Author: Motlhaping Modise

South Africa has repatriated 250 foreign nationals to Zimbabwe and Nigeria as authorities continue large-scale voluntary repatriation and deportation operations amid renewed migration-related tensions and safety concerns in KwaZulu-Natal. The coordinated operation was carried out on Thursday, September 10, 2026, in cooperation with the relevant foreign diplomatic missions. It followed reports of displaced and stranded foreign nationals seeking urgent humanitarian assistance outside their respective diplomatic offices. According to government officials, the operation was conducted in accordance with South Africa’s immigration laws and established international humanitarian procedures, with authorities seeking to ensure an orderly, safe and humane process. Deputy Government Spokesperson…

The Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management in the North West has formally welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate North West Transport Investments (NTI). Committee Chairperson Freddy Sonakile stated that the independent forensic probe is a crucial step towards bringing accountability to the embattled provincial transport entity and its subsidiaries. He affirmed that the proclamation will cover allegations of serious maladministration, unlawful or improper conduct, irregular expenditure and transactions, possible corruption, and losses suffered by the State. “Importantly, it also empowers the SIU to pursue the recovery of losses suffered by…

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo is confident that withholding monthly equitable share allocations from municipalities owing Water Boards can assist in addressing this growing challenge in the country. Mahlobo called for a “whole-of-society approach” to address the growing municipal debt owed to the boards, as well as the broader challenges affecting the sustainability of the water sector. The Deputy Minister revealed this during a webinar convened by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which discussed the growing municipal debt burden, its impact on the sustainability of the boards, and the implications for the constitutional right of access…

The North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) is set to formally request that the national government classify the province as a disaster area. This follows a catastrophic weekend storm characterised by destructive winds, heavy rain and severe hail, which tore through the four districts of the province, leaving a trail of destruction. Preliminary assessments reveal that more than 60 schools, clinics, strategic roads, and several public and private buildings have been severely damaged or destroyed. Speaking about the extent of the crisis on YOU FM Newshour, the Head of the North West PDMC, Tebogo Gaolaolwe, confirmed that provincial teams…

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has called for thorough investigations into a suspected case of “aiding and abetting” dangerous offender Edward Madiba’s escape from the Rooigrond Maximum Correctional Centre near Mahikeng in the North West. Madiba escaped from one of the country’s maximum-security correctional facilities on Sunday, not for the first time, but for the second time in less than a year. According to the Department, Madiba escaped from the same maximum-security facility in 2022 and was only re-arrested late last year. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, committee Chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng called for harsher action against officials who may…

The family of anti-apartheid struggle stalwart and student activist Nokuthula Simelane has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to stand by them until the truth about the 23-year-old’s disappearance is uncovered, her remains are found and those responsible are held to account. Ramaphosa delivered the inaugural Nokuthula Simelane Memorial Lecture at the University of Mpumalanga on Thursday afternoon. Nokuthula was abducted, tortured and forcibly disappeared by members of the Security Branch of the South African Police in 1983. “To the Simelane family, our pledge remains: we will not abandon the search for the truth and what happened to Nokuthula. “We will…

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has commended the province’s 22 municipalities for successfully meeting the 31 August statutory deadline to submit their 2025/26 Annual Financial Statements (AFS) to the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA). During the ceremonial handover of the AFS, Auditor-General officials and Finance MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi described the submissions as an important foundation for accountability to the people of North West. Speaking on YOU FM’s Newshour, SCOPA Chairperson Motlalepula Rosho said the AFS provides a formal account of each municipality’s financial position and performance for the financial year ended 30 June 2026.…

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) in North West has called for decisive action against learners accused of verbally and physically attacking educators at two schools in Taung. The union’s call follows incidents reported at Batlhaping Secondary School and Mankuroane Technical School, which have sparked concern over growing levels of learner indiscipline. Videos circulating on social media appear to show a Grade 9 learner verbally abusing a teacher in a classroom, while another video shows a learner allegedly assaulting an educator at Mankuroane Technical School. SADTU North West provincial secretary Els Themba said the union was deeply concerned about…

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has committed to continuing its women empowerment programme beyond Women’s Month, while also expanding efforts to empower youth, persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTQI+ community within the taxi industry. The resolution was taken at the National Safe Mobility and Empowerment Summit, held in Boksburg on Monday as the country wrapped up its Women’s Month activities. The first part of the programme focused on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) awareness campaigns at the Kempton Park taxi rank. Commuters, drivers and taxi industry employees were encouraged to help prevent abuse and report incidents…

The recall of 2,275 Ford Ranger Double Cab vehicles in South Africa highlights the growing safety, regulatory and financial pressures facing vehicle manufacturers and dealers as modern vehicles become increasingly complex. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) issued the recall for Ford Ranger vehicles manufactured for the 2026–2027 production year, after identifying a potential safety defect involving the side curtain airbags and B-pillar trim. The affected vehicles were sold through Ford franchised dealerships nationwide between 22 May and 23 June 2026, with vehicles also exported to Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini. For Ford and its dealer network, the recall means additional…