Author: Motlhaping Modise

The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality has moved swiftly to reassure residents that water supplied by municipal tankers remains safe for human consumption amid the ongoing water scare in Bronkhorstspruit. In a statement addressing growing public concern, the City emphasised that alternative water supplies are subject to strict quality-control procedures and routine laboratory testing to ensure compliance with national drinking water standards. Tshwane Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya confirmed that continuous water quality monitoring and regular testing were being conducted to ensure the water met the required safety standards. “To provide further peace of mind, municipal health officials have collected…

Police in the North West have dealt another massive blow to organised crime syndicates after dismantling a suspected clandestine drug laboratory in Thabeng Section, Ramokokastad Village, near Mogwase, on Friday, 23 October 2026. This marks the fourth illegal drug manufacturing facility to be uncovered in the province in the past six months, highlighting a deeply concerning trend of syndicates shifting their operations to rural and farming areas across the region. According to preliminary police observations, the premises were suspected of being used to manufacture Mandrax and crystal methamphetamine. The exact nature and composition of the recovered substances are still awaiting…

The Presidency has officially approved a Category 2 Special Provincial Official Funeral for the late Morwagae Jacob Mogapi, a distinguished military veteran and liberation struggle icon. The announcement follows an application by the North West Provincial Government to honour Mogapi, who hailed from Lobatla village in the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, Lehurutshe. The funeral service will take place at his home village of Lobatla on Saturday. “Mogapi was a selfless, principled and humble servant of the people who played a significant role in the liberation struggle. He was actively involved in the historic 1957–1958 Women’s Anti-Pass Campaign in Lehurutshe, which…

The South African government and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) have intensified their warnings against misinformation and disinformation, urging the public to remain vigilant as the local government elections rapidly approach. Coinciding with Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, authorities are joining forces under a unified call to protect the integrity of democratic processes and maintain public trust. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi reiterated the state’s deep concern about the rapid spread of unverified content across messaging apps and social media platforms. “Living in a digital age means that more people rely on online…

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is calling on the National Treasury to consider releasing R10 billion from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) to cushion the public against soaring global oil prices, poverty and unemployment. COSATU submitted a list of demands to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana ahead of his much-anticipated Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, the union’s parliamentary co-ordinator, Matthew Parks, said the financial relief was urgently needed, as workers were struggling to make ends meet. “It is incredibly difficult for workers to survive right now. They’re being…

Former President Thabo Mbeki has strongly denied any political interference in the prosecution, or lack thereof, of more than 300 cases referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a final decision. Mbeki testified before the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry, also known as the TRC Cases Inquiry, on Monday. His testimony drew sharp criticism from the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR), which represents 25 families of apartheid-era victims and survivors who have spent decades waiting for accountability. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, FHR attorney and programme officer Vuya Nako said Mbeki’s testimony focused…

Three Bengal tigers and a serval seized by the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) from a captive predator breeding facility in North West have been relocated to safety following alleged severe animal welfare violations. According to the NSPCA, two of the tigers were found in an enclosure contaminated with faeces and decomposing carcasses, while the third tiger and the serval were suffering from untreated injuries. Douglas Wolhuter, chief inspector and manager of the NSPCA’s Wildlife Protection Unit, said the animals were removed from the facility in collaboration with a wildlife veterinarian and members of the Groot Marico South African Police…

South Africa’s largest labour federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), has faced criticism following its resolution on which alliance partners workers should support in the upcoming local government elections. COSATU’s reconvened 15th Elective Congress urged workers to support and vote for both the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the local government elections scheduled for 4 November. Speaking on YOU FM’s Newshour, independent labour analyst Mamokgethi Molopyane warned that COSATU’s failure to clearly identify which of its alliance partners it supports could have serious political consequences. “It signals both weakness and…

The first day of the matric final examinations in the North West has passed without any major disruptions. More than 52,000 candidates are registered to write the examinations across the province, with the first paper being Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1. Acting Education MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi visited Malatse Motsepe Secondary School in Mmakau Village, within the Madibeng Local Education Office, where she expressed satisfaction with the smooth start to the examinations. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, the Department’s Head of Communication, Dr Elias Malindi, confirmed that measures were in place to ensure CAT Paper 1 proceeded smoothly without major…

The National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) has issued a strong condemnation following separate shooting incidents targeting two of South Africa’s most prominent traditional leaders. The attacks targeted Morena Neo Mopeli, Chairperson of the Free State Provincial House, and Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena, Chairperson of the Mpumalanga Provincial House and current President of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA). The NHTKL has declared that the safety of traditional leaders is “not negotiable” and is calling for urgent intervention from the national government. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, NHTKL Chairperson Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo said there were similarities…