Author: Larson Thebe
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…
The All Blacks handed the Springboks a 33–16 defeat at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, ending South Africa’s long winning streak. The victory gives the All Blacks a 1–0 lead in the four-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. The Springboks finished the match with 13 men following yellow cards for Marco van Staden and Cobus Reinach for playing the half-back and a deliberate knock-on, respectively. André Esterhuizen scored the Boks’ only try, with Cheslin Kolbe kicking a conversion and three penalties. Boks coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged that the team played badly and committed too many errors. “We didn’t play well. Against…
A 47-year-old man from Boschkop, Pretoria, accused of allegedly and intentionally infecting his 38-year-old girlfriend with HIV, has been granted R2,000 bail by the Pretoria Magistrates Court. The man faces a charge of attempted murder following allegations that he concealed his HIV-positive status while the couple were in a relationship between October 2025 and June 2026. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the accused allegedly told the woman that he was HIV-negative during their relationship. The complainant reportedly discovered antiretroviral (ARV) medication in the accused’s bag on 26 June 2026 and confronted him. NPA Gauteng spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent a letter to Parliament objecting to the appointment of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as the evidence leader for Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee. According to the letter, Ramaphosa raised concerns about Madonsela’s previous involvement with his office and his party, the ANC, arguing that this creates a potential conflict of interest. Ramaphosa also argued that he removed Madonsela from the Judicial Service Commission in 2022, stating that Madonsela might harbour a grievance against him. Committee Chairperson Makashule Gana said they would respond to Ramaphosa’s letter at a later stage, as the legal department was still studying…
The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has welcomed the Department of Correctional Services’ investigations into alleged violations of inmates’ dignity and security breaches at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria and the Goodwood Correctional Centre near Cape Town. The investigations follow allegations that inmates at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre are being forced to pay R240 for access to a bunk bed, while those unable to pay are allegedly left sleeping on concrete floors in overcrowded and unsanitary cells. Committee Chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng expressed grave concern over allegations that money is allegedly being channelled to an individual outside…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders to stand together to accelerate economic development across the region, just as they did in the struggle against colonialism, minority rule and apartheid. Ramaphosa, who assumed the SADC Chair on Monday, was speaking at the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Durban. The President said that, having overcome conflict and oppression, the region must now focus its efforts on economic development and ensuring that political liberation translates into tangible improvements in people’s lives. “Today, our task is to give economic and social meaning to…
Thousands of commuters affected by the suspension of North-West Transport Investment (NTI) bus services are set to receive a temporary lifeline, with the Gauteng and North West provincial governments expected to announce a phased resumption of operations on Sunday. The announcement will be made in Hammanskraal, where the Premiers of the two provinces will be joined by the MECs responsible for transport. NTI services in Hammanskraal and surrounding areas were suspended following the withdrawal of buses by subcontractors amid ongoing non-payment, unpaid worker salaries and the entity’s financial difficulties under business rescue. The phased return is expected to provide relief…