by the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of Emmanuel Mbense. The six accused include businessman Cobus Janse van Rensburg, former EMPD official Adrian Mackenzie and three former South African Police Service (SAPS) officials — Bhekokwakhe Sibande, Keisha-Leigh Stols and Juan Maree Eksteen. They face charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the administration of justice. The State alleges that the accused assaulted and killed Mbense at his residence on 14 April 2022 after allegedly suspecting him of stealing…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation into North West Transport Investments (NTI) and its subsidiaries amid allegations of serious maladministration, corruption and irregular expenditure. Ramaphosa signed a new proclamation and an amendment authorising the probe into NTI, North West Star and Atteridgeville Bus Service. The investigation comes after NTI’s operations collapsed earlier this year following severe financial constraints, including unpaid workers’ salaries and the withdrawal of subcontractors. According to SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho, the investigation will examine allegations of corruption, maladministration and irregular expenditure, as well as seek to recover any financial losses suffered by…
South Africa and Lesotho police destroyed 1,787 firearms seized during crime-combating operations by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS). Authorities said the initiative is aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against the proliferation of illegal firearms. It takes place in the context of African Amnesty Month and contributes to the African Union’s broader Silencing the Guns objective and its vision. The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, and LMPS Police Chief, Commissioner Borotho Matsoso, jointly presided over the destruction of the firearms in Gauteng. Lieutenant General Dimpane reaffirmed SAPS’s commitment…
Botswana national football coach Morena Ramoreboli has been appointed as Bafana Bafana assistant coach to Pitso Mosimane. According to a joint statement by the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Botswana Football Association (BFA), the South African-born coach will leave his position ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Ramoreboli was appointed Zebras coach in 2025 after previously serving as interim coach. This followed his success in leading Jwaneng Galaxy to two Botswana Premier League titles and guiding the club to the CAF Champions League group stage on two occasions. His most significant achievement came when he…
The Board of the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) has suspended its President, Barry Hendricks, with immediate effect. The Board said the decision was made in accordance with SASCOC’s governance protocols and ongoing internal review processes. Hendricks was suspended after anonymous complaints were lodged with the SASCOC Board over alleged breaches of the federation’s safeguarding policy and Codes Handbook. “The Board appointed retired Judge Basheer Waglay to investigate the anonymous complaints. “In his report, Judge Waglay recommended that there was prima facie evidence to warrant referral of the complaints to the SASCOC Judicial Body for further…
Two occupants of a light aircraft have sustained injuries after it crashed into a business complex at Ranges Fountain, at the intersection of New Road and Old Pretoria Main Road (R101) in Glen Austin, Midrand. The cause of the accident is still unknown at this stage. “We’ve got our private ambulance services on site treating the patients, with the local Grand Central Fire and South African Police Service in attendance. “Of course, the relevant authorities will be investigating the crash,” said Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi. Meanwhile, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) said the accident has resulted…
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made only one change in the team that is going to face the All Blacks for the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series decider in Baltimore, USA, on Saturday. This as injuries have forced wing and fullback Cheslin Kolbe to stay behind and will be replaced by Damian Willemse, while scrumhalf Morne van den Berg being drafted into the starting team. Despite leading the series 2-1, Erasmus believes that there’s still room for improvement and eliminating some of the mistakes made during the past three matches. “We always want to try and play better,…
Strong and destructive winds have damaged more than 20 schools in the North West, causing extensive damage to roofs and mobile classrooms. According to the Department of Education, the number of damaged schools is expected to increase when schools reopen on Monday. The extensive damage comes as the department is still reeling from the recent burning of three schools and is expected to place further pressure on the already strained departmental infrastructure. The department’s Head of Communication, Dr Elias Malindi, says the damage has been recorded in all districts of the province. “In the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, the affected…
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has cautioned motorists and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution on the roads due to adverse weather conditions and high winds affecting various parts of the city. The warning comes after severe weather caused waterlogged soil and uprooted trees, leading to multiple road obstructions and hazardous driving conditions across Johannesburg. According to JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla, fallen trees and storm debris have caused significant traffic disruptions across several key routes. “Currently, Cooper and Beryl Street in Cyrildene, near Athlone Girls’ High School, is blocked due to a large tree that has fallen across the…