Author: Larson Thebe
South African will withdraw its troop contribution United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) after 27 years. President Cyril Ramaphosa has already informed the United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres about the government’s decision, which was conveyed through a telephone call on 12 January 2026diers to the South Africa ranks amongst the top 10 troop‑contributing countries to MONUSCO, with a force presence of over 700 soldiers deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in support of the Mission’s peacekeeping mandate. “In a telephone conversation, President Ramaphosa indicated that South Africa’s unilateral withdrawal decision from MONUSCO…
Police in the North West have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a SAPS member in Phokeng. Constable Gift Mota, drowned on duty while in pursuit of a suspect linked to cases of robbery and burglary in the Phokeng policing area. According to the police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, Mota and his colleagues, were performing patrol duties when they were approached by a community member who alleged that they had spotted a wanted suspect. “The police members accompanied the community member to the Masosobane and Raffredy sections, a bushy area with a nearby dam. …
Orlando Pirates have trashed Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 4-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, to advance to the round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup. Pirates fielded three new signings Andre de Jong and Mpho Chabatsane, and Melusi Buthelezi their first caps at the club. The Buccaneers were the first to register their names in the score sheet in the tenth minute, when new recruit Jong converted from a penalty spot, after Oswin Appolis was brought down by Sithembiso Ngobe. Last year’s finalists doubled their lead in the 17th minute when a long shot by Thalente Mbatha was deflected…
Two VIP Protection Officers assigned to the Madibeng Local Municipality Mayor in the North West, have been granted bail of R20 000 each by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Friday. Thabang Sohole and Michael Makampe are facing charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and operating a vehicle with blue identification lamps on an unauthorised vehicle on a public road. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) the incident occurred on 28 January 2026 when the deceased, Sergeant Michael Swanton, and his wife, who are both members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), were travelling along Eskia Mphahlele…
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has defended her decision not to accede to a request by the Ad Hoc Committee, to issue subpoenas for forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and Brown Mogotsi. The request was made by the committee that is investigating allegations of wrongdoing within law enforcement that were made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Some of the committee members had wanted Didiza to subpoena the two to appear virtually following their request to appear virtually at the committee, citing security concerns. Mogotsi, who is accused of a corrupt relationship with suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu, has…
Government has welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by one year, after it expired last year. The extension comes after US president Donald Trump signed the legislation, to extend the trade agreement from 20 September 2025 until 31 December 2026. AGOA is a critical legislation that allows for eligible sub-Saharan African countries to enjoy duty-free access to the US market. Following its expiry last year, there were uncertainties in the continental economies, resulting in many job losses. “This extension will provide some relief to South African products exported under the scheme,” said Tau. The minister…
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has raised concerns about the non-payment of workers’ pension fund contributions at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West. The union said it was made aware about this by its affiliate at the municipality, South African Municipal Workers Union. According to COSATU, the troubled municipality has allegedly failed to pay the contributions for 14 months. The union spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, has warned that the non-payment will have a dire consequence on the workers, especially when they retire. “This is playing with fire as it robs workers of the compounding effect that…
The leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) John Steenhuisen is expected to announce on Thursday that he will not seek re-election as party leader during their elective conference in April this year. The announcement comes amid internal tensions in the DA, including a public spat between Steenhuisen and former minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Dion George. This after Steenhuisen called for the removal of George as minister, accusing him of incompetence, with George also accusing him of interfering in the running of the department. George also accused Steenhuisen of being captured by the African National Congress in the Government…
Consumers can breathe a sigh of relief, following the announcement of a fuel decrease by the department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. The price decrease will take effect from Wednesday. “Both grades of petrol will decrease by 65 cents a litre. Diesel will decrease by 50 and 57 cents a litre. Illuminating paraffin at retail level will decrease by 70 cents a litre. LP gas will increase by 31 cents countrywide and by 36 cents in Western Cape,” said the department spokesperson, Robert Maake. According to Maake, the reduction is due to local and international factors. “The rand appreciated against…
Four people have been injured and transported to nearby hospitals, after a transformer exploded in a building at the intersection of Lower Railway Road and Staib Street, New Doornfontein. According to the Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) the building is used as a student accommodation. The EMS says its officers immediately initiated firefighting operations during their arrival at the building, and the fire has since been extinguished. “The transformer was housed within a small utility storage room. The explosion allegedly caused the collapse of a room and adjoining boundary wall. All residents in the immediate vicinity have been evacuated to a…