Author: Larson Thebe
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the Government of the State of Israel to release South Africans and other nationals abducted as part of Israeli authorities’ interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. The activists, including the grandson of former president Nelson Mandela, Nkosi Mandla Mandela, were intercepted and arrested last night on international waters while sailing to deliver much-needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The flotilla comprised more than 40 humanitarian vessels and was seeking to break Israel’s siege of Palestine. Israel has in the past warned that it’ll intercept the vessels when they enter its waters which fall under…
The tragic death of South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, has sent shockwaves throughout the nation and the international diplomatic community. Officially confirmed by the South African government, Mthethwa’s body was discovered outside a hotel in Paris after he had been reported missing for several days. “The Government of the Republic of South Africa announces with deep sorrow and profound regret the untimely passing of His Excellency Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa, South Africa’s Ambassador to the French Republic,” stated Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. “Ambassador Mthethwa was a distinguished servant of the nation,…
The South African Football Association (SAFA) said it’ll soon appeal a ruling by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee which docked South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player. FIFA ruled that SAFA erroneously fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Lesotho played on 21 March 2025. The committee declared the match to have been forfeited by Bafana Bafana by the score of 3-0. The association has also further been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 (R216 000) while Mokoena has been issued with a warning. Mokoena received a yellow card in November…
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) said it is elated that 15 police trainees who were excluded for having visible tattoos and other human resource-related matters from the Bhisho Training College, in King Williams Town, have been reinstated at the college. The union said the reinstatement follows its engagements with the South African Police Service (SAPS) on the unfair removal of the trainees from the Bhisho Training College. “After robust interventions and consistent engagements at national level, we are proud to announce that the affected members have been reinstated and recalled to the Introductory Police Development Learning Programme…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has established an inquiry to determine the fitness of Advocate Andrew Chauke to hold office as Director of Public Prosecutions Ramaphosa suspended Chauke in July on full pay, pending an inquiry into his fitness to hold office. “The inquiry will look into certain serious allegations regarding Advocate Chauke’s fitness and propriety to hold office as a Director of Public Prosecutions and as a member of the National Prosecuting Authority. Advocate Chauke was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions on 1 September 2011. The President has appointed retired Justice Bess Nkabine as Chairperson of the inquiry, with Adv Elizabeth…
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced an early Christmas for social grant beneficiaries that their grants will increase by R10 in the October payment cycle. According to the agency, the adjustment is in line with the announcement made by the Minister of Finance earlier this year when he tabled the Budget Speech for the 2025/26 financial year. Godongwana announced two grant increases, first one from 01 April 2025 and a slight increase on 01 October 2025. “Old Age Grants will increase from R2 310 to R2 320, old age grants (older than 75 years) will increase from…
Lamontville Golden Arrows handed Mamelodi Sundowns their first defeat of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, with a 1-0 win at the King Zwelithini stadium in Umlazi on Wednesday. Khuliso Mudau made his return for Sundowns, but even his presence failed to ignite the performance of the reigning champions, despite enjoying most of the possession. Abafana Bes’thende were rewarded when striker Junior Dion found the back of the net in the 30th minute, to score his fourth goal of the season. At the FNB stadium, a lacklustre Kaizer Chiefs played to a 1-1 draw with Marumo Gallants, in a match that…
North West for Community Safety and Transport Management Wessels Morweng has encouraged road users, especially those using N4 that links South Africa and Botswana towards other SADC countries, to be compliant. The MEC made the call during the Road Incident Management System Simulation Event that took place at the Skilpadhek border post near Zeerust. According to Morweng, the aim of the simulation was to assess the state of readiness in cases of a real-life scenario and the capacity building. “All state organs, including SANRAL, BMA, SANDF, SAPS, Traffic officials cannot do this alone. All community members and all those who occupy…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on all the countries to act urgently to stop the continuous genocide committed by Israel in Gaza. Ramaphosa also implored nations to provide humanitarian assistance, to stop famine and starvation in Gaza. He was addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. “Therefore, as nations that have pledged to uphold the UN Charter, we have the ultimate responsibility to ensure and protect the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Consistent with the case that South Africa brought before the International Court of Justice, there is growing global consensus that…
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said he’s confident that a new tariff deal will be reached with the United States government in the next two to three weeks. This after what he described as positive talks that he held with US States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, in Washington DC. Tau said the meeting was held as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive to strengthen economic ties with South Africa’s key trade partner. According to Tau, the meeting, which followed three days of technical discussions between senior officials from both sides, focused on priority issues in the bilateral…