Author: Larson Thebe

Qatar Airways has acquired a 25% stake in the independent regional carrier, Airlink. According to Qatar Airways, the deal is a continuation of its ambition to further develop its operations across the African continent. Airlink currently flies to more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries, and the investment is expected to enhance a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines. Qatar Airways is currently flying to 29 destinations across the continent, and the deal is expected to strengthen its growth strategy and cement its role as a key driver to the continent’s economic success. “Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 37-man strong squad for the two Rugby Championship Tests against arch-rival New Zealand. The squad featured most of the members that featured in the recent tour down under, including three Rugby World Cup winners, Steven Kitshoff, Jaden Hendrikse and Canan Moodie who are all back from injury. “New Zealand is ranked third in the world, and they always test us to the limit. We also saw last week what they can do under pressure when they defeated Argentina 42-10 after going down in their first Test against the Pumas. “We know these two…

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says the termination of CEO Zolani Matthews’ employment is in accordance with his contract. This is the third time he has been fired, and it came just days after he was restored following a favorable Labour Court decision. Matthews’ contract was also terminated in 2021, following an examination that discovered he had failed to disclose his dual citizenship. In a statement, Board Chair Nosiviwe Nokwe Macamo stated that terminating Matthews’ contract is also in the best interests of PRASA and all rail passengers. PRASA also claims that, in accordance with the July…

The ANC could soon reclaim control of the City of Tshwane which it lost in the 2016 local government elections and again in 2021. This is if the party’s Gauteng provincial leadership has its way. The party held a weekend Provincial Executive Committee Lekgotla in Ekurhuleni and briefed the media at its Johannesburg office on Monday where provincial chairperson and Premier Panyaza Lesufi indicated the ANC now had agreements with enough parties to can topple DA-led coalition government of the City of Tshwane if it so wished. Lesufi said the PEC has already began consultations with the national leadership of…

The Palm Ridge Magistrates Court has denied Pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng and his bodyguard, Vincent Baloyi, bail. The court however released Motsoeneng’s son, Revival, on warning. “Applicant one and two, have not discharged the honours that rest on them and have not amassed any evidence which has satisfied this court that it is in the interest of justice that they be admitted granted bail. Applicant number three, there’s no basis that he should be detained up until the finalisation of this matter and therefore the court shall grant his release from custody. Applicant one and two, your application for bail…

The Department of Health is urging residents to be calm, after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current Mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The declaration comes as the virus’s cases continue to increase across the world, including recorded deaths. According to the department, the total number of positive cases recorded in the country stands at 24 including 3 deaths, 19 recoveries and two active cases undergoing home isolation. Twelve of these cases were reported in Gauteng, 11 reported in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Western…

The Department of Home Affairs has deported 95 Libyans who were arrested in White River, Mpumalanga, to their country. They’re flight, which has been paid by the Libyan government, departed from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport today. Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, welcomed the swift conclusion of the deportation. “I commend the Home Affairs officials and other law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to ensure an expeditious deportation. We will continue to deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that the country’s immigration laws are respected and observed,” said Schreiber. The Libyans were arrested at a military camp…

The Springboks have registered first back-to-back wins in Australia since re-admission in 1992, by beating the Aussies 30-12 in the second Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test match in Perth.  The rare feat, played under wet and slippery conditions at the Optus Stadium, saw the Boks score four tries, once in the first half and three times in the second, and prevented the hosts from registering a try. Coach Rassie Erasmus applauded the team, which was labelled a B-team by many critics following 10 changes made to the starting line-up after last week Saturday’s first match in Brisbane. “We are always…

The Department of Home Affairs has issued a government gazette, requesting individuals who are currently in possession of a blocked ID to provide written submissions and representations within 30 days for why their ID should not be cancelled. The department said these measures are meant to combat fraud involving identity books and cards. “Through this move, Home Affairs aims to both resolve the decades-old issue of wrongfully blocked IDs while reducing the number of fraudulent documents in circulation. Some of the IDs were originally blocked as far back as 2005 for a range of reasons, including because the biometric system…

Newly appointed SPAR Proteas netball captain Khanyisa Chawane said she is excited about her new role and wants the team to be the best in the world. The announcement was made by Netball South Africa (NSA) during a ceremony held in Johannesburg, and Karla Pretorius was appointed her deputy. Chawane takes over the leadership role from Bongi Msomi, who recently retired as the most-capped player in the history of the team.The 28-year-old KC, as she is affectionately known, has been tasked to lead the team to until the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia. She has been an integral part…