Author: Motlhaping Modise

Nearly 10 000 illegal immigrants have been intercepted attempting to enter South Africa unlawfully during the first quarter of the current financial year.This is according to the Border Management Authority (BMA)’s Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato who briefed the media on the first quarter performance of the agency for the 2025/26 financial year. Masiapato said that the number of people who attempt to enter the country illegally has been regularly increasing since July 2022. “The Border Guards have been able to stop about 496 622 people who attempted to enter South Africa illegally since July 2022. Of the 9 954 persons, 5…

North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi said that the launch of the province’s Human Resource Development Council at the Orbit TVET College Mankwe campus near Sun City outside Rustenburg on Saturday, must address the challenges of high unemployment and poverty which are bedevilling the province. Mokgosi was flanked by the members of his Executive Council, District Executive Mayors, National HRDC Executives, senior government officials and managers of the college amongst others. The premier said that the launch of the HRDC reaffirms his administration’s ongoing commitment to harness the provincial skills base to address the scourge of unemployment and poverty in…

The Rustenburg Local Municipality’s ambitions to improve service delivery faced a serious setback on Friday, as local officials were forced to retreat from an informal settlement near Zinniaville following violent protests from residents. The community’s anger manifested in stone-throwing and the arson of a municipal vehicle, abruptly halting the ‘City at Work’ programme aimed at curbing energy losses and protecting vital infrastructure. Leading the operation was Karabo Phutu, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for the Directorate of Technical and Infrastructure Services. The municipality has been concentrating its efforts within wards 43 and 13, which include Zinniaville, Karlien Park, and…

FlySafair pilots’ strike has ended, after South Africa’s largest domestic airline signed a wage agreement with the trade union, Solidarity, which represents the majority of its pilots. The union said that the deal was reached through the auspices Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) proposed settlement. Speaking to Newsnote, Solidarity spokesperson and Deputy General Secretary Helgard Cronjé said that they accepted the offer. “This is a great four-year deal for our members. Pilots will receive salary increases of 6%, 6, 5%, 6, 8% and 6, 9% respectively over the next four years.While the agreement is an important step, there…

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has firmly reiterated his party’s stance not to support the removal of City of Tshwane City Manager Johann Mettler, amidst escalating tensions within the coalition comprised of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC). This contention primarily revolves around allegations surrounding Mettler’s appointment and his handling of pension matters. Speaking in an exclusive interview with YOUFM, Mashaba expressed surprise at the discord among coalition partners, stating that the issue had led to a fractious public spat. “The EFF and the ANC brought the matter to the Executive Mayor, Dr. Nasiphi Moya, alleging…

Workers at Bojanala Bus Service ended a two-month strike on Tuesday, with operations expected to return to normal on Wednesday. The protracted strike, which began on May 12, 2025, left thousands of passengers, including workers, students, and small business owners, grappling with disrupted travel routines due to the suspension of bus services. The Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (Demawusa) announced the conclusion of the strike after coming to a mutual agreement with the employer, Trans Africa Holdings. Meshack Ntshauba, Demawusa’s Secretary General, confirmed that their members were back at work following a deal that aims to…

Trade union federation, COSATU has hailed the recent wage agreement reached by its affiliate, South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) with the rail operator, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).SATAWU and fellow union, United National Transport Union (UNTU) accepted a 5.5% above inflation wage offer after being locked in negotiations with the employer for months. The unions rejected PRASA’s recent lowball offer of 3%, calling it an insult to workers.COSATU’s spokesperson Zanele Sabela said that the agreement includes a no-retrenchment clause. “We welcome this as achievement because the parties appeared far apart at the beginning of the…

The South African Airways, SAA has taken a decision to operate FlySafair flights amid an ongoing pilot strike led by majority union, Solidarity. The strike that started on Monday due to salary dispute is expected to continue today affecting operations as over 26 flights were grounded since Monday. Pilots affiliated to the Solidarity union are demanding a 10.5% salary hike, while FlySafair is offering 5.7%. Pilot and Aviation expert Phuthego Mojapele, who was speaking on YOU FM Newshour, said the strike that left many passengers stranded and frustrated could have been avoided and saved the low-cost carrier money. “The basic…

Twenty-five survivors and families of victims who disappeared or killed the apartheid-era, together with the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) have vowed to oppose former President Thabo Mbeki and former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Bridgette Mabandla’s application to intervene in the constitutional damages litigation filed against the President and the government.The Mbeki and Mabandla application is expected to be heard by the Pretoria High court next week Monday. The applicants are seeking constitutional damages for the political suppression of apartheid-era cases that were referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Speaking…

The current Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Mosotho Moepya said since he joined the IEC in 1998, he believes his experience spanning over 18 years must come as a motivation to appoint him to return as the commissioner. Moepya said they have contributed immensely to the formation of the political party funding and conducts by-elections almost by-weekly unlike before. He was responding to questions from a panel during the interview for three Electoral Commission Commissioner vacancies held in Midrand. The interviewing panel, chaired by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, began its first leg of interviews for 11 candidates including…