Author: Larson Thebe
South Africa has expelled Israel’s Chargé d’Affaires, Ariel Seidman, ordering him to leave the country within 72 hours. The government said the decision follows a series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practices that pose a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty. “These violations include the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to launch insulting attacks against His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as a deliberate failure to inform the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of purported visits by senior Israeli officials,” said DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri. Phiri stated that such actions constitute a…
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed hefty fines against both the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), following a chaotic African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between the two countries two weeks ago in Rabat. The final was overshadowed by scenes of a walk-off by Senegal players, in protest against what they regarded as biasness by the match official. This after Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty in the dying minutes of the match, while Senegal was angry that they were not awarded a penalty minute earlier. This resulted in some clashes…
President Ramaphosa has directed the Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia and National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, to establish a special investigations task team, which will investigate recommendations made by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The directive comes after Ramaphosa studied the commission’s preliminary report, which was handed over to him in December last year in line with the delivery timelines that had been determined by the President. “The task team will institute investigations against people identified by the Commission for investigation. Establishing a special unit is critical to ensure that these investigations take place as a matter of urgency,”…
Parliament Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has subpoenaed Brown Mogotsi to appear before it. This after the controversial Mahikeng alleged political fixer refused to appear physically before the committee on Thursday, as scheduled. According to the committee, Mokgosi had raised security concerns and the financing of his personal security detail, as the reason why he’s refusing to appear before the committee. Committee Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane, described Mokgosi’s demands as “ridiculous” arguing that it is disingenuous for Mokgosi to seek new demands, after initially requesting that parliament provide him with protection. Committee…
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is calling on the government to halt what it described as a “mind boggling planned R372 million budget for the Defence Force Day parade and related activities” to be held next month in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. The federation says the event is a waste of state resources, which can be better utilised to address the many pressing needs of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). COSATU’s parliamentary coordinator, Matthew Parks, cautioned that spending R372m on a one-day parade will take wasteful expenditure to new lows for the SANDF and the nation.…
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has joined calls for the boycott of the FIFA World Cup in the USA. The US is co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico and Canada starting in June this year. Blatter stepped down as Fifa President in 2015 following a series of corruption and bribery scandals and was replaced by incumbent Gianni Infantino Blatter’s comments follow global criticism against the US anti-immigration laws, which have seen several people illegally deported while others, including US citizens, were killed by federal agents. The Trump administration has also announced a travel ban for some countries to the US,…
Senegal soccer coach Pape Thiaw has sought to explain his decision to order his players walk-off during the chaotic African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Morocco on Sunday. Senegal, which eventually won the tournament, were not happy after the hosts Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty in the dying minutes of the final after a VAR review. In protest, the Teranga Lions coach instructed his players to walk-off the pitch, before returning to continue with the match after a 15-minute delay. When the tense situation was finally resolved, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz bungled the penalty, much to the shock of…
North West police have issued a warning to parents, guardians and community members to closely monitor children around dams, rivers, swimming pools, lakes and bridges. The caution follows a tragic incident in which two teenage girls drowned in a river at Moshava village near Zeerust. According to police, officers were alerted to the drowning on Wednesday afternoon. Upon arrival at the scene, they were informed that three girls and two boys had gone swimming in the river. After entering the water, two of the girls struggled to swim back to safety. “The two boys managed to rescue one girl and…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Dinkie Portia Dube as the new Deputy Public Protector of the Republic of South Africa for a seven-year term, effective 1 February 2026. According to the President’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, the appointment was made in terms of section 2A(1) of the Public Protector Act, 1994 (Act 23 of 1994), following a recommendation by the National Assembly. The position became vacant in 2023 after the then Deputy Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, was appointed as the Public Protector. Dube’s appointment follows a recommendation by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development after interviews conducted…
Operations at the Rustenburg Local Municipality offices were brought to a halt earlier today after smoke was detected in two of the floors at the building. Authorities say no injuries or casualties were reported during the incident. “Upon detection, emergency protocols were immediately activated. The Municipal Fire and Rescue Services, together with relevant internal departments, responded promptly to the scene. As a precautionary measure, employees were required to evacuated to ensure the safety of employees and members of the public,” said the municipality’s acting Communications Manager, Odirile Madiba. Furthermore, Madiba said emergency personnel are conducting assessment, adding that the situation…